N-CSR 1 d263009dncsr.htm WELLS FARGO ADVANTAGE MULTI-SECTOR INCOME FUND WELLS FARGO ADVANTAGE MULTI-SECTOR INCOME FUND
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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- 21331

Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

C. David Messman

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 800-643-9691

Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2011

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2011

 

 

 


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ITEM 1. REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


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LOGO

 

Wells Fargo Advantage

Multi-Sector Income Fund

 

LOGO

 

Annual Report

October 31, 2011

 

This closed-end fund is no longer offered as an initial public offering and is only offered through broker/dealers on the secondary market. A closed-end fund is not required to buy its shares back from investors upon request.

 

LOGO

 


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Contents

 

 

 

Letter to Shareholders

    2   

Portfolio of Investments

    8   

Financial Statements

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    26   

Statement of Operations

    27   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    28   

Statement of Cash Flows

    29   

Financial Highlights

    30   

Notes to Financial Statements

    31   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    39   

Other Information

    40   

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

    43   

List of Abbreviations

    44   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of October 31, 2011, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE


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2   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Letter to Shareholders

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch,

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Improving fundamentals, including strong corporate earnings, remained the core drivers of returns across the equity markets for much of the period.

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide you with this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2011. After establishing solid momentum entering 2011, the financial markets met some resistance during the early months of the year, which kept many markets from advancing steadily during the first eight months of 2011. Headwinds emerged in the form of political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and renewed sovereign debt concerns affecting several eurozone countries. These challenges, coupled with mixed economic data, debt-ceiling debates, and the long-term debt credit downgrade within the U.S., further increased investor anxiety. Despite these headwinds, many areas of the financial markets showed a degree of resilience, underscoring the need for a sound, well-diversified1 investment strategy. As always, we believe that such a strategy may enable investors to balance risk and opportunity as they pursue long-term financial goals in a dynamic financial environment.

The U.S. economic recovery moved toward expansion.

The U.S. economic recovery that began in mid-2009 and gained further momentum throughout 2010, particularly during the fourth quarter, failed to maintain that level of growth through the first 10 months of 2011. For example, gross domestic product (GDP), the broadest measure of economic activity, grew at an annualized rate of 3.1% in the fourth quarter of 2010, only to slow dramatically during the first and second quarters of 2011 to annualized rates of 0.4% and 1.3%, respectively. While still positive, these readings showed a much slower pace of growth than experienced in the second half of 2010 and were lower than consensus forecasts had predicted. Nevertheless, the “advance” estimate of third-quarter 2011 GDP growth (which was released on October 27) was 2.5%, suggesting that the U.S. economy continues to expand, though at a slow and uneven pace relative to past economic recoveries.

Persistent weakness in jobs and housing slowed economic growth.

By the end of the reporting period, the U.S. unemployment rate for October 2011 stood at 9.0%, down from 9.6% a year earlier but still notably higher than historical averages. Unfortunately, the drop may be more attributable to a decline in the labor force than to a meaningful uptick in hiring. While the rate of job creation has remained positive throughout 2011, it remains far below the historical average of 1.4 million jobs created each year over the past 80 years, suggesting that the improving economy has yet to translate into widespread hiring. Meanwhile, the beleaguered housing market was an ongoing source of concern, despite an extraordinarily low interest-rate environment. Since many observers consider labor and housing activities to be key to long-term economic growth, the persistent weakness in both markets bears close watching in the months ahead.

Other economic data in the U.S. was more encouraging, reflecting greater confidence in the sustainability of the expansion on the part of both consumers and businesses. Retail sales came in strong at certain points during the period,

 

1. Diversification does not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.
 


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Letter to Shareholders   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     3   

including the critical holiday shopping season during the fourth quarter of 2010. Industrial production and durable goods orders have also picked up in 2011, and the level of corporate profits continues to grow. Although still reluctant to hire, businesses have gradually increased spending in other areas, such as equipment and information technology. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, remained benign.

The Federal Reserve announced that it will target current low rates until 2013.

With inflation subdued, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held its target range for the federal funds rate—a proxy for short-term interest rates—steady at 0.00% to 0.25%. At its meeting on August 9, 2011 responding in part to the volatility and uncertainty facing the financial markets and global economies, the Federal Reserve (Fed) established a timetable for its commitment to lower rates. In that meeting’s statement, the FOMC explained that “economic conditions—including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run—are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through mid-2013.” At its September 21, 2011, meeting, the Fed introduced “Operation Twist,” where it outlined its focus on buying long-term Treasury securities, specifically those with maturities of six years or longer, while selling an equivalent amount of Treasury notes within six years of maturity. The objective is to help ensure that intermediate- and long-term Treasury yields remain low, which, in turn, should provide ongoing support for further economic growth.

The debt-ceiling debate became the focus of the summer.

During the second half of the reporting period, both bonds and equities experienced an unusually high level of volatility, especially during the final months of the summer season when many traders on Wall Street and politicians in Washington, D.C., typically focus on vacation and other activities. Instead, due to the debt-ceiling impasse, many market participants and politicians were forced to stay on the job until a solution was reached. As the estimated debt-ceiling deadline loomed, rating agencies began to voice concerns over the possibility of the U.S. government running short on funds to pay its bills. While the U.S. Congress was able to address the debt-ceiling issue in time, Standard & Poor’s, one of the major credit rating agencies, lowered its rating of long-term U.S. debt from AAA to AA+2. While this did not seem to diminish the role U.S. Treasuries play as the primary source of liquidity and safety in the global markets, it did briefly roil the markets.

Eurozone sovereign debt concerns returned to the forefront in the third quarter of 2011.

The markets were further rattled during the period by sovereign debt concerns within the eurozone. The financial solvency of Greece and its ability to service its

 

2. The ratings indicated are from Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, and/or Fitch Ratings Ltd. Credit Quality Ratings: Credit quality ratings apply to underlying holdings of the Fund and not the Fund itself. Standard & Poor’s rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Ratings from A to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories. Moody’s rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from Aaa (highest) to C (lowest). Ratings Aa to B may be modified by the addition of a number 1 (highest) to 3 (lowest) to show relative standing within the ratings categories. Fitch rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from AAA (highest) to D (lowest).


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4   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Letter to Shareholders

 

 

 

 

The market momentum carried into the spring but sharply reversed course in early summer amid mounting evidence that the U.S. economic recovery had entered a soft patch, coupled with rising fears about the eurozone sovereign debt crisis.

 

 

 

sovereign debt were focuses of the markets in early 2010. After the European Union and the International Monetary Fund developed a plan to support Greece, many market participants thought the situation was at a manageable point. Unfortunately, one year later Greece’s financial problems returned to the forefront of investors’ minds, as the country failed to make significant progress in addressing its financial condition. As a result, fear spread and market volatility spiked during the third quarter, with investors becoming more concerned about the negative impact of a Greek default on the eurozone periphery and those developed countries with large exposures to Greece, such as France.

The equity markets became a rollercoaster toward the end of the period.

Improving fundamentals, including strong corporate earnings, remained the core driver of returns across the equity markets for much of the period. Further supporting equities was the second round of quantitative easing (QE2), which was enacted by the Fed in late 2010. While there were bouts of volatility along the way, the markets demonstrated surprising resilience in the face of numerous global challenges, with many equity markets posting positive returns in the first quarter.

The market momentum carried into the spring but sharply reversed course in early summer amid mounting evidence that the U.S. economic recovery had entered a soft patch, coupled with rising fears about the eurozone sovereign debt crisis. The final three months of the period were a rollercoaster for the equity markets, both domestically and internationally, due to the U.S. debt-ceiling impasse and the renewed fears that Greece would default on its sovereign debt, dragging down many of the other eurozone economies. After selling off dramatically during the weeks surrounding the debt-ceiling impasse, many areas of the equity markets gained back some of those losses but finished the period significantly lower than where they began.

After the S&P 500 Index3 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average4 rose 6.0% and 8.6%, respectively, during the first half of 2011, the worry-driven sell-off throughout the third quarter pushed the major indexes into negative territory for 2011. However, during the final month of the reporting period the markets showed resilience, as both indexes posted total returns of more than 9.0%. On a year-to-date basis, the S&P 500 Index posted a modestly positive total return of 1.3% through October 31.

A steep yield curve continued to define bond market performance.

Most sectors of the bond market performed well during 2010 and continued to post positive total returns in 2011, with interest income—rather than price gains—accounting for the bulk of those returns. This part of the investment cycle is known as the income phase and is typically characterized by relatively stable short-term rates and relatively small movements in bond yields. The current market environment is certainly holding true to a typical income phase, especially considering that the Fed is maintaining an extraordinarily accommodative monetary policy. U.S. Treasuries continued to rally for much of the period, even

 

3. The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 “blue-chip” industrial U.S. stocks. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 


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Letter to Shareholders   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     5   

after Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit rating on long-term U.S. debt, pulling yields lower in nearly all corners of the fixed-income markets, including municipal bonds.

The extraordinarily steep yield curve remained the most defining, perhaps most influential, characteristic of the fixed-income markets during the majority of the reporting period. Considering the shape of the curve, the best-performing maturities across most segments of the fixed-income markets were longer-dated bonds. For example, for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2011, the 20 to 30-year range of the Treasury market posted a total return of 19.38%, while the one- to five-year maturities returned 1.93%. The municipal market and the investment-grade corporate market exhibited similar return profiles within the period.

In typical fashion, the high-yield fixed-income market moved in the same direction as equities throughout the reporting period. As a result, high yield was among the strongest-performing bond sectors through the first nine months of the reporting period, bolstered by improving corporate fundamentals and by less risk aversion from investors. However, as the debt-ceiling debate and the Greek debt crisis became the focus of the marketplace, many investors reduced their exposure to riskier assets, including high-yield bonds. As a result, the high-yield markets significantly underperformed almost every bond sector during the third quarter. The high-yield market began the fourth quarter of 2011 with relatively strong performance, as it seemed that investors took advantage of the lower valuation that resulted from the third-quarter sell-off to capture the extra yield being offered by these lower-quality credits. As of October 31, the high-yield index recorded a year-to-date total return of 4.52%, while recording a 12-month total return of 5.17%. By comparison, the U.S. Treasury index returned 7.96% and 5.27% on a year-to-date and one-year basis, respectively.

A long-term perspective is key.

The market’s rebound over the past two years from the severe downturn of 2008 and 2009, coupled with the bouts of volatility, underscores the importance of maintaining a disciplined and balanced long-term investment strategy through changing market cycles. By staying focused on your long-term goals, you may be better positioned to both navigate falling markets and participate in rising markets.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs. For current information about your Fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at www.wellsfargo.com/advantage funds, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds


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6   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Letter to Shareholders

Notice to Shareholders

 

On November 17, 2011, the Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund (the “Fund”) announced several changes to the investment guidelines and strategies of each of its investment allocations or “sleeves” and the Fund as a whole. These changes were approved after the Fund’s fiscal year end at October 31, 2011 and are therefore not reflected in this annual report to shareholders. The Fund’s portfolio will begin to reflect these changes over the coming months.

 

High-yield bond sleeve:

 

n  The percentage of the Fund’s assets to be allocated to this sleeve is changing from a range of 20%-60% of the Fund’s total assets to a range of 30%-70%.

 

International bond sleeve:

 

n   This sleeve is being renamed the “International/Emerging Markets” sleeve, and is now permitted to invest in emerging market debt securities.

 

n  The percentage of the Fund’s assets to be allocated to this sleeve is changing from a range of 20%-60% of the Fund’s total assets to a range of 10%-40%.

 

Adjustable-rate agency mortgage securities sleeve:

 

n   This sleeve is being renamed the “Mortgage/Corporate” sleeve, and is now permitted to invest in fixed-rate mortgages—including mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations—and investment-grade corporate bonds. The mortgage securities can consist of both nonagency mortgage securities and securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, or its instrumentalities.

 

n  The percentage of the Fund’s assets to be allocated to this sleeve is changing from a range of 20%-60% of the Fund’s total assets to a range of 10%-30%.

 

n   The weighted average credit quality of this sleeve is expected to be investment-grade (BBB-/Baa3 or better), as opposed to AAA/Aaa*.

 

n  The investment guideline that required that the weighted average life of this sleeve be 1 year to 6 years has been eliminated.

 

n  The investment guideline that required that the average duration of this sleeve be between 0.5 years and 1.5 years has been eliminated.

 

In addition to the sleeve-specific changes described above:

 

n   The Fund will no longer seek to maintain an average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio of between 5 years and 7 years.

 

n  The Fund will no longer seek to maintain an overall credit quality of the Fund’s portfolio of BBB- or better.

 

n  The Fund may now purchase illiquid securities, which the Fund defines as securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities. Previously, the Fund was permitted to continue to hold securities after they became illiquid (but not to purchase illiquid securities).

 

These revised investment guidelines and strategies permit the Fund to invest in a broader range of security types and adjust the percentage of the Fund’s assets that can be allocated to each specific sleeve. While these changes may increase the overall income generated by the Fund’s portfolio, they also are expected to result in an increase in the overall risk profile of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

*   The ratings indicated are from Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, and/or Fitch Ratings Ltd. Credit Quality Ratings: Credit quality ratings apply to underlying holdings of the Fund and not the Fund itself. Standard & Poor’s rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Ratings from A to CCC may bemodified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.Moody’s rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from Aaa (highest) to C (lowest). Ratings Aa to Bmay be modified by the addition of a number 1 (highest) to 3 (lowest) to show relative standing within the ratings categories. Fitch rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from AAA (highest) to D (lowest).


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Letter to Shareholders   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     7   

Notice to Shareholders (continued)

 

About investment risks

The Fund has leverage through borrowings. The use of leverage results in certain risks, including, among others, the
likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value (NAV) and the market price of common shares. Foreign investments
may contain more risk due to the inherent risks associated with changing political climates, foreign market
instability, and foreign currency fluctuations. Derivatives involve additional risks, including interest rate risk, credit
risk, the risk of improper valuation, and the risk of non-correlation to the relevant instruments they are designed to
hedge or to closely track. Below-investment-grade securities are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are
considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and principal. They involve greater risk of
loss, are subject to greater price volatility, and are less liquid—especially during periods of economic uncertainty or
change—than higher-rated debt securities. Generally, the value of fixed-income securities rises when prevailing
interest rates fall and falls when interest rates rise. U.S. government guarantees apply only to certain securities held
in the Fund’s portfolio and not to the Fund’s shares. The Fund is also exposed to mortgage and asset-backed
securities risk. Illiquid securities may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. The Fund may be subject to
significant delays in disposing of illiquid securities. Accordingly, the Fund may be forced to sell these securities at
less than fair market value or may not be able to sell them when the adviser or sub-adviser believes that it is
desirable to do so.

 

In addition, the changes to the investment guidelines and strategies described above expose the Fund’s portfolio to
emerging market risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks of investment
in foreign securities issued in developed markets and may be particularly sensitive to certain economic changes. For
example, emerging market countries are typically more dependent on exports and are therefore more vulnerable to
recessions in other countries. Emerging markets may be undercapitalized and have less developed legal and
financial systems than markets in the developed world. Additionally, emerging markets may have volatile currencies
and may be more sensitive than more mature markets to a variety of economic factors. Emerging market securities
also may be less liquid than securities of more developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during
a market downturn.


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8   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Agency Securities: 30.52%          

FHLB±(d)

    2.45     12/01/2034       $ 6,834,939       $ 7,184,321   

FHLB±(d)

    2.55        06/01/2035         2,826,219         2,993,619   

FHLB±

    2.59        11/01/2030         366,414         387,329   

FHLB±

    2.71        07/01/2033         286,605         288,269   

FHLMC±

    2.33        08/01/2035         1,644,473         1,729,395   

FHLMC±(d)

    2.44        12/01/2035         4,578,162         4,805,401   

FHLMC±

    2.45        09/01/2035         5,071,520         5,331,397   

FHLMC±

    2.46        06/01/2036         3,117,520         3,278,930   

FHLMC±

    2.48        01/01/2036         6,345,712         6,625,160   

FHLMC±(d)

    2.48        04/01/2034             13,801,555         14,516,365   

FHLMC±(d)

    2.48        08/01/2035         4,802,474         5,068,947   

FHLMC±

    2.48        07/01/2032         403,087         405,281   

FHLMC±

    2.52        09/01/2032         468,485         494,994   

FHLMC±

    2.54        10/01/2035         1,838,874         1,940,162   

FHLMC±

    2.55        10/01/2033         183,002         193,127   

FHLMC±

    2.57        10/01/2030         310,627         328,954   

FHLMC±

    2.64        01/01/2038         3,361,610         3,539,426   

FHLMC±(d)

    2.64        09/01/2038         5,918,733         6,239,725   

FHLMC±

    2.67        12/01/2026         67,452         68,797   

FHLMC±

    2.68        10/01/2030         17,484         18,106   

FHLMC±

    2.73        06/01/2033         189,300         192,510   

FHLMC±

    2.77        08/01/2030         377,935         398,885   

FHLMC±

    3.24        06/01/2018         52,232         52,615   

FHLMC±

    3.32        05/01/2019         3,872         3,881   

FHLMC±

    3.89        10/01/2022         67,138         67,631   

FHLMC±

    4.07        10/01/2037         2,789,798         2,877,217   

FHLMC±

    4.40        01/01/2027         135,867         143,018   

FHLMC±

    5.00        07/01/2035         329,612         347,833   

FHLMC±

    5.28        11/01/2036         1,291,793         1,362,282   

FHLMC

    8.50        04/01/2015         19,048         19,402   

FHLMC

    8.50        07/01/2028         131,336         157,479   

FHLMC

    8.50        03/01/2030         73,133         83,648   

FHLMC Series 0196 Class A±

    1.05        12/15/2021         92,195         92,250   

FHLMC Series 1383±(d)

