N-CSR 1 d22394dncsr.htm PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS, INC. 15 Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15

 

 

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:    811-02896
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter:    Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15
Address of principal executive offices:    655 Broad Street, 17th Floor
   Newark, New Jersey 07102
Name and address of agent for service:    Deborah A. Docs
   655 Broad Street, 17th Floor
   Newark, New Jersey 07102
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    800-225-1852
Date of fiscal year end:    8/31/2015
Date of reporting period:    8/31/2015

 

 

 


Item 1 – Reports to Stockholders –


LOGO

 

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS»MUTUAL FUNDS

 

PRUDENTIAL HIGH YIELD FUND

 

ANNUAL REPORT · AUGUST 31, 2015

 

 

Objectives

Current income, and capital appreciation as a secondary objective

 

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

 

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.

 

Mutual funds are distributed by Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS), a Prudential Financial company and member SIPC. Prudential Fixed Income is a unit of Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (PIM), a registered investment adviser. PIMS and PIM are Prudential Financial companies. ©2015 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. Prudential Investments LLC, Prudential, the Prudential logo, Bring Your Challenges, and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

 

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October 15, 2015

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

We hope you find the annual report for the Prudential High Yield Fund informative and useful. The report covers performance for the 12-month period that ended August 31, 2015.

 

Since market conditions change over time, 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. Keep in mind, however, that diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

 

Prudential Investments® is dedicated to helping you solve your toughest investment challenges—whether it’s capital growth, reliable income, or protection from market volatility and other risks. We offer the expertise of Prudential Financial’s affiliated asset managers that strive to be leaders in a broad range of funds to help you stay on course to the future you envision. They also manage money for major corporations and pension funds around the world, which means you benefit from the same expertise, innovation, and attention to risk demanded by today’s most sophisticated investors.

 

Thank you for choosing the Prudential Investments family of funds.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

Stuart S. Parker, President

Prudential High Yield Fund

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     1   


Your Fund’s Performance (Unaudited)

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the past performance data quoted. An investor may obtain performance data as of the most recent month-end by visiting our website at www.prudentialfunds.com or by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

Cumulative Total Returns (Without Sales Charges) as of 8/31/15

  

    One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception  

Class A

    –1.39     41.20     98.29       

Class B

    –2.06        37.80        88.77          

Class C

    –2.31        36.22        86.68          

Class Q

    –1.20        N/A         N/A         29.03% (10/31/11)   

Class R

    –1.63        39.46        93.90          

Class Z

    –1.29        43.15        103.44          

Barclays US Corporate High Yield
1% Issuer Capped Index

    –3.06        41.90        103.11          

Lipper High Yield
Funds Average

    –3.38        36.24        80.98          
       

Average Annual Total Returns (With Sales Charges) as of 9/30/15

  

    One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception  

Class A

    –6.01     5.10     6.39       

Class B

    –6.71        5.36        6.35          

Class C

    –3.25        5.27        6.23          

Class Q

    –1.20        N/A         N/A         6.15% (10/31/11)   

Class R

    –1.82        5.81        6.66          

Class Z

    –1.30        6.32        7.17          

Barclays US Corporate High Yield
1% Issuer Capped Index

    –3.42        6.11        7.17          

Lipper High Yield
Funds Average

    –3.77        5.18        5.87          

 

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Average Annual Total Returns (With Sales Charges) as of 8/31/15

     One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception

Class A

     –5.83     6.16     6.59  

Class B

     –6.69        6.47        6.56     

Class C

     –3.23        6.38        6.44     

Class Q

     –1.20        N/A         N/A       6.87% (10/31/11)

Class R

     –1.63        6.88        6.85     

Class Z

     –1.29        7.44        7.36     
        
Average Annual Total Returns (Without Sales Charges) as of 8/31/15
     One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception

Class A

     –1.39     7.14     7.09  

Class B

     –2.06        6.62        6.56     

Class C

     –2.31        6.38        6.44     

Class Q

     –1.20        N/A         N/A       6.87% (10/31/11)

Class R

     –1.63        6.88        6.85     

Class Z

     –1.29        7.44        7.36     

 

Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

 

The graph compares a $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class A shares with a similar investment in the Barclays US Corporate High Yield 1% Issuer Capped Index by portraying the initial account values at the beginning of the 10-year period for Class A shares (August 31, 2005) and the account values at the end of the current fiscal year (August 31, 2015) as measured on a quarterly basis. For purposes of the graph, and unless otherwise indicated, it has been assumed that (a) the maximum applicable front-end sales charge was deducted

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     3   


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

from the initial $10,000 investment in Class A shares; (b) all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted; and (c) all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The line graph provides information for Class A shares only. As indicated in the tables provided earlier, performance for Class B, Class C, Class Q, Class R, and Class Z shares will vary due to the differing charges and expenses applicable to each share class (as indicated in the following paragraphs). Without waiver of fees and/or expense reimbursement, if any, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

Past performance does not predict future performance. Total returns and the ending account values in the graphs include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in a hypothetical investment for the periods shown. The Fund’s total returns do not reflect the deduction of income taxes on an individual’s investment. Taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares.

 

Source: Prudential Investments LLC and Lipper Inc.

Inception returns are provided for any share class with less than 10 calendar years of returns.

 

The returns in the tables do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or following the redemption of Fund shares. The average annual total returns take into account applicable sales charges, which are described for each share class in the table below.

 

  Class A   Class B*   Class C   Class Q   Class R   Class Z

Maximum initial sales charge

  4.50% of
the public
offering
price
  None   None   None   None   None

Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or net asset value at redemption)

  1% on sales
of $1 million
or more
made within
12 months of
purchase
  5% (Yr. 1)
4% (Yr. 2)
3% (Yr. 3)
2% (Yr. 4)
1% (Yr. 5)
1% (Yr. 6)
0% (Yr. 7)
  1% on sales
made within
12 months
of purchase
  None   None   None

Annual distribution and service (12b-1) fees (shown as a percentage of average daily net assets)

  .25%   .75%   1%   None   .75%
(.50%
currently)
  None

 

*Class B shares are closed to all purchase activity and no additional Class B shares may be purchased or acquired except by exchange from Class B shares of another Fund or through dividend or capital gains reinvestment.

 

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Benchmark Definitions

 

Barclays US Corporate High Yield 1% Issuer Capped Index

The Barclays US Corporate High Yield 1% Issuer Capped Index (the Index) is an unmanaged index which covers the universe of US dollar-denominated, non-convertible, fixed rate, non-investment-grade debt. Issuers are capped at 1% of the Index. Index holdings must have at least one year to final maturity, at least $150 million par amount outstanding, and be publicly issued with a rating of Ba1 or lower. The cumulative total return for the Index measured from the month-end closest to the inception date for Class Q shares through 8/31/15 is 27.83%. The average annual total return for the Index measured from the month-end closest to the inception date for Class Q shares through 9/30/15 is 5.79%.

 

Lipper High Yield Funds Average

The Lipper High Yield Funds Average (Lipper Average) is based on the average return of all funds in the Lipper High Yield Funds category for the periods noted. Funds in the Lipper Average aim at high (relative) current yield from fixed income securities, have no quality or maturity restrictions, and tend to invest in lower-grade debt issues. The cumulative total return for the Lipper Average measured from the month-end closest to the inception date for Class Q shares through 8/31/15 is 24.44%. The average annual total return for the Lipper Average measured from the month-end closest to the inception date for Class Q shares through 9/30/15 is 5.02%.

 

Investors cannot invest directly in an index or average. The returns for the Index would be lower if they included the effects of sales charges, operating expenses of a mutual fund, or taxes. Returns for the Lipper Average reflect the deduction of operating expenses, but not sales charges or taxes. The Since Inception returns for the Index and the Lipper Average are measured from the closest month-end to the inception date for the indicated share class.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     5   


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

 

Distributions and Yields as of 8/31/15

   

     
     Total Distributions
Paid for 12 Months
    

30-Day Subsidized

SEC Yield*

     30-Day Unsubsidized
SEC Yield**
 

Class A

   $ 0.34         6.02      6.02

Class B

     0.31         5.80         5.80   

Class C

     0.30         5.55         5.55   

Class Q

     0.36         6.69         6.69   

Class R

     0.33         6.05         5.79   

Class Z

     0.36         6.54         6.54   

 

*SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield (%)—A standardized yield calculation created by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it reflects the income earned during a 30-day period, after the deduction of the fund’s net expenses (net of any expense waivers or reimbursements).

**SEC 30-Day Unsubsidized Yield (%)—A standardized yield calculation created by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it reflects the income earned during a 30-day period, after the deduction of the Fund’s gross expenses.

 

Credit Quality expressed as a percentage of total investments as of 8/31/15

  

BBB

     2.2

BB

     40.7   

B

     40.7   

CCC

     13.9   

Not Rated

     0.0   

Cash/Cash Equivalents

     2.5   

Total Investments

     100.0

 

Source: Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (PIM)

Credit ratings reflect the highest rating assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) such as Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (Moody’s), Standard & Poor’s (S&P), or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings reflect the common nomenclature used by both S&P and Fitch. Where applicable, ratings are converted to the comparable S&P/Fitch rating tier nomenclature. These rating agencies are independent and are widely used. The Not Rated category consists of securities that have not been rated by a NRSRO. Credit ratings are subject to change.

 

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Strategy and Performance Overview

 

How did the Fund perform?

 

The Prudential High Yield Fund’s Class A shares returned –1.39% during the 12-month reporting period that ended August 31, 2015. The Fund’s Class A shares outperformed the –3.06% return of the Barclays US Corporate High Yield 1% Issuer Capped Index (the Index) and the –3.38% return of the Lipper High Yield Funds Average.

 

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

   

High yield corporate bonds struggled throughout the reporting period. The broad high yield corporate bond market (as represented by the Index) faced several hurdles, including continued volatility in oil prices, investor concerns about Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hikes, weakness in the Chinese equity market, fears of a global recession, and uncertainty regarding the Greek debt situation.

 

   

With the exception of energy and metals and mining companies, the performance of high yield corporate bonds was driven by the ongoing search for yield, against a backdrop of generally strong fundamentals for high yield issuers and default rates that remained well below historical averages.

 

   

Overall, high yield debt securities with healthier fundamentals performed best. Higher-quality bonds rated BB returned 0.2% during the period, outperforming lower-quality bonds rated B and CCC, which declined 3.2% and 10.6%, respectively.

 

   

Among the best performers in the Index were certain financials, including banks and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), as well as consumer-oriented sectors, such as airlines, health care and pharmaceutical, and consumer non-cyclical. Commodity-related sectors, such as energy and metals and mining, were by far the worst performers, with energy declining nearly 20%. Aerospace and defense also retreated, declining 5.1% for the period.

 

What strategies proved most beneficial to the Fund’s performance?

   

The Fund benefited from strong sector and security selection during the reporting period.

 

   

Underweights relative to the Index in the energy and metals and mining sectors, which sold off significantly, were the largest positive contributors to performance.

 

   

The Fund’s overweight positions in the technology, gaming, and utilities sectors added to returns.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     7   


Strategy and Performance Overview (continued)

 

 

   

Solid security selection in the gaming, retail, restaurants, energy, and utilities sectors enhanced results.

 

   

In terms of individual issue selection, the Fund benefited from its underweight in energy names, including oil and natural gas companies Linn Energy, Sandridge Energy, and Chesapeake Energy Corporation. A lack of exposure to Index names in the mining sector, including Alpha Natural Resources and Cliffs Natural Resources, was also positive.

 

What strategies detracted most from the Fund’s performance?

   

Relative to the Index, the Fund’s underweight positions in the banking, telecommunications, cable and satellite, media and entertainment, and consumer sectors hurt performance, as these sectors all outperformed the overall high yield market.

 

   

The Fund was hampered by security selection within the technology, finance, chemicals, and telecommunications sectors.

 

   

In terms of individual issue selection, the largest individual detractors from Fund performance were overweight positions in independent oil and gas exploration company Samson Resources, collection agency Transworld Systems, specialty chemical maker Momentive Specialty Chemicals Holdings, and telecommunications and data networking equipment manufacturer Nortel Network.

 

Did the Fund use derivatives and how did they affect performance?

Derivatives were used in the Fund and are instrumental in attaining specific exposures targeted to gain from anticipated market developments. On various occasions throughout the reporting period, the Fund used the Markit CDX HighYield Index to obtain broad market exposure, which added modestly to the Fund’s performance. The Markit CDX HY is based on a basket of 100 equally weighted credit default swaps on high yield issuers. A credit default swap is similar to buying or selling insurance contracts on a corporation’s debt.

 

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Fees and Expenses (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemptions, as applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses, as applicable. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on March 1, 2015, at the beginning of the period, and held through the six-month period ended August 31, 2015. The example is for illustrative purposes only; you should consult the Prospectus for information on initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements.

 

Actual Expenses

The first line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value ÷ $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 

The Fund’s transfer agent may charge additional fees to holders of certain accounts that are not included in the expenses shown in the table on the following page. These fees apply to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Section 403(b) accounts. As of the close of the six-month period covered by the table, IRA fees included an annual maintenance fee of $15 per account (subject to a maximum annual maintenance fee of $25 for all accounts held by the same shareholder). Section 403(b) accounts are charged an annual $25 fiduciary maintenance fee. Some of the fees may vary in amount, or may be waived, based on your total account balance or the number of

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     9   


Fees and Expenses (continued)

 

Prudential Investments funds, including the Fund, that you own. You should consider the additional fees that were charged to your Fund account over the six-month period when you estimate the total ongoing expenses paid over the period and the impact of these fees on your ending account value, as these additional expenses are not reflected in the information provided in the expense table. Additional fees have the effect of reducing investment returns.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Prudential High
Yield Fund
  Beginning Account
Value
March 1, 2015
    Ending Account
Value
August 31, 2015
    Annualized
Expense Ratio
Based on the
Six-Month Period
    Expenses Paid
During the
Six-Month  Period*
 
         
Class A   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 987.10        0.83   $ 4.16   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.02        0.83   $ 4.23   
         
Class B   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 984.60        1.33   $ 6.65   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.50        1.33   $ 6.77   
         
Class C   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 983.30        1.58   $ 7.90   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.24        1.58   $ 8.03   
         
Class Q   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 988.90        0.46   $ 2.31   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.89        0.46   $ 2.35   
         
Class R   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 985.90        1.08   $ 5.41   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.76        1.08   $ 5.50   
         
Class Z   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 988.50        0.58   $ 2.91   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.28        0.58   $ 2.96   

*Fund expenses (net of fee waivers or subsidies, if any) for each share class are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each share class (provided in the table), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the 184 days in the six-month period ended August 31, 2015, and divided by the 365 days in the Fund’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 (to reflect the six-month period). Expenses presented in the table include the expenses of any underlying portfolios in which the Fund may invest.

 

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The Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the 12-month period ended August 31, 2015, are as follows:

 

Class    Gross Operating Expenses     Net Operating Expenses  

A

     0.85     0.83

B

     1.33        1.33   

C

     1.58        1.58   

Q

     0.46        0.46   

R

     1.33        1.08   

Z

     0.58        0.58   

 

Net operating expenses shown above reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Additional information on Fund expenses and any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements can be found in the “Financial Highlights” tables in this report and in the Notes to the Financial Statements in this report.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     11   


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS    95.4%

  

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES(a)    0.1%

  

Collateralized Loan Obligations

  

Baker Street CLO II Ltd. (Cayman Islands), Series 2006-1A, Class E, 144A

  4.239%     10/15/19        2,851      $ 2,771,388   

Bridgeport CLO Ltd., Series 2007-2A, Class D, 144A(b)

  4.536     06/18/21        2,261        2,135,517   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
(cost $3,302,637)

          4,906,905   
       

 

 

 

BANK LOANS(a)    1.4%

  

Capital Goods    0.1%

  

Neff Rental LLC

  7.250     06/09/21        4,573        4,459,073   

Chemicals    0.2%

  

Solenis International LP

  7.750     07/29/22        7,500        7,200,000   

Energy - Other

  

Amern Energy Marcellus LLC

  8.500     08/04/21        3,825        1,013,625   

Gaming    0.2%

  

CCM Merger, Inc.

  4.500     08/06/21        3,114        3,112,003   

Golden Nugget, Inc.

  5.500     11/21/19        1,448        1,450,033   
       

 

 

 
          4,562,036   

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical

  

Radnet Mgmt., Inc.

  8.000     03/25/21        480        472,200   

Lodging    0.1%

  

Four Seasons Holdings, Inc.

  6.250     12/28/20        1,750        1,750,000   

Technology    0.8%

  

Evergreen Skills Lux Sarl (Luxembourg)

  9.250     04/28/22        16,500        14,547,506   

Kronos, Inc.

  9.750     04/30/20        11,934        12,212,887   
       

 

 

 
          26,760,393   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL BANK LOANS
(cost $50,968,137)

          46,217,327   
       

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     13   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS    93.7%

  

Aerospace & Defense    1.2%

  

Bombardier, Inc. (Canada),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.750%     03/15/22        2,250      $ 1,676,250   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.000     10/15/22        3,525        2,643,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.125     01/15/23        2,832        2,109,840   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.500     03/15/25        3,275        2,480,812   

LMI Aerospace, Inc., Sec’d. Notes

  7.375     07/15/19        3,925        3,787,625   

Orbital ATK, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.250     10/01/21        3,050        3,111,000   

Sequa Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A
(original cost $2,019,250; purchased 12/10/12)(b)(c)(d)

  7.000     12/15/17        2,050        1,066,000   

StandardAero Aviation Holdings, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  10.000     07/15/23        7,000        6,877,500   

TransDigm, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.000     07/15/22        6,325        6,231,074   

Gtd. Notes

  6.500     07/15/24        4,830        4,721,325   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.500     07/15/21        5,200        5,538,000   
       

 

 

 
          40,243,176   

Automotive    3.1%

  

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.250     03/15/21        5,225        5,329,500   

Gtd. Notes

  6.625     10/15/22        275        280,500   

Gtd. Notes

  7.750     11/15/19        700        780,500   

American Tire Distributors, Inc.,
Sr. Subordinated, 144A

  10.250     03/01/22        12,000        12,300,000   

Dana Holding Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.375     09/15/21        2,550        2,556,375   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750     02/15/21        5,785        6,016,400   

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (United Kingdom), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.250     04/15/23        5,875        5,808,906   

Gates Global LLC/Gates Global Co., Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $9,700,000; purchased 06/12/14)(b)(c)(d)

  6.000     07/15/22        9,700        7,906,470   

General Motors Co., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  4.875     10/02/23        2,225        2,265,751   

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC
(United Kingdom), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.625     02/01/23        650        649,188   

Lear Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  4.750     01/15/23        775        769,188   

Gtd. Notes

  5.250     01/15/25        8,700        8,656,500   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Automotive (cont’d.)

  

Meritor, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.250%     02/15/24        5,575      $ 5,400,781   

Gtd. Notes

  6.750     06/15/21        8,180        8,302,700   

Omega US Sub. LLC, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.750     07/15/23        7,425        6,793,875   

Schaeffler Finance BV (Germany), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  4.750     05/15/23        7,200        6,930,000   

Schaeffler Holding Finance BV (Germany), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A(c)

  6.750     11/15/22        1,800        1,921,500   

Titan International, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes(c)

  6.875     10/01/20        4,350        3,893,250   

ZF North America Capital, Inc. (Germany),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  4.500     04/29/22        6,775        6,563,281   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  4.750     04/29/25        8,825        8,361,687   
       

 

 

 
          101,486,352   

Banking    1.9%

                           

Ally Financial, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  3.750     11/18/19        4,050        4,039,875   

Bank of America Corp.,

       

Jr. Sub. Notes(c)

  5.200(a)     12/31/49        2,975        2,809,144   

Jr. Sub. Notes

  6.100(a)     12/31/49        6,875        6,711,719   

Jr. Sub. Notes

  6.250(a)     12/31/49        2,025        2,004,750   

Citigroup, Inc.,

       

Jr. Sub. Notes(c)

  5.800(a)     12/31/49        9,440        9,354,379   

Jr. Sub. Notes

  5.875(a)     12/31/49        4,050        4,012,031   

Jr. Sub. Notes(c)

  5.950(a)     12/31/49        11,975        11,451,094   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), Jr. Sub. Notes

  5.375(a)     12/31/49        3,875        3,795,078   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

       

Jr. Sub. Notes, Series X

  6.100(a)     12/31/49        797        795,749   

Jr. Sub. Notes

  6.125(a)     12/31/49        1,530        1,530,000   

Morgan Stanley,

       

Jr. Sub. Notes

  5.450(a)     12/31/49        5,025        4,987,312   

Jr. Sub. Notes(c)

  5.550(a)     12/31/49        6,550        6,541,812   

Wells Fargo & Co., Jr. Sub. Notes

  5.900(a)     12/31/49        5,025        5,043,844   
       

 

 

 
          63,076,787   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     15   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Building Materials & Construction    5.0%

                           

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.750%     06/15/19        7,225      $ 6,954,062   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.250     02/01/23        4,525        4,332,688   

Gtd. Notes

  7.500     09/15/21        6,625        6,496,607   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  9.125     05/15/19        4,250        4,335,000   

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc. (Canada),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.500     12/15/20        700        698,250   

Sr. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.375     05/15/25        4,100        3,966,750   

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield Residential US Corp. (Canada), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.125     07/01/22        6,623        6,424,310   

Builders FirstSource, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  10.750     08/15/23        9,150        9,287,250   

Building Materials Corp. of America,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,245,000; purchased 10/27/14)(b)(d)

  5.375     11/15/24        6,245        6,245,000   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $2,215,000; purchased 04/19/13)(b)(d)

  6.750     05/01/21        2,000        2,092,500   

Cemex Finance LLC (Mexico), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  9.375     10/12/22        7,400        8,269,500   

Cemex SAB de CV (Mexico), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.700     01/11/25        1,250        1,171,875   

D.R. Horton, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  4.750     02/15/23        10,300        10,351,500   

Gtd. Notes

  6.500     04/15/16        100        102,125   

HD Supply, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.250     12/15/21        4,825        4,957,688   

James Hardie International Finance Ltd. (Australia), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.875     02/15/23        4,050        4,171,500   

KB Home,

       

Gtd. Notes

  7.000     12/15/21        2,800        2,828,000   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.500     09/15/22        5,420        5,582,600   

Gtd. Notes

  7.625     05/15/23        4,725        4,843,125   

Lennar Corp., Gtd. Notes(c)

  4.750     05/30/25        6,575        6,377,750   

Meritage Homes Corp., Gtd. Notes

  6.000     06/01/25        3,575        3,604,029   

Ryland Group, Inc. (The), Gtd. Notes

  5.375     10/01/22        3,675        3,702,563   

Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.875     04/01/23        2,000        2,045,000   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.125     04/01/25        5,750        5,879,375   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Building Materials & Construction (cont’d.)

                           

Standard Pacific Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.875%     11/15/24        1,752      $ 1,795,800   

Gtd. Notes

  6.250     12/15/21        5,975        6,348,437   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  8.375     01/15/21        2,700        3,172,500   

Gtd. Notes

  10.750     09/15/16        2,725        2,970,250   

Summit Materials LLC/Summit Materials Finance Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,725,000; purchased 06/23/15)(b)(d)

  6.125     07/15/23        6,725        6,691,375   

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc./Monarch Communities, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.625     03/01/24        4,300        4,192,500   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.875     04/15/23        8,400        8,421,000   

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  4.000     12/31/18        600        612,000   

USG Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.500     03/01/25        725        721,375   

WCI Communities, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  6.875     08/15/21        9,375        9,820,312   

William Lyon Homes, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.000     08/15/22        5,775        5,962,688   
       

 

 

 
          165,427,284   

Cable    3.6%

                           

Cablevision Systems Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  7.750     04/15/18        3,000        3,232,200   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.625     09/15/17        8,475        9,258,937   

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.250     03/15/21        620        626,200   

Gtd. Notes

  5.250     09/30/22        500        504,000   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.750     09/01/23        4,729        4,822,634   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.750     01/15/24        1,230        1,254,600   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.125     05/01/23        2,650        2,650,000   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.375     05/01/25        3,150        3,059,438   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.875     05/01/27        23,017        22,556,660   

Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC/Cequel Capital Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.125     12/15/21        8,960        8,209,600   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.125     12/15/21        10,090        9,244,962   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.375     09/15/20        5,025        4,933,294   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     17   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Cable (cont’d.)

                           

CSC Holdings LLC,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750%     11/15/21        1,600      $ 1,678,000   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.625     07/15/18        875        958,125   

DISH DBS Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.875     07/15/22        3,075        2,907,812   

Gtd. Notes

  5.875     11/15/24        4,025        3,667,781   

Inmarsat Finance PLC (United Kingdom), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  4.875     05/15/22        3,700        3,596,030   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg),

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.500     08/01/23        12,750        11,220,000   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.250     10/15/20        4,600        4,421,750   

Mediacom Broadband LLC/Mediacom Broadband Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.500     04/15/21        3,799        3,723,020   

Midcontinent Communications & Midcontinent Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.875     08/15/23        2,975        2,997,313   

Quebecor Media, Inc. (Canada),
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.750     01/15/23        10,266        10,368,660   

Unitymedia KabelBW GmbH (Germany), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.125     01/15/25        2,875        2,946,875   
       

 

 

 
          118,837,891   

Capital Goods    7.5%

                           

ADS Waste Holdings, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  8.250     10/01/20        5,025        5,200,875   

AECOM Technology Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.875     10/15/24        10,025        10,100,187   

Ahern Rentals, Inc., Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.375     05/15/23        5,325        4,659,375   

Anixter, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.500     03/01/23        5,800        5,800,000   

Apex Tool Group LLC, Gtd. Notes, 144A
(original cost $1,880,000; purchased 09/17/14)(b)(c)(d)

  7.000     02/01/21        2,000        1,680,000   

Ashtead Capital, Inc. (United Kingdom), Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.500     07/15/22        8,700        9,048,000   

ATS Automation Tooling Systems, Inc. (Canada), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.500     06/15/23        4,400        4,433,000   

Belden, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.500     09/01/22        3,800        3,743,000   

BlueLine Rental Finance Corp., Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $2,062,875; purchased 01/16/14-02/12/14)(b)(c)(d)

  7.000     02/01/19        2,025        1,913,625   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Capital Goods (cont’d.)

                           

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $4,650,000; purchased 11/22/13)(b)(d)

  8.500%     12/01/21        4,650      $ 4,161,750   

Case New Holland, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.875     12/01/17        4,335        4,698,706   

CBRE Services, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.000     03/15/23        7,575        7,647,175   

Clean Harbors, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.125     06/01/21        3,200        3,231,680   

Gtd. Notes

  5.250     08/01/20        4,900        4,998,000   

Cleaver-Brooks, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $4,857,500; purchased 04/08/13-12/11/14)(b)(d)

  8.750     12/15/19        4,500        4,325,625   

CNH Industrial Capital LLC, Gtd. Notes(c)

  3.625     04/15/18        3,027        3,004,298   

Dycom Investments, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.125     01/15/21        5,275        5,499,187   

EnPro Industries, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.875     09/15/22        4,575        4,597,875   

General Cable Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.750     10/01/22        5,487        4,910,865   

Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC, Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,000,000; purchased 11/10/14)(b)(d)

  8.250     12/01/22        6,000        6,255,000   

Griffon Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.250     03/01/22        11,500        11,011,250   

H&E Equipment Services, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.000     09/01/22        12,255        12,193,725   

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.750     09/01/23        2,425        2,467,438   

International Wire Group Holdings, Inc., Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  8.500     10/15/17        5,925        6,102,750   

Jurassic Holdings III, Inc., Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $11,404,406; purchased 01/24/14-05/06/15)(b)(c)(d)

  6.875     02/15/21        11,760        8,261,400   

Laureate Education, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  10.000     09/01/19        16,645        13,960,994   

Manitowoc Co., Inc. (The), Gtd. Notes

  5.875     10/15/22        2,450        2,613,202   

Modular Space Corp., Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $1,700,000; purchased 02/19/14)(b)(c)(d)

  10.250     01/31/19        1,700        1,241,000   

NES Rentals Holdings, Inc., Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $7,483,674; purchased 04/12/13-11/10/14)(b)(d)

  7.875     05/01/18        7,359        7,303,807   

Safway Group Holding LLC/Safway Finance Corp., Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.000     05/15/18        2,000        2,039,780   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     19   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Capital Goods (cont’d.)

