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 |
811-21293 | |||||
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Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund | ||||||
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) | ||||||
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Nuveen Investments | ||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) | ||||||
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Kevin J. McCarthy | ||||||
(Name and address of agent for service) | ||||||
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Registrants telephone number, including area code: |
(312) 917-7700 |
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Date of fiscal year end: |
December 31 |
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Date of reporting period: |
December 31, 2012 |
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Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
Closed-End Funds
Nuveen Investments
Closed-End Funds
Seeks Attractive Regular Distributions from a Portfolio of Preferred Securities.
Annual Report
December 31, 2012
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund
JPC
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Table of Contents
Chairman's Letter to Shareholders |
4 |
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Portfolio Managers' Comments |
5 |
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Fund Leverage and Other Information |
10 |
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Common Share Distribution and Price Information |
12 |
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Performance Overviews |
14 |
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
15 |
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Portfolio of Investments |
16 |
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Statement of Assets & Liabilities |
23 |
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Statement of Operations |
24 |
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Statement of Changes in Net Assets |
25 |
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Statement of Cash Flows |
26 |
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Financial Highlights |
28 |
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Notes to Financial Statements |
30 |
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Board Members & Officers |
42 |
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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report |
47 |
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Additional Fund Information |
51 |
Chairman's
Letter to Shareholders
Dear Shareholders,
Despite the global economy's ability to muddle through the many economic headwinds of 2012, investors continue to have good reasons to remain cautious. The European Central Bank's decisions to extend intermediate term financing to major European banks and to support sovereign debt markets have begun to show signs of a stabilized euro area financial market. The larger member states of the European Union (EU) are working diligently to strengthen the framework for a tighter financial and banking union and meaningful progress has been made by agreeing to centralize large bank regulation under the European Central Bank. However, economic conditions in the southern tier members are not improving and the pressures on their political leadership remain intense. The jury is out on whether the respective populations will support the continuing austerity measures that are needed to meet the EU fiscal targets.
In the U.S., the Fed remains committed to low interest rates into 2015 through its third program of Quantitative Easing (QE3). Inflation remains low but a growing number of economists are expressing concern about the economic distortions resulting from negative real interest rates. The highly partisan atmosphere in Congress led to a disappointingly modest solution for dealing with the end-of-year tax and spending issues. Early indications for the new Congressional term have not given much encouragement that the atmosphere for dealing with the sequestration legislation and the debt ceiling issues, let alone a more encompassing "grand bargain," will be any better than the last Congress. Over the longer term, there are some encouraging trends for the U.S. economy: house prices are beginning to recover, banks and corporations continue to strengthen their financial positions and incentives for capital investment in the U.S. by domestic and foreign corporations are increasing due to more competitive energy and labor costs.
During 2012 U.S. investors have benefited from strong returns in the domestic equity markets and solid returns in most fixed income markets. However, many of the macroeconomic risks of 2012 remain unresolved, including negotiating through the many U.S. fiscal issues, managing the risks of another year of abnormally low U.S. interest rates, sustaining the progress being made in the euro area and reducing the potential economic impact of geopolitical issues, particularly in the Middle East. In the face of these uncertainties, the experienced investment professionals at Nuveen Investments seek out investments that are enjoying positive economic conditions. At the same time they are always on the alert for risks in markets subject to excessive optimism or for opportunities in markets experiencing undue pessimism. Monitoring this process is a critical function for the Fund Board as it oversees your Nuveen Fund on your behalf.
As always, I encourage you to communicate with your financial consultant if you have any questions about your investment in a Nuveen Fund. On behalf of the other members of your Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Bremner
Chairman of the Board
February 22, 2013
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4
Portfolio Managers' Comments
Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio managers as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. The Fund disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.
Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor's Group, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A, and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below investment grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (JPC)
(formerly Nuveen Multi-Strategy Income and Growth Fund)
Portfolio Repositioning
On January 23, 2012, the Fund began the repositioning of its portfolio as previously approved by common shareholders during November 2011. The goal of the portfolio repositioning was to increase the attractiveness of the Fund's common shares and narrow the Fund's trading discount by:
• Simplifying the Fund to focus on one of its current core portfolio strategies;
• Positioning the Fund in a closed-end fund category that is well understood and has historically seen more consistent secondary market demand; and
• Differentiating the Fund from similar funds, including other Nuveen closed-end funds in the same fund category.
In connection with the portfolio repositioning, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (NAM) and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (NWQ), affiliates of Nuveen Investments, assumed portfolio management responsibilities from the Fund's previous sub-advisers. NAM and NWQ each manage approximately half of the Fund's investment portfolio. Douglas Baker, CFA and Brenda Langenfeld, CFA, were appointed portfolio managers to the NAM team and Michael Carne, CFA, and Kevin Hunter were appointed portfolio managers to the NWQ team.
Upon completion of the portfolio repositioning on April 2, 2012, the Fund changed its name from the Nuveen Multi-Strategy Income and Growth Fund. The Fund's ticker symbol remained unchanged. The Fund also discontinued its managed distribution policy (in which distributions may be sourced not just from income but also from realized capital gains and, if necessary, from capital), and shifted from quarterly to monthly distributions. The Fund's investment objective of high current income with a secondary objective of total return remained unchanged.
Here they discuss the general market conditions, their management strategies and the performance of the Fund for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012.
What were the general market conditions and trends over the course of this reporting period?
During this period, the U.S. economy's progress toward recovery from recession continued at a moderate pace. The Federal Reserve (Fed) maintained its efforts to improve the overall economic environment by holding the benchmark fed funds rate at
Nuveen Investments
5
the record low level of zero to 0.25% that it established in December 2008. The central bank decided during its December 2012 meeting to keep the fed funds rate at "exceptionally low levels" until either the unemployment rate reaches 6.5% or expected inflation goes above 2.5%. The Fed also affirmed its decision, announced in September 2012, to purchase $40 billion of mortgage-backed securities each month in an effort to stimulate the housing market. In addition to this new, open-ended stimulus program, the Fed plans to continue its program to extend the average maturity of its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities through the end of December 2012. The goals of these actions, which together will increase the Fed's holdings of longer-term securities by approximately $85 billion a month through the end of the year, are to put downward pressure on longer-term interest rates, make broader financial conditions more accommodative and support a stronger economic recovery as well as continued progress toward the Fed's mandates of maximum employment and price stability.
In the fourth quarter 2012, the U.S. economy, as measured by the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), decreased at an estimated annualized rate of 0.1%, down from a 3.1% increase in the third quarter. This slight decline was due to lower inventory investment, federal spending and net exports. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.7% year-over-year as of December 2012, after a 3.0% increase in 2011. The core CPI (which excludes food and energy) increased 1.9% during the period, staying just within the Fed's unofficial objective of 2.0% or lower for this inflation measure. As of January 2013, the national unemployment rate was 7.9%, slightly higher than the 7.8% unemployment rate for December 2012 but below the 8.3% level recorded in January 2012. The housing market continued to show signs of improvement, with the average home price in the S&P/Case-Shiller Index of 20 major metropolitan areas rising 5.5% for the twelve months ended November 2012 (most recent data available at the time this report was prepared). This was the largest year-over-year price gain since August 2006. The outlook for the U.S. economy remained clouded by uncertainty about global financial markets and the continued negotiations by Congress regarding potential spending cuts and tax policy reform.
During the reporting period, the preferred/hybrid asset class posted impressive absolute and relative returns, benefiting from the same factors that were generally supportive of fixed-income and credit products during the twelve month period. As has been the case over the last several quarters, strong supply-and-demand technicals continued to support preferred/hybrid valuations. 2012 preferred security new issue supply was well received, particularly in the $25 par segment of the market. Given the prolonged low interest rate environment, retail investors in search of income continued to be drawn to the asset class. While new issue flow was quite healthy over the past year, net supply was actually negative as low interest rates, tighter credit spreads and compliance with new bank capital regulations triggered aggressive redemption activity that far exceeded aggregate new issue volume.
During 2012, both $25 par and $1,000 par securities posted positive results. Indeed, the $1,000 par side of the market, as measured by the Barclays USD Securities Indexposted a 20.5% return for the year; however, the $25 par side of the market
Nuveen Investments
6
posted a relatively lower 13.6% return for the year-long period, as represented by the BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index. We believe valuations on the $25 par side of the market may have reflected some modest investor fatigue in the face of the new issue supply. In addition, the $25 par side of the market had previously outperformed the $1,000 par side of the market in each of the previous two years. As a result, the relative performance in 2012 also may have been due to a broader reversion of valuations between the retail and institutional sides of the market.
What key strategies were used to manage the Fund during this reporting period?
The Fund invests at least 80% of its managed assets in preferred securities and up to 20% opportunistically over the market cycle in other types of securities, primarily income oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity. The Fund is managed by two experienced portfolio teams with distinctive, complementary approaches to the preferred market. NAM employs a debt-oriented approach that combines top down relative value analysis of industry sectors with fundamental credit analysis. NWQ employs a bottom up, fundamentally driven approach that combines equity research to identify which companies to own with fixed income analysis to identify the most attractive securities of a company to hold. This unique, multi-team approach gives investors access to a broader investment universe with greater diversification potential.
For the portion of the Fund managed by NAM, we continued to believe that $1,000 par structures were generally more attractive than corresponding $25 par retail securities. As a result, we maintained a relative overweight to $1,000 par institutional structures compared to the comparative benchmark's allocation of 35% to institutional $1,000 par and 65% to retail $25 par. As of December 31, 2012, the Fund had an allocation of approximately 28% to $25 par and other retail structures, and roughly 72% allocated to $1,000 par institutional structures.
For the portion of the Fund managed by NWQ, we continued to invest in securities from across the capital structure of companies that possess favorable investment characteristics. These characteristics may include attractive absolute valuation, potential downside protection and catalysts expected to unlock value or improve profitability. Once an undervalued company has been identified, the strategy's portfolio management team performs a comprehensive analysis of all available investment choices within the company's capital structure to decide the optimal investment for the portfolio that would offer the greatest expected return for a given level of risk. We believe that by understanding the company first, through our experienced research team, we can more effectively evaluate the risk and reward characteristics of the company's debt and equity securities and then select the optimal point for investment in the company's capital structure.
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7
Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares.
For additional information, see the Performance Overview page in this report.
* Since inception returns are from 3/26/03.
** Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions. Indexes are not available for direct investment.
How did the Fund perform during this twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012?
The performance of the Fund, as well as for its comparative benchmark and index, is presented in the accompanying table.