    5.82        02/01/2037         1,966,132         2,128,141   

FHLMC Series 2390 Class FD±

    0.69        12/15/2031         88,394         88,598   

FHLMC Series 2411 Class F±

    0.79        02/15/2032         115,683         116,078   

FHLMC Series 2431 Class F±

    0.74        03/15/2032         3,644,677         3,653,857   

FHLMC Series 2567 Class FH±

    0.64        02/15/2033         190,230         190,444   

FNMA±

    1.35        04/01/2028         106,444         109,758   

FNMA±

    1.68        10/01/2034         296,327         304,346   

FNMA±

    2.00        04/01/2019         6,095         6,134   

FNMA±

    2.19        10/01/2035         1,448,587         1,498,162   

FNMA±

    2.21        12/01/2031         56,321         56,646   

FNMA±

    2.25        01/01/2017         42,896         43,759   

FNMA±(d)

    2.25        12/01/2035         1,701,557         1,761,234   

FNMA±

    2.31        12/01/2026         112,807         118,766   

FNMA±

    2.31        06/01/2035         3,377,437         3,548,560   

FNMA±

    2.35        01/01/2036         2,709,294         2,841,131   

FNMA±

    2.36        03/01/2033         162,709         170,884   

FNMA±

    2.39        03/01/2034         519,310         545,001   

FNMA±(d)

    2.39        03/01/2035         5,460,641         5,696,725   


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Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Agency Securities (continued)          

FNMA±

    2.40     06/01/2024       $ 146,169       $ 153,816   

FNMA±

    2.42        06/01/2029         173,285         182,297   

FNMA±(d)

    2.42        07/01/2038         2,348,615         2,477,721   

FNMA±

    2.43        02/01/2035         322,028         339,816   

FNMA±

    2.43        07/01/2026         35,355         37,346   

FNMA±(d)

    2.44        04/01/2034         4,722,464         4,966,015   

FNMA±(d)

    2.44        08/01/2036         2,197,345         2,285,834   

FNMA±

    2.46        07/01/2038         223,419         233,741   

FNMA±

    2.47        12/01/2029         54,813         57,986   

FNMA±

    2.48        01/01/2026         228,803         241,563   

FNMA±

    2.49        07/01/2048         312,637         329,734   

FNMA±

    2.49        06/01/2038         3,687,127         3,899,985   

FNMA±

    2.49        12/01/2028         42,644         42,898   

FNMA±

    2.50        11/01/2035         2,311,442         2,439,737   

FNMA±

    2.50        06/01/2036         4,656,144         4,919,391   

FNMA±

    2.51        06/01/2031         96,197         97,029   

FNMA±(d)

    2.52        08/01/2039         5,594,853         5,905,675   

FNMA±

    2.52        08/01/2030         155,423         164,223   

FNMA±

    2.52        11/01/2035         3,611,453         3,798,759   

FNMA±

    2.53        01/01/2035         1,666,199         1,757,437   

FNMA±(d)

    2.59        10/01/2034             10,693,693         11,240,700   

FNMA±

    2.60        05/01/2030         177,777         187,042   

FNMA±(d)

    2.61        02/01/2036         1,380,974         1,466,030   

FNMA±

    2.62        08/01/2028         70,769         74,537   

FNMA±

    2.63        04/01/2035         2,700,473         2,854,205   

FNMA±

    2.64        04/01/2017         1,761,177         1,822,084   

FNMA±

    2.65        10/01/2033         3,789,467         4,006,048   

FNMA±

    2.68        03/01/2034         14,750         15,557   

FNMA±(d)

    2.70        01/01/2038         3,226,374         3,321,356   

FNMA±

    2.70        04/01/2033         118,235         124,583   

FNMA±

    2.72        05/01/2036         10,269,033         10,898,492   

FNMA±(d)

    2.75        07/01/2036         1,311,263         1,387,695   

FNMA±

    2.75        12/01/2016         8,100         8,131   

FNMA±

    2.75        08/01/2035         2,711,296         2,882,401   

FNMA±(d)

    2.76        04/01/2036         1,797,422         1,870,536   

FNMA±(d)

    2.76        05/01/2035         3,439,254         3,639,818   

FNMA±

    2.79        09/01/2027         176,025         186,743   

FNMA±

    2.82        05/01/2036         898,313         929,248   

FNMA±

    2.84        12/01/2017         654,603         677,518   

FNMA±

    2.84        09/01/2032         196,817         197,948   

FNMA±(d)

    2.87        07/01/2038         2,301,364         2,421,236   

FNMA±

    3.06        10/01/2029         97,049         101,423   

FNMA±

    3.08        02/01/2017         1,504,565         1,564,702   

FNMA±

    3.12        07/01/2030         97,750         97,846   

FNMA±

    3.15        07/01/2033         39,461         39,658   

FNMA±

    3.82        01/01/2015         15,109         15,146   

FNMA±

    3.82        01/01/2030         63,223         63,539   

FNMA±

    4.03        08/01/2027         210,298         211,002   

FNMA±

    4.15        07/01/2035         1,851,826         1,957,909   

FNMA±

    4.19        04/01/2031         662,301         695,251   

FNMA±(d)

    4.26        02/01/2035         5,430,307         5,618,294   


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Agency Securities (continued)          

FNMA±

    4.31     04/01/2025       $ 83,469       $ 84,225   

FNMA±

    4.42        11/01/2024         191,150         202,354   

FNMA±

    4.54        12/01/2036         41,809         43,858   

FNMA±

    4.79        12/01/2034         1,359,044         1,454,289   

FNMA±(d)

    4.85        04/01/2034         2,894,776         3,026,798   

FNMA±

    4.95        01/01/2034         456,741         459,541   

FNMA±(d)

    5.00        09/01/2032         2,377,377         2,542,176   

FNMA±

    5.11        12/01/2022         13,233         13,191   

FNMA±

    6.00        05/01/2021         5,373         5,391   

FNMA±

    6.00        08/01/2021         9,316         9,279   

FNMA

    6.00        04/01/2033         191,479         212,571   

FNMA±

    6.14        12/01/2020         98,135         98,635   

FNMA±

    6.15        12/01/2013         137,052         139,073   

FNMA±(d)

    6.26        09/01/2037         1,963,800         2,111,908   

FNMA

    6.50        11/01/2032         66,313         74,855   

FNMA

    7.50        07/01/2017         106,526         117,569   

FNMA

    7.50        10/01/2028         12,881         12,936   

FNMA

    7.50        11/01/2028         165,321         193,997   

FNMA

    7.50        02/01/2030         44,079         51,043   

FNMA

    7.50        09/01/2030         102,043         115,494   

FNMA

    7.50        07/01/2032         21,942         22,526   

FNMA

    8.00        12/01/2024         10,872         11,011   

FNMA

    8.00        06/01/2030         124,100         141,268   

FNMA

    12.00        01/01/2016         16,555         18,278   

FNMA Series 1996-46 Class FA±

    0.75        08/25/2021         54,075         54,485   

FNMA Series 2001-25 Class Z

    6.00        06/25/2031         572,320         646,975   

FNMA Series 2001-35 Class F±

    0.84        07/25/2031         26,813         26,991   

FNMA Series 2001-57 Class F±

    0.74        06/25/2031         26,995         27,080   

FNMA Series 2001-T10 Class A2

    7.50        12/25/2041         231,022         262,093   

FNMA Series 2002-77 Class FH±

    0.64        12/18/2032         178,957         179,530   

FNMA Series 2002-95 Class FK±

    0.74        01/25/2033         4,019,100         4,030,482   

FNMA Series 2002-97 Class FR±

    0.79        01/25/2033         58,566         58,584   

FNMA Series 2003-W8 Class 3F2±

    0.59        05/25/2042             1,070,824         1,071,962   

FNMA Series G91-16 Class F±

    0.70        06/25/2021         59,840         60,222   

FNMA Series G92-17 Class F±

    1.30        03/25/2022         122,323         124,080   

GNMA

    6.50        06/15/2028         76,682         87,826   

GNMA

    7.25        07/15/2017         38,046         42,242   

GNMA

    7.25        08/15/2017         57,818         63,988   

GNMA

    7.25        08/15/2017         45,661         50,475   

GNMA

    7.25        08/15/2017         15,443         17,146   

GNMA

    7.25        09/15/2017         58,980         65,484   

GNMA

    7.25        10/15/2017         99,109         109,646   

GNMA

    7.25        10/15/2017         48,887         53,933   

GNMA

    7.25        11/15/2017         39,321         43,230   

GNMA

    7.25        01/15/2018         13,743         15,232   

GNMA

    7.25        01/15/2018         31,512         35,240   

GNMA

    7.25        02/15/2018         32,128         35,693   

GNMA

    7.25        05/15/2018         16,648         18,253   

Total Agency Securities (Cost $203,516,613)

            207,365,399   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     11   

      

 

 

Security Name                 Shares      Value  
          

Common Stocks: 0.06%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 0.00%

          
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.00%           

Trump Entertainment Resorts Incorporated(i)(a)†

          1,161       $ 0   
          

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services: 0.06%

          
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 0.06%           

Fairpoint Communications Incorporated†

          70,442         378,274   
          

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,617,838)

             378,274   
          

 

 

 
    Interest Rate      Maturity Date      Principal         

Convertible Debentures: 0.16%

          

Information Technology: 0.16%

          
Communications Equipment: 0.16%           

Lucent Technologies Incorporated Series B

    2.88         06/15/2025       $ 1,145,000         1,082,025   
          

 

 

 

Total Convertible Debentures (Cost $765,113)

             1,082,025   
          

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds and Notes: 52.78%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 10.44%

          
Auto Components: 1.15%           

Allison Transmission Incorporated 144A

    7.13         05/15/2019         3,050,000         2,958,500   

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

    7.63         03/15/2027         1,895,000         1,705,500   

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

    8.00         12/15/2019         450,000         465,750   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

    8.75         08/15/2020         468,000         503,100   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

    10.50         05/15/2016             1,957,000         2,172,270   
             7,805,120   
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 1.36%           

Carriage Services Incorporated

    7.88         01/15/2015         1,795,000         1,806,219   

Service Corporation International

    6.75         04/01/2016         475,000         505,875   

Service Corporation International

    7.00         05/15/2019         650,000         682,500   

Service Corporation International

    7.50         04/01/2027         3,965,000         3,965,000   

Service Corporation International

    8.00         11/15/2021         475,000         523,094   

Service Corporation International Series WI

    7.00         06/15/2017         1,610,000         1,730,750   
             9,213,438   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.63%           

American Casinos Incorporated 144A

    7.50         04/15/2021         1,250,000         1,281,250   

Burger King Corporation

    9.88         10/15/2018         850,000         911,625   

Chukchansi Economic Development Authority ±144A(i)

    3.92         11/15/2012         1,375,000         883,438   

Citycenter Holdings LLC 144A

    7.63         01/15/2016         175,000         182,000   

Citycenter Holdings LLC 144A¥

    11.50         01/15/2017         1,076,414         1,108,706   

DineEquity Incorporated

    9.50         10/30/2018         2,825,000         2,994,500   

Greektown Superholdings

    13.00         07/01/2015         4,125,000         4,238,438   

NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC 144A

    8.25         12/15/2017         1,000,000         1,052,500   

Pinnacle Entertainment Incorporated

    7.50         06/15/2015         1,250,000         1,228,125   

Scientific Games Corporation

    9.25         06/15/2019         485,000         510,463   


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)          

Speedway Motorsports Incorporated

    6.75     02/01/2019       $ 225,000       $ 221,063   

Speedway Motorsports Incorporated

    8.75        06/01/2016         950,000         1,026,000   

Yonkers Racing Corporation 144A

    11.38        07/15/2016         2,200,000         2,260,500   
            17,898,608   
         

 

 

 
Media: 4.44%          

Barrington Broadcasting Group LLC

    10.50        08/15/2014         250,000         230,000   

Cablevision Systems Corporation

    8.63        09/15/2017         1,310,000         1,421,350   

CCH II Capital LLC

    13.50        11/30/2016         7,535,929         8,685,158   

Charter Communications Incorporated Step Bond 144A

    10.88        09/15/2014         5,140,000         5,538,350   

Cinemark USA Incorporated

    7.38        06/15/2021         775,000         773,063   

Cinemark USA Incorporated

    8.63        06/15/2019         250,000         271,250   

CSC Holdings LLC 144A

    6.75        11/15/2021         250,000         250,000   

CSC Holdings LLC

    7.88        02/15/2018         600,000         658,500   

CSC Holdings LLC

    8.50        04/15/2014         400,000         439,000   

DISH DBS Corporation

    7.88        09/01/2019         480,000         526,800   

EchoStar DBS Corporation

    6.63        10/01/2014         1,000,000         1,042,500   

EchoStar DBS Corporation

    7.13        02/01/2016         125,000         132,813   

EchoStar DBS Corporation

    7.75        05/31/2015         350,000         376,250   

Gray Television Incorporated

    10.50        06/29/2015         1,375,000         1,299,375   

Interactive Data Corporation

    10.25        08/01/2018         1,250,000         1,343,750   

Lamar Media Corporation

    7.88        04/15/2018         575,000         602,313   

Lamar Media Corporation Series C

    9.75        04/01/2014         375,000         412,500   

LIN Television Corporation

    8.38        04/15/2018         775,000         798,250   

Regal Cinemas Corporation

    8.63        07/15/2019             2,075,000         2,220,250   

Regal Entertainment Group

    9.13        08/15/2018         400,000         428,000   

Salem Communications Corporation

    9.63        12/15/2016         2,650,000         2,703,000   
            30,152,472   
         

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 0.56%          

Gap Incorporated

    5.95        04/12/2021         600,000         571,513   

Limited Brands Incorporated

    6.63        04/01/2021         50,000         52,500   

Radioshack Corporation 144A

    6.75        05/15/2019         900,000         810,000   

Rent-A-Center Incorporated

    6.63        11/15/2020         375,000         376,875   

Toys R Us Property Company LLC

    8.50        12/01/2017         1,905,000         2,012,156   
            3,823,044   
         

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.30%          

Oxford Industries Incorporated

    11.38        07/15/2015         1,865,000         2,063,156   
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 0.78%

         
Beverages: 0.28%          

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA

    6.88        11/15/2019         1,475,000         1,887,103   
         

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.50%          

Darling International Incorporated

    8.50        12/15/2018         125,000         140,313   

Dole Food Company Incorporated

    13.88        03/15/2014         1,452,000         1,695,210   

Smithfield Foods Incorporated

    10.00        07/15/2014         1,370,000         1,592,625   
            3,428,148   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     13   

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         

Energy: 7.99%

         
Energy Equipment & Services: 1.71%          

Bristow Group Incorporated

    7.50     09/15/2017       $ 985,000       $ 1,024,400   

Cleaver-Brooks Incorporated 144A

    12.25        05/01/2016         630,000         630,000   

GulfMark Offshore Incorporated

    7.75        07/15/2014         1,625,000         1,596,563   

Hornbeck Offshore Services Incorporated Series B

    6.13        12/01/2014         2,345,000         2,362,588   

Hornbeck Offshore Services Incorporated Series B

    8.00        09/01/2017         2,230,000         2,252,300   

Oil States International Incorporated

    6.50        06/01/2019         755,000         790,863   

Parker Drilling Company

    9.13        04/01/2018         460,000         481,850   

PHI Incorporated

    8.63        10/15/2018         2,500,000         2,512,500   
            11,651,064   
         

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 6.28%          

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

    9.50        02/15/2015         2,250,000         2,576,250   

Cloud Peak Energy Resources Incorporated

    8.25        12/15/2017         125,000         133,750   

Cloud Peak Energy Resources Incorporated

    8.50        12/15/2019         225,000         240,750   

Coffeyville Resources LLC 144A

    9.00        04/01/2015         932,000         1,004,230   

Coffeyville Resources LLC 144A

    10.88        04/01/2017         1,350,000         1,528,875   

Consol Energy Incorporated

    8.25        04/01/2020         825,000         903,375   

Denbury Resources Incorporated

    6.38        08/15/2021         350,000         360,500   

Denbury Resources Incorporated

    8.25        02/15/2020         425,000         469,625   

El Paso Corporation

    6.50        09/15/2020         445,000         486,163   

El Paso Corporation

    7.00        06/15/2017         175,000         196,000   

El Paso Corporation

    7.25        06/01/2018         1,610,000         1,803,200   

El Paso Corporation

    7.42        02/15/2037         800,000         876,000   

El Paso Corporation

    7.80        08/01/2031         1,850,000         2,118,250   

Encore Acquisition Company

    9.50        05/01/2016         375,000         415,313   

Energy Transfer Equity LP

    7.50        10/15/2020         3,100,000         3,348,000   

Ferrellgas Finance Corporation

    6.50        05/01/2021         400,000         358,000   

Ferrellgas Finance Corporation

    9.13        10/01/2017         2,325,000         2,464,500   

Forest Oil Corporation

    7.25        06/15/2019         1,345,000         1,378,625   

Forest Oil Corporation

    8.50        02/15/2014         535,000         577,800   

Hilcorp Energy Company 144A

    7.75        11/01/2015         500,000         512,950   

Holly Corporation

    9.88        06/15/2017         1,895,000         2,075,025   

Inergy Holdings LP

    6.88        08/01/2021         575,000         562,063   

Inergy Holdings LP

    7.00        10/01/2018         500,000         502,500   

Overseas Shipholding Group

    7.50        02/15/2024         800,000         488,000   

Peabody Energy Corporation

    7.88        11/01/2026         3,435,000         3,787,088   

Petrohawk Energy Corporation

    7.88        06/01/2015         790,000         847,275   

Petrohawk Energy Corporation

    10.50        08/01/2014         495,000         555,019   

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

    7.50        01/15/2020         1,220,000         1,384,857   

Plains Exploration & Production Company

    8.63        10/15/2019             2,885,000         3,202,350   

Regency Energy Partners

    6.88        12/01/2018         250,000         263,750   

Sabine Pass LNG LP

    7.25        11/30/2013         2,265,000         2,265,000   

Sabine Pass LNG LP

    7.50        11/30/2016         2,925,000         2,895,750   

Susser Holdings LLC

    8.50        05/15/2016         975,000         1,016,438   

Tesoro Corporation

    9.75        06/01/2019         945,000         1,063,125   
            42,660,396   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         

