As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2005
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: 811-21499
NEUBERGER BERMAN DIVIDEND ADVANTAGE FUND INC.
---------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of the Registrant as Specified in Charter)
c/o Neuberger Berman Management Inc.
605 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, New York 10158-0180
Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code: (212) 476-8800
Peter E. Sundman, Chief Executive Officer
c/o Neuberger Berman Management Inc.
Neuberger Berman Dividend Advantage Fund Inc.
605 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, New York 10158-0180
Arthur C. Delibert, Esq.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP
1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20036
(Names and addresses of agents for service)
Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2005
Date of reporting period: April 30, 2005
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 SHAREHOLDERS
[NEUBERGER BERMAN LOGO]
A LEHMAN BROTHERS COMPANY
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
APRIL 30, 2005
NEUBERGER BERMAN
DIVIDEND
ADVANTAGE
FUND INC.
NEUBERGER BERMAN APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED)
CONTENTS
THE FUND
CHAIRMAN'S LETTER 1
PORTFOLIO COMMENTARY/PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS 2
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS/TOP TEN EQUITY HOLDINGS 6
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 9
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS/PER SHARE DATA 21
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN 23
DIRECTORY 25
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 26
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE 26
REPORT OF VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS 27
CHAIRMAN'S LETTER
DEAR SHAREHOLDER,
I am pleased to present to you this annual report for the Neuberger Berman
Dividend Advantage Fund Inc. The report includes a portfolio commentary, a
listing of the Fund's investments, and its unaudited financial statements for
the semi-annual reporting period ending April 30, 2005.
The Fund seeks high total return, comprising high current income (a portion of
which may be qualified dividend income) and capital appreciation. Securities in
the portfolio that meet the requirements for qualified dividend income are taxed
at the same federal tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, which can
create a favorable tax situation for shareholders.
The Fund is built on a foundation of fundamental research. An Asset Allocation
Committee takes responsibility for allocating assets between income-producing
securities recommended by the Neuberger Berman, LLC Research Department, and
real estate company securities--a structure that we believe provides
shareholders with an added level of confidence.
Thank you for entrusting your hard-earned assets to Neuberger Berman. Let me
assure you that we will work hard every day to preserve and grow your capital.
Sincerely,
/s/ Peter Sundman
PETER SUNDMAN
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
NEUBERGER BERMAN
DIVIDEND ADVANTAGE FUND INC.
"Neuberger Berman" and the Neuberger Berman logo are service marks of Neuberger
Berman, LLC. "Neuberger Berman Management Inc." and the individual fund name in
this shareholder report are either service marks or registered service marks of
Neuberger Berman Management Inc. (C)2005 Neuberger Berman Management Inc. All
rights reserved.
1
DIVIDEND ADVANTAGE FUND INC. Portfolio Commentary
We are pleased to report that, on March 30, 2005, the Neuberger Berman Dividend
Advantage Fund (AMEX: NDD) marked its one-year anniversary. For the six months
ending April 30, 2005, on a Net Asset Value (NAV) basis, the Fund provided a
total return of 10.25%, compared to gains of 3.28% and 7.06% for the S&P 500
Index and the NAREIT Equity REIT Index, respectively, over the same period.
The Fund includes an approximately even mix of 1) income-producing securities
that are chosen by the firm's in-house research department and a team of
experienced portfolio managers, and 2) real estate company securities. The
portion of the portfolio driven by our in-house research seeks to invest a
significant majority of its assets in stocks rated Buy (B) or New Funds (N)
which have recently had a higher average dividend yield than that of the S&P
500. The remaining assets in this segment are chosen by a team of managers with
experience selecting attractive income opportunities.
The portfolio's allocation to income-producing securities contributed positively
to its total return for the period. This segment benefited from the recent trend
toward dividend-paying stocks that now receive more favorable tax treatment than
they did in the past. Demand from investors seeking yield opportunities in the
currently low, albeit rising, interest rate environment, also helped returns.
Against this backdrop, our utility holdings performed well and we plan to
maintain our over-weight position in this sector. In other areas, the
portfolio's energy holdings outperformed, while its financial holdings
underperformed.
The Fund's allocation to real estate company securities also added to returns
during the reporting period. We believe the positive trends that lifted the
broader REIT market over the past six months will remain intact as investors
continue to search for higher-yielding securities in a rising, but still low
interest rate environment. Commercial real estate fundamentals in particular
continue to improve, as evidenced by increasing rent and occupancy levels.
Our emphasis on diversification across property sectors and geographic regions
continues to enhance the Fund's ability to deliver consistent returns. Our
position in the office sector provides a good example. We believe that improved
stock price performance in this sector reflects the attractive valuation levels
and dividend yields that it demonstrated at the start of the year. Since then,
continued evidence of an improving leasing environment has positively affected
valuations within the sector--a trend we expect to continue throughout the year.
During the reporting period, this segment of the portfolio also benefited from
holdings in regional malls, hotels and self storage, but was hurt by its
holdings in mixed asset REITs. We will continue to emphasize office, regional
mall and apartment REITs in the Fund. We are decreasing our exposure to
preferred REITs, since these securities tend to be more interest-rate sensitive.
Along with our conviction that real estate fundamentals should improve over the
next 12 months, we also believe that merger and acquisition activity may
accelerate. We think that the Fund could be a beneficiary of that development
given our focus on buying REITs that trade at a discount to NAV.
The current economic environment is characterized by rising short-term interest
rates, benign long-term interest rates and expected GDP growth of 3%. We
believe, absent a recession, that REITs are on track for 8-9% earnings-per-share
growth in calendar 2005 as demand for real estate continues to outstrip supply.
The first quarter earnings season confirmed this trend. If there is continued
evidence of earnings acceleration, it should benefit REIT share prices as we
move through the year. We continue to seek companies with improving
fundamentals, strong financial positions and opportunistic management teams.
On an ongoing basis, we review our allocation between the two distinct parts of
the portfolio. At this time, we are maintaining our fairly even mix between the
two segments. This is always subject to change depending on our view of the
relative attractiveness of the two segments.
Sincerely,
NEUBERGER BERMAN DIVIDEND ADVANTAGE
FUND INC.
ASSET ALLOCATION COMMITTEE
2
DIVIDEND ADVANTAGE FUND
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
SIX MONTH AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL
NEUBERGER BERMAN DIVIDEND PERIOD ENDED RETURN ENDED 4/30/2005
ADVANTAGE FUND INCEPTION DATE 4/30/2005 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION
NAV (1),(3) 03/25/2004 10.25% 28.13% 20.95%
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
SIX MONTH AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL
NEUBERGER BERMAN DIVIDEND PERIOD ENDED RETURN ENDED 4/30/2005
ADVANTAGE FUND INCEPTION DATE 4/30/2005 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION
MARKET PRICE (2),(3) 03/25/2004 3.00% 10.02% (0.39%)
INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION
(% OF TOTAL NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS)
Aerospace 3.4%
Apartments 11.6
Banking & Financial 12.3
Basic Materials 1.1
Commercial Services 1.3
Community Centers 6.1
Consumer Discretionary 4.2
Cosmetics 2.0
Diversified 11.3
Energy 8.1
Entertainment 1.0
Food & Beverage 4.3
Health Care 6.4
Industrial 4.9
Lodging 3.8
Office 16.7
Office - Industrial 2.9
Pharmaceutical 2.1
Publishing & Broadcasting 1.9
Regional Malls 12.3
Self Storage 1.6
Software 2.1
Telecommunications 6.5
Utilities 9.0
Waste Management 2.0
Short-Term Investments 20.7
Liabilities, less cash, receivables and other
assets (59.6)
Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continually offered. There is
an initial public offering and once issued, common shares of closed-end funds
are sold in the open market through a stock exchange.
