N-CSR 1 c105258_ncsr.htm CERTIFIED ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT

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: 811-02145

 

LORD ABBETT BOND-DEBENTURE FUND, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

 

90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302-3973
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Lawrence B. Stoller, Esq.
Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer
90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302-3973

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (888) 522-2388

 

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31

 

Date of reporting period: 12/31/2022

 

Item 1: Report(s) to Shareholders.

 

 

LORD ABBETT
ANNUAL REPORT

 

Lord Abbett

Bond Debenture Fund

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022

 

Table of Contents

 

1   A Letter to Shareholders
     
6   Investment Comparison
     
7   Information About Your Fund’s Expenses and Holdings Presented by Sector
     
10   Schedule of Investments
     
47   Statement of Assets and Liabilities
     
49   Statement of Operations
     
50   Statements of Changes in Net Assets
     
52   Financial Highlights
     
56   Notes to Financial Statements
     
76   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     
77   Supplemental Information to Shareholders
 

 

 

Lord Abbett Bond Debenture Fund
Annual Report

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022

 

 

From left to right: James L.L. Tullis, Independent Chair of the Lord Abbett Funds and Douglas B. Sieg, Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Lord Abbett Funds.

 

Dear Shareholders: We are pleased to provide you with this overview of the performance of Lord Abbett Bond Debenture Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. On this page and the following pages, we discuss the major factors that influenced fiscal year performance. For detailed and timely information about the Fund, please visit our website at www.lordabbett.com, where you can also access quarterly commentaries that provide updates on the Fund’s performance and other portfolio related updates.

Thank you for investing in Lord Abbett mutual funds. We value the trust that you place in us and look forward to serving your investment needs in the years to come.

 

Best regards,

 

 

Douglas B. Sieg
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund returned -12.68%, reflecting performance at the net asset value (NAV) of Class A shares with all distributions reinvested, compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index,1 which returned -13.01% over the same period.

 

The twelve-month period ending December 31, 2022 introduced meaningful headwinds for U.S. markets that led to selloffs in virtually all asset classes. The major risks over the period were

inflationary pressures, which reached multi-decade highs, and the most rapid pace of interest rate hikes implemented in history by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). Rates spiked across the U.S. yield curve as a result, with U.S. Treasury yields at almost all maturities reaching their highest levels in years. Other notable challenges for markets included supply chain dislocations and labor shortages influenced in part by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as well as escalating geopolitical tensions headlined by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.


 

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The surge in interest rates over the year caused softness in both major fixed income and equity indices. Equities fared the worst amid the sell-off, with the S&P 5002 returning -18.11% over the period and experiencing its worst year since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008. The tech-heavy NASDAQ3 also logged its worst year since 2008, declining -32.54% over the period as growth-related stocks in semiconductor and software sectors suffered in the face of inflationary pressures. Within fixed income, higher rates caused underperformance in longer duration bonds. These included U.S. Treasuries4 and investment grade bonds5 which returned -12.46% and -15.76% over the period, respectively. However, high yield bond6 and leveraged loan7 indexes outperformed the investment grade index for the period because of their lower duration profiles. Notably, high yield bonds and leveraged loans returned -11.21% and -1.06%, respectively, outperforming higher quality bonds despite recessionary fears in the U.S. economy contributing to wider spreads. Leveraged loans in particular were able to significantly outperform relative to other assets given their insulation from interest rate volatility due to their floating-rate coupons.

Inflationary concerns began to take focus towards the end of 2021 before becoming a dominant storyline in 2022. Headline consumer price index (CPI) readings had hovered a little above 5% year-over-year for most of 2021, which led

investors to question whether this period of rising prices would be more persistent than originally thought. This debate intensified in the beginning of the year as inflation readings continued as climb throughout the first half of 2022, with CPI peaking at 9.1% year-over-year in June. The surge in prices was due primarily to an imbalance between supply and demand dynamics across multiple industries, including energy, food, and used cars.

Inflationary pressures throughout the period were most evident in energy costs, which rose more than 30% year-over-year by the end of June. The energy sector, which had been subject to rising consumer demand as global economies reopened from lockdowns induced by COVID-19, faced added friction with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as Russia had been a large exporter of oil and certain minerals. Various sanctions were instilled on Russia from Western nations in response to their aggression towards Ukraine, which contributed to surging prices. Crude oil specifically reached over $100 per barrel, the highest value since 2014.

The Fed pivoted towards a much more hawkish stance on monetary policy during the period given the surge in inflation. After remaining mostly consistent in its messaging around expectations that price pressures would be transitory, elevated and more persistent inflation pressures caused the Fed to move the target federal funds rate into more restrictive territory. This resulted in a 25-basis point (bps) hike in


 

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the federal funds rate at the March Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, the first hike in more than three years. Six additional rate hikes followed in the succeeding months, one of 50 bps, and four consecutive hikes of 75 bps and an additional one of 50 bps as inflation prints continued to come mostly in hotter than expected, resulting in a federal funds rate at a range of 4.25%-4.50% by the end of 2022. Bond yields shot up amid this aggressive policy, leading to a bearish curve flattening and ultimately periods of significant yield curve inversion, with the spread between the 2-year and 10-year Treasury yields hitting its most negative level in more than 40 years.

Key macroeconomic indicators trended lower throughout the period. Most notably, the U.S. reported real GDP decline of -1.6% in the first quarter of 2022 and -0.9% in the second quarter before returning to growth in the third quarter. Worries of an impending recession resulted in consumer sentiment dropping to levels worse than during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the GFC of 2008, according to the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index.

Despite rising recessionary signs, select bright spots in the U.S. economy supported the idea that a potential recession would be shallow. One of the most positive developments seemed to be the traction behind the peak inflation narrative, which gained momentum in the fourth quarter from lower-than-expected CPI prints in both October and November. In

addition, energy prices retracted from their multi-year highs, rent prices began to stabilize, and wage growth showed signs of softening. Job growth also remained strong in the period, and the U.S. national unemployment rate continued to hover around pre-COVID lows. Companies also cited relatively stable demand in both second and third quarter earnings seasons as consumers remained resilient despite higher prices. Separately, labor shortages eased, and supply chain frictions moderated, providing added benefits for companies managing generally higher input costs.

The Fund takes a flexible, multi-sector approach, which emphasizes credit sensitive sectors of the market, compared to its benchmark, which is largely comprised of U.S. Treasuries and government-related securities. Notably, the Fund’s allocation to lower rated, but shorter duration securities ultimately contributed to relative performance as government securities, which have lower carry and longer duration profiles, underperformed. The Fund’s sub-investment grade allocation was primarily comprised of U.S. high yield corporate bonds, which outperformed the index. Many of these investments were within the Energy and Basic Industry sectors, which were broadly supported by a positive relationship to resilient commodity prices, leading to better returns relative to other sectors such as Media and Telecommunications. The Fund also had a


 

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modest allocation to bank loans that provided a boost to relative performance. Specifically, loans were one of the strongest performing asset classes for the period, as loan returns were more insulated from interest rate volatility given their floating rate nature. Separately, strong security selection within structured products, including collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) was a positive contributor to relative performance. In addition to being higher rated investments with more muted spread widening, many of these securities are also floating rate instruments and exhibited similar protection against rising interest rates as bank loans throughout the year.

Several allocations detracted from relative performance over the period, one of which was U.S. equities. Stocks came under pressure throughout the year, underperforming bonds amid rising

interest rates and heightened inflationary pressures. Strikingly, this was the worst performance for U.S. equity markets since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. The Fund’s equity exposure was significantly lowered over the period in consideration of these headwinds and finished the year close to historic lows of the Fund’s allocation. The Fund’s relative performance was also affected by modest exposure to Emerging Market (EM) bonds. EM bonds underperformed U.S. high yield bonds due to a combination of factors, including sensitivity to interest rate hikes from global central banks, as well as an appreciating U.S. dollar that can pressure EM issuers with dollar-denominated liabilities.

The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed and, therefore, its holdings and the weightings of a particular issuer or particular sector as a percentage of portfolio assets are subject to change. Sectors may include many industries.


 

1  The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index of U.S dollar-denominated, investment-grade U.S. government and corporate securities, and mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. Indexes are unmanaged, do not reflect the deduction of fees or expenses, and an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2  The S&P 500® Index is widely regarded as the standard for measuring large cap U.S. stock market performance and includes a representative sample of leading companies in leading industries.

 

3  The Nasdaq Composite Index is the market capitalization-weighted index of over 2,500 common equities listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

 

4  As represented by the U.S. Treasury component of the Bloomberg U.S. Government Index as of 12/31/2022.

5  As represented by the Bloomberg US Corp Investment Grade Index as of 12/31/2022.

 

6  As represented by the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index as of 12/31/2022.

 

7 As represented by the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index as of 12/31/2022.

 

Unless otherwise specified, indexes reflect total return, with all dividends reinvested. Indexes are unmanaged, do not reflect the deduction of fees or expenses, and are not available for direct investment.

 

Important Performance and Other Information
Performance data quoted in the following pages reflect past performance and are no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that shares,


 

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on any given day or when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by calling Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388 or referring to www.lordabbett.com.

 

Except where noted, comparative Fund performance does not account for the deduction of sales charges and would be different if sales charges were included. The Fund offers classes of shares with distinct pricing options. For a full description of the differences in pricing alternatives, please see the Fund’s prospectus.

 

During certain periods shown, expense waivers and reimbursements were in place. Without such expense waivers and reimbursements, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

The annual commentary above discusses the views of the Fund’s management and various portfolio holdings of the Fund as of December 31, 2022. These

views and portfolio holdings may have changed after this date. Information provided in the commentary is not a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Because the Fund’s portfolio is actively managed and may change significantly, the Fund may no longer own the securities described above or may have otherwise changed its position in the securities. For more recent information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings, please visit www.lordabbett.com.

 

A Note about Risk: See Notes to Financial Statements for a discussion of investment risks. For a more detailed discussion of the risks associated with the Fund, please see the Fund’s prospectus.

 

Mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, banks, and are subject to investment risks including possible loss of principal amount invested.


 

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Investment Comparison

 

Below is a comparison of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares with the same investment in the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The performance of other classes will be greater than or less than the performance shown in the graph below due to different sales loads and expenses applicable to such classes. The graph and performance table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. During certain periods, expenses of the Fund have been waived or reimbursed by Lord Abbett; without such waiver or reimbursement of expenses, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns at Maximum Applicable
Sales Charge for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022
    1 Year   5 Years   10 Years   Life of Class  
Class A3   -14.62%   0.68%   3.45%    
Class C4   -14.04%   0.50%   3.04%    
Class F5   -12.62%   1.23%   3.81%    
Class F36   -12.40%       2.36%  
Class I5   -12.49%   1.32%   3.91%    
Class P5   -12.89%   0.89%   3.57%    
Class R25   -13.04%   0.74%   3.30%    
Class R35   -12.97%   0.83%   3.41%    
Class R47   -12.73%   1.09%     2.85%  
Class R57   -12.47%   1.35%     3.12%  
Class R67   -12.52%   1.40%     3.17%  

 

1  Reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 2.25%.

2  Performance of each unmanaged index does not reflect any fees or expenses. The performance of each index is not necessarily representative of the Fund’s performance.

3  Total return, which is the percentage change in net asset value, after deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 2.25% applicable to Class A shares, with all dividends and distributions reinvested for the periods shown ended December 31, 2022 is calculated using the SEC-required uniform method to compute such return.

4  The 1% CDSC for Class C shares normally applies before the first anniversary of the purchase date. Performance for other periods is at net asset value.

5  Performance is at net asset value.

6 Commenced operations and performance for the Class began on April 4, 2017. Performance is at net asset value.

7 Commenced operations and performance for the Class began on June 30, 2015. Performance is at net asset value.


 

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Expense Example

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments (these charges vary among the share classes); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees (these charges vary among the share classes); and other Fund expenses. 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 at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022).

 

Actual Expenses

For each class of the Fund, the first line of the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in 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 divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading titled “Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/22 – 12/31/22” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

For each class of the Fund, the second line of 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.

 

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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 of 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.

 

   Beginning
Account
Value
  Ending
Account
Value
  Expenses
Paid During
Period
 
   7/1/22  12/31/22  7/1/22 –
12/31/22
 
Class A                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,008.10         $3.95       
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.27   $3.97   
Class C                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,004.90   $7.18   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,018.05   $7.22   
Class F                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,008.60   $3.44   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.78   $3.47   
Class F3                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,009.40   $2.53   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.68   $2.55   
Class I                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,009.00   $2.94   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.28   $2.96   
Class P                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,005.80   $5.21   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.01   $5.24   
Class R2                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,004.60   $5.96   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.26   $6.01   
Class R3                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,006.60   $5.46   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.76   $5.50   
Class R4                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,006.40   $4.20   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.02   $4.23   
Class R5                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,009.10   $2.94   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.28   $2.96   
Class R6                 
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,008.00   $2.53   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.68   $2.55   
   
For each class of the Fund, net expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for such class (0.78% for Class A, 1.42% for Class C, 0.68% for Class F, 0.50% for Class F3, 0.58% for Class I, 1.03% for Class P, 1.18% for Class R2, 1.08% for Class R3, 0.83% for Class R4, 0.58% for Class R5 and 0.50% for Class R6) multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect one-half year period).

 

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Portfolio Holdings Presented by Sector

December 31, 2022

 

Sector*   %**
Asset Backed Securities  5.57%
Basic Materials  4.35%
Communications  7.50%
Consumer, Cyclical  10.02%
Consumer, Non-cyclical  12.16%
Energy  16.55%
Financials  8.60%
Foreign Government  2.13%
Health Care  0.10%
Industrial  4.81%
Mortgage-Backed Securities  3.62%
Municipal  2.72%
Technology  4.31%
U.S. Government  8.60%
Utilities  6.41%
Repurchase Agreements  2.45%
Money Market Funds(a)  0.09%
Time Deposits(a)  0.01%
Total  100.00%
     
*   A sector may comprise of several industries.
**   Represents percent of total investments, which excludes derivatives.
(a)   Securities were purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

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Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
    Fair
Value
 
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 101.26%                
                 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES 5.78%                
                 
Automobiles 0.73%                
Carvana Auto Receivables Trust NP1 2020-N1A E  5.20%  7/15/2027  $5,750,000   $5,301,634 
Mercedes-Benz Auto Receivables Trust 2022-1 A3  5.21%  8/16/2027   74,465,000    75,160,027 
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2022-3 B  4.13%  8/16/2027   23,367,000    22,812,335 
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust 2021-1A F  3.91%  9/15/2027   58,047,000    52,556,845 
Total              155,830,841 
                 
Credit Card 0.93%                
American Express Credit Account Master Trust 2021-1 A  0.90%  11/15/2026   72,423,000    67,243,778 
American Express Credit Account Master Trust 2022-2 A  3.39%  5/15/2027   31,599,000    30,695,784 
American Express Credit Account Master Trust 2022-3 A  3.75%  8/15/2027   23,789,000    23,274,724 
Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust 2022-A2 A  3.49%  5/15/2027   17,155,000    16,695,543 
Genesis Sales Finance Master Trust 2021-AA A  1.20%  12/21/2026   25,102,000    23,520,825 
Perimeter Master Note Business Trust 2019-2A A  4.23%  5/15/2024   36,752,362    36,371,681 
Total              197,802,335 
                 
Other 4.12%                
AMMC CLO Ltd. 2021-24A C  6.443%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.20%
)# 1/20/2035   17,180,000    16,107,288 
AMMC CLO XIII Ltd. 2013-13A A2LR  6.025%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.70%
)# 7/24/2029   3,440,000    3,353,653 
Apidos CLO XXIII 2015-23A AR  5.299%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.22%
)# 4/15/2033   4,000,000    3,920,940 
Arbor Realty Commercial Real Estate Notes Ltd. 2022-FL2 A  6.186%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 1.85%
)# 5/15/2037   28,860,000    28,153,498 
Avant Loans Funding Trust 2021-REV1 A  1.21%  7/15/2030   26,440,000    25,194,811 
Bain Capital Credit CLO Ltd. 2017-1A A1R  5.213%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + .97%
)# 7/20/2030   16,728,100    16,494,003 
Bain Capital Credit CLO Ltd. 2021-2A C  6.179%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.10%
)# 7/16/2034   9,000,000    8,519,494 
Ballyrock CLO Ltd. 2019-1A A1R  5.109%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.03%
)# 7/15/2032   9,550,000    9,354,110 
Benefit Street Partners CLO XIX Ltd. 2019-19A B  6.079%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.00%
)# 1/15/2033   7,921,867    7,698,168 

 

10 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
   Principal
Amount
    Fair
Value
 
Other (continued)                
Dryden 30 Senior Loan Fund 2013-30A AR  5.426%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + .82%
)# 11/15/2028  $11,620,076   $11,474,935 
Dryden Senior Loan Fund 2022-113A A1†(a)  6.518%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.00%
)# 10/20/2035   23,800,000    23,765,938 
Elmwood CLO 19 Ltd. 2022-6A A†(a)  5.818%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.20%
)# 10/17/2034   46,000,000    45,908,377 
Elmwood CLO Ltd. 2022-8A A1  6.816%  11/20/2035   42,000,000    41,894,334 
Flatiron CLO 18 Ltd. 2018-1A A  5.075%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.00%
)# 4/17/2031   41,500,000    40,935,349 
Galaxy XXI CLO Ltd. 2015-21A AR  5.263%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.02%
)# 4/20/2031   5,311,000    5,218,628 
Greywolf CLO III Ltd. 2020-3RA A1R  5.588%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 1.55%
)# 4/15/2033   20,101,397    19,815,164 
Greywolf CLO VII Ltd. 2018-2A A1  5.403%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 1.44%
)# 10/20/2031   10,000,000    9,833,110 
Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd. 2015-2A CR  6.508%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.15%
)# 7/25/2027   5,476,000    5,406,236 
Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd. 2017-2A A2  5.779%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.70%
)# 1/17/2030   9,320,145    9,138,476 
Hardee’s Funding LLC 2018-1A A2II  4.959%  6/20/2048   18,469,251    17,406,440 
LOGAN CLO I Ltd. 2021-1A C  6.143%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.90%
)# 7/20/2034   11,000,000    10,124,445 
Madison Park Funding XIII Ltd. 2014-13A AR2  5.177%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + .95%
)# 4/19/2030   15,269,760    15,109,923 
Marble Point CLO XVII Ltd. 2020-1A A  5.543%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.30%
)# 4/20/2033   19,415,475    19,075,704 
Marble Point CLO XVII Ltd. 2020-1A B  6.013%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.77%
)# 4/20/2033   9,348,354    8,972,382 
MF1 LLC 2022-FL9 A  6.471%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.15%
)# 6/19/2037   53,580,000    53,119,595 
Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO Ltd. 2020-37A AR  5.213%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + .97%
)# 7/20/2031   14,330,000    14,044,805 
Oaktree CLO Ltd. 2019-4 BR  5.943%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.70%
)# 10/20/2032   29,790,000    28,663,663 
OCP CLO Ltd. 2016-12A AR2  5.199%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 1.27%
)# 4/18/2033   51,270,000    49,776,549 
OCP CLO Ltd. 2021-21A C  6.143%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.90%
)# 7/20/2034   11,880,000    10,893,334 
OCP CLO Ltd. 2021-22A B1  5.943%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.70%
)# 12/2/2034   38,140,000    36,550,222 
OneMain Financial Issuance Trust 2020-2A A  1.75%  9/14/2035   26,005,000    22,757,548 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 11
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Other (continued)                
Palmer Square CLO Ltd. 2022-5A A  5.658%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.00%
)# 10/20/2035  $28,586,000   $28,598,025 
PFS Financing Corp. 2022-C A  3.89%  5/15/2027   45,897,000    43,987,708 
Rad CLO Ltd. 2020-7A A1  5.279%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.20%
)# 4/17/2033   17,943,962    17,591,140 
Regata XII Funding Ltd. 2019-1A CR  6.079%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.00%
)# 10/15/2032   11,440,000    10,733,207 
Regatta XVIII Funding Ltd. 2021-1A B  5.529%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.45%
)# 1/15/2034   18,940,000    18,010,376 
SEB Funding LLC 2021-1A A2  4.969%  1/30/2052   38,694,023    32,860,910 
Signal Peak CLO Ltd. 2021-10A B  6.075%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%
)# 1/24/2035   9,820,000    9,303,285 
Sunrun Demeter Issuer 2021-2A A  2.27%  1/30/2057   28,152,695    22,029,259 
Voya CLO Ltd. 2014-1 AAR2  5.18%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 1.25%
)# 4/18/2031   48,621,154    47,940,458 
Voya CLO Ltd. 2022-3A A1†(a)  6.012%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.00%
)# 10/20/2034   23,850,000    23,764,651 
Total              873,500,141 
Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $1,263,574,889)              1,227,133,317 
                 
          Shares      
                 
COMMON STOCKS 5.28%                
                 
Aerospace & Defense 0.16%                
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.         145,816    33,636,835 
                 
Auto Components 0.05%                
Chassix Holdings, Inc.         607,057    10,623,497 
                 
Automobiles 0.11%                
Tesla, Inc.*         192,302    23,687,760 
                 
Beverages 0.21%                
Brown-Forman Corp. Class B         334,962    22,000,304 
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.(b)         2,541,240    23,477,026 
Total              45,477,330 
                 
Biotechnology 0.40%                
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*         180,373    42,865,644 
Amgen, Inc.         81,105    21,301,417 
Genmab A/S ADR*         501,788    21,265,775 
Total              85,432,836 

 

12 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Shares   Fair
Value
 
Capital Markets 0.10%          
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.   77,554   $21,629,035 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.10%          
Tetra Tech, Inc.   144,000    20,907,360 
           
Electric: Utilities 0.11%          
PG&E Corp.*   1,397,073    22,716,407 
           
Electric-Generation 0.00%          
Frontera Generation Holdings LLC   125,994    1,890 
           
