N-CSR 1 d154222dncsr.htm CUTWATER SELECT INCOME FUND Cutwater Select Income Fund

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            811-02201              

                              Cutwater Select Income Fund                             

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

200 Park Avenue, 7th Floor

                                 New York, NY 10166                                

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Clifford D. Corso

200 Park Avenue, 7th Floor

                                 New York, NY 10166                                

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-527-1800

Date of fiscal year end: March 31

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2016


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


CUTWATER SELECT INCOME FUND SHAREHOLDER LETTER – 03/31/16

April 18, 2016

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS:

We have long held a view that the US economy is capable of moderate, yet self-sustaining growth of around 2%, even in the face of numerous global headwinds. Our belief that the US economy can withstand international headwinds has been underpinned by the fact 68% of the economy is consumption, and consumers are doing relatively well. Home prices are rising approximately 6% while stocks are at high absolute levels, leaving consumer balance sheets at healthy levels, which is supportive of this view. The labor market continues to firm and should translate to moderate wage growth acceleration. With an improved balance sheet and improving personal income, consumer spending should continue to drive growth as evidenced by strong auto sales that represent the second largest household purchase. While consumption is strong, we do expect business investment to remain cautious as capacity utilization, particularly in the commodity centric sectors, remains low. Multinational corporations that are relying on exports also face challenges due to the relatively strong US dollar and slowing global growth which will continue to remain a drag. Headwinds related to fiscal austerity have abated as state and local spending has benefitted from a recovery in the real estate market. Federal spending, thanks to the 2015 budget deal, should rise moderately this year. As such we expect government growth of about 2% this year.

While we are constructive on the domestic economy, there are headwinds. Most notably, uncertainty around growth rates in China, uncertainty around direction of oil and metals prices, and uncertainty around global monetary policy. With $3.2 trillion in reserves, China does still have significant ability to support growth and promote stability. As for commodity prices, they remain a cause of concern as risk sentiment continues to be correlated to the price of commodities, but many commodities have stabilized, raising the prospect that the worst may be behind us. On the monetary policy front, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) continues to be skeptical on inflation and has expressed concern about financial markets. We expect the Fed to remain dovish, perhaps hiking no more than two times in 2016 while allowing wage growth to drift higher. The rest of the world continues to ease with the European Central Bank and Bank of Japan setting negative rates, a policy stance that provokes enthusiastic debate among market participants.

More recently, during the first quarter of 2016, the market was “violently unchanged”. The significant sell-off in risk markets in the first two months of the year was countered by aggressive central bank policy actions, commodity price stabilization and reassuring economic data. The S&P 500 Index, a good barometer of risk appetite, ended the quarter generating a positive total return of 1.34% after being down 10.27% as of the February 11th lows. The same is true for the US high yield market which ended the quarter strongly, with the Barclays US High Yield Index producing a 3.35% return for the quarter after being down 5.16%, also as of February 11th. The Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index also produced strong returns of 3.97% for the quarter which translated into 16bp of excess return vs US Treasuries which were up from -364bp of excess returns as of Feb 11, 2016.

In our last communication to shareholders we had highlighted that the recent magnitude of spreads suggested a high degree of strategic value across several credit sectors with a high margin for safety and justified our overweight credit posture, although over the last six months it resulted in portfolio underperformance. This inherent strategic value combined with our base view for the US economy supported the Fund positioning. In this environment of continued uncertainty and volatility we believe that patient investors will be rewarded by investing in a higher quality credit-oriented portfolio with carefully underwritten bonds that exhibit a high margin of safety to deal with market and economic stresses. This is our focus in the Fund.

 

1


As of March 31, 2016 the Fund had a net asset value (NAV) of $20.20 per share. This represents a 0.4% increase from $20.12 per share on September 30, 2015. On March 31, 2016, the Fund’s closing price on the New York Stock Exchange was $19.14 per share, representing a 5.25% discount to NAV per share, compared with a 5.17% discount as of September 30, 2015. The market trading discount was at 4.91% as of market close on April 18, 2016.

One of the primary objectives of the Fund is to maintain a high level of income. On March 2, 2016 the Board of Trustees declared a dividend payment of $0.25 per share payable May, 2, 2016 to shareholders of record on April 6, 2016. On an annualized basis, including the pending dividend, the Fund has paid a total of $1.00 per share in dividends, representing a 5.21% dividend yield based on the market price on April 18, 2016 of $19.19 per share. The dividend is evaluated on a quarterly basis and is based on the income generation capability of the portfolio.

Total Return-Percentage Change (Annualized for periods longer than 1 year)

In Net Asset Value Per Share with All Distributions Reinvested1

 

     6 Months
to
3/31/16
    1 Year
to
3/31/16
    3 Years
to
3/31/16
    5 Years
to
3/31/16
    10 Years
to
3/31/16
 

Cutwater Select Income Fund

     1.79     -1.00     3.36     5.91     6.59

Barclays U.S. Credit Index2

     3.38     0.93     2.86     5.00     5.70

 

1 – This is historical information and should not be construed as indicative of any likely future performance.

2 – Source: Barclays as of 3/31/16. Comprised primarily of US investment grade corporate bonds (Fund’s Benchmark).

The Fund’s performance for the 10-year historical periods (shown above) reflects the 4.79% dilution of NAV resulting from the rights offering in the third quarter of 2009. After adjusting for the impact of the rights offering, we estimate the 10-year annualized return to be 7.10%. The returns noted in the table above are actual returns as calculated by the fund administrator, BNY Mellon, and do not adjust for the dilution of the rights offering.

Yield represents the major component of return in most fixed income portfolios. Given this Fund’s emphasis on income and the dividend, we generally will not have material exposure to low yielding US Treasuries and will maintain meaningful exposure to corporate bonds. When it comes to management of credit risk, we try to look through periods of volatility to focus on an investment’s long-term creditworthiness to assess whether it will provide an attractive yield to the Fund over time.

 

2


The Fund’s performance will continue to be subject to trends in long-term interest rates and to corporate yield spreads. Consistent with our investment discipline, we continue to emphasize diversification and risk management within the bounds of income stability. The pie chart below summarizes the portfolio quality of the Fund’s assets as of March 31, 2016:

 

LOGO

 

1 

For financial reporting purposes, credit quality ratings shown above reflect the lowest rating assigned by either Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) if ratings differ. These rating agencies are independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and are widely used. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BBB/Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BB/Ba or lower. Investments designated NR are not rated by either rating agency. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings and the Fund’s allocation to the ratings categories are subject to change at any time without notice.

Change of Non-Fundamental Investment Policy Regarding Foreign Securities

On May 4, 2016, at our recommendation, the Board of Trustees approved the removal of the non-fundamental investment policy that restricted the Fund from acquiring Yankee Bonds or Euro-dollar obligations if the acquisition would cause more than 15% of the Fund’s assets to be invested in Yankee Bonds and Euro-dollar obligations. In addition, the Fund is now permitted to invest in Euro-dollar obligations with maturities in excess of 1 year. Please see further discussion of this change in the Shareholder Information section of the report beginning on page 22.

We would like to remind shareholders of the opportunities presented by the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan referred to in the Shareholder Information section of this report. The dividend reinvestment plan affords shareholders a price advantage by allowing them to purchase shares at NAV or market price, whichever is lower. This means that the reinvestment price is at market price when the Fund is trading at a discount to NAV, as is currently the situation, or at NAV per share when market trading is at a premium to that value. To participate in the plan, please contact BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. the Fund’s Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying Agent, at 1-866-333-6685. The Fund’s investment adviser, Cutwater Investor Services Corp., may be reached at 866-766-3030.

 

LOGO

Cliff Corso

President

The information contained in this presentation comes from public sources which Cutwater Investor Services Corp. believes to be reliable. A list of sources used for this document is available upon request.

 

3


Performance comparisons will be affected by changes in interest rates. Investment returns fluctuate due to changes in market conditions. Investment involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. No assurance can be given that the performance objectives of a given strategy will be achieved. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Cutwater Investor Services Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and may also be used as a generic term to reference the Corporation as a whole or its various subsidiaries generally. Products and services may be provided under various brand names and in various countries by subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation where authorized and regulated as required within each jurisdiction.

The Fund and its securities are not bank deposits, are not insured by the FDIC (or by any governmental entity) and are not guaranteed by or obligations of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation or any of its affiliates.

Mr. Corso’s comments reflect the investment adviser’s views generally regarding the market and the economy, and are compiled from the investment adviser’s research. These comments reflect opinions as of the date written and are subject to change at any time.

 

4


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and

Board of Directors of the

Cutwater Select Income Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Cutwater Select Income Fund, including the schedule of investments, as of March 31, 2016, and 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 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cutwater Select Income Fund as of March 31, 2016, 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.

TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 9, 2016

 

5


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS March 31, 2016

 

     Moody’s/
Standard &
Poor’s
Rating(a)
   Principal
Amount (000’s)
     Value
(Note 1)
 

CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES (78.68%)

        

AUTOMOTIVE (0.91%)

        

Ford Holdings LLC, Co. Gty., 9.30%, 03/01/30

   Baa2/BBB    $ 1,000       $ 1,326,683   

Ford Motor Co., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 8.90%, 01/15/32

   Baa2/BBB      500         650,078   
        

 

 

 
           1,976,761   
        

 

 

 

CHEMICALS (1.95%)

        

Dow Chemical Co., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 8.55%, 05/15/19

   Baa2/BBB      500         594,754   

Incitec Pivot Finance LLC, Co. Gty., 6.00%, 12/10/19, 144A

   Baa3/BBB      405         434,056   

Sinochem Overseas Capital Co., Ltd., Co. Gty., 4.50%, 11/12/20, 144A

   A3/A-      500         531,547   

Solvay Finance America LLC, Co. Gty., 3.40%, 12/03/20, 144A(b)

   Baa2/BBB-      312         317,183   

Union Carbide Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 7.75%, 10/01/96

   Baa2/BBB        2,000         2,335,094   
        

 

 

 
           4,212,634   
        

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES (15.84%)

        

Bank of America Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.625%, 07/01/20

   Baa1/BBB+      190         213,505   

Bank of America Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.875%, 01/05/21

   Baa1/BBB+      500         571,731   

Bank of America Corp., Sub. Notes, 4.45%, 03/03/26

   Baa3/BBB      1,764         1,817,253   

CDP Financial, Inc., Co. Gty., 4.40%, 11/25/19, 144A

   Aaa/AAA      400         440,712   

Chase Capital II, Ltd. Gtd., Series B, 1.116%, 02/01/27(b),(c)