The composition, industries and holdings of the fund are subject to change.
Investment return will fluctuate. Past performance is no guarantee of future
results.
3
ENDNOTES
(1) Return based on Net Asset Value ("NAV") of the Fund.
(2) Return based on market price of Fund shares on the American Stock Exchange.
(3) Neuberger Berman Management Inc. has contractually agreed to waive a
portion of the management fees that it is entitled to receive from the
Fund. The undertaking lasts until October 31, 2010. Please see the notes to
the financial statement for specific information regarding the rate of the
management fees waived by Neuberger Berman Management Inc. Absent such a
waiver, the performance for the Fund would be lower.
4
GLOSSARY OF INDICES
S&P 500 INDEX: The S&P 500 Index is widely regarded as
the standard for measuring large-cap U.S.
stock markets' performance and includes a
representative sample of leading
companies in leading industries.
NAREIT EQUITY REIT INDEX: Tracks the performance of all Equity
REITs currently listed on the New York
Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ National
Market System and the American Stock
Exchange. REITs are classified as Equity
if 75% or more of their gross invested
book assets are invested directly or
indirectly in equity of commercial
properties.
Please note that the indices do not take into account any fees and expenses or
any tax consequences of investing in the individual securities that they track
and that investors cannot invest directly in any index. Data about the
performance of each index is prepared or obtained by Neuberger Berman Management
Inc. and includes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions.
The Fund may invest in securities not included in its indices.
5
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS Dividend Advantage Fund Inc.
TOP TEN EQUITY HOLDINGS
HOLDING %
1 Vornado Realty Trust 3.3
2 Simon Property Group 3.2
3 Mack-Cali Realty 2.6
4 CarrAmerica Realty 2.5
5 Equity Office Properties Trust 2.5
6 ConocoPhillips 2.4
7 Abbott Laboratories 2.4
8 PetroChina Co. 2.3
9 Colonial Properties Trust 2.3
10 Tanger Factory Outlet Centers 2.3
MARKET VALUE +
NUMBER OF SHARES (000'S OMITTED)
COMMON STOCKS (136.8%)
AEROSPACE (3.4%)
35,500 Goodrich Corp. $ 1,431
47,400 Lockheed Martin 2,889
---------------
4,320
APARTMENTS (11.6%)
71,100 Apartment Investment &
Management 2,710
24,000 BRE Properties 893
55,700 Camden Property Trust 2,841
85,500 Equity Residential 2,937
64,300 Home Properties 2,691~
125,600 United Dominion Realty Trust 2,782
---------------
14,854
BANKING & FINANCIAL (12.3%)
29,000 Bank of America 1,306
26,700 Citigroup Inc. 1,254
12,000 Freddie Mac 738
35,900 Hartford Financial Services
Group 2,598
26,400 Lincoln National 1,187
50,000 MBNA Corp. 988
35,600 Nationwide Financial Services 1,261
58,200 Northern Trust 2,621
42,500 U.S. Bancorp 1,186
51,600 Wachovia Corp. 2,641
---------------
15,780
BASIC MATERIALS (1.1%)
11,700 Rio Tinto 1,411
COMMERCIAL SERVICES (1.3%)
50,000 Capital Trust 1,684
COMMUNITY CENTERS (6.1%)
63,000 Developers Diversified Realty 2,674~
71,800 Heritage Property Investment
Trust 2,211
128,200 Tanger Factory Outlet Centers 2,969
---------------
7,854
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY (4.2%)
140,600 Mattel Inc. 2,538
50,500 V. F. Corp. 2,858
---------------
5,396
COSMETICS (2.0%)
47,000 Procter & Gamble 2,545
DIVERSIFIED (11.3%)
77,300 Colonial Properties Trust $ 2,988~
42,500 Cooper Industries Class A 2,706
77,200 General Electric 2,795~~
29,000 iStar Financial 1,155
49,900 Spirit Finance 516
56,000 Vornado Realty Trust 4,281~
---------------
14,441
ENERGY (8.1%)
29,700 ConocoPhillips 3,114
54,900 Enterprise Products Partners 1,418~
37,800 Kinder Morgan 2,890~
50,300 PetroChina Co. 3,004~
---------------
10,426
ENTERTAINMENT (1.0%)
64,900 Regal Entertainment Group 1,317
FOOD & BEVERAGE (4.3%)
66,900 Cadbury Schweppes ADR 2,720
47,400 Diageo PLC ADR 2,832
---------------
5,552
HEALTH CARE (6.4%)
61,500 Abbott Laboratories 3,023
43,300 Health Care REIT 1,451~
100,000 OMEGA Healthcare Investors 1,122
95,600 Ventas, Inc. 2,579
---------------
8,175
INDUSTRIAL (4.9%)
70,700 Dover Corp. 2,571
66,000 EastGroup Properties 2,475
31,000 First Industrial Realty Trust 1,184
---------------
6,230
LODGING (1.7%)
78,700 Ashford Hospitality Trust 806
60,000 Sunstone Hotel Investors 1,317
---------------
2,123
OFFICE (16.7%)
49,900 Arden Realty 1,781
69,900 Brandywine Realty Trust 1,978
97,800 CarrAmerica Realty 3,231
101,400 Equity Office Properties Trust 3,191~
95,600 Highwoods Properties 2,689
141,000 HRPT Properties Trust 1,657
43,300 Kilroy Realty 1,889
75,400 Mack-Cali Realty 3,317
49,600 Prentiss Properties Trust 1,648
---------------
21,381
6
MARKET VALUE +
NUMBER OF SHARES (000'S OMITTED)
OFFICE--INDUSTRIAL (2.9%)
91,600 Bedford Property Investors $ 1,950
45,200 Liberty Property Trust 1,800
---------------
3,750
PHARMACEUTICAL (2.1%)
54,600 Novartis AG ADR 2,661
PUBLISHING & BROADCASTING (1.9%)
75,000 R.R. Donnelley 2,468
REGIONAL MALLS (12.3%)
30,200 CBL & Associates Properties 2,336
90,500 Glimcher Realty Trust 2,278
33,000 Kimco Realty 1,828
39,600 Macerich Co. 2,388~
68,300 Pennsylvania REIT 2,879
61,500 Simon Property Group 4,063~
---------------
15,772
SELF STORAGE (1.6%)
30,000 Sovran Self Storage 1,283
47,200 U-Store-It Trust 825
---------------
2,108
SOFTWARE (2.1%)
105,900 Microsoft Corp. 2,679
TELECOMMUNICATIONS (6.5%)
23,800 ALLTEL Corp. 1,356~
89,900 Nokia Corp. ADR 1,436~
124,400 Sprint Corp. 2,769~
104,200 Vodafone Group ADR 2,724
---------------
8,285
UTILITIES (9.0%)
28,000 Ameren Corp. 1,448~
32,400 Cinergy Corp. 1,283~
38,900 Dominion Resources 2,933
53,000 Duke Energy 1,547~
33,000 Exelon Corp. 1,633
60,500 NiSource Inc. 1,406~
40,400 Southern Co. 1,331~
---------------
11,581
WASTE MANAGEMENT (2.0%)
90,300 Waste Management 2,573
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(COST $159,470) 175,366
---------------
PREFERRED STOCKS (2.1%)
LODGING (2.1%)
108,300 Felcor Lodging Trust, Ser. A
(COST $2,316) 2,621
---------------
MARKET VALUE +
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT (000'S OMITTED)
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (20.7%)
$ 2,273,618 Neuberger Berman Prime
Money Fund Trust Class $ 2,274@
24,282,900 Neuberger Berman
Securities Lending
Quality Fund, LLC 24,283++
---------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(COST $26,557) 26,557#
---------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (159.6%)
(COST $188,343) 204,544##
Liabilities, less cash, receivables
and other assets [(18.6%)] (23,879)
Liquidation Value of Auction Market
Preferred Shares [(41.0%)] (52,500)
---------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (100.0%) $ 128,165
---------------
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
7
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
+ Investments in equity securities by Neuberger Berman Dividend Advantage
Fund Inc. (the "Fund") are valued at the latest sale price where that price
is readily available; securities for which no sales were reported, unless
otherwise noted, are valued at the last available bid price. Securities
traded primarily on the NASDAQ Stock Market are normally valued by the Fund
at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") provided by NASDAQ each
business day. The NOCP is the most recently reported price as of 4:00:02
p.m., Eastern time, unless that price is outside the range of the "inside"
bid and asked prices (i.e., the bid and asked prices that dealers quote to
each other when trading for their own accounts); in that case, NASDAQ will
adjust the price to equal the inside bid or asked price, whichever is
closer. Because of delays in reporting trades, the NOCP may not be based on
the price of the last trade to occur before the market closes. The Fund
values all other securities by a method the Board of Directors of the Fund
(the "Board") believes accurately reflects fair value. Numerous factors may
be considered when determining the fair value of a security, including
available analyst, media or other reports, trading in futures or ADRs and
whether the issuer of the security being fair valued has other securities
outstanding. Foreign security prices are furnished by independent quotation
services and expressed in local currency values. Foreign security prices
are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using the exchange
rate as of 12:00 noon, Eastern time. The Board has approved the use of FT
Interactive Data Corporation ("FT Interactive") to assist in determining
