N-CSRS 1 d106599dncsrs.htm NUVEEN INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC. Nuveen Investment Funds, Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-05309

Nuveen Investment Funds, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Kevin J. McCarthy

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 917-7700

Date of fiscal year end: June 30

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2015

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policy making roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss.3507.


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.


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Mutual Funds   

 

      
     Nuveen Income Funds

 

 

       

 

       

 

 

Semi-Annual Report  December 31, 2015

 

              Share Class / Ticker Symbol     
    Fund Name        Class A    Class C    Class R3    Class R6    Class I    

 

 

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

       FAIIX    NTIBX       NTIFX    FINIX    
 

Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

       FAFIX    FFAIX    FFISX    FPCFX    FFIIX    
 

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

       FAIPX    FCIPX    FRIPX    FISFX    FYIPX    
 

Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

       FIGAX    FYGCX    FYGRX       FYGYX    
 

Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

       FALTX    FBSCX    NSSRX    NSSFX    FLTIX    


 

 

     

 

           
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LOGO


Table

of Contents

 

Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders

     4   

Portfolio Managers’ Comments

     5   

Risk Considerations and Dividend Information

     15   

Fund Performance and Expense Ratios

     17   

Yields

     24   

Holding Summaries

     26   

Expense Examples

     31   

Portfolios of Investments

     34   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     81   

Statement of Operations

     83   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

     84   

Financial Highlights

     88   

Notes to Financial Statements

     98   

Additional Fund Information

     118   

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     119   

 

Nuveen Investments     3   


Chairman’s Letter

to Shareholders

 

LOGO

Dear Shareholders,

For better or for worse, the financial markets spent most of the past year waiting for the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) to end its accommodative monetary policy. The policy has propped up stock and bond markets since the Great Recession, but the question remains: how will markets behave without its influence? This uncertainty was a considerable source of volatility for stock and bond prices for much of 2015, despite the Fed carefully conveying its intention to raise rates slowly and only when the economy shows evidence of readiness.

As was widely expected, the long-awaited Fed rate hike materialized in mid-December. While the move was interpreted as a vote of confidence on the U.S. economy’s underlying strength, the Fed emphasized that future rate increases will be gradual and guided by its ongoing assessment of financial conditions. Headwinds including rising borrowing costs, softer commodity prices, low inflation, a strong U.S. dollar and a stagnant global economy could necessitate keeping monetary conditions accommodative for longer. Meanwhile, policy makers in Europe and Japan are deploying their available tools to try to bolster their economies’ fragile growth, while Chinese authorities have stepped up efforts to manage China’s slowdown.

Although the new year began with a more pessimistic tone to investor sentiment and elevated volatility in the markets, we caution investors from making long-term decisions based on short-term news. In times like these, you can look to a professional investment manager with the experience and discipline to maintain the proper perspective on short-term events. And if the daily headlines do concern you, I encourage you to reach out to your financial advisor. Your financial advisor can help you evaluate your investment strategies in light of current events, your time horizon and risk tolerance.

On behalf of the other members of the Nuveen Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

William J. Schneider

Chairman of the Board

February 22, 2016

 

 

  4       Nuveen Investments


Portfolio Managers’

Comments

 

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

These Funds feature portfolio management by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Investments, Inc. In this report, the various portfolio management teams for the Funds discuss key investment strategies and the Funds’ performance for the six-month reporting period ended December 31, 2015. These management teams include:

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

Wan-Chong Kung, CFA, has managed the Fund since 2002 and Jeffrey J. Ebert since 2000. Chris J. Neuharth joined the Fund as a co-portfolio manager in 2012.

Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

Chris J. Neuharth has managed the Fund since 2006. Timothy A. Palmer, CFA, Wan-Chong Kung, CFA, and Jeffrey J. Ebert have been part of the management team for the Fund since 2003, 2001, and 2005, respectively.

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

Wan-Chong Kung, CFA, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2004 and Chad W. Kemper joined the Fund as a co-portfolio manager in 2010.

Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

Wan-Chong Kung, CFA, has managed the Fund since 2002. Chris J. Neuharth and Jason J. O’Brien, CFA, have been on the Fund’s management team since 2009.

Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

Chris J. Neuharth has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since 2004. Peter L. Agrimson, CFA, joined the Fund as a co-portfolio manager in 2011.

How did the Funds perform during the six-month reporting period ended December 31, 2015?

The tables in the Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section of this report provide total returns for the Funds for the six-month, one-year, five-year, ten-year and/or since inception periods ended December 31, 2015. Each Funds’ Class A Share total returns at net asset value (NAV) are compared with the performance of the appropriate Barclays Index and Lipper classification average. A more detailed account of each Fund’s performance is provided later in this report.

 

 

Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio managers as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. The Funds disclaim any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.

Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below investment grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

 

Nuveen Investments     5   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

What strategies were used to manage the Funds during the six-month reporting period and how did these strategies influence performance?

All of the Funds continued to employ the same fundamental investment strategies and tactics used previously, although implementation of those strategies depended on the individual characteristics of the portfolios, as well as market conditions. The Funds’ management teams use a highly collaborative, research-driven approach that we believe offers the best opportunity to achieve consistent, superior long-term performance on a risk-adjusted basis across the full range of market environments. During the reporting period, the Funds were generally positioned for an environment of continued moderate economic growth. Nonetheless, during the reporting period we made smaller scaled shifts on an ongoing basis that were geared toward improving each Fund’s profile in response to changing conditions and valuations. These strategic moves are discussed in more detail within each Fund’s section of this report.

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) underperformed the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Lipper Core Bond Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The reporting period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Counties (OPECs) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy. Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the last three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. As a result, the Treasury yield curve flattened during the reporting period as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries fell modestly.

During the reporting period, spreads widened across all sectors as investors favored higher quality sectors of the market such as Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which outpaced corporate bonds by a wide margin. In the investment grade corporate market, commodity price volatility and heavy new issue supply kept technicals weak in higher risk sectors, causing lower quality bonds to underperform significantly. Analysts at ratings agencies reduced price forecasts for energy and metals, causing negative outlook changes for several issuers and exacerbating selling pressure in an already weak market. Merger and acquisition (M&A) related financing also took a toll on the technical backdrop as the market tried to absorb nearly $70 billion in M&A related issuance. Market technicals remained weak into the reporting period as dealers tried to keep inventory levels low and oil prices hit new lows. Given strong fundamentals, financials outperformed the industrial sector, which was weighed down by growth concerns. These worries also caused BBB rated credit issuers to significantly underperform A rated issuers.

Among the securitized sectors of the bond market, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued by government agencies such as Fannie Mae (FNMA), Ginnie Mae (GNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) performed well during the reporting period, posting positive excess returns versus Treasuries. Range-bound levels of implied volatility in the agency MBS segment were supportive from a fundamental perspective, while strong bank and money manager demand provided a solid technical backdrop. Homeowner refinancing activity was relatively subdued and MBS prepayments stabilized at historically low levels. The Fed implied that it will continue to re-invest MBS paydowns from its holdings until policy normalization is well under way, which gave investors comfort that technicals would remain favorable through much of 2016. Valuations were steady and investors embraced the combination of lower volatility and superior liquidity found in the agency MBS sector. Returns in the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) sector were lackluster during the reporting period as the segment underperformed Treasuries. Longer duration, newer vintage bonds struggled due to higher levels of new issuance and ongoing concerns about the quality of loans going into new deals. The valuation differential

 

  6       Nuveen Investments


between CMBS deals became increasingly pronounced amid greater loan scrutiny in new deals. Traditional consumer asset-backed securities (ABS) generated positive excess returns over Treasuries as consumer credit trends remained favorable, although year-end balance sheet pressures and outflows from short duration funds did create some technical pressure on the sector. ABS issuance was light given tepid investor demand for short, high quality paper as the Fed began the process of normalizing policy.

The Fund lagged its comparative indexes during the six-month reporting period as many of our high level investment themes were challenged. We had positioned the Fund for trend-like economic growth, strong corporate performance and a Fed interest rate hike in September. In light of this outlook, we had maintained the Fund’s underweight to Treasuries and approximately 15% overweight in the investment grade credit sector. This sector positioning was a performance detractor because Treasuries significantly outperformed all other fixed income asset classes, while investment grade credit underperformed as concerns about global growth, commodities markets and possible Fed rate hikes drove spreads wider. Within the investment grade credit sector, security selection was also a drag on results due to our overweight position in energy and metals/mining names. These segments of the market experienced relentless selling pressure due to volatile commodity prices and a large amount of new issues. Also, our bias toward lower quality, BBB rated bonds worked against the Fund due to the significantly lower returns for ratings categories further down the quality spectrum. The one positive offsetting factor in our investment grade credit exposure was a large overweight to financials, which benefited relative returns within the sector.

Results from our interest rate strategy were modestly beneficial during the course of the reporting period. We entered the reporting period with the Fund positioned for the likelihood that short-term interest rates would increase more than long-term rates and that the yield curve would flatten as the Fed continued to normalize policy. Therefore, we had reduced the Fund’s exposure to short- and intermediate-duration securities and modestly overweighted securities at the longer end of the yield curve. This contributed favorably to the Fund’s performance during the reporting period as the shape of the yield curve did indeed flatten. At the same time, we had positioned the Fund to benefit from higher rates with a duration (interest rate sensitivity) that averaged around 0.25 years shorter than the benchmark. This was a modest detractor relative to the index, but not enough to offset the strongly positive effect of yield curve positioning.

In securitized sectors, the Fund maintained an overweight position in CMBS, which was a minor drag on results since excess returns in this sector were slightly negative. Generally speaking, the Fund was neutrally weighted to agency MBS, therefore, these positions were non-factors in terms of performance during the reporting period.

Over the course of the reporting period, we made several changes to the Fund’s structure in response to our shifting views or movements in valuations. Our interest rate strategy was little changed as we maintained the Fund’s defensive duration posture and positioning to benefit from a flatter yield curve. We modestly adjusted the Fund’s sector weights in response to shifting technicals and changing valuations. Early in the reporting period, as spreads on investment grade corporates widened in response to issuance and global uncertainty, we selectively added names in both the new issue and secondary markets, generally focusing on credits outside of the metals/mining sector. However, after the investment grade corporate sector recovered somewhat in October, we reduced overall exposure, primarily by paring individual position sizes to help reduce the Fund’s idiosyncratic risk. Also, as part of our ongoing credit surveillance, we sold a few names in response to the deteriorating fundamentals caused by renewed weakness in commodity prices. We kept the Fund’s securitized exposure relatively stable. Most activity in the agency MBS sector was bottom up in nature and related to maintaining risk in line with the benchmark. We also raised the Fund’s liquidity profile in November in anticipation of a more difficult trading environment around year-end.

In addition, we continued to utilize various derivative instruments in the Fund during the reporting period. We used Treasury note and bond futures to manage the Fund’s duration and yield curve exposure. To decrease the duration of the Fund’s portfolio, we established short Treasury bond or Treasury note futures positions. These derivative positions detracted from performance during the reporting period. We also used interest rate swaps as part of our portfolio construction strategy to manage the Fund’s duration and overall portfolio yield curve exposure. The interest rate swap positions detracted from performance during the reporting period. These contracts were terminated prior to the end of the reporting period.

Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) underperformed both the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Lipper Core Plus Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The reporting period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience

 

Nuveen Investments     7   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the reporting period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy. Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the reporting period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the last three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. As a result, the Treasury yield curve flattened as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries fell modestly.

During the reporting period, spreads widened across all sectors as investors favored higher quality sectors of the market such as Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which outpaced corporate bonds by a wide margin. In the investment grade corporate market, commodity price volatility and heavy new issue supply kept technicals weak in higher risk sectors, causing lower quality bonds to underperform significantly. Analysts at ratings agencies reduced price forecasts for energy and metals, causing negative outlook changes for several issuers and exacerbating selling pressure in an already weak market. Merger and acquisition (M&A) related financing also took a toll on the technical backdrop as the market tried to absorb nearly $70 billion in M&A related issuance. Market technicals remained weak into the reporting period as dealers tried to keep inventory levels low and oil prices hit new lows. Given strong fundamentals, financials outperformed the industrial sector, which was weighed down by growth concerns. These worries also caused BBB rated credit issuers to significantly underperform A rated issuers.

High yield bond prices came under extreme pressure as festering global growth concerns, the Fed’s mixed messages and accumulating sector specific issues weighed on confidence and led to a poor technical backdrop. A flight-to-quality ensued due to persistent commodity weakness and increased distress among lower rated issues. Energy bonds, which comprise approximately 13% of the market, continued to be pressured by falling crude prices. The weak global growth outlook also caused the headwinds in the commodity sector, with many base metal, iron ore and coal prices trading at multi-year lows. Elevated risks in the commodity sector curbed risk appetites and led to underperformance in the CCC rated credit space, which is more exposed to these cyclically weak areas. High yield spreads, which have been rising since mid-2014, ended the reporting period well above their historical average as a percentage of the 10-year Treasury yield, reflecting the extremely negative sentiment and investor outflows from the segment.

Among the securitized sectors of the bond market, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued by government agencies such as Fannie Mae (FNMA), Ginnie Mae (GNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) performed well during the reporting period, posting positive excess returns versus Treasuries. Range-bound levels of implied volatility in the agency MBS segment were supportive from a fundamental perspective, while strong bank and money manager demand provided a solid technical backdrop. Homeowner refinancing activity was relatively subdued and MBS prepayments stabilized at historically low levels. The Fed indicated that it will continue to re-invest MBS paydowns from its holdings until policy normalization is well under way, which gave investors comfort that technicals would remain favorable through much of 2016. Valuations were steady and investors embraced the combination of lower volatility and superior liquidity found in the agency MBS sector. Returns in the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) sector were lackluster during the reporting period as the segment underperformed Treasuries. Longer duration, newer vintage bonds struggled due to higher levels of new issuance and ongoing concerns about the quality of loans going into new deals. The valuation differential between CMBS deals became increasingly pronounced amid greater loan scrutiny in new deals. Traditional consumer asset-backed securities (ABS) generated excess returns over Treasuries as consumer credit trends remained favorable, although year-end balance sheet pressures and outflows from short duration funds did create some technical pressure on the sector. ABS issuance was light given tepid investor demand for short, high quality paper as the Fed began the process of normalizing policy.

 

  8       Nuveen Investments


Non-U.S. interest rates and currencies took the Fed’s first move in stride, reacting moderately to prospects for a higher U.S. rate structure. A moderate message from the Fed, below trend global growth, the lack of inflation pressures and ongoing risk aversion in credit helped keep market rates in check. Europe and Japan, while posting reasonable growth data, continued to witness broadly disinflationary effects beyond energy, leading to meaningfully lower inflation expectations. After increased expectations earlier in the reporting period, the European Central Bank disappointed marginally by offering only an extension of its quantitative easing plan late in the year, but clearly left the door open for more. The Bank of Japan continued its waiting game in the midst of mixed economic data. China was an ongoing source of volatility after surprising the market with a currency devaluation in August. Most foreign markets marginally outperformed the U.S. and yield curves were flatter. While currencies were volatile during the period, the U.S. dollar generally appreciated versus most currencies. Emerging market (EM) currencies struggled with slow growth, declining commodity prices and reduced investor risk appetite. Developed currencies, such as the euro, fared better, but generally slipped on diverging monetary policies. The yen gained marginally amid global risk aversion and sluggish domestic activity.

A combination of sluggish global economic activity, low and volatile commodity prices and concerns about a Fed rate hike led to negative returns for EM debt. Mixed and decelerating data out of China continued to raise questions about the country’s growth and the resultant impact on the rest of the world. Political disarray, stagnant growth and currency weakness continued to plague Brazil, threatening further instability in this large EM player, while a surprise policy shift in South Africa exacerbated the volatility. In terms of regions, Latin America lagged, while Eastern Europe held in better given those countries’ proximity to the eurozone and better debt dynamics. Nearly all EM currencies declined, with central Europe faring better and Brazil, Russia and South Africa among the worst performers due to global as well as domestic challenges.

The volatile market environment and pressures on credit and economically sensitive sectors of the market drove the Fund’s shortfall versus the benchmark during the reporting period. Investment grade credit had the biggest negative impact on performance, due to both a significant overweight to the sector as well as our security selection and quality bias within the sector. Our overweights to cyclical credits and our lower quality bias/overweight BBB rated credits both detracted from performance. Also, the benefit of our large overweight to financials was more than offset by our smaller, but hard hit, positions in energy, metals and other cyclically-sensitive industries. On the other hand, our large weight in preferred securities, also in the financial sector, was beneficial to performance. However, our exposure to EM investment grade credit detracted from performance, particularly early in the reporting period.

The Fund’s substantial weighting in the high yield corporate sector was also a drag on results. We had maintained an allocation toward the high end of our policy range due to our view of moderate global growth and supportive credit fundamentals. Within high yield, our positioning in oil and cyclical credits contributed to the underperformance.

Away from credit, sector selection detracted modestly owing to the Fund’s underweight position in MBS. Also, foreign positions were a marginal detractor from performance. Our positions in foreign bonds detracted as spreads versus the U.S. more than offset yield advantages. However, foreign currency had little impact on the Fund’s performance over the period, largely due to light positioning. Interest rate positioning was a positive contributor to the Fund’s performance, driven by a flattening of the yield curve.

The Fund’s key sector themes continue to emphasize income generation driven primarily through diversified exposure to investment grade and high yield credit, in addition to other spread opportunities away from credit. We continue to underweight mortgage and structured assets, given better opportunities elsewhere. We also continue to allocate away from Treasury and agency securities as these offered unattractive duration and yield profiles. Although the credit sectors are still volatile and liquidity can occasionally be challenging, we continue to believe credit fundamentals remain solid in most segments, while valuations provide ample compensation for fundamental risk and market volatility. Accordingly, we maintained the Fund’s overweight in investment grade and high yield credit.

Activity during the reporting period was driven largely by repositioning credit exposure in response to fundamental credit developments, valuation changes and opportunities due to primary and secondary market activity. We continued to reevaluate credit fundamentals in light of changing market, economic and company specific developments. The Fund remained overweight to BBB rated companies within the investment grade sector. Although these credits have underperformed due to their higher economic sensitivity, we believe valuations have moved excessively and that yields are attractive in light of our fundamental outlook. We also maintained an overweight in financials. We continued to monitor developments in the energy sector very closely and assess the credit impact of developments in oil prices and energy fundamentals.

 

Nuveen Investments     9   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

We reduced the Fund’s allocation to preferred securities toward the end of the reporting period. Although our outlook remains favorable for the sector, relative valuations had moved substantially versus alternatives; therefore, we chose to take advantage of market strength in preferreds to reduce the Fund’s weight in the segment. We also reduced foreign bond holdings during the period, given fundamental shifts in some markets and continued challenging fundamentals, particularly in emerging markets. We employed proceeds from these reductions toward moderate increases in mortgages, CMBS and investment grade financials, adding to portfolio liquidity at attractive valuations and providing for future flexibility.

Duration positioning remains defensive versus the benchmark, given the market’s adjustment following the Fed’s move, very limited inflationary pressures and the outlook for continued high levels of global liquidity and economic slack. The Fund remains biased toward a flatter yield curve.

During the reporting period, we also continued to utilize various derivative instruments. We used Treasury note and bond futures as part of an overall construction strategy to manage the Fund’s duration and yield curve exposure. These derivative positions detracted from performance during the reporting period. We also utilized interest rate swaps to manage portfolio duration and yield curve exposure, and these positions also detracted from performance.

We utilized forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage the Fund’s foreign currency exposure. For example, the Fund may reduce unwanted currency exposure from the Fund’s bond portfolio, or may take long forward positions in select currencies in an attempt to benefit from the potential price appreciation. These positions had a positive impact on performance during the reporting period.

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) underperformed the Barclays U.S. TIPS Index and outperformed the Lipper Inflation-Protected Bond Funds Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The reporting period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the reporting period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy. Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the last three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. As a result, the Treasury yield curve flattened during the period as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries fell modestly.

During the reporting period, spreads widened across all sectors as investors favored higher-quality sectors of the market such as Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which outpaced corporate bonds by a wide margin. High yield bond prices came under extreme pressure as festering global growth concerns, the Fed’s mixed messages and accumulating sector specific issues weighed on confidence and led to a poor technical backdrop. Energy bonds, which comprise approximately 13% of the market, continued to be pressured by falling crude prices. The weak global growth outlook also caused the headwinds in the commodity sector, with many base metal, iron ore and coal prices trading at multi-year lows. Elevated risks in the commodity sector curbed risk appetites and led to underperformance in the CCC rated credit space, which is more exposed to these cyclically weak areas. High yield spreads, which have been rising since mid-2014, ended the reporting period well above their historical average as a percentage of the 10-year Treasury yield, reflecting the extremely negative sentiment and investor outflows from the segment.

 

  10       Nuveen Investments


Returns in the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) sector were lackluster during the reporting period as the segment underperformed Treasuries. Longer duration, newer vintage bonds struggled due to higher levels of new issuance and ongoing concerns about the quality of loans going into new deals. The valuation differential between CMBS deals became increasingly pronounced amid greater loan scrutiny in new deals.

Early in the reporting period, forward looking inflation expectations revisited historic lows as realized inflation moved lower, oil prices resumed their decline and investors seemed indifferent to Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS). July’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed softer-than-historical seasonal prints, while the August CPI report also ushered in a negative outlook for inflation, earlier than historical seasonal declines. As the reporting period progressed, headline inflation remained weak in the face of rapidly declining energy prices, however, core inflation rose to 2.0% on a year-over-year basis in December as measured by the CPI excluding food and energy. The Fed’s rate liftoff in a low inflation environment caused yields on TIPS to rise, particularly at the short end of the yield curve, even as breakeven spreads mostly languished near multi-year lows. (Breakeven spreads measure the difference between the yields of nominal Treasuries versus TIPS with the same maturity.) Breakeven spreads increased more at the front end of the TIPS yield curve, leading to outperformance for shorter maturity TIPS. Later in the reporting period, investors returned to the asset class given the attractive valuations and with inflation expectations turning positive into the New Year. During the reporting period, TIPS turned in negative absolute returns as yields rose across the yield curve, underperforming nominal Treasuries.

In terms of performance during the reporting period, the Fund was aided by its shorter duration profile in its TIPS portfolio, which lowers its sensitivity to changing interest rates. Rates moved higher by between 17 and 43 basis points during the reporting period, but more so at the short to intermediate parts of the yield curve, as prices fell and the curve flattened. A longer duration profile for our nominal Treasury holdings was also helpful due to the outperformance of longer maturity Treasuries. In addition, the Fund’s performance received a boost from our breakeven positioning, which is designed to benefit from changing inflation expectations along the TIPS yield curve. A general underweight to the TIPS sector versus the Barclays U.S. TIPS Index also helped results as these securities underperformed nominal Treasuries.

However, these favorable results were offset by the Fund’s out-of-index exposures, particularly in high yield credit. As noted previously, high yield corporates were the worst-performing area of the bond market, significantly underperforming Treasuries and TIPS. While the Fund’s exposure to this asset class was fairly small, high yield bonds came under intense pressure during this extremely risk-averse period, exhibiting explosive volatility and impaired market liquidity.

Based on our improving outlook for inflation and the attractive valuations in the TIPS asset class, we built up the Fund’s TIPS exposure from approximately 80% of the portfolio at the beginning of the reporting period to 88% by the end of the reporting period. We continue to maintain small positions in high yield credit as well as CMBS, but will look for opportunistic trades to improve the profile of these exposures. From an overall perspective, we expect that credit sensitive spread sectors will remain volatile due to ongoing concerns about emerging market growth and difficult technicals. However, we believe that risk premiums are appropriately discounting this greater uncertainty and that investors are generally being fairly compensated for owning corporate bonds and non-government securitized product. We are maintaining the Fund’s strategically shorter duration profile, focused in the short to intermediate parts of the nominal Treasury curve, to keep it positioned more defensively than the benchmark in anticipation of rising rates. Along those same lines, we continue to position the portfolio to benefit from a flatter nominal Treasury yield curve, as we expect shorter-term rates to rise more than longer-term rates. At the same time, we have the Fund positioned to benefit from a flatter breakeven curve with shorter breakeven spreads expected to benefit from seasonally stronger inflation.

We also used Treasury note and bond futures as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage the Fund’s duration and yield curve exposure. The overall effect of the positions on performance during the reporting period was negligible. We also used interest rate swaps to manage portfolio duration and yield curve exposure and these positions detracted from performance during the reporting period. These contracts were terminated prior to the end of the reporting period.

Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed both the Barclays Intermediate Government Bond Index and the Lipper Intermediate U.S. Government Funds Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The reporting period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was

 

Nuveen Investments     11   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the reporting period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy. Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the reporting period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the last three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. As a result, the Treasury yield curve flattened during the reporting period as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries fell modestly.

During the reporting period, spreads widened dramatically across all sectors as investors favored higher quality sectors of the market such as Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which outpaced corporate bonds, particularly high yield, by a wide margin. Among the securitized sectors of the bond market, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued by government agencies such as Fannie Mae (FNMA), Ginnie Mae (GNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) performed well during the reporting period, posting positive excess returns versus Treasuries. Range-bound levels of implied volatility in the agency MBS segment were supportive from a fundamental perspective, while strong bank and money manager demand provided a solid technical backdrop. Homeowner refinancing activity was relatively subdued and MBS prepayments stabilized at historically low levels. The Fed implied that it will continue to re-invest MBS paydowns from its holdings until policy normalization is well under way, which gave investors comfort that technicals would remain favorable through much of 2016. Valuations were steady and investors embraced the combination of lower volatility and superior liquidity found in the agency MBS sector. Returns in the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) sector were lackluster during the period as the segment underperformed Treasuries. Longer duration, newer vintage bonds struggled due to higher levels of new issuance and ongoing concerns about the quality of loans going into new deals. The valuation differential between CMBS deals became increasingly pronounced amid greater loan scrutiny in new deals. Traditional consumer asset-backed securities (ABS) generated positive excess returns over Treasuries as consumer credit trends remained favorable, although year-end balance sheet pressures and outflows from short-duration funds did create some technical pressure on the sector. ABS issuance was light given tepid investor demand for short, high quality paper as the Fed began the process of normalizing policy.

Results from our interest rate strategy were modestly positive overall during the course of the reporting period. We entered the reporting period with the Fund positioned for the likelihood that short-term interest rates would rise more than long rates and that the yield curve would flatten as the Fed continued to normalize its policy. Therefore, throughout the reporting period, we maintained an underweight position in securities on the short end of the yield curve (out to five years) and added a corresponding overweight to ten- and twenty-year maturities. This contributed favorably to the Fund’s performance during the reporting period as the shape of the yield curve flattened. At the same time, the Fund was positioned defensively in terms of duration (interest rate sensitivity), which was a modest detractor relative to the index, but not enough to offset the strongly positive impact of yield curve positioning.

In the first half of the reporting period, the Fund’s sector strategies detracted from performance. Our overweight positions in several securitized sectors of the market and corresponding underweight to U.S. Treasuries proved detrimental to the Fund’s returns. In particular, the Fund’s overweight exposure to MBS had a negative impact on its results for the first half of the reporting period, while our positions in agency and non-agency CMBS securities also detracted from relative returns. The MBS sector recovered in the second half of the reporting period and was a solid positive contributor to performance. However, this was offset by some security selection in the ABS sector, which was a drag on performance. As a whole, the Fund’s sector strategies had a very small positive impact on performance in the second half of the reporting period.

In addition, we used Treasury note and bond futures as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage the Fund’s portfolio duration and yield curve exposure. The overall effect of these positions on performance during the reporting period was

 

  12       Nuveen Investments


negligible. We also used interest rate swaps as part of our portfolio construction strategy to manage the Fund’s duration and overall portfolio yield curve exposure. The interest rate swap positions detracted from performance during the reporting period. These contracts were terminated prior to the end of the reporting period.

Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed the Barclays 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index, but performed in line with the Lipper Short Investment Grade Debt Funds Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The reporting period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy. Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the reporting period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the final three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. As a result, the Treasury yield curve flattened during the period as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries stayed about the same or fell modestly. For example, yields on two-year Treasuries rose by 36 basis points, while five-year Treasury rates were virtually unchanged at 11 basis points higher.

Spreads widened across all sectors as investors favored higher quality segments of the market such as Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which outpaced corporate bonds by a wide margin. In the investment-grade corporate market, commodity price volatility and heavy new issue supply kept technicals weak in higher risk sectors, causing lower quality bonds to underperform significantly. Analysts at ratings agencies reduced price forecasts for energy and metals, causing negative outlook changes for several issuers and exacerbating selling pressure in an already weak market. A large amount of merger and acquisition related financing also took a toll on the technical backdrop. Market technicals remained weak into the reporting period as dealers tried to keep inventory levels low, which created stress across all segments of the corporate market. Although spreads seemed to be under pressure throughout the reporting period, short-duration investment grade credit managed to outperform Treasuries. Financial spreads remained steady and this sector outperformed industrials, which were challenged by commodity price volatility and heavy new issue supply. Short duration non-investment grade corporates performed poorly as the risks of slower global growth, lower commodity prices and a hawkish Fed pressured prices lower across the board, causing spreads to widen versus Treasuries.

After holding fairly steady for most of 2015, the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) sector lagged later in the reporting period due to increased supply and macro concerns, causing the sector to underperform Treasuries. The valuation differential between CMBS deals became increasingly pronounced amid greater loan scrutiny in new deals. Traditional consumer asset-backed securities (ABS) with shorter durations also did not generate excess returns over Treasuries. Ongoing concerns about subprime auto loan quality and the Volkswagen emissions scandal resulted in auto ABS lagging slightly. And while consumer credit trends remained favorable, year-end balance sheet pressures and outflows from short-duration funds created some technical pressure on the sector. ABS issuance was light given tepid investor demand for short, high quality paper as the Fed began the process of normalizing policy. Short maturity agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) performed well during the reporting period, posting positive excess returns versus Treasuries. The Fed hinted that it will continue to re-invest MBS pay downs from its holdings until policy normalization is well under way, which gave investors comfort that technicals would remain favorable through much of 2016. Loan delinquencies continued to decline and housing market fundamentals remained broadly supportive of the non-agency segments of the MBS market.

 

Nuveen Investments     13   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

The Fund’s modest overweight to high yield corporate bonds was a detractor during the reporting period. Our high yield allocation, which represented approximately 5% of assets, was broadly diversified across industries and issuers in the BB and B rating credit categories. However, this exposure had a negative impact on the Fund’s performance due to the significant underperformance of risk assets during the reporting period.

We also maintained between a 35% and 40% position in investment grade corporates, or roughly a 5-10% overweight to the benchmark during the reporting period. Slightly more than half of our investment grade exposure was in the industrial sector, while slightly less than half was in financials, which were both overweight positions relative to the benchmark. The Fund’s financial holdings held up well throughout the reporting period’s volatile market environment, however, its industrial exposure was a detractor. While only a small amount of the Fund’s investment grade industrial exposure was in commodity-related sectors such as energy and metals/mining, our position still represented an overweight of about 1% versus the benchmark. This overweight was a drag on performance and roughly offset the positive impact of our financial overweight.

As always, the Fund maintained a strong focus on the securitized sectors, holding between 45% and 50% in residential MBS, CMBS and ABS product during the reporting period. Returns for these sectors were fairly lackluster during the reporting period, therefore, these exposures had no meaningful impact on overall performance.

On the other hand, our defensive interest rate posture was beneficial during the reporting period, offsetting the negative impact from the high yield sector. We had positioned the Fund defensively to limit its sensitivity to rising rates because we anticipated the Fed would begin to normalize monetary policy. This positioning included maintaining the Fund’s duration around 0.50 years short of the benchmark and with a bias toward a flatter yield curve. Due to the rise in rates during the reporting period, this stance benefited performance.

We made several changes to Fund’s structure during the reporting period. When interest rates rose after the Fed raised the target for the fed funds rate in December, we wanted the Fund’s duration to be marginally less defensive. Therefore, we increased the duration slightly to around 1.5 years. We kept the Fund’s sector allocations fairly steady with changes geared toward reducing the portfolio’s overall risk profile and increasing liquidity heading into the end of the reporting period. After the credit sectors showed a bout of strength midway through the period, we pared the Fund’s exposure to both investment grade and high yield corporates by 1-2%, increasing its allocation to Treasuries and boosting its cash levels in the process. Consistent with our desire to reduce overall portfolio risk, we focused on reducing the Fund’s exposure to the commodity-related sectors and increasing our issuer diversification in the credit sectors. We kept the Fund’s securitized exposure generally unchanged during the period, although we took the opportunity to reinvest maturities and cash flows in new issues in the mortgage-related sectors of the market. Given elevated levels of volatility, we continue to hold larger cash balances than normal. We are also focused on maintaining a strong liquidity profile for the Fund, due to ongoing concerns over the impact of Fed policy on the short end of the yield curve and fixed income markets in general.

During the reporting period, we also continued to utilize various derivative instruments. For example, we utilized Treasury note futures as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage the Fund’s duration and yield curve exposure. The overall effect of these positions on the Fund’s performance during the reporting period was negligible. We also used interest rate swaps to manage Fund duration and yield curve exposure; these positions detracted from performance during the reporting period. These contracts were terminated prior to the end of the reporting period.

We utilized forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage the Fund’s foreign currency exposure. For example, the Fund may reduce unwanted currency exposure from the Fund’s bond portfolio, or may take long forward positions in select currencies in an attempt to benefit from the potential price appreciation. These positions had a negligible impact on performance during the reporting period.

 

  14       Nuveen Investments


Risk Considerations

and Dividend Information

 

Risk Considerations

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, call risk, derivatives risk, dollar roll transaction risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity, and differing legal and accounting standards. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks such as prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default risk and adverse economic developments.

Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, call risk, derivatives risk, dollar roll transaction risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Below investment grade or high yield debt securities are subject to liquidity risk and heightened credit risk. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks such as prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default risk and adverse economic developments.

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, call risk, derivatives risk, income risk, and index methodology risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Below investment grade or high yield debt securities are subject to liquidity risk and heightened credit risk. The guarantee provided by the U.S. government to treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS) relates only to the prompt payment of principal and interest and does not remove the market risks of investing in the Fund shares. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks such as prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default risk, and adverse economic developments. The Fund’s investment in inflation protected securities has tax consequences that may result in income distributions to shareholders.

Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, call risk, derivatives risk, dollar roll transaction risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks such as prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default risk and adverse economic developments.

Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, call risk, derivatives risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Below investment grade or high yield debt securities are subject to liquidity risk and heightened credit risk. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks such as prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default risk and adverse economic developments.

 

Nuveen Investments     15   


Risk Considerations and Dividend Information (continued)

 

Dividend Information

Each Fund seeks to pay regular monthly dividends out of its net investment income at a rate that reflects its past and projected net income performance. To permit each Fund to maintain a more stable monthly dividend, the Fund may pay dividends at a rate that may be more or less than the amount of net income actually earned by the Fund during the period. If a Fund has cumulatively earned more than it has paid in dividends, it will hold the excess in reserve as undistributed net investment income (UNII) as part of the Fund’s net asset value. Conversely, if a Fund has cumulatively paid in dividends more than it has earned, the excess will constitute a negative UNII that will likewise be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. Each Fund will, over time, pay all its net investment income as dividends to shareholders.

As of December 31, 2015, all of the Funds had positive UNII balances, based upon our best estimate, for tax purposes. Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund had a positive UNII balance, while the other Funds had negative UNII balances for financial reporting purposes.

All monthly dividends paid by each Fund during the current reporting period were paid from net investment income. If a portion of the Fund’s monthly distributions was sourced from or comprised of elements other than net investment income, including capital gains and/or a return of capital, shareholders would have received a notice to that effect. For financial reporting purposes, the composition and per share amounts of each Fund’s dividends for the reporting period are presented in this report’s Statement of Changes in Net Assets and Financial Highlights, respectively. For income tax purposes, distribution information for each Fund as of its most recent tax year end is presented in Note 6 – Income Tax Information within the Notes to Financial Statements of this report.

 

  16       Nuveen Investments


Fund Performance

and Expense Ratios

 

The Fund Performance and Expense Ratios for each Fund are shown within this section of the report.

Returns quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that when shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns without sales charges would be lower if the sales charge were included. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

Returns may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the investment adviser during the periods presented. If any such waivers and/or reimbursements had not been in place, returns would have been reduced. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 7—Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates for more information. For the most recent month-end performance visit www.nuveen.com or call (800) 257-8787.

Returns reflect differences in sales charges and expenses, which are primarily differences in distribution and service fees, and assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.

Comparative index and Lipper return information is provided for Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) only.

The expense ratios shown reflect total operating expenses (before fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, if any) as shown in the most recent prospectus. The expense ratios include management fees and other fees and expenses.

 

Nuveen Investments     17   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       (0.53)%           (1.27)%           2.56%           3.99%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (3.53)%           (4.19)%           1.94%           3.66%   

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

       0.65%           0.55%           3.25%           4.51%   

Lipper Core Bond Classification Average

       (0.05)%           (0.07)%           3.15%           4.04%   

Class I Shares

       (0.41)%           (1.04)%           2.78%           4.17%   

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class C Shares

       (0.92)%           (1.94)%           1.72%   

 

       Cumulative  
        6-Month        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       (0.45)%           (1.91)%   

Since inception return for Class C Shares is from 1/18/11. Since inception return for Class R6 Shares is from 1/20/15. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 3.00% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       0.85%           1.61%           0.56%           0.59%   

Net Expense Ratios

       0.78%           1.53%           0.48%           0.53%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses through October 31, 2016 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.53% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. However, because Class R6 Shares are not subject to sub-transfer agent and similar fees, the total annual Fund operating expenses for the Class R6 Shares will be less than the expense limitation. Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will not be terminated prior to that time without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

 

  18       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       (2.89)%           (3.01)%           3.03%           4.25%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (7.02)%           (7.13)%           2.15%           3.80%   

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

       0.65%           0.55%           3.25%           4.51%   

Lipper Core Bond Plus Classification Average

       (0.88)%           (0.82)%           3.57%           4.66%   

Class C Shares

       (3.29)%           (3.70)%           2.27%           3.47%   

Class R3 Shares

       (2.99)%           (3.20)%           2.79%           4.02%   

Class I Shares

       (2.85)%           (2.75)%           3.29%           4.51%   

 

       Cumulative  
        6-Month        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       (2.75)%           (3.04)%   

Since inception return for Class R6 Shares is from 1/20/15. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 4.25% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       0.85%           1.60%           1.10%           0.54%           0.60%   

Net Expense Ratios

       0.77%           1.52%           1.02%           0.46%           0.52%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses through October 31, 2016 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.52% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. However, because Class R6 Shares are not subject to sub-transfer agent and similar fees, the total annual Fund operating expenses for the Class R6 Shares will be less than the expense limitation. Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will not be terminated prior to that time without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

 

Nuveen Investments     19   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       (2.38)%           (2.38)%           2.11%           3.48%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (6.49)%           (6.57)%           1.24%           3.03%   

Barclays U.S. TIPS Index

       (1.78)%           (1.44)%           2.55%           3.93%   

Lipper Inflation-Protected Bond Funds Classification Average

       (2.53)%           (2.45)%           1.59%           3.02%   

Class C Shares

       (2.77)%           (3.10)%           1.48%           2.75%   

Class R3 Shares

       (2.49)%           (2.69)%           1.85%           3.15%   

Class I Shares

       (2.27)%           (2.07)%           2.49%           3.77%   

 

       Cumulative  
        6-Month        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       (2.18)%           3.54%   

Since inception return for Class R6 Shares is from 1/20/15. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 4.25% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       0.92%           1.66%           1.15%           0.52%           0.66%   

Net Expense Ratios

       0.83%           1.58%           1.08%           0.41%           0.58%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses through October 31, 2016 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.60% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. However, because Class R6 Shares are not subject to sub-transfer agent and similar fees, the total annual Fund operating expenses for the Class R6 Shares will be less than the expense limitation. Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will not be terminated prior to that time without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

 

  20       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       0.16%           0.21%           1.64%           3.30%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (2.82)%           (2.76)%           1.02%           2.98%   

Barclays Intermediate Government Bond Index

       0.36%           1.18%           2.02%           3.71%   

Lipper Intermediate U.S. Government Funds Classification Average

       0.45%           0.57%           2.13%           3.46%   

Class I Shares

       0.18%           0.37%           1.86%           3.48%   

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class C Shares

       (0.33)%           (0.64)%           0.85%           1.28%   

Class R3 Shares

       0.02%           (0.06)%           1.37%           1.78%   

Since inception returns for Class C and Class R3 Shares are from 10/28/09. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 3.00% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       1.02%           1.77%           1.27%           0.77%   

Net Expense Ratios

       0.85%           1.60%           1.10%           0.60%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses through October 31, 2016, so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed expenses) do not exceed 0.60% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will not be terminated prior to that time without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

 

Nuveen Investments     21   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       (0.47)%           0.36%           1.55%           2.82%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (2.72)%           (1.92)%           1.09%           2.58%   

Barclays 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index

       (0.07)%           0.65%           0.98%           2.74%   

Lipper Short Investment Grade Debt Funds Classification Average

       (0.44)%           0.24%           1.33%           2.52%   

Class I Shares

       (0.34)%           0.60%           1.78%           3.02%   

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class C Shares

       (0.95)%           (0.43)%           0.75%           1.10%   

Class R3 Shares

       (0.72)%           (0.05)%           N/A           1.56%   

 

       Cumulative  
        6-Month        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       (0.34)%           0.61%   

Since inception return for Class C Shares, Class R3 Shares and Class R6 Shares are from 10/28/09, 9/23/11 and 1/20/15, respectively. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 2.25% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $250,000 or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       0.73%           1.48%           0.98%           0.46%           0.48%   

Net Expense Ratios

       0.71%           1.46%           0.96%           0.43%           0.46%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses through October 31, 2016 so that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.47% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. However, because Class R6 Shares are not subject to sub-transfer agent and similar fees, the total annual Fund operating expenses for the Class R6 Shares will be less than the expense limitation. Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will not be terminated prior to that time without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

 

N/A Not applicable.

