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:

12/31

 

Date of reporting period:

3/31/2012

 

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 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund  (JPC)

 

 

 

 

 

(formerly known as Nuveen Multi-Strategy Income and Growth Fund)

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

Common Stocks – 2.1% (1.5% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate – 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

385,000

 

Annaly Capital Management Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ 6,090,700

 

127,500

 

Hospitality Properties Trust, (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,209,175

 

1,700

 

Kite Realty Group Trust, (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,687

 

141,307

 

Public Storage, Inc., (2), (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,562,349

 

533,300

 

Redwood Trust Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,972,960

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,877,871

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (cost $19,222,978)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,877,871

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

 

 

Ratings (4)

 

Value

 

 

 

$25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities – 64.1% (44.8% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets – 4.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,761

 

Allied Capital Corporation

 

6.875%

 

 

 

BBB

 

$    773,380

 

144,440

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

 

7.750%

 

 

 

A

 

4,047,209

 

216,700

 

Ares Capital Corporation, (2)

 

7.000%

 

 

 

BBB

 

5,497,679

 

95,044

 

Credit Suisse

 

7.900%

 

 

 

A3

 

2,470,194

 

1,020,880

 

Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust II

 

6.550%

 

 

 

BBB

 

24,695,086

 

7,800

 

Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust IX

 

6.625%

 

 

 

BBB

 

188,916

 

66,500

 

Gladstone Investment Corporation

 

7.125%

 

 

 

N/R

 

1,663,165

 

35,600

 

Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Series 2004-4 (CORTS)

 

6.000%

 

 

 

A3

 

830,548

 

26,600

 

Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Series GSC-3 (PPLUS)

 

6.000%

 

 

 

A3

 

616,854

 

1,100

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust III

 

6.250%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

26,576

 

1,350

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust IV

 

6.250%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

32,765

 

15,900

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust V

 

5.750%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

379,692

 

41,575

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VI

 

6.600%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

1,031,892

 

2,500

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VII

 

6.600%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

60,775

 

88,700

 

Triangle Capital Corporation

 

7.000%

 

 

 

N/R

 

2,260,963

 

 

 

Total Capital Markets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,575,694

 

 

 

Commercial Banks – 7.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,400

 

Banco Santander Finance

 

6.410%

 

 

 

A+

 

121,608

 

228,986

 

Banco Santander Finance

 

6.500%

 

 

 

BBB

 

5,266,678

 

35,865

 

Banco Santander Finance

 

6.800%

 

 

 

BBB

 

857,174

 

707,959

 

Banco Santander Finance

 

10.500%

 

 

 

BBB

 

18,895,426

 

18,850

 

Barclays Bank PLC

 

7.100%

 

 

 

A+

 

466,538

 

16,766

 

Barclays Bank PLC

 

7.750%

 

 

 

BBB

 

422,503

 

200,050

 

BB&T Capital Trust VI

 

9.600%

 

 

 

Baa1

 

5,261,315

 

71,040

 

BB&T Capital Trust VII

 

8.100%

 

 

 

Baa1

 

1,847,750

 

101,792

 

Fifth Third Capital Trust VI

 

7.250%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

2,571,266

 

317,500

 

First Naigara Finance Group, (2)

 

8.625%

 

 

 

BB+

 

8,753,475

 

290,000

 

GMAC LLC

 

7.300%

 

 

 

BB-

 

6,533,700

 

30,000

 

GMAC LLC

 

7.350%

 

 

 

BB-

 

686,100

 

24,100

 

HSBC Holdings PLC

 

6.200%

 

 

 

A3

 

600,090

 

375,250

 

HSBC Holdings PLC

 

8.000%

 

 

 

A3

 

10,248,078

 

5,000

 

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Series H

 

7.250%

 

 

 

BB

 

110,700

 

26,000

 

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

 

7.650%

 

 

 

BB

 

611,520

 

231,000

 

Zions Bancorporation

 

9.500%

 

 

 

BB

 

6,022,170

 

 

 

Total Commercial Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69,276,091

 

 

 

Consumer Finance – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

121,300

 

GMAC LLC

 

7.250%

 

 

 

BB

 

2,749,871

 