Entertainment 0.27%          
Bilibili, Inc. ADR*(c)   1,405,434    33,294,731 
Genting Singapore Ltd.(b)   34,249,138    24,442,158 
Total        57,736,889 
           
Food Products 0.52%          
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   260,606    24,197,267 
Campbell Soup Co.   380,585    21,598,199 
General Mills, Inc.   381,937    32,025,417 
Hershey Co. (The)   137,735    31,895,294 
Total        109,716,177 
           
Health Care Providers & Services 0.10%          
Medpace Holdings, Inc.*   103,702    22,027,342 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.30%          
McDonald’s Corp.   80,889    21,316,678 
Starbucks Corp.   213,063    21,135,850 
Wynn Resorts Ltd.*   256,689    21,169,142 
Total        63,621,670 
           
Household Durables 0.11%          
DR Horton, Inc.   253,180    22,568,465 
           
Insurance 0.40%          
Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.   80,295    20,998,748 
Markel Corp.*   17,132    22,571,239 
Progressive Corp. (The)   164,946    21,395,146 
W R Berkley Corp.   288,847    20,961,627 
Total        85,926,760 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 13
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Shares   Fair
Value
 
Interactive Media & Services 0.12%          
Pinterest, Inc. Class A*   1,053,255   $25,573,031 
           
Internet & Catalog Retail 0.20%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR*   485,120    42,734,221 
           
Machinery 0.11%          
Deere & Co.   53,955    23,133,746 
           
Metals & Mining 0.45%          
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.   556,617    21,151,446 
Newmont Corp.   896,388    42,309,513 
Nucor Corp.   236,970    31,235,016 
Total        94,695,975 
           
Miscellaneous Financials 0.04%          
UTEX Industries, Inc.   113,840    7,655,740 
           
Personal Products 0.16%          
Gibson Brands Private Equity   106,902    12,560,985 
Kose Corp.(b)   206,376    22,423,419 
Total        34,984,404 
           
Pharmaceuticals 0.54%          
Cardinal Health, Inc.   423,270    32,536,765 
Cigna Corp.   66,599    22,066,912 
Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.(b)   1,143,105    36,792,767 
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   77,563    22,512,661 
Total        113,909,105 
           
Professional Services 0.10%          
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.   204,487    21,372,981 
           
Specialty Retail 0.24%          
Claires Holdings LLC   15,164    6,065,749(d) 
Five Below, Inc.*   137,976    24,403,815 
Genuine Parts Co.   118,859    20,623,225 
Total        51,092,789 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.27%          
Cie Financiere Richemont SA Class A(b)   261,656    33,926,297 
Hermes International(b)   14,745    22,823,068 
Total        56,749,365 

 

14 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Shares   Fair
Value
 
Transportation Infrastructure 0.11%          
ACBL Holdings Corp.   44,897   $1,773,432 
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (Canada)(e)   284,417    21,214,664 
Total        22,988,096 
Total Common Stocks (cost $1,115,097,048)        1,120,599,706 

 

     Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
     
                 
CORPORATE BONDS 70.90%                
                 
Aerospace/Defense 1.04%                
Bombardier, Inc. (Canada)†(e)  6.00%  2/15/2028  $21,129,000    19,564,186 
Bombardier, Inc. (Canada)†(e)  7.125%  6/15/2026   26,310,000    25,574,224 
Lockheed Martin Corp.  5.10%  11/15/2027   22,604,000    23,142,819 
Raytheon Technologies Corp.  4.125%  11/16/2028   23,649,000    22,683,159 
TransDigm, Inc.  4.625%  1/15/2029   52,177,000    45,969,241 
TransDigm, Inc.  5.50%  11/15/2027   90,082,000    84,774,369 
Total              221,707,998 
                 
Agriculture 0.97%                
BAT Capital Corp.  7.75%  10/19/2032   20,597,000    22,216,596 
Cargill, Inc.  4.875%  10/10/2025   27,117,000    27,037,206 
Darling Ingredients, Inc.  6.00%  6/15/2030   21,346,000    20,894,532 
Imperial Brands Finance plc (United Kingdom)†(e)  6.125%  7/27/2027   24,635,000    24,556,114 
JT International Financial Services BV (Netherlands)†(e)  6.875%  10/24/2032   30,730,000    32,687,440 
Viterra Finance BV (Netherlands)†(e)  2.00%  4/21/2026   39,671,000    34,447,168 
Viterra Finance BV (Netherlands)†(e)  3.20%  4/21/2031   27,564,000    20,886,685 
Viterra Finance BV (Netherlands)†(e)  5.25%  4/21/2032   27,332,000    24,081,572 
Total              206,807,313 
                 
Airlines 1.91%                
Air Canada (Canada)†(e)  3.875%  8/15/2026   30,596,000    27,151,891 
Alaska Airlines 2020-1 Class A Pass Through Trust  4.80%  2/15/2029   29,584,494    28,210,271 
American Airlines, Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd.  5.75%  4/20/2029   91,540,957    83,829,624 
Azul Investments LLP  5.875%  10/26/2024   47,479,000    38,275,850 
British Airways Pass Through Trust 2019-1A (United Kingdom)†(e)  3.30%  6/15/2034   13,960,678    11,881,668 
British Airways Pass-Through Trust A (United Kingdom)†(e)  4.25%  5/15/2034   10,077,369    9,043,081 
Delta Air Lines, Inc.    7.00%  5/1/2025   34,594,000    35,384,418 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 15
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Airlines (continued)                
Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd.  4.75%  10/20/2028  $34,368,000   $32,357,799 
Hawaiian Brand Intellectual Property Ltd./HawaiianMiles Loyalty Ltd.  5.75%  1/20/2026   35,342,222    32,051,861 
JetBlue 2019-1 Class A Pass Through Trust  2.95%  11/15/2029   11,660,787    9,705,879 
JetBlue 2019-1 Class B Pass Through Trust  8.00%  11/15/2027   7,533,998    7,371,206 
Mileage Plus Holdings LLC/Mileage Plus Intellectual Property Assets Ltd.  6.50%  6/20/2027   23,608,800    23,523,852 
United Airlines 2020-1 Class A Pass Through Trust  5.875%  4/15/2029   44,877,175    44,308,546 
United Airlines, Inc.  4.625%  4/15/2029   24,476,000    21,354,103 
Total              404,450,049 
                 
Apparel 0.14%                
Levi Strauss & Co.  3.50%  3/1/2031   37,377,000    29,714,341 
                 
Auto Manufacturers 1.20%                
Allison Transmission, Inc.  3.75%  1/30/2031   32,553,000    26,815,534 
BMW US Capital LLC  4.15%  4/9/2030   31,317,000    29,807,370 
Ford Motor Co.  3.25%  2/12/2032   80,283,000    60,350,473 
Ford Motor Co.  6.10%  8/19/2032   42,652,000    39,465,149 
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC  2.90%  2/10/2029   32,722,000    26,178,745 
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC  4.00%  11/13/2030   59,740,000    49,154,371 
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC  7.35%  11/4/2027   21,431,000    22,013,923 
Total              253,785,565 
                 
Banks 2.98%                
ABN AMRO Bank NV (Netherlands)†(e)  3.324%
(5 Yr. Treasury CMT + 1.90%
)# 3/13/2037   21,800,000    15,809,153 
Alfa Bank AO Via Alfa Bond Issuance PLC (Ireland)(e)  5.50%
(5 Yr. Treasury CMT + 4.55%
) 10/26/2031   51,057,000    1(f) 
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (Australia)†(e)  6.742%  12/8/2032   49,739,000    50,386,522 
Bank of America Corp.  3.384%
(SOFR + 1.33%
)# 4/2/2026   36,223,000    34,625,018 
Bank of Ireland Group plc (Ireland)†(e)  2.029%
(1 Yr. Treasury CMT + 1.10%
)# 9/30/2027   26,809,000    22,671,457 
Bank of Ireland Group PLC (Ireland)†(e)  6.253%
(1 Yr. Treasury CMT + 2.65%
)# 9/16/2026   33,470,000    33,224,273 
Bank OZK  2.75%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.09%
)# 10/1/2031   41,658,000    35,581,679 

 

16 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Banks (continued)                
BankUnited, Inc.  4.875%  11/17/2025  $24,313,000   $23,960,638 
Danske Bank A/S (Denmark)†(e) 

4.298%

(1 Yr. Treasury CMT + 1.75%

)# 4/1/2028   12,315,000    11,341,831 
First-Citizens Bank & Trust Co.  6.125%  3/9/2028   50,745,000    51,678,020 
Home BancShares, Inc.  3.125%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 1.82%
)# 1/30/2032   22,742,000    19,117,705 
HSBC Holdings plc (United Kingdom)(e)  2.999%
(SOFR + 1.43%
)# 3/10/2026   59,095,000    55,589,895 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.  3.54%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.38%
)# 5/1/2028   46,994,000    43,315,531 
Morgan Stanley  4.679%
(SOFR + 1.65%
)# 7/17/2026   27,167,000    26,727,544 
NatWest Group PLC (United Kingdom)(e)  7.472%
(5 Yr. Treasury CMT + 2.85%
)# 11/10/2026   31,364,000    32,672,170 
Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG (Austria)(e)  4.625%  11/3/2025   36,232,000    36,432,486 
Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom)†(e)  7.767%
(5 Yr. Treasury CMT + 3.45%
)# 11/16/2028   31,728,000    33,669,508 
SVB Financial Group  4.25%
(5 Yr. Treasury CMT + 3.07%
)# 11/15/2026   23,113,000    15,206,591 
United Overseas Bank Ltd. (Singapore)†(e)  2.00%
(5 Yr. Treasury CMT + 1.23%
)# 10/14/2031   26,650,000    23,292,863 
US Bancorp  3.00%  7/30/2029   27,452,000    24,160,807 
Webster Financial Corp.  4.10%  3/25/2029   31,985,000    29,072,833 
Western Alliance Bancorp  3.00%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.25%
)# 6/15/2031   17,415,000    14,717,307 
Total              633,253,832 
                 
Beverages 0.81%                
Bacardi Ltd.  2.75%  7/15/2026   23,151,000    20,950,193 
Bacardi Ltd.  4.70%  5/15/2028   32,381,000    30,976,087 
Becle SAB de CV (Mexico)†(e)  2.50%  10/14/2031   27,373,000    21,308,375 
Brown-Forman Corp.  4.50%  7/15/2045   24,174,000    22,219,838 
Central American Bottling Corp./CBC Bottling Holdco SL/Beliv Holdco SL (Guatemala)†(e)  5.25%  4/27/2029   23,142,000    21,620,066 
PepsiCo, Inc.  3.00%  10/15/2027   36,223,000    34,030,422 
PepsiCo, Inc.  4.20%  7/18/2052   22,424,000    20,553,002 
Total              171,657,983 
                 
Biotechnology 0.45%                
Amgen, Inc.  4.20%  2/22/2052   54,481,000    43,476,872 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  2.80%  9/15/2050   83,978,000    52,442,752 
Total              95,919,624 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 17
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Building Materials 0.37%                
Builders FirstSource, Inc.  4.25%  2/1/2032  $22,360,000   $18,167,115 
Lennox International, Inc.  1.70%  8/1/2027   17,440,000    14,979,114 
Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete LLC  6.00%  11/1/2028   27,656,000    24,801,624 
Vulcan Materials Co.  4.50%  6/15/2047   24,595,000    20,546,822 
Total              78,494,675 
                 
Chemicals 2.03%                
Albemarle Corp.  4.65%  6/1/2027   27,236,000    26,603,475 
Ashland LLC  3.375%  9/1/2031   27,315,000    21,867,591 
Cabot Corp.  5.00%  6/30/2032   27,219,000    25,246,559 
Celanese US Holdings LLC  6.165%  7/15/2027   68,010,000    67,189,177 
CF Industries, Inc.  4.50%  12/1/2026   23,920,000    23,186,580 
FMC Corp.  3.45%  10/1/2029   19,242,000    17,004,208 
Ingevity Corp.  3.875%  11/1/2028   24,547,000    21,150,682 
NOVA Chemicals Corp. (Canada)†(e)  4.25%  5/15/2029   27,282,000    22,343,140 
OCP SA (Malaysia)†(e)  3.75%  6/23/2031   56,169,000    47,249,924 
Olin Corp.  5.00%  2/1/2030   27,219,000    24,885,651 
Olin Corp.  5.125%  9/15/2027   27,273,000    25,819,895 
SCIH Salt Holdings, Inc.  4.875%  5/1/2028   35,878,000    30,853,094 
SCIH Salt Holdings, Inc.  6.625%  5/1/2029   32,825,000    26,482,536 
SK Invictus Intermediate II Sarl (Luxembourg)†(e)  5.00%  10/30/2029   28,683,000    23,557,348 
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (Chile)†(e)  3.50%  9/10/2051   36,128,000    26,640,152 
Total              430,080,012 
                 
Coal 0.26%                
SunCoke Energy, Inc.  4.875%  6/30/2029   25,075,000    21,556,664 
Warrior Met Coal, Inc.  7.875%  12/1/2028   34,891,000    34,440,650 
Total              55,997,314 
                 
Commercial Services 1.22%                
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. (India)†(e)  3.828%  2/2/2032   27,109,000    20,533,130 
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. (India)†(e)  4.375%  7/3/2029   35,831,000    30,137,482 
AMN Healthcare, Inc.  4.625%  10/1/2027   17,237,000    15,923,368 
Ashtead Capital, Inc.  5.50%  8/11/2032   23,471,000    22,517,960 
Block, Inc.  3.50%  6/1/2031   23,981,000    19,165,615 
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (The)  4.858%  1/1/2114   20,223,000    17,311,506 
Georgetown University (The)  2.943%  4/1/2050   17,968,000    11,435,261 
Global Payments, Inc.  2.90%  5/15/2030   33,767,000    27,741,663 

 

18 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Commercial Services (continued)                
Hertz Corp. (The)  5.50%  10/15/2024  $16,775,000   $629,063 
Hertz Corp. (The)  6.00%  1/15/2028   33,436,000    3,009,240 
ITR Concession Co. LLC  5.183%  7/15/2035   7,658,000    7,155,447 
Johns Hopkins University  2.813%  1/1/2060   20,869,000    13,131,688 
Metropolitan Museum of Art (The)  3.40%  7/1/2045   26,471,000    20,875,291 
Movida Europe SA (Luxembourg)†(e)  5.25%  2/8/2031   22,777,000    17,107,653 
United Rentals North America, Inc.  4.875%  1/15/2028   14,944,000    14,194,633 
University of Miami  4.063%  4/1/2052   20,957,000    17,186,818 
Total              258,055,818 
                   
Computers 1.17%                
Apple, Inc.  2.90%  9/12/2027   40,948,000    38,237,786 
Apple, Inc.  3.20%  5/11/2027   43,215,000    41,024,985 
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.  3.875%  9/1/2028   20,250,000    17,976,586 
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.  4.00%  7/1/2029   17,090,000    15,066,355 
Condor Merger Sub, Inc.  7.375%  2/15/2030   5,912,000    4,763,984 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc.  3.00%  2/15/2029   129,613,000    109,528,156 
Teledyne FLIR LLC  2.50%  8/1/2030   28,076,000    22,723,755 
Total              249,321,607 
                             
Cosmetics/Personal Care 0.20%                
GSK Consumer Healthcare Capital U.S. LLC  3.625%  3/24/2032   48,869,000    43,037,635 
                 
Distribution/Wholesale 0.27%                
Ferguson Finance plc (United Kingdom)†(e)  3.25%  6/2/2030   32,812,000    27,899,775 
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.  3.875%  12/15/2028   34,033,000    29,048,697 
Total              56,948,472 
                 
Diversified Financial Services 1.43%                
AG Issuer LLC  6.25%  3/1/2028   24,203,000    22,279,719 
Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. LLC  2.00%  1/30/2032   31,661,000    23,335,989 
CDP Financial, Inc. (Canada)(e)  1.00%  5/26/2026   70,919,000    63,128,132 
CPPIB Capital, Inc. (Canada)†(e)  4.125%  10/21/2024   32,525,000    32,152,692 
CPPIB Capital, Inc. (Canada)†(e)  4.818%
(SOFR Index + 1.25%
)# 4/4/2025   72,201,000    73,547,667 
Hellas Telecommunications Luxembourg II SCA (Luxembourg)†(e)(g)  6.054%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 5.75%
) 1/15/2015   15,000,000    1,500(f) 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.  4.00%  9/15/2027   36,223,000    35,032,875 
Jane Street Group/JSG Finance, Inc.  4.50%  11/15/2029   18,665,000    16,078,871 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 19
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Diversified Financial Services (continued)                
Neuberger Berman Group LLC/Neuberger Berman                
Finance Corp.  4.875%  4/15/2045  $26,061,000   $21,147,267 
USAA Capital Corp.  2.125%  5/1/2030   19,271,000    15,838,892 
Total              302,543,604 
                 
Electric 5.86%                
AES Corp. (The)  2.45%  1/15/2031   46,563,000    37,150,808 
Atlantic City Electric Co.  4.00%  10/15/2028   15,736,000    15,012,253 
Ausgrid Finance Pty Ltd. (Australia)†(e)  4.35%  8/1/2028   26,731,000    24,833,948 
Black Hills Corp.  4.35%  5/1/2033   24,295,000    21,448,236 
Calpine Corp.  3.75%  3/1/2031   27,340,000    22,048,504 
Calpine Corp.  4.50%  2/15/2028   23,574,000    21,079,475 
Calpine Corp.  4.625%  2/1/2029   74,984,000    64,460,663 
Calpine Corp.  5.00%  2/1/2031   56,641,000    47,607,265 
Calpine Corp.  5.125%  3/15/2028   28,229,000    25,245,979 
Clearway Energy Operating LLC  4.75%  3/15/2028   38,241,000    35,353,639 
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co.  3.50%  4/1/2028   22,000,000    20,085,115 
Constellation Energy Generation LLC  5.60%  6/15/2042   25,025,000    24,229,164 
Constellation Energy Generation LLC  6.25%  10/1/2039   42,744,000    43,788,359 
Duke Energy Corp.  4.30%  3/15/2028   36,223,000    34,921,437 
EDP Finance BV (Netherlands)†(e)  6.30%  10/11/2027   44,581,000    45,933,330 
El Paso Electric Co.  5.00%  12/1/2044   20,062,000    17,638,837 
Electricite de France SA (France)†(e)  3.625%  10/13/2025   16,500,000    15,921,073 
Electricite de France SA (France)†(e)  4.50%  9/21/2028   22,257,000    21,110,264 
Empresa de Transmision Electrica SA (Panama)†(e)  5.125%  5/2/2049   21,680,000    17,583,879 
Enel Finance International NV (Netherlands)†(e)  3.50%  4/6/2028   26,348,000    23,097,219 
Entergy Arkansas LLC  4.00%  6/1/2028   18,151,000    17,227,193 
Entergy Arkansas LLC  4.95%  12/15/2044   16,883,000    14,736,124 
FirstEnergy Corp.  4.40%  7/15/2027   50,740,000    47,312,433 
FirstEnergy Corp.  5.35%  7/15/2047   26,297,000    23,524,338 
FirstEnergy Transmission LLC  2.866%  9/15/2028   27,249,000    23,826,722 
FirstEnergy Transmission LLC  4.55%  4/1/2049   27,363,000    22,269,909 
Indianapolis Power & Light Co.  4.05%  5/1/2046   29,988,000    24,214,122 
Indianapolis Power & Light Co.  5.65%  12/1/2032   19,031,000    19,578,673 
ITC Holdings Corp.  4.95%  9/22/2027   22,694,000    22,419,092 
Louisville Gas & Electric Co.  4.375%  10/1/2045   15,039,000    12,504,503 
Minejesa Capital BV (Netherlands)†(e)  4.625%  8/10/2030   17,191,000    15,131,518 
Monongahela Power Co.  3.55%  5/15/2027   26,657,000    25,095,448 
NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP  3.875%  10/15/2026   46,654,000    42,781,472 

 

20 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
    Fair
Value
 
Electric (continued)                        
NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP   4.50%   9/15/2027   $ 35,511,000     $ 32,634,176  
NRG Energy, Inc.   3.875%   2/15/2032     56,179,000       42,301,383  
NSG Holdings LLC/NSG Holdings, Inc.   7.75%   12/15/2025     6,412,442       6,239,627  
Ohio Edison Co.   5.50%   1/15/2033     18,124,000       18,015,776  
Pacific Gas and Electric Co.   3.50%   8/1/2050     36,272,000       22,666,850  
Pacific Gas and Electric Co.   4.95%   7/1/2050     31,737,000       24,727,191  
Pattern Energy Operations LP/Pattern Energy Operations, Inc.   4.50%   8/15/2028     27,181,000       24,419,532  
PG&E Corp.   5.00%   7/1/2028     31,094,000       28,434,454  
Puget Energy, Inc.   4.10%   6/15/2030     26,265,000       23,514,829  
Union Electric Co.   2.625%   3/15/2051     30,381,000       19,281,086  
Vistra Operations Co. LLC   4.375%   5/1/2029     53,839,000       46,497,078  
Vistra Operations Co. LLC   5.125%   5/13/2025     45,395,000       44,472,801  
Wisconsin Electric Power Co.   4.75%   9/30/2032     22,109,000       21,732,978  
Total                     1,244,108,755  
                           
Electronics 0.35%                        
Amphenol Corp.   2.80%   2/15/2030     36,917,000       31,593,646  
Honeywell International, Inc.(b)   4.125%   11/2/2034   EUR 25,284,000       26,815,433  
Imola Merger Corp.   4.75%   5/15/2029   $ 18,256,000       15,875,939  
Total                     74,285,018  
                         
Energy-Alternate Sources 0.60%                        
Sweihan PV Power Co. PJSC (United Arab Emirates)†(e)   3.625%   1/31/2049     36,118,082       29,124,176  
TerraForm Power Operating LLC   4.75%   1/15/2030     23,615,000       20,586,929  
TerraForm Power Operating LLC   5.00%   1/31/2028     24,169,000       21,793,429  
Topaz Solar Farms LLC   5.75%   9/30/2039     57,976,554       55,109,034  
Total                     126,613,568  
                         
