N-CSR 1 d519587dncsr.htm EATON VANCE TAX-MANAGED BUY-WRITE OPPORTUNITIES FUND Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities 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: 811-21735

 

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Maureen A. Gemma

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Services)

 

 

(617) 482-8260

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

December 31

Date of Fiscal Year End

December 31, 2017

Date of Reporting Period

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

 


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund (ETV)

Annual Report

December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

LOGO


 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Managed Distribution Plan. Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (Order), the Fund is authorized to distribute long-term capital gains to shareholders more frequently than once per year. Pursuant to the Order, the Fund’s Board of Trustees approved a Managed Distribution Plan (MDP) pursuant to which the Fund makes monthly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share.

The Fund currently distributes monthly cash distributions equal to $0.1108 per share in accordance with the MDP. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms of the MDP. The MDP will be subject to regular periodic review by the Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Board may amend or terminate the MDP at any time without prior notice to Fund shareholders. However, at this time there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that might cause the termination of the MDP.

The Fund may distribute more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains and, therefore, a distribution may include a return of capital. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” With each distribution, the Fund will issue a notice to shareholders and a press release containing information about the amount and sources of the distribution and other related information. The amounts and sources of distributions contained in the notice and press release are only estimates and are not provided for tax purposes. The amounts and sources of the Fund’s distributions for tax purposes will be reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV for each calendar year.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.


Annual Report December 31, 2017

Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     3  

Fund Snapshot

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Financial Statements

     6  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     20  

Federal Tax Information

     21  

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

     22  

Management and Organization

     24  

Important Notices

     27  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

U.S. stock markets moved steadily higher over the 12-month period ended December 31, 2017, due to an extended rally that began with President Trump’s election victory. Strong global economic growth and rising corporate profits helped drive market gains.

When the period began, U.S. stock markets were on the upswing following the U.S. election outcome in November 2016. Those markets slipped in March 2017, as the failure of the President’s health care bill in Congress raised concerns about prospects for the rest of the administration’s economic policy agenda, including tax reform and infrastructure spending. But U.S. stock markets, backed by positive economic reports, quickly regained their upward momentum. Citing the strengthening economy, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) raised its benchmark interest rate in March 2017 and again in June 2017.

U.S. equity markets briefly retreated in August 2017 amid the North Korea stand-off and the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Those markets soon rebounded, however, with major U.S. indexes reaching multiple record highs in the final three months of the period ended December 31, 2017. Investors anticipated and then cheered passage of the Republican tax reform package championed by President Trump. Deep cuts in the corporate tax rate, a key element of the tax bill, raised expectations for higher corporate earnings. In December, the Fed increased interest rates for the third and final time in 2017. As with the two previous rate hikes, investors took the announcement in stride and continued to push domestic stock prices higher. In terms of economic sectors, information technology and financials led the U.S. market’s advance during the period ended December 31, 2017.

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2017, all major U.S. stock indexes recorded double-digit returns. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average2 rose 28.11%, while the broader U.S. equity market, as represented by the S&P 500 Index, returned 21.83%. The technology-laden NASDAQ Composite Index delivered a 29.64% gain. Large-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, outperformed their small-cap counterparts as measured by the Russell 2000® Index during the period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks within both the large- and small-cap categories, as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2017, Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund (the Fund) had a total return of 16.93% at net asset value (NAV), underperforming the 21.83% return of its primary benchmark,

the S&P 500 Index (the Index), the 32.99% return of the NASDAQ–100 Index, and the 18.93% return of the CBOE NASDAQ–100 BuyWrite Index, but outperforming the 13.00% return of the CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index.

The Fund’s common stock portfolio outperformed the Index during the period and thus helped relative Fund performance, while the Fund’s options overlay strategy was the largest detractor from Fund performance versus the Index.

The Fund employs an options strategy of writing (selling) stock index call options on a portion of its underlying common stock portfolio. The options strategy, which is designed to help limit the Fund’s exposure to market volatility and to provide current income, proved disadvantageous during a 12-month period marked by low volatility in the equity market and strong performance of the Index, which delivered positive returns for every month of the calendar year for the first time in 90 years. Low volatility depressed the premiums for selling call options, and the Fund’s options underperformed the Index, especially during its sharp rallies in February 2017 and September through November 2017. However, option selection and diversification6 helped the Fund outperform the CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index for the period.

Within the Fund’s common stock portfolio, performance versus the Index was helped by an overweight, relative to the Index, in the information technology sector; stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector; and an underweight and stock selection in the energy sector. Within information technology, overweighting Apple, Inc. (Apple) contributed to relative performance. The stock was driven upward by anticipation of the launch of the tenth anniversary iPhone and by growth in Apple’s services business as its software ecosystem expanded. In the consumer discretionary sector, the Fund’s overweight position in online retailer and cloud computing firm Amazon. com, Inc. (Amazon) appreciated as the firm reported accelerating growth and profitability. Gains were driven by Amazon’s market share growth and its expansion into new areas, including its acquisition during the period of supermarket chain Whole Foods Market.

In contrast, stock selection in the health care sector detracted from Fund performance versus the Index. The Fund’s overweight holding in biotech firm Celgene Corp. fell in price after a high-profile drug in its development pipeline failed a clinical trial and was subsequently abandoned. Elsewhere in the sector, overweighting Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead), another biotech company, also proved detrimental to relative performance. The stock delivered modestly positive performance but underperformed the overall health care sector in the Index, due to investor concerns about weakness in Gilead’s drug development pipeline.

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested and include management fees and other expenses. Fund performance at market price will differ from its results at NAV due to factors such as changing perceptions about the Fund, market conditions, fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, or changes in Fund distributions. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Performance2

 

Portfolio Managers Michael A. Allison, CFA and Thomas C. Seto

 

% Average Annual Total Returns    Inception Date      One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Fund at NAV

     06/30/2005        16.93      11.65      8.67

Fund at Market Price

            13.36        14.37        10.24  

S&P 500 Index

            21.83      15.78      8.49

NASDAQ–100 Index

            32.99        20.67        13.03  

CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index

            13.00        8.78        4.88  

CBOE NASDAQ–100 BuyWrite Index

            18.93        10.25        5.14  
           
% Premium/Discount to NAV3                                
              2.40
           
Distributions4                                

Total Distributions per share for the period

            $ 1.330  

Distribution Rate at NAV

              8.86

Distribution Rate at Market Price

              8.65

Fund Profile

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of total investments)5

 

 

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings (% of total investments)5

 

 

Apple, Inc.

    7.9

Microsoft Corp.

    6.2  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    5.2  

Facebook, Inc., Class A

    3.6  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    3.4  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C

    2.7  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    2.4  

Intel Corp.

    1.9  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    1.8  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    1.6  

Total

    36.7
 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested and include management fees and other expenses. Fund performance at market price will differ from its results at NAV due to factors such as changing perceptions about the Fund, market conditions, fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, or changes in Fund distributions. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Fund Snapshot

 

 

  Objective   The primary investment objective is to provide current income and gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.  
  Strategy   The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and writes call options on one or more U.S. indices on a substantial portion of the value of its common stock portfolio to generate current earnings from the option premium. The Fund evaluates returns on an after tax basis and seeks to minimize and defer federal income taxes incurred by shareholders in connection with their investment in the Fund.  
   