32,742

 

SLM Corporation

 

6.000%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

718,359

 

 

 

Total Consumer Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,468,230

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services – 11.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

103,800

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

6.375%

 

 

 

BB+

 

2,436,186

 

100,000

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

8.200%

 

 

 

BB+

 

2,569,000

 

200,000

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

8.625%

 

 

 

BB+

 

5,128,000

 

165,000

 

Citigroup Capital Trust VII

 

7.125%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

4,161,300

 

102,000

 

Citigroup Capital Trust XI, (2)

 

6.000%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

2,411,280

 

67,050

 

Citigroup Capital Trust XII

 

8.500%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

1,716,480

 

404,268

 

Citigroup Capital XIII

 

7.875%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

10,996,090

 

54,991

 

Citigroup Capital XVI

 

6.450%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

1,336,281

 

16,300

 

Citigroup Capital XVII

 

6.350%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

397,068

 

159,401

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

8.125%

 

 

 

BB

 

4,423,378

 

265,000

 

Countrywide Capital Trust III

 

7.000%

 

 

 

BB+

 

6,325,550

 

96,200

 

Countrywide Capital Trust IV

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BB+

 

2,263,586

 

80,000

 

GMAC LLC

 

7.375%

 

 

 

BB-

 

1,808,000

 

50,000

 

ING Groep N.V

 

6.125%

 

 

 

BBB

 

1,073,500

 

25,000

 

ING Groep N.V

 

6.375%

 

 

 

BBB

 

547,500

 

1,267,139

 

ING Groep N.V

 

7.050%

 

 

 

BBB

 

29,613,037

 

238,023

 

ING Groep N.V

 

7.200%

 

 

 

BBB

 

5,645,906

 

65,000

 

ING Groep N.V

 

7.375%

 

 

 

BBB

 

1,552,200

 

285,000

 

ING Groep N.V

 

8.500%

 

 

 

BBB

 

7,210,500

 

57,234

 

JPMorgan Chase Capital Trust XI

 

5.875%

 

 

 

A2

 

1,440,580

 

23,750

 

JPMorgan Chase Capital Trust XXIX

 

6.700%

 

 

 

A2

 

606,813

 

50,000

 

KKR Financial Holdings LLC, (5)

 

7.500%

 

 

 

BBB

 

1,251,000

 

945

 

MBNA Capital Trust

 

8.125%

 

 

 

BB+

 

23,805

 

43,650

 

Merrill Lynch Capital Trust II

 

6.450%

 

 

 

BB+

 

1,035,815

 

229,792

 

Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust V

 

7.280%

 

 

 

BB+

 

5,714,927

 

 

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101,687,782

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

255,000

 

Qwest Corporation, WI/DD, (5)

 

0.000%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

6,354,600

 

2,500

 

Qwest Corporation

 

7.375%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

65,100

 

133,165

 

Qwest Corporation

 

7.500%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

3,476,938

 

 

 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,896,638

 

 

 

Electric Utilities – 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

317,451

 

Entergy Texas Inc.

 

7.875%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

8,872,755

 

 

 

Insurance – 14.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118,745

 

Aegon N.V, (2)

 

8.000%

 

 

 

Baa1

 

3,103,994

 

1,315,987

 

Aegon N.V

 

6.375%

 

 

 

Baa1

 

31,715,284

 

264,200

 

Allianz SE, (5)

 

8.375%

 

 

 

A+

 

6,852,688

 

898,410

 

Arch Capital Group Limited, WI/DD, (5)

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BBB

 

22,769,123

 

160,973

 

Arch Capital Group Limited

 

8.000%

 

 

 

BBB

 

4,082,275

 

985,795

 

Axis Capital Holdings Limited

 

6.875%

 

 

 

BBB

 

25,630,669

 

125,000

 

Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited, (2)

 

7.500%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

3,227,500

 

275,725

 

EverestRe Capital Trust II

 

6.200%

 

 

 

Baa1

 

6,824,194

 

257,000

 

Maiden Holdings NA Limited

 

0.000%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

6,399,300

 

480,294

 

PartnerRe Limited

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

12,021,759

 

81,503

 

PLC Capital Trust III

 

7.500%

 

 

 

BBB

 

2,064,471

 

16,900

 

PLC Capital Trust IV

 

7.250%

 

 

 

BBB

 

425,880

 

126,730

 

Prudential Financial Inc.