the fair value of the Fund's foreign equity securities in the wake of
certain significant events. When changes in the value of a certain index
suggest that the closing prices on the foreign exchanges may no longer
represent the amount that the Fund could expect to receive for those
securities, FT Interactive will provide adjusted prices for certain foreign
equity securities using an analysis based on historical correlations
between the prices of those securities and changes in the index. In the
absence of precise information about the market values of these foreign
securities as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the Board has
determined on the basis of available data that prices adjusted in this way
are likely to be closer to the prices the Fund could realize on a current
sale than are the prices of those securities established at the close of
the foreign markets in which the securities primarily trade. However, fair
value prices are necessarily estimates, and there is no assurance that such
a price will be at or close to the price at which the security next trades.
Short-term debt securities with less than 60 days until maturity may be
valued at cost which, when combined with interest earned, approximates
market value.
# At cost, which approximates market value.
## At April 30, 2005, the cost of investments for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes was $188,343,000. Gross unrealized appreciation of investments was
$18,489,000 and gross unrealized depreciation of investments was
$2,288,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $16,201,000, based
on cost for U.S. Federal income tax purposes.
~~ All or a portion of this security is segregated as collateral for interest
rate swap contracts.
@ Neuberger Berman Prime Money Fund ("Prime Money") is also managed by
Neuberger Berman Management Inc. (see Notes A & E of Notes to Financial
Statements) and may be considered an affiliate since it has the same
officers, Board members, and investment manager as the Fund and because, at
times, the Fund may own 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of
Prime Money.
~ All or a portion of this security is on loan (see Note A of Notes to
Financial Statements).
++ Managed by an affiliate of Neuberger Berman Management Inc. and could be
deemed an affiliate of the Fund (see Notes A & E of Notes to Financial
Statements).
See Notes to Financial Statements
8
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
DIVIDEND
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVANTAGE
(000'S OMITTED EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) FUND
ASSETS
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES, AT MARKET VALUE*+ (NOTES A & E)--SEE
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:
Unaffiliated issuers $ 177,987
Affiliated issuers 26,557
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
204,544
Interest rate swaps, at market value (Note A) 246
Dividends and interest receivable 498
Prepaid expenses and other assets 13
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS 205,301
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES
Payable for collateral on securities loaned (Note A) 24,283
Dividends payable--preferred shares 63
Payable for securities purchased 176
Payable to investment manager--net (Notes A & B) 56
Payable to administrator (Note B) 35
Accrued expenses and other payables 23
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 24,636
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED SHARES SERIES A & B AT LIQUIDATION VALUE
4,800 shares authorized; 2,100 shares issued and outstanding
$.0001 par value; $25,000 liquidation value per share (Note A) 52,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS AT VALUE $ 128,165
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS CONSIST OF:
Paid-in capital--common shares $ 108,644
Distributions in excess of net investment income (2,414)
Accumulated net realized gains (losses) on investments 5,519
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in value of investments 16,416
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS AT VALUE $ 128,165
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING ($.0001 PAR VALUE; 999,995,200 SHARES AUTHORIZED) 5,805
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING $ 22.08
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+SECURITIES ON LOAN, AT MARKET VALUE $ 23,581
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*COST OF INVESTMENTS:
Unaffiliated issuers $ 161,786
Affiliated issuers 26,557
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COST OF INVESTMENTS $ 188,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements
9
NEUBERGER BERMAN FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DIVIDEND
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVANTAGE
(000'S OMITTED) FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
INCOME (NOTE A):
Dividend income--unaffiliated issuers $ 2,441
Income from investments in affiliated issuers (Note E) 78
Income from securities loaned--affiliated issuer (Note E) 1
Foreign taxes withheld (21)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income 2,499
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES:
Investment management fee (Notes A & B) 533
Administration fee (Note B) 222
Auction agent fees (Note B) 76
Audit fees 20
Basic maintenance expense (Note B) 12
Custodian fees (Note B) 44
Directors' fees and expenses 12
Insurance expense 1
Legal fees 7
Shareholder reports 25
Stock exchange listing fees --
Stock transfer agent fees 17
Miscellaneous 4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses 973
Investment management fee waived (Notes A & B) (181)
Expenses reduced by custodian fee expense offset and commission recapture arrangements (Note B) (10)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net expenses 782
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 1,717
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS (NOTE A)
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Sales of investment securities of unaffiliated issuers 5,789
Interest rate swap contracts (259)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in value of:
Unaffiliated investment securities 4,314
Interest rate swap contracts 880
Net gain (loss) on investments 10,724
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income (659)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 11,782
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements
10
NEUBERGER BERMAN APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
DIVIDEND ADVANTAGE FUND
------------------------------
PERIOD FROM
SIX MONTHS MARCH 30, 2004
ENDED (COMMENCEMENT
APRIL 30, OF OPERATIONS) TO
NEUBERGER BERMAN 2005 OCTOBER 31,
(000'S OMITTED) (UNAUDITED) 2004
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) $ 1,717 $ 2,268
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 5,530 311
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments 5,194 11,222
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS FROM (NOTE A):
Net investment income (659) (163)
Net realized gain on investments -- (45)
Tax return of capital -- (97)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions to preferred shareholders (659) (305)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations 11,782 13,496
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM (NOTE A):
Net investment income (3,483) (1,861)
Net realized gain on investments -- (510)
Tax return of capital -- (1,112)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions to common shareholders (3,483) (3,483)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Net proceeds from initial capitalization (Note D) -- 100
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares -- 110,548
Payments for preferred shares offering costs 5 (800)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net proceeds from capital share transactions 5 109,848
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS 8,304 119,861
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
Beginning of period 119,861 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of period $ 128,165 $ 119,861
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed net investment income (loss) at end of period $ -- $ 11
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions in excess of net investment income at end of period $ (2,414) $ --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements
11
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Dividend Advantage Fund Inc.
