UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-21293

 

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

   333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606   

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Kevin J. McCarthy—Vice President and Secretary
   333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606   

 

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

312-917-7700

 

Date of fiscal year end:

7/31

 

Date of reporting period:

10/31/2014

 

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q 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 the 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. § 3507.

 

 

 



 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

 



 

 

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (JPC)

 

 

 

 

 

October 31, 2014(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Value

 

 

 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS - 137.4% (98.6% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS - 5.4% (3.9% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets - 1.9%

 

 

 

220,435

 

Ares Capital Corporation

 

$   3,524,756

 

132,098

 

Arlington Asset Investment Corporation

 

3,616,843

 

238,875

 

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

 

3,764,670

 

120,953

 

Medley Capital Corporation

 

1,405,474

 

246,235

 

PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Inc.

 

3,457,139

 

99,260

 

TCP Capital Corporation

 

1,676,501

 

144,374

 

TriplePoint Venture Growth Business Development Company Corporation

 

2,086,204

 

 

 

Total Capital Markets

 

19,531,587

 

 

 

Computers & Peripherals - 0.2%

 

 

 

16,500

 

Apple, Inc.

 

1,782,000

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services - 0.2%

 

 

 

103,100

 

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

 

1,728,987

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services - 0.1%

 

 

 

367,125

 

Key Energy Services Inc., (3)

 

1,116,060

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing - 0.1%

 

 

 

9,800

 

CVS Caremark Corporation

 

840,938

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.2%

 

 

 

69,875

 

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., (3)

 

1,763,645

 

 

 

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers - 0.1%

 

 

 

28,091

 

NRG Energy Inc.

 

842,168

 

 

 

Machinery - 0.2%

 

 

 

36,100

 

Woodward Governor Company

 

1,848,681

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.0%

 

 

 

46,000

 

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

 

1,780,200

 

147,550

 

LinnCo LLC

 

3,536,774

 

274,602

 

Whiting USA Trust II

 

3,276,002

 

33,100

 

Williams Companies, Inc.

 

1,837,381

 

 

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

10,430,357

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trust - 0.8%

 

 

 

208,800

 

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc.

 

2,919,024

 

279,062

 

New Residential Investment

 

3,454,794

 

126,000

 

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

 

2,341,080

 

 

 

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

 

8,714,898

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development - 0.1%

 

 

 

95,049

 

Forestar Real Estate Group Inc., (3)

 

1,658,605

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 0.3%

 

 

 

263,400

 

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation, (3)

 

1,767,414

 

72,625

 

Microsemi Corporation, (3)

 

1,893,334

 

 

 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

 

3,660,748

 

 

 

Software - 0.2%

 

 

 

18,200

 

Microsoft Corporation

 

854,490

 

21,900

 

Oracle Corporation

 

855,195

 

 

 

Total Software

 

1,709,685

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (cost $56,531,138)

 

55,628,359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

 

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 

 

 

$25 PAR (OR SIMILAR) RETAIL PREFERRED - 68.3% (49.0% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

Banks - 17.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

123,700

 

AgriBank FCB, (7)

 

6.875%

 

 

BBB+

 

$  12,694,713

 

4,800

 

Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc.

 

6.950%

 

 

N/R

 

120,000

 

159,401

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

8.125%

 

 

BB+

 

4,552,493

 

543,767

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

7.125%

 

 

BB+

 

14,714,335

 

351,700

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

6.875%

 

 

BB+

 

9,411,492

 

200,575

 

City National Corporation

 

6.750%

 

 

Baa3

 

5,590,025

 

38,725

 

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (7)

 

6.125%

 

 

BBB+

 

3,585,695

 

157,375

 

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, 144A, (7)

 

6.250%

 

 

BBB+

 

16,371,926

 

288,251

 

Countrywide Capital Trust III

 

7.000%

 

 

Ba1

 

7,373,461

 

3,626

 

Countrywide Capital Trust IV

 

6.750%

 

 

Ba1

 

92,753

 

68,000

 

Cowen Group, Inc.

 

8.250%

 

 

N/R

 

1,734,000

 

152,203

 

Fifth Third Bancorp.

 

6.625%

 

 

BB+

 

4,129,267

 

117,760

 

First Niagara Finance Group

 

8.625%

 

 

BB

 

3,285,504

 

177,741

 

First Republic Bank of San Francisco

 

6.200%

 

 

BBB-

 

4,491,515

 

123,900

 

FNB Corporation

 

7.250%

 

 

Ba3

 

3,375,036

 

251,941

 

HSBC Holdings PLC

 

8.000%

 

 

BBB+

 

6,752,019

 

65,000

 

ING Groep N.V

 

7.375%

 

 

Ba1

 

1,657,500

 

204,023

 

ING Groep N.V

 

7.200%

 

 

Ba1

 

5,222,989

 

683,499

 

ING Groep N.V

 

7.050%

 

 

Ba1

 

17,408,720

 