Average Annual Total Returns on Common Share Net Asset Value
For periods ended 12/31/12
1-Year |
5-Year |
Since Inception* |
|||||||||||||
JPC |
28.17 |
% |
5.19 |
% |
5.36 |
% |
|||||||||
Comparative Benchmark** |
16.61 |
% |
6.08 |
% |
7.33 |
% |
|||||||||
BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index** |
13.59 |
% |
3.83 |
% |
2.89 |
% |
For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012, the Fund's common shares at net asset value (NAV) outperformed the comparative benchmark and the general market index.
For the portion of the Fund managed by NAM, several factors contributed to the sleeve's outperformance, including a relative overweight to $1,000 par structures versus $25 par structures, a relative overweight to the insurance sector versus the bank sector, a relative overweight to lower rated investment-grade and below investment-grade securities versus the index and a relative overweight to the more subordinate tier-1 securities versus the relatively more senior lower tier-2 structures.
During the year, an overweight to $1,000 par structures contributed meaningfully to the strategy's outperformance. The $1,000 par institutional side of the market significantly outperformed the $25 par retail side. We did not find this relative performance surprising as the average option adjusted spread (OAS) valuation for the $25 par side of the market at the beginning of the period was meaningfully richer compared to the $1,000 par side of the market. We believe valuations between retail and institutional structures will likely continue to normalize in the near future, potentially resulting in further outperformance of institutional structures versus their retail counterparts.
Another factor contributing to the Fund's relative outperformance was its overweight to the insurance sector versus the bank sector. While the financial services sector continued to perform well during the period, the insurance sub-sector outperformed. Supply from the insurance sub-sector remained relatively light during 2012, thus providing technical support for valuations across the sector. As has been the case for several quarters, investors continued to anticipate that insurance companies might buy back high coupon, long non-call, preferred/hybrid security structures. In our opinion, this also helped the insurance sub-sector to outperform during the measurement period.
The Fund also benefited from being overweight to lower rated investment-grade, below investment-grade and more subordinate tier-1 securities versus the Comparative Benchmark. During measurement periods when credit spreads in general have contracted, lower rated investment-grade and below investment-grade securities, as well as more subordinate tier-1 securities, have tended to outperform their higher rated counterparts and 2012 was no exception.
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8
During the reporting period, the preferred sleeve managed by NWQ outperformed its benchmark. Our holdings in the insurance and real estate investment trust (REIT) sectors were the largest positive contributors to performance while the largest sector detractor was banking. In individual securities, American International Group debt securities and Swiss Re Capital insurance perpetual preferred stock provided the largest contribution to return while our holdings in Solar Capital Limited senior debt, Santander Financial PFD SA UNI debt securities and BBVA Global Finance Ltd. subordinated debt were the biggest detractors of performance. The latter two holdings were eliminated during the year.
During an environment of rising interest rates, preferreds, especially those with perpetual maturities and low dividend rates will exhibit a measure of duration extension. While we do not foresee a significant rise in either longer term or short term interest rates through 2013, in that eventuality, we may look to invest in shorter duration preferred stocks with higher dividend rates as well as preferreds with floating rate features in order to mitigate price depreciation due to rising rates.
We also wrote (sold) call options on individual stocks held in the portfolio to enhance returns while foregoing some upside potential. Prior to the Fund's repositioning, the Fund entered into a put option on a single stock to benefit in the event its price declined.
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9
Fund Leverage
and Other Information
IMPACT OF THE FUND'S LEVERAGE STRATEGY ON PERFORMANCE
One important factor impacting the returns of the Fund relative to its benchmark was the Fund's use of leverage through the use of bank borrowings. The Fund uses leverage because its managers believe that, over time, leveraging provides opportunities for additional income and total return for common shareholders. However, use of leverage also can expose common shareholders to additional volatility. For example, as the prices of securities held by the Fund decline, the negative impact of these valuation changes on common share net asset value and common shareholder total return is magnified by the use of leverage. Conversely, leverage may enhance common share returns during periods when the prices of securities held by a Fund generally are rising. Leverage had a positive impact on the performance of the Fund over this reporting period. During the period, the Fund entered into forward starting interest rate swap contracts, which have yet to become effective, in order to hedge future leverage costs. The combination of those forward starting swaps along with the existing interest rate swap contracts that were previously entered into in order to hedge a portion of the Fund's leverage costs partially detracted from the overall positive contribution of leverage. Short-term floating interest rates remained below the existing fixed swap rates for the period which increased realized leverage costs and exceeded the combined positive mark-to-market impact of unrealized gains.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Fund shares are not guaranteed or endorsed by any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Shares of closed-end funds are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Fund common shares are subject to a variety of risks, including:
Investment, Market and Price Risk. An investment in common shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in common shares represents an indirect investment in the corporate securities owned by the Fund, which generally trade in the over-the-counter markets. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. Your common shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Leverage Risk. The Fund's use of leverage creates the possibility of higher volatility for the Fund's per share NAV, market price and distributions. Leverage risk can be introduced
Nuveen Investments
10
through regulatory leverage (issuing preferred shares or debt borrowings at the Fund level) or through certain derivative investments held in the Fund's portfolio. Leverage typically magnifies the total return of the Fund's portfolio, whether that return is positive or negative. The use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased common share net income, but there is no assurance that the Fund's leveraging strategy will be successful.
Tax Risk. The Fund's investment program and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by IRS interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code and future changes in tax laws and regulations.
Common Stock Risk. Common stock returns often have experienced significant volatility.
Issuer Credit Risk. This is the risk that a security in the Fund's portfolio will fail to make dividend or interest payments when due.
Non-U.S. Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S securities involve special risks not typically associated with domestic investments including currency risk and adverse political, social and economic development. These risks often are magnified in emerging markets.
Interest Rate Risk. Fixed-income securities such as bonds, preferred, convertible and other debt securities will decline in value if market interest rates rise.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stocks are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company's capital structure, and therefore are subject to greater credit risk.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible fixed-income securities of similar credit quality.
Currency Risk. Changes in exchange rates will affect the value of the Fund's investments.
Reinvestment Risk. If market interest rates decline, income earned from the Fund's portfolio may be reinvested at rates below that of the original bond that generated the income.
Below-Investment Grade Risk. Investments in securities below investment grade quality are predominantly speculative and subject to greater volatility and risk of default.
Derivatives Risk. Derivative securities include, but are not limited to, calls, puts, warrants, swaps and forwards, The Fund's use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with the underlying investments. The derivatives market is largely unregulated.
Unrated Investment Risk. In determining whether an unrated security is an appropriate investment for the Fund, the portfolio manager will consider information from industry sources, as well as its own quantitative and qualitative analysis, in making such a determination. However such a determination by the portfolio manager is not the equivalent of a rating by a rating agency
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11
Common Share Distribution
and Price Information
Distribution Information
The following information regarding the Fund's distributions is current as of December 31, 2012, and likely will vary over time based on the Fund's investment activities and portfolio investment value changes.
As mentioned previously, upon completion of its portfolio repositioning, the Fund discontinued its managed distribution policy (in which distributions may be sourced not just from income but also from realized capital gains and, if necessary, from capital), and shifted from quarterly to monthly distributions.
During the current reporting period, the Fund declared a quarterly distribution to common shareholders of $0.1900 in March and then maintained a stable monthly distributions of $0.0633 per share for the subsequent nine months. Some of the important factors affecting the amount and composition of these distributions are summarized below.
The Fund employs financial leverage through the use of bank borrowings. Financial leverage provides the potential for higher earnings (net investment income), total returns and distributions over time, butas noted earlieralso increases the variability of common shareholders' net asset value per share in response to changing market conditions.
During certain periods, the Fund may pay dividends at a rate that may be more or less than the amount of net investment income actually earned by the Fund during the period. If the Fund has cumulatively earned more than it has paid in dividends, it holds excess in reserve as undistributed net investment income (UNII) as part of the Fund's NAV. Conversely, if the Fund has cumulatively paid dividends in excess of earnings, the excess constitutes negative UNII that is likewise reflected in the Fund's NAV. The Fund will, over time, pay all of its net investment income as dividends to shareholders. As of December 31, 2012, the Fund had a zero UNII balance for tax purposes and a negative UNII balance for financial reporting purposes.
Common Share Repurchases and Price Information
During November 2012, the Nuveen Funds Board of Directors/Trustees reauthorized the Fund's open-market share repurchase program, allowing the Fund to repurchase an aggregate of up to approximately 10% of its outstanding common shares.
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12
As of December 31, 2012, and since the inception of the Fund's repurchase program, the Fund has cumulatively repurchased and retired shares of its common stock as shown in the accompanying table.
Common Shares Repurchased and Retired |
% of Outstanding Common Shares |
||||||||||
JPC |
2,724,287 |
2.8 |
% |
During the current reporting period, the Fund did not repurchase any of its common shares.
As of December 31, 2012, the Fund was trading at a -5.54% discount to its common share NAV compared with an average discount of -4.33% for the entire twelve-month period.
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13
Fund Snapshot
Common Share Price |
$ |
9.71 |
|||||
Common Share Net Asset Value (NAV) |
$ |
10.28 |
|||||
Premium/(Discount) to NAV |
-5.54 |
% |
|||||
Latest Dividend |
$ |
0.0633 |
|||||
Current Distribution Rate4 |
7.82 |
% |
|||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares ($000) |
$ |
997,484 |
Leverage
Regulatory Leverage |
27.78 |
% |
|||||
Effective Leverage |
27.78 |
% |
Average Annual Total Returns
(Inception 3/26/03)
On Share Price |
On NAV |
||||||||||
1-Year |
31.44 |
% |
28.17 |
% |
|||||||
5-Year |
7.93 |
% |
5.19 |
% |
|||||||
Since Inception |
5.22 |
% |
5.36 |
% |
Portfolio Composition
(as a % of total investments)1,3
Insurance |
38.7 |
% |
|||||
Commercial Banks |
20.1 |
% |
|||||
Real Estate |
15.2 |
% |
|||||
Diversified Financial Services |
13.5 |
% |
|||||
Short-Term Investments |
0.5 |
% |
|||||
Other |
12.0 |
% |
Country Allocation
(as a % of total investments)1,3
United States |
76.3 |
% |
|||||
Netherlands |
6.0 |
% |
|||||
United Kingdom |
5.9 |
% |
|||||
France |
3.1 |
% |
|||||
Other |
8.7 |
% |
Top Five Issuers
(as a % of total investments)2,3
MetLife Inc |
3.6 |
% |
|||||
Bank of America Corporation |
3.3 |
% |
|||||
Liberty Mutual Insurance Corporation |
3.2 |
% |
|||||
General Electric Company |
2.8 |
% |
|||||
JPMorgan Chase & Company |
2.8 |
% |
JPC
Performance
OVERVIEW
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund
as of December 31, 2012
Portfolio Allocation (as a % of total investments)1,3
2012 Distributions Per Common Share5
Common Share Price Performance Weekly Closing Price
Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this Fund's Performance Overview page.