Financials: 12.53%

         
Capital Markets: 0.90%          

E*TRADE Financial Corporation¥

    12.50     11/30/2017       $ 4,291,000       $ 4,945,378   

Oppenheimer Holdings Incorporated

    8.75        04/15/2018         1,225,000         1,194,375   
            6,139,753   
         

 

 

 
Commercial Banks: 1.53%          

CIT Group Incorporated 144A

    5.25        04/01/2014         750,000         746,250   

CIT Group Incorporated

    7.00        05/01/2015         738         738   

CIT Group Incorporated 144A

    7.00        05/04/2015         1,472,000         1,472,000   

CIT Group Incorporated

    7.00        05/01/2016         2,654,562         2,657,880   

CIT Group Incorporated

    7.00        05/01/2017         2,900,000         2,900,000   

Emigrant Bancorp Incorporated 144A(i)

    6.25        06/15/2014         2,925,000         2,635,811   
            10,412,679   
         

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 6.64%          

American General Finance Corporation

    5.40        12/01/2015         1,600,000         1,248,000   

American General Finance Corporation

    5.75        09/15/2016         1,075,000         795,500   

American General Finance Corporation

    6.50        09/15/2017         150,000         111,375   

Calpine Construction Finance Corporation 144A

    7.25        10/15/2017         4,800,000         4,992,000   

Calpine Construction Finance Corporation 144A

    8.00        06/01/2016         1,375,000         1,464,375   

Clearwire Communications Finance Corporation 144A

    12.00        12/01/2015         2,390,000         2,043,450   

General Electric Capital Corporation

    7.63        12/10/2014             2,000,000         1,747,029   

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated 144A

    6.75        06/01/2018         900,000         910,196   

GMAC LLC

    6.75        12/01/2014         1,298,000         1,310,980   

GMAC LLC

    6.88        08/28/2012         1,244,000         1,259,550   

GMAC LLC

    7.50        12/31/2013         3,620,000         3,728,600   

Homer City Funding LLC

    8.73        10/01/2026         1,263,376         1,061,236   

International Lease Finance Corporation

    6.38        03/25/2013         460,000         461,150   

International Lease Finance Corporation 144A

    6.75        09/01/2016         100,000         102,875   

International Lease Finance Corporation

    8.63        09/15/2015         900,000         945,000   

JBS USA Finance Incorporated

    11.63        05/01/2014         3,745,000         4,119,500   

Level 3 Financing Incorporated

    10.00        02/01/2018         2,010,000         2,130,600   

Local TV Finance LLC 144A¥

    9.25        06/15/2015         1,975,000         1,836,750   

Nielsen Finance LLC Company

    11.50        05/01/2016         601,000         689,648   

Nielson Finance LLC Company

    7.75        10/15/2018         5,100,000         5,622,750   

Springleaf Finance Corporation

    6.90        12/15/2017         2,975,000         2,268,438   

Sprint Capital Corporation

    6.88        11/15/2028         5,985,000         4,369,050   

Sprint Capital Corporation

    8.38        03/15/2012         1,895,000         1,913,950   
            45,132,002   
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 1.40%          

Ally Financial Incorporated

    8.30        02/12/2015         2,055,000         2,157,750   

Leucadia National Corporation

    8.13        09/15/2015         2,655,000         2,867,400   

Nuveen Investments Incorporated

    5.50        09/15/2015         2,950,000         2,507,500   

Nuveen Investments Incorporated

    10.50        11/15/2015         875,000         875,000   

Nuveen Investments Incorporated 144A

    10.50        11/15/2015         1,100,000         1,089,000   
            9,496,650   
         

 

 

 
Insurance: 0.56%          

Hub International Holdings Incorporated 144A

    10.25        06/15/2015         3,375,000         3,265,313   


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     15   

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Insurance (continued)          

USI Holdings Corporation 144A

    9.75     05/15/2015       $ 525,000       $ 500,063   
            3,765,376   
         

 

 

 
REIT: 1.50%          

Dupont Fabros Technology Incorporated

    8.50        12/15/2017         5,560,000         5,949,200   

Host Hotels & Resorts LP

    9.00        05/15/2017         235,000         262,613   

Medical Properties Trust Incorporated 144A

    6.88        05/01/2021         775,000         771,125   

Omega Healthcare Investors Incorporated

    6.75        10/15/2022         1,775,000         1,792,750   

Omega Healthcare Investors Incorporated

    7.00        01/15/2016         500,000         511,250   

Ventas Incorporated

    9.00        05/01/2012         859,000         884,088   
            10,171,026   
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 1.81%

         
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 0.44%          

Biomet Incorporated¥

    10.38        10/15/2017         540,000         583,200   

Biomet Incorporated

    11.63        10/15/2017         2,200,000         2,398,000   
            2,981,200   
         

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 1.24%          

Apria Healthcare Group Incorporated

    11.25        11/01/2014         590,000         573,775   

Aviv Healthcare Properties LP

    7.75        02/15/2019         1,025,000         989,125   

Centene Corporation

    5.75        06/01/2017         1,000,000         1,005,000   

Community Health Systems Incorporated

    8.88        07/15/2015         700,000         716,625   

HCA Incorporated

    6.50        02/15/2020             1,875,000         1,964,063   

HCA Incorporated

    7.50        02/15/2022         350,000         357,000   

HCA Incorporated

    8.50        04/15/2019         375,000         412,500   

Health Management plc

    6.13        04/15/2016         175,000         177,625   

Healthsouth Corporation

    7.25        10/01/2018         400,000         400,000   

Healthsouth Corporation

    7.75        09/15/2022         400,000         400,000   

Sabra Health Care LP

    8.13        11/01/2018         1,450,000         1,428,250   
            8,423,963   
         

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 0.13%          

Mylan Incorporated 144A

    6.00        11/15/2018         300,000         315,000   

Mylan Incorporated 144A

    7.63        07/15/2017         375,000         414,375   

Mylan Incorporated 144A

    7.88        07/15/2020         150,000         168,000   
            897,375   
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 3.47%

         
Aerospace & Defense: 1.00%          

Alliant Techsystems Incorporated

    6.75        04/01/2016         1,980,000         2,029,500   

GeoEye Incorporated

    9.63        10/01/2015         485,000         543,200   

Hexcel Corporation

    6.75        02/01/2015         480,000         487,200   

Huntington Ingalls Industries Incorporated 144A

    6.88        03/15/2018         350,000         352,625   

Huntington Ingalls Industries Incorporated 144A

    7.13        03/15/2021         125,000         126,563   

L-3 Communications Holdings Incorporated

    6.38        10/15/2015         2,784,000         2,843,160   

TransDigm Group Incorporated

    7.75        12/15/2018         350,000         379,750   
            6,761,998   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Commercial Services & Supplies: 1.60%          

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated

    11.00     07/15/2014       $ 1,945,000       $ 2,100,600   

Corrections Corporation of America

    6.25        03/15/2013         565,000         565,353   

Corrections Corporation of America

    7.75        06/01/2017         1,270,000         1,374,775   

Crown Cork & Seal Company Incorporated

    7.50        12/15/2096         600,000         483,000   

Geo Group Incorporated

    7.75        10/15/2017         1,450,000         1,522,500   

Interface Incorporated

    7.63        12/01/2018         125,000         130,938   

Iron Mountain Incorporated

    6.75        10/15/2018         250,000         318,251   

Iron Mountain Incorporated

    8.38        08/15/2021         1,385,000         1,450,788   

KAR Holdings Incorporated±

    4.25        05/01/2014         1,150,000         1,127,000   

Mac-Gray Corporation

    7.63        08/15/2015         458,000         467,160   

NCO Group Incorporated

    11.88        11/15/2014         1,425,000         1,332,375   
            10,872,740   
         

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.51%          

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

    7.88        02/01/2019         725,000         743,125   

CPM Holdings Incorporated

    10.63        09/01/2014             1,315,000         1,400,475   

Dresser Rand Group Incorporated 144A

    6.50        05/01/2021         925,000         936,563   

Titan International Incorporated

    7.88        10/01/2017         375,000         393,750   
            3,473,913   
         

 

 

 
Professional Services: 0.06%          

CDRT Merger Sub Incorporated 144A

    8.13        06/01/2019         425,000         425,000   
         

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 0.30%          

Kansas City Southern

    8.00        06/01/2015         55,000         58,575   

Kansas City Southern

    13.00        12/15/2013         349,000         397,424   

RailAmerica Incorporated

    9.25        07/01/2017         1,425,000         1,549,688   
            2,005,687   
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 3.74%

         
Communications Equipment: 0.36%          

Allbritton Communications Company

    8.00        05/15/2018         1,275,000         1,281,375   

Lucent Technologies Incorporated

    6.45        03/15/2029         1,285,000         1,130,800   
            2,412,175   
         

 

 

 
Computers & Peripherals: 0.04%          

Seagate Technology HDD Holdings

    6.88        05/01/2020         300,000         294,000   
         

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 1.52%          

GCI Incorporated

    6.75        06/01/2021         575,000         562,063   

GCI Incorporated

    8.63        11/15/2019         2,125,000         2,279,063   

Jabil Circuit Incorporated

    8.25        03/15/2018         5,275,000         6,119,000   

Viasystem Group Incorporated 144A

    12.00        01/15/2015         1,285,000         1,384,588   
            10,344,714   
         

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 0.19%          

Equinix Incorporated

    7.00        07/15/2021         75,000         79,875   

Equinix Incorporated

    8.13        03/01/2018         1,085,000         1,182,650   
            1,262,525   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     17   

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
IT Services: 1.60%          

Fidelity National Information Services Incorporated

    7.88     07/15/2020       $ 1,000,000       $ 1,092,500   

First Data Corporation

    11.25        03/31/2016         4,550,000         4,049,500   

SunGard Data Systems Incorporated

    7.38        11/15/2018         525,000         536,813   

SunGard Data Systems Incorporated

    7.63        11/15/2020         250,000         256,250   

SunGard Data Systems Incorporated

    10.25        08/15/2015         3,455,000         3,584,563   

Unisys Corporation

    12.50        01/15/2016         460,000         493,350   

Unisys Corporation 144A

    12.75        10/15/2014         434,000         487,165   

Unisys Corporation 144A

    14.25        09/15/2015         332,000         377,650   
            10,877,791   
         

 

 

 
Software: 0.03%          

Audatex North American Incorporated 144A

    6.75        06/15/2018         225,000         228,375   
         

 

 

 

Materials: 2.87%

         
Chemicals: 1.83%          

Huntsman International LLC

    5.50        06/30/2016         1,260,000         1,247,400   

Lyondell Chemical Company

    11.00        05/01/2018             8,981,938         10,003,633   

Rockwood Specialties Group Incorporated

    7.63        11/15/2014         340,000         472,246   

Solutia Incorporated

    7.88        03/15/2020         670,000         716,900   
            12,440,179   
         

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.32%          

Crown Americas LLC

    7.63        05/15/2017         450,000         488,250   

Graham Packaging Company

    9.88        10/15/2014         1,450,000         1,469,938   

Owens Brockway Glass Container Incorporated

    7.38        05/15/2016         175,000         189,875   
            2,148,063   
         

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.40%          

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Incorporated

    8.38        04/01/2017         2,485,000         2,658,950   

Indalex Holdings Corporation(s)

    11.50        02/01/2014         3,170,000         31,700   
            2,690,650   
         

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 0.32%          

Clearwater Paper Corporation

    10.63        06/15/2016         545,000         615,850   

Georgia Pacific Corporation

    8.88        05/15/2031         1,080,000         1,575,775   
            2,191,625   
         

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services: 5.10%

         
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 2.16%          

Avaya Incorporated

    9.75        11/01/2015         1,175,000         1,039,875   

Citizens Communications Company

    7.88        01/15/2027         1,805,000         1,574,863   

Frontier Communications Corporation

    8.13        10/01/2018         845,000         902,038   

Frontier Communications Corporation

    8.25        05/01/2014         200,000         213,500   

Frontier Communications Corporation

    8.25        04/15/2017         1,040,000         1,110,200   

Frontier Communications Corporation

    8.50        04/15/2020         525,000         559,125   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings Limited 144A

    7.25        10/15/2020         875,000         877,188   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings Limited

    8.50        11/01/2019         850,000         890,375   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings Limited

    9.50        06/15/2016         725,000         756,719   

Qwest Corporation

    7.13        11/15/2043         795,000         771,150   


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)          

Qwest Corporation

    7.25     09/15/2025       $ 1,040,000       $ 1,045,200   

Qwest Corporation

    7.50        06/15/2023         1,370,000         1,364,863   

Qwest Corporation

    7.63        08/03/2021         230,000         220,800   

SBA Telecommunications Incorporated

    8.00        08/15/2016         700,000         752,500   

SBA Telecommunications Incorporated

    8.25        08/15/2019         100,000         109,250   

Windstream Corporation

    7.88        11/01/2017         2,330,000         2,516,400   
            14,704,046   
         

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 2.94%          

CCO Holdings LLC 144A

    7.75        05/01/2017         325,000         351,813   

CCO Holdings LLC

    8.13        04/30/2020         450,000         487,125   

Cricket Communications Incorporated

    7.75        05/15/2016             1,705,000         1,768,938   

Cricket Communications Incorporated

    7.75        10/15/2020         1,400,000         1,197,000   

Crown Castle International Corporation

    7.13        11/01/2019         75,000         81,188   

Crown Castle International Corporation

    9.00        01/15/2015         325,000         354,250   

iPCS Incorporated¥

    3.50        05/01/2014         1,357,019         1,173,821   

MetroPCS Communications Incorporated

    6.63        11/15/2020         2,775,000         2,608,500   

MetroPCS Communications Incorporated

    7.88        09/01/2018         775,000         788,563   

Sprint Nextel Corporation

    6.90        05/01/2019         1,055,000         878,288   

Sprint Nextel Corporation Series D

    7.38        08/01/2015         4,085,000         3,901,175   

Sprint Nextel Corporation Series F

    5.95        03/15/2014         2,335,000         2,229,925   

Syniverse Holdings Incorporated

    9.13        01/15/2019         3,975,000         4,134,000   
            19,954,586   
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 4.05%

         
Electric Utilities: 1.91%          

Aquila Incorporated Step Bond

    11.88        07/01/2012         6,545,000         6,987,265   

Dolphin Subsidiary II Incorporated 144A

    7.25        10/15/2021         2,125,000         2,279,063   

Energy Future Holdings Corporation¥

    12.00        11/01/2017         958,730         814,921   

Ipalco Enterprises Incorporated 144A

    5.00        05/01/2018         900,000         913,500   

Otter Tail Corporation

    9.00        12/15/2016         1,835,000         1,986,388   

PNM Resources Incorporated

    9.25        05/15/2015         15,000         16,950   
            12,998,087   
         

 

 

 
Gas Utilities: 0.33%          

AmeriGas Partners LP

    6.25        08/20/2019         1,500,000         1,485,000   

AmeriGas Partners LP

    6.50        05/20/2021         475,000         470,250   

Suburban Propane Partners LP

    7.38        03/15/2020         275,000         286,000   
            2,241,250   
         

 

 

 
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders: 1.81%          

Dynegy Holdings Incorporated

    7.63        10/15/2026         2,165,000         1,299,000   

Mirant Mid-Atlantic LLC Series C

    10.06        12/30/2028         3,614,632         3,768,254   

NRG Energy Incorporated

    7.38        01/15/2017         3,475,000         3,618,344   

NRG Energy Incorporated

    8.50        06/15/2019         1,615,000         1,687,675   

Reliant Energy Incorporated

    7.63        06/15/2014         450,000         459,000   

Reliant Energy Incorporated

    9.24        07/02/2017         1,071,656         1,071,656   

Reliant Energy Incorporated

    9.68        07/02/2026         410,000         403,850   
            12,307,779   
         

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $344,042,127)

            358,637,756   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     19   

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         

Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes@: 10.75%

         

Consumer Discretionary: 0.32%

         
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.17%          

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA (EUR)

    4.73     05/26/2021         900,000       $ 1,172,893   
         

 

 

 
Media: 0.15%          

UPC Holding BV (EUR)

    9.63        12/01/2019         470,000         689,359   

Ziggo Bond Company BV 144A(i)(EUR)

    8.00        05/15/2018         200,000         282,275   
            971,634   
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 0.50%

         
Tobacco: 0.50%          

British American Tobacco Finance plc (EUR)

    5.38        06/29/2017         1,100,000         1,721,907   

Imperial Tobacco Group plc (EUR)

    8.38        02/17/2016         1,000,000         1,665,770   
            3,387,677   
         

 

 

 

Financials: 8.29%

         
Commercial Banks: 6.29%          

Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten (EUR)

    3.88        11/04/2019         1,200,000         1,791,577   

Bayerische Landesbank (EUR)

    1.88        06/30/2014         2,300,000         3,199,801   

BNP Paribas SA (EUR)

    3.50        03/07/2016         850,000         1,182,239   

Eurofima (AUD)

    6.25        12/28/2018         2,450,000         2,695,114   

European Investment Bank (EUR)

    3.13        04/15/2014             1,900,000         2,735,632   

European Investment Bank (EUR)

    3.13        03/03/2017         2,330,000         3,362,041   

European Investment Bank (EUR)

    4.25        10/15/2014         2,300,000         3,429,568   

European Investment Bank (AUD)

    6.13        01/23/2017         6,930,000         7,558,476   

Instituto de Credito Oficial (EUR)

    4.38        05/23/2012         1,800,000         2,495,544   

International Bank for Reconstruction & Development (AUD)

    5.75        10/01/2020         950,000         1,037,546   

KfW Bankengruppe (EUR)

    3.88        01/21/2019         910,000         1,389,726   

KfW Bankengruppe (AUD)

    6.25        12/04/2019         1,225,000         1,360,650   

KfW Bankengruppe (NZD)

    6.38        02/17/2015         4,819,000         4,163,927   

Landesbank Baten-Wurttemberg (EUR)

    1.75        01/17/2014         2,300,000         3,194,082   

Rabobank Nederland (EUR)

    4.25        01/16/2017         2,150,000         3,147,958   
            42,743,881   
         

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.19%          

Fiat Industrial SpA (EUR)

