N-CSR 1 d284207dncsr.htm 5-TO-15 YEAR LADDERED MUNICIPAL BOND PORTFOLIO 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

 

 

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: 811-23151

 

 

5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Deidre E. Walsh

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Services)

 

 

(617) 482-8260

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

January 31

Date of Fiscal Year End

January 31, 2022

Date of Reporting Period

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Tax-Exempt Municipal Obligations — 97.3%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Bond Bank — 0.5%  

Ohio Water Development Authority, Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, Green Bonds, 4.00%, 12/1/37

  $ 2,475     $ 2,929,261  

Vermont Bond Bank, (Vermont State Colleges System), 3.00%, 10/1/35

    500       539,805  

Virginia Resources Authority, (Pooled Financing Program), 4.00%, 11/1/35

    1,175       1,348,125  
            $ 4,817,191  
Education — 4.7%  

Allegheny County Higher Education Building Authority, PA, (Carnegie Mellon University), 0.325%, (70% of SOFR + 0.29%), 8/1/27 (Put Date), 2/1/33(1)

  $ 2,750     $ 2,736,552  
Arizona State University:            

5.00%, 7/1/35

    1,500       1,877,670  

5.00%, 7/1/36

    1,000       1,249,620  
Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
(Fairfield University):
           

5.00%, 7/1/25

    875       976,955  

5.00%, 7/1/26

    1,000       1,143,930  

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, (Tulane University), 5.00%, 12/15/27

    505       587,477  

Miami University, OH, 5.00%, 9/1/32(2)

    735       918,713  
New York Dormitory Authority, (Rochester Institute of
Technology):
           

5.00%, 7/1/35

    540       661,252  

5.00%, 7/1/36

    395       483,255  

5.00%, 7/1/37

    840       1,026,413  
New York Dormitory Authority, (School Districts Revenue Bond
Financing Program):
           

5.00%, 10/1/32

    1,500       1,864,065  

5.00%, 10/1/33

    1,175       1,459,585  

North Carolina Capital Facilities Finance Agency, (Davidson College), 5.00%, 3/1/29

    200       200,782  
Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, (Oklahoma
State University):
           

4.00%, 9/1/33

    305       362,471  

4.00%, 9/1/34

    350       415,065  
Saginaw Valley State University, MI:            

5.00%, 7/1/27

    500       576,810  

5.00%, 7/1/28

    1,000       1,150,380  

Swarthmore Borough Authority, PA, (Swarthmore College), 4.00%, 9/15/37

    1,925       2,273,271  

Texas A&M University, 4.00%, 5/15/34

    1,000       1,186,920  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Education (continued)  
University of Florida:            

4.00%, 7/1/31

  $ 5,000     $ 5,946,900  

4.00%, 7/1/32

    6,465       7,613,249  

4.00%, 7/1/33

    6,720       7,896,873  

University of Hawaii, 3.00%, 10/1/31

    1,000       1,085,580  
            $ 43,693,788  
Electric Utilities — 2.1%  

Brownsville, TX, Utilities System Revenue, 5.00%, 9/1/29

  $ 1,000     $ 1,122,170  
Energy Northwest, WA, Wind Project Revenue:            

5.00%, 7/1/25

    365       409,994  

5.00%, 7/1/26

    1,000       1,120,780  

Garland, TX, Electric Utility System Revenue, 5.00%, 3/1/32

    250       283,202  

Marquette Board of Light and Power, MI, 5.00%, 7/1/27

    735       850,983  

New Braunfels, TX, Utility System Revenue, 4.00%, 7/1/34

    770       873,796  

North Carolina Municipal Power Agency No. 1, (Catawba), 5.00%, 1/1/29

    500       575,560  

Redding Joint Powers Financing Authority, CA, Electric System Revenue, 5.00%, 6/1/26

    250       285,867  

Seattle, WA, Municipal Light and Power Revenue, 0.31%, (SIFMA + 0.25%), 11/1/26 (Put Date), 5/1/45(1)

    2,000       2,017,360  

Seattle, WA, Municipal Light and Power Revenue, Green Bonds, 4.00%, 7/1/34

    5,035       5,880,225  
Springfield Electric System Revenue, IL:            

5.00%, 3/1/27

    250       277,582  

5.00%, 3/1/28

    250       277,183  

5.00%, 3/1/29

    250       276,783  
Tallahassee, FL, Energy System Revenue:            

5.00%, 10/1/27

    300       330,501  

5.00%, 10/1/28

    400       440,000  

5.00%, 10/1/29

    1,120       1,231,698  

5.00%, 10/1/30

    1,500       1,649,595  

5.00%, 10/1/31

    1,000       1,099,730  

5.00%, 10/1/33

    300       329,586  

Walnut Energy Center Authority, CA, 5.00%, 1/1/33

    250       271,993  
            $ 19,604,588  
Escrowed / Prerefunded — 0.7%  
North Carolina Medical Care Commission, (United Methodist
Retirement Homes):
           

Prerefunded to 10/1/23, 5.00%, 10/1/24

  $ 150     $ 164,403  

Prerefunded to 10/1/23, 5.00%, 10/1/25

    100       109,602  

Prerefunded to 10/1/23, 5.00%, 10/1/26

    1,100       1,205,622  

Prerefunded to 10/1/23, 5.00%, 10/1/27

    50       54,801  
 

 

  19   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Escrowed / Prerefunded (continued)  
North Carolina Medical Care Commission, (United Methodist
Retirement Homes): (continued)
           

Prerefunded to 10/1/23, 5.00%, 10/1/29

  $ 125     $ 137,003  

Prerefunded to 10/1/23, 5.00%, 10/1/32

    225       246,604  

Series 2017A, Prerefunded to 10/1/23, 5.00%, 10/1/30

    250       274,005  

Pennington County, SD, Certificates of Participation, Prerefunded to 6/1/25, 5.00%, 6/1/27

    1,300       1,461,798  

Seward County Unified School District No. 480, KS, Prerefunded to 9/1/25, 5.00%, 9/1/29

    2,000       2,265,280  
South Dakota Building Authority:            

Prerefunded to 6/1/25, 5.00%, 6/1/28

    210       236,504  

Series 2015B, Prerefunded to 6/1/25, 5.00%, 6/1/30

    200       225,242  
            $ 6,380,864  
General Obligations — 25.7%  

Addison, TX, Prerefunded to 2/15/23, 5.00%, 2/15/26

  $ 270     $ 282,118  
Anchorage, AK:            

5.00%, 9/1/25

    100       113,039  

5.00%, 9/1/27

    780       876,455  

Beaumont, TX, Certificates of Obligation, 4.00%, 3/1/32

    500       577,675  
Belding Area Schools, MI:            

5.00%, 5/1/28

    250       287,585  

5.00%, 5/1/30

    250       286,693  

Birmingham, AL:

   

5.00%, 12/1/25

    1,050       1,195,141  

5.00%, 12/1/27

    2,460       2,944,325  

Bonneville and Bingham Counties Joint School District No. 93, ID, 5.00%, 9/15/32

    450       511,988  
Brookline, MA:            

5.00%, 3/15/30

    2,000       2,463,960  

5.00%, 3/15/31

    3,825       4,710,411  
Burlington, VT:            

5.00%, 11/1/27

    255       305,730  

5.00%, 11/1/29

    75       93,252  

5.00%, 11/1/30

    300       371,979  

Series 2016A, 5.00%, 11/1/26

    150       175,509  

Series 2019A, 5.00%, 11/1/26

    210       245,713  
California:            

4.00%, 8/1/36

    5,000       5,472,000  

5.00%, 12/1/29

    700       873,488  

5.00%, 12/1/30

    2,750       3,499,347  

5.00%, 12/1/31

    1,550       2,011,419  

5.00%, 8/1/32

    1,590       1,827,021  

5.00%, 12/1/34

    2,500       3,153,400  

Cape May County, NJ, 3.00%, 10/1/31

    1,000       1,068,580  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
General Obligations (continued)  
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, TX,
(PSF Guaranteed):
           

4.00%, 2/15/32

  $ 650     $ 762,638  

4.00%, 2/15/33

    1,000       1,174,380  

4.00%, 2/15/34

    1,010       1,186,386  

Chaffey Joint Union High School District, CA, (Election of 2012), 0.00%, 8/1/33

    1,000       746,160  

Clark County, NV, 3.00%, 11/1/36

    3,580       3,822,581  
Colonial School District, PA:            

5.00%, 2/15/32

    100       113,120  

5.00%, 2/15/33

    200       226,092  

Connecticut:

   

4.00%, 6/1/32

    1,000       1,167,180  

4.00%, 6/1/33

    600       698,976  

4.00%, 1/15/34

    1,500       1,758,090  

4.00%, 6/1/35

    850       981,580  

4.00%, 6/1/36

    1,000       1,149,500  
Contra Costa Community College District, CA,
(Election of 2014):
           

4.00%, 8/1/32

    650       760,890  

4.00%, 8/1/33

    100       116,934  

Cook County School District No. 25, IL, (Arlington Heights), 5.00%, 12/15/32

    630       735,292  

Dallas Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed), 3.00%, 2/15/35(2)