                           

Signode Industrial Group Lux SA/Signode Industrial Group US, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $12,981,063; purchased 04/07/14-07/11/14)(b)(c)(d)

  6.375%     05/01/22        12,900      $ 12,448,500   

Terex Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.000     05/15/21        6,175        6,236,750   

Gtd. Notes

  6.500     04/01/20        4,225        4,383,437   

Unifrax I LLC/Unifrax Holding Co., Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $5,471,120; purchased 10/10/13-02/02/15)(b)(d)

  7.500     02/15/19        5,404        5,390,490   

United Rentals North America, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.500     07/15/25        6,150        5,934,750   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.750     11/15/24        4,775        4,703,375   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.125     06/15/23        2,700        2,754,000   

Gtd. Notes

  7.375     05/15/20        2,400        2,547,000   

Gtd. Notes

  7.625     04/15/22        15,930        17,164,575   

Gtd. Notes

  8.250     02/01/21        3,213        3,397,748   

Vander Intermediate Holding II Corp.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A

  9.750     02/01/19        8,100        7,067,250   

WireCo WorldGroup, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  9.500     05/15/17        9,675        8,223,750   
       

 

 

 
          247,355,194   

Chemicals    3.9%

                           

A Schulman, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.875     06/01/23        6,400        6,368,000   

Axalta Coating Systems U.S. Holdings, Inc./Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holdings, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.375     05/01/21        7,600        8,131,240   

Axiall Corp., Gtd. Notes(c)

  4.875     05/15/23        2,100        2,037,000   

Chemours Co./The,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.625     05/15/23        5,950        5,176,500   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.000     05/15/25        5,700        4,873,500   

Chemtura Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.750     07/15/21        16,155        16,195,387   

Eagle Spinco, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  4.625     02/15/21        2,675        2,608,125   

Hexion U.S. Finance Corp.,

       

Sec’d. Notes

  9.000     11/15/20        21,905        15,004,925   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes(c)

  6.625     04/15/20        11,475        10,700,438   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes(c)

  8.875     02/01/18        7,750        6,742,500   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  10.000     04/15/20        4,575        4,666,500   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Chemicals (cont’d.)

                           

Koppers, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.875%     12/01/19        9,259      $ 9,421,033   

Platform Specialty Products Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.500     02/01/22        8,925        8,642,345   

Rentech Nitrogen Partners LP/Rentech Nitrogen Finance Corp., Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.500     04/15/21        8,350        8,446,192   

TPC Group, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $15,970,188; purchased 12/11/12-02/20/15)(b)(c)(d)

  8.750     12/15/20        15,750        14,096,250   

Tronox Finance LLC, Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.375     08/15/20        5,587        4,581,340   
       

 

 

 
          127,691,275   

Consumer    2.1%

                           

Carlson Wagonlit BV (Netherlands), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $3,100,000; purchased 05/09/12)(b)(d)

  6.875     06/15/19        3,100        3,255,000   

Energizer Spinco, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.500     06/15/25        3,775        3,675,906   

First Quality Finance Co., Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  4.625     05/15/21        5,970        5,611,800   

Hearthside Group Holdings LLC/Hearthside Finance Co., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.500     05/01/22        5,825        5,475,500   

Interval Acquisition Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.625     04/15/23        4,800        4,740,000   

Service Corp. International,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.375     01/15/22        975        1,022,531   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.375     05/15/24        8,775        9,126,000   

Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp., Gtd. Notes

  6.375     11/15/20        4,125        4,367,344   

Spectrum Brands, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.750     07/15/25        4,800        4,944,000   

Springs Industries, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  6.250     06/01/21        20,336        20,183,480   

West Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.375     07/15/22        6,025        5,663,500   
       

 

 

 
          68,065,061   

Electric    6.2%

                           

AES Corp. (The),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  4.875     05/15/23        2,375        2,208,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  5.500     03/15/24        2,375        2,268,125   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  7.375     07/01/21        12,798        13,789,845   

Calpine Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.000     01/15/22        1,475        1,569,031   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.875     01/15/23        6,770        7,243,900   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     21   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Electric (cont’d.)

                           

Calpine Corp., (Continued)

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  5.375%     01/15/23        11,125      $ 10,732,287   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.500     02/01/24        13,900        13,413,500   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  5.750     01/15/25        5,900        5,715,625   

Covanta Holding Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.875     03/01/24        2,075        2,023,125   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  6.375     10/01/22        1,975        2,029,313   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.250     12/01/20        750        782,850   

DPL, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.500     10/15/16        787        806,675   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750     10/01/19        4,275        4,467,375   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.250     10/15/21        16,230        16,737,187   

Dynegy, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.875     06/01/23        7,925        7,568,375   

Gtd. Notes

  7.375     11/01/22        29,025        30,040,875   

Gtd. Notes

  7.625     11/01/24        14,360        14,945,888   

GenOn Americas Generation LLC, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.500     10/01/21        1,000        870,000   

GenOn Energy, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.875     06/15/17        1,950        1,862,250   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  9.500     10/15/18        3,375        3,244,219   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  9.875     10/15/20        13,825        13,064,625   

InterGen NV (Netherlands), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $4,212,047; purchased 06/07/13-04/09/15)(b)(d)

  7.000     06/30/23        4,300        3,751,750   

Mirant Corp., Bonds, 144A(b)(e)

  7.400     07/15/49        2,675        2,675   

Mirant Mid Atlantic LLC,

       

Pass-Through Certificates, Series B

  9.125     06/30/17        1,726        1,795,496   

Pass-Through Certificates, Series C(c)

  10.060     12/30/28        706        725,347   

NRG Energy, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.250     07/15/22        9,167        8,937,825   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.250     05/01/24        9,200        8,740,000   

Gtd. Notes

  7.625     01/15/18        3,425        3,613,375   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.875     05/15/21        4,980        5,141,850   

Gtd. Notes

  8.250     09/01/20        4,125        4,259,063   

NRG REMA LLC,

       

Pass-Through Certificates, Series B(b)

  9.237     07/02/17        117        123,258   

Pass-Through Certificates, Series C

  9.681     07/02/26        7,565        7,716,300   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Electric (cont’d.)

                           

Red Oak Power LLC, Sr. Sec’d. Notes (original cost $224,500; purchased 05/27/15)(b)(d)

  9.200%     11/30/29        200      $ 224,000   

RJS Power Holdings LLC, Gtd. Notes, 144A

  4.625(a)     07/15/19        5,125        4,843,125   
       

 

 

 
          205,257,884   

Energy - Integrated    0.1%

                           

Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp. (Colombia), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.375     01/26/19        5,000        2,700,000   

Energy - Other    4.7%

                           

Antero Resources Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.125     12/01/22        2,100        1,900,941   

Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.750     02/01/23        2,625        1,785,000   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.750     04/15/21        3,775        2,793,500   

Bristow Group, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  6.250     10/15/22        3,100        2,728,000   

California Resources Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.500     09/15/21        3,050        2,364,909   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.000     11/15/24        18,800        13,940,200   

CGG SA (France),

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.500     06/01/21        2,200        1,237,500   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.875     01/15/22        1,465        842,375   

Gtd. Notes

  7.750     05/15/17        523        415,785   

Citgo Holding, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  10.750     02/15/20        9,600        9,480,000   

Concho Resources, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.500     04/01/23        1,835        1,812,815   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.500     01/15/22        500        510,105   

CSI Compressco LP/Compressco Finance, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.250     08/15/22        5,875        4,817,500   

Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.000     08/15/21        5,395        5,045,458   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  8.125     09/15/23        2,450        2,376,500   

EP Energy LLC/EP Energy Finance, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  9.375     05/01/20        490        474,565   

Halcon Resources Corp., Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.625     02/01/20        3,950        3,466,125   

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $9,450,000; purchased 05/20/15)(b)(d)

  5.750     10/01/25        9,450        8,505,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     23   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Energy - Other (cont’d.)

                           

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.875%     04/01/20        3,175      $ 2,540,000   

Jupiter Resources, Inc. (Canada), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,083,618; purchased 09/11/14)(b)(c)(d)

  8.500     10/01/22        6,350        3,968,750   

MEG Energy Corp. (Canada), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.500     03/15/21        11,150        9,315,825   

Memorial Resource Development Corp., Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.875     07/01/22        7,225        6,574,750   

Newfield Exploration Co.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.375     01/01/26        6,025        5,603,250   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.750     01/30/22        1,906        1,879,793   

Parker Drilling Co., Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.500     08/01/20        2,000        1,670,000   

PHI, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.250     03/15/19        3,525        3,022,687   

Pioneer Energy Services Corp., Gtd. Notes

  6.125     03/15/22        2,375        1,353,750   

Precision Drilling Corp. (Canada),

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.500     12/15/21        1,875        1,593,750   

Gtd. Notes

  6.625     11/15/20        2,000        1,760,000   

QEP Resources, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.250     05/01/23        2,550        2,206,260   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.375     10/01/22        2,300        1,983,750   

Range Resources Corp., Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.000     08/15/22        2,014        1,857,915   

Rice Energy, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.250     05/01/23        5,800        5,394,000   

SESI LLC, Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.375     05/01/19        1,148        1,142,260   

Seventy Seven Energy, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  6.500     07/15/22        1,800        837,000   

Triangle USA Petroleum Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.750     07/15/22        5,170        3,102,000   

Tullow Oil PLC (United Kingdom), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.000     11/01/20        7,150        5,291,000   

Western Refining Logistics LP/WNRL Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  7.500     02/15/23        6,000        6,060,000   

Western Refining, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  6.250     04/01/21        8,380        8,296,200   

WPX Energy, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  6.000     01/15/22        12,933        10,928,385   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  8.250     08/01/23        4,925        4,740,312   
       

 

 

 
          155,617,915   

Foods    4.5%

                           

Acosta, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.750     10/01/22        13,450        13,323,839   

B&G Foods, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  4.625     06/01/21        4,200        4,089,750   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Foods (cont’d.)

                           

Burger King Worldwide Funds (Canada), Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.000%     04/01/22        7,125      $ 7,338,750   

CEC Entertainment, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  8.000     02/15/22        10,350        10,350,000   

Cott Beverages, Inc. (Canada), Gtd. Notes

  6.750     01/01/20        5,275        5,472,813   

Darling Ingredients, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.375     01/15/22        4,950        4,888,125   

Ingles Markets, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.750     06/15/23        6,050        6,186,125   

JBS USA LLC/JBS USA Finance, Inc. (Brazil),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $7,437,875; purchased 09/13/13-10/15/13)(b)(d)

  7.250     06/01/21        7,450        7,775,937   

Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $3,537,130; purchased 05/20/11-11/16/11)(b)(c)(d)

  7.250     06/01/21        3,675        3,835,781   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,615,000; purchased 05/20/15)(b)(d)

  5.750     06/15/25        6,615        6,416,550   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,448,688; purchased 06/11/14-07/04/14)(b)(c)(d)

  5.875     07/15/24        6,450        6,425,812   

Landry’s, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $10,932,069; purchased 04/19/12-02/10/15)(b)(d)

  9.375     05/01/20        10,590        11,318,062   

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.750     03/15/25        3,300        3,374,250   

Post Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.375     02/15/22        10,900        11,172,500   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.000     12/15/22        9,325        8,998,625   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.750     12/01/21        3,375        3,400,313   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.000     07/15/25        5,575        5,756,188   

Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  10.250     12/15/20        5,275        4,114,500   

Smithfield Foods, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.625     08/15/22        2,600        2,765,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.875     08/01/21        6,084        6,312,150   

SUPERVALU, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  7.750     11/15/22        2,875        2,975,625   

Tops Holding LLC/Tops Markets II Corp., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,850,000; purchased 05/29/15)(b)(d)

  8.000     06/15/22        6,850        6,815,750   

TreeHouse Foods, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  4.875     03/15/22        1,000        992,500   

Wok Acquisition Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  10.250     06/30/20        2,721        2,721,000   
       

 

 

 
          146,820,695   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     25   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Gaming    4.9%

                           

Boyd Gaming Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.875%     05/15/23        11,529      $ 11,846,047   

Gtd. Notes

  9.000     07/01/20        7,191        7,712,347   

CCM Merger, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $13,837,063; purchased 03/14/12-05/21/14)(b)(c)(d)

  9.125     05/01/19        13,700        14,590,500   

Eldorado Resorts, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.000     08/01/23        10,225        10,148,312   

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  4.875     11/01/20        400        414,000   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.375     11/01/23        5,677        5,889,888   

Golden Nugget Escrow, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.500     12/01/21        12,725        13,074,937   

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.875     03/15/21        1,717        1,768,510   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  8.875     06/15/20        4,675        5,013,938   

MGM Resorts International,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.250     03/31/20        3,500        3,517,500   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.625     12/15/21        14,746        15,667,625   

Gtd. Notes

  7.625     01/15/17        1,500        1,578,750   

Gtd. Notes

  8.625     02/01/19        1,050        1,173,060   

Penn National Gaming, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  5.875     11/01/21        13,620        13,824,300   

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.375     08/01/21        2,233        2,378,145   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.750     04/01/22        5,811        6,421,155   

Scientific Games International, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.625     05/15/21        27,450        20,313,000   

Gtd. Notes

  10.000     12/01/22        2,375        2,179,063   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.000     01/01/22        3,725        3,808,813   

Station Casinos LLC, Gtd. Notes

  7.500     03/01/21        5,465        5,781,424   

Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Prop Mezz LP/Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Finance Corp., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $14,016,313; purchased 05/16/13-05/14/15)(b)(d)

  6.375     06/01/21        14,200        13,490,000   
       

 

 

 
          160,591,314   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical    9.2%

                           

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.625%     02/15/23        2,950      $ 3,007,345   

Gtd. Notes

  6.125     03/15/21        2,870        2,963,275   

Gtd. Notes

  12.875     11/01/18        2,003        2,153,225   

Amsurg Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.625     07/15/22        2,200        2,245,386   

Capsugel SA, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A

  7.000     05/15/19        6,475        6,523,562   

Centene Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  4.750     05/15/22        6,075        6,154,704   

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.875     02/01/22        9,500        10,096,695   

Gtd. Notes

  8.000     11/15/19        13,077        13,665,465   

ConvaTec Finance International SA (Luxembourg), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A(c)

  8.250     01/15/19        3,925        3,866,125   

ConvaTec Healthcare E SA (Luxembourg), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  10.500     12/15/18        6,075        6,318,000   

Davita Healthcare Partners, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.000     05/01/25        5,675        5,561,500   

Emdeon, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  11.000     12/31/19        12,170        13,067,537   

Endo Finance LLC, Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.750     01/15/22        2,525        2,581,813   

Endo Finance LLC/Endo Ltd./Endo Finco, Inc,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.000     07/15/23        5,700        5,928,000   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.000     02/01/25        2,950        3,031,125   

Grifols Worldwide Operations Ltd. (Spain), Gtd. Notes

  5.250     04/01/22        4,450        4,522,313   

HCA Holdings, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.250     02/15/21        1,250        1,356,250   

HCA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.375     02/01/25        34,675        35,195,125   

Gtd. Notes

  7.190     11/15/15        3,537        3,571,450   

Gtd. Notes

  7.500     11/15/95        2,700        2,646,000   

Gtd. Notes

  8.000     10/01/18        3,234        3,711,015   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  5.000     03/15/24        2,400        2,457,000   

HealthSouth Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.125     03/15/23        1,525        1,509,750   

Gtd. Notes

  7.750     09/15/22        1,153        1,200,561   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.750     11/01/24        5,475        5,551,103   

Horizon Pharma Financing, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.625     05/01/23        9,075        9,369,937   

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.375     04/15/22        3,550        3,638,750   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  8.000     01/15/20        4,725        5,176,828   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.750     01/15/23        2,175        2,436,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     27   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical (cont’d.)

                           

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.500%     12/01/21        4,200      $ 4,375,875   

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA, Gtd. Notes

  4.750     04/15/23        6,925        6,565,766   

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.500     04/15/25        1,400        1,389,500   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.750     08/01/22        400        408,600   

MedAssets, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  8.000     11/15/18        5,850        6,011,402   

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.625     05/15/22        23,225        20,757,344   

Quintiles Transnational Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  4.875     05/15/23        3,625        3,697,500   

Select Medical Corp., Gtd. Notes

  6.375     06/01/21        13,550        13,753,250   

Sterigenics-Nordion Holdings LLC, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $2,725,000; purchased 05/08/15)(b)(d)

  6.500     05/15/23        2,725        2,779,446   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  4.375     10/01/21        5,575        5,575,000   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  4.500     04/01/21        1,000        1,005,000   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  4.750     06/01/20        3,425        3,491,359   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes(c)

  6.000     10/01/20        1,625        1,738,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.000     03/01/19        1,600        1,597,184   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  6.750     02/01/20        5,175        5,459,625   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750     06/15/23        7,125        7,338,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.125     04/01/22        13,190        14,607,925   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.500     03/01/23        3,400        3,446,750   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.625     12/01/21        1,750        1,780,625   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.875     05/15/23        3,750        3,825,000   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.500     07/15/21        3,975        4,268,156   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.125     04/15/25        19,865        20,460,950   
       

 

 

 
          303,839,596   

Insurance    0.1%

                           

CNO Financial Group, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.250     05/30/25        3,550        3,660,938   

Lodging    0.7%

                           

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.625     10/15/21        9,075        9,460,688   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Lodging (cont’d.)

                           

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.250%     03/15/18        2,300      $ 2,541,500   

Viking Cruises Ltd.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $3,050,000; purchased 05/05/15)(b)(d)

  6.250     05/15/25        3,050        3,004,250   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,734,250; purchased 07/17/14)(b)(d)

  8.500     10/15/22        6,150        6,765,000   
       

 

 

 
          21,771,438   

Media & Entertainment    3.3%

                           

AMC Entertainment, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.750     06/15/25        9,400        9,353,000   

AMC Networks, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.750     07/15/21        2,808        2,997,540   

Belo Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.750     06/01/27        2,795        3,046,550   

Cable One, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.750     06/15/22        4,075        4,115,750   

Carmike Cinemas, Inc., Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.000     06/15/23        4,550        4,652,375   

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

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.250     03/15/21        2,825        2,874,438   

Gtd. Notes

  5.375     06/01/24        2,225        2,258,375   

Cinemark USA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  4.875     06/01/23        4,989        4,864,275   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.125     12/15/22        5,775        5,775,000   

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.500     11/15/22        3,069        3,101,225   

Gtd. Notes

  6.500     11/15/22        3,074        3,175,442   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.625     03/15/20        2,275        2,331,875   

Entercom Radio LLC, Gtd. Notes

  10.500     12/01/19        3,425        3,626,219   

Gannett Co., Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.500     09/15/24        2,250        2,227,500   

Gray Television, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.500     10/01/20        7,300        7,548,565   

Liberty Interactive LLC, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.250     02/01/30        2,000        2,030,000   

LIN Television Corp., Gtd. Notes

  6.375     01/15/21        1,900        1,923,750   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.375     06/15/22        2,500        2,506,250   

Mood Media Corp. (Canada), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  9.250     10/15/20        3,825        2,907,000   

NAI Entertainment Holdings/NAI Entertainment Holdings Finance, Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $2,400,000; purchased 07/30/13)(b)(d)

  5.000     08/01/18        2,400        2,448,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     29   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Media & Entertainment (cont’d.)

                           

National CineMedia LLC, Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  6.000%     04/15/22        4,075      $ 4,166,687   

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.000     04/15/22        2,925        2,884,781   

Regal Entertainment Group, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.750     02/01/25        3,170        3,074,900   

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  6.000     04/01/24        3,350        3,163,238   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  6.500     11/15/23        2,650        2,550,625   

Sinclair Television Group, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.375     04/01/21        5,050        5,031,062   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.125     10/01/22        2,775        2,788,875   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.625     08/01/24        2,000        1,902,500   

Tribune Media Co., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.875     07/15/22        7,375        7,430,312   
       

 

 

 
          106,756,109   

Metals    1.4%

                           

AK Steel Corp., Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.625     10/01/21        3,800        2,384,500   

ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  6.250     03/01/21        6,700        6,607,875   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  7.000     02/25/22        3,485        3,476,287   

AuRico Gold, Inc. (Canada), Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.750     04/01/20        1,400        1,260,000   

CONSOL Energy, Inc., Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.875     04/15/22        3,925        2,806,375   

Eldorado Gold Corp. (Canada), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.125     12/15/20        1,870        1,608,200   

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (Canada),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.000     02/15/21        2,581        1,819,605   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.250     05/15/22        650        453,375   

FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty Ltd. (Australia), Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.250     11/01/19        10,825        8,335,250   

Graftech International Ltd., Gtd. Notes

  6.375     11/15/20        1,925        1,520,750   

JMC Steel Group, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.250     03/15/18        3,864        3,062,220   

Lundin Mining Corp. (Canada), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.500     11/01/20        1,450        1,431,875   

New Gold, Inc. (Canada), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.000     04/15/20        4,445        4,267,200   

New Gold, Inc. (Canada), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.250     11/15/22        4,550        3,844,750   

Peabody Energy Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.250     11/15/21        1,275        334,688   

Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  10.000     03/15/22        3,835        1,534,000   
       

 

 

 
          44,746,950   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Non-Captive Finance    3.2%

                           

AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust (Netherlands),

       

Gtd. Notes

  3.750%     05/15/19        1,625      $ 1,614,844   

Gtd. Notes

  4.250     07/01/20        975        982,313   

Gtd. Notes

  4.500     05/15/21        3,882        3,945,082   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  4.625     07/01/22        3,035        3,057,762   

Aston Escrow Corp., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  9.500     08/15/21        15,975        8,147,250   

CIT Group, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.000     05/15/17        700        720,125   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  5.000     08/15/22        22,550        22,916,437   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.250     03/15/18        725        753,094   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  5.375     05/15/20        1,000        1,045,000   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.500     02/15/19        1,725        1,813,406   

ILFC E-Capital Trust II Ltd., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.250(a)     12/21/65        4,275        4,034,531   

International Lease Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.125     09/01/18        375        414,439   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  3.875     04/15/18        4,590        4,612,950   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.250     05/15/19        1,350        1,454,625   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.250     12/15/20        1,150        1,362,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.625     01/15/22        1,525        1,864,313   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.875     09/01/17        3,600        3,964,500   

KCG Holdings, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.875     03/15/20        5,975        5,556,750   

Navient Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.000     10/26/20        1,500        1,335,000   

OneMain Financial Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.750     12/15/19        5,825        6,087,125   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.250     12/15/21        6,725        6,960,375   

Patriot Merger Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  9.000     07/15/21        2,400        2,352,000   

SLM Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, MTN

  8.000     03/25/20        7,300        7,391,250   

Springleaf Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.000     06/01/20        9,825        9,972,375   

Gtd. Notes

  8.250     10/01/23        1,150        1,288,000   
       

 

 

 
          103,646,296   

Packaging    2.6%

                           

AEP Industries, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.250     04/15/19        4,400        4,444,000   

Ardagh Finance Holdings SA (Luxembourg), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A(c)

  8.625     06/15/19        8,876        9,364,494   

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC (Ireland), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  9.125     10/15/20        1,640        1,722,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     31   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Packaging (cont’d.)

                           

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc. (Ireland),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.000%     06/30/21        1,725      $ 1,711,717   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.250     01/31/19        2,825        2,881,500   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.750     01/31/21        1,485        1,514,700   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.000     11/15/20        993        1,002,574   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  9.125     10/15/20        6,075        6,351,412   

Beverage Packaging Holdings Luxembourg II SA/Beverage Packaging Holdings II Issuer, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.000     06/15/17        5,310        5,283,450   

Coveris Holdings SA, Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.875     11/01/19        7,375        7,153,750   

Greif, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750     02/01/17        3,200        3,328,000   

Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.875     08/15/23        1,800        1,831,500   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.375     08/15/25        1,275        1,303,688   

PaperWorks Industries, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  9.500     08/15/19        6,805        6,662,095   

Plastipak Holdings, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $8,500,000; purchased 09/25/13-01/22/15)(b)(d)

  6.500     10/01/21        8,500        8,330,000   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  9.875     08/15/19        11,285        11,863,356   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  5.750     10/15/20        520        536,250   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  6.875     02/15/21        725        759,438   

Sealed Air Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  4.875     12/01/22        3,225        3,225,000   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.250     04/01/23        3,575        3,655,437   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.500     12/01/20        1,425        1,578,188   
       

 

 

 
          84,502,549   

Paper    0.2%

                           

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions (Ireland), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  4.875     09/15/18        4,900        5,114,375   

Tembec Industries, Inc. (Canada), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  9.000     12/15/19        3,975        2,544,000   
       

 

 

 
          7,658,375   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Pipelines & Other    3.2%

                           

AmeriGas Finance LLC, Gtd. Notes

  7.000%     05/20/22        6,175      $ 6,406,562   

AmeriGas Partners LP/AmeriGas Eagle Finance Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.500     05/20/21        1,147        1,158,470   

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.000     12/15/20        2,750        2,598,750   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.250     04/01/23        4,700        4,253,500   

Energy Transfer Equity LP, Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  7.500     10/15/20        3,650        3,910,136   

Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.750     06/15/23        3,075        2,952,000   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.500     05/01/21        4,275        4,104,000   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750     01/15/22        6,064        5,851,760   

Ferrellgas Partners LP/Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.625     06/15/20        3,430        3,464,300   

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.000     05/15/23        7,900        7,228,500   

Gtd. Notes

  6.750     08/01/22        5,575        5,407,750   

Global Partners LP/GLP Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  6.250     07/15/22        2,325        2,115,750   

MarkWest Energy Partners LP/MarkWest Energy Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  4.875     12/01/24        3,625        3,362,188   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  4.875     06/01/25        2,375        2,196,875   

PBF Logistics LP/PBF Logistics Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.875     05/15/23        2,600        2,509,000   

Regency Energy Partners LP/Regency Energy Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.500     04/15/23        3,400        3,305,242   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.750     09/01/20        4,125        4,374,563   

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $3,594,625; purchased 02/21/14-02/25/14)(b)(d)

  5.625     04/15/20        3,725        3,594,625   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $5,469,688; purchased 01/10/13-06/13/13)(b)(c)(d)

  6.000     01/15/19        5,525        5,525,000   

Rose Rock Midstream LP/Rose Rock Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.625     11/15/23        1,400        1,253,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     33   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Pipelines & Other (cont’d.)

                           

Suburban Propane Partners LP/Suburban Energy Finance Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.500%     06/01/24        5,725      $ 5,424,437   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.375     08/01/21        2,224        2,324,080   

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.500     08/01/20        4,025        4,004,875   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.375     04/01/23        8,925        8,969,625   

Targa Resources Partners LP, Gtd. Notes

  6.875     02/01/21        1,293        1,293,000   

Tesoro Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.875     10/01/20        2,650        2,656,625   

Gtd. Notes

  6.125     10/15/21        3,050        3,057,625   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.250     10/15/22        2,475        2,475,000   
       

 

 

 
          105,777,238   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)    1.5%

                           

CTR Partnership LP/Caretrust Capital Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.875     06/01/21        500        506,250   

CyrusOne LP/CyrusOne Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.375     11/15/22        3,900        3,987,750   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.375     11/15/22        2,600        2,658,500   

DuPont Fabros Technology LP, Gtd. Notes

  5.875     09/15/21        3,450        3,562,125   

ESH Hospitality, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.250     05/01/25        3,475        3,370,750   

Felcor Lodging LP,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.000     06/01/25        8,350        8,485,687   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes(c)

  5.625     03/01/23        1,530        1,575,900   

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.500     05/01/24        3,275        3,373,250   

RHP Hotel Properties LP/RHP Finance Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.000     04/15/21        3,550        3,557,100   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.000     04/15/23        4,107        4,065,930   

Sabra Health Care LP/Sabra Capital Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  5.375     06/01/23        4,825        4,993,875   

Gtd. Notes

  5.500     02/01/21        1,600        1,672,000   

Sabre GLBL, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.375     04/15/23        2,675        2,621,500   

Senior Housing Properties Trust, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750     12/15/21        5,475        6,194,344   
       

 

 

 
          50,624,961   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

34  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Retailers    3.3%

                           

Caleres, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.250%     08/15/23        4,175      $ 4,216,750   

Claire’s Stores, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.125     03/15/20        3,675        2,866,500   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  9.000     03/15/19        8,225        6,970,688   

CST Brands, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.000     05/01/23        2,150        2,131,188   

Dufry Finance SCA (Switzerland), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.500     10/15/20        10,025        10,422,180   

Family Tree Escrow LLC, Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.750     03/01/23        4,150        4,347,125   

Hot Topic, Inc.,

       

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $9,538,835; purchased 06/06/13-12/03/14)(b)(d)

  9.250     06/15/21        9,350        9,443,500   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A

  12.000     05/15/19        1,075        1,064,250   

L Brands, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.625     02/15/22        5,675        6,079,344   

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. (The), Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.000     07/01/22        2,825        2,980,375   

Murphy Oil USA, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  6.000     08/15/23        1,975        2,034,250   

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd., Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.000     10/15/21        24,728        26,088,040   

Petsmart, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.125     03/15/23        11,875        12,439,062   

PVH Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  4.500     12/15/22        1,600        1,596,000   

Rite Aid Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.125     04/01/23        14,025        14,393,156   
       

 

 

 
          107,072,408   

Technology    10.1%

                           

Activision Blizzard, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.125     09/15/23        1,225        1,316,875   

Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (France),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.750     11/15/20        1,955        2,086,963   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  8.875     01/01/20        3,000        3,256,875   

Ancestry.com, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  11.000     12/15/20        4,125        4,583,906   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A

  9.625     10/15/18        5,420        5,474,200   

Audatex North America, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.000     06/15/21        13,350        13,035,741   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.125     11/01/23        800        792,912   

Avaya, Inc., Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  10.500     03/01/21        8,690        5,757,125   

Blue Coat Holdings, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  8.375     06/01/23        8,125        8,141,250   

BMC Software Finance, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  8.125     07/15/21        20,000        16,350,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     35   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Technology (cont’d.)