50,000

 

ING Groep N.V

 

6.125%

 

 

Ba1

 

1,255,500

 

1,679

 

Popular Capital Trust I

 

6.700%

 

 

B-

 

38,379

 

96,531

 

PNC Financial Services (6)

 

6.125%

 

 

BBB-

 

2,629,504

 

226,200

 

Private Bancorp Incorporated

 

7.125%

 

 

N/R

 

5,869,890

 

79,430

 

Regions Financial Corporation

 

6.375%

 

 

BB-

 

1,995,282

 

386,625

 

Regions Financial Corporation

 

6.375%

 

 

B1

 

9,897,600

 

133,300

 

TCF Financial Corporation

 

7.500%

 

 

BB-

 

3,567,108

 

140,600

 

Texas Capital Bancshares Inc.

 

6.500%

 

 

BB-

 

3,496,722

 

3,366

 

Texas Capital Bancshares

 

6.500%

 

 

BB+

 

82,467

 

149,800

 

U.S. Bancorp.

 

6.500%

 

 

Baa1

 

4,390,638

 

218,750

 

Webster Financial Corporation

 

6.400%

 

 

Ba1

 

5,411,875

 

203,100

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

6.625%

 

 

BBB

 

5,701,017

 

219,755

 

Zions Bancorporation

 

7.900%

 

 

BB-

 

6,109,189

 

95,300

 

Zions Bancorporation

 

6.300%

 

 

BB-

 

2,487,330

 

 

 

Total Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

175,495,944

 

 

 

Capital Markets - 8.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,894

 

Affiliated Managers Group Inc.

 

6.375%

 

 

BBB

 

75,418

 

24,447

 

Allied Capital Corporation

 

6.875%

 

 

BBB

 

616,309

 

130,200

 

Apollo Investment Corporation

 

6.875%

 

 

BBB

 

3,258,906

 

112,775

 

Apollo Investment Corporation

 

6.625%

 

 

BBB

 

2,861,102

 

2,307

 

Arlington Asset Investment Corporation

 

6.625%

 

 

N/R

 

56,222

 

188,895

 

Capitala Finance Corporation

 

7.125%

 

 

N/R

 

4,816,823

 

154,266

 

Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust II

 

6.550%

 

 

BBB-

 

3,997,032

 

150,400

 

Fifth Street Finance Corporation

 

6.125%

 

 

BBB-

 

3,666,752

 

62,800

 

Gladstone Capital Corporation

 

6.750%

 

 

N/R

 

1,598,260

 

56,360

 

Gladstone Investment Corporation

 

7.125%

 

 

N/R

 

1,474,378

 

21,700

 

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

 

6.375%

 

 

BB+

 

551,180

 

179,600

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

 

5.500%

 

 

BB

 

4,297,828

 

121,700

 

Hercules Technology Growth Capital Incorporated

 

7.000%

 

 

N/R

 

3,130,124

 

107,700

 

Hercules Technology Growth Capital Incorporated

 

7.000%

 

 

N/R

 

2,721,579

 

150,658

 

Hercules Technology Growth Capital Incorporated

 

6.250%

 

 

N/R

 

3,736,318

 

23,455

 

JMP Group Inc.

 

7.250%

 

 

N/R

 

588,955

 

173,012

 

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc.

 

8.000%

 

 

N/R

 

4,301,078

 

24,673

 

Medley Capital Corporation

 

7.125%

 

 

N/R

 

629,408

 

29,225

 

Medley Capital Corporation

 

6.125%

 

 

N/R

 

718,935

 

827,700

 

Morgan Stanley

 

7.125%

 

 

BB

 

22,563,102

 

126,700

 

Morgan Stanley

 

6.875%

 

 

BB

 

3,360,084

 

134,674

 

MVC Capital Incorporated

 

7.250%

 

 

N/R

 

3,393,785

 

4,000

 

Saratoga Investment Corporation

 

7.500%

 

 

N/R

 

101,920

 

266,640

 

Solar Capital Limited

 

6.750%

 

 

BBB-

 

6,426,024

 

130,000

 

State Street Corporation

 

5.900%

 

 

BBB

 

3,393,000

 

1,580

 

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

 

6.500%

 

 

N/R

 

39,737

 

58,853

 

Triangle Capital Corporation

 

7.000%

 

 

N/R

 

1,501,340

 

159,478

 

Triangle Capital Corporation

 

6.375%

 

 

N/R

 

4,031,604

 

 

 

Total Capital Markets

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,907,203

 

 

 

Consumer Finance - 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,000

 

Capital One Financial Corporation

 

6.700%

 

 

Ba1

 

1,206,720

 

272,000

 

Discover Financial Services

 

6.500%

 

 

BB-

 

6,982,240

 

21,228

 

SLM Corporation, Series A

 

6.970%

 

 

B3

 

1,043,568

 

 

 

Total Consumer Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,232,528

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services - 3.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

198,368

 

Ares Capital Corporation

 

7.000%

 

 

BBB

 

5,044,498

 

4,800

 

Ares Capital Corporation

 

5.875%

 

 

BBB

 

122,784

 

16,600

 

Intl FCStone Inc.

