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

 

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Kevin J. McCarthy

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(312) 917-7700

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

July 31

 

 

Date of reporting period:

January 31, 2015

 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report January 31, 2015

JPC

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

JPI

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

JPW

Nuveen Flexible Investment Income Fund



NUVEEN INVESTMENTS ACQUIRED BY TIAA-CREF

On October 1, 2014, TIAA-CREF completed its previously announced acquisition of Nuveen Investments, Inc., the parent company of your fund's investment adviser, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC ("NFAL") and the Nuveen affiliates that act as sub-advisers to the majority of the Nuveen Funds. TIAA-CREF is a national financial services organization with approximately $851 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2014 and is a leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields. Nuveen is operating as a separate subsidiary within TIAA-CREF's asset management business.



Table

of Contents

Chairman's Letter to Shareholders

   

4

   

Portfolio Managers' Comments

   

5

   

Fund Leverage

   

14

   

Common Share Information

   

15

   

Risk Considerations

   

17

   

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries

   

20

   

Shareholder Meeting Report

   

26

   

Portfolios of Investments

   

27

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

47

   

Statement of Operations

   

48

   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

   

49

   

Statement of Cash Flows

   

51

   

Financial Highlights

   

52

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

56

   

Additional Fund Information

   

69

   

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

   

71

   

Reinvest Automatically, Easily and Conveniently

   

72

   

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Chairman's Letter

to Shareholders

Dear Shareholders,

A pattern of divergence has emerged in the past year. Steady and moderate growth in the U.S. economy helped sustain the stock market's bull run another year. U.S. bonds also performed well, amid subdued inflation, interest rates that remained unexpectedly low and concerns about the economic well-being of the rest of the world. The stronger domestic economy enabled the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) to gradually reduce its large scale bond purchases, known as quantitative easing (QE), without disruption to the markets, as well as begin to set expectations for a transition into tightening mode.

The story outside the U.S., however, was different. European growth was stagnating and Japan fell into a recession, contributing to the bouts of volatility in their markets. China's economy decelerated and, despite running well above the rate of other major global economies, investors feared it looked slow by China's standards. Compounding these concerns were a surprisingly steep decline in oil prices, the U.S. dollar's rally and an increase in geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine crisis and terrorist attacks across the Middle East and Africa, as well as more recently in Europe.

While a backdrop of healthy economic growth in the U.S. and the continuation of accommodative monetary policy (with the central banks of Japan and potentially Europe stepping in where the Fed has left off) bodes well for the markets, the global outlook has become more uncertain. Indeed, volatility is likely to feature more prominently in the investment landscape going forward. Such conditions underscore the importance of professional investment management. Experienced investment teams have weathered the market's ups and downs in the past and emerged with a better understanding of the sensitivities of their asset class and investment style, particularly in times of turbulence. We recognize the importance of maximizing gains, while striving to minimize volatility.

And, the same is true for investors like you. Maintaining an appropriate time horizon, diversification and relying on practiced investment teams are among your best strategies for achieving your long-term investment objectives. Additionally, I encourage you to communicate with your financial consultant if you have questions about your investment in a Nuveen Fund. On behalf of the other members of the Nuveen Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.

William J. Schneider
Chairman of the Board
March 26, 2015

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Portfolio Managers'

Comments

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (JPC)

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund (JPI)

Nuveen Flexible Investment Income Fund (JPW)

Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (NAM) and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (NWQ), affiliates of Nuveen Investments, Inc., are sub-advisers for the Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (JPC). NAM and NWQ each manage approximately half of the Fund's investment portfolio. Douglas Baker, CFA and Brenda Langenfeld, CFA, are the portfolio managers for the NAM team. The NWQ income-oriented investment team is led by Thomas Ray, CFA and Susi Budiman, CFA. Effective January 6, 2015, Thomas Ray replaced Michael J. Carne, CFA, who is no longer with the firm.

Effective August 14, 2014, in an effort to broaden investment flexibility, the Fund changed its investment policies providing that up to 5% of the portion of the Fund's portfolio managed by NAM can now be invested in preferred securities issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

The Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund (JPI) features management by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (NAM), an affiliate of Nuveen Investments, Inc. Douglas Baker, CFA, and Brenda Langenfeld, CFA, have served as the Fund's portfolio managers since its inception.

Effective January 16, 2015, in an effort to broaden investment flexibility, the Fund changed its investment policies allowing at least 50% of its managed assets in securities rated investment grade and up to 50% of its managed assets in securities rated below investment grade.

The Nuveen Flexible Investment Income Fund (JPW) features portfolio management by NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (NWQ), an affiliate of Nuveen Investments, Inc. Thomas J. Ray, CFA, and Susi Budiman, CFA, are the portfolio managers. Effective January 6, 2015, Thomas Ray replaced Michael J. Carne, CFA, who is no longer with the firm.

Here they discuss their management strategies and the performance of the Funds for the six-month reporting period ended January 31, 2015.

What key strategies were used to manage the Funds during this six-month reporting period ended January 31, 2015 and how did these strategies influence performance?

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund (JPC)

The table in the Performance Overview and Holding Summaries section of this report provides total return performance for the Fund for the six-month, one-year, five-year and ten-year periods ended January 31, 2015. For the six-month reporting period ended January 31, 2015, the Fund's common shares at net asset value (NAV) outperformed the JPC Blended Index, but underperformed the BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index.

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 Funds disclaim 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 (S&P), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). 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.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

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Portfolio Managers' Comments (continued)

JPC 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's investment process identifies undervalued securities within a company's capital structure that offer the most attractive risk/reward potential. This unique, multi-team approach gives investors access to a broader investment universe with greater diversification potential.

NAM

For the portion of the Fund managed by NAM, we employed a credit-based investment approach, using a top-down process to position the Fund's portfolio in a manner that reflects the investment team's overall macro-economic outlook, while also incorporating a bottom-up approach that focuses on fundamental credit research, security structures, and option adjusted spread (OAS) analysis. We start by identifying the investable universe of $1,000 par and $25 par preferred securities. In an effort to capitalize on the inefficiencies between the different structure of the preferred securities market, we tactically and strategically shift capital between the $25 par exchange listed market and the $1,000 par over-the-counter market. Periods of volatility may drive notably different valuations between these two markets. This dynamic is often related to periodic differences in how retail and institutional markets perceive and price risk. Technical factors such as new issue supply may also influence the relative valuations between $25 par exchange listed structures and $1,000 par over-the-counter structures.

We will continue to monitor developments across the domestic and international financial markets, but we do not anticipate materially changing the Fund's relative positioning or strategy in the near future. We feel that valuations on the $25 par retail side of the market have run slightly rich versus the $1,000 par institutional side of the market. We will likely maintain an overweight to $1,000 par securities as a result of this relative value opportunity, and because of our desire to position defensively against rising interest rates as discussed later in this report. Indeed, we have been concerned about the potential impact of rising rates on preferred security valuations for several quarters now. As a result, we favor fixed-to-floating rate coupon structures which, all else equal, have less interest rate sensitivity and meaningfully less duration extension risk versus traditional fixed-for-life coupon structures. Fixed-to-floating rate securities are more common on the $1,000 par side of the market, and thus another reason for our recent, and foreseeable, overweight to $1,000 par securities relative to the JPC Blended Index.

The population of "new generation" preferred securities, such as contingent capital securities (otherwise known as CoCos, Alternative Tier 1 (AT1) and enhanced capital notes), have indeed become a meaningful presence within the preferred/hybrid security marketplace. As a reminder, newly adopted international bank capital standards outlined in Basel III require new Tier 1-qualifying securities to contain explicit loss-absorbing features upon the breach of certain predetermined capital thresholds. Some of these features include equity conversion, permanent write-down of principal and temporary write-down of principal with the possibility of future write-up when/if the issuer is able to replenish capital levels back above the Tier 1 threshold trigger. We have allocated modestly to this new universe of securities, focusing on those issuers that have, in our opinion, meaningful capital cushions above the mentioned capital thresholds and those issuers that have, or have nearly, issued their regulatory maximum amount of AT1 securities, which is typically 1.5% of the issuer's risk-weighted assets.

With respect to the Fund's allocation to lower investment grade and below investment grade securities, we continue to believe that these segments will, over the long term, provide a more compelling risk-adjusted return profile than higher rated preferred/hybrid securities. Lower rated securities are often overlooked by retail and institutional investors, and especially by investors with investment grade-only mandates. Below investment grade securities typically are not index eligible, limiting the potential investor base and frequently creating opportunities for the Fund within this particular segment of the asset class. While lower rated preferred securities may exhibit periods of higher price volatility, we believe

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6



the return potential is disproportionately higher due to inefficiencies inherent in the segment. In addition, this lower rated segment of the asset class tends to exhibit lower interest rate sensitivity than higher rated security structures. As a result, this allocation also helps express our defensive interest rate positioning in the portfolio. Again, please note that preferred/hybrid securities are typically rated several notches below an issuer's senior unsecured debt rating. Consequently, in most instances, a BB-rated preferred/hybrid security has been issued by an entity with an investment grade senior unsecured credit rating of BBB or higher.

During the reporting period, S&P adjusted its methodology for rating preferred/hybrid securities, effectively removing any remaining implicit government support at the preferred security level of the capital structure. The result from this action were lower ratings for roughly 1,300 preferred/hybrid structures, with most of the ratings moving lower by just one notch. S&P had telegraphed this broad downgrade well in advance of actually implementing the new methodology. As a result, we saw little, if any, meaningful price action on the heels of the move lower in ratings. S&P's methodology is now more in-line with both Moody's and Fitch.

As with any fixed income asset class, preferred securities are not immune from the impact of rising interest rates. As mentioned above, we seek to minimize the impact of higher rates on the market value of the portfolio by establishing a position in less interest rate sensitive structures. We also feel that rising interest rates are frequently the result of an improving macro-economic landscape, and one where the current domestic economic recovery has likely gained meaningful traction. In this type of environment risk premiums should shrink, reflecting the lower risk profile of the overall market, and as a result credit spreads should also narrow. We believe therefore, that credit spread compression in the preferred security asset class should help mitigate the impact of rising interest rates.