    6.25        03/09/2018         400,000         510,585   

Virgin Media Finance plc (GBP)

    8.88        10/15/2019         300,000         520,960   

Wind Acquisition Finance SpA (EUR)

    11.75        07/15/2017         200,000         273,973   
            1,305,518   
         

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 1.81%          

Dexia Kommunalbank AG (EUR)

    3.50        06/05/2014         4,000,000         5,541,658   

Eurohypo AG (EUR)

    3.75        03/24/2014         4,000,000         5,761,262   

Nationwide Building Society (EUR)

    3.75        01/20/2015         700,000         967,101   
            12,270,021   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

20   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         

Health Care: 0.14%

         
Pharmaceuticals: 0.14%          

Pfizer Incorporated (EUR)

    4.75     06/03/2016         600,000       $ 920,591   
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 0.36%

         
Building Products: 0.07%          

Heidelbergcement AG (EUR)

    8.50        10/31/2019         330,000         487,443   
         

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.05%          

Savcio Holdings Limited (EUR)

    8.00        02/15/2013         250,000         332,088   
         

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 0.04%          

Rexel SA (EUR)

    8.25        12/15/2016         200,000         291,961   
         

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure: 0.20%          

BAA Funding Limited (EUR)

    4.60        02/15/2018         1,000,000         1,370,361   
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.20%

         
Metals & Mining: 0.09%          

New World Resources NV (EUR)

    7.38        05/15/2015         500,000         650,339   
         

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 0.11%          

Smurfit Kappa Funding plc (EUR)

    7.25        11/15/2017         400,000         567,317   

Smurfit Kappa Funding plc (EUR)

    7.75        11/15/2019         120,000         171,025   
            738,342   
         

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services: 0.42%

         
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 0.42%          

Deutsche Telekom International Finance (EUR)

    4.25        07/13/2022         1,250,000         1,785,701   

Telstra Corporation Limited (EUR)

    4.75        03/21/2017         725,000         1,099,706   
            2,885,407   
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 0.52%

         
Multi-Utilities: 0.52%          

National Grid plc (EUR)

    4.38        03/10/2020         1,225,000         1,799,365   

Veolia Environnement SA (EUR)

    4.00        02/12/2016         1,200,000         1,740,513   
            3,539,878   
         

 

 

 

Total Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $69,347,075)

            73,068,034   
         

 

 

 
Foreign Government Bonds@: 20.69%          

Australia Series 124 (AUD)

    5.75        05/15/2021         2,750,000         3,172,541   

Australia Series 25CI (AUD)

    3.21        09/20/2025         6,650,000         8,268,338   

Brazil (BRL)

    12.50        01/05/2022         8,500,000         6,151,528   

Caisse d’Amortissement de la Dette Sociale (EUR)

    3.38        04/25/2021         1,125,000         1,560,431   

Caisse d’Amortissement de la Dette Sociale (EUR)

    4.25        04/25/2020         700,000         1,040,838   

Canada (CAD)

    2.50        09/01/2013         6,400,000         6,594,103   

Canada144A (CAD)

    3.35        12/15/2020         4,650,000         4,892,075   

Czech Republic (CZK)

    5.00        04/11/2019             101,850,000         6,402,884   

Denmark (DKK)

    4.00        11/15/2017         55,475,000         11,711,212   

Germany (EUR)

    0.75        09/13/2013         15,400,000         21,377,169   


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     21   

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Foreign Government Bonds@ (continued)          

Germany (EUR)

    3.50     04/12/2013         4,800,000       $ 6,924,035   

Korea (KRW)

    5.25        09/10/2015         2,850,000,000         2,687,952   

Korea (KRW)

    5.25        03/10/2027             3,830,000,000         3,932,334   

Mexico (MXN)

    8.50        11/18/2038         77,900,000         6,517,869   

Netherlands144A (EUR)

    2.50        01/15/2017         900,000         1,296,239   

Netherlands (EUR)

    4.25        07/15/2013         4,850,000         7,109,911   

New Zealand (NZD)

    6.00        12/15/2017         6,705,000         5,981,475   

Norway (NOK)

    3.75        05/25/2021         30,000,000         5,843,334   

Norway (NOK)

    4.25        05/19/2017         28,730,000         5,663,361   

Poland (PLN)

    5.25        10/25/2020         20,100,000         6,141,437   

Slovenia (EUR)

    4.63        09/09/2024         1,425,000         1,825,270   

South Africa (ZAR)

    6.75        03/31/2021         33,970,000         3,976,585   

Sweden (SEK)

    4.50        08/12/2015         67,650,000         11,535,101   

Total Foreign Government Bonds (Cost $135,731,129)

            140,606,022   
         

 

 

 
Non-Agency Mortgage Backed Securities: 1.38%          

American Home Mortgage Assets Series 2006-2 Class 1A1±

    1.19        09/25/2046       $ 4,293,215         1,999,337   

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Incorporated Series 2006-03 Class AM

    5.88        07/10/2044         1,340,000         1,270,083   

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corporation Series 2006-GG7 Class AM

    5.88        07/10/2038         1,820,000         1,799,829   

Lehman XS Trust Series 2006-18N Class A5A±(i)

    0.41        12/25/2036         3,571,816         1,253,782   

NCUA Guaranteed Notes Series 2011-C1 Class 1A±

    0.57        02/28/2020         1,781,058         1,781,058   

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C23 Class AM

    5.47        01/15/2045         1,220,000         1,239,133   

Total Non-Agency Mortgage Backed Securities (Cost $10,618,824)

            9,343,222   
         

 

 

 
    Dividend Yield            Shares         

Preferred Stocks: 0.08%

         

Financials: 0.08%

         
Diversified Financial Services: 0.08%          

GMAC Capital Trust I

    8.13           27,000         565,920   
         

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $675,000)

            565,920   
         

 

 

 
    Interest Rate            Principal         
Term Loans: 6.09%          

Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC

    9.25        06/18/2018       $ 475,000         451,250   

Barrington Broadcasting Company

    4.53        08/12/2013         889,251         851,458   

Capital Automotive LP

    5.00        03/10/2017         3,900,580         3,817,693   

CCM Merger Incorporated

    7.00        03/01/2017         4,208,133         4,159,024   

Coinmach Corporation<

    3.31        11/20/2014         3,339,079         2,925,868   

Fairpoint Communications Incorporated

    6.50        01/22/2016         3,532,230         2,804,061   

Federal Mogul Corporation

    2.18        12/29/2014         457,571         431,261   

Federal Mogul Corporation

    2.18        12/28/2015         416,231         392,298   

First Data Corporation

    2.99        09/24/2014         5,419,724         5,008,747   

Gray Television Incorporated

    3.74        12/31/2014         973,886         949,188   

HHI Holdings LLC

    7.00        03/21/2017         945,250         928,708   

Level 3 Financing Incorporated

    2.65        03/13/2014         700,000         678,566   


Table of Contents

 

22   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         
Term Loans (continued)          

Local TV Finance LLC

    2.25     05/07/2013       $ 1,424,159       $ 1,347,255   

Merisant Company(i)

    7.50        01/08/2014         877,646         848,394   

NCO Group Incorporated

    8.00        11/15/2013         1,108,144         1,090,447   

Newsday LLC

    10.50        08/01/2013         2,755,000         2,844,538   

Panolam Industries International Incorporated(i)

    8.25        12/31/2013         213,553         198,071   

Springleaf Finance Corporation

    5.50        05/05/2017         700,000         639,002   

Texas Competitive Electric Holding LLC

    3.76        10/10/2014             13,896,983         10,333,936   

Texas Competitive Electric Holding LLC

    4.76        10/10/2017         375,000         254,179   

Web Service Company LLC

    7.00        08/28/2014         459,358         452,468   

Total Term Loans (Cost $43,864,580)

            41,406,412   
         

 

 

 

Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes: 5.99%

         

Consumer Discretionary: 0.13%

         
Media: 0.13%          

Videotron Limited

    9.13        04/15/2018         775,000         852,500   
         

 

 

 

Energy: 1.27%

         
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.27%          

Griffin Coal Mining Company Limited(s)

    9.50        12/01/2016         333,446         250,501   

Griffin Coal Mining Company Limited 144A(s)

    9.50        12/31/2049         4,078,569         3,064,025   

Petroplus Finance Limited

    5.75        01/20/2020         1,650,000         1,776,816   

Ship Finance International Limited

    8.50        12/15/2013         3,720,000         3,552,600   
            8,643,942   
         

 

 

 

Financials: 1.35%

         
Capital Markets: 0.06%          

Mubadala Development Company 144A

    5.50        04/20/2021         360,000         386,538   
         

 

 

 
Commercial Banks: 0.58%          

Banco De Credito Del Peru(i)

    4.75        03/16/2016         1,600,000         1,592,960   

Lloyds TSB Bank plc

    6.38        01/21/2021         1,100,000         1,181,583   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

    6.13        01/11/2021         1,100,000         1,164,913   
            3,939,456   
         

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.58%          

Sable International Finance Limited

    7.75        02/15/2017         350,000         350,000   

Wind Acquisition Finance SpA 144A

    11.75        07/15/2017         3,660,000         3,623,400   
            3,973,400   
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 0.13%          

IPIC GMTN Limited 144A

    5.00        11/15/2020         900,000         901,125   

Preferred Term Securities XII Limited(s)±(i)

    1.97        12/24/2033         635,000         191   
            901,316   
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 0.05%

         
Road & Rail: 0.05%          

Transnet Limited 144A

    4.50        02/10/2016         300,000         314,445   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     23   

      

 

 

Security Name   Interest Rate     Maturity Date      Principal      Value  
         

Information Technology : 0.34%

         
Computers & Peripherals: 0.34%          

Seagate Technology HDD Holdings

    6.80     10/01/2016       $ 650,000       $ 679,250   

Seagate Technology HDD Holdings 144A

    7.00        11/01/2021         375,000         367,500   

Seagate Technology HDD Holdings 144A

    7.75        12/15/2018         1,225,000         1,280,125   
            2,326,875   
         

 

 

 

Materials: 1.30%

         
Metals & Mining: 0.72%          

Novelis Incorporated

    7.25        02/15/2015         1,030,000         1,027,425   

Novelis Incorporated

    8.38        12/15/2017         500,000         540,000   

Novelis Incorporated

    8.75        12/15/2020         725,000         790,250   

Teck Resources Limited

    10.75        05/15/2019         2,050,000         2,531,750   
            4,889,425   
         

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 0.58%          

PE Paper Escrow GmbH 144A

    12.00        08/01/2014         1,170,000         1,269,450   

Sappi Limited 144A

    7.50        06/15/2032         3,560,000         2,705,600   
            3,975,050   
         

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services: 1.38%

         
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 0.98%          

Global Crossing Limited

    12.00        09/15/2015         371,000         425,723   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA 144A

    7.25        04/01/2019         425,000         427,125   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA 144A

    7.50        04/01/2021         325,000         326,625   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA

    11.25        06/15/2016             4,525,000         4,773,875   

Qtel International Finance Limited

    4.75        02/16/2021         300,000         305,250   

Vimpelcom Holdings 144A

    7.50        03/01/2022         400,000         375,000   
            6,633,598   
         

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.40%          

Digicel Group Limited 144A

    12.00        04/01/2014         1,335,000         1,508,550   

Telesat Canada Incorporated

    11.00        11/01/2015         1,135,000         1,234,313   
            2,742,863   
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 0.17%

         
Electric Utilities: 0.17%          

E.ON AG

    5.80        04/30/2018         1,000,000         1,146,951   
         

 

 

 

Total Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $38,491,522)

            40,726,359   
         

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

24   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011

      

 

 

Security Name   Yield          Shares      Value  
         

Short-Term Investments: 3.51%

         
Investment Companies: 3.51%          

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Institutional Class(l)(u)

    0.07        23,837,311       $ 23,837,311   
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $23,837,311)

            23,837,311   
         

 

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (Cost $872,507,132)*      132.01        897,016,734   

Other Assets and Liabilities, Net

     (32.01        (217,519,521
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total Net Assets      100.00      $ 679,497,213   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

± Variable rate investment.

 

(d) All or a portion of this security has been segregated as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements.

 

(i) Illiquid security for which the designation as illiquid is unaudited.

 

(a) Security is fair valued by the Management Valuation Team, and in certain instances by the Board of Trustees, in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

Non-income earning security.

 

 

144A Security that may be resold to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A or securities offered pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

¥ A payment-in-kind (PIK) security is a security in which the issuer may make interest or dividend payments in cash or additional securities. These additional securities generally have the same terms as the original holdings.

 

(s) Security is currently in default with regards to scheduled interest and/or principal payments. The Fund has stopped accruing interest on this security.

 

@ Foreign bond principal is denominated in local currency.

 

< All or a portion of the position represents an unfunded loan commitment.

 

(l) Investment in an affiliate.

 

(u) Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $877,482,977 and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 43,898,114   

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (24,364,357
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 19,533,757   


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of Investments—October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     25   

      

 

 

The following table shows the percent of long-term investments by geographic location as of October 31, 2011:

 

United States

     70.8

Germany

     6.1

Luxembourg

     2.6

Netherlands

     2.1

Canada

     2.0

Australia

     1.6

Denmark

     1.3

Sweden

     1.3

Norway

     1.3

Bermuda

     1.3

United Kingdom

     1.2

France

     0.8

South Korea

     0.8

Mexico

     0.7

Czech Republic

     0.7

Brazil

     0.7

Poland

     0.7

New Zealand

     0.7

Cayman Islands

     0.6

South Africa

     0.6

Austria

     0.5

Spain

     0.4

Australia

     0.4

Switzerland

     0.3

Slovenia

     0.2

Peru

     0.2

Ireland

     0.1
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 

The following table shows the percent of total bonds by credit quality based on Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch ratings1 as of October 31, 2011 (unaudited):

 

AAA

     54.7

AA

     3.3

A

     4.9

BBB

     4.7

BB

     11.4

B

     16.5

CCC

     3.9

Less than CCC

     0.6
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 

The following table shows the percent of total bonds based on effective maturity as of October 31, 2011 (unaudited):

 

Less than 1 year

     4.3

1 to 3 year(s)

     20.8

3 to 5 years

     19.6

5 to 10 years

     48.4

10 to 20 years

     5.5

20 to 30 years

     1.3

Greater than 30 years

     0.1
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. The ratings indicated are from Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, and/or Fitch Ratings Ltd. Credit Quality Ratings: Credit quality ratings apply to underlying holdings of the Fund and not the Fund itself. Standard and Poor’s rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Moody’s rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from Aaa (highest) to C (lowest). Fitch rates the creditworthiness of bonds, ranging from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). If a security was rated by all three rating agencies, the middle rating was utilized. If rated by two of three rating agencies, the lower rating was utilized and if rated by one of the agencies that rating was utilized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

26   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Statement of Assets and Liabilities—October 31, 2011
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities, at value

  $ 873,179,423   

In affiliated securities, at value

    23,837,311   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (see cost below)

    897,016,734   

Foreign currency, at value (see cost below)

    3,699,224   

Receivable for investments sold

    2,011,933   

Principal paydown receivable

    714,133   

Receivable for interest

    13,550,916   

Unrealized gains on forward foreign currency contracts

    1,664,999   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    51,248   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    918,709,187   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Dividends payable

    4,205,500   

Payable for investments purchased

    1,164,529   

Unrealized losses on forward foreign currency contracts

    3,605,779   

Payable for reverse repurchase agreements

    99,561,821   

Secured borrowing payable

    130,139,297   

Advisory fee payable

    446,968   

Due to other related parties

    40,633   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    47,447   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    239,211,974   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 679,497,213   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 774,480,927   

Overdistributed net investment income

    (2,401,847

Accumulated net realized losses on investments

    (115,025,414

Net unrealized gains on investments

    22,443,547   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 679,497,213   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

 

Based on $679,497,213 divided by 42,055,000 shares issued and outstanding
(100,000,000 shares authorized)

    $16.16   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at cost

  $ 872,507,132   
 

 

 

 

Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 3,721,509   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

Statement of Operations—Year Ended October 31, 2011   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     27   
         

Investment income

 

Interest*

  $ 54,323,320   

Dividends

    103,108   

Income from affiliated securities

    27,274   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    54,453,702   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    5,060,499   

Administration fee

    460,045   

Custody and accounting fees

    109,670   

Professional fees

    54,224   

Shareholder report expenses

    58,990   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    19,090   

Transfer agent fees

    35,901   

Interest expense

    615,560   

Secured borrowing fees

    1,418,196   

Other fees and expenses

    43,917   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    7,876,092   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    46,577,610   
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains (losses) on:

 

Unaffiliated securities

    19,297,434   

Forward foreign currency contract transactions

    (7,069,126
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    12,228,308   
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on:

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (26,997,180

Forward foreign currency contract transactions

    (1,559,549
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (28,556,729
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (16,328,421
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 30,249,189   
 

 

 

 

* Net of foreign interest withholding taxes of

    $2,283   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

28   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Statements of Changes in Net Assets
     Year Ended
October 31, 2011
       Year Ended
October 31, 2010
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 46,577,610         $ 50,787,031   

Net realized gains on investments

    12,228,308           31,615,711   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (28,556,729        17,614,314   

Distributions to preferred shareholders from net investment income

    0           (656,310
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations

    30,249,189           99,360,746   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions to common shareholders from net investment income

    (51,862,226        (54,654,527
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (21,613,037        44,706,219   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets applicable to common shareholders

      

Beginning of period

    701,110,250           656,404,031   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 679,497,213         $ 701,110,250   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Overdistributed net investment income

  $ (2,401,847      $ (4,283,816
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

Statement of Cash Flows   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     29   
    

Year Ended

October 31, 2011

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 30,249,189   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

Purchase of investment securities

    (447,166,433

Proceeds from sales of investment securities

    413,982,665   

Paydowns

    51,192,962   

Amortization

    (1,484,292

Sale of short-term investment securities, net

    (2,901,315

Decrease in dividends and interest receivable

    1,191,286   

Decrease in receivable for investments sold

    11,977,953   

Decrease in principal paydown receivable

    657,817   

Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets

    (42,011

Decrease in payable for investments purchased

    (17,285,762

Decrease in advisory fee payable

    (13,656

Decrease in due to other related parties

    (1,242

Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities

    (317,038

Unrealized losses on unaffiliated securities

    26,997,180   

Unrealized losses on forward foreign currency contract transactions

    1,559,549   

Net realized gains on unaffiliated securities

    (13,924,547
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    54,672,305   
 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

Cash distributions paid on common shares

    (52,211,282

Decrease in reverse repurchase agreements

    (643,103

Increase in secured borrowing

    128,841   
 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

    (52,725,544
 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash

    1,946,761   
 

 

 

 

Cash (including foreign currency):

 

Beginning of period

  $ 1,752,463   
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 3,699,224   
 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash disclosure

 

Cash paid for interest

  $ 639,822   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

30   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Financial Highlights

(For a common share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.67      $ 15.61      $ 13.47      $ 18.74      $ 18.55   

Net investment income

    1.11        1.21        1.33        1.68        1.73 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.39     1.17        3.26        (5.35     0.29   

Distributions to preferred shareholders from net investment income

    0.00        (0.02 )1      (0.03 )1      (0.30 )1      (0.51 )1 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.72        2.36        4.56        (3.97     1.51   

Distributions to common shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (1.23     (1.30     (2.20     (1.30     (1.29

Tax basis return of capital

    0.00        0.00        (0.22     0.00        (0.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to common shareholders

    (1.23     (1.30     (2.42     (1.30     (1.32

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 16.16      $ 16.67      $ 15.61      $ 13.47      $ 18.74   

Market value, end of period

  $ 14.97      $ 16.18      $ 13.73      $ 11.68      $ 16.22   

Total return based on market value2

    0.33     28.44     44.93     (21.43 )%      2.64

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.14     1.58     3.07     1.95     1.15

Net expenses

    1.14     1.18     1.62     1.90     1.15

Interest expense3

    0.09     0.08     0.47     0.54     0.02

Net investment income

    6.75     7.63 %4      9.65 %4      7.85 %4      6.54 %4 

Supplemental data

         

Liquidation value of Preferred Shares, end of period (thousands)

    NA        NA        $80,035        $80,108        $400,475   

Preferred Shares asset coverage ratio, end of period

    NA        NA        385     249     296

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     70     93     92     95

Net assets of common shareholders, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $679,497        $701,110        $656,404        $566,515        $787,919   

 

 

1. Calculated based upon average common shares outstanding during the period.

 

2. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the first day and a sale on the last day of the period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of these calculations to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Total return does not reflect brokerage commissions or sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3. Interest expense ratio relates to interest associated with borrowings and/or leverage transactions.