   Baa2/BBB-      70         54,250   

Citigroup, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 8.125%, 07/15/39

   Baa1/BBB+      70         103,552   

Citigroup, Inc., Sub. Notes, 4.60%, 03/09/26

   Baa3/BBB      2,000         2,050,668   

Citigroup, Inc., Sub. Notes, 5.30%, 05/06/44

   Baa3/BBB      1,200         1,255,564   

CoBank ACB, Sub. Notes, 7.875%, 04/16/18, 144A(b)

   NA/A-      500         500,792   

Credit Agricole SA, Sub. Notes, 4.375%, 03/17/25, 144A

   Baa3/BBB      1,840         1,801,746   

Deutsche Bank AG, Sub. Notes, 4.296%, 05/24/28(b),(c)

   Ba1/BB+      1,750         1,504,752   

Discover Financial Services, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 10.25%, 07/15/19

   Ba1/BBB-      200         236,929   

Farmers Exchange Capital, Sub. Notes, 7.20%, 07/15/48, 144A

   Baa2/A-      3,000         3,409,092   

GE Capital International Funding Co., Co. Gty., 4.418%, 11/15/35, 144A

   A1/AA+      1,018         1,105,948   

General Electric Capital Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.875%, 01/10/39

   A1/AA+      287         415,575   

General Electric Co., Jr. Sub. Notes, 5.00%, 01/21/21(c),(d)

   A3/AA-      4,320         4,449,600   

HSBC Capital Funding LP, Co. Gty., 10.176%, 06/30/30, 144A(c),(d)

   Baa1/BBB-      2,180         3,215,500   

ING Bank NV, Sub. Notes, 4.125%, 11/21/23(b),(c)

   Baa2/BBB+      2,500         2,521,425   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Jr. Sub., 7.90%, 04/30/18(c),(d)

   Baa3/BBB-      2,000         2,000,000   

Lincoln Finance, Ltd., Sr. Sec. Notes, 7.375%, 04/15/21, 144A(b)

   B1/BB+      225         234,000   

Morgan Stanley, Jr. Sub. Notes, 5.45%, 07/15/19(c),(d)

   Ba1/BB      2,200         2,079,000   

Morgan Stanley, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.25%, 08/28/17

   A3/BBB+      300         318,763   

Santander UK Group Holdings PLC, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 2.875%, 10/16/20

   Baa1/BBB      745         741,219   

Synchrony Financial, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 2.60%, 01/15/19(b)

   NA/BBB-      936         937,999   

UBS AG, Sub. Notes, 7.625%, 08/17/22

   NR/BBB      2,000         2,290,660   
        

 

 

 
             34,270,235   
        

 

 

 

ENERGY (12.16%)

        

Access Midstream Partners LP/ACMP Finance Corp., Co. Gty., 4.875%, 05/15/23(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      1,200         1,041,929   

Antero Resources Corp., Co. Gty., 5.625%, 06/01/23(b)

   Ba3/BB      566         520,720   

BG Energy Capital PLC, Co. Gty., 6.50%, 11/30/72(b),(c)

   Baa1/A-      3,250         3,411,073   

Burlington Resources, Inc., Co. Gty., 9.125%, 10/01/21

   Baa2/A      850         1,058,926   

CITGO Petroleum Corp., Sr. Sec. Notes, 6.25%, 08/15/22, 144A(b)

   B3/B+      2,190         2,113,350   

CMS Panhandle Holding Co., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 7.00%, 07/15/29

   Baa3/BBB-      1,000         1,030,344   

Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc., Co. Gty., 4.50%, 06/01/25, 144A(b)

   Baa2/BBB-      395         392,209   

ConocoPhillips Co., Co. Gty., 4.95%, 03/15/26(b)

   Baa2/A      555         579,388   

El Paso LLC, Sr. Sec. Notes, 8.05%, 10/15/30

   Baa3/BBB-      1,000         1,072,570   

Energy Transfer Partners LP, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.15%, 03/15/45(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      480         373,132   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Co. Gty., Series B, 7.034%, 01/15/68(b),(c)

   Baa2/BBB-      1,000         1,014,000   

Florida Gas Transmission Co. LLC, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 9.19%, 11/01/24, 144A

   Baa2/BBB      90         109,200   

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp., Co. Gty., 6.00%, 05/15/23(b)

   B1/B+      697         613,360   

 

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

 

6


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — continued

 

     Moody’s/
Standard &
Poor’s
Rating(a)
   Principal
Amount (000’s)
     Value
(Note 1)
 

ENERGY (Continued)

        

IFM US Colonial Pipeline 2 LLC, Sr. Sec. Notes, 6.45%, 05/01/21, 144A(b)

   NA/BB    $ 1,000       $ 1,086,011   

Kinder Morgan, Inc., Co. Gty., 5.55%, 06/01/45(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      2,150         1,910,765   

Motiva Enterprises LLC, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.75%, 01/15/20, 144A

   A2/BBB+      64         66,740   

Motiva Enterprises LLC, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.85%, 01/15/40, 144A

   A2/BBB+      124         128,504   

Petroleos Mexicanos, Co. Gty., 8.00%, 05/03/19

   Baa3/BBB+      250         278,488   

Petroleos Mexicanos, Co. Gty., 6.00%, 03/05/20

   Baa3/BBB+      750         793,125   

Regency Energy Partners LP/Regency Energy Finance Corp., 6.50%, 07/15/21(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      2,180         2,147,300   

Shell International Finance BV, Co. Gty., 4.30%, 09/22/19

   Aa1/A+      1,000         1,081,810   

Transocean, Inc., Co. Gty., 7.50%, 04/15/31

   B2/BB+      500         260,000   

Valero Energy Corp., Co. Gty., 8.75%, 06/15/30

   Baa2/BBB      1,000         1,226,555   

Valero Energy Corp., Co. Gty., 10.50%, 03/15/39

   Baa2/BBB      500         705,912   

Western Atlas, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 8.55%, 06/15/24

   A2/A        2,539         3,290,963   
        

 

 

 
             26,306,374   
        

 

 

 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE (1.91%)

        

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., Co. Gty., 3.65%, 02/01/26(b)

   (P)A3/A-      795         836,032   

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., Co. Gty., 4.70%, 02/01/36(b)

   (P)A3/A-      645         697,054   

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., Co. Gty., 4.90%, 02/01/46(b)

   (P)A3/A-      756         844,877   

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., Co. Gty., 7.75%, 01/15/19

   A2/A-      325         378,792   

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., Co. Gty., 8.20%, 01/15/39

   A2/A-      27         40,835   

JBS USA LLC/JBS USA Finance, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.75%, 06/15/25, 144A(b)

   Ba2/BB+      1,200         1,050,000   

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., Co. Gty., 5.20%, 07/15/45, 144A(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      260         290,911   
        

 

 

 
           4,138,501   
        

 

 

 

HEALTHCARE (1.26%)

        

Actavis Funding SCS, Co. Gty., 4.75%, 03/15/45(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      180         189,307   

Fresenius Medical Care US Finance, Inc., Co. Gty., 5.75%, 02/15/21, 144A

   Ba2/BB+      750         811,875   

MEDNAX, Inc., Co. Gty., 5.25%, 12/01/23, 144A(b)

   Ba2/BBB-      250         260,000   

Medtronic, Inc., Co. Gty., 4.625%, 03/15/45

   A3/A      775         867,394   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Co. Gty., 5.50%, 03/01/23, 144A(b)

   B3/B-      750         589,688   
        

 

 

 
           2,718,264   
        

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL (3.17%)

        

ADT Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.25%, 10/15/21

   Ba2/BB-      1,000         1,005,000   

Case New Holland Industrial, Inc., Co. Gty., 7.875%, 12/01/17

   Ba1/BB+      1,000         1,075,000   

CNH Industrial Capital LLC, Co. Gty., 3.875%, 07/16/18

   Ba1/BB      535         531,255   

Heathrow Funding, Ltd., Sr. Sec. Notes, 4.875%, 07/15/23, 144A

   NA/A-      200         216,310   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 4.20%, 04/01/26(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      593         620,304   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.50%, 04/01/46(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      629         683,343   

Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp., Co. Gty., 7.75%, 06/01/29

   Baa1/BBB+      500         679,427   

Reynolds American, Inc., Co. Gty., 4.45%, 06/12/25(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      1,000         1,100,242   

Sydney Airport Finance Co. Property, Ltd., Sr. Sec. Notes, 3.375%, 04/30/25, 144A(b)

   Baa2/BBB      400         396,063   

Worthington Industries, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.50%, 04/15/20

   Baa3/BBB      500         546,917   
        

 

 

 
           6,853,861   
        

 

 

 

INSURANCE (8.04%)

        

AIG SunAmerica, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 8.125%, 04/28/23

   Baa1/A-      1,800         2,185,470   

Allstate Corp., Jr. Sub. Notes, 6.50%, 05/15/67(b),(c)

   Baa1/BBB      2,200         2,387,000   

American International Group, Inc., Jr. Sub. Debs., 8.175%, 05/15/68(b),(c)

   Baa2/BBB      2,500         3,106,250   

Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America, Sub. Notes, 7.375%, 09/30/39, 144A

   A1/AA-      108         136,573   

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., Co. Gty., 7.00%, 03/07/67, 144A(b),(c)

   Baa3/BB+      500         440,000   

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., Co. Gty., 10.75%, 06/15/88, 144A(b),(c)

   Baa3/BB+      1,000         1,465,000   

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 7.00%, 03/15/34, 144A

   Baa2/BBB      250         303,092   

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Sub. Notes, 8.875%, 06/01/39, 144A

   A1/AA-      500         724,838   

MetLife Capital Trust X, Jr. Sub. Notes, 9.25%, 04/08/68, 144A(b)

   Baa2/BBB      500         678,125   

MetLife, Inc., Jr. Sub. Notes, 10.75%, 08/01/69(b)

   Baa2/BBB      1,000         1,520,000   

 

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

 

7


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — continued

 

     Moody’s/
Standard &
Poor’s
Rating(a)
   Principal
Amount (000’s)
     Value
(Note 1)
 

INSURANCE (Continued)

        

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Sub. Notes, 9.375%, 08/15/39, 144A

   A3/A-    $ 215       $ 316,969   

New York Life Insurance Co., Sub. Notes, 6.75%, 11/15/39, 144A

   Aa2/AA-      103         135,126   

Prudential Financial, Inc., Jr. Sub. Notes, 5.20%, 03/15/44(b),(c)

   Baa2/BBB+      2,500         2,409,825   

Prudential Financial, Inc., Jr. Sub. Notes, 8.875%, 06/15/68(b),(c)

