N-CSRS 1 d19692dncsrs.htm PGIM HIGH YIELD BOND FUND, INC. PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

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:    811-22632
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter:    PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.
Address of principal executive offices:   

655 Broad Street, 17th Floor

Newark, New Jersey 07102

Name and address of agent for service:   

Andrew R. French

655 Broad Street, 17th Floor

Newark, New Jersey 07102

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    800-225-1852
Date of fiscal year end:    5/31/2021
Date of reporting period:    11/30/2020


Item 1 – 

Reports to Stockholders


LOGO

 

PGIM HIGH YIELD BOND FUND, INC.

 

 

SEMIANNUAL REPORT

NOVEMBER 30, 2020

 

LOGO

 

To enroll in e-delivery, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery


Table of Contents

 

Letter from the President

     3  

Your Fund’s Performance

     4  

Strategy and Performance Overview

     6  

Holdings and Financial Statements

     9  

Approval of Advisory Agreements

           

 

The views expressed in this report and information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings are for the period covered by this report and are subject to change thereafter.

 

The accompanying financial statements as of November 30, 2020 were not audited and, accordingly, no auditor’s opinion is expressed on them.

 

PGIM Fixed Income is a unit of PGIM, Inc. (PGIM), a registered investment adviser. PGIM is a Prudential Financial Company. © 2021 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. PGIM and the PGIM logo are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

 

2  

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Letter from the President

 

LOGO

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

We hope you find the semiannual report for the PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc. informative and useful. The report covers performance for the six-month period ended November 30, 2020.

 

Regarding your investments with PGIM, we believe it is important to maintain a diversified portfolio of funds consistent with your tolerance for risk, time horizon, and financial goals.

 

Your financial advisor can help you create a diversified investment plan that may include funds covering all the basic asset classes and that reflects your personal investor profile and risk tolerance. However, diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

 

At PGIM Investments, we consider it a great privilege and responsibility to help investors participate in opportunities across global markets while meeting their toughest investment challenges. PGIM is a top-10 global investment manager with more than $1 trillion in assets under management. This investment expertise allows us to deliver actively managed funds and strategies to meet the needs of investors around the globe.

 

Thank you for choosing our family of funds.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

Stuart S. Parker, President

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

January 15, 2021

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    3  


Your Fund’s Performance (unaudited)

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance and assume the reinvestment of all dividends. Past performance does not guarantee future results. An investor may obtain performance data as of the most recent month-end by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments.

 

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income by investing primarily in below-investment-grade fixed income instruments.

 

Performance Snapshot as of 11/30/20
Price per Share   Total Return for
Six Months Ended
11/30/20
$16.45 (NAV)   13.73%
$14.76 (Market Price)   15.41%

 

Total returns are based on changes in net asset value (NAV) or market price, respectively. NAV total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at NAV. Market Price total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

 

Key Fund Statistics as of 11/30/20          
Duration    4.4 years        Average Maturity    6.2 years

 

Duration shown includes the impact of leverage. Duration measures investment risk that takes into account both a bond’s interest payments and its value to maturity. Average Maturity is the average number of years to maturity of the bonds in the Fund’s portfolio.

 

4  

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Credit Quality expressed as a percentage of total investments as of 11/30/20   (%)  
BBB     5.0  
BB     44.1  
B     33.5  
CCC     12.6  
CC     0.1  
C     0.1  
D     0.2  
Not Rated     2.4  
Cash/Cash Equivalents     2.0  
Total Investments     100.0  

 

Credit ratings reflect the highest rating assigned by an NRSRO such as Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), S&P Global Ratings (S&P), or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings reflect the common nomenclature used by both S&P and Fitch. These rating agencies are independent and are widely used. The Not Rated category consists of securities that have not been rated by an NRSRO. Credit ratings are subject to change.

 

Yield and Dividends as of 11/30/20     
Total Monthly Dividends
Paid per Share for Period
  Current Monthly Dividend
Paid per Share
   Yield at Market Price
as of 11/30/20
$0.63   $0.105    8.54%

 

Yield at market price is the annualized rate determined by dividing current monthly dividend paid per share by the market price per share as of November 30, 2020.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    5  


Strategy and Performance Overview (unaudited)

 

How did the Fund perform?

The PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.’s net asset value (NAV) total return was 13.73% in the six-month reporting period that ended November 30, 2020, outperforming the 10.31% return of the Bloomberg Barclays US High Yield 1% Issuer Constrained Index (the Index).

 

What were conditions like in the US high yield corporate bond market?

   

US high yield bonds rebounded sharply during the reporting period as investors responded to unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus programs, improving economic data, better-than-expected corporate earnings, and positive COVID-19 vaccine news. Investors appeared to look past uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, betting that fiscal and monetary support—including the Federal Reserve’s (the Fed’s) decision to purchase recently fallen angels (i.e., previously investment grade corporate bonds that have been downgraded to below investment grade) and high yield bond exchange-traded funds—would continue to bolster the economy and provide stability to the financial markets. Meanwhile, heavy inflows into high yield bond mutual funds, fewer-than-expected fallen angels, and a new-issue calendar consisting primarily of refinancing activity provided a strong technical backdrop for the asset class.

 

   

Reflecting the sentiment, flows into high yield bond mutual funds were strongly positive over the period, bringing year-to-date net inflows to a record $45.5 billion. For the period, spreads on the Index tightened by 224 basis points (bps), to 418 bps. (One basis point equals 0.01%). For perspective, spreads on the Index ended the period just 77 bps wider than at the start of 2020, after widening as high as 1,100 bps in late March. By quality, lower-quality (i.e., CCC-rated) credits outperformed their higher-quality (i.e., BB-rated and B-rated) peers during the period.

 

   

High yield gross new-issue volume totaled $32.2 billion in November 2020, which brought the year-to-date gross new issuance to a record $419.8 billion, up 57% compared to the same period in 2019. As of period end, year-to-date net new issuance stood at $142.9 billion, up 66% year over year.

 

   

In November, there were no defaults for the first time since August 2018. Although there were three distressed exchanges totaling $871 million, November had the lowest monthly total of defaults and distressed exchanges since January 2019. As of period end, the trailing 12-month par-weighted US high yield default rate was 6.15%.

 

What worked?

   

Overall security selection added value for the reporting period. Specifically, security selection in the aerospace & defense, upstream energy, gaming/lodging/leisure, telecom, consumer non-cyclical, and cable & satellite industries contributed positively to the Fund’s return.

 

6  

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In individual security selection, the Fund’s overweights (relative to the Index) in Bombardier Inc., Antero Resources Corp., and Ascent Resources Utica Holdings all contributed to performance.

 

   

In sector allocation, overweights (relative to the Index) to the building materials & home construction, aerospace & defense, and automotive industries also boosted performance.

 

   

Having more beta* in the Fund than the Index, on average, over the period was a significant contributor to performance as the high yield market rallied from the COVID-19-related crisis lows of March and April 2020.

 

What didn’t work?

   

Security selection within the technology, media & entertainment, foreign non-corporate, and chemicals industries detracted from the Fund’s results.

 

   

In individual security selection, the Fund’s overweights (relative to the Index) in Diamond Sports Group, Transocean Inc., and CITGO Holding Inc. detracted from performance.

 

   

Overall sector allocation hurt performance, with overweights (relative to the Index) to the media & entertainment, telecom, and cable & satellite industries the largest detractors.

 

How did the Fund’s borrowing (leverage) strategy affect its performance?

The Fund’s use of leverage contributed positively to NAV performance and shareholder distributions, as both the returns and income earned on the securities purchased exceeded the cost of borrowing. As of the end of the period, the Fund had borrowed $180 million and was about 24.8% leveraged. During the period, the average amount of leverage utilized by the Fund was about 25.4%.

 

Did the Fund use derivatives?

The Fund used credit derivatives to manage its overall risk profile over the period which had a positive impact on performance.

 

Current outlook

   

PGIM Fixed Income remains constructive on high yield bonds given the enormous monetary and fiscal responses seen to date, along with expectations of the widespread availability of a COVID-19 vaccine in the near future. While near-term concerns remain around a virus resurgence, PGIM Fixed Income believes the worst of the cycle is most likely over. Further supporting this view is a “willing-and-able” Fed on standby and the expectation that more fiscal stimulus will arrive, if necessary, in 2021.

 

*Beta is a measure of the volatility or risk of a security or portfolio compared to the market or index

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    7  


Strategy and Performance Overview (continued)

 

   

In terms of positioning, PGIM Fixed Income believes BB-rated bonds are attractive on a relative-value basis and are less susceptible to a second virus-related shutdown. The Fund is currently underweight (relative to the Index) BBs, but PGIM Fixed Income is selectively adding exposure. The Fund is maintaining an overweight (relative to the Index) to independent power producers and, within energy, it is underweight oil producers and overweight natural gas. Key overweights (relative to the Index) also include building materials & home construction, media & entertainment, and technology. Underweights (relative to the Index) include consumer non-cyclical and financials.

 

Benchmark Definitions

 

Bloomberg Barclays US High Yield 1% Issuer Constrained Index—The Bloomberg Barclays US High Yield 1% Issuer Constrained Index (the Index) is an unmanaged index which covers the universe of US non-investment-grade debt. Issuers are capped at 1% of the Index.

 

Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Looking for additional information?

The Fund is traded under the symbol “ISD” and its closing market price is available on most financial websites under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available online under the symbol “XISDX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal ’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues press releases that can be found on most major financial websites as well as on pgim.com/investments.

 

8  

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS    128.4%

 

BANK LOANS    12.6%

       

Auto Manufacturers    0.4%

                               

Navistar, Inc.,
Tranche B Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.500%

    3.650 %(c)      11/06/24       2,205     $         2,190,330  

Chemicals    1.2%

                               

Alpha Bidco, Inc. (United Kingdom),
Initial Term B-1 Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 3.000%

    4.000 (c)      01/31/24       487       483,346  

Hexion, Inc.,

       

Senior Secured Term B Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 3.500%^

    3.730 (c)      07/01/26       1,489       1,473,806  

Solenis International LP,

       

First Lien Initial Dollar Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 4.000%

    4.233 (c)      06/26/25       3,663       3,612,578  

Second Lien Initial Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 8.500%

    8.733 (c)      06/26/26       1,000       970,000  
       

 

 

 
          6,539,730  

Computers    1.2%

                               

Everi Payments, Inc.,

       

Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 10.500%^

    11.500 (c)      05/09/24       125       129,052  

McAfee LLC,

       

Term B USD Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.750%

    3.896 (c)      09/30/24       4,902       4,887,694  

Surf Holdings LLC,

       

Senior Secured First Lien Dollar Tranche Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 3.500%

    3.750 (c)      03/05/27       1,496       1,462,584  
       

 

 

 
          6,479,330  

Electric    0.4%

                               

Heritage Power LLC,
Term Loan B, 3 Month LIBOR + 6.000%

    7.000 (c)      07/30/26       2,123       2,012,988  

Electronics    0.1%

                               

Tiger Merger Sub Co.,

       

Non-FILO Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.500%

    3.646 (c)      06/30/25       750       749,766  

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    9  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

BANK LOANS (Continued)

 

Engineering & Construction    0.2%

                               

Landry’s Finance Acquisition Co.,
2020 Buy Back Term Loan, 2 Month LIBOR + 12.000%^

    13.000 %(c)      10/06/23       740     $         846,841  

2020 Initial Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 12.000%^

    13.000 (c)      10/06/23       60       69,159  
       

 

 

 
          916,000  

Entertainment    0.5%

                               

Playtika Holding Corp.,

       

Term B Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 6.000%

    7.000 (c)      12/10/24       2,214       2,223,158  

Scientific Games International, Inc.,

       

Initial Term B-5 Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.750%

    2.896 (c)      08/14/24       296       285,218  

Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,

       

Term B-1 Facility Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 8.000%

    9.000 (c)      05/11/26       524       551,836  
       

 

 

 
          3,060,212  

Insurance    0.5%

                               

Asurion LLC,

       

Replacement B-6 Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.000%

    3.146 (c)      11/03/23       367       363,124  

Second Lien Replacement B-2 Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 6.500%

    6.646 (c)      08/04/25       2,560       2,575,208  
       

 

 

 
                  2,938,332  

Media    0.3%

                               

iHeartCommunications, Inc.,

       

New Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.000%

    3.146 (c)      05/01/26       1,290       1,246,166  

Second Amendment Incremental Term Loan, 1 Month

       

LIBOR + 4.000%

    4.750 (c)      05/01/26       649       639,055  
       

 

 

 
          1,885,221  

Oil & Gas    1.5%

                               

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC,
Second Lien Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 9.000%

    10.000 (c)      11/01/25       3,340       3,532,050  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.,

       

Class A Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 8.000% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.000%)

    9.000 (c)      06/24/24 (d)      4,850       3,419,250  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10  


   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

BANK LOANS (Continued)

 

Oil & Gas (cont’d.)

                               

Citgo Holding, Inc.,

       

Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 7.000%

    8.000 %(c)      08/01/23       569     $         495,010  

Citgo Petroleum Corp.,
2019 Incremental Term B Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 5.000%

    6.000 (c)      03/27/24       786       746,414  
       

 

 

 
          8,192,724  

Pharmaceuticals    0.3%

                               

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA,
2017 Term B Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 2.750%

    5.500 (c)      09/24/24       709       663,863  

2018 Incremental Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 3.000%

    5.750 (c)      02/24/25       182       169,835  

Milano Acquisition Corp.,

       

Term B Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 4.000%

    4.750 (c)      10/01/27       850       840,792  
       

 

 

 
          1,674,490  

Retail    0.3%

                               

CEC Entertainment, Inc.,

       

Term B Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 8.500%

    9.500 (c)      08/31/26 (d)      560       359,133  

Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc.,
2020 Initial Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.250%

    4.000 (c)      10/19/27       500       495,893  

Sally Holdings LLC,

       

Term B-2 Loan^

    4.500       07/05/24       911       906,697  
       

 

 

 
                  1,761,723  

Software    3.1%

                               

Camelot Co. (Luxembourg),

       

Amendment No 2 Incremental Term Loans, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.000%

    4.000 (c)      10/30/26       770       766,872  

Championx Holding, Inc.,

       

Dollar Term Loan (Second Lien), 3 Month LIBOR + 7.250%

    8.250 (c)      06/13/25       1,400       1,386,584  

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The),

       

Term Loan B, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.750%

    3.893 (c)      02/06/26       2,388       2,371,747  

Finastra USA, Inc.,

       

First Lien Dollar Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 3.500%

    4.500 (c)      06/13/24       3,803       3,679,027  

Greeneden U.S. Holdings II LLC,

       

Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 4.000%

    4.750       12/01/27       500       497,750  

Informatica LLC,

       

Second Lien Initial Loan

    7.125       02/25/25       675       685,125  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    11  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

BANK LOANS (Continued)

 

Software (cont’d.)