In the portion of the Fund managed by NAM, several variables negatively impacted performance including an overweight to fixed-to-floating rate coupon structures, an overweight to the $1000 par side of the market, an overweight to more subordinate Tier 1 structures versus more senior Tier 2 structures, and an overweight to lower investment grade and below investment grade securities. Modestly offsetting these factors was a relative overweight to the insurance subsector and corresponding underweights to the real estate investment trust (REIT), industrial and utility sectors.

With the $1000 par dominated Barclays USD Capital Securities Index posting a 5.0% return during the reporting period and the $25 par dominated BofA/Merrill Lynch U.S. Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index posting a 5.4% return, the Fund's meaningful overweight to $1000 par structures detracted modestly from our relative performance. Our overweight in the $1000 par side of the market was heavily concentrated in fixed-to-floating rate coupon structures, which, all else being equal, have lower interest rate sensitivity and lower duration extension risk compared to preferred/hybrid securities with standard fixed rate coupons. We feel that during the reporting period, investors became increasing complacent regarding interest rate risk. Couple that with a continued low interest rate environment and a steep yield curve, investor demand for longer duration traditional fixed rate coupon structures exceeded that for fixed-to-floating rate securities.

During the reporting period, relatively subordinate Tier 1 structures underperformed more senior Lower Tier 2 structures. The Tier 1 sub-index of the Barclays USD Capital Securities Index posted a return of 2.8%, which was significantly below the 5.5% return posted by the Lower Tier 2 sub-index. Historically, credit spreads for more subordinate structures, such as Tier 1 securities, tend to move at a greater magnitude than their more senior counterparts. Therefore, in a period when preferred security credit spreads generally widen, as they did during the reporting period, we would expect credit spreads for Tier 1 structures to increase at a greater rate compared to Lower Tier 2 structures. Indeed, the option adjusted spread (OAS) for the Barclays USD Capital Securities Tier 1 Index widened during the reporting period by approximately 40 basis points, while the Barclays USD Capital Securities Lower Tier 2 Index OAS widened by only 25 basis points. However, it is likely that the lower duration profile of the Tier 1 sub-index versus the Lower Tier 2 sub-index also contributed to the relative underperformance. As of January 31, 2015, the 6.0 year duration of the Barclays USD Capital Securities Tier 1 Index was approximately 1.4 years shorter than the 7.4 year duration of the Barclays USD Capital

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7



Portfolio Managers' Comments (continued)

Securities Lower Tier 2 Index. The relatively higher proportion of fixed-to-floating rate securities in the Tier 1 sub-index is primarily responsible for its relatively shorter duration profile.

During the reporting period, the Fund maintained an overweight to lower investment grade and below investment grade securities relative to the JPC Blended Index. Similar to the relative behavior between Tier 1 and Tier 2 structures under different market conditions, we generally expect lower investment and below investment grade preferred/hybrid securities to underperform higher rated counterparts in an environment when credit spreads generically widen, and vice versa during periods when credit spreads shrink. Therefore, with credit spreads generally widening during reporting period, the Fund's overweight to lower investment grade and below investment grade securities was slightly detrimental to relative performance versus the JPC Blended Index. Indeed, while the Barclays USD Capital Securities Lower Tier 2 BBB-rated sub-Index posted a strong absolute 5.0% return for the six-month measurement period, it modestly trailed the Lower Tier 2 A-rated or better return of 6.1%.

The Fund again had a meaningful overweight to the insurance subsector of the preferred/hybrid market and corresponding underweight to the REIT, industrial and utility subsectors. This positioning was intended to capitalize on what has been, and is expected to be, light or negligible new issue flow out of the insurance subsector. The insurance subsector is generally over-capitalized and not in need of additional capital. As one might expect then, we observed little new issue flow out of the insurance sector. This relative supply/demand advantage, coupled with continuing improvement in fundamentals, allowed the insurance subsector to outperform competing subsectors. Indeed, the Barclays USD Capital Securities USD Insurance subsector posted a six month return of 5.8%, well above the Barclays USD Capital Securities Non-Financial subsector return of 1.2% for the same period.

NWQ

For the portion of the Fund managed by NWQ, we seek to achieve high income and a measure of capital appreciation. While the Fund's investments are primarily preferred securities, a portion of the Fund allows the flexibility to invest across the capital structure in any type of debt, preferred or equity securities offered by a particular company. The portfolio management team then evaluates all available investment choices within a selected company's capital structure to deter- mine the portfolio investment that may offer the most favorable risk-adjusted return potential. The Fund's portfolio is constructed with an emphasis on maintaining a sustainable level of income and an overall analysis for downside protection.

A sharp decline in oil prices had a material impact on the capital markets, particularly during the end of the reporting period. Credit spreads widened, interest rates declined, energy stocks plummeted and volatility spiked. Crude oil prices began to fall in late June, as forecasts for global demand weakened and the outlook for global supply remained robust. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) decision at its November meeting to leave its production quota unchanged fueled a downward spiral in oil prices. West Texas Intermediate crude oil (WTI) ended the reporting period at $47.79/barrel, while Brent crude oil ended the reporting period at $47.52/barrel.

The drop in interest rates during the fourth quarter was global in scope as government bonds rallied and yield curves flattened around the world. A variety of factors led to the decline, including European economic woes, expectations for quantitative easing in Europe, slowing economic growth in the emerging markets, and global deflation fears. In the U.S., the decline in energy prices and falling European interest rates contributed to the decline of both intermediate- and long-term Treasury rates. The drop in long-term interest rates dramatically flattened the Treasury yield curve. At its December meeting, the Federal Reserve (Fed) maintained its target fed funds rate at 0.25%, but noted that it would be patient in normalizing monetary policy. The Fed appears to be balancing improving U.S. economic fundamentals with deflation concerns and slowing worldwide economic growth. In response, investors adjusted their expectations for the timing of the first interest rate increase to mid-2015.

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8



Despite heightened market volatility, preferred securities performed exceptionally well. The BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index returned 5.4% for the reporting period. Preferred prices benefited from the market's demand for long duration and yield. REIT preferreds also outperformed bank preferreds. Falling interest rates are typically more supportive of REITs than banks because as rates decline, the above average yield generated by REITs becomes more attractive to investors. The $25 par preferred market outperformed the $1,000 par preferred, due in large part to many high yield funds selling their holdings of $1,000 par bank and insurance preferreds especially during the fourth quarter to raise cash and reduce risk. We remain an active participant in both the $25 and $1,000 par preferred markets and intend to take advantage of any dislocations when opportunities arise.

Our underweight in the banking sector and overweight in the real estate sector positively contributed to performance, while our industrials and financial sector holdings detracted from performance.

Several of our REIT holdings performed well during the reporting period, including Senior Housing Properties Trust and DDR Corporation preferred stock. Senior Housing Properties Trust owns independent living and assisted living communities, continuing care retirement communities, nursing homes, wellness centers and medical offices, clinic and biotech laboratory buildings located throughout the United States. DDR owns and manages 415 retail properties, representing 118 million square feet in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. REIT securities performed well during the reporting period amid easing long-term interest rates, advancing U.S. equity markets, and a steady U.S. economic rebound, all against the backdrop of a number of simmering global economic and political risks.

Also contributing to performance was KKR Financial Holdings LLC preferred stock. KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages investments across multiple asset classes including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, capital markets, credit strategies and hedge funds. The company reported a lower-than-expected percent year-on-year drop in third-quarter profit, as its holdings appreciated more than many analysts foresaw and it generated more cash by exiting its investments.

Continued weakness in oil prices was a primary detractor to the Fund's performance. Since the Fund's industrial holdings are predominately energy related, performance of those holdings lagged, including McDermott International Inc. second lien notes, Key Energy Services Inc. and BreitBurn Energy Partners bonds. Energy-related securities performed poorly recently as oil prices declined given negative revisions of global oil demand, weaker macroeconomic news and a surging U.S. dollar.

In response to the plunge in crude prices, as well as rising volatility in the energy space, we made substantial changes to the portfolio in an effort to dampen volatility and improve the quality of portfolio holdings while also adding yield. We accomplished this by selling preferred securities and buying senior debt. We believe the debt issues the Fund holds have a more than sufficient equity and/or dividend cushion and that dividends will be slashed well before the debt is threatened.

During the reporting period, the Fund also wrote covered call options on common stocks to hedge equity exposure. These options had a negligible impact on performance.

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund (JPI)

The table in the Performance Overview and Holding Summaries section of this report provides total return performance for the Fund for the six-month, one-year and since inception periods ended January 31, 2015. For the six-month reporting period ended January 31, 2015, the Fund's shares at net asset value (NAV) underperformed both the JPI Blended Benchmark Index and the BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective of providing a high level of current income and total return by investing in preferred securities and other income producing securities. The Fund's portfolio is actively managed seeking to capitalize on strong and continuously improving credit fundamentals across our issuer base, coupled with historically

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Portfolio Managers' Comments (continued)

wide credit spreads (the difference between current yields on preferred securities and U.S. Treasury Bonds and other fixed income benchmarks) for the preferred security asset class. The Fund's strategy focuses opportunistically on highly regulated industries, like utilities, banks and insurance companies, with a current emphasis broadly on financial services companies.

We employed a credit-based investment approach, using a top-down process to position the portfolio in a manner that reflects the investment team's overall macro-economic outlook, while also incorporating a bottom-up approach that focuses on fundamental credit research, security structures and option adjusted spread (OAS) analysis. We start by identifying the investable universe of $1,000 par and $25 par preferred securities. In an effort to capitalize on the inefficiencies between the different structure of the preferred securities market, we tactically and strategically shift capital between the $25 par exchange listed market and the $1,000 par over-the-counter market. Periods of volatility may drive notably different valuations between these two markets. This dynamic is often related to periodic differences in how retail and institutional markets perceive and price risk. Technical factors such as new issue supply may also influence the relative valuations between $25 par exchange listed structures and $1,000 par over-the-counter structures.