                           

BMC Software, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A(c)

  9.000%     10/15/19        17,200      $ 12,728,000   

Brightstar Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $5,379,588; purchased 11/23/10-06/13/12)(b)(d)

  9.500     12/01/16        5,305        5,358,050   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $7,372,509; purchased 07/26/13-08/09/13)(b)(d)

  7.250     08/01/18        7,450        7,841,125   

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.500     12/01/24        11,320        11,206,800   

Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $1,325,000; purchased 03/21/13)(b)(d)

  11.000     03/15/21        1,325        1,308,438   

CommScope Holding Co., Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A(c)

  6.625     06/01/20        21,940        22,790,175   

CommScope Technologies Finance LLC, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.000     06/15/25        8,550        8,314,875   

CommScope, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.500     06/15/24        3,925        3,812,156   

CoreLogic, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.250     06/01/21        2,500        2,618,750   

First Data Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  10.625     06/15/21        8,932        9,881,025   

Gtd. Notes

  11.250     01/15/21        6,787        7,499,635   

Gtd. Notes

  11.750     08/15/21        29,967        33,757,825   

Gtd. Notes

  12.625     01/15/21        20,192        23,195,560   

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.000     01/15/22        4,015        4,195,675   

Infor Software Parent LLC/Infor Software Parent, Inc., Gtd. Notes, PIK, 144A (original cost $11,378,734; purchased 04/03/14-07/31/15)(b)(c)(d)

  7.125     05/01/21        11,364        10,298,625   

Infor US, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $13,517,750; purchased 03/18/15-08/18/15)(b)(d)

  6.500     05/15/22        13,500        12,656,250   

Interactive Data Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.875     04/15/19        1,250        1,264,063   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A

  8.250     12/15/17        6,945        6,971,044   

Italics Merger Sub., Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.125     07/15/23        9,400        9,092,526   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Technology (cont’d.)

                           

Micron Technology, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.250%     08/01/23        11,900      $ 11,096,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.250     01/15/24        2,000        1,855,000   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.625     01/15/26        11,975        10,867,312   

Nuance Communications, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.375     08/15/20        11,480        11,501,582   

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (Netherlands),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  4.625     06/15/22        6,125        6,063,750   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.750     02/15/21        3,635        3,794,031   

Presidio Holdings, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  10.250     02/15/23        5,225        5,342,563   

Sensata Technologies BV (Netherlands),

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  4.875     10/15/23        6,075        5,968,688   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.000     10/01/25        2,000        1,940,000   

Sophia Holding Finance LP/Sophia Holding Finance, Inc., Gtd. Notes, PIK, 144A

  9.625     12/01/18        1,100        1,118,557   

Sophia LP/Sophia Finance, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  9.750     01/15/19        11,615        12,413,531   

Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  9.125     01/15/19        5,770        5,005,475   
       

 

 

 
          332,553,683   

Telecommunications    4.9%

                           

Altice Finco SA (Luxembourg), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.625     02/15/25        1,025        1,004,500   

Altice SA (Luxembourg), Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.625     02/15/25        6,025        5,723,750   

Altice US Finance I Corp., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  5.375     07/15/23        9,125        9,033,750   

Altice US Finance II Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.750     07/15/25        2,900        2,827,500   

Altice US Finance SA (Luxembourg), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.750     07/15/25        4,075        3,901,812   

CenturyLink, Inc.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  5.625     04/01/20        700        698,257   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.875     01/15/28        4,700        4,206,500   

Crown Castle International Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.250     01/15/23        1,615        1,689,694   

Digicel Group Ltd. (Jamaica),

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.125     04/01/22        780        679,575   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  8.250     09/30/20        5,600        5,180,000   

Digicel Ltd. (Jamaica), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.750     03/01/23        8,445        7,748,287   

Eileme 2 AB (Poland), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  11.625     01/31/20        3,640        3,981,250   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     37   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Telecommunications (cont’d.)

                           

Frontier Communications Corp.,

       

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  6.250%     09/15/21        1,475      $ 1,346,528   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(c)

  7.125     01/15/23        1,981        1,788,843   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.500     04/15/20        450        462,375   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.750     04/15/22        3,750        3,693,750   

Sprint Capital Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.875     11/15/28        17,010        14,628,600   

Gtd. Notes

  6.900     05/01/19        12,060        12,225,825   

Sprint Communications, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.000     03/01/20        1,575        1,672,965   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  9.000     11/15/18        2,265        2,522,644   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.000     08/15/20        2,325        2,295,937   

Sprint Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.125     06/15/24        7,990        7,388,273   

Gtd. Notes

  7.625     02/15/25        13,418        12,520,671   

Gtd. Notes

  7.875     09/15/23        6,000        5,767,500   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes

  6.375     03/01/25        7,375        7,537,250   

Gtd. Notes

  6.633     04/28/21        5,900        6,165,500   

Telecom Italia SpA (Italy), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.303     05/30/24        7,400        7,455,500   

Wind Acquisition Finance SA (Italy),

       

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.375     04/23/21        13,800        14,110,500   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.500     04/30/20        3,300        3,473,250   

Windstream Holdings, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  6.375     08/01/23        6,725        4,935,545   

Gtd. Notes(c)

  7.500     04/01/23        3,405        2,664,447   

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.375     05/15/25        2,730        2,702,700   
       

 

 

 
          162,033,478   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods    0.1%

                           

Levi Strauss & Co., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.000     05/01/25        3,475        3,401,156   

Tobacco    0.1%

                           

Vector Group Ltd., Gtd. Notes

  7.750     02/15/21        4,450        4,734,800   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

38  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Transportation Services    1.1%

                           

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  5.125%     06/01/22        6,900      $ 6,805,125   

Hertz Corp. (The),

       

Gtd. Notes(c)

  5.875     10/15/20        1,275        1,288,209   

Gtd. Notes

  6.750     04/15/19        2,165        2,213,713   

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc./Navios Maritime Finance II US, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.375     01/15/22        6,100        5,063,000   

OPE KAG Finance Sub., Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.875     07/31/23        4,525        4,615,500   

XPO Logistics, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A(c)

  6.500     06/15/22        12,550        12,361,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(c)

  7.875     09/01/19        4,950        5,247,000   
       

 

 

 
          37,594,297   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(cost $3,182,186,283)

          3,083,545,100   
       

 

 

 
             

Shares

       

COMMON STOCKS

       

Adelphia Recovery Trust*(b)

        2,000,000        2,000   

DEX Media, Inc.*(c)

        29,839        7,758   

Newell Recovery LLC (original cost $23,194; purchased 08/22/12)*(b)(d)

        100        250   

Newell Recycling Southeast LLC (original cost $23,194; purchased 08/22/12)*(b)(d)

        100        250   

WKI Holding Co., Inc.*(b)

        6,031        318,316   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(cost $19,257,148)

          328,574   
       

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCKS    0.2%

       

Banking    0.2%

                           

Citigroup Capital XIII (Capital security, fixed to floating preferred), 7.875%(a)

        153,000        3,909,150   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) (fixed to floating preferred), 6.375%(a)

        87,000        2,268,090   
       

 

 

 
          6,177,240   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     39   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description           Shares     Value (Note 1)  

Building Materials & Construction

                       

New Millennium Homes LLC (original cost $0; purchased 05/27/1998)*(b)(d)

        2,000      $ 102,000   

Cable

                       

Adelphia Communications Corp. (Class A Stock)*(b)(e)

        20,000        20   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(cost $6,018,416)

          6,279,260   
       

 

 

 
           

Units

       

WARRANTS*

       

Chemicals

                       

Hercules, Inc., expiring 03/31/29

        230        4,803   

Media & Entertainment

                       

MediaNews Group, Inc., expiring 03/19/17(b)

        6,854        69   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL WARRANTS
(cost $0)

          4,872   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
(cost $3,261,732,621)

          3,141,282,038   
       

 

 

 
           

Shares

       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS    22.2%

       

AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUNDS

       

Prudential Investment Portfolios 2 - Prudential Core Short-Term Bond Fund (cost $460,433)(f)

        47,388        442,129   

Prudential Investment Portfolios 2 - Prudential Core Taxable Money Market Fund (cost $729,214,281; includes $633,274,014 of cash collateral for securities on loan)(f)(g)

        729,214,281        729,214,281   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(cost $729,674,714)(Note 3)

          729,656,410   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS    117.6%
(cost $3,991,407,335)(Note 5)

          3,870,938,448   

Liabilities in excess of other assets(h)    (17.6)%

          (580,557,927
       

 

 

 

NET ASSETS    100.0%

        $ 3,290,380,521   
       

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

40  


 

The following abbreviations are used in the portfolio descriptions:

144A—Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. Unless otherwise noted, 144A securities are deemed to be liquid.

CDS—Credit Default Swap

CDX—Credit Derivative Index

CLO—Collateralized Loan Obligation

MTN—Medium Term Note

PIK—Payment-in-Kind

# Principal amount is shown in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
* Non-income producing security.
(a) Variable rate instrument. The interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at August 31, 2015.
(b) Indicates a security or securities that has been deemed illiquid (unaudited).
(c) All or a portion of security is on loan. The aggregate market value of such securities, including those sold and pending settlement, is $620,344,234; cash collateral of $633,274,014 (included in liabilities) was received with which the Fund purchased highly liquid short-term investments. In addition, as of August 31, 2015, $870,441 of cash collateral had been segregated to cover the securities lending requirements. Securities on loan are subject to contractual netting arrangements.
(d) Indicates a restricted security; the aggregate original cost of the restricted securities is $275,141,746. The aggregate value, $260,906,493, is approximately 7.9% of net assets.
(e) Represents issuer in default on interest payments. Non-income producing security.
(f) Prudential Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the Prudential Investment Portfolios 2 - Prudential Core Taxable Money Market Fund and the Prudential Investment Portfolios 2 - Prudential Core Short-Term Bond Fund.
(g) Represents security, or a portion thereof, purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan.
(h) Includes net unrealized appreciation on the following derivative contracts held at reporting period end:

 

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at August 31, 2015:

 

Reference Entity/
Obligation

  Termination
Date
    Fixed
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(2)
    Value at
August 31,
2015(3)
    Value at
Trade
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Exchange-traded credit default swaps on credit indices—Sell Protection(1):

  

CDX.NA.HY.23

    12/20/19        5.000%        29,100      $ 1,791,978      $ 1,469,550      $ 322,428   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Cash of $1,500,000 has been segregated with Citigroup Global Markets to cover requirements for open exchange-traded credit default swap agreements at August 31, 2015.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     41   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

  Termination
Date
    Fixed
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(2)
    Implied
Credit
Spread at
August 31,
2015(4)
    Fair
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
   

Counterparty

Over-the-counter credit default swaps on corporate issues—Sell Protection(1):

NRG Energy, Inc.

    03/20/16        4.100%        1,850        0.414   $ 53,485      $   —      $ 53,485     

Goldman Sachs & Co.

         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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 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 the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced obligation 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.
(2) 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.
(3) The fair value of credit default swap agreements on credit indices serves as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represents the likelihood of an expected liability (or profit) for the credit derivative should the notional amount of the swap agreement be closed/sold as of the reporting date. Increasing fair value in absolute terms when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represents 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.
(4) Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the fair value of credit default swap agreements on corporate issues or sovereign issues of an emerging country as of 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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

42  


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—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 August 31, 2015 in valuing such portfolio securities:

 

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Investments in Securities

     

Asset-Backed Securities

     

Collateralized Loan Obligations

  $      $ 4,906,905      $   

Bank Loans

           40,008,254        6,209,073   

Corporate Bonds

           3,075,826,125        7,718,975   

Common Stocks

    7,758               320,816   

Preferred Stocks

    6,177,240               102,020   

Warrants

           4,803        69   

Affiliated Mutual Funds

    729,656,410                 

Other Financial Instruments*

     

Exchange-traded credit default swaps

           322,428          

Over-the-counter credit default swaps

           53,485          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 735,841,408      $ 3,121,122,000      $ 14,350,953   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and exchange-traded swap contracts, which are recorded at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument, and over-the-counter swap contracts which are recorded at fair value.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     43   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

 

The industry classification of investments and liabilities in excess of other assets shown as a percentage of net assets as of August 31, 2015 was as follows (Unaudited):

 

Affiliated Mutual Funds (including 19.3% of collateral for securities on loan)

    22.2

Technology

    10.9   

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical

    9.2   

Capital Goods

    7.6   

Electric

    6.2   

Gaming

    5.1   

Building Materials & Construction

    5.0   

Telecommunications

    4.9   

Energy - Other

    4.7   

Foods

    4.5   

Chemicals

    4.1   

Cable

    3.6   

Retailers

    3.3   

Media & Entertainment

    3.3   

Pipelines & Other

    3.2   

Non-Captive Finance

    3.2   

Automotive

    3.1   

Packaging

    2.6

Banking

    2.1   

Consumer

    2.1   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

    1.5   

Metals

    1.4   

Aerospace & Defense

    1.2   

Transportation Services

    1.1   

Lodging

    0.8   

Paper

    0.2   

Collateralized Loan Obligations

    0.1   

Tobacco

    0.1   

Insurance

    0.1   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

    0.1   

Energy - Integrated

    0.1   
 

 

 

 
    117.6   

Liabilities in excess of other assets

    (17.6
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

The Fund invested in derivative instruments during the reporting period. The primary types of risk associated with these derivative instruments are equity risk and credit risk. 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.

 

Fair values of derivative instruments as of August 31, 2015 as presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Derivatives not accounted for
as hedging instruments,
carried at fair value

  

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
  

Balance Sheet
Location

   Fair
Value
   

Balance Sheet
Location

   Fair
Value
 
Credit contracts    Due to/from broker—variation margin—swaps    $ 322,428      $   —   
Credit contracts    Unrealized appreciation on over-the-counter swap agreements      53,485             
Equity contracts    Unaffiliated investments      4,872             
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

      $ 380,785         $   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

* Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation as reported in schedule of exchange-traded swap contracts. Only unsettled variation margin receivable (payable) is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

44  


The effects of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

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

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging
instruments, carried at fair value

                   Swaps  

Credit contracts

               $ (1,218,173
              

 

 

 

 

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

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging
instruments, carried at fair value

     Warrants(1)      Swaps      Total  

Credit contracts

     $       $ (490,255    $ (490,255

Equity contracts

       (60,136              (60,136
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ (60,136    $ (490,255    $ (550,391
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Statement of Operations.

 

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund’s average notional amount for credit default swaps as seller was $69,784,000.

 

Offsetting of over-the-counter (OTC) derivative assets and liabilities:

 

The Fund invested in OTC derivatives during the reporting period that are either offset in accordance with current requirements or are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements that permit offsetting. The information about offsetting and related netting arrangements for OTC derivatives, where the legal right to set-off exists, is presented in the summary below.

 

Counterparty

  Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets(1)
    Gross
Amounts
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Received(3)
    Net
Amount
 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

  $ 53,485      $   —      $ (150,000   $   —   
       

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     45   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Counterparty

  Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities(2)
    Gross
Amounts
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Pledged(3)
    Net
Amount
 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

  $   —      $   —      $   —      $   —   

 

(1) Includes unrealized appreciation on swaps and forwards, premiums paid on swap agreements and market value of purchased options.
(2) Includes unrealized depreciation on swaps and forwards, premiums received on swap agreements and market value of written options.
(3) Amounts shown reflect actual collateral received or pledged by the Fund. Such amounts are applied up to 100% of the Fund’s OTC derivative exposure by counterparty.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

46  


LOGO

 

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS»MUTUAL FUNDS

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ANNUAL REPORT · AUGUST 31, 2015

 

Prudential High Yield Fund


 

Statement of Assets & Liabilities

 

as of August 31, 2015

 

Assets

        

Investments at value, including securities on loan of $620,344,234:

  

Unaffiliated investments (cost $3,261,732,621)

   $ 3,141,282,038   

Affiliated investments (cost $729,674,714)

     729,656,410   

Cash

     472,243   

Deposit with broker

     1,500,000   

Dividends and interest receivable

     59,711,062   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     8,001,440   

Receivable for investments sold

     6,787,519   

Deposit with affiliated securities lending agent

     870,441   

Unrealized appreciation on over-the-counter swap agreements

     53,485   

Prepaid expenses

     12,867   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     3,948,347,505   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

Payable to broker for collateral for securities on loan

     634,144,455   

Payable for Fund shares reacquired

     10,853,830   

Payable for investments purchased

     8,071,409   

Dividends payable

     2,054,104   

Management fee payable

     1,195,430   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     763,712   

Distribution fee payable

     624,128   

Affiliated transfer agent fee payable

     160,939   

Due to broker—variation margin swaps

     78,584   

Deferred directors’ fees

     20,393   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     657,966,984   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 3,290,380,521   
  

 

 

 
          

Net assets were comprised of:

  

Common stock, at par

   $ 6,111,001   

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     3,494,137,991   
  

 

 

 
     3,500,248,992   

Undistributed net investment income

     7,163,942   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (96,939,878

Net unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

     (120,092,535
  

 

 

 

Net assets, August 31, 2015

   $ 3,290,380,521   
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

48  


 

 

Class A

        

Net asset value and redemption price per share

  

($1,218,179,023 ÷ 226,437,403 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 5.38   

Maximum sales charge (4.50% of offering price)

     0.25   
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price to public

   $ 5.63   
  

 

 

 

Class B

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share

  

($215,461,964 ÷ 40,096,863 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 5.37   
  

 

 

 

Class C

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share

  

($236,533,187 ÷ 44,026,781 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 5.37   
  

 

 

 

Class Q

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share

  

($58,416,341 ÷ 10,847,790 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 5.39   
  

 

 

 

Class R

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share

  

($51,715,577 ÷ 9,614,993 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 5.38   
  

 

 

 

Class Z

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share

  

($1,510,074,429 ÷ 280,076,241 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 5.39   
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     49   


 

Statement of Operations

 

Year Ended August 31, 2015

 

Net Investment Income

        

Income

  

Interest income

   $ 217,559,845   

Affiliated income from securities lending, net

     1,473,098   

Unaffiliated dividend income

     439,876   

Affiliated dividend income

     168,677   
  

 

 

 

Total income

     219,641,496   
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Management fee

     13,956,485   

Distribution fee—Class A

     3,562,641   

Distribution fee—Class B

     1,764,160   

Distribution fee—Class C

     2,545,175   

Distribution fee—Class R

     405,649   

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses (including affiliated expense of $788,900)

     3,815,000   

Custodian and accounting fees

     396,000   

Shareholders’ reports

     284,000   

Registration fees

     248,000   

Directors’ fees

     75,000   

Insurance expenses

     41,000   

Legal fees and expenses

     37,000   

Audit fee

     34,000   

Miscellaneous

     27,525   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     27,191,635   

Less: Distribution fee waiver—Class A

     (336,648

Distribution fee waiver—Class R

     (135,216
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     26,719,771   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     192,921,725   
  

 

 

 

Realized And Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investments And Foreign Currency Transactions

        

Net realized loss on:

  

Investment transactions

     (27,728,363

Swap agreement transactions

     (1,218,173

Foreign currency transactions

     (2,049
  

 

 

 
     (28,948,585
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments (including affiliated of $(1,410))

     (212,032,012

Swap agreements

     (490,255

Foreign currencies

     526   
  

 

 

 
     (212,521,741
  

 

 

 

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (241,470,326
  

 

 

 

Net Decrease In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

   $ (48,548,601
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

50  


 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2015      2014  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

                 

Operations

     

Net investment income

   $ 192,921,725       $ 183,207,559   

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (28,948,585      59,962,831   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currencies

     (212,521,741      57,692,842   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (48,548,601      300,863,232   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends from net investment income (Note 1)

     

Class A

     (79,193,882      (83,503,654

Class B

     (13,262,634      (13,538,701

Class C

     (13,715,297      (13,997,820

Class Q

     (2,899,765      (687,488

Class R

     (3,185,804      (3,272,298

Class X

             (1,226

Class Z

     (89,227,167      (80,314,668
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (201,484,549      (195,315,855
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fund share transactions (Net of share conversions) (Note 6)

     

Net proceeds from shares sold

     1,080,008,204         1,078,720,776   

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     173,068,158         164,498,612   

Cost of shares reacquired

     (998,762,410      (921,234,679
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from Fund share transactions

     254,313,952         321,984,709   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase

     4,280,802         427,532,086   

Net Assets:

                 

Beginning of year

     3,286,099,719         2,858,567,633   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year(a)

   $ 3,290,380,521       $ 3,286,099,719   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Includes undistributed net investment income of:

   $ 7,163,942       $ 6,016,545   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     51   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15 (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (“1940 Act”) as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Company consists of two funds: Prudential High Yield Fund (the “Fund”) and Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund. These financial statements relate to Prudential High Yield Fund. The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize current income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation but only when consistent with the Fund’s primary objective of current income.

 

Note 1. Accounting Policies

 

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

 

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets that are fair valued at the close of each day 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 Board of Directors (the “Board”) has adopted Valuation Procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to Prudential Investments LLC (“PI” or “Manager”). Under the current Valuation Procedures, the established Valuation Committee is responsible for supervising the valuation of portfolio securities and other assets. 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.

 

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 table following the Portfolio of Investments.

 

52  


Common and preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds, and derivative instruments such as futures or options that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of trading on the applicable exchange where the security principally trades. Securities traded via NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. To the extent these securities are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ official closing price, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

In the event that no sale or official closing price on valuation date exists, these securities are generally valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices, or at the last bid price in the absence of an ask price. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Common and preferred stocks traded on foreign securities exchanges are valued using pricing vendor services that provide model prices derived using adjustment factors based on information such as local closing price, relevant general and sector indices, currency fluctuations, depositary receipts, and futures, as applicable. Securities valued using such model prices are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such securities are valued using model prices to the extent that the valuation meets the established confidence level for each security. If the confidence level is not met or the vendor does not provide a model price, securities are valued in accordance with exchange-traded common and preferred stocks discussed above.

 

Participatory Notes (P-notes) are generally valued based upon the value of a related underlying security that trades actively in the market and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Investments in open-end, non-exchange-traded mutual 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 over-the-counter (“OTC”) market are generally valued at prices provided by approved independent pricing vendors. The pricing vendors provide these prices after 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. Securities valued using such vendor prices are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     53   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

 

OTC derivative instruments are generally valued using pricing vendor services, which derive the valuation based on inputs such as underlying asset prices, indices, spreads, interest rates, and exchange rates. These instruments are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Centrally cleared swaps listed or traded on a multilateral or trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange, are generally valued at the daily settlement price determined by the respective exchange. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, as the daily settlement price is not public.

 

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 investment adviser 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 mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

 

Restricted and Illiquid Securities: Subject to guidelines adopted by the Board, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including those which are restricted as to disposition under securities law (“restricted securities”). Restricted securities are valued pursuant to the valuation procedures noted above. Illiquid securities are those that, because of the absence of a readily available market or due to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, cannot be sold within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the investment. Therefore, the Fund may find it difficult to sell illiquid securities at the time considered most advantageous by its Subadviser and may incur expenses that would not be incurred in the sale of securities that were freely

 

54  


marketable. Certain securities that would otherwise be considered illiquid because of legal restrictions on resale to the general public may be traded among qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These Rule 144A securities, as well as commercial paper that is sold in private placements under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, may be deemed liquid by the Fund’s Subadviser under the guidelines adopted by the Directors of the Fund. However, the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in Rule 144A securities could be impaired if trading does not develop or declines.

 

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

 

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities-at the current rates of exchange.

 

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses-at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

 

Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities held at the end of the period. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities sold during the period. Accordingly, these realized foreign currency gains or losses are included in the reported net realized gains or losses on investment transactions.

 

Net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains or losses from holdings of foreign currencies, forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, dividends and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains or losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (other than investments) at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currencies.

 

Concentration of Risk: The ability of debt securities issuers (other than those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government) held by the Fund to meet its obligations may be affected by the economic or political developments in a specific industry,

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     55   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

region or country. Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. companies as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of political or economic instability or the level of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets.

 

Swap Agreements: The Fund may enter into credit default, interest rate, total return and other forms of swap agreements. 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 over-the-counter market and may be executed either directly with the counterparty (“OTC-traded”) or through a central clearing facility, such as a registered commodities exchange (“Exchange-traded”). Swap agreements are valued daily at current market value and any change in value is included in the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments. Exchange-traded swaps pay or receive an amount known as “variation margin”, based on daily changes in the valuation of the swap contract.

 

Payments received or paid by the Fund are recorded as realized gains or losses upon termination or maturity of the swap. Risk of loss may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Swap agreements outstanding at reporting date, if any, are listed on the Portfolio of Investments.

 

Credit Default Swaps: Credit default swaps (“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. The Fund entered into credit default swaps 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.

 

56  


The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk for purchased credit default swaps 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 on corporate or sovereign issues of an emerging country as of period end are disclosed in the footnotes to the Portfolio 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. For credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values serve as indicators of the current status of the payment/performance risk. 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.

 

Master Netting Arrangements: The Fund is subject to various Master Agreements, or netting arrangements, with select counterparties. These are agreements which a subadviser may have negotiated and entered into on behalf of the Fund. A master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty permits the Fund to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received; and by the receipt of collateral from the counterparty by the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. However, there is no assurance that such

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     57   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

mitigating factors are easily enforceable. The right to set-off exists when all the conditions are met such that each of the parties owes the other determinable amounts, the reporting party has the right to set-off the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party, the reporting party intends to set-off and the right of set-off is enforceable by law. During the reporting period, there were no instances where the right of set-off existed and management has not elected to offset.

 

The Fund is a party to ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.) Master Agreements with certain counterparties that govern over-the-counter derivative and foreign exchange contracts entered into from time to time. The Master Agreements may contain provisions regarding, among other things, the parties’ general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral requirements, events of default and early termination. With respect to certain counterparties, in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreements, collateral posted to the Fund is held in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian and with respect to those amounts which can be sold or re-pledged, are presented in the Portfolio of Investments. Collateral pledged by the Fund is segregated by the Fund’s custodian and identified in the Portfolio of Investments. Collateral can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. Government or related agencies or other securities as agreed to by the Fund and the applicable counterparty. Collateral requirements are determined based on the Fund’s net position with each counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund may occur upon a decline in the Fund’s net assets below a specified threshold over a certain period of time. Termination events applicable to counterparties may occur upon a decline in the counterparty’s long-term and short-term credit ratings below a specified level. In each case, upon occurrence, the other party may elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all derivative and foreign exchange contracts outstanding, including the payment of any losses and costs resulting from such early termination, as reasonably determined by the terminating party. Any decision by one or more of the Fund’s counterparties to elect early termination could impact the Fund’s future derivative activity.