1 Excluding investments in derivatives.
2 Excluding short-term investments and investments in derivatives.
3 Holdings are subject to change.
4 Current Distribution Rate is based on the Fund's current annualized monthly distribution divided by the Fund's current market price. The Fund's monthly distributions to its shareholders may be comprised of ordinary income, net realized capital gains and, if at the end of the calendar year the Fund's cumulative net ordinary income and net realized gains are less than the amount of the Fund's distributions, a return of capital for tax purposes.
5 As previously explained in the Common Share Distribution and Share Price Information section of this report, the Fund shifted from a quarterly to a monthly distribution beginning with its April distribution declared 4/11/12 and paid 5/1/12.
6 Rounds to less than 0.1%.
Nuveen Investments
14
Report of INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund
(formerly known as Nuveen Multi-Strategy Income and Growth Fund)
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (the "Fund") as of December 31, 2012, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian, counterparty, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund at December 31, 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Chicago, Illinois
February 27, 2013
Nuveen Investments
15
JPC
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund
(formerly known as Nuveen Multi-Strategy Income and Growth Fund)
Portfolio of Investments
December 31, 2012
Shares |
Description (1) |
Value |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stocks 1.7% (1.3% of Total Investments) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Markets 0.7% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
449,000 |
Medley Capital Corporation |
$ |
6,537,440 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance 0.2% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
65,000 |
American International Group, (2) |
2,294,500 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.3% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
107,500 |
Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
3,103,525 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Real Estate 0.5% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
63,750 |
Hospitality Properties Trust |
1,695,750 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
1,700 |
Kite Realty Group Trust |
43,605 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
72,400 |
Penn Real Estate Investment Trust |
1,832,444 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
70,653 |
Public Storage, Inc. |
1,847,576 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total Real Estate |
5,419,375 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Common Stocks (cost $16,672,279) |
17,354,840 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Ratings (3) |
Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Convertible Preferred Securities 0.1% (0.0% of Total Investments) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.1% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
15,056 |
New York Community Capital Trust V |
6.000 |
% |
Baa3 |
$ |
741,508 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $725,090) |
741,508 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Ratings (3) |
Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
$25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities 65.1% (47.1% of Total Investments) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Markets 5.0% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
39,839 |
Allied Capital Corporation |
6.875 |
% |
BBB |
$ |
991,194 |
|||||||||||||||||
100,440 |
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. |
7.750 |
% |
A |
2,759,087 |
||||||||||||||||||
63,820 |
Apollo Investment Corporation |
6.625 |
% |
BBB- |
1,512,534 |
||||||||||||||||||
216,700 |
Ares Capital Corporation |
7.000 |
% |
BBB |
5,759,886 |
||||||||||||||||||
575,880 |
Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust II |
6.550 |
% |
BBB |
14,782,840 |
||||||||||||||||||
66,500 |
Gladstone Investment Corporation |
7.125 |
% |
N/R |
1,721,020 |
||||||||||||||||||
25,450 |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Series 2004-4 (CORTS) |
6.000 |
% |
Baa3 |
621,744 |
||||||||||||||||||
22,600 |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Series GSC-3 (PPLUS) |
6.000 |
% |
Baa3 |
549,406 |
||||||||||||||||||
149,500 |
Hercules Technology Growth Capital Incorporated |
7.000 |
% |
N/A |
3,749,460 |
||||||||||||||||||
118,000 |
Hercules Technology Growth Capital Incorporated |
7.000 |
% |
N/A |
2,959,440 |
||||||||||||||||||
39,700 |
Medley Capital Corporation |
7.125 |
% |
N/A |
1,025,451 |
||||||||||||||||||
1,100 |
Morgan Stanley Capital Trust III |
6.250 |
% |
BB+ |
27,456 |
||||||||||||||||||
1,350 |
Morgan Stanley Capital Trust IV |
6.250 |
% |
BB+ |
33,737 |
||||||||||||||||||
15,900 |
Morgan Stanley Capital Trust V |
5.750 |
% |
Ba1 |
392,094 |
||||||||||||||||||
41,575 |
Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VI |
6.600 |
% |
BB+ |
1,047,690 |
||||||||||||||||||
2,500 |
Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VII |
6.600 |
% |
BB+ |
62,625 |
||||||||||||||||||
279,575 |
Solar Capital Limited |
6.750 |
% |
BBB- |
6,419,042 |
||||||||||||||||||
88,700 |
Triangle Capital Corporation |
7.000 |
% |
N/R |
2,332,810 |
||||||||||||||||||
139,350 |
Triangle Capital Corporation |
6.375 |
% |
N/A |
3,379,238 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Capital Markets |
50,126,754 |
Nuveen Investments
16
Shares |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Ratings (3) |
Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Banks 12.2% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
18,850 |
Barclays Bank PLC |
7.100 |
% |
A+ |
$ |
472,381 |
|||||||||||||||||
508,200 |
BB&T Corporation |
5.625 |
% |
BBB |
12,948,936 |
||||||||||||||||||
94,525 |
Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (4) |
6.250 |
% |
A- |
9,845,374 |
||||||||||||||||||
299,850 |
First Naigara Finance Group |
8.625 |
% |
BB+ |
8,530,733 |
||||||||||||||||||
245,000 |
First Republic Bank of San Francisco |
6.200 |
% |
BBB |
6,394,500 |
||||||||||||||||||
30,000 |
GMAC LLC |
7.350 |
% |
BB- |
750,900 |
||||||||||||||||||
290,000 |
GMAC LLC |
7.300 |
% |
BB- |
7,247,100 |
||||||||||||||||||
375,250 |
HSBC Holdings PLC |
8.000 |
% |
BBB+ |
10,341,890 |
||||||||||||||||||
12,750 |
HSBC Holdings PLC |
6.200 |
% |
BBB+ |
319,133 |
||||||||||||||||||
999,788 |
PNC Financial Services, (5) |
6.125 |
% |
BBB |
27,704,125 |
||||||||||||||||||
225,900 |
Private Bancorp Incorporated |
7.125 |
% |
N/A |
5,794,335 |
||||||||||||||||||
197,430 |
Regions Financial Corporation |
6.375 |
% |
BB |
4,878,495 |
||||||||||||||||||
133,300 |
TCF Financial Corporation |
7.500 |
% |
BB |
3,504,457 |
||||||||||||||||||
113,600 |
U.S. Bancorp. |
6.500 |
% |
BBB+ |
3,253,504 |
||||||||||||||||||
219,200 |
Webster Financial Corporation |
6.400 |
% |
Ba1 |
5,473,424 |
||||||||||||||||||
231,000 |
Zions Bancorporation |
9.500 |
% |
BB |
5,978,280 |
||||||||||||||||||
269,863 |
Zions Bancorporation |
7.900 |
% |
BB |
8,074,301 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Commercial Banks |
121,511,868 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Finance 1.8% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
534,700 |
Discover Financial Services |
6.500 |
% |
BB |
13,501,175 |
||||||||||||||||||
145,900 |
GMAC LLC |
7.250 |
% |
BB- |
3,647,500 |
||||||||||||||||||
32,742 |
SLM Corporation |
6.000 |
% |
BBB- |
785,153 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Consumer Finance |
17,933,828 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Diversified Financial Services 9.0% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
200,000 |
Bank of America Corporation |
8.625 |
% |
BB+ |
5,112,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
100,000 |
Bank of America Corporation |
8.200 |
% |
BB+ |
2,560,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
6,191 |
Bank of America Corporation |
7.250 |
% |
BB+ |
7,026,785 |
||||||||||||||||||
102,000 |
Citigroup Capital Trust XI |
6.000 |
% |
BB |
2,534,700 |
||||||||||||||||||
181,884 |
Citigroup Capital XIII |
7.875 |
% |
BB+ |
5,074,564 |
||||||||||||||||||
54,991 |
Citigroup Capital XVI |
6.450 |
% |
BB+ |
1,375,875 |
||||||||||||||||||
16,300 |
Citigroup Capital XVII |
6.350 |
% |
BB+ |
407,989 |
||||||||||||||||||
159,401 |
Citigroup Inc. |
8.125 |
% |
BB |
4,541,334 |
||||||||||||||||||
476,651 |
Countrywide Capital Trust III |
7.000 |
% |
BB+ |
12,006,839 |
||||||||||||||||||
136,200 |
Countrywide Capital Trust IV |
6.750 |
% |
BB+ |
3,380,484 |
||||||||||||||||||
80,000 |
GMAC LLC |
7.375 |
% |
BB- |
1,990,400 |
||||||||||||||||||
285,000 |
ING Groep N.V. |
8.500 |
% |
BBB- |
7,293,150 |
||||||||||||||||||
65,000 |
ING Groep N.V. |
7.375 |
% |
BBB- |
1,624,350 |
||||||||||||||||||
204,023 |
ING Groep N.V. |
7.200 |
% |
BBB- |
5,116,897 |
||||||||||||||||||
783,499 |
ING Groep N.V. |
7.050 |
% |
BBB- |
19,595,306 |
||||||||||||||||||
25,000 |
ING Groep N.V. |
6.375 |
% |
BBB- |
604,750 |
||||||||||||||||||
50,000 |
ING Groep N.V. |
6.125 |
% |
BBB- |
1,195,500 |
||||||||||||||||||
57,234 |
JPMorgan Chase Capital Trust XI |
5.875 |
% |
BBB |
1,440,580 |
||||||||||||||||||
23,750 |
JPMorgan Chase Capital Trust XXIX |
6.700 |
% |
A |
606,813 |
||||||||||||||||||
71,700 |
KCAP Financial Inc. |
7.375 |
% |
N/A |
1,817,595 |
||||||||||||||||||
50,000 |
KKR Financial Holdings LLC |
7.500 |
% |
BBB |
1,337,500 |
||||||||||||||||||
21,825 |
Merrill Lynch Capital Trust II |
6.450 |
% |
BB+ |
543,006 |
||||||||||||||||||
102,460 |
Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust V |
7.280 |
% |
BB+ |
2,566,623 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Diversified Financial Services |