We will continue to monitor developments across the domestic and international financial markets, but we do not anticipate materially changing the Fund's relative positioning or strategy in the near future. We feel that valuations on the $25 par retail side of the market have run slightly rich versus the $1,000 par institutional side of the market. We will likely maintain an overweight to $1,000 par securities as a result of this relative value opportunity, and because of our desire to position defensively against rising interest rates as discussed later in this report. Indeed, we have been concerned about the potential impact of rising rates on preferred security valuations for several quarters now. As a result, we favor fixed-to-floating rate coupon structures which, all else equal, have less interest rate sensitivity and meaningfully less duration extension risk versus traditional fixed-for-life coupon structures. Fixed-to-floating rate securities are more common on the $1,000 par side of the market, and thus another reason for our recent, and foreseeable, overweight to $1,000 par securities relative to the JPI Blended Benchmark Index.

The population of "new generation" preferred securities, such as contingent capital securities (otherwise known as CoCos, Alternative Tier 1 (AT1) and enhanced capital notes), have indeed become a meaningful presence within the preferred/hybrid security marketplace. As a reminder, newly adopted international bank capital standards outlined in Basel III require new Tier 1-qualifying securities to contain explicit loss-absorbing features upon the breach of certain predetermined capital thresholds. Some of these features include equity conversion, permanent write-down of principal and temporary write-down of principal with the possibility of future write-up when/if the issuer is able to replenish capital levels back above the Tier 1 threshold trigger. We have allocated modestly to this new universe of securities, focusing on those issuers that have, in our opinion, meaningful capital cushions above the mentioned capital thresholds and those issuers that have, or have nearly, issued their regulatory maximum amount of AT1 securities, which is typically 1.5% of the issuer's risk-weighted assets.

With respect to the Fund's allocation to lower investment grade and below investment grade securities, we continue to believe that these segments will, over the long term, provide a more compelling risk-adjusted return profile than higher rated preferred/hybrid securities. Lower rated securities are often overlooked by retail and institutional investors, and especially by investors with investment grade-only mandates. Below investment grade securities typically are not index eligible, limiting the potential investor base and frequently creating opportunities for the Fund within this particular segment of the asset class. While lower rated preferred securities may exhibit periods of higher price volatility, we believe the return potential is disproportionately higher due to inefficiencies inherent in the segment. In addition, this lower rated segment of the asset class tends to exhibit lower interest rate sensitivity than higher rated security structures. As a result, this allocation also helps express our defensive interest rate positioning in the portfolio. Again, please note that preferred/hybrid securities are typically rated several notches below an issuer's senior unsecured debt rating.

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10



Consequently, in most instances, a BB-rated preferred/hybrid security has been issued by an entity with an investment grade senior unsecured credit rating of BBB or higher.

During the reporting period, S&P adjusted its methodology for rating preferred/hybrid securities, effectively removing any remaining implicit government support at the preferred security level of the capital structure. The result from this action were lower ratings for roughly 1,300 preferred/hybrid structures, with most of the ratings moving lower by just one notch. S&P had telegraphed this broad downgrade well in advance of actually implementing the new methodology. As a result, we saw little, if any, meaningful price action on the heels of the move lower in ratings. S&P's methodology is now more in-line with both Moody's and Fitch.

As with any fixed income asset class, preferred securities are not immune from the impact of rising interest rates. We seek to minimize the impact of higher rates on the market value of the portfolio by establishing a position in less interest rate sensitive structures. We also feel that rising interest rates are frequently the result of an improving macro-economic landscape, and one where the current domestic economic recovery has likely gained meaningful traction. In this type of environment risk premiums should shrink, reflecting the lower risk profile of the overall market and as a result credit spreads should also narrow. We believe therefore, that credit spread compression in the preferred security asset class should help mitigate the impact of rising interest rates.

In the portion of the Fund managed by NAM, several variables contributed to the relative underperformance including an overweight to fixed-to-floating rate coupon structures, an overweight to the $1000 par side of the market, an overweight to more subordinate Tier 1 structures versus more senior Tier 2 structures and an overweight to lower investment grade and below investment grade securities. Modestly offsetting these factors was a relative overweight to the insurance subsector and corresponding underweights to the real estate investment trust (REIT), industrial and utility sectors.

With the $1000 par dominated Barclays USD Capital Securities Index posting a 5.0% return during the period and the $25 par dominated BofA/Merrill Lynch U.S. Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index posting a 5.4% return, the Fund's meaningful overweight to $1000 par structures detracted modestly from our relative performance. Our overweight in the $1000 par side of the market was heavily concentrated in fixed-to-floating rate coupon structures, which, all else being equal, have lower interest rate sensitivity and lower duration extension risk compared to preferred/hybrid securities with standard fixed rate coupons. We feel that during the reporting period, investors became increasing complacent regarding interest rate risk. Couple that with a continued low interest rate environment and a steep yield curve, investor demand for longer duration traditional fixed rate coupon structures during the period exceeded that for fixed-to-floating rate securities.

During the reporting period, relatively subordinate Tier 1 structures underperformed more senior lower Tier 2 structures. The Tier 1 sub-index of the Barclays USD Capital Securities Index posted a return of 2.8%, which was significantly below the 5.5% return posted by the Lower Tier 2 sub-index. Historically, credit spreads for more subordinate structures, such as Tier 1 securities, tend to move at a greater magnitude than their more senior counterparts. Therefore, in a period when preferred security credit spreads generally widen, as they did during the reporting period, we would expect credit spreads for Tier 1 structures to increase at a greater rate compared to Lower Tier 2 structures. Indeed, the option adjusted spread (OAS) for the Barclays USD Capital Securities Tier 1 Index widened during the reporting period by approximately 40 basis points, while the Barclays USD Capital Securities Lower Tier 2 Index OAS widened by only 25 basis points. However, it is likely that the lower duration profile of the Tier 1 sub-index versus the Lower Tier 2 sub-index also contributed to the relative underperformance. As of January 31, 2015, the 6.0 year duration of the Barclays USD Capital Securities Tier 1 Index was approximately 1.4 years shorter than the 7.4 year duration of the Barclays USD Capital Securities Lower Tier 2 Index. The relatively higher proportion of fixed-to-floating rate securities in the Tier 1 sub-index is primarily responsible for its relatively shorter duration profile.

During the reporting period, the Fund maintained an overweight to lower investment grade and below investment grade securities relative to the JPI Blended Benchmark Index. Similar to the relative behavior between Tier 1 and Tier 2 structures under different market conditions, we generally expect lower investment and below investment grade

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Portfolio Managers' Comments (continued)

preferred/hybrid securities to underperform higher rated counterparts in an environment when credit spreads generically widen, and vice versa during periods when credit spreads shrink. Therefore, with credit spreads generally widening during the reporting period, the Fund's overweight to lower investment grade and below investment grade securities was slightly detrimental to relative performance versus the JPI Blended Index. Indeed, while the Barclays USD Capital Securities Lower Tier 2 BBB-rated sub-Index posted a strong absolute 5.0% return for the six month measurement period, it modestly trailed the Lower Tier 2 A-rated or better return of 6.1%.

The Fund again had a meaningful overweight to the insurance subsector of the preferred/hybrid market and corresponding underweight to the REIT, industrial and utility subsectors. This positioning was intended to capitalize on what has been, and is expected to be, light or negligible new issue flow out of the insurance sector. In general, the insurance sector is generally over-capitalized and not in need of additional capital. As one might expect then, we observed little new issue flow out of the insurance sector. This relative supply/demand advantage, coupled with continuing improvement in fundamentals, allowed the insurance subsector to outperform competing subsectors. Indeed, the Barclays USD Capital Securities Insurance subsector posted a return of 5.8%, well above the Barclays USD Capital Securities Non-Financial subsector return of 1.2% for the same period.

Nuveen Flexible Investment Income Fund (JPW)

The table in the Performance Overview and Holding Summaries section of this report provides total return performance for the Fund for the six-month, one-year and since inception periods ended January 31, 2015. For the six-month reporting period ended January 31, 2015, the Fund's total return on common share net asset value (NAV) underperformed the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index and the BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index. Previously, the Fund used the BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index as its primary benchmark. Going forward, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index will be the Fund's primary benchmark because it better reflects how the Fund is being managed. The BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index will be a secondary benchmark for the Fund.

JPW invests at least 80% of its managed assets in income producing preferred, debt and equity securities issued by companies located anywhere in the world. Up to 50% of its managed assets may be in securities issued by non-U.S. companies, though all (100%) Fund assets will be in U.S. dollar-denominated securities. Up to 40% of its managed assets may consist of equity securities, not including preferred securities. Up to 75% of investments in debt and preferred securities that are of a type customarily rated by a credit rating agency, may be rated below investment grade, or if unrated, will be judged to be of comparable quality by NWQ. The Fund will invest at least 25% in securities issued by financial services companies.

The Fund's investment objectives are to provide high current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in undervalued securities with attractive investment characteristics. The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by NWQ and has the flexibility to invest across the capital structure in any type of debt, preferred or equity securities offered by a particular company. The portfolio management team then evaluates all available investment choices within a selected company's capital structure to determine the portfolio investment that may offer the most favorable risk-adjusted return potential. The Fund's portfolio is constructed with an emphasis on maintaining a sustainable level of income and an overall analysis for downside protection.

A sharp decline in oil prices had a material impact on the capital markets, particularly during the end of the reporting period. Credit spreads widened, interest rates declined, energy stocks plummeted and volatility spiked. Crude oil prices began to fall in late June, as forecasts for global demand weakened and the outlook for global supply remained robust. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPECs) decision at its November meeting to leave its production quota unchanged fueled a downward spiral in oil prices. West Texas Intermediate crude oil (WTI) ended the reporting period at $47.79/barrel, while Brent crude oil ended the reporting period at $47.52/barrel.

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12



The drop in interest rates during the fourth quarter was global in scope as government bonds rallied and yield curves flattened around the world. A variety of factors led to the decline, including European economic woes, expectations for quantitative easing in Europe, slowing economic growth in the emerging markets, and global deflation fears. In the U.S., the decline in energy prices and falling European interest rates contributed to the decline of both intermediate- and long-term Treasury rates. The drop in long-term interest rates dramatically flattened the Treasury yield curve. At its December meeting, the Federal Reserve (Fed) maintained its target fed funds rate at 0.25%, but noted that it would be patient in normalizing monetary policy. The Fed appears to be balancing improving U.S. economic fundamentals with deflation concerns and slowing worldwide economic growth. In response, investors adjusted their expectations for the timing of the first interest rate increase to mid-2015.