 

8.500%

 

 

N/R

 

422,470

 

72,891

 

KCAP Financial Inc.

 

7.375%

 

 

N/R

 

1,873,299

 

43,369

 

KKR Financial Holdings LLC

 

7.500%

 

 

A-

 

1,190,479

 

348,218

 

KKR Financial Holdings LLC

 

7.375%

 

 

BBB

 

9,053,668

 

215,917

 

Main Street Capital Corporation

 

6.125%

 

 

N/R

 

5,467,018

 

57,070

 

Oxford Lane Capital Corporation

 

8.125%

 

 

N/R

 

1,444,442

 

117,371

 

Oxford Lane Capital Corporation

 

7.500%

 

 

N/R

 

2,872,068

 

125,300

 

PennantPark Investment Corporation

 

6.250%

 

 

BBB-

 

3,151,295

 

 

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,642,021

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

160,880

 

Qwest Corporation

 

7.000%

 

 

BBB-

 

4,126,572

 

104,400

 

Qwest Corporation

 

6.875%

 

 

BBB-

 

2,669,508

 

57,500

 

Verizon Communications Inc.

 

5.900%

 

 

A-

 

1,489,250

 

 

 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,285,330

 

 

 

Electric Utilities - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

135,400

 

Entergy Arkansas Inc.

 

6.450%

 

 

BB+

 

3,412,080

 

 

 

Food Products - 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

249,300

 

CHS Inc.

 

7.875%

 

 

N/R

 

7,097,571

 

360,600

 

CHS Inc.

 

7.100%

 

 

N/R

 

9,685,716

 

343,800

 

CHS Inc.

 

6.750%

 

 

N/R

 

8,656,884

 

 

 

Total Food Products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,440,171

 

 

 

Insurance - 10.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,045

 

Aegon N.V.

 

8.000%

 

 

Baa1

 

1,538,661

 

103,752

 

Aegon N.V.

 

6.375%

 

 

Baa1

 

2,648,789

 

528,054

 

Arch Capital Group Limited

 

6.750%

 

 

BBB

 

14,120,164

 

273,900

 

Argo Group US Inc.

 

6.500%

 

 

BBB-

 

6,757,113

 

54,020

 

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited

 

7.250%

 

 

BBB-

 

1,429,909

 

393,800

 

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited

 

5.950%

 

 

BBB-

 

10,187,606

 

425,908

 

Axis Capital Holdings Limited

 

6.875%

 

 

BBB

 

11,350,448

 

38,000

 

Delphi Financial Group, Inc. (7)

 

7.376%

 

 

BBB-

 

944,064

 

223,900

 

Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited

 

7.500%

 

 

BBB-

 

5,971,413

 

42,470

 

Hanover Insurance Group

 

6.350%

 

 

Ba1

 

1,043,063

 

138,124

 

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

 

7.875%

 

 

BB+

 

4,182,395

 

432,200

 

Kemper Corporation

 

7.375%

 

 

Ba1

 

11,280,420

 

298,139

 

Maiden Holdings Limited

 

8.250%

 

 

BB

 

7,635,340

 

257,133

 

Maiden Holdings NA Limited

 

8.000%

 

 

BBB-

 

6,798,597

 

291,133

 

Maiden Holdings NA Limited

 

7.750%

 

 

BBB-

 

7,551,990

 

74,000

 

Montpelier Re Holdings Limited

 

8.875%

 

 

BBB-

 

2,042,400

 

78,425

 

National General Holding Company

 

7.500%

 

 

N/R

 

1,933,961

 

8,205

 

Prudential PLC

 

6.750%

 

 

A-

 

212,099

 

353,265

 

Reinsurance Group of America Inc.

 

6.200%

 

 

BBB

 

9,866,691

 

8,800

 

Selective Insurance Group

 

5.875%

 

 

BBB+

 

217,624

 

 

 

Total Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

107,712,747

 

 

 

Marine - 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101,235

 

Costamare Inc.

 

8.500%

 

 

N/R

 

2,581,493

 

63,671

 

Costamare Inc.