 

In addition to each instrument’s primary underlying risk exposure (e.g. interest rate, credit, equity or foreign exchange, etc.), swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that no liquid market for these agreements will exist, the counterparty to the agreement may default on its obligation to perform or disagree on the contractual terms of the agreement, and changes in net interest rates will be unfavorable. In

 

58  


connection with these agreements, securities in the portfolio may be identified or received as collateral from the counterparty in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide or receive assets of value and to serve as recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency of either party. Such over-the-counter derivative agreements include conditions which, when materialized, give the counterparty the right to cause an early termination of the transactions under those agreements. Any election by the counterparty for early termination of the contract(s) may impact the amounts reported on financial statements.

 

As of August 31, 2015, the Fund has not met conditions under such agreements which give the counterparty the right to call for an early termination.

 

Warrants and Rights: The Fund may hold warrants and rights acquired either through a direct purchase, including as part of private placement, or pursuant to corporate actions. Warrants and rights entitle the holder to buy a proportionate amount of common stock, or such other security that the issuer may specify, at a specific price and time through the expiration dates. Such warrants and rights are held as long positions by the Fund until exercised, sold or expired. Warrants and rights are valued at fair value in accordance with the Board of Directors’ approved fair valuation procedures.

 

Loan Participations: The Fund may invest in loan participations, another type of restricted security. When the Fund purchases a loan participation, the Fund typically enters into a contractual relationship with the lender or third party selling such participations (“Selling Participant”), but not the borrower. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the Selling Participant and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. The Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the senior loan in which it has purchased the loan participation.

 

Payment In Kind Securities: The Fund may invest in open market or receive 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. The interest rate on PIK debt is paid out over time.

 

Securities Lending: The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to banks and broker-dealers. The loans are secured by collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Collateral pledged by each borrower is invested in a highly liquid short-term money market fund and is marked to market daily, based on the previous

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     59   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

day’s market value, such that the value of the collateral exceeds the value of the loaned securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the loaned securities. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral. The Fund recognizes income, net of any rebate and securities lending agent fees, for lending its securities, and any interest on the investment of cash received as collateral. The Fund also continues to receive interest and dividends or amounts equivalent thereto, on the securities loaned and recognizes any unrealized gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan.

 

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. 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.

 

Net investment income or loss (other than distribution fees, which are charged directly to the respective class and transfer agency fees specific to Class Q shares which are charged to that share class) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of adjusted net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

 

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund declares daily and pays dividends of net investment income monthly and makes distributions of net realized capital and currency gains, if any, annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gains are reclassified amongst undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized gain or loss and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

 

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

 

60  


its taxable net investment income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

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.

 

Note 2. Agreements

 

The Fund has a management agreement with PI. Pursuant to this agreement, PI has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadvisor’s performance of such services. PI has entered into a subadvisory agreement with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“PIM”). The subadvisory agreement provides that PIM will furnish investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund. In connection therewith, PIM is obligated to keep certain books and records of the Fund. PI pays for the services of PIM, 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 PI is accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of .50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $250 million, .475% of the next $500 million, .45% of the next $750 million, .425% of the next $500 million, .40% of the next $500 million, .375% of the next $500 million and .35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $3 billion. The effective management fee rate was .43% for the year ended August 31, 2015.

 

The Fund has a distribution agreement with Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (“PIMS”), which acts as the distributor of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class Q, Class R and Class Z shares of the Fund. Formerly through April 11, 2014, the Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc. (“PAD”), which, together with PIMS, served as co-distributor of Class X shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PIMS for distributing and servicing the Fund’s Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares, pursuant to plans of distribution (the “Distribution Plans”), regardless of expenses actually incurred by PIMS. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. No distribution or service fees are paid to PIMS as distributor of the Class Q and Class Z shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Fund compensates PIMS for distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to .30%, .75%, 1% and .75% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B, C and R shares, respectively. PIMS contractually agreed to limit such fees to .25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares through March 8, 2015. Effective March 9, 2015, the Class A contractual distribution and service (12b-1) fees

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     61   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

were reduced from .30% to .25% of the average daily net assets and the .05% contractual 12b-1 fee waiver was terminated. For the year ended August 31, 2015, PIMS contractually agreed to limit such fees to .50% of the average daily net assets of the Class R shares.

 

As of April 11, 2014, the last conversion of Class X shares to Class A shares was completed. There are no Class X shares outstanding and Class X shares are no longer being offered for sale.

 

PIMS has advised the Fund that it has received $1,416,658 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares, during the year ended August 31, 2015. From these fees, PIMS paid such sales charges to affiliated broker-dealers, which in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

 

PIMS has advised the Fund that for the year ended August 31, 2015, it received $2,187, $342,788 and $25,532 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by certain Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders, respectively.

 

PI, PIMS, PIM and PAD are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

 

Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (“PMFS”), an affiliate of PI and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent. Transfer agent’s fees and expenses on the Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates, where applicable.

 

Prudential Investment Management, Inc., (“PIM”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, is the Fund’s securities lending agent. For the year ended August 31, 2015, PIM has been compensated approximately $440,000 for these services.

 

The Fund invests in the Prudential Core Short-Term Bond Fund, pursuant to an exemptive order received from the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the Prudential Core Taxable Money Market Fund (the “Core Funds”), each a portfolio of the Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PI. Earnings from the Core Funds are disclosed on the Statement of Operations as affiliated dividend income.

 

62  


Note 4. Portfolio Securities

 

Purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments, for the year ended August 31, 2015, aggregated $1,799,287,414 and $1,502,351,214, respectively.

 

Note 5. Distributions and Tax Information

 

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. In order to present undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions and paid-in capital in excess of par on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that more closely represent their tax character, certain adjustments have been made to undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions and paid-in capital in excess of par. For the year ended August 31, 2015, the adjustments were to increase undistributed net investment income by 9,710,221, increase accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions by $9,721,624 and increase paid in capital in excess of par by $11,403 due to differences in the treatment for book and tax purposes of premium amortization, certain transactions involving foreign securities and currencies, paydown gains/losses, swaps, and other book to tax differences. Net investment income, net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions and net assets were not affected by this change.

 

For the years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $201,484,549 and $195,315,855 of ordinary income, respectively.

 

As of August 31, 2015, the accumulated undistributed earnings on a tax basis was $9,283,103 of ordinary income. This differs from the amount shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities primarily due to cumulative timing differences between financial and tax reporting.

 

The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized depreciation as of August 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

Tax Basis

 

Appreciation

 

Depreciation

 

Net
Unrealized
Depreciation

 

Other Cost
Basis
Adjustments

 

Total Net
Unrealized
Depreciation

$4,000,114,680   $47,511,955   $(176,688,187)   $(129,176,232)   $360,971   $(128,815,261)

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     63   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

 

The difference between book and tax basis is primarily attributable to deferred losses on wash sales, differences in the treatment of premium amortization for book and tax purposes and trust preferred securities. The other cost basis adjustments are primarily attributable to appreciation (depreciation) of swaps.

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), the Fund is permitted to carryforward capital losses realized on or after September 1, 2011 (“post-enactment losses”) for an unlimited period. Post-enactment losses are required to be utilized before the utilization of losses incurred prior to the effective date of the Act. As a result of this ordering rule, capital loss carryforwards related to taxable years ending before August 31, 2012 (“pre-enactment losses”) may have an increased likelihood to expire unused. No capital gains distributions are expected to be paid to shareholders until net gains have been realized in excess of such losses. As of August 31, 2015, the pre and post-enactment losses were approximately:

 

Post-Enactment Losses:

   $ 4,214,000  
  

 

 

 

Pre-Enactment Losses:

  

Expiring 2018

   $ 49,857,000  
  

 

 

 

 

The Fund elected to treat post-October capital losses of approximately $34,191,000 as having been incurred in the following fiscal year (August 31, 2016).

 

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal 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. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

 

Note 6. Capital

 

The Fund offers Class A, Class B, Class C, Class Q, Class R and Class Z shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 4.50%. Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and redeem those shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1%, but are not subject to an initial sales charge. The Class A CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement or benefit plans. Class B shares are sold with a CDSC which

 

64  


declines from 5% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are held. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven years after purchase. Class B shares are closed to new purchases. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1% during the first 12 months. As of April 11, 2014, the last conversion of Class X shares to Class A shares was completed. There are no Class X shares outstanding and Class X shares are no longer being offered for sale. Class Q, Class R and Class Z shares are not subject to any sales or redemption charges and are available only to a limited group of investors.

 

Under certain circumstances, an exchange may be made from specified share classes of the Fund to one or more other share classes of the Fund as presented in the table of transactions in shares of common stock.

 

The Company is authorized to issue 3 billion shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, divided into 6 classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C, Class Q, Class R and Class Z common stock. Of the authorized shares of common stock of the Fund, 550 million shares are designated for Class A common stock, 75 million shares are designated for Class B common stock, 125 million shares are designated for Class C common stock, 500 million shares are designated for Class Q common stock, 150 million shares are designated for Class R common stock, and 500 million shares are designated for Class Z common stock.

 

Transactions in shares of common stock were as follows:

 

Class A

     Shares      Amount  

Year ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       37,784,860       $ 210,561,585   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       11,688,852         65,047,906   

Shares reacquired

       (53,421,960      (297,129,188
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       (3,948,248      (21,519,697

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       1,587,855         8,858,501   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (3,428,484      (19,030,037
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (5,788,877    $ (31,691,233
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       31,866,582       $ 183,587,307   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       11,714,551         67,531,261   

Shares reacquired

       (44,046,313      (253,449,540
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       (465,180      (2,330,972

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       1,186,158         6,849,047   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (5,471,223      (31,636,684
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (4,750,245    $ (27,118,609
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     65   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

Class B

     Shares      Amount  

Year ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       336,735       $ 1,865,668   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       1,930,960         10,734,052   

Shares reacquired

       (5,665,887      (31,465,662
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       (3,398,192      (18,865,942

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (1,308,285      (7,296,774
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (4,706,477    $ (26,162,716
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       10,579,556       $ 60,957,516   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       1,866,561         10,755,175   

Shares reacquired

       (4,821,903      (27,730,811
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       7,624,214         43,981,880   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (1,010,627      (5,833,252
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       6,613,587       $ 38,148,628   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class C

               

Year ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       7,939,650       $ 44,407,132   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       2,039,526         11,334,398   

Shares reacquired

       (11,934,470      (66,142,653
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       (1,955,294      (10,401,123

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (623,055      (3,474,232
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (2,578,349    $ (13,875,355
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       11,287,152       $ 65,018,908   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       1,988,484         11,451,688   

Shares reacquired

       (10,487,457      (60,228,260
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       2,788,179         16,242,336   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (508,136      (2,926,501
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       2,280,043       $ 13,315,835   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

66  


Class Q

     Shares      Amount  

Year ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       11,506,894       $ 64,675,894   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       513,394         2,852,645   

Shares reacquired

       (4,330,479      (23,834,537
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       7,689,809         43,694,002   

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       691,850         3,881,279   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       8,381,659       $ 47,575,281   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       1,499,160       $ 8,683,554   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       119,133         688,446   

Shares reacquired

       (560,310      (3,248,060
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       1,057,983       $ 6,123,940   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class R

               

Year ended August 31, 2015

       

Shares sold

       2,376,252       $ 13,235,546   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       571,724         3,181,316   

Shares reacquired

       (3,241,718      (18,023,267
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (293,742    $ (1,606,405
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       3,214,716       $ 18,497,113   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       567,409         3,270,947   

Shares reacquired

       (2,930,220      (16,890,913
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       851,905       $ 4,877,147   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class X

               

Period ended April 11, 2014*:

       

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       204       $ 1,162   

Shares reacquired

       (1,343      (7,565
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       (1,139      (6,403

Shares reacquired upon conversion into Class A

       (11,948      (68,325
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (13,087    $ (74,728
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     67   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

Class Z

     Shares      Amount  

Year ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       133,643,733       $ 745,262,379   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       14,344,007         79,917,841   

Shares reacquired

       (100,706,938      (562,167,103
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       47,280,802         263,013,117   

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       3,988,510         22,189,698   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (913,473      (5,128,435
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       50,355,839       $ 280,074,380   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       128,576,956       $ 741,976,378   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       12,240,948         70,799,933   

Shares reacquired

       (96,842,573      (559,679,530
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       43,975,331         253,096,781   

Shares issued upon conversion from other shares classes

       5,957,029         34,505,900   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (154,203      (890,185
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       49,778,157       $ 286,712,496   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* As of April 11, 2014, the last conversion of Class X shares to Class A shares was completed. There are no Class X shares outstanding and Class X shares are no longer being offered for sale.

 

Note 7. Borrowings

 

The Fund, along with other affiliated registered investment companies (the “Funds”), is a party to a Syndicated Credit Agreement (“SCA”) with a group of banks. The purpose of the SCA is to provide an alternative source of temporary funding for capital share redemptions. The SCA provides for a commitment of $900 million for the period October 9, 2014 through October 8, 2015. The Funds pay an annualized commitment fee of .075% of the unused portion of the SCA. Prior to October 9, 2014, the Funds had another SCA that provided a commitment of $900 million and the Funds paid an annualized commitment fee of .08% of the unused portion of the SCA. Interest on any borrowings under the SCA is paid at contracted market rates. The commitment fee for the unused amount is accrued daily and paid quarterly.

 

Subsequent to the fiscal year end, the SCA has been renewed effective October 8, 2015 and will continue to provide a commitment of $900 million through October 6, 2015. Effective October 8, 2015, the Funds pay an annualized commitment fee of .11% of the unused portion of the SCA.

 

68  


The Fund did not utilize the SCA during the year ended August 31, 2015.

 

Note 8. New Accounting Pronouncement

 

In May 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-07 regarding “Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share”. The amendments in this update are effective for the Fund for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU No. 2015-07 will eliminate the requirement to categorize investments in the fair value hierarchy if their fair value is measured at net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient in the FASB’s fair value measurement guidance. Management has evaluated the implications of ASU No. 2015-07 and it has been determined that there is no impact on the financial statement disclosures.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     69   


 

Financial Highlights

 

Class A Shares  
    

Year Ended August 31,

 
     2015(a)     2014(a)     2013(a)     2012(a)     2011(a)  
Per Share Operating Performance:                                   
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $5.80        $5.60        $5.59        $5.34        $5.32   
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income     .33        .33        .34        .37        .40   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     (.41     .22        .04        .27        .03   
Total from investment operations     (.08     .55        .38        .64        .43   
Less Dividends:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (.34     (.35     (.37     (.39     (.41
Capital Contributions(e):     -        -        -        -        - (d) 
Net asset value, end of year     $5.38        $5.80        $5.60        $5.59        $5.34   
Total Return(b):     (1.39)%        10.11%        6.85%        12.55%        8.14%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of year (000)     $1,218,179        $1,347,911        $1,327,678        $1,339,113        $1,078,117  
Average net assets (000)     $1,290,432        $1,355,610        $1,385,567        $1,187,666       $1,147,761  
Ratios to average net assets(c):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement(f)     .83%        .82%        .83%        .87%        .88%   
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement(f)     .85%        .87%        .88%        .92%        .93%   
Net investment income     5.88%        5.78%        6.04%        6.75%        7.20%   
Portfolio turnover rate     48%        51%        55%        48%        87%   

 

(a) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolios in which the Fund invests.

(d) Less than $.005 per share.

(e) The Fund received payments related to an unaffiliated-third party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading in Fund shares during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011. The Fund was not involved in the proceedings or in the calculation of the amount of settlement.

(f) Effective March 9, 2015, the contractual distribution and service (12b-1) fees were reduced from .30% to .25% of the average daily net assets and the .05% contractual 12b-1 fee waiver was terminated.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

70  


Class B Shares  
    

Year Ended August 31,

 
     2015(a)     2014(a)     2013(a)     2012(a)     2011(a)  
Per Share Operating Performance:                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $5.80        $5.60        $5.59        $5.34        $5.31   
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income     .30        .30        .32        .34        .37   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     (.42     .23        .03        .28        .05   
Total from investment operations     (.12     .53        .35        .62        .42   
Less Dividends:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (.31     (.33     (.34     (.37     (.39
Capital Contributions(e):     -        -        -        -        - (d) 
Net asset value, end of year     $5.37        $5.80        $5.60        $5.59        $5.34   
Total Return(b):     (2.06)%        9.57%        6.33%        12.00%        7.82%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of year (000)     $215,462        $259,756        $213,714        $163,309        $115,162   
Average net assets (000)     $235,221        $239,412        $194,916        $131,650        $108,578   
Ratios to average net assets(c):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.33%        1.32%        1.33%        1.37%        1.38%   
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.33%        1.32%        1.33%        1.37%        1.38%   
Net investment income     5.38%        5.27%        5.53%        6.25%        6.70%   
Portfolio turnover rate     48%        51%        55%        48%        87%   

 

(a) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolios in which the Fund invests.

(d) Less than $.005 per share.

(e) The Fund received payments related to an unaffiliated-third party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading in Fund shares during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011. The Fund was not involved in the proceedings or in the calculation of the amount of settlement.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     71   


 

Financial Highlights

 

continued

 

Class C Shares  
    

Year Ended August 31,

 
     2015(a)     2014(a)     2013(a)     2012(a)     2011(a)  
Per Share Operating Performance:                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $5.80        $5.59        $5.58        $5.33        $5.31   
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income     .29        .29        .30        .32        .36   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     (.42     .23        .04        .28        .04   
Total from investment operations     (.13     .52        .34        .60        .40   
Less Dividends:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (.30     (.31     (.33     (.35     (.38
Capital Contributions(f):     -        -        -        -        - (e) 
Net asset value, end of year     $5.37        $5.80        $5.59        $5.58        $5.33   
Total Return(b):     (2.31)%        9.49%        6.07%        11.74%        7.45%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of year (000)     $236,533        $270,142        $247,992        $229,715        $136,177   
Average net assets (000)     $254,515        $258,825        $260,306        $172,185        $132,854   
Ratios to average net assets(c):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement(d)     1.58%        1.57%        1.58%        1.62%        1.55%   
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.58%        1.57%        1.58%        1.62%        1.63%   
Net investment income     5.13%        5.03%        5.29%        5.98%        6.52%   
Portfolio turnover rate     48%        51%        55%        48%        87%   

 

(a) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolios in which the Fund invests.

(d) The distributor of the Fund contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .75% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares through December 31, 2010.

(e) Less than $.005 per share.

(f) The Fund received payments related to an unaffiliated-third party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading in Fund shares during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011. The Fund was not involved in the proceedings or in the calculation of the amount of settlement.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

72  


 

Class Q Shares  
    

Year Ended August 31,

        

October 31,

2011(a)

through

August 31,

 
     2015(b)     2014(b)     2013(b)       2012(b)  
Per Share Operating Performance:                                    
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period     $5.81        $5.61        $5.61            $5.41   
Income from investment operations:                                    
Net investment income     .35        .35        .37            .35   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     (.41     .23        .02            .19   
Total from investment operations     (.06     .58        .39            .54   
Less Dividends:                                    
Dividends from net investment income     (.36     (.38     (.39         (.34
Net asset value, end of period     $5.39        $5.81        $5.61            $5.61   
Total Return(c):     (1.01)%        10.50%        7.04%            10.41%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                            
Net assets, end of period (000)     $58,416        $14,336        $7,901            $63,914   
Average net assets (000)     $44,388        $10,563        $52,463            $48,841   
Ratios to average net assets(d):                                    
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     .46%        .46%        .47%            .50% (e) 
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     .46%        .46%        .47%            .50% (e) 
Net investment income     6.27%        6.12%        6.40%            6.97% (e) 
Portfolio turnover rate     48%        51%        55%            48% (f) 

 

(a) Commencement of offering.

(b) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c) Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolios in which the Fund invests.

(e) Annualized.

(f) Not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     73   


 

Financial Highlights

 

continued

 

Class R Shares                            
    

Year Ended August 31,

 
     2015(a)     2014(a)     2013(a)     2012(a)     2011(a)  
Per Share Operating Performance:                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning Of Year     $5.80        $5.60        $5.59        $5.34        $5.32   
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income     .31        .32        .33        .35        .38   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     (.40     .22        .04        .28        .04   
Total from investment operations     (.09     .54        .37        .63        .42   
Less Dividends:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (.33     (.34     (.36     (.38     (.40
Capital Contributions(e):     -        -        -        -        - (d) 
Net asset value, end of year     $5.38        $5.80        $5.60        $5.59        $5.34   
Total Return(b):     (1.63)%        9.84%        6.59%        12.26%        7.88%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of year (000)     $51,716        $57,502        $50,732        $36,886        $20,630   
Average net assets (000)     $54,089        $55,379        $47,639        $27,717        $16,155   
Ratios to average net assets(c):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.08%        1.07%        1.08%        1.12%        1.13%   
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.33%        1.32%        1.33%        1.37%        1.38%   
Net investment income     5.63%        5.53%        5.78%        6.47%        6.93%   
Portfolio turnover rate     48%        51%        55%        48%        87%   

 

(a) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b) Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolios in which the Fund invests.

(d) Less than $.005 per share.

(e) The Fund received payments related to an unaffiliated-third party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading in Fund shares during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011. The Fund was not involved in the proceedings or in the calculation of the amount of settlement.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

74  


 

Class X Shares  
     Period
Ended
April 11,
        Year Ended August 31,  
     2014(a)(h)          2013(a)     2012(a)     2011(a)     2010(a)     2009  
Per Share Operating Performance:                                                    
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period     $5.60            $5.59        $5.34        $5.31        $4.83        $5.19   
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                                    
Net investment income     .17            .30        .33        .36        .41        .38   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     .22            .04        .27        .04        .49        (.33
Total from investment operations     .39            .34        .60        .40        .90        .05   
Less Dividends:                                                    
Dividends from net investment income     (.19         (.33     (.35     (.37     (.42     (.41
Capital Contributions(e):     -            -        -        - (d)      - (d)      -   
Net asset value, end of period     $5.80            $5.60        $5.59        $5.34        $5.31        $4.83   
Total Return(b):     7.09%            6.06%        11.69%        7.54%        19.07%        2.32%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                                        
Net assets, end of period (000)     $2            $73        $249        $459        $966        $1,878   
Average net assets (000)     $36            $167        $363        $766        $1,359        $2,152   
Ratios to average net assets(c):                                                    
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.56% (f)          1.58%        1.62%        1.63%        1.65%        1.66%   
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.56% (f)          1.58%        1.62%        1.63%        1.65%        1.66%   
Net investment income     4.90% (f)          5.30%        6.06%        6.48%        7.97%        9.19%   
Portfolio turnover rate     51% (g)(i)          55%        48%        87%        91%        82%   

 

(a) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(c) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolios in which the Fund invests.

(d) Less than $.005 per share.

(e) The Fund received payments related to an unaffiliated-third party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading in Fund shares during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2011 and 2010. The Fund was not involved in the proceedings or in the calculation of the amount of settlement.

(f) Annualized.

(g) Not annualized.

(h) As of April 11, 2014, the last conversion of Class X shares to Class A shares was completed. There are no Class X shares outstanding and Class X shares are no longer being offered for sale.

(i) Calculated as of August 31, 2014.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     75   


 

Financial Highlights

 

continued

 

Class Z Shares  
    

Year Ended August 31,

 
     2015(a)     2014(a)     2013(a)     2012(a)     2011(a)  
Per Share Operating Performance:                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $5.82        $5.62        $5.61        $5.35        $5.33   
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income     .34        .35        .36        .38        .42   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     (.41     .22        .04        .29        .03   
Total from investment operations     (.07     .57        .40        .67        .45   
Less Dividends:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (.36     (.37     (.39     (.41     (.43
Capital Contributions(e):     -        -        -        -        - (d) 
Net asset value, end of year     $5.39        $5.82        $5.62        $5.61        $5.35   
Total Return(b):     (1.29)%        10.38%        7.13%        13.07%        8.47%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of year (000)     $1,510,074        $1,336,453        $1,010,477        $725,367        $334,696   
Average net assets (000)     $1,394,662        $1,254,191        $911,701        $479,766        $304,551   
Ratios to average net assets(c):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     .58%        .57%        .58%        .62%        .63%   
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     .58%        .57%        .58%        .62%        .63%   
Net investment income     6.13%        6.02%        6.29%        6.97%        7.43%   
Portfolio turnover rate     48%        51%        55%        48%        87%   

 

(a) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b) Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolios in which the Fund invests.

(d) Less than $.005 per share.

(e) The Fund received payments related to an unaffiliated-third party’s settlement of regulatory proceedings involving allegations of improper trading in Fund shares during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011. The Fund was not involved in the proceedings or in the calculation of the amount of settlement.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

76  


Report of Independent Registered Public

 

Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the Prudential High Yield Fund, a portfolio of Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15 (hereafter referred to as the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of August 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures when replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 31, 2015, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

 

New York, New York

October 30, 2015

 

Prudential High Yield Fund     77   


Federal Income Tax Information

 

(Unaudited)

 

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund reports the maximum amount allowable but not less than 85.01% as interest related dividends in accordance with Section 871(k)(1) and 881(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Interest-related dividends do not include any distribution paid by a fund with respect to Fund tax years beginning after August 31, 2015. Consequently, this provision expires with respect to such distributions paid after the Fund’s fiscal year end.

 

In January 2016, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099-DIV or substitute 1099-DIV, as to the federal tax status of the dividends received by you in calendar year 2015.

 

78  


INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

(Unaudited)

Information about Board Members and Officers of the Fund is set forth below. Board Members who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Board Members.” Board Members who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund are referred to as “Interested Board Members.” The Board Members are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Board in turn elects the Officers, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

 

Independent Board Members(1)

Name, Address, Age

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Other Directorships Held During Past Five Years

Ellen S. Alberding (57)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   President and Board Member, The Joyce Foundation (charitable foundation) (since 2002); Vice Chair, City Colleges of Chicago (community college system) (since 2011); Trustee, Skills for America’s Future (national initiative to connect employers to community colleges) (since 2011); Trustee, National Park Foundation (charitable foundation for national park system) (since 2009); Trustee, Economic Club of Chicago (since 2009).    None.

Kevin J. Bannon (63)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Managing Director (April 2008-May 2015) and Chief Investment Officer (October 2008-November 2013) of Highmount Capital LLC (registered investment adviser); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (April 1993-August 2007) of Bank of New York Company; President (May 2003-May 2007) of BNY Hamilton Family of Mutual Funds.    Director of Urstadt Biddle Properties (equity real estate investment trust) (since September 2008).

Linda W. Bynoe (63)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   President and Chief Executive Officer (since March 1995) and formerly Chief Operating Officer (December 1989-February 1995) of Telemat Ltd. (management consulting); formerly Vice President (January 1985-June 1989) at Morgan Stanley & Co. (broker-dealer).    Director of Simon Property Group, Inc. (retail real estate) (May 2003-May 2012); Director of Anixter International, Inc. (communication products distributor) (since January 2006); Director of Northern Trust Corporation (financial services) (since April 2006); Trustee of Equity Residential (residential real estate) (since December 2009).

 

Prudential High Yield Fund


Independent Board Members(1)

Name, Address, Age

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Other Directorships Held During Past Five Years

Keith F. Hartstein (59)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Retired; Member (since November 2014) of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council (organization of independent mutual fund directors); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (2005-2012), Senior Vice President (2004-2005), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing (1997-2004), and various executive management positions (1990-1997), John Hancock Funds, LLC (asset management); Chairman, Investment Company Institute’s Sales Force Marketing Committee (2003-2008).    None.

Michael S. Hyland, CFA (70)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Retired (since February 2005); formerly Senior Managing Director (July 2001-February 2005) of Bear Stearns & Co, Inc.; Global Partner, INVESCO (1999-2001); Managing Director and President of Salomon Brothers Asset Management (1989-1999).    None.

Richard A. Redeker (72)

Board Member & Independent Chair

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Retired Mutual Fund Senior Executive (47 years); Management Consultant; Director, Mutual Fund Directors Forum (since 2014); Independent Directors Council (organization of independent mutual fund directors)-Executive Committee, Chair of Policy Steering Committee, Governing Council.    None.

Stephen G. Stoneburn (72)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Chairman (since July 2011), President and Chief Executive Officer (since June 1996) of Quadrant Media Corp. (publishing company); formerly President (June 1995-June 1996) of Argus Integrated Media, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Managing Director (January 1993-1995) of Cowles Business Media; Senior Vice President of Fairchild Publications, Inc. (1975-1989).    None.