Despite heightened market volatility, preferred securities performed exceptionally well. The BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index returned 5.4% for the reporting period. Preferred prices benefited from the market's demand for long duration and yield. Real estate investment trust (REIT) preferreds also outperformed bank preferreds. Falling interest rates are typically more supportive of REITs than banks because as rates decline, the above average yield generated by REITs becomes more attractive to investors. The $25 par preferred market outperformed the $1,000 par preferred, due in large part to many high yield funds selling their holdings of $1,000 par bank and insurance preferreds especially during the fourth quarter to raise cash and reduce risk. We remain an active participant in both the $25 and $1,000 par preferred markets and intend to take advantage of any dislocations when opportunities arise.

Our underweight in the banking sector and overweight in the real estate sector positively contributed to performance, but could not offset our industrials and financial sector holdings which contributed to our underperformance versus BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index.

Several positions contributed to performance including Northstar Realty Finance Corporation preferred and common stock. The company makes investments in real estate debt, real estate securities, and net lease properties. We view the company as a well-diversified commercial mortgage REIT with an in-house loan origination and asset management operation uniquely positioned to grow as the securitization markets thaw and commercial loan demand rises. Its proprietary origination enhances return on capital as assets are self-created and not purchased in the secondary market. In addition, it allows for substantial flexibility.

Also contributing to performance was Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. preferred stock. Ladenburg Thalmann is a diversified financial services company operating as both an independent brokerage and advisor and as an investment banking and capital markets company. The company's third quarter revenue growth came in higher than the industry average of 1.1%. The company's earnings per share also improved, which positively impacted performance.

Lastly, Stonemor Partners LP common stock positively contributed to performance. The company owns and operates cemeteries and funeral homes in the U.S. They reported strong third quarter results in addition to increasing their distribution for the third quarter, which marked the second increase in 2014.

Continued weakness in oil prices was the primary detractor from the Fund's performance. Since the Fund's industrial holdings are predominately energy related, performance of those holdings lagged, including McDermott second lien notes, as well as Key Energy and Linn Co. LLC common stocks. Energy-related securities performed poorly as oil prices declined given negative revisions of global oil demand, weaker macroeconomic news and a surging U.S. dollar.

In response to the crude prices, as well as rising volatility in the energy space we made substantial changes to the Fund's portfolio in an effort to dampen volatility and improve the quality of portfolio holdings while also adding yield. We accomplished this by selling preferred securities and buying senior debt. We believe the debt issues the Fund holds have a more than sufficient equity and/or dividend cushion and that dividends will be slashed well before the debt is threatened.

During the reporting period, the Fund also wrote covered call options on common stocks to hedge equity exposure. These options had a negligible impact on performance.

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13



Fund

Leverage

IMPACT OF THE FUNDS' LEVERAGE STRATEGY ON PERFORMANCE

One important factor impacting the return of the Funds relative to their benchmarks was the Funds' use of leverage through the use of bank borrowings. The Funds use leverage because our research has shown 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 a Fund decline, the negative impact of these valuation changes on common share NAV 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. The Funds' use of leverage had a positive impact on performance during this reporting period.

JPC and JPI continued to use swap contracts to partially fix the interest cost of leverage, which as mentioned previously, is through the use of bank borrowings. During this reporting period, these swap contracts detracted modestly from overall Fund performance.

As of January 31, 2015, the Funds' percentages of leverage are shown in the accompanying table.

   

JPC

 

JPI

 

JPW

 

Effective Leverage*

   

28.49

%

   

28.34

%

   

30.33

%

 

Regulatory Leverage*

   

28.49

%

   

28.34

%

   

30.33

%

 

*  Effective leverage is the Fund's effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage and the leverage effects of certain derivative and other investments in a Fund's portfolio that increase the Fund's investment exposure. Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued or borrowings of the Fund. Both of these are part of the Fund's capital structure. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

THE FUNDS' REGULATORY LEVERAGE

Bank Borrowings

The Funds employ regulatory leverage through the use of bank borrowings. As of January 31, 2015, the Funds' outstanding bank borrowings are as shown in the accompanying table.

   

JPC

 

JPI

 

JPW

 

Bank Borrowings

 

$

404,100,000

   

$

225,000,000

   

$

30,000,000

   

Refer to Notes to Financial Statements, Note 8 – Borrowing Arrangements for further details.

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14



Common Share

Information

DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

The following information regarding the Funds' distributions is current as of January 31, 2015. Each Fund's distribution levels may vary over time based on each Fund's investment activities and portfolio investment value changes.

During the current reporting period, each Fund's distributions to common shareholders were as shown in the accompanying table.

   

Per Common Share Amounts

 

Ex-Dividend Date

 

JPC

 

JPI

 

JPW

 

August 2014

 

$

0.0633

   

$

0.1580

   

$

0.1260

   

September

   

0.0633

     

0.1580

     

0.1260

   

October

   

0.0633

     

0.1580

     

0.1260

   

November

   

0.0633

     

0.1580

     

0.1260

   

December

   

0.0633

     

0.1580

     

0.1260

   

January 2015

   

0.0633

     

0.1595

     

0.1260

   

Ordinary Income Distribution*

 

$

   

$

0.0264

   

$

   

Long-Term Capital Gain*

   

     

     

0.0731

   

Short-Term Capital Gain*

   

     

     

0.3749

   

Current Distribution Rate**

   

7.98

%

   

8.19

%

   

8.91

%

 

*  Distribution paid in December 2014.

**  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 fiscal 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.

Each Fund in this report seeks to pay regular monthly dividends out of its net investment income at a rate that reflects its past and projected net income performance. To permit each Fund to maintain a more stable monthly dividend, the Fund may pay dividends at a rate that may be more or less than the amount of net income actually earned by the Fund during the period. If a Fund has cumulatively earned more than it has paid in dividends, it will hold the excess in reserve as undistributed net investment income (UNII) as part of the Fund's net asset value. Conversely, if a Fund has cumulatively paid in dividends more than it has earned, the excess will constitute a negative UNII that will likewise be reflected in the Fund's net asset value. Each Fund will, over time, pay all its net investment income as dividends to shareholders.

As of January 31, 2015, all of the Funds in this report had positive UNII balances, based upon our best estimate, for tax purposes. JPC and JPI had positive UNII balances, while JPW had a negative UNII balance for financial reporting purposes.

All monthly dividends paid by each Fund during the six months ended January 31, 2015, were paid from net investment income. If a portion of the Fund's monthly distributions was sourced from or comprised of elements other than net investment income, including capital gains and/or a return of capital, shareholders would have received a notice to that effect. For financial reporting purposes, the composition and per share amounts of each Fund's dividends for the reporting period are presented in this report's Statement of Changes in Net Assets and Financial Highlights, respectively. For income tax purposes, distribution information for each Fund as of its most recent tax year end is presented in Note 6 – Income Tax Information within the Notes to Financial Statements of this report.

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15



Common Share Information (continued)

JPW'S DISTRIBUTION POLICY

As noted previously, JPW's regular monthly distributions are currently being sourced entirely from net investment income. The Fund's current portfolio is predominantly invested in income producing securities the income from which is expected to be the source of distributions. For periods when the Fund is sourcing its monthly distributions solely from net investment income, the Fund will seek to distribute substantially all of its net investment income over time. There are no assurances given to how long the Fund will source distributions entirely from net investment income.

Market conditions may change, causing the portfolio management team at some future time to focus the mix of portfolio investments less to income-oriented securities. This may cause the regular monthly distributions to be sourced from something other than net investment income. JPW has adopted a cash-flow based distribution policy permitting it to source its regular monthly distributions from not only net investment income, but also from realized capital gains and/or return of capital. If a cash-flow based distribution policy is employed, the Fund will seek to establish a relatively stable common share distribution rate that roughly corresponds to the Fund's net cash flows after expense from its investments over an extended period of time. Actual net cash flows the Fund receives may differ from the Fund's distribution rate over shorter time periods. Over a specific timeframe, the difference between actual net cash flows and total Fund distributions will be reflected in an increasing (net cash flows exceed distributions) or a decreasing (distributions exceed net cash flows) Fund net asset value. If the Fund changes to a cash-flow based distribution, a press release will be issued describing such change and this change will also be described in subsequent shareholder reports. Additionally, for any distribution payment that is sourced from something other than net investment income, there will be a notice issued quantifying the sources of such distribution.

COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES

During August 2014, the Funds' Board of Trustees reauthorized an open-market share repurchase program, allowing each Fund to repurchase an aggregate of up to approximately 10% of its outstanding shares.

As of January 31, 2015, and since the inception of the Funds' repurchase programs, the Funds have cumulatively repurchased and retired their common shares as shown in the accompanying table.

   

JPC

 

JPI

 

JPW

 

Common Shares Cumulatively Repurchased and Retired

   

2,826,100

     

0

     

0

   

Common Shares Authorized for Repurchase

   

9,695,000

     

2,275,000

     

370,000

   

During the current reporting period, the Funds repurchased and retired common shares at a weighted average price per share and a weighted average discount per common share as shown in the accompanying table.

   

JPC

 

JPI

 

JPW

 

Common Shares Repurchased and Retired

   

88,813

     

0

     

0

   

Weighted Average Price Per Common Share Repurchased and Retired

 

$

9.27

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

Weighted Average Discount Per Common Share Repurchased and Retired

   

12.73

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

 

OTHER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION

As of January 31, 2015, and during the current reporting period, the Funds' common share prices were trading at a premium/(discount) to their common share NAVs as shown in the accompanying table.

   

JPC

 

JPI

 

JPW

 

Common Share NAV

 

$

10.47

   

$

25.01

   

$

18.60

   

Common Share Pirce

 

$

9.52

   

$

23.37

   

$

16.97

   

Premium/(Discount) to NAV

   

(9.07

)%

   

(6.56

)%

   

(8.76

)%

 

6-Month Average Premium/(Discount) to NAV

   

(11.30

)%

   

(8.59

)%

   

(10.23

)%

 

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16



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 Funds, which generally trade in the over-the-counter markets. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Funds 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. A Fund's use of leverage creates the possibility of higher volatility for a Fund's per share NAV, market price and distributions. Leverage risk can be introduced through regulatory leverage (issuing preferred shares or debt borrowings at the Fund level) or through certain derivative investments held in a Fund's portfolio. Leverage typically magnifies the total return of a 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 a Fund's leveraging strategy will be successful.