    4,095       4,412,608  

Dallas, TX, 5.00%, 2/15/31

    3,465       3,609,317  

Delaware, 5.00%, 2/1/29

    1,000       1,205,750  

Denton County, TX, 4.00%, 7/15/31

    1,500       1,707,540  

District of Columbia, 5.00%, 6/1/33

    6,690       7,277,783  

Dowagiac Union School District, MI, 4.00%, 5/1/26

    350       390,061  

Dublin City School District, OH, 5.00%, 12/1/29

    500       612,210  

Easton Area School District, PA, 5.00%, 2/1/31

    1,400       1,681,974  

Elgin Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed), 3.00%, 8/1/37(2)

    2,070       2,235,973  

Elk Grove Unified School District, CA, 4.00%, 8/1/32

    2,305       2,733,177  

Flower Mound, TX, 5.00%, 3/1/27

    510       586,883  

Franklin County, OH, Prerefunded to 6/1/23, 4.25%, 12/1/35

    1,100       1,150,809  

Frisco Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed), 4.00%, 8/15/30

    400       431,448  

Georgia, 5.00%, 2/1/32

    1,000       1,176,080  

Granville Exempted Village School District, OH, 5.00%, 12/1/26

    500       571,130  

Harlandale Independent School District, TX, 5.00%, 8/1/29

    845       988,236  

Hawaii, 5.00%, 1/1/30

    3,730       4,575,218  

Hennepin County, MN, 5.00%, 12/1/33

    1,000       1,170,580  
 

 

  20   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
General Obligations (continued)  
Homewood, AL:            

5.00%, 9/1/28

  $ 2,000     $ 2,320,000  

5.00%, 9/1/29

    2,000       2,313,520  

Honolulu City and County, HI, 3.00%, 9/1/31

    110       117,161  
Illinois:            

5.00%, 9/1/27

    12,035       13,903,674  

5.00%, 3/1/28

    2,000       2,006,680  

5.00%, 4/1/29

    1,190       1,279,262  

5.00%, 3/1/34

    6,000       6,017,940  

5.00%, 3/1/35

    1,000       1,002,970  

5.50%, 5/1/30

    5,500       6,809,385  

Kane, Cook and DuPage Counties School District No. 46, IL, 5.00%, 1/1/29

    1,000       1,073,410  

Kane, McHenry, Cook and DeKalb Counties Community Unit School District No. 300, IL, 5.00%, 1/1/28

    2,370       2,822,314  
Kennewick School District No. 17, WA:            

4.00%, 12/1/33

    655       772,350  

4.00%, 12/1/34

    1,200       1,412,796  
Lakeland, FL:            

5.00%, 10/1/25

    635       707,777  

5.00%, 10/1/28

    1,500       1,674,885  

5.00%, 10/1/30

    1,000       1,114,610  

Leander Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed), 0.00%, 8/15/31

    380       267,809  

Lewisville Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed), 4.00%, 8/15/27

    1,600       1,750,032  

Los Angeles Community College District, CA, (Election of 2008), 4.00%, 8/1/34

    1,690       1,882,812  
Los Angeles Unified School District, CA:            

4.00%, 7/1/33

    2,500       2,911,900  

4.00%, 7/1/36

    3,000       3,454,800  

Maine, 5.00%, 6/1/30

    2,105       2,668,845  

McLean County Public Building Commission, IL, 5.00%, 12/1/28

    200       220,412  

Miami-Dade County School District, FL, 5.00%, 3/15/28

    300       334,539  

Miami-Dade County, FL, 5.00%, 7/1/29

    1,000       1,126,490  

Milpitas Unified School District, CA, (Election of 2012), 4.00%, 8/1/32

    560       598,091  

Morris Township, NJ, 3.00%, 11/1/27

    440       470,620  

Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, CA, 0.00%, 8/1/27

    175       160,302  
Navasota Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed):            

Prerefunded to 2/15/25, 5.00%, 2/15/28

    195       217,066  

Prerefunded to 2/15/25, 5.00%, 2/15/29

    340       378,474  

Prerefunded to 2/15/25, 5.00%, 2/15/30

    725       807,041  

Prerefunded to 2/15/25, 5.00%, 2/15/31

    885       985,147  

Prerefunded to 2/15/25, 5.00%, 2/15/32

    720       801,475  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
General Obligations (continued)  
New Jersey:            

4.00%, 6/1/31

  $ 5,000     $ 5,805,450  

5.00%, 6/1/28

    10,000       11,912,600  

New York, 5.00%, 3/15/31

    3,000       3,870,300  
Ohio, (Adult Correctional Building Fund):            

5.00%, 10/1/28

    1,000       1,218,300  

5.00%, 10/1/29

    1,500       1,864,500  

5.00%, 10/1/30

    1,000       1,266,780  
Oregon:            

2.35%, 6/1/25

    165       171,131  

2.40%, 12/1/25

    1,050       1,094,635  
Pasadena, TX:            

4.00%, 2/15/28

    500       540,245  

4.00%, 2/15/29

    150       161,886  

4.00%, 2/15/30

    500       539,310  

4.00%, 2/15/31

    650       700,499  

Pendleton School District No. 16R, Umatilla County, OR, 0.00%, 6/15/27

    1,060       968,925  
Pennsylvania:            

4.00%, 6/15/31

    135       143,243  

Prerefunded to 6/1/22, 4.00%, 6/1/30

    5,000       5,059,800  
Philadelphia, PA:            

5.00%, 2/1/26

    1,150       1,315,381  

5.00%, 2/1/31

    1,550       1,911,305  

Pittsburg Unified School District, CA, 5.00%, 8/1/28

    920       1,093,466  

Portland, OR, 5.00%, 6/1/30

    6,515       8,260,108  
Ravenswood City School District, CA, (Election of 2016):            

5.00%, 8/1/25

    485       548,380  

5.00%, 8/1/26

    505       586,962  

5.00%, 8/1/27

    530       613,756  

5.00%, 8/1/28

    555       642,179  

5.00%, 8/1/29

    575       664,781  

Richland County School District No. 2, SC, 4.00%, 3/1/32

    2,290       2,681,269  

Romeo Community Schools, MI, 5.00%, 5/1/30

    700       803,985  
Romulus, MI:            

4.00%, 11/1/31

    250       273,733  

4.00%, 11/1/32

    100       109,493  

4.00%, 11/1/33

    250       273,638  

SCAGO Educational Facilities Corp. for Pickens School District, SC, 5.00%, 12/1/26

    1,650       1,847,142  

School District 27J, Adams and Weld Counties and City and County of Broomfield, CO, 4.00%, 12/1/30

    450       495,086  

Seguin Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed), 4.00%, 8/15/29

    300       327,150  
 

 

  21   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
General Obligations (continued)  
Southfield Public Schools, MI:            

5.00%, 5/1/25

  $ 1,100     $ 1,233,485  

5.00%, 5/1/27

    1,000       1,183,830  
St. Mary’s County, MD:            

5.00%, 5/1/28

    1,255       1,522,415  

5.00%, 5/1/30

    1,245       1,571,514  
St. Vrain Valley School District RE-1J, CO:            

5.00%, 12/15/28

    1,700       1,993,743  

5.00%, 12/15/29

    1,000       1,169,700  

Stamford, CT, 4.00%, 8/1/27

    650       711,795  
Sun Valley, ID:            

5.00%, 9/15/25

    755       858,095  

5.00%, 9/15/26

    695       812,142  

Tomball Independent School District, TX, (PSF Guaranteed), 4.00%, 2/15/35(2)

    5,000       5,948,050  
Torrance Unified School District, CA, (Election of 2014):            

5.00%, 8/1/30

    515       595,654  

5.00%, 8/1/31

    450       518,990  
Tuloso-Midway Independent School District, TX, (PSF
Guaranteed):
           

4.00%, 8/15/27

    510       557,083  

4.00%, 8/15/28

    530       577,583  

4.00%, 8/15/29

    545       593,734  

University City School District, MO, 4.00%, 2/15/35(2)

    790       897,535  
Washington:            

5.00%, 8/1/28

    1,485       1,716,868  

5.00%, 8/1/29

    1,400       1,616,608  
Wellesley, MA:            

5.00%, 4/1/30

    1,990       2,514,763  

5.00%, 4/1/31

    1,985       2,557,275  

Will and Kendall Counties Community Consolidated School District No. 202, IL, 4.00%, 1/1/27

    2,825       3,170,130  

Will County Community Unit School District No. 365-U, IL, 4.00%, 1/1/30

    360       395,266  

York County, PA, 5.00%, 6/1/27

    1,225       1,357,974  
            $ 241,487,643  
Hospital — 14.5%  
Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority, PA,
(Allegheny Health Network Obligated Group):
           

5.00%, 4/1/31

  $ 1,750     $ 2,077,057  

5.00%, 4/1/33

    3,000       3,553,290  

Arizona Health Facilities Authority, (Banner Health), 0.31%, (SIFMA + 0.25%), 11/4/26 (Put Date), 1/1/46(1)

    5,000       5,001,800  

Buffalo and Erie County Industrial Land Development Corp., NY, (Catholic Health System, Inc.), 5.00%, 7/1/25

    250       271,723  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Hospital (continued)  

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (Adventist Health System/West), 4.00%, 3/1/27

  $ 90     $ 92,990  

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (CommonSpirit Health), 4.00%, 4/1/36