                               

Rackspace Hosting, Inc.,

       

Term B Loan (First Lien), 2 - 3 Month LIBOR + 3.000%

    4.000 %(c)      11/03/23       1,415     $ 1,404,038  

TIBCO Software, Inc.,

       

Second Lien Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 7.250%

    7.400 (c)      03/03/28       3,025       3,032,563  

Term Loan B-3, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.750%

    3.900 (c)      06/30/26       2,985       2,917,838  
       

 

 

 
          16,741,544  

Telecommunications    2.6%

                               

Digicel International Finance Ltd. (Saint Lucia),

       

First Lien Initial Term B Loan, 6 Month LIBOR + 3.250%

    3.510 (c)      05/27/24       3,318       2,921,750  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg),

       

SuperPriority Secured DIP Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 5.500% (Cap N/A,

Floor 0.000%)

    6.500 (c)      07/13/21       516       525,785  

Tranche B-5 Term Loan

    8.625       01/02/24       4,795       4,829,764  

West Corp.,

       

Initial Term B Loan, 1 - 3 Month LIBOR + 4.000%

    5.000 (c)      10/10/24       3,466       3,291,132  

Windstream Services LLC,

       

Initial Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 6.250%

    7.250 (c)      09/21/27       721       687,439  

Xplornet Communications, Inc. (Canada),

       

Initial Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 4.750%

    4.896 (c)      06/10/27       1,770       1,749,537  
       

 

 

 
          14,005,407  
       

 

 

 

TOTAL BANK LOANS
(cost $70,450,612)

                  69,147,797  
       

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS    115.4%

 

Advertising    0.9%

                               

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.500       11/15/28       325       332,445  

Clear Channel International BV,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.625       08/01/25       200       208,500  

National CineMedia LLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.875       04/15/28       1,075       838,718  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.750       08/15/26       1,175       732,265  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12


   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

 

Advertising (cont’d.)

                               

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.250     06/15/25       235     $ 250,637  

Terrier Media Buyer, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.875       12/15/27       2,355       2,553,843  
       

 

 

 
          4,916,408  

Aerospace & Defense    1.9%

                               

Boeing Co. (The),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.150       05/01/30       2,450       2,886,324  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.805       05/01/50       3,150       4,163,003  

Howmet Aerospace, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    6.875       05/01/25       500       582,187  

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.,

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.500       04/15/25       975       1,046,147  

SSL Robotics LLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.750       12/31/23       1,350       1,531,340  
       

 

 

 
                  10,209,001  

Agriculture    0.6%

                               

Vector Group Ltd.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    10.500       11/01/26       525       562,604  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.125       02/01/25       2,650       2,683,125  
       

 

 

 
          3,245,729  

Apparel    0.5%

                               

Hanesbrands, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.375       05/15/25       500       532,058  

William Carter Co. (The),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.500       05/15/25       1,200       1,270,327  

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.000       09/01/26       450       455,174  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.375       05/15/25       550       588,456  
       

 

 

 
          2,846,015  

Auto Manufacturers    2.4%

                               

Allison Transmission, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.875       06/01/29       419       469,468  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    13  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Auto Manufacturers (cont’d.)

                               

Ford Motor Co.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.750     01/15/43       3,675     $ 3,614,728  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.291       12/08/46       3,300       3,305,913  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    9.000       04/22/25       950       1,153,967  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    9.625       04/22/30       565       786,296  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.584       03/18/24       310       333,338  

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC (United Kingdom),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.750       10/15/25       1,000       1,072,089  

Navistar International Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.625       11/01/25       795       831,943  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.500       05/01/25       775       868,631  

PM General Purchaser LLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    9.500       10/01/28       675       735,585  
       

 

 

 
          13,171,958  

Auto Parts & Equipment     2.1%

                               

Adient Global Holdings Ltd.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.875       08/15/26       2,725       2,745,195  

Adient US LLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    9.000       04/15/25       275       307,470  

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    6.250       04/01/25       600       620,935  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    6.250       03/15/26       686       705,407  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    6.500       04/01/27       1,000       1,045,691  

Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.625       11/15/26       1,090       878,362  

Dana Financing Luxembourg SARL,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.750       04/15/25       500       520,004  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.500       06/01/26       2,665       2,799,992  

Dana, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.375       11/15/27       200       212,720  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.625       06/15/28       195       210,466  

Tenneco, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.875       01/15/29       400       441,084  

Titan International, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    6.500       11/30/23       1,000       914,609  
       

 

 

 
                  11,401,935  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14  


 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Banks     1.1%

                               

CIT Group, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.000     08/01/23       375     $ 407,288  

Sub. Notes(aa)

    6.125       03/09/28       1,500       1,844,194  

Freedom Mortgage Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.625       05/01/26       700       713,989  

Popular, Inc. (Puerto Rico),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    6.125       09/14/23       2,875       3,084,487  
       

 

 

 
          6,049,958  

Building Materials     3.0%

                               

Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.125       01/15/29       900       952,532  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.000       04/15/26       1,675       1,763,723  

CP Atlas Buyer, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.000       12/01/28       125       129,389  

Forterra Finance LLC/FRTA Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.500       07/15/25       275       293,837  

Griffon Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    5.750       03/01/28       1,255       1,329,775  

JELD-WEN, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.625       12/15/25       701       715,780  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.250       05/15/25       300       323,421  

Masonite International Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.375       02/01/28       205       218,555  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       09/15/26       775       812,319  

Patrick Industries, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.500       10/15/27       975       1,059,457  

SRM Escrow Issuer LLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.000       11/01/28       1,050       1,088,491  

Standard Industries, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.375       01/15/31       625       627,220  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.375       07/15/30       875       924,803  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.750       01/15/28       1,975       2,075,657  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.000       02/15/27       370       388,569  

Summit Materials LLC/Summit Materials Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.250       01/15/29       230       240,545  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.500       03/15/27       1,400       1,487,500  

U.S. Concrete, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    6.375       06/01/24       1,300       1,342,523  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.125       03/01/29       450       463,452  
       

 

 

 
                  16,237,548  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    15  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Chemicals     4.8%

                               

Ashland LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes

    6.875     05/15/43       2,125     $ 2,798,095  

Atotech Alpha 2 BV (Germany),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 8.750% or PIK 9.500%(aa)

    8.750       06/01/23       825       831,985  

Atotech Alpha 3 BV/Alpha US Bidco, Inc. (United Kingdom),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.250       02/01/25       600       611,339  

Axalta Coating Systems LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.375       02/15/29       550       554,375  

Chemours Co. (The),

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    7.000       05/15/25       1,170       1,210,880  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.750       11/15/28       1,225       1,246,407  

Cornerstone Chemical Co.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.750       08/15/24       2,255       2,119,700  

HB Fuller Co.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.250       10/15/28       375       385,782  

Hexion, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.875       07/15/27       900       968,510  

Ingevity Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.875       11/01/28       425       433,108  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.000       07/01/28       435       451,355  

Nouryon Holding BV (Netherlands),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.000       10/01/26       1,505       1,610,770  

NOVA Chemicals Corp. (Canada),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.875       06/01/24       1,100       1,143,867  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.250       06/01/27       370       385,652  

Olin Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    9.500       06/01/25       655       805,204  

Rain CII Carbon LLC/CII Carbon Corp.,

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.250       04/01/25       1,400       1,394,205  

TPC Group, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    10.500       08/01/24       2,050       1,639,956  

Tronox Finance PLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       10/01/25       940       972,015  

Tronox, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    6.500       04/15/26       2,425               2,516,462  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.500       05/01/25       725       772,093  

Valvoline, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.375       08/15/25       370       382,359  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.250       02/15/30       460       486,438  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16  


 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Chemicals (cont’d.)

                               

Venator Finance Sarl/Venator Materials LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750     07/15/25       1,225     $ 1,074,752  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    9.500       07/01/25       625       683,427  

W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.875       06/15/27       600       632,207  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.625       10/01/24       100       107,759  
       

 

 

 
                  26,218,702  

Commercial Services     6.2%

                               

Allied Universal Holdco LLC/Allied Universal Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.625       07/15/26       430       462,369  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.750       07/15/27       2,400       2,661,090  

AMN Healthcare, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.000       04/15/29       300       307,452  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.625       10/01/27       400       418,660  

Brink’s Co. (The),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.500       07/15/25       850       907,792  

Gartner, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.750       10/01/30       350       364,043  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.500       07/01/28       285       300,675  

Laureate Education, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    8.250       05/01/25       4,500       4,783,153  

Nielsen Co. Luxembourg SARL (The),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.500       10/01/21       161       161,316  

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.000       04/15/22       270       270,853  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.625       10/01/28       700       746,509  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.875       10/01/30       425       467,437  

Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.250       11/15/26       6,767       7,377,106  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.250       05/15/26       500       535,041  

Sabre GLBL, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.375       09/01/25       150       161,551  

Service Corp. International,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.375       08/15/30       335       343,536  

Shift4 Payments LLC/Shift4 Payments Finance Sub, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.625       11/01/26       205       212,884  

United Rentals North America, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    4.000       07/15/30       675       712,876  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    4.875       01/15/28       7,025       7,496,462  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    17  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Commercial Services (cont’d.)

                               

United Rentals North America, Inc., (cont’d.)

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    5.250     01/15/30       1,425     $ 1,591,799  

Verscend Escrow Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.750       08/15/26       3,085       3,354,035  
       

 

 

 
          33,636,639  

Computers     2.4%

                               

Banff Merger Sub, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.750       09/01/26       4,050       4,336,080  

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.875       06/15/21       1,942       1,945,279  

Everi Payments, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.500       12/15/25       2,002       2,050,465  

NCR Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.000       10/01/28       550       570,014  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.250       10/01/30       350       369,452  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       09/01/27       1,000       1,055,948  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    8.125       04/15/25       350       390,534  

Tempo Acquisition LLC/Tempo Acquisition Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.750       06/01/25       375       398,710  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.750       06/01/25       2,085       2,139,305  
       

 

 

 
                  13,255,787  

Distribution/Wholesale     0.8%

                               

Avient Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.750       05/15/25       375       400,586  

Core & Main Holdings LP,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 8.625% or PIK 9.375%(aa)

    8.625       09/15/24       1,400       1,429,141  

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    5.625       09/01/25       689       719,794  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.875       12/15/28       1,800       1,800,000  

Performance Food Group, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.500       10/15/27       125       133,087  
       

 

 

 
          4,482,608  

Diversified Financial Services     3.2%

                               

Alliance Data Systems Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.750       12/15/24       1,075       1,032,242  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18  


 

   Description   Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount
(000)#
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Diversified Financial Services (cont’d.)

                               

Fairstone Financial, Inc. (Canada),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.875     07/15/24       720     $ 762,699  

LPL Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       09/15/25       1,280       1,324,528  

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.500       08/15/28       2,645       2,752,947  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.000       01/15/27       1,850       1,919,190  

Navient Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.875       03/25/21       150       152,093  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    6.625       07/26/21       150       153,757  

OneMain Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    6.625       01/15/28       500       580,980  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    6.875       03/15/25       350       401,415  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    7.125       03/15/26       5,898       6,790,313  

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.375       10/15/25       800       834,009  

Quicken Loans LLC/Quicken Loans Co-Issuer, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.875       03/01/31       900       912,375  
       

 

 

 
                  17,616,548  

Electric    4.5%

                               

Calpine Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    4.625       02/01/29       1,100       1,137,285  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.000       02/01/31       1,675       1,765,251  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.125       03/15/28       5,950       6,256,414  

Keystone Power Pass-Through Holders LLC/Conemaugh Power Pass-Through Holders,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    9.000       12/01/23       86       81,428  

Sub. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 13.000% or PIK 13.000%

    13.000       06/01/24       296       243,155  

NRG Energy, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.750       01/15/28       2,150       2,345,591  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.250       06/15/29       400       436,023  

PG&E Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.000       07/01/28       1,625       1,735,342  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.250       07/01/30       2,135       2,326,278  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.000       07/31/27       1,100       1,160,006  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.625       02/15/27       6,700       7,080,243  
       

 

 

 
          24,567,016  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    19  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Electrical Components & Equipment    0.4%

 

WESCO Distribution, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.125     06/15/25       650     $ 710,446  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.250       06/15/28       1,130       1,269,032  
       

 

 

 
          1,979,478  

Electronics    0.1%

 

Brightstar Escrow Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    9.750       10/15/25       475       490,728  

Sensata Technologies, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.750       02/15/31       260       263,062  
       

 

 

 
          753,790  

Energy-Alternate Sources    0.1%

 

Enviva Partners LP/Enviva Partners Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.500       01/15/26       600       641,125  

Engineering & Construction    1.0%

 

AECOM,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.125       03/15/27       1,940       2,168,024  

Gtd. Notes

    5.875       10/15/24       675       749,325  

PowerTeam Services LLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    9.033       12/04/25       700       768,105  

TopBuild Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.625       05/01/26       1,931       2,003,211  
       

 

 

 
                  5,688,665  

Entertainment    5.5%

 

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.,

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 10.000% / PIK 12.000% or Cash coupon 5.000% and PIK 6.000%

    12.000       06/15/26       2,742       723,679  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    10.500       04/24/26       465       348,446  

Bally’s Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    6.750       06/01/27       1,770       1,848,783  

Caesars Entertainment, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.250       07/01/25       510       542,998  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    8.125       07/01/27       545       599,038  

Caesars Resort Collection LLC/CRC Finco, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.250       10/15/25       3,275       3,290,442  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.750       07/01/25       150       158,685  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20  


 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Entertainment (cont’d.)