 

7.625%

 

 

N/R

 

1,584,771

 

9,740

 

International Shipholding Corporation

 

9.000%

 

 

N/R

 

993,480

 

10,896

 

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

 

8.750%

 

 

N/R

 

266,952

 

120,475

 

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

 

8.625%

 

 

N/R

 

2,845,620

 

134,955

 

Seaspan Corporation

 

8.250%

 

 

N/R

 

3,508,830

 

60,495

 

Seaspan Corporation

 

6.375%

 

 

N/R

 

1,542,623

 

 

 

Total Marine

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,323,769

 

 

 

Metals & Mining - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82,175

 

ArcelorMittal, Convertible Preferred

 

6.000%

 

 

BB-

 

1,684,588

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,579

 

DTE Energy Company

 

6.500%

 

 

Baa1

 

713,646

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,223

 

Atlas Pipeline Partners LP

 

8.250%

 

 

CCC+

 

708,887

 

31,458

 

BreitBurn Energy Partners LP

 

0.000%

 

 

N/R

 

776,069

 

39,310

 

Callon Petroleum Company

 

10.000%

 

 

N/R

 

2,020,534

 

35,644

 

Legacy Reserves LP

 

8.000%

 

 

N/R

 

825,159

 

172,347

 

Legacy Reserves LP

 

8.000%

 

 

N/R

 

3,972,598

 

8,163

 

Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation

 

8.000%

 

 

N/R

 

371,417

 

46,686

 

Miller Energy Resources Inc.

 

10.500%

 

 

N/R

 

1,035,962

 

304,300

 

Nustar Logistics Limited Partnership

 

7.625%

 

 

Ba2

 

8,106,552

 

50,775

 

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

 

7.500%

 

 

N/R

 

1,257,686

 

48,925

 

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

 

6.750%

 

 

N/R

 

1,135,060

 

67,800

 

Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited

 

8.875%

 

 

N/R

 

1,724,832

 

60,900

 

Vanguard Natural Resources LLC

 

7.875%

 

 

N/R

 

1,509,102

 

92,073

 

Vanguard Natural Resources LLC

 

7.625%

 

 

N/R

 

2,166,478

 

13,048

 

Vanguard Natural Resources LLC

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

309,760

 

 

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,920,096

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trust - 16.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

199,300

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust

 

8.000%

 

 

N/R

 

4,852,955

 

311,467

 

American Realty Capital Properties Inc.

 

6.700%

 

 

N/R

 

6,858,503

 

249,100

 

Annaly Capital Management

 

7.625%

 

 

N/R

 

6,140,315

 

84,575

 

Apartment Investment & Management Company

 

6.875%

 

 

BB-

 

2,161,737

 

149,500

 

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

 

8.625%

 

 

N/R

 

3,878,030

 

249,100

 

Apollo Residential Mortgage Inc.

 

8.000%

 

 

N/R

 

6,112,914

 

15,400

 

Arbor Realty Trust Incorporated

 

8.250%

 

 

N/R

 

382,690

 

134,725

 

Arbor Realty Trust Incorporated

 

7.375%

 

 

N/R

 

3,280,554

 

70,546

 

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc.

 

9.000%

 

 

N/R

 

1,890,633

 

87,594

 

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc.

 

8.450%

 

 

N/R

 

2,230,143

 

60,267

 

Campus Crest Communities

 

8.000%

 

 

N/R

 

1,541,630

 

139,015

 

Capstead Mortgage Corporation

 

7.500%

 

 

N/R

 

3,382,235

 

89,488

 

CBL & Associates Properties Inc.

 

7.375%

 

 

BB

 

2,265,836

 

186,579

 

Cedar Shopping Centers Inc., Series A

 

7.250%

 

 

N/R

 

4,875,309

 

208,314

 

Chesapeake Lodging Trust

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

5,436,995

 

23,967

 

Colony Financial Inc.

 

0.000%

 

 

N/R

 

633,208

 

101,850

 

Colony Financial Inc.

 

0.000%

 

 

N/R

 

2,548,287

 

50,000

 

Coresite Realty Corporation

 

7.250%

 

 

N/R

 

1,287,500

 

99,234

 

CYS Investments Inc.

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

2,404,440

 

58,610

 

CYS Investments Inc.

 

7.500%

 

 

N/R

 

1,374,405

 

270,925

 

DDR Corporation

 

6.500%

 

 

Baa3

 

6,957,354

 

178,594

 

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

 

7.375%

 

 

Baa3

 

4,770,246

 

45,165

 

Duke Realty Corporation, Series L

 

6.600%

 

 

Baa3

 

1,143,126

 

214,845

 

Dupont Fabros Technology

 

7.875%

 

 

Ba2

 

5,500,032

 

83,530

 

Dynex Capital inc.

 

8.500%

 

 

N/R

 

2,100,780

 

5,142

 

Equity Commonwealth

 

7.250%

 

 

Ba1

 

130,401

 

246,100

 

First Potomac Realty Trust

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

6,401,061

 

182,423

 

Hatteras Financial Corporation

 

7.625%

 

 

N/R

 

4,257,753

 

9,574

 

Health Care REIT, Inc.

 

6.500%

 

 

Baa3

 

249,020

 

88,550

 

Hersha Hospitality Trust

 

6.875%

 

 

N/R

 

2,281,934

 

70,782

 

Hospitality Properties Trust

 

7.125%

 

 

Baa3

 

1,866,521

 

20,700

 

Kite Realty Group Trust

 

8.250%

 

 

N/R

 

539,649

 

178,580

 

Inland Real Estate Corporation

 

8.125%

 

 

N/R

 

4,646,652

 

22,200

 

Inland Real Estate Corporation

 

6.950%

 

 

N/R

 

566,544

 

161,612

 

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc.