    2,870       3,236,528  

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (El Camino Hospital), 5.00%, 2/1/29

    750       880,125  

Clarke County Hospital Authority, GA, (Piedmont Healthcare, Inc.), 5.00%, 7/1/30

    335       385,377  
Cobb County Kennestone Hospital Authority, GA, (WellStar
Health System, Inc.):
           

4.00%, 4/1/34

    100       114,414  

4.00%, 4/1/35

    290       330,826  

4.00%, 4/1/36

    300       340,947  
Colorado Health Facilities Authority, (CommonSpirit Health):            

5.00%, 8/1/34

    2,000       2,408,180  

5.00%, 8/1/35

    3,000       3,603,480  

5.00% to 8/1/26 (Put Date), 8/1/49

    5,000       5,666,800  

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, (NCMC, Inc.), Escrowed to Maturity, 5.00%, 5/15/25

    150       168,210  

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, (Sanford Health), 5.00%, 11/1/32

    3,000       3,686,370  
Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
(Stamford Hospital):
           

4.00%, 7/1/26

    600       664,944  

4.00%, 7/1/27

    700       788,179  

4.00%, 7/1/28

    650       741,838  

4.00%, 7/1/29

    500       577,195  

4.00%, 7/1/30

    750       866,025  
Duluth Economic Development Authority, MN, (St. Luke’s
Hospital of Duluth Obligated Group):
           

Series 2021A, 5.00%, 6/15/29

    285       342,103  

Series 2021A, 5.00%, 6/15/30

    285       347,124  

Series 2021A, 5.00%, 6/15/31

    285       351,630  

Series 2022A, 5.00%, 6/15/28(2)

    460       533,756  

Series 2022A, 5.00%, 6/15/29(2)

    375       440,944  

Series 2022A, 5.00%, 6/15/30(2)

    425       506,808  

Series 2022A, 5.00%, 6/15/31(2)

    450       543,902  

Geisinger Authority, PA, (Geisinger Health System), 5.00%, 4/1/35

    6,000       7,363,080  

Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital Authority, GA, (Southeast Georgia Health System), 4.00%, 8/1/35

    1,000       1,143,190  

Greeneville Health and Educational Facilities Board, TN, (Ballad Health), 5.00%, 7/1/33

    4,000       4,214,120  

Illinois Finance Authority, (Riverside Health System), 5.00%, 11/15/27

    500       581,080  
Illinois Finance Authority, (Rush University Medical Center):            

5.00%, 11/15/31

    1,000       1,105,570  

5.00%, 11/15/32

    1,000       1,104,890  
 

 

  22   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Hospital (continued)  

Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, (Catholic Health Initiatives), 1.46%, (SIFMA + 1.40%), 2/1/25 (Put Date), 2/1/46(1)

  $ 12,715     $ 12,807,311  

Knox County Health, Educational and Housing Facility Board, TN, (University Health System, Inc.), 5.00%, 9/1/30

    1,000       1,134,260  
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, (Ochsner Clinic
Foundation):
           

5.00%, 5/15/25

    250       279,800  

5.00%, 5/15/26

    250       277,833  

5.00%, 5/15/27

    250       277,240  
Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, KY, (Norton
Healthcare, Inc.):
           

5.00%, 10/1/30

    2,000       2,302,640  

5.00%, 10/1/31

    1,500       1,725,525  

5.00%, 10/1/32

    2,000       2,297,780  

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, AZ, (Banner Health), 0.63%, (SIFMA + 0.57%), 10/18/24 (Put Date), 1/1/35(1)

    4,575       4,597,234  

Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority, (MedStar Health, Inc.), 5.00%, 8/15/31

    1,000       1,106,380  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (Berkshire Retirement Community, Inc.), 5.00%, 7/1/25

    485       520,997  
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (South Shore
Hospital):
           

5.00%, 7/1/24

    550       596,601  

5.00%, 7/1/26

    500       571,735  

5.00%, 7/1/28

    245       278,925  
Medford Hospital Facilities Authority, OR, (Asante Health
System):
           

5.00%, 8/15/34

    1,000       1,230,780  

5.00%, 8/15/35

    700       860,461  

5.00%, 8/15/36

    1,000       1,226,180  

Michigan Finance Authority, (Beaumont Health Credit Group), 5.00%, 8/1/28

    1,315       1,435,322  

Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority, (CoxHealth), 5.00%, 11/15/31

    490       553,558  

Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority, (Saint Luke’s Health System), 5.00%, 11/15/31

    1,000       1,139,430  
Monongalia County Building Commission, WV, (Monongalia
Health System Obligated Group):
           

5.00%, 7/1/23

    400       421,528  

5.00%, 7/1/28

    1,340       1,487,078  

5.00%, 7/1/29

    775       857,863  
Montgomery County, OH, (Dayton Children’s Hospital):            

4.00%, 8/1/36

    1,000       1,150,560  

4.00%, 8/1/37

    1,100       1,262,767  

5.00%, 8/1/31

    800       1,021,240  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Hospital (continued)  
Montgomery County, OH, (Dayton Children’s
Hospital): (continued)
           

5.00%, 8/1/32

  $ 750     $ 955,777  

5.00%, 8/1/33

    800       1,015,800  

5.00%, 8/1/34

    1,150       1,458,522  

5.00%, 8/1/35

    1,750       2,216,357  
Montgomery County, OH, (Kettering Health Network Obligated
Group):
           

5.00%, 8/1/32

    275       344,985  

5.00%, 8/1/33

    300       375,606  
New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority,
(Dartmouth-Hitchcock Obligated Group):
           

5.00%, 8/1/25

    400       450,660  

5.00%, 8/1/28

    500       596,360  

5.00%, 8/1/29

    500       593,875  
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority,
(Princeton HealthCare System):
           

5.00%, 7/1/25

    1,000       1,126,850  

5.00%, 7/1/27

    700       812,749  

5.00%, 7/1/28

    700       811,111  

5.00%, 7/1/30

    520       600,122  

5.00%, 7/1/31

    700       805,588  

Norman Regional Hospital Authority, OK, 5.00%, 9/1/25

    1,000       1,125,150  

Oregon Facilities Authority, (Samaritan Health Services), 5.00%, 10/1/32

    750       866,355  

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, (UPMC), 4.00%, 10/15/37

    1,375       1,586,255  

Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, (University of Pennsylvania Health System), 5.00%, 8/15/33

    2,250       2,765,092  
Pima County Industrial Development Authority, AZ, (Tucson
Medical Center):
           

5.00%, 4/1/31

    1,000       1,264,930  

5.00%, 4/1/34

    1,590       2,000,951  
Public Finance Authority, WI, (Renown Regional Medical
Center):
           

4.00%, 6/1/35

    795       903,017  

5.00%, 6/1/34

    1,320       1,618,426  

5.00%, 6/1/36

    2,310       2,825,523  

Richmond County Hospital Authority, GA, (University Health Services, Inc.), 5.00%, 1/1/28

    1,000       1,149,450  

Royal Oak Hospital Finance Authority, MI, (William Beaumont Hospital), 5.00%, 9/1/29

    250       269,203  

Southcentral Pennsylvania General Authority, (Hanover Hospital, Inc.), 4.00%, 12/1/30

    150       160,781  

St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority, MN, (Fairview Health Services), 5.00%, 11/15/25

    500       563,670  
 

 

  23   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Hospital (continued)  

St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority, MN, (HealthPartners Obligated Group), 5.00%, 7/1/30

  $ 625     $ 698,044  

University of Kansas Hospital Authority, (KU Health System), 5.00%, 9/1/27

    1,655       1,866,443  

Utah County, UT, (IHC Health Services, Inc.), 5.00% to 8/1/26 (Put Date), 5/15/60

    3,500       4,051,460  
Vermont Educational and Health Buildings Financing Agency,
(University of Vermont Medical Center):
           

5.00%, 12/1/25

    335       379,696  

5.00%, 12/1/27

    205       234,764  

5.00%, 12/1/28

    500       572,145  

5.00%, 12/1/30

    400       457,356  

5.00%, 12/1/31

    300       342,609  

Washington Health Care Facilities Authority, (Overlake Hospital Medical Center), 5.00%, 7/1/27

    1,575       1,862,028  

Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority, (Agnesian HealthCare, Inc.), 5.00%, 7/1/26

    400       461,632  
            $ 135,644,865  
Housing — 2.1%  

Georgia Housing & Finance Authority, 3.65%, 12/1/32

  $ 630     $ 660,322  
Iowa Finance Authority, SFMR, (FHLMC), (FNMA), (GNMA):            

1.50%, 1/1/31

    300       283,242  

1.60%, 7/1/31

    250       237,030  
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency:            

2019 Series A, 4.00%, 8/1/34

    295       336,123  

2019 Series A, 4.00%, 8/1/35

    440       500,742  

2019 Series C, 4.00%, 8/1/33

    525       600,731  

2019 Series C, 4.00%, 8/1/34

    240       274,174  

2019 Series C, 4.00%, 8/1/35

    285       324,344  
New York City Housing Development Corp., NY:            

2.65%, 11/1/27

    870       899,667  

2.80%, 5/1/29

    655       680,866  

2.85%, 11/1/29

    300       312,006  
New York Housing Finance Agency, (FHLMC), (FNMA),
(GNMA):
           