 

CCM Merger, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.375     05/01/26       275     $ 286,691  

Cedar Fair LP,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.250       07/15/29       600       614,697  

Cedar Fair LP/Canada’s Wonderland Co./Magnum Management Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.375       06/01/24       75       75,144  

Golden Entertainment, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.625       04/15/26       2,275       2,358,257  

International Game Technology PLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.250       01/15/29       600       634,735  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.500       02/15/25       2,110       2,328,669  

Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.,

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.875       02/01/24       2,500       2,535,634  

Merlin Entertainments Ltd. (United Kingdom),

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.750       06/15/26       200       208,999  

Motion Bondco DAC (United Kingdom),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.625       11/15/27       950       946,670  

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment LLC/Peninsula Pacific

       

Entertainment Finance Inc.,,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    8.500       11/15/27       850       903,168  

Penn National Gaming, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.625       01/15/27       2,630       2,736,510  

Scientific Games International, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.000       05/15/28       200       208,328  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.250       11/15/29       992       1,053,759  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.250       03/15/26       3,225       3,457,442  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.625       07/01/25       1,375       1,485,152  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.875       07/31/24       1,212       1,205,477  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.500       04/15/27       525       531,385  

Wynn Resorts Finance LLC/Wynn Resorts Capital Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.125       10/01/29       860       874,666  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.750       04/15/25       275       296,198  
       

 

 

 
                  30,253,652  

Foods    3.3%

 

Albertson’s Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertson’s LP/Albertson’s LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    3.500       03/15/29       1,200       1,196,665  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.625       01/15/27       425       447,370  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    21  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Foods (cont’d.)

                               

Albertson’s Cos., Inc./Safeway, Inc./New Albertson’s LP/Albertson’s LLC, (cont’d.)

 

   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.875     02/15/30       600     $ 656,220  

B&G Foods, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.250       09/15/27       1,200       1,253,731  

JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Finance, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       06/15/25       1,650       1,699,537  

JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Food Co./JBS USA Finance, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.500       04/15/29       1,025       1,173,913  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.500       01/15/30       1,950       2,193,066  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.750       03/15/25       50       51,324  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.875       09/30/27       4,800       5,168,688  

Post Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.625       04/15/30       1,375       1,435,452  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.625       01/15/28       111       118,081  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       03/01/27       1,350       1,425,847  

SEG Holding LLC/SEG Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.625       10/15/28       25       26,186  

US Foods, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    5.875       06/15/24       1,375       1,390,974  
       

 

 

 
                  18,237,054  

Gas    1.0%

                               

AmeriGas Partners LP/AmeriGas Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.500       05/20/25       600       659,599  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.625       05/20/24       225       245,847  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.750       05/20/27       3,250       3,704,210  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.875       08/20/26       675       758,909  
       

 

 

 
          5,368,565  

Healthcare-Services    6.6%

                               

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    6.500       03/01/24       150       153,868  

Centene Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    4.250       12/15/27       1,050       1,118,338  

DaVita, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.750       02/15/31       825       822,548  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.625       06/01/30       1,275       1,343,027  

Encompass Health Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.625       04/01/31       225       239,949  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22  


 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Healthcare-Services (cont’d.)

                               

Encompass Health Corp., (cont’d.)

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    4.750     02/01/30       540     $ 574,853  

HCA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.625       09/01/28       3,700       4,346,481  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes(aa)

    4.750       05/01/23       4,700       5,130,929  

MEDNAX, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.250       12/01/23       525       530,920  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.250       01/15/27       755       808,131  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.375       11/15/22       1,610       1,693,475  

Prime Healthcare Services, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.250       11/01/25       550       574,793  

RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc./LifePoint Health, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.750       12/01/26       4,300       4,725,442  

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    10.000       04/15/27       1,195       1,308,404  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.125       10/01/28       2,775       2,813,670  

Sec’d. Notes

    5.125       05/01/25       300       303,110  

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.250       02/01/27       1,350       1,416,950  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.875       01/01/26       1,118       1,157,322  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    6.750       06/15/23       3,475       3,732,636  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    6.875       11/15/31       1,250       1,286,599  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)(mm)

    7.000       08/01/25       1,800       1,858,955  
       

 

 

 
                  35,940,400  

Home Builders    6.0%

                               

Ashton Woods USA LLC/Ashton Woods Finance Co.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.875       04/01/27       2,608       2,925,534  

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.875       10/15/27       1,350       1,420,521  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    7.250       10/15/29       2,675       3,000,661  

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield

       

Residential US Corp. (Canada),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.875       02/15/30       1,875       1,860,015  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.250       09/15/27       815       861,039  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.375       05/15/25       300       311,205  

Century Communities, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    6.750       06/01/27       1,725       1,855,507  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    23  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Home Builders (cont’d.)

                               

Forestar Group, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.000     03/01/28       650     $ 655,852  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.000       04/15/24       1,025       1,080,131  

KB Home,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.800       11/15/29       425       470,199  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    6.875       06/15/27       1,800       2,125,064  

Lennar Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.000       06/15/27       1,250       1,479,524  

M/I Homes, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.950       02/01/28       425       447,963  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.625       08/01/25       1,000       1,041,904  

Mattamy Group Corp. (Canada),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.625       03/01/30       900       949,008  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.250       12/15/27       1,075       1,140,871  

Meritage Homes Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.125       06/06/27       2,748       3,052,146  

New Home Co., Inc. (The),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.250       10/15/25       350       361,560  

PulteGroup, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.000       01/15/27       487       574,684  

Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.750       02/15/28       250       258,814  

STL Holding Co. LLC,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.500       02/15/26       425       434,802  

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.875       06/15/27       400       452,943  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.625       07/15/27       2,800       3,038,417  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.125       08/01/30       455       506,187  

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc./Taylor Morrison Holdings II, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.625       03/01/24       1,873       2,006,081  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.700       06/15/28       315       358,030  
       

 

 

 
                  32,668,662  

Household Products/Wares    0.2%

                               

Spectrum Brands, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.750       07/15/25       575       593,895  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.000       10/01/29       250       269,919  
       

 

 

 
          863,814  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24  


 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Housewares    0.2%

                               

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The),

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    4.500     10/15/29       1,125     $ 1,200,252  

Internet    0.2%

                               

Arches Buyer, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.250       06/01/28       325       325,761  

Cablevision Lightpath LLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.875       09/15/27       425       429,295  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.625       09/15/28       325       340,611  
       

 

 

 
          1,095,667  

Iron/Steel    0.2%

                               

Big River Steel LLC/BRS Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.625       01/31/29       1,100       1,165,029  

Leisure Time    0.4%

                               

Carnival Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.625       03/01/26       25       26,483  

NCL Corp. Ltd.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    10.250       02/01/26       980       1,113,174  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    12.250       05/15/24       235       278,603  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.625       12/15/24       575       513,445  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.250       11/15/22       150       148,263  
       

 

 

 
                  2,079,968  

Lodging    3.0%

                               

Boyd Gaming Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    6.000       08/15/26       630       655,012  

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    6.375       04/01/26       775       804,819  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    8.625       06/01/25       500       555,355  

Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.875       01/15/30       400       431,297  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.125       05/01/26       1,600       1,657,648  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.000       05/01/31       1,025       1,076,457  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.375       05/01/25       300       317,254  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.750       05/01/28       325       350,786  

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.875       04/01/27       625       651,337  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    25  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Lodging (cont’d.)

                               

Marriott International, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.875     03/01/21       250     $ 250,798  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series EE

    5.750       05/01/25       300       347,660  

MGM Resorts International,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.625       09/01/26       375       385,953  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    4.750       10/15/28       1,475       1,535,853  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.500       04/15/27       886       948,987  

Gtd. Notes

    6.000       03/15/23       175       187,182  

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    6.750       05/01/25       2,325       2,495,454  

Station Casinos LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.500       02/15/28       1,150       1,132,953  

Wyndham Destinations, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.625       03/01/30       575       593,925  

Wynn Macau Ltd. (Macau),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.125       12/15/29       1,000       1,008,102  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.500       01/15/26       800       809,379  
       

 

 

 
                  16,196,211  

Machinery-Diversified    0.5%

                               

Maxim Crane Works Holdings Capital LLC,

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    10.125       08/01/24       2,475       2,550,455  

Media    9.7%

                               

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.250       02/01/31       4,050       4,200,438  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.500       05/01/32       2,425       2,560,793  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.750       03/01/30       2,300       2,438,067  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.375       06/01/29       3,150       3,442,282  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.500       05/01/26       500       520,699  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    9.250       02/15/24       5,151       5,154,357  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.125       08/15/27       400       403,991  

CSC Holdings LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.125       12/01/30       775       801,213  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.375       02/15/31       1,175       1,142,091  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.625       12/01/30       4,875       4,988,217  

Diamond Sports Group LLC/Diamond Sports Finance Co.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.625       08/15/27       5,755       3,300,612  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.375       08/15/26       2,145       1,661,973  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26  


 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Media (cont’d.)

                               

DISH DBS Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    7.375     07/01/28       740     $ 801,971  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    7.750       07/01/26       3,835       4,364,287  

Entercom Media Corp.,

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.500       05/01/27       1,200       1,161,468  

Gray Television, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.750       10/15/30       450       456,072  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.000       05/15/27       1,950       2,150,477  

iHeartCommunications, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    8.375       05/01/27       1,625       1,726,287  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    6.375       05/01/26       200       211,976  

Midcontinent Communications/Midcontinent Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.375       08/15/27       550       575,281  

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    5.625       07/15/27       1,000       1,065,258  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.750       11/01/28       775       798,098  

Radiate Holdco LLC/Radiate Finance, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.500       09/15/26       425       442,784  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.500       09/15/28       1,000       1,063,925  

Scripps Escrow, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    5.875       07/15/27       1,190       1,202,788  

Sinclair Television Group, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.875       03/15/26       1,200       1,219,805  

TEGNA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.750       03/15/26       750       796,147  

Univision Communications, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.125       02/15/25       800       805,401  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.625       06/01/27       3,460       3,700,707  
       

 

 

 
                  53,157,465  

Mining    3.1%

                               

Constellium SE,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.625       03/01/25       3,395       3,504,611  

Eldorado Gold Corp. (Turkey),

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.500       06/01/24       1,408       1,548,550  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (Zambia),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.875       03/01/26       300       310,149  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.875       10/15/27       400       418,413  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.250       04/01/23       1,700       1,736,231  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.500       04/01/25       2,305       2,391,148  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    27  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Mining (cont’d.)

                               

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    4.375     08/01/28       1,075     $ 1,147,682  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    4.625       08/01/30       800       889,354  

Hecla Mining Co.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    7.250       02/15/28       385       415,285  

Hudbay Minerals, Inc. (Peru),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.125       04/01/29       500       537,153  

IAMGOLD Corp. (Burkina Faso),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.750       10/15/28       725       727,291  

New Gold, Inc. (Canada),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.375       05/15/25       1,369       1,426,844  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.500       07/15/27       1,005       1,095,389  

Novelis Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.750       01/30/30       925       981,024  
       

 

 

 
          17,129,124  

Miscellaneous Manufacturing    2.2%

                               

Amsted Industries, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.625       07/01/27       575       611,522  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.625       05/15/30       785       831,332  

Bombardier, Inc. (Canada),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.500       12/01/24       1,975       1,766,278  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.500       03/15/25       550       474,240  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.875       04/15/27       1,305       1,112,135  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.750       12/01/21       6,900       7,077,077  

FXI Holdings, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.875       11/01/24       222       222,781  
       

 

 

 
                  12,095,365  

Office/Business Equipment    0.1%

                               

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    3.250       02/15/29       710       712,102  

Oil & Gas    8.7%

                               

Alta Mesa Holdings LP/Alta Mesa Finance Services Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    7.875       12/15/24 (d)      5,325       3,514  

Antero Resources Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.000       03/01/25       2,225       1,773,614  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.625       06/01/23       3,925       3,528,562  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28  


 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Oil & Gas (cont’d.)

                               

Apache Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.375     10/15/28       450     $ 458,090  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.100       09/01/40       550       567,678  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    7.750       12/15/29       100       111,976  

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC/ARU Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    9.000       11/01/27       1,752       1,837,457  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.000       11/01/26       450       422,742  

Citgo Holding, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    9.250       08/01/24       2,403       2,144,386  

CITGO Petroleum Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.000       06/15/25       1,175       1,145,628  

CNX Resources Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.250       03/14/27       1,350       1,427,186  

CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.625       10/15/25       575       585,833  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes (original cost $1,174,969; purchased 12/13/19 - 01/10/20)(f)

    7.875       08/15/25 (d)      1,350       111,616  

Double Eagle III Midco 1 LLC/Double Eagle Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.750       12/15/25       1,875       1,927,627  

Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.500       01/30/26       1,925       1,982,467  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       01/30/28       975       1,037,916  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.625       07/15/25       300       319,891  

EQT Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    3.900       10/01/27       1,600       1,584,827  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.000       01/15/29       275       290,719  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    8.750       02/01/30       250       316,250  

Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.625       02/01/26 (d)      2,702       635,800  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.375       05/15/24 (d)      975       230,525  

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       10/01/25       1,075       1,050,378  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.250       11/01/28       1,658       1,641,014  

MEG Energy Corp. (Canada),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.000       03/31/24       300       301,822  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    7.125       02/01/27       1,802               1,772,358  

Nabors Industries Ltd.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.250       01/15/26       425       238,257  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.500       01/15/28       775       410,663  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    29  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Oil & Gas (cont’d.)