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

3,847,982

 

84,072

 

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc.

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

2,004,276

 

185,518

 

MFA Financial Inc.

 

8.000%

 

 

N/R

 

4,910,661

 

11,619

 

MFA Financial Inc.

 

7.500%

 

 

N/R

 

286,060

 

75,270

 

New York Mortgage Trust Inc.

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

1,840,352

 

178,500

 

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

 

8.875%

 

 

N/R

 

4,596,375

 

319,311

 

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

 

8.250%

 

 

N/R

 

8,005,127

 

200,000

 

Penn Real Estate Investment Trust

 

8.250%

 

 

N/R

 

5,298,000

 

72,400

 

Penn Real Estate Investment Trust

 

7.375%

 

 

N/R

 

1,871,540

 

19,350

 

PS Business Parks, Inc.

 

6.875%

 

 

Baa2

 

499,230

 

59,960

 

PS Business Parks, Inc.

 

6.450%

 

 

Baa2

 

1,557,161

 

136,853

 

Rait Financial Trust

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

3,318,685

 

123,830

 

Rait Financial Trust

 

7.625%

 

 

N/R

 

2,923,626

 

81,003

 

Rait Financial Trust

 

7.125%

 

 

N/R

 

1,972,423

 

149,039

 

Regency Centers Corporation

 

6.625%

 

 

Baa3

 

3,837,754

 

126,000

 

Resource Capital Corporation

 

8.625%

 

 

N/R

 

2,987,460

 

4,809

 

Sabra Health Care Real Estate Investement Trust

 

7.125%

 

 

B2

 

124,313

 

286,500

 

Senior Housing Properties Trust

 

5.625%

 

 

BBB-

 

6,741,345

 

157,149

 

Strategic Hotel Capital Inc., Series B

 

8.250%

 

 

N/R

 

4,007,300

 

1,175

 

Sun Communities Inc.

 

7.125%

 

 

N/R

 

30,256

 

149,300

 

Urstadt Biddle Properties

 

7.125%

 

 

N/R

 

3,814,615

 

69,475

 

Winthrop Realty Trust Inc.

 

7.750%

 

 

N/R

 

1,789,675

 

 

 

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

171,213,608

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101,577

 

Kennedy-Wilson Inc.

 

7.750%

 

 

BB-

 

2,602,403

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance - 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,002

 

Everbank Financial Corporation

 

6.750%

 

 

N/R

 

975,049

 

160,700

 

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

 

6.875%

 

 

N/R

 

4,228,016

 

143,400

 

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

 

6.000%

 

 

N/R

 

3,584,999

 

 

 

Total Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,788,064

 

 

 

U.S. Agency - 2.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

260,300

 

Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 144A, (7)

 

6.750%

 

 

Baa1

 

27,730,095

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,692

 

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

 

7.000%

 

 

Baa3

 

1,139,646

 

 

 

Total $25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred (cost $675,714,955)

 

 

 

701,243,939

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

Maturity

 

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 10.1% (7.2% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banks - 3.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$   10,825

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

6.500%

10/23/64

 

BB

 

$   11,122,688

 

12,220

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

6.250%

3/05/65

 

BB

 

12,204,725

 

4,950

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

5.800%

5/15/65

 

BB+

 

4,959,900

 

3,540

 

Credit Agricole SA, 144A

 

6.625%

12/23/64

 

BB+

 

3,453,624

 

4,085

 

HSBC Holdings PLC

 

6.375%

9/17/64

 

BBB

 

4,166,700

 

125

 

JPMorgan Chase & Company

 

6.100%

9/23/64

 

BBB-

 

125,313

 

4,000

 

Nordea Bank AB, 144A

 

6.125%

9/23/64

 

BBB

 

4,008,400

 

39,745

 

Total Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,041,350

 

 

 

Capital Markets - 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

375

 

Prospect Capital Corporation

 

5.875%

3/15/23

 

BBB

 

393,777

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

800

 

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company

 

6.500%

11/15/23

 

BB-

 

828,000

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services - 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,040

 

Banco BTG Pactual SA/Luxembourg, 144A

 

8.750%

9/15/24

 

Ba3

 

2,112,420

 

4,100

 

Jefferies Finance LLC Corporation, 144A

 

7.375%

4/01/20

 

B1

 

4,079,500

 

1,525

 

Jefferies Finance LLC Corporation, 144A

 

6.875%

4/15/22

 

B1

 

1,475,438

 

3,255

 

Main Street Capital Corp.