NOTE A--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
1 GENERAL: Neuberger Berman Dividend Advantage Fund Inc. (the "Fund") was
organized as a Maryland corporation on January 29, 2004 as a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Fund had
no operations until March 30, 2004, other than matters relating to its
organization and the sale on March 8, 2004 of 5,236 shares of common stock
for $100,008 ($19.10 per share) to Neuberger Berman, LLC ("Neuberger"), the
Fund's sub-adviser. The Board of Directors of the Fund (the "Board") may
classify or re-classify any unissued shares of capital stock into one or
more classes of preferred stock without the approval of shareholders.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles requires Neuberger Berman Management Inc.
("Management") to make estimates and assumptions at the date of the
financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
2 PORTFOLIO VALUATION: Investment securities are valued as indicated in the
notes following the Schedule of Investments.
3 SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME: Securities transactions are
recorded on a trade date basis. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any,
are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest
income, including accretion of original issue discount, where applicable,
and accretion of discount on short-term investments, if any, is recorded on
the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions
and foreign currency transactions, if any, are recorded on the basis of
identified cost and stated separately in the Statement of Operations.
4 INCOME TAX INFORMATION: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify
as a regulated investment company by complying with the requirements of
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated
investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its earnings to
its shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income or excise tax provision is
required.
Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in
accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally
accepted accounting principles. These differences are primarily due to
differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities
held by the Fund, timing differences and differing characterization of
distributions made by the Fund as a whole.
As determined on October 31, 2004, permanent differences resulting
primarily from different book and tax accounting for distributions in
excess of earnings and income recognized on interest rate swaps were
reclassified at year end. These reclassifications had no effect on net
income, net assets or net assets per share of the Fund.
12
The tax character of distributions paid during the period ended October 31,
2004 was as follows:
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:
LONG-TERM TAX RETURN
ORDINARY INCOME CAPITAL GAIN OF CAPITAL TOTAL
$ 2,386,586 $ 193,309 $ 1,208,557 $ 3,788,452
As of October 31, 2004, the components of distributable earnings
(accumulated losses) on a U.S. Federal income tax basis were as follows:
UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED UNREALIZED LOSS
ORDINARY LONG-TERM APPRECIATION CARRYFORWARDS
INCOME GAIN (DEPRECIATION) AND DEFERRALS TOTAL
$ -- $ -- $ 11,240,925 $ -- $ 11,240,925
The difference between book basis and tax basis distributable earnings is
attributable primarily to timing differences on distribution payments, wash
sales and income recognized on interest rate swaps.
5 FOREIGN TAXES: Foreign taxes withheld represent amounts withheld by foreign
tax authorities, net of refunds recoverable.
6 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: The Fund earns income, net of
expenses, daily on its investments. It is the policy of the Fund to declare
and pay quarterly distributions to common shareholders. The Fund has
adopted a policy to pay common shareholders a stable distribution. The
Fund's ability to satisfy its policy will depend on a number of factors,
including the stability of income received from its investments, the
availability of capital gains, and distributions paid on preferred shares.
In an effort to maintain a stable distribution amount, the Fund may pay
distributions consisting of net investment income, realized gains and
paid-in-capital. There is no assurance that the Fund will always be able to
pay distributions of a particular size, or that a distribution will consist
solely of net investment income and realized capital gains. The composition
of the Fund's distributions for the calendar year 2005 will be reported to
Fund shareholders on IRS Form 1099. The Fund may pay distributions in
excess of those required by its stable distribution policy to avoid excise
tax or to satisfy the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code. Income dividends and capital gain distributions to common
shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net realized capital
gains, if any, will be offset to the extent of any available capital loss
carryforwards. Any such offset will not reduce the level of the stable
distribution paid by the Fund. Dividends and distributions to preferred
shareholders are accrued and determined as described in Note A-7.
The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities issued
by real estate companies, including real estate investment trusts
("REITs"). The distributions received from REITs held by the Fund are
generally comprised of income, capital gains, and return of REIT capital
but the REITs do not report this information to the Fund until the
following calendar year. At October 31, 2004, the Fund estimated these
amounts within the financial statements since the information was not
available from the REITs until after the Fund's fiscal year-end. At April
30, 2005, the Fund estimated these amounts for the period January 1, 2005
through April 30, 2005 within the financial statements since the 2005
information is not
13
available from the REITs until after the Fund's fiscal period. For the year
ended October 31, 2004, the character of distributions paid to shareholders
is disclosed within the Statement of Changes and is also based on these
estimates. All estimates are based upon REIT information sources available
to the Fund together with actual IRS Forms 1099 received to date. Based on
past experience, it is probable that a portion of the Fund's distributions
during the current fiscal year will be considered tax return of capital but
the actual amount of the tax return of capital, if any, is not determinable
until after the Fund's fiscal year. After calendar year-end, when the Fund
learns the nature of the distributions paid by the REITs during that year,
distributions previously identified as income are often recharacterized as
return of capital and/or capital gain. After all applicable REITs have
informed the Fund of the actual breakdown of distributions paid to the Fund
during its fiscal year, estimates previously recorded are adjusted to
reflect actual results. As a result, the composition of the Fund's
distributions as reported herein may differ from the final composition
determined after calendar year-end and reported to Fund shareholders on IRS
Form 1099.
Subsequent to April 30, 2005, the Fund, on May 16, 2005, declared a
distribution to common shareholders in the amount of $0.30 per share
payable June 15, 2005, to shareholders of record on May 26, 2005, with an
ex-dividend date of May 24, 2005.
7 EXPENSE ALLOCATION: Certain expenses are applicable to multiple funds.
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund.
Expenses borne by the complex of related investment companies, which
includes open-end and closed-end investment companies for which Management
serves as investment manager, that are not directly attributed to the Fund
are allocated among the Fund and the other investment companies in the
complex or series thereof on the basis of relative net assets, except where
a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each investment company in the
complex or series thereof can otherwise be made fairly.
8 REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES: On March 4, 2004, the Fund re-classified 4,800
unissued shares of capital stock as Series A Auction Market Preferred
Shares and Series B Auction Market Preferred Shares ("AMPS"). On June 28,
2004, the Fund issued 1,050 Series A AMPS and 1,050 Series B AMPS. All AMPS
have a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus any accumulated
unpaid distributions, whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but
excluding interest thereon ("Liquidation Value").
Except when the Fund has declared a special rate period, distributions to
preferred shareholders, which are cumulative, are accrued daily and paid
every 7 days for Series A AMPS and every 28 days for Series B AMPS.