   Baa2/BBB+      1,000         1,097,500   

Travelers Cos., Inc., Jr. Sub. Notes, 6.25%, 03/15/67(b),(c)

   A3/NR      500         487,500   
        

 

 

 
           17,393,268   
        

 

 

 

MEDIA (10.19%)

        

21st Century Fox America, Inc., Co. Gty., 7.90%, 12/01/95

   Baa1/BBB+      1,400         1,702,638   

CCOH Safari LLC, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.75%, 02/15/26, 144A(b)

   B1/BB      1,112         1,150,920   

Comcast Corp., Co. Gty., 7.05%, 03/15/33

   A3/A-      2,000         2,754,086   

Cox Communications, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.80%, 08/01/28

   Baa2/BBB      1,500         1,624,257   

Cox Enterprises, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 7.375%, 07/15/27, 144A

   Baa2/BBB      500         588,026   

Discovery Communications LLC, Co. Gty., 4.90%, 03/11/26(b)

   Baa3/BBB-      663         683,569   

Grupo Televisa SAB, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.625%, 01/15/40

   Baa1/BBB+      159         175,518   

Harcourt General, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 8.875%, 06/01/22

   WR/BBB+        2,000         2,477,474   

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 7.00%, 01/15/18

   WR/NR      1,000         1,007,500   

Myriad International Holding BV, Co. Gty., 6.375%, 07/28/17, 144A

   Baa3/BBB-      100         104,386   

Numericable Group SA, Sr. Sec. Notes, 6.25%, 05/15/24, 144A(b)

   B1/B+      1,780         1,725,710   

Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP, Co. Gty., 8.375%, 07/15/33

   Baa2/BBB      1,360         1,727,699   

Time Warner, Inc., Co. Gty., 9.15%, 02/01/23

   Baa2/BBB      3,000         4,002,561   

VTR Finance BV, 6.875%, 01/15/24, 144A(b)

   B1/B+      2,375         2,315,625   
        

 

 

 
             22,039,969   
        

 

 

 

MINING (1.46%)

        

Anglo American Capital PLC, Co. Gty., 9.375%, 04/08/19, 144A

   Ba3/BB      500         525,000   

BHP Billiton Finance USA, Ltd. Co. Gty., 6.75%, 10/19/75, 144A(b),(c)

   Baa2/BBB+      972         972,000   

Freeport-McMoran Corp., Co. Gty., 9.50%, 06/01/31

   Ba2/BB      250         215,000   

Rio Tinto Finance USA, Ltd., Co. Gty., 9.00%, 05/01/19

   Baa1/A-      85         100,584   

Teck Resources, Ltd., Co. Gty., 6.00%, 08/15/40(b)

   B3/B+      1,000         560,000   

Teck Resources, Ltd., Co. Gty., 5.20%, 03/01/42(b)

   B3/B+      1,415         778,250   
        

 

 

 
           3,150,834   
        

 

 

 

PAPER (1.62%)

        

Smurfit Kappa Treasury Funding, Ltd., Sr. Sec. Notes, 7.50%, 11/20/25

   Ba1/BB+      2,000         2,225,000   

Westvaco Corp., Co. Gty., 8.20%, 01/15/30

   Baa3/BBB      1,000         1,288,148   
        

 

 

 
           3,513,148   
        

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) (2.30%)

        

Duke Realty LP, Co. Gty., 6.50%, 01/15/18

   Baa2/BBB      466         501,003   

Goodman Funding Property, Ltd., Co. Gty., 6.375%, 04/15/21, 144A

   Baa2/BBB      1,050         1,213,685   

Health Care REIT, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.25%, 01/15/22(b)

   Baa2/BBB      1,500         1,637,946   

Welltower, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 4.25%, 04/01/26(b)

   Baa2/BBB      1,590         1,611,252   
        

 

 

 
           4,963,886   
        

 

 

 

RETAIL & RESTAURANT (0.07%)

        

McDonald’s Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 3.70%, 01/30/26(b)

   Baa1/BBB+      146         154,635   
        

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY (0.25%)

        

QUALCOMM, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 3.45%, 05/20/25(b)

   A1/A+      520         538,191   
        

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS (8.36%)

        

Altice Financing SA, Sr. Sec. Notes, 6.625%, 02/15/23, 144A(b)

   B1/BB-      200         200,500   

AT&T, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 4.50%, 05/15/35(b)

   Baa1/BBB+      1,750         1,725,672   

AT&T, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 4.75%, 05/15/46(b)

   Baa1/BBB+      425         414,569   

Bharti Airtel International, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.35%, 05/20/24, 144A

   Baa3/BBB-      2,225         2,394,957   

Centel Capital Corp., Co. Gty., 9.00%, 10/15/19

   Ba1/BBB-      1,000         1,154,366   

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV, Co. Gty., 8.75%, 06/15/30

   Baa1/BBB+      2,000         2,998,434   

 

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

 

8


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — continued

 

     Moody’s/
Standard &
Poor’s
Rating(a)
     Principal
Amount (000’s)
     Value
(Note 1)
 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS (Continued)

        

Digicel, Ltd., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.00%, 04/15/21, 144A(b)

     B1/NA       $ 500       $ 447,500   

Frontier Communications Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 8.125%, 10/01/18

     Ba3/BB-         500         533,750   

Frontier Communications Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 11.00%, 09/15/25, 144A(b)

     Ba3/BB-         267         268,335   

Frontier Communications Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 9.00%, 08/15/31

     Ba3/BB-         500         430,000   

GTE Corp., Co. Gty., 6.94%, 04/15/28

     Baa2/BBB+         1,500         1,871,064   

Qwest Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.875%, 09/15/33(b)

     Ba1/BBB-         928         904,837   

Qwest Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 7.25%, 10/15/35(b)

     Ba1/BBB-         500         493,495   

Sprint Capital Corp., Co. Gty., 6.875%, 11/15/28

     Caa1/B         1,500         1,095,000   

Sprint Capital Corp., Co. Gty., 8.75%, 03/15/32

     Caa1/B         1,000         782,500   

T-Mobile USA, Inc., Co. Gty., 6.00%, 04/15/24(b)

     Ba3/BB         110         111,375   

Verizon Communications, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 7.75%, 12/01/30

     Baa1/BBB+         1,646         2,244,160   
        

 

 

 
           18,070,514   
        

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION (4.52%)

        

American Airlines, Pass Through Certs., Series 2013-2, Class B, 5.60%, 01/15/22, 144A

     NA/BBB-           2,087         2,108,295   

BNSF Funding Trust I, Co. Gty., 6.613%, 12/15/55(b),(c)

     Baa2/A-         250         270,000   

British Airways PLC, Pass Through Certs., 5.625%, 12/20/21, 144A

     Baa2/BBB         1,344         1,364,286   

Continental Airlines, Pass Through Certs., Series 1999-1, Class B, 6.795%, 02/02/20

     Ba1/BBB-         58         59,551   

Continental Airlines, Pass Through Certs., Series 2000-1, Class A1, 8.048%, 05/01/22

     Baa1/A-         530         581,105   

Continental Airlines, Pass Through Certs., Series 2000-2, Class A1, 7.707%, 10/02/22

     Baa2/BBB-         755         822,121   

Delta Air Lines, Pass Through Certs, Series 1993, Class A2, 10.50%, 04/30/16(e)

     WR/NR         334         39,709   

ERAC USA Finance LLC, Co. Gty., 3.80%, 11/01/25, 144A(b)

     Baa1/BBB+         415         430,575   

ERAC USA Finance LLC, Co. Gty., 7.00%, 10/15/37, 144A

     Baa1/BBB+         1,500         1,913,220   

Federal Express Corp., Pass Through Certs., Series 1996, Class B2, 7.84%, 01/30/18(b)

     Baa1/BBB         516         552,336   

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP/PTL Finance Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 3.375%, 02/01/22, 144A(b)

     Baa3/BBB-         1,200         1,191,421   

United Airlines, Pass Through Certs., Series 2013-1, Class B, 5.375%, 02/15/23

     NA/BBB         432         442,569   
        

 

 

 
           9,775,188   
        

 

 

 

UTILITIES (4.67%)

        

Black Hills Corp., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 3.95%, 01/15/26(b)

     Baa1/BBB         1,082         1,134,582   

Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 6.40%, 09/15/20, 144A

     Baa3/BBB-         1,000         1,145,165   

Electricite de France SA, Sub. Notes, 5.25%, 01/29/23, 144A(c),(d)

     Baa1/BBB         2,000         1,830,000   

Hydro-Quebec, 8.25%, 04/15/26

     Aa2/A+         1,550         2,194,780   

MidAmerican Funding LLC, Sr. Sec. Notes, 6.927%, 03/01/29

     A2/A-         500         664,451   

NextEra Energy Capital Holding, Inc., Co. Gty., Series D, 7.30%, 09/01/67(b),(c)

     Baa2/BBB         1,250         1,165,375   

Ohio Power Co., Sr. Unsec. Notes, 5.375%, 10/01/21

     Baa1/BBB         1,000         1,137,737   

Toledo Edison Co., 7.25%, 05/01/20

     Baa1/BBB+         80         92,953   

Transelec SA, Sr. Unsec. Notes, 4.25%, 01/14/25, 144A(b)

     Baa1/BBB         750         744,221   
        

 

 

 
           10,109,264   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES (Cost of $157,714,626)

             170,185,527   
        

 

 

 

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES (5.69%)

        

ALM Loan Funding, Series 2012-7A, Class A2, 2.92%, 10/19/24, 144A(b)

     NR/AA         2,000         1,972,720   

Ares XXIII CLO, Ltd., Series 2012-1AR, Class BR1, 2.82%, 04/19/23, 144A(b)

     NR/AA         2,000         1,986,840   

AVIS Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC, Series 2015-2A, Class A, 2.63%, 12/20/21, 144A(b)

     Aaa/NA         1,605         1,595,319   

Carlyle Global Market Strategies, Series 2014-3A, Class B, 3.771%, 07/27/26, 144A(b)

     A2/NA         2,500         2,408,375   

Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC, Series 2006-SC1, Class A, 0.703%, 05/25/36, 144A(b),(c)

     Aa3/A+         12         11,966   

Domino’s Pizza Master Issuer LLC, Series 2015-1A, Class A21, 3.484%, 10/25/45, 144A(b)

     NA/BBB+         1,247         1,199,484   

Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2016-AA, Class B, 3.17%, 05/15/20, 144A(b)

     Aa1/AA         980         980,586   

Flatiron CLO, Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class A2, 2.52%, 07/17/26, 144A(c)

     Aa2/NA         290         272,310   

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2007-FXD2, Class 2A1, 5.90%, 03/01/37(b),(f)