 

Options Strategy

 

 

Write Index Covered Calls

   
   

 

Equity Benchmarks2

 

 

S&P 500 Index

NASDAQ–100 Index

   
   

 

Morningstar Category

  Option Writing    
   

 

Distribution Frequency

  Monthly    
    Common Stock Portfolio         
   

 

Positions Held

  181    
   

 

% US / Non-US

  99.1/0.9    
   

 

Average Market Cap

  $277.0 Billion    
    Call Options Written         
   

 

% of Stock Portfolio

  95%    
   

 

Average Days to Expiration

  16 days    
   

 

% Out of the Money

  0.5%    
 

 

The following terms as used in the Fund snapshot:

 

Average Market Cap: An indicator of the size of the companies in which the Fund invests and is the sum of each security’s weight in the portfolio multiplied by its market cap. Market Cap is determined by multiplying the price of a share of a company’s common stock by the number of shares outstanding.

 

Call Option: For an index call option, the buyer has the right to receive from the seller (or writer) a cash payment at the option expiration date equal to any positive difference between the value of the index at contract expiration and the exercise price. The buyer of a call option makes a cash payment (premium) to the seller (writer) of the option upon entering into the option contract.

 

Covered Call Strategy: A strategy of owning a portfolio of common stocks and writing call options on all or a portion of such stocks to generate current earnings from option premium.

 

Out of the Money: For a call option on an index, the extent to which the exercise price of the option exceeds the current price of the value of the index.

 

    

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements”. The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of large-cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. NASDAQ Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on NASDAQ. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. NASDAQ–100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international securities (by market cap), excluding financials, listed on NASDAQ. CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index measures the performance of a hypothetical buy-write strategy on the S&P 500 Index. CBOE NASDAQ–100 BuyWrite Index measures the performance of a theoretical portfolio that owns stocks included in the NASDAQ–100 Index and writes (sells) NASDAQ–100 Index covered call options. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Performance since inception for an index, if presented, is the performance since the Fund’s or oldest share class’ inception, as applicable.

 

3 

The shares of the Fund often trade at a discount or premium from their net asset value. The discount or premium of the Fund may vary over time and may be higher or lower than what is quoted in this report. For up-to-date premium/discount information, please refer to http://eatonvance.com/closedend.

4 

The Distribution Rate is based on the Fund’s last regular distribution per share in the period (annualized) divided by the Fund’s NAV or market price at the end of the period. The Fund’s distributions may be comprised of amounts characterized for federal income tax purposes as qualified and non-qualified ordinary dividends, capital gains and nondividend distributions, also known as return of capital. For additional information about nondividend distributions, please refer to Eaton Vance Closed-End Fund Distribution Notices (19a) posted on our website, eatonvance.com. The Fund will determine the federal income tax character of distributions paid to a shareholder after the end of the calendar year. This is reported on the IRS form 1099-DIV and provided to the shareholder shortly after each year-end. For information about the tax character of distributions made in prior calendar years, please refer to Performance-Tax Character of Distributions on the Fund’s webpage available at eatonvance.com. In recent years, a significant portion of the Fund’s distributions has been characterized as a return of capital. The Fund’s distributions are determined by the investment adviser based on its current assessment of the Fund’s long-term return potential. Fund distributions may be affected by numerous factors including changes in Fund performance, the cost of financing for leverage, portfolio holdings, realized and projected returns, and other factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions paid by the Fund could change.

 

5 

Depictions do not reflect the Fund’s option positions. Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

6 

Diversification cannot ensure a profit or eliminate the risk of loss.

 

   Fund snapshot and profile subject to change due to active management.
 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 100.3%  
   
Security   Shares     Value  

Aerospace & Defense — 1.8%

 

Arconic, Inc.

    9,016     $ 245,686  

Boeing Co. (The)(1)

    13,686       4,036,138  

Harris Corp.

    6,224       881,630  

Northrop Grumman Corp.(1)

    25,030       7,681,957  

Rockwell Collins, Inc.(1)

    32,746       4,441,013  

Textron, Inc.

    15,478       875,900  
   
    $ 18,162,324  
   

Airlines — 0.4%

 

Southwest Airlines Co.(1)

    52,956     $ 3,465,970  

United Continental Holdings, Inc.(2)

    15,000       1,011,000  
   
    $ 4,476,970  
   

Auto Components — 0.0%(3)

 

Adient PLC

    5,826     $ 458,506  
   
    $ 458,506  
   

Automobiles — 0.3%

 

General Motors Co.(1)

    40,000     $ 1,639,600  

Tesla, Inc.(1)(2)

    5,662       1,762,864  
   
    $ 3,402,464  
   

Banks — 3.7%

 

Bank of America Corp.(1)

    130,000     $ 3,837,600  

Fifth Third Bancorp(1)

    90,126       2,734,423  

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.(1)

    179,679       2,616,126  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.(1)

    84,867       9,075,677  

KeyCorp

    38,413       774,790  

M&T Bank Corp.

    4,453       761,418  

Regions Financial Corp.(1)

    413,924       7,152,607  

SunTrust Banks, Inc.(1)

    49,905       3,223,364  

Wells Fargo & Co.(1)

    111,947       6,791,825  

Zions Bancorporation

    25,204       1,281,119  
   
    $ 38,248,949  
   

Beverages — 1.3%

 

Coca-Cola Co. (The)(1)

    153,082     $ 7,023,402  

PepsiCo, Inc.(1)

    56,435       6,767,685  
   
    $ 13,791,087  
   

Biotechnology — 5.1%

 

AbbVie, Inc.

    6,412     $ 620,104  

Amgen, Inc.(1)

    59,770       10,394,003  
Security   Shares     Value  

Biotechnology (continued)

 

Biogen, Inc.(1)(2)

    35,831     $ 11,414,682  

Bioverativ, Inc.(2)

    17,915       965,977  

Celgene Corp.(1)(2)

    127,433       13,298,908  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(1)

    210,061       15,048,770  

Incyte Corp.(1)(2)

    5,923       560,967  
   
    $ 52,303,411  
   

Building Products — 0.1%

 

Allegion PLC

    10,516     $ 836,653  
   
    $ 836,653  
   

Capital Markets — 2.5%

 

CME Group, Inc.(1)

    12,294     $ 1,795,539  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)(1)

    15,655       3,988,268  

Invesco, Ltd.

    25,937       947,738  

Moody’s Corp.(1)

    34,043       5,025,087  

Morgan Stanley(1)

    53,096       2,785,947  

S&P Global, Inc.(1)

    36,507       6,184,286  

State Street Corp.(1)

    33,478       3,267,788  

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.(1)

    15,664       1,643,623  
   
    $ 25,638,276  
   

Chemicals — 1.4%

 

AdvanSix, Inc.(2)

    2,576     $ 108,372  

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.(1)

    13,083       2,146,659  

DowDuPont, Inc.(1)

    61,024       4,346,129  

PPG Industries, Inc.(1)

    69,093       8,071,444  
   
    $ 14,672,604  
   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.1%

 

Waste Management, Inc.

    6,187     $ 533,938  
   
    $ 533,938  
   

Communications Equipment — 1.6%

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.(1)

    425,260     $ 16,287,458  
   
    $ 16,287,458  
   

Consumer Finance — 1.1%

 

American Express Co.(1)

    30,565     $ 3,035,410  

Capital One Financial Corp.