89,753,040 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Diversified Telecommunication Services 1.2% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
208,137 |
Qwest Corporation |
7.500 |
% |
BBB- |
5,613,455 |
||||||||||||||||||
2,500 |
Qwest Corporation |
7.375 |
% |
BBB- |
67,025 |
||||||||||||||||||
255,000 |
Qwest Corporation |
7.000 |
% |
BBB- |
6,732,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Diversified Telecommunication Services |
12,412,480 |
Nuveen Investments
17
JPC
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Portfolio of Investments December 31, 2012
Shares |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Ratings (3) |
Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Electric Utilities 2.2% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
288,375 |
Entergy Texas Inc. |
7.875 |
% |
BBB+ |
$ |
8,328,270 |
|||||||||||||||||
143,568 |
SCE Trust I |
5.625 |
% |
BBB+ |
3,704,054 |
||||||||||||||||||
100,000 |
Southern California Edison Company, (4) |
6.000 |
% |
BBB+ |
10,078,130 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Electric Utilities |
22,110,454 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance 12.9% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
118,745 |
Aegon N.V. |
8.000 |
% |
Baa1 |
3,322,485 |
||||||||||||||||||
635,804 |
Aegon N.V. |
6.375 |
% |
Baa1 |
15,996,829 |
||||||||||||||||||
328,754 |
Allianz SE, (4) |
8.375 |
% |
A+ |
8,424,321 |
||||||||||||||||||
898,410 |
Arch Capital Group Limited |
6.750 |
% |
BBB |
24,104,340 |
||||||||||||||||||
221,100 |
Argo Group US Inc. |
6.500 |
% |
BBB- |
5,503,179 |
||||||||||||||||||
49,020 |
Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited |
7.250 |
% |
BBB- |
1,283,344 |
||||||||||||||||||
808,495 |
Axis Capital Holdings Limited |
6.875 |
% |
BBB |
21,586,817 |
||||||||||||||||||
150,000 |
Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited |
7.500 |
% |
BBB- |
3,999,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
137,862 |
EverestRe Capital Trust II |
6.200 |
% |
Baa1 |
3,464,472 |
||||||||||||||||||
56,682 |
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. |
7.875 |
% |
BB+ |
1,627,340 |
||||||||||||||||||
299,470 |
Maiden Holdings Limited |
8.250 |
% |
BB |
7,789,215 |
||||||||||||||||||
3,832 |
Maiden Holdings NA Limited |
8.250 |
% |
BBB- |
100,552 |
||||||||||||||||||
200,000 |
Maiden Holdings NA Limited |
8.000 |
% |
BBB- |
5,274,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
244,152 |
PartnerRe Limited |
6.750 |
% |
BBB+ |
6,155,072 |
||||||||||||||||||
126,730 |
Prudential Financial Inc. |
9.000 |
% |
BBB+ |
3,272,169 |
||||||||||||||||||
8,205 |
Prudential PLC |
6.750 |
% |
A- |
205,946 |
||||||||||||||||||
572,140 |
Reinsurance Group of America Inc. |
6.200 |
% |
BBB |
15,510,715 |
||||||||||||||||||
27,078 |
RenaissanceRe Holdings Limited, Series C |
6.080 |
% |
BBB+ |
679,387 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Insurance |
128,299,183 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Multi-Utilities 0.8% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
230,684 |
Dominion Resources Inc. |
8.375 |
% |
BBB |
6,212,320 |
||||||||||||||||||
8,644 |
DTE Energy Company |
6.500 |
% |
BBB- |
235,895 |
||||||||||||||||||
76,975 |
Xcel Energy Inc. |
7.600 |
% |
BBB |
1,947,468 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Multi-Utilities |
8,395,683 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.4% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
150,000 |
Nexen Inc. |
7.350 |
% |
BB+ |
3,819,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
Real Estate 19.3% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
199,300 |
AG Mortgage Investment Trust |
8.000 |
% |
N/A |
4,972,535 |
||||||||||||||||||
249,100 |
Annaly Capital Management |
7.625 |
% |
N/A |
6,252,410 |
||||||||||||||||||
149,500 |
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance |
8.625 |
% |
N/A |
3,909,425 |
||||||||||||||||||
249,100 |
Apollo Residential Mortgage Inc. |
8.000 |
% |
N/A |
6,175,189 |
||||||||||||||||||
69,000 |
Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc. |
9.000 |
% |
N/A |
1,849,200 |
||||||||||||||||||
40,100 |
Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc. |
8.550 |
% |
N/A |
1,011,723 |
||||||||||||||||||
359,524 |
Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc. |
8.450 |
% |
N/R |
9,042,029 |
||||||||||||||||||
289,622 |
CBL & Associates Properties Inc. |
7.375 |
% |
N/A |
7,255,031 |
||||||||||||||||||
144,916 |
Cedar Shopping Centers Inc., Series A |
7.250 |
% |
N/A |
3,543,196 |
||||||||||||||||||
208,314 |
Chesapeake Lodging Trust |
7.750 |
% |
N/A |
5,516,155 |
||||||||||||||||||
146,596 |
CYS Invsetments Inc. |
7.750 |
% |
N/A |
3,660,502 |
||||||||||||||||||
260,390 |
DDR Corporation |
6.500 |
% |
Ba1 |
6,369,139 |
||||||||||||||||||
16,200 |
Digital Realty Trust Inc. |
7.000 |
% |
Baa3 |
432,054 |
||||||||||||||||||
6,800 |
Duke Realty Corporation, Series K |
6.500 |
% |
Baa3 |
169,048 |
||||||||||||||||||
71,421 |
Duke Realty Corporation, Series L |
6.600 |
% |
Baa3 |
1,792,667 |
||||||||||||||||||
12,248 |
Duke-Weeks Realty Corporation |
6.625 |
% |
Baa3 |
306,322 |
||||||||||||||||||
175,000 |
Dupont Fabros Technology |
7.875 |
% |
Ba2 |
4,651,500 |
||||||||||||||||||
99,700 |
Dynex Capital inc. |
8.500 |
% |
N/A |
2,551,323 |
||||||||||||||||||
250,000 |
First Potomac Realty Trust |
7.750 |
% |
N/R |
6,417,500 |
||||||||||||||||||
298,900 |
Hatteras Financial Corporation |
7.625 |
% |
N/A |
7,463,533 |
||||||||||||||||||
80,000 |
Health Care REIT, Inc. |
6.500 |
% |
Baa3 |
2,152,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
9,756 |
Hospitality Properties Trust |
7.000 |
% |
Baa3 |
246,046 |
||||||||||||||||||
178,580 |
Inland Real Estate Corporation |
8.250 |
% |
N/R |
4,652,009 |
Nuveen Investments
18
Shares |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Ratings (3) |
Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Real Estate (continued) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
269,000 |
Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. |
7.750 |
% |
N/A |
$ |
6,708,860 |
|||||||||||||||||
39,551 |
Kimco Realty Corporation |
6.900 |
% |
Baa2 |
1,053,243 |
||||||||||||||||||
198,500 |
MFA Financial Inc., (4) |
8.000 |
% |
D |
5,092,776 |
||||||||||||||||||
178,500 |
Northstar Realty Finance Corporation, (2) |
8.875 |
% |
N/A |
4,391,100 |
||||||||||||||||||
278,500 |
Northstar Realty Finance Corporation |
8.250 |
% |
N/R |
6,583,740 |
||||||||||||||||||
200,000 |
Penn Real Estate Investment Trust |
8.250 |
% |
N/A |
5,256,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
42,905 |
Prologis Inc., (4) |
8.540 |
% |
BB |
2,670,836 |
||||||||||||||||||
40,000 |
Prologis Inc. |
6.750 |
% |
BB |
1,010,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
51,275 |
Prologis Inc. |
6.750 |
% |
BB |
1,282,388 |
||||||||||||||||||
21,000 |
PS Business Parks, Inc. |
6.875 |
% |
BBB- |
558,180 |
||||||||||||||||||
59,960 |
PS Business Parks, Inc. |
6.450 |
% |
BBB- |
1,581,145 |
||||||||||||||||||
27,006 |
Public Storage, Inc. |
6.875 |
% |
A3 |
730,512 |
||||||||||||||||||
10,396 |
Realty Income Corporation |
6.750 |
% |
Baa2 |
265,722 |
||||||||||||||||||
250,000 |
Realty Income Corporation |
6.625 |
% |
Baa2 |
6,630,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
217,000 |
Regency Centers Corporation |
6.625 |
% |
Baa3 |
5,765,690 |
||||||||||||||||||
422,600 |
Senior Housing Properties Trust |
5.625 |
% |
BBB- |
10,400,186 |
||||||||||||||||||
174,400 |
Strategic Hotel Capital Inc., Series B |
8.250 |
% |
N/R |
4,360,000 |
||||||||||||||||||
174,400 |
Strategic Hotel Capital Inc., Series C |
8.250 |
% |
N/R |
4,253,616 |
||||||||||||||||||
149,300 |
Urstadt Biddle Properties |
7.125 |
% |
N/A |
3,880,307 |
||||||||||||||||||
438,595 |
Vornado Realty LP |
7.875 |
% |
BBB |
11,877,153 |
||||||||||||||||||
80,798 |
Wachovia Preferred Funding Corporation |
7.250 |
% |
BBB+ |
2,133,875 |
||||||||||||||||||
150,000 |
Weingarten Realty Trust |
6.750 |
% |
Baa3 |
3,754,500 |
||||||||||||||||||
74,338 |
Weingarten Realty Trust |
6.500 |
% |
Baa3 |
1,855,476 |
||||||||||||||||||
236,425 |
Winthrop Realty Trust Inc. |
9.250 |
% |
N/R |
6,251,077 |
||||||||||||||||||
149,400 |
Winthrop Realty Trust Inc., (4) |
7.750 |
% |
N/A |
3,842,389 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total Real Estate |
192,579,307 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.1% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
39,002 |
Everbank Financial Corporation |
6.750 |
% |
N/A |
943,848 |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Agency 0.2% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
31,000 |
Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (4) |
11.000 |
% |
A- |
1,595,533 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total $25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities (cost $622,001,982) |
649,480,978 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal Amount (000) |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Maturity |
Ratings (3) |
Value |
||||||||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds 6.2% (4.5% of Total Investments) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Finance 0.4% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
$ |
5,000 |
SLM Corporation |
5.625 |
% |
8/01/33 |
BBB- |
$ |
4,637,500 |
|||||||||||||||
Insurance 5.0% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
22,222 |
American International Group, Inc. |
8.175 |
% |
5/15/68 |
BBB |
28,944,155 |
|||||||||||||||||
2,426 |
Hartford Life Inc. |
7.650 |
% |
6/15/27 |
BBB- |
3,097,522 |
|||||||||||||||||
7,957 |
Protective Life Corporation |
8.450 |
% |
10/15/39 |
A- |
10,377,233 |
|||||||||||||||||
6,900 |
QBE Capital Funding Trust II, 144A |
7.250 |
% |
5/24/41 |
BBB+ |
7,141,500 |
|||||||||||||||||
39,505 |
Total Insurance |
49,560,410 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Media 0.8% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