 

  22       Nuveen Investments


THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

Nuveen Investments     23   


Yields as of December 31, 2015

 

Dividend Yield is the most recent dividend per share (annualized) divided by the offering price per share.

The SEC 30-Day Yield is a standardized measure of a fund’s yield that accounts for the future amortization of premiums or discounts of bonds held in the Fund’s portfolio. The SEC 30-Day Yield is computed under an SEC standardized formula and is based on the maximum offer price per share. Subsidized yields reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements from the investment adviser during the period. If any such waivers and/or reimbursements had not been in place, yields would have been reduced. Unsubsidized yields do not reflect waivers and/or reimbursements from the investment adviser during the period. Refer to the Fund Performance and Expense Ratios page for further details on the investment adviser’s most recent agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses, where applicable. Dividend Yield may differ from the SEC 30-Day Yield because the fund may be paying out more or less than it is earning and it may not include the effect of amortization of bond premium.

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Dividend Yield

       2.51%           1.80%           2.83%           2.85%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Subsidized

       2.48%           1.81%           2.81%           2.81%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Unsubsidized

       2.40%           1.72%           2.75%           2.74%   

Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Dividend Yield

       3.92%           3.33%           3.86%           4.37%           4.39%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Subsidized

       4.15%           3.57%           4.08%           4.60%           4.58%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Unsubsidized

       4.05%           3.49%           3.94%           4.53%           4.50%   

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

SEC 30-Day Yield-Subsidized

       4.07%           3.49%           3.97%           4.84%           4.48%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Unsubsidized

       3.90%           3.29%           3.71%           4.55%           4.32%   

Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Dividend Yield

       1.13%           0.41%           0.78%           1.44%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Subsidized

       1.27%           0.57%           1.02%           1.56%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Unsubsidized

       1.15%           0.44%           0.90%           1.43%   

 

1 The SEC Yield for Class A Shares quoted in the table reflects the maximum sales load. Investors paying a reduced load because of volume discounts, investors paying no load because they qualify for one of the several exclusions from the load, and existing shareholders who previously paid a load but would like to know the SEC Yield applicable to their shares on a going-forward basis, should understand that the SEC Yield effectively applicable to them would be higher than the figure quoted in the table.

 

  24       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Dividend Yield

       1.55%           0.79%           1.28%           1.83%           1.83%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Subsidized

       1.79%           1.09%           1.59%           2.12%           2.08%   

SEC 30-Day Yield-Unsubsidized

       1.74%           1.04%           1.57%           2.07%           2.04%   

 

1 The SEC Yield for Class A Shares quoted in the table reflects the maximum sales load. Investors paying a reduced load because of volume discounts, investors paying no load because they qualify for one of the several exclusions from the load, and existing shareholders who previously paid a load but would like to know the SEC Yield applicable to their shares on a going-forward basis, should understand that the SEC Yield effectively applicable to them would be higher than the figure quoted in the table.

 

Nuveen Investments     25   


Holding

Summaries as of December 31, 2015

 

This data relates to the securities held in each Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of this reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change

Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below investment grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Corporate Bonds

       43.3%   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

       0.3%   

Municipal Bonds

       0.8%   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

       10.2%   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

       40.8%   

Sovereign Debt

       0.7%   

Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending

       4.7%   

Money Market Funds

       6.3%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (7.1)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Corporate Debt: Industries

(% of total corporate bond holdings)

 

Banks

       13.3%   

Media

       9.7%   

Capital Markets

       7.9%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       7.2%   

Oil, Gas, & Consumable Fuels

       6.3%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       5.9%   

Insurance

       5.7%   

Real Estate Investment Trust

       4.8%   

Metals & Mining

       3.8%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       3.1%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       3.0%   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

       2.5%   

Diversified Financial Services

       2.3%   

Specialty Retail

       2.1%   

Beverages

       1.9%   

Biotechnology

       1.9%   

Other

       18.6%   

Total

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term
investments)1

 

AAA/U.S. Guaranteed

     48.9%   

AA

     5.6%   

A

     23.9%   

BBB

     21.5%   

N/R (not rated)

     0.1%   

Total

     100%   
 

 

1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

  26       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Corporate Bonds

       62.7%   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

       4.9%   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

       0.0%   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

       28.9%   

Sovereign Debt

       2.7%   

Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending

       9.3%   

Money Market Funds

       5.8%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (14.3)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Corporate Debt: Industries

(% of total corporate bonds
holdings)

 

Banks

       16.8%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       9.6%   

Media

       9.0%   

Metals & Mining

       5.3%   

Real Estate Investment Trust

       5.1%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       4.6%   

Capital Markets

       4.5%   

Chemicals

       3.8%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       3.4%   

Consumer Finance

       2.9%   

Insurance

       2.6%   

Diversified Financial Services

       2.6%   

Aerospace & Defense

       2.1%   

Machinery

       2.0%   

Software

       1.8%   

Food Products

       1.6%   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

       1.5%   

Building Products

       1.5%   

Other

       19.3%   

Total

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term investments)1

 

AAA/U.S. Guaranteed

       19.6%   

AA

       3.5%   

A

       23.8%   

BBB

       39.6%   

BB or Lower

       13.1%   

N/R (not rated)

       0.4%   

Total

       100%   
 

 

1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

Nuveen Investments     27   


Holding Summaries as of December 31, 2015 (continued)

 

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Convertible Preferred Securities

       0.1%   

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

       0.1%   

Corporate Bonds

       5.8%   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

       0.0%   

Municipal Bonds

       0.5%   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

       88.2%   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

       3.5%   

Sovereign Debt

       0.6%   

Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending

       0.9%   

Money Market Funds

       0.6%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (0.3)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Corporate Debt: Industries

(% of total corporate bonds holdings)

 

Health Care Providers & Services

       17.2%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       15.0%   

Media

       9.7%   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

       6.9%   

Commercial Services & Supplies

       5.7%   

Household Durables

       4.7%   

Specialty Retail

       3.3%   

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

       3.1%   

Construction Materials

       2.7%   

Auto Components

       2.7%   

Banks

       2.5%   

Construction & Engineering

       2.2%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       2.2%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       2.2%   

Other

       19.9%   

Total

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term
investments)1

 

AAA/U.S. Guaranteed

       93.0%   

AA

       1.1%   

A

       0.7%   

BBB

       1.6%   

BB or Lower

       3.6%   

Total

       100%   
 

 

1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

  28       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Corporate Bonds

       0.6%   

Municipal Bonds

       3.1%   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

       61.6%   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

       31.7%   

Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending

       4.7%   

Money Market Funds

       1.9%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (3.6)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term investments)1

 

AAA/U.S. Guaranteed

       94.9%   

AA

       2.9%   

A

       1.1%   

N/R (not rated)

       1.1%   

Total

       100%   
 

 

1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

Nuveen Investments     29   


Holding Summaries as of December 31, 2015 (continued)

 

Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Corporate Bonds

     45.0%   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

     0.5%   

Municipal Bonds

     2.1%   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

     5.4%   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

     44.4%   

Sovereign Debt

     0.5%   

Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending

     3.3%   

Money Market Funds

     1.7%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

     (2.9)%   

Net Assets

     100%   

Corporate Debt: Industries

(% of total corporate bonds holdings)

 

Banks

       18.8%   

Capital Markets

       7.9%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       7.2%   

Media

       6.3%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       4.1%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       4.1%   

Chemicals

       3.7%   

Food Products

       3.6%   

Real Estate Investment Trust

       3.4%   

Diversified Financial Services

       3.0%   

Software

       3.0%   

Airlines

       2.8%   

Automobiles

       2.8%   

Metals & Mining

       2.8%   

Consumer Finance

       2.5%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       2.1%   

Insurance

       2.1%   

Other

       19.8%   

Total

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term investments)1

 

AAA/U.S. Guaranteed

     32.0%   

AA

     13.3%   

A

     24.0%   

BBB

     21.8%   

BB or Lower

     6.7%   

N/R (not rated)

     2.2%   

Total

     100%   
 

 

1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

  30       Nuveen Investments


Expense

Examples

 

As a shareholder of one or more of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including up-front and back-end sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, where applicable; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees, where applicable; and other Fund expenses. The Examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Examples below are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the period ended December 31, 2015.

The beginning of the period for the funds is July 1, 2015.

The information under “Actual Performance,” together with the amount you invested, allows you to estimate actual expenses incurred over the reporting period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.60) and multiply the result by the cost shown for your share class, in the row entitled “Expenses Incurred During Period” to estimate the expenses incurred on your account during this period.

The information under “Hypothetical Performance,” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each 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 expense you incurred 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.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds or share classes. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Nuveen Core Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 994.70         $ 990.80         $ 995.50         $ 995.90   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 3.91         $ 7.66         $ 2.41         $ 2.66   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,021.22         $ 1,017.44         $ 1,022.72         $ 1,022.47   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 3.96         $ 7.76         $ 2.44         $ 2.69   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.78%, 1.53%, 0.48% and 0.53% for Classes A, C, R6 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

Nuveen Investments     31   


Expense Examples (continued)

 

Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 971.10         $ 967.10         $ 970.10         $ 972.50         $ 971.50   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 3.82         $ 7.52         $ 5.05         $ 2.28         $ 2.58   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,021.27         $ 1,017.50         $ 1,020.01         $ 1,022.82         $ 1,022.52   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 3.91         $ 7.71         $ 5.18         $ 2.34         $ 2.64   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.77%, 1.52%, 1.02%, 0.47% and 0.52% for Classes A, C, R3, R6 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 976.20         $ 972.30         $ 975.10         $ 978.20         $ 977.30   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.12         $ 7.83         $ 5.36         $ 1.94         $ 2.88   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,020.96         $ 1,017.19         $ 1,019.71         $ 1,023.18         $ 1,022.22   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.22         $ 8.01         $ 5.48         $ 1.98         $ 2.95   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.83%, 1.58%, 1.08%, 0.39% and 0.58% for Classes A, C, R3, R6 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

  32       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,001.60         $ 996.70         $ 1,000.20         $ 1,001.80   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.28         $ 8.03         $ 5.53         $ 3.02   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,020.86         $ 1,017.09         $ 1,019.61         $ 1,022.12   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.32         $ 8.11         $ 5.58         $ 3.05   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.85%, 1.60%, 1.10% and 0.60% for Classes A, C, R3 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 995.30         $ 990.50         $ 992.80         $ 996.60         $ 996.60   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 3.61         $ 7.36         $ 4.86         $ 2.16         $ 2.36   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,021.52         $ 1,017.75         $ 1,020.26         $ 1,022.97         $ 1,022.77   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 3.66         $ 7.46         $ 4.93         $ 2.19         $ 2.39   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.72%, 1.47%, 0.97%, 0.43% and 0.47% for Classes A, C, R3, R6 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

Nuveen Investments     33   


Nuveen Core Bond Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 96.1%

                
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 43.3%

                
      Automobiles – 0.4%                                 
$ 750     

General Motors Corporation

    4.000%           4/01/25           BBB–         $ 710,522   
      Banks – 5.8%                                 
  1,275     

Abbey National Treasury Services PLC of London

    3.050%           8/23/18           A1           1,308,511   
  655     

Bancolombia SA

    5.950%           6/03/21           BBB+           675,469   
  2,235     

Bank of America Corporation, (3)

    4.000%           4/01/24           A           2,286,955   
  490     

Bank of America Corporation

    3.875%           8/01/25           A           497,460   
  1,005     

Citigroup Inc.

    4.500%           1/14/22           A           1,076,569   
  807     

Fifth Third Bancorp.

    3.500%           3/15/22           A           818,088   
  1,110     

General Electric Capital Corporation

    6.875%           1/10/39           AA+           1,512,928   
  505     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    3.200%           1/25/23           A+           503,628   
  1,240     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    3.375%           5/01/23           A           1,219,380   
  1,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.400%           5/15/38           A+           1,273,813   
  10,322     

Total Banks

                                     11,172,801   
      Beverages – 0.8%                                 
  580     

Anheuser Busch InBev Finance Inc., (3)

    3.700%           2/01/24           A2           592,010   
  1,070     

Anheuser Busch InBev

    2.500%           7/15/22           A2           1,029,941   
  1,650     

Total Beverages

                                     1,621,951   
      Biotechnology – 0.8%                                 
  630     

Biogen Inc.

    3.625%           9/15/22           A–           637,053   
  940     

Celgene Corporation, Convertible Notes

    3.625%           5/15/24           BBB+           924,982   
  1,570     

Total Biotechnology

                                     1,562,035   
      Capital Markets – 3.4%                                 
  665     

Charles Schwab Corporation

    3.000%           3/10/25           A           654,099   
  520     

Deutsche Bank AG London

    2.500%           2/13/19           A3           523,951   
  1,280     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    5.750%           1/24/22           A           1,455,767   
  1,090     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    6.750%           10/01/37           A–           1,273,287   
  470     

Morgan Stanley

    6.625%           4/01/18           A           515,420   
  1,145     

Morgan Stanley

    3.950%           4/23/27           A–           1,111,789   
  1,105     

State Street Corporation

    3.300%           12/16/24           AA–           1,115,883   
  6,275     

Total Capital Markets

                                     6,650,196   
      Communications Equipment – 0.4%                                 
  745     

Qualcomm, Inc., (3)

    3.450%           5/20/25           A+           714,691   

 

  34       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      Containers & Packaging – 0.2%                                 
$ 480     

Packaging Corporation of America, (3)

    3.650%           9/15/24           BBB         $ 466,700   
      Diversified Financial Services – 1.0%                                 
  995     

Rabobank Nederland

    3.875%           2/08/22           Aa2           1,050,176   
  825     

Voya Financial Inc.

    5.500%           7/15/22           BBB           923,521   
  1,820     

Total Diversified Financial Services

                                     1,973,697   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 2.5%                                 
  1,250     

AT&T, Inc.

    5.550%           8/15/41           A–           1,255,144   
  2,020     

SBA Tower Trust, 144A

    3.598%           4/15/43           BBB           2,012,973   
  1,515     

Verizon Communications

    5.150%           9/15/23           A–           1,665,655   
  4,785     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                                     4,933,772   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 1.4%                                 
  1,000     

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., (3)

    5.700%           10/15/39           BBB+           683,238   
  750     

Nabors Industries Inc., (3)

    4.625%           9/15/21           Baa2           616,565   
  1,350     

Origin Energy Finance Limited, 144A

    3.500%           10/09/18           BBB–           1,316,597   
  3,100     

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                                     2,616,400   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 1.3%                                 
  930     

CVS Health Corporation, (3)

    3.875%           7/20/25           BBB+           949,294   
  730     

Sysco Corporation

    3.750%           10/01/25           A2           740,345   
  850     

Walgreen Company, (3)

    3.100%           9/15/22           BBB           823,513   
  2,510     

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                                     2,513,152   
      Food Products – 0.6%                                 
  1,130     

Mondelez International Inc.

    2.250%           2/01/19           Baa1           1,129,741   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 1.1%                                 
  680     

Becton Dickinson & Company

    3.734%           12/15/24           BBB+           686,241   
  1,355     

Ochsner Clinic Foundation

    5.897%           5/15/45           Baa1           1,455,653   
  2,035     

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                                     2,141,894   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 3.1%                                 
  1,715     

Mayo Clinic Rochester

    3.774%           11/15/43           AA           1,593,437   
  970     

NYU Hospitals Center

    4.784%           7/01/44           A–           968,346   
  1,215     

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    2.875%           3/15/22           A+           1,213,826   
  1,315     

Wellpoint Inc.

    3.125%           5/15/22           A           1,291,129   
  1,065     

Zoetis Incorporated

    3.250%           2/01/23           Baa2           1,017,101   
  6,280     

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                                     6,083,839   
      Household Products – 0.5%                                 
  945     

Macys Retail Holdings Inc.

    4.375%           9/01/23           BBB+           941,575   
      Insurance – 2.5%                                 
  500     

AFLAC Insurance

    6.450%           8/15/40           A–           613,285   

 

Nuveen Investments     35   


Nuveen Core Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      Insurance (continued)                                 
$ 620     

American International Group, Inc.

    3.750%           7/10/25           A–         $ 614,819   
  1,370     

Lincoln National Corporation

    4.200%           3/15/22           A–           1,432,527   
  1,220     

MetLife Inc., (3)

    3.000%           3/01/25           A–           1,173,234   
  940     

Prudential Financial Inc.

    3.500%           5/15/24           A           944,652   
  4,650     

Total Insurance

                                     4,778,517   
      Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.5%                                 
  980     

Amazon.com Incorporated, (3)

    3.800%           12/05/24           AA–           1,020,013   
      IT Services – 0.5%                                 
  955     

Visa Inc.

    3.150%           12/14/25           A+           957,018   
      Leisure Products – 0.5%                                 
  1,025     

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

    3.375%           7/15/23           BBB           973,834   
      Machinery – 0.4%                                 
  830     

Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Finance SA

    3.550%           11/01/24           BBB           812,634   
      Media – 4.2%                                 
  605     

21st Century Fox America Inc.

    4.000%           10/01/23           BBB+           625,331   
  350     

21st Century Fox America Inc.

    6.650%           11/15/37           BBB+           406,721   
  785     

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC, 144A

    6.100%           2/15/18           BBB           845,381   
  835     

CBS Corporation

    7.875%           7/30/30           BBB           1,065,421   
  835     

CCO Safari II LLC, 144A

    4.908%           7/23/25           BBB–           834,179   
  1,090     

Cox Communications Inc., 144A

    3.850%           2/01/25           BBB+           999,405   
  890     

DIRECTV Holdings LLC

    3.800%           3/15/22           A–           896,168   
  660     

Discovery Communications Inc.

    5.050%           6/01/20           Baa2           701,742   
  1,460     

NBC Universal Media LLC

    6.400%           4/30/40           A–           1,820,099   
  7,510     

Total Media

                                     8,194,447   
      Metals & Mining – 1.6%                                 
  715     

Anglogold Holdings PLC

    6.500%           4/15/40           Baa3           475,475   
  1,230     

Freeport McMoRan, Inc., (3)

    3.550%           3/01/22           BBB           713,400   
  770     

Newmont Mining Corporation

    3.500%           3/15/22           BBB           686,567   
  840     

Nucor Corporation

    4.000%           8/01/23           A–           814,751   
  540     

Rio Tinto Finance USA PLC

    2.875%           8/21/22           A–           489,797   
  4,095     

Total Metals & Mining

                                     3,179,990   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 2.7%                                 
  1,100     

Apache Corporation

    4.250%           1/15/44           BBB+           880,352   
  660     

Cenovus Energy Inc.

    4.450%           9/15/42           BBB           480,819   
  1,110     

EOG Resources Inc.

    4.100%           2/01/21           A–           1,170,972   
  960     

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    6.500%           3/01/41           BBB           960,924   
  590     

Spectra Energy Partners LP

    4.750%           3/15/24           BBB           571,787   

 

  36       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                                 
$ 480     

SunCor Energy Inc.

    5.950%           12/01/34           A–         $ 480,912   
  775     

Valero Energy Corporation, (3)

    3.650%           3/15/25           BBB           731,390   
  5,675     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                                     5,277,156   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.5%                                 
  995     

Merck & Company Inc.

    2.750%           2/10/25           AA           968,734   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 2.1%                                 
  795     

American Tower Company

    5.000%           2/15/24           BBB           841,589   
  1,385     

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    3.625%           10/01/22           BBB           1,331,359   
  605     

Piedmont Operating Partnership LP

    4.450%           3/15/24           BBB           605,723   
  1,255     

WP Carey Inc.

    4.600%           4/01/24           Baa2           1,251,951   
  4,040     

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

                                     4,030,622   
      Road & Rail – 0.5%                                 
  895     

Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC

    3.400%           9/01/24           A3           896,326   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 0.6%                                 
  1,040     

Applied Materials Inc.

    4.300%           6/15/21           A–           1,109,945   
      Software – 0.5%                                 
  965     

Computer Sciences Corporation

    4.450%           9/15/22           BBB+           989,978   
      Specialty Retail – 0.9%                                 
  795     

Home Depot, Inc.

    2.625%           6/01/22           A           794,263   
  1,000     

Swiss Re Treasury US Corporation, 144A

    4.250%           12/06/42           AA–           943,759   
  1,795     

Total Specialty Retail

                                     1,738,022   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.5%                                 
  905     

HP Inc.

    4.650%           12/09/21           BBB+           901,652   
      Tobacco – 0.6%                                 
  1,215     

Reynolds American Inc.

    3.250%           11/01/22           BBB–           1,201,996   
      Transportation Infrastructure – 0.5%                                 
  1,000     

Sydney Airport Finance Company Party Limited, 144A

    3.900%           3/22/23           BBB           998,571   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.4%                                 
  880     

Rogers Communications Inc.

    3.625%           12/15/25           BBB+           865,662   
$ 83,847    

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $85,723,038)

                                     84,128,083   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 0.3%

  

         
      Banks – 0.3%                                 
$ 700     

Wachovia Capital Trust III

    5.570%           N/A (4)           BBB         $ 674,275   
$ 700    

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $619,119)

  

                  674,275   

 

Nuveen Investments     37   


Nuveen Core Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)             Optional Call
Provisions (5)
       Ratings (2)        Value  
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.8%

                
      North Carolina – 0.8%                                 
$ 1,520     

North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency, Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Series 2015, 3.808%, 7/01/23

               No Opt. Call           A         $ 1,545,627   
$ 1,520    

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $1,520,000)

                                     1,545,627   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 10.2%

  

         
$ 2,825     

Fannie Mae Notes

    1.500%           6/22/20           Aaa         $ 2,790,947   
  2,055     

Freddie Mac Reference Notes

    5.000%           12/14/18           Aa2           2,264,495   
  60     

Freddie Mac Reference Notes

    1.750%           5/30/19           Aaa           60,459   
  250     

U.S. Treasury Bonds

    2.750%           11/15/42           Aaa           237,865   
  1,470     

U.S. Treasury Bonds, (3)

    3.625%           2/15/44           Aaa           1,650,472   
  2,270     

U.S. Treasury Bonds

    2.500%           2/15/45           Aaa           2,032,544   
  1,500     

U.S. Treasury Bonds, (3)

    3.000%           11/15/45           Aaa           1,492,668   
  2,830     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.625%           8/15/20           Aaa           2,940,770   
  2,570     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.500%           5/15/24           Aaa           2,625,951   
  830     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.375%           8/15/24           Aaa           838,595   
  800     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    0.375%           2/15/16           Aaa           800,000   
  1,775     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    0.875%           1/31/18           Aaa           1,766,295   
  395     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.875%           8/15/45           Aaa           382,889   
$ 19,630    

Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (cost $19,736,536)

  

                  19,883,950   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 40.8%

  

         
$ 1,270     

321 Henderson Receivables LLC, Series 2010-3A

    3.820%           12/15/48           Aaa         $ 1,301,045   
  898     

American Homes 4 Rent, Series 2014-SFR2

    3.786%           10/17/36           Aaa           903,075   
  1,000     

American Homes 4 Rent, Series 2015-SFR2

    5.036%           10/17/45           Baa2           983,603   
  260     

Bank of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. , Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-UBS7

    4.512%           9/15/48           A–           250,793   
  165     

Bank of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. , Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-UBS7

    3.167%           9/15/48           BBB–           120,061   
  2,000     

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2012-GC8

    3.024%           9/10/45           Aaa           2,003,843   
  1,846     

Colony Anerican Homes Trust 2014-1A

    1.576%           5/17/31           Aaa           1,808,070   
  625     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-CR26

    4.495%           10/10/48           A–           590,489   
  —(6)     

ContiMortgage Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 1997-2

    7.090%           4/15/28           AAA           124   
  408     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 725111

    2.522%           9/01/33           Aaa           435,473   
  910     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 725205

    5.000%           3/01/34           Aaa           1,006,528   
  352     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 848390

    2.103%           12/01/35           Aaa           368,811   

 

  38       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)      Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)                    
$ 654     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 886034

       2.836%           7/01/36           Aaa         $ 698,577   
  1,760     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 890310

       4.500%           12/01/40           Aaa           1,905,045   
  1,362     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 960605

       5.000%           8/01/37           Aaa           1,502,085   
  527     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 995949

       2.582%           9/01/36           Aaa           559,508   
  2,692     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AB2085

       4.000%           1/01/41           Aaa           2,855,600   
  3,198     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AB9659

       3.000%           6/01/43           Aaa           3,217,257   
  1,912     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AD1593

       4.500%           2/01/40           Aaa           2,069,424   
  1,351     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AE0058

       2.504%           7/01/36           Aaa           1,427,688   
  2,404     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AE0217

       4.500%           8/01/40           Aaa           2,601,473   
  2,027     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AE0981

       3.500%           3/01/41           Aaa           2,095,191   
  986     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AH3804

       4.000%           2/01/41           Aaa           1,045,770   
  2,706     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AH5575

       4.000%           2/01/41           Aaa           2,869,460   
  2,072     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AH8954

       4.000%           4/01/41           Aaa           2,197,603   
  1,325     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AL0160

       4.500%           5/01/41           Aaa           1,434,007   
  2,317     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AL0215

       4.500%           4/01/41           Aaa           2,507,183   
  1,515     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AU2412

       3.000%           12/01/44           Aaa           1,515,290   
  2,985     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AU3353

       3.000%           8/01/43           Aaa           2,990,191   
  2,255     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AY3376

       3.500%           4/01/45           Aaa           2,327,372   
  1,878     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool MA1028

       4.000%           4/01/42           Aaa           1,992,268   
  3     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through CertificatesR 1990-89 K

       6.500%           7/25/20           Aaa           2,919   
  6,090     

Fannie Mae TBA Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

       3.500%           TBA           Aaa           6,281,204   
  1,228     

Fannie Mae, Connecticut Avenue Securities, Series 2014-C03

       1.627%           7/25/24           Aaa           1,223,424   
  4     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 1167 E

       7.500%           11/15/21           Aaa           4,563   
  8     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 1286 A

       6.000%           5/15/22           Aaa           8,439   
  458     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 2750 HE

       5.000%           2/15/19           Aaa           468,228   
  301     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 786281

       2.626%           1/01/28           Aaa           319,080   
  243     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847161

       2.521%           5/01/31           Aaa           253,519   
  265     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847190

       2.563%           4/01/29           Aaa           276,767   
  981     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847209

       2.407%           10/01/30           Aaa           1,015,927   
  695     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847210

       2.457%           9/01/33           Aaa           745,901   
  1,161     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool G05852

       5.500%           3/01/39           Aaa           1,287,551   
  880     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust, Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-K712

       3.484%           5/25/45           Aaa           882,944   
  1,399     

Ginnie Mae Mortgage Pool MA2521

       3.500%           1/20/45           Aaa           1,459,846   
  3,264     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool AA5391

       3.500%           6/15/42           Aaa           3,398,139   
  1,690     

Invitation Homes Trust 2013-SFR1

       1.576%           12/17/30           Aaa           1,656,112   
  963     

Master Resecuritization Trust 2009-1

       6.000%           10/25/36           A           1,006,317   
  2,213     

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2014-3

       0.810%           7/16/18           AAA           2,210,654   

 

Nuveen Investments     39   


Nuveen Core Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)      Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)                    
$ 137     

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-11

       2.621%           8/25/34           N/R         $ 136,622   
  1,090     

Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2013-DN2

       1.877%           11/25/23           A2           1,090,442   
  2,783     

U.S. Department of Veterans, Affairs, Guaranteed REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, Vendee Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-1

       3.750%           2/15/35           Aaa           2,914,421   
  2     

U.S. Small Business Administration Guaranteed Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series 2006-10A

       5.408%           2/10/16           Aaa           2,112   
  1,691     

U.S. Small Business Administration Guaranteed Participating Securities, Participation Certificates, Series 2010-P10B

       3.215%           9/10/20           Aaa           1,740,594   
  1,273     

Walter Investment Management Company Capital Trust, Series 2012-AA

       4.549%           10/16/50           BBB           1,279,034   
  2,000     

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-C29

       3.637%           6/15/48           Aaa           2,023,258   
$ 76,482     

Total Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $77,722,955)

  

                             79,270,924   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)      Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

SOVEREIGN DEBT – 0.7%

                   
      Mexico – 0.7%                                    
$ 1,400     

United Mexican States

       5.625%           1/15/17           A3         $ 1,454,600   
$ 1,400    

Total Sovereign Debt (cost $1,387,694)

                                        1,454,600   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $186,709,342)

                                        186,957,459   
Shares     Description (1)      Coupon                            Value  
 

INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LENDING – 4.7%

  

    
      Money Market Funds – 4.7%                                    
  8,950,753     

Mount Vernon Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio, (8)

       0.108% (7)                               $ 8,950,753   
 

Total Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending (cost $8,950,753)

  

       8,950,753   
Shares     Description (1)      Coupon                            Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 6.3%

                   
      Money Market Funds – 6.3%                                    
  12,208,240    

First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class Z

       0.473% (7)                               $ 12,208,240   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $12,208,240)

                                        12,208,240   
 

Total Investments (cost $207,868,335) – 107.1%

                                        208,116,452   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (7.1)% (9)

                                        (13,798,451)   
 

Net Assets – 100%

                                      $ 194,318,001   

 

  40       Nuveen Investments


Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount at
Value*
    

Variation Margin
Receivable/

(Payable)

     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note

       Short         (254      3/16       $ (30,053,360    $ (35,719    $ 67,606   

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note

       Short         (100      3/16         (12,590,625      (25,231      43,107   

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

       Long         1         3/16         153,750         (567      (34

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

       Long         46         3/16         7,299,625         46,000         (3,111
                                  $ (35,190,610    $ (15,517    $ 107,568   
* The aggregate Notional Amount at Value of long and short positions is $7,453,375 and $(42,643,985), respectively.

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3) Investment, or a portion of investment, is out on loan for securities lending. The total value of the securities out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $8,646,040.

 

(4) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(5) Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be subject to periodic principal paydowns.

 

(6) Principal Amount (000) rounds to less than $1,000.

 

(7) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(8) The Fund may loan securities representing up to one third of the fair value of its total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks and other institutions. The Fund maintains collateral equal to at least 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned. The cash collateral received by the Fund is invested in this money market fund. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives, Securities Lending for more information.

 

(9) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

TBA To be announced. Maturity date not known prior to settlement of this transaction.

 

144A Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

(WI/DD) Investment, or portion of investment, purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     41   


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 99.2%

          
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 62.7%

          
      Aerospace & Defense – 1.3%                           
$ 1,295     

BAE Systems Holdings, 144A

    3.850%         12/15/25         BBB+       $ 1,282,791   
  2,780     

Exelis, Inc.

    5.550%         10/01/21         BBB–         3,048,662   
  1,460     

Martin Marietta Materials

    4.250%         7/02/24         BBB         1,433,613   
  5,535     

Total Aerospace & Defense

                               5,765,066   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 0.2%                           
  800     

XPO Logistics, Inc., 144A, (3)

    6.500%         6/15/22         B2         740,000   
      Airlines – 0.4%                           
  1,589     

Northwest Airlines Trust Pass-Through Certificates 2007-1

    7.027%         11/01/19         A         1,770,343   
      Automobiles – 0.7%                           
  3,000     

General Motors Corporation

    4.000%         4/01/25         BBB–         2,842,089   
      Banks – 10.5%                           
  2,900     

Bancolombia SA

    5.950%         6/03/21         BBB+         2,990,625   
  795     

Bank of America Corporation

    6.250%         3/05/65         BB+         796,988   
  4,240     

Bank of America Corporation

    4.250%         10/22/26         A–         4,197,329   
  2,955     

Bank of America Corporation, (3)

    4.000%         4/01/24         A         3,023,692   
  2,965     

Barclays Bank PLC

    3.650%         3/16/25         A         2,849,439   
  845     

CIT Group Inc.

    5.000%         8/01/23         BB+         857,675   
  1,500     

Citigroup Inc.

    4.500%         1/14/22         A         1,606,820   
  1,235     

Citigroup Inc.

    3.875%         10/25/23         A         1,276,414   
  1,000     

Citigroup Inc.

    3.750%         6/16/24         A         1,018,466   
  2,215     

Citigroup Inc.

    3.300%         4/27/25         A         2,175,544   
  2,000     

Citigroup Inc.

    4.300%         11/20/26         A–         1,991,402   
  2,915     

General Electric Capital Corporation

    6.875%         1/10/39         AA+         3,973,139   
  1,890     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6.800%         6/01/38         A+         2,352,455   
  1,250     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.750%         12/31/49         BBB–         1,362,500   
  2,665     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    3.200%         1/25/23         A+         2,657,759   
  1,680     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    3.375%         5/01/23         A         1,652,063   
  2,180     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.400%         5/15/38         A+         2,776,912   
  1,200     

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

    6.100%         6/10/23         BBB         1,289,908   
  1,400     

Santander UK PLC, 144A

    5.000%         11/07/23         A–         1,457,331   
  2,520     

Societe Generale, 144A

    5.000%         1/17/24         A–         2,569,901   
  1,470     

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A

    5.700%         3/26/44         A2         1,471,186   
  1,200     

State Bank of India London, 144A

    4.875%         4/17/24         BBB–         1,282,542   
  43,020     

Total Banks

                               45,630,090   

 

  42       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Biotechnology – 0.6%                           
$ 2,405     

Baxalta Inc., 144A

    4.000%         6/23/25         BBB+       $ 2,381,304   
      Building Products – 0.9%                           
  1,695     

Masco Corporation

    5.950%         3/15/22         BBB         1,830,600   
  2,120     

Owens Corning Incorporated

    4.200%         12/15/22         BBB–         2,122,574   
  3,815     

Total Building Products

                               3,953,174   
      Capital Markets – 2.8%                           
  3,000     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    5.750%         1/24/22         A         3,411,954   
  3,685     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    6.750%         10/01/37         A–         4,304,644   
  4,105     

Morgan Stanley

    5.500%         7/28/21         A         4,601,348   
  10,790     

Total Capital Markets

                               12,317,946   
      Chemicals – 2.4%                           
  2,000     

Agrium Inc., (3)

    3.375%         3/15/25         BBB         1,825,764   
  875     

Braskem Finance Limited, 144A

    5.750%         4/15/21         BBB–         761,250   
  3,830     

Incitec Pivot Finance, 144A

    6.000%         12/10/19         BBB         4,154,213   
  1,400     

Office Cherifien Des Phosphates SA, 144A

    5.625%         4/25/24         BBB–         1,420,650   
  1,510     

Platform Specialty Products Corporation, 144A

    6.500%         2/01/22         B+         1,306,150   
  1,000     

PolyOne Corporation

    5.250%         3/15/23         BB–         975,000   
  10,615     

Total Chemicals

                               10,443,027   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.5%                           
  1,000     

ADT Corporation, (3)

    6.250%         10/15/21         BBB–         1,044,550   
  990     

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, (3)

    7.625%         6/15/20         BB–         1,020,839   
  1,990     

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                               2,065,389   
      Communications Equipment – 0.5%                           
  2,350     

Qualcomm, Inc., (3)

    3.450%         5/20/25         A+         2,254,395   
      Construction & Engineering – 0.3%                           
  1,050     

AECOM Technology Corporation

    5.750%         10/15/22         BB–         1,081,500   
      Construction Materials – 0.4%                           
  1,550     

Norbord Inc., 144A

    5.375%         12/01/20         Ba2         1,550,000   
      Consumer Finance – 1.8%                           
  2,348     

Capital One Bank

    3.375%         2/15/23         Baa1         2,298,767   
  1,500     

Discover Bank

    4.250%         3/13/26         BBB+         1,510,074   
  1,790     

Discover Financial Services

    5.200%         4/27/22         BBB+         1,915,023   
  2,000     

Ford Motor Credit Company, (3)

    4.250%         9/20/22         BBB–         2,046,240   
  7,638     

Total Consumer Finance

                               7,770,104   
      Containers & Packaging – 0.7%                           
  1,145     

Packaging Corporation of America

    3.650%         9/15/24         BBB         1,113,274   
  1,945     

Rock-Tenn Company

    4.900%         3/01/22         BBB         2,062,970   
  3,090     

Total Containers & Packaging

                               3,176,244   

 

Nuveen Investments     43   


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Diversified Financial Services – 1.6%                           
$ 2,600     

BNP Paribas, (3)

    4.250%         10/15/24         A       $ 2,577,045   
  1,250     

Fly Leasing Limited

    6.750%         12/15/20         BB         1,281,063   
  3,050     

Rabobank Nederland

    3.875%         2/08/22         Aa2         3,219,132   
  6,900     

Total Diversified Financial Services

                               7,077,240   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 2.9%                           
  1,315     

AT&T, Inc.

    5.550%         8/15/41         A–         1,320,411   
  3,190     

Qwest Corporation

    6.750%         12/01/21         BBB–         3,341,525   
  2,610     

SBA Tower Trust, 144A

    3.598%         4/15/43         BBB         2,600,921   
  1,000     

Verizon Communications

    5.150%         9/15/23         A–         1,099,442   
  1,000     

Verizon Communications, (3)

    3.500%         11/01/24         A–         988,187   
  2,010     

Verizon Communications

    6.900%         4/15/38         A–         2,402,855   
  700     

Verizon Communications

    6.550%         9/15/43         A–         831,024   
  11,825     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               12,584,365   
      Electric Utilities – 0.6%                           
  1,590     

FirstEnergy Transmission LLC, 144A

    4.350%         1/15/25         Baa3         1,612,611   
  1,065     

PPL Capital Funding Inc.

    3.500%         12/01/22         BBB+         1,073,376   
  2,655     

Total Electric Utilities

                               2,685,987   
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 0.2%                           
  1,025     

Anixter Inc.

    5.125%         10/01/21         BB+         1,025,000   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 2.1%                           
  2,180     

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., (3)

    5.700%         10/15/39         BBB+         1,489,459   
  2,425     

Ensco PLC, (3)

    4.700%         3/15/21         BBB         1,953,415   
  2,000     

Nabors Industries Inc., (3)

    4.625%         9/15/21         Baa2         1,644,174   
  1,260     

Noble Holding International Limited GDR, (3)

    5.950%         4/01/25         BBB         869,518   
  2,000     

Origin Energy Finance Limited, 144A

    3.500%         10/09/18         BBB–         1,950,514   
  1,880     

Weatherford International PLC

    7.000%         3/15/38         BBB–         1,311,300   
  11,745     

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                               9,218,380   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 0.8%                           
  1,000     

Supervalu Inc.

    6.750%         6/01/21         B         905,000   
  2,625     

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    3.800%         11/18/24         BBB         2,548,689   
  3,625     

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                               3,453,689   
      Food Products – 1.0%                           
  1,600     

Kraft Foods Group Inc.

    5.000%         6/04/42         BBB–         1,610,979   
  2,000     

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co

    4.125%         11/15/25         Baa1         2,016,078   
  750     

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, 144A

    5.750%         3/15/25         BB+         729,375   
  4,350     

Total Food Products

                               4,356,432   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 0.5%                           
  2,205     

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    4.750%         7/15/45         A+         2,320,357   

 

  44       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.2%                           
$ 1,000     

Wynn Macau Limited, 144A, (3)

    5.250%         10/15/21         Ba2       $ 880,000   
      Household Durables – 0.6%                           
  1,500     

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc., 144A

    6.500%         12/15/20         BB–         1,445,625   
  1,375     

Harman International Industries, Inc.

    4.150%         5/15/25         BBB–         1,318,552   
  2,875     

Total Household Durables

                               2,764,177   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.5%                           
  2,000     

Tyco International Group

    3.900%         2/14/26         A3         2,005,668   
      Insurance – 1.7%                           
  1,475     

AFLAC Insurance

    6.450%         8/15/40         A–         1,809,191   
  1,650     

Genworth Holdings Inc.

    4.800%         2/15/24         Ba1         1,113,750   
  2,000     

Lincoln National Corporation

    4.200%         3/15/22         A–         2,091,280   
  2,190     

XLIT Limited

    4.450%         3/31/25         BBB         2,146,548   
  7,315     

Total Insurance

                               7,160,769   
      Leisure Products – 0.7%                           
  2,950     

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

    3.375%         7/15/23         BBB         2,802,742   
      Machinery – 1.3%                           
  1,000     

CTP Transportation Products LLC-Finance Inc., 144A

    8.250%         12/15/19         B         1,042,500   
  1,120     

Cummins Engine Inc.

    4.875%         10/01/43         A+         1,156,315   
  1,850     

Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Finance SA

    3.550%         11/01/24         BBB         1,811,292   
  1,480     

Pentair Finance SA

    4.650%         9/15/25         BBB         1,516,877   
  5,450     

Total Machinery

                               5,526,984   
      Media – 5.6%                           
  3,590     

21st Century Fox America Inc.

    6.650%         11/15/37         BBB+         4,171,799   
  1,470     

CBS Corporation

    3.500%         1/15/25         BBB         1,402,333   
  1,500     

CCO Holdings LLC Finance Corporation, 144A

    5.125%         5/01/23         BB–         1,501,875   
  2,000     

CCO Safari II LLC, 144A

    4.908%         7/23/25         BBB–         1,998,034   
  1,040     

Cox Communications Inc., 144A

    3.250%         12/15/22         BBB+         945,353   
  2,000     

Cox Communications Inc., 144A

    3.850%         2/01/25         BBB+         1,833,770   
  2,270     

DIRECTV Holdings LLC

    3.800%         3/15/22         A–         2,285,731   
  1,895     

NBC Universal Media LLC

    6.400%         4/30/40         A–         2,362,388   
  1,925     

NBC Universal Media LLC

    4.450%         1/15/43         A–         1,884,714   
  1,250     

Numericable Group SA, 144A

    6.000%         5/15/22         B+         1,212,500   
  1,635     

SES SA, 144A

    3.600%         4/04/23         BBB         1,592,686   
  1,300     

Sinclair Television Group

    6.375%         11/01/21         B+         1,339,000   
  1,290     

Time Warner Inc.