Engineering & Construction 0.42%                        
Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen SA (Panama)†(e)   5.125%   8/11/2061     48,969,000       40,245,511  
Fluor Corp.   4.25%   9/15/2028     53,545,000       48,285,437  
Total                     88,530,948  
                         
Entertainment 1.75%                        
Churchill Downs, Inc.   4.75%   1/15/2028     36,420,000       32,647,616  
Churchill Downs, Inc.   5.50%   4/1/2027     51,639,000       49,010,839  
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.   3.75%   1/15/2028     46,014,000       39,322,529  
Merlin Entertainments Ltd. (United Kingdom)†(e)   5.75%   6/15/2026     27,129,000       25,442,051  

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 21
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Entertainment (continued)                
Midwest Gaming Borrower LLC/Midwest Gaming Finance Corp  4.875%  5/1/2029  $40,616,000   $34,611,499 
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment  8.00%  2/1/2026   43,979,000    41,209,203 
Resorts World Las Vegas LLC/RWLV Capital, Inc.  4.625%  4/16/2029   42,600,000    30,277,166 
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.  5.25%  8/15/2029   36,321,000    31,671,869 
Warnermedia Holdings, Inc.  5.141%  3/15/2052   41,183,000    30,097,661 
WMG Acquisition Corp.  3.00%  2/15/2031   28,911,000    23,148,893 
WMG Acquisition Corp.  3.75%  12/1/2029   38,192,000    32,894,770 
Total              370,334,096 
                   
Environmental Control 0.32%                
Madison IAQ LLC  4.125%  6/30/2028   32,548,000    27,258,950 
Madison IAQ LLC  5.875%  6/30/2029   27,192,000    18,688,486 
Republic Services, Inc.  2.375%  3/15/2033   28,030,000    22,435,707 
Total              68,383,143 
                 
Food 1.60%                
Bellis Acquisition Co. PLC(b)  3.25%  2/16/2026   GBP27,281,000    26,958,145 
Campbell Soup Co.  2.375%  4/24/2030  $19,117,000    15,951,945 
Hershey Co. (The)  2.65%  6/1/2050   20,433,000    13,366,357 
Kraft Heinz Foods Co.  4.375%  6/1/2046   80,041,000    65,408,793 
Kraft Heinz Foods Co.  4.875%  10/1/2049   72,632,000    63,416,435 
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.  4.125%  1/31/2030   24,448,000    21,625,478 
McCormick & Co., Inc.  2.50%  4/15/2030   38,311,000    32,037,124 
Post Holdings, Inc.  4.50%  9/15/2031   49,263,000    41,504,351 
Post Holdings, Inc.  4.625%  4/15/2030   37,712,000    32,614,280 
Smithfield Foods, Inc.  5.20%  4/1/2029   28,272,000    25,886,360 
Total              338,769,268 
                 
Gas 0.21%                
Brooklyn Union Gas Co. (The)  3.407%  3/10/2026   22,916,000    21,506,543 
Southwest Gas Corp.  4.05%  3/15/2032   26,454,000    23,300,659 
Total              44,807,202 
                 
Health Care-Products 0.64%                
Alcon Finance Corp.  2.60%  5/27/2030   23,575,000    20,081,732 
Boston Scientific Corp.  6.75%  11/15/2035   31,381,000    34,573,556 
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.  4.30%  6/15/2028   27,927,000    26,751,604 
GE HealthCare Technologies, Inc.  6.377%  11/22/2052   23,413,000    25,009,587 
Medline Borrower LP  3.875%  4/1/2029   35,514,000    28,686,256 
Total              135,102,735 

 

22 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Health Care-Services 3.48%                
Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.  3.125%  2/15/2029  $28,864,000   $23,019,040 
Centene Corp.  2.50%  3/1/2031   32,280,000    25,320,371 
Centene Corp.  3.00%  10/15/2030   33,846,000    27,821,555 
Centene Corp.  3.375%  2/15/2030   55,263,000    46,842,300 
Centene Corp.  4.625%  12/15/2029   36,733,000    33,650,764 
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.  3.75%  3/15/2029   26,832,000    23,768,993 
Elevance Health, Inc.  2.25%  5/15/2030   26,990,000    22,388,875 
Hadrian Merger Sub, Inc.  8.50%  5/1/2026   23,581,000    20,874,019 
HCA, Inc.  3.50%  9/1/2030   48,112,000    41,608,498 
HCA, Inc.  7.69%  6/15/2025   12,776,000    13,403,882 
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals  4.15%  5/1/2047   17,628,000    15,024,466 
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center  4.20%  7/1/2055   28,034,000    23,041,414 
ModivCare Escrow Issuer, Inc.  5.00%  10/1/2029   38,644,000    32,638,722 
Molina Healthcare, Inc.  3.875%  11/15/2030   32,951,000    27,972,918 
Molina Healthcare, Inc.  3.875%  5/15/2032   40,752,000    33,900,951 
Montefiore Obligated Group  5.246%  11/1/2048   25,042,000    18,818,610 
Mount Sinai Hospitals Group, Inc.  3.737%  7/1/2049   21,163,000    15,707,474 
New York & Presbyterian Hospital (The)  4.063%  8/1/2056   16,078,000    12,740,617 
NYU Langone Hospitals  4.368%  7/1/2047   12,348,000    10,311,854 
Providence St. Joseph Health Obligated Group  2.532%  10/1/2029   14,960,000    12,691,631 
Rede D’or Finance Sarl (Luxembourg)†(e)  4.95%  1/17/2028   16,562,000    15,323,494 
Roche Holdings, Inc.  2.314%  3/10/2027   24,226,000    22,105,645 
Seattle Children’s Hospital  2.719%  10/1/2050   31,724,000    20,128,825 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.  4.375%  1/15/2030   28,176,000    24,437,608 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.  4.875%  1/1/2026   23,297,000    22,077,932 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.  6.125%  10/1/2028   46,407,000    41,647,034 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.  6.125%  6/15/2030   35,848,000    34,218,888 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.  2.95%  10/15/2027   13,565,000    12,580,993 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.  4.20%  5/15/2032   33,287,000    31,698,704 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.  5.875%  2/15/2053   30,196,000    32,803,197 
Total              738,569,274 
                 
Home Builders 0.33%                
NVR, Inc.  3.00%  5/15/2030   36,185,000    30,458,346 
PulteGroup, Inc.  6.375%  5/15/2033   23,642,000    23,658,145 
Toll Brothers Finance Corp.  4.35%  2/15/2028   17,203,000    15,659,624 
Total              69,776,115 
     
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 23
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Home Furnishings 0.12%                
Leggett & Platt, Inc.  4.40%  3/15/2029  $26,740,000   $25,155,811 
                 
Household Products/Wares 0.11%                
SC Johnson & Son, Inc.  4.75%  10/15/2046   26,021,000    23,157,301 
                 
Insurance 1.60%                
AIA Group Ltd. (Hong Kong)†(e)  3.20%  9/16/2040   42,391,000    30,331,212 
AIA Group Ltd. (Hong Kong)†(e)  3.375%  4/7/2030   27,634,000    24,343,817 
Arch Capital Finance LLC  4.011%  12/15/2026   23,425,000    22,371,176 
Assurant, Inc.  2.65%  1/15/2032   25,000,000    18,549,329 
Assurant, Inc.  3.70%  2/22/2030   17,457,000    14,821,989 
AXIS Specialty Finance plc (United Kingdom)(e)  5.15%  4/1/2045   21,094,000    18,091,434 
Brown & Brown, Inc.  2.375%  3/15/2031   44,571,000    34,012,488 
Fidelity National Financial, Inc.  4.50%  8/15/2028   20,928,000    19,888,828 
Global Atlantic Fin Co.  4.70%
(5 Yr. Treasury CMT + 3.80%
)# 10/15/2051   17,868,000    13,638,337 
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (The)  3.85%  9/30/2047   28,610,000    21,960,512 
PartnerRe Finance B LLC  3.70%  7/2/2029   36,274,000    32,801,594 
Selective Insurance Group, Inc.  5.375%  3/1/2049   19,241,000    16,572,576 
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America  4.27%  5/15/2047   17,804,000    14,642,848 
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America  4.90%  9/15/2044   26,311,000    24,181,833 
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.  8.00%  11/30/2039   17,809,000    22,181,380 
W R Berkley Corp.  3.15%  9/30/2061   18,161,000    11,134,755 
Total              339,524,108 
                 
Internet 2.49%                
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (China)(e)  2.125%  2/9/2031   67,800,000    54,143,156 
Amazon.com, Inc.  3.15%  8/22/2027   123,837,000    116,572,071 
Amazon.com, Inc.  4.25%  8/22/2057   20,632,000    17,845,710 
Amazon.com, Inc.  4.80%  12/5/2034   18,691,000    18,715,527 
Gen Digital, Inc.  6.75%  9/30/2027   22,643,000    22,219,576 
Go Daddy Operating Co. LLC/GD Finance Co., Inc.  5.25%  12/1/2027   24,475,000    23,206,707 
Meta Platforms, Inc.  4.45%  8/15/2052   45,345,000    36,268,825 
Netflix, Inc.(b)  3.625%  5/15/2027  EUR 51,139,000    52,798,276 
Netflix, Inc.  4.875%  4/15/2028  $74,714,000    72,310,927 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)†(e)  3.595%  1/19/2028   58,991,000    54,169,573 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)†(e)  3.925%  1/19/2038   43,424,000    34,677,436 
VeriSign, Inc.  2.70%  6/15/2031   30,287,000    24,742,060 
Total              527,669,844 
   
24 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Investment Companies 0.09%                
Temasek Financial I Ltd. (Singapore)†(e)  2.50%  10/6/2070  $32,855,000   $19,306,504 
                 
Iron-Steel 0.65%                
ArcelorMittal SA (Luxembourg)(e)  6.55%  11/29/2027   22,520,000    22,664,569 
Baffinland Iron Mines Corp./Baffinland Iron Mines LP (Canada)†(e)  8.75%  7/15/2026   12,660,000    12,023,712 
Mineral Resources Ltd. (Australia)†(e)  8.50%  5/1/2030   36,356,000    36,901,158 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.  3.45%  4/15/2030   24,765,000    21,832,391 
United States Steel Corp.  6.875%  3/1/2029   21,689,000    21,081,630 
Vale Overseas Ltd. (Brazil)(e)  3.75%  7/8/2030   27,265,000    23,916,493 
Total              138,419,953 
                 
Leisure Time 0.19%                
Life Time, Inc.  5.75%  1/15/2026   17,633,000    16,429,548 
NCL Corp. Ltd.  5.875%  2/15/2027   27,215,000    23,607,788 
Total              40,037,336 
                 
Lodging 1.78%                
Boyd Gaming Corp.  4.75%  12/1/2027   23,116,000    21,563,529 
Genting New York LLC/GENNY Capital, Inc.  3.30%  2/15/2026   27,980,000    24,480,309 
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.  3.75%  5/1/2029   25,501,000    22,092,536 
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.  4.875%  1/15/2030   72,092,000    65,451,606 
Las Vegas Sands Corp.  3.50%  8/18/2026   36,161,000    32,691,325 
Marriott International, Inc.  3.50%  10/15/2032   27,083,000    22,604,480 
Sands China Ltd. (Macau)(e)  3.35%  3/8/2029   40,975,000    33,530,338 
Sands China Ltd. (Macau)(e)  4.875%  6/18/2030   28,280,000    24,890,359 
Sands China Ltd. (Macau)(e)  5.90%  8/8/2028   25,403,000    23,819,453 
Travel + Leisure Co.  6.00%  4/1/2027   24,188,000    22,998,195 
Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.  5.25%  5/15/2027   48,247,000    43,617,742 
Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.  5.50%  3/1/2025   41,800,000    39,768,769 
Total              377,508,641 
                 
Machinery-Diversified 0.25%                
nVent Finance Sarl (Luxembourg)(e)  2.75%  11/15/2031   16,340,000    12,613,343 
TK Elevator US Newco, Inc.  5.25%  7/15/2027   23,778,000    21,152,909 
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.  3.45%  11/15/2026   21,155,000    19,680,337 
Total              53,446,589 
                 
Media 2.14%                
Cable One, Inc.  4.00%  11/15/2030   38,617,000    30,350,674 
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.  5.00%  2/1/2028   34,968,000    31,827,699 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements. 25
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Media (continued)                
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.  5.375%  6/1/2029  $37,692,000   $34,168,740 
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.  6.375%  9/1/2029   29,933,000    28,186,859 
CSC Holdings LLC  4.125%  12/1/2030   54,525,000    38,605,608 
DISH Network Corp.  11.75%  11/15/2027   46,400,000    47,845,360 
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.  3.45%  3/1/2032   42,113,000    35,419,597 
LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC (Ireland)†(e)  6.75%  10/15/2027   22,575,000    21,159,999 
News Corp.  3.875%  5/15/2029   29,380,000    25,526,372 
Nexstar Media, Inc.  4.75%  11/1/2028   25,397,000    22,006,755 
Nexstar Media, Inc.  5.625%  7/15/2027   23,661,000    21,753,628 
Univision Communications, Inc.  4.50%  5/1/2029   40,941,000    34,314,085 
UPC Broadband Finco BV (Netherlands)†(e)  4.875%  7/15/2031   54,021,000    45,043,250 
VZ Secured Financing BV (Netherlands)†(e)  5.00%  1/15/2032   47,758,000    38,895,615 
Total              455,104,241 
                 
Metal Fabricate-Hardware 0.12%                
Roller Bearing Co. of America, Inc.  4.375%  10/15/2029   29,284,000    25,358,480 
              
Mining 1.39%                
Anglo American Capital plc (United Kingdom)†(e)  5.625%  4/1/2030   22,340,000    22,232,220 
FMG Resources August 2006 Pty Ltd. (Australia)†(e)  4.375%  4/1/2031   77,126,000    64,292,888 
FMG Resources August Pty. Ltd. (Australia)†(e)  6.125%  4/15/2032   28,318,000    26,450,286 
Fresnillo PLC (Mexico)(e)  4.25%  10/2/2050   5,400,000    4,260,840 
Glencore Funding LLC  2.50%  9/1/2030   45,310,000    36,881,346 
Hecla Mining Co.  7.25%  2/15/2028   25,587,000    25,233,410 
Kaiser Aluminum Corp.  4.50%  6/1/2031   29,542,000    23,782,787 
Mirabela Nickel Ltd.  1.00%  9/10/2044   185,297    19(f) 
Newmont Corp.  2.25%  10/1/2030   31,484,000    25,377,735 
Novelis Corp.  4.75%  1/30/2030   36,618,000    32,546,811 
Teck Resources Ltd. (Canada)(e)  3.90%  7/15/2030   38,125,000    34,185,125 
Total              295,243,467 
                 
Miscellaneous Manufacturing 0.22%                
Eaton Corp.  4.15%  3/15/2033   27,101,000    25,279,301 
Hillenbrand, Inc.  3.75%  3/1/2031   27,271,000    22,397,672 
Total              47,676,973 
                 
Multi-National 0.36%                
Asian Development Bank (Philippines)(e)  4.597%
(SOFR Index + 1.00%
)# 4/6/2027   73,863,000    75,508,188 
                 
26 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Office/Business Equipment 0.11%                
CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.  3.569%  12/1/2031  $27,258,000   $22,512,688 
                 
Oil & Gas 12.35%                
Antero Resources Corp.  5.375%  3/1/2030   98,721,000    91,658,500 
Apache Corp.  4.25%  1/15/2030   53,546,000    47,478,263 
Apache Corp.  4.75%  4/15/2043   34,110,000    25,796,540 
Apache Corp.  5.10%  9/1/2040   66,791,000    55,501,150 
California Resources Corp.  7.125%  2/1/2026   42,110,000    40,519,084 
Callon Petroleum Co.  6.375%  7/1/2026   39,782,000    37,141,502 
Callon Petroleum Co.  8.00%  8/1/2028   35,941,000    34,308,516 
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada)(e)  2.65%  1/15/2032   28,867,000    23,122,715 
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada)(e)  3.75%  2/15/2052   54,917,000    38,808,882 
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada)(e)  5.40%  6/15/2047   71,982,000    64,729,597 
Chesapeake Energy Corp.  6.75%  4/15/2029   54,208,000    52,850,090 
CITGO Petroleum Corp.  7.00%  6/15/2025   23,155,000    22,638,180 
CNX Resources Corp.  7.25%  3/14/2027   21,134,000    21,011,845 
Comstock Resources, Inc.  5.875%  1/15/2030   32,863,000    28,295,043 
Comstock Resources, Inc.  6.75%  3/1/2029   36,722,000    33,208,072 
Continental Resources, Inc.  4.375%  1/15/2028   83,971,000    77,076,141 
Continental Resources, Inc.  5.75%  1/15/2031   34,812,000    32,473,515 
Crescent Energy Finance LLC  7.25%  5/1/2026   35,562,000    33,556,837 
CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance, Inc.  5.00%  5/1/2029   36,330,000    32,836,717 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.  3.50%  12/1/2029   51,408,000    45,213,919 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.  4.25%  3/15/2052   54,531,000    40,140,041 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.  4.40%  3/24/2051   41,161,000    31,542,678 
Encino Acquisition Partners Holdings LLC  8.50%  5/1/2028   34,031,000    31,148,064 
Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance, Inc.  5.75%  1/30/2028   57,117,000    54,783,771 
Exxon Mobil Corp.  3.043%  3/1/2026   16,279,000    15,545,560 
Geopark Ltd. (Colombia)†(e)  5.50%  1/17/2027   8,577,000    7,387,589 
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.  2.90%  9/29/2031   51,170,000    41,660,339 
Hess Corp.  5.60%  2/15/2041   32,658,000    31,013,732 
Hess Corp.  5.80%  4/1/2047   13,590,000    13,042,721 
Kosmos Energy Ltd.  7.125%  4/4/2026   13,627,000    11,638,548 
Kosmos Energy Ltd.  7.75%  5/1/2027   43,684,000    36,534,913 
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.  7.75%  7/31/2029   49,641,000    44,745,599 
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.  10.125%  1/15/2028   69,890,000    68,263,962 
Matador Resources Co.  5.875%  9/15/2026   28,043,000    27,003,139 
MC Brazil Downstream Trading Sarl (Luxembourg)†(e)  7.25%  6/30/2031   29,276,000    24,198,309 
MEG Energy Corp. (Canada)†(e)  5.875%  2/1/2029   46,740,000    44,136,582 
     
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 27
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Oil & Gas (continued)                
MEG Energy Corp. (Canada)†(e)  7.125%  2/1/2027  $64,367,000   $65,742,973 
Murphy Oil Corp.  5.875%  12/1/2027   38,084,000    36,713,357 
Murphy Oil Corp.  6.375%  7/15/2028   29,350,000    28,292,805 
Nabors Industries, Inc.  7.375%  5/15/2027   21,515,000    20,866,317 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.  6.125%  1/1/2031   67,155,000    67,901,403 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.  6.625%  9/1/2030   20,011,000    20,724,092 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.  7.50%  5/1/2031   18,656,000    19,964,718 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.  8.875%  7/15/2030   15,000,000    16,960,268 
OGX Austria GmbH (Brazil)†(e)(g)  8.50%  6/1/2018   20,000,000    400 
OQ SAOC (Oman)†(e)  5.125%  5/6/2028   36,296,000    34,506,208 
Ovintiv, Inc.  6.50%  2/1/2038   35,742,000    35,551,870 
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.  3.95%  2/1/2028   29,660,000    26,185,968 
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.  5.15%  11/15/2029   30,064,000    27,008,570 
PDC Energy, Inc.  5.75%  5/15/2026   56,834,000    54,344,671 
Permian Resources Operating LLC  5.375%  1/15/2026   20,455,000    18,652,192 
Permian Resources Operating LLC  6.875%  4/1/2027   66,617,000    62,946,275 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.  2.15%  1/15/2031   27,216,000    21,575,705 
Precision Drilling Corp. (Canada)†(e)  6.875%  1/15/2029   25,394,000    23,674,998 
QatarEnergy Trading LLC (Qatar)†(e)  3.30%  7/12/2051   105,008,000    77,789,926 
Range Resources Corp.  4.75%  2/15/2030   54,590,000    48,178,533 
Range Resources Corp.  4.875%  5/15/2025   28,325,000    26,952,174 
Range Resources Corp.  8.25%  1/15/2029   51,263,000    52,892,651 
Rockcliff Energy II LLC  5.50%  10/15/2029   23,849,000    21,851,050 
Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Saudi Arabia)(e)  2.875%  4/16/2024   31,700,000    30,769,225 
Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Saudi Arabia)†(e)  4.375%  4/16/2049   40,068,000    34,598,878 
Shell International Finance BV (Netherlands)(e)  2.875%  5/10/2026   18,088,000    17,055,823 
Shell International Finance BV (Netherlands)(e)  6.375%  12/15/2038   38,912,000    42,965,928 
SM Energy Co.  6.625%  1/15/2027   83,481,000    80,542,469 
SM Energy Co.  6.75%  9/15/2026   22,496,000    21,875,673 
Southwestern Energy Co.  4.75%  2/1/2032   24,488,000    20,974,339 
Southwestern Energy Co.  5.375%  2/1/2029   51,484,000    47,803,151 
Southwestern Energy Co.  5.375%  3/15/2030   36,200,000    33,084,773 
Southwestern Energy Co.  8.375%  9/15/2028   26,583,000    27,452,413 
Suncor Energy, Inc. (Canada)(e)  4.00%  11/15/2047   56,345,000    42,968,287 
Texaco Capital, Inc.  8.625%  11/15/2031   11,023,000    13,409,720 
Viper Energy Partners LP  5.375%  11/1/2027   37,953,000    36,102,050 
Total              2,619,890,508 
   