7,588 |
RR Donnelley & Son Company |
8.250 |
% |
3/15/19 |
BB |
7,663,880 |
|||||||||||||||||
$ |
52,093 |
Total Corporate Bonds (cost $53,565,267) |
61,861,790 |
Nuveen Investments
19
JPC
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Portfolio of Investments December 31, 2012
Principal Amount (000)/ Shares |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Maturity |
Ratings (3) |
Value |
||||||||||||||||||
Capital Preferred Securities 64.5% (46.6% of Total Investments) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Markets 0.4% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2,000 |
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, Perpetual Subordinated Capital Securities |
7.900 |
% |
12/31/49 |
N/R |
$ |
2,030,000 |
||||||||||||||||
500 |
Credit Suisse thru Claudius Limited |
8.250 |
% |
12/27/58 |
BBB |
521,500 |
|||||||||||||||||
1,500 |
Macquarie PMI LLC |
8.375 |
% |
12/29/49 |
BB+ |
1,561,533 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total Capital Markets |
4,113,033 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Banks 15.7% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
19,361 |
Abbey National Capital Trust I |
8.963 |
% |
12/31/49 |
BBB- |
21,950,534 |
|||||||||||||||||
575 |
Barclays Bank PLC, 144A |
10.179 |
% |
6/12/21 |
A- |
782,817 |
|||||||||||||||||
18,845 |
Barclays Bank PLC |
6.278 |
% |
12/15/55 |
BBB |
18,080,345 |
|||||||||||||||||
14,375 |
BNP Paribas, 144A |
7.195 |
% |
12/25/57 |
BBB |
14,734,375 |
|||||||||||||||||
9,000 |
First Empire Capital Trust I |
8.234 |
% |
2/01/27 |
BBB |
9,057,159 |
|||||||||||||||||
1,000 |
HSBC Bank PLC |
1.000 |
% |
12/19/35 |
A- |
500,000 |
|||||||||||||||||
500 |
HSBC Bank PLC |
0.850 |
% |
6/11/37 |
A- |
248,000 |
|||||||||||||||||
3,654 |
HSBC Capital Funding LP, Debt |
10.176 |
% |
12/31/50 |
BBB+ |
5,005,980 |
|||||||||||||||||
4,000 |
North Fork Capital Trust II |
8.000 |
% |
12/15/27 |
Baa3 |
4,076,000 |
|||||||||||||||||
5,000 |
PNC Financial Services Inc. |
6.750 |
% |
2/01/62 |
BBB |
5,678,700 |
|||||||||||||||||
21,113 |
Rabobank Nederland, 144A |
11.000 |
% |
12/31/59 |
A- |
28,555,333 |
|||||||||||||||||
600 |
Reliance Capital Trust I, Series B |
8.170 |
% |
5/01/28 |
N/R |
614,706 |
|||||||||||||||||
570 |
Standard Chartered PLC, 144A |
7.014 |
% |
1/30/58 |
BBB+ |
613,294 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
(6) |
Union Planters Preferred Fund |
7.750 |
% |
7/15/53 |
BB |
10,806,750 |
||||||||||||||||
30,750 |
Wells Fargo & Company, Series K |
7.980 |
% |
9/15/58 |
BBB+ |
35,285,625 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total Commercial Banks |
155,989,618 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Finance 0.1% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
500 |
Capital One Capital IV Corporation |
6.745 |
% |
2/05/82 |
Baa3 |
500,000 |
|||||||||||||||||
850 |
Capital One Capital VI Corporation |
8.875 |
% |
5/15/40 |
Baa3 |
850,000 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total Consumer Finance |
1,350,000 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Diversified Financial Services 9.7% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
10,575 |
Bank of America Corporation |
8.000 |
% |
7/30/58 |
BB+ |
11,696,796 |
|||||||||||||||||
600 |
Bank One Capital III |
8.750 |
% |
9/01/30 |
BBB |
825,661 |
|||||||||||||||||
1,000 |
Citigroup Inc. |
8.400 |
% |
10/30/58 |
BB |
1,074,940 |
|||||||||||||||||
9,000 |
Citigroup Inc. |
5.950 |
% |
10/30/58 |
BB |
9,112,500 |
|||||||||||||||||
9,500 |
General Electric Capital Corporation, (5) |
6.250 |
% |
12/15/62 |
AA- |
10,345,310 |
|||||||||||||||||
25,300 |
General Electric Capital Corporation, (5) |
7.125 |
% |
12/15/62 |
AA- |
28,596,337 |
|||||||||||||||||
30,912 |
JPMorgan Chase & Company |
7.900 |
% |
10/30/58 |
BBB |
35,023,605 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total Diversified Financial Services |
96,675,149 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance 35.5% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
7,500 |
Allstate Corporation |
6.500 |
% |
5/15/67 |
Baa1 |
7,978,125 |
|||||||||||||||||
5,546 |
Allstate Corporation |
6.125 |
% |
5/15/67 |
Baa1 |
5,767,840 |
|||||||||||||||||
5,000 |
Aviva PLC, Reg S |
8.250 |
% |
12/31/49 |
Baa1 |
5,430,685 |
|||||||||||||||||
27,950 |
AXA SA, 144A |
6.380 |
% |
6/14/57 |
Baa1 |
27,391,000 |
|||||||||||||||||
22,254 |
Catlin Insurance Company Limited |
7.249 |
% |
7/19/57 |
BBB+ |
22,198,365 |
|||||||||||||||||
6,815 |
Cloverie PLC Zurich Insurance |
8.250 |
% |
4/18/62 |
A |
7,840,821 |
|||||||||||||||||
2,750 |
Dai-Ichi Mutual Life, 144A |
7.250 |
% |
3/15/61 |
A3 |
3,134,632 |
|||||||||||||||||
32,040 |
Financial Security Assurance Holdings, 144A |
6.400 |
% |
12/15/66 |
Baa1 |
25,632,000 |
|||||||||||||||||
31,805 |
Glen Meadows Pass Through Trust |
6.505 |
% |
2/12/67 |
BB+ |
29,181,084 |
|||||||||||||||||
22,085 |
Liberty Mutual Group Inc., 144A |
10.750 |
% |
6/15/88 |
Baa3 |
32,906,650 |
|||||||||||||||||
9,700 |
Liberty Mutual Group Inc., 144A |
7.800 |
% |
3/07/87 |
Baa3 |
10,791,250 |
|||||||||||||||||
8,550 |
Lincoln National Corporation |
7.000 |
% |
5/17/66 |
BBB |
8,742,375 |
|||||||||||||||||
1,750 |
Lincoln National Corporation |
6.050 |
% |
4/20/67 |
BBB |
1,743,438 |
|||||||||||||||||
9,335 |
MetLife Capital Trust IV, 144A |
7.875 |
% |
12/15/67 |
BBB |
11,435,375 |
|||||||||||||||||
26,465 |
MetLife Capital Trust X, 144A |
9.250 |
% |
4/08/68 |
BBB |
36,521,700 |
|||||||||||||||||
1,000 |
MetLife Inc. |
10.750 |
% |
8/01/69 |
BBB |
1,510,000 |
|||||||||||||||||
28,570 |
National Financial Services Inc. |
6.750 |
% |
5/15/67 |
Baa2 |
29,777,083 |
|||||||||||||||||
1,150 |
Nationwide Financial Services Capital Trust |
7.899 |
% |
3/01/37 |
Baa2 |
1,229,681 |
Nuveen Investments
20
Principal Amount (000)/ Shares |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Maturity |
Ratings (3) |
Value |
||||||||||||||||||
Insurance (continued) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1,900 |
Prudential Financial Inc. |
8.875 |
% |
6/15/68 |
BBB+ |
$ |
2,308,500 |
||||||||||||||||
7,038 |
Prudential PLC |
7.750 |
% |
3/23/49 |
A- |
7,611,597 |
|||||||||||||||||
7,200 |
Prudential PLC |
6.500 |
% |
9/23/53 |
A- |
7,212,960 |
|||||||||||||||||
4,600 |
QBE Capital Funding Trust II, 144A |
6.797 |
% |
12/01/57 |
BBB+ |
4,666,093 |
|||||||||||||||||
12,174 |
Swiss Re Capital I, 144A |
6.854 |
% |
N/A (7) |
A |
12,759,594 |
|||||||||||||||||
18,168 |
Symetra Financial Corporation, 144A |
8.300 |
% |
10/15/37 |
BBB- |
18,751,665 |
|||||||||||||||||
12,940 |
White Mountains Re Group Limited |
7.506 |
% |
6/30/57 |
BB+ |
13,353,821 |
|||||||||||||||||
7,500 |
XL Capital Ltd |
6.500 |
% |
10/15/57 |
BBB- |
7,012,500 |
|||||||||||||||||
10,350 |
ZFS Finance USA Trust II, 144A |
6.450 |
% |
12/15/65 |
A |
11,074,500 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total Insurance |
353,963,334 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Real Estate 1.2% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
9 |
Sovereign Real Estate Investment Trust, 144A |
12.000 |
% |
10/31/50 |
Ba1 |
12,088,982 |
|||||||||||||||||
U.S. Agency 1.9% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
16,825 |
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank |
7.300 |
% |
12/15/53 |
A- |
16,823,318 |
|||||||||||||||||
2 |
Farm Credit Bank of Texas |
10.000 |
% |
12/15/60 |
A3 |
2,118,094 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total U.S. Agency |
18,941,412 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Capital Preferred Securities (cost $588,780,686) |
643,121,528 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal Amount (000) |
Description (1) |
Coupon |
Maturity |
Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments 0.7% (0.5% of Total Investments) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
$ |
6,605 |
Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 12/31/12, repurchase price $6,605,155, collateralized by $6,460,000 U.S. |
0.010 |
% |
1/02/13 |
$ |
6,605,151 |
||||||||||||||||
Treasury Notes, 1.750%, due 7/31/15, value $6,742,186 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $6,605,151) |
6,605,151 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Investments (cost $1,288,350,455) 138.3% |
1,379,165,795 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings (38.5)% (8), (9) |
(383,750,000 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Other Assets Less Liabilities 0.2% (10) |
2,068,701 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares 100% |
$ |
997,484,496 |
Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2012
Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:
Counterparty |
Notional Amount |
Fund Pay/Receive Floating Rate |
Floating Rate Index |
Fixed Rate (Annualized) |
Fixed Rate Payment Frequency |
Effective Date (11) |
Termination Date |
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) (10) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan |
$ |
69,725,000 |
Receive |
1-Month USD-LIBOR |
1.193 |
% |
Monthly |
3/21/11 |
3/21/14 |
$ |
(832,784 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan |
114,296,000 |
Receive |
1-Month USD-LIBOR |
1.255 |
Monthly |
12/01/14 |
12/01/18 |
269,383 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan |
114,296,000 |
Receive |
1-Month USD-LIBOR |
1.673 |
Monthly |
12/01/14 |
12/01/20 |
657,612 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley |
69,725,000 |
Receive |
1-Month USD-LIBOR |
2.064 |
Monthly |
3/21/11 |
3/21/16 |
(3,700,944 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ |
(3,606,733 |
) |
Nuveen Investments
21
JPC
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (continued)
Portfolio of Investments December 31, 2012
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) Ratings (not covered by the report of independent registered public accounting firm): 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.