                               

Nabors Industries, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.750     02/01/25       4,325     $ 1,583,545  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    2.700       08/15/22       2,080       2,046,841  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    2.700       02/15/23       825       792,562  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    2.900       08/15/24       1,375       1,281,789  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.125       02/15/22       50       49,856  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.200       08/15/26       25       22,076  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.450       07/15/24       1,175       1,073,541  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.550       03/15/26       75       74,696  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.875       09/01/25       125       126,035  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    6.625       09/01/30       475       496,086  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    8.875       07/15/30       25       28,206  

Ovintiv, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    6.500       08/15/34       100       107,382  

Gtd. Notes

    6.500       02/01/38       50       53,052  

Gtd. Notes

    6.625       08/15/37       150       158,402  

PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    9.250       05/15/25       1,195       1,186,248  

Precision Drilling Corp. (Canada),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.125       01/15/26       2,560       1,690,030  

Range Resources Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.875       05/15/25       475       439,736  

Gtd. Notes

    5.000       03/15/23       1,523       1,486,789  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    9.250       02/01/26       1,325       1,375,694  

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.500       05/15/29       600       620,984  

Transocean, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.250       11/01/25       1,820       724,931  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.500       01/15/26       3,250       952,872  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    8.000       02/01/27       850       331,502  

WPX Energy, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.250       09/15/24       1,825       1,953,140  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.250       10/15/27       1,225       1,293,026  
       

 

 

 
                  47,807,817  

Packaging & Containers     1.0%

                               

ARD Finance SA (Luxembourg),

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 6.500% or PIK 7.250%(aa)

    6.500       06/30/27       1,275       1,341,969  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30  


   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Packaging & Containers (cont’d.)

                               

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.125     08/15/26       475     $ 494,096  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.250       08/15/27       1,075       1,123,795  

Graham Packaging Co., Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.125       08/15/28       235       253,203  

Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.375       08/15/25       500       551,735  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.625       05/13/27       975       1,060,942  

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer Lu,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.125       07/15/23       10       10,128  

TriMas Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.875       10/15/25       365       372,538  
       

 

 

 
          5,208,406  

Pharmaceuticals     2.5%

                               

AdaptHealth LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.125       08/01/28       420       453,419  

Bausch Health Americas, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.500       01/31/27       1,500       1,652,843  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.000       01/30/28       1,000       1,001,657  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.000       02/15/29       450       453,245  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.250       01/30/30       750       766,599  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.250       02/15/31       550       555,953  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    6.125       04/15/25       4,600       4,733,399  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.250       02/15/29       1,000       1,059,706  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.000       01/15/28       825       888,802  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.250       05/30/29       1,110       1,226,812  

Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH (Germany),

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.500       01/15/28       250       258,481  

P&L Development LLC/PLD Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.750       11/15/25       675       714,441  
       

 

 

 
                  13,765,357  

Pipelines     5.1%

                               

Antero Midstream Partners LP/Antero Midstream Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.375       09/15/24       530       499,836  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    31  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Pipelines (cont’d.)

                               

Antero Midstream Partners LP/Antero Midstream Finance Corp., (cont’d.)

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    5.750     01/15/28       2,425     $ 2,185,494  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.625       10/15/28       3,250       3,367,661  

DCP Midstream Operating LP,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.125       05/15/29       1,375       1,457,804  

Gtd. Notes

    5.625       07/15/27       510       553,997  

Energy Transfer Operating LP,

       

Jr. Sub. Notes, Series G(aa)

    7.125 (ff)      –(rr)              1,075       989,617  

EQM Midstream Partners LP,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.750       07/15/23       250       255,013  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.500       07/15/28       50       53,177  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.000       07/01/25       955               1,018,676  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.500       07/01/27       1,275       1,406,051  

Global Partners LP/GLP Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    7.000       08/01/27       750       803,229  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.875       01/15/29       375       400,513  

Hess Midstream Operations LP,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.625       02/15/26       100       103,276  

NGPL PipeCo LLC,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.875       08/15/27       25       27,876  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.768       12/15/37       1,000       1,322,616  

Rattler Midstream LP,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.625       07/15/25       335       354,528  

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.875       04/15/40       2,750       2,914,425  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP/Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.500       09/15/24       75       74,237  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.500       01/15/28       3,304       3,132,846  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.500       10/01/25       125       128,557  

Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.000       01/15/28       200       209,911  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.375       02/01/27       1,575       1,647,498  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    6.500       07/15/27       1,000       1,083,353  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.875       02/01/31       250       265,833  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.500       03/01/30       150       162,586  

Western Midstream Operating LP,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.950       06/01/25       600       599,725  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.000       07/01/22       250       254,567  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32  


Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal
Amount
(000)#
 
 
 
    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

       

Pipelines (cont’d.)

                               

Western Midstream Operating LP, (cont’d.)

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.350     02/01/25       75     $ 74,829  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.300       02/01/30       2,375       2,536,515  
       

 

 

 
                  27,884,246  

Real Estate     1.4%

 

                       

Five Point Operating Co. LP/Five Point Capital Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.875       11/15/25       2,200       2,313,204  

Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.750       12/01/25       2,000       2,045,925  

Howard Hughes Corp. (The),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.375       03/15/25       775       799,110  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    5.375       08/01/28       340       361,123  

Hunt Cos., Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.250       02/15/26       2,225       2,249,407  
       

 

 

 
          7,768,769  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)     3.3%

 

                       

Diversified Healthcare Trust,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    9.750       06/15/25       2,150       2,454,924  

ESH Hospitality, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.625       10/01/27       550       558,934  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.250       05/01/25       1,600       1,639,802  

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    4.000       01/15/30       325       349,264  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.375       11/01/23       750       810,756  

Gtd. Notes

    5.375       04/15/26       475       536,324  

Host Hotels & Resorts LP,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series H(aa)

    3.375       12/15/29       1,000       1,004,014  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    4.500       01/15/28       2,000       2,090,893  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.625       06/15/25       245       258,252  

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    3.500       03/15/31       150       152,491  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    5.000       10/15/27       2,325       2,459,010  

Park Intermediate Holdings LLC/PK Domestic Property LLC/PK Finance Co-Issuer,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.875       10/01/28       1,375       1,452,344  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    7.500       06/01/25       1,940       2,098,597  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    33  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (cont’d.)

 

       

RHP Hotel Properties LP/RHP Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.000     04/15/23       75     $ 75,039  

VICI Properties LP/VICI Note Co., Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.250       12/01/26       1,235       1,280,896  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.625       12/01/29       1,000       1,066,037  
       

 

 

 
                  18,287,577  

Retail    4.2%

                               

1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. (Canada),

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.000       10/15/30       2,700       2,696,660  

Brinker International, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)(mm)

    5.000       10/01/24       1,250       1,284,328  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.875       05/15/23       250       247,417  

Caleres, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    6.250       08/15/23       100       99,889  

CEC Entertainment, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    8.000       02/15/22 (d)      1,175       16,673  

eG Global Finance PLC (United Kingdom),

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.500       10/30/25       1,450       1,561,601  

Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes (original cost $864,688; purchased 09/25/17 - 09/30/19)(f)

    6.750       06/15/23       925       849,628  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes (original cost $1,637,463; purchased 01/28/19 - 08/28/19)(f)

    6.500       05/01/21       1,850       1,758,857  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes (original cost $71,238; purchased 07/23/19)(f)

    6.750       01/15/22       82       77,980  

Ferrellgas Partners LP/Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes (original cost $976,906; purchased 05/06/15 - 01/10/19)(f)

    8.625       06/15/20 (d)      975       156,147  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes (original cost $2,950,281; purchased 01/30/17 - 09/26/19)(f)

    8.625       06/15/20 (d)      3,275       477,321  

Golden Nugget, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.750       10/15/24       2,004       1,957,002  

L Brands, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.625       10/15/23       595       634,841  

PetSmart, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.125       03/15/23       2,625       2,591,425  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    5.875       06/01/25       1,082       1,095,907  

Rite Aid Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    8.000       11/15/26       724       738,743  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

34  


Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

 

Retail (cont’d.)

                               

Sally Holdings LLC/Sally Capital, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

    5.500     11/01/23       150     $ 151,227  

Gtd. Notes(aa)(mm)

    5.625       12/01/25       2,075       2,128,117  

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    8.750       04/30/25       300       333,186  

Suburban Propane Partners LP/Suburban Energy
Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.750       03/01/25       1,885       1,919,084  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.875       03/01/27       675       699,315  

Superior Plus LP/Superior General Partner, Inc.

       

(Canada),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.000       07/15/26       975       1,045,518  

White Cap Buyer LLC,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.875       10/15/28       550       585,032  
       

 

 

 
                  23,105,898  

Semiconductors    0.3%

                               

Microchip Technology, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    4.250       09/01/25       430       450,919  

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (Netherlands),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    3.875       09/01/22       1,090       1,151,198  
       

 

 

 
          1,602,117  

Software    1.6%

                               

Black Knight InfoServ LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.625       09/01/28       925       937,442  

Boxer Parent Co., Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    7.125       10/02/25       425       459,026  

BY Crown Parent LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.375       10/15/24       1,410       1,435,471  

BY Crown Parent LLC/BY Bond Finance, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    4.250       01/31/26       810       832,344  

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories,

       

Inc./Greeneden Lux 3 SARL/Greeneden US Holdings I LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    10.000       11/30/24       4,500       4,725,000  

Rackspace Technology Global, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.375       12/01/28       350       365,640  
       

 

 

 
          8,754,923  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    35  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

 

Telecommunications    8.2%

                               

Altice France Holding SA (Luxembourg),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.000     02/15/28       125     $ 126,826  

C&W Senior Financing DAC (Ireland),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.875       09/15/27       1,025       1,103,919  

CenturyLink, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(aa)

    5.625       04/01/25       1,830       1,967,629  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.500       01/15/29       1,125       1,147,390  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series P

    7.600       09/15/39       1,200       1,411,100  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series T(aa)

    5.800       03/15/22       700       729,091  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series U

    7.650       03/15/42       1,930       2,290,395  

CommScope Technologies LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.000       06/15/25       715       733,463  

CommScope, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    7.125       07/01/28       795       846,381  

Consolidated Communications, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.500       10/01/28       500       541,343  

Digicel Group 0.5 Ltd. (Jamaica),

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, Cash coupon 8.000% and PIK 2.000% / PIK 10.000%

    10.000       04/01/24       420       332,875  

Digicel Holdings Bermuda Ltd./Digicel International

       

Finance Ltd. (Jamaica),

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    8.750       05/25/24       1,050       1,072,723  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    8.750       05/25/24       525       536,441  

Digicel Ltd. (Jamaica),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.750       03/01/23       6,368       4,099,408  

Embarq Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    7.995       06/01/36       2,440       2,929,386  

Frontier Communications Corp.,

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.750       05/01/29       400       413,747  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.000       05/01/28       675       684,843  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg),

       

Gtd. Notes (original cost $1,880,113; purchased 05/01/19 - 03/04/20)(f)

    5.500       08/01/23 (d)      2,160       1,457,785  

Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $4,257,931; purchased 03/07/19 - 09/24/19)(f)

    9.750       07/15/25 (d)      4,135       2,920,041  

Intelsat Luxembourg SA (Luxembourg),

       

Gtd. Notes (original cost $609,063; purchased 11/14/19 - 02/07/20)(f)

    8.125       06/01/23 (d)      1,035       46,273  

Intrado Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    8.500       10/15/25       3,895           3,734,044  

Sprint Capital Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    6.875       11/15/28       700       908,910  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36  


   Description    
Interest
Rate
 
 
   
Maturity
Date
 
 
   

Principal

Amount

(000)#

 

 

 

    Value  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

 

Telecommunications (cont’d.)

                               

Sprint Capital Corp., (cont’d.)
Gtd. Notes

    8.750     03/15/32       706     $ 1,083,786  

Sprint Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    7.625       02/15/25       2,425       2,908,669  

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    7.875       09/15/23       1,794       2,070,297  

T-Mobile USA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(aa)

    6.500       01/15/26       4,055       4,212,160  

ViaSat, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.500       07/15/28       420       441,452  

Windstream Escrow LLC/Windstream Escrow Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    7.750       08/15/28       2,079       2,095,197  

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.000       03/01/27       120       119,589  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.125       03/01/28       1,800       1,902,866  
       

 

 

 
          44,868,029  

Transportation    0.9%

                               

XPO Logistics, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.125       09/01/23       200       203,544  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

    6.250       05/01/25       180       193,088  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.500       06/15/22       1,405       1,409,808  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(aa)

    6.750       08/15/24       2,800       2,965,043  
       

 

 

 
          4,771,483  
       

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(cost $625,332,702)

                  631,457,317  
       

 

 

 
               

Shares

       

COMMON STOCKS    0.4%

       

Electric Utilities    0.4%

                               

GenOn Energy Holdings, Inc. (Class A Stock)*^

        9,187       1,497,481  

Keycon Power Holdings LLC*^

        2,600       462,800  
       

 

 

 
          1,960,281  

Entertainment    0.0%

                               

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (Class A Stock)

        11,967       51,099  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    37  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

   Description         Shares       Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels    0.0%

                               

Frontera Energy Corp. (Colombia)

        2,066     $ 4,587  
       

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(cost $796,801)

          2,015,967  
       

 

 

 

TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
(cost $696,580,115)

          702,621,081  
       

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT    4.0%

       

AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUND

 

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund

       

(cost $21,704,398)(w)

        21,704,398       21,704,398  
       

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS    132.4%
(cost $718,284,513)

          724,325,479  

Liabilities in excess of other assets(z)    (32.4)%

          (177,095,511
       

 

 

 

NET ASSETS    100.0%

        $     547,229,968  
       

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of the abbreviation(s) used in the semiannual report:

USD—US Dollar

144A—Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and, pursuant to the requirements of Rule 144A, may not be resold except to qualified institutional buyers.