 

9.000%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

3,428,047

 

24,617

 

Prudential PLC

 

6.750%

 

 

 

A-

 

628,964

 

87,828

 

RenaissanceRe Holdings Limited, Series C

 

6.080%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

2,193,943

 

27,197

 

RenaissanceRe Holdings Limited, Series D

 

6.600%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

681,557

 

 

 

Total Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

132,049,648

 

 

 

Media – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,500

 

Comcast Corporation

 

6.625%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

1,125,850

 

186,519

 

Comcast Corporation

 

7.000%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

4,690,953

 

 

 

Total Media

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,816,803

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities – 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

338,834

 

Dominion Resources Inc.

 

8.375%

 

 

 

BBB

 

9,616,109

 

11,289

 

DTE Energy Company

 

6.500%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

307,851

 

153,951

 

Xcel Energy Inc.

 

7.600%

 

 

 

BBB

 

3,978,094

 

 

 

Total Multi-Utilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,902,054

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75,000

 

Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation

 

8.000%

 

 

 

N/A

 

3,637,500

 

150,000

 

Nexen Inc, DD1

 

7.350%

 

 

 

BB+

 

3,795,000

 

 

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,432,500

 

 

 

Real Estate – 19.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250,000

 

American Capital Agency, WI/DD, (5)

 

8.000%

 

 

 

N/A

 

6,250,000

 

369,524

 

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc.

 

8.450%

 

 

 

N/R

 

8,960,957

 

50,000

 

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc.

 

8.550%

 

 

 

N/R

 

1,218,500

 

68,900

 

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc.

 

9.000%

 

 

 

N/A

 

1,750,060

 

298,568

 

CBL & Associates Properties Inc., DD1

 

7.375%

 

 

 

N/R

 

7,464,200

 

649,597

 

CommomWealth REIT

 

7.125%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

16,097,014

 

59,021

 

CommomWealth REIT

 

7.500%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

1,313,217

 

153,661

 

Developers Diversified Realty Corporation, (2)

 

7.375%

 

 

 

Ba1

 

3,847,671

 

16,200

 

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

 

7.000%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

427,032

 

6,800

 

Duke Realty Corporation, Series K

 

6.500%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

169,592

 

71,421

 

Duke Realty Corporation, Series L

 

6.600%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

1,799,095

 

2,300

 

Duke Realty Corporation, Series O

 

8.375%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

59,823

 

12,248

 

Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation

 

6.625%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

306,567

 

100,000

 

Dupont Fabros Technology

 

7.625%

 

 

 

Ba2

 

2,545,000

 

100,000

 

Dupont Fabros Technology, (2)

 

7.875%

 

 

 

Ba2

 

2,588,000

 

250,000

 

First Potomac Realty Trust, (2)

 

7.750%

 

 

 

N/R

 

6,252,500

 

700

 

Harris Preferred Capital Corporation, Series A

 

7.375%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

17,815

 

80,000

 

Health Care REIT, Inc., (5)

 

6.500%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

2,010,320

 

75,000

 

Hospitality Properties Trust

 

7.000%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

1,884,000

 

178,580

 

Inland Real Estate Corporation

 

8.250%

 

 

 

N/R

 

4,569,862

 

317,217

 

Kimco Realty Corporation

 

6.650%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

7,939,942

 

57,482

 

Kimco Realty Corporation

 

6.900%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

1,558,912

 

336,186

 

Kimco Realty Corporation

 

7.750%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

8,539,124

 

275,000

 

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

 

8.250%

 

 

 

N/R

 

6,352,500

 

51,275

 

Prologis Inc., (2)

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BB

 

1,288,541

 

40,000

 

Prologis Inc.

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BB

 

1,008,000

 

43,605

 

Prologis Inc., (5)

 

8.540%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

2,511,378

 

119,921

 

PS Business Parks, Inc., (2), (5)

 

6.450%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

3,007,499

 

22,000

 

PS Business Parks, Inc.