 

4. The net investment income ratio includes any distributions paid to preferred shareholders.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

Notes to Financial Statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     31   

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the state of Delaware on April 10, 2003 and is registered as a diversified closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The primary investment objective of the Fund is to seek a high level of current income consistent with limiting its overall exposure to domestic interest-rate risk.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

Certain fixed income securities with maturities exceeding 60 days are valued based on available evaluated prices received from an independent pricing service approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees which may utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data. If valuations are not available from the pricing service or values received are deemed not representative of market value, values will be obtained from a third party broker-dealer or determined based on the Fund’s Fair Value Procedures.

Investments in securities are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, which is usually 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Securities which are traded on a national or foreign securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price, except that securities listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) are valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”), and if no NOCP is available, then at the last reported sales price. If no sales price is shown on the Nasdaq, the bid price will be used. In the absence of any sale of securities listed on the Nasdaq (and in the case of other securities, including U.S. Government obligations, but excluding debt securities maturing in 60 days or less) the price will be deemed “stale” and the valuations will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Fair Value Procedures.

Securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the closing rates of exchange in effect on the day of valuation.

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign investments are traded but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of the investments, then those investments are fair valued following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in NAVs that are higher or lower than NAVs based on the closing price or latest quoted bid price.

Debt securities of sufficient credit quality with original maturities of 60 days or less generally are valued at amortized cost which approximates fair value. The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost, plus accretion of discount or minus amortization of premium over the period until maturity.

Investments in open-end mutual funds and non-registered investment companies are generally valued at net asset value.

Certain investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above, are valued at their fair value, as determined by procedures established in good faith and approved by the Board of Trustees.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Assets, including investment securities, and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions,


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Notes to Financial Statements

and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting in changes in exchange rates.

The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are recorded with net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments. Gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Reverse repurchase agreements

To obtain short-term financing, the Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with banks and other financial institutions, which are deemed by the adviser to be creditworthy. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing qualified assets having a value not less than the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the counterparty to the transaction is rendered insolvent, the Fund may be delayed or limited in the repurchase of the collateral securities.

Forward foreign currency contracts

The Fund may be subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund enters into forward foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities and to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. Forward foreign currency contracts are recorded at the forward rate and marked-to-market daily. When the contracts are closed, realized gains and losses arising from such transactions are recorded as realized gains or losses on forward foreign currency related transactions. The Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the unrealized gains or losses on the contracts. This risk is mitigated by having a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty.

When-issued transactions

The Fund may purchase securities on a forward commitment or ‘when-issued’ basis. The Fund records a when-issued transaction on the trade date and will segregate assets to cover its obligation by confirming the availability of qualifying assets having a value sufficient to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and the Fund begins earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

Term loans

The Fund may invest in term loans. The loans are marked-to-market daily and the Fund begins earning interest when the loans are funded. The loans pay interest at rates which are periodically reset by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower and there could be potential loss to the Fund in the event of default by the borrower.

Credit default swaps

The Fund may be subject to credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts for hedging or speculative purposes to provide or receive a measure of protection against default on a referenced entity, obligation or index or for investment gains. Credit default swaps involve an exchange of a stream of payments for protection against the loss in value of an underlying security or index. Under the terms of the swap, one party acts as a guarantor (referred to as the seller of protection) and receives a periodic stream of payments, provided that there is no credit event, from another party (referred to as the buyer of protection) that is a fixed percentage applied to a notional principal amount over the term of the swap. An index credit default swap references all the names in the index, and if a credit event is triggered, the credit event is settled based on that name’s weight in the index. A credit event includes bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation default, obligation acceleration, repudiation/ moratorium, and restructuring. The Fund may enter into credit default swaps as either the seller of protection or the buyer of protection. As the seller of protection, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap and has assumed the risk of default of the underlying security or index. As the buyer of protection, the Fund could


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Notes to Financial Statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     33   

be exposed to risks if the seller of the protection defaults on its obligation to perform, or if there are unfavorable changes in the fluctuation of interest rates. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund as the seller of protection could be required to make under the credit default swap contract would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap contract. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, either as the protection seller or as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract. This risk is mitigated by having a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by having the counterparty post collateral to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

If the Fund is the seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will pay to the buyer of protection the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. If the Fund is the buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will receive from the seller of protection the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

Any premiums paid or received on the transactions are recorded as an asset or liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and amortized. The value of the swap contract is marked-to-market daily based on quotations from an independent pricing service or market makers and any change in value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. Periodic payments made or received are recorded as realized gains or losses. In addition, payments received or made as a result of a credit event or termination of the contract are recognized as realized gains or losses.

Certain credit default swap contracts entered into by the Fund provide for conditions that result in events of default or termination that enable the counterparty to the agreement to cause an early termination of the transactions under those agreements. Any election by the counterparty to terminate early may impact the amounts reported on the financial statements.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are reported on the basis of identified cost of securities delivered.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily based on the effective interest method. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful based on consistently applied procedures. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.

The timing and character of distributions made during the period from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. To the extent that these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment. Temporary differences do not require reclassifications. The primary permanent differences causing such reclassifications are due to foreign currency transactions, bond premium, paydown losses, certain distributions paid, consent fees and corporate actions. At October 31, 2011, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Overdistributed

Net Investment

Income

 

Accumulated

Net Realized

Losses on

Investments

    

Paid-in

Capital

$7,166,585   $(1,310,470)      $(5,856,115)


Table of Contents

 

34   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Notes to Financial Statements

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities.

As of October 31, 2011, the Fund had estimated net capital loss carryforwards, which are available to offset future net realized capital gains, in the amount of $110,049,569 with $20,598,096 expiring in 2016 and $89,451,473 expiring in 2017.

Under the recently enacted Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

n  

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

n  

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

 

n  

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.


Table of Contents

 

Notes to Financial Statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     35   

As of October 31, 2011, the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets, which are carried at fair value, were as follows:

 

Investments in Securities    Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Equity securities

                                   

Common stocks

   $ 378,274       $ 0       $ 0       $ 378,274   

Preferred stocks

     565,920         0         0         565,920   

Agency securities

     0         207,365,399         0         207,365,399   

Convertible debentures

     0         1,082,025         0         1,082,025   

Corporate bonds and notes

     0         353,393,996         5,243,760         358,637,756   

Foreign corporate bonds

     0         73,068,034         0         73,068,034   

Foreign government bonds

     0         140,606,022         0         140,606,022   

Non-agency mortgage backed securities

     0         9,343,222         0         9,343,222   

Term loans

     0         37,435,096         3,971,316         41,406,412   

Yankee corporate bonds and notes

     0         40,726,168         191         40,726,359   

Short-term investments

                                   

Investment companies

     23,837,311         0         0         23,837,311   
     $ 24,781,505       $ 863,019,962       $ 9,215,267       $ 897,016,734   

Further details on the major security types listed above can be found in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

As of October 31, 2011, the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s other financial instruments, which are carried at fair value, were as follows:

 

Other financial instruments    Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Forward foreign currency contracts+

   $ 0       $ (1,940,780    $ 0       $ (1,940,780

 

+ Forward foreign currency contracts are presented at the unrealized gains or losses on the instrument.

Transfers in and transfers out are recognized at the end of the reporting period. For the year ended October 31, 2011, the Fund did not have any significant transfers into/out of Level 1 and Level 2.

The following is a reconciliation of assets in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

     Corporate
bonds and
notes
     Foreign
corporate
bonds
     Term
loans
     Yankee
corporate
bonds and
notes
     Total  

Balance as of October 31, 2010

   $ 5,753,667       $ 560,823       $ 0       $ 191       $ 6,314,681   

Accrued discounts (premiums)

     2,387         0         705         0         3,092   

Realized gains (losses)

     (3,980      (109,434      33         0         (113,381

Change in unrealized gains (losses)

     (353,724      139         (10,155      0         (363,740

Purchases

     0         0         942,875         0         942,875   

Sales

     (154,590      (451,528      (4,750      0         (610,868

Transfers into Level 3

     0         0         3,042,608         0         3,042,608   

Transfers out of Level 3

     0         0         0         0         0   

Balance as of October 31, 2011

   $ 5,243,760       $ 0       $ 3,971,316       $ 191       $ 9,215,267   

Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to securities still held at October 31, 2011

   ($ 349,202    $ 0       ($ 10,155    $ 0       ($ 359,357


Table of Contents

 

36   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Notes to Financial Statements

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Advisory Fee

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”) is the adviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily total assets. Total assets consist of net assets of the Fund plus borrowings or other leverage for investment purposes to the extent excluded in calculating net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of certain sub-advisers to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fees related to sub-advisory services are borne directly by Funds Management and do not increase the overall fees paid by the Fund to the adviser. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management, is a sub-adviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily total assets. First International Advisors, LLC, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is also a sub-adviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate of 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily total assets.

Administration fee

Funds Management also serves as the administrator to the Fund providing the Fund with facilities, equipment and personnel. Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual administration fee of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily total assets.

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

The Fund has authorized capital of 100,000,000 common shares with no par value. For the year ended October 31, 2011 and the year ended October 31, 2010, the Fund did not issue any common shares.

The Fund no longer has any Auction Market Preferred Shares (“Preferred Shares”) outstanding.

6. BORROWINGS AND LEVERAGE TRANSACTIONS

The Fund has borrowed $130 million through a secured debt financing agreement administered by a major financial institution (the “Facility”). The Facility has a commitment amount of $130 million which expires on February 28, 2012, at which point it may be renegotiated and potentially renewed for another term. At October 31, 2011, the Fund had secured borrowings outstanding in the amount of $130,139,837 (including accrued interest and liquidity and program fees payable).

The Fund’s borrowing under the Facility are generally charged interest at a rate based on the rates of the commercial paper notes issued to fund the Fund’s borrowings or at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.0%. During the year ended October 31, 2011, an effective interest rate of 0.24% was incurred on the borrowings. Interest expense of $317,451, representing 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, was incurred during the year ended October 31, 2011.

The Fund has pledged all of its assets to secure the borrowings and currently pays, on a monthly basis, a liquidity fee at an annual rate of 0.50% of the daily average outstanding principal amount of borrowings and a program fee at an annual rate of 0.50% of the product of (i) the daily average outstanding principal amount of borrowings and (ii) 1.02. Prior to April 26, 2011, both the liquidity fee and program fee were charged at an annual rate of 0.60%. The secured borrowing fees on the Statement of Operations of $1,418,196 represents structuring fees, liquidity fees and program fees. For the year ended October 31, 2011, the Fund paid structuring fees in the amount of $32,589.

During the year ended October 31, 2011, the Fund entered into reverse repurchase agreements that had an average daily balance outstanding of $99,966,624 with an effective annual interest rate of 0.30% and paid interest of $298,109 representing 0.04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The maximum amount outstanding under reverse repurchase agreements during the year ended October 31, 2011 was $100,365,125 (including accrued interest). At October 31, 2011, reverse repurchase agreements outstanding were as follows:

 

Repurchase Amount   Counterparty   Interest Rate   Maturity Date  
$32,762,169   Credit Suisse   0.26%     11/18/2011   
33,885,378   Goldman Sachs   0.23%     11/18/2011   
32,914,274   Morgan Stanley  

0.25%

    11/18/2011   


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Notes to Financial Statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     37   

7. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, exclusive of short-term securities (securities with maturities of one year or less at purchase date) for the year ended October 31, 2011 were as follows:

 

Purchases at Cost

       Sales Proceeds  
U.S.
Government
  Non-U.S.
Government
       U.S.
Government
       Non-U.S.
Government
 
$28,590,523   $ 360,743,536         $ 0         $ 319,460,311   

As of October 31, 2011, the Fund had unfunded loan commitments of $326,250.

8. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended October 31, 2011, the Fund entered into forward foreign currency contracts for economic hedging purposes.

At October 31, 2011, the Fund had forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as follows:

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts to Buy:

 

Exchange Date   Counterparty   Contracts to
Receive
    U.S. Value at
October 31, 2011
    In Exchange
for U.S. $
    Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
12/12/2011   State Street Bank     2,060,000,000   JPY    $ 26,369,395      $ 26,891,195      $ (521,800

 

Exchange Date   Counterparty   Contracts to
Receive
    U.S. Value at
October 31, 2011
    In Exchange
For
    U.S. Value at
October 31, 2011
    Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
11/02/2011   State Street Bank     923,639,400   JPY    $ 11,814,267        11,300,000   CAD    $ 11,336,587      $ 477,680   
11/02/2011   State Street Bank     11,300,000   CAD      11,336,587        881,885,900   JPY      11,280,198        56,389   
11/10/2011   State Street Bank     8,252,674   EUR      11,418,301        64,800,000   NOK      11,630,960        (212,659
11/18/2011   State Street Bank     526,796,000   JPY      6,740,190        20,000,000   PLN      6,277,495        462,695   
12/13/2011   State Street Bank     888,777,500   JPY      11,377,199        14,950,000   NZD      12,055,917        (678,718
12/21/2011   State Street Bank     87,900,000   JPY      1,125,398        728,699   GBP      1,171,070        (45,672
01/06/2012   State Street Bank     421,861,800   JPY      5,402,990        5,900,000   AUD      6,169,662        (766,672
01/17/2012   State Street Bank     1,190,000,000   JPY      15,243,947        11,290,323   EUR      15,614,343        (370,396
01/25/2012   State Street Bank     1,347,978,000   JPY      17,270,154        17,400,000   AUD      18,155,249        (885,095
02/02/2012   State Street Bank     894,010,000   JPY      11,455,623        11,500,000   CAD      11,513,700        (58,077

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts to Sell:

 

Exchange Date   Counterparty   Contracts to
Deliver
    U.S. Value at
October 31,
2011
    In Exchange
for U.S. $
    Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
11/25/2011   State Street Bank     33,000,000   ZAR    $ 4,144,274      $ 4,524,887      $ 380,613   
12/14/2011   State Street Bank     118,500,000   CZK      6,594,569        6,581,871        (12,698
12/14/2011   State Street Bank     89,750,000   MXN      6,708,847        6,996,469        287,622   
01/17/2012   State Street Bank     1,775,000   EUR      2,454,798        2,443,039        (11,759
01/18/2012   State Street Bank     65,000,000   DKK      12,079,270        12,037,037        (42,233

The Fund had average contract amounts of $125,572,011 and $24,280,558 in forward foreign currency contracts to buy and forward foreign currency contracts to sell, respectively, during the year ended October 31, 2011.

The fair value, realized gains or losses and change in unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments are reflected in the appropriate financial statements.


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38   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Notes to Financial Statements

9. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid was $51,862,226 and $55,310,837 of ordinary income for the years ended October 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively.

As of October 31, 2011, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
  Capital Loss
Carryforward

$19,366,249

 

$(110,049,569)

10. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04 “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs”. ASU No. 2011-04 amends FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to establish common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP. The ASU is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.

In April 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03 “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements”. ASU No. 2011-03 amends FASB ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, specifically the criteria required to determine whether a repurchase agreement (repo) and similar agreements should be accounted for as sales of financial assets or secured borrowings with commitments. ASU No. 2011-03 changes the assessment of effective control by focusing on the transferor’s contractual rights and obligations and removing the criterion to assess its ability to exercise those rights or honor those obligations. This could result in changes to the way entities account for certain transactions including repurchase agreements, mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements. The ASU will become effective on a prospective basis for new transfers and modifications to existing transactions as of the beginning of the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.

As of October 31, 2011, management of the Fund is currently assessing the potential impact, in addition to expanded financial statement disclosure, that may result from adopting these ASUs.