CDX—Credit Derivative Index

DIP—Debtor-In-Possession

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rate

LP—Limited Partnership

OTC—Over-the-counter

PIK—Payment-in-Kind

Q—Quarterly payment frequency for swaps

REITs—Real Estate Investment Trust

SARL—Société à Responsabilité Limitée

*

Non-income producing security.

#

Principal or notional amount is shown in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

^

Indicates a Level 3 instrument. The aggregate value of Level 3 instruments is $5,385,836 and 0.98% of net assets.

(aa)

Represents security, or a portion thereof, with aggregate value of $383,379,811 segregated as collateral for amount of $180,000,000 borrowed and outstanding as of November 30, 2020.

(c)

Variable rate instrument. The interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at November 30, 2020.

(d)

Represents issuer in default on interest payments and/or principal repayment. Non-income producing security. Such securities may be post-maturity.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

38  


 

(f)

Indicates a restricted security that is acquired in unregistered, private sales from the issuing company or from an affiliate of the issuer and is considered restricted as to disposition under federal securities law; the aggregate original cost of such securities is $14,422,652. The aggregate value of $7,855,648 is 1.44% of net assets.

(ff)

Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(mm)

Represents security, or a portion thereof, in connection with the re-hypothecation of portfolio securities with an aggregate value of $37,237,901 as of November 30, 2020.

(rr)

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

(w)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund.

(z)

Includes net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and/or market value of the below holdings which are excluded from the Schedule of Investments:

 

Unfunded loan commitment outstanding at November 30, 2020:

 

Borrower

  Principal
Amount
(000)#
  Current
Value
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg), SuperPriority Secured DIP Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 5.500% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%) 6.500%, Maturity Date 7/13/2021 (cost $171,070)

      172     $ 175,261     $ 4,192     $
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Credit default swap agreement outstanding at November 30, 2020:

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

  Termination
Date
  Fixed
Rate
  Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
    Value at
Trade Date
    Value at
November 30,
2020
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreement on credit indices - Buy Protection(1):

 

 
CDX.NA.HY.35.V1   12/20/25   5.000%(Q)     4,995                $ (199,345                         $ (496,026                         $ (296,681           
         

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

The Fund entered into credit default swaps (“CDS”) to provide a measure of protection against defaults or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default or the reference entity’s credit soundness. CDS contracts generally trade based on a spread which represents the cost a protection buyer has to pay the protection seller. The protection buyer is said to be short the credit as the value of the contract rises the more the credit deteriorates. The value of the CDS contract increases for the protection buyer if the spread increases.

 

(1)

If the Fund is a buyer of protection, it pays the fixed rate. When a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and make delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

 

(2)

If the Fund is a seller of protection, it receives the fixed rate. When a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    39  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

(3)

Notional amount represents the maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement.

 

(4)

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the fair value of credit default swap agreements where the Fund is the seller of protection as of the reporting date serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/ performance risk and represent the likelihood of risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include up-front payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood of risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

 

Summary of Collateral for Centrally Cleared/Exchange-traded Derivatives:

 

Cash and securities segregated as collateral, including pending settlement for closed positions, to cover requirements for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives are listed by broker as follows:

 

Broker

  Cash and/or Foreign Currency   Securities Market Value

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

                         $580,000                                                 $—                       
   

 

     

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements:

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices generally in active markets for identical securities.

 

Level 2—quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates and yield curves, prepayment speeds, foreign currency exchange rates and other observable inputs.

 

Level 3—unobservable inputs for securities valued in accordance with Board approved fair valuation procedures.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of November 30, 2020 in valuing such portfolio securities:

 

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Investments in Securities

     

Assets

     

Bank Loans

  $     $ 65,722,242     $ 3,425,555  

Corporate Bonds

          631,457,317        

Common Stocks

    55,686             1,960,281  

Affiliated Mutual Fund

    21,704,398              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 21,760,084     $ 697,179,559     $ 5,385,836  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments*

     

Assets

     

Unfunded Loan Commitment

  $     $ 4,192     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

40  


 

        Level 1         Level 2     Level 3  

Other Financial Instruments* (continued)

     

Liabilities

     

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreement

  $             —     $ (296,681   $             —  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Other financial instruments are derivatives, with the exception of unfunded loan commitments, and are not reflected in the Schedule of Investments. Futures, forwards, centrally cleared swap contracts and unfunded loan commitments are recorded at net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and OTC swap contracts are recorded at fair value.

 

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

 

    Common Stocks   Bank Loans

Balance as of 05/31/20

    $ 2,757,810     $ 11,203,472

Realized gain (loss)

            15,386

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      (207,118 )       198,318

Purchases/Exchanges/Issuances

            711,393

Sales/Paydowns

      (590,411 )       (1,771,894 )

Accrued discount/premium

            7,797

Transfers into Level 3

            2,245,290

Transfers out of Level 3

            (9,184,207 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Balance as of 11/30/20

    $ 1,960,281     $ 3,425,555
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to securities still held at reporting period end

    $ (207,118 )     $ 201,543
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Level 3 securities as presented in the table above are being fair valued using pricing methodologies approved by Board, which contain unobservable inputs as follows:

 

Level 3 Securities

  Fair Value as of
November 30,  2020
    Valuation
Methodology
   

Unobservable Inputs

Common Stocks

    $ 462,800         Discounted Cash Flow     Forward Power Curves & Assumed Capacity Factor Ranging From 70% - 73%

Common Stocks

                           1,497,481                              Market Approach     Single Broker Indicative Quote

Bank Loans

      3,425,555         Market Approach     Single Broker Indicative Quote
   

 

 

       
    $ 5,385,836        
   

 

 

       

 

It is the Fund’s policy to recognize transfers in and transfers out at the fair value as of the beginning of period. Securities transferred levels as follows:

 

Investments in Securities

  Amount Transferred   Level Transfer  

Logic

Bank Loans

  $9,184,207   L3 to L2   Single Broker Indicative Quote to Multiple Broker Quotes

Bank Loans

  $2,245,290   L2 to L3   Multiple Broker Quotes to Single Broker Indicative Quote

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    41  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

as of November 30, 2020

 

Industry Classification:

 

The industry classification of investments and liabilities in excess of other assets shown as a percentage of net assets as of November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Telecommunications

    10.8

Oil & Gas

    10.2  

Media

    10.0  

Healthcare-Services

    6.6  

Commercial Services

    6.2  

Entertainment

    6.0  

Chemicals

    6.0  

Home Builders

    6.0  

Pipelines

    5.1  

Electric

    4.9  

Software

    4.7  

Retail

    4.5  

Affiliated Mutual Fund

    4.0  

Computers

    3.6  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

    3.3  

Foods

    3.3  

Diversified Financial Services

    3.2  

Mining

    3.1  

Building Materials

    3.0  

Lodging

    3.0  

Pharmaceuticals

    2.8  

Auto Manufacturers

    2.8  

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

    2.2  

Auto Parts & Equipment

    2.1  

Aerospace & Defense

    1.9  

Real Estate

    1.4  

Engineering & Construction

    1.2  

Banks

    1.1  

Gas

    1.0  

Packaging & Containers

    1.0

Advertising

    0.9  

Transportation

    0.9  

Distribution/Wholesale

    0.8  

Agriculture

    0.6  

Insurance

    0.5  

Apparel

    0.5  

Machinery-Diversified

    0.5  

Leisure Time

    0.4  

Electrical Components & Equipment

    0.4  

Electric Utilities

    0.4  

Semiconductors

    0.3  

Electronics

    0.2  

Housewares

    0.2  

Iron/Steel

    0.2  

Internet

    0.2  

Household Products/Wares

    0.2  

Office/Business Equipment

    0.1  

Energy-Alternate Sources

    0.1  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    0.0
 

 

 

 
    132.4  

Liabilities in excess of other assets

    (32.4
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

*

Less than +/- 0.05%

 

 

Effects of Derivative Instruments on the Financial Statements and Primary Underlying Risk Exposure:

 

The Fund invested in derivative instruments during the reporting period. The primary type of risk associated with these derivative instruments is credit contracts risk. See the Notes to Financial Statements for additional detail regarding these derivative instruments and their risks. The effect of such derivative instruments on the Fund’s financial position and financial performance as reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations is presented in the summary below.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

42  


 

Fair values of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 as presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

    Asset Derivatives   Liability Derivatives  

Derivatives not accounted for as

hedging instruments, carried at

fair value                                             

  Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities Location
 

Fair

Value

  Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Fair Value  

Credit contracts

    $—   Due from/to
broker-variation margin
swaps
  $ 296,681*  
   

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the schedule of open futures and centrally cleared swap contracts. Only unsettled variation margin receivable (payable) is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The effects of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging

instruments, carried at fair value

  Swaps

Credit contracts

    $ (5,875,470 )
   

 

 

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

Derivatives not accounted for

as hedging instruments,

carried at fair value

  Swaps

Credit contracts

    $ 3,294,563
   

 

 

 

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund’s average volume of derivative activities is as follows:

 

Credit Default

Swap Agreements—

Buy Protection(1)

$46,746,567

 

(1)

Notional Amount in USD.

 

Average volume is based on average quarter end balances as noted for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    43  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

as of November 30, 2020

 

Assets

          

Investments at value:

    

Unaffiliated investments (cost $696,580,115)

     $ 702,621,081

Affiliated investments (cost $21,704,398)

       21,704,398

Cash

       60,517

Dividends and interest receivable

       10,996,557

Receivable for investments sold

       1,208,225

Deposit with broker for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives

       580,000

Unrealized appreciation on unfunded loan commitment

       4,192

Prepaid expenses and other assets

       3,399
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       737,178,369
    

 

 

 

Liabilities

          

Loan payable

       180,000,000

Payable for investments purchased

       9,074,364

Management fee payable

       473,545

Loan interest payable

       133,695

Dividends payable

       103,497

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

       84,293

Deferred directors’ fees and directors’ fees payable

       53,613

Exchange listing fee payable

       17,090

Due to broker—variation margin swaps

       8,304
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       189,948,401
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 547,229,968
    

 

 

 
            

Net assets were comprised of:

    

Common stock, at par

     $ 33,257

Paid-in capital in excess of par

       633,165,907

Total distributable earnings (loss)

       (85,969,196 )
    

 

 

 

Net assets, November 30, 2020

     $ 547,229,968
    

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

($547,229,968 ÷ 33,256,724 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

     $ 16.45
    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

44  


Statement of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2020

 

                                             

Net Investment Income (Loss)

                 

Income

     

Interest income

      $ 22,323,276  

Affiliated dividend income

                         35,593  
     

 

 

 

Total income

        22,358,869  
     

 

 

 

Expenses

     

Management fee

        2,837,817  

Loan interest and commitment expense

        831,310  

Custodian and accounting fees

        56,780  

Shareholders’ reports

        36,782  

Legal fees and expenses

        31,594  

Audit fee

        22,225  

Registration fees

        17,090  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

        10,232  

Directors’ fees

        8,148  

Miscellaneous

        7,264  
     

 

 

 

Total expenses

        3,859,242  
     

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

        18,499,627  
     

 

 

 

Realized And Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investments

                 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

     

Investment transactions

        793,973  

Swap agreement transactions

        (5,875,470
     

 

 

 
        (5,081,497
     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments

        50,807,568  

Swap agreements

        3,294,563  

Unfunded loan commitments

        4,192  
     

 

 

 
        54,106,323  
     

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) on investment transactions

        49,024,826  
     

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

      $ 67,524,453  
     

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    45  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
November 30, 2020
   Year Ended
May 31, 2020

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

                     

Operations

         

Net investment income (loss)

     $ 18,499,627      $ 37,502,748       

Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions

       (5,081,497 )        9,883,819

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

       54,106,323        (44,193,664 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       67,524,453        3,192,903
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

         

Distributions from distributable earnings

       (20,951,736 )        (40,696,044 )

Tax return of capital distributions

              (708,577 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

       (20,951,736 )        (41,404,621 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

       46,572,717        (38,211,718 )

Net Assets:

                     

Beginning of period

       500,657,251        538,868,969
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 547,229,968      $ 500,657,251
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

46  


Statement of Cash Flows

For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2020

 

Cash Flows Provided by / (Used for) Operating Activities:

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 67,524,453  
 

 

 

 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting From Operations to Net Cash Provided by / (Used for) Operating Activities:

 

Proceeds from disposition of long-term portfolio investments

    193,390,703  

Purchases of long-term portfolio investments

    (183,303,906

Net proceeds (purchases) of short-term portfolio investments

    (12,632,794

Net premiums (paid) received for swap agreements

    (2,580,907

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on portfolio investments

    (684,126

Net realized (gain) loss on investment transactions

    (793,973

Net realized (gain) loss on swap agreement transactions

    5,875,470  

Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of investments

    (50,807,568

Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on swap agreements

    (3,294,563

Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on unfunded loan commitment

    (4,192

(Increase) Decrease in Assets:

 

Dividends and interest receivable

    596,845  

Receivable for investments sold

    520,369  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    40,658  

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    559,486  

Management fee payable

    25,425  

Loan interest payable

    (14,132

Dividends payable

    (1,175

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    (4,969

Deferred directors’ fees and directors’ fees payable

    157  

Exchange listing fee payable

    17,090  

Due to broker - variation margin swaps

    (238,018
 

 

 

 

Total adjustments

    (53,334,120
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

    14,190,333  
 

 

 

 

Net cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities:

 

Cash paid on distributions from distributable earnings

    (20,951,736
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

    (20,951,736
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash, at value

    (6,761,403

Net cash at beginning of period

    7,401,920  
 

 

 

 

Cash and Restricted Cash at the End of Period

  $ 640,517  
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

 

Cash paid during the period for interest expense

  $ 845,442  
 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported with the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to the Statement of Cash Flows:

 

     November 30, 2020    May 31, 2020

Cash

     $ 60,517      $ 1,368,920

Restricted Cash:

         

Deposit with broker for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives

       580,000        6,033,000
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total cash and restricted cash

     $ 640,517      $ 7,401,920
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    47  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.