    10,757       1,071,182  

Discover Financial Services(1)

    92,596       7,122,484  
   
    $ 11,229,076  
   
 

 

  6   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Containers & Packaging — 0.2%

 

WestRock Co.(1)

    27,349     $ 1,728,730  
   
    $ 1,728,730  
   

Distributors — 0.2%

 

Genuine Parts Co.(1)

    16,898     $ 1,605,479  
   
    $ 1,605,479  
   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.4%

 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(1)(2)

    19,434     $ 3,852,207  
   
    $ 3,852,207  
   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.0%

 

AT&T, Inc.(1)

    122,541     $ 4,764,394  

Verizon Communications, Inc.(1)

    100,418       5,315,125  
   
    $ 10,079,519  
   

Electric Utilities — 0.5%

 

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    14,972     $ 1,101,490  

Edison International(1)

    62,309       3,940,421  
   
    $ 5,041,911  
   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%

 

Halliburton Co.(1)

    92,888     $ 4,539,437  

Schlumberger, Ltd.

    15,000       1,010,850  
   
    $ 5,550,287  
   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.1%

 

American Tower Corp.(1)

    17,730     $ 2,529,539  

Apartment Investment & Management Co.,
Class A(1)

    35,696       1,560,272  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    18,010       357,499  

Simon Property Group, Inc.(1)

    36,850       6,328,619  
   
    $ 10,775,929  
   

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.3%

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.(1)

    22,148     $ 4,122,186  

CVS Health Corp.(1)

    88,422       6,410,595  

Kroger Co. (The)(1)

    75,174       2,063,526  

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    5,542       547,273  
   
    $ 13,143,580  
   
Security   Shares     Value  

Food Products — 1.7%

 

Conagra Brands, Inc.

    36,179     $ 1,362,863  

Hershey Co. (The)

    11,826       1,342,369  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    21,160       770,012  

Kraft Heinz Co. (The)(1)

    49,708       3,865,294  

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.

    16,086       908,055  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A(1)

    213,793       9,150,341  
   
    $ 17,398,934  
   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.3%

 

Abbott Laboratories

    13,617     $ 777,122  

Baxter International, Inc.(1)

    36,672       2,370,478  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(1)(2)

    22,126       2,493,822  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(1)(2)

    33,728       12,308,696  

Stryker Corp.(1)

    33,820       5,236,689  
   
    $ 23,186,807  
   

Health Care Providers & Services — 1.9%

 

Cigna Corp.(1)

    36,534     $ 7,419,690  

DaVita, Inc.(2)

    11,550       834,488  

McKesson Corp.

    7,813       1,218,437  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(1)

    46,743       10,304,962  
   
    $ 19,777,577  
   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.4%

 

ILG, Inc.

    9,987     $ 284,430  

Marriott International, Inc., Class A(1)

    98,709       13,397,773  

McDonald’s Corp.(1)

    35,561       6,120,759  

Yum! Brands, Inc.(1)

    54,131       4,417,631  
   
    $ 24,220,593  
   

Household Durables — 0.1%

 

Whirlpool Corp.

    8,566     $ 1,444,570  
   
    $ 1,444,570  
   

Household Products — 0.9%

 

Clorox Co. (The)(1)

    39,829     $ 5,924,165  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.(1)

    26,967       2,034,660  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    16,369       1,503,984  
   
    $ 9,462,809  
   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.2%

 

NRG Energy, Inc.(1)

    55,000     $ 1,566,400  
   
    $ 1,566,400  
   
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Industrial Conglomerates — 1.4%

 

3M Co.(1)

    11,474     $ 2,700,636  

General Electric Co.(1)

    74,785       1,304,998  

Honeywell International, Inc.(1)

    64,422       9,879,758  
   
    $ 13,885,392  
   

Insurance — 1.6%

 

Chubb, Ltd.(1)

    35,393     $ 5,171,979  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    15,767       1,283,276  

MetLife, Inc.

    13,050       659,808  

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)(1)

    40,848       5,540,623  

Unum Group(1)

    70,698       3,880,613  
   
    $ 16,536,299  
   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 6.0%

 

Amazon.com, Inc.(1)(2)

    45,881     $ 53,656,453  

Liberty Ventures, Series A(2)

    11,445       620,777  

Netflix, Inc.(1)(2)

    39,110       7,507,555  
   
    $ 61,784,785  
   

Internet Software & Services — 10.5%

 

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1)(2)

    32,784     $ 34,534,666  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(1)(2)

    26,500       27,729,600  

eBay, Inc.(1)(2)

    99,341       3,749,129  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1)(2)

    211,946       37,399,991  

VeriSign, Inc.(1)(2)

    39,197       4,485,705  
   
    $ 107,899,091  
   

IT Services — 3.3%

 

Alliance Data Systems Corp.(1)

    7,945     $ 2,013,898  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.,
Class A(1)

    143,537       10,193,998  

DXC Technology Co.(1)

    22,981       2,180,897  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.(1)

    62,742       5,903,395  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A(1)

    38,080       5,763,789  

Visa, Inc., Class A(1)

    63,696       7,262,618  
   
    $ 33,318,595  
   

Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.2%

 

PerkinElmer, Inc.(1)

    23,065     $ 1,686,513  
   
    $ 1,686,513  
   

Machinery — 1.7%

 

Caterpillar, Inc.

    5,735     $ 903,721  

Dover Corp.(1)

    29,870       3,016,571  

Ingersoll-Rand PLC(1)

    23,525       2,098,195  
Security   Shares     Value  

Machinery (continued)

 

Parker-Hannifin Corp.(1)

    14,287     $ 2,851,399  

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.(1)

    49,559       8,409,667  
   
    $ 17,279,553  
   

Media — 4.1%

 

CBS Corp., Class B(1)

    88,076     $ 5,196,484  

Comcast Corp., Class A(1)

    603,498       24,170,095  

Walt Disney Co. (The)(1)

    119,119       12,806,484  
   
    $ 42,173,063  
   

Metals & Mining — 0.2%

 

Newmont Mining Corp.

    25,563     $ 959,124  

Nucor Corp.

    22,035       1,400,985  
   
    $ 2,360,109  
   

Multi-Utilities — 1.1%

 

CMS Energy Corp.(1)

    177,055     $ 8,374,701  

Dominion Energy, Inc.(1)

    30,000       2,431,800  
   
    $ 10,806,501  
   

Multiline Retail — 0.3%

 

Macy’s, Inc.(1)

    81,687     $ 2,057,696  

Nordstrom, Inc.

    11,790       558,610  

Target Corp.

    8,193       534,593  
   
    $ 3,150,899  
   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.9%

 

Chevron Corp.(1)

    66,225     $ 8,290,708  

Concho Resources, Inc.(2)

    5,000       751,100  

ConocoPhillips(1)

    35,000       1,921,150  

EOG Resources, Inc.(1)

    32,900       3,550,239  

Exxon Mobil Corp.(1)

    54,909       4,592,589  

Murphy Oil Corp.(1)

    91,974       2,855,793  

Phillips 66(1)

    57,101       5,775,766  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    5,000       864,250  

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

    37,548       1,144,838  
   
    $ 29,746,433  
   

Personal Products — 0.9%

 

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A(1)

    72,774     $ 9,259,764  
   
    $ 9,259,764  
   
 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Pharmaceuticals — 3.1%

 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(1)

    106,404     $ 6,520,437  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    12,046       1,017,405  

Johnson & Johnson(1)

    43,189       6,034,367  

Merck & Co., Inc.(1)

    158,250       8,904,728  

Pfizer, Inc.(1)

    242,074       8,767,920  
   
    $ 31,244,857  
   

Professional Services — 0.4%

 

Equifax, Inc.(1)

    15,738     $ 1,855,825  

Nielsen Holdings PLC

    8,843       321,885  

Robert Half International, Inc.(1)

    39,340       2,184,944  
   
    $ 4,362,654  
   

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.1%

 

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(2)

    24,669     $ 1,068,414  
   
    $ 1,068,414  
   

Road & Rail — 0.9%

 

CSX Corp.