 

6.875%

 

 

 

BBB

 

568,480

 

7,500

 

Public Storage, Inc.

 

6.500%

 

 

 

A-

 

206,025

 

20,120

 

Public Storage, Inc.

 

6.600%

 

 

 

A-

 

511,853

 

8,269

 

Public Storage, Inc.

 

6.625%

 

 

 

A-

 

206,973

 

29,949

 

Public Storage, Inc.

 

6.875%

 

 

 

A-

 

825,394

 

250,000

 

Realty Income Corporation

 

6.625%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

6,362,500

 

126,701

 

Realty Income Corporation

 

6.750%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

3,173,860

 

217,000

 

Regency Centers Corporation

 

6.625%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

5,522,650

 

640,179

 

Vornado Realty LP

 

7.875%

 

 

 

BBB

 

17,617,726

 

2,300

 

Vornado Realty Trust

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

58,236

 

577,232

 

Wachovia Preferred Funding Corporation

 

7.250%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

14,904,130

 

79,721

 

Weingarten Realty Trust

 

6.500%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

1,995,417

 

28,500

 

Weingarten Realty Trust

 

6.950%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

713,355

 

582,230

 

Weingarten Realty Trust, Preferred Securities

 

6.750%

 

 

 

Baa3

 

14,544,105

 

125,000

 

Winthrop Realty Trust Inc.

 

9.250%

 

 

 

N/R

 

3,172,500

 

 

 

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

172,120,325

 

 

 

U.S. Agency – 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

108,000

 

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, 144A, (5)

 

7.000%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

5,109,750

 

31,000

 

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (5)

 

11.000%

 

 

 

A

 

1,678,845

 

 

 

Total U.S. Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,788,595

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

134,273

 

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

 

6.875%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

3,505,868

 

35,213

 

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

 

7.000%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

922,933

 

72,427

 

United States Cellular Corporation

 

6.950%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

1,888,899

 

 

 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,317,700

 

 

 

Total $25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities (cost $575,067,867)

 

 

 

 

 

582,204,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

 

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

Ratings (4)

 

Value

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds – 9.7% (6.7% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets – 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$      2,800

 

State Street Capital Trust IV, (3)

 

 

 

1.469%

 

6/15/47

 

A3

 

$  2,057,975

 

 

 

Commercial Banks – 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,500

 

BBVA Global Finance Limited

 

 

 

7.000%

 

12/01/25

 

A2

 

4,396,041

 

1,900

 

Santander Issuances, 144A

 

 

 

6.500%

 

8/11/19

 

A2

 

1,798,774

 

7,119

 

UniCredito Luxembourg Finance SA, 144A

 

6.000%

 

10/31/17

 

A3

 

6,326,940

 

13,519

 

Total Commercial Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,521,755

 

 

 

Consumer Finance – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

SLM Corporation

 

 

 

5.625%

 

8/01/33

 

BBB-

 

4,268,760

 

1,000

 

SLM Corporation

 

 

 

7.250%

 

1/25/22

 

BBB-

 

1,044,824

 

6,000

 

Total Consumer Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,313,584

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

Telecom Italia Capital

 

 

 

7.721%

 

6/04/38

 

BBB

 

1,950,000

 

 

 

Electric Utilities – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

FPL Group Capital Inc.

 

 

 

6.650%

 

6/15/17

 

BBB

 

2,050,000

 

1,450

 

WPS Resource Corporation

 

 

 

6.110%

 

12/01/16

 

BBB

 

1,450,000

 

3,450

 

Total Electric Utilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500,000

 

 

 

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,830

 

NRG Energy Inc.

 

 

 

7.875%

 

5/15/21

 

BB

 

5,596,800

 

 

 

Insurance – 5.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,922

 

American International Group, Inc.

 

 

 

8.175%

 

5/15/68

 

BBB

 

23,204,437

 

3,000

 

Genworth Financial Inc.

 

 

 

7.625%

 

9/24/21

 

BBB

 

3,103,413

 

6,000

 

Genworth Financial Inc.

 

 

 

7.200%

 

2/15/21

 

BBB

 

6,110,472

 

3,500

 

Hartford Life Inc.