     A2/AA         46         42,103   

Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2006-3, Class AF2, 5.58%, 11/25/36(b),(f)

     C/CCC         150         76,213   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2015-4, Class A2A, 1.20%, 12/17/18

     Aaa/NA         955         954,485   

Small Business Administration Participation Certificates, Series 2010-20F, Class 1, 3.88%, 06/01/30

     Aaa/AA+         183         198,474   

Sonic Capital LLC, Series 2011-1A, Class A2, 5.438%, 05/20/41, 144A(b)

     Baa2/BBB         600         619,037   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSET BACKED SECURITIES (Cost of $12,559,983)

           12,317,912   
        

 

 

 

 

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

 

9


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — continued

 

     Moody’s/
Standard &
Poor’s
Rating(a)
   Principal
Amount (000’s)
     Value
(Note 1)
 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (7.01%)

        

CGGS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-RNDA, Class DFX, 4.387%, 02/01/33, 144A

   Baa2/NA    $ 637       $ 636,216   

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-375P, Class D, 3.518%, 05/01/35, 144A(c)

   Baa1/NA      2,000         1,907,863   

FREMF Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-K44, Class B, 3.685%, 01/01/48, 144A(b),(c)

   NA/NA      535         467,471   

FREMF Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-K45, Class B, 3.591%, 04/01/48, 144A(b),(c)

   NA/NA      1,270         1,101,479   

Hilton USA Trust, Series 2013-HLT, Class CFX, 3.714%, 11/01/30, 144A

   Aa3/A-      1,400         1,401,801   

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2015-JP1, Class C, 4.743%, 01/15/49(b),(c)

   NR/NA      1,205         1,162,551   

ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-3, Class AJ, 5.485%, 07/12/46(c)

   Ba1/NA      1,000         965,227   

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2012-CKSV, Class C, 4.291%, 10/01/30, 144A(c)

   NA/A        2,710         2,695,971   

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2006-HQ10, Class AM, 5.36%, 11/12/41(b)

   Aa3/NA      2,000         2,022,159   

Morgan Stanley Reremic Trust, Series 2009-GG10, Class A4B, 5.794%, 08/01/45, 144A(c)

   Baa2/NA      210         214,595   

Spirit Master Funding LLC, Series 2014-2A, Class A, 5.76%, 03/20/42, 144A

   NA/A+      1,596         1,661,812   

TAL Advantage LLC, Series 2014-2A, Class A1, 1.70%, 05/20/39, 144A

   NA/A      266         262,654   

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust 2015-C31, Class C, 4.612%, 11/01/48(b),(c)

   NR/NA      697         662,856   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(Cost of $15,566,821)

             15,162,655   
        

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (0.40%)

        

FHLMC Pool # 360019, 10.50%, 12/01/17(g)

   Aaa/AA+              154   

FHLMC Pool # A15675, 6.00%, 11/01/33

   Aaa/AA+      190         218,377   

FHLMC Pool # G00182, 9.00%, 09/01/22(g)

   Aaa/AA+              355   

FNMA Pool # 55192, 10.50%, 09/01/17

   Aaa/AA+      1         1,013   

FNMA Pool # 58991, 11.00%, 02/01/18

   Aaa/AA+      1         1,151   

FNMA Pool # 754791, 6.50%, 12/01/33

   Aaa/AA+      346         395,219   

FNMA Pool # 763852, 5.50%, 02/01/34

   Aaa/AA+      187         209,572   

GNSF Pool # 194228, 9.50%, 11/01/20

   Aaa/AA+      7         6,775   

GNSF Pool # 307527, 9.00%, 06/01/21

   Aaa/AA+      11         12,068   

GNSF Pool # 417239, 7.00%, 02/01/26

   Aaa/AA+      9         10,663   

GNSF Pool # 780374, 7.50%, 12/01/23

   Aaa/AA+      6         6,583   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (Cost of $693,675)

           861,930   
        

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS (1.25%)

        

Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Build America Bonds-Taxable-Plant Vogle Units 3&4, Series J, Revenue Bond, 6.637%, 04/01/57

   A2/A+      175         217,922   

San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission, Water Revenue, Build America Bonds, 6.00%, 11/01/40

   Aa3/AA-      145         185,074   

State of California, Build America Bonds, GO, 7.625%, 03/01/40

   Aa3/AA-      1,500         2,295,570   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS (Cost of $1,857,483)

           2,698,566   
        

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES (3.70%)

        

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.375%, 01/31/21

   Aaa/AA+      1,390         1,399,991   

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.125%, 08/15/21

   Aaa/AA+      515         536,384   

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.25%, 11/15/24

   Aaa/AA+      49         51,086   

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.75%, 11/15/42

   Aaa/AA+      685         706,219   

U.S. Treasury Note, 3.125%, 08/15/44

   Aaa/AA+      1,285         1,421,531   

U.S. Treasury Note, 3.00%, 11/15/44

   Aaa/AA+      1,045         1,127,662   

U.S. Treasury Note, 3.00%, 05/15/45

   Aaa/AA+      1,288         1,389,078   

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.875%, 08/15/45

   Aaa/AA+      1,297         1,363,861   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES (Cost of $7,685,779)

           7,995,812   
        

 

 

 

 

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

 

10


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — continued

 

          Shares      Value
(Note 1)
 

COMMON STOCK (0.01%)

        

MEDIA (0.01%)

        

Quad Graphics, Inc.

        2,132       $ 27,588   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost of $84,899)

           27,588   
        

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCK (1.25%)

        

CoBank ACB, Series F, 6.250%, 144A(b),(c)

        20,000         2,045,000   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp, Series Z, 0.000%(h),(i)

        53,779         166,715   

US BANCORP, Series A, 3.500%

        615         489,848   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK (Cost of $3,868,939)

           2,701,563   
        

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (97.99%)

        

(Cost $200,032,205)

           211,951,553   
  

 

     

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (2.01%)

           4,352,615   
        

 

 

 

NET ASSETS (100.00%)

         $ 216,304,168   
        

 

 

 

 

(a)

Ratings for debt securities are unaudited. All ratings are as of March 31, 2016 and may have changed subsequently.

(b)

This security is callable.

(c)

Variable rate security. Rate disclosed is as of March 31, 2016.

(d)

Security is perpetual. Date shown is next call date.

(e)

Investment was in default as of March 31, 2016.

(f)

Multi-Step Coupon. Rate disclosed is as of March 31, 2016.

(g)

Principal amount less than $1,000.

(h)

Non-income producing security.

(i)

Dividend was discontinued as of September 7, 2008.

144A Securities were purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. At March 31, 2016, these securities amounted to $69,776,486 or 32.26% of net assets.

Legend

Certs. - Certificates

CLO - Collateralized Loan Obligation

Co. Gty. - Company Guaranty

Debs. - Debentures

FHLMC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association

FREMF - Freddie Multi-Family

GNSF - Government National Mortgage Association (Single Family)

GO - General Obligation

Gtd. - Guaranteed

Jr. - Junior

LLC - Limited Liability Company

Ltd. - Limited

NA - Not Available

NR - Not Rated

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

Sec. - Secured

Sr. - Senior

Sub. - Subordinated

Unsec. - Unsecured

WR - Withdrawn Rating

(P) - Moody’s will often assign a provisional rating to program ratings or to an issuer or an instrument when the assignment of a definitive rating is subject to the fulfillment of contingencies that are highly likely to be completed. Upon fulfillment of these contingencies, such as finalization of documents and issuance of the securities, the provisional notation is removed. A provisional rating is denoted by placing a (P) in front of the rating.

 

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

 

11


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

March 31, 2016

 

Assets:

  

Investment in securities, at value (amortized cost $200,032,205) (Note 1)

   $ 211,951,553   

Cash

     1,707,466   

Receivables for investments sold

     7   

Interest receivable

     2,925,554   

Dividend receivable

     36,691   

Prepaid expenses

     23,262   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     216,644,533   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Securities purchased

     110,000   

Payable to Investment Adviser

     80,997   

Payable to administration and accounting

     14,517   

Payable to transfer agency

     10,168   

Payable to custodian

     1,765   

Accrued expenses payable

     122,918   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     340,365   
  

 

 

 

Net assets: (equivalent to $20.20 per share based on 10,708,597 shares of capital stock outstanding)

   $ 216,304,168   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS consisted of:

  

Par value

   $ 107,086   

Capital paid-in

     216,156,948   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (886,144

Accumulated net realized loss on investments

     (10,993,070

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     11,919,348   
  

 

 

 
   $ 216,304,168   
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

12


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the year ended March 31, 2016

 

Investment Income:

  

  

Interest

  

   $     11,393,068   

Dividends

  

     149,442   
     

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

  

     11,542,510   
     

 

 

 

Expenses:

     

Investment advisory fees (Note 4)

   $ 970,670      

Administration and Accounting fees

     188,069      

Transfer agent fees

     52,795      

Trustees’ fees (Note 4)

     93,032      

Audit fees

     25,769      

Legal fees and expenses

     115,441      

Reports to shareholders

     97,227      

Custodian fees

     27,488      

Insurance

     36,583      

NYSE fee

     25,000      

Miscellaneous

     41,850      
  

 

 

    

Total Expenses

  

     1,673,924   
     

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

  

     9,868,586   
     

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments:

     

Net realized loss from security transactions

  

     (222,111
     

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments:

     

Beginning of the year

     24,856,806      

End of the year

     11,919,348      
  

 

 

    

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

  

     (12,937,458
     

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments

  

     (13,159,569
     

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  

   $ (3,290,983
     

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     Year ended
March 31, 2016
    Year ended
March 31, 2015
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 9,868,586      $ 10,462,166   

Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions (Note 2)

     (222,111     2,466,029   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     (12,937,458     2,907,942   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (3,290,983     15,836,137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions:

    

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

     (10,869,226     (11,351,114
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets

     (14,160,209     4,485,023   

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of year

     230,464,377        225,979,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $   216,304,168      $   230,464,377   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss

   $ (886,144   $ (241,144
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

 

14


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The table below sets forth financial data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

     Year ended March 31,  
     2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Per Share Operating Performance

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 21.52      $ 21.10      $ 21.53      $ 20.39      $ 20.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

     0.93        0.98        1.05        1.06        1.08   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (1.23     0.50        (0.42     1.16        0.45   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     (0.30     1.48        0.63        2.22        1.53   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

          

Dividends from net investment income

     (1.02     (1.06     (1.06     (1.08     (1.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (1.02     (1.06     (1.06     (1.08     (1.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 20.20      $ 21.52      $ 21.10      $ 21.53      $ 20.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share market price, end of year

   $ 19.14      $ 20.01      $ 19.42      $ 20.06      $ 19.74   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investment Return(1)

          

Based on market value

     0.88     8.67     2.44 %      7.24     16.37

Ratios/Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (in 000’s)

   $ 216,304      $ 230,464      $ 225,979      $ 230,608      $ 218,324   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.77     0.74     0.75     0.74     0.74

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     4.52     4.58     5.08     5.03     5.37

Portfolio turnover rate

     26.60     30.73     16.10     20.39     19.60

Number of shares outstanding at the end of the year (in 000’s)

     10,709        10,709        10,709        10,709        10,709   

 

(1) 

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common shares at the market price on the first day and a sale at the market price on the last day of the period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions. The total investment return, if for less than a full year, is not annualized. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

 

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

 

15


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – The Cutwater Select Income Fund (the “Fund”), a Delaware statutory trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a diversified closed-end, management investment company. The Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, “Financial Services – Investment Companies”. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles within the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

A. Security Valuation – In valuing the Fund’s net assets, all securities for which representative market quotations are available will be valued at the last quoted sales price on the security’s principal exchange on the day of valuation. If there are no sales of the relevant security on such day, the security will be valued at the bid price at the time of computation. For securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed debt and preferred securities, whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, the Fund uses recognized industry pricing services – approved by the Board of Trustees (“Board”) and unaffiliated with the Adviser – and uses broker quotes provided by market makers of securities not valued by these and other recognized pricing sources.