    20,000     $ 1,100,200  

Kansas City Southern

    4,645       488,747  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    9,503       1,376,985  

Ryder System, Inc.

    12,392       1,043,035  

Union Pacific Corp.(1)

    37,756       5,063,079  
   
    $ 9,072,046  
   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 7.4%

 

Analog Devices, Inc.(1)

    56,522     $ 5,032,154  

ASML Holding NV - NY Shares(1)

    16,394       2,849,605  

Cypress Semiconductor Corp.

    38,941       593,461  

Intel Corp.(1)

    425,159       19,625,339  

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    4,000       420,280  

Microchip Technology, Inc.(1)(2)

    30,000       2,636,400  

Micron Technology, Inc.(1)(2)

    100,000       4,112,000  

NXP Semiconductors NV(1)(2)

    50,530       5,916,558  

ON Semiconductor Corp.(1)(2)

    99,333       2,080,033  

Qorvo, Inc.(1)(2)

    24,304       1,618,646  

QUALCOMM, Inc.(1)

    183,978       11,778,271  

Texas Instruments, Inc.(1)

    176,056       18,387,289  

Versum Materials, Inc.

    6,541       247,577  

Xperi Corp.

    28,424       693,546  
   
    $ 75,991,159  
   

Software — 7.9%

 

Autodesk, Inc.(2)

    8,000     $ 838,640  

Micro Focus International PLC ADR(2)

    1,373       46,119  
Security   Shares     Value  

Software (continued)

 

Microsoft Corp.(1)

    748,152     $ 63,996,922  

Oracle Corp.(1)

    256,551       12,129,731  

Red Hat, Inc.(1)(2)

    28,914       3,472,572  
   
    $ 80,483,984  
   

Specialty Retail — 1.8%

 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.(1)

    26,636     $ 2,655,343  

Best Buy Co., Inc.(1)

    28,506       1,951,806  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)(1)

    58,008       10,994,256  

Tiffany & Co.(1)

    28,579       2,970,787  
   
    $ 18,572,192  
   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 7.9%

 

Apple, Inc.(1)

    478,298     $ 80,942,371  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    10,000       143,600  
   
    $ 81,085,971  
   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.9%

 

NIKE, Inc., Class B(1)

    147,264     $ 9,211,363  
   
    $ 9,211,363  
   

Tobacco — 1.1%

 

Altria Group, Inc.(1)

    25,875     $ 1,847,734  

Philip Morris International, Inc.(1)

    86,589       9,148,128  
   
    $ 10,995,862  
   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.4%

 

Fastenal Co.(1)

    79,244     $ 4,333,854  
   
    $ 4,333,854  
   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.1%

 

T-Mobile US, Inc.(2)

    16,000     $ 1,016,160  
                 
    $ 1,016,160  
   

Total Common Stocks — 100.3%
(identified cost $281,481,857)

 

  $ 1,026,202,561  
   

Total Call Options Written — (0.6)%
(premiums received $7,722,953)

 

  $ (5,894,200
   

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

  $ 2,757,913  
   

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 1,023,066,274  
   
 

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

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

 

(1)

Security (or a portion thereof) has been pledged as collateral for written options.

 

(2)

Non-income producing security.

 

(3)

Amount is less than 0.05%.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
Call Options Written — (0.6)%  
Exchange-Traded Options — (0.6)%  
         
Description  

Number of

Contracts

   

Notional

Amount

   

Exercise

Price

   

Expiration

Date

    Value  

NASDAQ 100 Index

    150     $ 95,946,330     $ 6,410       1/5/18     $ (459,750

NASDAQ 100 Index

    150       95,946,330       6,475       1/12/18       (357,750

NASDAQ 100 Index

    155       99,144,541       6,500       1/19/18       (475,075

NASDAQ 100 Index

    150       95,946,330       6,525       1/26/18       (522,750

S&P 500 Index

    180       48,124,980       2,640       1/2/18       (723,600

S&P 500 Index

    180       48,124,980       2,640       1/3/18       (745,200

S&P 500 Index

    180       48,124,980       2,670       1/5/18       (259,200

S&P 500 Index

    180       48,124,980       2,660       1/8/18       (453,600

S&P 500 Index

    180       48,124,980       2,680       1/10/18       (216,000

S&P 500 Index

    185       49,461,785       2,675       1/12/18       (308,950

S&P 500 Index

    185       49,461,785       2,700       1/16/18       (106,375

S&P 500 Index

    185       49,461,785       2,690       1/17/18       (228,475

S&P 500 Index

    185       49,461,785       2,690       1/19/18       (224,775

S&P 500 Index

    180       48,124,980       2,685       1/22/18       (288,900

S&P 500 Index

    180       48,124,980       2,690       1/24/18       (262,800

S&P 500 Index

    180       48,124,980       2,690       1/26/18       (261,000
   

Total

 

    $ (5,894,200
   
 

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets   December 31, 2017  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $281,481,857)

  $ 1,026,202,561  

Cash

    1,724,249  

Dividends receivable

    776,671  

Receivable for premiums on written options

    1,033,945  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    93,048  

Receivable from the transfer agent

    299,795  

Tax reclaims receivable

    511  

Total assets

  $ 1,030,130,780  
Liabilities        

Written options outstanding, at value (premiums received, $7,722,953)

  $ 5,894,200  

Payable to affiliates:

 

Investment adviser fee

    867,774  

Trustees’ fees

    12,780  

Accrued expenses

    289,752  

Total liabilities

  $ 7,064,506  

Net Assets

  $ 1,023,066,274  
Sources of Net Assets        

Common shares, $0.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized, 68,160,017 shares issued and outstanding

  $ 681,600  

Additional paid-in capital

    288,058,954  

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

    76,674  

Accumulated net realized loss

    (12,300,411

Net unrealized appreciation

    746,549,457  

Net Assets

  $ 1,023,066,274  
Net Asset Value        

($1,023,066,274 ÷ 68,160,017 common shares issued and outstanding)

  $ 15.01  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income  

Year Ended

December 31, 2017

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $3,215)

  $ 16,138,573  

Total investment income

  $ 16,138,573  
Expenses        

Investment adviser fee

  $ 9,517,058  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    53,653  

Custodian fee

    272,125  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

    18,745  

Legal and accounting services

    85,140  

Printing and postage

    303,752  

Miscellaneous

    61,704  

Total expenses

  $ 10,312,177  

Net investment income

  $ 5,826,396  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)        

Net realized gain (loss) —

 

Investment transactions

  $ 62,449,276  

Written options

    (65,774,376

Payment by affiliate

    13,223  

Net realized loss

  $ (3,311,877

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

 

Investments

  $ 147,510,953  

Written options

    (2,475,943

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  $ 145,035,010  

Net realized and unrealized gain

  $ 141,723,133  

Net increase in net assets from operations

  $ 147,549,529  

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   2017     2016  

From operations —

   

Net investment income

  $ 5,826,396     $ 7,580,462  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (3,311,877     20,985,365  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    145,035,010       23,684,945  

Net increase in net assets from operations

  $ 147,549,529     $ 52,250,772  

Distributions to shareholders —

   

From net investment income

  $ (5,798,407   $ (7,490,957

From net realized gain

          (27,792,712

Tax return of capital

    (81,339,037     (49,648,547

Total distributions

  $ (87,137,444   $ (84,932,216

Capital share transactions —

   

Proceeds from shelf offering, net of offering costs (see Note 5)