Distribution rates are reset every 7 days for Series A AMPS and every 28
days for Series B AMPS based on the results of an auction, except during
special rate periods. For the six months ended April 30, 2005, distribution
rates ranged from 1.90% to 3.41% for Series A and 1.94% to 3.40% for Series
B AMPS. The Fund declared distributions to preferred shareholders for the
period May 1, 2005 to May 31, 2005 of $68,613 and $70,754 for Series A and
Series B AMPS, respectively.
The Fund may redeem AMPS, in whole or in part, on the second business day
preceding any distribution payment date at Liquidation Value. The Fund is
also subject to certain restrictions relating to the AMPS. Failure to
comply with these restrictions could preclude the Fund from declaring any
distributions to common shareholders or repurchasing common shares and/or
could trigger the mandatory redemption of
14
AMPS at Liquidation Value. The holders of AMPS are entitled to one vote per
share and will vote with holders of common stock as a single class, except
that the AMPS will vote separately as a class on certain matters, as
required by law or the Fund's charter. The holders of the AMPS, voting as a
separate class, are entitled at all times to elect two Directors of the
Fund, and to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund if the Fund
fails to pay distributions on AMPS for two consecutive years.
9 INTEREST RATE SWAPS: The Fund may enter into interest rate swap
transactions, with institutions that Management has determined are
creditworthy, to reduce the risk that an increase in short-term interest
rates could reduce common share net earnings as a result of leverage. Under
the terms of the interest rate swap contracts, the Fund agrees to pay the
swap counter party a fixed-rate payment in exchange for the counter party's
paying the Fund a variable-rate payment that is intended to approximate all
or a portion of the Fund's variable-rate payment obligation on the Fund's
AMPS. The fixed-rate and variable-rate payment flows are netted against
each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other on a
monthly basis. The Fund segregates cash or liquid securities having a value
at least equal to the Fund's net payment obligations under any swap
transaction, marked to market daily.
Risks may arise if the counter party to a swap contract fails to comply
with the terms of its contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a
counter party is generally limited to the net interest payment to be
received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the
contract. Additionally, risks may arise from movements in interest rates
unanticipated by Management.
Periodic expected interim net interest payments or receipts on the swaps
are recorded as an adjustment to unrealized gains/losses, along with the
fair value of the future periodic payment streams on the swaps. The
unrealized gains/losses associated with the periodic interim net interest
payments are reclassified to realized gains/losses in conjunction with the
actual net receipt or payment of such amounts. The reclassifications do not
impact the Fund's total net assets or its total net increase (decrease) in
net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations. At
April 30, 2005, the Fund had outstanding interest rate swap contracts as
follows:
RATE TYPE
--------------------------
FIXED-RATE VARIABLE-RATE ACCRUED
SWAP PAYMENTS PAYMENTS NET INTEREST UNREALIZED
COUNTER NOTIONAL TERMINATION MADE BY RECEIVED BY RECEIVABLE APPRECIATION TOTAL
PARTY AMOUNT DATE THE FUND THE FUND(1) (PAYABLE) (DEPRECIATION) FAIR VALUE
Merrill Lynch $ 40,000,000 July 16, 2008 3.818% 2.97% $ (12,249) $ 258,208 $ 245,959
(1) 30 day LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate)
10 SECURITY LENDING: Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the Fund entered into a Securities Lending
Agreement ("Agreement") with Neuberger, an affiliate of the Fund, pursuant
to which Neuberger acts as the Fund's lending agent. Securities loans
involve certain risks including delays or inability to recover the loaned
securities or, in the event a borrower should fail financially, foreclose
against the collateral. Neuberger, under the general supervision of the
Board, monitors the creditworthiness of the parties to whom the Fund makes
security loans. The Fund will not lend
15
securities on which covered call options have been written, or lend
securities on terms which would prevent the Fund from qualifying as a
regulated investment company. The Fund receives cash collateral equal to at
least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities. Prior to
February 7, 2005, the Fund invested the cash collateral in the N&B
Securities Lending Quality Fund, LLC ("Old Fund"), which was managed by
State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") pursuant to guidelines
approved by Management. Effective February 7, 2005, the Fund changed the
collateral investment vehicle from the Old Fund to the Neuberger Berman
Securities Lending Quality Fund, LLC ("Quality Fund"), a fund managed by
Lehman Brothers Asset Management LLC (formerly Lincoln Capital Fixed Income
Management Company, LLC), an affiliate of Management, as approved by the
Board.
Under the Agreement, Neuberger guarantees a certain amount of revenue to
the Fund and receives any revenue earned in excess of the guaranteed amount
as a lending agency fee. For the six months ended April 30, 2005, revenue
received under the Agreement was $28,843.
Income earned on the securities loaned, if any, is reflected in the
Statement of Operations under the caption "Income from securities
loaned-affiliated issuer."
11 REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
institutions that Management has determined are creditworthy. Each
repurchase agreement is recorded at cost. The Fund requires that the
securities purchased in a repurchase agreement be transferred to the
custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the Fund to assert a perfected
security interest in those securities in the event of a default under the
repurchase agreement. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the value of the
securities transferred to ensure that their value, including accrued
interest, is greater than amounts owed to the Fund under each such
repurchase agreement.
12 TRANSACTIONS WITH OTHER FUNDS MANAGED BY NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT INC.:
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Fund may invest in a money market fund managed by
Management or an affiliate. Prior to December 2004, the Fund invested in
the Neuberger Berman Institutional Cash Fund (the "Cash Fund"), as approved
by the Board. As of December 2004, the Fund changed its investment from the
Cash Fund to the newly created Neuberger Berman Prime Money Fund ("Prime
Money"), as approved by the Board. The Cash Fund and Prime Money each seek
to provide the highest available current income consistent with safety and
liquidity. For any cash that the Fund invests in the Cash Fund or Prime
Money, Management waives a portion of its management fee equal to the
management fee it receives from the Cash Fund and Prime Money on those
assets (the "Arrangement"). For the six months ended April 30, 2005,
management fees waived under this Arrangement with respect to the Cash Fund
and Prime Money amounted to $1,168 and $2,019, respectively. For the six
months ended April 30, 2005, income earned under this Arrangement with
respect to the Cash Fund and Prime Money amounted to $20,004 and $58,067,
respectively, and is reflected in the Statement of Operations under the
caption "Income from investments in affiliated issuers."
13 ORGANIZATION EXPENSES AND OFFERING COSTS: Management has agreed to pay all
organizational expenses and the amount by which the Fund's offering costs
for common stock (other than sales load) exceed $0.04 per share. The costs
incurred by Management were approximately $531,958. Offering costs
16
for common stock paid by the Fund were charged as a reduction of common
stock paid-in-capital at the completion of the Fund's offering and amounted
to $232,209.
Additionally, offering costs of $269,056 and sales loads of $525,000
incurred through the issuance of AMPS were charged as a reduction of common
stock paid-in-capital at the completion of the Fund's AMPS offerings.
As of April 30, 2005, there was no remaining payable for offering costs.
14 CONCENTRATION OF RISK: Under normal market conditions, the Fund's
investments will be primarily concentrated in 1) income-producing
securities recommended by the Neuberger Research Department that, at the
time of investment, have a dividend yield greater than the average dividend
yield of the S&P 500 Composite Stock Index and 2) income-producing common
equity securities, preferred equity securities, securities convertible into
equity securities and non-convertible debt securities issued by companies
deriving the majority of their revenue from the ownership, construction,
financing, management and/or sale of commercial, industrial, and/or
residential real estate. The value of Fund shares may fluctuate more due to
economic, legal, cultural, or technological developments affecting the
United States real estate industry or a segment of the real estate industry
in which the fund owns a substantial position, than would the shares of a
fund not concentrated in the real estate industry.