2.20%, 5/1/25

    190       194,020  

2.25%, 11/1/25

    225       230,454  

2.40%, 11/1/26

    225       232,002  

2.50%, 11/1/27

    140       144,074  

2.60%, 5/1/28

    110       113,463  
New York Mortgage Agency:            

2.30%, 10/1/30

    1,000       1,001,320  

3.65%, 4/1/32

    425       447,988  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Housing (continued)  
Seattle Housing Authority, WA:            

2.875%, 12/1/25

  $ 900     $ 944,532  

3.00%, 12/1/26

    920       974,308  

Seattle Housing Authority, WA, (Northgate Plaza), 1.00%, 6/1/26

    7,675       7,494,944  

Tennessee Housing Development Agency, 2.80%, 7/1/26

    250       261,225  

Vermont Housing Finance Agency, (FHLMC), (FNMA), (GNMA), 3.85%, 11/1/33

    1,163       1,209,427  

Virginia Housing Development Authority, 2.55%, 5/1/27

    630       645,674  
Washington Housing Finance Commission:            

2.25%, 6/1/25

    105       107,384  

2.30%, 12/1/25

    130       133,370  

2.40%, 6/1/26

    105       107,586  
            $ 19,351,018  
Insured – Education — 0.7%  

New York Dormitory Authority, (School Districts Revenue Bond Financing Program), (AGM), 5.00%, 10/1/33

  $ 1,625     $ 2,011,978  
Patterson Joint Unified School District, CA, (Election 2018):            

(BAM), 5.00%, 8/1/28

    1,065       1,228,275  

(BAM), 5.00%, 8/1/29

    1,000       1,150,010  

University of Central Florida, (AGM), 4.00%, 10/1/34

    1,805       2,121,922  
            $ 6,512,185  
Insured – Electric Utilities — 0.2%  
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, (Plant Vogtle Units 3
and 4 Project J):
           

(AGM), 4.00%, 1/1/36

  $ 335     $ 378,242  

(AGM), 4.00%, 1/1/37

    655       738,669  
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, (Plant Vogtle Units 3
and 4 Project M):
           

(AGM), 4.00%, 1/1/36

    435       492,159  

(AGM), 4.00%, 1/1/37

    470       531,133  
            $ 2,140,203  
Insured – Escrowed / Prerefunded — 0.0%(3)  
New Britain, CT:            

(BAM), Escrowed to Maturity, 5.00%, 3/1/25

  $ 5     $ 5,573  

(BAM), Escrowed to Maturity, 5.00%, 3/1/25

    100       111,612  
            $ 117,185  
Insured – General Obligations — 1.0%  
Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 58, TX:            

(BAM), 3.00%, 4/1/26

  $ 185     $ 194,861  
 

 

  24   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Insured – General Obligations (continued)  
Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 58,
TX: (continued)
           

(BAM), 3.00%, 4/1/30

  $ 25     $ 26,389  

(BAM), 3.00%, 4/1/32

    360       378,839  

New Britain, CT, (BAM), 5.00%, 3/1/25

    135       149,765  

Ogle and Winnebago Counties Community Unit School District No. 223, IL, (BAM), 4.00%, 12/1/25

    470       507,816  
Pharr, TX:            

(AGM), 4.00%, 8/15/35

    2,190       2,585,623  

(AGM), 4.00%, 8/15/37

    2,485       2,923,950  

Pocono Mountain School District, PA, (AGM), 4.00%, 9/1/27

    690       772,531  
Yonkers, NY:            

(BAM), Series 2019A, 5.00%, 5/1/31

    750       922,972  

(BAM), Series 2019B, 5.00%, 5/1/31

    825       1,015,270  
            $ 9,478,016  
Insured – Housing — 0.1%  
California Municipal Finance Authority, (CHF-Davis II, LLC -
Orchard Park Student Housing):
           

Green Bonds, (BAM), 4.00%, 5/15/35

  $ 600     $ 691,620  

Green Bonds, (BAM), 4.00%, 5/15/36

    600       690,864  
            $ 1,382,484  
Insured – Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation — 0.2%  
Clermont County Port Authority, OH, (West Clermont Local
School District):
           

(BAM), 5.00%, 12/1/26

  $ 250     $ 283,455  

(BAM), 5.00%, 12/1/29

    100       112,624  
Highlands County School Board, FL:            

(BAM), 5.00%, 3/1/26

    400       443,876  

(BAM), 5.00%, 3/1/27

    200       221,618  
Pasco County School Board, FL:            

(BAM), 5.00%, 8/1/27

    605       700,034  

(BAM), 5.00%, 8/1/29

    310       355,486  
            $ 2,117,093  
Insured – Other Revenue — 0.4%  
New York Dormitory Authority, School Districts Revenue Bond
Financing Program:
           

(AGM), 5.00%, 10/1/33

  $ 500     $ 602,980  

(AGM), 5.00%, 10/1/34

    1,250       1,506,787  

(AGM), 5.00%, 10/1/35

    1,000       1,202,200  
            $ 3,311,967  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Insured – Special Tax Revenue — 0.1%  

Successor Agency to Yuba City Redevelopment Agency, CA, (AGM), 5.00%, 9/1/25

  $ 420     $ 473,189  
Vineyard Redevelopment Agency, UT:            

(AGM), 4.00%, 5/1/34

    115       132,403  

(AGM), 4.00%, 5/1/36

    135       155,375  
            $ 760,967  
Insured – Transportation — 1.2%  
New Brunswick Parking Authority, NJ:            

(BAM), 5.00%, 9/1/25

  $ 500     $ 564,445  

(BAM), 5.00%, 9/1/27

    375       423,473  
New Orleans Aviation Board, LA:            

(AGM), 5.00%, 1/1/30

    1,000       1,185,960  

(AGM), 5.00%, 1/1/31

    1,250       1,480,113  

(AGM), 5.00%, 1/1/32

    1,650       1,951,834  

(AGM), 5.00%, 1/1/33

    2,450       2,896,806  

(AGM), 5.00%, 1/1/34

    2,485       2,937,270  
            $ 11,439,901  
Insured – Water and Sewer — 0.1%  

Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority, TX, (AGM), 5.00%, 10/1/30

  $ 250     $ 282,582  
Hamburg Municipal Authority, PA, Sewer Revenue:            

(AGM), 2.00%, 10/1/32

    370       368,254  

(AGM), 2.00%, 10/1/34

    200       197,934  

(AGM), 2.00%, 10/1/36

    255       246,616  

Western Riverside Water and Wastewater Financing Authority, CA, (AGM), 4.00%, 9/1/28

    250       285,940  
            $ 1,381,326  
Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation — 5.5%  

Adams County, CO, Certificates of Participation, 4.00%, 12/1/28

  $ 1,000     $ 1,095,080  
Aspen Fire Protection District, CO:            

4.00%, 12/1/30

    235       268,206  

4.00%, 12/1/31

    250       283,570  

4.00%, 12/1/32

    205       232,343  
Broward County School Board, FL:            

5.00%, 7/1/25

    500       561,995  

5.00%, 7/1/27

    500       580,300  

5.00%, 7/1/29

    500       574,495  
California Public Works Board:            

4.00%, 5/1/36

    880       1,014,411  

5.00%, 11/1/29

    1,000       1,157,570  
 

 

  25   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation (continued)  

Canadian County Educational Facilities Authority, OK, (Mustang Public Schools), 5.00%, 9/1/26

  $ 500     $ 580,755  
Colorado Department of Transportation:            

5.00%, 6/15/30

    350       399,140  

5.00%, 6/15/31

    310       353,384  
Colorado, (Building Excellent Schools Today):            

4.00%, 3/15/37

    1,000       1,165,950  

5.00%, 3/15/33

    1,150       1,459,051  
Commonwealth Financing Authority, PA, Tobacco Master
Settlement Payment Revenue:
           

5.00%, 6/1/25

    500       559,790  

5.00%, 6/1/29

    3,000       3,583,200  

5.00%, 6/1/30

    3,000       3,568,230  

Eagle County, CO, Certificates of Participation, 5.00%, 12/1/26

    200       227,164  

Forsyth County, NC, Limited Obligation Bonds, 5.00%, 4/1/27

    1,300       1,536,613  
Fountain Valley Public Financing Authority, CA:            

4.00%, 11/1/25

    570       626,960  

4.00%, 11/1/26

    595       659,450  

4.00%, 11/1/27

    620       683,922  

4.00%, 11/1/28

    645       709,261  

Georgia Municipal Association, Inc., Certificates of Participation, (Atlanta Public Safety), 5.00%, 12/1/28

    410       490,446  

Indiana Finance Authority, (Stadium Project), (SPA: U.S. Bank, N.A.), 0.11%, 2/1/35(4)

    4,800       4,800,000  
Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority, TX:            

3.00%, 9/1/37

    300       299,253  

4.00%, 9/1/32

    200       225,254  

4.00%, 9/1/35

    200       224,174  

4.00%, 9/1/36

    200       223,908  

5.00%, 9/1/31

    250       304,148  

Lee County School Board, FL, Certificates of Participation, 5.00%, 8/1/32

    1,495       1,714,361  

Moulton Niguel Water District, CA, Certificates of Participation, 3.00%, 9/1/35

    815       881,398  
Oklahoma County Finance Authority, OK, (Deer Creek Public
Schools):
           