  $ 60,883,895     $  

Reinvestment of distributions

    2,779,053       2,297,364  

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

  $ 63,662,948     $ 2,297,364  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

  $ 124,075,033     $ (30,384,080
Net Assets                

At beginning of year

  $ 898,991,241     $ 929,375,321  

At end of year

  $ 1,023,066,274     $ 898,991,241  

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

included in net assets

               

At end of year

  $ 76,674     $ 109,280  

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

  $ 14.050     $ 14.570     $ 14.840     $ 14.840     $ 13.770  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                        

Net investment income(1)

  $ 0.089     $ 0.119     $ 0.109     $ 0.110     $ 0.128  

Net realized and unrealized gain

    2.167       0.691       0.951       1.220       2.272  

Total income from operations

  $ 2.256     $ 0.810     $ 1.060     $ 1.330     $ 2.400  
Less Distributions                                        

From net investment income

  $ (0.089   $ (0.117   $ (0.130   $ (0.110   $ (0.126

From net realized gain

          (0.435     (0.800     (0.215      

Tax return of capital

    (1.241     (0.778     (0.400     (1.005     (1.204

Total distributions

  $ (1.330   $ (1.330   $ (1.330   $ (1.330   $ (1.330

Premium from common shares sold through shelf offering (see Note 5)(1)

  $ 0.034     $     $     $     $  

Net asset value — End of year

  $ 15.010     $ 14.050     $ 14.570     $ 14.840     $ 14.840  

Market value — End of year

  $ 15.370     $ 14.840     $ 15.300     $ 14.060     $ 14.010  

Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(2)

    16.93     6.04     7.32     9.51     19.08

Total Investment Return on Market Value(2)

    13.36     6.58     19.04     9.91     23.84
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                        

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

  $ 1,023,066     $ 898,991     $ 929,375     $ 945,200     $ 943,887  

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

         

Expenses(3)

    1.08     1.09     1.08     1.09     1.09

Net investment income

    0.61     0.85     0.73     0.74     0.90

Portfolio Turnover

    4     4     5     2     2

 

(1)

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market value with all distributions reinvested. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

 

(3)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund (the Fund) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income and gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.

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

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

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices therefore on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and asked prices.

Derivatives. U.S. exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices at valuation time as reported by the Options Price Reporting Authority. Non U.S. exchange-traded options and over-the-counter options are valued by a third party pricing service using techniques that consider factors including the value of the underlying instrument, the volatility of the underlying instrument and the period of time until option expiration.

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

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

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates.

D  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of December 31, 2017, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

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

F  Indemnifications — Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Fund) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Fund’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Fund shall assume the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

G  Written Options — Upon the writing of a call or a put option, the premium received by the Fund is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option written, in accordance with the Fund’s policies on investment valuations discussed above. Premiums received from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or are closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. When an index option is exercised, the Fund is required to deliver an amount of cash determined by the excess of the strike price

 

  15  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

of the option over the value of the index (in the case of a put) or the excess of the value of the index over the strike price of the option (in the case of a call) at contract termination. If a put option on a security is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Fund. The Fund, as a writer of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying securities or other assets may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and, as a result, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the securities or other assets underlying the written option. The Fund may also bear the risk of not being able to enter into a closing transaction if a liquid secondary market does not exist.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

Subject to its Managed Distribution Plan, the Fund makes monthly distributions from its cash available for distribution, which consists of the Fund’s dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, net option premiums and net realized and unrealized gains on stock investments. The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income. Distributions in any year may include a substantial return of capital component.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
     2017      2016  

Distributions declared from:

    

Ordinary income

  $ 5,798,407      $ 7,490,957  

Long-term capital gains

  $      $ 27,792,712  

Tax return of capital

  $ 81,339,037      $ 49,648,547  

During the year ended December 31, 2017, accumulated net realized loss was decreased by $60,595 and accumulated undistributed net investment income was decreased by $60,595 due to differences between book and tax accounting, primarily for distributions from real estate investment trusts (REITs) and return of capital distributions from securities. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Deferred capital losses

  $ (4,643,349

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 738,969,069  

The differences between components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities are primarily due to wash sales, option contracts, distributions from REITs, tax straddle transactions and return of capital distributions from securities.

At December 31, 2017, the Fund, for federal income tax purposes, had deferred capital losses of $4,643,349 which would reduce its taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investment transactions, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, and thus would reduce the amount of distributions to shareholders, which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income or excise tax. The deferred capital losses are treated as arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year and retain the same short-term or long-term character as when originally deferred. Of the deferred capital losses at December 31, 2017, $4,643,349 are short-term.

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, including open derivative contracts, of the Fund at December 31, 2017, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

  $ 287,233,492  

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 739,466,194  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (497,125

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 738,969,069  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Eaton Vance Management (EVM) as compensation for management and investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily gross assets and is payable monthly. Gross assets as referred to herein represent net assets plus obligations attributable to investment leverage, if any. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Fund’s investment adviser fee amounted to $9,517,058. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement, EVM has delegated a portion of the investment management to Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC (Parametric), a majority-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp. EVM pays Parametric a portion of its investment adviser fee for sub-advisory services provided to the Fund. EVM also serves as administrator of the Fund, but receives no compensation.

In May 2017, an equity options trader formerly employed by EVM pled guilty to criminal charges of defrauding EVM and certain Eaton Vance-sponsored funds, including the Fund, by diverting Fund trading profits to an undisclosed personal brokerage account. The damages to the Fund as a result of this activity were determined to be $13,223, including interest. During the year ended December 31, 2017, EVM paid this amount to the Fund. The Fund also filed a claim under the Fund’s and EVM’s joint fidelity bond, and the reimbursement made under the fidelity bond was paid to EVM. The amount of the payment is reported on the Fund’s Statement of Operations under the caption “Net realized gain (loss) — Payment by affiliate.” This payment had an impact on the Fund’s total return at net asset value of less than 0.01% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s organization receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with EVM may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2017, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of EVM.

4  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $38,234,041 and $122,884,201, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017.

5  Common Shares of Beneficial Interest and Shelf Offering

Common shares issued by the Fund pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were 189,129 and 163,528, respectively.

The Board of Trustees of the Fund approved the continuation of the Fund’s share repurchase program that has been in effect since August 6, 2012. Pursuant to the terms of the reauthorization of the program, the Fund may repurchase up to 10% of its common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2013 in open market transactions at a discount to net asset value (NAV). The terms of the reauthorization increased the number of shares available for repurchase. The repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. There were no repurchases of common shares by the Fund for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective on April 5, 2017 by the SEC, the Fund is authorized to issue up to an additional 7,678,962 common shares through an equity shelf offering program (the “shelf offering”). Under the shelf offering, the Fund, subject to market conditions, may raise additional capital from time to time and in varying amounts and offering methods at a net price at or above the Fund’s net asset value per common share.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Fund sold 4,005,439 common shares and received proceeds (net of offering costs) of $60,883,895 through its shelf offering. The net proceeds in excess of the net asset value of the shares sold were $2,241,291. Offering costs (other than the applicable sales commissions) incurred in connection with the shelf offering were borne directly by EVM. Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM, is the distributor of the Fund’s shares and is entitled to receive a sales commission from the Fund of 1.00% of the gross sales price per share, a portion of which is re-allowed to sales agents. The Fund was informed that the sales commissions retained by EVD during the year ended December 31, 2017 were $123,001.