Tax Risk. The tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by new 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 a Fund's portfolio will fail to make dividend or interest payments when due.

Interest Rate Risk. Fixed-income securities such as bonds, preferred, convertible and other debt securities will decline in value if market interest rates rise.

Reinvestment Risk. If market interest rates decline, income earned from a Fund's portfolio may be reinvested at rates below that of the original investment that generated the income.

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.

Call Risk or Prepayment Risk. Issuers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities.

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 developments. These risks often are magnified in emerging markets.

Below-Investment Grade Securities Risk: Investments in securities below investment grade quality are predominantly speculative and subject to greater volatility and risk of default.

Nuveen Investments
17



Risk Considerations (continued)

Derivatives Strategy Risk: Derivative securities, such as calls, puts, warrants, swaps and forwards, carry risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with the underlying investments.

Financial Sector Risk: Because the Funds invest a substantial portion of their assets (at least 25%) in securities issued by financial services companies, concentration in this sector may present more risks than if the Funds were more diversely invested in numerous sectors of the economy.

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.

Counterparty Risk: To the extent that a Fund's derivative investments are purchased or sold in over-the-counter transactions, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that counterparties to these transactions will be unable to meet their obligations.

Interest Rate Swaps Risk: The risk that yields will move in the direction opposite to the direction anticipated by a Fund, which would cause a Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the Fund's performance.

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18




THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

Nuveen Investments
19



JPC

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of January 31, 2015

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

Average Annual Total Returns as of January 31, 2015

   

Cumulative

 

Average Annual

 
   

6-Month

 

1-Year

 

5-Year

 

10-Year

 

JPC at Common Share NAV

   

1.71

%

   

11.93

%

   

12.59

%

   

4.77

%

 

JPC at Common Share Price

   

6.12

%

   

14.73

%

   

14.50

%

   

5.32

%

 

JPC Blended Index (Comparative Benchmark)

   

(0.22

)%

   

6.40

%

   

9.26

%

   

5.94

%

 

BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index

   

5.41

%

   

14.05

%

   

8.60

%

   

2.84

%

 

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. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund's shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Common Share Price Performance — Weekly Closing Price

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20



This data relates to the securities held in the Fund's portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

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.

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

Common Stocks

   

6.0

%

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

   

2.0

%

 

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

   

67.6

%

 

Corporate Bonds

   

5.9

%

 
$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional
Preferred
   

56.3

%

 

Long-Term Investments

   

137.8

%

 

Short-Term Investments

   

2.4

%

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities

   

(0.3

)%

 

Net Assets Plus Borrowings

   

139.9

%

 

Borrowings

   

(39.9

)%

 

Net Assets

   

100

%

 

Portfolio Composition

(% of total investments)1

Banks

   

26.6

%

 

Insurance

   

22.2

%

 

Real Estate Investment Trust

   

13.3

%

 

Capital Markets

   

9.2

%

 

Diversified Financial Services

   

8.1

%

 

Other

   

18.9

%

 

Short-Term Investments

   

1.7

%

 

Total

   

100

%

 

Country Allocation

(% of total investments)1

United States

   

79.3

%

 

United Kingdom

   

6.1

%

 

Netherlands

   

3.8

%

 

Spain

   

2.5

%

 

France

   

2.3

%

 

Other

   

6.0

%

 

Total

   

100

%

 

Top Five Issuers

(% of total long-term investments)

General Electric Capital Corporation

   

2.8

%

 

Bank of America Corporation

   

2.8

%

 

JPMorgan Chase & Company

   

2.8

%

 

Citigroup Inc.

   

2.5

%

 

Wells Fargo & Company

   

2.5

%

 

Credit Quality

(% of total long-term fixed-income investments)

A

   

4.7

%

 

BBB

   

43.8

%

 

BB or Lower

   

31.9

%

 

N/R (not rated)

   

19.6

%

 

Total

   

100

%

 

1  Excluding investments in derivatives.

Nuveen Investments
21



JPI

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of January 31, 2015

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

Average Annual Total Returns as of January 31, 2015

   

Cumulative

 

Average Annual

 
   

6-Month

 

1-Year

  Since
Inception1
 

JPI at Common Share NAV

   

1.89

%

   

10.91

%

   

10.92

%

 

JPI at Common Share Price

   

5.48

%

   

12.63

%

   

6.58

%

 

BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index

   

5.41

%

   

14.05

%

   

6.24

%

 

JPI Blended Benchmark Index

   

5.27

%

   

12.92

%

   

7.11

%

 

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. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund's shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Common Share Price Performance — Weekly Closing Price

Nuveen Investments
22



This data relates to the securities held in the Fund's portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

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.

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

   

50.0

%

 

Corporate Bonds

   

3.8

%

 
$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional
Preferred
   

84.9

%

 

Long-Term Investments

   

138.7

%

 

Short-Term Investments

   

0.8

%

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities

   

(0.0

)%

 

Net Assets Plus Borrowings

   

139.5

%

 

Borrowings

   

(39.5

)%

 

Net Assets

   

100

%

 

Portfolio Composition

(% of total investments)2

Banks

   

34.2

%

 

Insurance

   

31.1

%

 

Diversified Financial Services

   

10.7

%

 

U.S. Agency

   

9.0

%

 

Capital Markets

   

7.4

%

 

Other

   

7.0

%

 

Short-Term Investments

   

0.6

%

 

Total

   

100

%

 

Country Allocation

(% of total investments)2

United States

   

67.0

%

 

United Kingdom

   

10.6

%

 

Netherlands

   

6.9

%

 

France

   

4.5

%

 

Spain

   

3.4

%

 

Other

   

7.6

%

 

Total

   

100

%

 

Top Five Issuers

(% of total long-term investments)

Wells Fargo & Company

   

4.3

%

 

Symetra Financial Corporation

   

3.7

%

 

Rabobank Nederland

   

3.6

%

 

Assured Guaranty Corporation

   

3.5

%

 

Bank of America Corporation

   

3.5

%

 

Credit Quality

(% of total long-term investments)

A

   

5.6

%

 

BBB

   

50.3

%

 

BB or Lower

   

40.3

%

 

N/R (not rated)

   

3.8

%

 

Total

   

100

%

 

1  Since inception returns are from 7/26/12.

2  Excluding investments in derivatives.

Nuveen Investments
23



JPW

Nuveen Flexible Investment Income Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of January 31, 2015

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

Average Annual Total Returns as of January 31, 2015

   

Cumulative

 

Average Annual

 
    6-Month   1-Year   Since
Inception1
 

JPW at Common Share NAV

   

(0.78

)%

   

10.74

%

   

7.46

%

 

JPW at Common Share Price

   

(0.42

)%

   

14.51

%

   

(0.40

)%

 

BofA/Merrill Lynch Preferred Securities Fixed Rate Index

   

5.41

%

   

14.05

%

   

9.59

%

 

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. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund's shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Common Share Price Performance — Weekly Closing Price

Nuveen Investments
24



This data relates to the securities held in the Fund's portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

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.

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

Common Stocks

   

27.3

%

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

   

3.7

%

 

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

   

75.8

%

 

Corporate Bonds

   

20.6

%

 

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

   

12.9

%

 

Long-Term Investments

   

140.3

%

 

Short-Term Investments

   

4.6

%

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities

   

(1.3

)%

 

Net Assets Plus Borrowings

   

143.6

%

 

Borrowings

   

(43.6

)%

 

Net Assets

   

100

%

 

Portfolio Composition

(% of total investments)2

Real Estate Investment Trust

   

25.4

%

 

Capital Markets

   

13.8

%

 

Banks

   

9.2

%

 

Insurance

   

7.6

%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

   

6.7

%

 

Diversified Financial Services

   

4.3

%

 

Marine

   

2.9

%

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

   

2.5

%

 

Consumer Finance

   

2.4

%

 
Real Estate Management &
Development
   

2.1

%

 

Other

   

19.9

%

 

Short-Term Investments

   

3.2

%

 

Total

   

100

%

 

Credit Quality

(% of total long-term fixed-income
investments)

BBB

   

21.1

%

 

BB or Lower

   

31.8

%

 

N/R (not rated)

   

47.1

%

 

Total

   

100

%

 

Top Five Issuers

(% of total long-term investments)

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

   

2.3

%

 

iShares U.S. Preferred Stock ETF

   

2.1

%

 
Hercules Technology Growth
Capital, Inc.
   

1.9

%

 

CHS Inc.

   

1.7

%

 

Rait Financial Trust

   

1.3

%

 

1  Since inception returns are from 6/25/13.

2  Excluding investments in derivatives.

Nuveen Investments
25




Shareholder

Meeting Report

A special meeting of shareholders was held in the offices of Nuveen Investments on August 5, 2014 for JPC, JPI and JPW; at this meeting the shareholders were asked to vote to approve a new investment management agreement, to approve new sub-advisory agreements and to elect Board Members. The meeting was subsequently adjourned to August 15, 2014 for JPI and JPW and again to September 19, 2014 for JPW.

   

JPC

 

JPI

 

JPW

 
    Common
Shares
  Common
Shares
  Common
Shares
 

To approve a new investment management agreement

 

For

   

42,673,652

     

9,626,038

     

1,467,026

   

Against

   

2,624,286

     

323,958

     

64,489

   

Abstain

   

1,429,367

     

375,572

     

72,042

   

Broker Non-Votes

   

12,810,021

     

3,822,791

     

500,540

   

Total

   

59,537,326

     

14,148,359

     

2,104,097

   

To approve a new sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC.

 

For

   

42,468,393

     

9,589,499

     

   

Against

   

2,693,156

     

343,254

     

   

Abstain

   

1,565,756

     

392,815

     

   

Broker Non-Votes

   

12,810,021

     

3,822,791

     

   

Total

   

59,537,326

     

14,148,359

     

   

To approve a new sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC.