 

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Interested Board Members(1)

Name, Address, Age

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Other Directorships Held During Past Five Years

Stuart S. Parker (53)

Board Member & President

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   President of Prudential Investments LLC (since January 2012); Executive Vice President of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (since December 2012); Executive Vice President of Jennison Associates LLC and Head of Retail Distribution of Prudential Investments LLC (June 2005-December 2011).    None.

Scott E. Benjamin (42)

Board Member & Vice

President

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Executive Vice President (since June 2009) of Prudential Investments LLC; Executive Vice President (June 2009-June 2012) and Vice President (since June 2012) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; Executive Vice President (since September 2009) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, Prudential Investments (since February 2006); Vice President of Product Development and Product Management, Prudential Investments (2003-2006).    None.

Grace C. Torres* (56)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 64

   Retired; formerly Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the Prudential Investments Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, Prudential Variable Contract Accounts and The Prudential Series Fund (1998-June 2014); Assistant Treasurer (March 1999-June 2014) and Senior Vice President (September 1999-June 2014) of Prudential Investments LLC; Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) and Vice President (June 2005-June 2014) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) of Prudential Annuities Advisory Services, Inc.    Director (since July 2015) of Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A.

 

* Note: Prior to her retirement in 2014, Ms. Torres was employed by Prudential Investments LLC. Due to her prior employment, she is considered to be an “interested person” under the 1940 Act. Ms. Torres is a non-management Interested Board Member.
(1)  The year that each individual joined PIP 15’s Board is as follows:

Ellen S. Alberding, 2013; Kevin J. Bannon, 2008; Linda W. Bynoe, 2005; Keith F. Hartstein, 2013; Michael S. Hyland, 2008; Richard A. Redeker, 1995; Stephen G. Stoneburn, 2003; Grace C. Torres, 2014; Stuart S. Parker, Board Member and President since 2012; Scott E. Benjamin, Board Member since 2010 and Vice President since 2009.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund


Fund Officers(a)

Name, Address and Age

Position with Fund

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of

Service as Fund

Officer

Raymond A. O’Hara (60)

Chief Legal Officer

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since July 2010) of Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential); Vice President (March 2011-Present) of Pruco Life Insurance Company and Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey; Vice President and Corporate Counsel (March 2011-Present) of Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation; Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Investments LLC (since June 2012); Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since June 2012) and Corporate Counsel of AST Investment Services, Inc. (since June 2012); formerly Assistant Vice President and Corporate Counsel (September 2008-July 2010) of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.; formerly Associate (September 1980-December 1987) and Partner (January 1988–August 2008) of Blazzard & Hasenauer, P.C. (formerly, Blazzard, Grodd & Hasenauer, P.C.).    Since 2012

Chad A. Earnst (40)

Chief Compliance Officer

   Chief Compliance Officer (September 2014-Present) of Prudential Investments LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (September 2014-Present) of the Prudential Investments Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc., Prudential Global Short Duration High Yield Income Fund, Inc., Prudential Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc. and Prudential Jennison MLP Income Fund, Inc.; formerly Assistant Director (March 2010-August 2014) of the Asset Management Unit, Division of Enforcement, US Securities & Exchange Commission; Assistant Regional Director (January 2010-August 2014), Branch Chief (June 2006–December 2009) and Senior Counsel (April 2003-May 2006) of the Miami Regional Office, Division of Enforcement, US Securities & Exchange Commission.    Since 2014

Deborah A. Docs (57)

Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2001) of Prudential; Vice President (since December 1996) and Assistant Secretary (since March 1999) of Prudential Investments LLC; formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary (May 2003-June 2005) of AST Investment Services, Inc.    Since 2004

Jonathan D. Shain (57)

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since August 1998) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since May 2001) of Prudential Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since February 2001) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC; formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary (May 2003-June 2005) of AST Investment Services, Inc.    Since 2005

 

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Fund Officers(a)

Name, Address and Age

Position with Fund

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of

Service as Fund

Officer

Claudia DiGiacomo (41)

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2005) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Prudential Investments LLC (since December 2005); Associate at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (1999-2004).    Since 2005

Andrew R. French (52)

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since February 2010) of Prudential; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (2006-2010) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC.    Since 2006

Amanda S. Ryan (37)

Assistant Secretary

   Director and Corporate Counsel (since March 2012) of Prudential; Director and Assistant Secretary (since June 2012) of Prudential Investments LLC; Associate at Ropes & Gray LLP (2008-2012).    Since 2012

Theresa C. Thompson (53)

Deputy Chief Compliance

Officer

   Vice President, Compliance, Prudential Investments LLC (since April 2004); and Director, Compliance, Prudential Investments LLC (2001-2004).    Since 2008

Richard W. Kinville (47)

Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Vice President, Corporate Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering Unit (since January 2005) of Prudential; committee member of the American Council of Life Insurers Anti-Money Laundering and Critical Infrastructure Committee (since January 2007); formerly Investigator and Supervisor in the Special Investigations Unit for the New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company (August 1994-January 1999); Investigator in AXA Financial’s Internal Audit Department and Manager in AXA’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (January 1999-January 2005); first chair of the American Council of Life Insurers Anti-Money Laundering and Critical Infrastructure Committee (June 2007-December 2009).    Since 2011

M. Sadiq Peshimam (51)

Treasurer and Principal

Financial and Accounting

Officer

   Vice President (since 2005) of Prudential Investments LLC; formerly Assistant Treasurer of funds in the Prudential Mutual Fund Complex (2006-2014).    Since 2006

Peter Parrella (57)

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2004-2007) within Prudential Mutual Fund Administration; formerly Tax Manager at SSB Citi Fund Management LLC (1997-2004).    Since 2007

Lana Lomuti (48)

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2005-2007), within Prudential Mutual Fund Administration; formerly Assistant Treasurer (December 2007-February 2014) of The Greater China Fund, Inc.    Since 2014

Linda McMullin (54)

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2011) and Director (2008-2011) within Prudential Mutual Fund Administration.    Since 2014

Kelly A. Coyne (47)

Assistant Treasurer

   Director, Investment Operations of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since 2010).    Since 2015

 

Prudential High Yield Fund


(a)  Excludes Mr. Parker and Mr. Benjamin, interested Board Members who also serve as President and Vice President, respectively.

Explanatory Notes to Tables:

 

  Board Members are deemed to be “Interested,” as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their affiliation with Prudential Investments LLC and/or an affiliate of Prudential Investments LLC.

 

  Unless otherwise noted, the address of all Board Members and Officers is c/o Prudential Investments LLC, 655 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4410.

 

  There is no set term of office for Board Members or Officers. The Board Members have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for the retirement of Board Members on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 75.

 

  “Other Directorships Held” includes only directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the 1934 Act (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

  “Portfolios Overseen” includes all investment companies managed by Prudential Investments LLC. The investment companies for which Prudential Investments LLC serves as manager include the Prudential Investments Mutual Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts, Target Mutual Funds, Prudential Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc., Prudential Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc., The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc. and the Advanced Series Trust.

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreements

 

The Fund’s Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Prudential High Yield Fund1 (the “Fund”) consists of ten individuals, seven 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 three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and the Investment 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 Prudential Investments LLC (“PI”) and the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“PIM”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, met on June 9-11, 2015 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2016, 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 PI and PIM. Also, the Board considered comparisons with other mutual 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 PI and the subadviser, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PI 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 PI throughout the year at regular Board

 

 

1 

Prudential High Yield Fund is a series of Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on June 9-11, 2015.

 

The Directors determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PI, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a management agreement, and between PI and PIM, which serves as the Fund’s subadviser pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PI, 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 PI and PIM. The Board considered the services provided by PI, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadvisers for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance, and other services to the Fund. With respect to PI’s oversight of the subadviser, the Board noted that PI’s Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PI, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PI’s senior management on the performance and operations of the subadviser. The Board also considered that PI 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 PIM, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures.

 

The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PI’s senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund and PIM, and also considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PIM’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 PI’s and PIM’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to both PI and PIM. The Board also noted that it received favorable compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as to both PI and PIM. The Board noted that PIM is affiliated with PI. The Board considered PI’s evaluation of the subadviser, as well as PI’s recommendation, based on its review of the subadviser, to renew the subadvisory agreement.

 

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The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PI and the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PIM, and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PI and PIM under the management and subadvisory agreements.

 

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PI

 

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PI and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PI 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. The Board further noted that the subadviser is affiliated with PI and that its profitability is reflected in PI’s profitability report. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PI and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

 

Economies of Scale

 

PI and the Board previously retained an outside business consulting firm to review management fee breakpoint usage and trends in management fees across the mutual fund industry. The consulting firm presented its analysis and conclusions as to the Funds’ management fee structures to the Board and PI. The Board and PI have discussed these conclusions extensively since that presentation.

 

The Board received and discussed information concerning economies of scale that PI may realize as the Fund’s assets grow beyond current levels. The Board noted that the management fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints, which have the effect of decreasing the fee rate as assets increase, and that at its current level of assets the Fund’s effective fee rate reflected those rate reductions. The Board took note that the Fund’s fee structure currently results in benefits to Fund shareholders whether or not PI realizes any economies of scale. The Board noted that economies of scale can be shared with the Fund 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 also considered PI’s assertion that it continually evaluates the management fee schedule of the Fund and the potential to share economies of scale through breakpoints or fee waivers as asset levels increase.

 

Prudential High Yield Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

 

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

 

Other Benefits to PI and PIM

 

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PI and PIM and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PI included fees received by affiliates of PI for serving as the Fund’s securities lending agent, transfer agency fees received by the Fund’s transfer agent (which is affiliated with PI), as well as benefits to its reputation or other intangible benefits resulting from PI’s association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by PIM 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 its reputation. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PI and PIM were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to mutual funds.

 

Performance of the Fund / Fees and Expenses

 

The Board considered certain additional specific factors and made related conclusions relating to the historical performance of the Fund for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2014.

 

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 August 31, 2014. The Board considered the management fee for the Fund as compared to the management fee charged by PI to other funds and the fee charged by other advisers to comparable mutual 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 mutual funds included in the Peer Universe (the Lipper High Yield Funds Performance Universe) and the Peer Group were objectively determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of mutual fund data. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the mutual funds (for performance, the best performing mutual funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost mutual funds).

 

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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 gross performance comparisons (which do not 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.

 

Performance    1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
    

2nd Quartile

   3rd Quartile    2nd Quartile    2nd Quartile
Actual Management Fees: 1st Quartile
Net Total Expenses: 1st Quartile

 

   

The Board noted that the 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 fees) and total expenses were reasonable in light of the services provided.

 

*     *     *

 

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

 

Prudential High Yield Fund


n    MAIL   n    TELEPHONE   n    WEBSITE

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

  (800) 225-1852   www.prudentialfunds.com

 

PROXY VOTING
The Board of Directors of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s investment 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) 225-1852. 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
Keith F. Hartstein Michael S. Hyland Stuart S. Parker Richard A. Redeker Stephen G. Stoneburn  Grace C. Torres

 

OFFICERS
Stuart S. Parker, President Scott E. Benjamin, Vice President M. Sadiq Peshimam, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Raymond A. O’Hara, Chief Legal Officer Deborah A. Docs, Secretary Chad A. Earnst, Chief Compliance Officer  Theresa C. Thompson, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer Richard W. Kinville, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer  Jonathan D. Shain, Assistant Secretary Claudia DiGiacomo, Assistant Secretary  Amanda S. Ryan, Assistant Secretary Andrew R. French, Assistant Secretary Peter Parrella, Assistant Treasurer Lana Lomuti, Assistant Treasurer Linda McMullin, Assistant Treasurer Kelly A. Coyne, Assistant Treasurer

 

MANAGER   Prudential Investments LLC    655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

INVESTMENT SUBADVISER   Prudential Investment

Management, Inc.

   655 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102

 

DISTRIBUTOR   Prudential Investment

Management Services LLC

   655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

CUSTODIAN   The Bank of New York Mellon    One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

 

TRANSFER AGENT   Prudential Mutual Fund

Services LLC

   PO Box 9658

Providence, RI 02940

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   KPMG LLP    345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

 

FUND COUNSEL   Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP    787 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019


An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Fund. An investor may obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus by visiting our website at www.prudentialfunds.com or by calling (800) 225-1852. The prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

 

E-DELIVERY
To receive your mutual fund documents online, go to www.prudentialfunds.com/edelivery
and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via email when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your email
address at any time by visiting the website address above.

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Directors by writing to the Chair of the Board, Prudential High Yield Fund, Prudential 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 on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation and location of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Fund’s schedule of portfolio holdings is also available on the Fund’s website as of the end of each month.

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund’s Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

Mutual Funds:

ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY   MAY LOSE VALUE   ARE NOT A DEPOSIT OF OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR ANY BANK AFFILIATE


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PRUDENTIAL HIGH YIELD FUND

 

SHARE CLASS   A   B   C   Q   R   Z
NASDAQ   PBHAX   PBHYX   PRHCX   PHYQX   JDYRX   PHYZX
CUSIP   74440Y108   74440Y207   74440Y306   74440Y884   74440Y603   74440Y801

 

MF110E    0283765-00001-00


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PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS»MUTUAL FUNDS

 

PRUDENTIAL SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD INCOME FUND

 

ANNUAL REPORT · AUGUST 31, 2015

 

Objective

To provide a high level of current income

 

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

 

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.

 

Mutual funds are distributed by Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS), a Prudential Financial company and member SIPC. Prudential Fixed Income is a unit of Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (PIM), a registered investment adviser. PIMS and PIM are Prudential Financial companies. ©2015 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. Prudential Investments LLC, Prudential, the Prudential logo, Bring Your Challenges, and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

 

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October 15, 2015

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

We hope you find the annual report for the Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund informative and useful. The report covers performance for the 12-month period that ended August 31, 2015.

 

Since market conditions change over time, 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. Keep in mind, however, that diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

 

Prudential Investments® is dedicated to helping you solve your toughest investment challenges—whether it’s capital growth, reliable income, or protection from market volatility and other risks. We offer the expertise of Prudential Financial’s affiliated asset managers that strive to be leaders in a broad range of funds to help you stay on course to the future you envision. They also manage money for major corporations and pension funds around the world, which means you benefit from the same expertise, innovation, and attention to risk demanded by today’s most sophisticated investors.

 

Thank you for choosing the Prudential Investments family of funds.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

Stuart S. Parker, President

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     1   


Your Fund’s Performance (Unaudited)

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the past performance data quoted. An investor may obtain performance data as of the most recent month-end by visiting our website at www.prudentialfunds.com or by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

Cumulative Total Returns (Without Sales Charges) as of 8/31/15

  

    One Year     Since Inception  

Class A

    0.72     8.98% (10/26/12)   

Class C

    –0.13        6.55    (10/26/12)   

Class Q

    N/A         1.54    (10/27/14)   

Class Z

    0.98        9.79    (10/26/12)   

Barclays US High Yield Ba/B Rated 1–5 Yr
1% Capped Index

    –1.37          

Lipper High Yield Funds Average

    –3.38          
   

Average Annual Total Returns (With Sales Charges) as of 9/30/15

  

    One Year     Since Inception  

Class A

    –2.20     1.51% (10/26/12)   

Class C

    –0.72        1.85    (10/26/12)   

Class Q

    N/A         N/A    (10/27/14)   

Class Z

    1.35        2.92    (10/26/12)   

Barclays US High Yield Ba/B Rated 1–5 Yr
1% Capped Index

    –2.11          

Lipper High Yield Funds Average

    –3.77          
   

Average Annual Total Returns (With Sales Charges) as of 8/31/15

  

    One Year     Since Inception  

Class A

    –2.55     1.88% (10/26/12)   

Class C

    –1.07        2.25    (10/26/12)   

Class Q

    N/A         N/A    (10/27/14)   

Class Z

    0.98        3.33    (10/26/12)   
   

Average Annual Total Returns (Without Sales Charges) as of 8/31/15

  

    One Year     Since Inception  

Class A

    0.72     3.07% (10/26/12)   

Class C

    –0.13        2.25    (10/26/12)   

Class Q

    N/A         N/A    (10/27/14)   

Class Z

    0.98        3.33    (10/26/12)   

 

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Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

 

The graph compares a $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class A shares with a similar investment in the Barclays US High Yield Ba/B Rated 1-5 Year 1% Capped Index by portraying the initial account values at the beginning of the period for Class A shares (October 26, 2012) and the account values at the end of the current fiscal year (August 31, 2015) as measured on a quarterly basis. For purposes of the graph, and unless otherwise indicated, it has been assumed that (a) the maximum applicable front-end sales charge was deducted from the initial $10,000 investment in Class A shares; (b) all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted; and (c) all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The line graph provides information for Class A shares only. As indicated in the tables provided earlier, performance for Class C, Class Q, and Class Z shares will vary due to the differing charges and expenses applicable to each share class (as indicated in the following paragraphs). Without waiver of fees and/or expense reimbursement, if any, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

Past performance does not predict future performance. Total returns and the ending account values in the graphs include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in a hypothetical investment for the periods shown. The Fund’s total returns do not reflect the deduction of income taxes on an individual’s investment. Taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares.

 

Source: Prudential Investments LLC and Lipper Inc.

Inception returns are provided for any share class with less than 10 calendar years of returns.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     3   


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

 

The returns in the tables do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or following the redemption of Fund shares. The average annual total returns take into account applicable sales charges which are described for each share class in the table below.

 

  Class A   Class C   Class Q   Class Z

Maximum initial sales charge

  3.25% of the
public offering
price
  None   None   None

Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or net asset value at redemption)

  1% on sales
of $1 million
or more
made within
12 months
of purchase
  1% on sales
made within
12 months
of purchase
  None   None

Annual distribution and service (12b-1) fees (shown as a percentage of average daily net assets)

  .25%   1%   None   None

 

Benchmark Definitions

 

Barclays US High Yield Ba/B Rated 1–5 Year 1% Capped Index

The Barclays US High Yield Ba/B Rated 1–5 Year 1% Capped Index (Capped Index) represents the performance of US short duration, higher-rated high yield bonds. The cumulative total returns for the Capped Index measured from the month-end closest to the inception date for Class A, C, and Z shares through 8/31/15 are 11.20% and –1.09% for Class Q shares. The average annual total return for the Capped Index measured from the month-end closest to the inception date for Class A, C, and Z shares through 9/30/15 is 3.05%. Class Q shares have been in existence for less than one year and have no average annual total return performance available.

 

Lipper High Yield Funds Average

The Lipper High Yield Funds Average (Lipper Average) is based on the average return of all funds in the Lipper High Yield Funds category for the periods noted. Funds in the Lipper Average aim at high (relative) current yield from fixed income securities, have no quality or maturity restrictions, and tend to invest in lower-grade debt issues. The cumulative total returns for the Lipper Average measured from the month-end closest to the inception date for Class A, C, and Z shares through 8/31/15 are 10.61% and –2.15% for Class Q shares. The average annual total return for the Lipper Average measured from the month-end closest to the inception date for Class A, C, and Z shares through 9/30/15 is 2.60%. Class Q shares have been in existence for less than one year and have no average annual total return performance available.

 

Investors cannot invest directly in an index or average. The returns for the Index would be lower if they included the effects of sales charges, operating expenses of a mutual fund, or taxes. Returns for the Lipper Average reflect the deduction of operating expenses, but not sales charges or taxes. The Since Inception returns for the Index and the Lipper Average are measured from the closest month-end to the inception date for the indicated share class.

 

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Distributions and Yields as of 8/31/15

  

  
     Total Distributions
Paid for 12 Months
     30-Day Subsidized
SEC Yield*
     30-Day Unsubsidized
SEC Yield**
 

Class A

   $ 0.59         4.53      4.53

Class C

     0.52         3.93         3.93   

Class Q

     0.52         5.00         5.00   

Class Z

     0.61         4.94         4.94   

*SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield (%)—A standardized yield calculation created by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it reflects the income earned during a 30-day period, after the deduction of the fund’s net expenses (net of any expense waivers or reimbursements).

**SEC 30-Day Unsubsidized Yield (%)—A standardized yield calculation created by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it reflects the income earned during a 30-day period, after the deduction of the Fund’s gross expenses.

 

Credit Quality expressed as a percentage of total investments as of 8/31/15

  

BBB

     2.4

BB

     49.3   

B

     41.0   

CCC

     7.2   

Not Rated

     0.3   

Cash/Cash Equivalents

     –0.2   

Total Investments

     100.0

 

Source: Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (PIM)

Credit ratings reflect the highest rating assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) such as Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (Moody’s), Standard & Poor’s (S&P), or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings reflect the common nomenclature used by both S&P and Fitch. Where applicable, ratings are converted to the comparable S&P/Fitch rating tier nomenclature. These rating agencies are independent and are widely used. The Not Rated category consists of securities that have not been rated by a NRSRO. Credit ratings are subject to change.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     5   


Strategy and Performance Overview

 

How did the Fund perform?

The Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund’s Class A shares returned 0.72% for the 12-month reporting period ended August 31, 2015, outperforming the –1.37% return of the Barclays US High Yield Ba/B Rated 1–5 Year 1% Capped Index (the Index) and the –3.38% return of the Lipper High Yield Funds Average.

 

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

   

High yield corporate bonds struggled throughout the reporting period. The broad high yield corporate bond market (as represented by the Index) faced several hurdles, including continued volatility in oil prices, investor concerns about Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hikes, weakness in the Chinese equity market, fears of a global recession, and uncertainty regarding the Greek debt situation.

 

   

Throughout the volatile period, the high quality short duration high yield segment of the market outperformed the broader market by approximately 1.7%.

 

   

With the exception of energy and metals and mining companies, the performance of high yield corporate bonds was driven by the ongoing search for yield, against a backdrop of generally strong fundamentals for high yield issuers and default rates that remained well below historical averages.

 

   

Overall, high yield debt securities with healthier fundamentals performed best. Higher-quality bonds rated BB returned 0.2% during the period, outperforming lower-quality bonds rated B and CCC, which declined 3.2% and 10.6% respectively.

 

   

Among the best performers in the Index were certain financials, including banks and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), as well as consumer-oriented sectors, such as airlines, health care and pharmaceutical, and consumer non-cyclical. Commodity-related sectors, such as energy and metals and mining, were by far the worst performers, with energy declining nearly 20%. Aerospace and defense also retreated, declining 5.1% for the period.

 

What strategies proved most beneficial to the Fund’s performance?

   

The Fund benefited from strong sector and security selection during the reporting period.

 

   

An underweight relative to the Index in the energy sector, which struggled during the period, was the largest positive contributor to performance.

 

   

The Fund’s overweight positions in the technology, gaming, and health care sectors added to returns.

 

   

Solid security selection in the metals, paper and packaging, technology, industrial, and transportation and environmental services sectors contributed positively.

 

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In terms of individual issue selection, the Fund benefited from its underweights in energy names, including Linn Energy, Energy XXI, and Sandridge Energy. Its underweight positions in paper manufacturer Verso Paper Management and Spain-based environmental services holding company Abengoa SA also added to results.

 

What strategies detracted most from the Fund’s performance?

   

Relative to the Index, security selection in the retail, restaurants, energy, and consumer and capital goods sectors hindered the Fund’s performance.

 

   

An underweight in the banking sector, as well as positioning in the finance and paper & packaging sectors, detracted from Fund returns.

 

   

In terms of individual issue selection, the Fund was hurt by overweight positions in Afren, an oil and gas exploration company; Intercontinental Exchange, which operates exchanges and clearing houses for the financial and commodity markets; Phones 4U, a UK mobile phone provider; and NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Corporation, which provides mobile crane rental and heavy haul services. All four securities underperformed during the period.

 

Did the Fund use derivatives and how did they affect performance?

The Fund used derivatives, specifically currency forwards, to hedge the currency risk from owning non-dollar-denominated bonds. The derivatives help immunize any impact from fluctuating currency rates, which were volatile over the one-year period.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     7   


Fees and Expenses (Unaudited)

 

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemptions, as applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses, as applicable. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on March 1, 2015, at the beginning of the period, and held through the six-month period ended August 31, 2015. The example is for illustrative purposes only; you should consult the Prospectus for information on initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements.

 

Actual Expenses

The first line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value ÷ $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 

The Fund’s transfer agent may charge additional fees to holders of certain accounts that are not included in the expenses shown in the table on the following page. These fees apply to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Section 403(b) accounts. As of the close of the six-month period covered by the table, IRA fees included an annual maintenance fee of $15 per account (subject to a maximum annual maintenance fee of $25 for all accounts held by the same shareholder). Section 403(b) accounts are charged an annual $25 fiduciary maintenance fee. Some of the fees may vary in amount, or may be waived, based on your total account balance or the number of

 

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Prudential Investments funds, including the Fund, that you own. You should consider the additional fees that were charged to your Fund account over the six-month period when you estimate the total ongoing expenses paid over the period and the impact of these fees on your ending account value, as these additional expenses are not reflected in the information provided in the expense table. Additional fees have the effect of reducing investment returns.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Prudential
Short Duration High
Yield Income Fund
  Beginning Account
Value
March 1, 2015
    Ending Account
Value
August 31, 2015
    Annualized
Expense Ratio
Based on the
Six-Month Period
    Expenses Paid
During the
Six-Month  Period*
 
         
Class A   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,003.10        1.11   $ 5.60   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.61        1.11   $ 5.65   
         
Class C   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 998.30        1.86   $ 9.37   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.83        1.86   $ 9.45   
         
Class Q   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,004.90        0.77   $ 3.89   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.32        0.77   $ 3.92   
         
Class Z   Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,004.40        0.86   $ 4.34   
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.87        0.86   $ 4.38   

*Fund expenses (net of fee waivers or subsidies, if any) for each share class are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each share class (provided in the table), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the 184 days in the six-month period ended August 31, 2015, and divided by 365 days in the Fund’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 (to reflect the six-month period). Expenses presented in the table include the expenses of any underlying portfolios in which the Fund may invest.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     9   


Fees and Expenses (continued)

 

 

The Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the 12-month period ended August 31, 2015, are as follows:

 

Class    Gross Operating Expenses     Net Operating Expenses  

A

     1.14     1.11

C

     1.86        1.86   

Q

     0.77        0.77   

Z

     0.86        0.86   

 

Net operating expenses shown above reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Additional information on Fund expenses and any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements can be found in the “Financial Highlights” tables in this report and in the Notes to the Financial Statements in this report.

 

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Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS    98.3%

  

BANK LOANS(a)    2.4%

  

Building Materials & Construction    0.3%

  

Materis CHRYSO SA (France)

  4.750%     08/13/21      EUR 3,000      $ 3,343,713   

Chemicals    0.2%

  

Axalta Coating Systems US Holdings

  3.750     02/01/20        2,359        2,350,641   

Foods    0.5%

  

Agrokor DD Spv2 (Croatia), PIK

  9.500     06/04/18      EUR 4,000        4,488,582   

Jacobs Douwe Egberts (Netherlands)

  4.250     07/02/22      EUR 1,900        2,132,966   
       

 

 

 
          6,621,548   

Metals    0.5%

  

FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty. Ltd. (Australia)

  3.750     06/30/19        2,976        2,399,377   

Murray Energy Corp.

  7.500     04/16/20        6,000        4,489,998   
       

 

 

 
          6,889,375   

Technology    0.6%

  

BMC Software Finance, Inc.

  5.000     09/10/20        4,987        4,570,476   

Kronos, Inc.