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

6  Financial Instruments

The Fund may trade in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities. These financial instruments may include written options and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Fund has in particular classes of financial instruments and do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. A summary of obligations under these financial instruments at December 31, 2017 is included in the Portfolio of Investments. At December 31, 2017, the Fund had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover commitments under these contracts.

The Fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund writes index call options above the current value of the index to generate premium income. In writing index call options, the Fund in effect, sells potential appreciation in the value of the applicable index above the exercise price in exchange for the option premium received. The Fund retains the risk of loss, minus the premium received, should the price of the underlying index decline.

The fair value of open derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) and whose primary underlying risk exposure is equity price risk at December 31, 2017 was as follows:

 

    Fair Value  
Derivative   Asset Derivative      Liability Derivative(1)  

Written options

  $         —      $ (5,894,200

 

(1) 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Written options outstanding, at value.

The effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) on the Statement of Operations and whose primary underlying risk exposure is equity price risk for the year ended December 31, 2017 was as follows:

 

Derivative   Realized Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives Recognized
in Income
(1)
    

Change in Unrealized

Appreciation (Depreciation) on

Derivatives Recognized in Income(2)

 

Written options

  $ (65,774,376    $ (2,475,943

 

(1) 

Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) – Written options.

 

(2) 

Statement of Operations location: Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) – Written options.

The average number of written options contracts outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2017, which is indicative of the volume of this derivative type, was 2,857 contracts.

7  Fair Value Measurements

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

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

At December 31, 2017, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments and open derivative instruments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

  $ 1,026,202,561    $         —      $         —      $ 1,026,202,561  

Total Investments

  $ 1,026,202,561      $      $      $ 1,026,202,561  

Liability Description

                                  

Call Options Written

  $ (5,894,200    $      $      $ (5,894,200

Total

  $ (5,894,200    $      $      $ (5,894,200

 

* The level classification by major category of investments is the same as the category presentation in the Portfolio of Investments.

The Fund held no investments or other financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 whose fair value was determined using Level 3 inputs. At December 31, 2017, there were no investments transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year then ended.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2017, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2017, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2017, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 16, 2018

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

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2018 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2017. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals and the dividends received deduction for corporations.

Qualified Dividend Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Fund designates approximately $14,246,466, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.

Dividends Received Deduction.  Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2017 ordinary income dividends, 100% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

  21  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

 

The Fund offers a dividend reinvestment plan (Plan) pursuant to which shareholders may elect to have distributions automatically reinvested in common shares (Shares) of the Fund. You may elect to participate in the Plan by completing the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Application Form. If you do not participate, you will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to you by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST) as dividend paying agent. On the distribution payment date, if the NAV per Share is equal to or less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, then new Shares will be issued. The number of Shares shall be determined by the greater of the NAV per Share or 95% of the market price. Otherwise, Shares generally will be purchased on the open market by AST, the Plan agent (Agent). Distributions subject to income tax (if any) are taxable whether or not Shares are reinvested.

If your Shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the Plan, you will need to request that the Fund’s transfer agent re-register your Shares in your name or you will not be able to participate.

The Agent’s service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Fund. Plan participants will be charged their pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.

Plan participants may withdraw from the Plan at any time by writing to the Agent at the address noted on the following page. If you withdraw, you will receive Shares in your name for all Shares credited to your account under the Plan. If a participant elects by written notice to the Agent to sell part or all of his or her Shares and remit the proceeds, the Agent is authorized to deduct a $5.00 fee plus brokerage commissions from the proceeds.

If you wish to participate in the Plan and your Shares are held in your own name, you may complete the form on the following page and deliver it to the Agent. Any inquiries regarding the Plan can be directed to the Agent at 1-866-439-6787.

 

  22  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Application for Participation in Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

 

 

This form is for shareholders who hold their common shares in their own names. If your common shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your nominee to see if it will participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank, or nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you should request that your common shares be re-registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan.

The following authorization and appointment is given with the understanding that I may terminate it at any time by terminating my participation in the Plan as provided in the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

Please print exact name on account

 

Shareholder signature                                                           Date

 

Shareholder signature                                                           Date

Please sign exactly as your common shares are registered. All persons whose names appear on the share certificate must sign.

YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN THIS FORM IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. THIS IS NOT A PROXY.

This authorization form, when signed, should be mailed to the following address:

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

c/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

P.O. Box 922

Wall Street Station

New York, NY 10269-0560

 

 

Number of Employees

The Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end management investment company, and has no employees.

Number of Shareholders

As of December 31, 2017, Fund records indicate that there are 24 registered shareholders and approximately 39,357 shareholders owning the Fund shares in street name, such as through brokers, banks and financial intermediaries.

If you are a street name shareholder and wish to receive Fund reports directly, which contain important information about the Fund, please write or call:

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

1-800-262-1122

New York Stock Exchange symbol

The New York Stock Exchange symbol is ETV.

 

  23  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund (the Fund) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Fund’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Fund are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. The “Noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 177 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee serves for a three year term. Each officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Fund

    

Term Expiring;

Trustee
Since
(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

  

Class I

Trustee

    

Until 2018.

Trustee since 2007.

    

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 177 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Fund.

Directorships in the Last Five Years.(2) Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

            

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

  

Class III

Trustee

    

Until 2020.

Trustee since 2016.

    

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

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director and Chairman of Legg Mason, Inc. (2008-2012); Director/Trustee and Chairman of Legg Mason family of funds (14 funds) (2008-2012); and Director/Trustee of the Royce family of funds (35 funds) (2001-2012).

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

  

Class I

Trustee

    

Until 2018.

Trustee since 2014.

    

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

Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

  

Class II

Trustee

    

Until 2019.

Trustee since 2014.

    

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

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

  

Class III

Trustee

    

Until 2020.

Trustee since 2014.

    

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

Directorships in the Last Five Years.(2) Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

 

  24  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Fund

    

Term Expiring;

Trustee
Since
(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Class II Trustee     

Until 2019.

Chairperson of the Board since 2016 and Trustee since 2003.

    

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

Directorships in the Last Five Years.(2) None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

  

Class III

Trustee

    

Until 2020.

Trustee since 2008.

    

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

Directorships in the Last Five Years.(2) Formerly, Director of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. (wholesale club retailer) (2004-2011). Formerly, Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust (exchange traded funds) (2000-2009). Formerly, Director of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (a bank for banks) (2007-2009).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

  

Class II

Trustee

    

Until 2019.

Trustee since 2015.

    

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Harriett Tee Taggart

1948

  

Class II

Trustee

    

Until 2019.

Trustee since 2011.

    

Managing Director, Taggart Associates (a professional practice firm). Formerly, Partner and Senior Vice President, Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1983-2006).

Directorships in the Last Five Years.(2) Director of Albemarle Corporation (chemicals manufacturer) (since 2007) and The Hanover Group (specialty property and casualty insurance company) (since 2009). Formerly, Director of Lubrizol Corporation (specialty chemicals) (2007-2011).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

  

Class I

Trustee

    

Until 2018.

Trustee since 2016.