 

4.500%

12/01/19

 

N/R

 

3,239,702

 

10,920

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,907,060

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services - 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,355

 

McDermott International Inc., 144A

 

8.000%

5/01/21

 

BB

 

4,712,400

 

1,300

 

NGPL PipeCo LLC, 144A

 

9.625%

6/01/19

 

B-

 

1,384,500

 

6,655

 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,096,900

 

 

 

Food Products - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,010

 

Land O’Lakes Capital Trust I

 

7.450%

3/15/28

 

BB

 

1,055,450

 

 

 

Marine - 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

975

 

Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, 144A

 

8.125%

11/15/21

 

B+

 

992,063

 

6,120

 

Teekay Offshore Partners LP

 

6.000%

7/30/19

 

N/R

 

5,913,449

 

7,095

 

Total Marine

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,905,512

 

 

 

Media - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,550

 

CCOH Safari LLC, WI/DD

 

5.750%

12/01/24

 

B+

 

1,558,719

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,078

 

Breitburn Energy Partners LP

 

7.875%

4/15/22

 

B-

 

5,831,081

 

5,763

 

DCP Midstream LLC, 144A

 

5.850%

5/21/43

 

Baa3

 

5,690,963

 

2,120

 

Legacy Reserves LP Finance Corporation, 144A

 

6.625%

12/01/21

 

B

 

2,056,399

 

6,150

 

Seadrill Limited, 144A

 

6.625%

9/15/20

 

N/R

 

5,665,687

 

20,111

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,244,130

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trust - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,301

 

Iron Mountain Inc.

 

5.750%

8/15/24

 

B1

 

3,367,020

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,225

 

Forestar USA Real Estate Group Inc., 144A

 

8.500%

6/01/22

 

BB-

 

3,297,563

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,275

 

Frontier Communications Corporation

 

7.625%

4/15/24

 

BB

 

6,745,624

 

2,875

 

Frontier Communications Corporation

 

6.875%

1/15/25

 

BB

 

2,910,937

 

9,150

 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,656,561

 

$   103,937

 

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $103,668,047)

 

 

 

 

 

 

103,352,042

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

Maturity

 

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 

 

 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED - 52.6% (37.7% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

Banks - 21.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,361

 

Abbey National Capital Trust I

 

8.963%

N/A (8)

 

BBB-

 

$   23,525,031

 

1,850

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

8.125%

N/A (8)

 

BB

 

2,007,250

 

6,575

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

8.000%

N/A (8)

 

BB

 

7,076,344

 

3,575

 

Barclays Bank PLC, 144A

 

10.180%

6/12/21

 

A-

 

4,800,052

 

4,430

 

Barclays PLC

 

8.250%

N/A (8)

 

BB+

 

4,573,975

 

1,000

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

8.400%

N/A (8)

 

BB+

 

1,109,438

 

3,960

 

Commerzbank AG, 144A

 

8.125%

9/19/23

 

BB

 

4,577,364

 

2,680

 

Credit Agricole SA

 

7.875%

N/A (8)

 

BB+

 

2,766,296

 

4,500

 

First Empire Capital Trust I

 

8.234%

2/01/27

 

Baa2

 

4,552,556

 

32,205

 

General Electric Capital Corporation (6)

 

7.125%

N/A (8)

 

A+

 

37,518,819

 

4,325

 

General Electric Capital Corporation

 

6.250%

N/A (8)

 

A+

 

4,730,642

 

1,000

 

HSBC Bank PLC

 

0.688%

N/A (8)

 

A3

 

677,500

 

500

 

HSBC Bank PLC

 

0.600%

N/A (8)

 

A3

 

335,000

 

4,654

 

HSBC Capital Funding LP

 

10.176%

N/A (8)

 

BBB+

 

6,946,095

 

15,152

 

JPMorgan Chase & Company

 

7.900%

N/A (8)

 

BBB-

 

16,420,980

 

17,785

 

JPMorgan Chase & Company

 

6.750%

N/A (8)

 

BBB-

 

18,738,276

 

2,150

 

M&T Bank Corporation

 

6.450%

N/A (8)

 

BBB-

 

2,291,386

 

12,030

 

Lloyd’s Banking Group PLC

 

7.500%

N/A (8)

 

BB

 

12,511,200

 

9,505

 

PNC Financial Services Inc.

 

6.750%

N/A (8)

 

BBB-

 

10,374,708

 

4,883

 

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

 

7.648%

N/A (8)

 

BB-

 

5,743,629

 

12,656

 

Societe Generale, 144A

 

7.875%

N/A (8)

 

BB+

 

12,656,000

 

570

 

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A

 

7.014%

N/A (8)

 

Baa2

 

636,975

 

19,331

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

7.980%

N/A (8)

 

BBB

 

21,306,377

 

4,845

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

5.900%

N/A (8)

 

BBB

 

4,981,145

 

6,765

 

Zions Bancorporation

 

7.200%

N/A (8)

 

BB-

 

7,141,567

 

 

 

Total Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

217,998,605

 

 

 

Capital Markets - 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,820

 

Credit Suisse Group AG

 

7.500%

N/A (8)

 

BB+

 

15,750,696

 

3,520

 

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

 

5.700%

N/A (8)

 

BB+

 

3,599,200

 

175

 

Morgan Stanley

 

5.450%

N/A (8)

 

BB

 

175,820

 

 

 

Total Capital Markets

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,525,716

 

 

 

Consumer Finance - 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

Ally Financial Inc., 144A

 

7.000%

N/A (8)

 

B-

 

6,960,425

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services - 5.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Agstar Financial Services Inc., 144A

 

6.750%

N/A (8)

 

BB-

 

16,820,250

 

6,085

 

BNP Paribas, 144A (2)

 

7.195%

N/A (8)

 

BBB

 

7,016,796

 

2,575

 

ING US Inc.