 

For

   

42,456,317

     

     

1,453,796

   

Against

   

2,704,830

     

     

75,463

   

Abstain

   

1,566,158

     

     

74,298

   

Broker Non-Votes

   

12,810,021

     

     

500,540

   

Total

   

59,537,326

     

     

2,104,097

   

Approval of the Board Members was reached as follows:

 

William Adams IV

 

For

   

     

13,615,476

     

   

Withhold

   

     

517,135

     

   

Total

   

     

14,132,611

     

   

John K. Nelson

 

For

   

     

13,617,400

     

   

Withhold

   

     

515,211

     

   

Total

   

     

14,132,611

     

   

Thomas S. Schreier, Jr.

 

For

   

57,105,274

     

13,613,440

     

1,805,947

   

Withhold

   

2,432,052

     

519,171

     

205,722

   

Total

   

59,537,326

     

14,132,611

     

2,011,669

   

Nuveen Investments
26




JPC

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

Portfolio of Investments  January 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

Shares  

Description (1)

         

 

 

Value

 
   

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 137.8% (98.3% of Total Investments)

 
   

COMMON STOCKS – 6.0% (4.3% of Total Investments)

 
   

Automobiles – 0.3%

 
  223,400    

Ford Motor Company, (2)

                         

$

3,286,214

   
   

Capital Markets – 1.7%

 
  220,435    

Ares Capital Corporation

                           

3,670,243

   
  124,898    

Arlington Asset Investment Corporation, Class A, (2)

                           

3,313,544

   
  180,350    

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

                           

2,708,857

   
  233,549    

PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Inc.

                           

3,110,873

   
  198,877    

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

                           

3,476,370

   
  35,459    

TriplePoint Venture Growth Business Development Company Corporation, Class B

                           

491,462

   
    Total Capital Markets    

16,771,349

   
   

Computers & Peripherals – 0.3%

 
  58,000    

Seagate Technology, (2)

                           

3,273,520

   
   

Food & Staples Retailing – 0.2%

 
  19,800    

CVS Caremark Corporation

                           

1,943,568

   
   

Insurance – 0.3%

 
  105,800    

Unum Group

                           

3,286,148

   
   

Machinery – 0.5%

 
  39,500    

Caterpillar Inc.

                           

3,158,815

   
  136,205    

Wabash National Corporation, (3)

                           

1,698,476

   
    Total Machinery    

4,857,291

   
   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.4%

 
  50,100    

Phillips 66

                           

3,523,032

   
   

Pharmaceuticals – 0.6%

 
  74,700    

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

                           

3,286,800

   
  103,000    

Pfizer Inc., (2)

                           

3,218,750

   
    Total Pharmaceuticals    

6,505,550

   
   

Real Estate Investment Trust – 1.2%

 
  229,619    

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc.

                           

3,145,780

   
  269,562    

New Residential Investment

                           

3,436,916

   
  194,575    

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

                           

3,679,413

   
  94,800    

Paramount Group Inc.

                           

1,834,380

   
    Total Real Estate Investment Trust    

12,096,489

   
   

Software – 0.5%

 
  35,700    

Microsoft Corporation

                           

1,442,280

   
  77,200    

Oracle Corporation

                           

3,233,908

   
    Total Software    

4,676,188

   
   

Total Common Stocks (cost $60,344,236)

                           

60,219,349

   
Shares  

Description (1), (4)

             

Value

 
   

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS – 2.0% (1.4% of Total Investments)

 
  37,700    

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

                         

$

3,401,671

   
  420,025    

iShares U.S. Preferred Stock ETF

                           

16,784,199

   
    Total Exchange-Traded Funds (cost $19,926,514)    

20,185,870

   

Nuveen Investments
27



JPC  Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund
Portfolio of Investments
(continued)  January 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

Shares  

Description (1)

 

Coupon

     

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 
   

$25 PAR (OR SIMILAR) RETAIL PREFERRED – 67.6% (48.2% of Total Investments)

 
   

Banks – 11.2%

 
  4,800    

Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc.

   

6.950

%

         

N/R

 

$

122,112

   
  159,401    

Citigroup Inc.

   

8.125

%

         

BB+

   

4,526,988

   
  522,567    

Citigroup Inc.

   

7.125

%

         

BB+

   

14,161,566

   
  261,700    

Citigroup Inc.

   

6.875

%

         

BB+

   

7,034,496

   
  200,575    

City National Corporation

   

6.750

%

         

Baa3

   

5,732,434

   
  288,251    

Countrywide Capital Trust III

   

7.000

%

         

Ba1

   

7,382,108

   
  64,500    

Cowen Group, Inc.

   

8.250

%

         

N/R

   

1,678,290

   
  152,203    

Fifth Third Bancorp.

   

6.625

%

         

BB+

   

4,196,237

   
  117,760    

First Naigara Finance Group

   

8.625

%

         

BB

   

3,240,755

   
  116,135    

First Republic Bank of San Francisco

   

6.200

%

         

BBB–

   

2,980,024

   
  123,900    

FNB Corporation

   

7.250

%

         

Ba3

   

3,351,495

   
  138,932    

HSBC Holdings PLC

   

8.000

%

         

BBB+

   

3,731,714

   
  46,421    

PNC Financial Services

   

6.125

%

         

BBB–

   

1,296,539

   
  250,600    

Private Bancorp Incorporated

   

7.125

%

         

N/R

   

6,665,960

   
  79,430    

Regions Financial Corporation

   

6.375

%

         

BB–

   

2,014,345

   
  386,625    

Regions Financial Corporation

   

6.375

%

         

B1

   

9,731,351

   
  133,300    

TCF Financial Corporation

   

7.500

%

         

BB–

   

3,592,435

   
  140,600    

Texas Capital Bancshares Inc.

   

6.500

%

         

BB–

   

3,462,978

   
  3,366    

Texas Capital Bancshares

   

6.500

%

         

BB+

   

82,635

   
  149,800    

U.S. Bancorp.

   

6.500

%

         

Baa1

   

4,431,084

   
  216,373    

Webster Financial Corporation

   

6.400

%

         

Ba1

   

5,379,033

   
  217,300    

Wells Fargo & Company, (6)

   

6.625

%

         

BBB

   

6,043,113

   
  107,000    

Wells Fargo REIT

   

6.375

%

         

BBB+

   

2,794,840

   
  211,992    

Zions Bancorporation

   

7.900

%

         

BB–

   

5,956,975

   
  155,000    

Zions Bancorporation

   

6.300

%

         

BB–

   

4,053,250

   
    Total Banks    

113,642,757

   
   

Capital Markets – 8.5%

 
  2,894    

Affiliated Managers Group Inc.

   

6.375

%

         

BBB

   

76,257

   
  130,200    

Apollo Investment Corporation

   

6.875

%

         

BBB

   

3,350,046

   
  112,775    

Apollo Investment Corporation

   

6.625

%

         

BBB

   

2,894,934

   
  2,307    

Arlington Asset Investment Corporation

   

6.625

%

         

N/R

   

56,752

   
  188,895    

Capitala Finance Corporation

   

7.125

%

         

N/R

   

4,786,599

   
  150,400    

Fifth Street Finance Corporation

   

6.125

%

         

BBB–

   

3,766,016

   
  2,800    

Fifth Street Finance Corporation

   

5.875

%

         

BBB–

   

70,336

   
  60,700    

Gladstone Capital Corporation

   

6.750

%

         

N/R

   

1,556,348

   
  56,360    

Gladstone Investment Corporation

   

7.125

%

         

N/R

   

1,463,106

   
  21,700    

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

   

6.375

%

         

BB+

   

571,578

   
  179,600    

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

   

5.500

%

         

BB

   

4,470,244

   
  121,700    

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

   

7.000

%

         

N/R

   

3,121,605

   
  106,600    

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

   

7.000

%

         

N/R

   

2,701,244

   
  163,458    

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

   

6.250

%

         

N/R

   

4,112,603

   
  23,455    

JMP Group Inc.

   

7.250

%

         

N/R

   

602,794

   
  167,851    

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc.

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

4,026,745

   
  24,673    

Medley Capital Corporation

   

7.125

%

         

N/R

   

629,162

   
  34,375    

Medley Capital Corporation

   

6.125

%

         

N/R

   

862,125

   
  827,700    

Morgan Stanley

   

7.125

%

         

BB

   

23,134,215

   
  126,700    

Morgan Stanley

   

6.875

%

         

BB

   

3,410,764

   
  142,869    

MVC Capital Incorporated

   

7.250

%

         

N/R

   

3,633,159

   
  261,622    

Solar Capital Limited

   

6.750

%

         

BBB–

   

6,435,901

   
  130,000    

State Street Corporation, (6)

   

5.900

%

         

BBB

   

3,435,900

   
  1,580    

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

   

6.500

%

         

N/R

   

39,516

   
  72,375    

THL Credit Inc.

   

6.750

%

         

N/R

   

1,831,088

   
  57,353    

Triangle Capital Corporation

   

7.000

%

         

N/R

   

1,452,178

   
  160,678    

Triangle Capital Corporation

   

6.375

%

         

N/R

   

4,058,726

   
    Total Capital Markets    

86,549,941

   

Nuveen Investments
28



Shares  

Description (1)

 

Coupon

     

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 
   

Consumer Finance – 1.0%

 
  48,000    

Capital One Financial Corporation

   

6.700

%

         

Ba1

 

$

1,268,640

   
  272,000    

Discover Financial Services

   

6.500

%

         

BB–

   

7,161,760

   
  33,415    

SLM Corporation, Series A

   

6.970

%

         

B3

   

1,650,367

   
  19,407    

SLM Corporation

   

6.000

%

         

BBB–

   

446,555

   
    Total Consumer Finance    

10,527,322

   
   

Diversified Financial Services – 5.4%

 
  159,883    

Ares Capital Corporation

   

7.000

%

         

BBB

   

4,021,057

   
  4,800    

Ares Capital Corporation

   

5.875

%

         

BBB

   

121,824

   
  204,023    

ING Groep N.V.

   

7.200

%

         

Ba1

   

5,276,035

   
  663,499    

ING Groep N.V.

   

7.050

%

         

Ba1

   

17,118,274

   
  50,000    

ING Groep N.V.

   

6.125

%

         

Ba1

   

1,269,000

   
  16,600    

INTL FCStone Inc.

   

8.500

%

         

N/R

   

426,288

   
  72,891    

KCAP Financial Inc.