    3.875%         1/15/26         BBB+         1,279,400   
  625     

Unitymedia KabelBW GmbH, 144A

    6.125%         1/15/25         B         617,594   
  23,790     

Total Media

                               24,427,177   

 

Nuveen Investments     45   


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Metals & Mining – 3.3%                           
$ 500     

Alcoa Inc., (3)

    5.400%         4/15/21         BBB–       $ 486,250   
  1,625     

Allegheny Technologies Inc.

    6.625%         8/15/23         BB–         958,750   
  3,620     

Anglogold Holdings PLC

    6.500%         4/15/40         Baa3         2,407,300   
  1,090     

ArcelorMittal, (3)

    7.000%         2/25/22         BB+         877,450   
  1,000     

First Quantum Minerals Limited, 144A

    6.750%         2/15/20         BB–         645,000   
  1,535     

Freeport McMoRan, Inc., (3)

    3.550%         3/01/22         BBB         890,300   
  1,800     

Newmont Mining Corporation

    3.500%         3/15/22         BBB         1,604,961   
  2,000     

Nucor Corporation

    4.000%         8/01/23         A–         1,939,884   
  1,270     

Rio Tinto Finance USA PLC, (3)

    2.875%         8/21/22         A–         1,151,931   
  1,350     

Teck Resources Limited, (3)

    3.750%         2/01/23         BB+         624,375   
  1,050     

Vale Overseas Limited, (3)

    4.375%         1/11/22         BBB         794,670   
  1,075     

Xstrata Finance Canada Limited, 144A

    6.900%         11/15/37         BBB         860,000   
  1,480     

Yamana Gold Inc.

    4.950%         7/15/24         Baa3         1,255,860   
  19,395     

Total Metals & Mining

                               14,496,731   
      Multiline Retail – 0.3%                           
  1,250     

Family Tree Escrow LLC, 144A, (3)

    5.250%         3/01/20         Ba3         1,290,625   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 6.0%                           
  2,120     

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

    6.200%         3/15/40         BBB         1,950,402   
  1,570     

Apache Corporation

    4.250%         1/15/44         BBB+         1,256,502   
  1,750     

Baytex Energy Corporation

    6.625%         7/19/22         BB         965,567   
  1,685     

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company

    6.125%         4/01/36         A3         1,963,724   
  616     

California Resources Corporation, 144A, (3)

    8.000%         12/15/22         BB+         324,170   
  230     

California Resources Corporation, (3)

    5.500%         9/15/21         BB–         72,450   
  1,150     

Calumet Specialty Products, (3)

    6.500%         4/15/21         B+         1,000,500   
  370     

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

    5.850%         2/01/35         BBB+         327,953   
  1,500     

Cenovus Energy Inc.

    3.800%         9/15/23         BBB         1,358,814   
  606     

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, 144A

    8.000%         12/15/22         BB–         296,940   
  2,000     

Continental Resources Inc., (3)

    5.000%         9/15/22         BBB–         1,475,000   
  1,125     

EnLink Midstream Partners LP

    4.150%         6/01/25         BBB         865,924   
  700     

Hess Corporation, (3)

    3.500%         7/15/24         BBB         613,346   
  1,615     

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP

    4.250%         9/01/24         BBB–         1,374,832   
  1,000     

Martin Mid-Stream Partners LP Finance

    7.250%         2/15/21         B–         880,000   
  1,470     

NGL Energy Partners LP/Fin Co

    5.125%         7/15/19         BB–         1,161,300   
  630     

Petro Canada

    6.800%         5/15/38         A–         688,862   
  1,150     

Reliance Holdings USA Inc., 144A

    5.400%         2/14/22         BBB+         1,244,231   
  500     

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC

    5.625%         2/01/21         BB+         460,000   
  1,645     

Southwestern Energy Company, (3)

    4.100%         3/15/22         BBB–         1,034,639   
  1,560     

Spectra Energy Partners LP

    4.750%         3/15/24         BBB         1,511,843   

 

  46       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                           
$ 1,400     

Targa Resources Inc.

    4.250%         11/15/23         BB+       $ 1,078,000   
  2,500     

Transocean Inc.

    4.300%         10/15/22         BB+         1,325,000   
  1,660     

Valero Energy Corporation

    3.650%         3/15/25         BBB         1,566,590   
  1,380     

Woodside Finance Limtied, 144A

    3.650%         3/05/25         BBB+         1,223,215   
  31,932     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               26,019,804   
      Paper & Forest Products – 0.9%                           
  1,100     

Domtar Corporation

    4.400%         4/01/22         BBB–         1,118,790   
  1,785     

Domtar Corporation, (3)

    6.750%         2/15/44         BBB–         1,744,070   
  1,240     

Resolute Forest Products

    5.875%         5/15/23         BB–         902,100   
  4,125     

Total Paper & Forest Products

                               3,764,960   
      Personal Products – 0.7%                           
  2,265     

International Paper Company

    8.700%         6/15/38         BBB         2,914,477   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.2%                           
  1,000     

Endo Finance LLC / Endo Finco Inc., 144A, (3)

    6.000%         2/01/25         B1         985,000   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 3.2%                           
  2,780     

American Tower Company

    5.000%         2/15/24         BBB         2,942,916   
  2,200     

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    3.625%         10/01/22         BBB         2,114,794   
  1,865     

Omega Healthcare Investors Inc.

    4.950%         4/01/24         BBB–         1,883,661   
  1,815     

Piedmont Operating Partnership LP

    4.450%         3/15/24         BBB         1,817,169   
  1,200     

Plum Creek Timberlands LP

    4.700%         3/15/21         BBB         1,276,732   
  2,315     

Realty Income Corporation

    3.250%         10/15/22         BBB+         2,234,929   
  1,670     

Vereit Operating Partner

    4.600%         2/06/24         BB+         1,582,325   
  13,845     

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

                               13,852,526   
      Software – 1.1%                           
  2,750     

Computer Sciences Corporation

    4.450%         9/15/22         BBB+         2,821,181   
  2,000     

Total System Services Inc.

    3.750%         6/01/23         BBB+         1,941,284   
  4,750     

Total Software

                               4,762,465   
      Specialty Retail – 0.4%                           
  1,255     

Bed Bath and Beyond Incorporated

    4.915%         8/01/34         A–         1,119,046   
  500     

Guitar Center Inc., 144A

    6.500%         4/15/19         B–         425,000   
  1,755     

Total Specialty Retail

                               1,544,046   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.7%                           
  2,685     

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co, 144A, (3)

    4.900%         10/15/25         A–         2,636,887   
  520     

NCR Corporation

    5.000%         7/15/22         BB         504,400   
  3,205     

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                               3,141,287   
      Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.3%                           
  1,200     

Levi Strauss & Company, (3)

    5.000%         5/01/25         BB         1,194,000   

 

Nuveen Investments     47   


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.4%                           
$ 1,925     

Air Lease Corporation

    3.875%         4/01/21         BBB–       $ 1,934,625   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.9%                           
  1,000     

ENTEL Chile SA, 144A

    4.750%         8/01/26         BBB+         935,557   
  1,100     

Millicom International Cellular SA, 144A

    6.625%         10/15/21         BB+         1,016,125   
  1,000     

Sprint Corporation

    7.250%         9/15/21         B+         745,000   
  1,325     

T-Mobile USA Inc.

    6.731%         4/28/22         BB         1,381,313   
  4,425     

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                               4,077,995   
$ 280,019     

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $280,567,164)

                               272,008,179   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 4.9%

          
      Banks – 1.5%                           
$ 1,500     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6.375%         N/A (4)         BBB       $ 1,481,250   
  1,525     

Nordea Bank AB, 144A

    6.125%         N/A (4)         BBB         1,489,086   
  500     

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A, (3)

    6.500%         N/A (4)         BBB–         483,091   
  1,485     

SunTrust Bank Inc., (3)

    5.625%         N/A (4)         Baa3         1,494,281   
  1,525     

Wachovia Capital Trust III

    5.570%         N/A (4)         BBB         1,468,956   
  6,535     

Total Banks

                               6,416,664   
      Capital Markets – 0.6%                           
  2,415     

Goldman Sachs Capital II

    4.000%         N/A (4)         Ba1         1,702,575   
  1,000     

UBS Group AG, Reg S

    7.125%         N/A (4)         BB+         1,047,176   
  3,415     

Total Capital Markets

                               2,749,751   
      Consumer Finance – 0.2%                           
  985     

American Express Company

    5.200%         N/A (4)         Baa2         972,688   
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.3%                           
  1,035     

BNP Paribas, 144A

    7.375%         N/A (4)         BBB–         1,062,169   
      Electric Utilities – 0.4%                           
  1,785     

Electricite de France, 144A

    5.250%         N/A (4)         Baa1         1,677,900   
      Food Products – 0.3%                           
  1,300     

Land O’ Lakes Incorporated, 144A

    8.000%         N/A (4)         BB         1,350,375   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.4%                           
  1,852     

General Electric Company, (3)

    4.000%         N/A (4)         AA–         1,851,750   
      Insurance – 1.2%                           
  1,000     

Allstate Corporation

    5.750%         8/15/53         Baa1         1,028,000   
  1,585     

Catlin Insurance Company Limited, 144A

    7.249%         N/A (4)         BBB+         1,260,075   
  1,395     

Principal Financial Group

    4.700%         5/15/55         Baa2         1,386,630   

 

  48       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Insurance (continued)                           
$ 1,500     

Prudential Financial Inc.

    5.200%         3/15/44         BBB+       $ 1,448,250   
  5,480     

Total Insurance

                               5,122,955   
$ 22,387    

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $21,589,720)

                               21,204,252   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 0.0%                           
$ 65,000     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.250%         11/15/25         Aaa       $ 64,854   
$ 65,000    

Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (cost $64,726)

                               64,854   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 28.9%                           
$ 2,913     

321 Henderson Receivables LLC, Series 2010-3A

    3.820%         12/15/48         Aaa       $ 2,984,919   
  1,250     

American Homes 4 Rent, Series 2014-SFR1

    2.776%         6/17/31         Baa2         1,212,916   
  1,599     

American Homes 4 Rent, Series 2014-SFR2

    3.786%         10/17/36         Aaa         1,608,757   
  3,165     

AmeriCold LLC Trust, Series 2010

    6.811%         1/14/29         A+         3,568,806   
  540     

Bank of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. , Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-UBS7

    4.512%         9/15/48         A–         520,877   
  345     

Bank of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. , Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-UBS7

    3.167%         9/15/48         BBB–         251,037   
  403     

Bank of America Funding Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-4

    5.500%         6/25/37         C         92,328   
  1,100     

Barclays Commercial Mortgage, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-STP

    4.284%         9/10/28         BBB–         1,072,844   
  1,250     

Bayview Financial Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2005-D

    5.500%         12/28/35         BB+         1,233,054   
  750     

CarFinance Capital Auto Trust, Automobile Receivables-Backed Notes,
Series 2013-1, 144A

    3.450%         3/15/19         Aa3         755,851   
  1,785     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates 2015-CR22

    4.127%         3/10/48         A–         1,695,877   
  2,000     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-SAVA

    2.826%         6/15/34         A         1,991,810   
  1,305     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-CR26

    4.495%         10/10/48         A–         1,232,940   
  117     

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates,
Series 2004-J1

    6.000%         2/25/34         A+         121,030   
  1,034     

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates,
Series 2006-19CB

    6.000%         8/25/36         Caa3         944,443   
  866     

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, Series 2004-2

    2.438%         2/25/34         BB+         835,178   
  165     

Countrywide Home Loans, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-SC1

    2.677%         9/25/23         Baa3         163,808   
  1,095     

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2014-ICE

    1.976%         4/15/27         A–         1,083,004   
  2,274     

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corporation, Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2003-8

    6.187%         4/25/33         A         2,260,246   
  76     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 250551

    7.000%         5/01/26         Aaa         87,490   
  323     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 252255

    6.500%         2/01/29         Aaa         368,780   

 

Nuveen Investments     49   


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)                           
$ 539     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254169

    6.500%         12/01/31         Aaa       $ 623,046   
  556     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254379

    7.000%         7/01/32         Aaa         644,535   
  418     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254513

    6.000%         10/01/22         Aaa         471,559   
  1,130     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 255575

    5.500%         1/01/25         Aaa         1,257,945   
  201     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 256845

    6.500%         8/01/37         Aaa         230,124   
  725     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 256852

    6.000%         8/01/27         Aaa         818,195   
  268     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 256890

    6.000%         9/01/37         Aaa         293,995   
  66     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 340798

    7.000%         4/01/26         Aaa         72,373   
  91     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 545359

    2.568%         3/01/31         Aaa         94,610   
  197     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 545813

    7.000%         7/01/32         Aaa         236,224   
  125     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 545815

    7.000%         7/01/32         Aaa         149,321   
  767     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 555798

    6.500%         5/01/33         Aaa         883,566   
  1,262     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 555843

    2.362%         8/01/30         Aaa         1,304,325   
  8     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 591038

    7.000%         8/01/16         Aaa         8,157   
  142     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 673010

    5.500%         12/01/17         Aaa         145,684   
  963     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 688330

    6.000%         3/01/33         Aaa         1,103,586   
  1,861     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 709446

    5.500%         7/01/33         Aaa         2,114,584   
  216     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 725553

    2.379%         9/01/33         Aaa         228,607   
  1,170     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 735054

    1.926%         11/01/34         Aaa         1,221,452   
  1,382     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 735273

    6.500%         6/01/34         Aaa         1,616,576   
  547     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 745101

    6.000%         4/01/32         Aaa         609,739   
  166     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 781776

    6.000%         10/01/34         Aaa         188,728   
  536     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 885536

    6.000%         8/01/36         Aaa         612,237   
  643     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 900555

    6.000%         9/01/36         Aaa         737,366   
  2,171     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 932323

    4.500%         12/01/39         Aaa         2,349,450   
  (5)   

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 983077

    5.000%         5/01/38         Aaa         242   
  (5)   

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 985344

    5.500%         7/01/38         Aaa         133   
  3,562     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AB1959

    4.000%         12/01/40         Aaa         3,777,804   
  2,876     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AC1877

    4.500%         9/01/39         Aaa         3,112,029   
  3,400     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AD4375

    5.000%         5/01/40         Aaa         3,747,494   
  4,680     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AE7265

    4.000%         1/01/41         Aaa         4,963,778   
  1,323     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AL0160

    4.500%         5/01/41         Aaa         1,431,781   
  1,108     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool MA1028

    4.000%         4/01/42         Aaa         1,175,217   
  4     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1988-24 G

    7.000%         10/25/18         Aaa         4,406   
  2     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1989-44 H

    9.000%         7/25/19         Aaa         2,633   
  1     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1989-90 E

    8.700%         12/25/19         Aaa         944   

 

  50       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)                           
$ 8     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1990-102 J

    6.500%         8/25/20         Aaa       $ 8,826   
  60     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1990-105 J

    6.500%         9/25/20         Aaa         63,676   
  2     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1990-30 E

    6.500%         3/25/20         Aaa         2,165   
  6     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1990-61 H

    7.000%         6/25/20         Aaa         6,365   
  6     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1990-72 B

    9.000%         7/25/20         Aaa         6,159   
  41     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1991-134 Z

    7.000%         10/25/21         Aaa         44,071   
  24     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1991-56 M

    6.750%         6/25/21         Aaa         25,287   
  5     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1992-120 C

    6.500%         7/25/22         Aaa         5,241   
  207     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1996-35 Z

    7.000%         7/25/26         Aaa         230,687   
  907     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 2005-62 JE

    5.000%         6/25/35         Aaa         994,128   
  884     

Fannie Mae REMIC Pass-Through Certificates 2003-W1 B1

    4.196%         12/25/42         AAA         541,911   
  1,000     

Fannie Mae TBA, Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    5.000%         TBA         Aaa         1,100,579   
  2,235     

Fannie Mae TBA, Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    4.000%         TBA         Aaa         2,364,430   
  8,910     

Fannie Mae TBA, Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    3.500%         TBA         Aaa         9,189,738   
  7,025     

Fannie Mae TBA, Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    3.000%         TBA         Aaa         7,022,556   
  1,649     

Fannie Mae, Connecticut Avenue Securities Series 2014-C01

    2.027%         1/25/24         AA+         1,651,430   
  1,380     

Fannie Mae, Connecticut Avenue Securities, Series 2015-C03

    5.427%         7/25/25         Aaa         1,372,891   
  6     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 1022 J

    6.000%         12/15/20         Aaa         6,371   
  15     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 1118 Z

    8.250%         7/15/21         Aaa         16,177   
  12     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 162 F

    7.000%         5/15/21         Aaa         12,424   
  8     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 1790 A

    7.000%         4/15/22         Aaa         8,375   
  42     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 188 H

    7.000%         9/15/21         Aaa         45,599   
  217     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 2704 JF

    0.977%         5/15/23         Aaa         217,735   
  456     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 3591 FP

    1.027%         6/15/39         Aaa         459,577   
  1     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 6 C

    9.050%         6/15/19         Aaa         1,317   
  1,839     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 1G2163

    2.470%         9/01/37         Aaa         1,947,416   
  299     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 846984

    2.094%         6/01/31         Aaa         313,957   
  441     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847180

    2.524%         3/01/30         Aaa         456,102   
  283     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847190

    2.563%         4/01/29         Aaa         295,725   
  398     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847240

    2.478%         7/01/30         Aaa         413,731   
  307     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various A15521

    6.000%         11/01/33         Aaa         348,468   

 

Nuveen Investments     51   


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)                           
$ 499     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various A17212

    6.500%         7/01/31         Aaa       $ 576,359   
  314     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various C00676

    6.500%         11/01/28         Aaa         361,208   
  119     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various H09059

    7.000%         8/01/37         Aaa         130,206   
  86     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various P10023

    4.500%         3/01/18         Aaa         86,224   
  305     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various P10032

    4.500%         5/01/18         Aaa         311,915   
  1,000     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust, Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2012-K711

    3.684%         8/25/45         Aaa         1,011,389   
  1,315     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust, Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-K712

    3.484%         5/25/45         Aaa         1,319,400   
  52     

Freddie Mac Non Gold Participation Certificates

    2.459%         5/01/25         Aaa         54,624   
  2,500     

Ginnie Mae Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    4.000%         TBA         Aaa         2,654,221   
  522     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Corporation, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-RP2 1A2

    7.500%         3/25/35         B1         573,681   
  571     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Corporation, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-RP3 1A2

    7.500%         9/25/35         B1         630,975   
  1,570     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-GC32

    3.345%         7/10/48         BBB–         1,143,529   
  3,667     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 4946

    4.500%         2/20/41         Aaa         3,993,728   
  127     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 537699

    7.500%         11/15/30         Aaa         141,632   
  (5)   

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 8259

    1.875%         8/20/23         Aaa         478   
  2,000     

Green Tree Agency Advance Funding Trust, Manufactured Housing Contract Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-T2

    3.687%         10/15/48         AA         1,978,900   
  621     

IndyMac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR1

    2.535%         3/25/35         BBB+         618,290   
  3,090     

Invitation Homes Trust 2014-SFR1

    3.026%         6/17/31         Baa2         3,044,849   
  630     

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Pass-Through Certificates 2015-C29

    3.842%         5/15/48         BBB–         470,257   
  359     

Lehman Mortgage Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2008-6

    5.254%         7/25/47         BB+         362,122   
  1,444     

Master Resecuritization Trust 2009-1

    6.000%         10/25/36         A         1,509,476   
  1,693     

Mid-State Capital Corporation Trust Notes, Series 2005-1

    5.745%         1/15/40         AA         1,816,160   
  1,250     

ML_CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-8

    5.887%         8/12/49         BB         1,281,446   
  895     

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2015-C22

    4.385%         4/15/48         BBB–         726,526   
  524     

Mortgage Asset Securitization Transaction Inc., Alternative Loan Trust Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2004-1

    7.000%         1/25/34         BBB–         541,551   
  1,309     

RBSSP Resecuritization Trust, Series 2012-8 1A1

    0.525%         10/26/36         N/R         1,265,297   
  199     

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-11

    2.621%         8/25/34         N/R         197,715   
  61     

U.S. Small Business Administration Guaranteed Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series 2006-P10B

    5.681%         8/10/16         Aaa         62,393   
  4,219     

United States Department of Veterans, Affairs, Guaranteed REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, Vendee Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-1

    3.750%         2/15/35         Aaa         4,418,262   

 

  52       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)                           
$ 2,363     

Wachovia Mortgage Loan Trust LLC, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-B

    2.772%         10/20/35         D       $ 2,056,122   
  1,571     

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage-Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-C26

    3.586%         2/15/48         BBB–         1,168,324   
  526     

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2007-2

    5.750%         3/25/37         Caa2         511,382   
  626     

Wells Fargo-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-C15

    4.629%         8/15/46         BBB–         575,189   
$ 122,161    

Total Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $121,307,123)

  

              125,085,384   
Principal
Amount (000) (6)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

SOVEREIGN DEBT – 2.7%

          
      Costa Rica – 0.2%                           
$ 1,000     

Republic of Costa Rica, 144A

    7.000%         4/04/44         Ba1       $ 833,750   
      Indonesia – 0.2%                           
  1,000     

Republic of Indonesia, 144A, (3)

    4.750%         1/08/26         Baa3         987,662   
      Mexico – 1.0%                           
  351  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    8.500%         12/13/18         A         2,240,376   
  343  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    8.000%         12/07/23         A         2,227,549   
 

Total Mexico

                               4,467,925   
      South Africa – 1.1%                           
  3,365     

Republic of South Africa, (3)

    5.875%         9/16/25         Baa2         3,439,736   
  24,115  ZAR   

Republic of South Africa

    7.000%         2/28/31         Baa2         1,187,590   
 

Total South Africa

                               4,627,326   
      Sri Lanka – 0.2%                           
  1,000     

Republic of Sri Lanka, (3)

    6.850%         11/03/25         BB–         941,977   
 

Total Sovereign Debt (cost $14,153,373)

  

              11,858,640   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $437,682,106)

  

              430,221,309   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                      Value  
 

INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LENDING – 9.3%

  

      Money Market Funds – 9.3%                           
  40,469,109     

Mount Vernon Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio, (8)

    0.108% (7)                         $ 40,469,109   
 

Total Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending (cost $40,469,109)

  

              40,469,109   

 

Nuveen Investments     53   


Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                  Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 5.8%

          
      Money Market Funds – 5.8%                       
  24,964,422     

First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class Z

    0.473% (7)                 $ 24,964,422   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $24,964,422)

                       24,964,422   
 

Total Investments (cost $503,115,637) – 114.3%

                       495,654,840   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (14.3)% (9)

                       (62,118,540
 

Net Assets – 100%

                     $ 433,536,300   

Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts outstanding:

 

Counterparty      Currency Contracts to Deliver    Notional
Amount
(Local Currency)
     In Exchange
For Currency
     Notional
Amount
(Local Currency)
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
Depreciation)
(U.S. Dollars)
 
Bank of America, N.A.      Mexican Peso      78,470,000         U.S. Dollar        4,591,843         1/29/16       $ 48,589   
Goldman Sacks Bank USA      Canadian Dollar      1,516,000         U.S. Dollar        1,121,302         1/29/16         25,620   
Goldman Sacks Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      130,447         Canadian Dollar         181,000         1/29/16         370   
Nomura International PLC      South African Rand      67,000,000         U.S. Dollar         4,573,753         1/29/16         264,881   
Nomura International PLC      U.S. Dollar      1,267,082         South African Rand         20,120,000         1/29/16         26,866   
Nomura International PLC      U.S. Dollar      1,823,009         South African Rand         28,941,000         1/29/16         38,231   
                                                $ 404,557   

Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:

 

Counterparty    Notional
Amount
     Fund
Pay/
Receive
Floating
Rate
     Floating
Rate
Index
     Fixed Rate
(Annualized)
    Fixed
Rate
Payment
Frequency
     Termination
Date
     Value      Variation
Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $
12,000,000
  
    
Receive
  
    
3-Month
USD-
LIBOR-ICE
  
    
2.078

   
Semi-
Annually
  
    
2/19/23
  
   $
(187,101

    
N/A
  
   $
(187,101

Morgan Stanley &
Co. LLC*

    
18,000,000
  
    
Receive
  
    
3-Month
USD-
LIBOR-ICE
  
    
2.743
  
   
Semi-
Annually
  
    
4/15/24
  
    
(1,009,753

    
951,520
  
    
(1,009,753

     $ 30,000,000                                                  $ (1,196,854 )    $ 951,520      $ (1,196,854
* Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is the clearing broker for this transactions.

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount at
Value**
     Variation Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note

       Short         (76      3/16       $ (8,992,344    $ (10,687    $ 29,505   

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note

       Short         (273      3/16         (34,372,406      (81,047      81,938   

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

       Short         (13      3/16         (1,998,750      (6,500      23,937   

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

       Long         19         3/16         3,015,062         19,000         20,704   
                                  $ (42,348,438    $ (79,234    $ 156,084   
** Total aggregate Notional Amount at Value of long and short positions is $3,015,062 and $(45,363,500), respectively.

 

  54       Nuveen Investments


For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3) Investment, or a portion of investment, is out on loan for securities lending. The total value of the securities out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $38,972,483.

 

(4) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(5) Principal Amount (000) rounds to less than $1,000.

 

(6) Principal Amount (000) denominated in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

(7) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(8) The Fund may loan securities representing up to one third of the fair value of its total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks and other institutions. The Fund maintains collateral equal to at least 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned. The cash collateral received by the Fund is invested in this money market fund. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives, Securities Lending for more information.

 

(9) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

N/A Not applicable.

 

GDR Global Depositary Receipt.

 

Reg S Regulation S allows U.S. companies to sell securities to persons or entities located outside of the United States without registering those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, Regulation S provides a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the offers and sales of securities by both foreign and domestic issuers that are made outside the United States.

 

TBA To be announced. Maturity date not known prior to settlement of this transaction.

 

MXN Mexican Peso

 

ZAR South African Rand

 

144A Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

USD-LIBOR-ICE United States Dollar-London Inter-Bank Offered Rate Intercontinental Exchange.

 

(WI/DD) Investment, or portion of investment, purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     55   


Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                  Ratings (2)        Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 98.8%

                
 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES – 0.1%

                
      Banks – 0.1%                                 
  200     

Bank of America Corporation

    7.250%                      BB+         $ 218,654   
 

Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $174,350)

                                     218,654   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                  Ratings (2)        Value  
 

$25 PAR (OR SIMILAR) RETAIL PREFERRED – 0.1%

                
      Capital Markets – 0.1%                                 
  15,000     

UBS Preferred Funding Trust IV

    1.122%                      BB+         $ 293,250   
 

Total $25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred (cost $241,200)

                                     293,250   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 5.8%

                
      Airlines – 0.1%                                 
$ 437     

American Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Trust 2013-2B, 144A

    5.600%           7/15/20           BBB–         $ 445,339   
      Auto Components – 0.2%                                 
  300     

American & Axle Manufacturing Inc., (3)

    6.625%           10/15/22           BB–           314,250   
  300     

Tenneco Inc.

    5.375%           12/15/24           BB+           304,500   
  600     

Total Auto Components

                                     618,750   
      Automobiles – 0.1%                                 
  465     

General Motors Corporation

    4.000%           4/01/25           BBB–           440,524   
      Banks – 0.1%                                 
  385     

CIT Group Inc., 144A, (3)

    5.500%           2/15/19           BB+           402,325   
  170     

CIT Group Inc.

    5.000%           8/01/23           BB+           172,550   
  555     

Total Banks

                                     574,875   
      Building Products – 0.1%                                 
  300     

Hardwoods Acquisition Inc., 144A

    7.500%           8/01/21           B           247,500   
  250     

Owens Corning Incorporated

    4.200%           12/15/22           BBB–           250,304   
  550     

Total Building Products

                                     497,804   
      Chemicals – 0.1%                                 
  250     

Hexion Inc.

    6.625%           4/15/20           B3           195,625   
  250     

NOVA Chemicals Corporation, 144A, (3)

    5.250%           8/01/23           BBB–           247,500   
  500     

Total Chemicals

                                     443,125   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.3%                                 
  250     

Clean Harbors Inc.

    5.250%           8/01/20           BB+           255,000   
  547     

Covanta Energy Corporation, Synthetic Letter of Credit

    6.375%           10/01/22           Ba3           544,265   

 

  56       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)                                 
$ 500     

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, (3)

    7.625%           6/15/20           BB–         $ 515,575   
  1,297     

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                                     1,314,840   
      Construction & Engineering – 0.1%                                 
  500     

AECOM Technology Corporation

    5.750%           10/15/22           BB–           515,000   
      Construction Materials – 0.2%                                 
  300     

Cemex SAB de CV, 144A, (3)

    5.700%           1/11/25           BB–           250,875   
  380     

Norbord Inc., 144A

    5.375%           12/01/20           Ba2           380,000   
  680     

Total Construction Materials

                                     630,875   
      Containers & Packaging – 0.0%                                 
  175     

Graphic Packaging International Inc.

    4.875%           11/15/22           BB+           177,188   
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.1%                                 
  225     

Nationstar Mortgage LLC Capital Corporation

    7.875%           10/01/20           B+           215,325   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 0.9%                                 
  200     

CenturyLink Inc.

    6.750%           12/01/23           BB+           187,500   
  250     

CyrusOne LP Finance

    6.375%           11/15/22           B+           257,500   
  3,060     

SBA Tower Trust, 144A

    3.598%           4/15/43           BBB           3,049,356   
  3,510     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                                     3,494,356   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.1%                                 
  500     

Regency Energy Partners Finance

    6.500%           7/15/21           BBB–           502,500   
      Food Products – 0.1%                                 
  200     

JBS Investments GmbH, 144A

    7.250%           4/03/24           BB+           181,500   
  300     

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, 144A

    5.750%           3/15/25           BB+           291,750   
  500     

Total Food Products

                                     473,250   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 1.0%                                 
  1,700     

Catholic Health Initiatives

    1.600%           11/01/17           A+           1,696,656   
  200     

Community Health Systems, Inc.

    5.125%           8/01/21           BB           199,000   
  500     

HCA Inc., (3)

    4.250%           10/15/19           BBB–           510,000   
  1,715     

Mayo Clinic Rochester

    3.774%           11/15/43           AA           1,593,436   
  4,115     

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                                     3,999,092   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.1%                                 
  400     

Wynn Macau Limited, 144A

    5.250%           10/15/21           Ba2           352,000   
      Household Durables – 0.3%                                 
  450     

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc., 144A

    6.500%           12/15/20           BB–           433,687   
  250     

CalAtlantic Group Inc.

    5.875%           11/15/24           BB           261,250   
  400     

Rialto Holdings LLC-Rialto Corporation, 144A

    7.000%           12/01/18           B           406,000   
  1,100     

Total Household Durables

                                     1,100,937   

 

Nuveen Investments     57   


Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.2%                                 
$ 275     

AES Corporation

    7.375%           7/01/21           BB         $ 280,500   
  500     

Calpine Corporation

    5.375%           1/15/23           BB–           448,750   
  775     

Total Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

                                     729,250   
      Media – 0.6%                                 
  400     

Altice S.A, 144A

    7.750%           5/15/22           B           361,000   
  200     

Charter Communications, CCO Holdings LLC, (3)

    5.125%           2/15/23           BB–           200,250   
  225     

CSC Holdings Inc.

    8.625%           2/15/19           BB           239,625   
  300     

Dish DBS Corporation

    4.250%           4/01/18           BB–           300,750   
  400     

Numericable Group SA, 144A

    4.875%           5/15/19           B+           396,500   
  200     

Numericable Group SA, 144A

    6.000%           5/15/22           B+           194,000   
  350     

Sinclair Television Group

    6.375%           11/01/21           B+           360,500   
  195     

WMG Acquisition Group, 144A

    6.000%           1/15/21           B1           195,975   
  2,270     

Total Media

                                     2,248,600   
      Metals & Mining – 0.1%                                 
  250     

ArcelorMittal, (3)

    7.000%           2/25/22           BB+           201,250   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.1%                                 
  215     

Calumet Specialty Products, (3)

    7.625%           1/15/22           B+           182,750   
  300     

Rose Rock Midstream LP / Rose Rock Finance Corporation

    5.625%           7/15/22           B1           213,000   
  150     

Targa Resources Inc.

    4.250%           11/15/23           BB+           115,500   
  665     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                                     511,250   
      Personal Products – 0.1%                                 
  200     

Albea Beauty Holdings SA, 144A

    8.375%           11/01/19           B           208,000   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 0.0%                                 
  200     

Gaming and Leisure Products Inc., GLP Capital LP Financing II Inc., (3)

    4.375%           11/01/18           BBB–           198,000   
      Road & Rail – 0.0%                                 
  175     

Hertz Corporation, (3)

    7.375%           1/15/21           B           181,563   
      Specialty Retail – 0.2%                                 
  420     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    5.500%           3/15/21           Baa1           434,700   
  475     

The Men’s Warehouse Inc.

    7.000%           7/01/22           B2           337,250   
  895     

Total Specialty Retail

                                     771,950   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.1%                                 
  500     

NCR Corporation

    5.000%           7/15/22           BB           485,000   
      Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.1%                                 
  300     

Levi Strauss & Company, (3)

    5.000%           5/01/25           BB           298,500   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.4%                                 
  200     

Altice Financing SA, 144A

    6.625%           2/15/23           BB–           197,500   
  200     

Millicom International Cellular SA, 144A

    6.625%           10/15/21           BB+           184,750   

 

  58       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)                                 
$ 200     

Softbank Corporation, 144A, (3)

    4.500%           4/15/20           BB+         $ 199,000   
  200     

Sprint Communications Inc., 144A

    7.000%           3/01/20           BB           200,500   
  400     

Telecom Italia SpA, 144A

    5.303%           5/30/24           BBB–           395,000   
  400     

T-Mobile USA Inc.

    6.731%           4/28/22           BB           417,000   
  1,600     

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                                     1,593,750   
$ 23,939     

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $24,413,229)

                                     23,222,893   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      $1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 0.0%                                 
      Capital Markets – 0.0%                                 
$ 200     

Goldman Sachs Capital II

    4.000%           N/A (4)           Ba1         $ 141,000   
$ 200     

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $162,451)

                                     141,000   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)             Optional Call
Provisions (5)
       Ratings (2)        Value  
      MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.5%                                 
      Maryland – 0.3%                                 
$ 1,250     

Baltimore County, Maryland, General Obligation Bonds, Taxable Series 2012, 0.951%, 8/01/17

               No Opt. Call           AAA         $ 1,247,238   
      Ohio – 0.2%                                 
  820     

Hamilton County, Ohio, Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Refunding Series 2013B, 1.233%, 12/01/16

               No Opt. Call           AA+           822,861   
$ 2,070     

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $2,070,000)

                                     2,070,099   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 88.2%                                 
$ 5,896     

U.S. Treasury Bonds

    3.875%           4/15/29           Aaa         $ 7,993,519   
  2,330     

U.S. Treasury Bonds

    2.500%           2/15/45           Aaa           2,086,268   
  20,686     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.125%           4/15/17           Aaa           20,639,871   
  16,961     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.125%           4/15/18           Aaa           16,921,020   
  3,971     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    2.125%           1/15/19           Aaa           4,199,971   
  13,616     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.125%           4/15/19           Aaa           13,527,727   
  5,015     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    1.375%           1/15/20           Aaa           5,209,459   
  14,066     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.125%           4/15/20           Aaa           13,876,906   
  11,664     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    1.250%           7/15/20           Aaa           12,118,703   
  20,766     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    1.125%           1/15/21           Aaa           21,388,658   
  12,146     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.625%           7/15/21           Aaa           12,212,700   
  29,948     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.125%           1/15/22           Aaa           28,987,086   

 

Nuveen Investments     59   


Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (continued)                                 
$ 13,848     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.125%           7/15/22           Aaa         $ 13,410,322   
  20,727     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.125%           1/15/23           Aaa           19,844,997   
  19,960     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.375%           7/15/23           Aaa           19,470,289   
  19,337     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.625%           1/15/24           Aaa           19,088,142   
  13,647     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.125%           7/15/24           Aaa           12,940,119   
  9,993     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    2.375%           1/15/25           Aaa           11,342,923   
  28,719     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.250%           1/15/25           Aaa           27,365,177   
  5,962     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    2.000%           1/15/26           Aaa           6,612,038   
  4,423     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    2.375%           1/15/27           Aaa           5,103,525   
  1,697     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    1.750%           1/15/28           Aaa           1,850,854   
  1,801     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    3.625%           4/15/28           Aaa           2,350,461   
  4,093     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    2.500%           1/15/29           Aaa           4,839,275   
  4,567     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    2.125%           2/15/40           Aaa           5,358,256   
  5,479     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    2.125%           2/15/41           Aaa           6,464,624   
  16,030     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.750%           2/15/42           Aaa           14,025,283   
  5,814     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.625%           2/15/43           Aaa           4,898,789   
  1,735     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    1.375%           2/15/44           Aaa           1,758,408   
  3,207     

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Obligations

    0.750%           2/15/45           Aaa           2,784,113   
  12,538     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    0.375%           7/15/25           Aaa           12,116,900   
$ 350,642     

Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (cost $355,528,304)

                                     350,786,383   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 3.5%                                 
$ 2,939     

Colony Anerican Homes Trust 2014-1A

    1.576%           5/17/31           Aaa         $ 2,878,823   
  2,000     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2012-CR4

    1.801%           10/15/45           AAA           1,983,693   
  640     

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2014-ICE

    1.976%           4/15/27           A–           632,989   
  569     

DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2011-LC3A

    3.642%           8/10/44           Aaa           571,509   
  680     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust, Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-K712

    3.484%           5/25/45           Aaa           682,275   
  2,092     

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corporation, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-GG11

    5.736%           12/10/49           AAA           2,158,064   
  22     

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corporation, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2010-C1

    3.853%           6/15/43           Aaa           22,390   
  2,955     

JPMorgan JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-C12

    3.664%           7/15/45           AAA           3,038,113   
  2,026     

Wells Fargo – Royal Bank of Scotland Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-C10 A3

    2.875%           12/15/45           Aaa           2,000,028   
$ 13,923     

Total Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $14,305,553)

                                     13,967,884   

 

  60       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

SOVEREIGN DEBT – 0.6%

                
      Canada – 0.5%                                 
$ 1,500     

Quebec Province

    7.500%           7/15/23           Aa2         $ 1,960,461   
      Poland – 0.1%                                 
  250     

Republic of Poland

    6.375%           7/15/19           A2           285,625   
$ 1,750     

Total Sovereign Debt (cost $2,219,992)

                                     2,246,086   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $399,115,079)

                                     392,946,249   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                            Value  
 

INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LENDING – 0.9%

  

    
      Money Market Funds – 0.9%                                 
  3,513,550     

Mount Vernon Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio, (7)

    0.108% (6)                               $ 3,513,550   
 

Total Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending (cost $3,513,550)

  

       3,513,550   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                            Value  
      SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.6%                                 
 

Money Market Funds – 0.6%

                
  2,580,386     

First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class Z

    0.473% (6)                               $ 2,580,386   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $2,580,386)

                                     2,580,386   
 

Total Investments (cost $405,209,015) – 100.3%

                                     399,040,185   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (0.3)% (8)

                                     (1,115,000)   
 

Net Assets – 100%

                                   $ 397,925,185   

Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount at
Value*
    

Variation Margin
Receivable/

Payable

     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note

       Short         (378      3/16       $ (44,725,078    $ (53,156    $ 128,500   

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note

       Short         (60      3/16         (7,554,375      (17,813      24,434   

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

       Long         40         3/16         6,150,000         20,000         5,864   

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

       Long         38         3/16         6,030,125         36,302         3,502   
                                  $ (40,099,328    $ (14,667    $ 162,300   
* Total aggregate Notional Amount at Value of long and short positions is $12,180,125 and $(52,279,453), respectively.

 

Nuveen Investments     61   


Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3) Investment, or a portion of investment, is out on loan for securities lending. The total value of the securities out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $3,376,638.

 

(4) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(5) Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be subject to periodic principal paydowns.

 

(6) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(7) The Fund may loan securities representing up to one third of the fair value of its total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks and other institutions. The Fund maintains collateral equal to at least 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned. The cash collateral received by the Fund is invested in this money market fund. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives, Securities Lending for more information.