Organization

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was incorporated as a Maryland corporation on November 14, 2011.

 

The investment objective of the Fund is to provide a high level of current income.

 

 

 

2.

Accounting Policies

 

The Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following accounting policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Fund consistently follows such policies in the preparation of its financial statements.

 

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets and liabilities that are fair valued at the close of each day (generally, 4:00 PM Eastern time) the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has adopted valuation procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments” or the “Manager”). Pursuant to the Board’s delegation, the Manager has established a Valuation Committee responsible for supervising the fair valuation of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities. The valuation procedures permit the Fund to utilize independent pricing vendor services, quotations from market makers, and alternative valuation methods when market quotations are either not readily available or not deemed representative of fair value. A record of the Valuation Committee’s actions is subject to the Board’s review, approval, and ratification at its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.

 

For the fiscal reporting period-end, securities and other assets and liabilities were fair valued at the close of the last U.S. business day. Trading in certain foreign securities may occur when the NYSE is closed (including weekends and holidays). Because such foreign securities trade in markets that are open on weekends and U.S. holidays, the values of some of the Fund’s foreign investments may change on days when investors cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.

 

Various inputs determine how the Fund’s investments are valued, all of which are categorized according to the three broad levels (Level 1, 2, or 3) detailed in the Schedule of

 

48  


Investments and referred to herein as the “fair value hierarchy” in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

 

Investments in open-end funds (other than exchange-traded funds) are valued at their net asset values as of the close of the NYSE on the date of valuation. These securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy since they may be purchased or sold at their net asset values on the date of valuation.

 

Fixed income securities traded in the OTC market are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such fixed income securities are typically valued using the market approach which generally involves obtaining data from an approved independent third-party vendor source. The Fund utilizes the market approach as the primary method to value securities when market prices of identical or comparable instruments are available. The third-party vendors’ valuation techniques used to derive the evaluated bid price are based on evaluating observable inputs, including but not limited to, yield curves, yield spreads, credit ratings, deal terms, tranche level attributes, default rates, cash flows, prepayment speeds, broker/dealer quotations and reported trades. Certain Level 3 securities are also valued using the market approach when obtaining a single broker quote or when utilizing transaction prices for identical securities that have been used in excess of five business days. During the reporting period, there were no changes to report with respect to the valuation approach and/or valuation techniques discussed above.

 

Bank loans are generally valued at prices provided by approved independent pricing vendors. The pricing vendors utilize broker/dealer quotations and provide prices based on the average of such quotations. Bank loans valued using such vendor prices are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Bank loans valued based on a single broker quote or at the original transaction price in excess of five business days are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

OTC and centrally cleared derivative instruments are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such derivative instruments are typically valued using the market approach and/or income approach which generally involves obtaining data from an approved independent third-party vendor source. The Fund utilizes the market approach when quoted prices in broker-dealer markets are available but also includes consideration of alternative valuation approaches, including the income approach. In the absence of reliable market quotations, the income approach is typically utilized for purposes of valuing derivatives such as interest rate swaps based on a discounted cash flow analysis whereby the value of the instrument is equal to the present value of its future cash inflows or outflows. Such analysis includes projecting future cash flows and determining the discount rate (including the present value factors that affect the discount rate) used to discount the future cash flows. In addition, the third-party vendors’ valuation techniques used to derive the evaluated derivative price is based on evaluating observable inputs, including but not limited to, underlying asset prices, indices, spreads, interest rates and exchange rates. Certain derivatives may be classified as Level 3 when valued using the market approach by obtaining a single broker quote or when utilizing unobservable inputs in the income

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    49  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

approach. During the reporting period, there were no changes to report with respect to the valuation approach and/or valuation techniques discussed above.

 

Securities and other assets that cannot be priced according to the methods described above are valued based on pricing methodologies approved by the Board. In the event that unobservable inputs are used when determining such valuations, the securities will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

When determining the fair value of securities, some of the factors influencing the valuation include: the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity of the securities; the issuer’s financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of the issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the Manager regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates. Using fair value to price securities may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the price used by other unaffiliated mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

 

Bank Loans: The Fund invested in bank loans. Bank loans include fixed and floating rate loans that are privately negotiated between a corporate borrower and one or more financial institutions, including, but not limited to, term loans, revolvers, and other instruments issued in the bank loan market. The Fund acquires interests in loans directly (by way of assignment from the selling institution) and/or indirectly (by way of the purchase of a participation interest from the selling institution). Under a bank loan assignment, the Fund generally will succeed to all the rights and obligations of an assigning lending institution and becomes a lender under the loan agreement with the relevant borrower in connection with that loan. Under a bank loan participation, the Fund generally will have a contractual relationship only with the lender, not with the relevant borrower. As a result, the Fund generally will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest, and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the relevant borrower. The Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation to the Fund.

 

Swap Agreements: The Fund entered into certain types of swap agreements detailed in the disclosures below. A swap agreement is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. Swap agreements are negotiated in the OTC market and may be executed either directly with a counterparty (“OTC-traded”) or through a central clearing facility, such as a registered exchange. Swap agreements are valued daily at current market value and any change in value is included in

 

50  


the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on swap agreements. Centrally cleared swaps pay or receive an amount known as “variation margin”, based on daily changes in the valuation of the swap contract. For OTC-traded, upfront premiums paid and received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risk of loss may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Swap agreements outstanding at period end, if any, are listed on the Schedule of Investments. The cash amounts pledged for swaps contracts are considered restricted cash and are included in “Deposit with broker for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Credit Default Swaps (“CDS”): CDS involve one party (the protection buyer) making a stream of payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for the right to receive a specified payment in the event of a default or as a result of a default (collectively a “credit event”) for the referenced entity (typically corporate issues or sovereign issues of an emerging country) on its obligation; or in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising a credit index.

 

The Fund is subject to credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives, and as such, has entered into CDS contracts to provide a measure of protection against defaults or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default or the reference entity’s credit soundness. CDS contracts generally trade based on a spread which represents the cost a protection buyer has to pay the protection seller. The protection buyer is said to be short the credit as the value of the contract rises the more the credit deteriorates. The value of the CDS contract increases for the protection buyer if the spread increases. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk for purchased CDS is the inability of the counterparty to honor the contract up to the notional value due to a credit event.

 

As a seller of protection on credit default swap agreements, the Fund generally receives an agreed upon payment from the buyer of protection throughout the term of the swap, provided no credit event occurs. As the seller, the Fund effectively increases its investment risk because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund may be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

 

The maximum amount of the payment that the Fund, as a seller of protection, could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be equal to the notional amount of the underlying security or index contract as a result of a credit event. This potential amount will be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements which the Fund entered into for the same referenced entity or index. As a buyer of protection, the Fund generally receives an amount up to the notional value of the swap if a credit event occurs.

 

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements where the Fund is the seller of protection as of

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    51  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

period end are disclosed in the footnotes to the Schedule of Investments, if applicable. These spreads serve as indicators of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood of default risk for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads and increased market value in absolute terms, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood of risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

 

Payment-In-Kind: The Fund invested in the open market or received pursuant to debt restructuring, securities that pay-in-kind (PIK) the interest due on such debt instruments. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified, is added to the existing principal balance of the debt when issued bonds have same terms as the bond or recorded as a separate bond when terms are different from the existing debt, and is recorded as interest income.

 

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains (losses) from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, or for certain foreign securities, when the Fund becomes aware of such dividends. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities, as required, is recorded on the accrual basis. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis, which may require the use of certain estimates by management that may differ from actual.

 

Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable net investment income and capital gains, if any, to its stockholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, interest and capital gains, if any, are recorded, net of reclaimable amounts, at the time the related income is earned. However, due to the timing of when distributions are made by the Fund, the Fund may be subject to an excise tax of 4% of the amount by which 98% of the Fund’s annual taxable income for the calendar year and 98.2% of its net capital gains for a one-year period ending on October 31 exceed the distributions from such taxable income and net capital gains for the calendar year.

 

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund intends to make a level dividend distribution each month to the holders of Common Stock. The level dividend rate may be modified by the Board from time to time, and will be based upon the past and projected performance and expenses of the Fund. The Fund intends to also make a distribution during or with respect to

 

52  


each calendar year (which may be combined with a regular monthly distribution), which will generally include any net investment income and net realized capital gain for the year not otherwise distributed.

 

PGIM Investments has received an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) granting the Fund an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to permit certain closed-end funds managed by PGIM Investments to include realized long-term capital gains as a part of their respective regular distributions to the holders of Common Stock more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act (generally once per taxable year). The Fund intends to rely on this exemptive order. The Board may, at the request of PGIM Investments, adopt a managed distribution policy.

 

Dividends and distributions to stockholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gain (loss) are reclassified amongst total distributable earnings (loss) and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

 

Estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 

 

3.

Agreements

 

The Fund has a management agreement with PGIM Investments. Pursuant to this agreement, PGIM Investments has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadviser’s performance of such services. PGIM Investments has entered into a subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc., which provides subadvisory services to the Fund through its PGIM Fixed Income unit. The subadvisory agreement provides that PGIM, Inc. will furnish investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund. In connection therewith, PGIM, Inc. is obligated to keep certain books and records of the Fund. PGIM Investments pays for the services of PGIM, Inc., the cost of compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.

 

The management fee paid to the Manager is accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.80% of the average daily value of the Fund’s investable assets. “Investable assets” refers to the net assets attributable to the outstanding common stock of the Fund plus the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock issued by the Fund, the principal amount of any borrowings and the principal on any debt securities issued by the Fund

 

PGIM Investments and PGIM, Inc. are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    53  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

4.

Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

The Fund may invest its overnight sweep cash in the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (the “Core Fund”), a series of Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PGIM Investments.. Through the Fund’s investments in the mentioned underlying funds, PGIM Investments and/or its affiliates are paid fees or reimbursed for providing their services. In addition to the realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Core Fund, earnings from such investments are disclosed on the Statement of Operations as “Affiliated dividend income”.

 

The Fund may enter into certain securities purchase or sale transactions under Board approved Rule 17a-7 procedures. Rule 17a-7 is an exemptive rule under the 1940 Act, that subject to certain conditions, permits purchase and sale transactions among affiliated investment companies, or between an investment company and a person that is affiliated solely by reason of having a common (or affiliated) investment adviser, common directors, and/or common officers. Pursuant to the Rule 17a-7 procedures and consistent with guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) prepares a quarterly summary of all such transactions for submission to the Board, together with the CCO’s written representation that all such 17a-7 transactions were effected in accordance with the Fund’s Rule 17a-7 procedures. For the reporting period ended November 30, 2020, no 17a-7 transactions were entered into by the Fund.

 

5.

Portfolio Securities

 

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) for the reporting period ended November 30, 2020, were $183,303,906 and $191,373,713, respectively.

 

A summary of the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of shares of an affiliated investment for the reporting period ended November 30, 2020, is presented as follows:

 

Value,
Beginning
of

Period
    Cost of
Purchases
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Change in
Unrealized
Gain

(Loss)
    Realized
Gain

(Loss)
    Value,
End of
Period
    Shares,
End
of
Period
    Income  
  PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund*      
$ 9,071,604                    $ 106,297,442                                   $ 93,664,648                                   $                                   $                                   $ 21,704,398                                     21,704,398                    $ 35,593  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

*

The Fund did not have any capital gain distributions during the reporting period.

 

54  


 

6.

Tax Information

 

The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized appreciation as of November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Tax Basis

    $ 717,749,838
   

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized Appreciation

      40,334,786

Gross Unrealized Depreciation

      (34,051,634 )
   

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Appreciation

    $ 6,283,152
   

 

 

 

The GAAP basis may differ from tax basis due to certain tax-related adjustments.

 

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of May 31, 2020 of approximately $80,888,000 which can be carried forward for an unlimited period. No capital gains distributions are expected to be paid to shareholders until net gains have been realized in excess of such losses. The Fund utilized approximately $7,055,000 of its capital loss carryforward to offset net taxable gains realized in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

 

The Manager has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state and local income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements for the current reporting period. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for each of the four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 are subject to such review.

 

7.

Capital and Ownership

 

There are 1 billion shares of $0.001 par value common stock authorized. As of November 30, 2020, Prudential owned 10,556 shares of the Fund.

 

For the period ended November 30, 2020, the Fund did not issue any shares of common stock in connection with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

 

8.

Borrowings and Re-hypothecation

 

The Fund currently is a party to a committed credit facility (the “credit facility”) with a financial institution. The credit facility provides for a maximum commitment of $240 million. Interest on any borrowings under the credit facility is payable at the negotiated rates. The Fund’s obligations under the credit facility are secured by the assets of the Fund segregated for the purpose of securing the amount borrowed. The purpose of the credit facility is to provide the Fund with portfolio leverage and to meet its general cash flow requirements.

 

The Fund utilized the credit facility during the reporting period ended November 30, 2020. The average daily outstanding loan balance for the 183 days that the Fund utilized the facility during the period was $180,000,000, borrowed at a weighted average interest rate of

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    55  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

0.91%. The maximum loan balance outstanding during the period was $180,000,000. At November 30, 2020, the Fund had an outstanding loan balance of $180,000,000.