28 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Oil & Gas Services 0.59%                
Oceaneering International, Inc.  4.65%  11/15/2024  $26,775,000   $25,612,669 
Oceaneering International, Inc.  6.00%  2/1/2028   35,959,000    33,176,429 
USA Compression Partners LP/USA Compression Finance Corp.  6.875%  9/1/2027   27,265,000    25,536,542 
Weatherford International Ltd.  8.625%  4/30/2030   41,822,000    40,236,663 
Total              124,562,303 
                 
Packaging & Containers 0.50%                
Ball Corp.  2.875%  8/15/2030   58,294,000    46,647,150 
Ball Corp.  6.875%  3/15/2028   30,101,000    30,957,976 
Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc.  7.375%  12/15/2026   5,852,000    6,034,758 
Sealed Air Corp.  6.875%  7/15/2033   22,752,000    22,586,877 
Total              106,226,761 
                 
Pharmaceuticals 1.03%                
AbbVie, Inc.  3.20%  11/21/2029   26,942,000    24,348,869 
AbbVie, Inc.  4.25%  11/21/2049   27,859,000    23,262,977 
BellRing Brands, Inc.  7.00%  3/15/2030   18,206,000    17,541,936 
CVS Health Corp.  3.625%  4/1/2027   25,783,000    24,506,302 
Hess Midstream Operations LP  5.125%  6/15/2028   18,124,000    16,791,281 
Organon & Co./Organon Foreign Debt Co-Issuer BV  4.125%  4/30/2028   26,580,000    23,580,447 
Owens & Minor, Inc.  4.50%  3/31/2029   26,751,000    21,363,348 
Pfizer, Inc.  2.625%  4/1/2030   26,408,000    23,259,879 
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV (Netherlands)(e)  5.125%  5/9/2029   23,853,000    21,273,230 
Zoetis, Inc.  2.00%  5/15/2030   26,673,000    21,706,214 
Total              217,634,483 
                 
Pipelines 3.01%                
Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline LLC (United Arab Emirates)†(e)  4.60%  11/2/2047   28,472,000    26,271,114 
AI Candelaria Spain SA (Spain)†(e)  5.75%  6/15/2033   31,027,000    23,645,056 
AI Candelaria Spain SA (Spain)†(e)  7.50%  12/15/2028   21,332,592    20,240,257 
Buckeye Partners LP  6.375%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.02%
)# 1/22/2078   30,821,000    26,276,174 
Cheniere Energy Partners LP  3.25%  1/31/2032   42,841,000    34,103,867 
Colonial Enterprises, Inc.  3.25%  5/15/2030   27,253,000    23,658,176 
CQP Holdco LP/BIP-V Chinook Holdco LLC  5.50%  6/15/2031   67,727,000    59,286,867 
DT Midstream, Inc.  4.30%  4/15/2032   27,294,000    24,019,675 
Galaxy Pipeline Assets Bidco Ltd. (United Arab Emirates)†(e)  3.25%  9/30/2040   52,294,000    40,664,025 
                 
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 29
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Pipelines (continued)                
Magellan Midstream Partners LP  3.95%  3/1/2050  $46,288,000   $34,080,283 
NGPL PipeCo LLC  3.25%  7/15/2031   29,737,000    24,266,016 
NGPL PipeCo LLC  4.875%  8/15/2027   25,138,000    23,917,763 
Northern Natural Gas Co.  4.30%  1/15/2049   20,972,000    16,776,194 
Oleoducto Central SA (Colombia)(e)  4.00%  7/14/2027   13,479,000    11,905,834 
ONEOK, Inc.  4.45%  9/1/2049   27,299,000    20,401,112 
Sabal Trail Transmission LLC  4.246%  5/1/2028   20,166,000    18,725,030 
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC  4.50%  5/15/2030   58,643,000    54,496,441 
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC  3.875%  8/15/2029   26,626,000    23,344,479 
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC  4.125%  8/15/2031   25,688,000    21,931,130 
Western Midstream Operating LP  4.30%  2/1/2030   77,630,000    67,939,835 
Williams Cos., Inc. (The)  4.65%  8/15/2032   46,566,000    43,485,797 
Total              639,435,125 
                 
Real Estate 0.16%                
Hunt Cos., Inc.  5.25%  4/15/2029   39,505,000    33,255,799 
                 
REITS 1.49%                
Crown Castle, Inc.  2.50%  7/15/2031   55,903,000    45,189,609 
GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II, Inc.  4.00%  1/15/2030   26,936,000    23,638,740 
GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.  4.00%  1/15/2031   19,903,000    17,108,121 
GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.  5.75%  6/1/2028   17,589,000    17,325,157 
Goodman U.S. Finance Five LLC  4.625%  5/4/2032   22,644,000    20,707,629 
Goodman US Finance Four LLC  4.50%  10/15/2037   11,638,000    9,789,706 
Prologis LP  4.375%  2/1/2029   15,050,000    14,385,880 
Rayonier LP  2.75%  5/17/2031   50,062,000    40,339,151 
SBA Communications Corp.  3.875%  2/15/2027   50,849,000    46,029,201 
VICI Properties LP/VICI Note Co., Inc.  4.625%  6/15/2025   22,279,000    21,388,954 
VICI Properties LP/VICI Note Co., Inc.  4.625%  12/1/2029   65,654,000    59,855,439 
Total              315,757,587 
                 
Retail 1.42%                
Bath & Body Works, Inc.  5.25%  2/1/2028   16,298,000    15,160,889 
Costco Wholesale Corp.  1.75%  4/20/2032   32,489,000    25,774,115 
Dollar Tree, Inc.  3.375%  12/1/2051   50,074,000    33,837,922 
Gap, Inc. (The)  3.875%  10/1/2031   32,706,000    22,864,275 
Genuine Parts Co.  2.75%  2/1/2032   29,003,000    23,353,927 
Murphy Oil USA, Inc.  3.75%  2/15/2031   41,310,000    34,073,292 
Murphy Oil USA, Inc.  4.75%  9/15/2029   25,790,000    23,644,401 
PetSmart, Inc./PetSmart Finance Corp.  4.75%  2/15/2028   17,935,000    16,270,847 
   
30 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Retail (continued)                
SRS Distribution, Inc.  4.625%  7/1/2028  $29,701,000   $26,366,770 
Stonegate Pub Co. Financing 2019 plc(b)  8.00%  7/13/2025   GBP19,055,000    20,623,466 
Stonegate Pub Co. Financing 2019 plc(b)  8.25%  7/31/2025   GBP34,850,000    38,254,722 
Tiffany & Co.  4.90%  10/1/2044  $24,318,000    21,569,545 
Total              301,794,171 
                 
Savings & Loans 0.00%                
Washington Mutual Bank(g)  6.875%  6/15/2011   22,500,000    2,250(f) 
                 
Semiconductors 1.07%                
Entegris Escrow Corp.  4.75%  4/15/2029   24,244,000    22,157,859 
KLA Corp.  4.10%  3/15/2029   22,891,000    22,136,160 
KLA Corp.  4.65%  7/15/2032   30,948,000    30,409,930 
Lam Research Corp.  4.875%  3/15/2049   27,958,000    26,628,529 
ON Semiconductor Corp.  3.875%  9/1/2028   61,591,000    53,842,294 
TSMC Arizona Corp.  3.25%  10/25/2051   99,734,000    72,146,769 
Total              227,321,541 
                 
Shipbuilding 0.19%                
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.  4.20%  5/1/2030   45,059,000    41,001,911 
                 
Software 1.86%                
Autodesk, Inc.  3.50%  6/15/2027   27,008,000    25,344,808 
Electronic Arts, Inc.  2.95%  2/15/2051   31,731,000    20,613,302 
Intuit, Inc.  1.65%  7/15/2030   36,086,000    29,034,900 
Microsoft Corp.  3.30%  2/6/2027   18,019,000    17,392,038 
MSCI, Inc.  3.25%  8/15/2033   31,489,000    24,363,150 
MSCI, Inc.  3.875%  2/15/2031   66,798,000    55,656,094 
MSCI, Inc.  4.00%  11/15/2029   44,468,000    38,812,108 
Oracle Corp.  3.60%  4/1/2050   13,581,000    9,200,449 
Oracle Corp.  4.50%  7/8/2044   27,266,000    22,055,137 
PTC, Inc.  4.00%  2/15/2028   24,418,000    22,019,002 
ROBLOX Corp.  3.875%  5/1/2030   56,079,000    44,274,370 
Roper Technologies, Inc.  1.75%  2/15/2031   30,818,000    23,813,904 
ServiceNow, Inc.  1.40%  9/1/2030   33,835,000    25,960,531 
Workday, Inc.  3.80%  4/1/2032   41,702,000    36,928,450 
Total              395,468,243 
                 
Sovereign 0.27%                
Export Finance & Insurance Corp. (Australia)†(e)  4.625%  10/26/2027   57,165,000    57,807,018 
                 
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 31
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Telecommunications 2.84%                
Altice France SA (France)†(e)  5.125%  7/15/2029  $25,722,000   $19,330,808 
Altice France SA (France)†(e)  5.50%  10/15/2029   27,598,000    21,093,565 
Connect Finco SARL/Connect US Finco LLC (Luxembourg)†(e)  6.75%  10/1/2026   27,469,000    25,513,743 
Frontier Communications Holdings LLC  5.875%  10/15/2027   34,689,000    32,287,481 
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.  5.25%  8/1/2026   21,000,000    20,179,320 
NTT Finance Corp. (Japan)†(e)  4.372%  7/27/2027   23,147,000    22,646,618 
Sprint Capital Corp.  6.875%  11/15/2028   123,783,000    128,758,458 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.  3.375%  4/15/2029   118,992,000    105,033,584 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.  3.875%  4/15/2030   23,027,000    20,912,213 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.  4.50%  4/15/2050   26,806,000    22,170,864 
Verizon Communications, Inc.  4.016%  12/3/2029   58,939,000    55,188,309 
Vmed O2 UK Financing I plc (United Kingdom)†(e)  4.25%  1/31/2031   79,831,000    64,804,411 
Vmed O2 UK Financing I plc (United Kingdom)†(e)  4.75%  7/15/2031   50,478,000    41,104,488 
Xiaomi Best Time International Ltd. (Hong Kong)†(e)  4.10%  7/14/2051   40,375,000    23,485,991 
Total              602,509,853 
                 
Transportation 0.49%                
Autoridad del Canal de Panama (Panama)†(e)  4.95%  7/29/2035   13,240,000    12,526,760 
Central Japan Railway Co. (Japan)(e)  2.20%  10/2/2024   22,514,000    21,375,719 
Central Japan Railway Co. (Japan)†(e)  4.25%  11/24/2045   20,240,000    17,287,515 
FedEx Corp. 2020-1 Class AA Pass Through Trust  1.875%  8/20/2035   28,216,958    23,208,544 
Union Pacific Corp.  3.00%  4/15/2027   31,560,000    29,430,190 
Total              103,828,728 
Total Corporate Bonds (cost $16,723,059,351)              15,043,182,369 
                 
FLOATING RATE LOANS(h) 1.37%                
                 
Aerospace/Defense 0.10%                
Alloy Finco Limited 2020 USD Term Loan B2  10.915%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 6.50%
) 3/6/2024   8,102,769    7,500,166 
Alloy Finco Limited USD Holdco PIK Term Loan PIK 13.50% (Jersey)(e)  0.50%  3/6/2025   16,072,003    13,982,642 
Total              21,482,808 
                 
Beverages 0.10%                
Sunshine Investments B.V. 2022 USD Term Loan (Netherlands)(e) 8.515%
(3 Mo. Term SOFR + 4.25%
) 7/12/2029   22,425,846    21,753,071 
                
Diversified Capital Goods 0.12%                
CeramTec AcquiCo GmbH 2022 EUR Term Loan B(b)  5.704%
(3 Mo. EURIBOR + 3.75%
) 3/16/2029  EUR25,074,401    25,377,247 
   
32 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Electric: Generation 0.30%                
Astoria Energy LLC 2020 Term Loan B  7.89%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 12/10/2027  $36,847,140   $36,447,902 
EFS Cogen Holdings I LLC 2020 Term Loan B  8.23% - 8.24%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 10/1/2027   25,072,122    24,172,158 
Frontera Generation Holdings LLC 2021 2nd Lien Term Loan  6.23%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.50%
) 7/28/2028   1,716,482    429,120 
Frontera Generation Holdings LLC 2021 Term Loan  17.73%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 13.00%
) 7/28/2026   1,773,053    1,773,053 
Total              62,822,233 
                 
Electric: Integrated 0.18%                
Generation Bridge Acquisition, LLC Term Loan B  9.73%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 5.00%
) 12/1/2028   14,031,459    13,943,763 
Generation Bridge Acquisition, LLC Term Loan C  9.73%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 5.00%
) 12/1/2028   304,453    302,550 
Helix Gen Funding, LLC Term Loan B  8.134%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%
) 6/3/2024   24,959,728    24,645,859 
Total              38,892,172 
                 
Entertainment 0.07%                
Vue International Bidco p.l.c. 2019 EUR Term Loan B(b)(g)  (i)  7/3/2026  EUR 18,451,184    11,307,482 
Vue International Bidco p.l.c. 2022 EUR Term Loan(b)  9.766%
(3 Mo. EURIBOR + 8.00%
) 6/30/2027  EUR 2,436,933    2,386,881 
Total              13,694,363 
                 
Gas Distribution 0.16%                
Freeport LNG Investments, LLLP Term Loan B  7.743%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 12/21/2028  $36,285,820    34,587,462 
                 
Health Facilities 0.13%                
Electron BidCo Inc. 2021 Term Loan  7.384%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%
) 11/1/2028   27,493,059    26,809,169 
                 
Metal Fabricate/Hardware 0.10%                
Tank Holding Corp. 2022 Term Loan  12.25%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 5.75%
) 3/31/2028   22,155,666    21,047,883 
     
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 33
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Personal & Household Products 0.00%                
FGI Operating Company, LLC Exit Term Loan  14.73%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 10.00%
) 5/16/2023  $808,205   $101,430 
Revlon Consumer Products Corporation 2020 Additional Term Loan B2 8.144%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 6/30/2025   198    98 
Total              101,528 
                 
Software/Services 0.11%                
Peraton Corp. Term Loan B  8.134%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%
) 2/1/2028   24,382,748    23,854,496 
Total Floating Rate Loans (cost $307,223,080)              290,422,432 
                 
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS 2.33%                
                 
Australia 0.11%                
Australia Government Bond(b)  4.25%  4/21/2026  AUD 33,642,000    23,404,095 
                 
Bermuda 0.21%                
Bermuda Government International Bond  2.375%  8/20/2030  $26,145,000    22,184,997 
Bermuda Government International Bond  3.375%  8/20/2050   29,737,000    21,183,454 
Total              43,368,451 
                 
Canada 0.26%                
Ontario Teachers’ Finance Trust(e)  0.875%  9/21/2026   26,518,000    23,111,847 
Province of Ontario Canada(b)  1.55%  11/1/2029  CAD 49,902,000    31,657,180 
Total              54,769,027 
                 
Costa Rica 0.25%                
Costa Rica Government International Bond†(e)  7.158%  3/12/2045  $55,226,000    53,015,431 
                 
Dominican Republic 0.33%                
Dominican Republic International Bond†(e)                
   6.00%  2/22/2033   77,453,000    70,157,083 
                 
Ecuador 0.11%                
Ecuador Government International Bond†(e)  5.50%  7/31/2030   35,957,093    23,284,680 
                 
Japan 0.25%                
Japan Bank for International Cooperation(e)  3.875%  9/16/2025   54,052,000    52,892,373 
                 
Mongolia 0.01%                
Development Bank of Mongolia LLC†(e)  7.25%  10/23/2023   3,216,000    2,887,003 
   
34 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Peru 0.15%                
Republic of Peru(e)  2.78%  12/1/2060  $54,426,000   $31,927,025 
                 
South Africa 0.24%                
Republic of South Africa (South Africa)(e)                
   4.30%  10/12/2028   57,713,000    51,653,135 
                 
Sri Lanka 0.07%                
Sri Lanka Government International Bond†(e)(g)  5.875%  7/25/2022   45,243,000    14,936,425 
                 
Turkey 0.34%                
Turkey Government International Bond(e)  5.125%  2/17/2028   83,654,000    72,693,653 
Total Foreign Government Obligations (cost $540,044,598)              494,988,381 
                 
GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES PASS-THROUGHS 8.56%            
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac(k)  2.00%  TBA   94,417,000    76,929,875 
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac(k)  3.50%  TBA   19,495,000    17,713,454 
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac(k)  4.00%  TBA   68,931,000    64,671,534 
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac(k)  4.50%  TBA   79,396,000    76,424,112 
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac(k)  5.00%  TBA   42,676,000    42,875,948 
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac(k)  5.50%  TBA   71,260,000    71,436,495 
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac(k)  6.00%  TBA   63,063,000    63,991,709 
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac(k)  6.50%  TBA   87,762,000    89,848,165 
Fannie Mae Pool  2.00%  6/1/2051   40,741,418    33,293,412 
Fannie Mae Pool  2.50%  6/1/2051 - 12/1/2051   182,834,916    157,035,502 
Fannie Mae Pool  3.00%  1/1/2051   14,112,782    12,640,958 
Fannie Mae Pool  3.50%  9/1/2051 - 4/1/2052   55,103,517    50,791,283 
Fannie Mae Pool  4.00%  5/1/2052   91,729,109    87,373,259 
Fannie Mae Pool  5.00%  7/1/2052   64,079,828    64,329,319 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.  2.00%  10/1/2051   32,257,352    26,330,160 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.  2.50%  7/1/2051   9,923,973    8,493,811 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.  3.50%  8/1/2045   40,570,913    37,829,565 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.  5.00%  7/1/2052   46,695,638    46,781,724 
Ginnie Mae(k)  3.00%  TBA   148,709,000    132,546,498 
Ginnie Mae(k)  3.50%  TBA   65,450,000    60,143,819 
Ginnie Mae(k)  4.00%  TBA   118,032,000    111,706,658 
Ginnie Mae(k)  4.50%  TBA   155,791,000    151,185,250 
Ginnie Mae(k)  5.00%  TBA   87,774,000    86,977,115 
Ginnie Mae(k)  5.50%  TBA   69,648,000    70,008,314 
Ginnie Mae(k)  6.00%  TBA   172,961,000    175,411,878 
Total Government Sponsored Enterprises Pass-Throughs (cost $1,845,763,917)          1,816,769,817 
     
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 35
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
MUNICIPAL BONDS 2.83%                
                 
Education 0.47%                
California State University CA  3.899%  11/1/2047  $33,030,000   $28,106,317 
Ohio University OH  5.59%  12/1/2114   11,104,000    9,951,973 
Permanent University Fund - Texas A&M University System TX  3.66%  7/1/2047   36,015,000    29,617,223 
Regents of the University of California Medical Center Pooled Revenue CA  4.132%  5/15/2032   18,200,000    16,980,253 
Regents of the University of California Medical Center Pooled Revenue CA  6.548%  5/15/2048   12,463,000    14,198,936 
Total              98,854,702 
                 
General Obligation 0.32%                
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania PA GO  5.45%  2/15/2030   12,190,000    12,461,704 
District of Columbia DC  5.591%  12/1/2034   14,130,000    14,697,958 
Los Angeles Unified School District CA GO  5.75%  7/1/2034   12,497,000    13,073,902 
State of California CA GO  7.55%  4/1/2039   15,015,000    18,831,248 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NC  3.847%  12/1/2034   9,595,000    8,586,147 
Total              67,650,959 
                 
Government 0.82%                
Foothill-Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency CA  4.094%  1/15/2049   27,039,000    20,503,844 
Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority LA  3.615%  2/1/2029   27,279,000    26,453,385 
Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority LA  4.145%  2/1/2033   40,921,000    38,797,417 
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority NJ  4.131%  6/15/2042   18,845,000    15,190,551 
Regents of the University of California Medical Center Pooled Revenue CA  3.006%  5/15/2050   19,210,000    12,727,157 
State of Illinois IL GO  5.10%  6/1/2033   62,845,000    60,382,224 
Total              174,054,578 
                 
Lease Obligation 0.03%                
State of Wisconsin WI  3.294%  5/1/2037   7,145,000    5,781,685 
                 
Miscellaneous 0.33%                
Dallas Convention Center Hotel Development Corp. TX  7.088%  1/1/2042   17,795,000    19,408,832 
New York City Industrial Development Agency NY  11.00%  3/1/2029   16,963,000    19,821,476 
Pasadena Public Financing Authority CA  7.148%  3/1/2043   26,795,000    31,508,854 
Total              70,739,162 

 

36 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
Revenue - Utilities - Other 0.07%                
City of San Antonio Electric & Gas Systems Revenue TX  5.718%  2/1/2041  $13,240,000   $14,000,363 
                 
Tax Revenue 0.34%                
County of Miami-Dade FL  2.786%  10/1/2037   11,485,000    8,250,365 
Dallas Area Rapid Transit TX  2.613%  12/1/2048   22,730,000    15,009,046 
Massachusetts School Building Authority MA  5.715%  8/15/2039   20,055,000    20,579,996 
Memphis-Shelby County Industrial Development Board Tax Allocation TN(g)  7.00%  7/1/2045   22,085,000    14,298,054(d) 
New York State Dormitory Authority NY  3.19%  2/15/2043   5,345,000    3,946,188 
Regional Transportation District Sales Tax Revenue CO  2.387%  11/1/2037   16,005,000    11,292,021 
Total              73,375,670 
                 
Taxable Revenue - Water & Sewer 0.04%                
City & County Honolulu Wastewater System Revenue HI  1.623%  7/1/2031   6,635,000    5,095,766 
City & County Honolulu Wastewater System Revenue HI  2.574%  7/1/2041   4,520,000    3,115,143 
Total              8,210,909 
                 