  9.750     04/30/20        3,541        3,623,151   
       

 

 

 
          8,193,627   

Telecommunications    0.3%

  

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

  5.000     10/24/22        4,650        4,456,249   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL BANK LOANS
(cost $35,918,728)

   

    31,855,153   
       

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS    95.7%

  

   

Aerospace & Defense    0.7%

  

Bombardier, Inc. (Canada),
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  4.750     04/15/19        6,650        5,386,500   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  7.500     03/15/18        4,025        3,763,375   
       

 

 

 
          9,149,875   

Airlines    1.5%

  

Continental Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2012-3, Class C(b)

  6.125     04/29/18        18,725        19,427,188   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     11   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Automotive    1.9%

  

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes(b)

  5.125 %     02/15/19        3,500      $ 3,543,750   

Gtd. Notes

  7.750     11/15/19        3,500        3,902,500   

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (United Kingdom), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  4.500     04/15/20        1,925        1,925,962   

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC (United Kingdom), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  4.250     11/15/19        2,125        2,114,375   

Schaeffler Holding Finance BV (Germany),
Sr. Sec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A(b)

  6.250     11/15/19        2,350        2,473,375   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A

  6.875     08/15/18        6,425        6,630,600   

ZF North America Capital, Inc. (Germany), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  4.000     04/29/20        4,000        3,999,400   
       

 

 

 
          24,589,962   

Building Materials & Construction    8.5%

  

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes(b)

  5.750     06/15/19        5,925        5,702,813   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  6.625     04/15/18        13,896        14,312,880   

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc. (Canada), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.500     12/15/20        5,675        5,660,813   

Building Materials Corp. of America, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $8,071,819; purchased 04/24/14 - 05/29/15)(c)(d)

  6.750     05/01/21        7,510        7,857,337   

Cemex Espana SA Luxembourg (Mexico), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  9.875     04/30/19        4,000        4,354,000   

Cemex SAB de CV (Mexico), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  9.500     06/15/18        2,500        2,731,250   

D.R. Horton, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes(b)

  3.625     02/15/18        2,018        2,048,270   

Gtd. Notes

  6.500     04/15/16        100        102,125   

HD Supply, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  11.500     07/15/20        3,500        4,007,500   

KB Home, Gtd. Notes

  4.750     05/15/19        7,729        7,593,742   

Lennar Corp.,
Gtd. Notes

  6.950     06/01/18        125        135,625   

Gtd. Notes

  4.500     06/15/19        4,200        4,292,400   

Gtd. Notes

  4.500     11/15/19        8,125        8,324,062   

Standard Pacific Corp., Gtd. Notes

  8.375     05/15/18        15,066        17,024,580   

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  4.000     12/31/18        500        510,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Building Materials & Construction (cont’d.)

  

U.S. Concrete, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  8.500 %     12/01/18        14,575      $ 15,230,875   

USG Corp.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  6.300     11/15/16        3,725        3,837,868   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  9.750     01/15/18        7,000        7,875,000   

William Lyon Homes, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  8.500     11/15/20        1,600        1,728,000   
       

 

 

 
          113,329,140   

Cable & Satellite    8.6%

  

Cablevision Systems Corp.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  7.750     04/15/18        5,500        5,925,700   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  8.625     09/15/17        9,440        10,313,200   

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,
Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.500     04/30/21        20,245        21,160,074   

Gtd. Notes

  7.000     01/15/19        2,140        2,209,550   

Gtd. Notes

  7.375     06/01/20        2,000        2,085,000   

Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC/Cequel Capital Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.375     09/15/20        4,687        4,601,462   

CSC Holdings LLC,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  7.625     07/15/18        4,218        4,618,710   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.875     02/15/18        4,250        4,643,125   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.625     02/15/19        250        281,250   

DISH DBS Corp.,
Gtd. Notes(b)

  4.250     04/01/18        5,195        5,179,363   

Gtd. Notes(b)

  4.625     07/15/17        3,000        3,063,750   

Gtd. Notes

  7.875     09/01/19        5,509        5,971,205   

Harron Communications LP/Harron Finance Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $12,018,750; purchased 04/14/15 - 06/24/15)(c)(d)

  9.125     04/01/20        11,000        11,825,000   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg),
Gtd. Notes(b)

  7.250     04/01/19        11,592        11,331,180   

Gtd. Notes

  7.250     10/15/20        2,815        2,705,919   

Numericabie-SFR SAS (France), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  4.875     05/15/19        4,675        4,704,219   

Telesat Canada/Telesat LLC (Canada), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.000     05/15/17        6,850        6,935,625   

UPCB Finance V Ltd. (Netherlands),
Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.250     11/15/21        5,661        6,078,499   
       

 

 

 
          113,632,831   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     13   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Capital Goods    5.5%

  

Anixter, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.625 %     05/01/19        6,776      $ 7,097,860   

BiueLine Rental Finance Corp., Sec’d. Notes, 144A
(original cost $1,136,375; purchased 01/16/14 -
02/11/14)(b)(c)(d)

  7.000     02/01/19        1,125        1,063,125   

Case New Holland Industrial, Inc. (United Kingdom), Gtd. Notes(b)

  7.875     12/01/17        2,570        2,785,623   

Cleaver-Brooks, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $2,725,000; purchased 03/21/14)(c)(d)

  8.750     12/15/19        2,500        2,403,125   

CNH Industrial Capital LLC,
Gtd. Notes, 144A

  3.875     07/16/18        2,825        2,814,406   

Gtd. Notes

  3.625     04/15/18        375        372,188   

Gtd. Notes

  3.875     11/01/15        250        250,000   

Dycom Investments, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.125     01/15/21        2,000        2,085,000   

Hertz Corp. (The), Gtd. Notes

  7.500     10/15/18        5,716        5,837,465   

International Wire Group Holdings, Inc., Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  8.500     10/15/17        3,150        3,244,500   

Laureate Education, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  10.000     09/01/19        6,700        5,619,625   

Michael Baker International LLC/CDL Acquisition Co., Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  8.250     10/15/18        7,910        7,712,250   

NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Services, Inc. (Canada), Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  9.500     08/15/19        3,525        1,921,125   

Safway Group Holding LLC/Satway Finance Corp., Sec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  7.000     05/15/18        9,272        9,456,420   

SPX Corp., Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.875     09/01/17        6,781        7,221,765   

Terex Corp., Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.500     04/01/20        2,900        3,008,750   

Unifrax 1 LLC/Unifrax Holding Co., Gtd. Notes, 144A
(original cost $6,917,735; purchased 01/31/13 - 06/30/14)(c)(d)

  7.500     02/15/19        6,583        6,566,542   

United Rentals North America, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  8.250     02/01/21        2,364        2,499,930   

WireCo WorldGroup, Inc., Gtd. Notes(b)

  9.500     05/15/17        1,650        1,402,500   
       

 

 

 
          73,362,199   

Capital Markets    0.1%

                           

KCG Holdings, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.875     03/15/20        1,750        1,627,500   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Chemicals    3.9%

                           

Axalta Coating Systems U.S. Holdings, Inc./Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B BV, Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  7.375 %     05/01/21        25,130      $ 26,886,587   

Chemtura Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.750     07/15/21        1,280        1,283,200   

Hexion, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes(b)

  8.875     02/01/18        4,600        4,002,000   

Koppers, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.875     12/01/19        17,627        17,935,472   

PolyOne Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.375     09/15/20        1,200        1,246,800   
       

 

 

 
          51,354,059   

Consumer    1 3%

                           

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The), Gtd. Notes

  6.625     12/15/20        6,374        6,628,960   

Service Corp. International, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.625     10/01/18        9,730        10,897,600   
       

 

 

 
          17,526,560   

Electric     3.2%

                           

AES Corp.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  3.324(a)     06/01/19        1,725        1,707,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  7.375     07/01/21        2,772        2,986,830   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  8.000     06/01/20        182        210,328   

DPL, Inc.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.500     10/15/16        901        923,525   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.250     10/15/21        3,400        3,506,250   

Dynegy, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  6.750     11/01/19        9,575        9,928,078   

GenOn Energy, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  9.500     10/15/18        2,525        2,427,156   

Mirant Mid-Atlantic Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series B

  9.125     06/30/17        583        605,931   

NRG Energy, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes(b)

  7.625     01/15/18        12,500        13,187,500   

Gtd. Notes(b)

  7.875     05/15/21        2,000        2,065,000   

Gtd. Notes

  8.250     09/01/20        4,375        4,517,188   

NRG REMA LLC, Pass-Through Certificates, Series B(c)

  9.237     07/02/17        251        265,444   
       

 

 

 
          42,330,980   

Energy—Integrated

  

Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp. (Colombia), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.250     12/12/21        200        108,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     15   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Energy—Other    0.9%

  

CGG SA (France), Gtd. Notes

  7.750 %     05/15/17        288      $ 228,960   

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc., Gtd. Notes(b)

  9.375     05/01/20        225        217,913   

PHI, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.250     03/15/19        1,650        1,414,875   

SESI LLC, Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.375     05/01/19        2,925        2,910,375   

Whiting Canadian Holding Com., ULC, Gtd. Notes

  8.125     12/01/19        5,000        4,800,000   

WPX Energy, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.500     08/01/20        2,850        2,737,083   
       

 

 

 
          12,309,206   

Food & Beverage    4.6%

  

Aramark Services, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  5.750     03/15/20        1,005        1,042,059   

Bertin SA/Bertin Finance Ltd. (Brazil), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  10.250     10/05/16        2,900        3,060,950   

Cott Beverages, Inc. (Canada), Gtd. Notes

  6.750     01/01/20        7,125        7,392,188   

Diamond Foods, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  7.000     03/15/19        9,800        10,094,000   

Iceland Bondco PLC (United Kingdom), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  4.834(a)     07/15/20      GBP 2,254        2,836,177   

JBS SA (Brazil Sr Unsec’d Notes RegS

  10.500     08/04/16        1,500        1,593,750   

JBS USA LLC/JBS USA Finance, Inc. (Brazil), Gtd. Notes, 144A
(original cost $4,865,625; purchased 06/17/14)(b)(c)(d)

  7.250     06/01/21        4,500        4,696,875   

Landry’s, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A
(original cost $18,625,707; purchased 05/27/14 -
07/22/15)(c)(d)

  9.375     05/01/20        17,255        18,441,281   

Shearer’s Foods LLC/Chip Finance Corp., Sr. Sec’d. Notes 144A

  9.000     11/01/19        5,230        5,569,950   

Smithfield Foods, Inc.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.750     07/01/17        2,825        3,065,125   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.250     08/01/18        3,425        3,484,938   
       

 

 

 
          61,277,293   

Gaming    7.4%

  

Boyd Gaming Corp., Gtd. Notes

  9.000     07/01/20        1,300        1,394,250   

CCM Merger, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $6,468,325; purchased 09/04/13 - 08/17/15)(c)(d)

  9.125     05/01/19        6,135        6,533,775   

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc., Gtd, Notes(b)

  4.375     11/01/18        6,425        6,617,750   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Gaming (cont’d.)

  

Golden Nugget Escrow, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  8.500 %     12/01/21        2,235      $ 2,296,463   

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., Gtd. Notes(b)

  8.875     06/15/20        8,417        9,027,232   

MGM Resorts International,
Gtd. Notes

  7.625     01/15/17        11,070        11,651,175   

Gtd. Notes

  8.625     02/01/19        10,981        12,267,973   

Gtd Notss(b)

  10.000     11/01/16        8,080        8,706,200   

NCL Corp. Ltd., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  5.250     11/15/19        2,800        2,897,132   

Peninsula Gaming LLC/Peninsula Gaming Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  8.375     02/15/18        13,021        13,541,840   

Penn National Gaming, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  5.875     11/01/21        900        913,500   

Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.,
Gtd. Notes

  7.500     04/15/21        5,400        5,710,500   

Gtd. Notes(b)

  8.750     05/15/20        5,966        6,249,385   

Scientific Games Corp., Gtd. Notes(b)

  8.125     09/15/18        3,985        3,706,050   

Station Casinos LLC, Gtd. Notes

  7.500     03/01/21        6,150        6,506,085   
       

 

 

 
          98,019,310   

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical    11.9%

  

Capella Healthcare, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  9.250     07/01/17        3,875        3,981,563   

Capsugel SA, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A

  7.000     05/15/19        6,525        6,573,937   

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  8.000     11/15/19        18,652        19,491,340   

ConvaTec Healthcare E SA (Luxembourg), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  10.500     12/15/18        10,784        11,215,360   

Elli Finance UK PLC (United Kingdom), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, RegS(b)

  8.750     06/15/19      GBP 1,950        2,808,242   

Emdeon, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  11.000     12/31/19        17,000        18,253,750   

Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  7.250     12/15/20        4,025        4,196,063   

HCA, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes

  6.500     02/15/16        250        254,375   

Gtd. Notes(b)

  8.000     10/01/18        9,358        10,738,305   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes(b)

  4.250     10/15/19        4,600        4,692,000   

IDH Finance PLC (United Kingdom),
Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.586(a)     12/01/18      GBP 2,000        3,045,973   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, MTN, 144A

  6.000     12/01/18      GBP 1,000        1,549,196   

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  8.000     01/15/20        2,900        3,177,313   

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/ Mallinckrodt CB LLC, Gtd. Notes, 144A

  4.875     04/15/20        5,375        5,428,750   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     17   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical (cont’d.)

  

MedAssets, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  8.000 %     11/15/18        14,549      $ 14,950,407   

Priory Group No. 3 PLC (United Kingdom), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, RegS

  7.000     02/15/18      GBP 184        290,280   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.,
Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  6.250     11/01/18        13,200        14,305,500   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  5.000     03/01/19        4,000        3,992,960   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.000     08/01/20        1,000        1,043,750   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes, 14A

  5.375     03/15/20        10,275        10,454,812   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.375     10/15/20        5,000        5,212,500   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  6.750     08/15/18        4,900        5,126,625   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.500     07/15/21        6,150        6,603,562   
       

 

 

 
          157,386,563   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure     0.9%

                           

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

  5.250     03/15/21        10,040        10,215,700   

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.250     03/15/18        2,000        2,210,000   
       

 

 

 
          12,425,700   

Media & Entertainment     3.4%

                           

AMC Networks, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.750     07/15/21        13,973        14,916,177   

Carlson Travel Holdings, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A
(original cost $4,679,875; purchased 06/26/14 -
08/04/14)(c)(d)

  7.500     08/15/19        4,650        4,708,125   

Cinemark USA, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.375     06/15/21        3,100        3,278,250   

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Gtd. Notes,
Series A(b)

  7.625     03/15/20        525        538,125   

Entercom Radio LLC, Gtd. Notes

  10.500     12/01/19        6,882        7,286,317   

NAI Entertainment Holdings/NAI Entertainment Holdings Finance Corp., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $8,784,018; purchased 07/30/13 - 08/04/15)(c)(d)

  5.000     08/01/18        8,567        8,738,340   

National CineMedia LLC,
Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  6.000     04/15/22        1,275        1,303,688   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.875     07/15/21        4,750        4,951,875   
       

 

 

 
          45,720,897   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Metals     4.1%

                           

AK Steel Corp., Sr. Sec’d. Notes(b)

  8.750 %     12/01/18        10,775      $ 10,775,000   

Alcoa Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750     07/15/18        4,000        4,330,000   

ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg),
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  5.125     06/01/20        650        641,875   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  5.250     02/25/17        422        429,385   

Sr, Unsec’d. Notes

  6.125     06/01/18        5,307        5,519,280   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  10.600     06/01/19        4,500        5,242,500   

AuRico Gold, Inc. (Canada), Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.750     04/01/20        500        450,000   

FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty Ltd. (Australia), Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  8.250     11/01/19        3,200        2,464,000   

JMC Steel Group, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  8.250     03/15/18        1,994        1,580,245   

Lundin Mining Corp. (Canada), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.500     11/01/20        10,900        10,763,750   

New Gold, Inc. (Canada), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  7.000     04/15/20        1,650        1,584,000   

Peabody Energy Corp., Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.000     11/15/18        5,400        1,795,500   

Steel Dynamics, Inc., Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.125     08/15/19        6,460        6,694,175   

United States Steel Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  7.000     02/01/18        1,926        1,935,630   
       

 

 

 
          54,205,340   

Non-Captive Finance    1.1%

                           

AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust (Netherlands), Gtd. Notes(b)

  4.250     07/01/20        2,850        2,871,375   

CIT Group, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d, Notes(b)

  5.250     03/15/18        250        259,688   

International Lease Finance Corp.,
Sr. Unsec’d, Notes(b)

  5.875     04/01/19        1,000        1,063,750   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.875     09/01/17        1,600        1,762,000   

Navient Corp.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, MTN

  8.000     03/25/20        150        151,875   

Sr, Unsec’d. Notes, MTN

  8.450     06/15/18        3,150        3,339,000   

OneMain Financial Holdings, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.750     12/15/19        5,075        5,303,375   
       

 

 

 
          14,751,063   

Packaging    3.6%

                           

AEP Industries, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.250     04/15/19        11,020        11,130,200   

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC (Ireland), Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  9.125     10/15/20        1,000        1,050,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     19   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Packaging (cont’d.)

                           

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc. (Ireland),
Gtd, Notes, 144A

  6.250 %     01/31/19        400      $ 408,000   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.750     01/31/21        3,700        3,774,000   

Beverage Packaging Holdings Luxembourg II SA/Beverage Packaging Holdings II Is (New Zealand), Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.000     06/15/17        1,625        1,616,875   

Greif, Inc.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.750     02/01/17        4,262        4,432,480   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  7.750     08/01/19        9,210        10,142,512   

Owens-Illinois, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.800     05/15/18        4,829        5,336,045   

Paperworks Industries, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  9.500     08/15/19        6,375        6,241,125   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC (New Zealand), Gtd. Notes(b)

  9.875     08/15/19        1,350        1,419,188   

Sealed Air Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  6.500     12/01/20        2,365        2,619,237   
       

 

 

 
          48,169,662   

Paper    0.5%

                           

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions (Ireland), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  4.875     09/15/18        4,150        4,331,563   

Tembec Industries, Inc. (Canada), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  9.000     12/15/19        3,275        2,096,000   
       

 

 

 
          6,427,563   

Pipelines & Other    0.7%

                           

AmeriGas Finance LLC/AmeriGas Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  6.750     05/20/20        1,000        1,032,500   

AmeriGas Partners LP/AmeriGas Eagle Finance Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.500     05/20/21        1,425        1,439,250   

Ferrellgas Partners LP/Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.625     06/15/20        1,525        1,540,250   

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $3,247,125; purchased 01/10/13 -
05/26/15)(b)(c)(d)

  6.000     01/15/19        3,100        3,100,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Pipelines & Other (cont’d.)

                           

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  5.500 %     08/01/20        1,600      $ 1,592,000   
       

 

 

 
          8,704,000   

Real Estate Investment Trusts    0.4%

                           

CTR Partnership LP/CareTrust Capita! Corp., Gtd. Notes

  5.875     06/01/21        3,125        3,164,062   

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp., Gtd. Notes

  6.375     02/15/22        2,650        2,792,438   
       

 

 

 
          5,956,500   

Retailers    1.7%

                           

Claire’s Stores, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  9.000     03/15/19        8,630        7,313,925   

Dollar Tree, inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  5.250     03/01/20        1,175        1,230,813   

Hot Topic, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A (original cost $1,915,813; purchased 12/10/13 - 01/03/14)(c)(d)

  9.250     06/15/21        1,825        1,843,250   

L Brands, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  8.500     06/15/19        2,195        2,584,612   

THOM Europe SAS (France), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  7.375     07/15/19      EUR         6,000        7,052,685   

Toys “R” Us Property Co. II LLC, Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  8.500     12/01/17        2,000        1,940,000   
       

 

 

 
          21,965,285   

Technology    12.4%

                           

Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (France),
Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  4.625     07/01/17        9,800        10,069,500   

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  6.750     11/15/20        3,650        3,896,375   

Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  8.875     01/01/20        11,440        12,419,550   

Ancestry.com, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  11.000     12/15/20        2,700        3,000,375   

Audatex North America, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  6.000     06/15/21        10,615        10,365,123   

Brightstar Corp.,

       

Gtd. Notes, 144A
(original cost $7,537,919; purchased 11/08/12 -
04/10/15)(c)(d)

  9.500     12/01/16        7,105        7,176,050   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A
(original cost $6,013,728; purchased 07/26/13 -
12/18/13)(c)(d)

  7.250     08/01/18        5,625        5,920,312   

CommScope Holding Co., Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK,
144A(b)

  6.625     06/01/20        9,540        9,909,675   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     21   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Technology (cont’d.)

                           

CommScope, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  4.375 %     06/15/20        7,455      $ 7,520,231   

CoreLogic, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  7.250     06/01/21        5,941        6,223,197   

First Data Corp., Gtd. Notes

  12.625     01/15/21        26,240        30,143,200   

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.,
Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  5.000     05/15/21        3,447        3,472,853   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  6.000     01/15/22        15,110        15,789,950   

Igloo Holdings Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK, 144A

  8.250     12/15/17        2,400        2,409,000   

Infor US, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A
(original cost $717,750; purchased 08/11/15)(c)(d)

  5.750     08/15/20        725        726,813   

Interactive Data Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  5.875     04/15/19        11,170        11,295,662   

Jabil Circuit, inc.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  7.750     07/15/16        150        156,000   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.250     03/15/18        2,300        2,584,970   

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (Netherlands), Gtd. Notes,
144A(b)

  4.125     06/15/20        1,310        1,311,638   

Sophia LP/Sophia Finance, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A(b)

  9.750     01/15/19        9,905        10,585,969   

SunGard Data Systems, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes

  6.625     11/01/19        4,013        4,163,488   

Gtd. Notes

  7.625     11/15/20        5,413        5,670,117   
       

 

 

 
          164,810,048   

Telecommunications    6.3%

                           

CenturyLink, Inc.,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series R(b)

  5.150     06/15/17        849        870,225   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series N(b)

  6.000     04/01/17        850        886,125   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series Q

  6.150     09/15/19        738        773,055   

Clearwire Communications LLC/Clearwire Finance, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  14.750     12/01/16        2,000        2,280,000   

Eileme 2 AB (Poland),
Sr. Sec’d. Notes, RegS

  11.750     01/31/20      EUR 300        367,783   

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  11.625     01/31/20        6,750        7,382,812   

Frontier Communications Corp., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  8.125     10/01/18        1,150        1,242,000   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22  


Description   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount (000)#
    Value (Note 1)  

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

  

Telecommunications (cont’d.)

                           

Level 3 Financing, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes

  3.914 % (a)     01/15/18        1,585      $ 1,596,888   

Gtd. Notes(b)

  7.000     06/01/20        10,054        10,581,835   

Gtd. Notes

  8.625     07/15/20        9,687        10,263,376   

Sprint Capital Corp., Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.900     05/01/19        550        557,563   

Sprint Communications, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes, 144A

  9.000     11/15/18        9,715        10,820,081   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  6.000     12/01/16        1,427        1,459,108   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  8.375     08/15/17        12,517        13,236,727   

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(b)

  9.125     03/01/17        400        426,000   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.,

       

Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.542     04/28/20        2,475        2,580,188   

Gtd. Notes(b)

  6.625     11/15/20        1,000        1,035,000   

TBG Global Pte Ltd. (Indonesia), Gtd. Notes, RegS

  4.625     04/03/18        400        394,000   

Telecom Italia Capital SA (Italy), Gtd. Notes

  6.999     06/04/18        3,470        3,790,975   

Vimpel Communications Via VIP Finance Ireland Ltd. OJSC (Russia), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

  9.125     04/30/18        1,000        1,060,952   

Wind Acquisition Finance SA (Italy), Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  3.981(a)     07/15/20      EUR 2,000        2,241,598   

Windstream Services LLC,

       

Gtd. Notes(b)

  7.750     10/15/20        3,000        2,670,000   

Gtd. Notes(b)

  7.875     11/01/17        5,422        5,665,990   

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capita), Inc., Gtd. Notes

  10.125     07/01/20        846        930,600   
       

 

 

 
          83,112,881   

Transportation    0.6%

                           

XPO Logistics, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(b)

  7.875     09/01/19        7,075        7,499,500   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(cost $1,304,254,437)

          1,269,179,105   
       

 

 

 

FOREIGN AGENCIES    0.2%

       

Petrobras Global Finance BV (Brazil),

       

Gtd. Notes

  2.000     05/20/16        1,650        1,623,649   

Gtd. Notes

  3.875     01/27/16        1,153        1,152,389   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL FOREIGN AGENCIES
(cost $2,746,521)

          2,776,038   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
(cost $1,342,919,686)

          1,303,810,296   
       

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     23   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

Description           Shares     Value (Note 1)  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT    15.2%

  

AFFILIATED MONEY MARKET MUTUAL FUND

   

Prudential Investment Portfolios 2 - Prudential Core Taxable Money Market Fund
(cost $201,700,628; includes $199,908,146 of cash collateral for securities on loan) (Note 3)(e)(f)

    201,700,628      $ 201,700,628   
       

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS    113.5%
(cost $1,544,620,314) (Note 5)

      1,505,510,924   

Liabilities in excess of other assets(g)    (13.5)%

      (178,987,081
       

 

 

 

NET ASSETS    100.0%

    $ 1,326,523,843   
       

 

 

 

 

The following abbreviations are used in the portfolio descriptions:

144A—Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. Unless otherwise noted, 144A securities are deemed to be liquid.

RegS—Regulation S. Security was purchased pursuant to Regulation S and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

MTN—Medium Term Note

PIK—Payment-in-Kind

EUR—Euro

GBP—British Pound

# Principal amount shown in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
(a) Variable rate instrument. The interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at August 31, 2015.
(b) All or a portion of security is on loan. The aggregate market value of such securities, including those sold and pending settlement, is $197,777,807; cash collateral of $199,908,146 (included in liabilities) was received with which the Fund purchased highly liquid short-term investments. In addition, as of August 31, 2015, $2,169,771 of cash collateral had been segregated to cover the securities lending requirements. Securities on loan are subject to contractual netting arrangements.
(c) Indicates a security or securities that have been deemed illiquid (unaudited).
(d) Indicates a restricted security; the aggregate original cost of the restricted securities is $93,725,564. The aggregate value of $91,599,950, is approximately 6.9% of net assets.
(e) Prudential Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the Prudential Investment Portfolios 2 - Prudential Core Taxable Money Market Fund.
(f) Represents security, or a portion thereof, purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan.
(g) Includes net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the following derivative contracts held at reporting period end:

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24  


Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at August 31, 2015:

 

Purchase Contracts

 

Counterparty

  Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value at
Settlement
Date
    Current
Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

British Pound,

         

Expiring 09/02/15

  JPMorgan Chase   GBP 417      $ 649,585      $ 639,332      $ (10,253

Expiring 09/02/15

  JPMorgan Chase   GBP 767        1,203,690        1,176,752        (26,938

Expiring 09/02/15

  Goldman Sachs & Co.   GBP 6,473        10,054,941        9,933,534        (121,407

Euro,

         

Expiring 09/02/15

  UBS AG   EUR 1,485        1,637,533        1,666,060        28,527   

Expiring 09/02/15

  Goldman Sachs & Co.   EUR  17,182        19,595,155        19,280,649        (314,506
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 33,140,904      $ 32,696,327      $ (444,577
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Sale Contracts

 

Counterparty

  Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value at
Settlement
Date
    Current
Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

British Pound,

         

Expiring 09/02/15

  Goldman Sachs & Co.   GBP 7,657      $ 11,925,993      $ 11,749,618      $ 176,375   

Expiring 10/02/15

  Goldman Sachs & Co.   GBP 6,473        10,053,226        9,931,898        121,328   

Euro,

         

Expiring 09/02/15

  Goldman Sachs & Co.   EUR 18,667        20,612,192        20,946,709        (334,517

Expiring 10/02/15

  Goldman Sachs & Co.   EUR  17,182        19,604,262        19,289,741        314,521   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 62,195,673      $ 61,917,966      $ 277,707   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (166,870
         

 

 

 

 

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—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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     25   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of August 31, 2015 in valuing such portfolio securities:

 

    Level 1     Level 2         Level 3      

Investments in Securities

     

Bank Loans

  $      $ 31,855,153      $   —   

Corporate Bonds

           1,269,179,105          

Foreign Agencies

           2,776,038          

Affiliated Money Market Mutual Fund

    201,700,628                 

Other Financial Instruments*

     

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

           (166,870       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 201,700,628      $ 1,303,643,426      $   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments, such as futures, forwards and exchange-traded swap contracts, which are recorded at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument, and over-the-counter swap contracts which are recorded at fair value.

 

The industry classification of investments and liabilities in excess of other assets shown as a percentage of net assets as of August 31, 2015 were as follows (Unaudited):

 

Affiliated Money Market Mutual Fund (including 15.1% of collateral for securities on loan)

    15.2

Technology

    13.0   

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical

    11.9   

Building Materials & Construction

    8.8   

Cable & Satellite

    8.6   

Gaming

    7.4   

Telecommunications

    6.6   

Capital Goods

    5.5   

Food & Beverage

    4.6   

Metals

    4.6   

Chemicals

    4.1   

Packaging

    3.6   

Media & Entertainment

    3.4   

Electric

    3.2   

Automotive

    1.9   

Retailers

    1.7   

Airlines

    1.5

Consumer

    1.3   

Non-Captive Finance

    1.1   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    0.9   

Energy—Other

    0.9   

Aerospace & Defense

    0.7   

Pipelines & Other

    0.7   

Transportation

    0.6   

Foods

    0.5   

Paper

    0.5   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    0.4   

Foreign Agencies

    0.2   

Capital Markets

    0.1   
 

 

 

 
    113.5   

Liabilities in excess of other assets

    (13.5
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

The Fund invested in derivative instruments during the reporting period. The primary types of risk associated with these derivative instruments is foreign exchange risk.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26  


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.