 

5.650%

5/15/53

 

Ba1

 

2,575,000

 

20,713

 

Rabobank Nederland, 144A

 

11.000%

N/A (8)

 

Baa1

 

27,030,463

 

 

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

53,442,509

 

 

 

Insurance - 21.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,183

 

AG2R La Mondiale Vie

 

7.625%

N/A (8)

 

BBB-

 

1,283,558

 

4,800

 

AIG Life Holdings Inc.

 

8.500%

7/01/30

 

BBB

 

6,324,000

 

2,650

 

Aquarius & Investments PLC fbo SwissRe

 

8.250%

N/A (8)

 

N/R

 

2,921,626

 

7,620

 

Aviva PLC, Reg S

 

8.250%

N/A (8)

 

BBB

 

8,545,327

 

1,675

 

AXA SA

 

8.600%

12/15/30

 

A3

 

2,254,969

 

23,799

 

Catlin Insurance Company Limited

 

7.249%

N/A (8)

 

BBB+

 

24,393,973

 

2,460

 

Cloverie PLC Zurich Insurance

 

8.250%

N/A (8)

 

A

 

2,816,700

 

2,300

 

CNP Assurances

 

7.500%

N/A (8)

 

BBB+

 

2,530,000

 

30,440

 

Financial Security Assurance Holdings, 144A

 

6.400%

12/15/66

 

BBB+

 

26,787,198

 

1,755

 

Friends Life Holdings PLC

 

7.875%

N/A (8)

 

BBB+

 

1,934,888

 

10,055

 

Glen Meadows Pass Through Trust

 

6.505%

2/12/67

 

BB+

 

9,891,606

 

1,030

 

Great West Life & Annuity Insurance Capital LP II, 144A

 

7.153%

5/16/46

 

A-

 

1,066,050

 

11,625

 

Liberty Mutual Group, 144A

 

7.800%

3/15/37

 

Baa3

 

13,601,250

 

715

 

Lincoln National Corporation (2)

 

7.000%

5/17/66

 

BBB

 

732,875

 

1,750

 

Lincoln National Corporation

 

6.050%

4/20/67

 

BBB

 

1,780,626

 

9,335

 

MetLife Capital Trust IV, 144A

 

7.875%

12/15/37

 

BBB

 

11,925,464

 

10,745

 

MetLife Capital Trust X, 144A

 

9.250%

4/08/38

 

BBB

 

15,365,350

 

13,770

 

National Financial Services Inc.

 

6.750%

5/15/37

 

Baa2

 

14,320,800

 

1,150

 

Nationwide Financial Services Capital Trust

 

7.899%

3/01/37

 

Baa2

 

1,351,581

 

6,855

 

Provident Financing Trust I

 

7.405%

3/15/38

 

Baa3

 

8,007,621

 

3,415

 

Prudential Financial Inc.

 

5.875%

9/15/42

 

BBB+

 

3,619,901

 

13,535

 

QBE Capital Funding Trust II, 144A

 

7.250%

5/24/41

 

BBB

 

14,685,476

 

18,168

 

Symetra Financial Corporation, 144A

 

8.300%

10/15/37

 

BBB-

 

18,894,720

 

5,644

 

Swiss Re Capital I, 144A

 

6.854%

N/A (8)

 

A

 

5,926,201

 

9,145

 

White Mountains Insurance Group

 

7.506%

N/A (8)

 

BB+

 

9,601,986

 

8,250

 

XL Capital Ltd

 

6.500%

N/A (8)

 

BBB

 

7,915,876

 

4,000

 

ZFS Finance USA Trust II 144A

 

6.450%

12/15/65

 

A

 

4,260,001

 

 

 

Total Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

222,739,623

 

 

 

Machinery - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,020

 

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

 

5.750%

12/15/53

 

BBB+

 

1,099,050

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trust - 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

Sovereign Real Estate Investment Trust, 144A

 

12.000%

N/A (8)

 

Ba1

 

15,622,301

 

 

 

U.S. Agency - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Farm Credit Bank of Texas

 

10.000%

12/31/49

 

Baa1

 

2,197,781

 

 

 

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $496,754,067)

 

 

 

539,586,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1), (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES - 1.0% (0.8% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

92,380

 

AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$       1,250,825

 

198,079

 

Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,339,612

 

172,478

 

Cushing Royalty and Income Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,754,474