12. SUBSEQUENT DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund declared the following distributions to common shareholders:

 

Declaration Date   Record Date   Payable Date   Net Investment
Income

October 21, 2011

  November 16, 2011   December 1, 2011   $0.1000

November 16, 2011

  December 14, 2011   January 3, 2012   $0.1000

December 16, 2011

  January 18, 2012   February 1, 2012   $0.1000

These distributions are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements.


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     39   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO ADVANTAGE MULTI-SECTOR INCOME FUND:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund (the Fund), as of October 31, 2011, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, the statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2011, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund as of October 31, 2011, the results of its operations for the year then ended, changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, its cash flows for the year then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

December 23, 2011

 


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40   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Other Information (Unaudited)

TAX INFORMATION

Pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code, $34,869,687 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our Web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds, or visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the Fund’s Web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds or by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available on the Fund’s Web site (www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds) on a monthly, 30-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available without charge by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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Other Information (Unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     41   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The following table provides basic information about the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”) and Officers of the Fund. Each of the Trustees and Officers listed below acts in identical capacities for the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 138 funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust, and four closed-end funds, including the Fund (collectively the “Fund Complex”). All of the Trustees are also Members of the Audit and Governance Committees of each Trust in the Fund Complex. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. The Board of Trustees is classified into three classes of which one is elected annually. Each Trustee serves a three-year term concurrent with the class from which the Trustee is elected. Each Officer serves an indefinite term.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

Year of Birth

 

Position Held and

Length of Service

  Principal Occupations During Past Five Years  

Other

Directorships During
Past Five Years

Peter G. Gordon
(Born 1942)
  Trustee, since 2010; Chairman, since 2010   Co-Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser. Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee, since 2010   Retired. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Deluxe Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
  Trustee, since 2010   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
Leroy Keith, Jr.
(Born 1939)
  Trustee, since 2004   Chairman, Bloc Global Services (development and construction), Trustee of the Evergreen Funds from 1983 to 2010. Former Managing Director, Almanac Capital Management (commodities firm), former Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc. (private equity fund), former Director, Obagi Medical Products Co. and former Director, Lincoln Educational Services.   Trustee, Virtus Fund Complex (consisting of 45 portfolios as of 12/31/10); Director, Diversapack Co. (packaging company); Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee, since 2010   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of Corporate Governance Research Program and Co-Director of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2010   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust


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42   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   Other Information (Unaudited)

Name and

Year of Birth

 

Position Held and

Length of Service

  Principal Occupations During Past Five Years  

Other

Directorships During
Past Five Years

Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
  Trustee, since 2010   President and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield
(Born 1943)
  Trustee, since 2004  

Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield and former Director and Chairman, Branded Media Corporation (multi-media branding company).

  Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke
(Born 1940)
  Trustee, since 2010   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010.   Asset Allocation Trust

Officers

 

Name and

Year of Birth

  Position Held and
Length of Service
  Principal Occupations During Past Five Years    
Karla M. Rabusch
(Born 1959)
  President, since 2010   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003. Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC from 2001 to 2003.    
C. David Messman
(Born 1960)
  Secretary, since 2010; Chief Legal Counsel, since 2010   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 1996.    
Kasey Phillips
(Born 1970)
  Treasurer, since 2005   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2006 to 2010. Treasurer of the Evergreen Funds from 2005 to 2010. Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 1999 to 2006.    
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009 . Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.    
Jeremy DePalma
(Born 1974)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2005   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Assistant Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2000 to 2004 and the head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
Debra Ann Early
(Born 1964)
  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2010   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    


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Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund     43   

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

All common shareholders are eligible to participate in the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“the Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan, unless a common shareholder is ineligible or elects otherwise, all cash dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for shareholders in administering the Plan (“Plan Agent”), in additional common shares of the Fund. Whenever the Fund declares an ordinary income dividend or a capital gain dividend (collectively referred to as “dividends”) payable either in shares or in cash, nonparticipants in the Plan will receive cash, and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares of common shares. The shares are acquired by the Plan Agent for the participant’s account, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized common shares from the Fund (“newly issued common shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open-market (open-market purchases) on the NYSE Amex or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any dividend or distribution, the net asset value per share of the common shares is equal to or less than the market price per common share plus estimated brokerage commissions (“market premium”), the Plan Agent will invest the amount of such dividend or distribution in newly issued shares on behalf of the participant. The number of newly issued common shares to be credited to the participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per share on the date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum discount from the then current market price per share on the date of issuance may not exceed 5%. If on the dividend payment date the net asset value per share is greater than the market value or market premium (“market discount”), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participant in open-market purchases. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable either in shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43010, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3010 or by calling 1-800-730-6001.


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44   Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund   List of Abbreviations

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities which may have appeared in this report.

 

ACB —  Agricultural Credit Bank
ADR —  American Depository Receipt
ADS —  American Depository Shares
AGC-ICC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation - Insured Custody Certificates
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
AMBAC —  American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT —  Alternative Minimum Tax
AUD —  Australian Dollar
BAN —  Bond Anticipation Notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazil Real
CAB —  Capital Appreciation Bond
CAD —  Canadian Dollar
CCAB —  Convertible Capital Appreciation Bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized Debt Obligation
CHF —  Swiss Franc
COP —  Certificate of Participation
CR —  Custody Receipts
DKK —  Danish Krone
DRIVER —  Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-Traded Fund
EUR —  Euro
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Bank
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Authority
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British Pound
GDR —  Global Depository Receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General Obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare Facilities Revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong Dollar
HUF —  Hungarian Forint
IBC —  Insured Bond Certificate
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Industrial Development Revenue
IEP —  Irish Pound
JPY —  Japanese Yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea Won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LLC —  Limited Liability Company
LLP —  Limited Liability Partnership
LOC —  Letter of Credit
LP —  Limited Partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multi-Family Housing Revenue
MTN —  Medium Term Note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican Peso
MYR —  Malaysian Ringgit
NATL-RE —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NOK —  Norwegian Krone
NZD —  New Zealand Dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Finance Authority
PCR —  Pollution Control Revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable Floating Option Tax-Exempt Receipts
plc —  Public Limited Company
PLN —  Polish Zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts
R&D —  Research & Development
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real Estate Investment Trust
ROC —  Reset Option Certificates
SAVRS —  Select Auction Variable Rate Securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SEK —  Swedish Krona
SFHR —  Single Family Housing Revenue
SFMR —  Single Family Mortgage Revenue
SGD —  Singapore Dollar
SKK —  Slovakian Koruna
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
TAN —  Tax Anticipation Notes
TBA —  To Be Announced
TIPS —  Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
TRAN —  Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes
TCR —  Transferable Custody Receipts
TRY —  Turkish Lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
XLCA —  XL Capital Assurance
ZAR —  South African Rand
 


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LOGO

 

LOGO

Transfer Agent, Registrar, Shareholder Servicing

Agent & Dividend Disbursing Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43010

Providence, RI 02940-3010

1-800-730-6001

Web site: www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, is a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and is an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company’s broker/dealer subsidiaries.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2011 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

LOGO     

206336 12-11

AMSI/AR143 10-11

 


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS

As of the end of the period, October 31, 2011, Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to its President and Treasurer. A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The Board of Trustees of Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund has determined that Judith Johnson is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mrs. Johnson is independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

(a)

Audit Fees – Provided below are the aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011, the Audit Fees were $44,500 and $54,500, respectively.

(b)

Audit-Related Fees – There were no audit-related fees incurred for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011 for assurance and related services by the principal accountant for the Registrant.

 

(c)

Tax Fees – Provided below are the aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the Registrant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011, the Tax Fees were $1,620 and $1,660, respectively. The incurred Tax Fees are comprised of excise tax review services.

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011, the Tax Fees were $1,890 and $1,940, respectively. The incurred Tax Fees are comprised of tax preparation and consulting services.

 

(d)

All Other Fees – There were no other fees incurred for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011.

(e)(1)

The Chairman of the Audit Committees is authorized to pre-approve: (1) audit services to Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund; (2) non-audit tax or compliance consulting or training services provided to the Fund by the independent auditors (“Auditors”) if the fees for any particular engagement are not anticipated to exceed $50,000; and (3) non-audit tax or compliance consulting or training services provided by the Auditors to the Fund’s investment adviser and its controlling entities (where pre-approval is required because the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund) if the fee to the Auditors for any particular engagement is not anticipated to exceed $50,000. For any such pre-approval sought from the Chairman, Management shall prepare a brief description of the proposed services. If the Chairman approves of such service, he or she shall sign the statement prepared by Management. Such written statement shall be presented to the full Committees at their next regularly scheduled meetings.


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(e)(2)

Not Applicable.

(f)

Not Applicable.

 

(g)

Non-Audit Fees – There were no non-audit fees billed for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2011, by the principal accountant for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.

 

(h)

The Registrant’s audit committee of the board of directors has determined that non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser, that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of the Regulation S-X, does not compromise the independence of the principal accountant.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

Not applicable.

 

ITEMS 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

The Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

REVISED AS OF AUGUST 25, 2010

1. Scope of Policies and Procedures. These Policies and Procedures (“Procedures”) are used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the series of Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Asset Allocation Trust, Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Income Opportunities Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund, and Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund (the “Trusts”) except for those series that exclusively hold non-voting securities (hereafter, all such series, and all such Trusts not having separate series, holding voting securities are referred to as the “Funds”).

2. Voting Philosophy. The Funds and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) have adopted these Procedures to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of Fund shareholders, without regard to any relationship that any affiliated person of the Fund (or an affiliated person of such affiliated person) may have with the issuer. Funds Management exercises its voting responsibility, as a fiduciary, with the goal of maximizing value to shareholders consistent with governing laws and the investment policies of each Fund. While securities are not purchased to exercise control or to seek to effect corporate change through share ownership, the Funds support sound corporate governance practices within companies in which they invest.

3. Responsibilities

(a) Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees of each Trust (the “Board”) has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies relating to the Funds’ portfolio securities to Funds Management. The Board retains the authority to make or ratify any voting decisions or approve any changes to these Procedures as the Board deems appropriate. Funds


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Management will provide reports to the Board regarding voting matters when and as reasonably requested by the Board. The Board shall review these Procedures as often as it deems appropriate to consider whether any revisions are warranted. On an annual basis, the Board shall receive and review a report from Funds Management on the proxy voting process.

(b) Funds Management Proxy Committee

(i) Responsibilities. The Funds Management Proxy Voting Committee (the “Proxy Committee”) shall be responsible for overseeing the proxy voting process to ensure its implementation in conformance with these Procedures. The Proxy Committee shall monitor Risk Metrics Group (“Risk Metrics”), the proxy voting agent for Funds Management, to determine that Risk Metrics is accurately applying the Procedures as set forth herein. The Proxy Committee shall review the continuing appropriateness of the Procedures set forth herein, recommend revisions to the Board as necessary and provide an annual update to the Board on the proxy voting process.

(ii) Voting Guidelines. Appendix A hereto sets forth guidelines regarding how proxies will be voted on the issues specified. Risk Metrics will vote proxies for or against as directed by the guidelines. Where the guidelines specify a “case by case” determination for a particular issue, Risk Metrics will forward the proxy to the Proxy Committee for a vote determination by the Proxy Committee. Finally, with respect to issues for which a vote for or against is specified by the Procedures, the Proxy Committee shall have the authority to direct Risk Metrics to forward the proxy to the Proxy Committee for a discretionary vote by the Proxy Committee if the Proxy Committee determines that a case-by-case review of such matter is warranted. The Proxy Committee may also consult Fund sub-advisers on certain proxy voting issues on a case-by-case basis as the Proxy Committee deems appropriate or to the extent that a sub-adviser of a Fund makes a recommendation regarding a proxy voting issue. As a general matter, however, proxies are voted consistently on the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple Funds.

(iii) Proxy Committee. In all cases, the Proxy Committee will exercise its voting discretion in accordance with the voting philosophy of the Funds. In cases where a proxy is forwarded by Risk Metrics to the Proxy Committee, the Proxy Committee may be assisted in its voting decision through receipt of: (i) independent research and voting recommendations provided by Risk Metrics or other independent sources; (ii) input from the investment sub-adviser responsible for purchasing the security; and (iii) information provided by company management and shareholder groups.

Voting decisions made by the Proxy Committee will be reported to Risk Metrics to ensure that the vote is registered in a timely manner and included in Form N-PX reporting.

(iv) Securities on Loan. As a general matter, securities on loan will not be recalled to facilitate proxy voting (in which case the borrower of the security shall be entitled to vote the proxy). However, if the Proxy Committee is aware of an item in time to recall the security and has determined in good faith that the importance of the matter to be voted upon outweighs the loss in lending revenue that would result from recalling the security (i.e., if there is a controversial upcoming merger or acquisition, or some other significant matter), the security will be recalled for voting.

(v) Practical Limitations to Proxy Voting. While Funds Management uses its best efforts to vote proxies, in certain circumstances it may be impractical or impossible for Funds Management to vote proxies (e.g., limited value or unjustifiable costs). For example, in accordance with local law or business practices, many foreign companies prevent the sales of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day following the meeting (“share blocking”). Due to these restrictions, Funds Management must balance the benefits to its clients of voting proxies against the potentially serious portfolio management consequences of a reduced flexibility to sell the underlying shares at the most advantageous time. As a result, Funds Management will generally not vote those proxies in the absence of an unusual, significant vote or compelling economic importance. Additionally, Funds Management may not be able to vote proxies for certain foreign securities if Funds Management does not receive the proxy statement in time to vote the proxies due to custodial processing delays.


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(vi) Conflicts of Interest. Funds Management may have a conflict of interest regarding a proxy to be voted upon if, for example, Funds Management or its affiliates have other relationships with the issuer of the proxy. In most instances, conflicts of interest are avoided through a strict and objective application of the voting guidelines attached hereto. However, when the Proxy Committee is aware of a material conflict of interest regarding a matter that would otherwise require a vote by the Proxy Committee, the Proxy Committee shall address the material conflict by using any of the following methods: (1) instructing Risk Metrics to vote in accordance with the recommendation Risk Metrics makes to its clients; (2) disclosing the conflict to the Board and obtaining their consent before voting; (3) submitting the matter to the Board to exercise its authority to vote on such matter; (4) engaging an independent fiduciary who will direct the Proxy Committee on voting instructions for the proxy; (5) consulting with outside legal counsel for guidance on resolution of the conflict of interest; (6) erecting information barriers around the person or persons making voting decisions; (7) voting in proportion to other shareholders (“mirror voting”); or (8) voting in other ways that are consistent with each Fund’s obligation to vote in the best interests of its shareholders. Additionally, the Proxy Committee will not permit its votes to be influenced by any conflict of interest that exists for any other affiliated person of the Fund (such as a sub-adviser or principal underwriter) or any affiliated persons of such affiliated persons and the Proxy Committee will vote all such matters without regard to the conflict.

(vii) Meetings. The Proxy Committee shall convene as needed and when discretionary voting determinations need to be considered, and shall have the authority to act by vote of a majority of the Proxy Committee members available at that time. The Proxy Committee shall also meet at least semi-annually to review the Procedures and the performance of Risk Metrics in exercising its proxy voting responsibilities.

(viii) Membership. The voting members of the Proxy Committee shall be Tom Biwer, Travis Keshemberg, Patrick McGuinnis and Erik Sens. Andrew Owen shall be a non-voting member and serve in an advisory capacity on the Proxy Committee. Changes to the membership of the Proxy Committee will be made only with Board approval. Upon departure from Funds Management, a member’s position on the Proxy Committee will automatically terminate.

4. Disclosure of Policies and Procedures. Each Fund shall disclose in its statement of additional information a description of the policies and procedures it uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held in its portfolio. In addition, each Fund shall disclose in its semi- and annual reports that a description of its proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, on the Fund’s web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

5. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Record. Each Trust shall file with the Commission an annual report on Form N-PX not later than August 31 of each year (beginning August 31, 2004), containing the Trust’s proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30.

Each Fund shall disclose in its statement of additional information and semi- and annual reports that information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the Funds’ web site at www.wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds or by accessing the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov.

Each Fund shall disclose the following information on Form N-PX for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting held during the period covered by the report and with respect to which the Fund was entitled to vote:

 

   

The name of the issuer of the portfolio security;

 

   

The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security;

 

   

The Council of Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the portfolio security (unless the CUSIP is not available through reasonably practicable means, in which case it will be omitted);

 

   

The shareholder meeting date;

 

   

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

   

Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

 

   

Whether the Fund cast its vote on the matter;

 

   

How the Fund cast its vote (e.g. for or against a proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and


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Whether the Fund cast its vote for or against management.

Form N-PX shall be made available to Fund shareholders through the SEC web site.

APPENDIX A

TO

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Funds Management will vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trusts in accordance with the following proxy voting guidelines. To the extent the specific guidelines below do not address a proxy voting proposal, Funds Management will vote pursuant to Risk Metrics’ current U.S. and International proxy voting guidelines. Proxies for securities held by the Wells Fargo Advantage Social Awareness Fund related to social and environmental proposals will be voted pursuant to Risk Metrics’ current SRI Proxy Voting Guidelines. In addition, proxies related to issues not addressed by the specific guidelines below or by Risk Metrics’ current U.S. and International proxy voting guidelines will be forwarded to the Proxy Committee for a vote determination by the Proxy Committee.