 

(8) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

144A Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  62       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 97.0%

                
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 0.6%

                
      Health Care Providers & Services – 0.6%                                 
$ 400     

Catholic Health Initiatives

    1.600%           11/01/17           A+         $ 399,213   
$ 400     

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $399,884)

                                     399,213   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)             Optional Call
Provisions (3)
       Ratings (2)        Value  
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 3.1%

                
      Louisiana – 0.7%                                 
$ 500     

Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority, System Restoration Revenue Bonds, Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation Project/EGSL, Series 2010, 3.220%, 2/01/21

              

 

No Opt. Call

 

  

 

       AAA         $ 511,060   
      Ohio – 2.4%                                 
  145     

Akron, Ohio, General Obligation Bonds, Refunding Various Purpose Series 2014B, 0.950%, 12/01/16

         No Opt. Call           AA–           144,814   
  345     

Columbus, Ohio, General Obligation Bonds, Various Purpose, Taxable Series 2014C, 3.000%, 2/15/19

         No Opt. Call           AAA           358,793   
  285     

Hamilton County, Ohio, Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Refunding Series 2013B, 1.233%, 12/01/16

         No Opt. Call           AA+           285,995   
  845     

Ohio State, General Obligation Bonds, Higher Education, Build America Bond Series 2010E, 3.328%, 8/01/17 – AGM Insured

               No Opt. Call           AA+           870,097   
  1,620     

Total Ohio

                                     1,659,699   
$ 2,120     

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $2,178,229)

                                     2,170,759   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 61.6%                    
$ 1,000     

Fannie Mae Notes

    1.250%           9/27/18           Aaa         $ 995,005   
  1,000     

Fannie Mae Notes

    1.330%           10/24/19           Aaa           985,276   
  1,385     

Fannie Mae Notes

    1.500%           11/30/20           Aaa           1,360,994   
  680     

Fannie Mae Notes, (4)

    1.125%           10/19/18           Aaa           675,827   
  790     

Federal Farm Credit Bank Discount Notes

    1.030%           5/11/18           Aaa           785,071   
  940     

Federal Farm Credit Banks, Consolidated Systemwide Notes

    0.500%           8/23/16           Aaa           939,269   
  755     

Federal Farm Credit Banks, Consolidated Systemwide Notes

    0.750%           8/14/17           Aaa           751,238   
  360     

Federal Farm Credit Banks, Consolidated Systemwide Notes

    1.750%           4/01/21           Aaa           352,368   
  675     

Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds

    1.000%           12/19/17           Aaa           673,342   
  755     

Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds

    1.200%           8/14/18           Aaa           752,373   
  1,080     

Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds

    4.125%           3/13/20           Aaa           1,183,936   
  955     

Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds

    2.875%           6/14/24           Aaa           981,005   

 

Nuveen Investments     63   


Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (continued)                    
$ 2,260     

Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds

    2.875%           9/13/24           Aaa         $ 2,309,761   
  775     

Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds, (4)

    1.875%           12/09/22           Aaa           753,776   
  825     

Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds, (4)

    2.375%           3/14/25           Aaa           806,342   
  735     

Federal Home Loan Banks, Discount Notes

    2.220%           3/28/23           Aaa           731,733   
  590     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Notes

    2.375%           1/13/22           Aaa           598,199   
  670     

Federal National Mortgage Association

    5.000%           3/15/16           Aaa           676,243   
  535     

Federal National Mortgage Association

    0.000%           10/09/19           Aaa           495,576   
  2,205     

Federal National Mortgage Association

    1.500%           6/22/20           Aaa           2,178,421   
  710     

FICO STRIPS

    0.000%           5/02/17           Aaa           700,015   
  250     

Financing Corporation

    9.400%           2/08/18           Aaa           292,346   
  270     

Freddie Mac Reference Notes

    5.000%           12/14/18           Aa2           297,525   
  530     

Tennessee Valley Authority

    3.875%           2/15/21           Aaa           578,788   
  325     

U.S. Treasury Bonds

    8.750%           8/15/20           Aaa           425,924   
  535     

U.S. Treasury Bonds

    7.250%           8/15/22           Aaa           707,853   
  320     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    3.125%           5/15/19           Aaa           337,699   
  730     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    1.500%           11/30/19           Aaa           727,233   
  1,860     

U.S. Treasury Notes, (4)

    2.000%           7/31/20           Aaa           1,881,888   
  1,660     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.000%           11/30/20           Aaa           1,677,304   
  1,000     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.000%           2/28/21           Aaa           1,008,616   
  745     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.000%           11/15/21           Aaa           747,344   
  1,185     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.000%           2/15/22           Aaa           1,187,338   
  1,685     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    1.750%           5/15/23           Aaa           1,641,508   
  2,435     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.750%           11/15/23           Aaa           2,541,173   
  3,505     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.000%           2/15/25           Aaa           3,425,959   
  3,915     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.125%           5/15/25           Aaa           3,863,677   
  1,275     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.000%           8/15/25           Aaa           1,243,105   
  250     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.250%           11/15/25           Aaa           249,441   
  1,145     

U.S. Treasury Securities, Stripped Interest Payments

    0.000%           2/15/22           Aaa           1,005,395   
$ 43,300     

Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (cost $43,142,971)

  

                  43,525,886   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 31.7%                    
$ 497     

321 Henderson Receivables LLC, Series 2010-3A

    3.820%           12/15/48           Aaa         $ 509,479   
  597     

321 Henderson Receivables LLC., Series 2010-1A

    5.560%           7/15/59           Aaa           651,919   
  500     

Barclays Dryrock Issuance Trust 2014-1

    0.691%           12/16/19           AAA           499,515   
  307     

Colony American Homes Trust 2014-1A

    1.400%           5/17/31           Aaa           300,562   
  330     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2012-CR4

    1.801%           10/17/45           AAA           327,309   
  444     

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-2

    3.000%           2/25/45           AAA           446,411   

 

  64       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)                    
$ 218     

DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2011-LC3A

    3.642%           8/12/44           Aaa         $ 219,209   
  550     

Entergy New Orleans Store Recovery Funding LLC, Series 2015-1

    2.670%           6/01/27           AAA           561,145   
  801     

Fannie Mae Alternative Credit Enhanced Securities

    1.637%           11/25/17           Aaa           803,738   
  912     

Fannie Mae Alternative Credit Enhanced Securities

    0.484%           12/25/17           Aaa           910,790   
  349     

Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities, Series 2014-C02

    1.372%           5/28/24           Aaa           345,351   
  108     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254169

    6.500%           12/01/31           Aaa           124,609   
  70     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254179

    6.000%           1/01/22           Aaa           79,491   
  75     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254344

    6.500%           6/01/22           Aaa           85,648   
  35     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254373

    6.500%           7/01/17           Aaa           35,527   
  40     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254414

    7.000%           7/01/17           Aaa           40,506   
  69     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 254720

    4.500%           5/01/18           Aaa           71,064   
  838     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 467749

    3.240%           4/01/16           Aaa           837,036   
  4     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 580516

    5.500%           4/01/16           Aaa           3,815   
  69     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 596680

    7.000%           9/01/31           Aaa           77,500   
  211     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 596712

    6.500%           6/01/32           Aaa           235,065   
  41     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 656269

    6.000%           8/01/32           Aaa           46,006   
  20     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 673010

    5.500%           12/01/17           Aaa           20,396   
  46     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 695765

    5.500%           4/01/18           Aaa           47,626   
  110     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 725793

    5.500%           9/01/19           Aaa           115,313   
  171     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 745101

    6.000%           4/01/32           Aaa           190,336   
  132     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 848390

    2.086%           12/01/35           Aaa           138,304   
  184     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 886034

    2.820%           7/01/36           Aaa           196,394   
  80     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 887017

    6.500%           8/01/36           Aaa           92,527   
  254     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 913187

    2.489%           4/01/37           Aaa           271,109   
  502     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 914224

    2.360%           3/01/37           Aaa           534,957   
  139     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 928519

    7.000%           6/01/37           Aaa           153,493   
  138     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 995949

    2.573%           9/01/36           Aaa           146,591   
  574     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AB1959

    4.000%           12/01/40           Aaa           609,323   
  635     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AD0486

    2.470%           4/01/34           Aaa           671,269   
  58     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AE0981

    3.500%           3/01/41           Aaa           59,736   
  347     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AE4876

    3.500%           10/01/40           Aaa           358,603   
  48     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates

    1.083%           2/25/16           Aaa           48,107   
  301     

Fannie Mae REMIC Pass-Through Certificates 2002-W1 2A

    6.335%           2/25/42           Aaa           346,423   
  307     

Fannie Mae, Connecticut Avenue Securities, Series 2014-C03

    1.622%           7/25/24           Aaa           305,856   
  456     

FDIC Structures Sale Guaranteed Notes, Series 2010-S1

    3.250%           4/25/38           Aaa           465,637   
  656     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC

    0.581%           11/15/42           Aaa           653,872   
  311     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 1H1396

    2.500%           5/01/37           Aaa           329,255   
  440     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 780836

    2.468%           9/01/33           Aaa           466,613   

 

Nuveen Investments     65   


Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)                    
$ 265     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 848193

    2.404%           3/01/36           Aaa         $ 280,914   
  21     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various C35768

    7.500%           1/01/30           Aaa           22,533   
  49     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various G00876

    6.500%           1/01/28           Aaa           55,607   
  125     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various G01244

    6.500%           3/01/31           Aaa           145,024   
  206     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust 2013-KF02

    3.422%           12/25/45           AAA           211,168   
  385     

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series K701

    2.776%           6/26/17           Aaa           388,829   
  510     

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series K010 A1

    3.320%           7/25/20           Aaa           524,355   
  549     

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series K715

    2.059%           3/25/20           Aaa           554,634   
  16     

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates Series KF01

    0.772%           4/25/19           Aaa           16,400   
  440     

Freddie Mac Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series K-501

    1.655%           11/25/16           Aaa           440,932   
  597     

Freddie Mac Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series K-502 A2

    1.426%           8/25/17           AAA           597,081   
  726     

Freddie Mac Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series K008

    2.746%           12/25/19           Aaa           740,171   
  740     

Freddie Mac Whole Loan Securities Trust, Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-SC01

    3.500%           5/25/45           N/R           747,072   
  49     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 3120

    6.500%           8/20/31           Aaa           57,571   
  19     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 347332

    7.500%           12/15/22           Aaa           18,896   
  5     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 455304

    7.000%           9/15/27           Aaa           5,465   
  364     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 4946

    4.500%           2/20/41           Aaa           396,175   
  64     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 570134

    7.500%           12/15/31           Aaa           66,672   
  557     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 633605

    6.000%           9/15/34           Aaa           646,716   
  124     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 780825

    6.500%           7/15/28           Aaa           142,395   
  230     

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust 2013-C9

    0.825%           5/17/46           Aaa           228,775   
  350     

Origen Manufactured Housing Contract Trust Collateralized Notes Series 2005B

    5.990%           1/15/37           A+           365,909   
  376     

Structured Agency Credit Risk 2014-DN1

    1.221%           2/26/24           Aa3           376,030   
  434     

United States Department of Veterans, Affairs, Guaranteed REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, Vendee Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-1

    3.750%           2/15/35           Aaa           454,650   
  237     

U.S. Small Business Administration Guaranteed Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series 2008-10A

    5.902%           2/01/18           Aaa           251,977   
  337     

U.S. Small Business Administration Guaranteed Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series 2010-P10A

    4.108%           3/10/20           Aaa           352,962   
  497     

Centerpoint Energy Transition Bond Company LLC

    0.901%           4/15/18           AAA           496,106   
  394     

Entergy Arkansas Restoration Funding LLC, Senior Secured Storm Recovery Bonds, Series 2010-A

    2.300%           8/01/21           AAA           395,358   
$ 21,640     

Total Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $21,732,075)

  

       22,413,812   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $67,453,159)

  

                  68,509,670   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                            Value  
 

INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LENDING – 4.7%

  

         
      Money Market Funds – 4.7%                                 
  3,362,425     

Mount Vernon Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio, (6)

    0.472% (5)                               $ 3,362,425   
 

Total Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending (cost $3,362,425)

  

       3,362,425   

 

  66       Nuveen Investments


Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                        Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 1.9%

                
      Money Market Funds – 1.9%                             
  1,359,290     

First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class Z

    0.108% (5)                       $ 1,359,290   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $1,359,290)

                             1,359,290   
 

Total Investments (cost $72,174,874) – 103.6%

                             73,231,385   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (3.6)% (7)

                             (2,564,344)   
 

Net Assets – 100%

                           $ 70,667,041   

Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount at
Value*
     Variation Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note

       Short         (56      3/16       $ (6,625,937    $ (7,875    $ 12,085   

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note

       Short         (39      3/16         (4,910,344      (11,083      19,284   

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

       Long         10         3/16         1,537,500         5,000         (8,015
                                  $ (9,998,781    $ (13,958    $ 23,354   
* Total aggregate Notional Amount at Value of long and short positions is $1,537,500 and $(11,536,281), respectively.

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3) Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be subject to periodic principal paydowns.

 

(4) Investment, or a portion of investment, is out on loan for securities lending. The total value of the securities out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $3,246,704.

 

(5) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(6) The Fund may loan securities representing up to one third of the fair value of its total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks and other institutions. The Fund maintains collateral equal to at least 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned. The cash collateral received by the Fund is invested in this money market fund. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives, Securities Lending for more information.

 

(7) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     67   


Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 97.9%

          
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 45.0%

          
      Airlines – 1.3%                           
$ 2,221     

American Airlines Pass-Through Trust 2013-2C, 144A

    6.000%         1/15/17         BB       $ 2,264,677   
  1,987     

Delta Air Lines Pass-Through Certificates Series 2012-1A

    4.750%         5/07/20         A         2,096,162   
  1,402     

Delta Air Lines Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2012-1B, 144A

    6.875%         5/07/19         BBB         1,507,056   
  335     

Delta Airlines

    5.300%         4/15/19         A         355,450   
  972     

Northwest Airlines Trust Pass-Through Certificates 2007-1

    7.027%         11/01/19         A         1,082,648   
  823     

US Airways Pass-Through Trust

    7.076%         3/20/21         A         887,227   
  7,740     

Total Airlines

                               8,193,220   
      Auto Components – 0.1%                           
  853     

American & Axle Manufacturing Inc., (3)

    6.625%         10/15/22         BB–         893,518   
      Automobiles – 1.2%                           
  3,135     

Daimler Finance NA LLC, 144A

    1.875%         1/11/18         A–         3,122,664   
  2,000     

General Motors Financial Company Inc., (3)

    3.200%         7/13/20         BBB–         1,969,202   
  3,000     

Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC, 144A, (3)

    1.600%         11/20/17         A3         2,912,982   
  8,135     

Total Automobiles

                               8,004,848   
      Banks – 8.5%                           
  2,250     

Abbey National Treasury Services PLC of London

    3.050%         8/23/18         A1         2,309,137   
  7,820     

Bank of America Corporation

    5.650%         5/01/18         A         8,408,760   
  3,305     

Bank of Nova Scotia

    1.375%         12/18/17         Aa2         3,289,314   
  3,525     

BB&T Corporation

    1.450%         1/12/18         A+         3,502,119   
  2,000     

Credit Agricole SA, 144A, (3)

    3.000%         10/01/17         A         2,037,948   
  2,000     

Fifth Third Bancorp.

    4.500%         6/01/18         A–         2,106,348   
  7,600     

General Electric Capital Corporation

    5.625%         5/01/18         AA+         8,289,419   
  2,000     

HSBC USA Inc.

    1.625%         1/16/18         AA–         1,990,278   
  1,500     

ING Bank NV, 144A

    3.750%         3/07/17         A1         1,536,792   
  7,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.000%         1/15/18         A+         7,560,910   
  3,000     

KeyCorp.

    2.300%         12/13/18         A–         3,004,398   
  2,000     

Nordea Bank AB, 144A

    3.125%         3/20/17         AA–         2,039,528   
  2,000     

Societe Generale

    2.750%         10/12/17         A         2,027,842   
  6,105     

Wells Fargo & Company, (3)

    2.125%         4/22/19         AA–         6,109,457   
  52,105     

Total Banks

                               54,212,250   
      Beverages – 0.3%                           
  2,000     

Heineken NV, 144A

    1.400%         10/01/17         BBB+         1,992,094   
      Biotechnology – 0.4%                           
  1,000     

Baxalta Inc., 144A

    2.000%         6/22/18         BBB+         989,753   

 

  68       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Biotechnology (continued)                           
$ 1,665     

Biogen Inc.

    2.900%         9/15/20         A–       $ 1,661,345   
  2,665     

Total Biotechnology

                               2,651,098   
      Capital Markets – 3.6%                           
  2,840     

Deutsche Bank AG London

    2.500%         2/13/19         A3         2,861,578   
  8,660     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    6.150%         4/01/18         A         9,404,162   
  4,995     

Morgan Stanley

    5.950%         12/28/17         A         5,371,129   
  2,250     

Nomura Holdings Incorporated

    2.750%         3/19/19         BBB+         2,262,537   
  3,000     

UBS AG Stamford

    1.800%         3/26/18         A         2,995,164   
  21,745     

Total Capital Markets

                               22,894,570   
      Chemicals – 1.7%                           
  2,215     

Eastman Chemical Company

    2.700%         1/15/20         BBB         2,194,017   
  2,635     

Ecolab Inc.

    1.450%         12/08/17         BBB+         2,610,173   
  1,165     

Ineos Group Holdings SA, 144A, (3)

    6.125%         8/15/18         B–         1,153,350   
  2,000     

Petrologistics LP Finance Corporation

    6.250%         4/01/20         AA–         2,090,000   
  2,750     

Sherwin-Williams Company

    1.350%         12/15/17         A         2,726,760   
  10,765     

Total Chemicals

                               10,774,300   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.5%                           
  1,250     

ADT Corporation, (3)

    4.125%         4/15/19         BBB–         1,285,938   
  2,000     

ERAC USA Finance LLC, 144A

    2.800%         11/01/18         BBB+         2,013,446   
  3,250     

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                               3,299,384   
      Consumer Finance – 1.1%                           
  1,200     

Ally Financial Inc

    8.000%         12/31/18         BB         1,314,000   
  2,750     

American Express Company

    1.550%         5/22/18         A+         2,728,825   
  2,000     

Ford Motor Credit Company

    1.500%         1/17/17         BBB–         1,985,920   
  1,250     

Navient Corporation

    5.000%         10/26/20         BB         1,096,875   
  7,200     

Total Consumer Finance

                               7,125,620   
      Diversified Financial Services – 1.4%                           
  2,570     

BNP Paribas

    2.700%         8/20/18         A+         2,606,892   
  1,000     

Fly Leasing Limited

    6.750%         12/15/20         BB         1,024,850   
  1,000     

Rabobank Nederland Utrecht

    3.375%         1/19/17         Aa2         1,022,202   
  1,500     

Rabobank Nederland

    2.250%         1/14/19         Aa2         1,504,830   
  1,000     

Synchrony Financial

    1.875%         8/15/17         BBB–         995,396   
  1,575     

Voya Financial Inc.

    2.900%         2/15/18         BBB         1,592,309   
  8,645     

Total Diversified Financial Services

                               8,746,479   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.9%                           
  2,300     

AT&T, Inc.

    1.400%         12/01/17         A–         2,289,482   
  1,250     

Frontier Communications Corporation

    8.125%         10/01/18         BB         1,290,625   
  3,420     

SBA Tower Trust, 144A

    3.598%         4/15/43         BBB         3,408,104   

 

Nuveen Investments     69   


Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)  
$ 4,730     

Verizon Communications

    3.650%         9/14/18         A–       $ 4,947,055   
  11,700     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               11,935,266   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.5%                           
  2,000     

Regency Energy Partners Finance

    6.500%         7/15/21         BBB–         2,010,000   
  1,000     

SESI, LLC

    7.125%         12/15/21         BBB–         890,000   
  3,000     

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                               2,900,000   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 1.0%                           
  1,250     

Supervalu Inc.

    6.750%         6/01/21         B         1,131,250   
  2,015     

Sysco Corporation

    2.600%         10/01/20         A2         2,018,992   
  3,050     

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    1.750%         11/17/17         BBB         3,044,208   
  6,315     

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                               6,194,450   
      Food Products – 1.6%                           
  2,175     

Bunge Limited Finance Company, (3)

    3.500%         11/24/20         BBB         2,163,853   
  1,065     

Kraft Heinz Foods Company, 144A

    2.000%         7/02/18         BBB–         1,061,194   
  2,500     

Mondelez International Inc.

    2.250%         2/01/19         Baa1         2,499,428   
  2,500     

Tyson Foods

    2.650%         8/15/19         BBB         2,502,010   
  2,000     

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, 144A

    2.900%         10/21/19         A–         2,019,212   
  10,240     

Total Food Products

                               10,245,697   
      Gas Utilities – 0.3%                           
  1,000     

AmeriGas Finance LLC

    6.750%         5/20/20         Ba2         972,500   
  1,300     

Ferrellgas LP

    8.625%         6/15/20         B–         1,222,000   
  2,300     

Total Gas Utilities

                               2,194,500   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.5%                           
  3,260     

Becton Dickinson & Company

    1.800%         12/15/17         BBB+         3,255,436   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 1.9%                           
  3,000     

Aetna Inc.

    1.500%         11/15/17         A         2,988,627   
  3,000     

Cardinal Health Inc.

    2.400%         11/15/19         A–         2,999,949   
  1,500     

HCA Inc.

    4.250%         10/15/19         BBB–         1,530,000   
  1,300     

Iasis Healthcare Capital Corporation

    8.375%         5/15/19         CCC+         1,196,000   
  1,750     

Wellpoint Inc.

    1.875%         1/15/18         A         1,742,578   
  1,500     

Zoetis Incorporated

    1.875%         2/01/18         Baa2         1,479,914   
  12,050     

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                               11,937,068   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.4%                           
  1,100     

International Game Technology

    7.500%         6/15/19         BB+         1,176,780   
  1,250     

MGM Resorts International Inc., (3)

    6.750%         10/01/20         BB         1,284,375   
  2,350     

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                               2,461,155   
      Household Durables – 0.1%                           
  750     

William Lyon Homes Incorporated

    8.500%         11/15/20         B–         793,125   

 

  70       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.1%  
$ 800     

Dynegy Inc., (3)

    6.750%         11/01/19         B+       $ 752,000   
      Insurance – 0.9%                           
  2,700     

Prudential Financial Inc.

    6.000%         12/01/17         A         2,899,468   
  1,000     

Security Benefit Life Insurance Company, 144A

    8.750%         5/15/16         BBB         1,022,938   
  2,000     

Sirius International Group Limited, 144A

    6.375%         3/20/17         BBB         2,042,996   
  5,700     

Total Insurance

                               5,965,402   
      IT Services – 0.5%                           
  3,490     

Visa Inc.

    2.200%         12/14/20         A+         3,487,348   
      Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.4%                           
  2,520     

Thermo Fischer Scientific Inc.

    1.300%         2/01/17         BBB         2,511,057   
      Machinery – 0.1%                           
  750     

BlueLine Rental Finance Corporation, 144A, (3)

    7.000%         2/01/19         B+         675,000   
      Media – 2.9%                           
  2,600     

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC, 144A

    6.100%         2/15/18         BBB         2,799,987   
  2,000     

CCO Safari II LLC, 144A

    3.579%         7/23/20         BBB–         1,988,544   
  4,000     

Comcast Corporation, (3)

    5.875%         2/15/18         A–         4,357,088   
  3,370     

DIRECTV Holdings LLC

    2.400%         3/15/17         A–         3,397,230   
  1,600     

Discovery Communications Inc.

    5.625%         8/15/19         Baa2         1,741,222   
  1,500     

Dish DBS Corporation

    4.250%         4/01/18         BB–         1,503,750   
  1,500     

Numericable Group SA, 144A

    4.875%         5/15/19         B+         1,486,875   
  1,000     

Thomson Reuters Corporation

    1.300%         2/23/17         BBB+         995,272   
  17,570     

Total Media

                               18,269,968   
      Metals & Mining – 1.2%                           
  1,250     

Alcoa Inc.

    6.150%         8/15/20         BBB–         1,290,625   
  1,250     

ArcelorMittal

    5.250%         2/25/17         BB+         1,207,375   
  1,462     

Freeport-McMoran Oil & Gas LLC / FCX Oil & Gas Inc.

    6.125%         6/15/19         BBB         1,068,137   
  2,500     

Nucor Corporation

    5.850%         6/01/18         A–         2,676,523   
  1,735     

Rio Tinto Finance USA PLC

    1.625%         8/21/17         A–         1,710,181   
  8,197     

Total Metals & Mining

                               7,952,841   
      Multi-Utilities – 0.4%                           
  2,665     

Sempra Energy

    2.300%         4/01/17         BBB+         2,680,454   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 3.2%                           
  1,000     

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

    6.375%         9/15/17         BBB         1,048,601   
  645     

Calumet Specialty Products, (3)

    6.500%         4/15/21         B+         561,150   
  3,000     

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

    1.750%         1/15/18         BBB+         2,918,304   
  2,000     

CNOOC Finance 2014 ULC

    1.625%         4/30/17         AA–         1,988,430   
  2,000     

Kinder Morgan Inc., Delaware

    7.000%         6/15/17         BBB–         2,060,212   

 

Nuveen Investments     71   


Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                           
$ 4,345     

Phillips 66

    2.950%         5/01/17         A3       $ 4,403,983   
  750     

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC

    5.625%         2/01/21         BB+         690,000   
  3,000     

Sinopec Group Overseas Development 2014 Limited, 144A

    1.101%         4/10/17         AA–         2,995,383   
  1,370     

Spectra Energy Partners LP

    2.950%         9/25/18         BBB         1,346,270   
  1,780     

SunCor Energy Inc.

    6.100%         6/01/18         A–         1,914,696   
  1,000     

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

    5.000%         3/15/19         BB–         755,000   
  20,890     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               20,682,029   
      Paper & Forest Products – 0.2%                           
  1,000     

Mercer International Inc.

    7.000%         12/01/19         B+         1,002,500   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.6%                           
  3,540     

McKesson Corporation

    1.292%         3/10/17         BBB+         3,530,166   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 1.5%                           
  2,000     

American Tower Company

    4.500%         1/15/18         BBB         2,085,812   
  2,000     

First Industrial Realty Trust

    5.950%         5/15/17         BBB–         2,099,304   
  1,145     

Gaming and Leisure Products Inc., GLP Capital LP Financing II Inc., (3)

    4.375%         11/01/18         BBB–         1,133,550   
  2,605     

Realty Income Corporation

    2.000%         1/31/18         BBB+         2,606,448   
  2,000     

Ventas Realty LP

    2.000%         2/15/18         BBB+         1,990,436   
  9,750     

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

                               9,915,550   
      Software – 1.3%                           
  3,130     

CA Inc.

    2.875%         8/15/18         BBB+         3,142,705   
  3,460     

Symantec Corporation

    2.750%         6/15/17         BBB         3,455,412   
  2,000     

Total System Services Inc.

    2.375%         6/01/18         BBB+         1,979,358   
  8,590     

Total Software

                               8,577,475   
      Specialty Retail – 0.3%                           
  2,020     

Hyundai Capital America, 144A

    2.400%         10/30/18         A–         2,013,916   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.9%  
  2,720     

Apple Inc.

    2.100%         5/06/19         AA+         2,752,460   
  1,875     

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co, 144A

    2.850%         10/05/18         A–         1,874,318   
  1,000     

Seagate HDD Cayman

    3.750%         11/15/18         BBB–         992,697   
  5,595     

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                               5,619,475   
      Tobacco – 0.8%                           
  2,000     

BAT International Finance PLC, 144A

    2.125%         6/07/17         A–         2,012,588   
  3,000     

Reynolds American Inc., (3)

    2.300%         8/21/17         BBB–         3,023,586   
  5,000     

Total Tobacco

                               5,036,174   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.2%                           
  1,500     

Air Lease Corporation

    2.625%         9/04/18         BBB–         1,483,023   
      Transportation Infrastructure – 0.3%                           
  2,000     

Aviation Capital Group Corporation, 144A

    2.875%         9/17/18         BBB–         1,988,524   

 

  72       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.9%  
$ 1,250     

Softbank Corporation, 144A, (3)

    4.500%         4/15/20         BB+       $ 1,243,750   
  1,000     

T-Mobile USA Inc.

    6.464%         4/28/19         BB         1,029,819   
  3,480     

Vodafone Group PLC

    1.500%         2/19/18         BBB+         3,441,545   
  5,730     

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                               5,715,114   
$ 284,375     

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $291,405,283)

                               288,562,094   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 0.5%

  

      Banks – 0.5%                           
$ 3,000     

Citigroup Inc.

    8.400%         N/A (4)         BB+       $ 3,268,500   
$ 3,000     

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $3,463,307)

  

                       3,268,500   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)           Optional Call
Provisions (5)
     Ratings (2)      Value  
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 2.1%

          
      California – 0.2%                           
$ 1,015     

California State, General Obligation Bonds, Various Purpose Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010, 5.750%, 3/01/17

             No Opt. Call         AA–       $ 1,069,313   
      Guam – 0.4%                           
 

Government of Guam, Business Privilege Tax Bonds, Taxable Series 2012B-2:

          
  1,155     

2.933%, 1/01/17

       No Opt. Call        A         1,152,782   
  1,190     

3.301%, 1/01/18

             No Opt. Call         A         1,181,610   
  2,345     

Total Guam

                               2,334,392   
      Massachusetts – 0.4%                           
  2,750     

University of Massachusetts Building Authority, Project Revenue Bonds, Senior Series 2014-2, 1.185%, 11/01/17

             No Opt. Call         Aa2         2,745,738   
      Nevada – 0.4%                           
  2,500     

Las Vegas Valley Water District, Nevada, General Obligation Bonds, Refunding Series 2011B, 3.176%, 6/01/17

             No Opt. Call         AA+         2,560,275   
      Ohio – 0.3%                           
  1,470     

Ohio State, General Obligation Bonds, Higher Education, Build America Bond Series 2010E, 3.328%, 8/01/17 – AGM Insured

             No Opt. Call         AA+         1,513,659   
      Pennsylvania – 0.2%                           
  1,500     

Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, Pennsylvania, Tax Revenue Bonds, Taxable Series 2012B, 4.120%, 5/01/16

             No Opt. Call         Baa2         1,506,285   
      Texas – 0.2%                           
  1,500     

Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport Facility Improvement Corporation, Texas, Revenue Bonds, Learjet Inc., Series 2001A-1, 6.150%, 1/01/16 (Alternative Minimum Tax)

             No Opt. Call         B2         1,500,000   
$ 13,080     

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $13,155,464)

                               13,229,662   

 

Nuveen Investments     73   


Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 5.4%                       
$ 5,000     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    0.625%         8/31/2017         Aaa       $ 4,968,155   
  6,000     

U.S. Treasury Notes, (3)

    0.875%         11/30/2017         Aaa         5,983,212   
  14,045     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    0.750%         12/31/2017         Aaa         13,951,250   
  10,000     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    1.375%         6/30/2018         Aaa         10,040,980   
$ 35,045     

Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (cost $35,062,108)

  

                       34,943,597   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 44.4%  
$ 573     

ACE Securities Corporation, Manufactured Housing Trust Series 2003-MH1

    6.500%         8/15/30         AA       $ 625,518   
  3,718     

American Homes 4 Rent, Series 2014-SFR1

    1.676%         6/17/31         Aaa         3,643,160   
  5,170     

American Tower Company, 144A

    1.551%         3/15/43         Aaa         5,049,250   
  4,271     

AmeriCold LLC Trust, Series 2010

    2.500%         1/14/29         AAA         4,239,872   
  358     

Amortizing Residential Collateral Trust Series 2002-BC4 M1

    1.477%         7/25/32         Baa2         351,423   
  1,892     

Amortizing Residential Collateral Trust, Series 2002-BC7

    1.187%         10/25/32         Aa1         1,746,946   
  3,000     

Barclays Commercial Mortgage, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-STP

    4.427%         9/10/28         A–         3,018,657   
  2,415     

BXHTL Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-JWRZ

    1.656%         5/15/29         AAA         2,393,045   
  3,000     

Cabela’s Master Credit Card Trust, Series 2011-A2

    0.961%         2/18/20         AAA         3,002,219   
  638     

California Republic Auto Receivables Trust 2013-2

    1.230%         3/15/19         Aaa         636,250   
  3,250     

California Republic Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2015-1

    1.330%         4/15/19         AAA         3,232,717   
  3,154     

CAM Mortgage Trust 2015-1

    3.500%         7/15/64         N/R         3,151,572   
  4,355     

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Asset Backed Notes, Series 2014-1

    1.320%         6/20/18         AAA         4,353,280   
  2,494     

Capital One Multi Asset Execution Trust, Series 2015-A1

    1.390%         1/15/21         AAA         2,480,185   
  1,123     

Centerpoint Energy Transition Bond Company LLC

    0.901%         4/15/18         AAA         1,119,653   
  4,500     

CitiBank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2014-A6

    2.150%         7/15/21         Aaa         4,522,309   
  131     

Citicorp Mortgage Securities I, REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-9

    5.500%         12/25/22         Ba1         130,792   
  254     

Citicorp Mortgage Securities Inc., REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-1 5A1

    5.500%         2/25/26         Caa1         258,231   
  2,960     

Colony American Homes Trust 2015-1A

    2.376%         7/17/32         A2         2,846,222   
  6,300     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-SAVA

    2.176%         6/15/34         AA         6,280,183   
  4,470     

Commercial Mortgage Trust 2014-BBG

    1.226%         3/15/29         AAA         4,421,968   
  1,514     

Consumer Credit Orgination Loan Trust, Series 2015-1

    2.820%         3/15/21         Baa3         1,514,193   
  6,528     

Consumers Securitization Funding LLC, Series 2014-A

    1.334%         11/01/20         AAA         6,466,687   
  583     

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-19CB

    6.000%         8/25/36         Caa3         532,081   
  1,016     

Countrywide Asset Backed Certificates 2005-3

    5.184%         8/25/35         A+         1,021,462   
  1,787     

Countrywide Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2007-4 A2

    5.374%         4/25/47         Caa1         1,946,614   
  174     

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, Series 2004-2

    2.438%         2/25/34         BB+         168,084   
  1,900     

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2014-ICE

    1.976%         4/15/27         A–         1,879,186   

 

  74       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)  
$ 5,461     

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-2

    3.000%         2/25/45         AAA       $ 5,486,799   
  5,178     

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-6

    2.500%         7/25/28         AAA         5,127,258   
  439     

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corporation, Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2003-23

    5.750%         9/25/33         AA+         465,015   
  3,140     

Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization Pool 2007-SP1

    6.020%         12/25/37         A+         3,275,963   
  1,876     

DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2011-LC3A

    3.642%         8/10/44         Aaa         1,882,849   
  4,900     

Discover Card Execution Note Trust 2012-A6

    1.670%         1/18/22         AAA         4,833,968   
  4,000     

Discover Card Master Trust 2013-A1

    0.731%         8/17/20         AAA         3,993,070   
  1,010     

Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2015-AA

    1.010%         11/15/17         AAA         1,009,132   
  2,517     

DT Auto Owner Trust, Series 2014-3A

    0.980%         4/16/18         AAA         2,512,076   
  5,818     

Entergy Arkansas Restoration Funding LLC, Senior Secured Storm Recovery Bonds, Series 2010-A

    2.300%         8/01/21         AAA         5,848,744   
  3,746     

Entergy Louisiana Investment Recovery Funding LLC, Series 2011-A

    2.040%         9/01/23         AAA         3,731,327   
  721     

Fannie Mae Alternative Credit Enhanced Securities

    2.210%         9/25/20         Aaa         731,871   
  2,876     

Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities , Series 2014-C04

    2.377%         11/25/24         AAA         2,890,145   
  644     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Interest Strips 366 25, (I/O)

    5.000%         9/25/24         Aaa         43,864   
  95     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 433988

    2.395%         11/01/25         Aaa         99,410   
  405     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 535363

    5.122%         12/01/31         Aaa         429,609   
  38     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 545717

    2.260%         5/01/32         Aaa         38,597   
  8     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 545791

    2.495%         3/01/32         Aaa         8,047   
  98     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 555369

    2.527%         8/01/36         Aaa         105,050   
  90     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 625338

    2.327%         6/01/31         Aaa         93,474   
  112     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 634948

    2.540%         5/01/32         Aaa         116,313   
  16     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 661645

    2.454%         10/01/32         Aaa         16,523   
  40     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 671884

    2.490%         12/01/32         Aaa         41,142   
  804     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 725721

    2.389%         6/01/34         Aaa         854,499   
  754     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 745922

    2.453%         7/01/35         Aaa         799,568   
  60     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 775389

    2.635%         4/01/34         Aaa         62,217   
  737     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 795242

    2.167%         7/01/34         Aaa         762,913   
  790     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 797182

    2.567%         11/01/34         Aaa         832,833   
  75     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 838948

    2.053%         8/01/35         Aaa         78,091   
  547     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 838958

    2.260%         8/01/35         Aaa         577,159   
  682     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 841068

    2.638%         11/01/34         Aaa         721,175   
  352     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 848390

    2.103%         12/01/35         Aaa         368,811   
  378     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 886034

    2.836%         7/01/36         Aaa         403,500   
  345     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 995949

    2.582%         9/01/36         Aaa         366,477   
  1,011     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AD0486

    2.498%         4/01/34         Aaa         1,068,746   
  928     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AD0550

    2.367%         8/01/37         Aaa         980,643   
  1,326     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AE0058

    2.504%         7/01/36         Aaa         1,400,737   

 

Nuveen Investments     75   


Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)  
$ 1,166     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AL2720

    3.000%         11/01/27         Aaa       $ 1,207,007   
  19     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 1992-150 MA

    5.500%         9/25/22         Aaa         20,453   
  397     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through Certificates 2004-90 GF

    0.727%         11/25/34         Aaa         398,204   
  234     

Fannie Mae Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit, Pass-Through CertificatesA 2013-M3 ASQ2

    1.083%         2/25/16         Aaa         233,661   
  538     

Fannie Mae REMIC Pass-Through Certificates 2011-6 BA

    2.750%         6/25/20         Aaa         545,373   
  2,638     

Fannie Mae, Connecticut Avenue Securities Series 2014-C01

    2.027%         1/25/24         AA+         2,642,287   
  3,008     

Fannie Mae, Connecticut Avenue Securities, Series 2014-C03

    1.627%         7/25/24         Aaa         2,997,389   
  1,791     

FDIC Structures Sale Guaranteed Notes, Series 2010-S1

    3.250%         4/25/38         Aaa         1,829,522   
  528     

FDIC Structures Sale Guaranteed Notes, Series 2010-S1

    0.978%         2/25/48         Aaa         527,946   
  6     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, REMIC 1022 J

    6.000%         12/15/20         Aaa         6,285   
  2,500     

Fifth Third Auto Trust, Series 2013 A B

    1.210%         4/15/19         AAA         2,487,360   
  936     

Ford Credit Auto Owners Trust 2013-B

    0.570%         10/15/17         AAA         935,068   
  346     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 780456

    2.472%         5/01/33         Aaa         366,006   
  644     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 780911

    2.526%         10/01/33         Aaa         683,176   
  745     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 781296

    2.498%         3/01/34         Aaa         784,525   
  196     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 786591

    2.644%         12/01/26         Aaa         203,009   
  92     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 786853

    2.385%         10/01/29         Aaa         94,551   
  130     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 846946

    2.485%         1/01/29         Aaa         136,401   
  36     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847014

    2.360%         5/01/30         Aaa         36,735   
  67     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847063

    2.667%         10/01/32         Aaa         71,589   
  577     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847241

    2.449%         10/01/30         Aaa         596,066   
  848     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847331

    2.480%         8/01/32         Aaa         891,754   
  63     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847367

    2.341%         6/01/31         Aaa         66,269   
  317     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847652

    2.436%         9/01/32         Aaa         327,203   
  1,065     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 848193

    2.557%         3/01/36         Aaa         1,129,492   
  168     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 972055

    3.698%         4/01/30         Aaa         178,389   
  67     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various M30035

    4.500%         4/01/22         Aaa         70,325   
  2,082     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust 2013-KF02

    3.427%         12/25/45         AAA         2,139,102   
  1,000     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust, Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2012-K711

    3.684%         8/25/45         Aaa         1,011,389   
  563     

Freddie Mac Multi-Class Certificates 3780 FE

    0.827%         12/15/20         Aaa         566,640   
  4,075     

Freddie Mac MultiFamily Mortgage Trust, Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2012-K501

    3.517%         11/25/46         AAA         4,086,177   
  2,960     

Freddie Mac MultiFamily Mortgage Trust, Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-K502

    3.291%         3/25/45         AAA         2,982,589   
  495     

Freddie Mac Non Gold Participation Certificates 1L1462

    2.479%         8/01/36         Aaa         521,788   
  3,500     

GAHR Commercial Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-NRF

    1.726%         12/15/16         AAA         3,488,035   

 

  76       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)  
$ 2,500     

General Electric Capital Commercial Mortgage Corporation, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-C1

    5.606%         12/10/49         Ba3       $ 2,542,043   
  2,790     

General Electric Capital Credit Card Master Trust, Series 2012-6

    1.360%         8/17/20         AAA         2,776,052   
  2,000     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Corporation II, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-GSFL

    2.676%         7/15/31         A–         1,956,466   
  2,378     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Corporation II, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-GSFL

    1.426%         7/15/31         AAA         2,372,695   
  1,900     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Corporation II, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2010-C1

    3.679%         8/10/43         Aaa         1,944,969   
  990     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Corporation II, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2011-GC3

    3.645%         3/10/44         Aaa         988,784   
  2,099     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Corporation, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2011-GC5

    2.999%         8/10/44         Aaa         2,109,442   
  67     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 8006

    1.875%         7/20/22         Aaa         68,529   
  15     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 80106

    1.875%         8/20/27         Aaa         15,475   
  22     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 80154

    1.750%         1/20/28         Aaa         22,111   
  61     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 80283

    1.750%         5/20/29         Aaa         62,453   
  106     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 80469

    2.000%         11/20/30         Aaa         110,452   
  37     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 80507

    1.750%         4/20/31         Aaa         38,142   
  129     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 80535

    1.875%         8/20/31         Aaa         133,706   
  23     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 80580

    1.750%         2/20/32         Aaa         23,825   
  52     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 8699

    1.875%         9/20/25         Aaa         53,379   
  48     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 8824

    2.000%         8/20/21         Aaa         50,278   
  41     

Government National Mortgage Association Pool 8847

    1.750%         4/20/26         Aaa         42,745   
  190     

Government National Mortgage Association, Guaranteed REMIC Pass-Through Securities and MX Securities TrustR 2009-62 EJ

    4.500%         5/16/38         Aaa         195,561   
  2,025     

GP Portfolio Trust 2014-GPP A

    3.176%         2/15/27         BBB–         2,011,391   
  3,000     

Green Tree Agency Advance Funding Trust, Manufactured Housing Contract Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-T2

    3.687%         10/15/48         AA         2,968,350   
  4,500     

Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corporation, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2007-GG9