 

649,790

 

MFS Intermediate Income Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,281,439

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (cost $11,685,602)

 

 

 

 

 

10,626,350

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $1,344,353,809)

 

 

 

 

 

1,410,436,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

Maturity

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.9% (1.4% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

$  19,423

 

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 10/31/14, repurchase price $19,423,224, collateralized by $19,865,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.000%, due 10/31/21, value $19,813,485

 

0.000%

11/03/14

 

 

 

$       19,423,224

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $19,423,224)

 

 

 

 

19,423,224

 

 

 

Total Investments (cost $1,363,777,033) - 139.3%

 

 

 

 

1,429,859,924

 

 

 

Borrowings - (39.2)% (9), (10)

 

 

 

 

(402,500,000

)

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities - (0.1)% (11)

 

 

 

 

(646,695

)

 

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares - 100%

 

 

 

 

$  1,026,713,229

 

 

Investments in Derivatives as of October 31, 2014

 

Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Fund

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Rate

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Notional

 

Pay/Receive

 

 

 

Fixed Rate

 

Payment

 

Effective

 

Termination

 

Appreciation

 

Counterparty

 

Amount

 

Floating Rate

 

Floating Rate Index

 

(Annualized)

 

Frequency

 

Date (12)

 

Date

 

(Depreciation) (11)

 

JPMorgan

 

$ 114,296,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR-BBA

 

1.255

%

Monthly

 

12/01/14

 

12/01/18

 

$      772,771

 

JPMorgan

 

114,296,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR-BBA

 

1.673

 

Monthly

 

12/01/14

 

12/01/20

 

1,423,386

 

Morgan Stanley

 

69,725,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR-BBA

 

2.064

 

Monthly

 

3/21/11

 

3/21/16

 

(1,678,079

)

 

 

$ 298,317,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$      518,078

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

 

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following is a summary of the three-tiered hierarchy of valuation input levels.

 

 

 

Level 1 – Inputs are unadjusted and prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

Level 2 – Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

Level 3 – Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of the end of the reporting period:

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$    55,628,359

 

$                 –

 

$      –

 

$      55,628,359

 

 

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

 

639,917,446

 

61,326,493

 

 

701,243,939

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

103,352,042

 

 

103,352,042

 

 

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

 

 

539,586,010

 

 

539,586,010

 

 

Investment Companies

 

10,626,350

 

 

 

10,626,350

 

 

Short-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

 

19,423,224

 

 

19,423,224

 

 

Investments in Derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps*

 

 

518,078

 

 

518,078

 

 

Total

 

$  706,172,155

 

$ 724,205,847

 

$      –

 

$  1,430,378,002

 

 

*Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

 

 

Income Tax Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to recognition of premium amortization, timing differences in the recognition of income on real estate investment trust (“REIT”) investments and timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the NAVs of the Funds.

 

As of October 31, 2014, the cost of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) was $1,367,424,831.

 

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) as of October 31, 2014, were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross unrealized:

 

Appreciation

 

$   76,470,193

 

 

Depreciation

 

(14,035,100

)

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

 

$   62,435,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

 

 

 

(1)

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to common shares unless otherwise noted.

 

(2)

Investment, or portion of investment, is out on loan. The total value of investments out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $6,705,000.

 

(3)

Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

(4)

A copy of the most recent financial statements for the investment companies in which the Fund invests can be obtained directly from the Securities and Exchange Commission on its website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

(5)

Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(6)

Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives.

 

(7)

For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, $25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred classified as Level 2.

 

(8)

Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(9)

The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible investments (excluding any investments separately pledged as collateral for specific investments in derivatives, when applicable) in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for Borrowings. As of the end of the reporting period, investments with a value of $894,490,664 have been pledged as collateral for Borrowings.

 

(10)

Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 28.1%.

 

(11)

Other Assets Less Liabilities includes the Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of derivative instruments as listed within Investments in Derivatives as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(12)

Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and Counterparty commence interest payment accruals on each contract.

 

N/A

Not applicable.

 

144A

Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

Reg S

Regulation S allows U.S. companies to sell securities to persons or entities located outside of the United States without registering those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, Regulation S provides a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the offers and sales of securities by both foreign and domestic issuers that are made outside the United States.

 

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

USD-LIBOR-BBA

United States Dollar – London Inter-Bank Offered Rate – British Bankers’ Association.

 

WI/DD

Investment, or portion of investment, purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 



 

Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

a.                The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

b.                There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: EX-99 CERT Attached hereto.

 



 

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.

 

(Registrant)

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

 

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Kevin J. McCarthy

 

 

Kevin J. McCarthy

 

 

Vice President and Secretary

 

 

 

Date: December 30, 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/ Gifford R. Zimmerman

 

 

Gifford R. Zimmerman

 

 

Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer)

 

 

 

Date: December 30, 2014

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Stephen D. Foy

 

 

Stephen D. Foy

 

 

Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer)

 

 

 

Date: December 30, 2014