In the event that market quotations are not readily available, or when such quotations are deemed not to reflect current market value, the securities will be valued at their respective fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser pursuant to certain procedures and reporting requirements established by the Board. The Adviser considers all relevant facts that are reasonably available when determining the fair value of a security, including but not limited to the last sale price or initial purchase price (if a when issued security) and subsequently adjusting the value based on changes in company specific fundamentals, changes in an appropriate securities index, or changes in the value of similar securities which may be further adjusted for any discounts related to security-specific resale restrictions. When possible, observable market inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices of similar securities, observable interest rates, currency rates and yield curves are utilized. At March 31, 2016, there were no securities valued using fair value procedures.

Fair Value Measurements – The Fund has adopted authoritative fair value accounting standards which establish a definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value. These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value, a discussion in changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period and expanded disclosure of valuation levels for major security types. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

•       Level 1 –

  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

•       Level 2 –

  Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

•       Level 3 –

  Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

16


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — continued

 

Following is a description of the valuation techniques applied to the Fund’s major categories of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016.

 

      Total Market
Value at
03/31/16
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES

   $ 170,185,527       $       $ 170,185,527       $   

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES

     12,317,912                 12,317,912           

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

     15,162,655                 15,162,655           

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

     861,930                 861,930           

MUNICIPAL BONDS

     2,698,566                 2,698,566           

U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES

     7,995,812                 7,995,812           

COMMON STOCK*

     27,588         27,588                   

PREFERRED STOCK

     2,701,563         2,701,563                   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS

   $ 211,951,553       $     2,729,151       $ 209,222,402       $                 —   

 

* See Schedule of Investments for industry breakout.

At the end of each calendar quarter, management evaluates the Level 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities for changes in liquidity, including but not limited to: whether a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price, the depth and consistency of prices from third party services, and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates Level 1 and 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. Pursuant to Fund policy, transfers between levels are considered to have occurred at the beginning of the reporting period. For the year ended March 31, 2016, there were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 for the Fund.

Level 3 investments are categorized as Level 3 with values derived utilizing prices from prior transactions or third party pricing information without adjustment (broker quotes, pricing services and net asset values). A significant change in third party pricing information could result in a significantly lower or higher value in such Level 3 investments. As of March 31, 2016, the Fund did not hold any Level 3 securities.

When-Issued Securities – The Fund may enter into commitments to purchase securities on a forward or when-issued basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and yield. In the Fund’s case, these securities are subject to settlement within 45 days of the purchase date. The interest rate realized on these securities is fixed as of the purchase date. The Fund does not pay for such securities prior to the settlement date and no interest accrues to the Fund before settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuation due to changes in market interest rates. The Fund will enter into these commitments with the intent of buying the security but may dispose of such security prior to settlement. At the time the commitment is entered into, the Fund will establish and maintain a segregated account in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation under the when-issued contract. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued basis, it will record the

 

17


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — continued

 

transaction and thereafter reflect the value of such security purchased in determining its NAV. At the time of delivery of the security, its value may be more or less than the fixed purchase price.

 

B. Determination of Gains or Losses on Sale of Securities – Gains or losses on the sale of securities are calculated for financial reporting purposes and for federal tax purposes using the identified cost basis. The identified cost basis for financial reporting purposes differs from that used for federal tax purposes in that the amortized cost of the securities sold is used for financial reporting purposes and the original cost of the securities sold is used for federal tax purposes, except for those instances where tax regulations require the use of amortized cost.

 

C. Federal Income Taxes – It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

   Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years March 31, 2013-2015) or expected to be taken on the Fund’s 2016 tax return, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

 

D. Other – Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Interest income is accrued daily. Premiums and discounts are amortized using the interest method. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are presented as an adjustment to interest income. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

E. Distributions to Shareholders and Book/Tax Differences – Distributions of net investment income will be made quarterly. Distributions of any net realized capital gains will be made annually. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for amortization of market premium and accretion of market discount.

 

   In order to reflect permanent book/tax differences that occurred during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the following capital accounts were adjusted for the following amounts:

 

Undistributed
Net Investment Income

   Accumulated
Net  Realized
Gain
   Paid-In
Capital
$355,640      $ 860,187        $ (1,215,827 )

 

   Distributions during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were characterized as follows for tax purposes:

 

    Ordinary Income  

Return of Capital

 

Capital Gain

 

Total Distribution

FY 2016

  $10,869,226   $        —   $        —   $10,869,226

FY 2015

  $11,351,114   $        —   $        —   $11,351,114

 

18


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — continued

 

   At March 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Total

   Accumulated
Ordinary Income
   Capital Loss
Carryforward and Other
   Late Year Losses
Deferred
   Net Unrealized
Appreciation

$40,134

   $161,385    $(10,614,919)    $(319,738)    $10,813,406
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

   The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2010. The Act makes changes to several tax rules impacting the Fund. In general, the provisions of the Act are in effect for the Fund’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Although the Act provides several benefits, including the unlimited carryover of future capital losses, there may be a greater likelihood that all or a portion of the Fund’s pre-enactment capital loss carryovers may expire without being utilized due to the fact that post-enactment capital losses must be utilized before pre-enactment capital loss carryovers may be utilized. Under the Act, new capital losses may now be carried forward indefinitely, and retain the character of the original loss as compared with pre-enactment law, where capital losses could be carried forward for up to eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital losses, irrespective of the character of the original loss.

 

   As of March 31, 2016, the capital loss carryovers available to offset possible future capital gains and the expiration dates from pre-enactment taxable years were as follows:

 

Amount

   Expiration Date  

$10,295,168

     2017   

61,753

     2018   

 

   As of March 31, 2016, there were post-enactment short-term capital loss carryovers in the amount of $257,998.

 

   Capital loss carryforwards are subject to usage limitations. During the year ended March 31, 2016, capital loss carryforwards in the amount of $0 were utilized and $1,215,827 were expired off and cannot be used going forward.

 

   Under current laws, certain capital losses realized after October 31 and certain ordinary losses realized after December 31 may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. For the year ended March 31, 2016, the Fund elected to defer long-term capital losses of $319,738.

 

   At March 31, 2016, the following table shows for federal tax purposes the aggregate cost of investments, the net unrealized appreciation of those investments, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation of all securities with an excess of market value over tax cost and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation of all securities with an excess of tax cost over market value:

 

Aggregate
Tax Cost

  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
    Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
    Gross Unrealized
(Depreciation)
 
$201,138,147   $ 10,813,406      $ 18,552,968      $ (7,739,562

 

   The difference between book basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is attributable primarily to the differing treatments for wash sales, amortization of market premium and accretion of market discount.

 

 

19


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — continued

 

F. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note 2 – Portfolio Transactions – The following is a summary of the security transactions, other than short-term investments, for the year ended March 31, 2016:

 

     Cost of
Purchases
     Proceeds from Sales
or Maturities
 

U.S. Government Securities

   $ 9,119,307       $ 10,541,508   

Other Investment Securities

   $ 47,772,714       $ 48,024,748   

Note 3 – Capital Stock – At March 31, 2016, there were an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest ($0.01 par value) authorized, with 10,708,597 shares issued and outstanding.

Note 4 – Investment Advisory Contract, Accounting and Administration and Trustee Compensation – Cutwater Investor Services Corp. (“Cutwater”) serves as Investment Adviser to the Fund. Cutwater is entitled to a fee at the annual rate of 0.50% on the first $100 million of the Fund’s month end net assets and 0.40% on the Fund’s month-end net assets in excess of $100 million.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), a member of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, provides accounting and administrative services to the Fund.

Cutwater is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. Cutwater works closely with and is administered by Insight Investment Management (Global) Limited (“Insight”), another of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation’s investment management subsidiaries. Cutwater is subject to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation’s Code of Conduct and various policies and procedures designed to address the potential for conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with Cutwater’s status as an affiliated person of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and its subsidiaries.

The Trustees of the Fund receive an annual retainer, meeting fees and out of pocket expenses for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Trustees by the Fund during the year ended March 31, 2016 was $93,032. Certain officers of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the investment adviser. None of the Fund’s officers receives compensation from the Fund. As of March 31, 2016, there were no amounts due to the Trustees.

Note 5 – Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment – In accordance with the terms of the Automatic Dividend Investment Plan (the “Plan”), for shareholders who so elect, dividends and distributions are made in the form of previously unissued Fund shares at the net asset value if on the Friday preceding the payment date (the “Valuation Date”) the closing New York Stock Exchange price per share, plus the brokerage commissions applicable to one such share equals or exceeds the net asset value per share. However, if the net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the Valuation Date, the shares issued will be valued at 95% of the market price. If the net asset value per share exceeds market price plus commissions, the dividend or distribution proceeds are used to purchase Fund shares on the open market for participants in the Plan. During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Fund issued no shares under this Plan.