 

Re-hypothecation: The credit facility permits, subject to certain conditions, the financial institution to re-hypothecate, up to approximately 95% of the amount outstanding under the facility, portfolio securities segregated by the Fund as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest on re-hypothecated securities. The Fund also has the right under the agreement to recall the re-hypothecated securities from the financial institution on demand. If the financial institution fails to deliver the recalled security in a timely manner, the Fund will be compensated by the financial institution for any fees or losses related to the failed delivery or, in the event a recalled security will not be returned by the financial institution, the Fund, upon notice to the financial institution, may reduce the loan balance outstanding by the value of the recalled security failed to be returned plus accrued interest. The Fund will receive a portion of the fees earned by the financial institution in connection with the re-hypothecation of portfolio securities which reduces the loan interest expense on borrowings. For the reporting period ended November 30, 2020, the financial institution re-hypothecated certain portfolio securities segregated as collateral by the Fund.

 

9.

Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, some or all of the risks discussed below. For further information on the Fund’s risks, please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 

Bond Obligations Risk: As with credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk, the Fund’s holdings, share price, yield and total return may fluctuate in response to bond market movements. The value of bonds may decline for issuer-related reasons, including management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services. Certain types of fixed income obligations also may be subject to “call and redemption risk,” which is the risk that the issuer may call a bond held by the Fund for redemption before it matures and the Fund may lose income.

 

Credit Risk: This is the risk that the issuer, the guarantor or the insurer of a fixed income security, or the counterparty to a contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. Additionally, fixed income securities could lose value due to a loss of confidence in the ability of the issuer, guarantor, insurer or counterparty to pay back debt. The longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a bond, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.

 

Derivatives Risk: Derivatives involve special risks and costs and may result in losses to the Fund. The successful use of derivatives requires sophisticated management, and, to the

 

56  


extent that derivatives are used, the Fund will depend on the subadviser’s ability to analyze and manage derivative transactions. The prices of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in abnormal market conditions. Some derivatives are “leveraged” and therefore may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to the Fund. The Fund’s use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. Other risks arise from the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund’s derivatives positions. In fact, many OTC derivative instruments will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. OTC derivative instruments also involve the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations to the Fund.

 

Interest Rate Risk: The value of an investment may go down when interest rates rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration debt securities. When interest rates fall, the issuers of debt obligations may prepay principal more quickly than expected, and the Fund may be required to reinvest the proceeds at a lower interest rate. This is referred to as “prepayment risk.” When interest rates rise, debt obligations may be repaid more slowly than expected, and the value of the Fund’s holdings may fall sharply. This is referred to as “extension risk”. The Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk as a result of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board’s rate-setting policies. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply or in a manner not anticipated by the subadviser.

 

Junk Bonds Risks: High-yield, high-risk bonds have predominantly speculative characteristics, including particularly high credit risk. Junk bonds tend to be less liquid than higher-rated securities. The liquidity of particular issuers or industries within a particular investment category may shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning. The non-investment grade bond market can experience sudden and sharp price swings and become illiquid due to a variety of factors, including changes in economic forecasts, stock market activity, large sustained sales by major investors, a high profile default or a change in the market’s psychology.

 

Leverage Risk: The Fund may seek to enhance the level of its current distributions to holders of common stock through the use of leverage. The Fund may use leverage through borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions. The Fund may borrow in amounts up to 33 1/3% (as determined immediately after borrowing) of the Fund’s investable assets. The use of leverage can create special risks. There can be no assurance that any leveraging strategy the Fund employs will be successful during any period in which it is employed.

 

LIBOR Risk: Many financial instruments use or may use a floating rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. On July 27, 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2023. There remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. As such, the potential impact of a transition away from LIBOR on the

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    57  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Fund or the financial instruments in which the Fund invest cannot yet be determined. The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner. Because the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to the end of 2023.

 

Liquidity Risk: The Fund may invest in instruments that trade in lower volumes and are less liquid than other investments. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments made by the Fund are difficult to purchase or sell. Liquidity risk includes the risk that the Fund may make investments that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Investments that are illiquid or that trade in lower volumes may be more difficult to value. If the Fund is forced to sell these investments for any reason, the Fund may lose money. In addition, when there is no willing buyer and investments may not reasonably be expected to be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, the Fund may incur higher transaction costs when executing trade orders of a given size. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities.

 

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks: International wars or conflicts and geopolitical developments in foreign countries, along with instability in regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, possible terrorist attacks in the United States or around the world, public health epidemics such as the outbreak of infectious diseases like the recent outbreak of coronavirus globally or the 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa of the Ebola virus, and other similar events could adversely affect the U.S. and foreign financial markets, including increases in market volatility, reduced liquidity in the securities markets and government intervention, and may cause further long-term economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide generally. The coronavirus pandemic and the related governmental and public responses have had and may continue to have an impact on the Fund’s investments and net asset value and have led and may continue to lead to increased market volatility and the potential for illiquidity in certain classes of securities and sectors of the market. Preventative or protective actions that governments may take in respect of pandemic or epidemic diseases may result in periods of business disruption, business closures, inability to obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for the issuers in which the Fund invests. Government intervention in markets may impact interest rates, market volatility and security pricing. The occurrence, reoccurrence and pendency of such diseases could adversely affect the economies

 

58  


(including through changes in business activity and increased unemployment) and financial markets either in specific countries or worldwide.

 

Market Risk: Securities markets may be volatile and the market prices of the Fund’s securities may decline. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in an issuer’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

 

Risks of Investments in Bank Loans: The Fund’s ability to receive payments of principal and interest and other amounts in connection with loans (whether through participations, assignments or otherwise) will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. The failure by the Fund’s scheduled interest or principal payments on a loan because of a default, bankruptcy or any other reason would adversely affect the income of the Fund and would likely reduce the value of its assets. Even with loans secured by collateral, there is the risk that the value of the collateral may decline, may be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower, or be difficult to liquidate. In the event of a default, the Fund may have difficulty collecting on any collateral and would not have the ability to collect on any collateral for an uncollateralized loan. Further, the Fund’s access to collateral, if any, may be limited by bankruptcy laws.

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncement and Regulatory Developments

 

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, which provides optional guidance for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU 2020-04 is elective and is effective on March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of certain provisions of the ASU and any impact on the financial statement disclosures has not yet been determined.

 

On December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it voted to adopt a new rule that establishes an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation practices (the “Rule”). The Rule, in part, provides (i) a framework for determining fair value in good faith and (ii) provides for a fund Board’s assignment of its responsibility for the execution of valuation-related activities to a fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Rule will become effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, and will have a compliance date 18 months following the effective date. Management is currently evaluating the Rule and its impact to the Funds.

 

11. Subsequent Event

 

Dividends to Shareholders: On November 30, 2020, the Fund declared monthly dividends of $0.105 per share payable on December 31, 2020, January 4, 2021, February 26, 2021, respectively, to shareholders of record on December 11, 2020, December 29, 2020, February 12, 2021, respectively. The ex-dates are December 10, 2020, December 28, 2020, February 11, 2021, respectively.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    59  


Financial Highlights (unaudited)

 

      
    

Six Months

Ended November 30,

2020

          Year Ended May 31,  
         2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  
Per Share Operating Performance(a):

 

                                                       
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period     $15.05                       $16.20       $16.29       $16.84       $16.79       $17.84  
Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

                                                       
Net investment income (loss)     0.56                        1.13       0.91       0.90       0.98       1.06  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     1.47                       (1.03     0.07       (0.36     0.32       (0.75
Total from investment operations     2.03                       0.10       0.98       0.54       1.30       0.31  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                                                
Dividends from net investment income     (0.63                     (1.23     (1.07     (1.09     (1.25     (1.36
Tax return of capital distributions     -                       (0.02     -       -       -       -  
Total dividends and distributions     (0.63                     (1.25     (1.07     (1.09     (1.25     (1.36
Net asset value, end of period     $16.45                       $15.05       $16.20       $16.29       $16.84       $16.79  
Market price, end of period     $14.76                       $13.38       $13.93       $14.07       $15.59       $15.58  
Total Return(b):     15.41                     4.84     6.84     (2.89 )%      8.36     8.23
    

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of period (000)     $547,230                       $500,657       $538,869       $541,660       $560,069       $558,403  
Average net assets (000)     $527,516                       $533,714       $539,282       $550,742       $559,484       $560,771  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                                                
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.46 %(e)                      1.96     2.21     1.84     1.71     1.55
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.46 %(e)                      1.96     2.21     1.84     1.71     1.55
Net investment income (loss)     6.99 %(e)                      7.03     5.58     5.43     5.84     6.29
Portfolio turnover rate(f)     27                     60     87     72     65     58
Asset coverage     404                     378     399     428     411     372
Total debt outstanding at period-end (000)     $180,000                       $180,000       $180,000       $165,000       $180,000       $205,000  

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at the current market price on the first day and a sale at the closing market price on the last day for the period reported. Dividends are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtainable under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. This amount does not reflect brokerage commissions or sales load. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Includes interest expense of 0.31%, 0.81%, 1.06%, 0.71%, 0.54% and 0.40%, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(e)

Annualized.

(f)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short-term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

60  


Other Information (unaudited)

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Unless a holder of common stock elects to receive cash by contacting Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on common stock will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator pursuant to the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional common stock. The holders of common stock who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and other distributions (together, a “Dividend”) in cash paid by check mailed directly to the stockholder of record (or, if the common stock is held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by the Plan Administrator as dividend disbursing agent. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the Dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared Dividend. Such notice will be effective with respect to a particular Dividend. Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on behalf of the holders of common stock and may re-invest that cash in additional common stock.

 

The Plan Administrator will open an account for each common stockholder under the Plan in the same name in which such common stockholder’s common stock is registered. Whenever the Fund declares a Dividend payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in common stock. The common stock will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized common stock from the Fund (“Newly Issued common stock”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common stock on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the NYSE or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price of the common stock plus per share fees (as defined below) is equal to or greater than the NAV per share of common stock (such condition being referred to as “market premium”), the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued common stock on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued common stock to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the NAV per share of common stock on the payment date, provided that, if the NAV per share of common stock is less than or equal to 95% of the closing market price per share of common stock on the payment date, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per common stock on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the NAV per share of common stock is greater than the closing market value per share of common stock plus per share fees (such condition being referred to as “market discount”), the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in shares of common stock acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.

 

“Per share fees” include any applicable brokerage commissions the Plan Administrator is required to pay.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    61  


Other Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

In the event of a market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business day before the next date on which the common stock trades on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in common stock acquired in Open-Market Purchases on behalf of participants. If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per share of common stock exceeds the NAV per share of common stock, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator for common stock may exceed the NAV per share of the common stock, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares of common stock than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued common stock on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued common stock at the NAV per share of common stock at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date, provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per share of common stock, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date for purposes of determining the number of shares issuable under the Plan.

 

The Plan Administrator maintains all stockholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by stockholders for tax records. Common stock in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each stockholder proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.

 

In the case of the holders of common stock such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold shares of common stock for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares of common stock certified from time to time by the record stockholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.

 

The Plan Administrator’s service fee, if any, and expenses for administering the plan will be paid for by the Fund. If a participant elects by written, Internet or telephonic notice to the Plan Administrator to have the Plan Administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the Plan Administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the Plan Administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.12 per share fee. If a participant elects to sell his or her shares of common stock, the Plan

 

62  


Administrator will process all sale instructions received no later than five business days after the date on which the order is received by the Plan Administrator, assuming the relevant markets are open and sufficient market liquidity exists (and except where deferral is required under applicable federal or state laws or regulations). Such sale will be made through the Plan Administrator’s broker on the relevant market and the sale price will not be determined until such time as the broker completes the sale. In every case the price to the participant shall be the weighted average sale price obtained by the Plan Administrator’s broker net of fees for each aggregate order placed by the participant and executed by the broker. To maximize cost savings, the Plan Administrator will seek to sell shares in round lot transactions. For this purpose the Plan Administrator may combine a participant’s shares with those of other selling participants.

 

There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares of common stock issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. Each participant will be charged a per share fee (currently $0.05 per share) on all Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends. See “Tax Matters.” Participants that request a sale of common stock through the Plan Administrator are subject to brokerage commissions.

 

Each participant may terminate the participant’s account under the Plan by so notifying the Plan Administrator via the Plan Administrator’s website at www.computershare.com/ investor, by filling out the transaction request form located at the bottom of the participant’s Statement and sending it to the Plan Administrator or by calling the Plan Administrator. Such termination will be effective immediately if the participant’s notice is received by the Plan Administrator prior to any dividend or distribution record date. Upon any withdrawal or termination, the Plan Administrator will cause to be delivered to each terminating participant a statement of holdings for the appropriate number of the Fund’s whole book-entry shares of common stock and a check for the cash adjustment of any fractional share at the market value of the Fund’s shares of common stock as of the close of business on the date the termination is effective less any applicable fees. In the event a participant’s notice of termination is on or after a record date (but before payment date) for an account whose dividends are reinvested, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may either distribute such dividends in cash or reinvest them in shares of common stock on behalf of the terminating participant. In the event reinvestment is made, the Plan Administrator will process the termination as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five business days after the reinvestment is completed. The Plan may be terminated by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    63  


Other Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.

 

All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling (toll free) 800-451-6788.

 

64  


Approval of Advisory Agreements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) consists of eleven individuals, nine of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Directors”). The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Fund and its operations, and performs the various duties imposed on the Directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Directors have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Director. The Board has established four standing committees: the Audit Committee, two Investment Committees and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Each committee is chaired by, and composed of, Independent Directors.

 

Annual Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreements

 

As required under the 1940 Act, the Board determines annually whether to renew the Fund’s management agreement with PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments”), the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc. (“PGIM”) on behalf of its PGIM Fixed Income unit (“PGIM Fixed Income”) and the Fund’s sub-subadvisory agreement with PGIM Limited (“PGIML”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, met on May 27, 2020 and on June 9-11, 2020 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2021, after concluding that the renewal of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

In advance of the meetings, the Board requested and received materials relating to the agreements, and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with its consideration. Among other things, the Board considered comparative fee information from PGIM Investments, PGIM, and, where appropriate, affiliates of PGIM. Also, the Board considered comparisons with other funds in relevant Peer Universes and Peer Groups, as is further discussed below.