(4) For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, $25 Par (or similar) Preferred Security classified as Level 2. See Notes to Financial Statements, Footnote 1-General Information and Significant Accounting Policies, Investment Valuation for more information.
(5) Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives.
(6) Principal Amount (000) rounds to less than $1,000.
(7) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.
(8) The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible investments in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for Borrowings. As of the end of the reporting period, investments with a value of $914,379,833 have been pledged as collateral for Borrowings.
(9) Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 27.8%.
(10) 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.
(11) Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and Counterparty commence interest payment accruals on each swap contract.
N/A Not applicable.
N/R Not rated.
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.
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 United States DollarLondon Inter-Bank Offered Rate.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Nuveen Investments
22
Statement of
ASSETS & LIABILITIES
December 31, 2012
Assets |
|||||||
Investments, at value (cost $1,288,350,455) |
$ |
1,379,165,795 |
|||||
Cash |
2,386,933 |
||||||
Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps, net |
94,211 |
||||||
Receivables: |
|||||||
Dividends |
2,447,612 |
||||||
Interest |
7,071,473 |
||||||
Investments sold |
1,044,060 |
||||||
Reclaims |
74,804 |
||||||
Other assets |
178,075 |
||||||
Total assets |
1,392,462,963 |
||||||
Liabilities |
|||||||
Borrowings |
383,750,000 |
||||||
Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps |
3,700,944 |
||||||
Payable for investments purchased |
5,934,543 |
||||||
Accrued expenses: |
|||||||
Interest on borrowings |
47,065 |
||||||
Management fees |
952,984 |
||||||
Trustees fees |
179,324 |
||||||
Other |
413,607 |
||||||
Total liabilities |
394,978,467 |
||||||
Net assets applicable to Common shares |
$ |
997,484,496 |
|||||
Common shares outstanding |
96,990,341 |
||||||
Net asset value per Common share outstanding (net assets applicable to Common shares, divided by Common shares outstanding) |
$ |
10.28 |
|||||
Net assets applicable to Common shares consist of: |
|||||||
Common shares, $.01 par value per share |
$ |
969,903 |
|||||
Paid-in surplus |
1,292,140,972 |
||||||
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income |
(8,330,468 |
) |
|||||
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) |
(374,506,934 |
) |
|||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
87,211,023 |
||||||
Net assets applicable to Common shares |
$ |
997,484,496 |
|||||
Authorized shares: |
|||||||
Common |
Unlimited |
||||||
FundPreferred |
Unlimited |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Nuveen Investments
23
Statement of
OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Investment Income |
|||||||
Dividends (net of foreign tax withheld of $107,582) |
$ |
46,027,688 |
|||||
Interest |
44,103,292 |
||||||
Total investment income |
90,130,980 |
||||||
Expenses |
|||||||
Management fees |
10,769,605 |
||||||
Interest expense on borrowings |
4,837,000 |
||||||
Shareholder servicing agent fees and expenses |
5,531 |
||||||
Custodian fees and expenses |
310,599 |
||||||
Trustees fees and expenses |
24,406 |
||||||
Professional fees |
207,634 |
||||||
Shareholder reporting expenses |
201,145 |
||||||
Stock exchange listing fees |
30,500 |
||||||
Investor relations expense |
270,805 |
||||||
Other expenses |
70,997 |
||||||
Total expenses |
16,728,222 |
||||||
Net investment income (loss) |
73,402,758 |
||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
|||||||
Net realized gain (loss) from: |
|||||||
Investment and foreign currency |
37,117,450 |
||||||
Securities sold short |
(1,666,640 |
) |
|||||
Call options written |
2,565,730 |
||||||
Interest rate swaps |
(1,942,963 |
) |
|||||
Put options purchased |
(158,961 |
) |
|||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: |
|||||||
Investment and foreign currency |
120,367,362 |
||||||
Securities sold short |
1,293,234 |
||||||
Call options written |
(1,365,960 |
) |
|||||
Interest rate swaps |
754,389 |
||||||
Put options purchased |
158,251 |
||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
157,121,892 |
||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common shares from operations |
$ |
230,524,650 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Nuveen Investments
24
Statement of
CHANGES in NET ASSETS
Year Ended 12/31/12 |
Year Ended 12/31/11 |
||||||||||
Operations |
|||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) |
$ |
73,402,758 |
$ |
49,769,100 |
|||||||
Net realized gain (loss) from: |
|||||||||||
Investment and foreign currency |
37,117,450 |
20,827,371 |
|||||||||
Securities sold short |
(1,666,640 |
) |
(257,417 |
) |
|||||||
Call options written |
2,565,730 |
2,645,835 |
|||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
(1,942,963 |
) |
(1,540,259 |
) |
|||||||
Put options purchased |
(158,961 |
) |
|
||||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: |
|||||||||||
Investment and foreign currency |
120,367,362 |
(90,229,278 |
) |
||||||||
Securities sold short |
1,293,234 |
(64,105 |
) |
||||||||
Call options written |
(1,365,960 |
) |
2,935,353 |
||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
754,389 |
(4,361,122 |
) |
||||||||
Put options purchased |
158,251 |
(37,985 |
) |
||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common shares from operations |
230,524,650 |
(20,312,507 |
) |
||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders |
|||||||||||
From net investment income |
(73,683,563 |
) |
(72,490,114 |
) |
|||||||
Return of capital |
|
(334,401 |
) |
||||||||
Decrease in net assets applicable to Common shares from distributions to Common shareholders |
(73,683,563 |
) |
(72,824,515 |
) |
|||||||
Capital Share Transactions |
|||||||||||
Common shares repurchased and retired |
|
(5,063,325 |
) |
||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common shares from capital share transactions |
|
(5,063,325 |
) |
||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common shares |
156,841,087 |
(98,200,347 |
) |
||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common shares at the beginning of period |
840,643,409 |
938,843,756 |
|||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common shares at the end of period |
$ |
997,484,496 |
$ |
840,643,409 |
|||||||
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period |
$ |
(8,330,468 |
) |
$ |
(12,176,715 |
) |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Nuveen Investments
25
Statement of
CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|||||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations |
$ |
230,524,650 |
|||||
Adjustments to reconcile the net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common shares from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|||||||
Purchases of investments |
(1,686,856,060 |
) |
|||||
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments and securities sold short |
1,572,031,828 |
||||||
Proceeds from (Purchases of) short-term investments, net |
77,624,446 |
||||||
Proceeds from (Payments for) cash denominated in foreign currencies, net |
217,252 |
||||||
Proceeds from (Payments for) swap contracts, net |
(1,942,963 |
) |
|||||
Premiums received for call options written |
836,854 |
||||||
Cash paid for call options written |
(1,531,478 |
) |
|||||
Amortization (Accretion) of premiums and discounts, net |
(2,795,535 |
) |
|||||
(Increase) Decrease in: |
|||||||
Deposits with brokers for securities sold short and options written |
4,624,233 |
||||||
Receivable for dividends |
(1,348,730 |
) |
|||||
Receivable for interest |
(560,611 |
) |
|||||
Receivable for investments sold |
2,461,768 |
||||||
Receivable for matured senior loans |
505,206 |
||||||
Receivable for reclaims |
34,462 |
||||||
Other assets |
(29,535 |
) |
|||||
Increase (Decrease) in: |
|||||||
Payable for dividends on securities sold short |
(2,552 |
) |
|||||
Payable for investment purchased |
5,850,743 |
||||||
Accrued interest on borrowings |
17,027 |
||||||
Accrued management fees |
104,129 |
||||||
Accrued trustees fees |
7,513 |
||||||
Accrued other expenses |
(3,904 |
) |
|||||
Net realized (gain) loss from: |
|||||||
Investments and foreign currency |
(37,117,450 |
) |
|||||
Securities sold short |
1,666,640 |
||||||
Call options written |
(2,565,730 |
) |
|||||
Interest rate swaps |
1,942,963 |
||||||
Put options purchased |
158,961 |
||||||
Change in net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of: |
|||||||
Investments and foreign currency |
(120,367,362 |
) |
|||||
Securities sold short |
(1,293,234 |
) |
|||||
Call options written |
1,365,960 |
||||||
Interest rate swaps |
(754,389 |
) |
|||||
Put options purchased |
(158,251 |
) |
|||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
42,646,851 |
||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|||||||
Increase in borrowings |
35,700,000 |
||||||
Increase (Decrease) in cash overdraft balance |
(2,326,355 |
) |
|||||
Cash distributions paid to Common shareholders |
(73,683,563 |
) |
|||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(40,259,918 |
) |
|||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash |
2,386,933 |
||||||
Cash at the beginning of period |
|
||||||
Cash at the End of Period |
$ |
2,386,933 |
|||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information |
Cash paid for interest on borrowings (excluding borrowing costs) was $4,819,973.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Nuveen Investments
26
Intentionally Left Blank
Nuveen Investments
27
Financial
HIGHLIGHTS
Selected data for a Common share outstanding throughout each period:
Investment Operations |
Less Distributions |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Common Share Net Asset Value |
Net Investment Income (Loss)(a) |
Net Realized/ Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
Distributions from Net Investment Income to Fund- Preferred Share- holders(b) |
Distributions from Accumulated Net Realized Gains to Fund- Preferred Share- holders(b) |
Total |
From Net Investment Income to Common Share- holders |
From Accumulated Net Realized Gains to Common Share- holders |
Return of Capital to Common Share- holders |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended 12/31: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
$ |
8.67 |
$ |
.76 |
$ |
1.61 |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
2.37 |
$ |
(.76 |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
(.76 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
9.62 |
.51 |
(.72 |
) |
|
|
(.21 |
) |
(.75 |
) |
|
|
* |
(.75 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
8.56 |
.50 |
1.23 |
|
|
1.73 |
(.57 |
) |
|
(.11 |
) |
(.68 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 |
5.60 |
.54 |
3.03 |
|
* |
|
3.57 |
(.61 |
) |
|
(.02 |
) |
(.63 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 |
12.38 |
.86 |
(6.49 |
) |
(.15 |
) |
|
(5.78 |
) |
(.69 |
) |
|
(.31 |
) |
(1.00 |
) |
FundPreferred Shares at End of Period |
Borrowings at End of Period |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregate Amount Outstanding (000) |
Liquidation Value Per Share |
Asset Coverage Per Share |
Aggregate Amount Outstanding (000) |
Asset Coverage Per $1,000 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended 12/31: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
383,750 |
$ |
3,599 |
|||||||||||||
2011 |
|
|
|
348,000 |
3,416 |
||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
|
|
|
270,000 |
4,477 |
||||||||||||||||||
2009 |
|
|
|
270,000 |
4,111 |
||||||||||||||||||
2008 |
118,650 |
25,000 |
142,298 |
145,545 |
5,640 |
(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.