 

 

20


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — continued

 

Note 6 Subsequent Event – Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

21


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

CHANGE OF NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICY REGARDING FOREIGN SECURITIES

On May 4, 2016, at the recommendation of Cutwater Investor Services Corp., the Board of Trustees approved the removal of the non-fundamental investment policy that restricted the Fund from acquiring Yankee Bonds or Euro-dollar obligations if the acquisition would cause more than 15% of the Fund’s assets to be invested in Yankee Bonds and Euro-dollar obligations. In addition, the Fund is now permitted to invest in Euro-dollar obligations with maturities in excess of 1 year. Yankee Bonds are U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued in the United States by foreign issuers. Euro-dollar obligations are dollar-denominated debt securities issued outside the United States by foreign corporations and financial institutions and by foreign branches of U.S. corporations and financial institutions. Investments in Yankee Bonds and Euro-dollar obligations involve risks that are different from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers. Importantly, while the Fund may now invest a greater portion of its assets in foreign issuers it continues to invest only in U.S. dollar denominated securities. In making its recommendation to the Board, the investment adviser discussed recent developments and trends in the debt markets including the increasing number of former U.S. issuers that have re-domiciled outside of the United States in order to better compete with their global corporate rivals and increased mergers and acquisitions activity between U.S. and foreign corporations resulting in a combined entity domiciled outside of the U.S. (commonly referred to as corporate inversions). These trends have reduced the availability of debt securities issued by “U.S. domiciled” companies.

While the investment adviser and the Board do not believe that this policy change will change the overall risk profile of the Fund, investments in foreign issuers could be affected by factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information, and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations. Because foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standard practices and requirements and regulatory measures comparable to those in the United States, there may be less publicly available information about such foreign issuers. Settlements of securities transactions in foreign countries are subject to risk of loss, may be delayed and are generally less frequent than in the United States, which could affect the liquidity of the Fund’s assets. Foreign issuers may become subject to sanctions imposed by the United States or another country, which could result in the immediate freeze of the foreign issuers’ assets or securities. The imposition of such sanctions could impair the market value of the securities of such foreign issuers and limit the Fund’s ability to buy, sell, receive or deliver the securities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND’S TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

Name, Address and Age

  Position Held
With Fund
 

Principal Occupation During
the Past 5 Years

  Number of
Funds Overseen
By Trustee
 

Term of Office and Length
of Time Served

 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee

W. Thacher Brown

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: December 1947

  Trustee   Retired; Former President of MBIA Asset Management LLC from July 1998 to September 2004; and Former President of 1838 Investment Advisors, LLC from July 1988 to May 2004.   1   Shall serve until the next annual meeting or until his successor is qualified. Trustee since 1988.   None.

 

22


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (Unaudited) — continued

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND’S TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

Name, Address and Age

  Position Held
With Fund
 

Principal Occupation
During the Past 5 Years

  Number of
Funds Overseen
By Trustee
 

Term of Office and Length
of Time Served

 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee

Ellen D. Harvey

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: February 1954

  Trustee   Principal, Lindsay Criswell LLC beginning July 2008; Managing Director, Miller Investment Management beginning September 2008; Principal with the Vanguard Group from January 2008 to June 2008; and Senior Vice President with Mercantile Safe-Deposit & Trust from February 2003 to October 2007.   1   Shall serve until the next annual meeting or until her successor is qualified. Trustee since 2010.   Director, Aetos Capital Funds (3 portfolios).

Thomas E. Spock

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: May 1956

  Trustee   Partner at Scalar Media Partners, LLC since June 2008.   1   Shall serve until the next annual meeting or until his successor is qualified. Trustee since 2013.   None.

Suzanne P. Welsh

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: March 1953

  Trustee   Retired; Former Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, Swarthmore College from August 2002 to June 2014.   1   Shall serve until the next annual meeting or until her successor is qualified. Trustee since 2008.   None.

Clifford D. Corso*

Cutwater

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: October 1961

  President   Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Cutwater Investor Services Corp.; Director and officer of other affiliated entities of Cutwater Investor Services Corp.   N/A.   Shall serve until death, resignation, or removal. Officer since 2005.   N/A.

Gautam Khanna*

Cutwater

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: October 1969

  Vice
President
  Officer of Cutwater Investor Services Corp.   N/A.   Shall serve until death, resignation, or removal. Officer since 2006.   N/A.

 

23


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (Unaudited) — continued

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND’S TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

Name, Address and Age

  Position Held
With Fund
 

Principal Occupation
During the Past 5 Years

  Number of
Funds Overseen
By Trustee
 

Term of Office and Length
of Time Served

 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee

Robert T. Claiborne*

Cutwater

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: August 1955

  Vice
President
  Officer of
Cutwater Investor
Services Corp.
  N/A.   Shall serve until death, resignation, or removal. Officer since 2006.   N/A.

Thomas E. Stabile*

Cutwater

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: March 1974

  Treasurer   Officer of Cutwater Investor Services Corp.   N/A.   Shall serve until death, resignation, or removal. Officer since 2010.   N/A.

Robin J. Shulman*

Cutwater

200 Park Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Born: November 1964

  Chief
Compliance
Officer and
Secretary
  Officer of Cutwater Investor Services Corp. since April 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of Horizon Kinetics LLC (asset management firm) from October 2010 to April 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of Seix Investment Advisors LLC from March 2004 to October 2010.   N/A.   Shall serve until death, resignation, or removal. Officer since 2015.**   N/A.

 

* Denotes an officer who is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Messrs. Corso, Khanna, Claiborne, Stabile and Ms. Shulman are “interested persons” by virtue of being employees of the Fund’s Investment Adviser.

 

** Ms. Shulman became Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund on May 6, 2015. Prior to that, Lawrence Lafer served as Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund from March 4, 2015 to May 6, 2015. Mr. Lafer’s principal occupation during the past 5 years was Managing Director, Global Compliance Division, and Head of Compliance, Asset Management Division in North America, at BNY Mellon Asset Management.

HOW TO GET INFORMATION REGARDING PROXIES

The Fund has adopted the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures to govern the voting of proxies relating to the voting securities of the Fund. You may obtain a copy of these proxy voting procedures, without charge, by emailing clientservicena@insightinvestment.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available, without charge, by emailing clientservicena@insightinvestment.com or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

24


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (Unaudited) — continued

 

QUARTERLY STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

The Fund files a complete statement of investments with the Security and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-Q by visiting the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The filed form may also be viewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Commission’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of investment income (dividend income and short-term gains, if any) for the Fund that qualify for the dividends-received deductions for the year ended March 31, 2016 was 1.45%.

For the year ended March 31, 2016, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Of the distributions made by the Fund, 1.45% represents the amount of each distribution which may qualify for the 15% dividend income tax rate. Shareholders should not use this tax information to prepare their tax returns. The information will be included with your Form 1099 DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 2017.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

The Fund has established a plan for the automatic investment of dividends and distributions pursuant to which dividends and capital gain distributions to shareholders will be paid in or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. All shareholders of record are eligible to join the Plan. BNY Mellon acts as the agent (the “Agent”) for participants under the Plan.

Shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names may elect to participate in the Plan by completing an authorization form and returning it to the Agent. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact such broker or nominee to determine whether or how they may participate in the Plan.

Dividends and distributions are reinvested under the Plan as follows. If the market price per share on the Friday before the payment date for the dividend or distribution (the “Valuation Date’’), plus the brokerage commissions applicable to one such share, equals or exceeds the net asset value per share on that date, the Fund will issue new shares to participants valued at the net asset value or, if the net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the Valuation Date, then valued at 95% of the market price. If net asset value per share on the Valuation Date exceeds the market price per share on that date, plus the brokerage commissions applicable to one such share, the Agent will buy shares on the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange, for the participants’ accounts. If before the Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value of shares, the average per share purchase price paid by the Agent may exceed the net asset value of shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution has been paid in shares issued by the Fund at net asset value.

There is no charge to participants for reinvesting dividends or distributions payable in either shares or cash. The Agent’s fees for handling of reinvestment of such dividends and distributions will be paid by the Fund. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or distributions payable either in shares or cash. However, each participant will be charged by the Agent a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or distributions payable only in cash.

 

25


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (Unaudited) — continued

 

For purposes of determining the number of shares to be distributed under the Plan, the net asset value is computed on the Valuation Date and compared to the market value of such shares on such date. The Plan may be terminated by a participant by delivery of written notice of termination to the Agent at the address shown below. Upon termination, the Agent will cause a certificate or certificates for the full shares held for a participant under the Plan and a check for any fractional shares to be delivered to the former participant.

Distributions of investment company taxable income that are invested in additional shares generally are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. A capital gain distribution that is reinvested in shares is taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time a shareholder has held the shares or whether such gain was realized by the Fund before the shareholder acquired such shares and was reflected in the price paid for the shares.

Plan information and authorization forms are available from BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 358035, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8035.

PRIVACY POLICY

The Fund has adopted procedures designed to maintain and secure the non-public personal information of its clients from inappropriate disclosure to third parties. The Fund is committed to keeping personal information collected from potential, current, and former clients confidential and secure. The proper handling of personal information is one of our highest priorities. The Fund never sells information relating to its clients to any outside third parties.

Client Information

The Fund will only collect and keep information which is necessary for it to provide the services requested by its shareholders, and to administer a shareholder account.

The Fund may collect nonpublic personal information from clients or potential clients such as name, address, tax identification or social security number, assets, income, net worth, copies of financial documents and other information that we may receive on applications or other forms, correspondence or conversations, or via other methods in order to conduct business.

The Fund may also collect information about your transactions with the Fund, CISC, CISC’s affiliates, or others, including, but not limited to, your account number and balance, payments history, parties to transactions, cost basis information, and other financial information.

This information may be obtained as a result of transactions with the Fund, CISC, CISC’s affiliates, its clients, or others. This could include transactions completed with affiliates or information received from outside vendors to complete transactions or to effect financial goals.

Sharing Information

The Fund only shares the nonpublic personal information of its shareholders with non-affiliated companies or individuals (i) as permitted by law and as required to provide services to shareholders, such as with representatives within CISC, securities clearing firms, the Fund or insurance companies, and other financial services providers; or (ii) to comply with legal or regulatory requirements. The Fund may also disclose nonpublic personal information to another financial services provider in connection with the transfer of an account to such financial services provider. Further, in the normal course of business, the Fund may disclose information it collects about shareholders to companies or individuals that contract with the Fund or CISC to perform servicing functions including, but not limited to, recordkeeping, consulting, and/or technology services.

 

26


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (Unaudited) — continued

 

Companies hired to provide support services are not permitted to use personal information for their own purposes, and are contractually obligated to maintain strict confidentiality. The Fund limits the use of personal information to the performance of the specific service requested.