    5.475%         3/10/39         BBB         4,603,517   
  3,100     

Huntington Auto Trust, Motor Vehicle Installment Payments, Series 2015-1

    1.950%         6/15/21         AA+         3,066,932   
  2,500     

Hyatt Hotel Portfolio Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate, Series 2015-HYT

    2.126%         11/15/29         AA–         2,509,497   
  669     

IMC Home Mortgage Company, Home Equity Loan Pass-Through Certificates, Series 1998-3

    6.720%         8/20/29         AA         684,950   
  4,196     

Impac Secured Assets Corporation, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-5 2A

    0.627%         12/25/36         Baa2         3,944,599   
  218     

IndyMac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR1

    2.535%         3/25/35         BBB+         217,325   
  2,500     

Invitation Homes Trust 2013-SFR1

    2.577%         12/17/30         Baa2         2,421,622   
  4,680     

Invitation Homes Trust 2013-SFR1

    1.777%         12/17/30         Aa2         4,546,525   

 

Nuveen Investments     77   


Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)  
$ 2,500     

Invitation Homes Trust 2014-SFR1

    3.026%         6/17/31         Baa2       $ 2,463,470   
  3,787     

Invitation Homes Trust 2014-SFR2

    2.026%         9/17/31         Aa2         3,710,907   
  2,000     

Invitation Homes Trust 2014-SFR2

    1.526%         9/17/31         Aaa         1,962,977   
  2,000     

John Deere Owner Trust, Series 2015-A

    1.320%         6/17/19         Aaa         1,989,296   
  95     

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corporation, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2010-C1

    3.853%         6/15/43         Aaa         94,499   
  188     

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corporation, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2010-C2 A1

    2.749%         11/15/43         AAA         188,085   
  3,000     

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corporation, Pass-Through Certificates 2006-LDP6

    5.565%         4/15/43         Baa3         3,010,952   
  4,999     

JPMorgan Madison Avenue Securities Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-1

    2.677%         11/25/24         BBB–         5,011,606   
  2,888     

Master Resecuritization Trust 2009-1

    6.000%         10/25/36         A         3,018,951   
  2,750     

ML_CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-8

    5.887%         8/12/49         BB         2,819,181   
  34     

Mortgage Asset Securitization Transaction Inc., Alternative Loan Trust Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-13

    8.000%         1/25/35         BB         34,034   
  821     

National Credit Union Administration, Guaranteed Notes Series 2011-R1

    0.879%         1/08/20         Aaa         823,942   
  54     

National Credit Union Administration, Guaranteed Notes, Series 2010-R1

    1.840%         10/07/20         Aaa         54,376   
  1,300     

Nationstar Agency Fund Trust, Series 2013-T2A

    4.212%         2/18/48         BBB         1,303,562   
  2,400     

New Residential Advance Receivable Trust, Series 2015-T2

    3.302%         8/17/48         AAA         2,383,230   
  3,147     

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-2A

    3.750%         5/25/54         AAA         3,196,030   
  1,504     

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-A1

    3.750%         5/28/52         Aaa         1,538,780   
  1,977     

NLY Commercial Mortgage Trust 2014-FL1

    3.026%         11/15/30         A–         1,969,132   
  2,350     

OMART Receivables Trust, Series 2015-T3

    3.211%         11/15/47         AAA         2,342,919   
  3,500     

Opteum Mortgage Acceptance Corporation, Asset Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-1

    1.282%         2/25/35         AA–         3,355,433   
  2,761     

PennyMac Loan Trust, Series 2015-NPL1

    4.000%         3/25/55         N/R         2,746,364   
  357     

RBSSP Resecuritization Trust 2009-10

    0.522%         3/26/37         N/R         161,121   
  1,666     

RBSSP Resecuritization Trust 2009-5

    0.922%         8/26/37         BBB         1,584,835   
  2,171     

RBSSP Resecuritization Trust, Series 2012-8 1A1

    0.525%         10/26/36         N/R         2,098,284   
  4,400     

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2014-1

    1.590%         10/15/18         AAA         4,398,134   
  4,205     

Social Professional Loan Program LLC, Series 2015-C

    2.510%         8/25/33         Aa2         4,121,992   
  108     

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-11

    2.621%         8/25/34         N/R         107,746   
  2,634     

Structured Agency Credit Risk 2014-DN1

    1.427%         2/25/24         Aa3         2,632,209   
  3,271     

Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2013-DN2

    1.877%         11/25/23         A2         3,271,325   
  500     

Sway Residential Trust, Series 2014-1

    4.726%         1/17/32         N/R         496,647   
  238     

Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust, Mortgage Loan Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-4

    6.082%         9/25/37         BBB+         246,657   

 

  78       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)         
$ 901     

Truman Capital Mortgage Loant Trust, Series 2014-NPL3

    3.125%         4/25/53         N/R       $ 897,599   
  1     

U.S. Small Business Administration Guaranteed Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series 2006-10A

    5.408%         2/10/16         Aaa         1,028   
  95     

U.S. Small Business Administration Guaranteed Participating Securities, Participation Certificates, Series 2007-10A

    5.459%         2/10/17         Aaa         98,866   
  1,685     

UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust 2012-C2

    1.006%         5/10/63         Aaa         1,680,135   
  2,239     

US Residential Opportunity Fund Trust, Series 2015-1A

    3.721%         1/27/35         N/R         2,224,854   
  2,006     

Vericrest Opportunity Loan Transferee, Series 2014-NPL8

    3.375%         10/26/54         N/R         1,986,831   
  2,857     

Vornado DP LLC Commercial Mortgage Credit Tenant Lease Series 2010-VNO

    2.970%         9/13/28         AAA         2,928,216   
  3,109     

Walter Investment Management Company Capital Trust, Series 2012-AA

    4.549%         10/16/50         BBB         3,125,640   
  5,688     

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-LC22

    1.639%         9/15/58         Aaa         5,633,100   
  2,002     

Wells Fargo Home Equity Trust, Series 2005-2

    0.967%         4/25/35         AA         1,898,769   
  385     

Wells Fargo Mortagge Backed Securities Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2007-2

    5.750%         3/25/37         Caa2         375,555   
  829     

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2006-AR14

    2.743%         10/25/36         Caa2         769,412   
  19     

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities, 2005-AR16 Class 3A2

    2.710%         3/25/35         A+         18,713   
$ 285,599     

Total Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $285,721,499)

  

              284,608,348   
Principal
Amount (000) (6)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

SOVEREIGN DEBT – 0.5%

          
      Mexico – 0.5%                           
  495  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    6.250%         6/16/16         A       $ 2,905,190   
 

Total Sovereign Debt (cost $3,681,949)

                               2,905,190   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $632,489,610)

  

              627,517,391   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                      Value  
 

INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LENDING – 3.3%

  

      Money Market Funds – 3.3%                           
  21,320,187     

Mount Vernon Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio, (8)

    0.108% (7)                         $ 21,320,187   
 

Total Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending (cost $21,320,187)

  

              21,320,187   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                      Value  
      SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 1.7%                           
 

Money Market Funds – 1.7%

          
  10,997,768     

First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class Z

    0.473% (7)                         $ 10,997,768   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $10,997,768)

  

     10,997,768   
 

Total Investments (cost $664,807,565) – 102.9%

  

     659,835,346   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (2.9)% (9)

  

     (18,387,280
 

Net Assets – 100%

  

   $ 641,448,066   

 

Nuveen Investments     79   


Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts outstanding:

 

Counterparty      Currency Contracts to Deliver    Notional
Amount
(Local Currency)
     In Exchange
For Currency
   Notional
Amount
(Local Currency)
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
Depreciation)
(U.S. Dollars)
 
Bank of America, N.A.      Mexican Peso      50,300,000       U.S. Dollar      2,943,414         1/29/16       $ 31,146   

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount at
Value
     Variation Margin
Receivable/
Payable
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note        Short         (291      3/16       $ (34,431,211    $ (40,922    $ 94,258   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3) Investment, or a portion of investment, is out on loan for securities lending. The total value of the securities out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $20,636,440.

 

(4) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(5) Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be subject to periodic principal paydowns.

 

(6) Principal Amount (000) denominated in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

(7) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(8) The Fund may loan securities representing up to one third of the fair value of its total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks and other institutions. The Fund maintains collateral equal to at least 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned. The cash collateral received by the Fund is invested in this money market fund. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives, Securities Lending for more information.

 

(9) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

I/O Interest only security.

 

MXN Mexican Peso

 

144A Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  80       Nuveen Investments


Statement of

  Assets and Liabilities   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

     Core
Bond
    Core Plus
Bond
    Inflation
Protected
Securities
    Intermediate
Government
Bond
    Short Term
Bond
 

Assets

         

Long-term investments, at value (cost $186,709,342, $437,682,106, $399,115,079, $67,453,159 and $632,489,610, respectively)

  $ 186,957,459      $ 430,221,309      $ 392,946,249      $ 68,509,670      $ 627,517,391   

Investments purchased with collateral from securities lending, at value (cost approximates value)

    8,950,753        40,469,109        3,513,550        3,362,425        21,320,187   

Short-term investments, at value (cost approximates value)

    12,208,240        24,964,422        2,580,386        1,359,290        10,997,768   

Cash collateral at brokers(1)

    255,000        222,247        309,000        82,700        290,000   

Cash denominated in foreign currencies (cost $—, $266,728, $—, $— and $301, respectively)

           260,558                      299   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

           404,557                      31,146   

Receivable for:

       

Dividends

                  3,958                 

Due from broker

    3,340        18,576        1,290        605        11,655   

Interest

    1,354,788        4,389,336        1,415,013        311,127        3,172,312   

Investments sold

    33,908        24,181               11,467        203,701   

Reclaims

           24,473                        

Shares sold

    1,311,358        329,852        2,141,746        811,731        1,241,404   

Variation margin on futures contracts

    46,000        19,000        56,302        5,000          

Variation margin on swap contracts

           951,520                        

Other assets

    46,657        59,090        51,515        28,408        73,604   

Total assets

    211,167,503        502,358,230        403,019,009        74,482,423        664,859,467   

Liabilities

       

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps

           187,101                        

Payable for:

       

Collateral from securities lending program

    8,950,753        40,469,109        3,513,550        3,362,425        21,320,187   

Dividends

    223,431        809,702               51,179        583,979   

Investments purchased

    6,795,523        24,567,167               250,245          

Shares redeemed

    665,850        2,335,900        1,138,576        65,756        1,030,411   

Variation margin on futures contracts

    61,517        98,234        70,969        18,958        40,922   

Accrued expenses:

         

Management fees

    66,023        146,185        86,447        20,339        195,884   

Directors fees

    18,137        28,166        15,142        373        37,320   

12b-1 distribution and service fees

    3,935        25,584        26,306        3,409        48,325   

Other

    64,333        154,782        242,834        42,698        154,373   

Total liabilities

    16,849,502        68,821,930        5,093,824        3,815,382        23,411,401   

Net assets

  $ 194,318,001      $ 433,536,300      $ 397,925,185      $ 70,667,041      $ 641,448,066   

(1) – Cash pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     81   


Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited) (continued)

 

      Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 

Class A Shares

                      

Net assets

   $ 13,877,486         $ 63,942,056         $ 59,670,676         $ 11,455,780         $ 95,315,739   

Shares outstanding

     1,427,717           5,980,467           5,596,873           1,308,315           9,717,517   

Net asset value (“NAV”) per share

   $ 9.72         $ 10.69         $ 10.66         $ 8.76         $ 9.81   

Offering price per share (NAV per share plus maximum sales charge of 3.00%, 4.25%, 4.25%, 3.00% and 2.25%, respectively, of offering price)

   $ 10.02         $ 11.16         $ 11.13         $ 9.03         $ 10.04   

Class C Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 1,178,013         $ 8,324,358         $ 12,168,094         $ 1,115,973         $ 33,267,820   

Shares outstanding

     121,602           782,097           1,154,165           127,225           3,379,846   

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 9.69         $ 10.64         $ 10.54         $ 8.77         $ 9.84   

Class R3 Shares

                      

Net assets

  

 

$

 

 

  

    

 

$

 

12,007,396

 

  

    

 

$

 

9,821,334

 

  

    

 

$

 

54,951

 

  

    

 

$

 

480,337

 

  

Shares outstanding

               1,119,096           928,144           6,275           48,891   

NAV and offering price per share

   $         $ 10.73         $ 10.58         $ 8.76         $ 9.82   

Class R6 Shares

                      

Net assets

   $ 55,718,944         $ 25,374,295         $ 2,970,008         $         $ 67,560,935   

Shares outstanding

  

 

 

 

5,713,481

 

  

    

 

 

 

2,372,057

 

  

    

 

 

 

275,426

 

  

    

 

 

 

 

  

    

 

 

 

6,875,759

 

  

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 9.75         $ 10.70         $ 10.78         $         $ 9.83   

Class I Shares

                      

Net assets

   $ 123,543,558         $ 323,888,195         $ 313,295,073         $ 58,040,337         $ 444,823,235   

Shares outstanding

     12,760,194           30,340,831           29,090,439           6,624,123           45,312,662   

NAV and offering price per share

  

 

$

 

9.68

 

  

    

 

$

 

10.67

 

  

    

 

$

 

10.77

 

  

    

 

$

 

8.76

 

  

    

 

$

 

9.82

 

  

Net assets consist of:

                                         

Capital paid-in

   $ 196,164,268         $ 448,289,302         $ 408,912,930         $ 73,888,523         $ 659,428,355   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income

     (989,787        454,306           (1,165,997        (34,853        (1,138,128

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

     (1,212,165        (7,091,391        (3,815,218        (4,266,494        (11,995,321

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  

 

 

 

355,685

 

  

    

 

 

 

(8,115,917

 

    

 

 

 

(6,006,530

 

    

 

 

 

1,079,865

 

  

    

 

 

 

(4,846,840

 

Net assets

   $ 194,318,001         $ 433,536,300         $ 397,925,185         $ 70,667,041         $ 641,448,066   

Authorized shares – per class

     2 billion           2 billion           2 billion           2 billion           2 billion   

Par value per share

   $ 0.0001         $ 0.0001         $ 0.0001         $ 0.0001         $ 0.0001   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  82       Nuveen Investments


Statement of

  Operations   Six Months Ended December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

      Core
Bond
      

Core Plus

Bond

       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 

Investment Income

                      

Dividend income (net of foreign tax withheld of $—, $—, $281, $— and $—, respectively)

   $         $ 225,509         $ 24,317         $         $   

Interest income

     3,450,860           11,802,156           1,315,824           743,955           8,016,751   

Securities lending income, net

     16,936           96,654           9,983           2,011           46,924   

Total investment income

     3,467,796           12,124,319           1,350,124           745,966           8,063,675   

Expenses

                      

Management fees

     518,729           1,167,969           839,388           167,241           1,375,272   

12b-1 service fees – Class A Shares

     17,493           84,484           61,685           13,377           123,789   

12b-1 distribution and service fees – Class C Shares

     5,250           40,427           50,955           5,001           166,043   

12b-1 distribution and service fees – Class R3 Shares

               20,392           15,255           335           481   

Shareholder servicing agent fees

     44,016           160,595           398,387           19,521           146,663   

Custodian fees

     37,677           81,534           42,906           23,843           83,072   

Directors fees

     2,844           6,480           5,116           885           8,997   

Professional fees

     27,767           40,069           35,046           22,118           45,658   

Shareholder reporting expenses

     6,596           19,688           24,983           4,755           26,401   

Federal and state registration fees

     25,822           36,105           37,566           26,396           38,706   

Other

     7,699           14,645           7,534           4,156           16,372   

Total expenses before fee waiver/expense reimbursement

     693,893           1,672,388           1,518,821           287,628           2,031,454   

Fee waiver/expense reimbursement

     (92,407        (226,377        (226,967        (55,522        (131,183

Net expenses

     601,486           1,446,011           1,291,854           232,106           1,900,271   

Net investment income (loss)

     2,866,310           10,678,308           58,270           513,860           6,163,404   

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

                      

Net realized gain (loss) from:

                      

Investments and foreign currency

     (556,777        (5,450,108        (1,343,511        88,204           (1,478,829

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

               2,429,570                               32,749   

Futures contracts

     (544,406        (690,724        (212,332        (108,161        77,731   

Swaps

     (558,892        (2,047,029        (583,194        (66,161        (1,482,338

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

                      

Investments and foreign currency

     (2,422,896        (19,078,750        (7,645,319        (299,783        (6,878,228

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

               160,895                               31,146   

Futures contracts

     350,017           65,354           235,187           23,126           294,243   

Swaps

     157,115           27,864           80,776           (10,105        258,316   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (3,575,839        (24,582,928        (9,468,393        (372,880        (9,145,210

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ (709,529      $ (13,904,620      $ (9,410,123      $ 140,980         $ (2,981,806

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     83   


Statement of

  Changes in Net Assets   (Unaudited)  

 

         
Core Bond
         Core Plus Bond  
     

Six Months Ended

12/31/15

     Year Ended
6/30/15
         

Six Months Ended

12/31/15

     Year Ended
6/30/15
 

Operations

             

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 2,866,310       $ 7,814,108         $ 10,678,308       $ 23,893,497   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments and foreign currency

     (556,777      5,031,234           (5,450,108      4,252,552   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                       2,429,570         1,634,643   

Futures contracts

     (544,406      (612,361        (690,724      (3,194,614

Swaps

     (558,892      (124,922        (2,047,029      (1,449,357

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Investments and foreign currency

     (2,422,896      (8,406,743        (19,078,750      (25,921,625

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                       160,895         113,116   

Futures contracts

     350,017         (289,855        65,354         (10,137

Swaps

     157,115         (55,935          27,864         (522,059

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (709,529      3,355,526             (13,904,620      (1,203,984

Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income:

             

Class A Shares

     (188,095      (410,574        (1,335,867      (2,692,431

Class C Shares

     (10,040      (15,077        (128,329      (283,270

Class R3 Shares

                       (152,517      (77,205

Class R6 Shares

     (838,133      (606,476        (589,931      (819,814

Class I Shares

     (2,223,723      (7,655,076        (8,243,779      (19,556,879

From accumulated net realized gains:

             

Class A Shares

     (91,416      (263,674        (114,029      (107,721

Class C Shares

     (7,303      (13,719        (14,202      (14,759

Class R3 Shares

                       (20,809      (2,022

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (838,155      (4,644,858        (612,202      (758,094

Return of capital:

             

Class A Shares

                                 

Class C Shares

                                 

Class R3 Shares

                                 

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

                                   

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (4,196,865      (13,609,454          (11,211,665      (24,312,195

Fund Share Transactions

             

Proceeds from sale of shares

     28,382,378         85,693,256           30,867,658         165,027,733   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     1,926,094         5,944,510             5,403,547         10,857,907   
     30,308,472         91,637,766           36,271,205         175,885,640   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (68,116,556      (189,624,091          (144,097,666      (175,913,051

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (37,808,084      (97,986,325          (107,826,461      (27,411

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (42,714,478      (108,240,253        (132,942,746      (25,543,590

Net assets at the beginning of period

     237,032,479         345,272,732             566,479,046         592,022,636   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 194,318,001       $ 237,032,479           $ 433,536,300       $ 566,479,046   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ (989,787    $ (596,106        $ 454,306       $ 226,421   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  84       Nuveen Investments


     Inflation Protected Securities         

Intermediate

Government Bond

 
      Six Months Ended
12/31/15
     Year Ended
6/30/15
          Six Months Ended
12/31/15
     Year Ended
6/30/15
 

Operations

             

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 58,270       $ (358,198      $ 513,860       $ 1,173,696   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments and foreign currency

     (1,343,511      421,417           88,204         248,726   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                                 

Futures contracts

     (212,332      (754,218        (108,161      (148,062

Swaps

     (583,194      (87,457        (66,161        

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Investments and foreign currency

     (7,645,319      (5,873,341        (299,783      (230,005

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                                 

Futures contracts

     235,187         (139,680        23,126         9,364   

Swaps

     80,776         (9,837          (10,105      10,105   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (9,410,123      (6,801,314          140,980         1,063,824   

Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income:

             

Class A Shares

             (152,769        (65,903      (95,950

Class C Shares

             (11,491        (2,508      (1,935

Class R3 Shares

             (17,756        (585      (1,061

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

             (2,430,339        (439,651      (989,317

From accumulated net realized gains:

             

Class A Shares

                                 

Class C Shares

                                 

Class R3 Shares

                                 

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

                                 

Return of capital:

             

Class A Shares

             (122,017                  

Class C Shares

             (25,540                  

Class R3 Shares

             (13,085                  

Class R6 Shares

             (1,246                  

Class I Shares

             (1,261,968                    

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

             (4,036,211          (508,647      (1,088,263

Fund Share Transactions

             

Proceeds from sale of shares

     97,073,324         144,694,926           11,328,329         34,529,466   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

             961,850             174,211         192,564   
     97,073,324         145,656,776           11,502,540         34,722,030   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (79,919,361      (100,530,682          (16,130,947      (55,617,506

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     17,153,963         45,126,094             (4,628,407      (20,895,476

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     7,743,840         34,288,569           (4,996,074      (20,919,915

Net assets at the beginning of period

     390,181,345         355,892,776             75,663,115         96,583,030   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 397,925,185       $ 390,181,345           $ 70,667,041       $ 75,663,115   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ (1,165,997    $ (1,224,267        $ (34,853    $ (40,066

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     85   


Statement of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) (continued)

 

         
Short Term Bond
 
     

Six Months Ended

12/31/15

     Year Ended
6/30/15
 

Operations

     

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 6,163,404       $ 16,811,917   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments and foreign currency

     (1,478,829      (802,458

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     32,749           

Futures contracts

     77,731         (2,388,015

Swaps

     (1,482,338      (595,864

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

     

Investments and foreign currency

     (6,878,228      (7,953,868

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     31,146           

Futures contracts

     294,243         (363,216

Swaps

     258,316         (56,331

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (2,981,806      4,652,165   

Distributions to Shareholders

     

From net investment income:

     

Class A Shares

     (736,450      (1,658,982

Class C Shares

     (116,680      (269,364

Class R3 Shares

     (1,164      (9,008

Class R6 Shares

     (445,337      (212,174

Class I Shares

     (4,360,823      (14,124,963

From accumulated net realized gains:

     

Class A Shares

               

Class C Shares

               

Class R3 Shares

               

Class R6 Shares

               

Class I Shares

               

Return of capital:

     

Class A Shares

               

Class C Shares

               

Class R3 Shares

               

Class R6 Shares

               

Class I Shares

               

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (5,660,454      (16,274,491

Fund Share Transactions

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     135,027,232         309,686,804   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     2,097,204         4,640,699   
     137,124,436         314,327,503   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (177,758,095      (683,861,963

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (40,633,659      (369,534,460

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (49,275,919      (381,156,786

Net assets at the beginning of period

     690,723,985         1,071,880,771   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 641,448,066       $ 690,723,985   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ (1,138,128    $ (1,641,078

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  86       Nuveen Investments


THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

Nuveen Investments     87   


Financial

Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Core Bond

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (1/95)

  

                            

2016(g)

  $ 9.97      $ 0.12         $ (0.18      $ (0.06     $ (0.13      $ (0.06      $ (0.19      $ 9.72   

2015

    10.36        0.25           (0.19        0.06          (0.28        (0.17        (0.45        9.97   

2014

    10.13        0.24           0.35           0.59          (0.22        (0.14        (0.36        10.36   

2013

    10.67        0.18           (0.20        (0.02       (0.18        (0.34        (0.52        10.13   

2012

    10.47        0.29           0.23           0.52          (0.30        (0.02        (0.32        10.67   

2011

    10.33        0.33           0.14           0.47            (0.33                  (0.33        10.47   

Class C (1/11)

  

                            

2016(g)

    9.94        0.08           (0.17        (0.09       (0.10        (0.06        (0.16        9.69   

2015

    10.32        0.17           (0.19        (0.02       (0.19        (0.17        (0.36        9.94   

2014

    10.08        0.16           0.36           0.52          (0.14        (0.14        (0.28        10.32   

2013

    10.62        0.09           (0.19        (0.10       (0.09        (0.35        (0.44        10.08   

2012

    10.44        0.19           0.22           0.41          (0.22        (0.01        (0.23        10.62   

2011(e)

    10.37        0.12           0.06           0.18            (0.11                  (0.11        10.44   

Class R6 (1/15)

  

                            

2016(g)

    9.94        0.13           (0.17        (0.04       (0.15                  (0.15        9.75   

2015(f)

    10.22        0.12           (0.27        (0.15         (0.13                  (0.13        9.94   

Class I (1/93)

  

                            

2016(g)

    9.93        0.13           (0.17        (0.04       (0.15        (0.06        (0.21        9.68   

2015

    10.32        0.27           (0.19        0.08          (0.30        (0.17        (0.47        9.93   

2014

    10.09        0.26           0.22           0.48          (0.11        (0.14        (0.25        10.32   

2013

    10.63        0.20           (0.20                 (0.21        (0.33        (0.54        10.09   

2012

    10.43        0.30           0.23           0.53          (0.32        (0.01        (0.33        10.63   

2011

    10.29        0.35           0.14           0.49            (0.35                  (0.35        10.43   

 

  88       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)
 
                        
  (0.53 )%    $ 13,877          0.86 %*         2.25 %*        0.78 %*         2.34 %*         33
  0.52        14,448          0.85           2.34          0.78           2.40           44   
  5.94        14,857          0.81           2.29          0.78           2.32           49   
  (0.38     18,331          0.79           1.63          0.78           1.65           85   
  4.93        21,262          0.95           2.61          0.85           2.70           75   
  4.70        22,502            0.94           3.10            0.85           3.20           58   
                        
  (0.92     1,178          1.62        1.51       1.53        1.60        33   
  (0.20     971          1.61           1.59          1.53           1.67           44   
  5.24        514          1.56           1.54          1.53           1.57           49   
  (1.17     585          1.54           0.87          1.53           0.88           85   
  3.97        1,568          1.69           1.79          1.67           1.81           75   
  1.76        1,152            1.79        2.46         1.70        2.56        58   
                        
  (0.45     55,719          0.57        2.55       0.48        2.63        33   
  (1.46     45,145            0.56        2.60         0.48        2.68        44   
                        
  (0.41     123,544          0.61        2.49       0.53        2.57        33   
  0.78        176,468          0.59           2.59          0.53           2.65           44   
  6.21        329,901          0.56           2.53          0.53           2.56           49   
  (0.16     481,088          0.54           1.88          0.53           1.89           85   
  5.18        621,066          0.70           2.85          0.68           2.87           75   
  4.76        657,129            0.74           3.30            0.70           3.35           58   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(e) For the period January 18, 2011 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2011.  
(f) For the period January 20, 2015 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2015.  
(g) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     89   


Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Core Plus Bond

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (12/87)

  

                       

2016(g)

  $ 11.25      $ 0.23         $ (0.55      $ (0.32     $ (0.22      $ (0.02      $ (0.24      $ 10.69   

2015

    11.75        0.45           (0.49        (0.04       (0.44        (0.02        (0.46        11.25   

2014

    11.46        0.46           0.45           0.91          (0.43        (0.19        (0.62        11.75   

2013

    11.64        0.41           (0.12        0.29          (0.42        (0.05        (0.47        11.46   

2012

    11.44        0.41           0.21           0.62          (0.42                  (0.42        11.64   

2011

    11.22        0.43           0.21           0.64            (0.42                  (0.42        11.44   

Class C (2/99)

  

                       

2016(g)

    11.20        0.18           (0.54        (0.36       (0.18        (0.02        (0.20        10.64   

2015

    11.69        0.36           (0.48        (0.12       (0.35        (0.02        (0.37        11.20   

2014

    11.40        0.37           0.45           0.82          (0.34        (0.19        (0.53        11.69   

2013

    11.59        0.32           (0.12        0.20          (0.34        (0.05        (0.39        11.40   

2012

    11.40        0.32           0.21           0.53          (0.34                  (0.34        11.59   

2011

    11.18        0.34           0.21           0.55            (0.33                  (0.33        11.40   

Class R3 (9/01)

  

                       

2016(g)

    11.29        0.21           (0.54        (0.33       (0.21        (0.02        (0.23        10.73   

2015

    11.80        0.42           (0.50        (0.08       (0.41        (0.02        (0.43        11.29   

2014

    11.51        0.43           0.46           0.89          (0.41        (0.19        (0.60        11.80   

2013

    11.70        0.38           (0.12        0.26          (0.40        (0.05        (0.45        11.51   

2012

    11.50        0.38           0.22           0.60          (0.40                  (0.40        11.70   

2011

    11.27        0.40           0.22           0.62            (0.39                  (0.39        11.50   

Class R6 (1/15)

  

                       

2016(g)

    11.23        0.24           (0.54        (0.30       (0.23                  (0.23        10.70   

2015(f)

    11.48        0.22           (0.26        (0.04         (0.21                  (0.21        11.23   

Class I (2/94)

  

                       

2016(g)

    11.24        0.24           (0.56        (0.32       (0.23        (0.02        (0.25        10.67   

2015

    11.74        0.48           (0.49        (0.01       (0.47        (0.02        (0.49        11.24   

2014

    11.44        0.49           0.46           0.95          (0.46        (0.19        (0.65        11.74   

2013

    11.64        0.44           (0.14        0.30          (0.45        (0.05        (0.50        11.44   

2012

    11.44        0.44           0.21           0.65          (0.45                  (0.45        11.64   

2011

    11.21        0.46           0.22           0.68            (0.45                  (0.45        11.44   

 

  90       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)(e)
 
                        
  (2.89 )%    $ 63,942          0.86 %*         3.97 %*        0.77 %*         4.06 %*         27
  (0.41     69,968          0.85           3.80          0.77           3.88           44   
  8.23        68,728          0.84           3.89          0.77           3.97           50   
  2.40        79,740          0.81           3.42          0.77           3.46           46   
  5.52        83,264          0.97           3.51          0.93           3.55           98   
  5.73        85,980            0.99           3.72            0.94           3.77           91   
                        
  (3.29     8,324          1.61        3.22       1.52        3.31        27   
  (1.10     8,580          1.60           3.06          1.52           3.15           44   
  7.43        7,696          1.59           3.13          1.52           3.20           50   
  1.59        4,200          1.56           2.67          1.52           2.71           46   
  4.68        4,603          1.72           2.76          1.67           2.80           98   
  4.97        3,711            1.74           2.97            1.69           3.02           91   
                        
  (2.99     12,007          1.11        3.72       1.02        3.81        27   
  (0.70     3,751          1.10           3.57          1.02           3.65           44   
  7.97        638          1.10           3.65          1.02           3.73           50   
  2.11        350          1.06           3.18          1.02           3.22           46   
  5.27        313          1.22           3.24          1.18           3.27           98   
  5.54        380            1.23           3.47            1.19           3.52           91   
                        
  (2.75     25,374          0.55        4.27       0.47        4.36        27   
  (0.29     43,680            0.54        4.14         0.46        4.22        44   
                        
  (2.85     323,888          0.61        4.21       0.52        4.30        27   
  (0.15     440,499          0.60           4.04          0.52           4.12           44   
  8.64        514,961          0.60           4.17          0.52           4.24           50   
  2.52        588,627          0.56           3.67          0.52           3.71           46   
  5.79        718,505          0.72           3.76          0.68           3.80           98   
  6.09        925,541            0.74           3.97            0.69           4.02           91   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) For fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2011, the Fund will no longer exclude dollar roll transactions, where applicable.  
(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(f) For the period January 20, 2015 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2015.  
(g) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     91   


Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Inflation Protected Securities

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement
Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Return
of
Capital
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (10/04)

  

                                   

2016(f)

  $ 10.92      $ (0.02      $ (0.24      $ (0.26     $         $         $         $         $ 10.66   

2015

    11.26        (0.03        (0.20        (0.23       (0.07                  (0.04        (0.11        10.92   

2014

    11.08        0.15           0.32           0.47          (0.09        (0.20                  (0.29        11.26   

2013

    11.80        0.07           (0.66        (0.59       (0.13                            (0.13        11.08   

2012

    10.94        0.23           1.01           1.24          (0.38                            (0.38        11.80   

2011

    10.33        0.35           0.40           0.75            (0.14                            (0.14        10.94   

Class C (10/04)

  

                                   

2016(f)

    10.84        (0.06        (0.24        (0.30                                               10.54   

2015

    11.21        (0.11        (0.20        (0.31       (0.02                  (0.04        (0.06        10.84   

2014

    11.03        0.06           0.35           0.41          (0.03        (0.20                  (0.23        11.21   

2013

    11.72        (0.03        (0.60        (0.63       (0.06                            (0.06        11.03   

2012

    10.84        0.14           1.00           1.14          (0.26                            (0.26        11.72   

2011

    10.24        0.26           0.41           0.67            (0.07                            (0.07        10.84   

Class R3 (10/04)

  

                                   

2016(f)

    10.85        (0.06        (0.21        (0.27                                               10.58   

2015

    11.21        (0.11        (0.16        (0.27       (0.05                  (0.04        (0.09        10.85   

2014

    11.05        0.29           0.14           0.43          (0.07        (0.20                  (0.27        11.21   

2013

    11.74        0.04           (0.62        (0.58       (0.11                            (0.11        11.05   

2012

    10.84        0.22           0.97           1.19          (0.29                            (0.29        11.74   

2011

    10.31        0.11           0.54           0.65            (0.12                            (0.12        10.84   

Class R6 (1/15)

  

                                   

2016(f)

    11.02        0.02           (0.26        (0.24                                               10.78   

2015(e)

    11.18               (0.16        (0.16                                              11.02   

Class I (10/04)

  

                                   

2016(f)

    11.02        0.01           (0.26        (0.25                                               10.77   

2015

    11.35        (0.01        (0.19        (0.20       (0.09                  (0.04        (0.13        11.02   

2014

    11.14        0.19           0.33           0.52          (0.11        (0.20                  (0.31        11.35   

2013

    11.81        0.09           (0.61        (0.52       (0.15                            (0.15        11.14   

2012

    10.96        0.25           1.01           1.26          (0.41                            (0.41        11.81   

2011

    10.34        0.40           0.38           0.78            (0.16                            (0.16        10.96   

 

  92       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
        
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses      Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
         Expenses      Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)
 
                  
  (2.38 )%    $ 59,671          0.94 %**       (0.42 )%**        0.83 %**       (0.31 )%**       13
  (2.04     42,341          0.92         (0.38       0.83         (0.29      34   
  4.35        24,020          0.86         1.30          0.83         1.33         48   
  (5.07     21,949          0.81         0.56          0.81         0.56         52   
  11.44        19,330          1.00         1.81          0.84         1.97         47   
  7.30        12,080            1.09         3.05            0.85         3.30         45   
                  
  (2.77     12,168          1.69 **       (1.25 )**        1.58 **       (1.14 )**       13   
  (2.75     9,366          1.66         (1.06       1.58         (0.98      34   
  3.76        6,954          1.61         0.50          1.58         0.52         48   
  (5.39     9,761          1.56         (0.25       1.56         (0.25      52   
  10.62        9,703          1.75         1.05          1.59         1.21         47   
  6.59        8,043            1.84         2.19            1.60         2.44         45   
                  
  (2.49     9,821          1.20 **       (1.23 )**        1.08 **       (1.12 )**       13   
  (2.38     3,693          1.15         (1.05       1.08         (0.98      34   
  3.97        3,447          1.13         2.63          1.08         2.68         48   
  (5.02     519          1.06         0.32          1.06         0.32         52   
  11.10        173          1.25         1.72          1.09         1.88         47   
  6.31        33            1.38         0.78            1.10         1.05         45   
                  
  (2.18     2,970          0.51 **       0.20 **        0.39 **       0.31 **       13   
  (1.39     3,074            0.52 **       (0.12 )**          0.41 **       (0.01 )**       34   
                  
  (2.27     313,295          0.69 **       0.02 **        0.58 **       0.13 **       13   
  (1.78     331,707          0.66         (0.13       0.58         (0.05      34   
  4.82        321,472          0.61         1.65          0.58         1.68         48   
  (4.46     344,204          0.56         0.77          0.56         0.77         52   
  11.62        321,386          0.75         1.99          0.59         2.15         47   
  7.62        255,183            0.84         3.49            0.60         3.74         45   

 

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(e) For the period January 20, 2015 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2015.  
(f) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.  
** Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     93   


Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Intermediate Government Bond

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

      Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Return
of
Capital
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (10/02)

  

                                   

2016(e)

  $ 8.80      $ 0.05         $ (0.04      $ 0.01        $ (0.05      $   —         $         $ (0.05      $ 8.76   

2015

    8.81        0.10           (0.02        0.08          (0.09                            (0.09        8.80   

2014

    8.79        0.11           0.03           0.14          (0.11                  (0.01        (0.12        8.81   

2013

    9.02        0.14           (0.20        (0.06       (0.17                            (0.17        8.79   

2012

    8.84        0.18           0.19           0.37          (0.19                   —           (0.19        9.02   

2011

    8.77        0.20           0.07           0.27            (0.20                            (0.20        8.84   

Class C (10/09)

  

                                   

2016(e)

    8.82        0.02           (0.05        (0.03       (0.02                            (0.02        8.77   

2015

    8.83        0.04           (0.02        0.02          (0.03                            (0.03        8.82   

2014

    8.80        0.05           0.04           0.09          (0.05                  (0.01        (0.06        8.83   

2013

    9.03        0.07           (0.21        (0.14       (0.09                            (0.09        8.80   

2012

    8.85        0.10           0.20           0.30          (0.12                            (0.12        9.03   

2011

    8.77        0.12           0.08           0.20            (0.12                            (0.12        8.85   

Class R3 (10/09)

  

                                   

2016(e)

    8.80        0.05           (0.04        0.01          (0.05                            (0.05        8.76   

2015

    8.81        0.08           (0.02        0.06          (0.07                            (0.07        8.80   

2014

    8.78        0.09           0.04           0.13          (0.09                  (0.01        (0.10        8.81   

2013

    9.01        0.12           (0.21        (0.09       (0.14                            (0.14        8.78   

2012

    8.84        0.15           0.18           0.33          (0.16                            (0.16        9.01   

2011

    8.77        0.16           0.08           0.24            (0.17                            (0.17        8.84   

Class I (10/02)

  

                                   

2016(e)

    8.81        0.07           (0.04        0.03          (0.08                            (0.08        8.76   

2015

    8.82        0.12           (0.01        0.11          (0.12                            (0.12        8.81   

2014

    8.80        0.13           0.04           0.17          (0.14                  (0.01        (0.15        8.82   

2013

    9.03        0.16           (0.21        (0.05       (0.18                            (0.18        8.80   

2012

    8.84        0.19           0.21           0.40          (0.21                            (0.21        9.03   

2011

    8.77        0.21           0.07           0.28            (0.21                            (0.21        8.84   

 

  94       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
        
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses      Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
         Expenses      Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)
 
                  
  0.16   $ 11,456          1.00 %*       1.09 %*        0.85 %*       1.24 %*       29
  0.93        9,010          1.02         1.00          0.85         1.17         59   
  1.65        9,621          1.01         1.14          0.85         1.30         31   
  (0.74     11,034          1.01         1.41          0.85         1.57         55   
  4.24        12,735          1.11         1.65          0.77         1.99         72   
  3.10        14,086            1.10         1.85            0.73         2.22         58   
                  
  (0.33     1,116          1.76      0.37       1.60      0.52      29   
  0.18        667          1.77         0.25          1.60         0.42         59   
  0.98        639          1.76         0.40          1.60         0.56         31   
  (1.53     1,090          1.76         0.66          1.60         0.82         55   
  3.35        1,438          1.86         0.90          1.60         1.16         72   
  2.32        1,417            1.89         1.05            1.58         1.37         58   
                  
  0.02        55          1.26      0.86       1.10      1.02      29   
  0.66        137          1.27         0.75          1.10         0.92         59   
  1.49        137          1.26         0.89          1.10         1.05         31   
  (1.00     168          1.26         1.17          1.10         1.32         55   
  3.79        214          1.36         1.39          1.10         1.66         72   
  2.75        473            1.39         1.56            1.08         1.87         58   
                  
  0.18        58,040          0.76      1.34       0.60      1.50      29   
  1.20        65,850          0.77         1.24          0.60         1.40         59   
  1.90        86,186          0.76         1.36          0.60         1.52         31   
  (0.53     52,291          0.76         1.67          0.60         1.83         55   
  4.50        70,060          0.86         1.90          0.60         2.16         72   
  3.25        98,960            0.89         2.05            0.58         2.36         58   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(e) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     95   


Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Short Term Bond

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (12/92)

  

                       

2016(g)

  $ 9.93      $ 0.08         $ (0.11      $ (0.03     $ (0.09      $         $ (0.09      $ 9.81   

2015

    10.05        0.16           (0.13        0.03          (0.15                  (0.15        9.93   

2014

    9.97        0.19           0.08           0.27          (0.19          —           (0.19        10.05   

2013

    9.95        0.20           0.03           0.23          (0.21                  (0.21        9.97   

2012

    10.06        0.24           (0.10        0.14          (0.25                  (0.25        9.95   

2011

    9.98        0.24           0.06           0.30            (0.22                  (0.22        10.06   

Class C (10/09)

  

                       

2016(g)

    9.97        0.04           (0.13        (0.09       (0.04                  (0.04        9.84   

2015

    10.08        0.08           (0.12        (0.04       (0.07                  (0.07        9.97   

2014

    10.00        0.11           0.08           0.19          (0.11                  (0.11        10.08   

2013

    9.97        0.12           0.04           0.16          (0.13                  (0.13        10.00   

2012

    10.09        0.16           (0.11        0.05          (0.17                  (0.17        9.97   

2011

    10.00        0.15           0.07           0.22            (0.13                  (0.13        10.09   

Class R3 (9/11)

  

                       

2016(g)

    9.95        0.07           (0.13        (0.06       (0.07                  (0.07        9.82   

2015

    10.07        0.13           (0.13        0.00          (0.12                  (0.12        9.95   

2014

    9.99        0.16           0.08           0.24          (0.16                  (0.16        10.07   

2013

    9.96        0.17           0.04           0.21          (0.18                  (0.18        9.99   

2012(e)

    9.85        0.16           0.13           0.29            (0.18                  (0.18        9.96   

Class R6 (1/15)

  

                       

2016(g)

    9.95        0.09           (0.12        (0.03       (0.09                  (0.09        9.83   

2015(f)

    9.93        0.09                  0.09            (0.07                  (0.07        9.95   

Class I (2/94)

  

                       

2016(g)

    9.94        0.09           (0.11        (0.02       (0.10                  (0.10        9.82   

2015

    10.06        0.18           (0.12        0.06          (0.18                  (0.18        9.94   

2014

    9.98        0.21           0.08           0.29          (0.21                  (0.21        10.06   

2013

    9.95        0.22           0.04           0.26          (0.23                  (0.23        9.98   

2012

    10.07        0.26           (0.11        0.15          (0.27                  (0.27        9.95   

2011

    9.99        0.25           0.06           0.31            (0.23                  (0.23        10.07   

 

  96       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
        
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses      Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
         Expenses      Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)
 
                  
  (0.47 )%    $ 95,316          0.76 %**       1.58 %**        0.72 %**       1.62 %**       20
  0.32        100,544          0.73         1.56          0.71         1.58         43   
  2.69        116,365          0.73         1.84          0.71         1.86         43   
  2.30        141,099          0.73         1.96          0.71         1.99         42   
  1.42        112,851          0.82         2.33          0.73         2.42         56   
  3.00        80,927            0.87         2.22            0.73         2.37         58   
                  
  (0.95     33,268          1.51 **       0.84 **        1.47 **       0.88 **       20   
  (0.36     33,547          1.48         0.81          1.46         0.83         43   
  1.89        39,347          1.48         1.11          1.46         1.13         43   
  1.61        44,414          1.48         1.22          1.46         1.24         42   
  0.50        42,346          1.56         1.56          1.55         1.57         56   
  2.22        5,101            1.66         1.45            1.58         1.53         58   
                  
  (0.72     480          1.01 **       1.34 **        0.97 **       1.38 **       20   
  0.02        131          0.98         1.29          0.96         1.31         43   
  2.38        1,049          0.98         1.59          0.96         1.61         43   
  2.10        516          0.98         1.71          0.96         1.73         42   
  2.92        446            1.06 **       2.07 **          1.05 **       2.07 **       56   
                  
  (0.34     67,561          0.47 **       1.88 **        0.43 **       1.92 **       20   
  0.96        27,475            0.46 **       1.95 **          0.43 **       1.98 **       43   
                  
  (0.34     444,823          0.51 **       1.83 **        0.47 **       1.87 **       20   
  0.57        529,027          0.48         1.80          0.46         1.82         43   
  2.93        915,119          0.48         2.09          0.46         2.11         43   
  2.65        720,722          0.48         2.22          0.46         2.23         42   
  1.51        727,242          0.57         2.59          0.55         2.61         56   
  3.16        741,969            0.67         2.43            0.58         2.52         58   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(e) For the period September 23, 2011 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2012.  
(f) For the period January 20, 2015 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2015.  
(g) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.  
** Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     97   


Notes to

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. General Information and Significant Accounting Policies

General Information

Trust and Fund Information

Nuveen Investment Funds, Inc. (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trust is comprised of Nuveen Core Bond Fund (“Core Bond”), Nuveen Core Plus Bond Fund (“Core Plus Bond”), Nuveen Inflation Protected Securities Fund (“Inflation Protected Securities”), Nuveen Intermediate Government Bond Fund (“Intermediate Government Bond”) and Nuveen Short Term Bond Fund (“Short Term Bond”) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), as diversified funds, among others. The Trust was incorporated in the State of Maryland on August 20, 1987.