5.00%, 12/1/25

    1,405       1,590,081  

5.00%, 12/1/26

    2,000       2,263,460  
Oklahoma County Finance Authority, OK, (Midwest City-Del
City Public Schools):
           

5.00%, 10/1/25

    1,000       1,127,270  

5.00%, 10/1/26

    1,000       1,156,680  

Orange County School Board, FL, Prerefunded to 8/1/25, 5.00%, 8/1/32

    1,935       2,186,434  

Palm Beach County School Board, FL, 5.00%, 8/1/31

    4,000       4,480,320  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation (continued)  

Palo Alto, CA, Certificates of Participation, 3.00%, 11/1/32

  $ 2,585     $ 2,865,912  

Plymouth Intermediate District No. 287, MN, Certificates of Participation, 5.00%, 2/1/30

    385       440,186  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (KU Campus Development Corp.), 5.00%, 3/1/29

    500       567,675  
Riverside County Public Financing Authority, CA:            

Prerefunded to 11/1/25, 5.00%, 11/1/27

    850       966,960  

Prerefunded to 11/1/25, 5.00%, 11/1/28

    950       1,080,720  

South Dakota Building Authority, 5.00%, 6/1/26

    500       575,775  

Virginia Public Building Authority, 4.00%, 8/1/35

    1,140       1,317,977  
            $ 51,663,232  
Other Revenue — 10.9%  

Bexar County, TX, Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, 4.00%, 6/15/34

  $ 905     $ 1,017,799  
Bexar County, TX, Motor Vehicle Rental Tax Revenue:            

4.00%, 8/15/33

    690       777,085  

4.00%, 8/15/34

    810       911,420  

4.00%, 8/15/35

    510       572,603  

Black Belt Energy Gas District, AL, 4.00% to 12/1/26 (Put Date), 10/1/52

    18,500       20,346,485  
District of Columbia, (National Public Radio, Inc.):            

Prerefunded to 4/1/26, 5.00%, 4/1/28

    1,000       1,153,460  

Prerefunded to 4/1/26, 5.00%, 4/1/29

    1,000       1,153,460  
Fort Myers, FL, Capital Improvement Revenue:            

5.00%, 12/1/32

    825       936,392  

5.00%, 12/1/33

    640       725,901  

5.00%, 12/1/34

    510       577,636  

Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corp., NY, Green Bonds, 4.00%, 2/15/37

    3,400       3,955,050  

Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District, CO, 5.00%, 12/15/26

    150       175,455  
Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Gas Supply Revenue:            

4.00%, 7/1/24

    5,000       5,294,400  

4.00% to 2/1/28 (Put Date), 2/1/50

    19,000       21,181,960  

Knoxville, TN, Gas System Revenue, 4.00%, 3/1/33

    3,245       3,696,087  

Lancaster Port Authority, OH, Gas Supply Revenue, (Liq: Royal Bank of Canada), 5.00% to 2/1/25 (Put Date), 8/1/49

    5,000       5,526,400  
Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and
Community Development Authority, (Bossier City):
           

5.00%, 12/1/32

    2,355       2,888,101  

5.00%, 12/1/34

    2,425       2,963,956  
Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and
Community Development Authority, (Jefferson Parish):
           

5.00%, 4/1/27

    500       575,190  

5.00%, 4/1/29

    275       314,911  
 

 

  26   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Other Revenue (continued)  

Mississippi Development Bank, Special Obligation Bond, (Jackson Public School District), 5.00%, 4/1/25

  $ 1,270     $ 1,413,878  
New York City Cultural Resources Trust, NY, (Carnegie Hall):            

5.00%, 12/1/27

    100       118,642  

5.00%, 12/1/29

    325       400,173  

5.00%, 12/1/31

    250       307,998  

5.00%, 12/1/32

    550       677,974  

5.00%, 12/1/33

    200       246,600  

5.00%, 12/1/34

    300       369,393  

5.00%, 12/1/35

    700       861,084  

New York City Educational Construction Fund, NY, 5.00%, 4/1/29

    2,765       3,381,789  
New York Dormitory Authority, Personal Income Tax Revenue:            

4.00%, 3/15/38

    1,750       1,994,107  

5.00%, 3/15/36

    5,000       6,407,000  

Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., (Barrington), 5.00%, 5/15/28

    1,060       1,248,913  

Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Project Revenue, 4.00% to 11/1/25 (Put Date), 11/1/49

    5,000       5,403,550  

Texas Municipal Gas Acquisition and Supply Corp. III, Gas Supply Revenue, 5.00%, 12/15/26

    1,000       1,135,830  
Wisconsin, Environmental Improvement Fund Revenue:            

5.00%, 6/1/31

    2,500       2,796,350  

5.00%, 6/1/32

    1,000       1,117,840  
            $ 102,624,872  
Senior Living / Life Care — 1.9%  

Atlantic Beach, FL, (Fleet Landing), 3.00%, 11/15/23

  $ 2,500     $ 2,500,925  
Baltimore County, MD, (Riderwood Village, Inc.):            

4.00%, 1/1/30

    1,655       1,891,020  

4.00%, 1/1/31

    250       285,007  

4.00%, 1/1/32

    350       398,314  

4.00%, 1/1/33

    600       682,854  

4.00%, 1/1/34

    685       779,023  

4.00%, 1/1/35

    615       698,726  
Buffalo and Erie County Industrial Land Development Corp.,
NY, (Orchard Park CCRC, Inc.):
           

5.00%, 11/15/28

    50       55,888  

5.00%, 11/15/30

    910       1,010,446  

California Statewide Communities Development Authority, (American Baptist Homes of the West), 5.00%, 10/1/25

    100       112,612  
Cumberland County Municipal Authority, PA, (Diakon Lutheran
Social Ministries):
           

2.50%, 1/1/26

    640       668,960  

5.00%, 1/1/27

    1,035       1,174,715  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Senior Living / Life Care (continued)  

East Hempfield Township Industrial Development Authority, PA, (Willow Valley Communities), 5.00%, 12/1/31

  $ 310     $ 344,497  

Illinois Finance Authority, (Presbyterian Homes Obligated Group), 5.00%, 5/1/22

    225       227,380  
Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority, (Lutheran
Senior Services):
           

3.00%, 2/1/27

    1,000       1,050,030  

5.00%, 2/1/23

    600       623,448  

5.00%, 2/1/29

    600       672,498  

5.00%, 2/1/30

    200       223,264  

5.00%, 2/1/31

    250       278,470  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, (The Forest at Duke), 4.00%, 9/1/41

    715       796,510  
North Carolina Medical Care Commission, (United Methodist
Retirement Homes):
           

Series 2016A, 5.00%, 10/1/30

    230       262,556  

Series 2016A, 5.00%, 10/1/31

    675       768,271  

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, (LifeSpire of Virginia), 4.00%, 12/1/31

    2,000       2,228,860  
            $ 17,734,274  
Special Tax Revenue — 4.3%  
Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development
Authority, PA:
           

5.00%, 5/1/26(2)

  $ 500     $ 562,820  

5.00%, 5/1/27(2)

    500       573,870  

5.00%, 5/1/28(2)

    575       669,461  

5.00%, 5/1/29(2)

    600       709,434  

5.00%, 5/1/30(2)

    650       779,857  

5.00%, 5/1/31(2)

    675       820,537  

5.00%, 5/1/32(2)

    725       892,605  
Downtown Smyrna Development Authority, GA:            

3.00%, 2/1/36

    100       108,765  

4.00%, 2/1/35

    430       507,043  

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, CA, Sales Tax Revenue, 5.00%, 6/1/32

    500       574,865  

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, GA, Sales Tax Revenue, Green Bonds, 3.00%, 7/1/37

    5,000       5,267,750  
Miami-Dade County, FL, Special Obligation Bonds:            

5.00%, 4/1/25

    250       279,893  

5.00%, 4/1/26

    1,025       1,180,943  

5.00%, 4/1/29

    900       1,031,796  

5.00%, 4/1/30

    950       1,086,629  

5.00%, 4/1/31

    895       1,022,546  

5.00%, 4/1/32

    735       839,429  
 

 

  27   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Special Tax Revenue (continued)  
New York City Transitional Finance Authority, NY, Future Tax
Revenue:
           

4.00%, 5/1/36

  $ 2,000     $ 2,302,520  

4.00%, 11/1/36

    1,000       1,152,910  

5.00%, 8/1/33

    1,190       1,300,123  

5.00%, 2/1/36(2)

    3,310       4,211,280  
New York Dormitory Authority, Sales Tax Revenue:            

5.00%, 3/15/32

    1,800       2,030,760  

5.00%, 3/15/34

    5,000       5,762,500  
Queen Creek, AZ, Excise Tax and State Shared Revenue:            

4.00%, 8/1/35

    3,120       3,651,242  

4.00%, 8/1/36

    1,000       1,169,020  
Successor Agency to San Mateo Redevelopment Agency, CA:            

5.00%, 8/1/26

    100       112,008  

5.00%, 8/1/29

    140       155,498  

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District, OR, Payroll Tax Revenue, Prerefunded to 9/1/26, 5.00%, 9/1/32