 

Fair values of derivative instruments as of August 31, 2015 as presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Derivatives not accounted
for as hedging instruments,
carried at fair value

  

Asset Derivatives

    

Liability Derivatives

 
  

Balance
Sheet Location

   Fair
Value
    

Balance
Sheet Location

   Fair
Value
 
Foreign exchange contracts    Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts    $ 640,751       Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts    $ 807,621   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

The effects of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

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

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging
instruments, carried at fair value

  Forward Currency
Contracts*
    Total  

Foreign exchange contracts

  $ 7,146,707      $ 7,146,707   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Included in net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions in the Statement of Operations.

 

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

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging
instruments, carried at fair value

     Forward Currency
Contracts*
     Total  

Foreign exchange contracts

     $ (420,149    $ (420,149
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currencies in the Statement of Operations.

 

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund’s average value at settlement date for forward foreign currency exchange contracts purchased was $33,970,304 and the average value at settlement date for forward currency contracts sold was $74,527,768.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     27   


 

Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2015 continued

 

 

Offsetting of over-the-counter (OTC) derivative assets and liabilities:

 

The Portfolio invested in OTC derivatives during the reporting period that are either offset in accordance with current requirements or are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements that permit offsetting. The information about offsetting and related netting arrangements for OTC derivatives, where the legal right to set-off exists, is presented in the summary below.

 

Counterparty

  Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets(1)
    Gross
Amounts
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Received(3)
    Net
Amount
 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

  $ 612,224      $ (612,224   $   —      $   —   

JPMorgan Chase

      —          —                 —   

UBS AG

    28,527          —               28,527   
 

 

 

       
  $ 640,751         
 

 

 

       

Counterparty

  Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities(2)
    Gross
Amounts
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Pledged(3)
    Net
Amount
 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

  $ (770,430   $ 612,224      $ 500,000      $   —   

JPMorgan Chase

    (37,191       —          —        (37,191

UBS AG

      —          —          —          —   
 

 

 

       
  $ (807,621      
 

 

 

       

 

(1) Includes unrealized appreciation on swaps and forwards, premiums paid on swap agreements and market value of purchased options.
(2) Includes unrealized depreciation on swaps and forwards, premiums received on swap agreements and market value of written options.
(3) Amounts shown reflect actual collateral received or pledged by the Portfolio. Such amounts are applied up to 100% of the Portfolio’s OTC derivative exposure by counterparty.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28  


LOGO

 

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS»MUTUAL FUNDS

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ANNUAL REPORT · AUGUST 31, 2015

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund


Statement of Assets & Liabilities

 

as of August 31, 2015

 

Assets

        

Investments at value, including securities on loan of $197,777,807:

  

Unaffiliated investments (cost $1,342,919,686)

   $ 1,303,810,296   

Affiliated investments (cost $201,700,628)

     201,700,628   

Dividends and interest receivable

     24,059,882   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     4,351,022   

Deposit with affiliated securities lending agent

     2,169,771   

Receivable for investments sold

     2,053,292   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     640,751   

Deposit with counterparty

     500,000   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,539,285,642   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

Payable to broker for collateral for securities on loan

     202,077,917   

Payable for Fund shares reacquired

     5,147,351   

Payable to custodian

     2,053,315   

Dividends payable

     1,148,364   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     807,621   

Management fee payable

     799,168   

Accrued expenses

     384,364   

Distribution fee payable

     324,404   

Affiliated transfer agent fee payable

     18,447   

Loan interest payable

     848   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     212,761,799   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 1,326,523,843   
  

 

 

 
          

Net assets were comprised of:

  

Common stock, at par

   $ 1,439,777   

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     1,427,186,540   
  

 

 

 
     1,428,626,317   

Undistributed net investment income

     3,402,928   

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (66,229,379

Net unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

     (39,276,023
  

 

 

 

Net assets, August 31, 2015

   $ 1,326,523,843   
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30  


 

Class A

        

Net asset value and redemption price per share

($366,344,613 ÷ 39,764,259 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.21   

Maximum sales charge (3.25% of offering price)

     0.31   
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price to public

   $ 9.52   
  

 

 

 

Class C

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
($286,998,519 ÷ 31,157,828 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.21   
  

 

 

 

Class Q

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
($16,690,098 ÷ 1,810,934 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.22   
  

 

 

 

Class Z

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
($656,490,613 ÷ 71,244,684 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.21   
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     31   


Statement of Operations

 

Year Ended August 31, 2015

 

Net Investment Income

        

Income

  

Interest income

   $ 79,166,929   

Affiliated income from securities lending, net

     276,496   

Affiliated dividend income

     25,103   
  

 

 

 

Total income

     79,468,528   
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Management fee

     9,580,057   

Distribution fee—Class A

     1,053,652   

Distribution fee—Class C

     2,985,533   

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses (including affiliated expense of $98,100)

     1,283,000   

Registration fees

     296,000   

Custodian and accounting fees

     179,000   

Shareholders’ reports

     156,000   

Legal fees and expenses

     43,000   

Directors’ fees

     39,000   

Commitment fee on syndicated credit agreement

     36,000   

Audit fee

     34,000   

Loan interest expense

     25,172   

Insurance expenses

     18,000   

Miscellaneous

     19,934   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     15,748,348   

Less: Distribution fee waiver—CIass A

     (100,222
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     15,648,126   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     63,820,402   
  

 

 

 

Realized And Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investments And Foreign Currency Transactions

        

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     (31,856,534

Foreign currency transactions

     6,982,597   
  

 

 

 
     (24,873,937
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     (30,680,236

Foreign currencies

     (753,994
  

 

 

 
     (31,434,230
  

 

 

 

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (56,308,167
  

 

 

 

Net Increase In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

   $ 7,512,235   
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32  


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2015      2014  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

                 

Operations

     

Net investment income

   $ 63,820,402       $ 48,729,239   

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (24,873,937      17,825   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currencies

     (31,434,230      (4,145,701
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     7,512,235         44,601,363   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends from net investment income (Note 1)

     

Class A

     (23,809,565      (21,391,956

Class C

     (16,414,851      (10,216,790

Class Q

     (849,991        

Class Z

     (43,993,700      (31,950,635
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (85,068,107      (63,559,381
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fund share transactions (Net of share conversions) (Note 6)

     

Net proceeds from shares sold

     707,876,725         1,447,219,625   

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     68,803,234         50,216,652   

Cost of shares reacquired

     (884,014,895      (397,795,277
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (107,334,936      1,099,641,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (184,890,808      1,080,682,982   

Net Assets:

                 

Beginning of year

     1,511,414,651         430,731,669   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year(a)

   $ 1,326,523,843       $ 1,511,414,651   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Includes undistributed net investment income of:

   $ 3,402,928       $ 614,159   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     33   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15 (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Company consists of two funds: Prudential High Yield Fund and Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund (the “Fund”). These financial statements relate to Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of current income.

 

Note 1. Accounting Policies

 

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

 

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets that are fair valued at the close of each day 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 Board of Directors (the “Board”) has adopted Valuation Procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to Prudential Investments LLC (“PI” or “Manager). Under the current Valuation Procedures, the established Valuation Committee is responsible for supervising the valuation of portfolio securities and other assets. 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.

 

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 table following the Portfolio of Investments.

 

Common and preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds, and derivative instruments such as futures or options that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of trading on the applicable exchange where the security

 

34  


principally trades. Securities traded via NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. To the extent these securities are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ official closing price, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

In the event that no sale or official closing price on valuation date exists, these securities are generally valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices, or at the last bid price in the absence of an ask price. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Common and preferred stocks traded on foreign securities exchanges are valued using pricing vendor services that provide model prices derived using adjustment factors based on information such as local closing price, relevant general and sector indices, currency fluctuations, depositary receipts, and futures, as applicable. Securities valued using such model prices are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such securities are valued using model prices to the extent that the valuation meets the established confidence level for each security. If the confidence level is not met or the vendor does not provide a model price, securities are valued in accordance with exchange-traded common and preferred stocks discussed above.

 

Participatory Notes (P-notes) are generally valued based upon the value of a related underlying security that trades actively in the market and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Investments in open-end, non-exchange-traded mutual 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 over-the-counter market are generally valued at prices provided by approved independent pricing vendors. The pricing vendors provide these prices after 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. Securities valued using such vendor prices are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Over-the-counter derivative instruments are generally valued using pricing vendor services, which derive the valuation based on inputs such as underlying asset prices, indices, spreads, interest rates, and exchange rates. These instruments are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     35   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

 

Centrally cleared swaps listed or traded on a multilateral or trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange, are generally valued at the daily settlement price determined by the respective exchange. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, as the daily settlement price is not public.

 

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 investment adviser 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 mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

 

Restricted and Illiquid Securities: Subject to the guidelines adopted by the Board, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including those which are restricted as to disposition under securities law (“restricted securities”). Restricted securities are valued pursuant to the valuation procedures noted above. Illiquid securities are those that, because of the absence of a readily available market or due to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, cannot be sold within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the investment. Therefore, the Fund may find it difficult to sell illiquid securities at the time considered most advantageous by its Subadviser and may incur expenses that would not be incurred in the sale of securities that were freely marketable. Certain securities that would otherwise be considered illiquid because of legal restrictions on resale to the general public may be traded among qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These Rule 144A securities, as well as commercial paper that is sold in private placements under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, may be deemed liquid by the Fund’s Subadviser

 

36  


under the guidelines adopted by the Directors of the Fund. However, the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in Rule 144A securities could be impaired if trading does not develop or declines.

 

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

 

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities—at the current rates of exchange.

 

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses—at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

 

Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held at the end of the period. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities sold during the period. Accordingly, realized foreign currency gains or losses are included in the reported net realized gains or losses on investment transactions.

 

Net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains or losses from holdings of foreign currencies, forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, dividends and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains or losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (other than investments) at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currencies.

 

Cross Currency Exchange Contracts: A cross currency contract is a forward contract where a specified amount of one foreign currency will be exchanged for a specified amount of another foreign currency.

 

Concentration of Risk: The ability of debt securities issuers (other than those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government) held by the Fund to meet its obligations may be affected by the economic or political developments in a specific industry, region or country. Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. companies as a result of, among

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     37   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

other factors, the possibility of political or economic instability or the level of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets.

 

Forward Currency Contracts: A forward currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate between two parties. The Fund enters into forward currency contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings or specific receivables and payables denominated in a foreign currency. The contracts are valued daily at current exchange rates and any unrealized gain or loss is included in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currencies. Gain or loss is realized on the settlement date of the contract equal to the difference between the settlement value of the original and negotiated forward contracts. This gain or loss, if any, is included in net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Forward currency contracts involve risks from currency exchange rate and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the net value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty at the end of the contract’s life.

 

Swap Agreements: The Fund entered into credit default, interest rate, total return and other forms of swap agreements. 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 over-the-counter market and may be executed either directly with counterparty (“OTC-Traded”) or through a central clearing facility, such as a registered commodities exchange (“Exchange-Traded”). Swap agreements are valued daily at current market value and any change in value is included in the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments. Exchange-traded swaps pay or receive an amount, known as “variation margin”, based on daily changes in the valuation of a swap contract. Payments received or paid by the Fund are recorded as realized gains or losses upon termination or maturity of the swap. Risk of loss may exceed amounts recognized on the statements of assets and liabilities. Swap agreements outstanding at period end, if any, are listed on the Portfolio of Investments.

 

Credit Default Swaps: Credit default swaps (“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

 

38  


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. The Fund entered into credit default swaps 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 credit default swaps 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 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 on corporate issues or sovereign issues of an emerging country as of period end are disclosed in the footnotes to the Portfolio of Investments, if applicable. These spreads serve as an indicator 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. For credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     39   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

serve as indicators of the current status of the payment/performance risk. Wider credit spreads and increasing 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.

 

Master Netting Arrangements: The Fund is subject to various Master Agreements, or netting arrangements, with select counterparties. These are agreements which a sub-adviser may have negotiated and entered into on behalf of the Portfolio. A master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty permits the Fund to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received; and by the receipt of collateral from the counterparty by the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. However, there is no assurance that such mitigating factors are easily enforceable. The right to set-off exists when all the conditions are met such that each of the parties owes the other a determinable amount, the reporting party has the right to set-off the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party, the reporting party intends to set-off, and the right of set-off is enforceable by law. During the reporting period, there were no instances where the right to set-off existed and management has not elected to offset.

 

The Fund is a party to ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.) Master Agreements with certain counterparties that govern over-the-counter derivative and foreign exchange contracts entered into from time to time. The Master Agreements may contain provisions regarding, among other things, the parties’ general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral requirements, events of default and early termination. With respect to certain counterparties, in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreements, collateral posted to the Fund is held in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian and with respect to those amounts which can be sold or re-pledged, are presented in the Portfolio of Investments. Collateral pledged by the Fund is segregated by the Fund’s custodian and identified in the Portfolio of Investments. Collateral can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. Government or related agencies or other securities as agreed to by the Fund and the applicable counterparty. Collateral requirements are determined based on the Fund’s net position with each counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund may occur upon a decline in the Fund’s net assets below a specified threshold over a certain period of time. Termination events applicable to counterparties may occur upon a decline in the counterparty’s long-term and short-term credit ratings below a specified level. In each

 

40  


case, upon occurrence, the other party may elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all derivative and foreign exchange contracts outstanding, including the payment of any losses and costs resulting from such early termination, as reasonably determined by the terminating party. Any decision by one or more of the Fund’s counterparties to elect early termination could impact the Fund’s future derivative activity.

 

In addition to each instrument’s primary underlying risk exposure (e.g. interest rate, credit, equity or foreign exchanged, etc.), swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that no liquid market for these agreements will exist, the counterparty to the agreement may default on its obligation to perform or disagree on the contractual terms of the agreement, and changes in net interest rates will be unfavorable. In connection with these agreements, securities in the portfolio may be identified or received as collateral from the counterparty in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide or receive assets of value and to serve as recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency of either party. Such over-the-counter derivative agreements include conditions which, when materialized, give the counterparty the right to cause an early termination of the transactions under those agreements. Any election by the counterparty for early termination of the contract(s) may impact the amounts reported on financial statements.

 

As of August 31, 2015, the Fund has not met conditions under such agreements, which give the counterparty the right to call for an early termination.

 

Forward currency contracts, written options, short sales, swaps and financial futures contracts involve elements of both market and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks may be mitigated by engaging in master netting arrangements.

 

Payment in Kind Securities: Certain fixed income Portfolios may invest in open market or receive 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. The interest rate on PIK debt is paid out over time.

 

Securities Lending: The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to banks and broker-dealers. The loans are secured by collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Collateral pledged by each borrower is invested in a highly liquid short-term money market fund and is marked to market daily, based on the day’s

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     41   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

market value, such that the value of the collateral exceeds the value of the loaned securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the loaned securities. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities using the collateral in the open market. The Fund recognizes income, net of any rebate and securities lending agent fees, for lending its securities, and any interest on the investment of cash received as collateral. The Fund also continues to receive interest and dividends or amounts equivalent thereto, on the securities loaned and recognizes any unrealized gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan.

 

Loan Participations: The Fund may invest in loan participations, another type of restricted security. When the Fund purchases a loan participation, the Fund typically enters into a contractual relationship with the lender or third party selling such participations (“Selling Participant”), but not the borrower. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the Selling Participant and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. The Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the senior loan in which it has purchased the loan participation.

 

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. 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 the accrual basis, which may require the use of certain estimates by management that may differ from actual.

 

Net investment income or loss (other than distribution fees, which are charged directly to the respective class and transfer agency fees specific to Class Q shares which are charged to that share class) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of adjusted net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

 

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund declares daily and pays dividends of net investment income monthly and makes distributions of net realized capital and currency gains, if any, annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which

 

42  


are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gains are reclassified amongst undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized gain or loss and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

 

Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, 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 income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

Estimates: The preparation of the 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.

 

Note 2. Agreements

 

The Fund has a management agreement with PI. Pursuant to this agreement, PI has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadvisor’s performance of such services. PI has entered into a subadvisory agreement with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“PIM”). The subadvisory agreement provides that PIM will furnish investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund. In connection therewith, PIM is obligated to keep certain books and records of the Fund. PI pays for the services of PIM, 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 PI is accrued daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of .70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $2 billion and .675% of the average daily net assets in excess of $2 billion. Prior to July 1, 2014, the management fee paid to PI was accrued daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of .70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

PI contractually agreed through December 31, 2014 to limit net annual Fund operating expenses (excluding distribution and service (12b-1) fees, extraordinary and certain other expenses, including taxes, interest and brokerage commissions) of each class of shares to .90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Effective January 1, 2015, this contractual expense limit was terminated.

 

The Fund has a distribution agreement with Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (“PIMS”), which acts as the distributor of the Class A, Class C, Class Q

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     43   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

and Class Z shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PIMS for distributing and servicing the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of distribution (the “Distribution Plans”), regardless of expenses actually incurred by PIMS. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. No distribution or service fees are paid to PIMS as distributor of the Class Q and Class Z shares of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Fund compensates PIMS for distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to .30% and 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A and C shares, respectively. PIMS contractually agreed to limit such fees to .25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares through March 8, 2015. Effective March 9, 2015, the Class A contractual distribution and service (12b-1) fees were reduced from .30% to .25% of the average daily net assets and the .05% contractual 12b-1 fee waiver was terminated.

 

PIMS has advised the Fund that it has received $725,257 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares, during the year ended August 31, 2015. From these fees, PIMS paid such sales charges to affiliated broker-dealers, which in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

 

PIMS has advised the Fund that for the year ended August 31, 2015, it received $16,715 and $89,530 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by certain Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively.

 

PI, PIMS and PIM are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

 

Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (“PMFS”), an affiliate of PI and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent. Transfer agent’s fees and expenses on the Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates, where applicable.

 

Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“PIM”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, is the Fund’s securities lending agent. Earnings from securities lending are disclosed on the Statement of Operations as “Affiliated income from securities lending, net”. For the year ended August 31, 2015, PIM was compensated $83,485 for these services.

 

44  


The Fund invests in the Prudential Core Taxable Money Market Fund (the “Core Funds”), a portfolio of the Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PI. Earnings from the Core Fund is disclosed on the Statement of Operations as “Affiliated dividend income”.

 

Note 4. Portfolio Securities

 

Purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments, for the year ended August 31, 2015, aggregated $756,185,389 and $849,034,796, respectively.

 

Note 5. Distributions and Tax Information

 

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. In order to present undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions and paid-in capital in excess of par on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that more closely represent their tax character, certain adjustments have been made to undistributed net investment income and accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions. For the year ended August 31, 2015, the adjustments were to increase undistributed net investment income and increase accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions by $24,036,474 due to differences in the treatment for book and tax purposes of premium amortization, certain transactions involving foreign securities and currencies and paydown gains/losses. Net investment income, net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions and net assets were not affected by this change.

 

For the years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $85,068,107 and $63,559,381 of ordinary income, respectively.

 

As of August 31, 2015, the accumulated undistributed earnings on a tax basis was $4,388,262 of ordinary income. This differs from the amount shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities primarily due to cumulative timing differences between financial and tax reporting.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     45   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

 

The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized depreciation as of August 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

Tax Basis

 

Appreciation

 

Depreciation

 

Net

Unrealized

Depreciation

 

Other Cost
Basis
Adjustments

 

Total Net
Unrealized
Depreciation

$1,565,643,254   $3,430,098   $(63,562,428)   $(60,132,330)   $237   $(60,132,093)

 

The difference between book and tax basis is primarily attributable to deferred losses on wash sales and differences in the treatment of premium amortization for book and tax purposes. The other cost basis adjustments are primarily attributable to appreciation (depreciation) of foreign currencies and mark-to-market of receivables and payables.

 

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of August 31, 2015 of approximately $9,527,000 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 elected to treat post-October capital losses of approximately $35,679,000 as having been incurred in the following fiscal year (August 31, 2016).

 

Management 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. The Fund’s federal, state and local income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

 

Note 6. Capital

 

The Fund offers Class A, Class C, Class Q and Class Z shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 3.25%. Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and redeem those shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1%, but are not subject to an initial sales charge. The Class A CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement or benefit plans. Class C shares sold within 12 months of purchase are subject to a CDSC of 1%. A special exchange privilege is also available for

 

46  


shareholders who qualified to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. Class Q and Class Z shares are not subject to any sales or redemption charges and are available only to a limited group of investors.

 

Under certain circumstances, an exchange may be made from specified share classes of the Fund to one or more other share classes of the Fund as presented in the table of transactions in shares of beneficial interest.

 

The Fund is authorized to issue 1.1 billion shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class C, Class Q and Class Z common stock. Of the authorized shares of common stock of the Fund, 225 million shares are designated for Class A common stock, 175 million shares are designated for Class C common stock, 250 million shares are designated for Class Q common stock and 450 million shares are designated for Class Z common stock.

 

At August 31, 2015, Prudential Financial, Inc. through its affiliates owned 1,102 Class Q shares of the Fund.

 

Transactions in shares of common stock were as follows:

 

Class A

     Shares      Amount  

Year ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       18,993,279       $ 179,576,725   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       1,980,302         18,676,378   

Shares reacquired

       (22,297,696      (210,456,748
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       (1,324,115      (12,203,645

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       368,039         3,479,142   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (1,840,221      (17,585,823
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (2,796,297    $ (26,310,326
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       44,909,690       $ 442,805,761   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       1,716,198         16,873,406   

Shares reacquired

       (12,187,878      (119,858,992
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       34,438,010         339,820,175   

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       137,202         1,349,818   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (9,747,349      (95,374,816
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       24,827,863       $ 245,795,177   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     47   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

Class C

     Shares      Amount  

Year ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       10,141,711       $ 95,921,687   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       1,381,553         13,025,422   

Shares reacquired

       (11,351,594      (107,095,423
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       171,670         1,851,686   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (365,355      (3,449,149
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (193,685    $ (1,597,463
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       26,159,905       $ 257,703,956   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       804,337         7,901,528   

Shares reacquired

       (3,265,955      (32,083,918
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       23,698,287         233,521,566   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (63,069      (620,550
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       23,635,218       $ 232,901,016   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class Q

               

Period* ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       2,380,380       $ 22,434,988   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       93,124         875,633   

Shares reacquired

       (1,248,412      (11,714,200
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       1,225,092         11,596,421   

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       585,842         5,618,230   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       1,810,934       $ 17,214,651   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class Z

               

Year ended August 31, 2015:

       

Shares sold

       43,434,849       $ 409,943,325   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       3,840,463         36,225,801   

Shares reacquired

       (58,749,440      (554,748,524
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       (11,474,128      (108,579,398

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       2,187,341         20,870,393   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (933,495      (8,932,793
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (10,220,282    $ (96,641,798
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended August 31, 2014:

       

Shares sold

       75,768,728       $ 746,709,908   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       2,589,965         25,441,718   

Shares reacquired

       (25,106,458      (245,852,367
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       53,252,235         526,299,259   

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       9,798,372         95,899,088   

Shares reacquired upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (127,292      (1,253,540
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       62,923,315       $ 620,944,807   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Commenced operations October 27, 2014.

 

48  


Note 7. Borrowings

 

The Fund, along with other affiliated registered investment companies (the “Funds”), is a party to a Syndicated Credit Agreement (“SCA”) with a group of banks. The purpose of the SCA is to provide an alternative source of temporary funding for capital share redemptions. The SCA provides for a commitment of $900 million for the period October 9, 2014 through October 8, 2015. The Funds pay an annualized commitment fee of .075% on the unused portion of the SCA. Interest on any borrowings under the SCA is paid at contracted market rates. Prior to October 9, 2014 the Funds had another SCA that provided a commitment of $900 million and the Funds paid an annualized commitment fee of .08% of the unused portion of the SCA. The commitment fee for the unused amount is accrued daily and paid quarterly.

 

Subsequent to the fiscal year end, the SCA has been renewed effective October 8, 2015, and will continue to provide a commitment of $900 million through October 6, 2016. Effective October 8, 2015, the Funds pay an annualized commitment fee of .11% of the unused portion of the SCA.

 

The Fund utilized the SCA during the year ended August 31, 2015. The Fund had an average outstanding balance of $10,162,794 for 63 days at an average interest rate of 1.42%. The maximum amount of loan outstanding during the period was $27,242,000. At August 31, 2015, the Fund did not have an outstanding loan amount.

 

Note 8. New Accounting Pronouncement

 

In May 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-07 regarding “Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share”. The amendments in this update are effective for the Fund for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU No. 2015-07 will eliminate the requirement to categorize investments in the fair value hierarchy if their fair value is measured at net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient in the FASB’s fair value measurement guidance. Management has evaluated the implications of ASU No. 2015-07 and it has been determined that there is no impact on the financial statement disclosures.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     49   


 

Financial Highlights

 

Class A Shares       
    

Year Ended
August 31,
2015

         Year Ended
August 31,
2014(b)
         October 26,
2012(a)(b)
through
August 31,
2013
 
Per Share Operating Performance:                                
Net Asset Value, Beginning Of Period     $9.73            $9.79            $10.00   
Income from investment operations:                                
Net investment income     .44            .45            .34   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     (.37         .09            (.09
Total from investment operations     .07            .54            .25   
Less Dividends:                                
Dividends from net investment income     (.59         (.60         (.46
Net asset value, end of period     $9.21            $9.73            $9.79   
Total Return(c):     .72%            5.55%            2.50%   
   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000)     $366,345            $413,957            $173,606   
Average net assets (000)     $381,350            $354,627            $55,859   
Ratios to average net assets(d):                                
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement(e)     1.11%            1.09%            1.15% (f) 
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement(e)     1.14%            1.14%            1.25% (f) 
Net investment income     4.70%            4.63%            4.16% (f) 
Portfolio turnover rate     56%            60%            30% (g) 

 

(a) Commencement of operations.

(b) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolio in which the Fund invests.

(e) Effective March 9, 2015, the contractual distribution and service (12b-1) fees were reduced from .30% to .25% of the average daily net assets and the .05% contractual 12b-1 fee waiver was terminated.

(f) Annualized.

(g) Not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

50  


 

Class C Shares       
     Year Ended
August 31,
2015
         Year Ended
August 31,
2014(b)
         October 26,
2012(a)(b)
through
August 31,
2013
 
Per Share Operating Performance:                                
Net Asset Value, Beginning Of Period     $9.73            $9.79            $10.00   
Income from investment operations:                                
Net investment income     .37            .38            .28   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     (.37         .08            (.10
Total from investment operations     -            .46            .18   
Less Dividends:                                
Dividends from net investment income     (.52         (.52         (.39
Net asset value, end of period     $9.21            $9.73            $9.79   
Total Return(c):     (.02)%            4.77%            1.83%   
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data:      
Net assets, end of period (000)     $286,999            $304,897            $75,539   
Average net assets (000)     $298,555            $194,085            $25,240   
Ratios to average net assets(d):                                
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.86%            1.83%            1.90% (e) 
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.86%            1.83%            1.95% (e) 
Net investment income     3.95%            3.86%            3.38% (e) 
Portfolio turnover rate     56%            60%            30% (f) 

 

(a) Commencement of operations.

(b) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolio in which the Fund invests.

(e) Annualized.

(f) Not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     51   


 

Financial Highlights

 

continued

 

Class Q Shares  
     October 27,
2014(a)
through
August 31,
2015
 
Per Share Operating Performance:        
Net Asset Value, Beginning Of Period     $9.59   
Income from investment operations:        
Net investment income     .39   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     (.24
Total from investment operations     .15   
Less Dividends:        
Dividends from net investment income     (.52
Net asset value, end of period     $9.22   
Total Return(b):     1.65%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of period (000)     $16,690   
Average net assets (000)     $15,387   
Ratios to average net assets(c):        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     .77% (d) 
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     .77% (d) 
Net investment income     4.77% (d) 
Portfolio turnover rate     56% (e) 

 

(a) Commencement of operations.

(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(c) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolio in which the Fund invests.

(d) Annualized.