Transportation 0.41%                
Chicago Transit Authority Sales Tax Receipts Fund IL  6.20%  12/1/2040   12,385,000    13,346,081 
County of Miami-Dade Aviation Revenue FL  3.982%  10/1/2041   13,915,000    11,456,751 
County of Miami-Dade Aviation Revenue FL  4.28%  10/1/2041   18,040,000    15,967,285 
Metropolitan Transportation Authority NY  5.175%  11/15/2049   18,010,000    15,604,609 
Metropolitan Transportation Authority NY  6.668%  11/15/2039   9,045,000    9,368,036 
Port of Seattle WA  3.571%  5/1/2032   10,040,000    8,877,310 
Port of Seattle WA  3.755%  5/1/2036   13,905,000    11,973,337 
Total              86,593,409 
Total Municipal Bonds (cost $712,150,457)              599,261,437 
                 
NON-AGENCY COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES 4.14%             
BBCMS Mortgage Trust 2019-BWAY A  5.274%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + .96%
)#  11/15/2034   25,000,000    23,207,068 
Benchmark Mortgage Trust 2019-B12 WMA  4.246%#(l)  8/15/2052   35,544,000    30,667,691(d) 
BHMS 2018-ATLS A  5.568%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.25%
)#  7/15/2035   37,370,000    35,941,558 
BX 2021-MFM1 B  5.268%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + .95%
)#  1/15/2034   7,100,000    6,808,532 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 37
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
NON-AGENCY COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)             
BX 2021-MFM1 C  5.518%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.20%
)#  1/15/2034  $4,250,000   $4,057,877 
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust 2020-VIV4 A  2.843%  3/9/2044   14,171,000    11,493,918 
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust 2021-VOLT A  5.018%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + .70%
)#  9/15/2036   28,040,000    27,050,539 
BX Trust 2022-PSB A  6.787%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.45%
)#  8/15/2039   13,820,110    13,810,190 
CF Trust 2019-BOSS A1  4.75%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
)#  12/15/2024   18,200,000    16,788,747 
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust 2016-GC36 C  4.747%#(l)  2/10/2049   8,580,000    6,988,996 
COMM Mortgage Trust 2014-UBS5 AM  4.193%#(l)  9/10/2047   17,906,000    17,131,933 
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust 2022-R01 1B2  9.928%
(1 Mo. SOFR + 6.00%
)#  12/25/2041   35,150,000    30,657,317 
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust 2022-R02 2M1  5.128%
(1 Mo. SOFR + 1.20%
)#  1/25/2042   18,945,342    18,537,993 
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates Trust 2022-MARK B  7.78%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 3.44%
)#  6/15/2039   10,000,000    9,902,736 
CS Master Trust 2021-AHP A  8.186%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.95%
)#  4/15/2025   34,200,000    34,066,381(d) 
CS Master Trust 2021-BLUF A  8.414%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 4.18%
)#  4/15/2023   19,500,000    19,329,687 
CSMC 2021-BPNY A  8.032%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.71%
)#  8/15/2023   47,580,000    46,720,144 
CSMC 2021-BRIT A  7.91%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 3.57%
)#  5/15/2023   86,900,000    81,323,001 
DCP Rights LLC A  6.786%  1/15/2024   82,590,000    82,746,541 
Freddie Mac Stacr Remic Trust 2020-DNA1 B1  6.689%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.30%
)#  1/25/2050   10,800,000    10,204,069 
Freddie Mac STACR Remic Trust 2020-DNA2 B1  6.889%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.50%
)#  2/25/2050   12,610,000    11,806,603 
Freddie Mac STACR REMIC Trust 2021-HQA3 M1  4.778%
(1 Mo. SOFR + 0.85%
)#  9/25/2041   14,761,731    14,105,956 
Freddie Mac STACR REMIC Trust 2022-HQA3 M1A 6.228%
(1 Mo. SOFR + 2.30%
)#  8/25/2042   10,531,790    10,526,472 

 

38 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
NON-AGENCY COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)             
Freddie Mac STACR REMIC Trust 2022-HQA3 M1B  7.478%
(1 Mo. SOFR + 3.55%
)#  8/25/2042  $27,950,000   $27,760,368 
Freddie Mac STACR Trust 2019-DNA3 B1  7.639%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
)#  7/25/2049   5,432,000    5,440,147 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp Trust 2022-ECI B  7.28%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 2.94%
)#  8/15/2039   23,820,000    23,540,622 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II 2021-ARDN C  6.368%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.05%
)#  11/15/2036   15,930,000    15,076,842 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II 2021-ARDN D  7.068%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.75%
)#  11/15/2036   27,860,000    26,298,830 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust 2021-RENT E  7.104%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.75%
)#  11/21/2035   11,448,383    10,464,944 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust 2021-RENT F  8.004%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.65%
)#  11/21/2035   8,412,835    7,652,708 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust 2021-RENT G  10.054%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 5.70%
)#  11/21/2035   593,847    534,902 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust 2021-RSMZ MZ  13.818%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 9.50%
)#  6/15/2026   70,375,000    67,496,986 
Hilton Orlando Trust 2018-ORL A  5.338%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + .92%
)#  12/15/2034   9,443,000    9,221,052 
HPLY Trust 2019-HIT A  5.318%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.00%
)#  11/15/2036   16,125,276    15,735,778 
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2022-NLP B  5.442%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 1.11%
)#  4/15/2037   38,023,012    34,707,724 
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2021-BOLT D  11.018%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 6.70%
)#  8/15/2033   42,015,000    40,724,820 
Life Mortgage Trust 2022-BMR2 A1  5.631%
(1 Mo. Term SOFR + 1.30%
)#  5/15/2039   29,420,000    28,736,100 
Total Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $917,127,125)        877,265,772 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 39
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments  Dividend
Rate
         Shares   Fair
Value
 
PREFERRED STOCKS 0.07%                
                 
Transportation Infrastructure                
ACBL Holdings Corp.  Zero Coupon      150,711   $3,880,808 
ACBL Holdings Corp.  Zero Coupon      205,069    10,355,985 
Total Preferred Stocks (cost $8,894,500)              14,236,793 
                 
   Exercise
Price
  Expiration
Date
          
RIGHTS 0.00%                
                 
Cosmetics/Personal Care                
Revlon, Inc.* (cost $591,989)  Zero Coupon  9/7/2023   1,798,428    521,544(f) 
Total Long-Term Investments (cost $23,433,526,954)           21,484,381,568 
                 
             Principal
Amount
     
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 2.66%                  
                   
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS 2.55%                  
Repurchase Agreement dated 12/30/2022, 2.050% due 1/3/2023 with Fixed Income Clearing Corp. collateralized by $151,911,400 of U.S. Treasury Note at 2.750% due 7/13/2027; value: $144,036,921; proceeds: $141,244,756 (cost $141,212,591)          $141,212,591    141,212,591 
Repurchase Agreement dated 12/30/2022, 4.300% due 1/3/2023 with TD Securities USA LLC collateralized by $146,101,000 of U.S. Treasury Note at 2.50% due 01/31/2025; value: $142,085,208; proceeds: $139,365,777 (cost $139,299,223)           139,299,223    139,299,223 
Repurchase Agreement dated 12/30/2022, 4.250% due 1/3/2023 with Barclays Bank plc collateralized by $261,026,000 of U.S. Treasury Note at 4.00% due 11/15/2052; value: $265,913,712; proceeds: $260,822,826 (cost $260,699,718)           260,699,718    260,699,718 
Total Repurchase Agreements (cost $541,211,532)                541,211,532 

 

40 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Investments          Shares   Fair
Value
 
Money Market Funds 0.10%                  
Fidelity Government Portfolio(m)
(cost $19,966,973)
          19,966,973   $19,966,973 
                   
Time Deposits 0.01%                  
CitiBank N.A.(m)
(cost $2,218,553)
          2,218,553    2,218,553 
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $563,397,058)                563,397,058 
Total Investments in Securities 103.92% (cost $23,996,924,012)                22,047,778,626 
Other Assets and Liabilities – Net(n) (3.92)%                (831,095,832)
Net Assets 100.00%               $21,216,682,794 

 

AUD Australian Dollar.
CAD Canadian Dollar.
EUR Euro.
GBP British Pound.
ADR American Depositary Receipt.
CMT Constant Maturity Rate.
EURIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate.
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate.
PIK Payment-in-kind.
REITS Real Estate Investment Trusts.
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate.

 

  Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and, unless registered under such Act or exempted from registration, may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 2022, the total value of Rule 144A securities was $9,276,535,078, which represents 43.72% of net assets.
#   Variable rate security. The interest rate represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2022.
*   Non-income producing security.
(a)   Securities purchased on a when-issued basis (See Note 2(m)).
(b)   Investment in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities.
(c)   All or a portion of this security is temporarily on loan to unaffiliated broker/dealers.
(d)   Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(q) in the Notes to Financials. Security valued utilizing third party pricing information without adjustment. Such valuations are based on unobservable inputs. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.
(e)   Foreign security traded in U.S. dollars.
(f)   Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(q) in the Notes to Financials. Security fair valued by the Pricing Committee.
(g)   Defaulted (non-income producing security).
(h)   Floating Rate Loans in which the Fund invests generally pay interest at rates which are periodically re-determined at a margin above the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the prime rate offered by major U.S. banks. The rate(s) shown is the rate(s) in effect at December 31, 2022.
(i)   Interest Rate to be determined.
(j)   Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(q) in the Notes to Financials. Floating Rate Loan fair valued by the Pricing Committee. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America do not require the Fund to create quantitative unobservable inputs that were not developed by the Fund. Therefore, the Fund does not have access to unobservable inputs and cannot disclose such inputs in the valuation.
(k)   To-be-announced (“TBA”). Security purchased on a forward commitment basis with an approximate principal and maturity date. Actual principal and maturity will be determined upon settlement when the specific mortgage pools are assigned.

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 41
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

(l)   Interest rate is based on the weighted average interest rates of the underlying mortgages within the mortgage pool.
(m)   Security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.
(o)   Other Assets and Liabilities – Net include net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, futures contracts and swaps as follows:

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Indexes - Sell Protection at December 31, 2022(1):

 

Referenced
Indexes
  Central
Clearing
Party
  Fund
Receives
(Quarterly)
  Termination
Date
  Notional
Amount
 Payments
Upfront(2)
   Value   Unrealized
Appreciation(3)
 
Markit CDX.EM.38(4)(5)  Bank of America  1.000%  12/20/2027  $226,587,000           $(14,224,022)     $(13,244,826)          $979,196 

 

(1)   If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities.
(2)   Upfront payments paid (received) by Central Clearing Party are presented net of amortization.
(3)   Total unrealized appreciation on Credit Default Swaps on Indexes amounted to $979,196. Total unrealized depreciation on Credit Default Swaps on Indexes amounted to $0.
(4)   Central Clearinghouse: Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
(5)   The Referenced Index is for the Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Indexes, which is comprised of a basket of emerging markets securities.

 

Centrally Cleared Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) Swaps at December 31, 2022:

 

Swap
Counterparty
  Payments to be
Made By
The Fund at
Termination Date
  Payments to be
Received By
The Fund at
Termination Date
  Termination
Date
  Notional
Amount
   Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Bank of America  2.544%  CPI Urban Consumer NSA  3/2/2052  $60,151,898               $727,377 
Bank of America  2.544%  CPI Urban Consumer NSA  3/2/2052   29,848,102      219,156(1) 
Total Unrealized Appreciation on Centrally Cleared CPI Swaps            $946,533 
                   
Swap
Counterparty
  Payments to be
Made By
The Fund at
Termination Date
  Payments to be
Received By
The Fund at
Termination Date
  Termination
Date
   Notional
Amount
   Value/Unrealized
Depreciation
 
Bank of America  2.748%  CPI Urban Consumer NSA  4/20/2052  $128,000,000     $(6,018,280)
Bank of America  2.665%  CPI Urban Consumer NSA  5/12/2052   97,080,000      (2,866,946)
Total Unrealized Depreciation on Centrally Cleared CPI Swaps            $(8,885,226)

 

(1)   Upfront payments paid (received) by Central Clearing Party are presented net of amortization. Includes upfront payment of $141,777.

 

42 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Credit Default Swaps on Index/Issuer - Buy Protection at December 31, 2022(1):

 

Referenced
Issuer
  Swap
Counterparty
  Fund
Pays
(Quarterly)
  Termination
Date
  Notional
Amount
  Payments
Upfront(2)
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation(3)
   Credit
Default
Swap
Agreements
Receivable at
Fair Value(4)
 
Credit Suisse Group AG  BNP Paribas S.A.  1.000%  12/20/2027  EUR 47,607,097  $2,510,626   $3,337,837   $5,848,463 
Credit Suisse Group AG  BNP Paribas S.A.  1.000%  12/20/2027  19,042,839   1,044,077    1,295,308    2,339,385 
Credit Suisse Group AG  J.P. Morgan  1.000%  12/20/2027  14,282,129   941,561    812,978    1,754,539 
               $4,496,264   $5,446,123   $9,942,387 
                            

Credit Default Swaps on Index/Issuer - Sell Protection at December 31, 2022(1):

 
  
Referenced
Index*
  Swap
Counterparty
  Fund
Receives
(Quarterly)
  Termination
Date
  Notional
Amount
  Payments
Upfront(2)
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(3)
   Credit
Default
Swap
Agreements
Payable at
Fair Value(4)
 
Markit CMBX.NA.AA.7  Citibank  1.500%  1/17/2047  $9,490,000  $(110,697)           $(198,603)       $(309,300)
Markit CMBX.NA.AA.8  Citibank  1.500%  10/17/2057  18,980,000   92,418    (201,123)   (108,705)
               $(18,279)  $(399,726)  $(418,005)

 

*   The Referenced Index is for the Credit Default Swaps on Indexes, which is comprised of a basket of commercial mortgage-backed securities.
(1)   If the Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and make delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive 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. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities.
(2)   Upfront payments paid (received) are presented net of amortization.
(3)   Total unrealized appreciation on Credit Default Swaps on Indexes/Issuers amounted to $5,446,123. Total unrealized depreciation on Credit Default Swaps on Indexes amounted to $399,726.
(4)   Includes upfront payments paid (received).

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 43
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at December 31, 2022:

 

Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
  Transaction
Type
  Counterparty  Expiration
Date
  Foreign
Currency
  U.S. $
Cost on
Origination
Date
   U.S. $
Current
Value
   Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Euro  Buy  Morgan Stanley  3/13/2023  10,135,000  $10,823,859   $10,899,459      $75,600 
Japanese yen  Buy  Morgan Stanley  2/14/2023  450,000,000   3,424,955    3,446,992      22,037 
British pound  Sell  Toronto Dominion Bank  3/8/2023  73,191,000   89,047,830    88,622,983      424,847 
Swiss franc  Sell  Morgan Stanley  1/23/2023  5,240,000   5,691,422    5,678,533      12,889 
Total Unrealized Appreciation on Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts           $535,373 
               
Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
  Transaction
Type
  Counterparty  Expiration
Date
  Foreign
Currency
   U.S. $
Cost on
Origination
Date
    U.S. $
Current
Value
   Unrealized
Depreciation
 
Canadian dollar  Buy  Bank of America  1/20/2023  14,713,000  $11,049,033   $10,867,214     $(181,819)
Canadian dollar  Buy  Toronto Dominion Bank  1/20/2023  11,153,000   8,332,207    8,237,752      (94,455)
Australian dollar  Sell  Morgan Stanley  2/27/2023  69,896,000   46,592,855    47,691,420      (1,098,565)
Canadian dollar  Sell  Toronto Dominion Bank  1/20/2023  72,500,000   52,679,765    53,549,448      (869,683)
Euro  Sell  State Street Bank and Trust  3/13/2023  155,100,000   164,779,171    166,798,818      (2,019,647)
Japanese yen  Sell  Toronto Dominion Bank  2/14/2023  8,376,000,000   60,352,039    64,160,014      (3,807,975)
Singapore dollar  Sell  State Street Bank and Trust  2/22/2023  15,526,000   11,309,057    11,600,832      (291,775)
Singapore dollar  Sell  State Street Bank and Trust  2/22/2023  9,196,000   6,660,971    6,871,136      (210,165)
Singapore dollar  Sell  State Street Bank and Trust  2/22/2023  5,022,000   3,646,428    3,752,375      (105,947)
Swiss franc  Sell  J.P. Morgan  1/23/2023  26,580,000   28,733,625    28,804,469      (70,844)
Total Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts              $(8,750,875)
                              
Futures Contracts at December 31, 2022:                    
                              
Type     Expiration  Contracts  Position   Notional
Amount
    Notional
Value
   Unrealized
Appreciation
 
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Note     March 2023  2,947  Short  $(331,441,133)  $(330,938,891)    $502,242 
U.S. Treasury Bonds     March 2023  7,516  Short   (1,023,203,040)   (1,009,492,750)     13,710,290 
U.S. Treasury Bonds     March 2023  13,939  Short   (1,766,512,655)   (1,747,166,531)     19,346,124 
U.S. Treasury Notes     March 2023  9,865  Long   2,020,717,762    2,023,095,713      2,377,951 
Total Unrealized Appreciation on Futures Contracts                    $35,936,607 
                        
Type     Expiration  Contracts  Position   Notional
Amount
    Notional
Value
   Unrealized
Depreciation
 
U.S. 10-Year Ultra Treasury Note     March 2023  6,478  Long  $789,517,330   $766,225,938     $(23,291,392)

 

44 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2022

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value(1):

 

Investment Type(2)  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Long-Term Investments                    
Asset-Backed Securities  $   $1,227,133,317   $   $1,227,133,317 
Common Stocks                    
Auto Components       10,623,497        10,623,497 
Beverages   22,000,304    23,477,026        45,477,330 
Electric-Generation       1,890        1,890 
Entertainment   33,294,731    24,442,158        57,736,889 
Miscellaneous Financials       7,655,740        7,655,740 
Personal Products       34,984,404        34,984,404 
Pharmaceuticals   77,116,338    36,792,767        113,909,105 
Specialty Retail   45,027,040        6,065,749    51,092,789 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods       56,749,365        56,749,365 
Transportation Infrastructure   21,214,664    1,773,432        22,988,096 
Remaining Industries   719,380,601            719,380,601 
Corporate Bonds                    
Banks       633,253,831    1    633,253,832 
Diversified Financial Services       302,542,104    1,500    302,543,604 
Mining       295,243,448    19    295,243,467 
Savings & Loans           2,250    2,250 
Remaining Industries       13,812,139,216        13,812,139,216 
Floating Rate Loans                    
Personal & Household Products       98    101,430    101,528 
Remaining Industries       290,320,904        290,320,904 
Foreign Government Obligations       494,988,381        494,988,381 
Government Sponsored Enterprises                    
Pass-Throughs       1,816,769,817        1,816,769,817 
Municipal Bonds                    
Tax Revenue       59,077,616    14,298,054    73,375,670 
Remaining Industries       525,885,767        525,885,767 
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities       812,531,700    64,734,072    877,265,772 
Preferred Stocks       14,236,793        14,236,793 
Rights           521,544    521,544 
Short-Term Investments                    
Repurchase Agreements       541,211,532        541,211,532 
Money Market Funds   19,966,973            19,966,973 
Time Deposits       2,218,553        2,218,553 
Total  $938,000,651   $21,024,053,356   $85,724,619   $22,047,778,626 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 45
 

Schedule of Investments (concluded)

December 31, 2022

 

Investment Type(2)  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Other Financial Instruments                    
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Contracts                    
Assets  $   $   $   $ 
Liabilities       (13,244,826)       (13,244,826)
Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contracts                    
Assets  $   $1,088,310   $   $1,088,310 
Liabilities       (8,885,226)       (8,885,226)
Credit Default Swap Contracts                    
Assets       9,942,387        9,942,387 
Liabilities       (418,005)       (418,005)
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts                    
Assets       535,373        535,373 
Liabilities       (8,750,875)       (8,750,875)
Futures Contracts                    
Assets   35,936,607            35,936,607 
Liabilities   (23,291,392)           (23,291,392)
Total  $12,645,215   $(19,732,862)  $   $(7,087,647)

 

(1)   Refer to Note 2(q) for a description of fair value measurements and the three-tier hierarchy of inputs.
(2)   See Schedule of Investments for fair values in each industry and identification of foreign issuers and/or geography. The table above is presented by Investment Type. Industries are presented within an Investment Type should such Investment Type include securities classified as two or more levels within the three-tier fair value hierarchy. When applicable, each Level 3 security is identified on the Schedule of Investments along with the valuation technique utilized.

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund has a material amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning or end of the year in relation to the Fund’s net assets. Management has determined not to provide a reconciliation as the balance of Level 3 investments was not considered to be material to the Fund’s net assets at the beginning or end of the year.