    

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

Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

            

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Fund

    

Officer

Since(3)

    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Edward J. Perkin

1972

   President      2014      Chief Equity Investment Officer and Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2014. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, International and Emerging Markets Equity, and Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, Europe, EAFE and Global at Goldman Sachs Asset Management (2002-2014). Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

James F. Kirchner

1967

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

 

  25  


Eaton Vance

Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

December 31, 2017

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Fund

    

Officer

Since(3)

    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees (continued)

Richard F. Froio

1968

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

 

(1) 

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise. Each Trustee holds office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, subject to a prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

(2) 

During their respective tenures, the Trustees (except for Mmes. Frost and Sutherland and Messrs. Fetting, Gorman and Wennerholm) also served as Board members of one or more of the following funds (which operated in the years noted): eUnitsTM 2 Year U.S. Market Participation Trust: Upside to Cap / Buffered Downside (launched in 2012 and terminated in 2014); eUnitsTM 2 Year U.S. Market Participation Trust II: Upside to Cap / Buffered Downside (launched in 2012 and terminated in 2014); and Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Trust (launched in 1998 and terminated in 2009). However, Ms. Mosley did not serve as a Board member of eUnitsTM 2 Year U.S. Market Participation Trust: Upside to Cap / Buffered Downside (launched in 2012 and terminated in 2014).

(3) 

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

 

  26  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each of the financial institutions identified below has in effect the following policy (“Privacy Policy”) with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:

 

 

Only such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about your Eaton Vance fund transactions will be collected. This may include information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account balances and transactions.

 

 

None of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account). In the normal course of servicing a customer’s account, Eaton Vance may share information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various required services such as transfer agents, custodians and broker-dealers.

 

 

Policies and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are designed to protect the confidentiality of such information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Policy at any time upon proper notification to you. Customers may want to review our Privacy Policy periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of privacy applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group and Boston Management and Research. In addition, our Privacy Policy applies only to those Eaton Vance customers who are individuals and who have a direct relationship with us. If a customer’s account (i.e., fund shares) is held in the name of a third-party financial advisor/broker-dealer, it is likely that only such advisor’s privacy policies apply to the customer. This notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about Eaton Vance’s Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-262-1122.

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

Portfolio Holdings. Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) will file a schedule of portfolio holdings on Form N-Q with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-Q will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the public reference room).

Proxy Voting. From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Share Repurchase Program. The Fund’s Board of Trustees has approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Fund to repurchase up to 10% of its outstanding common shares as of the approved date in open-market transactions at a discount to net asset value. The repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. The Fund’s repurchase activity, including the number of shares purchased, average price and average discount to net asset value, is disclosed in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.

Additional Notice to Shareholders. If applicable, a Fund may also redeem or purchase its outstanding preferred shares in order to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, borrowing or rating agency requirements or for other purposes as it deems appropriate or necessary.

Closed-End Fund Information. Eaton Vance closed-end funds make fund performance data and certain information about portfolio characteristics available on the Eaton Vance website shortly after the end of each month. Other information about the funds is available on the website. The funds’ net asset value per share is readily accessible on the Eaton Vance website. Portfolio holdings for the most recent month-end are also posted to the website approximately 30 days following the end of the month. This information is available at www.eatonvance.com on the fund information pages under “Individual Investors — Closed-End Funds”.

 

  27  


 

 

This Page Intentionally Left Blank


Investment Adviser and Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Sub-Adviser

Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC

1918 Eighth Avenue, Suite 3100

Seattle, WA 98101

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 


LOGO

2551    12.31.17


Item 2. Code of Ethics

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

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant’s Board has designated William H. Park, an independent trustee, as its audit committee financial expert. Mr. Park is a certified public accountant who is a private investor. Previously, he served as a consultant, as the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group, L.P. (an investment management firm), as the Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company), as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm), as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation (an institutional investment management firm) and as a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (an independent registered public accounting firm).

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Rule 2-01(c)(1)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-X (the “Loan Rule”) prohibits an accounting firm, such as the Fund’s principal accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”), from having certain financial relationships with their audit clients and affiliated entities. Specifically, the Loan Rule provides, in relevant part, that an accounting firm generally would not be independent if it or a “covered person” of the accounting firm (within the meaning of applicable SEC rules relating to auditor independence) receives a loan from a lender that is a “record or beneficial owner of more than ten percent of the audit client’s equity securities.” Based on information provided to the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees (the “Audit Committee”) of the Eaton Vance family of funds by D&T, certain relationships between D&T and its affiliates (“Deloitte Entities”) and one or more lenders who are record owners of shares of one or more funds within the Eaton Vance family of funds (the “Funds”) implicate the Loan Rule, calling into question D&T’s independence with respect to the Funds. The Funds are providing this disclosure to explain the facts and circumstances as well as D&T’s conclusions concerning D&T’s objectivity and impartiality with respect to the audits of the Funds notwithstanding the existence of one or more breaches of the Loan Rule.

On June 20, 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued no-action relief to another mutual fund complex (see Fidelity Management & Research Company et al., No-Action Letter (June 20, 2016) (the “No-Action Letter”)) related to an auditor independence issue arising under the Loan Rule. In the No-Action Letter, the SEC indicated that it would not recommend enforcement action against the fund group if the auditor is not in compliance with the Loan Rule provided that: (1) the auditor has complied with PCAOB Rule 3526(b)(1) and 3526(b)(2); (2) the auditor’s non-compliance under the Loan Rule is with respect to certain lending relationships; and (3) notwithstanding such non-compliance, the auditor has concluded that it is objective and impartial with respect to the issues encompassed within its engagement as auditor of the funds.

Based on information provided by D&T to the Audit Committee, the requirements of the No-Action Letter appear to be met with respect to D&T’s lending relationships described above. Among other things, D&T has advised the Audit Committee of its conclusion that the consequences of the breach of the Loan Rule have been satisfactorily addressed, that D&T’s objectivity and impartiality in the planning and conduct of the audits of the Fund’s financial statements has not been compromised and that, notwithstanding the breach, D&T is in a position to continue as the auditor for the Funds and D&T does not believe any actions need to be taken with respect to previously issued reports by D&T. D&T has advised the Audit Committee that these conclusions were based in part on its consideration of the No-Action Letter and other relevant information communicated to the Audit Committee.


(a) –(d)

The following table presents the aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the registrant’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 by D&T for professional services rendered for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and fees billed for other services rendered by D&T during such periods.

 

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/16      12/31/17  

Audit Fees

   $ 50,990      $ 50,990  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 9,165      $ 10,802  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 60,155      $ 61,792  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements and are not reported under the category of audit fees.
(2)  Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning and specifically include fees for tax return preparation.
(3)  All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than audit, audit-related, and tax services.

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

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

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

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the registrant by D&T for the registrant’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017; and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the Eaton Vance organization by D&T for the same time periods.


Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/16      12/31/17  

Registrant

   $ 9,165      $ 10,802  

Eaton Vance(1)

   $ 46,000      $ 148,018  

 

(1)  The investment adviser to the registrant, as well as any of its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the registrant, are subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corp.

(h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision by the registrant’s principal accountant of non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. George J. Gorman (Chair), Valerie A. Mosley, William H. Park and Scott E. Wennerholm are the members of the registrant’s audit committee.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

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

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

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a proxy voting policy and procedure (the “Fund Policy”), pursuant to which the Trustees have delegated proxy voting responsibility to the Fund’s investment adviser and adopted the investment adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Policies”) which are described below. The Trustees will review the Fund’s proxy voting records from time to time and will annually consider approving the Policies for the upcoming year. In the event that a conflict of interest arises between the Fund’s shareholders and the investment adviser, the administrator, or any of their affiliates or any affiliate of the Fund, the investment adviser will generally refrain from voting the proxies related to the companies giving rise to such conflict until it consults with the Board’s Special Committee except as contemplated under the Fund Policy. The Board’s Special Committee will instruct the investment adviser on the appropriate course of action.