The Fund does not provide personally identifiable information to mailing list vendors or solicitors for any purpose. When the Fund provides personal information to service providers, it requires these providers to agree to safeguard such information, to use the information only for the intended purpose, and to abide by applicable law.

Employee Access to Information

Only employees with a valid business reason have the ability to access a clients’ personal information. These employees are educated on the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and security of this information. They are required to abide by our information handling practices.

Protection of Information

The Fund maintains security standards to protect shareholders’ information, whether written, spoken, physical, or electronic. The Fund updates and checks its physical mechanisms and electronic systems to ensure the protection and integrity of information.

Maintaining Accurate Information

The Fund’s goal is to maintain accurate, up to date client records in accordance with industry standards. The Fund has procedures in place to keep information current and complete, including timely correction of inaccurate information.

Disclosure of our Privacy Policy

The Fund recognizes and respects the privacy concerns of its potential, current, and former shareholders. The Fund, CISC and CISC’s affiliates are committed to safeguarding this information and may provide this Privacy Policy for informational purposes to shareholders and employees, and will distribute and update it as required by law. It is also available upon request.

The Fund seeks to carefully safeguard shareholder information and, to that end, restricts access to non-public personal information about our shareholders to those employees and other persons who need to know the information to enable the Fund to provide services to its shareholders. The Fund, CISC and their service agents maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your non-public personal information. In the event that you maintain an account through a financial intermediary, including, but not limited to, a broker-dealer, bank, or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary would govern how your non-public personal information would be shared with unaffiliated third parties.

ANNUAL CERTIFICATION

The Fund’s CEO has submitted to the NYSE the required annual certification, and the Fund also has included the certifications of the Fund’s CEO and CFO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the Fund’s Forms N-CSR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the period of this report.

 

27


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE WITH SHARE TRANSFER OR DIVIDENDS

Contact Your Transfer Agent:

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 358035, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8035, or call 1-866-333-6685

 


T    R   U   S   T   E   E   S   

 

W. THACHER BROWN

ELLEN D. HARVEY

THOMAS E. SPOCK

SUZANNE P. WELSH

O   F   F   I   C   E   R   S

 

CLIFFORD D. CORSO

President

THOMAS E. STABILE

Treasurer

ROBIN J. SHULMAN

Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary

ROBERT T. CLAIBORNE

Vice President

GAUTAM KHANNA

Vice President

I   N   V   E   S   T   M   E   N   T     A   D   V   I   S   E   R

 

CUTWATER INVESTOR SERVICES CORP.

200 PARK AVE, 7TH FLOOR

NEW YORK, NY 10166

C   U   S   T   O   D   I   A   N

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

2 HANSON PLACE

BROOKLYN, NY 11217

T   R   A   N   S   F   E    R    A   G   E   N   T

 

BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC.

P.O. BOX 358035

PITTSBURGH, PA 15252-8035

1-866-333-6685

C   O   U   N   S   E   L

 

PEPPER HAMILTON LLP

3000 TWO LOGAN SQUARE

EIGHTEENTH & ARCH STREETS

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

I   N   D   E   P   E   N    D   E   N   T    R   E   G   I   S   T   E   R    E   D

P   U   B   L   I   C     A   C   C   O   U   N   T   I   N   G    F   I   R    M

 

TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP

1818 MARKET STREET

SUITE 2400

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

 

 

 

 

LOGO

Cutwater Select Income Fund

Annual Report

March 31, 2016

 

 

LOGO

 


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions (each a “Covered Person”). A copy of the Registrant’s Code of Ethics can be obtained without charge, upon request, by calling the Registrant at 1-866-333-6685. There were no amendments to the Code of Ethics during the reporting period. There were no waivers of a provision of the Code of Ethics granted to a Covered Person during the reporting period.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The Board of Trustees of the registrant has determined that Suzanne P. Welsh, the Chair of the Board’s Audit Committee, possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Ms. Welsh as the Audit Committee’s financial expert. Ms. Welsh is an “independent” Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

        ●   

Registrant may incorporate the following information by reference, if this information has been disclosed in the registrant’s definitive proxy statement or definitive information statement. The proxy statement or information statement must be filed no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report.

Audit Fees
(a)   

The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are $22,400 and $21,800 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively.


Audit-Related Fees
(b)   

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $3,000 and $3,000 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively.

Tax Fees
(c)   

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $3,650 and $3,550 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively. [The tax fees relate to the review of the registrant’s tax filings and annual tax related disclosures in the financial statements].

All Other Fees
(d)   

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $0 and $0 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively.

(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.

(e)(2)   

None of the services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f)   

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was less than fifty percent.

(g)   

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $0 and $0 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively.

(h)   

Not applicable.


Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

The registrant has a separately designated audit committee consisting of all the independent trustees of the registrant. The members of the audit committee are: W. Thacher Brown, Ellen D. Harvey, Thomas E. Spock and Suzanne P. Welsh.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

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

The registrant has adopted the proxy voting policies and procedures used by the Investment Adviser. The most current copy of that policy is attached herewith.

CUTWATER PROXY VOTING POLICY

Introduction

This Proxy Voting Policy (“Policy”) for Cutwater reflects our duty as a fiduciary under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) to vote proxies in the best interests of our clients. In addition, the Department of Labor views the fiduciary act of managing ERISA plan assets to include the voting of proxies. Proxy voting decisions must be made solely in the best interests of the pension plan’s participants and beneficiaries. The Department of Labor has interpreted this requirement as prohibiting a fiduciary from subordinating the retirement income interests of participants and beneficiaries to unrelated objectives. The guidelines in this Policy have been formulated to ensure decision-making consistent with these fiduciary responsibilities.

Any general or specific proxy voting guidelines provided by an advisory client or its designated agent in writing will supersede the specific guidelines in this Policy. Cutwater will disclose to our advisory clients information about this Policy as well as disclose to our clients how they may obtain information on how we voted their proxies. Additionally, Cutwater will maintain proxy voting records for our advisory clients consistent with the Advisers Act. For those of our clients that are registered investment companies, Cutwater will disclose this Policy


to the shareholders of such funds and make filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and make available to fund shareholders the specific proxy votes that we cast in shareholder meetings of issuers of portfolio securities in accordance with the rules and regulations under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Registered investment companies that are advised by Cutwater as well as certain of our advisory clients: may participate in securities lending programs. If Cutwater is aware that a material event will occur affecting an investment on loan, Cutwater will be obligated to call such loan in time to vote the proxies; however, with respect to other voting matters involving securities on loan, Cutwater would generally not vote with respect to such securities.

Implicit in the initial decision to retain or invest in the security of a corporation is approval of its existing corporate ownership structure, its management, and its operations. Accordingly, proxy, proposals that would change the existing status of a corporation will be reviewed carefully and supported only when it seems clear that the proposed changes are likely to benefit the corporation and its shareholders. Notwithstanding this favorable predisposition, management will be assessed on an ongoing basis both in terms of its business capability and its dedication to the shareholders to ensure that, our continued confidence remains warranted. If it is determined that management is acting on its own behalf instead of for the well-being of the corporation, we will vote to support shareholder proposals, unless other mitigating circumstances are present.

Additionally, situations may arise that involve an actual or-perceived conflict of interest. For example, we may manage- assets of a pension plan of a company whose management is soliciting proxies, or a Cutwater employee may have a close relative who serves as a director or executive of a company that is soliciting proxies. In all cases, the manner in which we vote proxies must be based on our clients’ best interests and not the product of the conflict.

In furtherance of Cutwater’s goal to make proxy recommendations in the best interests of clients, Cutwater follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between Cutwater’s interests and those of its clients before making voting recommendations.

Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest

Cutwater will monitor the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of Cutwater with respect to proxy voting recommendations or directions both as a result of personal relationships, significant client relationships (those accounting for greater than 15% of annual revenues) or special circumstances that may arise during the conduct of Cutwater’s or its affiliates’ business.

Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material

Conflicts of Interest

 

A.

The Proxy Voting Portfolio Manager will determine whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict has the potential to influence Cutwater’s decision-making. A conflict of interest shall be deemed material in the event that the issuer that is the subject of the proxy or any executive officer of that issuer has a client relationship with Cutwater or its affiliates, particularly MBIA, Inc., of the type described above. All other materiality determinations will be based on an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. The Proxy Voting Portfolio Manager shall maintain a written record of all materiality determinations, which will be reviewed periodically by the CCO or his designee.


B.

If it is determined that a conflict of interest is not material, Cutwater may give the directions or make the recommendations concerning the proxies, notwithstanding the existence of the conflict.

 

C.

If it is determined that a conflict of interest is material, one or more methods may be used to resolve the conflict, including:

 

   

disclosing the conflict to the client and obtaining its consent before voting;

 

   

suggesting to the client that it engage another party to make a recommendation;

 

   

engaging a third party to recommend a vote with respect to the proxy based on application of the policies set forth herein; or

 

   

such other method as is deemed appropriate under the circumstances given the nature of the conflict.

Cutwater shall maintain a written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest.

Recordkeeping

Cutwater shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:

 

   

a copy of these policies and procedures;

 

   

a copy of each proxy solicitation (including proxy statements) and related materials with regard to each recommendation;

 

   

documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest;

 

   

any documents created by Cutwater that were material to a proxy voting recommendation or that memorialized the basis for that recommendation; and

Such records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the time the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in Cutwater’s office.

This Policy and its attendant recommendations attempt to generalize a complex subject.

It should be clearly understood that specific fact situations, including differing voting practices in jurisdictions outside the United States, might warrant departure from these guidelines. In such instances, the relevant facts will be considered, and if a vote contrary to these guidelines is indicated it will be cast and the reasons therefore recorded in writing.

Cutwater is from time to time asked to consent to an amendment to or grant a waiver under a trust indenture or other governing document of a specific financial instrument held by Cutwater


clients. Such consents or waivers may cover corporate actions such as tenders, exchanges, registration rights, restructurings and other transactions relating to fixed income holdings of client accounts. Cutwater will generally treat such requests for consents not as proxies subject to these proxy voting policies and procedures, but as investment matters to be dealt with by the responsible Cutwater investment professionals, provided that such consents (i) do not relate to the election of a board of directors or appointment of auditors for a public company, (ii) would not otherwise materially affect the structure, management or control of a public company, and (iii) relate to a company in which Cutwater clients hold only interests in bank loans or debt securities and are consistent with customary standards and practices for such instruments. Determinations on voting consents or waivers to these matters are generally driven by Cutwater’s view of whether the proposed action will result in an economic benefit for the affected client(s).