 

Uncontested Election of Directors or Trustees   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for all uncontested director or trustee nominees. The Nominating Committee is in the best position to select nominees who are available and capable of working well together to oversee management of the company. THE FUNDS will not require a performance test for directors.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote for reasonably crafted shareholder proposals calling for directors to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast and/or the elimination of the plurality standard for electing directors, unless the company has adopted formal corporate governance principles that present a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes for a director if the nominee fails to attend at least 75% of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will vote against routine election of directors if any of the following apply: company fails to disclose adequate information in a timely manner, serious issues with the finances, questionable transactions, conflicts of interest, record of abuses against minority shareholder interests, bundling of director elections, and/or egregious governance practices.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from the entire board (except for new nominees) where the director(s) receive more than 50% withhold votes out of those cast and the issue that was the underlying cause of the high level of withhold votes has not been addressed.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from members of the Audit Committee and/or the full board if poor accounting practices, which rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures, are identified.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from members of the Audit Committee if the company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from members of the Audit Committee if there is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.    WITHHOLD
Ratification of Auditors   
THE FUNDS will vote against auditors and withhold votes from audit committee members if non-audit fees are greater than audit fees, audit-related fees, and permitted tax fees, combined. THE FUNDS will follow the disclosure categories being proposed by the SEC in applying the above formula.    AGAINST/
WITHHOLD


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With the above exception, THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to ratify auditors unless:    FOR

•      an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent, or

   AGAINST

•      there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

   AGAINST
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that require auditors to attend annual meetings as auditors are regularly reviewed by the board audit committee, and such attendance is unnecessary.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will consider shareholder proposals requiring companies to prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services on a case-by-case basis (or cap level of non-audit services).    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will vote for shareholder proposals requesting a shareholder vote for audit firm ratification.    FOR
THE FUNDS will vote against shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation. This practice is viewed as too disruptive and too costly to implement for the benefit achieved.    AGAINST
Company Name Change/Purpose   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to change the company name as management and the board is best suited to determine if such change in company name is necessary.    FOR
However, where the name change is requested in connection with a reorganization of the company, the vote will be based on the merits of the reorganization.    CASE-BY-CASE
In addition, THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to amend the purpose of the company. Management is in the best position to know whether the description of what the company does is accurate, or whether it needs to be updated by deleting, adding or revising language.    FOR
Employee Stock Purchase Plans/401(k) Employee Benefit Plans   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to adopt, amend or increase authorized shares for employee stock purchase plans and 401(k) plans for employees as properly structured plans enable employees to purchase common stock at a slight discount and thus own a beneficial interest in the company, provided that the total cost of the company’s plan is not above the allowable cap for the company.    FOR
Similarly, THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to adopt or amend thrift and savings plans, retirement plans, pension plans and profit plans.    FOR
Approve Other Business   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to approve other business. This transfer of authority allows the corporation to take certain ministerial steps that may arise at the annual or special meeting.    FOR
However, THE FUNDS retains the discretion to vote against such proposals if adequate information is not provided in the proxy statement, or the measures are significant and no further approval from shareholders is sought.    AGAINST
Independent Board of Directors/Board Committees   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals requiring that two-thirds of the board be independent directors. An independent board faces fewer conflicts and is best prepared to protect stockholders’ interests.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from insiders and affiliated outsiders on boards that are not at least majority independent.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from compensation committee members where there is a pay-for-performance disconnect (for Russell 3000 companies).    WITHHOLD


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THE FUNDS will vote for proposals requesting that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees be composed of independent directors, only. Committees should be composed entirely of independent directors in order to avoid conflicts of interest.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from any insiders or affiliated outsiders on audit, compensation or nominating committees. THE FUNDS will withhold votes from any insiders or affiliated outsiders on the board if any of these key committees has not been established.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals from shareholders requesting an independent compensation consultant.    AGAINST
Minimum Stock Requirements by Directors   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals requiring directors to own a minimum number of shares of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board. Minimum stock ownership requirements can impose an across-the-board requirement that could prevent qualified individuals from serving as directors.    AGAINST
Indemnification and Liability Provisions for Directors and Officers   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to allow indemnification of directors and officers, when the actions taken were on behalf of the company and no criminal violations occurred. THE FUNDS will also vote in favor of proposals to purchase liability insurance covering liability in connection with those actions. Not allowing companies to indemnify directors and officers to the degree possible under the law would limit the ability of the company to attract qualified individuals.    FOR
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote against indemnity proposals that are overly broad. For example, THE FUNDS will oppose proposals to indemnify directors for acts going beyond mere carelessness, such as gross negligence, acts taken in bad faith, acts not otherwise allowed by state law or more serious violations of fiduciary obligations.    AGAINST
Nominee Statement in the Proxy   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that require board nominees to have a statement of candidacy in the proxy, since the proxy statement already provides adequate information pertaining to the election of directors.    AGAINST
Limitation on Number of Boards a Director May Sit On   
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from directors who sit on more than six boards.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from CEO directors who sit on more than two outside boards besides their own.    WITHHOLD
Director Tenure/Retirement Age   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals to limit the tenure of directors as such limitations based on an arbitrary number could prevent qualified individuals from serving as directors. However, THE FUNDS is in favor of inserting cautionary language when the average director tenure on the board exceeds 15 years for the entire board.    AGAINST
The Funds will vote for proposals to establish a mandatory retirement age for directors provided that such retirement age is not less than 65.    FOR
Board Powers/Procedures/Qualifications   
THE FUNDS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to amend the corporation’s By-laws so that the Board of Directors shall have the power, without the assent or vote of the shareholders, to make, alter, amend, or rescind the By-laws, fix the amount to be reserved as working capital, and fix the number of directors and what number shall constitute a quorum of the Board. In determining these issues, THE FUNDS will rely on the proxy voting Guidelines.    CASE-BY-CASE


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Loans to Officers   
THE FUNDS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to authorize the corporation to make loans or to guarantee the obligations of officers of the corporation or any of its affiliates.    CASE-BY-CASE
Adjourn Meeting to Solicit Additional Votes   
THE FUNDS will examine proposals to adjourn the meeting to solicit additional votes on a case-by-case basis. As additional solicitation may be costly and could result in coercive pressure on shareholders, THE FUNDS will consider the nature of the proposal and its vote recommendations for the scheduled meeting.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will vote for this item when:   
THE FUNDS is supportive of the underlying merger proposal; the company provides a sufficient, compelling reason to support the adjournment proposal; and the authority is limited to adjournment proposals requesting the authority to adjourn solely to solicit proxies to approve a transaction THE FUNDS supports.    FOR
Contested Election of Directors or Trustees   
Reimbursement of Solicitation Expenses   
THE FUNDS will consider contested elections on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors: long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry; management’s track record; background of the proxy contest; qualifications of director or trustee nominees (both slates); evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders as well as the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and stock ownership positions.    CASE-BY-CASE
In addition, decisions to provide reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest are made on a case-by-case basis as proxy contests are governed by a mix of federal regulation, state law, and corporate charter and bylaw provisions.    CASE-BY-CASE
Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections   
THE FUNDS will consider the issue of classified boards on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, the division of the board into classes, elected for staggered terms, can entrench the incumbent management and make them less responsive to shareholder concerns. On the other hand, in some cases, staggered elections may provide for the continuity of experienced directors on the Board.    CASE-BY-CASE
Removal of Directors   
THE FUNDS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to eliminate shareholders’ rights to remove directors with or without cause or only with approval of two-thirds or more of the shares entitled to vote.    CASE-BY-CASE
However, a requirement that a 75% or greater vote be obtained for removal of directors is abusive and will warrant a vote against the proposal.    AGAINST
Board Vacancies   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that allow the board to fill vacancies without shareholder approval as these authorizations run contrary to basic shareholders’ rights.    AGAINST
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.    FOR
Cumulative Voting   
THE FUNDS will vote on proposals to permit or eliminate cumulative voting on a case-by-case basis based upon the existence of a counter balancing governance structure and company performance, in accordance with its proxy voting guideline philosophy. However, if the board is elected annually we will not support cumulative voting.    CASE-BY-CASE


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Shareholders’ Right To Call A Special Meeting   
Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent   
Proposals providing that stockholder action may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholder and not by written consent, or increasing the shareholder vote necessary to call a special meeting, will be voted on a case by case basis in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines.    CASE-BY-CASE
Board Size   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board, as the ability for management to increase or decrease the size of the board in the face of a proxy contest may be used as a takeover defense.    FOR
However, if the company has cumulative voting, downsizing the board may decrease a minority shareholder’s chances of electing a director.   
By increasing the size of the board, management can make it more difficult for dissidents to gain control of the board. Fixing the size of the board also prevents a reduction in the board size as a means to oust independent directors or those who cause friction within an otherwise homogenous board.   
Shareholder Rights Plan (Poison Pills)   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals that request a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from all directors (except for new nominees) if the company has adopted or renewed a poison pill without shareholder approval since the company’s last annual meeting, does not put the pill to a vote at the current annual meeting, and does not have a requirement or does not commit to put the pill to shareholder vote within 12 months. In addition, THE FUNDS will withhold votes on all directors at any company that responds to the majority of the shareholders voting by putting the poison pill to a shareholder vote with a recommendation other than to eliminate the pill.    WITHHOLD
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will analyze proposals to redeem a company’s poison pill, or requesting the ratification of a poison pill on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Poison pills are one of the most potent anti-takeover measures and are generally adopted by boards without shareholder approval. These plans harm shareholder value and entrench management by deterring stock acquisition offers that are not favored by the board.   
Fair Price Provisions   
THE FUNDS will consider fair price provisions on a case-by-case basis, evaluating factors such as the vote required to approve the proposed mechanism, the vote required to approve the proposed acquisition, the vote required to repeal the fair price provision, and the mechanism for determining the fair price.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will vote against fair price provisions with shareholder vote requirements of 75% or more of disinterested shares.    AGAINST
Greenmail   
THE FUNDS will generally vote in favor of proposals limiting the corporation’s authority to purchase shares of common stock (or other outstanding securities) from a holder of a stated interest (5% or more) at a premium unless the same offer is made to all shareholders. These are known as “anti-greenmail” provisions. Greenmail discriminates against rank-and-file shareholders and may have an adverse effect on corporate image.    FOR
If the proposal is bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments, THE FUNDS will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis. In addition, THE FUNDS will analyze restructurings that involve the payment of pale greenmail on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Voting Rights   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals that seek to maintain or convert to a one-share, one-vote capital structure as such a principle ensures that management is accountable to all the company’s owners.    FOR


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Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote against any proposals to cap the number of votes a shareholder is entitled to. Any measure that places a ceiling on voting may entrench management and lessen its interest in maximizing shareholder value.    AGAINST
Dual Class/Multiple-Voting Stock   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that authorize, amend or increase dual class or multiple-voting stock which may be used in exchanges or recapitalizations. Dual class or multiple-voting stock carry unequal voting rights, which differ from those of the broadly traded class of common stock.    AGAINST
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote for the elimination of dual class or multiple-voting stock, which carry different rights than the common stock.    FOR
Supermajority Vote Provisions   
THE FUNDS will generally consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to increase the shareholder vote necessary to approve mergers, acquisitions, sales of assets etc. and to amend the corporation’s charter or by-laws. The factors considered are those specified in the proxy guidelines.    CASE-BY-CASE
However, a supermajority requirement of 75% or more is abusive and THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that provide for them.    AGAINST
Supermajority vote provisions require voting approval in excess of a simple majority of the outstanding shares for a proposal. Companies may include supermajority lock-in provisions, which occur when changes are made to a corporation’s governing documents, and once approved, a supermajority vote is required to amend or repeal the changes.   
Confidential Voting   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to adopt confidential voting.    FOR
Vote Tabulations   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals asking corporations to refrain from counting abstentions and broker non-votes in their vote tabulations and to eliminate the company’s discretion to vote unmarked proxy ballots. Vote counting procedures are determined by a number of different standards, including state law, the federal proxy rules, internal corporate policies, and mandates of the various stock exchanges.    AGAINST
Equal Access to the Proxy   
THE FUNDS will evaluate Shareholder proposals requiring companies to give shareholders access to the proxy ballot for the purpose of nominating board members, on a case-by-case basis taking into account the ownership threshold proposed in the resolution and the proponent’s rationale for the proposal at the targeted company in terms of board and director conduct.    CASE-BY-CASE
Disclosure of Information   
THE FUNDS will vote against shareholder proposals requesting fuller disclosure of company policies, plans, or business practices. Such proposals rarely enhance shareholder return and in many cases would require disclosure of confidential business information.    AGAINST
Annual Meetings   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to amend procedures or change date or location of the annual meeting. Decisions as to procedures, dates or locations of meetings are best placed with management.    FOR
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote against proposals from shareholders calling for a change in the location or date of annual meetings as no date or location proposed will be acceptable to all shareholders.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will generally vote in favor of proposals to reduce the quorum necessary for shareholders’ meetings, subject to a minimum of a simple majority of the company’s outstanding voting shares.    FOR


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Shareholder Advisory Committees/Independent Inspectors   
THE FUNDS will vote against proposals seeking to establish shareholder advisory committees or independent inspectors. The existence of such bodies dilutes the responsibility of the board for managing the affairs of the corporation.    AGAINST
Technical Amendments to the Charter of Bylaws   
THE FUNDS will generally vote in favor of charter and bylaw amendments proposed solely to conform to modern business practices, for simplification, or to comply with what management’s counsel interprets as applicable law.    FOR
However, amendments that have a material effect on shareholder’s rights will be considered on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Bundled Proposals   
THE FUNDS will vote for bundled or “conditional” proxy proposals on a case-by-case basis, as THE FUNDS will examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items, and determine if the effect of the conditioned items are in the best interests of shareholders.    CASE-BY-CASE
Common Stock Authorizations/Reverse Stock Splits/Forward Stock Splits   
THE FUNDS will follow the Risk Metrics capital structure model in evaluating requested increases in authorized common stock. In addition, even if capital requests of less than or equal to 300% of outstanding shares fail the calculated allowable cap, THE FUNDS will evaluate the request on a case-by-case basis, potentially voting for the proposal based on the company’s performance and whether the company’s ongoing use of shares has shown prudence. Further, the company should identify what the stock increases are to be used for, i.e. a proposed stock split, issuance of shares for acquisitions, or for general business purposes.    CASE-BY-CASE
Also to be considered is whether the purpose of the proposed increase is to strengthen takeover defenses, in which case THE FUNDS will vote against the proposal. Such increases give management too much power and are beyond what a company would normally need during the course of a year. They may also allow management to freely place the shares with an allied institution or set the terms and prices of the new shares.    AGAINST
For reverse stock splits, THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to implement the split provided the number of authorized common shares is reduced to a level that does not represent an unreasonably large increase in authorized but unissued shares. The failure to reduce authorized shares proportionally to any reverse split has potential adverse anti-takeover consequences. However, such circumstances may be warranted if delisting of the company’s stock is imminent and would result in greater harm to shareholders than the excessive share authorization.    FOR
THE FUNDS will evaluate “Going Dark” transactions, which allow listed companies to de-list and terminate the registration of their common stock on a case-by-case basis, determining whether the transaction enhances shareholder value.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will generally vote in favor of forward stock splits.    FOR
Dividends   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to allocate income and set dividends.    FOR
THE FUNDS will also vote for proposals that authorize a dividend reinvestment program as it allows investors to receive additional stock in lieu of a cash dividend.    FOR
However, if a proposal for a special bonus dividend is made that specifically rewards a certain class of shareholders over another, THE FUNDS will vote against the proposal.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will also vote against proposals from shareholders requesting management to redistribute profits or restructure investments. Management is best placed to determine how to allocate corporate earnings or set dividends.    AGAINST
In addition, THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to set director fees.    FOR


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Reduce the Par Value of the Common Stock   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.    FOR
Preferred Stock Authorization   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to create preferred stock in cases where the company expressly states that the stock will not be used as a takeover defense or carry superior voting rights, or where the stock may be used to consummate beneficial acquisitions, combinations or financings.    FOR
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will vote against proposals to authorize or issue preferred stock if the board has asked for the unlimited right to set the terms and conditions for the stock and may issue it for anti-takeover purposes without shareholder approval (blank check preferred stock).    AGAINST
In addition, THE FUNDS will vote against proposals to issue preferred stock if the shares to be used have voting rights greater than those available to other shareholders.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to require shareholder approval of blank check preferred stock issues for other than general corporate purposes (white squire placements).    FOR
Finally, THE FUNDS will consider on a case-by-case basis proposals to modify the rights of preferred shareholders and to increase or decrease the dividend rate of preferred stock.    CASE-BY-CASE
Reclassification of Shares   
THE FUNDS will consider proposals to reclassify a specified class or series of shares on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Preemptive Rights   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to eliminate preemptive rights. Preemptive rights are unnecessary to protect shareholder interests due to the size of most modern companies, the number of investors and the liquidity of trading.    FOR
Share Repurchase Plans   
THE FUNDS will vote for share repurchase plans, unless:    FOR

•    there is clear evidence of past abuse of the authority; or

   AGAINST

•    the plan contains no safeguards against selective buy-backs.

   AGAINST
Corporate stock repurchases are a legitimate use of corporate funds and can add to long-term shareholder returns.   
Executive and Director Compensation Plans   
THE FUNDS will analyze on a case-by-case basis proposals on executive or director compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of stockholder wealth by having high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value. Such proposals may seek shareholder approval to adopt a new plan, or to increase shares reserved for an existing plan.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will review the potential cost and dilutive effect of the plan. After determining how much the plan will cost, Risk Metrics evaluates whether the cost is reasonable by comparing the cost to an allowable cap. The allowable cap is industry-specific, market cap-base, and pegged to the average amount paid by companies performing in the top quartile of their peer groups. If the proposed cost is below the allowable cap, THE FUNDS will vote for the plan. Risk Metrics will also apply a pay for performance overlay in assessing equity-based compensation plans for Russell 3000 companies.    FOR
If the proposed cost is above the allowable cap, THE FUNDS will vote against the plan.    AGAINST
Among the plan features that may result in a vote against the plan are:    AGAINST

•      plan administrators are given the authority to reprice or replace underwater options; repricing guidelines will conform to changes in the NYSE and NASDAQ listing rules.