   

7.375

%

         

N/R

   

1,880,588

   
  43,369    

KKR Financial Holdings LLC

   

7.500

%

         

A–

   

1,166,192

   
  334,497    

KKR Financial Holdings LLC

   

7.375

%

         

BBB

   

8,961,175

   
  215,917    

Main Street Capital Corporation

   

6.125

%

         

N/R

   

5,520,998

   
  113,370    

Oxford Lane Capital Corporation

   

8.125

%

         

N/R

   

2,834,250

   
  121,250    

Oxford Lane Capital Corporation

   

7.500

%

         

N/R

   

2,992,450

   
  125,300    

PennantPark Investment Corporation

   

6.250

%

         

BBB–

   

3,163,825

   
    Total Diversified Financial Services    

54,751,956

   
   

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 0.8%

 
  128,265    

Qwest Corporation

   

7.000

%

         

BBB–

   

3,354,130

   
  137,015    

Qwest Corporation

   

6.875

%

         

BBB–

   

3,610,345

   
  57,500    

Verizon Communications Inc.

   

5.900

%

         

A–

   

1,527,200

   
    Total Diversified Telecommunication Services    

8,491,675

   
   

Electric Utilities – 0.4%

 
  136,900    

Entergy Arkansas Inc., (7)

   

6.450

%

         

BB+

   

3,439,613

   
   

Food Products – 2.5%

 
  249,300    

CHS Inc.

   

7.875

%

         

N/R

   

7,000,344

   
  360,600    

CHS Inc.

   

7.100

%

         

N/R

   

9,429,690

   
  362,654    

CHS Inc.

   

6.750

%

         

N/R

   

9,142,507

   
    Total Food Products    

25,572,541

   
   

Insurance – 10.8%

 
  54,045    

Aegon N.V.

   

8.000

%

         

Baa1

   

1,521,907

   
  103,752    

Aegon N.V.

   

6.375

%

         

Baa1

   

2,669,539

   
  517,361    

Arch Capital Group Limited

   

6.750

%

         

BBB

   

14,253,294

   
  288,248    

Argo Group US Inc.

   

6.500

%

         

BBB–

   

7,249,437

   
  54,020    

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited

   

7.250

%

         

BBB–

   

1,419,105

   
  393,800    

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited

   

5.950

%

         

BBB–

   

9,935,574

   
  424,634    

Axis Capital Holdings Limited

   

6.875

%

         

BBB

   

11,550,045

   
  38,000    

Delphi Financial Group, Inc., (7)

   

7.376

%

         

BBB–

   

947,625

   
  223,900    

Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited

   

7.500

%

         

BBB–

   

5,957,979

   
  42,470    

Hanover Insurance Group

   

6.350

%

         

Ba1

   

1,069,819

   
  138,124    

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

   

7.875

%

         

BB+

   

4,211,401

   
  484,200    

Kemper Corporation

   

7.375

%

         

Ba1

   

12,821,616

   
  298,139    

Maiden Holdings Limited

   

8.250

%

         

BB

   

7,850,000

   
  257,133    

Maiden Holdings NA Limited

   

8.000

%

         

BBB–

   

6,749,741

   
  291,133    

Maiden Holdings NA Limited

   

7.750

%

         

BBB–

   

7,898,438

   
  74,000    

Montpelier Re Holdings Limited

   

8.875

%

         

BBB–

   

1,979,500

   
  78,425    

National General Holding Company

   

7.500

%

         

N/R

   

1,988,858

   
  8,205    

Prudential PLC

   

6.750

%

         

A–

   

216,612

   
  325,061    

Reinsurance Group of America Inc.

   

6.200

%

         

BBB

   

9,413,767

   
    Total Insurance    

109,704,257

   

Nuveen Investments
29



JPC  Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund
Portfolio of Investments
(continued)  January 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

Shares  

Description (1)

 

Coupon

     

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 
   

Marine – 1.2%

 
  103,033    

Costamare Inc.

   

8.500

%

         

N/R

 

$

2,691,222

   
  61,542    

Costamare Inc.

   

7.625

%

         

N/R

   

1,488,701

   
  6,450    

International Shipholding Corporation

   

9.000

%

         

N/R

   

648,225

   
  110,686    

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

   

8.625

%

         

N/R

   

2,208,186

   
  134,955    

Seaspan Corporation

   

8.250

%

         

N/R

   

3,465,644

   
  60,495    

Seaspan Corporation

   

6.375

%

         

N/R

   

1,521,449

   
    Total Marine    

12,023,427

   
   

Multi-Utilities – 0.1%

 
  26,579    

DTE Energy Company

   

6.500

%

         

Baa1

   

716,038

   
   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 1.6%

 
  29,451    

Legacy Reserves LP

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

618,471

   
  138,868    

Legacy Reserves LP

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

2,823,184

   
  287,341    

Nustar Logistics Limited Partnership

   

7.625

%

         

Ba2

   

7,485,233

   
  80,408    

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

   

7.500

%

         

N/R

   

2,010,200

   
  63,095    

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

   

6.750

%

         

N/R

   

1,451,185

   
  64,650    

Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited

   

8.875

%

         

N/R

   

1,629,180

   
  630    

Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

15,247

   
    Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels    

16,032,700

   
   

Real Estate Investment Trust – 15.4%

 
  199,300    

AG Mortgage Investment Trust

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

4,920,717

   
  243,595    

American Realty Capital Properties Inc.

   

6.700

%

         

N/R

   

5,619,737

   
  133,900    

Annaly Capital Management

   

7.625

%

         

N/R

   

3,395,702

   
  84,575    

Apartment Investment & Management Company

   

6.875

%

         

BB–

   

2,338,499

   
  149,500    

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

   

8.625

%

         

N/R

   

3,922,880

   
  249,100    

Apollo Residential Mortgage Inc.

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

6,180,171

   
  15,400    

Arbor Realty Trust Incorporated

   

8.250

%

         

N/R

   

388,080

   
  134,725    

Arbor Realty Trust Incorporated

   

7.375

%

         

N/R

   

3,376,207

   
  75,246    

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc.

   

9.000

%

         

N/R

   

1,994,019

   
  67,804    

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc.

   

8.450

%

         

N/R

   

1,743,919

   
  62,111    

Campus Crest Communities

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

1,622,339

   
  139,015    

Capstead Mortgage Corporation

   

7.500

%

         

N/R

   

3,486,496

   
  186,579    

Cedar Shopping Centers Inc., Series A

   

7.250

%

         

N/R

   

4,888,370

   
  208,314    

Chesapeake Lodging Trust

   

7.750

%

         

N/R

   

5,666,141

   
  23,967    

Colony Financial Inc.

   

8.500

%

         

N/R

   

635,126

   
  101,850    

Colony Financial Inc.

   

7.500

%

         

N/R

   

2,599,212

   
  50,000    

Coresite Realty Corporation

   

7.250

%

         

N/R

   

1,312,500

   
  112,229    

CYS Investments Inc.

   

7.750

%

         

N/R

   

2,718,186

   
  37,527    

CYS Investments Inc.

   

7.500

%

         

N/R

   

883,761

   
  270,925    

DDR Corporation

   

6.500

%

         

Baa3

   

7,247,244

   
  180,964    

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

   

7.375

%

         

Baa3

   

4,925,840

   
  23,180    

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

   

7.000

%

         

Baa3

   

601,985

   
  214,845    

Dupont Fabros Technology

   

7.875

%

         

Ba2

   

5,585,970

   
  47,185    

Dynex Capital Inc.

   

8.500

%

         

N/R

   

1,190,478

   
  1,481    

EPR Properties Inc.

   

6.625

%

         

Baa3

   

38,462

   
  70,782    

Hospitality Properties Trust

   

7.125

%

         

Baa3

   

1,903,328

   
  19,850    

Kite Realty Group Trust

   

8.250

%

         

N/R

   

521,063

   
  72,400    

Penn Real Estate Investment Trust

   

7.375

%

         

N/R

   

1,918,600

   
  6,863    

Equity Commonwealth

   

7.250

%

         

Ba1

   

176,448

   
  246,100    

First Potomac Realty Trust

   

7.750

%

         

N/R

   

6,460,125

   
  172,854    

Hatteras Financial Corporation

   

7.625

%

         

N/R

   

4,191,710

   
  30,045    

Hersha Hospitality Trust

   

6.875

%

         

N/R

   

796,193

   
  178,285    

Inland Real Estate Corporation

   

8.125

%

         

N/R

   

4,769,124

   
  22,200    

Inland Real Estate Corporation

   

6.950

%

         

N/R

   

577,644

   
  128,910    

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc.

   

7.750

%

         

N/R

   

3,220,172

   
  111,064    

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc.

   

7.750

%

         

N/R

   

2,736,617

   
  185,518    

MFA Financial Inc.

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

4,804,916

   
  11,619    

MFA Financial Inc.

   

7.500

%

         

N/R

   

287,919

   
  191,837    

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

   

8.875

%

         

N/R

   

5,060,660

   

Nuveen Investments
30



Shares  

Description (1)

 

Coupon

     

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 
    Real Estate Investment Trust (continued)  
  299,290    

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

   

8.250

%

         

N/R

 

$

7,667,810

   
  200,000    

Penn Real Estate Investment Trust

   

8.250

%

         

N/R

   

5,360,000

   
  19,350    

PS Business Parks, Inc.

   

6.875

%

         

Baa2

   

500,198

   
  59,960    

PS Business Parks, Inc.

   

6.450

%

         

Baa2

   

1,581,745

   
  136,853    

Rait Financial Trust

   

7.750

%

         

N/R

   

3,284,472

   
  123,830    

Rait Financial Trust

   

7.625

%

         

N/R

   

3,015,261

   
  81,003    

Rait Financial Trust

   

7.125

%

         

N/R

   

2,013,735

   
  149,039    

Regency Centers Corporation

   

6.625

%

         

Baa3

   

3,877,995

   
  150,797    

Resource Capital Corporation

   

8.625

%

         

N/R

   

3,468,331

   
  4,809    

Sabra Health Care Real Estate Investment Trust

   

7.125

%

         

BB–

   

130,564

   
  248,911    

Senior Housing Properties Trust

   

5.625

%

         

BBB–

   

6,222,775

   
  2,086    

Summit Hotel Properties Inc.

   

7.875

%

         

N/R

   

58,429

   
  1,175    

Sun Communities Inc.