 

46 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2022

 

ASSETS:     
Investments in securities, at fair value including $21,108,287 of securities loaned (cost $23,996,924,012)  $22,047,778,626 
Cash at brokers   12,860,000 
Deposits with brokers for futures collateral   102,397,922 
Deposits with brokers for forwards and swaps collateral   79,377,227 
Receivables:     
Investment securities sold   1,637,932,505 
Interest and dividends   259,396,450 
Capital shares sold   144,523,640 
Variation margin for futures contracts   4,926,035 
Variation margin receivable for centrally cleared swap agreements   1,956,626 
Securities lending income receivable   1,482 
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   535,373 
Credit default swap agreements receivable, at fair value (including upfront payments of $4,496,264)   9,942,387 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   335,499 
Total assets   24,301,963,772 
LIABILITIES:     
Payables:     
Investment securities purchased   2,862,190,444 
Capital shares reacquired   71,907,894 
Collateral due to broker for securities lending   22,185,526 
To brokers for swap and TBA collateral   12,860,000 
Management fee   7,780,287 
To bank   2,676,730 
Directors’ fees   2,251,675 
12b-1 distribution plan   2,188,710 
Fund administration   733,440 
Credit default swap agreements payable, at fair value (including upfront payments of $18,279)   418,005 
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   8,750,875 
Foreign currency overdraft (cost $350,090)   1,082,432 
Distributions payable   85,713,668 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   4,541,292 
Total liabilities   3,085,280,978 
NET ASSETS  $21,216,682,794 
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS:     
Paid-in capital  $24,977,012,128 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (3,760,329,334)
Net Assets  $21,216,682,794 
     
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 47
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (concluded)

December 31, 2022

 

Net assets by class:     
Class A Shares  $5,029,503,057 
Class C Shares  $833,154,244 
Class F Shares  $2,261,927,445 
Class F3 Shares  $4,616,783,296 
Class I Shares  $7,788,311,108 
Class P Shares  $8,699,410 
Class R2 Shares  $3,889,871 
Class R3 Shares  $200,095,695 
Class R4 Shares  $64,878,770 
Class R5 Shares  $24,622,007 
Class R6 Shares  $384,817,891 
Outstanding shares by class:     
Class A Shares (1.8 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   720,671,026 
Class C Shares (600 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   119,065,825 
Class F Shares (2.25 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   324,592,048 
Class F3 Shares (3 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   664,667,100 
Class I Shares (3.9 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   1,122,296,938 
Class P Shares (160 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   1,218,376 
Class R2 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   557,318 
Class R3 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   28,718,385 
Class R4 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   9,293,237 
Class R5 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   3,543,277 
Class R6 Shares (478 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   55,405,850 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
(Net assets divided by outstanding shares):
     
Class A Shares-Net asset value   $6.98 
Class A Shares-Maximum offering price (Net asset value plus sales charge of 2.25%)   $7.14 
Class C Shares-Net asset value   $7.00 
Class F Shares-Net asset value   $6.97 
Class F3 Shares-Net asset value   $6.95 
Class I Shares-Net asset value   $6.94 
Class P Shares-Net asset value   $7.14 
Class R2 Shares-Net asset value   $6.98 
Class R3 Shares-Net asset value   $6.97 
Class R4 Shares-Net asset value   $6.98 
Class R5 Shares-Net asset value   $6.95 
Class R6 Shares-Net asset value   $6.95 
     
48 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

 

Investment income:     
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $355,067)  $18,442,876 
Securities lending net income   74,568 
Interest and other   1,149,204,475 
Interest earned from Interfund Lending (See Note 11)   4,319 
Total investment income   1,167,726,238 
Expenses:     
Management fee   100,924,220 
12b-1 distribution plan–Class A   11,379,228 
12b-1 distribution plan–Class C   8,534,817 
12b-1 distribution plan–Class F   5,470,760 
12b-1 distribution plan–Class P   44,815 
12b-1 distribution plan–Class R2   24,259 
12b-1 distribution plan–Class R3   1,116,167 
12b-1 distribution plan–Class R4   170,889 
Shareholder servicing   16,999,542 
Fund administration   9,567,422 
Reports to shareholders   2,638,430 
Registration   1,763,622 
Custody   442,883 
Directors’ fees   433,912 
Professional   392,992 
Interest paid from Interfund Lending (See Note 11)   9,515 
Other   524,734 
Gross expenses   160,438,207 
Expense reductions (See Note 9)   (224,328)
Fees waived and expenses reimbursed (See Note 3)   (442,883)
Net expenses   159,770,996 
Net investment income   1,007,955,242 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss):     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments   (2,316,951,166)
Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts   612,967,674 
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   36,297,545 
Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts   (19,992,965)
Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions   411,011 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments   (2,841,676,362)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts   24,837,380 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   (4,968,187)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts   (3,177,937)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   (1,026,008)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on unfunded commitments   13,993 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (4,513,265,022)
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting From Operations  $(3,505,309,780)
     
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 49
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS  For the Year Ended
December 31, 2022
   For the Year Ended
December 31, 2021
 
Operations:              
Net investment income                  $1,007,955,242                   $803,686,538 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swap contracts and foreign currency related transactions     (1,687,267,901)     789,888,819 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swap contracts, unfunded commitments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies     (2,825,997,121)     (853,724,866)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (3,505,309,780)     739,850,491 
Distributions to shareholders:              
Class A     (258,137,835)     (236,202,061)
Class C     (39,217,051)     (37,879,702)
Class F     (238,224,930)     (377,911,492)
Class F3     (234,107,585)     (162,949,620)
Class I     (305,660,648)     (94,383,042)
Class P     (424,907)     (451,545)
Class R2     (167,781)     (153,692)
Class R3     (9,453,761)     (8,624,486)
Class R4     (3,078,235)     (2,591,688)
Class R5     (1,244,588)     (1,078,303)
Class R6     (18,910,165)     (13,996,676)
Total distributions to shareholders     (1,108,627,486)     (936,222,307)
Capital share transactions (Net of share conversions) (See Note 15):                 
Net proceeds from sales of shares     14,139,129,708      12,553,674,283 
Reinvestment of distributions     1,007,856,191      838,741,127 
Cost of shares reacquired     (17,823,838,815)     (4,989,703,717)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions     (2,676,852,916)     8,402,711,693 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets     (7,290,790,182)     8,206,339,877 
NET ASSETS:              
Beginning of year    $28,507,472,976     $20,301,133,099 
End of year    $21,216,682,794     $28,507,472,976 
     
50 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

This page is intentionally left blank.

 

51

 

Financial Highlights

 

         Per Share Operating Performance:
         Investment Operations:  Distributions to
shareholders from:
                                           
   Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
  Net
invest-
ment
income(a)
  Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
  Total
from
invest-
ment
opera-
tions
  Net
investment
income
  Net
realized
gain
  Total
distri-
butions
                                     
Class A                                                 
12/31/2022        $8.37             $0.31             $(1.37)            $(1.06)            $(0.32)            $(0.01)            $(0.33)    
12/31/2021     8.41      0.27            0.27      (0.28)     (0.03)     (0.31)
12/31/2020     8.13      0.29      0.30      0.59      (0.31)           (0.31)
12/31/2019     7.47      0.31      0.68      0.99      (0.33)           (0.33)
12/31/2018     8.25      0.33      (0.63)     (0.30)     (0.36)     (0.12)     (0.48)
                                                  
Class C                                                 
12/31/2022     8.39      0.26      (1.36)     (1.10)     (0.28)     (0.01)     (0.29)
12/31/2021     8.43      0.22            0.22      (0.23)     (0.03)     (0.26)
12/31/2020     8.16      0.24      0.29      0.53      (0.26)           (0.26)
12/31/2019     7.49      0.26      0.69      0.95      (0.28)           (0.28)
12/31/2018     8.27      0.28      (0.63)     (0.35)     (0.31)     (0.12)     (0.43)
                                                  
Class F                                                 
12/31/2022     8.36      0.31      (1.36)     (1.05)     (0.33)     (0.01)     (0.34)
12/31/2021     8.40      0.28            0.28      (0.29)     (0.03)     (0.32)
12/31/2020     8.12      0.29      0.31      0.60      (0.32)           (0.32)
12/31/2019     7.46      0.32      0.67      0.99      (0.33)           (0.33)
12/31/2018     8.24      0.34      (0.64)     (0.30)     (0.36)     (0.12)     (0.48)
                                                  
Class F3                                                 
12/31/2022     8.33      0.33      (1.36)     (1.03)     (0.34)     (0.01)     (0.35)
12/31/2021     8.37      0.29            0.29      (0.30)     (0.03)     (0.33)
12/31/2020     8.10      0.31      0.29      0.60      (0.33)           (0.33)
12/31/2019     7.43      0.33      0.69      1.02      (0.35)           (0.35)
12/31/2018     8.21      0.35      (0.63)     (0.28)     (0.38)     (0.12)     (0.50)
                                                  
Class I                                                 
12/31/2022     8.32      0.32      (1.35)     (1.03)     (0.34)     (0.01)     (0.35)
12/31/2021     8.36      0.28      0.01(c)      0.29      (0.30)     (0.03)     (0.33)
12/31/2020     8.09      0.30      0.29      0.59      (0.32)           (0.32)
12/31/2019     7.43      0.32      0.68      1.00      (0.34)           (0.34)
12/31/2018     8.21      0.34      (0.63)     (0.29)     (0.37)     (0.12)     (0.49)
                                                  
Class P                                                 
12/31/2022     8.56      0.29      (1.39)     (1.10)     (0.31)     (0.01)     (0.32)
12/31/2021     8.60      0.26            0.26      (0.27)     (0.03)     (0.30)
12/31/2020     8.32      0.28      0.30      0.58      (0.30)           (0.30)
12/31/2019     7.64      0.30      0.69      0.99      (0.31)           (0.31)
12/31/2018     8.44      0.31      (0.64)     (0.33)     (0.35)     (0.12)     (0.47)
     
52 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 
            Ratios to Average Net Assets:  Supplemental Data:
                                        
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
  Total
return(b)
(%)
  Total
expenses
after waivers
and/or reim-
bursements
(%)
  Total
expenses
(%)
  Net
investment
income
(%)
  Net
assets, end
of period
(000)
  Portfolio
turnover
rate
(%)
                            
      $6.98              (12.68)               0.77                 0.78              4.12            $5,029,503             181     
   8.37      3.26      0.76      0.76      3.19      6,750,572      81 
   8.41      7.60      0.78      0.78      3.65      5,877,018      109 
   8.13      13.37      0.79      0.79      3.90      5,246,570      217 
   7.47      (3.79)     0.79      0.79      4.11      4,252,132      147 
                                                  
   7.00      (13.21)     1.42      1.42      3.47      833,154      181 
   8.39      2.60      1.40      1.40      2.55      1,269,001      81 
   8.43      6.77      1.42      1.42      3.02      1,197,178      109 
   8.16      12.77      1.42      1.42      3.28      1,328,321      217 
   7.49      (4.38)     1.43      1.43      3.46      1,296,749      147 
                                                  
   6.97      (12.62)     0.67      0.67      4.04      2,261,927      181 
   8.36      3.48      0.66      0.66      3.28      11,596,041      81 
   8.40      7.57      0.68      0.68      3.73      7,838,614      109 
   8.12      13.64      0.69      0.69      3.97      5,743,483      217 
   7.46      (3.83)     0.69      0.69      4.20      3,827,057      147 
                                                  
   6.95      (12.40)     0.50      0.50      4.41      4,616,783      181 
   8.33      3.53      0.49      0.49      3.44      5,134,497      81 
   8.37      7.77      0.50      0.50      3.91      2,989,747      109 
   8.10      13.86      0.52      0.52      4.14      2,290,420      217 
   7.43      (3.57)     0.52      0.52      4.37      1,533,935      147 
                                                  
   6.94      (12.49)     0.58      0.58      4.44      7,788,311      181 
   8.32      3.46      0.56      0.56      3.38      2,962,943      81 
   8.36      7.69      0.58      0.58      3.84      1,782,404      109 
   8.09      13.80      0.59      0.59      4.07      1,401,118      217 
   7.43      (3.77)     0.59      0.59      4.30      927,024      147 
                                                  
   7.14      (12.89)     1.02      1.03      3.86      8,699      181 
   8.56      3.01      1.01      1.01      2.95      12,453      81 
   8.60      7.25      1.03      1.03      3.42      14,104      109 
   8.32      13.16      1.04      1.04      3.67      16,727      217 
   7.64      (4.00)     0.95      0.95      3.94      17,453      147 
     
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 53
 

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

         Per Share Operating Performance:
         Investment Operations:  Distributions to
shareholders from:
                                           
   Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
  Net
invest-
ment
income
(a)
  Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
  Total
from
invest-
ment
opera-
tions
  Net
investment
income
  Net
realized
gain
  Total
distri-
butions
                                                  
Class R2                                                 
12/31/2022        $8.37             $0.28             $(1.37)            $(1.09)            $(0.29)            $(0.01)            $(0.30)    
12/31/2021     8.41      0.24            0.24      (0.25)     (0.03)     (0.28)
12/31/2020     8.13      0.26      0.30      0.56      (0.28)           (0.28)
12/31/2019     7.47      0.28      0.67      0.95      (0.29)           (0.29)
12/31/2018     8.25      0.30      (0.64)     (0.34)     (0.32)     (0.12)     (0.44)
                                                  
Class R3                                                 
12/31/2022     8.36      0.28      (1.36)     (1.08)     (0.30)     (0.01)     (0.31)
12/31/2021     8.39      0.25      0.01(c)      0.26      (0.26)     (0.03)     (0.29)
12/31/2020     8.12      0.27      0.29      0.56      (0.29)           (0.29)
12/31/2019     7.46      0.29      0.67      0.96      (0.30)           (0.30)
12/31/2018     8.24      0.30      (0.63)     (0.33)     (0.33)     (0.12)     (0.45)
                                                  
Class R4                                                 
12/31/2022     8.37      0.30      (1.36)     (1.06)     (0.32)     (0.01)     (0.33)
12/31/2021     8.41      0.27            0.27      (0.28)     (0.03)     (0.31)
12/31/2020     8.14      0.29      0.29      0.58      (0.31)           (0.31)
12/31/2019     7.47      0.30      0.69      0.99      (0.32)           (0.32)
12/31/2018     8.25      0.33      (0.64)     (0.31)     (0.35)     (0.12)     (0.47)
                                                  
Class R5                                                 
12/31/2022     8.33      0.32      (1.35)     (1.03)     (0.34)     (0.01)     (0.35)
12/31/2021     8.37      0.29            0.29      (0.30)     (0.03)     (0.33)
12/31/2020     8.10      0.30      0.29      0.59      (0.32)           (0.32)
12/31/2019     7.43      0.33      0.68      1.01      (0.34)           (0.34)
12/31/2018     8.21      0.34      (0.63)     (0.29)     (0.37)     (0.12)     (0.49)
                                                  
Class R6                                                 
12/31/2022     8.33      0.33      (1.36)     (1.03)     (0.34)     (0.01)     (0.35)
12/31/2021     8.37      0.29            0.29      (0.30)     (0.03)     (0.33)
12/31/2020     8.09      0.31      0.30      0.61      (0.33)           (0.33)
12/31/2019     7.43      0.33      0.68      1.01      (0.35)           (0.35)
12/31/2018     8.21      0.35      (0.63)     (0.28)     (0.38)     (0.12)     (0.50)
   
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.
(b) Total return for Classes A and C does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. Total return for all other classes assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.
(c) Realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share does not correlate to the aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain(loss) in the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the Fund’s portfolio.
     
54 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 
            Ratios to Average Net Assets:  Supplemental Data:
                                        
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
  Total
return(b)
(%)
  Total
expenses
after waivers
and/or reim-
bursements
(%)
  Total
expenses
(%)
  Net
investment
income
(%)
  Net
assets, end
of period
(000)
  Portfolio
turnover
rate
(%)
                                                  
      $6.98           (13.04)                 1.18                 1.18              3.73         $3,890          181     
   8.37      2.85      1.16      1.16      2.80      4,700      81 
   8.41      7.17      1.18      1.18      3.28      5,222      109 
   8.13      12.93      1.19      1.19      3.52      6,688      217 
   7.47      (4.17)     1.19      1.19      3.71      6,460      147 
                                                  
   6.97      (12.97)     1.07      1.08      3.82      200,096      181 
   8.36      3.07      1.06      1.06      2.90      264,066      81 
   8.39      7.16      1.08      1.08      3.36      232,103      109 
   8.12      13.20      1.09      1.09      3.60      201,289      217 
   7.46      (4.21)     1.09      1.09      3.81      152,743      147 
                                                  
   6.98      (12.73)     0.82      0.83      4.09      64,879      181 
   8.37      3.21      0.81      0.81      3.15      74,934      81 
   8.41      7.41      0.83      0.83      3.61      61,183      109 
   8.14      13.46      0.84      0.84      3.80      48,229      217 
   7.47      (3.83)     0.84      0.84      4.09      18,847      147 
                                                  
   6.95      (12.47)     0.57      0.58      4.33      24,622      181 
   8.33      3.47      0.56      0.56      3.39      30,538      81 
   8.37      7.70      0.58      0.58      3.85      22,722      109 
   8.10      13.79      0.59      0.59      4.13      16,505      217 
   7.43      (3.63)     0.59      0.59      4.32      30,204      147 
                                                  
   6.95      (12.52)     0.50      0.50      4.42      384,818      181 
   8.33      3.53      0.49      0.49      3.46      407,728      81 
   8.37      7.91      0.50      0.50      3.92      280,839      109 
   8.09      13.73      0.52      0.52      4.16      186,784      217 
   7.43      (3.56)     0.52      0.52      4.39      116,094      147 
     
  See Notes to Financial Statements. 55
 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION  

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund was organized in 1970 and incorporated under Maryland law on January 23, 1976.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income and the opportunity for capital appreciation to produce a high total return. The Fund has eleven active classes of shares: Class A, C, F, F3, I, P, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, each with different expenses and dividends. A front-end sales charge is normally added to the net asset value (“NAV”) for Class A shares. There is no front-end sales charge in the case of Class C, F, F3, I, P, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 shares, although there may be a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) in certain cases as follows: Class A shares purchased without a sales charge and redeemed before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the purchase falls (subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus); Class C shares redeemed before the first anniversary of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th day is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the month on which the purchase order was accepted, provided that the Fund or financial intermediary through which a shareholder purchased Class C shares has records verifying that the C shares have been held at least eight years. The Fund’s Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors, with certain exceptions as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

 

(a) Investment ValuationUnder procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), the Board has designated the determination of fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments to Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), as its valuation designee. Accordingly, Lord Abbett is responsible for, among other things, assessing and managing valuation risks, establishing, applying and testing fair value methodologies, and evaluating pricing services. Lord Abbett has formed a Pricing Committee that performs these responsibilities on behalf of Lord Abbett, administers the pricing and valuation of portfolio investments and ensures that prices utilized reasonably reflect fair value. Among other things, these procedures allow Lord Abbett, subject to Board oversight, to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.
   
  Securities actively traded on any recognized U.S. or non-U.S. exchange or on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or system on which they are principally traded. Events occurring after the close of trading on non-U.S. exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Board has approved the use of an independent fair valuation service that values such securities to reflect market trading that

 

56

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

  occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that correlate to the fair-valued securities. Unlisted equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if no sale price is available, at the mean between the most recently quoted bid and ask prices. Exchange traded options and futures contracts are valued at the last quoted sale price in the market where they are principally traded. If no sale has occurred, the mean between the most recently quoted bid and ask prices is used. Fixed income securities are valued based on evaluated prices supplied by independent pricing services, which reflect broker/dealer supplied valuations and the independent pricing services’ own electronic data processing techniques. Floating rate loans are valued at the average of bid and ask quotations obtained from dealers in loans on the basis of prices supplied by independent pricing services. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued using daily forward exchange rates. Swaps are valued daily using independent pricing services or quotations from broker/dealers to the extent available.
   
  Securities for which prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined by the Pricing Committee. The Pricing Committee considers a number of factors, including observable and unobservable inputs, when arriving at fair value. The Pricing Committee may use observable inputs such as yield curves, broker quotes, observable trading activity, option adjusted spread models and other relevant information to determine the fair value of portfolio investments. The Board or a designated committee thereof periodically reviews reports that may include fair value determinations made by the Pricing Committee, related market activity, inputs and assumptions, and retrospective comparison of prices of subsequent purchases and sales transactions to fair value determinations made by the Pricing Committee.
   
  Investments in open-end money market mutual funds are valued at their NAV as of the close of each business day. Short-term securities with 60 days or less remaining to maturity are valued using the amortized cost method, which approximates fair value.
   
(b) Security TransactionsSecurity transactions are recorded as of the date that the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified-cost method. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day.
   
(c) Investment IncomeDividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis as earned. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized using the effective interest method and are included in Interest and other, if applicable, on the Statement of Operations. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Investment income is allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day.
   
(d) Income TaxesIt is the policy of the Fund to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no income tax provision is required.
   
  The Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Fund’s filed U.S. federal tax returns remains open for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 through December 31, 2022. The statutes of limitations on the Fund’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.

 

57

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

(e) ExpensesExpenses, excluding class-specific expenses, are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day. In addition, Class F3 and R6 bear only their class specific shareholder expenses. Class A, C, F, P, R2, R3 and R4 shares bear their class-specific share of all expenses and fees related to the Fund’s 12b-1 Distribution Plan.
   
(f) Foreign TransactionsThe books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars and transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded in the Fund’s records at the rate prevailing when earned or recorded. Asset and liability accounts that are denominated in foreign currencies are adjusted daily to reflect current exchange rates and any unrealized gain (loss), if applicable, is included in Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. The resultant exchange gains and losses upon settlement of such transactions, if applicable, are included in Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. 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 changes in market prices of the securities.
   
  The Fund uses foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts’ terms.
   
(g) Forward Foreign Currency Exchange ContractsThe Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to reduce exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign portfolio holdings, or gain or reduce exposure to foreign currency solely for investment purposes. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated rate. The contracts are valued daily at forward exchange rates and any unrealized gain (loss), if applicable, is included in Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. The gain (loss) arising from the difference between the U.S. dollar cost of the original contract and the value of the forward foreign currency in U.S. dollars upon closing of such contracts is included, if applicable, in Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
   
(h) Futures ContractsThe Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts to enhance returns, to attempt to economically hedge some of its investment risk, or as a substitute position in lieu of holding the underlying asset on which the instrument is based. At the time of entering into a futures transaction, an investor is required to deposit and maintain a specified amount of cash or eligible securities called “initial margin.” Subsequent payments made or received by the Fund called “variation margin” are made on a daily basis as the market price of the futures contract fluctuates. The Fund will record an unrealized gain (loss) based on the amount of variation margin. When a contract is closed, a realized gain (loss) is recorded equal to the difference between the opening and closing value of the contract.
   
(i) Credit Default SwapsThe Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts in order to hedge credit risk or for speculation purposes. As a seller of a credit default swap contract (“seller of protection”), the Fund is required to pay the notional amount or other agreed-upon value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default by or other credit event involving the referenced issuer, obligation or index. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract.