(b) The amounts shown are based on Common share equivalents.
(c) Total Return Based on Market Value is the combination of changes in the market price per share and the effect of reinvested dividend income and reinvested capital gains distributions, if any, at the average price paid per share at the time of reinvestment. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending market price. The actual reinvestment for the last dividend declared in the period may take place over several days, and in some instances may not be based on the market price, so the actual reinvestment price may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.
Total Return Based on Common Share Net Asset Value is the combination of changes in Common share net asset value, reinvested dividend income at net asset value and reinvested capital gains distributions at net asset value, if any. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending net asset value. The actual reinvest price for the last dividend declared in the period may often be based on the Fund's market price (and not its net asset value), and therefore may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.
Nuveen Investments
28
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Returns |
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares Before Reimbursement(d) |
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares After Reimbursement(d)(e) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount from Common Shares Repurchased and Retired |
Ending Common Share Net Asset Value |
Ending Market Value |
Based on Market Value(c) |
Based on Common Share Net Asset Value(c) |
Ending Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (000) |
Expenses |
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
Expenses |
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
Portfolio Turnover Rate |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended 12/31: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
$ |
|
$ |
10.28 |
$ |
9.71 |
31.44 |
% |
28.17 |
% |
$ |
997,484 |
1.79 |
% |
7.85 |
% |
N/A |
N/A |
123 |
% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
.01 |
8.67 |
8.01 |
4.95 |
(2.23 |
) |
840,643 |
1.73 |
5.40 |
1.70 |
% |
5.43 |
% |
34 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
.01 |
9.62 |
8.35 |
21.28 |
21.06 |
938,844 |
1.67 |
5.39 |
1.54 |
5.52 |
49 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 |
.02 |
8.56 |
7.49 |
81.73 |
67.37 |
839,846 |
1.80 |
7.76 |
1.57 |
7.99 |
50 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 |
|
* |
5.60 |
4.60 |
(51.80 |
) |
(49.27 |
) |
556,698 |
2.47 |
8.14 |
2.04 |
8.57 |
36 |
(d) • Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to FundPreferred shareholders, where applicable.
• Net Investment Income (Loss) ratios reflect income earned and expenses incurred on assets attributable to FundPreferred shares and/or borrowings, where applicable.
• Each ratio includes the effect of dividends expense on securities sold short and all interest expense paid and other costs related to borrowings, where applicable as follows:
Ratios of Dividends Expense on Securities Sold Short to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares(f) |
Ratios of Borrowings Interest Expense to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares |
||||||||||
Year Ended 12/31: |
|||||||||||
2012 |
|
% |
0.52 |
% |
|||||||
2011 |
|
** |
0.43 |
||||||||
2010 |
|
** |
0.40 |
||||||||
2009 |
|
** |
0.45 |
||||||||
2008 |
0.01 |
0.82 |
(e) After expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable. As of March 31, 2011, the Adviser is no longer reimbursing the Fund for any fees or expenses.
(f) Effective for periods beginning after December 31, 2011, the Fund no longer makes short sales of securities.
N/A The Fund no longer has a contractual reimbursement agreement with the Adviser.
* Rounds to less than $.01 per share.
** Rounds to less than .01%.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Nuveen Investments
29
Notes to
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. General Information and Significant Accounting Policies
General Information
Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified closed-end registered investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund's Common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and trade under the ticker symbol "JPC."
On December 31, 2012, the Funds' investment adviser converted from a Delaware corporation to a Delaware limited liability company. As a result, Nuveen Fund Advisers, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Investments, Inc. ("Nuveen"), changed its name to Nuveen Fund Advisers, LLC (the "Adviser"). There were no changes to the identities or roles of any personnel as a result of the change.
Portfolio Repositioning
On January 23, 2012, the Fund began the repositioning of its portfolio (the "Repositioning") as previously approved by Common shareholders during November 2011. The goal of the Repositioning was to increase the attractiveness of the Fund's Common shares and narrow the Fund's trading discount by:
• Simplifying the Fund to focus on one of its current core portfolio strategies;
• Positioning the Fund in a closed-end fund category that is well understood and has historically seen more consistent secondary market demand; and
• Differentiating the Fund from similar funds, including other Nuveen closed-end funds in the same fund category.
In connection with the Repositioning, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC ("NAM"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (NWQ), an affiliate of Nuveen, assumed equal portfolio management responsibilities from the Fund's previous sub-advisers.
Upon completion of the Repositioning on April 2, 2012:
• The Fund changed its name from Nuveen Multi-Strategy Income and Growth Fund. The Fund's ticker symbol remained unchanged; and
• The Fund discontinued its managed distribution policy (in which distributions may be sourced not just from income but also from realized capital gains and, if necessary, from capital), and shifted from quarterly to monthly distributions.
Investment Objectives
The Fund's investment objective of high current income with a secondary objective of total return remained unchanged as a result of the Repositioning.
Prior to its Repositioning, the Fund met its investment objective by maintaining a portfolio exposure target of approximately 70% in income-oriented debt securities (preferred securities and fixed- and floating-rate debt including high yield debt and senior loans), and 30% in equities and equity-like securities (convertibles and domestic and international equities).
Effective with the completion of the Repositioning, the Fund meets its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its managed assets (as defined in Footnote 7Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates) in preferred securities, and up to 20% opportunistically over the market cycle in other types of securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity.
Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").
Nuveen Investments
30
Investment Valuation
Common stocks and other equity-type securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded and are generally classified as Level 1 for fair value measurement purposes. Securities primarily traded on the NASDAQ National Market ("NASDAQ") are valued, except as indicated below, at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price and are generally classified as Level 1. However, securities traded on a securities exchange or NASDAQ for which there were no transactions on a given day or securities not listed on a securities exchange or NASDAQ are valued at the quoted bid price and are generally classified as Level 2. Investments in investment companies are valued at their respective net asset values on the valuation date. These investment vehicles are generally classified as Level 1.
Prices of fixed-income securities and interest rate swap contracts are provided by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 for fair value measurement purposes. The pricing service establishes a security's fair value using methods that may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor's credit characteristics considered relevant. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing service may consider information about a security, its issuer, or market activity, provided by the Adviser. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.
Like most fixed income instruments, the senior and subordinated loans in which the Fund invested are not listed on an organized exchange. The secondary market of such instruments may be less liquid relative to markets for other fixed-income securities. Consequently, the value of senior and subordinated loans, determined as described above, may differ significantly from the value that would have been determined had there been an active market for that senior loan. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.
The value of exchange-traded options are based on the mean of the closing bid and ask prices. Exchange-traded options are generally classified as Level 1. Options traded in the over-the-counter market are valued using an evaluated mean price and are generally classified as Level 2.
Repurchase agreements are valued at contract amount plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.
Certain securities may not be able to be priced by the pre-established pricing methods as described above. Such securities may be valued by the Fund's Board of Trustees or its designee at fair value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; debt securities that have gone into default and for which there is no current market quotation; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund's net asset value (as may be the case in non-U.S. markets on which the security is primarily traded) or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, is not deemed to reflect the security's fair value. As a general principle, the fair value of a security would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for it in a current sale. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, which may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor's credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or as Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs. Regardless of the method employed to value a particular security, all valuations are subject to review by the Fund's Board of Trustees or its designee.
Refer to Footnote 2Fair Value Measurements for further details on the leveling of securities held by the Fund as of the end of the reporting period.
Investment Transactions
Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the "primary market" is considered the date on which the loan allocations are determined. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the "secondary market" is the date on which the transaction is entered into. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are determined on the specific identification method, which is the same basis used for federal income tax purposes. Investments purchased on a when-issued/delayed delivery basis may have extended settlement periods. Any investments so purchased are subject to market fluctuation during this period. The Fund has instructed the custodian to earmark securities in the Fund's portfolio with a current value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments. As of December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments.
Nuveen Investments
31
Notes to
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Investment Income
Dividend income on securities purchased and dividend expense on securities sold short are recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for foreign securities, when information is available. Interest income, which reflects the amortization of premiums and includes accretion of discounts for financial reporting purposes, is recorded on an accrual basis. Fee income consists primarily of amendment fees. Amendment fees are earned as compensation for evaluating and accepting changes to an original senior loan agreement and are recognized when received. Fee income and amendment fees are a component of "Interest income," if any.
Professional Fees
Professional fees presented on the Statement of Operations consist of legal fees incurred in the normal course of operations, audit fees, tax consulting fees and, in some cases, workout expenditures. Workout expenditures are incurred in an attempt to protect or enhance an investment or to pursue other claims or legal actions on behalf of Fund shareholders. Legal fee refund presented on the Statement of Operations reflects a refund of workout expenditures paid in a prior reporting period, when applicable.
Income Taxes
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income to shareholders and to otherwise comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. In any year when the Fund realizes net capital gains, the Fund may choose to distribute all or a portion of its net capital gains to shareholders, or alternatively, to retain all or a portion of its net capital gains and pay federal corporate income taxes on such retained gains.
For all open tax years and all major taxing jurisdictions, management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e., generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Fund is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
Dividends and Distributions to Common Shareholders
Distributions to Common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.