 

 

 

7.650%

 

6/15/27

 

BBB-

 

3,987,711

 

5,000

 

Protective Life Corporation

 

 

 

8.450%

 

10/15/39

 

A-

 

5,788,905

 

7,500

 

QBE Capital Funding Trust II, 144A

 

 

 

7.250%

 

5/24/41

 

BBB+

 

7,068,750

 

46,922

 

Total Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,263,688

 

 

 

Media – 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,588

 

RR Donnelley & Son Company

 

 

 

8.250%

 

3/15/19

 

BB+

 

7,550,060

 

$     88,109

 

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $86,220,390)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,753,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

 

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

Ratings (4)

 

Value

 

 

 

Capital Preferred Securities – 57.0% (39.8% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

500

 

Credit Suisse thru Claudius Limited

 

 

 

8.250%

 

6/27/49

 

A3

 

$     515,000

 

3,500

 

Credit Suisse AG

 

 

 

7.875%

 

12/12/49

 

BBB

 

3,570,000

 

1,500,000

 

Macquarie PMI LLC

 

 

 

8.375%

 

12/29/49

 

Ba1

 

1,488,900

 

 

 

Total Capital Markets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,573,900

 

 

 

Commercial Banks – 13.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,445

 

Abbey National Capital Trust I

 

 

 

8.963%

 

6/30/30

 

BBB

 

6,509,450

 

4,200

 

ABN AMRO North America Holding Capital, 144A

 

6.523%

 

12/31/49

 

BB+

 

3,402,000

 

500

 

ABN AMRO North American Capital Funding, 144A

 

6.968%

 

12/15/50

 

BB+

 

296,094

 

4,581

 

Barclays Bank PLC, 144A

 

 

 

7.434%

 

12/15/17

 

BBB

 

4,617,685

 

2,000

 

Barclays Bank PLC, Regulation S, 144A

 

 

 

6.860%

 

6/15/32

 

BBB

 

1,870,000

 

18,219

 

Barclays Bank PLC

 

 

 

6.278%

 

12/15/34

 

BBB

 

15,269,799

 

800

 

BB&T Capital Trust I

 

 

 

5.850%

 

8/18/35

 

Baa1

 

805,736

 

4,200

 

BB&T Capital Trust IV

 

 

 

6.820%

 

6/12/77

 

Baa1

 

4,242,000

 

2,000

 

BNP Paribas, 144A

 

 

 

7.195%

 

12/25/37

 

BBB+

 

1,775,000

 

9,000

 

First Empire Capital Trust I

 

 

 

8.234%

 

2/01/27

 

BBB

 

8,935,848

 

1,000,000

 

HSBC Bank PLC

 

 

 

1.000%

 

12/31/49

 

A

 

478,000

 

500

 

HSBC Bank PLC

 

 

 

0.600%

 

6/11/49

 

A-

 

242,500

 

1,300

 

HSBC Capital Funding LP, Debt

 

 

 

10.176%

 

6/30/50

 

A3

 

1,716,000

 

1,500

 

HSBC Financial Capital Trust IX

 

 

 

5.911%

 

11/30/35

 

BBB+

 

1,407,240

 

500,000

 

National Australia Bank

 

 

 

8.000%

 

9/29/49

 

Baa1

 

538,975

 

4,200

 

Nordea Bank AB

 

 

 

8.375%

 

3/25/15

 

BBB+

 

4,426,800

 

8,000

 

North Fork Capital Trust II

 

 

 

8.000%

 

12/15/27

 

Baa3

 

8,080,000

 

10,000

 

PNC Financial Services Inc.

 

 

 

6.750%

 

8/01/21

 

BBB

 

10,543,200

 

11,135

 

Rabobank Nederland, 144A

 

 

 

11.000%

 

6/30/19

 

A

 

14,141,450

 

600

 

Reliance Capital Trust I, Series B

 

 

 

8.170%

 

5/01/28

 

N/R

 

599,748

 

3,300

 

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A

 

 

 

7.014%

 

7/30/37

 

BBB+

 

3,204,462

 

-

(6)

Union Planters Preferred Fund, 144A

 

 

 

7.750%

 

7/15/53

 

BB

 

5,782,500

 

19,100

 