(e) Not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

52  


 

Class Z Shares       
     Year Ended
August 31,
2015
         Year Ended
August 31,
2014(b)
         October 26,
2012(a)(b)
through
August 31,
2013
 
Per Share Operating Performance:                                
Net Asset Value, Beginning Of Period     $9.73            $9.79            $10.00   
Income from investment operations:                                
Net investment income     .47            .48            .36   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     (.38         .08            (.09
Total from investment operations     .09            .56            .27   
Less Dividends:                                
Dividends from net investment income     (.61         (.62         (.48
Net asset value, end of period     $9.21            $9.73            $9.79   
Total Return(c):     .98%            5.82%            2.74%   
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data:      
Net assets, end of period (000)     $656,491            $792,560            $181,587   
Average net assets (000)     $675,793            $507,805            $69,695   
Ratios to average net assets(d):                                
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     .86%            .84%            .90% (e) 
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     .86%            .84%            1.04% (e) 
Net investment income     4.96%            4.89%            4.29% (e) 
Portfolio turnover rate     56%            60%            30% (f) 

 

(a) Commencement of operations.

(b) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c) Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to generally accepted accounting principles. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d) Does not include expenses of the underlying portfolio in which the Fund invests.

(e) Annualized.

(f) Not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     53   


Report of Independent Registered Public

Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Prudential Investment Portfolios 15, Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund, a portfolio of Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15 (hereafter referred to as the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of August 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures when replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 31, 2015, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

 

New York, New York

October 30, 2015

 

54  


Tax Information

 

(Unaudited)

 

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund reports the maximum amount allowable but not less than 78.92% as interest related dividends in accordance with Section 871(k)(1) and 881(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Interest-related dividends do not include any distributions paid by a fund with respect to Fund tax years beginning after August 31, 2015. Consequently, this provision expires with respect to such distributions paid after the Fund’s fiscal year end.

 

In January 2016, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099-DIV or substitute 1099-DIV, as to the federal tax status of dividends received by you in calendar year 2015.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund     55   


INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

(Unaudited)

Information about Board Members and Officers of the Fund is set forth below. Board Members who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Board Members.” Board Members who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund are referred to as “Interested Board Members.” The Board Members are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Board in turn elects the Officers, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

 

Independent Board Members(1)

Name, Address, Age

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Other Directorships Held During Past Five Years

Ellen S. Alberding (57)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   President and Board Member, The Joyce Foundation (charitable foundation) (since 2002); Vice Chair, City Colleges of Chicago (community college system) (since 2011); Trustee, Skills for America’s Future (national initiative to connect employers to community colleges) (since 2011); Trustee, National Park Foundation (charitable foundation for national park system) (since 2009); Trustee, Economic Club of Chicago (since 2009).    None.

Kevin J. Bannon (63)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Managing Director (April 2008-May 2015) and Chief Investment Officer (October 2008-November 2013) of Highmount Capital LLC (registered investment adviser); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (April 1993-August 2007) of Bank of New York Company; President (May 2003-May 2007) of BNY Hamilton Family of Mutual Funds.   

Director of Urstadt Biddle Properties

(equity real estate investment trust)

(since September 2008).

Linda W. Bynoe (63)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   President and Chief Executive Officer (since March 1995) and formerly Chief Operating Officer (December 1989-February 1995) of Telemat Ltd. (management consulting); formerly Vice President (January 1985-June 1989) at Morgan Stanley & Co. (broker-dealer).    Director of Simon Property Group, Inc. (retail real estate) (May 2003-May 2012); Director of Anixter International, Inc. (communication products distributor) (since January 2006); Director of Northern Trust Corporation (financial services) (since April 2006); Trustee of Equity Residential (residential real estate) (since December 2009).

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund


Independent Board Members(1)

Name, Address, Age

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Other Directorships Held During Past Five Years

Keith F. Hartstein (59)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Retired; Member (since November 2014) of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council (organization of independent mutual fund directors); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (2005-2012), Senior Vice President (2004-2005), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing (1997-2004), and various executive management positions (1990-1997), John Hancock Funds, LLC (asset management); Chairman, Investment Company Institute’s Sales Force Marketing Committee (2003-2008).    None.

Michael S. Hyland, CFA (70)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Retired (since February 2005); formerly Senior Managing Director (July 2001-February 2005) of Bear Stearns & Co, Inc.; Global Partner, INVESCO (1999-2001); Managing Director and President of Salomon Brothers Asset Management (1989-1999).    None.

Richard A. Redeker (72)

Board Member & Independent Chair

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Retired Mutual Fund Senior Executive (47 years); Management Consultant; Director, Mutual Fund Directors Forum (since 2014); Independent Directors Council (organization of independent mutual fund directors)-Executive Committee, Chair of Policy Steering Committee, Governing Council.    None.

Stephen G. Stoneburn (72)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Chairman (since July 2011), President and Chief Executive Officer (since June 1996) of Quadrant Media Corp. (publishing company); formerly President (June 1995-June 1996) of Argus Integrated Media, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Managing Director (January 1993-1995) of Cowles Business Media; Senior Vice President of Fairchild Publications, Inc. (1975-1989).    None.

 

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Interested Board Members(1)

Name, Address, Age

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Other Directorships Held During Past Five Years

Stuart S. Parker (53)

Board Member & President

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   President of Prudential Investments LLC (since January 2012); Executive Vice President of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (since December 2012); Executive Vice President of Jennison Associates LLC and Head of Retail Distribution of Prudential Investments LLC (June 2005-December 2011).    None.

Scott E. Benjamin (42)

Board Member & Vice President

Portfolios Overseen: 66

   Executive Vice President (since June 2009) of Prudential Investments LLC; Executive Vice President (June 2009-June 2012) and Vice President (since June 2012) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; Executive Vice President (since September 2009) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, Prudential Investments (since February 2006); Vice President of Product Development and Product Management, Prudential Investments (2003-2006).    None.

Grace C. Torres* (56)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 64

   Retired; formerly Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the Prudential Investments Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, Prudential Variable Contract Accounts and The Prudential Series Fund (1998-June 2014); Assistant Treasurer (March 1999-June 2014) and Senior Vice President (September 1999-June 2014) of Prudential Investments LLC; Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) and Vice President (June 2005-June 2014) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) of Prudential Annuities Advisory Services, Inc.    Director (since July 2015) of Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A.

 

* Note: Prior to her retirement in 2014, Ms. Torres was employed by Prudential Investments LLC. Due to her prior employment, she is considered to be an “interested person” under the 1940 Act. Ms. Torres is a non-management Interested Board Member.
(1)  The year that each individual joined PIP 15’s Board is as follows:

Ellen S. Alberding, 2013; Kevin J. Bannon, 2008; Linda W. Bynoe, 2005; Keith F. Hartstein, 2013; Michael S. Hyland, 2008; Richard A. Redeker, 1995; Stephen G. Stoneburn, 2003; Grace C. Torres, 2014; Stuart S. Parker, Board Member and President since 2012; Scott E. Benjamin, Board Member since 2010 and Vice President since 2009.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund


Fund Officers(a)

Name, Address and Age

Position with Fund

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of

Service as Fund

Officer

Raymond A. O’Hara (60)

Chief Legal Officer

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since July 2010) of Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential); Vice President (March 2011-Present) of Pruco Life Insurance Company and Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey; Vice President and Corporate Counsel (March 2011-Present) of Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation; Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Investments LLC (since June 2012); Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since June 2012) and Corporate Counsel of AST Investment Services, Inc. (since June 2012); formerly Assistant Vice President and Corporate Counsel (September 2008-July 2010) of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.; formerly Associate (September 1980-December 1987) and Partner (January 1988–August 2008) of Blazzard & Hasenauer, P.C. (formerly, Blazzard, Grodd & Hasenauer, P.C.).    Since 2012

Chad A. Earnst (40)

Chief Compliance Officer

   Chief Compliance Officer (September 2014-Present) of Prudential Investments LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (September 2014-Present) of the Prudential Investments Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc., Prudential Global Short Duration High Yield Income Fund, Inc., Prudential Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc. and Prudential Jennison MLP Income Fund, Inc.; formerly Assistant Director (March 2010-August 2014) of the Asset Management Unit, Division of Enforcement, US Securities & Exchange Commission; Assistant Regional Director (January 2010-August 2014), Branch Chief (June 2006–December 2009) and Senior Counsel (April 2003-May 2006) of the Miami Regional Office, Division of Enforcement, US Securities & Exchange Commission.    Since 2014

Deborah A. Docs (57)

Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2001) of Prudential; Vice President (since December 1996) and Assistant Secretary (since March 1999) of Prudential Investments LLC; formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary (May 2003-June 2005) of AST Investment Services, Inc.    Since 2004

Jonathan D. Shain (57)

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since August 1998) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since May 2001) of Prudential Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since February 2001) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC; formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary (May 2003-June 2005) of AST Investment Services, Inc.    Since 2005

 

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Fund Officers(a)

Name, Address and Age

Position with Fund

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of

Service as Fund

Officer

Claudia DiGiacomo (41)

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2005) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Prudential Investments LLC (since December 2005); Associate at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (1999-2004).    Since 2005

Andrew R. French (52)

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since February 2010) of Prudential; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (2006-2010) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC.    Since 2006

Amanda S. Ryan (37)

Assistant Secretary

   Director and Corporate Counsel (since March 2012) of Prudential; Director and Assistant Secretary (since June 2012) of Prudential Investments LLC; Associate at Ropes & Gray LLP (2008-2012).    Since 2012

Theresa C. Thompson (53)

Deputy Chief Compliance Officer

   Vice President, Compliance, Prudential Investments LLC (since April 2004); and Director, Compliance, Prudential Investments LLC (2001-2004).    Since 2008

Richard W. Kinville (47)

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

   Vice President, Corporate Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering Unit (since January 2005) of Prudential; committee member of the American Council of Life Insurers Anti-Money Laundering and Critical Infrastructure Committee (since January 2007); formerly Investigator and Supervisor in the Special Investigations Unit for the New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company (August 1994-January 1999); Investigator in AXA Financial’s Internal Audit Department and Manager in AXA’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (January 1999-January 2005); first chair of the American Council of Life Insurers Anti-Money Laundering and Critical Infrastructure Committee (June 2007-December 2009).    Since 2011

M. Sadiq Peshimam (51)

Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

   Vice President (since 2005) of Prudential Investments LLC; formerly Assistant Treasurer of funds in the Prudential Mutual Fund Complex (2006-2014).    Since 2006

Peter Parrella (57)

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2004-2007) within Prudential Mutual Fund Administration; formerly Tax Manager at SSB Citi Fund Management LLC (1997-2004).    Since 2007

Lana Lomuti (48)

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2005-2007), within Prudential Mutual Fund Administration; formerly Assistant Treasurer (December 2007-February 2014) of The Greater China Fund, Inc.    Since 2014
Linda McMullin (54) Assistant Treasurer    Vice President (since 2011) and Director (2008-2011) within Prudential Mutual Fund Administration.    Since 2014

Kelly A. Coyne (47)

Assistant Treasurer

   Director, Investment Operations of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since 2010).    Since 2015

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund


(a)  Excludes Mr. Parker and Mr. Benjamin, interested Board Members who also serve as President and Vice President, respectively.

Explanatory Notes to Tables:

 

  Board Members are deemed to be “Interested,” as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their affiliation with Prudential Investments LLC and/or an affiliate of Prudential Investments LLC.

 

  Unless otherwise noted, the address of all Board Members and Officers is c/o Prudential Investments LLC, 655 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4410.

 

  There is no set term of office for Board Members or Officers. The Board Members have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for the retirement of Board Members on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 75.

 

  “Other Directorships Held” includes only directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the 1934 Act (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

  “Portfolios Overseen” includes all investment companies managed by Prudential Investments LLC. The investment companies for which Prudential Investments LLC serves as manager include the Prudential Investments Mutual Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts, Target Mutual Funds, Prudential Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc., Prudential Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc., The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc. and the Advanced Series Trust.

 

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Approval of Management and

Subadvisory Agreements

 

The Fund’s Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund1 (the “Fund”) consists of ten individuals, seven 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 three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and the Investment 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 Prudential Investments LLC (“PI”) and the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“PIM”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, met on June 9-11, 2015 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2016, 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 PI and PIM. Also, the Board considered comparisons with other mutual 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 PI and the subadviser, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PI 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 PI throughout the year at regular Board

 

 

1 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund is a series of Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund


Approval of Management and

Subadvisory Agreements (continued)

 

meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on June 9-11, 2015.

 

The Directors determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PI, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a management agreement, and between PI and PIM, which serves as the Fund’s subadviser pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PI, 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 PI and PIM. The Board considered the services provided by PI, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadviser for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance, and other services to the Fund. With respect to PI’s oversight of the subadviser, the Board noted that PI’s Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PI, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PI’s senior management on the performance and operations of the subadviser. The Board also considered that PI 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 PIM, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures.

 

The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PI’s senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund and PIM, and also considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PIM’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 PI’s and PIM’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to both PI and PIM. The Board also noted that it received favorable compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as to both PI and PIM. The Board noted that PIM is affiliated with PI. The Board considered PI’s evaluation of the subadviser, as well as PI’s recommendation, based on its review of the subadviser, to renew the subadvisory agreement.

 

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The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PI and the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PIM, and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PI and PIM under the management and subadvisory agreements.

 

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PI

 

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PI and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PI 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. The Board further noted that the subadviser is affiliated with PI and that its profitability is reflected in PI’s profitability report. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PI and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

 

Economies of Scale

 

PI and the Board previously retained an outside business consulting firm to review management fee breakpoint usage and trends in management fees across the mutual fund industry. The consulting firm presented its analysis and conclusions as to the Funds’ management fee structures to the Board and PI. The Board and PI have discussed these conclusions extensively since that presentation.

 

The Board received and discussed information concerning economies of scale that PI may realize as the Fund’s assets grow beyond current levels. The Board noted that the management fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints, which have the effect of decreasing the fee rate as assets increase, but that at its current level of assets the Fund does not realize the effect of those rate reductions. The Board took note that the Fund’s fee structure currently results in benefits to Fund shareholders whether or not PI realizes any economies of scale. The Board noted that economies of scale can be shared with the Fund 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 also considered PI’s assertion that it continually evaluates the management fee schedule of the Fund and the potential to share economies of scale through breakpoints or fee waivers as asset levels increase.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund


Approval of Management and

Subadvisory Agreements (continued)

 

 

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

 

Other Benefits to PI and PIM

 

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PI and PIM and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PI included fees received by affiliates of PI for serving as the Fund’s securities lending agent, transfer agency fees received by the Fund’s transfer agent (which is affiliated with PI), as well as benefits to its reputation or other intangible benefits resulting from PI’s association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by PIM 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 its reputation. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PI and PIM were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to mutual funds.

 

Performance of the Fund / Fees and Expenses

 

The Board considered certain additional specific factors and made related conclusions relating to the historical performance of the Fund for the one-year period ended December 31, 2014. The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on October 26, 2012 and that longer-term performance was not yet available.

 

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 August 31, 2014. The Board considered the management fee for the Fund as compared to the management fee charged by PI to other funds and the fee charged by other advisers to comparable mutual 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 mutual funds included in the Peer Universe (the Lipper High Yield Funds Performance Universe) and the Peer Group were objectively determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of mutual fund data. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the mutual funds (for performance, the best performing mutual funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost mutual funds).

 

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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 gross performance comparisons (which do not 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.

 

Performance    1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
    

3rd Quartile

   N/A    N/A    N/A
Actual Management Fees: 3rd Quartile
Net Total Expenses: 4th Quartile

 

   

The Board noted that Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the one-year period.

   

The Board considered PI’s explanation that the Fund’s underperformance in the Peer Universe relative to the other funds in the Peer Universe was primarily the result of the Fund’s focus on shorter duration bonds versus peer funds.

   

The Board noted that the Fund does not yet have a three-year performance record and that, therefore, the subadviser should have more time to develop that record.

   

The Board noted information provided by PI which indicated that the Fund’s net total expense ratio was only 11 basis points higher than the median of all funds included in the Peer Group.

   

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 to allow the subadviser to continue to develop a performance record.

   

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

 

*    *    *

 

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

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund


Approval of New Sub-Subadvisory Agreement

 

As required by the 1940 Act, at an in-person meeting of the Board of Trustees (the Board) held on March 3-5, 2015, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, considered and approved a proposed sub-subadvisory agreement (the “Sub-Subadvisory Agreement”) between PIM and Pramerica Investment Management Limited (PIML or the Sub-Subadviser), under which PIM may delegate subadvisory authority to PIML such that PIML may execute trades directly on behalf of the Fund. The Board noted that counsel to the Fund had issued an opinion that the delegation of subadvisory services by PIM to PIML with respect to the Fund would not constitute an assignment of the current subadvisory agreement between PI and PIM with respect to the Fund or a material amendment of the agreement, so that PIM and PIML could enter into the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement with respect to the Fund with Board approval but without shareholder approval being required under the 1940 Act.

 

In approving the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors it deemed relevant, including the nature, quality and extent of services to be provided to the Funds by the Sub-Subadviser; any relevant comparable performance information; the fees, if any, proposed to be paid by PIM to the Sub-Subadviser under the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement and the potential for economies of scale that may be shared with the Fund and its shareholders. In connection with its deliberations, the Board considered information provided by PI, the Subadviser and the Sub-Subadviser at or in advance of the meetings on March 3-5, 2015. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement with respect to the Fund.

 

The Trustees determined that the overall arrangements between PI, the Subadviser and the Sub-Subadviser, which will serve as a sub-subadviser to the Fund pursuant to the terms of the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement, are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders in light of the services to be performed, the fees to be charged, if any, under the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.

 

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees’ reaching their determinations to approve the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement with respect to the Fund are separately discussed below.

 

Nature, quality and extent of services

 

The Board noted that it had received and considered information regarding the nature and extent of services currently provided to the Fund by PIM under the current subadvisory agreement at the meetings on June 9-11, 2014. The Board also noted that

 

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PIM proposed to formally delegate trading and limited management authority for the Fund to PIML so that PIML will be authorized to act on behalf of the Fund and conduct real-time trading in either the United States or the United Kingdom, where PIML is organized. The Board noted PI’s statement that the existing arrangements, which require all trades on behalf of the Fund to be routed through PIM personnel in the U.S., create delays that potentially disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders.

 

With respect to the quality of services, the Board considered, among other things, the background and experience of the PIML management team and compliance personnel. The Board met with representatives from PIM and PIML and reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the personnel who would be authorized to act on behalf of the Funds. The Board was also provided with information pertaining to the organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to PIML. The Board noted that it received a favorable compliance report from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) as to PIML.

 

The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment sub-subadvisory services anticipated to be provided to the Fund by PIML and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund would benefit from the additional subadvisory services to be provided by PIML under the new Sub-Subadvisory Agreement. The Board noted PI’s statement that no member of the PIML portfolio management team would serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund.

 

Performance of the Fund

 

The Board noted that performance of other accounts managed by PIML was not a relevant factor for its consideration since PIML would not be responsible for managing Fund assets under the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement. The Board noted PI’s statements that PIML’s role would be limited to trading on behalf of the Fund and that PIM portfolio managers will oversee all transactions executed by PIML.

 

Investment Subadvisory Fee Rates

 

The Board noted that under the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement PIML will be paid a subadvisory fee, if any, by PIM, not the Fund or PI. The Board noted PI’s statement that the fees and expenses of the Fund and the fees paid by PI to PIM will not increase as a result of the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement.

 

Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund


Approval of New Sub-Subadvisory Agreement

(continued)

 

 

Subadviser’s Profitability

 

The Board noted that any fee to be paid to PIML for sub-subadvisory services would be paid by PIM, not PI or the Fund. The Board further noted that PIML is affiliated with PIM and PI and, as a result, the Board will not separately consider PIML’s profitability since PIML’s profitability will be reflected in PI’s profitability report.

 

Economies of Scale

 

The Board noted that any fee to be paid to PIML for sub-subadvisory services would be paid by PIM, not PI or or the Fund. The Board noted that it would review economies of scale in connection with future annual reviews of advisory agreements.

 

Other Benefits to the Sub-Subadviser or its Affiliates from Serving as Sub-Subadviser

 

The Board considered potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that might be received by PIML and its affiliates as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board concluded that any potential benefits to be derived by PIML, which included potential access to additional research resources and benefits to its reputation, were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by subadvisers to mutual funds.

 

*    *    *

 

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

 

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n    MAIL   n    TELEPHONE   n    WEBSITE

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

  (800) 225-1852   www.prudentialfunds.com

 

PROXY VOTING
The Board of Directors of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s investment 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) 225-1852. 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 Keith F. Hartstein Michael S. Hyland Stuart S. Parker Richard A. Redeker  Stephen G. Stoneburn Grace C. Torres

 

OFFICERS
Stuart S. Parker, President Scott E. Benjamin, Vice President M. Sadiq Peshimam, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Raymond A. O’Hara, Chief Legal Officer Deborah A. Docs, Secretary Chad A. Earnst, Chief Compliance Officer Theresa C. Thompson, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer Richard W. Kinville, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer Jonathan D. Shain, Assistant Secretary Claudia DiGiacomo, Assistant Secretary Amanda S. Ryan, Assistant Secretary Andrew R. French, Assistant Secretary Peter Parrella, Assistant Treasurer Lana Lomuti, Assistant Treasurer Linda McMullin, Assistant Treasurer Kelly A. Coyne, Assistant Treasurer

 

MANAGER   Prudential Investments LLC    655 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102

 

INVESTMENT SUBADVISER   Prudential Investment
Management, Inc.
   655 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102

 

DISTRIBUTOR   Prudential Investment
Management Services LLC
   655 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102

 

CUSTODIAN   The Bank of New York Mellon    One Wall Street
New York, NY 10286

 

TRANSFER AGENT   Prudential Mutual Fund
Services LLC
   PO Box 9658
Providence, RI 02940

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
  KPMG LLP    345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154

 

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


An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Fund. An investor may obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus by visiting our website at www.prudentialfunds.com or by calling (800) 225-1852. The prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

 

E-DELIVERY
To receive your mutual fund documents online, go to www.prudentialfunds.com/edelivery and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via email when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your email address at any time by visiting the website address above.

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Directors by writing to the Chair of the Board, Prudential Short Duration High Yield Income Fund, Prudential 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 on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation and location of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Fund’s schedule of portfolio holdings is also available on the Fund’s website as of the end of each month.

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund’s Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

Mutual Funds:

ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY   MAY LOSE VALUE   ARE NOT A DEPOSIT OF OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR ANY BANK AFFILIATE


LOGO

 

 

PRUDENTIAL SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD INCOME FUND

 

SHARE CLASS   A   C   Q   Z
NASDAQ   HYSAX   HYSCX   HYSQX   HYSZX
CUSIP   74442J109   74442J208   74442J406   74442J307

 

MF216E    0283770-00001-00


Item 2 – Code of Ethics See Exhibit (a)

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies – Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers”) that applies to the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer; the registrant’s Principal Financial Officer also serves as the Principal Accounting Officer.

The registrant hereby undertakes to provide any person, without charge, upon request, a copy of the code of ethics. To request a copy of the code of ethics, contact the registrant 800-225-1852, and ask for a copy of the Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers.

Item 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert –

The registrant’s Board has determined that Mr. Kevin J. Bannon, member of the Board’s Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert,” and that he is “independent,” for purposes of this Item.

Item 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services –

(a) Audit Fees

For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), the Registrant’s principal accountant, billed the Registrant $67,600 and $67,600, respectively, for professional services rendered for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.

(b) Audit-Related Fees

For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014: none.

(c) Tax Fees

For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014: none.

(d) All Other Fees

For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014: none.

(e) (1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures


THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS

AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICY

on

Pre-Approval of Services Provided by the Independent Accountants

The Audit Committee of each Prudential Mutual Fund is charged with the responsibility to monitor the independence of the Fund’s independent accountants. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee must pre-approve any independent accounting firm’s engagement to render audit and/or permissible non-audit services, as required by law. In evaluating a proposed engagement of the independent accountants, the Audit Committee will assess the effect that the engagement might reasonably be expected to have on the accountant’s independence. The Committee’s evaluation will be based on:

 

    a review of the nature of the professional services expected to be provided,

 

    a review of the safeguards put into place by the accounting firm to safeguard independence, and

 

    periodic meetings with the accounting firm.

Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services Provided to the Funds

On an annual basis, the scope of audits for each Fund, audit fees and expenses, and audit-related and non-audit services (and fees proposed in respect thereof) proposed to be performed by the Fund’s independent accountants will be presented by the Treasurer and the independent accountants to the Audit Committee for review and, as appropriate, approval prior to the initiation of such services. Such presentation shall be accompanied by confirmation by both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants. Proposed services shall be described in sufficient detail to enable the Audit Committee to assess the appropriateness of such services and fees, and the compatibility of the provision of such services with the auditor’s independence. The Committee shall receive periodic reports on the progress of the audit and other services which are approved by the Committee or by the Committee Chair pursuant to authority delegated in this Policy.

The categories of services enumerated under “Audit Services”, “Audit-related Services”, and “Tax Services” are intended to provide guidance to the Treasurer and the independent accountants as to those categories of services which the Committee believes are generally consistent with the independence of the independent accountants and which the Committee (or the Committee Chair) would expect upon the presentation of specific proposals to pre-approve. The enumerated categories are not intended as an exclusive list of audit, audit-related or tax services, which the Committee (or the Committee Chair) would consider for pre-approval.


Audit Services

The following categories of audit services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

    Annual Fund financial statement audits

 

    Seed audits (related to new product filings, as required)

 

    SEC and regulatory filings and consents

Audit-related Services

The following categories of audit-related services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

    Accounting consultations

 

    Fund merger support services

 

    Agreed Upon Procedure Reports

 

    Attestation Reports

 

    Other Internal Control Reports

Individual audit-related services that fall within one of these categories and are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated) so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $30,000.

Tax Services

The following categories of tax services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

    Tax compliance services related to the filing or amendment of the following:

 

    Federal, state and local income tax compliance; and,

 

    Sales and use tax compliance

 

    Timely RIC qualification reviews

 

    Tax distribution analysis and planning

 

    Tax authority examination services

 

    Tax appeals support services

 

    Accounting methods studies

 

    Fund merger support services

 

    Tax consulting services and related projects

Individual tax services that fall within one of these categories and are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated) so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $30,000.


Other Non-audit Services

Certain non-audit services that the independent accountants are legally permitted to render will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee or by one or more Committee members to whom the Committee has delegated this authority and who will report to the full Committee any pre-approval decisions made pursuant to this Policy. Non-audit services presented for pre-approval pursuant to this paragraph will be accompanied by a confirmation from both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants.

Proscribed Services

The Fund’s independent accountants will not render services in the following categories of non-audit services:

 

    Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund

 

    Financial information systems design and implementation

 

    Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports

 

    Actuarial services

 

    Internal audit outsourcing services

 

    Management functions or human resources

 

    Broker or dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services

 

    Legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit

 

    Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval of Non-Audit Services Provided to Other Entities Within the Prudential Fund Complex

Certain non-audit services provided to Prudential Investments LLC or any of its affiliates that also provide ongoing services to the Prudential Mutual Funds will be subject to pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The only non-audit services provided to these entities that will require pre-approval are those related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds. Individual projects that are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated) so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $30,000. Services presented for pre-approval pursuant to this paragraph will be accompanied by a confirmation from both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants.

Although the Audit Committee will not pre-approve all services provided to Prudential Investments LLC and its affiliates, the Committee will receive an annual report from the Fund’s independent accounting firm showing the aggregate fees for all services provided to Prudential Investments and its affiliates.


(e) (2) Percentage of services referred to in 4(b) – 4(d) that were approved by the audit committee

For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014: none.

(f) Percentage of hours expended attributable to work performed by other than full time employees of principal accountant if greater than 50%.

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was 0%.

(g) Non-Audit Fees

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by KPMG for services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 was $0 and $0, respectively.

(h) Principal Accountant’s Independence

Not applicable as KPMG has not provided non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X.

 

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 applicable.
Item 8 –   Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not applicable.
Item 9 –   Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not applicable.
Item 10 –   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – Not applicable.
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 registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter of 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 – Exhibits

 

  (a) (1) Code of Ethics – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.CODE-ETH

 

  (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:   Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc. 15   
By:  

/s/ Deborah A. Docs

  
  Deborah A. Docs   
  Secretary   
Date:   October 30, 2015   
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:   October 30, 2015   
By:  

/s/ M. Sadiq Peshimam

  
  M. Sadiq Peshimam   
  Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer   
Date:   October 30, 2015