Section I of the Policy describes proxy proposals that may be characterized as routine and lists examples of the types of proposals we would typically support. Section II of the Policy describes various types of non-routine proposals and provides general voting guidelines. These non-routine proposals are categorized as those involving:

A. Social Issues,

B. Financial/Corporate Issues, and

C. Shareholder Rights.

Finally, Section III of the Policy describes the procedures to be followed casting: a vote pursuant to these guidelines.

This Proxy Voting Policy will be reviewed at least annually.

SECTION I

ROUTINE MATTERS

Routine proxy proposals, amendments, or resolutions are typically proposed by management and meet the following criteria:

 

1.

They do not measurably change the structure, management control, or operation of the corporation.

 

2.

They are consistent with industry standards as well as the corporate laws of the state of incorporation.

Voting Recommendation

Cutwater will normally support the following routine proposals:

 

1.

To increase authorized common shares.


2.

To -increase authorized preferred shares as long as there are not disproportionate voting rights per preferred share.

 

3.

To elect or re-elect directors.

 

4

To appoint or elect auditors.

 

5.

To approve indemnification of directors and limitation of directors’ liability.

 

6.

To establish compensation levels.

 

7.

To establish employee stock purchase or ownership plans.

 

8.

To set time and location of annual meeting.

SECTION II

NON-ROUTINE PROPOSALS

 

A.

Social Issues

Proposals in this category involve issues of social conscience. They are typically proposed by shareholders who believe that the corporation’s internally adopted policies are ill advised or misguided.

Voting Recommendation

If we have determined that management is generally socially responsible, we will generally vote against the following shareholder proposals:

 

1.

To enforce restrictive energy policies.

 

2.

To place arbitrary restrictions on military contracting.

 

3.

To bar or place arbitrary restrictions on trade with other countries.

 

4.

To restrict the marketing of controversial products.

 

5.

To limit corporate political activities.

 

6.

To bar or restrict charitable contributions.

 

7.

To enforce a general policy regarding human rights based on arbitrary parameters.


8.

To enforce a general policy regarding employment practices based -on arbitrary parameters.

 

9.

To enforce a general policy regarding animal rights based on arbitrary parameters.

 

10.

To place arbitrary restrictions on environmental practices.

 

B.

Financial/Corporate Issues

Proposals in this category are usually offered by management and seek to change a corporation’s legal, business or financial structure.

Voting, Recommendation

We will generally vote in favor of the following management proposals provided the position of current shareholders is preserved or enhanced:

 

1.

To change the state of incorporation.

 

2.

To approve mergers, acquisitions or dissolution.

 

3.

To institute indenture changes.

 

4.

To change capitalization.

 

C.

Shareholder Rights

Proposals in this category are made regularly both by management and shareholders. They can be generalized as involving issues that transfer or realign board or shareholder voting power.

We typically would oppose any proposal aimed solely at thwarting potential takeover offers by requiring, for example, super-majority approval. At the same time, we believe stability and continuity promote profitability. The guidelines in this area seek to find a middle road, and they are no more than guidelines. Individual proposals may have to be carefully assessed in the context of their particular circumstances.

Voting Recommendation

We will generally vote in favor of the following management proposals:

 

1.

To require majority approval of shareholders in acquisitions of a controlling share in the corporation.

 

2.

To institute staggered board of directors.


3.

To require shareholder approval of not more than 66 2/3% for a proposed amendment to the corporation’s by-laws.

 

4.

To eliminate cumulative voting.

 

5.

To adopt anti-greenmail charter or by-law amendments or to otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

 

6.

To create a dividend reinvestment program.

 

7.

To eliminate preemptive rights.

 

8.

To eliminate any other plan or procedure designed primarily to discourage a takeover or other similar action (commonly known as a “poison pill”).

We will generally vote against the following management proposals:

 

1.

To require greater than 66 2/3% shareholder approval for a proposed amendment to the corporation’s by-laws (“super-majority provisions”).

 

2.

To require that an arbitrary fair price be offered to all shareholders that is derived from a fixed formula (“fair price amendments”).

 

3.

To authorize a new class of common stock or preferred stock which may have more votes per share than the existing common stock.

 

4.

To prohibit replacement of existing members of the board of directors.

 

5.

To eliminate shareholder action by written consent without a shareholder meeting.

 

6.

To allow only the board of directors to call a shareholder meeting or to propose amendments to the articles of incorporation.

 

7.

To implement any other action or procedure designed primarily to discourage a takeover or other similar action (commonly known. as a “poison pill”).

 

8.

To limit the ability of shareholders to nominate directors.

We will generally vote in favor of the following shareholder proposals:

 

1.

To rescind share purchases rights or require that they be submitted for shareholder approval, but only if the vote required for approval is not more than 66 2/3%.

 

2.

To opt out of state anti-takeover laws deemed to be detrimental to the shareholder.

 

3.

To change the state of incorporation for companies operating under the umbrella of anti- shareholder state corporation laws if another state is chosen with favorable laws in this and other areas.


4.

To eliminate any other plan or procedure designed primarily to discourage a takeover or other similar action.

 

5.

To permit shareholders to participate in formulating management’s proxy and the opportunity to discuss and evaluate management’s director nominees, and/or to nominate shareholder nominees to the board

 

6.

To require that the board’s audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be comprised exclusively of independent directors.

 

7.

To adopt anti-greenmail charter or by-law amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

 

8.

To create a dividend reinvestment program.

 

9.

To recommend that votes to “abstain” not be considered votes “cast” at an annual meeting or special meeting, unless required by state, law.

 

10.

To require that “golden parachutes” be submitted for shareholder ratification.

We will generally vote against the following shareholder proposals:

 

1.

To restore preemptive rights.

 

2.

To restore cumulative voting.

 

3.

To require annual election of directors or to specify tenure.

 

4.

To eliminate a staggered board of directors.

 

5.

To require confidential voting.

 

6.

To require directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the .board.

 

7.

To dock director pay for failing to attend board meetings

SECTION III

VOTING PROCESS

Cutwater will designate a portfolio manager (the Proxy Voting Portfolio Manager), who is responsible for voting proxies for all advisory accounts and who will generally vote proxies in accordance with these guidelines. Where Cutwater is serving as investment adviser or sub- adviser for a registered investment company (the “Fund”), the Proxy Voting Portfolio Manager will be a


portfolio manager for the Fund. In circumstances in which 1) the subject matter of the vote is not covered by these guidelines, 2) a material conflict of interest is present or, 3) we believe it may be necessary, in the best interests of shareholders, to vote contrary to our general guidelines, the Proxy Voting Portfolio Manager will discuss the matter with the CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Cutwater, who will be responsible for making the definitive determination as to how the proxy matter will be voted. The CEO/Chief investment officer may consult with the General Counsel, the CCO, or other investment personnel in making this determination.

Any questions regarding this Policy may be directed to the General Counsel of Cutwater.

Reapproved: February 2015

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

 

(a)(1)

     

Portfolio Management Team:

     

Gautam Khanna, CPA, CFA

     

Senior Portfolio Manager, Cutwater Investor Services Corp.

     

May 2003 - Present

     

Lead Portfolio Manager responsible for day-to-day management of portfolio

     

Jason Celente, CFA

     

Senior Portfolio Manager, Cutwater Investor Services Corp.

     

May 1999 - Present

     

Portfolio Manager responsible for management of portfolio

     

Gerard Berrigan

     

Head of US Fixed Income, Cutwater Investor Services Corp.

     

May 2003 - Present

     

Portfolio Manager responsible for management of portfolio

(a)(2)

  

(i)

  

Gautam Khanna, CPA, CFA

  

(ii)

  

(A) Registered investment companies –3 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $240.76 million in total assets as of March 31, 2016.

     

(B) Other pooled investment vehicles – 2 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $89.9 million in total assets as of March 31, 2016.


     

(C) Other Accounts – 33 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $4,349 million in total assets as of March 31, 2016.

  

(iii)

  

As of March 31, 2016, there was one account valued at $28.8 million.

  

(iv)

  

No material conflicts of interests are expected to arise with the management of the Cutwater Select Income Fund and the other accounts.

(a)(2)

  

(i)

  

Jason Celente, CFA

  

(ii)

  

(A) Registered investment companies –3 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $240.76 million in total assets as of March 31, 2016.

     

(B) Other pooled investment vehicles – 2 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $89.9 million in total assets as of March 31, 2016.

     

(C) Other Accounts – 70 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $3,585.1 million in total assets as of March 31, 2016.

  

(iii)

  

As of March 31, 2016, there was one account valued at $28.8 million.

  

(iv)

  

No material conflicts of interests are expected to arise with the management of the Cutwater Select Income Fund and the other accounts.

(a)(2)

  

(i)

  

Gerard Berrigan

  

(ii)

  

(A) Registered investment companies –3 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $240.76 million in total assets as of March 31, 2016.

     

(B) Other pooled investment vehicles – 0 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $0 in total assets as of March 31, 2016.

     

(C) Other Accounts 18 as of March 31, 2016. Approximately $1,272.6 million in total assets as of March 31, 2016.

  

(iii)

  

None.

  

(iv)

  

No material conflicts of interests are expected to arise with the management of the Cutwater Select Income Fund and the other accounts.

(a)(3)

     

All employees of the Adviser, including the Portfolio Manager, are eligible to receive a variable component of pay in addition to their fixed compensation. The variable component is a combination of cash and Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) shares and is determined based on each individual’s performance rating in addition to the overall performance of the Adviser. The LTIP shares typically vest on a three-year schedule, with the aim of aligning each individual’s rewards with the success of the business.

     

Performance management and compensation are formally linked. Everyone participates in mid-year reviews which incorporate 360 degree feedback and an assessment of performance against objectives, as well as a formal end of year review. At that review, a performance rating is also agreed which is then a key factor in determining compensation. For investment professional, investment performance is an important, but not the only, factor.

(a)(4)

     

Share ownership as of March 31, 2016:

     

Gautam Khanna: $10,000 to $50,000

     

Jason Celente: $0

     

Gerard Berrigan: $0

  

(b)

  

N/A. Filing is an annual report.


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.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of 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. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1)  

Not applicable.

       (a)(2)  

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

  (a)(3)  

Not applicable.

  (b)  

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

(12.other) Not applicable.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)

 

Cutwater Select Income Fund

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

/s/ Clifford D. Corso

 

Clifford D. Corso, President

 

(principal executive officer)

 

Date

 

May 20, 2016

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

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

/s/ Clifford D. Corso

 

Clifford D. Corso, President

 

(principal executive officer)

 

Date

 

May 20, 2016

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

/s/ Thomas E. Stabile

 

Thomas E. Stabile

 

(principal financial officer)

 

Date

 

May 20, 2016

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.