Wells Fargo & Company, Series K

 

 

 

7.980%

 

9/15/99

 

A

 

20,795,125

 

 

 

Total Commercial Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

119,679,612

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Pitney Bowes Interntational Holdings, 144A

 

6.125%

 

4/15/50

 

Baa1

 

2,296,109

 

 

 

Consumer Finance – 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

Capital One Capital IV Corporation

 

 

 

6.745%

 

2/05/82

 

Baa3

 

1,000,000

 

850

 

Capital One Capital VI

 

 

 

8.875%

 

5/15/40

 

Baa3

 

855,712

 

 

 

Total Consumer Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,855,712

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services – 5.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

600

 

Bank One Capital III

 

 

 

8.750%

 

9/01/30

 

A2

 

827,110

 

3,100

 

BankAmerica Capital II, Series 2

 

 

 

8.000%

 

12/15/26

 

BB+

 

3,131,000

 

1,500

 

BankAmerica Institutional Capital Trust, Series B, 144A

 

7.700%

 

12/31/26

 

BBB-

 

1,492,500

 

3,500

 

BankAmerica Institutional Trust, 144A

 

 

 

8.070%

 

12/31/26

 

BB+

 

3,517,500

 

1,550

 

CitiGroup Capital XXI

 

 

 

8.300%

 

12/21/77

 

Baa3

 

1,564,725

 

17,912

 

JPMorgan Chase & Company

 

 

 

7.900%

 

4/30/18

 

Baa1

 

19,622,954

 

7,500

 

JPMorgan Chase Capital Trust XX Ser T

 

6.550%

 

9/29/36

 

A2

 

7,537,500

 

6,750

 

JPMorgan Chase Capital XXV

 

 

 

6.800%

 

10/01/37

 

A2

 

6,787,800

 

7,275

 

MBNA Capital Trust

 

 

 

8.278%

 

12/01/26

 

BB+

 

7,347,750

 

900

 

NB Capital Trust II

 

 

 

7.830%

 

12/15/26

 

BB+

 

900,000

 

 

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,728,839

 

 

 

Electric Utilities – 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,300

 

FPL Group Capital Inc.

 

 

 

6.350%

 

10/01/66

 

BBB

 

2,346,000

 

100,000

 

Southern California Edison Company

 

 

 

6.000%

 

12/31/49

 

BBB+

 

9,990,630

 

 

 

Total Electric Utilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,336,630

 

 

 

Insurance – 33.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,493

 

Allstate Corporation

 

 

 

6.125%

 

5/15/67

 

Baa1

 

7,352,506

 

7,500

 

Allstate Corporation

 

 

 

6.500%

 

5/15/67

 

Baa1

 

7,368,750

 

20,425

 

AXA SA, 144A

 

 

 

6.379%

 

12/14/36

 

Baa1

 

16,799,563

 

3,600

 

AXA

 

 

 

8.600%

 

12/15/30

 

A3

 

3,975,394

 

84

 

Axis Capital Holdings Limited

 

 

 

7.500%

 

12/01/15

 

BBB

 

8,722,116

 

16,465

 

Catlin Insurance Company Limited

 

 

 

7.249%

 

1/19/17

 

BBB+

 

15,065,475

 

4,870,000

 

Cloverie PLC Zurich Insurance

 

 

 

0.000%

 

1/18/18

 

A3

 

5,149,295

 

2,750,000

 

Dai-Ichi Mutual Life, 144A

 

 

 

7.250%

 

3/15/61

 

A3

 

2,846,250

 

31,040

 

Financial Security Assurance Holdings, 144A

 

6.400%

 

12/15/36

 

Baa1

 

22,348,800

 

23,745

 

Glen Meadows Pass Through Trust

 

 

 

6.505%

 

2/15/17

 

BB+

 

18,224,288

 

8,000

 

Great West Life & Annuity Capital I, 144A

 

6.625%

 

11/15/34

 

A-

 

7,453,160

 

3,600

 

Liberty Mutual Group Inc., 144A

 

 

 

10.750%

 

6/15/58

 

Baa3

 

4,815,000

 

16,300

 

Liberty Mutual Group, 144A

 

 

 

7.800%

 