 

58

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

  As a purchaser of a credit default swap contract (“buyer of protection”), the Fund would receive the notional amount or other agreed upon value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of default by or other credit event involving the referenced issuer, obligation or index. In return, the Fund would make periodic payments to the counterparty over the term of the contracts, provided no event of default has occurred.
   
  These credit default swaps may have as a reference obligation corporate or sovereign issuers or credit indexes. These credit indexes are comprised of a basket of securities representing a particular sector of the market.
   
  Credit default swaps are fair valued based upon quotations from counterparties, brokers or market-makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. For a credit default swap sold by the Fund, payment of the agreed-upon amount made by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as the cost of the referenced debt obligation purchased/received. For a credit default swap purchased by the Fund, the agreed-upon amount received by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as proceeds from sale/delivery of the referenced debt obligation and the resulting gain or loss realized on the referenced debt obligation is recorded as such by the Fund.
   
  Any upfront payments made or received upon entering a credit default swap contract would be amortized or accreted over the life of the swap and recorded as realized gains or losses. Collateral, in the form of cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the custodian bank or broker in accordance with the swap agreement. The value and credit rating of each credit default swap where the Fund is the seller of protection, are both measures of the current payment/performance risk of the swap. As the value of the swap changes as a positive or negative percentage of the total notional amount, the payment/performance risk may decrease or increase, respectively. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund as a seller of protection could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront payments received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements entered into by the Fund for the same referenced entity or entities.
   
  Entering into credit default swaps involves credit and market risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates, and that Lord Abbett does not correctly predict the creditworthiness of the issuers of the reference obligation on which the credit default swap is based. For the centrally cleared credit default swaps, there was minimal counterparty risk to the Fund, since such credit default swaps entered into were traded through a central clearinghouse, which guarantees against default.
   
(j) Inflation-Linked Derivatives-The Fund may invest in inflation-linked derivatives, such as Consumer Price Index Swap Agreements (“CPI swaps”). A CPI swap is a contract in which one party agrees to pay a fixed rate in exchange for a variable rate, which is the rate of change in the CPI during the life of the contract. Payments are based on a notional amount of principal.The Fund will normally enter into CPI swap contracts on a zero coupon basis, meaning that the

 

59

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

  floating rate will be based on the cumulative CPI during the life of the contract, and the fixed rate will compound until the swap’s maturity date, at which point the payments are netted. The swaps are valued daily and any unrealized gain (loss) is included in the Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination or maturity of the swap is recorded in realized gain (loss) and is included in Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. Daily changes in valuation of centrally cleared CPI swaps, if any, are recorded as a receivable or payable for the change in value as appropriate (“variation margin”) on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For the centrally cleared CPI swaps, there was minimal counterparty risk to the Fund, since such CPI swaps entered into were traded through a central clearinghouse, which guarantees against default.
   
(k) Repurchase AgreementsThe Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to securities. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which a fund acquires a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller (a bank or securities dealer) at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon date. The Fund requires at all times that the repurchase agreement be collateralized by cash, or by securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies, its instrumentalities, or U.S. Government sponsored enterprises having a value equal to, or in excess of, the value of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). If the seller of the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities at a time when the fair value of these securities has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the securities.
   
(l) Mortgage Dollar RollsThe Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal (including prepayments of principal) and interest paid on the securities sold.
   
(m) When-Issued, Forward Transactions or To-Be-Announced (“TBA”) TransactionsThe Fund may purchase portfolio securities on a when-issued or forward basis. When-issued, forward transactions or TBA transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase securities, with payment and delivery (“settlement”) to take place in the future, in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield at the time of entering into the transaction. During the period between purchase and settlement, the fair value of the securities will fluctuate and assets consisting of cash and/or marketable securities (normally short-term U.S. Government or U.S. Government sponsored enterprise securities) marked to market daily in an amount sufficient to make payment at settlement will be segregated at the Fund’s custodian in order to pay for the commitment. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the liability for the purchase and fair value of the security in determining its NAV. The Fund, generally, has the ability to close out a purchase obligation on or before the settlement date rather than take delivery of the security. Under no circumstances will settlement for such securities take place more than 120 days after the purchase date.
   
(n) Reverse Repurchase AgreementsThe Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a fund sells a security to a securities dealer or bank for cash and also agrees to repurchase the same security later at a set price. Reverse repurchase agreements expose the Fund to credit risk (that is, the risk that the counterparty will fail to

 

60

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

  resell the security to the Fund). Engaging in reverse repurchase agreements also may involve the use of leverage, in that the Fund may reinvest the cash it receives in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities to be repurchased by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price.
   
  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund did not have reverse repurchase agreements.
   
(o) Floating Rate LoansThe Fund may invest in floating rate loans, which usually take the form of loan participations and assignments. Loan participations and assignments are agreements to make money available to U.S. or foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities (the “Borrower”) in a specified amount, at a specified rate and within a specified time. A loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign bank, insurance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of loan investors (“Loan Investors”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the loan on behalf of the other Loan Investors in the syndicate and may hold any collateral on behalf of the Loan Investors. Such loan participations and assignments are typically senior, secured and collateralized in nature. The Fund records an investment when the Borrower withdraws money and records interest as earned. These loans pay interest at rates which are periodically reset by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. These base lending rates are generally the prime rate offered by a designated U.S. bank or London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”).
   
  The loans in which the Fund invests may be subject to some restrictions on resale. For example, the Fund may be contractually obligated to receive approval from the Agent and/or Borrower prior to the sale of these investments. The Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance with the terms of the loan agreement with 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 (“Intermediate Participants”). In the event that the Borrower, selling participant or Intermediate Participants become insolvent or enter into bankruptcy, the Fund may incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment or may suffer a loss of principal and/or interest.
   
  Unfunded commitments represent the remaining obligation of the Fund to the Borrower. At any point in time, up to the maturity date of the issue, the Borrower may demand the unfunded portion. Until demanded by the Borrower, unfunded commitments are not recognized as an asset on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on unfunded commitments presented, if any, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities represents mark to market of the unfunded portion of the Fund’s floating rate notes.
   
  As of December 31, 2022, the Fund did not have unfunded loan commitments.
   
(p) Total Return SwapsThe Fund may enter into total return swap agreements to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning such security or investing directly in that market. The Fund may agree to make payments that are the equivalent of interest in exchange for the right to receive payments equivalent to any appreciation in the value of an underlying security, index or other asset, as well as receive payments equivalent to any distributions made on that asset, over the term of the swap. If the value of the asset underlying a total return swap declines over the term of the swap, the Fund also may be required to pay an amount equal to that decline in value to its counterparty.

 

61

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

(q) Fair Value MeasurementsFair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk - for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value (such as a pricing model) and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level of inputs that is significant to the fair value measurement, and is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below:

 

  Level 1 –  unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;
       
  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and
       
  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

A summary of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments and other financial instruments as of December 31, 2022 and, if applicable, Level 3 rollforwards for the fiscal year then ended is included in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the three-tier hierarchy. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

3. MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES  

 

Management Fee

 

The Fund has a management agreement with Lord Abbett, pursuant to which Lord Abbett provides the Fund with investment management services and executive and other personnel, provides office space and pays for ordinary and necessary office and clerical expenses relating to research and statistical work and supervision of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The management fee is accrued daily and payable monthly.

 

The management fee is based on the Fund’s average daily net assets at the following annual rate:

 

First $500 million .50%
Next $9.5 billion .45%
Over $10 billion .40%

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the effective management fee was at an annualized rate of .42% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

62

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

In addition, Lord Abbett provides certain administrative services to the Fund pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement in return for a fee at an annual rate of .04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The fund administration fee is accrued daily and payable monthly. Lord Abbett voluntarily waived $442,883 of fund administration fees during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

 

12b-1 Distribution Plan

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan with respect to Class A, C, F, P, R2, R3 and R4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, which provides for the payment of ongoing distribution and service fees to Lord Abbett Distributor LLC (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of Lord Abbett. The distribution and service fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. The following annual rates have been authorized by the Board pursuant to the plan:

 

Fees*  Class A  Class C(1)  Class F(2)  Class P  Class R2  Class R3  Class R4
Service  .15%  .25%    .25%  .25%  .25%  .25%
Distribution  .05%  .75%  .10%  .20%  .35%  .25% 

 

* The Fund may designate a portion of the aggregate fee as attributable to service activities for purposes of calculating Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. sales charge limitations.
(1)  The Rule 12b-1 fee the Fund pays on Class C shares is a blended rate based on 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares held for less than one year and .80% (.25% service, .55% distribution) of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear Rule 12b-1 fees at the same rate.
(2)  The Class F Share Rule 12b-1 fee may be designated as a service fee in limited circumstances as described in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

Class F3, Class I, Class R5 and Class R6 shares do not have a distribution plan.

 

Commissions

Distributor received the following commissions on sales of shares of the Fund, after concessions were paid to authorized dealers, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022:

 

Distributor
Commissions
  Dealers’
Concessions
$295,887   $1,847,041

 

Distributor received CDSCs of $235,268 and $165,573 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

 

4. DISTRIBUTIONS AND CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS 

 

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared daily and paid monthly. Taxable net realized gains from investment transactions, reduced by allowable capital loss carryforwards, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders at least annually. The capital loss carryforward amount, if any, is available to offset future net capital gains. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amounts of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These book/tax differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions, which exceed earnings and profits for tax purposes, are reported as a tax return of capital.

 

63

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:

 

   Year Ended
12/31/2022
  Year Ended
12/31/2021
Distributions paid from:      
Ordinary income  $1,108,627,486  $936,222,307
Total distributions paid  $1,108,627,486  $936,222,307

 

As of December 31, 2022, the components of accumulated gains (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Capital loss carryforwards*  $(1,702,662,204 )
Temporary differences  (4,318,872 )
Unrealized losses – net  (2,053,348,258 )
Total accumulated losses – net  $(3,760,329,334 )

 

* The capital losses will carry forward indefinitely.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate unrealized security gains and losses on investments and other financial instruments based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost  $24,102,585,691  
Gross unrealized gain  171,156,423  
Gross unrealized loss  (2,223,446,875 )
Net unrealized security loss  $(2,052,290,452 )

 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable to the tax treatment of certain distributions received, other financial instruments, amortization of premium and wash sales.

 

5. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS 

 

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

U.S.
Government
Purchases*
  Non-U.S.
Government
Purchases
  U.S.
Government
Sales*
  Non-U.S.
Government
Sales
$20,543,925,305  $23,341,819,451  $18,335,933,230  $27,046,607,034

 

* Includes U.S. Government sponsored enterprises securities.

 

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities (“cross-trade”) from and to other Lord Abbett funds or client accounts pursuant to procedures approved by the Board in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the “Rule”). Each cross-trade is executed at a fair market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund engaged in cross-trade purchases of $19,625,510 and sales of $258,802,120 which resulted in a net realized gain of $2,766,168.

 

64

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

6. DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES  

 

The Fund entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (as described in Note 2(g)). A forward foreign currency exchange contract reduces the Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver (or settle in cash) and increases its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will receive (or settle in cash) for the duration of the contract. The Fund’s use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that Lord Abbett will not accurately predict currency movements, and the Fund’s returns could be reduced as a result. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedged positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

 

The Fund entered into U.S. Treasury futures contracts during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (as described in Note 2(h)) to economically hedge against changes in interest rates. The Fund bears the risk of interest rates moving unexpectedly, in which case the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and realize a loss. There is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since futures are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees futures against default.

 

The Fund entered into CPI swaps during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (as described in Note 2(j)) to speculate the rate of inflation in the U.S. economy. The Fund’s use of CPI swaps involves the risk that Lord Abbett will not accurately predict expectations of inflation or interest rates, and the Fund’s returns could be reduced as a result. The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the unrealized appreciation on CPI swaps. For the centrally cleared CPI swaps, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since these CPI swaps are traded through a central clearinghouse. As a counterparty to all centrally cleared CPI swaps, the clearinghouse guarantees CPI swaps against default.

 

The Fund entered into credit default swaps during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (as described in Note 2(i)) for investment purposes, to economically hedge credit risk or for speculative purposes. Credit default swaps involve the exchange of a fixed rate premium for protection against the loss in value of an underlying security within the index in the event of a defined credit event, such as payment default or bankruptcy. Under a credit default swap one party acts as a guarantor by receiving the fixed periodic payment in exchange for the commitment to purchase the underlying security at par if the defined credit event occurs. Upon the occurrence of a defined credit event, the difference between the value of the reference obligation and the swap’s notional amount is recorded as realized gain or loss on swap contracts in the Statement of Operations. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, either as the protection seller or as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract. For the centrally cleared credit default swaps, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since these credit default swaps are traded through a central clearinghouse. As a counterparty to all centrally cleared credit default swaps, the clearinghouse guarantees credit default swaps against default.

 

65

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Fund entered into total return swaps on indexes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (as described in Note 2(p)) to hedge credit risk. The Fund may enter into total return swap agreements to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning such security or investing directly in that market. The Fund may agree to make payments that are the equivalent of interest in exchange for the right to receive payments equivalent to any appreciation in the value of an underlying security, index or other asset, as well as receive payments equivalent to any distributions made on that asset, over the term of the swap. If the value of the asset underlying a total return swap declines over the term of the swap, the Fund also may be required to pay an amount equal to that decline in value to its counterparty.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Fund had the following derivatives at fair value, grouped into appropriate risk categories that illustrate the Fund’s use of derivative instruments:

 

Asset Derivatives  Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Credit
Contracts
   Inflation
Linked
Contracts
 
Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contracts(1)  $    $   $    $1,088,310 
Credit Default Swap Contracts(2)           9,942,387     
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(3)       535,373         
Futures Contracts(4)   35,936,607             
Liability Derivatives                    
Centrally Cleared CPI Swap Contracts(1)               8,885,226 
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Contracts(1)           13,244,826     
Credit Default Swap Contracts(2)           418,005     
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(5)       8,750,875         
Futures Contracts(4)   23,291,392             

 

(1)  Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation of centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(2)  Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Credit default swap agreements receivable/payable, at fair value.
(3)  Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
(4)  Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(5)  Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

 

66

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Transactions in derivative investments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

    Equity
Contracts
    Inflation
Linked/
Interest
Rate
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency Contracts
    Credit
Contracts
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss)                    
Credit Default Swaps Contracts(1)              $(60,171,780)
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(2)          $36,297,545     
Futures Contracts(3)      $612,967,674         
CPI/Interest Rate Swap Contracts(1)      $43,181,946         
Total Return Swap Contracts(1)  $(3,003,131)            
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation                    
CPI/Interest Rate Swaps(4)      $(7,938,693)        
Credit Default Swaps(4)              $4,760,756 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(5)          $(4,968,187)    
Futures Contracts(6)      $24,837,380         
Average Number of Contracts/Notional Amounts*                    
CPI/Interest Rate Swap Contracts(7)      $821,994,461         
Credit Default Swap Contracts(7)              $926,087,645 
Total Return Swap Contracts(7)  $33,020,406             
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(7)           $574,354,979     
Futures Contracts(8)       88,978         

 

* Calculated based on the number of contracts or notional amounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
(1) Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts.
(2) Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
(3) Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts.
(4) Statement of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts.
(5) Statement of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
(6) Statement of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts.
(7) Amount represents notional amounts in U.S. dollars.
(8) Amount represents number of contracts.

 

7. DISCLOSURES ABOUT OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board requires disclosures intended to help better assess the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a fund’s financial position. The following tables illustrate gross and net information about recognized assets and liabilities eligible for offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; and disclose such amounts subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement, by the counterparty. A master netting agreement is an agreement between a fund and a counterparty which provides for the net settlement of amounts owed under all contracts traded under that agreement, as well as cash collateral, through a single payment by one party to the other in the event of default on or termination of any one contract. The Fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the master netting agreement does not result

 

67

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty:

 

Description  Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
   Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
   Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 
Credit Default Swap Contracts                $9,942,387   $                     $9,942,387 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts   535,373        535,373 
Repurchase Agreements   541,211,532        541,211,532 
Total  $551,689,292   $   $551,689,292 

 

   Net Amount
of Assets
Presented in
the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
  
Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
     
Counterparty     Financial
Instruments
   Cash
Collateral
Received(a)
   Securities
Collateral
Received(a)
   Net
Amount(b)
 
BNP Paribas S.A.      $8,187,848          $    $(8,160,000)  $         $27,848 
J.P. Morgan   1,754,539    (70,844)   (1,683,695)        
Morgan Stanley   110,526    (110,526)            
Toronto Dominion Bank   424,847    (424,847)            
Fixed Income Clearing Corp.   141,212,591            (141,212,591)    
TD Securities USA LLC   139,299,223            (139,299,223)    
Barclays Bank plc   260,699,718            (260,699,718)    
Total  $551,689,292   $(606,217)  $(9,843,695)  $(541,211,532)  $27,848 

 

Description  Gross Amounts of
Recognized Liabilities
   Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
   Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 
Credit Default Swap Contracts                       $418,005   $                        $418,005 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts   8,750,875        8,750,875 
Total  $9,168,880   $   $9,168,880 

 

   Net Amounts
of Liabilities
Presented in
the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
  
Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
     
Counterparty     Financial
Instruments
   Cash
Collateral
Pledged
(a)
   Securities
Collateral
Pledged
(a)
   Net
Amount(c)
 
Bank of America          $181,819              $          $(181,819)  $    $ 
Citibank   418,005        (313,170)       104,835 
J.P. Morgan   70,844    (70,844)            
Morgan Stanley   1,098,565    (110,526)   (890,000)       98,039 
State Street Bank and Trust   2,627,534        (2,080,000)       547,534 
Toronto Dominion Bank   4,772,113    (424,847)   (3,420,000)       927,266 
Total  $9,168,880   $(606,217)  $(6,884,989)  $   $1,677,674 
(a)  Collateral disclosed is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets (liabilities) presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, for each respective counterparty.
(b)  Net amount represents the amount owed to the Fund by the counterparty as of December 31, 2022.
(c)  Net amount represents the amount owed by the Fund to the counterparty as of December 31, 2022.

 

68

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

8. DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION  

 

The Fund’s officers and one Director, who are associated with Lord Abbett, do not receive any compensation from the Fund for serving in such capacities. Independent Directors’ fees are allocated among all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds based on the net assets of each fund. There is an equity-based plan available to all Independent Directors under which Independent Directors may elect to defer receipt of a portion of Directors’ fees. The deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in the Fund. Such amounts and earnings accrued thereon are included in Directors’ fees on the Statement of Operations and in Directors’ fees payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes until such amounts are paid.

 

9. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS  

 

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its transfer agent and custodian, whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s expenses.

 

10. LINE OF CREDIT  

 

For the period ended August 3, 2022, the Fund and certain other funds managed by Lord Abbett (collectively, the “Participating Funds”) entered into a syndicated line of credit facility with various lenders for $1.275 billion (the “Syndicated Facility”) whereas State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”) participated as a lender and as agent for the lenders. The Participating Funds were subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of fund net assets (if fund net assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, $700 million, or $1 billion, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors.

 

Effective August 4, 2022, the Participating Funds entered into a Syndicated Facility with various lenders for $1.625 billion whereas SSB participates as a lender and as agent for the lenders. The Participating Funds were subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of fund net assets (if fund net assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, $700 million, or $1 billion, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors.

 

For the period ended August 3, 2022, the Participating Funds were party to an additional line of credit facility with SSB for $330 million (the “Bilateral Facility”), $250 million committed and $80 million uncommitted. Under the Bilateral Facility, the Participating Funds are subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of fund net assets (if net assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, or $330 million, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors.

 

Effective August 4, 2022, the Participating Funds are party to an additional uncommitted line of credit facility with SSB for $330 million. Under the Bilateral Facility, the Participating Funds are subject to borrowing limits of one-third of fund net assets (if net assets are less than $750 million), or $250 million based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors.

 

The Syndicated Facility and the Bilateral Facility are to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as additional sources of liquidity to satisfy redemptions.

 

69

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Fund utilized Bilateral Facility multiple dates from January 26, 2022 through November 16, 2022 with an average borrowing amount of $61,486,911. The average interest rate during the period was 3.36% and total interest paid amounted to $64,737. The Fund utilized the Syndicated Facility on February 1, 2022 with an average borrowing amount of $164,000,000. The average interest rate during the period was 1.33% and total interest paid amounted to $6,059.

 

11. INTERFUND LENDING PROGRAM  

 

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC exemptive order”) certain registered open-end management investment companies managed by Lord Abbett, including the Fund, participate in a joint lending and borrowing program (the “Interfund Lending Program”). The SEC exemptive order allows the funds that participate in the Interfund Lending Program to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes subject to the limitations and conditions.

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 the Fund participated as a lender in the Interfund Lending Program. For the period in which the loan was outstanding, the average amount loaned, interest rate and interest income were as follows:

 

Average
Amount Loaned
   Average
Interest Rate
   Interest
Income*
   
 $75,243,057    2.10%    $4,319   

 

* Statement of Operations location: Interest earned from Interfund Lending.

 

For the for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund participated as a borrower in the Interfund Lending Program. For the period in which the loan was outstanding, the average amount borrowed, interest rate and interest expense were as follows:

 

Average
Amount Borrowed
   Average
Interest Rate
   Interest
Expense*
   
 $26,171,003    1.53%    $9,515   

 

* Statement of Operations location: Interest paid from Interfund Lending.

 

12. CUSTODIAN AND ACCOUNTING AGENT  

 

SSB is the Fund’s custodian and accounting agent. SSB performs custodial, accounting and recordkeeping functions relating to portfolio transactions and calculating the Fund’s NAV.