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is December 31, 2015, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended December 31, 2015 (the “current fiscal period”).

Investment Adviser

The Funds’ investment adviser is Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen”). The Adviser is responsible for each Fund’s overall investment strategy and asset allocation decisions. The Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements with Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), a subsidiary of the Adviser, under which the Sub-Adviser manages the investment portfolios of the Funds.

Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies

Core Bond

Core Bond’s investment objective is to provide investors with current income to the extent consistent with preservation of capital. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in bonds, such as U.S. government securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities), including zero coupon securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate debt obligations, including obligations issued by special-purpose entities that are backed by corporate debt obligations and municipal securities in an amount not to exceed 20% of the Fund’s net assets. Bonds in the Fund will be rated investment grade at the time of purchase or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser. At least 65% of the Fund’s debt securities must be either U.S. government securities or securities that are rated A or better or are unrated and of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-adviser. If the rating of a security is reduced or the credit quality of an unrated security declines after purchase, the Fund is not required to sell the security, but may consider doing so. Unrated securities will not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets.

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in U.S. dollar denominated debt obligations of foreign corporations and governments.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund attempts to maintain a weighted average effective maturity for its portfolio securities of three to ten years and an average effective duration of two to six years. The Fund’s weighted average effective maturity and effective duration are measures of how the value of the Fund’s shares may react to interest rate changes.

To generate additional income, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in dollar roll transactions. In a dollar roll transaction, the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month while contracting with the same party to repurchase similar securities at a future date.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: options; futures contracts; options on futures contracts, interest rate caps, collars, and floors; swap agreements, including swap agreements on interest rates, security indexes and specific securities and credit default swap agreements; and options on the foregoing types of swap agreements. The Fund may enter into standardized derivatives contracts traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities and non-standardized derivatives contracts traded in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or for speculative purposes in an effort to increase the Fund’s yield or to enhance returns. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions. The Fund may not use any derivative to gain exposure to a security or type of security that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

Core Plus Bond

Core Plus Bond’s investment objective is to provide investors with high current income consistent with limited risk to capital. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in bonds, such as U.S. government securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities), including zero coupon securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate debt obligations, including obligations issued by special-purpose entities that are backed by corporate debt obligations and municipal securities in an amount not to exceed 20% of the Fund’s net assets.

 

  98       Nuveen Investments


Up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities rated lower than investment grade or unrated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser (securities commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk” bonds). The Fund will not invest in securities rated lower than CCC at the time of purchase or in unrated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser. If the rating of a security is reduced or the credit quality of an unrated security declines after purchase, the Fund is not required to sell the security, but may consider doing so. Unrated securities will not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets.

The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt obligations of foreign corporations and foreign governments. However, no more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in debt obligations of corporations and governments that are located in emerging market countries. A country is considered to have an “emerging market” if it has a relatively low gross national product per capita compared to the world’s major economies, and the potential for rapid economic growth, provided that no issuer included in the Fund’s current benchmark index will be considered to be located in an emerging market country.

Up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets may have non-U.S. dollar currency exposure from non-U.S. dollar denominated securities and currency derivatives, calculated on an absolute notional basis (i.e., adding together the absolute value of net long and net short exposures to individual non-U.S. dollar currencies).

Under normal market conditions, the Fund attempts to maintain a weighted average effective maturity for its portfolio securities of fifteen years or less and an average effective duration of three to eight years. The Fund’s weighted average effective maturity and average effective duration are measures of how the value of the Fund’s shares may react to interest rate changes.

To generate additional income, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in dollar roll transactions. In a dollar roll transaction, the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month while contracting with the same party to repurchase similar securities at a future date.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: options; futures contracts; options on futures contracts; interest rate caps, collars, and floors; foreign currency contracts; options on foreign currencies; swap agreements, including swap agreements on interest rates, currency rates, security indexes and specific securities, and credit default swap agreements; and options on the foregoing types of swap agreements. The Fund may enter into standardized derivatives contracts traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, and non-standardized derivatives contracts traded in the OTC market. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, currency risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or for speculative purposes in an effort to increase the Fund’s yield or to enhance returns. The Fund may also use derivatives to gain exposure to non-dollar denominated securities markets to the extent it does not do so through direct investments. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions. The Fund may not use any derivative to gain exposure to a security or type of security that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

Inflation Protected Securities

Inflation Protected Securities’ investment objective is to provide investors with total return while providing protection against inflation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in inflation protected debt securities. These securities will be issued by the U.S. and non-U.S. governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, and domestic and foreign corporations. The Fund’s investments in U.S. government inflation protected securities will include U.S. Treasury inflation protected securities as well as inflation protected securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government. Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Some securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government are supported only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality.

Inflation protected debt securities are designed to provide protection against the negative effects of inflation. Unlike traditional debt securities, which pay regular fixed interest payments on a fixed principal amount, interest payments on inflation protected debt securities will vary with the rate of inflation. The U.S. Treasury uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as the inflation measure. Inflation protected debt securities issued by foreign governments and corporations are generally linked to a non-U.S. inflation rate.

Inflation protected debt securities have two common structures. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. If the index measuring the rate of inflation rises, the principal value of the security will increase. Because interest payments will be calculated with respect to a larger principal amount, interest payments also will increase. Conversely, if the index measuring the rate of inflation falls, the principal value of the security will fall and interest payments will decrease. Other issuers adjust the interest rates payable on the security according to the rate of inflation, but the principal amount remains the same.

In the event of sustained deflation, the U.S. Treasury has guaranteed that it will repay at maturity at least the original face value of the inflation protected securities that it issues. Other inflation protected debt securities that accrue inflation into their principal value may or may not provide a similar guarantee. For securities that do not provide such a guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the security repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal value.

Up to 20% of the Fund’s assets may be invested in holdings that are not inflation protected, which may include domestic and foreign corporate debt obligations, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, debt obligations of foreign governments, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and derivative instruments, as discussed below.

 

Nuveen Investments     99   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Up to 10% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in securities that are rated lower than investment grade at the time of purchase or that are unrated and of comparable quality (securities commonly referred to as “high-yield” securities or “junk” bonds). The Fund will not invest in securities rated lower than B at the time of purchase or in unrated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser. If the rating of a security is reduced or the credit quality of an unrated security declines after purchase, the Fund is not required to sell the security, but may consider doing so.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities, and may invest without limitation in U.S. dollar denominated securities of foreign corporations and governments.

The Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity, but expects to maintain, under normal market conditions, a weighted average effective maturity of between eight and fifteen years and an average effective duration of between four and ten years. The Fund’s weighted average effective maturity and average effective duration are measures of how the Fund may react to interest rate changes.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: options; futures contracts; options on futures contracts; foreign currency contracts; options on foreign currencies; interest rate caps, collars, and floors; index- and other asset-linked notes; swap agreements, including swap agreements on interest rates, currency rates, security indexes and specific securities, and credit default swap agreements; and options on the foregoing types of swap agreements. The Fund may enter into standardized derivatives contracts traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, and non-standardized derivatives contracts traded in the OTC market. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, currency risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or for speculative purposes in an effort to increase the Fund’s yield or to enhance returns. The Fund may also use derivatives to gain exposure to non-dollar denominated securities markets to the extent it does not do so through direct investments. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions. The Fund may not use any derivative to gain exposure to a security or type of security that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

Intermediate Government Bond

Intermediate Government Bond’s investment objective is to provide investors with current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in U.S. government bonds. U.S. government bonds are securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, including U.S. Treasury obligations, mortgage-backed securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) and non-mortgage-related obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, such as FNMA, FHLMC, Federal Farm Credit Banks, the Federal Home Loan Bank System, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, including obligations that are issued by private issuers and guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.

U.S. Treasury obligations and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets, collectively, in non-U.S. government debt obligations, asset-backed securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt obligations, and municipal securities. Such securities will be rated investment grade at the time of purchase or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser. If the rating of a security is reduced or the credit quality of an unrated security declines after purchase, the Fund is not required to sell the security, but may consider doing so.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund attempts to maintain a weighted average effective maturity between three and ten years and an effective duration of between two and one-half and seven years. The Fund’s weighted average effective maturity and effective duration are measures of how the value of the Fund’s shares may react to interest rate changes.

To generate additional income, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in dollar roll transactions. In a dollar roll transaction, the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month while contracting with the same party to repurchase similar securities at a future date.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: futures contracts; options on futures contracts, swap agreements, including swap agreements on interest rates, security indexes and specific securities and credit default swap agreements; and options on the foregoing types of swap agreements. The Fund may enter into standardized derivatives contracts that are traded on domestic securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities and non-standardized derivatives contracts traded in the OTC market. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio, or for speculative purposes in an effort to increase the Fund’s yield or to enhance returns. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions. The Fund may not use derivatives to gain exposure to a security or type of security that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

Short Term Bond

Short Term Bond’s investment objective is to provide investors with current income while maintaining a high degree of principal stability. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in bonds, such

 

  100       Nuveen Investments


as U.S. government securities, which are securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate debt obligations, including obligations issued by special-purpose entities that are backed by corporate debt obligations, and municipal securities.

Up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities rated lower than investment grade or unrated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser (securities commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk” bonds). The Fund will not invest in securities rated lower than CCC at the time of purchase or in unrated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser. If the rating of a security is reduced or the credit quality of an unrated security declines after purchase, the Fund is not required to sell the security, but may consider doing so. Unrated securities will not exceed 5% of the Fund’s total assets.

The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt obligations of foreign corporations and foreign governments. However, no more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in debt obligations of corporations and governments that are located in emerging market countries. A country is considered to have an “emerging market” if it has a relatively low gross national product per capita compared to the world’s major economies, and the potential for rapid economic growth, provided that no issuer included in the Fund’s current benchmark index will be considered to be located in an emerging market country.

Up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets may have non-U.S. dollar currency exposure from non-U.S. dollar denominated securities and currency derivatives, calculated on an absolute notional basis (i.e., adding together the absolute value of net long and net short exposures to individual non-U.S. dollar currencies).

Under normal market conditions, the Fund attempts to maintain a weighted average effective maturity and an average effective duration for its portfolio securities of one to three years. The Fund’s weighted average effective maturity and effective duration are measures of how the value of the Fund’s shares may react to interest rate changes.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: options; futures contracts; options on futures contracts; interest rate caps, collars, and floors; foreign currency contracts; options on foreign currencies; swap agreements, including swap agreements on interest rates, currency rates, security indexes and specific securities, and credit default swap agreements; and options on the foregoing types of swap agreements. The Fund may enter into standardized derivatives contracts traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, and non-standardized derivatives contracts traded in the OTC market. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, currency risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or for speculative purposes in an effort to increase the Fund’s yield or to enhance returns. The Fund may also use derivatives to gain exposure to non-dollar denominated securities markets to the extent it does not do so through direct investments. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions. The Fund may not use any derivative to gain exposure to a security or type of security that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

The Funds’ most recent prospectus provides further descriptions of each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks.

Significant Accounting Policies

Each Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

Investment Transactions

Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are determined on the specific identification method, which is the same basis used for federal income tax purposes. Investments purchased on a when-issued/delayed delivery basis may have extended settlement periods. Any investments so purchased are subject to market fluctuation during this period. The Funds have earmarked securities in their portfolios with a current value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments.

As of the end of the reporting period, the following Funds’ outstanding when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments were as follows:

 

     Core
Bond
     Core Plus
Bond
 
Outstanding when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments   $ 6,295,201       $ 22,374,930   

 

Nuveen Investments     101   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Investment Income

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for foreign securities, when information is available. Interest income, which reflects the amortization of premiums and includes accretion of discounts for financial reporting purposes, is recorded on an accrual basis. Interest income also reflects pay down gains and losses, if any. Securities lending income is comprised of fees earned from borrowers and income earned on cash collateral investments, net of lending agent fees.

Professional Fees

Professional fees presented on the Statement of Operations consist of legal fees incurred in the normal course of operations, audit fees, tax consulting fees and, in some cases, workout expenditures. Workout expenditures are incurred in an attempt to protect or enhance an investment or to pursue other claims or legal actions on behalf of Fund shareholders. If a refund is received for workout expenditures paid in a prior reporting period, such amounts will be recognized as “Legal fee refund” on the Statement of Operations.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and distributed to shareholders monthly. Fund shares begin to accrue dividends on the business day after the day when the monies used to purchase Fund shares are collected by the transfer agent.

Net realized capital gains from investment transactions, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders at least annually. Furthermore, capital gains are distributed only to the extent they exceed available capital loss carryforwards.

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Share Classes and Sales Charges

Class A Shares are generally sold with an up-front sales charge and incur a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class A Share purchases of the Funds, with the exception of Short Term Bond, of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value (“NAV”) without an up-front sales charge. Class A Share purchases of Short Term Bond of $250,000 or more are sold at NAV without an up-front sales charge. Class A Share purchases may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares are sold without an up-front sales charge but incur a 0.75% annual 12b-1 distribution fee and a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within twelve months of purchase. Class R3 Shares are sold without an up-front sales charge but incur a 0.25% annual 12b-1 distribution fee and a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class R6 Shares and Class I Shares are not subject to any sales charge or 12b-1 distribution or service fees.

Multiclass Operations and Allocations

Income and expenses of the Funds that are not directly attributable to a specific class of shares are prorated among the classes based on the relative settled shares of each class. Expenses directly attributable to a class of shares are recorded to the specific class. Currently, the only expenses that are allocated on a class-specific basis are 12b-1 distribution and service fees.

Sub-transfer agent fees, which are recognized as a component of “Shareholder servicing agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, are not charged to Class R6 Shares and are prorated among the other classes based on their relative net assets.

Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the Funds are prorated among the classes based on the relative net assets of each class.

Indemnifications

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Netting Agreements

In the ordinary course of business, the Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable International Swaps and Derivative Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) master agreements or other similar arrangements (“netting agreements”). Generally, the right to offset in netting agreements allows each Fund to offset certain securities and derivatives with a specific counterparty as well as any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. Generally, each Fund manages its cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis.

The Funds’ investments subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, if any, are further described in Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives.

 

  102       Nuveen Investments


Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

2. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The fair valuation input levels as described below are for fair value measurement purposes.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for 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. 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 following is a summary of the three-tiered hierarchy of valuation input levels.

 

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

Common stocks and other equity-type securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded and are generally classified as Level 1. Securities primarily traded on the NASDAQ National Market (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price and are generally classified as Level 1. However, securities traded on a securities exchange or NASDAQ for which there were no transactions on a given day or securities not listed on a securities exchange or NASDAQ are valued at the quoted bid price and are generally classified as Level 2.

Investments in investment companies are valued at their respective NAVs on the valuation date and are generally classified as Level 1.

Prices of fixed-income securities are provided by a pricing service approved by the Funds’ Board of Directors (the “Board”). The pricing service establishes a security’s fair value using methods that may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing service may consider information about a security, its issuer or market activity provided by the Adviser. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.

Prices of forward foreign currency exchange contracts and swap contracts are also provided by a pricing service approved by the Board using the same methods as described above and are generally classified as Level 2.

Futures contracts are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the last traded price and are generally classified as Level 1.

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to the U.S. dollar using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Funds’ shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares. If significant market events occur between the time of determination of the closing price of a foreign security on an exchange and the time that the Funds’ NAV is determined, or if under the Funds’ procedures, the closing price of a foreign security is not deemed to be reliable, the security would be valued at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures established in good faith by the Board. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.

Certain securities may not be able to be priced by the pre-established pricing methods as described above. Such securities may be valued by the Board and/or its appointee at fair value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; debt securities that have gone into default and for which there is no current market quotation; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund’s NAV (as may be the case in non-U.S.

 

Nuveen Investments     103   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

markets on which the security is primarily traded) or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, is not deemed to reflect the security’s fair value. As a general principle, the fair value of a security would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for it in a current sale. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, which may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs. Regardless of the method employed to value a particular security, all valuations are subject to review by the Board and/or its appointee.

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of each Fund’s fair value measurements as of the end of the reporting period:

 

Core Bond   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Long-Term Investments*:           

Corporate Bonds

  $       $ 84,128,083       $   —       $ 84,128,083   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

            674,275                 674,275   

Municipal Bonds

            1,545,627                 1,545,627   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

            19,883,950                 19,883,950   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

            79,270,924                 79,270,924   

Sovereign Debt

            1,454,600                 1,454,600   
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending     8,950,753                         8,950,753   
Short-Term Investments:           

Money Market Funds

    12,208,240                         12,208,240   
Investments in Derivatives:           

Futures Contracts**

    107,568                         107,568   
Total   $ 21,266,561       $ 186,957,459       $       $ 208,224,020   
Core Plus Bond                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Corporate Bonds

  $       $ 272,008,179       $   —       $ 272,008,179   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

            21,204,252                 21,204,252   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

            64,854                 64,854   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

            125,085,384                 125,085,384   

Sovereign Debt

            11,858,640                 11,858,640   
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending     40,469,109                         40,469,109   
Short-Term Investments:           

Money Market Funds

    24,964,422                         24,964,422   
Investments in Derivatives:           

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts**

            404,557                 404,557   

Interest Rate Swaps**

            (1,196,854              (1,196,854

Futures Contracts**

    156,084                         156,084   
Total   $ 65,589,615       $ 429,429,012       $   —       $ 495,018,627   
Inflation Protected Securities                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Convertible Preferred Securities

  $ 218,654       $       $       $ 218,654   

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

    293,250                         293,250   

Corporate Bonds

            23,222,893                 23,222,893   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

            141,000                 141,000   

Municipal Bonds

            2,070,099                 2,070,099   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

            350,786,383                 350,786,383   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

            13,967,884                 13,967,884   

Sovereign Debt

            2,246,086                 2,246,086   
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending     3,513,550                         3,513,550   
Short-Term Investments:           

Money Market Funds

    2,580,386                         2,580,386   
Investments in Derivatives:           

Futures Contracts**

    162,300                         162,300   
Total   $ 6,768,140       $ 392,434,345       $   —       $ 399,202,485   
* Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for industry, state and country classifications, where applicable.
** Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

 

  104       Nuveen Investments


Intermediate Government Bond   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Long-Term Investments*:           

Corporate Bonds

  $       $ 399,213       $       $ 399,213   

Municipal Bonds

            2,170,759                 2,170,759   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

            43,525,886                 43,525,886   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

            22,413,812                 22,413,812   
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending     3,362,425                         3,362,425   
Short-Term Investments:           

Money Market Funds

    1,359,290                         1,359,290   
Investments in Derivatives:           

Futures Contracts**

    23,354                         23,354   
Total   $ 4,745,069       $ 68,509,670       $       $ 73,254,739   
Short Term Bond                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Corporate Bonds

  $       $ 288,562,094       $       $ 288,562,094   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

            3,268,500                 3,268,500   

Municipal Bonds

            13,229,662                 13,229,662   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

            34,943,597                 34,943,597   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

            284,608,348                 284,608,348   

Sovereign Debt

            2,905,190                 2,905,190   
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending     21,320,187                         21,320,187   
Short-Term Investments:           

Money Market Funds

    10,997,768                         10,997,768   
Investments in Derivatives:           

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts**

            31,146                 31,146   

Futures Contracts**

    94,258                         94,258   
Total   $ 32,412,213       $ 627,548,537       $   —       $ 659,960,750   
* Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for industry, state and country classifications, where applicable.
** Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

The Board is responsible for the valuation process and has appointed the oversight of the daily valuation process to the Adviser’s Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the valuation policies and procedures adopted by the Board is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds’ pricing policies and reporting to the Board. The Valuation Committee is aided in its efforts by the Adviser’s dedicated Securities Valuation Team, which is responsible for administering the daily valuation process and applying fair value methodologies as approved by the Valuation Committee. When determining the reliability of independent pricing services for investments owned by the Funds, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of the pricing services and monitors the quality of security prices received through various testing reports conducted by the Securities Valuation Team.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making a fair value determination, based on the facts and circumstances specific to the portfolio instrument. Fair value determinations generally will be derived as follows, using public or private market information:

 

  (i) If available, fair value determinations shall be derived by extrapolating from recent transactions or quoted prices for identical or comparable securities.

 

  (ii) If such information is not available, an analytical valuation methodology may be used based on other available information including, but not limited to: analyst appraisals, research reports, corporate action information, issuer financial statements and shelf registration statements. Such analytical valuation methodologies may include, but are not limited to: multiple of earnings, discount from market value of a similar freely-traded security, discounted cash flow analysis, book value or a multiple thereof, risk premium/yield analysis, yield to maturity and/or fundamental investment analysis.

The purchase price of a portfolio instrument will be used to fair value the instrument only if no other valuation methodology is available or deemed appropriate, and it is determined that the purchase price fairly reflects the instrument’s current value.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such testing and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board.

 

Nuveen Investments     105   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

3. Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives

Portfolio Securities

Foreign Currency Transactions

To the extent that the Funds invest in securities and/or contracts that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the Funds will be subject to currency risk, which is the risk that an increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currency will reduce returns or portfolio value. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the Funds’ investments denominated in that currency will lose value because their currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value. Investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars on a spot (i.e. cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and income denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the respective dates of such transactions.

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Investment transactions, income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date of the transactions, foreign currency transactions and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Funds and the amounts actually received.

The realized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with (i) foreign currency, (ii) investments, (iii) investments in derivatives and (iv) other assets and liabilities are recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from investments and foreign currency” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with (i) investments and (ii) other assets and liabilities are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates associated with investments in derivatives are recognized as a component of the respective derivative’s related “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds

Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted to the rate of inflation. The interest rate on these bonds is generally fixed at issuance at a rate lower than typical bonds. Over the life of an inflation-indexed bond however, interest will be paid based on a principal value which is adjusted for inflation. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond is recognized as a component of “Interest income” on the Statement of Operations, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

Securities Lending

In order to generate additional income, each Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of its total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks or other institutions. When loaning securities, the Funds retain the benefits of owning the securities, including the economic equivalent of dividends or interest generated by the security. The Funds also have the ability to recall the securities on loan at any time.

Each Funds’s policy is to receive, at the inception of a loan, cash collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of securities loaned, which is recognized as “Payable for collateral from securities lending program” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Collateral for securities on loan is invested in a money market fund, which is recognized as “Investments purchased with collateral from securities lending, at value” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The market value of the securities loaned is determined at the close of each business day in order to determine the adequacy of the collateral. If the value of the securities on loan increases such that the level of collateralization falls below 100%, additional collateral is received from the borrower on the next business day, which is recognized as “Due from broker” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities out on loan are subject to termination at any time at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Upon termination, the borrower is required to return to the Funds securities identical to the securities loaned. Generally, in the event the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the loaned securities, the Funds has the right to use the collateral to acquire identical securities. In the event the Funds are delayed or prevented from exercising their right to dispose of the collateral, there may be a loss to the Funds. Under each Fund’s securities lending agreement, however, the securities lending agent has indemnified the Fund against losses resulting from borrower default, except to the extent that those losses result from a decrease in the value of the collateral due to its investment by the Fund. The Funds bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of collateral.

The Funds’ custodian, U.S. Bank National Association, serves as its securities lending agent. Each Fund pays the custodian a fee based on its proportional share of the custodian’s expense of operating its securities lending program. Income earned from the securities lending program is paid to the Fund, net of any fees paid. Income from securities lending, net of fees paid, is recognized as “Securities lending income, net” on the Statement of Operations.

 

  106       Nuveen Investments


The following table presents the securities out on loan for the Funds and the collateral delivered related to those securities, as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Fund    Asset Class out on Loan   

Long-Term

Investments, at Value

    

Collateral

Pledged (From)

Counterparty*

    

Net

Exposure

 
Core Bond            
   Corporate Bonds    $ 7,866,315       $ (7,866,315    $   —   
     U.S. Government and Agency Obligations      779,725         (779,725        

Total

        $ 8,646,040       $ (8,646,040    $   
Core Plus Bond            
   Corporate Bonds      $30,254,639       $ (30,254,639    $   
   $1,000 par (or similar) Institutional Preferred      3,795,908         (3,795,908        
     Sovereign Debt      4,921,936         (4,921,936        

Total

        $ 38,972,483       $ (38,972,483    $   
Inflation Protected Securities            
     Corporate Bonds    $ 3,376,638       $ (3,376,638    $   
Intermediate Government Bond            
    

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

   $ 3,246,704       $ (3,246,704    $   
Short Term Bond            
   Corporate Bonds    $ 17,345,977       $ (17,345,977    $   
     U.S. Government and Agency Obligations      3,290,463         (3,290,463        

Total

        $ 20,636,440       $ (20,636,440    $   
* As of the end of the reporting period, the value of the collateral pledged from the counterparty exceeded the value of the securities out on loan. Refer to the Fund's Portfolio of Investments for details on the securities out on loan.

Securities lending fees paid by each Fund during the current fiscal period were as follows:

 

     Core
Bond
     Core Plus
Bond
     Inflation
Protected
Securities
     Intermediate
Government
Bond
     Short Term
Bond
 
Securities lending fees paid   $ 1,909       $ 14,613       $ 1,593       $ 222       $ 6,425   

Zero Coupon Securities

A zero coupon security does not pay a regular interest coupon to its holders during the life of the security. Income to the holder of the security comes from accretion of the difference between the original purchase price of the security at issuance and the par value of the security at maturity and is effectively paid at maturity. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

Investments in Derivatives

Each Fund is authorized to invest in certain derivative instruments. The Funds record derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Funds’ investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

Each Fund is authorized to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) under two circumstances: (i) when a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency to “lock in” the U.S. exchange rate of the transaction, with such period being a short-dated contract covering the period between transaction date and settlement date; or (ii) when the Sub-Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may experience a substantial movement against the U.S. dollar or against another foreign currency.

A forward contract is an agreement between two parties to purchase or sell a specified quantity of a currency at or before a specified date in the future at a specified price. Forward contracts are typically traded in the OTC markets and all details of the contract are negotiated between the counterparties to the agreement. Accordingly, the forward contracts are valued by reference to the contracts traded in the OTC markets. The contractual obligations of a buyer or seller may generally be satisfied by taking or making physical delivery of the underlying currency, establishing an opposite position in the contract and recognizing the profit or loss on both positions simultaneously on the delivery date or, in some instances, paying a cash settlement before the designated date of delivery.

Forward contracts are valued daily at the forward rate. The net amount recorded on these transactions for each counterparty is recognized as a component of “Unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts (, net)” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in value of the forward contracts during the reporting period is recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of forward foreign currency exchange contracts” on the Statement of Operations. When the contract is closed or offset with the same counterparty, a Fund recognizes the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was entered and the value at the time it was

 

Nuveen Investments     107   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

closed or offset as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from forward foreign currency exchange contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Forward contracts will generally not be entered into for terms greater than three months, but may have maturities of up to six months or more. The use of forward contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of a Fund’s investment securities; however, it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. The use of forward contracts involves the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted. A forward contract would limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a particular currency; however, it also would limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase instead of decrease. These contracts may involve market risk in excess of the unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Forward contracts are subject to counterparty risk if the counterparty fails to perform as specified in the contract due to financial impairment or other reason.

During the current fiscal period, Core Plus Bond and Short Term Bond invested in forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage foreign currency exposure. For example, the Fund may reduce unwanted currency exposure from its bond portfolio, or it may take long forward positions in select currencies in an attempt to benefit from the potential price appreciation.

The average notional amount of forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding during the current fiscal period was as follows:

 

     Core Plus
Bond
     Short Term
Bond
 
Average notional amount of forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding*   $ 33,807,706       $ 981,138   
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.

The following table presents the fair value of forward foreign currency exchange contracts held by the Funds as of the end of the reporting period, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

           

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
           

Asset Derivatives

      

(Liability) Derivatives

 
Underlying
Risk Exposure
   Derivative Instrument      Location      Value        Location      Value  

Core Plus Bond

                      

Foreign currency exchange rate

   Forward contracts      Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      $ 404,557        

     $   —   

Short Term Bond

                      

Foreign currency exchange rate

   Forward contracts      Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      $ 31,146              $   

The following table presents the forward foreign currency exchange contracts subject to netting agreements and the collateral delivered related to those forward foreign currency exchange contracts as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Fund   Counterparty    Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation on
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts*
     Gross
Unrealized
(Depreciation) on
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts*
     Amounts
Netted on
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) on
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
     Collateral
Pledged
to (from)
Counterparty
     Net
Exposure
 
Core Plus Bond                    
  Bank of America, N.A.    $ 48,589       $   —       $   —       $ 48,589       $   —       $ 48,589   
  Goldman Sachs Bank USA      25,990                         25,990                 25,990   
    Nomura International PLC      329,978                         329,978                 329,978   

Total

       $ 404,557       $       $       $ 404,557       $       $ 404,557   
Short Term Bond                    
    Bank of America, N.A.    $ 31,146       $       $       $ 31,146       $       $ 31,146   
* Represents gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the counterparty as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized on forward foreign currency exchange contracts on the Statement of Operations during the current fiscal period, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Fund   Underlying
Risk Exposure
  Derivative
Instrument
  Net Realized
Gain (Loss) from
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
    Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) of
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
 
Core Plus Bond   Foreign currency exchange rate   Forward contracts   $ 2,429,570      $ 160,895   
Short Term Bond   Foreign currency exchange rate   Forward contracts     32,749        31,146   

 

  108       Nuveen Investments


Futures Contracts

Upon execution of a futures contract, a Fund is obligated to deposit cash or eligible securities, also known as “initial margin,” into an account at its clearing broker equal to a specified percentage of the contract amount. Cash held by the broker to cover initial margin requirements on open futures contracts, if any, is recognized as “Cash collateral at brokers” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Investments in futures contracts obligate a Fund and the clearing broker to settle monies on a daily basis representing changes in the prior days “mark-to-market” of the open contracts. If a Fund has unrealized appreciation the clearing broker would credit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to appreciation and conversely if a Fund has unrealized depreciation the clearing broker would debit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to depreciation. These daily cash settlements are also known as “variation margin.” Variation margin is recognized as a receivable and/or payable for “Variation margin on futures contracts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as an unrealized gain or loss by “marking-to-market” on a daily basis to reflect the changes in market value of the contract, which is recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations. When the contract is closed or expired, a Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract on the closing date and value of the contract when originally entered into, which is recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Risks of investments in futures contracts include the possible adverse movement in the price of the securities or indices underlying the contracts, the possibility that there may not be a liquid secondary market for the contracts and/or that a change in the value of the contract may not correlate with a change in the value of the underlying securities or indices.

During the current fiscal period, each Fund used U.S. Treasury futures as part of their overall portfolio construction strategy to manage portfolio duration and yield curve exposure.

The average notional amount of futures contracts outstanding during current fiscal period was as follows:

 

        Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
Average notional amount of futures contracts outstanding*      $ 38,020,227         $ 62,896,777         $ 71,690,609         $ 11,084,602         $ 95,904,035   
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the absolute aggregate notional amount of contracts outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.

The following table presents the fair value of all futures contracts held by the Funds as of the end of the reporting period, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

           

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
           

Asset Derivatives

       (Liability) Derivatives  
Underlying
Risk Exposure
   Derivative Instrument      Location      Value        Location      Value  

Core Bond

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts     

     $         Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
     $ 110,713   
           

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*

       (3,111      Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
       (34

Total

                 $ (3,111             $ 110,679   

Core Plus Bond

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts      Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*      $ 20,704         Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
     $ 135,380   

Inflation Protected Securities

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts      Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*      $ 9,366         Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
     $ 152,934   

Intermediate Government Bond

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts      Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*      $ (8,015      Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
     $ 31,369   

Short Term Bond

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts     

     $         Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
     $ 94,258   
* Value represents unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported on the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments and not the asset and/or liability derivatives location as described in the table above.

 

Nuveen Investments     109   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized on futures contracts on the Statement of Operations during the current fiscal period, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Fund   Underlying
Risk Exposure
  Derivative
Instrument
  Net Realized
Gain (Loss) from
Futures Contracts
    Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) of
Futures Contracts
 
Core Bond   Interest rate   Futures contracts   $ (544,406   $ 350,017   
Core Plus Bond   Interest rate   Futures contracts     (690,724     65,354   
Inflation Protected Securities   Interest rate   Futures contracts     (212,332     235,187   
Intermediate Government Bond   Interest rate   Futures contracts     (108,161     23,126   
Short Term Bond   Interest rate   Futures contracts     77,731        294,243   

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

Interest rate swap contracts involve a Fund’s agreement with the counterparty to pay or receive a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty receiving or paying a variable rate payment. Forward interest rate swap contracts involve a Fund’s agreement with a counterparty to pay, in the future, a fixed or variable rate payment in exchange for the counterparty paying the Fund a variable or fixed rate payment, the accruals for which would begin at a specified date in the future (the “effective date”). The amount of the payment obligation is based on the notional amount of the swap contract and the termination date of the swap contract. Swap contracts do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to the swap counterparty on such transactions is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is to receive.

Interest rate swap contracts are valued daily. Upon entering into an interest rate swap contract (and beginning on the effective date for a forward interest rate swap contract), a Fund accrues the fixed rate payment expected to be paid or received and the variable rate payment expected to be received or paid on the interest rate swap contracts on a daily basis, and recognizes the daily change in the fair value of the Fund’s contractual rights and obligations under the contracts. For OTC swaps, the net amount recorded on these transactions, for each counterparty, is recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a component of “Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on interest rate swaps (, net).”

Upon the execution of an exchanged-cleared swap contract, in certain instances a Fund is obligated to deposit cash or eligible securities, also known as “initial margin,” into an account at its clearing broker equal to a specified percentage of the contract amount. Cash held by the broker to cover initial margin requirements on open swap contracts, if any, is recognized as a component of “Cash collateral at brokers” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Investments in exchange-cleared interest rate swap contracts obligate a Fund and the clearing broker to settle monies on a daily basis representing changes in the prior day’s “mark-to-market” of the swap contract. If a Fund has unrealized appreciation, the clearing broker will credit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to the appreciation. Conversely, if the Fund has unrealized depreciation, the clearing broker will debit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to the depreciation. These daily cash settlements are also known as “variation margin.” Variation margin is recognized as a receivable and/or payable for “Variation margin on swap contracts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The net amount of periodic payments settled in cash are recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from swaps” on the Statement of Operations, in addition to the net realized gain or loss recorded upon the termination of the swap contract. For tax purposes, payments expected to be received or paid on the swap contracts are treated as ordinary income or expense, respectively.

Changes in the value of the swap contracts during the fiscal period are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swaps.” In certain instances, payments are made or received upon entering into the swap contract to compensate for differences between the stated terms of the swap agreements and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other relevant factors). Payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period, if any, are recognized as “Interest rate swaps premiums paid and/or received” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

During the current fiscal period, each Fund invested in interest rate swap contracts as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage duration and overall portfolio yield curve exposure.

The average notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding during the current fiscal period was as follows:

 

     Core
Bond
     Core Plus
Bond
     Inflation
Protected
Securities
     Intermediate
Government
Bond
     Short Term
Bond
 
Average notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding*   $ 7,333,333       $ 51,333,333       $ 9,000,000       $ 1,333,333       $ 22,000,000   
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.

 

  110       Nuveen Investments


The following table presents the fair value of all swap contracts held by the Funds as of the end of the reporting period, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

           

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
           

Asset Derivatives

       (Liability) Derivatives  
Underlying
Risk Exposure
   Derivative
Instrument
     Location      Value        Location      Value  

Core Plus Bond

                      

Interest rate

   Swaps (Exchange-Cleared)      Receivable for variation margin on swap contracts*      $ (1,009,753           $   

Interest rate

   Swaps (OTC)          

               Unrealized depreciation on
interest rate swaps
       (187,101

Total

                 $ (1,009,753             $ (187,101
* Value represents unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swaps as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments and not the asset and/or liability derivative location as described in the table above.

The following table presents the swap contracts subject to netting agreements and the collateral delivered related to those swap contracts as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Fund    Counterparty    Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation on
Interest
Rate Swaps***
     Gross
Unrealized
(Depreciation) on
Interest
Rate Swaps***
     Amounts
Netted on
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) on
Interest
Rate Swaps
     Collateral
Pledged
to (from)
Counter
party
       Net
Exposure
 

Core Plus Bond

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    $
 
  —
    
 
  
   $
(187,101

   $
 
  —
    
 
  
   $
(187,101

   $
187,101
  
     $
 
  —
    
 
  
*** Represents gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the counterparty as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized on swap contracts on the Statement of Operations during the current fiscal period, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Fund   

Underlying

Risk Exposure

  

Derivative

Instrument

  

Net Realized

Gain (Loss) from

Swaps

    

Change in Net Unrealized

Appreciation (Depreciation) of

Swaps

 
Core Bond    Interest rate    Swaps    $ (558,892    $ 157,115   
Core Plus Bond    Interest rate    Swaps    $ (2,047,029    $ 27,864   
Inflation Protected Securities    Interest rate    Swaps    $ (583,194    $ 80,776   
Intermediate Government Bond    Interest rate    Swaps    $ (66,161    $ (10,105
Short Term Bond    Interest rate    Swaps    $ (1,482,338    $ 258,316   

Market and Counterparty Credit Risk

In the normal course of business each Fund may invest in financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to the transaction to perform (counterparty credit risk). The potential loss could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded on the financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose each Fund to counterparty credit risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties on forward, option and swap transactions, when applicable. The extent of each Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk in respect to these financial assets approximates their carrying value as recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Each Fund helps manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties. Additionally, counterparties may be required to pledge collateral daily (based on the daily valuation of the financial asset) on behalf of each Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain above a pre-determined threshold. Reciprocally, when each Fund has an unrealized loss, the Funds have instructed the custodian to pledge assets of the Funds as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss above a pre-determined threshold. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the valuations fluctuate, either up or down, by at least the pre-determined threshold amount.