Prior to the Fund's last quarterly cash distribution declared March 1, 2012, and paid April 2, 2012, the Fund made quarterly cash distributions to Common shareholders of a stated dollar amount per share. Subject to approval and oversight by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Fund would seek to maintain a stable distribution level designed to deliver the long-term return potential of the Fund's investment strategy through regular quarterly distributions (a "Managed Distribution Program"). Total distributions during a calendar year generally were made from the Fund's net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized capital gains in the Fund's portfolio, if any. The portion of distributions paid attributed to net unrealized gains, if any, was distributed from the Fund's assets and was treated by shareholders as a non-taxable distribution ("Return of Capital") for tax purposes. In the event that total distributions during a calendar year exceeded the Fund's total return on net asset value, the difference would reduce net asset value per share. If the Fund's total return on net asset value exceeded total distributions during a calendar year, the excess was reflected as an increase in net asset value per share. The final determination of the source and character of all distributions for the fiscal year was made after the end of the fiscal year and are reflected in the financial statements contained in the annual report as of December 31 each year.
The actual character of distributions made by the Fund during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, are reflected in the accompanying financial statements.
Effective with the completion of the Repositioning, dividends declared to Common shareholders are declared monthly. Net realized capital gains from investment transactions, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders at least annually. Furthermore, capital gains are distributed only to the extent they exceed available capital loss carryforwards.
Nuveen Investments
32
FundPreferred Shares
The Fund is authorized to issue auction rate preferred ("FundPreferred") shares. As of December 31, 2009, the Fund redeemed all $708,000,000 of its outstanding FundPreferred shares, at liquidation value.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Fund is authorized to engage in foreign currency exchange transactions, including forward foreign currency exchange contracts, futures, options and swap contracts. To the extent that the Fund invests in securities and/or contracts that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the Fund will be subject to currency risk, which is the risk that an increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currency will reduce returns or portfolio value. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the Fund's investments denominated in that currency will lose value because its currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value. Investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars on a spot (i.e. cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and income denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the respective dates of such transactions.
The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Investments transactions, income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date of the transactions, foreign currency transactions and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the amounts actually received.
The realized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with other assets and liabilities on investments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, futures, options purchased, options written and swaps are recognized as a component of "Net realized gain (loss) from investments and foreign currency" on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.
The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with other assets and liabilities on investments are recognized as a component of "Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency" on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates associated with forward foreign currency exchange contracts, futures, options purchased, options written and swaps are recognized as a component of "Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of forward foreign currency exchange contracts, futures, put options purchased, call options written and interest rate swaps," respectively, on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and is authorized to invest in interest rate swap transactions in an attempt to manage such risk. The Fund's use of interest rate swap contracts is intended to mitigate the negative impact that an increase in short-term interest rates could have on Common share net earnings as a result of leverage. Forward interest rate swap transactions involve the Fund's agreement with a counterparty to pay, in the future, a fixed or variable rate payment in exchange for the counterparty paying the Fund a variable or fixed rate payment, the accruals for which would begin at a specified date in the future (the "effective date"). Interest rate swap contracts involve the Fund's agreement with the counterparty to pay or receive a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty receiving or paying a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund's variable rate payment obligation on FundPreferred shares or any variable rate borrowing. The payment obligation is based on the notional amount of the interest rate swap contract. Interest rate swap contracts do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to the swap counterparty on such transactions is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is to receive. Interest rate swap positions are valued daily. The Fund accrues the fixed rate payment expected to be paid or received and the variable rate payment expected to be received or paid on interest rate swap contracts on a daily basis, and recognizes the daily change in the fair value of the Fund's contractual rights and obligations under the contracts. The net amount recorded for these transactions for each counterparty is recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a component of "Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on interest rate swaps (, net)" with the change during the fiscal period recognized on the Statement of Operations as a component of "Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of interest rate swaps." Income received or paid by the Fund is recognized as a component of "Net realized gain (loss) from interest rate swaps" on the Statement of Operations, in addition to the net realized gains or losses recognized upon the termination of an interest rate swap contract and are equal to the difference between the Fund's basis in the interest rate swap and the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction. Payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are recognized as a component of "Interest rate swap premiums paid and/or received" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, when applicable. For tax purposes, periodic payments are treated as ordinary income or expense.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Fund continued to use interest rate swap contracts to partially fix the interest cost of leverage, which the Fund uses through the use of bank borrowings.
Nuveen Investments
33
Notes to
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The average notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, was as follows:
Average notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding* |
$ |
199,113,400 |
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional amount at the beginning of the fiscal year and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal year.
Refer to Footnote 3Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for further details on interest rate swap contract activity.
Options Transactions
The Fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and is authorized to purchase and write (sell) call and put options, in an attempt to manage such risk. The purchase of put options involves the risk of loss of all or a part of the cash paid for the options (the premium). The market risk associated with purchasing put options is limited to the premium paid. The counterparty credit risk of purchasing options, however, needs also to take into account the current value of the option, as this is the performance expected from the counterparty. When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid (the premium plus commission) is recognized as a component of "Call and/or Put options purchased, at value" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium received (the premium less commission) is recognized as a component of "Call and/or Put options written, at value" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and is subsequently adjusted to reflect the current value of the written option until the option is exercised or expires or the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. The changes in the value of options purchased during the fiscal period are recognized as a component of "Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of call and/or put options purchased" on the Statement of Operations. The changes in the value of options written during the fiscal period are recognized as a component of "Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of call and/or put options written" on the Statement of Operations. When an option is exercised or expires or the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the difference between the net premium received and any amount paid at expiration or on executing a closing purchase transaction, including commission, is recognized as a component of "Net realized gain (loss) from call and/or put options purchased and/or written "on the Statement of Operations. The Fund, as a writer of an option, has no control over whether the underlying instrument may be sold (called) or purchased (put) and as a result bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the market value of the instrument underlying the written option. There is also the risk the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid market.
Prior to the Repositioning, the Fund held put options on a single stock to benefit in the event its price declined. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Fund wrote call options on individual stocks held in its portfolio to enhance returns while foregoing some upside potential. The Fund did not purchase call options or write put options during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
The average notional amount of put options purchased and call options written during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, were as follows:
Average notional amount of put options purchased* |
$ |
284,000 |
|||||
Average notional amount of call options written* |
$ |
(12,854,010 |
) |
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional amount at the beginning of the fiscal year and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal year.
Refer to Footnote 3Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities and Footnote 5Investment Transactions for further details on options activity.
Short Sales
Prior to the Repositioning, the Fund was authorized to make short sales of securities. To secure its obligation to deliver securities sold short, the Fund instructed the custodian to segregate assets of the Fund, which were then held at the applicable broker, as collateral with an equivalent amount of the securities sold short. The collateral required was determined by reference to the market value of the short positions and was recognized as a component of "Deposits with brokers for securities sold short and options written" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund was obligated to pay to the party to which the securities were sold short, dividends declared on the stock by the issuer and recognized such amounts as "Dividends on securities sold short" on the
Nuveen Investments
34
Statement of Operations. Short sales were valued daily with the corresponding unrealized gains or losses recognized as a component of "Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities sold short" on the Statement of Operations.
Liabilities for securities sold short were reported at market value in the financial statements. Short sale transactions resulted in off-balance sheet risk because the ultimate obligation may exceed the related amounts shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund incurred a loss if the price of the security increased between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaced the borrowed security. The Fund's loss on a short sale was potentially unlimited because there was no upward limit on the price a borrowed security could attain. The Fund realized a gain if the price of the security declined between those dates. Gains and losses from securities sold short are recognized as a component of "Net realized gain (loss) from securities sold short" on the Statement of Operations.
Market and Counterparty Credit Risk
In the normal course of business the Fund may invest in financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to the transaction to perform (counterparty credit risk). The potential loss could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded on the financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to counterparty credit risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties on forward, option and swap transactions, when applicable. The extent of the Fund's exposure to counterparty credit risk in respect to these financial assets approximates their carrying value as recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts, when applicable, expose the Fund to minimal counterparty credit risk as they are exchange traded and the exchange's clearinghouse, which is counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.
The Fund helps manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties. Additionally, counterparties may be required to pledge collateral daily (based on the daily valuation of the financial asset) on behalf of the Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain above a pre-determined threshold. Reciprocally, when the Fund has an unrealized loss, the Fund has instructed the custodian to pledge assets of the Fund as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss above a pre-determined threshold. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the valuations fluctuate, either up or down, by at least the pre-determined threshold amount.
Repurchase Agreements
In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, it is the Fund's policy that its custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the fair value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest, at all times. If the counterparty defaults, and the fair value of the collateral declines, realization of the collateral may be delayed or limited.
Zero Coupon Securities
The Fund is authorized to invest in zero coupon securities. A zero coupon security does not pay a regular interest coupon to its holders during the life of the security. Income to the holder of the security comes from accretion of the difference between the original purchase price of the security at issuance and the par value of the security at maturity and is effectively paid at maturity. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.
Indemnifications
Under the Fund's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets applicable to Common shares from operations during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
2. 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 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.).
Nuveen Investments
35
Notes to
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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 |
$ |
17,354,840 |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
17,354,840 |
|||||||||||
Convertible Preferred Securities |
741,508 |
|
|
741,508 |
|||||||||||||||
$25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities |
607,931,619 |
41,549,359 |
|
649,480,978 |
|||||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds |
|
61,861,790 |
|
61,861,790 |
|||||||||||||||
Capital Preferred Securities |
|
643,121,528 |
|
643,121,528 |
|||||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase Agreements |
|
6,605,151 |
|
6,605,151 |
|||||||||||||||
Derivatives: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Swaps** |
|
(3,606,733 |
) |
|
(3,606,733 |
) |
|||||||||||||
Total |
$ |
626,027,967 |
$ |
749,531,095 |
$ |
|
$ |
1,375,559,062 |
* Refer to the Fund's Portfolio of Investments for industry classifications and 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 Nuveen funds' Board of Directors/Trustees is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the oversight of the daily valuation process to the Adviser's Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the valuation policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors/Trustees, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the funds' pricing policies, and reporting to the Board of Directors/Trustees. The Valuation Committee is aided in its efforts by the Adviser's dedicated Securities Valuation Team, which is responsible for administering the daily valuation process and applying fair value methodologies as approved by the Valuation Committee. When determining the reliability of independent pricing services for investments owned by the funds, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of the pricing services and monitors the quality of security prices received through various testing reports conducted by the Securities Valuation Team.
The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer's financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts' research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors/Trustees, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such testing and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors/Trustees.
3. 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. For additional information on the derivative instruments in which the Fund was invested
Nuveen Investments
36
during and at the end of the reporting period, refer to the Portfolio of Investments, Financial Statements and Footnote 1 General Information and Significant Accounting Policies.
The following table presents the fair value of all derivative instruments held by the Fund as of December 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 |