 

13. SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT  

 

The Fund has established a securities lending agreement with Citibank, N.A. for the lending of securities to qualified brokers in exchange for securities or cash collateral equal to at least the market value of securities loaned, plus interest, if applicable. Cash collateral is invested in an approved money market fund. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending agreement, the market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or the borrower becomes insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan. Any income earned from securities lending is included in Securities lending net income on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

 

70

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value equal to at least 100% of the market value of the securities loaned. The collateral must be marked-to-market daily to cover increases in the market value of the securities loaned (or potentially a decline in the value of the collateral). In general, the risk of borrower default will be borne by Citibank, N.A.; the Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive income on loaned securities while receiving a portion of any securities lending fees and earning returns on the cash amounts which may be reinvested for the purchase of investments in securities.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the market value of securities loaned and collateral received for the Fund were as follows:

 

Market Value of
Securities Loaned
   Collateral
Received(1)
 
 $21,108,287    $22,185,526 

 

(1) Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Payable for collateral due to broker for securities lending.

 

14. INVESTMENT RISKS  

 

The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities and to the changing prospects of individual companies and/or sectors in which the Fund invests. The value of an investment will change as interest rates fluctuate and in response to market movements. When interest rates rise, the prices of debt securities are likely to decline; when rates fall, such prices tend to rise. Longer-term debt securities are usually more sensitive to interest rate changes. There is also the risk that an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest to the Fund, a risk that is greater with high-yield securities (sometimes called “lower-rated bonds” or “junk bonds”), in which the Fund may substantially invest. Some issuers, particularly of high-yield securities, may default as to principal and/or interest payments after the Fund purchases its securities. A default, or concerns in the market about an increase in risk of default, may result in losses to the Fund. High-yield securities are subject to greater price fluctuations, as well as additional risks. The market for below investment grade securities may be less liquid, which may make such securities more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of financial distress, increased market volatility, or significant market decline.

 

Certain instruments in which the Fund may invest may rely in some fashion upon LIBOR. On March 5, 2021 the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and LIBOR’s administrator, ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA), announced that most LIBOR settings will no longer be published after the end of 2021 and a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR setting will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. Abandonment of or modification to LIBOR could have adverse impacts on newly issued financial instruments and existing financial instruments which reference LIBOR and lead to significant short-term and long-term uncertainty and market instability.

 

The Fund is subject to the risk of investing in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities (such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”)). Unlike Ginnie Mae securities, securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-related organizations such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so by law. Consequently, the Fund may be required to look principally to the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation.

 

71

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The mortgage-related and asset-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults. These changes can affect the value, income, and/or liquidity of such positions. When interest rates are declining, the value of these securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. Early principal repayment may deprive the Fund of income payments above current market rates. Alternatively, rising interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a security and typically reducing its value. The payment rate will thus affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security. In addition, the Fund may invest in non-agency asset backed and mortgage related securities, which are issued by private institutions, not by government-sponsored enterprises.

 

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in equity securities, the value of which fluctuates in response to movements in the equity securities markets in general, the changing prospects of individual companies in which the Fund invests, or an individual company’s financial condition.

 

The Fund may invest in convertible securities, which have both equity and fixed income risk characteristics, including market, credit, liquidity, and interest rate risks. Generally, convertible securities offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality, and less potential for gains or capital appreciation in a rising equity securities market than equity securities. They tend to be more volatile than other fixed income securities and the market for convertible securities may be less liquid than the markets for stocks or bonds. A significant portion of convertible securities have below investment grade credit ratings and are subject to increased credit and liquidity risks.

 

Due to the Fund’s investment exposure to foreign companies and American Depositary Receipts, the Fund may experience increased market, industry and sector, liquidity, currency, political, information, and other risks. The securities of foreign companies also may be subject to inadequate exchange control regulations, the imposition of economic sanctions or other government restrictions, higher transaction and other costs, and delays in settlement to the extent they are traded on non-U.S. exchanges or markets.

 

The Fund is subject to the risks associated with derivatives, which may be different from and greater than the risks associated with directly investing in securities. Derivatives may be subject to risks such as liquidity risk, leveraging risk, interest rate risk, market risk, and credit risk. Illiquid securities may lower the Fund’s returns since the Fund may be unable to sell these securities at their desired time or price. Derivatives also may involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the value of the underlying asset, rate or index. Whether the Fund’s use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, the Fund’s ability to correctly forecast market movements and other factors. Losses may also arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations. If the Fund incorrectly forecasts these and other factors, the Fund’s performance could suffer. The Fund’s use of derivatives could result in a loss exceeding the amount of the Fund’s investment in these instruments.

 

72

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in floating rate or adjustable rate senior loans, including bridge loans, novations, assignments, and participations, which are subject to increased credit and liquidity risks. Senior loans are business loans made to borrowers that may be U.S. or foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. The senior loans in which the Fund invests may consist primarily of senior loans that are rated below investment grade or, if unrated, deemed by Lord Abbett to be equivalent to below investment grade securities. Below investment grade senior loans, as in the case of high-yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are usually more credit sensitive than interest rate sensitive, although the value of these instruments may be impacted by broader interest rate swings in the overall fixed income market. In addition, senior loans may be subject to structural subordination.

 

Geopolitical and other events (e.g., war terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID 19 outbreak which began in late 2019) may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets, thereby decreasing the value of the Fund’s investments. Market disruptions can also prevent the Fund from implementing its investment strategies and achieving its investment objective.

 

The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in, among other things, border closings and other significant travel restrictions and disruptions, significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, lower consumer demand for goods and services, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations, reductions and other changes, significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery, and prolonged quarantines, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has, and could again, negatively affect the global economy, the economies of individual countries, and the financial performance of individual issuers, sectors, industries, asset classes, and markets in significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects may last for an extended period of time. Although the long-term economic fallout of COVID-19 is difficult to predict, it has contributed to, and is likely to continue to contribute to, market volatility, inflation, and systemic economic weakness. The foregoing could disrupt the operations of the Fund and its service providers, adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and negatively impact the Fund’s performance and your investment in the Fund.

 

These factors and others can affect the Fund’s performance.

 

73

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

15. SUMMARY OF CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS  

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2022
   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
 
Class A Shares  Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Shares sold   100,922,739   $751,578,509    206,402,323   $1,748,549,646 
Converted from Class C(a)   11,350,720    83,867,285    469,146    3,971,581 
Reinvestment of distributions   32,561,070    238,963,556    25,670,930    216,975,284 
Shares reacquired   (230,736,320)   (1,709,281,439)   (124,990,630)   (1,058,579,414)
Increase (decrease)   (85,901,791)  $(634,872,089)   107,551,769   $910,917,097 
                     
Class C Shares                    
Shares sold   14,547,706   $108,731,793    39,302,649   $333,880,452 
Reinvestment of distributions   4,823,284    35,533,707    4,050,570    34,312,333 
Shares reacquired   (40,211,201)   (297,989,989)   (33,680,789)   (285,954,342)
Converted to Class A(a)   (11,321,199)   (83,867,285)   (467,994)   (3,971,581)
Increase (decrease)   (32,161,410)  $(237,591,774)   9,204,436   $78,266,862 
                     
Class F Shares                    
Shares sold   248,809,736   $1,924,166,616    718,872,319   $6,079,659,681 
Reinvestment of distributions   28,717,547    214,590,580    36,410,599    307,140,384 
Shares reacquired   (1,340,625,715)   (10,139,949,853)   (301,307,439)   (2,545,419,316)
Increase (decrease)   (1,063,098,432)  $(8,001,192,657)   453,975,479   $3,841,380,749 
                     
Class F3 Shares                    
Shares sold   193,673,629   $1,451,330,618    290,585,175   $2,450,723,936 
Reinvestment of distributions   32,093,814    234,056,963    19,397,721    163,140,582 
Shares reacquired   (177,462,384)   (1,300,771,878)   (50,869,047)   (428,524,098)
Increase   48,305,059   $384,615,703    259,113,849   $2,185,340,420 
                     
Class I Shares                    
Shares sold   1,310,585,022   $9,719,443,588    193,011,609   $1,626,218,838 
Reinvestment of distributions   35,427,500    255,189,794    11,126,567    93,484,913 
Shares reacquired   (579,698,917)   (4,190,446,761)   (61,320,377)   (516,114,345)
Increase   766,313,605   $5,784,186,621    142,817,799   $1,203,589,406 
                     
Class P Shares                    
Shares sold   104,479   $774,156    145,209   $1,260,351 
Reinvestment of distributions   56,172    422,125    51,930    448,944 
Shares reacquired   (396,574)   (3,035,362)   (382,642)   (3,323,899)
Decrease   (235,923)  $(1,839,081)   (185,503)  $(1,614,604)
                     
Class R2 Shares                    
Shares sold   135,663   $1,002,069    225,137   $1,909,831 
Reinvestment of distributions   21,153    154,949    16,438    138,900 
Shares reacquired   (160,999)   (1,210,149)   (301,118)   (2,550,909)
Decrease   (4,183)  $(53,131)   (59,543)  $(502,178)

 

74

 

Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2022
   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
 
Class R3 Shares  Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Shares sold   2,589,959   $19,586,616    7,245,529   $61,241,724 
Reinvestment of distributions   1,289,838    9,448,649    1,021,610    8,618,480 
Shares reacquired   (6,764,197)   (50,276,249)   (4,316,643)   (36,470,385)
Increase (decrease)   (2,884,400)  $(21,240,984)   3,950,496   $33,389,819 
                     
Class R4 Shares                    
Shares sold   3,112,186   $23,363,759    4,245,023   $35,996,735 
Reinvestment of distributions   295,478    2,165,249    216,804    1,832,681 
Shares reacquired   (3,064,900)   (22,849,391)   (2,786,214)   (23,603,740)
Increase   342,764   $2,679,617    1,675,613   $14,225,676 
                     
Class R5 Shares                    
Shares sold   582,194   $4,388,339    1,478,465   $12,473,875 
Reinvestment of distributions   166,682    1,217,124    125,286    1,054,204 
Shares reacquired   (870,052)   (6,574,520)   (653,471)   (5,512,519)
Increase (decrease)   (121,176)  $(969,057)   950,280   $8,015,560 
                     
Class R6 Shares                    
Shares sold   17,919,035   $134,763,645    23,931,077   $201,759,214 
Reinvestment of distributions   2,211,435    16,113,495    1,378,285    11,594,422 
Shares reacquired   (13,674,897)   (101,453,224)   (9,922,185)   (83,650,750)
Increase   6,455,573   $49,423,916    15,387,177   $129,702,886 

 

(a) Automatic conversion of Class C shares occurs on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th day was not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the month on which the purchase order was accepted.

 

75

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2022, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2022, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York

February 24, 2023

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Lord Abbett Family of Funds’ investment companies since 1932.

 

76

 

Basic Information About Management

 

The Board is responsible for the management of the business and affairs of the Fund in accordance with the laws of the state of organization. The Board elects officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund and who execute policies authorized by the Board. The Board also approves an investment adviser to the Fund and continues to monitor the cost and quality of the services the investment adviser provides, and annually considers whether to renew the contract with the investment adviser. Generally, each Board member holds office until his/her successor is elected and qualified or until his/her earlier resignation or removal, as provided in the Fund’s organizational documents.

 

Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), a Delaware limited liability company, is the Fund’s investment adviser. Designated Lord Abbett personnel are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

Independent Board Members

The following Independent Board Members also are board members of each of the 15 investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, which consist of 63 investment portfolios.

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Fund
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years
Evelyn E. Guernsey
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1955)
  Board member since 2011;
Vice Chair since 2023
 

Principal Occupation: None.

 

Other Directorships: None.

Julie A. Hill
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1946)
  Board member since 2004  

Principal Occupation: Owner and CEO of The Hill Company, a business consulting firm (since 1998).

 

Other Directorships: Previously served as director of Anthem, Inc., a health benefits company (1994–2021).

Kathleen M. Lutito
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1963)
  Board member since 2017  

Principal Occupation: President and Chief Investment Officer of CenturyLink Investment Management Company (since 2006).

 

Other Directorships: None.

James M. McTaggart
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1947)
  Board member since 2012  

Principal Occupation: Owner of McTaggart LLC (since 2011).

 

Other Directorships: None.

Charles O. Prince
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1950)
  Board member since 2019  

Principal Occupation: None. Formerly Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup, Inc. (Retired 2007).

 

Other Directorships: Previously served as director of Johnson & Johnson (2005–2022). Previously served as director of Xerox Corporation (2007–2018).

 

77

 

Basic Information About Management (continued)

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Fund
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years
Karla M. Rabusch
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1959)
  Board member since 2017  

Principal Occupation: President and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (2003–2017); President of Wells Fargo Funds (2003–2016).

 

Other Directorships: None.

Lorin Patrick Taylor Radtke
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1968)
  Board member since 2021  

Principal Occupation: Partner and Co-Founder of M Seven 8 Partners LLC, a venture capital firm (since 2016). Formerly Partner, Goldman Sachs (1992–2016).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Assured Guaranty (2021–Present), Virtual Combine (2018–Present), and Mariposa Family Learning Center (2021–Present). Previously served as director of SummerMoon Coffee (2022).

Leah Song Richardson
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1966)
  Board member since 2021  

Principal Occupation: President of Colorado College (since 2021) and was formerly Dean at University of California, Irvine – School of Law (2017–2021) and formerly Professor of Law at University of California, Irvine (2014–2017).

 

Other Directorships: None.

Mark A. Schmid
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1959)
  Board member since 2016  

Principal Occupation: Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the University of Chicago (2009–2021).

 

Other Directorships: None.

James L.L. Tullis
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1947)
  Board member since 2006;
Chair since 2017
 

Principal Occupation: Chair of Tullis Health Investors – FL LLC (since 2018); CEO of Tullis-Dickerson and Co. Inc., a venture capital management firm (1990–2016).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as Chair of Crane Co. (since 2020, director since 1998), Director of Alphatec Spine (since 2018), and Director of Exagen Inc. (since 2019). Previously served as director of electroCore, Inc. (2018–2020).

 

 

 

Interested Board Members

Mr. Sieg is affiliated with Lord Abbett and is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the Act. Mr. Sieg is a board member of each of the 15 investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, which consist of 63 investment portfolios. Mr. Sieg is an officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds.

 

78

 

Basic Information About Management (continued)

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Fund
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years
Douglas B. Sieg
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1969)
  Board member since 2016  

Principal Occupation: Managing Partner of Lord Abbett (since 2018) and was formerly Head of Client Services, joined Lord Abbett in 1994.

 

Other Directorships: None.

 

Officers

None of the officers listed below have received compensation from the Fund. All of the officers of the Fund also may be officers of the other Lord Abbett Funds and maintain offices at 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Unless otherwise indicated, the position(s) and title(s) listed under the “Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years” column indicate each officer’s position(s) and title(s) with Lord Abbett. Each officer serves for an indefinite term (i.e., until his or her death, resignation, retirement, or removal).

 

Name and
Year of Birth
  Current Position
with the Fund
  Length of Service
of Current
Position
  Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Douglas B. Sieg
(1969)
  President and Chief Executive Officer   Elected as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2018   Managing Partner of Lord Abbett (since 2018) and was formerly Head of Client Services, joined Lord Abbett in 1994.
Jackson C. Chan
(1964)
  AML Compliance Officer   Elected in 2018   Deputy Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Regulatory Affairs, joined Lord Abbett in 2014.
Michael J. Hebert
(1976)
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   Elected as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in 2021   Head of Global Fund Finance, joined Lord Abbett in 2021 and was formerly Vice President at Eaton Vance Management (EVM) (2014–2021) and Calvert Research & Management (CRM) (2016–2021), and Assistant Treasurer of registered investment companies managed, advised or administered by EVM and CRM during such years.
Jennifer C. Karam
(1970)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2022   Partner and Senior Deputy General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2012.
Joseph M. McGill
(1962)
  Chief Compliance Officer   Elected in 2014   Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, joined Lord Abbett in 2014.
Parker J. Milender
(1989)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2023   Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2021 and was formerly an Associate at Milbank LLP (2017–2021).

 

79

 

Basic Information About Management (concluded)

 

Name and
Year of Birth
  Current Position
with the Fund
  Length of Service
of Current
Position
  Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Matthew A. Press
(1987)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2023   Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2022 and was formerly an Associate at Clifford Chance US LLP (2014–2022).
Lawrence B. Stoller
(1963)
  Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   Elected as Vice President and Secretary in 2007 and Chief Legal Officer in 2019   Partner and General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2007.
Victoria Zozulya
(1983)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2022  

Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2022 and was formerly Senior Director and Counsel at Equitable (2018–2022) and Assistant General Counsel at Neuberger Berman (2014–2018).

Nicholas D. Emguschowa
(1986)
  Data Protection Officer   Elected in 2022   Assistant General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2018 and was formerly Associate at Shearman & Sterling (2014–2018).

 

Please call 888-522-2388 for a copy of the statement of additional information, which contains further information about the Fund’s Board members. It is available free upon request.

 

80

 

Householding

 

The Fund has adopted a policy that allows it to send only one copy of the Fund’s prospectus, proxy material, annual report and semiannual report (or related notice of internet availability of annual report and semiannual report) to certain shareholders residing at the same “household.” This reduces Fund expenses, which benefits you and other shareholders. If you need additional copies or do not want your mailings to be “householded,” please call Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388 or send a written request with your name, the name of your fund or funds and your account number or numbers to Lord Abbett Family of Funds, P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121.

 

Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Records

 

A description of the policies and procedures that Lord Abbett uses to vote proxies related to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and information on how Lord Abbett voted the Fund’s proxies during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, (i) by calling 888-522-2388; (ii) on Lord Abbett’s website at www.lordabbett.com; and (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.

 

Shareholder Reports and Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

 

The Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for its first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Copies of the filings are available without charge, upon request on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be available by calling Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388.

 

 

Tax Information (unaudited)

 

For foreign shareholders, 87% of the net investment income distributions paid by the Fund during the period ended December 31, 2022 represents interest-related dividends.

 

Additionally, of the distributions paid to the shareholders during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, $40,924,829 represent short-term capital gains.

 

 

81

 

 

       
         

This report, when not used for the general information of shareholders of the Fund, is to be distributed only if preceded or accompanied by a current fund prospectus.

 

Lord Abbett mutual fund shares are distributed by
LORD ABBETT DISTRIBUTOR LLC.

  Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.   LABD-2
(2/23)
 
Item 2: Code of Ethics.
(a) In accordance with applicable requirements, the Registrant adopted a Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics on June 19, 2003 that applies to the principal executive officer and senior financial officers of the Registrant (“Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics was in effect during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Period”).
   
(b) Not applicable.
   
(c) The Registrant has not amended the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the Period.
   
(d) The Registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the Period.
   
(e) Not applicable.
   
(f) See Item 13(a)(1) concerning the filing of the Code of Ethics.
   
Item 3: Audit Committee Financial Expert.
  The Registrant’s board of directors has determined that each of the following independent directors who are members of the audit committee is an audit committee financial expert: Evelyn E. Guernsey, Karla M. Rabusch and Mark A. Schmid. Each of these persons is independent within the meaning of the Form N-CSR.
   
Item 4: Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
  In response to sections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of Item 4, the aggregate fees billed to the Registrant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 by the Registrant’s principal accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (collectively, “Deloitte”) were as follows:
   
     Fiscal year ended:  
     2022  2021  
Audit Fees {a}    $77,000  $73,000  
Audit-Related Fees    - 0 -  - 0 -  
Total audit and audit-related fees    77,000  73,000  
           
Tax Fees {b}    - 0 -  7,671  
All Other Fees    - 0 -  - 0 -  
           
Total Fees    $77,000  $80,671  
 
 

 

  {a} Consists of fees for audits of the Registrant’s annual financial statements.
   
  {b} Fees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 consist of fees for preparing the U.S. Income Tax Return for Regulated Investment Companies, New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Return, New Jersey Annual Report Form, U.S. Return of Excise Tax on Undistributed Income of Investment Companies, IRS Forms 1099-MISC and 1096 Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns.

 

(e) (1) Pursuant to Rule 2-01(c) (7) of Regulation S-X, the Registrant’s Audit Committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures. Such policies and procedures generally provide that the Audit Committee must pre-approve:

 

  · any audit, audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided to the Lord Abbett Funds, including the Registrant, and
  · any audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided 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 one or more Funds comprising the Registrant if the engagement relates directly to operations and financial reporting of a Fund, by the independent auditor to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence.

 

The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chair, subject to a fee limit of $10,000 per event, and not to exceed $25,000 annually. The Chair will report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditor has received general pre-approval, it must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

(e) (2) With respect to the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item 4, no amount was approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(f) Not applicable.

 

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant are shown above in the response to Item 4 (a), (b), (c) and (d) as “All Other Fees”.

 

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were:

 
   Fiscal year ended:  
   2022  2021  
All Other Fees {a}  $270,000  $220,000  

 

 

 

  {a} Consist of fees for Independent Services Auditors’ Report on Controls Placed in Operation and Tests of Operating Effectiveness related to Lord Abbett’s Asset Management Services (“SOC-1 Report”).

 

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to entities under the common control of Lord Abbett for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were:

 

   Fiscal year ended:  
   2022  2021  
All Other Fees  $ - 0 -  $ - 0 -  

 

 

 

(h) The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered the provision of non-audit services that were 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, that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X and has determined that the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining Deloitte’s independence.

 

(i) Not Applicable.

 

(j) Not Applicable.

 

Item 5: Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
  Not applicable.
   
Item 6: Investments.
  The Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Reports to Shareholders under Item 1.
   
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) The principal executive officer and principal financial & accounting officer have concluded as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940), that the design of such procedures is effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.
   
  (b) There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12: Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
  Not applicable.
   
Item 13: Exhibits.
  (a)(1) The Lord Abbett Family of Funds Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics for the Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto as part of EX-99.CODEETH.
   
  (a)(2) Certification of each Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto as a part of EX-99.CERT.
   
  (b) Certification of each Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is provided as a part of 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.

 

  LORD ABBETT BOND-DEBENTURE FUND, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Douglas B. Sieg
    Douglas B. Sieg
    President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 24, 2023

 

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/ Douglas B. Sieg
    Douglas B. Sieg
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: February 24, 2023

 

  By: /s/ Michael J. Hebert
    Michael J. Hebert
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Date: February 24, 2023