 

Nuveen Investments     111   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

4. Fund Shares

Transactions in Fund shares during the current and prior fiscal period were as follows:

 

       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
Core Bond     

Shares

      

Amount

      

Shares

      

Amount

 
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       150,669         $ 1,485,582           480,983         $ 4,953,915   

Class C

       27,519           270,898           96,329           982,982   

Class R6

       1,574,168           15,600,000           4,651,952           47,541,741   

Class I

       1,124,436           11,025,898           3,159,449           32,214,618   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       26,131           256,973           58,925           602,146   

Class C

       1,195           11,690           2,063           20,945   

Class R6

       84,983           838,133           51,608           521,428   

Class I

       83,705           819,298           470,639           4,799,991   
         3,072,806           30,308,472           8,971,948           91,637,766   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (198,118        (1,955,557        (524,861        (5,370,931

Class C

       (4,873        (48,164        (50,490        (511,743

Class R6

       (489,488        (4,835,000        (159,742        (1,625,000

Class I

       (6,214,317        (61,277,835        (17,818,315        (182,116,417
         (6,906,796        (68,116,556        (18,553,408        (189,624,091
Net increase (decrease)        (3,833,990      $ (37,808,084        (9,581,460      $ (97,986,325
       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
Core Plus Bond     

Shares

      

Amount

      

Shares

      

Amount

 
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       285,613         $ 3,138,266           1,431,910         $ 16,573,234   

Class C

       147,895           1,611,516           443,728           5,107,553   

Class R3

       888,577           9,831,939           339,863           3,921,356   

Class R6

                           3,988,552           45,789,116   

Class I

       1,482,052           16,285,937           8,121,755           93,636,474   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       124,661           1,363,700           221,063           2,551,674   

Class C

       9,173           99,800           13,935           159,971   

Class R3

       15,863           173,312           6,838           78,938   

Class R6

       53,825           589,931           61,527           703,660   

Class I

       290,881           3,176,804           638,558           7,363,664   
         3,298,540           36,271,205           15,267,729           175,885,640   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (648,202        (7,125,773        (1,282,745        (14,765,373

Class C

       (141,146        (1,561,030        (349,732        (3,968,520

Class R3

       (117,565        (1,291,759        (68,508        (785,186

Class R6

       (1,569,659        (17,564,000        (162,188        (1,865,000

Class I

       (10,638,052        (116,555,104        (13,432,022        (154,528,972
         (13,114,624        (144,097,666        (15,295,195        (175,913,051
Net increase (decrease)        (9,816,084      $ (107,826,461        (27,466      $ (27,411

 

  112       Nuveen Investments


       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
Inflation Protected Securities     

Shares

      

Amount

      

Shares

      

Amount

 
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       2,542,213         $ 27,417,384           2,506,090         $ 27,662,729   

Class C

       545,973           5,865,586           397,128           4,332,157   

Class R3

       732,221           7,870,025           298,987           3,263,207   

Class R6

       16,409           178,955           298,908           3,338,897   

Class I

       5,107,851           55,741,374           9,520,020           106,097,936   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

                           22,083           245,094   

Class C

                           2,409           26,612   

Class R3

                           2,564           28,322   

Class R6

                                       

Class I

                           59,165           661,822   
         8,944,667           97,073,324           13,107,354           145,656,776   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (821,828        (8,873,564        (785,062        (8,679,440

Class C

       (255,769        (2,740,124        (155,985        (1,721,376

Class R3

       (144,305        (1,541,992        (268,797        (2,971,314

Class R6

       (19,873        (216,709        (20,018        (225,016

Class I

       (6,119,273        (66,546,972        (7,807,405        (86,933,536
         (7,361,048        (79,919,361        (9,037,267        (100,530,682
Net increase (decrease)        1,583,619         $ 17,153,963           4,070,087         $ 45,126,094   
       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
Intermediate Government Bond     

Shares

      

Amount

      

Shares

      

Amount

 
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       467,473         $ 4,123,608           301,596         $ 2,674,606   

Class C

       60,457           534,243           25,473           225,799   

Class R3

       1,063           9,353           3,672           32,381   

Class I

       756,877           6,661,125           3,567,119           31,596,680   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       7,133           62,775           10,037           88,789   

Class C

       203           1,784           218           1,929   

Class R3

       61           542           119           1,057   

Class I

       12,387           109,110           11,379           100,789   
         1,305,654           11,502,540           3,919,613           34,722,030   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (189,831        (1,673,358        (379,903        (3,366,166

Class C

       (9,043        (79,593        (22,419        (198,363

Class R3

       (10,368        (91,064        (3,860        (34,054

Class I

       (1,619,909        (14,286,932        (5,874,316        (52,018,923
         (1,829,151        (16,130,947        (6,280,498        (55,617,506
Net increase (decrease)        (523,497      $ (4,628,407        (2,360,885      $ (20,895,476

 

Nuveen Investments     113   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
Short Term Bond      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       1,917,058         $ 18,927,587           4,107,721         $ 40,925,341   

Class C

       722,029           7,145,331           1,003,522           10,034,994   

Class R3

       36,851           363,814           15,685           156,648   

Class R6

       4,356,773           43,113,066           3,194,996           31,730,928   

Class I

       6,617,856           65,477,434           22,741,538           226,838,893   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       66,247           653,658           145,594           1,450,839   

Class C

       8,340           82,563           19,118           191,160   

Class R3

       3           28           9           91   

Class R6

       30,868           304,933           17,912           178,439   

Class I

       106,956           1,056,022           282,764           2,820,170   
         13,862,981           137,124,436           31,528,859           314,327,503   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (2,386,136        (23,547,228        (5,710,885        (56,917,931

Class C

       (716,134        (7,094,278        (1,560,336        (15,591,244

Class R3

       (1,101        (10,928        (106,775        (1,067,252

Class R6

       (273,710        (2,702,508        (451,080        (4,490,000

Class I

       (14,620,211        (144,403,153        (60,814,967        (605,795,536
         (17,997,292        (177,758,095        (68,644,043        (683,861,963
Net increase (decrease)        (4,134,311      $ (40,633,659        (37,115,184      $ (369,534,460

5. Investment Transactions

Long-term purchases and sales (including maturities but excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities lending and derivative transactions) during the current fiscal period were as follows:

 

     Core
Bond
     Core Plus
Bond
     Inflation
Protected
Securities
     Intermediate
Government
Bond
     Short Term
Bond
 
Purchases:              

Investment securities

  $ 31,203,141       $ 64,315,291       $ 3,934,893       $ 1,363,116       $ 104,545,527   

U.S. Government and agency obligations

    39,579,139         68,153,086         76,004,728         18,660,614         34,079,175   
Sales and maturities:              

Investment securities

    56,793,668         155,852,394         18,512,941         9,744,436         118,773,151   

U.S. Government and agency obligations

    44,987,149         73,472,396         33,236,688         12,309,249         13,977,344   

6. Income Tax Information

Each Fund is a separate taxpayer for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders and to otherwise comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

For all open tax years and all major taxing jurisdictions, management of the Funds has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e., generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Funds is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts as detailed below. Temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the NAVs of the Funds.

As of December 31, 2015, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments (excluding investments in derivatives), as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

        Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
Cost of investments      $ 207,868,335         $ 503,115,637         $ 407,067,412         $ 72,174,874         $ 664,807,565   
Gross unrealized:                         

Appreciation

     $ 3,652,387         $ 14,918,422         $ 4,530,684         $ 1,263,618         $ 2,332,626   

Depreciation

       (3,404,270        (22,379,219        (12,557,911        (207,107        (7,304,845
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments      $ 248,117         $ (7,460,797      $ (8,027,227      $ 1,056,511         $ (4,972,219

 

  114       Nuveen Investments


Permanent differences, primarily due to distribution reallocations, expiration of capital loss carryforwards, federal taxes paid, foreign currency transactions, return of capital distributions, treatment of notional principal contracts, amortization of mark-to-market assets on Sec. 311(e) adjustments and deflation adjustments sold reclass resulted in reclassifications among the Funds’ components of net assets as of June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end, as follows:

 

        Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
Capital paid-in      $ (20      $ (22      $ (1,423,877      $ (2,446,558      $ (7,824,109
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income        (124,923        82,081           1,477,274                     (418,938
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)        124,943           (82,059        (53,397        2,446,558           8,243,047   

The tax components of undistributed net ordinary income and net long-term capital gains as of June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end, were as follows:

 

        Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
Undistributed net ordinary income1      $ 625,622         $ 2,483,544         $   —         $ 59,307         $ 21,293   
Undistributed net long-term capital gains        705,744           801,663                                 
1  Undistributed net ordinary income (on a tax basis) has not been reduced for the dividend declared during the period June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 and paid on July 1, 2015. Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the Funds’ last tax year ended June 30, 2015, was designated for purposes of the dividends paid deduction as follows:

 

        Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
Distributions from net ordinary income2      $ 9,599,976         $ 23,402,734         $ 2,853,684         $ 1,114,389         $ 17,072,409   
Distributions from net long-term capital gains        4,146,887           884,605           128,584                       
Return of capital                            1,423,856                       
2  Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains, if any.

As of June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end, the following Funds had unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any. If not applied, the carryforwards will expire as shown in the following table. The losses not subject to expiration will be utilized first by a Fund.

 

        Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
Expiration:          

June 30, 2016

     $ 164,695         $ 48,855   

June 30, 2017

       3,538,398           1,188,199   

June 30, 2018

                 4,103,631   
Not subject to expiration        128,396           3,967,046   
Total      $ 3,831,489         $ 9,307,731   

During the Funds’ last tax year ended June 30, 2015, the following Funds utilized capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

                 Inflation
Protected
Securities
     Intermediate
Government
Bond
 
Utilized capital loss carryforwards             $ 21,234       $ 190,432   

As of June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end, the following Funds’ capital loss carryforwards expired as follows:

 

                

Intermediate
Government

Bond

     Short Term
Bond
 
Expired capital loss carryforwards             $ 2,446,535       $ 7,432,482   

The Funds have elected to defer late-year losses in accordance with federal income tax rules. These losses are treated as having arisen on the first day of the current fiscal year. The following Funds have elected to defer losses as follows:

 

           Inflation
Protected
Securities
     Intermediate
Government
Bond
     Short Term
Bond
 
Post-October capital losses3      $ 599,478       $ 44,831       $   —   
Late-year ordinary losses4          9,309                 692,591   
3  Capital losses incurred from November 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end.
4  Ordinary losses incurred from January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 and/or specified losses incurred from November 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

 

Nuveen Investments     115   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

7. Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Each Fund’s management fee compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services and general office facilities. The Sub-Adviser is compensated for its services to the Funds from the management fees paid to the Adviser.

Each Fund’s management fee consists of two components – a fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within each individual Fund, and a complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets managed by the Adviser. This pricing structure enables each Fund’s shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within their respective Fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by the Adviser.

The annual Fund-level fee, payable monthly, for each Fund is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Net Assets      Core Bond        Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
For the first $125 million        0.2700        0.2800        0.2500        0.2700        0.2200
For the next $125 million        0.2575           0.2675           0.2375           0.2575           0.2075   
For the next $250 million        0.2450           0.2550           0.2250           0.2450           0.1950   
For the next $500 million        0.2325           0.2425           0.2125           0.2325           0.1825   
For the next $1 billion        0.2200           0.2300           0.2000           0.2200           0.1700   
For net assets over $2 billion        0.1950           0.2050           0.1750           0.1950           0.1450   

The annual complex-level fee, payable monthly, for each Fund is determined by taking the complex-level fee rate, which is based on the aggregate amount of “eligible assets” of all Nuveen funds as set forth in the schedule below, and making, as appropriate, an upward adjustment to that rate based upon the percentage of the particular fund’s assets that are not “eligible assets.” The complex-level fee schedule for each Fund is as follows:

 

Complex-Level Asset Breakpoint Level*      Effective Rate at Breakpoint Level  
$55 billion        0.2000
$56 billion        0.1996   
$57 billion        0.1989   
$60 billion        0.1961   
$63 billion        0.1931   
$66 billion        0.1900   
$71 billion        0.1851   
$76 billion        0.1806   
$80 billion        0.1773   
$91 billion        0.1691   
$125 billion        0.1599   
$200 billion        0.1505   
$250 billion        0.1469   
$300 billion        0.1445   
* The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily “eligible assets” of all Nuveen funds. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of $2 billion added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with the Adviser’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011. Eligible assets include closed-end fund assets managed by the Adviser that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the closed-end funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by the TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by the Adviser as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining eligible assets in certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2015, the complex-level fee rate for each Fund was as follows:

 

Fund      Complex-Level Fee Rate  

Core Bond

       0.2000

Core Plus Bond

       0.2000   

Inflation Protected Securities

       0.1803   

Intermediate Government Bond

       0.2000   

Short Term Bond

       0.2000   

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (“Expense Cap”) of each Fund so that the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees occurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares in the amounts and for the time periods stated in the following table:

 

Fund                      Expense Cap        Temporary
Expense Cap
Expiration Date

Core Bond

                 0.53 %      October 31, 2016

Core Plus Bond

                 0.52         October 31, 2016

Inflation Protected Securities

                 0.60         October 31, 2016

Intermediate Government Bond

                 0.60         October 31, 2016

Short Term Bond

                     0.47        October 31, 2016

 

  116       Nuveen Investments


The Trust pays no compensation directly to those of its directors who are affiliated with the Adviser or to its officers, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the Trust from the Adviser or its affiliates. The Board has adopted a deferred compensation plan for independent directors that enable directors to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to receive from certain Nuveen-advised funds. Under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar amounts had been invested in shares of select Nuveen-advised funds.

During the current fiscal period, Nuveen Securities, LLC, (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen, collected sales charges on purchases of Class A Shares, the majority of which were paid out as concessions to financial intermediaries as follows:

 

     Core
Bond
     Core Plus
Bond
     Inflation
Protected
Securities
     Intermediate
Government
Bond
     Short Term
Bond
 
Sales charges collected   $ 8,468       $ 22,351       $ 8,059       $ 7,286       $ 56,482   
Paid to financial intermediaries     6,840         19,392         6,935         6,543         54,927   

The Distributor also received 12b-1 service fees on Class A Shares, substantially all of which were paid to compensate financial intermediaries for providing services to shareholders relating to their investments.

During the current fiscal period, the Distributor compensated financial intermediaries directly with commission advances at the time of purchase as follows:

 

        Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
Commission advances      $ 720         $ 9,704         $ 5,193         $ 4,624         $ 58,449   

To compensate for commissions advanced to financial intermediaries, all 12b-1 service and distribution fees collected on Class C Shares during the first year following a purchase were retained by the Distributor. During the current fiscal period, the Distributor retained such 12b-1 fees as follows:

 

        Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
12b-1 fees retained      $ 1,955         $ 18,287         $ 5,275         $ 2,392         $ 17,728   

The remaining 12b-1 fees charged to the Funds were paid to compensate financial intermediaries for providing services to shareholders relating to their investments.

The Distributor also collected and retained CDSC on share redemptions during the current fiscal period, as follows:

 

        Core
Bond
       Core Plus
Bond
       Inflation
Protected
Securities
       Intermediate
Government
Bond
       Short Term
Bond
 
CDSC retained      $   —         $ 548         $ 1,641         $   —         $ 6,306   

8. Borrowing Arrangements

During the current fiscal period, the Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Adviser (“Participating Funds”), established a 364-day, $2.53 billion standby credit facility with a group of lenders, under which the Participating Funds may borrow for various purposes other than leveraging for investment purposes. A large portion of this facility’s capacity (and its associated costs as described below) is currently dedicated for use by a small number of Participating Funds, which does not include any of the Funds covered by this shareholder report. The remaining capacity under the facility (and the corresponding portion of the facility’s annual costs) is separately dedicated to most of the other open-end funds in the Nuveen fund family, including all of the Funds covered by this shareholder report, along with a number of Nuveen closed-end funds. The credit facility expires in July 2016 unless extended or renewed.

The credit facility has the following terms: a fee of 0.15% per annum on unused commitment amounts, and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Fed Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations, and along with commitment fees, have been allocated among such Participating Funds based upon the relative proportions of the facility’s aggregate capacity reserved for them and other factors deemed relevant by the Adviser and the Board of each Participating Fund.

During the current fiscal period, none of the Funds utilized this facility.

 

Nuveen Investments     117   


Additional

Fund Information

 

 

Fund Manager

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Sub-Adviser

Nuveen Asset Management, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank National Association

Milwaukee, WI 53202

  

Legal Counsel

Chapman and Cutler LLP

Chicago, IL 60603

  

Transfer Agent and
Shareholder Services

Boston Financial
Data Services

Nuveen Investor Services

P.O. Box 8530

Boston, MA 02266-8530

(800) 257-8787

  

 

 

        
  Quarterly Form N-Q Portfolio of Investments Information: Each Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. You may obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov or in person at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call the SEC toll-free at (800) SEC-0330 for room hours and operation.  
        

 

  Nuveen Funds’ Proxy Voting Information: You may obtain (i) information regarding how each fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll-free at (800) 257-8787 or on Nuveen’s website at www.nuveen.com and (ii) a description of the policies and procedures that each fund used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll-free at (800) 257-8787. You may also obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov.  

 

        
  FINRA BrokerCheck: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides information regarding the disciplinary history of FINRA member firms and associated investment professionals. This information as well as an investor brochure describing FINRA BrokerCheck is available to the public by calling the FINRA BrokerCheck Hotline number at (800) 289-9999 or by visiting www.FINRA.org.  

 

  118       Nuveen Investments


Glossary of Terms

Used in this Report

 

Asset-Backed Securities (ABS): Securities whose value and income payments are derived from and collateralized by a specific pool of underlying assets. The pool of assets typically is a group of small and/or illiquid assets that may be difficult to sell individually. The underlying pools of asset-backed securities often include payments from credit cards, auto loans or mortgage loans.

Average Annual Total Return: This is a commonly used method to express an investment’s performance over a particular, usually multi-year time period. It expresses the return that would have been necessary each year to equal the investment’s actual cumulative performance (including change in NAV or offer price and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, if any) over the time period being considered.

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index: An unmanaged index that includes all investment-grade, publicly issued, fixed-rate, dollar denominated, nonconvertible debt issues and commercial mortgage-backed securities with maturities of at least one year and outstanding par values of $150 million or more. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index: An index that covers the U.S. dollar-denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays Intermediate Government Bond Index: An unmanaged index that includes all publicly issued, U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to 1 year and less than 10 years, are rated investment grade, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays U.S. TIPS Index: An unmanaged index that includes all publicly issued, U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities that have at least one year remaining to maturity, are rated investment grade, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index: An unmanaged index that includes all medium and larger issues of U.S. government, investment-grade corporate, and investment-grade international dollar-denominated bonds that have maturities of between 1 and 3 years and are publicly issued. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS): Commercial mortgage-backed securities are backed by cash flows of a mortgage or pool of mortgages on commercial real estate. CMBS generally are structured to provide protection to the senior class investors against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. CMBS are typically characterized by the following: i) loans on multi-family housing, non-residential property, ii) payments based on the amortization schedule of 25-30 years with a balloon payment due usually after 10 years, and iii) restrictions on prepayments.

Duration: Duration is a measure of the expected period over which a bond’s principal and interest will be paid, and consequently is a measure of the sensitivity of a bond’s or bond fund’s value to changes when market interest rates change. Generally, the longer a bond’s or fund’s duration, the more the price of the bond or fund will change as interest rates change.

Lipper Core Bond Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Core Bond Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charge.

 

Nuveen Investments     119   


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Lipper Core Bond Plus Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Core Bond Plus Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charge.

Lipper Inflation-Protected Bond Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Inflation-Protected Bond Funds Classification. The Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charge.

Lipper Intermediate U.S. Government Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Intermediate U.S. Government Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charge.

Lipper Short Investment Grade Debt Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Short Investment Grade Debt Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charge.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS): Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are bonds backed by pools of mortgages, usually with similar characteristics, and which return principal and interest in each payment. MBS are composed of residential mortgages (RMBS) or commercial mortgages (CMBS). RMBS are further divided into agency RMBS and non-agency RMBS, depending on the issuer.

Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share: A fund’s Net Assets is equal to its total assets (securities, cash and accrued earnings) less its total liabilities. For funds with multiple classes, Net Assets are determined separately for each share class. NAV per share is equal to the fund’s (or share class’) Net Assets divided by its number of shares outstanding.

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS): Residential mortgage-backed securities are securities the payments on which depend primarily on the cash flow from residential mortgage loans made to borrowers that are secured by residential real estate. RMBS consist of agency and non-agency RMBS. Agency RMBS have agency guarantees that assure investors that they will receive timely payment of interest and principal, regardless of delinquency or default rates on the underlying loans. Agency RMBS include securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the

Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and other federal agencies, or issues guaranteed by them. Non-agency RMBS do not have agency guarantees. Non-agency RMBS have credit enhancement built into the structure to shield investors from borrower delinquencies. The spectrum of non-agency residential mortgage loans includes traditional jumbo loans (prime), alternative-A loans (Alt-A), and home equity loans (sub-prime).

Tax Equalization: The practice of treating a portion of the distribution made to a redeeming shareholder, which represents his proportionate part of undistributed net investment income and capital gain as a distribution for tax purposes. Such amounts are referred to as the equalization debits (or payments) and will be considered a distribution to the shareholder of net investment income and capital gain for calculation of the Fund’s dividends paid deduction.

 

  120       Nuveen Investments


Notes

 

 

Nuveen Investments     121   


Notes

 

 

  122       Nuveen Investments


Notes

 

 

Nuveen Investments     123   


LOGO

 

    

 

     

 

           
  Nuveen Investments:            
     Serving Investors for Generations   
    

 

     Since 1898, financial advisors and their clients have relied on Nuveen Investments to provide dependable investment solutions through continued adherence to proven, long-term investing principles. Today, we offer a range of high quality equity and fixed-income solutions designed to be integral components of a well-diversified core portfolio.   
       

 

       

Focused on meeting investor needs.

 

Nuveen Investments provides high-quality investment services designed to help secure the longterm goals of institutional and individual investors as well as the consultants and financial advisors who serve them. Nuveen Investments markets a wide range of specialized investment solutions which provide investors access to capabilities of its high-quality boutique investment affiliates-Nuveen Asset Management, Symphony Asset Management, NWQ Investment Management Company, Santa Barbara Asset Management, Tradewinds Global Investors, Winslow Capital Management, and Gresham Investment Management. In total, Nuveen Investments managed approximately $225 billion as of December 31, 2015.

  
    

 

        
       

Find out how we can help you.

To learn more about how the products and services of Nuveen Investments may be able to help you meet your financial goals, talk to your financial advisor, or call us at (800) 257-8787. Please read the information provided carefully before you invest. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment carefully. Where applicable, be sure to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other relevant information. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your securities representative or Nuveen Investments, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

 

Learn more about Nuveen Funds at: www.nuveen.com/mf

  

 

                 
  Distributed by Nuveen Securities, LLC | 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 | www.nuveen.com   

 

MSA-FINC-1215D        14133-INV-B-02/17


     LOGO
Mutual Funds   

 

      
     Nuveen Income Funds

 

 

       

 

       

 

 

Semi-Annual Report  December 31, 2015

 

              Share Class / Ticker Symbol
    Fund Name        Class A    Class C    Class R3    Class R6    Class I    

 

 

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

       NGTAX    NGTCX    NGTRX       NGTIX    
 

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

       FJSIX    FCSIX    FANSX       FJSYX    
 

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

       FCDDX    FCBCX    FABSX    FSFRX    FCBYX    
 

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

       NUSNX    NUSCX          NUSIX    


 

 

     

 

           
  Life is Complex.     
  Nuveen makes things e-simple.   
  It only takes a minute to sign up for e-Reports. Once enrolled, you’ll receive an e-mail as soon as your Nuveen Fund information is ready. No more waiting for delivery by regular mail. Just click on the link within the e-mail to see the report and save it on your computer if you wish.   
        Free e-Reports right to your e-mail!   
       

www.investordelivery.com

If you receive your Nuveen Fund distributions and statements from your
financial advisor or brokerage account.

     or   

www.nuveen.com/accountaccess

If you receive your Nuveen Fund distributions and statements directly from Nuveen.

 

Must be preceded by or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE

  
    

 

        
                                 

 

LOGO


Table

of Contents

 

Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders

     4   

Portfolio Managers’ Comments

     5   

Risk Considerations and Dividend Information

     16   

Fund Performance and Expense Ratios

     19   

Yields

     24   

Holding Summaries

     25   

Expense Examples

     29   

Portfolios of Investments

     31   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     79   

Statement of Operations

     81   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

     82   

Financial Highlights

     84   

Notes to Financial Statements

     92   

Additional Fund Information

     113   

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     114   

 

Nuveen Investments     3   


Chairman’s Letter

to Shareholders

 

LOGO

Dear Shareholders,

For better or for worse, the financial markets spent most of the past year waiting for the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) to end its accommodative monetary policy. The policy has propped up stock and bond markets since the Great Recession, but the question remains: how will markets behave without its influence? This uncertainty was a considerable source of volatility for stock and bond prices for much of 2015, despite the Fed carefully conveying its intention to raise rates slowly and only when the economy shows evidence of readiness.

As was widely expected, the long-awaited Fed rate hike materialized in mid-December. While the move was interpreted as a vote of confidence on the U.S. economy’s underlying strength, the Fed emphasized that future rate increases will be gradual and guided by its ongoing assessment of financial conditions. Headwinds including rising borrowing costs, softer commodity prices, low inflation, a strong U.S. dollar and a stagnant global economy could necessitate keeping monetary conditions accommodative for longer. Meanwhile, policy makers in Europe and Japan are deploying their available tools to try to bolster their economies’ fragile growth, while Chinese authorities have stepped up efforts to manage China’s slowdown.

Although the new year began with a more pessimistic tone to investor sentiment and elevated volatility in the markets, we caution investors from making long-term decisions based on short-term news. In times like these, you can look to a professional investment manager with the experience and discipline to maintain the proper perspective on short-term events. And if the daily headlines do concern you, I encourage you to reach out to your financial advisor. Your financial advisor can help you evaluate your investment strategies in light of current events, your time horizon and risk tolerance.

On behalf of the other members of the Nuveen Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

William J. Schneider

Chairman of the Board

February 22, 2016

 

 

  4       Nuveen Investments


Portfolio Managers’

Comments

 

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

These Funds feature portfolio management by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Investments, Inc. In this report, the various portfolio management teams for the Funds discuss key investment strategies and the Funds’ performance for the six-month reporting period ended December 31, 2015. These management teams include:

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

Timothy A. Palmer, CFA, and Steven S. Lee, CFA, have managed the Fund since its inception in 2011.

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

John T. Fruit, CFA, has managed the Fund since 2006. Jeffrey T. Schmitz, CFA, has been part of the management team for the Fund since 2008.

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

Timothy A. Palmer, CFA, has been the lead manager of the Fund since 2005. Jeffrey J. Ebert has been on the management team since 2000. Marie A. Newcome, CFA, joined the Fund as a co-portfolio manager in 2011.

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

Daniel J. Close, CFA, Jeffrey J. Ebert and Jeffrey T. Schmitz, CFA, have managed the Fund since its inception in 2014.

High yield market overview for the six-month reporting period ended December 31, 2015.

High yield markets struggled during the reporting period, as continued declines in the value of fossil fuels and other commodities undermined the creditworthiness of issuers whose financial health depends on such values. Consequently, yield spreads (the degree to which the yield of a particular bond relative to a low-risk bond such as a U.S. Treasury) for high yield bonds, particularly those of issuers in the most impacted industries, widened considerably during the six-month reporting period and caused such bonds to decline significantly in value. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index provided a 0.65% total return during this reporting period in contrast to the Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index, which returned -6.82% during the reporting period.

In early December, 2015, another sponsor’s mutual fund that was invested heavily in distressed credit bonds, was forced to suspend further share redemptions (withdrawals from the fund), reportedly because shareholder redemption requests were occurring faster than the fund was able to sell portfolio securities in a balanced manner to raise the cash necessary to pay those redeeming shareholders. This event, occurring at a time when the high yield bond market was already weak and generally declining, served to exacerbate the concerns of high yield bond market participants about both the ongoing strength and stability of the high yield bond

 

 

Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio managers as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. The Funds disclaim any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.

Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below investment grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

 

Nuveen Investments     5   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

market, and specifically about the ability of high yield bond funds to sell portfolio bonds to meet redemptions going forward. The immediate result was for already unstable and declining high yield bond prices to decline further and faster and for net negative flows (net redemptions) for funds investing in high yield bonds to increase, which put further pressure on the high yield bond market. However, as investors learned more about the specific fund’s circumstance, and generally came to conclude that the event was driven primarily by that fund’s uniquely difficult circumstances, the market’s fears tended to subside. However, those market-wide concerns have not completely dissipated. As a result, net negative flows out of the high yield bond fund category are still significant, and high yield bond prices have not recovered through the time of this writing in mid-February, so the market skittishness following the event ended up hurting overall Fund performance, both during the reporting period and into the ensuing period.

How did the Funds perform during the six-month reporting period ended December 31, 2015?

The tables in the Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section of this report provide total returns for the Funds for the six-month, one-year, five-year, ten-year and/or since inception periods ended December 31, 2015. Each Funds’ Class A Share total returns at net asset value (NAV) are compared with the performance of the appropriate Barclays Index and Lipper classification average. A more detailed account of each Fund’s performance is provided later in this report.

What strategies were used to manage the Funds during the six-month reporting period and how did these strategies influence performance?

All of the Funds continued to employ the same fundamental investment strategies and tactics used previously, although implementation of those strategies depended on the individual characteristics of the portfolios, as well as market conditions. The Funds’ management teams use a highly collaborative, research-driven approach that we believe offers the best opportunity to achieve consistent, superior long-term performance on a risk-adjusted basis across the full range of market environments. During the reporting period, the Funds were generally positioned for an environment of continued moderate economic growth. Nonetheless, during the reporting period we made smaller scaled shifts on an ongoing basis that were geared toward improving each Fund’s profile in response to changing conditions and valuations. These strategic moves are discussed in more detail within each Fund’s section of this report.

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) underperformed the Barclays Global Aggregate Unhedged Bond Index and the Lipper Global Income Funds Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The reporting period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy.

Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the final three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. In anticipation of the Fed move, the Treasury yield curve flattened as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries fell modestly.

During the reporting period, spreads widened across all sectors as investors favored higher quality sectors of the market such as Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which outpaced corporate bonds by a wide margin. In the investment grade corporate market, commodity price volatility and heavy new issue supply kept technicals weak in higher risk sectors, causing lower-quality bonds to underperform significantly. Analysts at ratings agencies reduced price forecasts for energy and metals, causing negative

 

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outlook changes for several issuers and exacerbating selling pressure in an already weak market. Merger and acquisition (M&A) related financing also took a toll on the technical backdrop as the market tried to absorb nearly $70 billion in M&A related issuance. Market technicals remained weak into the reporting period as dealers tried to keep inventory levels low and oil prices hit new lows. Given strong fundamentals, financials outperformed the industrial sector, which was weighed down by growth concerns. These worries also caused BBB rated issuers to significantly underperform A rated issuers. European credit, both investment grade and high yield, outperformed U.S. credit owing to marginally higher overall quality, less concentration in energy and the effects of supportive European Central Bank (ECB) policy on market technicals.

High yield bond prices came under extreme pressure as festering global growth concerns, the Fed’s mixed messages and accumulating sector specific issues weighed on confidence and led to a poor technical backdrop. A flight-to-quality ensued due to persistent commodity weakness and increased distress among lower rated issues. Energy bonds, which comprise approximately 13% of the market, continued to be pressured by falling crude prices. The weak global growth outlook also caused the headwinds in the commodity sector, with many base metal, iron ore and coal prices trading at multi-year lows. Elevated risks in the commodity sector curbed risk appetites and led to underperformance in the CCC rated credit space, which is more exposed to these cyclically weak areas. High yield spreads, which have been rising since mid-2014, ended the reporting period well above their historical average as a percentage of the 10-year Treasury yield, reflecting the extremely negative sentiment and investor outflows from the segment.

Non-U.S. interest rates and currencies took the Fed’s first move in stride, reacting moderately to prospects for a higher U.S. rate structure. A moderate message from the Fed, below trend global growth, the lack of inflation pressures and ongoing risk aversion in credit helped keep market rates in check. Europe and Japan, while posting reasonable growth data, continued to witness broadly disinflationary effects beyond energy, leading to meaningfully lower inflation expectations. After increased expectations earlier in the period, the ECB disappointed marginally by offering only an extension of its quantitative easing plan late in the year, but clearly left the door open for more. The Bank of Japan continued its waiting game in the midst of mixed economic data. China was an ongoing source of volatility after surprising the market with a currency devaluation in August. Most developed foreign markets marginally outperformed the U.S. and yield curves were flatter. While currencies were volatile during the period, the U.S. dollar generally appreciated versus most currencies. Emerging market (EM) currencies struggled with slow growth, declining commodity prices and reduced investor risk appetite. Developed currencies, such as the euro, fared better, but generally slipped on diverging monetary policies. The yen gained marginally amid global risk aversion and sluggish domestic activity.

A combination of sluggish global economic activity, low and volatile commodity prices and concerns about a Fed rate hike led to negative returns for EM debt. Mixed and decelerating data out of China continued to raise questions about the country’s growth and the resultant impact on the rest of the world. Political disarray, stagnant growth and currency weakness continued to plague Brazil, threatening further instability in this large EM player, while a surprise policy shift in South Africa exacerbated the volatility. In terms of regions, Latin America lagged, while Eastern Europe held in better given those countries’ proximity to the eurozone and better debt dynamics. Most local EM markets underperformed U.S. Treasuries. Nearly all EM currencies declined, with central Europe faring better and Brazil, Russia and South Africa among the worst performers due to global as well as domestic challenges.

The volatile market environment and pressures on credit and economically-sensitive sectors of the market drove the Fund’s shortfall versus the benchmark during the reporting period. The largest negative impact on performance was from the Fund’s weighting in the high yield corporate sector. In addition to the overweight to high yield, our positioning in cyclical credits, including energy, as well as EM corporates, contributed to underperformance.

While an overweight to investment grade credit detracted marginally, the primary performance impact in that sector was due to our lower quality bias/overweight BBB rated credits. Issue selection was also a negative contributor as the benefit from a large overweight to financials was offset by our smaller, but hard hit, positions in cyclical credits, including energy. An overweight to EM investment grade corporates, although scaled back early in the reporting period, was also a drag on performance.

Our overall global interest rate positioning detracted slightly given our small duration underweight to the index, which was largely expressed through our zero weight in Japanese bonds. Interest rate selection was mixed, with gains in core Europe, the U.S. and emerging Europe offset by losses from South Africa, Mexico and the underweight to Japan.

 

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Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

Overall, currency positioning benefited the Fund during the reporting period. The Fund’s significant overweight to the U.S. dollar was helpful as global growth concerns and the shift in rates by the Fed supported the dollar. We also benefited from select positions such as the Indonesian rupiah and Indian rupee, as well as our negative views on Canada and Turkey. A portion of this gain was offset by our positions in the Mexican peso and British pound, as well as our large underweight to the Japanese yen. We continue to believe the yen is in a longer-term depreciation trend, the U.S. dollar has cyclical support and select EM currencies may become attractive as the year develops.

The Fund continued to reflect our bias for moderate global growth, led by the U.S. Positioning has reflected our view that emerging markets will continue to face headwinds, but that improvements in European growth, combined with underlying strength in the U.S., will underpin credit sectors. We have been positioned for continued monetary support from the ECB and supportive financial conditions. As a result, the Fund’s positioning emphasizes an overweight to the U.S. dollar, a high degree of selectivity in interest rate markets, including favoring the eurozone, and a focus on sectors that we believe will benefit from our economic and market outlook. We continued to favor sector strategies for income generation driven primarily through diversified exposure to investment grade and high yield credit, in addition to other spread opportunities away from credit. Sector selection remained focused on these sectors, with activity focused on managing credit risks and opportunities at the issue selection level, based on our fundamental credit research and market conditions. Also, we continued to underweight mortgage-related and structured assets, although select positions in some segments of these sectors provide attractive income and liquidity benefits for the portfolio. We continued to allocate away from Treasury and agency securities as these offer unattractive duration/yield profiles.

The Fund’s market selection remained focused on markets where domestic fundamentals and valuations combined to offer what we believed to be good value. We increased positions in the eurozone, including Germany and peripheral markets such as Italy and Portugal, while remaining underweight in Spain. We reduced local bond positions in Mexico, Poland and South Africa based on valuations as well as macro and local fundamental developments. Overall interest rate positioning remained defensive, although less so as the reporting period progressed, owing to improved valuations and significant declines in inflationary pressures.

Our largest adjustment to currency exposures during the period was a reduction in the Fund’s underweight to the euro. Toward the end of the reporting period, the euro’s valuation had significantly factored in near-term developments, warranting less of an underweight. We also reduced exposure in Poland and moved to a market weight in Canada.

During the reporting period, we also continued to utilize various derivative instruments. We used foreign currency exchange contracts to gain exposure to selected foreign currencies, as well as in some cases to hedge the currency risk present in a foreign bond. The overall effect of the foreign currency exchange contracts was positive as the majority of the positions were used for hedging purposes during the reporting period as the U.S. dollar rallied.

We sold U.S. Treasury futures and Euro dollar futures as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage portfolio duration and yield curve exposure and purchased selected foreign bond futures to actively manage exposure to those markets. The effect of these activities was negligible.

We used interest rate swaps as part of an overall portfolio interest rate strategy to manage duration and overall portfolio yield curve exposure. The swap contracts detracted from performance during the reporting period.

We used credit default swaps to take on credit risk and earn a commensurate credit spread. The Fund no longer held these swap contracts at period end. The effect of these swap positions on performance was negative during the reporting period.

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed both the Barclays High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index and the Lipper High Current Yield Funds Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The reporting period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the reporting period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off

 

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sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy.

Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the final three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. In anticipation of the Fed move, the Treasury yield curve flattened during the reporting period as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries fell modestly.

High yield corporate bond prices were under extreme pressure during the reporting period as the risks of slower global growth, lower commodity prices and uncertainty regarding rate hikes triggered a massive flight to quality. The precipitous drop in oil prices, and the continued downtrend in oil and other commodities, had a calamitous effect on the prices of energy and commodity related debt as well as the broader high yield and emerging markets (EM), given their respective concentrations to energy and basic materials. Along with the plunging price declines in any securities even tangentially related to energy and mining came a dose of explosive volatility and heightened fear of impaired market liquidity. The sell-off in the high yield asset class during the period seemed to be a manifestation of all these factors, combined with fears over the eventual December Fed rate hike and presumed tax-loss selling, making for an environment of extreme risk aversion and widening credit spreads. Lower rated and less liquid issues within the high yield space were hit disproportionately hard as investors scrambled for safety, with the spread differential between BB and CCC rated debt morphing to levels not seen since the financial crisis of 2008.

Emerging markets remained under pressure due to strength in the U.S. dollar versus various EM currencies and, as mentioned, these markets’ disproportionate exposure to weakness in commodities. In September, S&P downgraded the sovereign rating of Brazil, Latin America’s largest EM issuer, ratings from BBB- to BB+ and followed with downgrades to many of the country’s corporate issuers. Volatility and outflows seen within EM debt spilled over to a degree to the U.S. high yield market, again stressing the technical aspects of the market. Despite many of the commodity headwinds and Brazil headlines, EM debt was fairly resilient and outperformed the U.S. high yield market as the market was anchored by supportive technical factors and a higher correlation to Treasuries. Looking across other global high yield markets, European high yield also fared better than the U.S. market, owing to its smaller exposure to the troubled areas of energy and basic materials and generally higher quality. The European banking and auto sectors, both large index constituents, represented relative safe havens from some of the stresses that were seen elsewhere.

Against this backdrop, the Fund’s exposures to cyclically challenged areas such as basic materials and energy caused much of its underperformance. While the Fund’s weights in both the energy and metals/mining sectors were close to that of the benchmark, we continued to see a relentless sell-off in higher risk (lower quality) names held in our portfolio. Similarly, exposures to smaller-sized issues, and therefore less liquid areas of the market, continued to see little in the way of sponsorship from the market, hampering relative returns for a number of our holdings. Because of the fears surrounding the Fed tightening cycle, investors chose to hold a greater percentage of liquid bonds due to what the market views as a growing redemption risk. While that was a rational behavioral response, it created a uniquely large liquidity premium between large benchmark issues and smaller-sized issues. In many cases, we sold and realized losses in some of the money-losing positions, and moved to increase the overall quality of the energy portfolio in particular. However, de-risking proved very challenging, especially and most notably within the energy space as liquidity all but dried up.

The growing risk aversion and concurrent underperformance of CCC rated bonds also hurt the Fund’s relative performance over the course of the period. Stylistically, our Fund has long sacrificed some degree of market liquidity and maintained a lower average quality as a byproduct of our bottom-up, value-oriented approach to security selection, which sometimes manifests itself in investments in smaller, less-followed credits, and by extension, less liquid holdings. Simply put, our lower quality bias did not serve the Fund well during the reporting period.

 

Nuveen Investments     9   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

While the weakness in China renewed global growth concerns, the fundamental outlook for the U.S. remained robust as shown by more recent macro data. To that end, we saw domestic cyclicals, areas such as transportation, airlines and homebuilders, perform much better than globally exposed cyclicals such as chemicals, mining and technology. Therefore, the Fund benefited from overweights in building materials, diversified manufacturing and transportation, sectors that played into our U.S. centric cyclical theme.

At the end of the reporting period, we carried a roughly 11% allocation to the energy sector, in line with the benchmark weighting. Of note, however, the Fund’s exposure to the riskier sectors of exploration and production (E&P) and oilfield services was 7.5%, with the remainder in the midstream (pipeline) and refining sectors that have mostly sidestepped the large price declines. Of the 11% allocation to energy, approximately 2% was from CCC rated issuers, with the remainder rated B or above. While continued weakness in energy is certainly a risk, the risk/reward proposition looks compelling to us and justifies retaining modest exposure to the sector. We aim to be very selective in the bonds we wish to hold for the longer term, again focusing on credits we feel reasonably certain can muddle through the current downturn and yet offer significant yields.