    1,000       1,166,840  
            $ 39,922,944  
Transportation — 16.6%  

Arizona Transportation Board, Highway Revenue, 5.00%, 7/1/27

  $ 2,005     $ 2,321,389  
Bay Area Toll Authority, CA, Toll Bridge Revenue, (San
Francisco Bay Area):
           

0.36%, (SIFMA + 0.30%), 4/1/27 (Put Date), 4/1/56(1)

    4,000       4,002,080  

2.95% to 4/1/26 (Put Date), 4/1/47

    1,800       1,890,558  

Central Florida Expressway Authority, 4.00%, 7/1/35

    3,150       3,469,693  
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority:            

4.00%, 1/1/34

    200       226,680  

4.00%, 1/1/36

    1,490       1,683,476  

5.00%, 1/1/27

    2,500       2,821,475  

5.00%, 1/1/36

    1,130       1,389,663  
Chicago, IL, (O’Hare International Airport):            

4.00%, 1/1/35

    5,000       5,705,300  

4.00%, 1/1/36

    3,500       4,000,920  

5.00%, 1/1/26

    1,000       1,136,710  

5.00%, 1/1/28

    150       164,714  

5.00%, 1/1/29

    150       164,714  

5.00%, 1/1/30

    500       548,445  

5.00%, 1/1/31

    1,000       1,095,390  

5.00%, 1/1/33

    125       136,736  

5.00%, 1/1/34

    7,500       9,159,375  

5.25%, 1/1/28

    2,905       3,411,254  

5.25%, 1/1/29

    3,060       3,593,236  

5.25%, 1/1/30

    1,000       1,174,760  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Transportation (continued)  
Chicago, IL, (O’Hare International Airport): (continued)            

5.25%, 1/1/31

  $ 1,000     $ 1,174,750  

5.25%, 1/1/32

    2,565       3,013,388  

Clark County, NV, Highway Revenue, 5.00%, 7/1/33

    840       911,803  

Commonwealth Transportation Board, VA, 5.00%, 9/15/30

    1,240       1,440,520  

Denver City and County, CO, Airport System Revenue, 5.00%, 11/15/31

    1,450       1,689,540  

Fort Bend County, TX, Toll Road Revenue, 5.00%, 3/1/28

    500       555,325  

Hawaii, Highway Revenue, 5.00%, 1/1/31

    805       983,855  

Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Federal Highway Trust Fund, 5.00%, 7/15/25

    650       731,393  
Illinois Toll Highway Authority:            

5.00%, 1/1/29

    175       198,924  

5.00%, 12/1/32

    350       394,569  

Kentucky Turnpike Authority, Prerefunded to 7/1/23, 5.00%, 7/1/33

    300       317,544  
Maine Turnpike Authority:            

5.00%, 7/1/36(2)

    1,150       1,472,782  

5.00%, 7/1/37(2)

    1,200       1,533,060  

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, 4.00%, 7/1/36

    2,900       3,411,560  

Massachusetts Department of Transportation, 5.00%, 1/1/30

    4,235       5,157,425  
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY:            

0.364%, (67% of SOFR + 0.33%), 11/1/35(1)

    7,125       7,070,707  

0.464%, (67% of SOFR + 0.43%), 11/1/26(1)

    2,500       2,439,800  

5.00%, 11/15/41

    415       427,595  

5.25%, 11/15/30

    500       565,055  

Green Bonds, 4.00%, 11/15/32

    5,000       5,467,100  

Green Bonds, 5.00%, 11/15/25

    5,000       5,639,650  

Green Bonds, 5.00%, 11/15/26

    5,815       6,694,228  

Series 2012D, 5.00%, 11/15/28

    1,070       1,102,475  

Series 2015F, 5.00%, 11/15/28

    640       717,069  

New Orleans Aviation Board, LA, 5.00%, 1/1/28

    150       174,296  
New York Transportation Development Corp., (Terminal 4
John F. Kennedy International Airport):
           

5.00%, 12/1/28

    1,200       1,410,720  

5.00%, 12/1/30

    1,000       1,207,680  
North Carolina, Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle Bonds:            

5.00%, 3/1/29

    550       610,264  

5.00%, 3/1/30

    400       443,984  
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission:            

4.00%, 12/1/37

    3,850       4,473,892  

5.00%, 12/1/34

    250       314,875  

5.00%, 12/1/35

    500       631,865  

5.00%, 12/1/36

    1,165       1,455,423  
 

 

  28   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Transportation (continued)  
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey:            

4.00%, 7/15/36

  $ 1,605     $ 1,833,199  

5.00%, 9/1/34

    3,595       4,443,672  
Port of Seattle, WA:            

5.00%, 3/1/27

    250       273,158  

5.00%, 3/1/29

    250       272,825  
Portland, ME, Airport Revenue:            

Green Bonds, 5.00%, 1/1/29

    225       268,178  

Green Bonds, 5.00%, 1/1/31

    370       446,856  
Salt Lake City, UT, (Salt Lake City International Airport):            

5.00%, 7/1/28

    1,370       1,610,010  

5.00%, 7/1/31

    300       359,238  

5.00%, 7/1/32

    660       790,139  

5.00%, 7/1/33

    600       718,050  

5.00%, 7/1/34

    450       538,137  
San Francisco City and County Airport Commission, CA,
(San Francisco International Airport):
           

5.00%, 5/1/35

    1,950       2,455,810  

5.00%, 5/1/36

    1,950       2,451,345  
Texas Transportation Commission, (Central Texas Turnpike
System):
           

0.00%, 8/1/34

    1,000       661,360  

0.00%, 8/1/35

    500       313,410  

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, NY, 5.00%, 11/15/29

    14,400       16,958,304  
Wayne County Airport Authority, MI, (Detroit Metropolitan
Wayne County Airport):
           

5.00%, 12/1/31

    2,920       3,541,201  

5.00%, 12/1/34

    1,005       1,220,371  
Wisconsin, Transportation Revenue:            

5.00%, 7/1/31

    3,450       3,765,606  

Prerefunded to 7/1/24, 5.00%, 7/1/32

    700       765,261  
            $ 155,615,814  
Water and Sewer — 3.8%  
Buffalo Municipal Water Finance Authority, NY:            

5.00%, 7/1/25

  $ 300     $ 335,808  

5.00%, 7/1/29

    115       128,848  

5.00%, 7/1/30

    100       112,042  

Glendale, AZ, Water and Sewer Revenue, 5.00%, 7/1/28

    1,500       1,680,630  
Hillsborough County, FL, Wastewater Impact Fee:            

5.00%, 5/1/26

    3,000       3,440,310  

5.00%, 5/1/27

    2,315       2,716,213  

5.00%, 5/1/29

    1,220       1,488,998  

King County, WA, Sewer Revenue, 0.29%, (SIFMA + 0.23%), 1/1/27 (Put Date), 1/1/40(1)

    2,500       2,500,950  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Water and Sewer (continued)  

Marin Public Financing Authority, CA, (Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District), 4.00%, 4/1/32

  $ 575     $ 638,607  

McAllen, TX, Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue, 4.00%, 2/1/27

    1,000       1,093,990  

Memphis, TN, Sanitary Sewerage System Revenue, 4.00%, 10/1/32

    1,895       2,111,276  
Mesa, AZ, Utility Systems Revenue:            

5.00%, 7/1/27

    600       693,288  

5.00%, 7/1/29

    500       575,885  

Portland, OR, Water System Revenue, 4.00%, 5/1/33

    2,470       2,932,532  
Rapid City, SD, Water Revenue:            

4.00%, 11/1/29

    600       654,198  

4.00%, 11/1/30

    670       729,757  

5.00%, 11/1/27

    515       583,232  

Richmond, VA, Public Utility Revenue, 4.00%, 1/15/36

    6,955       8,076,563  

Spotsylvania County, VA, Water and Sewer System Revenue, 3.00%, 12/1/31

    1,845       2,052,267  

St. Joseph Industrial Development Authority, MO, (Sewerage System Improvements), 5.00%, 4/1/26

    500       558,465  
Western Riverside Water and Wastewater Financing Authority,
CA:
           

4.00%, 9/1/26

    435       483,342  

4.00%, 9/1/27

    445       502,552  
Wyoming, MI, Water Supply System Revenue:            

5.00%, 6/1/27

    505       584,760  

5.00%, 6/1/28

    550       635,355  
            $ 35,309,868  

Total Tax-Exempt Municipal Obligations — 97.3%
(identified cost $895,333,166)

 

  $ 912,492,288  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 2.7%

 

  $ 25,558,697  

Net Assets — 100.0%

          $ 938,050,985  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

At January 31, 2022, the concentration of the Portfolio’s investments in the various states and territories, determined as a percentage of net assets, is as follows:

 

New York    12.2%
Others, representing less than 10% individually    85.1%
 

 

  29   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

The Portfolio invests primarily in debt securities issued by municipalities. The ability of the issuers of the debt securities to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry or municipality. At January 31, 2022, 4.2% of total investments are backed by bond insurance of various financial institutions and financial guaranty assurance agencies. The aggregate percentage insured by an individual financial institution or financial guaranty assurance agency ranged from 1.1% to 3.1% of total investments.

 

(1) 

Floating-rate security. The stated interest rate represents the rate in effect at January 31, 2022.

 

(2) 

When-issued security.