15 INDEMNIFICATIONS: Like many other companies, the Fund's organizational
documents provide that its officers and directors are indemnified against
certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the
Fund. In addition, both in some of its principal service contracts and in
the normal course of its business, the Fund enters into contracts that
provide indemnifications to other parties for certain types of losses or
liabilities. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is
unknown as this could involve future claims against the Fund.
NOTE B--MANAGEMENT FEES, ADMINISTRATION FEES, AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH
AFFILIATES:
The Fund retains Management as its investment manager under a Management
Agreement. For such investment management services, the Fund pays
Management a fee at the annual rate of 0.60% of its average daily Managed
Assets. Managed Assets equal the total assets of the Fund, less liabilities
other than the aggregate indebtedness entered into for purposes of
leverage. For purposes of calculating Managed Assets, the Liquidation Value
of any AMPS outstanding is not considered a liability.
Management has contractually agreed to waive a portion of the management
fees it is entitled to receive from the Fund at the following annual rates:
FISCAL PERIOD OR YEAR ENDED % OF AVERAGE
OCTOBER 31, DAILY MANAGED ASSETS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005 - 2008 0.20
2009 0.14
2010 0.07
Management has not agreed to waive any portion of its fees beyond October
31, 2010.
17
For the six months ended April 30, 2005, such waived fees amounted to
$177,720.
The Fund retains Management as its administrator under an Administration
Agreement. The Fund pays Management an administration fee at the annual
rate of 0.25% of its average daily Managed Assets under this agreement.
Additionally, Management retains State Street as its sub-administrator
under a Sub-Administration Agreement. Management pays State Street a fee
for all services received under the agreement.
Management and Neuberger, a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange and
sub-adviser to the Fund, are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lehman Brothers
Holdings Inc. ("Lehman"), a publicly-owned holding company. Neuberger is
retained by Management to furnish it with investment recommendations and
research information without added cost to the Fund. Several individuals
who are officers and/or Directors of the Fund are also employees of
Neuberger and/or Management.
The Fund entered into a commission recapture program, which enables it to
pay some of its operational expenses by recouping a portion of the
commissions it pays to a broker that is not a related party of the Fund.
Expenses paid through this program may include costs of custodial, transfer
agency or accounting services. For the six months ended April 30, 2005, the
impact of this arrangement was a reduction of expenses of $10,214.
The Fund has an expense offset arrangement in connection with its custodian
contract. For the six months ended April 30, 2005, the impact of this
arrangement was a reduction of expenses of $50.
In connection with the settlement of each AMPS auction, the Fund pays,
through the auction agent, a service fee to each participating
broker-dealer based upon the aggregate liquidation preference of the AMPS
held by the broker-dealer's customers. For any auction preceding a rate
period of less than one year, the service fee is paid at the annual rate of
1/4 of 1%; for any auction preceding a rate period of one year or more, the
service fee is paid at a rate agreed to by the Fund and the broker-dealer.
In order to satisfy rating agencies' requirements, the Fund is required to
provide each rating agency a report on a monthly basis verifying that the
Fund is maintaining eligible assets having a discounted value equal to or
greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, which is a minimum level
set by each rating agency as one of the conditions to maintain the AAA/Aaa
rating on the AMPS. "Discounted value" refers to the fact that the rating
agencies require the Fund, in performing this calculation, to discount
portfolio securities below their face value, at rates determined by the
rating agencies. The Fund pays a fee to State Street for the preparation of
this report.
NOTE C--SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS:
During the six months ended April 30, 2005, there were purchase and sale
transactions (excluding short-term securities and interest rate swap
contracts) of $54,031,697 and $52,276,657, respectively.
During the six months ended April 30, 2005, brokerage commissions on
securities transactions amounted to $147,992, of which Lehman received
$28,118, and other brokers received $119,874.
18
NOTE D--CAPITAL:
At April 30, 2005, the common shares outstanding and the common shares of
the Fund owned by Neuberger were as follows:
COMMON SHARES COMMON SHARES
OUTSTANDING OWNED BY NEUBERGER
5,805,236 5,236
Transactions in common shares for the six months ended April 30, 2005 and
for the period ended October 31, 2004 were as follows:
COMMON SHARES ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH:
UNDERWRITERS' EXERCISE REINVESTMENT OF
INITIAL OF OVER-ALLOTMENT DIVIDENDS AND NET INCREASE IN COMMON
CAPITALIZATION INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OPTION DISTRIBUTIONS SHARES OUTSTANDING
2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004
-- 5,236 -- 5,800,000 -- -- -- -- -- 5,805,236
NOTE E--INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES*:
BALANCE OF BALANCE OF INCOME FROM
SHARES GROSS SHARES INVESTMENTS IN
HELD GROSS SALES HELD VALUE AFFILIATED ISSUERS
OCTOBER 31, PURCHASES AND AND APRIL 30, APRIL 30, INCLUDED IN
NAME OF ISSUER 2004 ADDITIONS REDUCTIONS 2005 2005 TOTAL INCOME
Neuberger Berman
Securities Lending
Quality Fund, LLC** 19,215,500 1,451,113,400 1,446,046,000 24,282,900 $ 24,282,900 $ 1,240
Neuberger Berman
Institutional Cash Fund
Trust Class*** 2,171,204 18,334,409 20,505,613 -- -- 20,004
Neuberger Berman
Prime Money Fund
Trust Class*** -- 27,150,474 24,876,856 2,273,618 2,273,618 58,067
------------- ---------
Total $ 26,556,518 $ 79,311
============= =========
* Affiliated issuers, as defined in the 1940 Act, include issuers in
which the Fund held 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities.
** Prior to February 7, 2005, the Old Fund, an investment vehicle
established by the Fund's custodian, was used to invest cash the Fund
received as collateral for securities loans. Effective February 7,
2005, the Fund changed the collateral investment vehicle from the Old
Fund to the Quality Fund, a fund managed by Lehman Brothers Asset
Management LLC, an affiliate of Management, as approved by the Board.
The Fund's shares in the Old Fund and Quality Fund were and are
non-voting. However, because all shares of the Old Fund and Quality
Fund were and are held by funds in the related investment company
complex, the Old Fund and Quality Fund may have been and may be
considered affiliates of the Fund.
19
*** The Cash Fund and Prime Money are also managed by Management and may
be considered affiliates since they have the same officers, Board
members, and investment manager as the Fund and because, at times, the
Fund may own 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the
Cash Fund or Prime Money, respectively.
NOTE F--UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The financial information included in this interim report is taken from the
records of the Fund without audit by an independent registered public
accounting firm. Annual reports contain audited financial statements.
20
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Dividend Advantage Fund Inc.