The Policies are designed to promote accountability of a company’s management to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those shareholders. An independent proxy voting service (“Agent”), currently Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., has been retained to assist in the voting of proxies through the provision of vote analysis, implementation and recordkeeping and disclosure services. The investment adviser will generally vote proxies through the Agent. The Agent is required to vote all proxies and/or refer then back to the investment adviser pursuant to the Policies. It is generally the policy of the investment adviser to vote in accordance with the recommendation of the Agent. The Agent shall refer to the investment adviser proxies relating to mergers and restructurings, and the disposition of assets, termination, liquidation and mergers contained in mutual fund proxies. The investment adviser will normally vote against anti-takeover measures and other proposals designed to limit the ability of shareholders to act on possible transactions, except in the case of closed-end management investment companies. The investment adviser generally supports management on social and environmental proposals. The investment adviser may abstain from voting from time to time


where it determines that the costs associated with voting a proxy outweighs the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote or the economic effect on shareholders interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.

In addition, the investment adviser will monitor situations that may result in a conflict of interest between the Fund’s shareholders and the investment adviser, the administrator, or any of their affiliates or any affiliate of the Fund by maintaining a list of significant existing and prospective corporate clients. The investment adviser’s personnel responsible for reviewing and voting proxies on behalf of the Fund will report any proxy received or expected to be received from a company included on that list to the personal of the investment adviser identified in the Policies. If such personnel expects to instruct the Agent to vote such proxies in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines of the Policies or the recommendation of the Agent, the personnel will consult with members of senior management of the investment adviser to determine if a material conflict of interests exists. If it is determined that a material conflict does exist, the investment adviser will seek instruction on how to vote from the Special Committee.

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

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

Eaton Vance Management (“EVM” or “Eaton Vance”) is the investment adviser of the Fund. EVM has engaged its affiliate, Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC (“Parametric”), as the sub-adviser of the Fund. Michael A. Allison and Thomas C. Seto comprise the investment team responsible for the overall and day-to-day management of the Fund’s investments.

Mr. Allison is a Vice President of EVM, is a member of EVM’s Equity Strategy Committee and has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since June 2015. Mr. Seto is Head of Investment Management at Parametric’s Seattle Investment Center and has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since April 2005. Messrs. Allison and Seto have managed other Eaton Vance portfolios for more than five years. This information is provided as of the date of filing this report.

The following table shows, as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, the number of accounts each portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in the accounts managed within each category. The table also shows the number of accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, if any, and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in those accounts.

 

    

Number of
All

Accounts

    

Total Assets of
All

Accounts

   

Number of
Accounts

Paying a

Performance Fee

    

Total Assets

of Accounts
Paying

a Performance
Fee

 

Michael A. Allison

          

Registered Investment Companies

     16      $ 31,588.1       0      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     14      $ 18,730.5 (1)      0      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     25      $ 52.2       0      $ 0  

Thomas C. Seto

          

Registered Investment Companies

     39      $ 26,998.5 (2)      0      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     12      $ 4,191.4       0      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     17,174      $ 92,429.9 (3)      2      $ 210.2  


(1)  Certain of these “Other Pooled Investment Vehicles” invest a substantial portion of their assets either in a registered investment company or in a separate pooled investment vehicle managed by this portfolio manager or another Eaton Vance portfolio manager.
(2)  This portfolio manager provides investment advice with respect to only a portion of the total assets of certain of these accounts. Only the assets allocated to this portfolio manager as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end are reflected in the table.
(3)  For “Other Accounts” that are part of a wrap account program, the number of accounts is the number of sponsors for which the portfolio manager provides advisory services rather than the number of individual customer accounts within each wrap account program.

The following table shows the dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end.

 

Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Equity Securities
Beneficially Owned in the Fund

Michael A. Allison

   $1 - $10,000

Thomas C. Seto

   None

Potential for Conflicts of Interest. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of the Fund’s investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts for which a portfolio manager is responsible on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and other accounts he advises. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions between the Fund and the other accounts, the portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may compensate the investment adviser or the sub-adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities. Whenever conflicts of interest arise, the portfolio manager will endeavor to exercise his discretion in a manner that he believes is equitable to all interested persons. EVM and Parametric have adopted several policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts including a code of ethics and policies that govern the investment adviser’s and sub-adviser’s trading practices, including among other things the aggregation and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocations, cross trades and best execution.

Compensation Structure for EVM

Compensation of EVM’s portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus, and (3) annual non-cash compensation consisting of options to purchase shares of Eaton Vance Corp.’s (“EVC’s”) nonvoting common stock, restricted shares of EVC’s nonvoting common stock and a Deferred Alpha Incentive Plan, which pays a deferred cash award tied to future excess returns in certain equity strategy portfolios. EVM’s investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to EVM’s employees. Compensation of EVM’s investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Cash bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the October 31st fiscal year end of EVC.


Method to Determine Compensation. EVM compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus the benchmark(s) stated in the prospectus, as well as an appropriate peer group (as described below). In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to relative risk-adjusted performance. Risk-adjusted performance measures include, but are not limited to, the Sharpe ratio (Sharpe ratio uses standard deviation and excess return to determine reward per unit of risk). Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end. Fund performance is normally evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar, Inc. When a fund’s peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by EVM’s management not to provide a fair comparison, performance may instead be evaluated primarily against a custom peer group or market index. In evaluating the performance of a fund and its manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods. A portion of the compensation payable to equity portfolio managers and investment professionals will be determined based on the ability of one or more accounts managed by such manager to achieve a specified target average annual gross return over a three year period in excess of the account benchmark. The cash bonus to be payable at the end of the three year term will be established at the inception of the term and will be adjusted positively or negatively to the extent that the average annual gross return varies from the specified target return. For funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes. For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis. For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the fund’s success in achieving its objective. For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts. Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.

The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers’ performance in meeting them.

EVM seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. EVM participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals. Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of EVM and its parent company. The overall annual cash bonus pool is generally based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus adjusted operating income. While the salaries of EVM’s portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein. For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.

Compensation Structure for Parametric

Compensation of Parametric portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) a cash bonus, and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting of options to purchase shares of EVC nonvoting common stock, restricted shares of EVC nonvoting common stock and, for certain individuals, grants of profit participation interests in Parametric. Parametric investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to Parametric employees. Compensation of Parametric investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Stock-based compensation awards and adjustments in base salary and bonus are typically paid and/or put into effect at or shortly after fiscal year-end.


Method to Determine Compensation. Parametric seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. The performance of portfolio managers is evaluated primarily based on success in achieving portfolio objectives for managed funds and accounts. The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as product development) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers’ performance in meeting them.

Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of Parametric and EVC, its parent company. Cash bonuses available overall are determined based on a target percentage of Parametric profits. While the salaries of Parametric portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate substantially from year to year, based on changes in financial performance and other factors.

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

No such purchases this period.

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

No material changes.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

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

(b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting during the 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. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

The Fund does not engage in securities lending.

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)   Registrant’s Code of Ethics – Not applicable (please see Item 2).
(a)(2)(i)   Treasurer’s Section 302 certification.
(a)(2)(ii)   President’s Section 302 certification.
(b)   Combined Section 906 certification.
(c)   Registrant’s notices to shareholders pursuant to Registrant’s exemptive order granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder regarding distributions paid pursuant to the Registrant’s Managed Distribution Plan.


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.

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

 

By:  

/s/ Edward J. Perkin

  Edward J. Perkin
  President
Date:   February 22, 2018

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

 

By:  

/s/ James F. Kirchner

  James F. Kirchner
  Treasurer
Date:   February 22, 2018
By:  

/s/ Edward J. Perkin

  Edward J. Perkin
  President
Date:   February 22, 2018