  


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THE FUNDS will vote against equity plans that have high average three-year burn rate. (The burn rate is calculated as the total number of stock awards and stock options granted any given year divided by the number of common shares outstanding.) THE FUNDS will define a high average three-year burn rate as the following: The company’s most recent three-year burn rate exceeds one standard deviation of its four-digit GICS peer group segmented by Russell 3000 index and non-Russell 3000 index; and the company’s most recent three-year burn rate exceeds 2% of common shares outstanding. For companies that grant both full value awards and stock options to their employees, THE FUNDS shall apply a premium on full value awards for the past three fiscal years.    AGAINST
Even if the equity plan fails the above burn rate, THE FUNDS will vote for the plan if the company commits in a public filing to a three-year average burn rate equal to its GICS group burn rate mean plus one standard deviation. If the company fails to fulfill its burn rate commitment, THE FUNDS will consider withholding from the members of the compensation committee.    FOR
THE FUNDS will calculate a higher award value for awards that have Dividend Equivalent Rights (DER’s) associated with them.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring performance-based stock options unless the proposal is overly restrictive or the company demonstrates that it is using a substantial portion of performance-based awards for its top executives.    FOR
THE FUNDS will vote for shareholder proposals asking the company to expense stock options, as a result of the FASB final rule on expensing stock options.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote for shareholder proposals to exclude pension fund income in the calculation of earnings used in determining executive bonuses/compensation.    FOR
THE FUNDS will withhold votes from compensation committee members if they fail to submit one-time transferable stock options (TSO’s) to shareholders for approval.    WITHHOLD
THE FUNDS will generally vote for TSO awards within a new equity plan if the total cost of the equity plan is less than the company’s allowable cap.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote against shareholder proposals to ban future stock option grants to executives. This may be supportable in extreme cases where a company is a serial repricer, has a huge overhang, or has highly dilutive, broad-based (non-approved) plans and is not acting to correct the situation.    AGAINST
THE FUNDS will evaluate shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt holding periods for their executives on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the company’s current holding period or officer share ownership requirements, as well as actual officer stock ownership in the company.    CASE-BY-CASE
For certain OBRA-related proposals, THE FUNDS will vote for plan provisions that (a) place a cap on annual grants or amend administrative features, and (b) add performance criteria to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.    FOR
In addition, director compensation plans may also include stock plans that provide directors with the option of taking all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of stock. THE FUNDS will consider these plans based on their voting power dilution.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will generally vote for retirement plans for directors.    FOR
THE FUNDS will evaluate compensation proposals (Tax Havens) requesting share option schemes or amending an existing share option scheme on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Stock options align management interests with those of shareholders by motivating executives to maintain stock price appreciation. Stock options, however, may harm shareholders by diluting each owner’s interest. In addition, exercising options can shift the balance of voting power by increasing executive ownership.   


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Bonus Plans   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to adopt annual or long-term cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans on a case-by-case basis. These plans enable companies qualify for a tax deduction under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the IRC. Payouts under these plans may either be in cash or stock and are usually tied to the attainment of certain financial or other performance goals. THE FUNDS will consider whether the plan is comparable to plans adopted by companies of similar size in the company’s industry and whether it is justified by the company’s performance.    CASE-BY-CASE
Deferred Compensation Plans   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for proposals to adopt or amend deferred compensation plans as they allow the compensation committee to tailor the plan to the needs of the executives or board of directors, unless    FOR

•      the proposal is embedded in an executive or director compensation plan that is contrary to guidelines

   AGAINST
Disclosure on Executive or Director Compensation   
Cap or Restrict Executive or Director Compensation   
THE FUNDS will generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring companies to report on their executive retirement benefits (deferred compensation, split-dollar life insurance, SERPs, and pension benefits.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting to put extraordinary benefits contained in SERP agreements to a shareholder vote, unless the company’s executive pension plans do not contain excessive benefits beyond what is offered under employee-wide plans.    FOR
THE FUNDS will generally vote against proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay.    AGAINST
Golden and Tin Parachutes   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals that seek shareholder ratification of golden or tin parachutes as shareholders should have the opportunity to approve or disapprove of these severance agreements.    FOR
Alternatively, THE FUNDS will examine on a case-by-case basis proposals that seek to ratify or cancel golden or tin parachutes. Effective parachutes may encourage management to consider takeover bids more fully and may also enhance employee morale and productivity. Among the arrangements that will be considered on their merits are:    CASE-BY-CASE

•      arrangements guaranteeing key employees continuation of base salary for more than three years or lump sum payment of more than three times base salary plus retirement benefits;

 

•      guarantees of benefits if a key employee voluntarily terminates;

 

•      guarantees of benefits to employees lower than very senior management; and

 

•      indemnification of liability for excise taxes.

  
By contrast, THE FUNDS will vote against proposals that would guarantee benefits in a management-led buyout.    AGAINST
Reincorporation   
THE FUNDS will evaluate a change in a company’s state of incorporation on a case-by-case basis. THE FUNDS will analyze the valid reasons for the proposed move, including restructuring efforts, merger agreements, and tax or incorporation fee savings. THE FUNDS will also analyze proposed changes to the company charter and differences between the states’ corporate governance laws.    CASE-BY-CASE


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States have adopted various statutes intended to encourage companies to incorporate in the state. These may include state takeover statutes, control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freezeout provisions, fair price provisions, and disgorgement provisions. THE FUNDS will examine reincorporations on a case-by-case in light of these statutes and in light of the corporate governance features the company has adopted to determine whether the reincorporation is in shareholders’ best interests.    CASE-BY-CASE
In addition, THE FUNDS will also examine poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, and anti-greenmail provisions in the context of a state’s corporate governance laws on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
THE FUNDS will evaluate shareholder proposals requiring offshore companies to reincorporate into the United States on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE
Reincorporation proposals may have considerable implications for shareholders, affecting the company’s takeover defenses and possibly its corporate structure and rules of governance.   
Stakeholder Laws   
THE FUNDS will vote against resolutions that would allow the Board to consider stakeholder interests (local communities, employees, suppliers, creditors, etc.) when faced with a takeover offer.    AGAINST
Similarly, THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to opt out of stakeholder laws, which permit directors, when taking action, to weight the interests of constituencies other than shareholders in the process of corporate decision-making. Such laws allow directors to consider nearly any factor they deem relevant in discharging their duties.    FOR
Mergers/Acquisitions and Corporate Restructurings   
THE FUNDS will consider proposals on mergers and acquisitions on a case-by-case basis. THE FUNDS will determine if the transaction is in the best economic interests of the shareholders. THE FUNDS will take into account the following factors:    CASE-BY-CASE

•    anticipated financial and operating benefits;

 

•    offer price (cost versus premium);

 

•    prospects for the combined companies;

 

•    how the deal was negotiated;

 

•    changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.

  
In addition, THE FUNDS will also consider whether current shareholders would control a minority of the combined company’s outstanding voting power, and whether a reputable financial advisor was retained in order to ensure the protection of shareholders’ interests.    CASE-BY-CASE
On all other business transactions, i.e. corporate restructuring, spin-offs, asset sales, liquidations, and restructurings, THE FUNDS will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis and utilize the majority of the above factors in determining what is in the best interests of shareholders. Specifically, for liquidations, the cost versus premium factor may not be applicable, but THE FUNDS may also review the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation,    CASE-BY-CASE
Appraisal Rights   
THE FUNDS will vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with rights of appraisal.    FOR
Rights of appraisal provide shareholders who are not satisfied with the terms of certain corporate transactions (such as mergers) the right to demand a judicial review in order to determine the fair value of their shares.   
Mutual Fund Proxies   
THE FUNDS will vote mutual fund proxies on a case-by-case basis.    CASE-BY-CASE


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Proposals may include, and are not limited to, the following issues:

 

   

eliminating the need for annual meetings of mutual fund shareholders;

 

   

entering into or extending investment advisory agreements and management contracts;

 

   

permitting securities lending and participation in repurchase agreements;

 

   

changing fees and expenses; and

 

   

changing investment policies.

An investment advisory agreement is an agreement between a mutual fund and its financial advisor under which the financial advisor provides investment advice to the fund in return for a fee based on the fund’s net asset size. Most agreements require that the particular fund pay the advisor a fee constituting a small percentage of the fund’s average net daily assets. In exchange for this consideration, the investment advisor manages the fund’s account, furnishes investment advice, and provides office space and facilities to the fund. A new investment advisory agreement may be necessitated by the merger of the advisor or the advisor’s corporate parent.

Fundamental investment restrictions are limitations within a fund’s articles of incorporation that limit the investment practices of the particular fund. As fundamental, such restrictions may only be amended or eliminated with shareholder approval. Non-fundamental investment restrictions may be altered by action of the board of trustees.

Distribution agreements are agreements authorized by guidelines established under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and, in particular, Rule 12b-1 thereunder, between a fund and its distributor, which provide that the distributor is paid a monthly fee to promote the sale of the fund’s shares.

Reorganizations of funds may include the issuance of shares for an acquisition of a fund, or the merger of one fund into another for purposes of consolidation.

The mutual fund industry is one of the most highly regulated industries, as it is subject to: individual state law under which the company is formed; the federal Securities Act of 1933; the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and the federal Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Niklas Nordenfelt, CFA

Mr. Nordenfelt is jointly responsible for managing the Fund, which he has managed since 2010. Mr. Nordenfelt joined Wells Capital Management in 2003, where he is a senior portfolio manager and co-manager of the Sutter High Yield Fixed Income team. Education: B.S., Economics, University of California, Berkeley.

Philip Susser,

Mr. Susser is jointly responsible for managing the Fund, which he has managed since 2010. Mr. Susser joined Wells Capital Management in 2001, where he is a senior portfolio manager and co-manager of the Sutter High Yield Fixed Income team. Education: B.A., Economics, University of Pennsylvania; J.D., University of Michigan.

Michael J. Bray, CFA,

Mr. Bray is jointly responsible for managing the Fund, which he has managed since 2011. Mr. Bray joined Wells Capital Management in 2005 as a portfolio manager on the Customized Fixed Income Team specializing in government, agency and interest rate derivative instruments. Prior to joining Wells Capital Management, Mr. Bray was a principal responsible for multi-currency yield curve arbitrage business at Windward Capital, LLC from 2004 to 2005. From 1996 to 2004, he was the managing director at State Street Research and Management, focusing on mutual fund and institutional account management. Education: B.S., Math and Actuarial Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs; M.B.A., Pennsylvania State University.

Christopher Kauffman, CFA,

Mr. Kauffman is jointly responsible for managing Fund, which he has managed since 2008. Mr. Kauffman has been with Wells Capital Management or an affiliate firm since 2003, where he is a senior portfolio manager with Wells Fargo affiliate Tattersall Advisory Group (TAG). Education: B.A., Finance and Economics, Master’s, Business Administration with an emphasis in finance, Washington University in St. Louis, MO.


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Tony Norris,

Mr. Norris is jointly responsible for managing Fund, which he has managed since 2003. Mr. Norris is Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, and Senior Portfolio Manager with First International Advisors. He has been with Wells Capital or one of its affiliate firms since 1990.

Peter Wilson,

Mr. Wilson is jointly responsible for managing the Fund, which he has managed since 2003. Mr. Wilson is Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Senior Portfolio Manager with First International Advisors in London. Mr. Wilson has been with Wells Capital or one of its affiliate firms since 1989. He was educated in Canada, Hong Kong and England.

OTHER FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS MANAGED

The following table provides information about the registered investment companies and other pooled investment vehicles and accounts managed by the portfolio manager of the Fund as of the Fund’s most recent period ended October 31, 2011.

Niklas Nordenfelt

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     5         4         20   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 2,407.7       $ 427.2       $ 2,228.8   

performance based fee accounts:

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     0         1         0   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 0.0       $ 283.3       $ 0.0   

Philip Susser

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     5         4         20   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 2,407.7       $ 427.2       $ 2,228.8   

performance based fee accounts:

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     0         1         0   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 0.0       $ 283.3       $ 0.0   


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Michael J. Bray

 

I manage the following types of accounts:

   Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     3         2         10   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 4,111       $ 1,377       $ 2,524   

performance based fee accounts:

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     0         0         0   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 0   

Christopher Kauffman

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     4         0         2   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 5,347       $ 0       $ 289   

performance based fee accounts:

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     0         0         0   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 0   

Tony Norris

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     9         1         24   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 2,579       $ 181       $ 3,474   

performance based fee accounts:

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     0         0         0   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 0   


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Peter Wilson

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     9         1         22   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 2,579       $ 239       $ 3,416   

performance based fee accounts:

 

I manage the following types of accounts:    Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 

Number of above accounts

     0         0         0   

Total assets of above accounts (millions)

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 0   

MATERIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Portfolio Managers face inherent conflicts of interest in their day-to-day management of the Funds and other accounts because the Funds may have different investment objectives, strategies and risk profiles than the other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers. For instance, to the extent that the Portfolio Managers manage accounts with different investment strategies than the Funds, they may from time to time be inclined to purchase securities, including initial public offerings, for one account but not for a Fund. Additionally, some of the accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers may have different fee structures, including performance fees, which are or have the potential to be higher or lower, in some cases significantly higher or lower, than the fees paid by the Funds. The differences in fee structures may provide an incentive to the Portfolio Managers to allocate more favorable trades to the higher-paying accounts.

To minimize the effects of these inherent conflicts of interest, the Sub-Advisers have adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, that they believe address the potential conflicts associated with managing portfolios for multiple clients and ensure that all clients are treated fairly and equitably. Additionally, some of the Sub-Advisers minimize inherent conflicts of interest by assigning the Portfolio Managers to accounts having similar objectives. Accordingly, security block purchases are allocated to all accounts with similar objectives in proportionate weightings. Furthermore, the Sub-Advisers have adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) to address potential conflicts associated with managing the Funds and any personal accounts the Portfolio Managers may maintain.

First International Advisors

First International Advisors’ Portfolio Managers often provide investment management for separate accounts advised in the same or similar investment style as that provided to mutual funds. While management of multiple accounts could potentially lead to conflicts of interest over various issues such as trade allocation, fee disparities and research acquisition, First International Advisors has implemented policies and procedures for the express purpose of ensuring that clients are treated fairly and that potential conflicts of interest are minimized.

Wells Capital Management

Wells Capital Management’s Portfolio Managers often provide investment management for separate accounts advised in the same or similar investment style as that provided to mutual funds. While management of multiple accounts could potentially lead to conflicts of interest over various issues such as trade allocation, fee disparities and research acquisition, Wells Capital Management has implemented policies and procedures for the express purpose of ensuring that clients are treated fairly and that potential conflicts of interest are minimized.


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COMPENSATION

The Portfolio Managers were compensated by their employing sub-adviser from the fees the Adviser paid the Sub-Adviser using the following compensation structure:

First International Advisors Compensation. The compensation structure for First International Advisors’s Portfolio Managers includes a competitive fixed base salary plus variable incentives (First International Advisors utilizes investment management compensation surveys as confirmation). Incentive bonuses are typically tied to pretax relative investment performance of all accounts under his or her management within acceptable risk parameters. Relative investment performance is generally evaluated for 1, 3, and 5 year performance results, with a predominant weighting on the 3-and 5- year time periods, versus the relevant benchmarks and/or peer groups consistent with the investment style. This evaluation takes into account relative performance of the accounts to each account’s individual benchmark and/or the relative composite performance of all accounts to one or more relevant benchmarks consistent with the overall investment style. In the case of each Fund, the benchmark(s) against which the performance of the Fund’s portfolio may be compared for these purposes generally are indicated in the Performance” sections of the Prospectuses.

Wells Capital Management Compensation. The compensation structure for Wells Capital Management’s Portfolio Managers includes a competitive fixed base salary plus variable incentives (Wells Capital Management utilizes investment management compensation surveys as confirmation). Incentive bonuses are typically tied to pretax relative investment performance of all accounts under his or her management within acceptable risk parameters. Relative investment performance is generally evaluated for 1, 3, and 5 year performance results, with a predominant weighting on the 3- and 5- year time periods, versus the relevant benchmarks and/or peer groups consistent with the investment style. This evaluation takes into account relative performance of the accounts to each account’s individual benchmark and/or the relative composite performance of all accounts to one or more relevant benchmarks consistent with the overall investment style. In the case of each Fund, the benchmark(s) against which the performance of the Fund’s portfolio may be compared for these purposes generally are indicated in the Performance” sections of the Prospectuses.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE FUND

The following table shows for each Portfolio Manager the dollar value of the Fund beneficially owned by the Portfolio Manager as of October 31, 2011:

Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund

 

Niklas Nordenfelt

     none   

Phil Susser

     none   

Michael J. Bray

     none   

Christopher Kauffman

     none   

Tony Norris

     none   

Peter Wilson

     none   

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Trustees of the registrant (the “Trust”) has adopted procedures by which a shareholder of any series of the Trust may submit properly a nominee recommendation for the Committee’s consideration.

The shareholder must submit any such recommendation (a “Shareholder Recommendation”) in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trust’s Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust.

The Shareholder Recommendation must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than forty-five (45) calendar days nor more than seventy-five (75) calendar days prior to the date of the Committee meeting at which the nominee would be considered.

The Shareholder Recommendation must include: (i) a statement in writing setting forth (A) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of the person recommended by the shareholder (the “candidate”); (B) the series (and, if applicable, class) and number of all shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by the candidate, as reported to such shareholder by the candidate; (C) any other information regarding


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the candidate called for with respect to director nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency applicable to the Trust); (D) any other information regarding the candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether the recommending shareholder believes that the candidate is or will be an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and, if not an “interested person,” information regarding the candidate that will be sufficient for the Trust to make such determination; (ii) the written and signed consent of the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected; (iii) the recommending shareholder’s name as it appears on the Trust’s books; (iv) the series (and, if applicable, class) and number of all shares of the Trust owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder; and (v) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder. In addition, the Committee may require the candidate to interview in person and furnish such other information as it may reasonably require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of such candidate to serve as a Trustee of the Trust.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) The President and Treasurer have concluded that the Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund (the “Trust”) disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the Trust is made known to them by the appropriate persons based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report.

(b) There were no significant changes in the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second quarter of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS

 

(a)(1)   Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 10a.
(a)(2)   Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
(a)(3)   Not applicable.
(b)   Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund
By:   /s/    KARLA M. RABUSCH        
  Karla M. Rabusch
  President
Date:   December 28, 2011

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

By:   /s/    KARLA M. RABUSCH        
  Karla M. Rabusch
  President
Date:   December 28, 2011
By:   /s/    KASEY L. PHILLIPS        
  Kasey L. Phillips
  Treasurer
Date:   December 28, 2011