   

7.125

%

         

N/R

   

30,844

   
  3,450    

UMH Properties Inc.

   

8.250

%

         

N/R

   

90,873

   
  149,300    

Urstadt Biddle Properties

   

7.125

%

         

N/R

   

4,029,607

   
    Total Real Estate Investment Trust    

156,039,199

   
   

Real Estate Management & Development – 0.3%

 
  101,577    

Kennedy-Wilson Inc.

   

7.750

%

         

BB–

   

2,618,655

   
   

Specialty Retail – 0.5%

 
  183,234    

TravelCenters of America LLC

   

8.000

%

         

N/R

   

4,764,084

   
   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.1%

 
  39,002    

Everbank Financial Corporation

   

6.750

%

         

N/R

   

987,531

   
   

U.S. Agency – 7.2%

 
  128,500    

AgriBank FCB, (7)

   

6.875

%

         

BBB+

   

13,616,991

   
  160,975    

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (7)

   

6.250

%

         

BBB+

   

16,520,059

   
  44,200    

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (7)

   

6.200

%

         

BBB

   

4,458,675

   
  38,725    

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (7)

   

6.125

%

         

BBB+

   

3,583,275

   
  260,300    

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

   

6.750

%

         

Baa1

   

26,810,900

   
  160,700    

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

   

6.875

%

         

N/R

   

4,287,476

   
  143,400    

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

   

6.000

%

         

N/R

   

3,678,210

   

  Total U.S. Agency    

72,955,586

   
   

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.6%

 
  40,652    

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

   

7.000

%

         

BB+

   

1,030,528

   
  210,184    

United States Cellular Corporation

   

7.250

%

         

Ba1

   

5,294,535

   
    Total Wireless Telecommunication Services    

6,325,063

   
   

Total $25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred (cost $654,335,632)

                           

685,142,345

   
Principal
Amount (000)
 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 
   

CORPORATE BONDS – 5.9% (4.2% of Total Investments)

 
   

Banks – 0.9%

 

$

6,000

   

Bank of America Corporation

   

6.250

%

 

3/05/65

 

BB

 

$

6,135,660

   
  3,540    

Credit Agricole SA, 144A

   

6.625

%

 

12/23/64

 

BB+

   

3,473,625

   
  9,540    

Total Banks

                           

9,609,285

   
   

Beverages – 0.4%

 
  1,250    

Cott Beverages USA Inc., 144A

   

6.750

%

 

1/01/20

 

B–

   

1,234,375

   
  3,450    

Cott Beverages USA Inc., 144A

   

5.375

%

 

7/01/22

 

B+

   

3,096,375

   
  4,700    

Total Beverages

                           

4,330,750

   

Nuveen Investments
31



JPC  Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund
Portfolio of Investments
(continued)  January 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

Principal
Amount (000)
 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 
   

Capital Markets – 0.2%

 

$

2,200

   

BGC Partners Inc., 144A

   

5.375

%

 

12/09/19

 

BBB–

 

$

2,157,951

   
   

Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.1%

 
  800    

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company

   

6.500

%

 

11/15/23

 

BB–

   

820,000

   
   

Diversified Consumer Services – 0.1%

 
  1,000    

Gibson Brands Inc., 144A

   

8.875

%

 

8/01/18

 

B–

   

947,500

   
   

Diversified Financial Services – 0.6%

 
  2,900    

Jefferies Finance LLC Corporation, 144A, (6)

   

7.375

%

 

4/01/20

 

B1

   

2,726,000

   
  81    

Jefferies Finance LLC Corporation, 144A, (6)

   

6.875

%

 

4/15/22

 

B1

   

73,103

   
  2,805    

Main Street Capital Corp.

   

4.500

%

 

12/01/19

 

N/R

   

2,892,901

   
  5,786    

Total Diversified Financial Services

                           

5,692,004

   
   

Food Products – 0.1%

 
  1,010    

Land O' Lakes Capital Trust I, 144A

   

7.450

%

 

3/15/28

 

BB

   

1,045,350

   
   

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.3%

 
  2,675    

Abengoa Yield PLC, 144A

   

7.000

%

 

11/15/19

 

N/R

   

2,715,125

   
   

Marine – 0.7%

 
  1,575    

Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, 144A

   

8.125

%

 

11/15/21

 

B+

   

1,492,313

   
  6,120    

Teekay Offshore Partners LP

   

6.000

%

 

7/30/19

 

N/R

   

5,508,000

   
  7,695    

Total Marine

                           

7,000,313

   
   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 1.0%

 
  1,400    

Breitburn Energy Partners LP

   

7.875

%

 

4/15/22

 

B–

   

896,000

   
  945    

Legacy Reserves LP Finance Corporation, 144A

   

6.625

%

 

12/01/21

 

B

   

737,100

   
  1,700    

Linn Energy LLC Finance Corporation

   

7.750

%

 

2/01/21

 

B1

   

1,283,500

   
  2,220    

Memorial Production Partners LP Finance Corporation

   

7.625

%

 

5/01/21

 

B–

   

1,992,450

   
  2,600    

Seadrill Limited, 144A

   

5.625

%

 

9/15/17

 

N/R

   

2,164,500

   
  2,175    

Seadrill Limited, 144A

   

6.625

%

 

9/15/20

 

N/R

   

1,718,250

   
  2,186    

Vanguard Natural Resources Finance

   

7.875

%

 

4/01/20

 

B

   

1,901,820

   
  13,226    

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                           

10,693,620

   
   

Personal Products – 0.1%

 
  1,522    

Avon Products Inc.

   

4.600

%

 

3/15/20

 

BB+

   

1,365,995

   
   

Real Estate Investment Trust – 0.5%

 
  2,755    

Iron Mountain Inc.

   

5.750

%

 

8/15/24

 

B2

   

2,789,438

   
  2,265    

Select Income REIT

   

4.500

%

 

2/01/25

 

Baa2

   

2,274,051

   
  5,020    

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

                           

5,063,489

   
   

Real Estate Management & Development – 0.4%

 
  3,225    

Forestar USA Real Estate Group Inc., 144A

   

8.500

%

 

6/01/22

 

BB–

   

3,087,938

   
  850    

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Incorporated

   

5.875

%

 

4/01/24

 

BB–

   

860,030

   
  4,075    

Total Real Estate Management & Development

                           

3,947,968

   
   

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.5%

 
  1,675    

Frontier Communications Corporation

   

7.625

%

 

4/15/24

 

BB

   

1,771,313

   
  2,875    

Frontier Communications Corporation

   

6.875

%

 

1/15/25

 

BB

   

2,914,531

   
  4,550    

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                           

4,685,844

   

$

63,799

   

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $61,173,256)

                           

60,075,194

   

Nuveen Investments
32



Principal
Amount (000)/
Shares
 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

Ratings (5)

 

Value

 
   

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 56.3% (40.2% of Total Investments)

 
   

Banks – 25.2%

 
  13,361    

Abbey National Capital Trust I

   

8.963

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB–

 

$

17,018,574

   
  1,025    

Bank of America Corporation

   

8.125

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB

   

1,101,234

   
  6,490    

Bank of America Corporation

   

8.000

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB

   

6,947,545

   
  17,045    

Bank of America Corporation

   

6.500

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB

   

17,849,302

   
  3,575    

Barclays Bank PLC, 144A

   

10.180

%

 

6/12/21

 

A–

   

4,894,718

   
  6,430    

Barclays PLC

   

8.250

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

6,702,111

   
  1,000    

Citigroup Inc.

   

8.400

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

1,141,500

   
  8,320    

Citigroup Inc.

   

5.800

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

8,338,196

   
  3,960    

Commerzbank AG, 144A

   

8.125

%

 

9/19/23

 

BB

   

4,722,300

   
  2,680    

Credit Agricole SA, 144A

   

7.875

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

2,767,140

   
  4,500    

First Empire Capital Trust I

   

8.234

%

 

2/01/27

 

Baa2

   

4,543,209

   
  29,805    

General Electric Capital Corporation, (2)

   

7.125

%

   

N/A (8)

   

A+

   

34,685,569

   
  4,325    

General Electric Capital Corporation

   

6.250

%

   

N/A (8)

   

A+

   

4,766,150

   
  1,000    

HSBC Bank PLC

   

0.688

%

   

N/A (8)

   

A3

   

630,000

   
  500    

HSBC Bank PLC

   

0.600

%

   

N/A (8)

   

A3

   

311,500

   
  4,204    

HSBC Capital Funding LP, 144A

   

10.176

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB+

   

6,337,530

   
  4,835    

HSBC Holdings PLC

   

6.375

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB

   

4,958,341

   
  18,052    

JPMorgan Chase & Company

   

7.900

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB–

   

19,400,268

   
  17,785    

JPMorgan Chase & Company

   

6.750

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB–

   

19,024,383

   
  125    

JPMorgan Chase & Company

   

6.100

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB–

   

127,813

   
  14,600    

Lloyd's Banking Group PLC

   

7.500

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB

   

14,928,500

   
  2,150    

M&T Bank Corporation

   

6.450

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB–

   

2,311,250

   
  4,000    

Nordea Bank AB, 144A

   

6.125

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB

   

3,982,520

   
  8,445    

PNC Financial Services Inc.

   

6.750

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB–

   

9,333,498

   
  4,883    

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

   

7.648

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB–

   

5,835,185

   
  13,906    

Societe Generale, 144A

   

7.875

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

13,697,410

   
  570    

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A

   

7.014

%

   

N/A (8)

   

Baa2

   

618,450

   
  4,995    

SunTrust Bank Inc., (6)

   

5.625

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

5,088,656

   
  13,961    

Wells Fargo & Company, (6)

   

7.980

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB

   

15,322,198

   
  10,325    

Wells Fargo & Company

   

5.875

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BBB

   

10,789,625

   
  6,765    

Zions Bancorporation

   

7.200

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB–

   

7,137,075

   
    Total Banks    

255,311,750

   
   

Capital Markets – 2.6%

 
  16,570    

Credit Suisse Group AG, 144A

   

7.500

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

17,402,377

   
  4,765    

Deutsche Bank AG

   

7.500

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

4,642,897

   
  3,520    

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

   

5.700

%

   

N/A (8)

   

BB+

   

3,606,898