 

(3) 

Amount is less than 0.05%.

(4) 

Variable rate demand obligation that may be tendered at par on any day for payment the same or next business day. The stated interest rate, which generally resets daily, is determined by the remarketing agent and represents the rate in effect at January 31, 2022.

Abbreviations:

 

AGM     Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.
BAM     Build America Mutual Assurance Co.
FHLMC     Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
FNMA     Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA     Government National Mortgage Association
Liq     Liquidity Provider
PSF     Permanent School Fund
SFMR     Single Family Mortgage Revenue
SIFMA     Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index
SOFR     Secured Overnight Financing Rate
SPA     Standby Bond Purchase Agreement
 

 

  30   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    January 31, 2022  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $895,333,166)

   $ 912,492,288  

Cash

     37,956,415  

Interest receivable

     8,653,881  

Receivable for investments sold

     8,647,316  

Receivable from affiliates

     7,155  

Total assets

   $ 967,757,055  
Liabilities         

Payable for when-issued securities

   $ 29,328,170  

Payable to affiliate:

  

Investment adviser fee

     260,006  

Accrued expenses

     117,894  

Total liabilities

   $ 29,706,070  

Net Assets applicable to investors’ interest in Portfolio

   $ 938,050,985  

 

  31   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

January 31, 2022

 

Interest

   $ 19,490,562  

Total investment income

   $ 19,490,562  
Expenses

 

Investment adviser fee

   $ 3,057,043  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     46,919  

Custodian fee

     229,942  

Legal and accounting services

     57,476  

Miscellaneous

     23,348  

Total expenses

   $ 3,414,728  

Deduct —

  

Allocation of expenses to affiliates

   $ 64,587  

Total expense reductions

   $ 64,587  

Net expenses

   $ 3,350,141  

Net investment income

   $ 16,140,421  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 3,510,528  

Net realized gain

   $ 3,510,528  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ (43,090,606

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ (43,090,606

Net realized and unrealized loss

   $ (39,580,078

Net decrease in net assets from operations

   $ (23,439,657

 

  32   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended January 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2022      2021  

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 16,140,421      $ 15,352,513  

Net realized gain

     3,510,528        4,325,390  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (43,090,606      17,011,685  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ (23,439,657    $ 36,689,588  

Capital transactions —

     

Contributions

   $ 108,966,195      $ 203,943,194  

Withdrawals

     (58,460,755      (59,666,246

Portfolio transaction fee

     250,960        395,167  

Net increase in net assets from capital transactions

   $ 50,756,400      $ 144,672,115  

Net increase in net assets

   $ 27,316,743      $ 181,361,703  
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 910,734,242      $ 729,372,539  

At end of year

   $ 938,050,985      $ 910,734,242  

 

  33   See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Year Ended January 31,  
Ratios/Supplemental Data    2022      2021      2020      2019     2018  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

             

Expenses(1)

     0.35      0.35      0.35      0.35     0.35

Net investment income

     1.69      1.94      2.17      2.16     2.01

Portfolio Turnover

     22      51      28      78     35

Total Return(1)

     (2.44 )%       4.66      7.88      3.11     3.83

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 938,051      $ 910,734      $ 729,373      $ 612,428     $ 676,300  

 

(1) 

The investment adviser and sub-adviser reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.01% of average daily net assets for each of the years ended January 31, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

  34   See Notes to Financial Statements.


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio (the Portfolio) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue interests in the Portfolio. At January 31, 2022, Parametric TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund and Eaton Vance TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond NextShares held an interest of 99.9% and 0.1%, respectively, in the Portfolio.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Portfolio. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Portfolio is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Debt Obligations. Debt obligations are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third party pricing services, as derived from such services’ pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and ask prices, broker/dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, interest rates, anticipated prepayments, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Short-term debt obligations purchased with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less for which a valuation from a third party pricing service is not readily available may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Portfolio in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Portfolio might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount.

D  Federal Taxes — The Portfolio has elected to be treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. No provision is made by the Portfolio for federal or state taxes on any taxable income of the Portfolio because each investor in the Portfolio is ultimately responsible for the payment of any taxes on its share of taxable income. Since at least one of the Portfolio’s investors is a regulated investment company that invests all or substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio, the Portfolio normally must satisfy the applicable source of income and diversification requirements (under the Internal Revenue Code) in order for its investors to satisfy them. The Portfolio will allocate, at least annually among its investors, each investor’s distributive share of the Portfolio’s net investment income, net realized capital gains and losses and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit.

As of January 31, 2022, the Portfolio had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Portfolio files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

F  Indemnifications — Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Portfolio. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, interestholders in the Portfolio could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Portfolio. However, the Portfolio’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Portfolio interestholders. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Portfolio that have not yet occurred.

G  When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions — The Portfolio may purchase securities on a delayed delivery or when issued basis. Payment and delivery may take place after the customary settlement period for that security. At the time the transaction is negotiated, the price of the security that will be delivered is fixed. The Portfolio maintains cash and/or security positions for these commitments such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payments upon settlement. Securities purchased on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and begin

 

  35  


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

earning interest on settlement date. Such security purchases are subject to the risk that when delivered they will be worth less than the agreed upon payment price. Losses may also arise if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

H  Capital Transactions — To seek to protect the Portfolio (and, indirectly, other investors in the Portfolio) against the costs of accommodating investor inflows and outflows, the Portfolio imposes a fee (“Portfolio transaction fee”) on inflows and outflows by Portfolio investors. The Portfolio transaction fee is sized to cover the estimated cost to the Portfolio of, in connection with issuing interests, converting the cash and/or other instruments it receives to the desired composition and, in connection with redeeming its interests, converting Portfolio holdings to cash and/or other instruments to be distributed. Such fee, which may vary over time, is limited to amounts that have been authorized by the Board of Trustees and determined by Eaton Vance Management (EVM) to be appropriate. The maximum Portfolio transaction fee is 2% of the amount of net contributions or withdrawals. The Portfolio transaction fee is recorded as a component of capital transactions on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

2  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR) as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Portfolio. On March 1, 2021, Morgan Stanley acquired Eaton Vance Corp. (the “Transaction”) and BMR became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. In connection with the Transaction, the Portfolio entered into a new investment advisory agreement (the “New Agreement”) with BMR, which took effect on March 1, 2021. The Portfolio’s prior fee reduction agreement was incorporated into the New Agreement. Pursuant to the New Agreement (and the Portfolio’s investment advisory agreement and related fee reduction agreement with BMR in effect prior to March 1, 2021), the investment adviser fee is computed at an annual rate as a percentage of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets as follows and is payable monthly:

 

Average Daily Net Assets    Annual Fee
Rate
 

Up to $1 billion

     0.3200

$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion

     0.3075

$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion

     0.2950

$5 billion and over

     0.2875

For the year ended January 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s investment adviser fee amounted to $3,057,043 or 0.32% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement, BMR has delegated the investment management of the Portfolio to Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC (Parametric), an affiliate of BMR and, effective March 1, 2021, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. In connection with the Transaction, BMR entered into a new investment sub-advisory agreement with Parametric, which took effect on March 1, 2021. BMR pays Parametric a portion of its investment adviser fee for sub-advisory services provided to the Portfolio. Pursuant to a voluntary expense reimbursement, BMR and Parametric were allocated $64,587 in total of the Portfolio’s operating expenses for the year ended January 31, 2022.

Trustees and officers of the Portfolio who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Portfolio out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Portfolio who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended January 31, 2022, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Portfolio are officers of the above organizations.

3  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $359,890,505 and $193,607,861, respectively, for the year ended January 31, 2022.

4  Federal Income Tax Basis of Investments

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Portfolio at January 31, 2022, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 895,298,175  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 26,968,619  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (9,774,506

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 17,194,113  

 

  36  


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

5  Line of Credit

The Portfolio participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 25, 2022. Borrowings are made by the Portfolio solely for temporary purposes related to redemptions and other short-term cash needs. Interest is charged to the Portfolio based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. In connection with the renewal of the agreement in October 2021, an arrangement fee totaling $150,000 was incurred that was allocated to the participating portfolios and funds. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Portfolio, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Portfolio did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended January 31, 2022.

6  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

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

 

 

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

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At January 31, 2022, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Tax-Exempt Municipal Obligations

   $         —      $ 912,492,288      $         —      $ 912,492,288  

Total Investments

   $      $ 912,492,288      $      $ 912,492,288  

7  Risks and Uncertainties

Pandemic Risk

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in late 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. Health crises caused by outbreaks, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks and disrupt normal market conditions and operations. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, the economies of individual countries, individual companies, and the market in general, and may continue to do so in significant and unforeseen ways, as may other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future. Any such impact could adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance, or the performance of the securities in which the Portfolio invests.