The following table includes selected data for a share outstanding throughout
each period and other performance information derived from the Financial
Statements.^^
PERIOD FROM
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 30, 2004^
APRIL 30, TO OCTOBER 31,
---------------- ---------------
2005 2004
(UNAUDITED)
COMMON SHARE NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 20.65 $ 19.10
---------------- ---------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) .30 .39
NET GAINS OR LOSSES ON SECURITIES (BOTH REALIZED AND UNREALIZED) 1.84 1.99
COMMON SHARE EQUIVALENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (.11) (.00)
NET CAPITAL GAINS -- (.00)
TAX RETURN OF CAPITAL -- (0.02)
---------------- ---------------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS (.11) (.05)
---------------- ---------------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS 2.03 2.33
---------------- ---------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (.60) (.32)
NET CAPITAL GAINS -- (0.09)
TAX RETURN OF CAPITAL -- (0.19)
---------------- ---------------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (.60) (.60)
---------------- ---------------
LESS CAPITAL CHARGES FROM:
ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES -- (.04)
ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED SHARES -- (.14)
---------------- ---------------
TOTAL CAPITAL CHARGES -- (.18)
---------------- ---------------
COMMON SHARE NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $ 22.08 $ 20.65
---------------- ---------------
COMMON SHARE MARKET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $ 18.67 $ 18.69
---------------- ---------------
TOTAL RETURN, COMMON SHARE NET ASSET VALUE+ +10.25%** +11.83%**
TOTAL RETURN, COMMON SHARE MARKET VALUE+ +3.00%** (3.33%)**
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA++
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS, END OF PERIOD (IN MILLIONS) $ 128.2 $ 119.9
PREFERRED STOCK, AT LIQUIDATION VALUE ($25,000 PER SHARE
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE) (IN MILLIONS) $ 52.5 $ 52.5
RATIO OF GROSS EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS# 1.26%* 1.14%*
RATIO OF NET EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS+++ 1.24%* 1.12%*
RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) EXCLUDING PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS 2.73%* 3.47%*
RATIO OF PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS 1.05%* .47%*
RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) INCLUDING PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS 1.68%* 3.00%*
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE 30% 28%
ASSET COVERAGE PER SHARE OF PREFERRED STOCK, END OF PERIOD@ $ 86,061 $ 82,086
See Notes to Financial Highlights
21
NOTES TO FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Dividend Advantage Fund Inc.
+ Total return based on per share net asset value reflects the effects of
changes in net asset value on the performance of the Fund during each
fiscal period. Total return based on per share market value assumes the
purchase of common shares at the market price on the first day and sales of
common shares at the market price on the last day of the period indicated.
Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be reinvested at prices
obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. Results represent
past performance and do not guarantee future results. Current returns may
be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Total return would
have been lower if Management had not waived a portion of the investment
management fee. Performance data current to the most recent month-end are
available at www.nb.com.
# The Fund is required to calculate an expense ratio without taking into
consideration any expense reductions related to expense offset
arrangements.
+++ After waiver of a portion of the investment management fee. Had Management
not undertaken such action, the annualized ratios of net expenses to
average daily net assets applicable to common shareholders would have been:
SIX MONTH ENDED PERIOD ENDED
APRIL 30, OCTOBER 31,
2005 2004(1)
1.53% 1.38%
(1) Period from March 30, 2004 to October 31, 2004.
^ The date investment operations commenced.
* Annualized.
** Not annualized.
@ Calculated by subtracting the Fund's total liabilities (excluding
accumulated unpaid dividends on AMPS) from the Fund's total assets and
dividing by the number of AMPS outstanding.
++ Expense ratios do not include the effect of dividend payments to preferred
shareholders. Income ratios include income earned on assets attributable to
AMPS.
^^ The per share amounts which are shown have been computed based on the
average number of shares outstanding during each fiscal period.
22
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Bank of New York ("Plan Agent") will act as Plan Agent for shareholders who
have not elected in writing to receive dividends and distributions in cash (each
a "Participant"), will open an account for each Participant under the Dividend
Reinvestment Plan ("Plan") in the same name as their then current Shares are
registered, and will put the Plan into effect for each Participant as of the
first record date for a dividend or capital gains distribution.
Whenever the Fund declares a dividend or distribution with respect to the common
stock of the Fund ("Shares"), each Participant will receive such dividends and
distributions in additional Shares, including fractional Shares acquired by the
Plan Agent and credited to each Participant's account. If on the payment date
for a cash dividend or distribution, the net asset value is equal to or less
than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan
Agent shall automatically receive such Shares, including fractions, for each
Participant's account. Except in the circumstances described in the next
paragraph, the number of additional Shares to be credited to each Participant's
account shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend or
distribution payable on their Shares by the greater of the net asset value per
Share determined as of the date of purchase or 95% of the then current market
price per Share on the payment date.
Should the net asset value per Share exceed the market price per Share plus
estimated brokerage commissions on the payment date for a cash dividend or
distribution, the Plan Agent or a broker-dealer selected by the Plan Agent shall
endeavor, for a purchase period lasting until the last business day before the
next date on which the Shares trade on an "ex-dividend" basis, but in no event,
except as provided below, more than 30 days after the dividend payment date, to
apply the amount of such dividend or distribution on each Participant's Shares
(less their PRO RATA share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the
Plan Agent's open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of such
dividend or distribution) to purchase Shares on the open market for each
Participant's account. No such purchases may be made more than 30 days after the
payment date for such dividend except where temporary curtailment or suspension
of purchase is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal
securities laws. If, at the close of business on any day during the purchase
period the net asset value per Share equals or is less than the market price per
Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Agent will not make any
further open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of such
dividend or distribution. If the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full
dividend or distribution amount through open-market purchases during the
purchase period, the Plan Agent shall request that, with respect to the
uninvested portion of such dividend or distribution amount, the Fund issue new
Shares at the close of business on the earlier of the last day of the purchase
period or the first day during the purchase period on which the net asset value
per Share equals or is less than the market price per Share, plus estimated
brokerage commissions, such Shares to be issued in accordance with the terms
specified in the third paragraph hereof. These newly issued Shares will be
valued at the then-current market price per Share at the time such Shares are to
be issued.
For purposes of making the dividend reinvestment purchase comparison under the
Plan, (a) the market price of the Shares on a particular date shall be the last
sales price on the New York Stock Exchange (or if the Shares are not listed on
the New York Stock Exchange, such other exchange on which the Shares are
principally traded) on that date, or, if there is no sale on such Exchange (or
if not so listed, in the over-the-counter market) on that date, then the mean
between the closing bid and asked quotations for such Shares on such Exchange on
such date and (b) the net asset value per Share on a particular date shall be
the net asset value per Share most recently calculated by or on behalf of the
Fund. All dividends, distributions and other payments (whether made in cash or
Shares) shall be made net of any applicable withholding tax.
Open-market purchases provided for above may be made on any securities exchange
where the Fund's Shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in
negotiated transactions and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and
otherwise as the Plan Agent shall determine. Each Participant's uninvested funds
held by the Plan Agent will not bear interest, and it is understood that, in any
event, the Plan Agent shall have no liability in connection with any inability
to purchase Shares within 30 days after the initial date of such purchase as
herein provided, or with the timing of any purchases effected. The Plan Agent
shall have no responsibility as to the value of the Shares acquired for each
Participant's account. For the purpose of cash investments, the Plan Agent may
commingle each Participant's funds with those of other shareholders of the Fund
for whom the Plan Agent similarly acts as agent, and the average price
(including brokerage commissions) of all Shares purchased by the Plan Agent as
Plan Agent shall be the price per Share allocable to each Participant in
connection therewith.