 

In approving the agreements, the Board, including the Independent Directors advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors it deemed relevant, including the nature, quality and extent of services provided by PGIM Investments, the subadviser, and, as relevant, its affiliates, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates, expenses and fees, and the potential for economies of scale that may be shared with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund’s assets grow. In their deliberations, the Directors did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the agreements with respect to the Fund. In connection with its deliberations, the Board considered information provided by PGIM Investments throughout

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

the year at regular Board meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on May 27, 2020 and on June 9-11, 2020.

 

The Directors determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PGIM Investments, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a management agreement, between PGIM Investments and PGIM, which, through its PGIM Fixed Income unit, serves as the Fund’s subadviser pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PGIM Investments, and between PGIM and PGIML, which serves as the Fund’s sub-subadviser pursuant to the terms of a sub-subadvisory agreement with PGIM, are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders in light of the services performed, fees charged and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.

 

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ reaching their determinations to approve the continuance of the agreements are separately discussed below.

 

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

 

The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, quality and extent of services provided to the Fund by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML. The Board noted that PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML are affiliated with PGIM Investments. The Board considered the services provided by PGIM Investments, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadviser and sub-subadviser for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance and other services to the Fund, and PGIM Investments’ role as administrator for the Fund’s liquidity risk management program. With respect to PGIM Investments’ oversight of the subadviser and sub-subadviser, the Board noted that PGIM Investments’ Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PGIM Investments, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PGIM Investments’ senior management on the performance and operations of the subadviser and sub-subadviser. The Board also considered that PGIM Investments pays the salaries of all of the officers and interested Directors of the Fund who are part of Fund management. The Board also considered the investment subadvisory services provided by PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML, respectively, including investment research and security selection, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures. The Board considered PGIM Investments’ evaluation of the subadviser and the sub-subadviser, as well as PGIM Investments’ recommendation, based on its review of the subadviser and sub-subadviser, to renew the subadvisory agreement and sub-subadvisory agreements.

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


 

The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM Investments’ senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML, and also considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM’s portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Board was provided with information pertaining to PGIM Investments’, PGIM Fixed Income’s and PGIML’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML. The Board also noted that it received favorable compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML.

 

The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PGIM Investments, the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PGIM and the sub-subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PGIML, and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML under the management, subadvisory and sub-subadvisory agreements.

 

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PGIM Investments

 

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PGIM Investments the methodology utilized in assembling the information regarding profitability and considered its reasonableness. The Board recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund management contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocations and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

 

Economies of Scale

 

The Board received and discussed information concerning whether PGIM Investments realizes economies of scale as the Fund’s assets grow beyond current levels. During the course of time, the Board has considered information regarding the launch date of the Fund, the management fees of the Fund compared to those of similarly managed funds and PGIM Investments’ investment in the Fund over time. The Board considered that, as a closed-end fund, the Fund would not be expected to have inflows of capital that might produce increasing economies of scale. The Board noted that, while the Fund does not have breakpoints in its management fees, economies of scale can be shared with the Fund

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

in other ways, including low management fees from inception, additional technological and personnel investments to enhance shareholder services, and maintaining existing expense structures in the face of a rising cost environment.

 

The Board recognized the inherent limitations of any analysis of economies of scale, stemming largely from the Board’s understanding that most of PGIM Investments’ costs are not specific to any individual funds, but rather are incurred across a variety of products and services.

 

Other Benefits to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML

 

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, PGIML and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Investments included benefits to its reputation or other intangible benefits resulting from PGIM Investments’ association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by PGIM and PGIML included the ability to use soft dollar credits, as well as the potential benefits consistent with those generally resulting from an increase in assets under management, specifically, potential access to additional research resources and benefits to their reputations. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to funds.

 

Performance of the Fund / Fees and Expenses

 

The Board considered certain additional factors and made related conclusions relating to the historical performance of the Fund for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2019.

 

The Board also considered the Fund’s actual management fee, as well as the Fund’s net total expense ratio, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019. The Board considered the management fee for the Fund as compared to the management fee charged by PGIM Investments to other funds and the fee charged by other advisers to comparable funds in a Peer Group. The actual management fee represents the fee rate actually paid by Fund shareholders and includes any fee waivers or reimbursements. The net total expense ratio for the Fund represents the actual expense ratio incurred by Fund shareholders.

 

The funds included in the Peer Universe, which was used to consider performance, and the Peer Group, which was used to consider expenses and fees, were objectively determined by Broadridge, an independent provider of fund data. In certain circumstances, PGIM Investments also provided supplemental Peer Universe or Peer Group information for

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


 

reasons addressed with the Board. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles over various periods, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the funds (for performance, the best performing funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost funds).

 

The section below summarizes key factors considered by the Board and the Board’s conclusions regarding the Fund’s performance, fees and overall expenses. The table sets forth net performance comparisons (which reflect the impact on performance of fund expenses, or any subsidies, expense caps or waivers that may be applicable) with the Peer Universe, actual management fees with the Peer Group (which reflect the impact of any subsidies or fee waivers), and net total expenses with the Peer Group, each of which were key factors considered by the Board.

 

Net Performance    1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
    

2nd Quartile

   2nd Quartile    2nd Quartile    N/A
Actual Management Fees: 4th Quartile
Net Total Expenses: 2nd Quartile

 

 

The Board noted that Fund outperformed its benchmark index over all periods.

 

The Board concluded that, in light of the above, it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to renew the agreements.

 

The Board concluded that the management fees (including subadvisory and sub-subadvisory fees) and total expenses were reasonable in light of the services provided.

 

*    *    *

 

After full consideration of these factors, the Board concluded that the approval of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.


Privacy Notice

 

Prudential values your business and your trust. We respect the privacy of your personal information and take our responsibility to protect it seriously. This privacy notice is provided on behalf of the Prudential companies listed at the end of this notice (Prudential), and applies to our current and former customers. This notice describes how we treat the information we receive about you, including the ways in which we will share your personal information within Prudential and your right to opt out of such sharing.

 

Protecting Your Personal Information

We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information. The people who are authorized to have access to your personal information need it to do their jobs, and we require them to keep that information secure and confidential.

 

Personal Information We Collect

We collect your personal information when you fill out applications and other forms, when you enter personal details on our websites, when you respond to our emails, and when you provide us information over the telephone. We also collect personal information that others give us about you. This information includes, for example:

   

name

   

address, email address, telephone number, and other contact information

   

income and financial information

   

Social Security number

   

transaction history

   

medical information for insurance applications

   

consumer reports from consumer reporting agencies

   

participant information from organizations that purchase products or services from us for the benefit of their members or employees

 

Using Your Information

We use your personal information for various business purposes, including:

   

normal everyday business purposes, such as providing services to you and administrating your account or policy

   

business research and analysis

   

marketing products and services of Prudential and other companies in which you may be interested

   

as required by law

 

LOGO

 

 

Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

  

Privacy Ed 1/2021

D6021


Sharing Your Information

We may share your personal information, including information about your transactions and experiences, among Prudential companies and with other non-Prudential companies who perform services for us or on our behalf, for our everyday business purposes, such as providing services to you and administering your account or policy. We may also share your personal information with another financial institution if you agree that your account or policy can be transferred to that financial company.

 

We may share your personal information among Prudential companies so that the Prudential companies can market their products and services to you. We may also share consumer report information among Prudential companies which may include information about you from credit reports and certain information that we receive from you and from consumer reporting agencies or other third parties. You can limit this sharing by following the instructions described in this notice. For those customers who have one of our products through a plan sponsored by an employer or other organization, we will share your personal information in a manner consistent with the terms of the plan agreement or consistent with our agreement with you.

 

We may also share your personal information as permitted or required by law, including, for example, to law enforcement officials and regulators, in response to subpoenas, and to prevent fraud.

 

Unless you agree otherwise, we do not share your personal information with non-Prudential companies for them to market their products or services to you. We may tell you about a product or service that other companies offer and, if you respond, that company will know that we selected you to receive the information.

 

Limiting Our Sharing—Opt Out/Privacy Choice

You may tell us not to share your personal information among Prudential companies for marketing purposes, and not to share consumer report information among Prudential companies, by “opting out” of such sharing. To limit our sharing for these purposes:

   

visit us online at: www.prudential.com/privacyoptout

   

call us at: 1-877-248-4019

 

If you previously told us since 2016 not to share your personal information among Prudential companies for marketing purposes, or not to share your consumer report information among Prudential companies, you do not need to tell us not to share your information again.

 

You are not able to limit our ability to share your personal information among Prudential companies and with other non-Prudential companies for servicing and administration purposes.

 

Questions

If you have any questions about how we protect, use, and share your personal information or about this privacy notice, please call us. The toll-free number is 1-877-248-4019.


We reserve the right to modify this notice at any time. This notice is also available anytime at www.prudential.com.

 

This notice is being provided to customers and former customers of the Prudential companies listed below.

 

Insurance Companies and Insurance Company Separate Accounts

 

The Prudential Insurance Company of America; Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation; Pruco Life Insurance Company; Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey; Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (PRIAC); CG Variable Annuity Account I and CG Variable Annuity Account II; Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey; All insurance company separate accounts that include the following names or are otherwise identified as maintained by an entity that includes the following names: Prudential, Pruco, or PRIAC

 

Insurance Agencies

 

Prudential Insurance Agency, LLC; Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services, LLC; Assurance IQ, LLC.

 

Broker-Dealers and Registered Investment Advisers

 

AST Investment Services, Inc.; Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc.; Global Portfolio Strategies, Inc.; Pruco Securities, LLC; PGIM, Inc.; Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; PGIM Investments LLC; Prudential Private Placement Investors, L.P., Prudential Customer Solutions LLC; QMA LLC; Jennison Associates LLC

 

Bank and Trust Companies

 

Prudential Bank & Trust, FSB; Prudential Trust Company

 

Investment Companies and Other Investment Vehicles

 

PGIM Funds; Prudential Insurance Funds; Prudential Capital Partners, L.P.; Advanced Series Trust; PGIM Private Placement Investors, Inc.; All funds that include the following names: Prudential, PCP, PGIM, PEP, or PCEP

 

Other Companies

 

Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services, LLC; Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC

 

Vermont Residents: We will not share information about your creditworthiness among Prudential companies, other than as permitted by Vermont law, unless you authorize us to make those disclosures.


 MAIL    MAIL (OVERNIGHT)    TELEPHONE

Computershare

P.O. Box 30170

College Station, TX 77842-3170

  Computershare

211 Quality Circle

Suite 210

College Station, TX 77845

  (800) 451-6788
   WEBSITE
  pgim.com/investments

 

PROXY VOTING
The Board of Directors of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s subadviser the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Fund. A description of these proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 451-6788 or by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

 

DIRECTORS
Ellen S. Alberding Kevin J. Bannon Scott E. Benjamin Linda W. Bynoe  Barry H. Evans Keith F. Hartstein Laurie Simon Hodrick Stuart S. Parker Brian K. Reid Grace C. Torres

 

OFFICERS

Stuart S. Parker, President Scott E. Benjamin, Vice President Christian J. Kelly, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Claudia DiGiacomo, Chief Legal Officer Dino Capasso, Chief Compliance Officer Andrew R. French, Secretary Melissa Gonzalez, Assistant Secretary Diana N. Huffman, Assistant Secretary Patrick McGuinness, Assistant Secretary Debra Rubano, Assistant Secretary Lana Lomuti, Assistant Treasurer Russ Shupak, Assistant Treasurer  Elyse McLaughlin, Assistant Treasurer Deborah Conway, Assistant Treasurer

 

MANAGER   PGIM Investments LLC   655 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102

 

SUBADVISER   PGIM Fixed Income  

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

CUSTODIAN   The Bank of New York Mellon   240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286

 

TRANSFER AGENT   Computershare Trust Company, N.A.   PO Box 30170
College Station, TX
77842-3170

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  

300 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10017

 

FUND COUNSEL   Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP   787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019

 


SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Directors by writing to the Chair of the Board, PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., PGIM Investments, Attn: Board of Directors, 655 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102. Shareholders can communicate directly with an individual Director by writing to the same address. Communications are not screened before being delivered to the addressee.

 

AVAILABILITY OF PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at sec.gov.

 

CERTIFICATIONS
The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer has submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the required annual certifications and the Fund has also included the certifications of the Fund’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, on the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the Commission, for the period of this report.

 

An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing.

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock at market prices.


LOGO

 

 

 

PGIM HIGH YIELD BOND FUND, INC.

 

NYSE   ISD
CUSIP   69346H100

 

PICE1000E2


Item 2 – 

Code of Ethics – Not required, as this is not an annual filing.

 

Item 3 – 

Audit Committee Financial Expert – Not required, as this is not an annual filing.

 

Item 4 – 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services – Not required, as this is not an annual filing.

 

Item 5 – 

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants – Not applicable.

 

Item 6 – 

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

 

Item 7 – 

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not required, as this is not an annual filing.

 

Item 8 – 

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not required, as this is not an annual filing.

 

Item 9 – 

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not applicable.

 

Item 10 – 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – There have been no material changes to these procedures.

 

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 has been no significant change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12 – 

Controls and Procedures—Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End

Management Investment Companies – None.

 

Item 13 – 

Exhibits

 

     (a   (1) Code of Ethics – Not required, as this is not an annual filing.
    

(2)  Certifications pursuant to Section  302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.CERT.

    

(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1. – Not applicable.

     (b   Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.906CERT.


SIGNATURES

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

 

Registrant:           PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.
By:   /s/ Andrew R. French
  Andrew R. French
  Secretary
Date:   January 19, 2021

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/ Stuart S. Parker
  Stuart S. Parker
  President and Principal Executive Officer
Date:   January 19, 2021
By:   /s/ Christian J. Kelly
  Christian J. Kelly
  Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
Date:  

January 19, 2021