 

  37  


5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

January 31, 2022

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees and Investors of 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), including the portfolio of investments, as of January 31, 2022, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of January 31, 2022, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Portfolio’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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, whether due to error or fraud. The Portfolio is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of January 31, 2022, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 23, 2022

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  38  


Parametric

TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

January 31, 2022

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (the Trust) and 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio (the Portfolio) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s and the Portfolio’s affairs. The Board members and officers of the Trust and the Portfolio are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Board members hold indefinite terms of office. Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, subject to a prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Under the terms of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s current Trustee retirement policy, an Independent Trustee must retire and resign as a Trustee on the earlier of: (i) the first day of July following his or her 74th birthday; or (ii), with limited exception, December 31st of the 20th year in which he or she has served as a Trustee. However, if such retirement and resignation would cause the Fund or Portfolio to be out of compliance with Section 16 of the 1940 Act or any other regulations or guidance of the SEC, then such retirement and resignation will not become effective until such time as action has been taken for the Fund or Portfolio to be in compliance therewith. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and the Portfolio, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Board member and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to EV LLC, “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EV is the trustee of each of EVM and BMR. Effective March 1, 2021, each of EVM, BMR, EVD and EV are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley. Each officer affiliated with EVM may hold a position with other EVM affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 138 funds (with the exception of Messrs. Faust and Wennerholm and Ms. Frost who oversee 137 funds) in the Eaton Vance fund complex (including both funds and portfolios in a hub and spoke structure).

 

Name and Year of Birth    Trust/Portfolio
Position(s)
     Length of Service     

Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      Since 2007     

Chairman of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. (MSIM), member of the Board of Managers and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Formerly, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with MSIM, BMR, EVM, EVD, and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust and the Portfolio, and his former position with EVC, which was an affiliate of the Trust and the Portfolio prior to March 1, 2021.

Other Directorships. Formerly, Director of EVC (2007-2021) and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm) (2012-2021).

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      Since 2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      Since 2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee      Since 2021 (Chairperson) and 2014 (Trustee)     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships. None.

 

  39  


Parametric

TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

January 31, 2022

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth    Trust/Portfolio
Position(s)
     Length of Service     

Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      Since 2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Founder of Upward Wealth, Inc., dba BrightUP, a fintech platform. Formerly, Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships. Director of DraftKings, Inc. (digital sports entertainment and gaming company) (since September 2020). Director of Groupon, Inc. (e-commerce provider) (since April 2020). Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (2013-2020).

William H. Park

1947

   Trustee      Since 2003     

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships. None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      Since 2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      Since 2018     

Private investor, researcher and lecturer. Formerly, Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (2017-2021). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships. Formerly, Director (2016-2021) and Chairman (2019-2021) of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank.

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      Since 2018     

Private investor and independent corporate director. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Canada (2012-2017), Chief Investment Officer, Asia (2010-2012), Director of Asian Research (2004-2010), and portfolio manager (2001-2017) at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm).

Other Directorships. Director of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (an industrial REIT) (since 2021). Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      Since 2015     

Private investor. Director of Ascot Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries (insurance and reinsurance) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of Hagerty Holding Corp. (insurance) (2015-2018) and Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (insurance and reinsurance) (2013-2015). Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships. Director of Kairos Acquisition Corp. (insurance/InsurTech acquisition company) (since 2021).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      Since 2016     

Private investor. Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships. None.

 

  40  


Parametric

TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

January 31, 2022

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth    Trust/Portfolio
Position(s)
     Length of Service     

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Eric A. Stein

1980

   President of the Trust      Since 2020      Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income of EVM and BMR. Prior to November 1, 2020, Mr. Stein was a co-Director of Eaton Vance’s Global Income Investments. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

Deidre E. Walsh

1971

   Vice President and Chief Legal Officer      Since 2009      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      Since 2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Jill R. Damon

1984

   Secretary      Since 2022      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly, associate at Dechert LLP (2009-2017).

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      Since 2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Trust and the Portfolio and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-260-0761.

 

  41  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

Privacy Notice    April 2021

 

 

FACTS    WHAT DOES EATON VANCE DO WITH YOUR
PERSONAL INFORMATION?
      
  
Why?    Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
   
      
What?   

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

   Social Security number and income

   investment experience and risk tolerance

   checking account number and wire transfer instructions

   
      
How?    All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Eaton Vance chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
   
      

 

Reasons we can share your
personal information
   Does Eaton Vance share?    Can you limit this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes — such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus    Yes    No
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you    Yes    No
For joint marketing with other financial companies    No    We don’t share
For our investment management affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions, experiences, and creditworthiness    Yes    Yes
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences    Yes    No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness    No    We don’t share
For our investment management affiliates to market to you    Yes    Yes
For our affiliates to market to you    No    We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you    No    We don’t share

 

To limit our sharing   

Call toll-free 1-800-262-1122 or email: EVPrivacy@eatonvance.com

 

Please note:

 

If you are a new customer, we can begin sharing your information 30 days from the date we sent this notice. When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. However, you can contact us at any time to limit our sharing.

   
      
   
Questions?    Call toll-free 1-800-262-1122 or email: EVPrivacy@eatonvance.com
   
      

 

  42  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

Privacy Notice — continued    April 2021

 

 

Page 2     

 

Who we are
Who is providing this notice?   Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, Eaton Vance and Calvert Fund Families and our investment advisory affiliates (“Eaton Vance”) (see Investment Management Affiliates definition below)
What we do
How does Eaton Vance protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.
How does Eaton Vance collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

   open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account

   buy securities from us or make a wire transfer

   give us your contact information

 

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

   sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

   affiliates from using your information to market to you

   sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.

Definitions
Investment Management Affiliates   Eaton Vance Investment Management Affiliates include registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds. Investment Management Affiliates does not include entities associated with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

   Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

   Eaton Vance does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

   Eaton Vance doesn’t jointly market.

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Nonaffiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

 

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Nonaffiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.

 

  43  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-260-0761, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC. Certain information filed on Form N-PORT may be viewed on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-260-0761 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-260-0761 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  44  


Investment Adviser of 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Investment Adviser and Administrator of Parametric TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Investment Sub-Adviser

Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC

800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2800

Seattle, WA 98104

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 260-0761

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


 

22626  1.31.22


Item 2. Code of Ethics

The registrant (sometimes referred to as the “Fund”) has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of such code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-262-1122. The registrant has not amended the code of ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the period covered by this report. The registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the period covered by this report.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated George J. Gorman, William H. Park and Scott E. Wennerholm, each an independent trustee, as audit committee financial experts. Mr. Gorman is a certified public accountant who is the Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (a consulting firm). Previously, Mr. Gorman served in various capacities at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm), including as Senior Partner. Mr. Gorman also has experience serving as an independent trustee and audit committee financial expert of other mutual fund complexes. Mr. Park is a certified public accountant who is a private investor.


Previously, he served as a consultant, as the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group, L.P. (an investment management firm), as the Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company), as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm), as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation (an institutional investment management firm) and as a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm). Mr. Wennerholm is a private investor. Previously, Mr. Wennerholm served as a Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution), as a Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm), Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm), Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm), and Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm).

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

(a)-(d)

The following table presents the aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2021 and January 31, 2022 by the registrant’s principal accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”), for professional services rendered for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and fees billed for other services rendered by D&T during such periods.

 

Fiscal Years Ended

   1/31/21      1/31/22  

Audit Fees

   $ 34,575      $ 34,000  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 13,213      $ 13,213  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 47,788      $ 47,213  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under the category of audit fees.

(2) 

Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning and specifically include fees for tax return preparation and other tax related compliance/planning matters

(3) 

All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than audit, audit-related, and tax services.

(e)(1) The registrant’s audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the pre-approval of services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant (the “Pre-Approval Policies”). The Pre-Approval Policies establish a framework intended to assist the audit committee in the proper discharge of its pre-approval responsibilities. As a general matter, the Pre-Approval Policies (i) specify certain types of audit, audit-related, tax, and other services determined to be pre-approved by the audit committee; and (ii) delineate specific procedures governing the mechanics of the pre-approval process, including the approval and monitoring of audit and non-audit service fees. Unless a service is specifically pre-approved under the Pre-Approval Policies, it must be separately pre-approved by the audit committee.

The Pre-Approval Policies and the types of audit and non-audit services pre-approved therein must be reviewed and ratified by the registrant’s audit committee at least annually. The registrant’s audit committee maintains full responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the registrant’s principal accountant.


(e)(2) No services described in paragraphs (b)-(d) above were approved by the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to the “de minimis exception” set forth in Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not applicable

(g) The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the registrant by D&T for the registrant’s fiscal years ended January 31, 2021 and January 31, 2022; and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the Eaton Vance organization by D&T for the same time periods.

 

Fiscal Years Ended

   1/31/21      1/31/22  

Registrant

   $ 13,213      $ 13,213  

Eaton Vance(1)

   $ 150,300      $ 51,800  

 

(1) 

The investment adviser to the registrant, as well as any of its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the registrant, are subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley.

(h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision by the registrant’s principal accountant of non-audit services 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 that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No material changes.


Item 11. Controls and Procedures

(a) It is the conclusion of the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrant’s current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)    Registrant’s Code of Ethics – Not applicable (please see Item 2).
(a)(2)(i)    Treasurer’s Section 302 certification.
(a)(2)(ii)    President’s Section 302 certification.
(b)    Combined Section 906 certification.

 


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.

5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Portfolio

 

By:  

/s/ Eric A. Stein

  Eric A. Stein
  President
Date:   March 28, 2022

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ James F. Kirchner

  James F. Kirchner
  Treasurer
Date:   March 28, 2022
By:  

/s/ Eric A. Stein

  Eric A. Stein
  President
Date:   March 28, 2022