23
The Plan Agent may hold each Participant's Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan
together with the Shares of other shareholders of the Fund acquired pursuant to
the Plan in noncertificated form in the Plan Agent's name or that of the Plan
Agent's nominee. The Plan Agent will forward to each Participant any proxy
solicitation material and will vote any Shares so held for each Participant only
in accordance with the instructions set forth on proxies returned by the
participant to the Fund.
The Plan Agent will confirm to each Participant each acquisition made for their
account as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after the date
thereof. Although each Participant may from time to time have an undivided
fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a Share, no
certificates for a fractional Share will be issued. However, dividends and
distributions on fractional Shares will be credited to each Participant's
account. In the event of termination of a Participant's account under the Plan,
the Plan Agent will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at
the market value of the Shares at the time of termination, less the PRO RATA
expense of any sale required to make such an adjustment.
Any Share dividends or split Shares distributed by the Fund on Shares held by
the Plan Agent for Participants will be credited to their accounts. In the event
that the Fund makes available to its shareholders rights to purchase additional
Shares or other securities, the Shares held for each Participant under the Plan
will be added to other Shares held by the Participant in calculating the number
of rights to be issued to each Participant.
The Plan Agent's service fee for handling capital gains distributions or income
dividends will be paid by the Fund. Participants will be charged their PRO RATA
share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.
Each Participant may terminate their account under the Plan by notifying the
Plan Agent in writing. Such termination will be effective immediately if the
Participant's notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten days prior
to any dividend or distribution record date, otherwise such termination will be
effective the first trading day after the payment date for such dividend or
distribution with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. The Plan
may be terminated by the Plan Agent or the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to
each Participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of
any dividend or distribution by the Fund. Upon any termination, the Plan Agent
will cause a certificate or certificates for the number of Shares held for each
Participant under the Plan to be delivered to the Participant (or if the Shares
are not then in certificated form, will cause the Shares to be transferred to
the Participant) without charge.
These terms and conditions may be amended or supplemented by the Plan Agent or
the Fund at any time or times but, except when necessary or appropriate to
comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, only by mailing to each
Participant appropriate written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective
date thereof. The amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each
Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Plan Agent receives
written notice of the termination of their account under the Plan. Any such
amendment may include an appointment by the Plan Agent in its place and stead of
a successor Plan Agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and
authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Plan Agent
under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of any Plan Agent
for the purpose of receiving dividends and distributions, the Fund will be
authorized to pay to such successor Plan Agent, for each Participant's account,
all dividends and distributions payable on Shares held in their name or under
the Plan for retention or application by such successor Plan Agent as provided
in these terms and conditions.
The Plan Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best
efforts within reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all services
performed under this Agreement and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no
responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless
such error is caused by the Plan Agent's negligence, bad faith, or willful
misconduct or that of its employees.
These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Maryland.
24
DIRECTORY
INVESTMENT MANAGER AND ADMINISTRATOR
Neuberger Berman Management Inc.
605 Third Avenue 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10158-0180
800.461.1899 or 212.476.8800
SUB-ADVISER
Neuberger Berman, LLC
605 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10158-3698
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
STOCK TRANSFER AGENT
Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 11-E
New York, NY 10286
LEGAL COUNSEL
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP
1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20036-1221
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
25
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how
to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge,
by calling 1-800-877-9700 (toll-free) and on the website of the Securities and
Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted
proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period
ended June 30 will also be available without charge, by calling 1-800-877-9700
(toll-free), on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at
www.sec.gov and on the Fund's website at www.nb.com.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE
The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form
N-Q. The Fund's Forms N-Q are available on the Securities and Exchange
Commission's website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the
Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC.
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by
calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The information on Form N-Q is available upon request,
without charge, by calling 1-800-877-9700 (toll-free).
26
REPORT OF VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
An annual meeting of shareholders of Neuberger Berman Dividend Advantage Fund
Inc. was held on March 8, 2005. Shareholders voted on the following matter: (1)
To elect five Class III Directors (one of which is to be elected only by holders
of the Fund's preferred stock) to serve until the annual meeting of stockholders
in 2008, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Class I and II
Directors continue to hold office until the annual meeting in 2006 and 2007,
respectively.
Proposal 1 - To elect five Class III Directors (one of which is to be elected
only by holders of the Fund's preferred stock) to serve until the annual meeting
of stockholders in 2008.
Common and Preferred Shares
VOTES VOTES BROKER
VOTES FOR AGAINST WITHHELD ABSTENTIONS NON-VOTES
Robert A. Kavesh 4,311,086.398 - 31,240.000 - -
Edward I. O'Brien 4,312,261.398 - 30,065.000 - -
William E. Rulon 4,312,024.398 - 30,302.000 - -
Candace L. Straight 4,312,749.398 - 29,577.000 - -
Preferred Shares
VOTES VOTES BROKER
VOTES FOR AGAINST WITHHELD ABSTENTIONS NON-VOTES
Howard A. Mileaf 1,088.000 - 4.000 - -
27
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Statistics and projections in this report are derived from sources deemed to be
reliable but cannot be regarded as a representation of future results of the
Fund. This report is prepared for the general information of shareholders and is
not an offer of shares of the Fund.
[NEUBERGER BERMAN LOGO]
A LEHMAN BROTHERS COMPANY
NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT INC.
605 Third Avenue 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10158-0180
INTERNAL SALES & SERVICES
877.461.1899
www.nb.com
[RECYCLED SYMBOL] E0099 06/05
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS
The Board of Directors ("Board") of Neuberger Berman Dividend Advantage Fund
Inc. ("Registrant") 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 ("Code of
Ethics"). For the period covered by this Form N-CSR, there were no amendments to
the Code of Ethics and there were no waivers from the Code of Ethics granted to
the Registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar
functions.
A copy of the Code of Ethics was included as an exhibit to the Registrant's Form
N-CSR filed on January 7, 2005. The Code of Ethics is also available, without
charge, by calling 1-800-877-9700 (toll-free).
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Board has determined that the Registrant has one audit committee financial
expert serving on its audit committee. The Registrant's audit committee
financial expert is John Cannon. Mr. Cannon is an independent director as
defined by Form N-CSR.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Only required in the annual report.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
Only required in the annual report.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
The complete schedule of investments for each series is disclosed in the
Registrant's Annual Report, which is included as Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Only required in the annual report.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Only required in the annual report.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
No reportable purchases for the period covered by this report.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
There were no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend
nominees to the Board.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Based on an evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Act")) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of
this document, the Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer and Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer of the Registrant have concluded that
such disclosure controls and procedures are effectively designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant is
accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's management to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There were no significant changes in the Registrant's internal controls
over financial reporting (as defined in rule 30a-3(d) under the Act)
that occurred during the Registrant's last fiscal half-year that have
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS
(a)(1) A copy of the Code of Ethics is incorporated by reference to
Registrant's Form N-CSR, Investment Company Act file number 811-21499
(filed January 7, 2005).
(a)(2) The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the Act and Section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("Sarbanes-Oxley Act") are attached
hereto.
(b) The certification required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the Act and Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is attached hereto.
The certifications provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
are not deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section.
Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the
extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates them by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Neuberger Berman Dividend Advantage Fund Inc.
By: /s/ Peter E. Sundman
--------------------
Peter E. Sundman
Chief Executive Officer
Date: June 28, 2005
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
By: /s/ Peter E. Sundman
--------------------
Peter E. Sundman
Chief Executive Officer
Date: June 28, 2005
By: /s/ John McGovern
-----------------
John McGovern
Treasurer and Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer
Date: June 28, 2005