3/15/37

 

Baa3

 

15,892,500

 

3,500

 

Lincoln National Corporation

 

 

 

6.050%

 

4/20/17

 

BBB

 

3,263,750

 

3,900

 

Lincoln National Corporation

 

 

 

7.000%

 

5/17/66

 

BBB

 

3,773,250

 

18,670

 

MetLife Capital Trust IV, 144A

 

 

 

7.875%

 

12/15/67

 

BBB

 

20,443,650

 

17,465

 

MetLife Capital Trust X, 144A

 

 

 

9.250%

 

4/08/68

 

BBB

 

21,045,325

 

32,370

 

National Financial Services Inc.

 

 

 

6.750%

 

5/15/37

 

Baa2

 

30,346,874

 

1,150

 

Nationwide Financial Services Capital Trust

 

7.899%

 

3/01/37

 

Baa2

 

1,146,716

 

6,400

 

Oil Insurance Limited, 144A

 

 

 

7.558%

 

12/30/56

 

Baa1

 

5,998,592

 

5,600

 

Progressive Corporation

 

 

 

6.700%

 

6/15/67

 

A2

 

5,810,000

 

3,800

 

Prudential Financial Inc.

 

 

 

8.875%

 

6/15/18

 

BBB+

 

4,484,000

 

7,200

 

Prudential PLC

 

 

 

6.500%

 

6/23/49

 

A-

 

6,829,200

 

5,300

 

Prudential PLC

 

 

 

7.750%

 

3/23/49

 

A-

 

5,403,350

 

4,600

 

QBE Capital Funding Trust II, 144A

 

 

 

6.797%

 

6/01/49

 

BBB+

 

4,139,531

 

19,359

 

Swiss Re Capital I

 

 

 

6.854%

 

5/25/16

 

A

 

18,274,335

 

8,765

 

Symetra Financial Corporation, 144A

 

 

 

8.300%

 

10/15/37

 

BBB-

 

8,589,700

 

21,300

 

XL Capital Ltd

 

 

 

6.500%

 

10/15/57

 

BBB-

 

17,945,250

 

10,350

 

ZFS Finance USA Trust II 144A

 

 

 

6.450%

 

12/15/65

 

A

 

10,246,500

 

1,000

 

ZFS Finance USA Trust V

 

 

 

6.500%

 

5/09/67

 

A

 

965,000

 

 

 

Total Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

304,718,120

 

 

 

U.S. Agency – 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,825

 

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank

 

 

 

7.300%

 

12/15/53

 

A

 

16,511,044

 

2

 

Farm Credit Bank of Texas

 

 

 

10.000%

 

12/15/60

 

A3

 

2,012,906

 

 

 

Total U.S. Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,523,950

 

 

 

Total Capital Preferred Securities (cost $509,626,940)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

517,712,872

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

Investment Companies – 5.2% (3.7% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

354,750

 

BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$  3,728,423

 

500,000

 

iShares FTSE NAREIT Mortgage Plus Capped Index Fund

 

 

 

 

 

6,760,000

 

69,000

 

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,267,960

 

270,000

 

iShares S&P US Preferred Stock Index Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,540,800

 

259,567

 

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III, (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,620,292

 

350,000

 

PowerShares Financial Preferred Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,265,000

 

425,000

 

PowerShares Preferred Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,107,250

 

80,000

 

SPDR Wells Fargo Preferred Stock ETF

 

 

 

 

 

3,593,600

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (cost $51,425,261)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,883,325

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

 

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments - 5.0% (3.5% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$      45,684

 

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing

 

0.010%

 

4/02/12

 

 

 

$    45,683,716

 

 

 

Corporation, dated 3/30/12, repurchase price $45,683,754, collateralized by $45,500,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.500%, due 12/31/13, value $46,601,874

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $45,683,716)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,683,716

 

 

 

Total Investments (cost $1,287,247,152) – 143.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,300,116,461

 

 

 

Borrowings – (38.3)% (7), (8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(348,000,000

)

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (4.8)% (9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(43,478,917

)

 

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

908,637,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Derivatives at March 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

 

Notional
Amount

 

Fund
Pay/Receive
Floating Rate

 

Floating Rate
Index

 

Fixed Rate*

 

Fixed Rate
Payment
Frequency

 

Termination
Date

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

JPMorgan

 

$69,725,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR

 

1.193%

 

Monthly

 

3/21/14

 

$(1,074,903)

 

Morgan Stanley

 

69,725,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR

 

2.064   

 

Monthly

 

3/21/16

 

(3,290,858)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$(4,365,761)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Annualized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive 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 three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2 - Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3 - 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 risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$  18,877,871

 

$                 –

 

$               –

 

$18,877,871

 

 

 

$25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities*

 

524,409,612

 

57,795,203

 

 

582,204,815

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

87,753,862

 

 

87,753,862

 

 

 

Capital Preferred Securities

 

 

517,712,872

 

 

517,712,872

 

 

 

Investment Companies

 

47,883,325

 

 

 

47,883,325

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

 

45,683,716

 

 

45,683,716

 

 

 

Derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps**

 

 

(4,365,761

)

 

(4,365,761

)

 

 

Total

 

$591,170,808

 

$704,579,892

 

$               –

 

$1,295,750,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*   Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for industry breakdown of $25 par (or similar) Preferred Securities classified as Level 2.

 

 

 

**  Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of the Fund’s Level 3 investments held at the beginning and end of the measurement period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 3

 

Level 3

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible Bonds

 

Warrants

 

Total

 

 

 

Balance at the beginning of period

 

 

 

$2,279,279

 

$10,670

 

$2,289,949

 

 

 

Gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses)

 

 

 

433,947

 

 

433,947

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

(395,035

)

(10,670

)

(405,705

)

 

 

Purchases at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales at proceeds

 

 

 

(2,318,191

)

 

(2,318,191

)

 

 

Net discounts (premiums)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers in to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at the end of period

 

 

 

$              –

 

$         –

 

$              –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The table below presents the transfers in and out of the three valuation levels for the Fund as of the end of the reporting period when compared to the valuation levels at the end of the previous fiscal year.  Changes in the leveling of investments are primarily due to changes in the observability of inputs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers In

 

(Transfers Out)

 

Transfers In

 

(Transfers Out)

 

Transfers In

 

(Transfers Out)

 

 

 

$                  486,611

 

$                           –

 

$                     –

 

$            (486,611

)

$                       –

 

$                        –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fund records derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Fund’s investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table presents the fair value of all derivative instruments held by the Fund as of March 31, 2012, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

 

Underlying

 

Derivative

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

Risk Exposure

 

Instrument

 

Location

 

Value

 

Location

 

Value

 

 

 

Interest Rate

 

Swaps

 

Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps*

 

$

 

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps*

 

$(4,365,761

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*   Value represents cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of interest rate swap contracts as reported on the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 the treatment of paydown gains and losses, 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 their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset value of the Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31, 2012, the cost of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) was $1,288,902,882.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) at March 31, 2012, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized:

 

 

 

 

 

Appreciation

 

$     27,050,542

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

(15,836,963

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

 

$     11,213,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

 

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

 

 

 

(3)

 

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

 

 

 

(4)

 

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.

 

 

 

(5)

 

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

 

 

 

(6)

 

Principal Amount (000) rounds to less than $1,000.

 

 

 

(7)

 

Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 26.8%.

 

 

 

(8)

 

The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible investments in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for Borrowings. As of March 31, 2012, investments with a value of $808,052,868 have been pledged as collateral for Borrowings.

 

 

 

(9)

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities includes the Net Unrealized Apprecation (Depreciation) of derivative instruments as noted within Investments in Derivatives at March 31, 2012.

 

 

 

N/A

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

N/R

 

Not Rated

 

 

 

DD1

 

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

 

 

 

WI/DD

 

Purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

CORTS

 

Corporate Backed Trust Securities.

 

 

 

PPLUS

 

PreferredPlus Trust.

 

 

 

USD-LIBOR

 

United States Dollar–London Inter-Bank Offered Rate.

 


 


 

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 May 30, 2012

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 May 30, 2012

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Stephen D. Foy

 

 

Stephen D. Foy

 

 

Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer)

 

 

 

Date May 30, 2012