Turning to the other troubled sector of metals and mining, we ended the reporting period with a roughly 4.5% exposure, also in line with the benchmark weighting. However, exposure to a few coal-related credits and some smaller, less liquid issues suffered larger mark-to-market losses and caused some underperformance within the sector. The Fund’s remaining exposure within the metals and mining sector is well diversified among producers of coal/iron ore, aluminum/steel, precious metals and base metals. Despite the very weak performance seen by these areas during both the six-month reporting period and the full year of 2015, we believe the material downside from current levels is not a large risk, in part due to the already depressed prices. Along with energy, the mining sector has been among the worst yearly performers, both down by more than 23% during 2015.

The Fund continued to hold a roughly 9% overweight to the CCC rating category at the end of the reporting period, however that should be viewed as temporary in nature due to various fund flows near year-end. We carried closer to a 4-5% overweight during much of the reporting period and aim to reduce this further in the near future. We also carried a small overweight to the B rating category versus the Barclays High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. Despite the overall weakness seen in the lower rated parts of the market, we still view this as less of an indictment on the underlying credit quality and overwhelmingly more technical in nature. Relative to other lower rated securities BB rated securities have naturally benefited from the flight to quality over the past six months due to the challenges the market has been facing in regard to trading liquidity, coupled with the rather large outflows the sector has experienced dating back to last year.

Away from the energy sector, we have overweights to the chemical and paper sectors. While concerns around Chinese growth are likely to linger into 2016, continued growth in the U.S. and improved economic conditions in China would certainly benefit these sectors. We believe sector fundamentals are robust enough and sector balance sheets are still in good enough shape to even allow an economic slowdown to be manageable. We also carry an overweight to the transportation sector, predominately among holdings in the shipping and airline leasing segments. In particular, the medium-/long-range product tanker business is enjoying strong fundamentals.

We have reduced the Fund’s overall EM exposure. The huge decline in commodity prices in 2015 has caused economic growth to decline and has resulted in both corporate and sovereign downgrades. These markets are also suffering from numerous other headwinds including tightening credit conditions and ongoing political/geopolitical risk. We believe there will be tactical opportunities in the year ahead to add selectively, but in the meantime we are a bit cautious in our positioning. We believe European high yield is likely to underperform modestly in 2016. While void of the energy default risk that surrounds the U.S. market, the excess spread in markets outside of Europe will most likely lead to superior returns. European high yield has consistently been a top performing sector with the exception of 2011, when the European sovereign crisis reached its peak.

During the reporting period, we also continued to utilize various derivative instruments. We used Treasury note and bond futures as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage the Fund’s duration and yield curve exposures. The effect of these activities was negligible on performance during the reporting period. We also used interest rate swaps as part of our portfolio construction strategy to manage the Fund’s duration and overall portfolio yield curve exposure. The interest rate swaps detracted from performance during the reporting period. These contracts were terminated prior to the end of the reporting period.

 

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In addition, we used foreign currency exchange contracts to manage the Fund’s foreign currency exposures. During the reporting period, these instruments were used primarily for hedging purposes to reduce unwanted currency exposure from the Fund’s bond portfolio. These positions had a positive impact on performance during the reporting period.

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) underperformed the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index and the Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the reporting period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy.

Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the final three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. As a result, the Treasury yield curve flattened as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries fell modestly.

During the reporting period, spreads widened across all sectors as investors favored higher-quality sectors of the market such as Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which outpaced corporate bonds by a wide margin. In the investment grade corporate market, commodity price volatility and heavy new issue supply kept technicals weak in higher risk sectors, causing lower quality bonds to underperform significantly. Analysts at ratings agencies reduced price forecasts for energy and metals, causing negative outlook changes for several issuers and exacerbating selling pressure in an already weak market. Merger and acquisition (M&A) related financing also took a toll on the technical backdrop as the market tried to absorb nearly $70 billion in M&A related issuance. Market technicals remained weak into year-end as dealers tried to keep inventory levels low and oil prices hit new lows. Given strong fundamentals, financials outperformed the industrial sector, which was weighed down by growth concerns. These worries also caused BBB rated issuers to significantly underperform A rated issuers.

High yield bond prices came under extreme pressure as festering global growth concerns, the Fed’s mixed messages and accumulating sector specific issues weighed on confidence and led to a poor technical backdrop. A flight-to-quality ensued due to persistent commodity weakness and increased distress among lower rated issues. Energy bonds, which comprise approximately 13% of the market, continued to be pressured by falling crude prices. The weak global growth outlook also caused the headwinds in the commodity sector, with many base metal, iron ore and coal prices trading at multi-year lows. Elevated risks in the commodity sector curbed risk appetites and led to underperformance in the CCC rated credit space, which is more exposed to these cyclically weak areas. High yield spreads, which have been rising since mid-2014, ended the reporting period well above their historical average as a percentage of the 10-year Treasury yield, reflecting the extremely negative sentiment and investor outflows from the segment.

Among the securitized sectors of the bond market, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued by government agencies such as Fannie Mae (FNMA), Ginnie Mae (GNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) performed well during the reporting period, posting positive excess returns versus Treasuries. Range-bound levels of implied volatility in the agency MBS segment were supportive from a fundamental perspective, while strong bank and money manager demand provided a solid technical backdrop. Homeowner refinancing activity was relatively subdued and MBS prepayments stabilized at historically low levels. The Fed indicated that it will continue to re-invest MBS paydowns from its holdings until policy normalization is well under way, which gave investors comfort that technicals would

 

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Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

remain favorable through much of 2016. Valuations were steady and investors embraced the combination of lower volatility and superior liquidity found in the agency MBS sector. Returns in the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) sector were lackluster during the reporting period as the segment underperformed Treasuries. Longer duration, newer vintage bonds struggled due to higher levels of new issuance and ongoing concerns about the quality of loans going into new deals. The valuation differential between CMBS deals became increasingly pronounced amid greater loan scrutiny in new deals. Traditional consumer asset-backed securities (ABS) generated excess returns over Treasuries as consumer credit trends remained favorable, although year-end balance sheet pressures and outflows from short-duration funds did create some technical pressure on the sector. ABS issuance was light given tepid investor demand for short, high quality paper as the Fed began the process of normalizing policy.

Non-U.S. interest rates and currencies took the Fed’s first move in stride, reacting moderately to prospects for a higher U.S. rate structure. A moderate message from the Fed, below trend global growth, the lack of inflation pressures and ongoing risk aversion in credit helped keep market rates in check. Europe and Japan, while posting reasonable growth data, continued to witness broadly disinflationary effects beyond energy, leading to meaningfully lower inflation expectations. After increased expectations earlier in the period, the European Central Bank disappointed marginally by offering only an extension of its quantitative easing plan late in the year, but clearly left the door open for more. The Bank of Japan continued its waiting game in the midst of mixed economic data. China was an ongoing source of volatility after surprising the market with a currency devaluation in August. Most developed foreign markets marginally outperformed the U.S. and yield curves were flatter. While currencies were volatile during the reporting period, the U.S. dollar generally appreciated versus most currencies. Emerging market (EM) currencies struggled with slow growth, declining commodity prices and reduced investor risk appetite. Developed currencies, such as the euro, fared better, but generally slipped on diverging monetary policies. The yen gained marginally amid global risk aversion and sluggish domestic activity.

A combination of sluggish global economic activity, low and volatile commodity prices and concerns about a Fed rate hike led to negative returns for EM debt. Mixed and decelerating data out of China continued to raise questions about the country’s growth and the resultant impact on the rest of the world. Political disarray, stagnant growth and currency weakness continued to plague Brazil, threatening further instability in this large EM player, while a surprise policy shift in South Africa exacerbated the volatility. In terms of regions, Latin America lagged, while Eastern Europe held in better given those countries’ proximity to the eurozone and better debt dynamics. Most local EM markets underperformed U.S. Treasuries. Nearly all EM currencies declined, with central Europe faring better and Brazil, Russia and South Africa among the worst performers due to global as well as domestic challenges.

The volatile market environment and pressures on credit and economically-sensitive sectors of the market drove the Fund’s shortfall versus the benchmark during the reporting period. The dramatic sell-off in high yield credit during the reporting period was the most significant factor. The Fund was positioned with a substantial overweight to high yield, while our holdings in oil and cyclical credits within the sector also contributed to some of the underperformance.

The investment grade credit sector also detracted due to the Fund’s small overweight versus the benchmark. However, the more significant factors in the sector were our greater-than-benchmark weight in cyclical credits and our lower quality bias/overweight to BBB rated credits, given the broader economic sensitivity of this ratings group. Issue selection was also negative for the reporting period as a whole, as the benefit from a large overweight to financials was more than negated by our smaller, but hard hit, positions in energy and cyclicals. On the other hand, our large weight in preferred securities, also in the financial sector, was beneficial to performance. Our exposure to EM investment grade credit detracted from performance, particularly early in the reporting period.

Foreign positions were a marginal detractor from performance. Our positions in foreign bonds detracted as spreads versus the U.S. more than offset yield advantages. However, our foreign currency positioning had little impact on the Fund’s performance during the reporting period.

Interest rate positioning added modestly to the Fund’s performance. The Fund benefited from our positioning for a flatter yield curve and tactical moves in rate positioning during the reporting period as rates rose.

The Fund’s key sector themes continue to emphasize income generation driven primarily through diversified exposure to investment grade and high yield credit, in addition to other spread opportunities away from credit. We continue to underweight mortgage and structured assets, given better opportunities elsewhere. We also continue to allocate away from Treasury and agency securities as these offered unattractive duration and yield profiles. Although the credit sectors are still volatile and liquidity can occasionally be

 

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challenging, we continue to believe credit fundamentals remain solid in most segments, while valuations provide ample compensation for fundamental risk and market volatility. Accordingly, we maintained the Fund’s overweight in investment grade and high yield credit.

Activity during the reporting period was driven largely by repositioning credit exposure in response to fundamental credit developments, valuation changes and opportunities due to primary and secondary market activity. We continued to reevaluate credit fundamentals in light of changing market, economic and company-specific developments. The Fund remained overweight to BBB rated companies within the investment grade sector. Although these credits have underperformed due to their higher economic sensitivity, we believe valuations have moved excessively and that yields are attractive in light of our fundamental outlook. We also maintained an overweight in financials. We continued to monitor developments in the energy sector very closely and assess the credit impact of developments in oil prices and energy fundamentals.

We reduced the Fund’s allocation to preferred securities toward the end of the reporting period. Although our outlook remains favorable for the sector, relative valuations had moved substantially versus alternatives; therefore, we chose to take advantage of market strength in preferreds to reduce the Fund’s weight in the segment. We also reduced foreign bond holdings during the period, given fundamental shifts in some markets and continued challenging fundamentals, particularly in emerging markets. We employed proceeds from these reductions toward moderate increases in mortgages, CMBS and investment grade financials, adding to portfolio liquidity at attractive valuations and providing for future flexibility.

Duration positioning remains defensive versus the benchmark, given the market’s adjustment following the Fed’s move, very limited inflationary pressures and the outlook for continued high levels of global liquidity and economic slack. The Fund remains biased toward a flatter yield curve.

During the reporting period, we also continued to utilize various derivative instruments. We used foreign currency exchange forward contracts to manage the Fund’s foreign currency exposure. For example, the Fund may reduce unwanted currency exposure from the Fund’s portfolio, or may take long forward positions in select currencies in an attempt to benefit from the potential price appreciation. These positions had a positive impact on performance during the reporting period.

We utilized domestic and foreign interest rate futures as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage the Fund’s duration and yield curve exposure and selected foreign bond futures to actively manage exposure to those markets. The overall effect on performance during the reporting period was negative. We also utilized interest rate swaps to manage portfolio duration and yield curve exposure and these positions also detracted from performance during the reporting period.

In addition, we entered into credit default swaps as a way to take on credit risk and earn credit spread. The effect of these activities on performance was negative during the reporting period and the positions were sold off.

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed both the Barclays Taxable Municipal Aggregate Eligible Index and the Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds Classification Average for the six-month reporting period. The reporting period began with the U.S. economy showing resilience in the face of weaker growth experienced by the rest of the global economy. The key area of focus was China, which showed markedly slower manufacturing activity and uncertainty surrounding actual levels of consumption. Slower Chinese production and the ongoing weakness across emerging markets led to renewed volatility and weakness in commodity prices across the board. Oil prices were highly volatile throughout the reporting period, declining rapidly following the end of June and selling off sharply again into year-end to a decade-low level of below $36-per-barrel level by December. The decline was driven by concerns over China’s slowdown, a global supply glut and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC’s) decision to maintain current production levels. The fears over China and the uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) policy normalization also caused market volatility to spike, spurring a significant sell-off in global equity markets beginning in mid-August as China unexpectedly shifted currency policy.

Despite broad speculation that it would increase rates in September for the first time in nearly a decade, the Fed decided to keep the federal funds rate near zero at that meeting. The nation’s relatively weak wage growth continued to be an area of keen interest for the

 

Nuveen Investments     13   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

Fed because it indicated that the U.S. economic recovery was far from robust. However, as the reporting period progressed, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace, while job growth improved with the unemployment rate falling to 5.0% in the final three months of the year. Finally, at the Fed’s December meeting, policymakers began the long-awaited process of policy normalization by raising the federal funds rate by 0.25%, marking the end of a historically long period of low rates designed to boost the U.S. economic recovery. In anticipation of the Fed move, the Treasury yield curve flattened during the period as rates for Treasuries with maturities of less than five years moved higher in earnest, while rates for intermediate- and long-term Treasuries fell modestly.

During the reporting period, interest rates in the taxable municipal bond market declined modestly with the average yield of the Barclays Taxable Municipal Aggregate Eligible Index falling from 4.30% to 4.25%. Taxable municipal bonds with longer durations generally outperformed those with shorter durations, although the best results came from bonds with durations of 8 to 10 years, which returned 3.68% versus the 3.00% six-month return for the index. Credit spreads narrowed as taxable municipal bonds rated BBB/Baa returned 6.65% and those A rated returned 3.16%, versus returns of 2.82% for bonds rated AAA and 2.64% for AA rated bonds. The strongest performing sectors in this segment of the market included tollroads, airports, water/sewer, hospitals, dedicated tax and higher education. State and local general obligations (GOs), tobacco and housing underperformed.

High yield bond prices came under extreme pressure as festering global growth concerns, uncertainty around when the Fed would begin to raise interests and accumulating sector-specific issues weighed on confidence and led to a poor technical backdrop. A flight-to-quality ensued due to persistent commodity weakness and increased distress among lower rated issues. Energy bonds, which comprise approximately 13% of the market, continued to be pressured by falling crude prices. The weak global growth outlook also caused the headwinds in the commodity sector, with many base metal, iron ore and coal prices trading at multi-year lows. Elevated risks in the commodity sector curbed risk appetites and led to underperformance in the CCC rated credit space, which is more exposed to these cyclically weak areas. High yield spreads, which have been rising since mid-2014, ended the reporting period well above their historical average, as a percentage of the 10-year Treasury yield, reflecting the extremely negative sentiment and investor outflows from the segment. The Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index ended the reporting period with a -6.82% six-month return.

In the investment grade corporate market, commodity price volatility and heavy new issue supply kept technicals weak in higher risk sectors, causing lower quality bonds to underperform significantly. Analysts at ratings agencies reduced price forecasts for energy and metals, causing negative outlook changes for several issuers and exacerbating selling pressure in an already weak market. Merger and acquisition (M&A) related financing also took a toll on the technical backdrop as the market tried to absorb nearly $70 billion in M&A related issuance. Market technicals remained weak into year-end as dealers tried to keep inventory levels low and oil prices hit new lows in December. However, financial spreads were steady and this sector outperformed the industrial sector, which was weighed down by the weakness in commodity-related bonds. The Barclays U.S. Corporate Investment Grade Index returned 0.24% during the reporting period.

The Fund’s goal is to provide investors with an attractive level of income by investing in a portfolio of debt securities from various entities that own, operate or develop infrastructure assets in the U.S. These investments include municipal, high yield corporate and investment-grade corporate bonds that finance either public or private infrastructure projects. We define infrastructure as the vital structures, facilities and services that support the U.S. economy and society including: transportation; energy and utilities; communications; and social and government functions. During the six-month reporting period, approximately 65% of the Fund was allocated to the municipal bond market, approximately 21% to the high yield corporate market and approximately 14% to the investment grade corporate market. As noted in the market overview comments, the municipal bond market turned in the strongest absolute returns over this time frame. Therefore, the Fund’s most significant sources of underperformance versus the benchmark Barclays Taxable Municipal Aggregate Eligible Index were its allocations to the high yield and investment grade corporate sectors.

In terms of performance within each of the three segments, the Fund’s municipal bond portfolio outperformed relative to its benchmark. Within the municipal bond portfolio, our overweight positions in bonds rated BBB/Baa and single A were beneficial. Likewise, our underweight position in state GOs and overweights in the tollroad and dedicated tax sectors contributed positively to excess returns. On the other hand, an underweight position in higher education and an overweight in public power detracted. The use of futures in the municipal bond portfolio to hedge against rising interest rates was also detrimental. Meanwhile, our allocations by duration had no material impact on performance. The benefits from our overweight in bonds with durations of 12 to 14 years and

 

  14       Nuveen Investments


underweight in durations of less than 4 years were offset by the negative effect of an underweight in bonds with durations of 8 to 10 years.

The Fund’s high yield portfolio underperformed its benchmark as the fear of a slowdown in global growth and the impact such a slowdown could have on U.S. issuers created a substantially reduced appetite for high yield assets. As noted above, the sell-off was particularly pronounced in the more economically-sensitive commodity-related sectors. This period of risk reduction impacted the Fund’s high yield holdings because the previously somewhat defensive segments, such as energy midstream and power producers, were heavily sold later in the period given their relative richness versus exploration and production, oil services, and metals and mining credits. Outflows across high yield and the lack of availability to the new issue market further exacerbated the investing environment. The high yield portfolio was also negatively impacted by its moderately higher exposure to lower rated credits versus the benchmark. The portfolio is overweight to B rated credits and, to a lesser extent, CCC rated credits and underweight to BB rated credits. The higher rated high yield credits dramatically outperformed the lower rated credits as expected in a weak period for credit markets.

The investment grade credit portion of the Fund underperformed its benchmark due to security selection and a lower quality bias. In terms of security selection, the investment grade portfolio’s heavy relative weightings in the railroad and energy industries versus the index detracted from performance because these two areas significantly underperformed the broader credit market. Also, this portfolio’s weight in BBB rated securities was more than one and a half times greater than the benchmark weight, while the BBB rated segment underperformed the broader credit market by 190 basis points. Our portfolio’s duration was two years longer than the benchmark and concentrated in the 10- to 30-year part of the yield curve, which modestly offset some of the underperformance as long rates fell by 18 basis points during the reporting period.

As shareholder inflows hit the Fund, generally speaking, we allocated around 65% to public infrastructure, 20% to high yield private infrastructure and 15% to investment grade private infrastructure. In the municipal sleeve, we established three new positions, while adding odd lot pieces to seven existing positions. We also exited several positions. Following Moody’s downgrade of Chicago’s GO debt to below investment grade, the city’s enterprise bonds (water, wastewater, etc.) immediately traded down in sympathy. After making some degree of price recovery in the months following the GO downgrade, we elected to exit the Fund’s positions in Chicago Wastewater. In addition, based on deteriorating fundamentals, we exited the Fund’s Cook County GO holding.

Trading activity within the high yield bond segment revolved around reducing exposure to investments in the commodity-related segments such as energy midstream and power producers. We redeployed the proceeds into less economically-sensitive segments such as health care.

In the investment grade sleeve, given the difficult trading conditions in the energy and railroad markets, we chose to hold existing positions with a longer-term view toward recovery.

As part of our investment process, the bonds that we focus on are typically backed by assets that have recurring revenue streams and natural monopolies, for example an electric or gas utility, or long-term contracts that offer predictable revenue streams, such as a pipeline. The Fund’s largest concentrations included the following: transportation, dedicated tax (primarily backing mass public transit), private utilities, energy and public utilities.

We also shorted U.S. Treasury futures contracts to hedge against potential increases in interest rates. The effect on performance was negative during the period.

 

Nuveen Investments     15   


Risk Considerations

and Dividend Information

 

Risk Considerations

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Debt securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, call risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Below investment grade or high yield debt securities are subject to liquidity risk and heightened credit risk. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards. The Fund gains additional exposure to currency rates, and therefore to the risk of currency fluctuation, through investment in foreign currency contracts. The risks of foreign investments are magnified in emerging markets. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are also subject to prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default risk and adverse economic developments. The Fund’s potential use of derivative instruments involves a high degree of financial risk and additional transaction costs.

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, call risk, derivatives risk, income risk, and other investment company risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Below investment grade or high yield debt securities are subject to liquidity risk and heightened credit risk. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards.

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, call risk, derivatives risk, dollar roll transaction risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Below investment grade or high yield debt securities are subject to liquidity risk and heightened credit risk. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards. The Fund gains additional exposure to currency rates, and therefore to the risk of currency fluctuation, through investment in foreign currency contracts. The risks of foreign investments are magnified in emerging markets. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks such as prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default risk and adverse economic developments.

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Because the Fund may invest in infrastructure-related securities, the Fund could have greater exposure to adverse economic, regulatory, political, legal and other changes affecting the issuers of such securities. The Fund is subject to, interest rate risk; as interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Price changes are generally greater for longer-duration bonds. Credit risk refers to the risk that an issuer may fail to make interest or principal payments when due or that the value of a security may decline due to concerns about the issuer making such payments. Declines in value will generally be greater for securities with longer maturities. Investments in below investment grade or high yield securities are subject to liquidity risk and heightened credit risk. The Fund’s use of inverse floaters creates effective leverage. Leverage involves the risk that the Fund could lose more than its original investment and also increases the Fund’s exposure to volatility and interest rate risk. Non-U.S./Emerging Markets involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. More information on these risk considerations, as well as information on other risks to which the Fund is subject, such as bond market liquidity, call, currency, derivatives, general municipal securities market, income, loan settlement risk, market, municipal lease obligations, and zero coupon bonds risks, are included in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

  16       Nuveen Investments


Dividend Information

Each Fund seeks to pay regular monthly dividends out of its net investment income at a rate that reflects its past and projected performance. To permit each Fund to maintain a more stable monthly dividend, the Fund may pay dividends at a rate that may be more or less than the amount of net investment income actually earned by the Fund during the period. If the Fund has cumulatively earned more than it has paid in dividends, it will hold the excess in reserve as undistributed net investment income (UNII) as part of the Fund’s net asset value. Conversely, if the Fund has cumulatively paid in dividends more than it has earned, the excess will constitute negative UNII that will likewise be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. Each Fund will, over time, pay all its net investment income as dividends to shareholders.

As of December 31, 2015, all of the Funds had positive UNII balances, based upon our best estimate, for tax purposes. The Nuveen High Income Bond Fund and Nuveen Strategic Income Fund had positive UNII balances while the Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund and Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund had negative UNII balances for financial reporting purposes.

All monthly dividends paid by each Fund during the current reporting period were paid from net investment income. If a portion of a Fund’s monthly distributions was sourced from or comprised of elements other than net investment income, including capital gains and/or a return of capital, shareholders would have received a notice to that effect. For financial reporting purposes the composition and per share amounts of each Fund’s dividends for the reporting period are presented in this report’s Statement of Changes in Net Assets and Financial Highlights, respectively. For income tax purposes, distribution information for each Fund as of its most recent tax year end is presented in Note 6 – Income Tax Information within the Notes to Financial Statements of this report.

 

Nuveen Investments     17   


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  18       Nuveen Investments


Fund Performance

and Expense Ratios

 

The Fund Performance and Expense Ratios for each Fund are shown within this section of the report.

Returns quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that when shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns without sales charges would be lower if the sales charge were included. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

Returns may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the investment adviser during the periods presented. If any such waivers and/or reimbursements had not been in place, returns would have been reduced. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 7—Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates for more information. For the most recent month-end performance visit www.nuveen.com or call (800) 257-8787.

Returns reflect differences in sales charges and expenses, which are primarily differences in distribution and service fees, and assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.

Comparative index and Lipper return information is provided for Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) only.

The expense ratios shown reflect total operating expenses (before fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, if any) as shown in the most recent prospectus. The expense ratios include management fees and other fees and expenses.

 

Nuveen Investments     19   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used in this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

    Cumulative        Average Annual  
     6-Month        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

    (3.63)%           (7.52)%           1.31%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

    (8.21)%           (11.91)%           0.11%   

Barclays Global Aggregate Unhedged Bond Index

    (0.08)%           (3.15)%           (0.13)%   

Lipper Global Income Funds Classification Average

    (1.73)%           (3.34)%           1.11%   

Class C Shares

    (3.99)%           (8.20)%           0.67%   

Class R3 Shares

    (3.75)%           (7.78)%           1.13%   

Class I Shares

    (3.49)%           (7.30)%           1.63%   

Since inception returns are from 12/02/11. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 4.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or of after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       1.89%           2.64%           2.14%           1.64%   

Net Expense Ratios

       0.96%           1.71%           1.21%           0.71%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through October 31, 2016, so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.75% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation expiring October 31, 2016, may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

  20       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used in this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       (13.37)%           (11.95)%           2.55%           5.04%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (17.48)%           (16.16)%           1.55%           4.52%   

Barclays High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index

       (6.79)%           (4.43)%           5.03%           6.95%   

Lipper High Current Yield Funds Classification Average

       (6.25)%           (4.09)%           4.08%           5.58%   

Class C Shares

       (13.75)%           (12.58)%           1.85%           4.29%   

Class R3 Shares

       (13.52)%           (12.30)%           2.31%           4.78%   

Class I Shares

       (13.21)%           (11.67)%           2.87%           5.33%   

Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 4.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Expense Ratios

       1.01%           1.76%           1.25%           0.76%   

 

Nuveen Investments     21   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used in this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       (4.74)%           (4.62)%           3.78%           5.24%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (8.81)%           (8.69)%           2.88%           4.79%   

Barclays Aggregate Bond Index

       0.65%           0.55%           3.25%           4.51%   

Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification Average

       (2.69)%           (1.68)%           3.46%           4.74%   

Class C Shares

       (5.07)%           (5.34)%           3.01%           4.46%   

Class R3 Shares

       (4.83)%           (4.81)%           3.52%           4.94%   

Class I Shares

       (4.62)%           (4.37)%           4.03%           5.49%   

 

       Cumulative  
        6-Month        Since Inception  

Class R6 Shares

       (4.62)%           (4.71)%   

Since inception return for Class R6 Shares is from 1/20/15. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 4.25% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories of investors as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       0.92%           1.67%           1.17%           0.61%           0.67%   

Net Expense Ratios

       0.82%           1.57%           1.07%           0.50%           0.57%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses through October 31, 2016, so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.59% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. However, because Class R6 shares are not subject to sub-transfer agent and similar fees, the total annual Fund operating expenses for the Class R6 shares will be less than the expense limitation. Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will not be terminated prior to that time without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

 

  22       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used in this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2015

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       (0.43)%           (1.79)%           1.34%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (4.66)%           (5.96)%           (1.31)%   

Barclays Taxable Municipal Aggregate Eligible Index

       3.00%           (0.01)%           5.11%   

Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds Classification Average

       3.20%           2.98%           4.24%   

Class C Shares

       (0.87)%           (2.60)%           0.54%   

Class I Shares

       (0.31)%           (1.55)%           1.58%   

Since inception returns are from 5/12/14. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 4.25% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       1.89%           2.61%           1.60%   

Net Expense Ratios

       0.95%           1.70%           0.70%   

The Fund’s investment adviser contractually has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through October 31, 2017, so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.74% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

Nuveen Investments     23   


Yields as of December 31, 2015

 

Dividend Yield is the most recent dividend per share (annualized) divided by the offering price per share.

The SEC 30-Day Yield is a standardized measure of a Fund’s yield that accounts for the future amortization of premiums or discounts of bonds held in the Fund’s portfolio. The SEC 30-Day Yield is computed under an SEC standardized formula and is based on the maximum offer price per share. Subsidized yields reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements from the investment adviser during the period. If any such waivers and/or reimbursements had not been in place, yields would have been reduced. Unsubsidized yields do not reflect waivers and/or reimbursements from the investment adviser during the period. Refer to the Fund Performance and Expense Ratios page for further details on the investment adviser’s most recent agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses, where applicable. Dividend Yield may differ from the SEC 30-Day Yield because the Fund may be paying out more or less than it is earning and it may not include the effect of amortization of bond premium.

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Dividend Yield

       3.89%           3.31%           3.83%           4.34%   

SEC 30-Day Yield – Subsidized

       3.78%           3.21%           3.74%           4.23%   

SEC 30-Day Yield – Unsubsidized

       2.61%           1.99%           2.49%           2.99%   

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Dividend Yield

       7.40%           6.90%           7.44%           8.00%   

SEC 30-Day Yield

       10.91%           10.71%           11.24%           11.74%   

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Dividend Yield

       5.02%           4.44%           4.99%           5.48%           5.48%   

SEC 30-Day Yield – Subsidized

       5.43%           4.91%           5.41%           6.01%           5.92%   

SEC 30-Day Yield – Unsubsidized

       5.31%           4.79%           5.25%           5.87%           5.80%   

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A1        Class C        Class I  

Dividend Yield

       4.00%           3.39%           4.42%   

SEC 30-Day Yield – Subsidized

       4.06%           3.45%           4.50%   

SEC 30-Day Yield – Unsubsidized

       2.96%           2.30%           3.34%   

 

1 The SEC Yield for Class A Shares quoted in the table reflects the maximum sales load. Investors paying a reduced load because of volume discounts, investors paying no load because they qualify for one of the several exclusions from the load, and existing shareholders who previously paid a load but would like to know the SEC Yield applicable to their shares on a going-forward basis, should understand that the SEC Yield effectively applicable to them would be higher than the figure quoted in the table.

 

  24       Nuveen Investments


Holding

Summaries as of December 31, 2015

 

This data relates to the securities held in each Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of this reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below investment grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Convertible Preferred Securities

       0.6%   

Corporate Bonds

       44.4%   

$1,000 (par or similar) Institutional Preferred

       6.8%   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

       7.3%   

Sovereign Debt

       39.8%   

Repurchase Agreements

       6.4%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (5.3)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Corporate Debt: Industries

(% of total corporate bond holdings)

 

Banks

       20.9%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       8.2%   

Metals & Mining

       6.4%   

Capital Markets

       5.1%   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

       4.7%   

Software

       4.6%   

Real Estate Investment Trust

       4.5%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       4.2%   

Chemicals

       3.9%   

Electric Utilities

       3.7%   

Media

       3.5%   

Industrial Conglomerates

       3.3%   

Diversified Financial Services

       3.2%   

Consumer Finance

       2.9%   

Insurance

       2.7%   

Other

       18.2%   

Total

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term
investments)1

 

AAA/U.S. Guaranteed

       19.2%   

AA

       0.5%   

A

       21.1%   

BBB

       35.3%   

BB or Lower

       23.9%   

Total

       100%   

Country Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

United States

       37.5%   

Mexico

       11.4%   

Germany

       9.1%   

United Kingdom

       6.3%   

Australia

       5.2%   

France

       4.4%   

South Africa

       3.9%   

Italy

       3.9%   

Portugal

       3.7%   

Hungary

       2.5%   

Canada

       2.2%   

Switzerland

       1.7%   

Other

       13.5%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (5.3)%   

Net Assets

       100%   
 
1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

Nuveen Investments     25   


Holding Summaries as of December 31, 2015 (continued)

 

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Common Stocks

       0.3%   

Convertible Preferred Securities

       1.2%   

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

       6.3%   

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

       6.1%   

Corporate Bonds

       73.8%   

Convertible Bonds

       0.5%   

$1,000 (par or similar) Institutional Preferred

       3.2%   

Asset-Backed Securities

       0.0%   

Investment Companies

       2.8%   

Warrants

       0.0%   

Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending

       5.6%   

Money Market Funds

       4.4%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (4.2)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Corporate Debt: Industries

(% of total corporate bond holdings)

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       12.3%   

Media

       5.4%   

Metals & Mining

       4.7%   

Chemicals

       4.4%   

Building Products

       4.4%   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

       3.8%   

Marine

       3.7%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       3.7%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       3.7%   

Construction Materials

       3.0%   

Containers & Packaging

       2.8%   

Auto Components

       2.8%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       2.6%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       2.6%   

Paper & Forest Products

       2.5%   

Diversified Financial Services

       2.2%   

Household Durables

       2.2%   

Food Products

       2.1%   

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

       2.1%   

Specialty Retail

       2.1%   

Aerospace & Defense

       2.0%   

Electric Utilities

       2.0%   

Consumer Finance

       1.8%   

Construction & Engineering

       1.5%   

Other

       19.6%   

Total

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term
fixed-income investments)1

 

AA

       0.0%   

BBB

       3.9%   

BB or Lower

       87.4%   

N/R (not rated)

       8.7%   

Total

       100%   
 

 

1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

  26       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Common Stocks

       0.0%   

Convertible Preferred Securities

       0.1%   

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

       1.3%   

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

       0.5%   

Corporate Bonds

       73.4%   

$1,000 (par or similar) Institutional Preferred

       6.6%   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

       0.0%   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

       10.2%   

Sovereign Debt

       5.6%   

Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending

       13.0%   

Money Market Funds

       4.8%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (15.5)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Corporate Debt: Industries

(% of total corporate bond holdings)

 

Banks

       12.1%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       11.3%   

Media

       6.6%   

Capital Markets

       6.5%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       4.1%   

Metals & Mining

       3.8%   

Insurance

       3.7%   

Chemicals

       3.1%   

Real Estate Investment Trust

       3.0%   

Diversified Financial Services

       2.8%   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

       2.5%   

Consumer Finance

       2.5%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       2.3%   

Specialty Retail

       1.9%   

Household Durables

       1.8%   

Containers & Packaging

       1.7%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       1.6%   

Commercial Services & Supplies

       1.6%   

Machinery

       1.5%   

Aerospace & Defense

       1.5%   

Electric Utilities

       1.5%   

Food Products

       1.5%   

Building Products

       1.4%   

Other

       19.7%   

Total

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term
fixed-income investments)1

 

AAA/U.S. Guaranteed

       5.2%   

AA

       0.8%   

A

       21.9%   

BBB

       35.1%   

BB or Lower

       36.7%   

N/R (not rated)

       0.3%   

Total

       100%   
 

 

1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

Nuveen Investments     27   


Holding Summaries as of December 31, 2015 (continued)

 

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Corporate Bonds

       33.9%   

Municipal Bonds

       64.2%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       1.9%   

Net Assets

       100%   

States and Territories

(% of net assets)

 

California

       12.9%   

Illinois

       9.1%   

New York

       7.5%   

Texas

       5.0%   

New Jersey

       4.8%   

Arizona

       4.2%   

Ohio

       4.2%   

Other

       16.5%   

Total

       64.2%   

Portfolio Composition

(% of net assets)

 

Transportation

       21.0%   

Tax Obligation/Limited

       16.5%   

Utilities

       11.3%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       9.3%   

Tax Obligation/General

       7.4%   

Water and Sewer

       5.1%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       4.4%   

Electric Utilities

       4.4%   

Other

       18.7%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       1.9%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term investments)1

 

AAA/U.S. Guaranteed

       3.5%   

AA

       41.3%   

A

       18.5%   

BBB

       15.8%   

BB or Lower

       20.9%   

Total

       100%   
 

 

1 Excluding investments in derivatives.

 

  28       Nuveen Investments


Expense

Examples

 

As a shareholder of one or more of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including up-front and back-end sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, where applicable; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees, where applicable; and other Fund expenses. The Examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Examples below are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the period ended December 31, 2015.

The beginning of the period is July 1, 2015.

The information under “Actual Performance,” together with the amount you invested, allows you to estimate actual expenses incurred over the reporting period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.60) and multiply the result by the cost shown for your share class, in the row entitled “Expenses Incurred During Period” to estimate the expenses incurred on your account during this period.

The information under “Hypothetical Performance,” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratios 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 expense you incurred 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.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds or share classes. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 963.70         $ 960.10         $ 962.50         $ 965.10   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.74         $ 8.43         $ 5.97         $ 3.51   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,020.31         $ 1,016.54         $ 1,019.05         $ 1,021.57   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.88         $ 8.67         $ 6.14         $ 3.61   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.96%, 1.71%, 1.21% and 0.71% for Classes A, C, R3 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

Nuveen Investments     29   


Expense Examples (continued)

 

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 866.30         $ 862.50         $ 864.80         $ 867.90   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.79         $ 8.33         $ 6.00         $ 3.62   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,020.01         $ 1,016.19         $ 1,018.70         $ 1,021.27   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 5.18         $ 9.02         $ 6.50         $ 3.91   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 1.02%, 1.78%, 1.28% and 0.77% for Classes A, C, R3 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 952.60         $ 949.30         $ 951.70         $ 953.80         $ 953.80   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.02         $ 7.69         $ 5.25         $ 2.46         $ 2.80   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,021.01         $ 1,017.24         $ 1,019.76         $ 1,022.62         $ 1,022.27   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.17         $ 7.96         $ 5.43         $ 2.54         $ 2.90   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.82%, 1.57%, 1.07%, 0.50% and 0.57% for Classes A, C, R3, R6 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 995.70         $ 991.30         $ 996.90   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.77         $ 8.51         $ 3.51   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,020.36         $ 1,016.59         $ 1,021.62   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 4.82         $ 8.62         $ 3.56   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.95%, 1.70% and 0.70% for Classes A, C, and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one half year period).

 

  30       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (2)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 105.3%

          
 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES – 0.6%

  

      Banks – 0.6%                           
  75     

Bank of America Corporation

    7.250%                  BB+       $ 81,995   
 

Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $63,225)

  

              81,995   
Principal
Amount (000) (3)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 44.4%

          
      Air Freight & Logistics – 0.1%                           
$ 10     

XPO Logistics, Inc., 144A

    6.500%         6/15/22         B2       $ 9,250   
      Auto Components – 0.3%                           
  45     

American & Axle Manufacturing Inc.

    6.625%         10/15/22         BB–         47,138   
      Automobiles – 0.2%                           
  30     

General Motors Financial Company Inc.

    4.250%         5/15/23         BBB–         29,677   
      Banks – 9.3%                           
  100     

Bank of America Corporation

    4.200%         8/26/24         A–         100,145   
  200     

Barclays Bank PLC

    3.650%         3/16/25         A         192,205   
  45     

CIT Group Inc.

    5.000%         8/01/23         BB+         45,675   
  95     

Citigroup Inc.

    4.500%         1/14/22         A         101,765   
  30     

Citigroup Inc.

    6.125%         8/25/36         A–         33,876   
  25     

General Electric Capital Corporation

    6.875%         1/10/39         AA+         34,075   
  25     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6.800%         6/01/38         A+         31,117   
  45     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.400%         5/15/38         A+         57,322   
  35     

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

    6.100%         6/10/23         BBB         37,622   
  200     

Santander UK PLC, 144A

    5.000%         11/07/23         A–         208,190   
  200     

Societe Generale, 144A

    5.000%         1/17/24         A–         203,960   
  200     

State Bank of India London, 144A

    4.875%         4/17/24         BBB–         213,757   
  25     

Wells Fargo & Company

    3.450%         2/13/23         A+         25,068   
 

Total Banks

                               1,284,777   
      Building Products – 0.4%                           
  60     

Owens Corning Incorporated

    4.200%         12/15/22         BBB–         60,073   
      Capital Markets – 2.3%                           
  75     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    5.750%         1/24/22         A         85,299   
  85     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    3.625%         1/22/23         A         85,998   
  75     

Morgan Stanley

    4.000%         7/23/25         A         77,298   
  70     

Morgan Stanley

    3.950%         4/23/27         A–         67,970   
 

Total Capital Markets

                               316,565   

 

Nuveen Investments     31   


Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (3)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Chemicals – 1.7%                           
$ 25     

Hexion Inc.

    6.625%         4/15/20         B3       $ 19,563   
  25     

Momentive Performance Materials Inc., (4), (5)

    8.875%         10/15/20         N/R           
  25     

Momentive Performance Materials Inc.

    3.880%         10/24/21         B         17,250   
  200     

Office Cherifien Des Phosphates SA, 144A

    5.625%         4/25/24         BBB–         202,950   
 

Total Chemicals

                               239,763   
      Consumer Finance – 1.3%                           
  100     

Capital One Bank

    3.375%         2/15/23         Baa1         97,903   
  75     

Discover Financial Services

    5.200%         4/27/22         BBB+         80,238   
 

Total Consumer Finance

                               178,141   
      Containers & Packaging – 0.3%                           
  50  CAD   

Cascades Inc., 144A

    5.500%         7/15/21         Ba3         35,090   
      Diversified Consumer Services – 0.0%                           
  20     

Nine West Holdings Incorporated, 144A

    8.250%         3/15/19         CCC–         4,000   
      Diversified Financial Services – 1.4%                           
  200     

BNP Paribas

    4.250%         10/15/24         A         198,234   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 0.7%                
  25     

AT&T, Inc.

    5.550%         8/15/41         A–         25,103   
  65     

Qwest Corporation

    6.750%         12/01/21         BBB–         68,088   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               93,191   
      Electric Utilities – 1.6%                           
  55     

APT Pipelines Limited, 144A

    3.875%         10/11/22         BBB         52,933   
  200     

Eskom Holdings Limited, 144A

    7.125%         2/11/25         BB+         173,000   
 

Total Electric Utilities

                               225,933   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 1.9%                           
  55     

Nabors Industries Inc.

    4.625%         9/15/21         Baa2         45,215   
  200     

Origin Energy Finance Limited, 144A

    3.500%         10/09/18         BBB–         195,049   
  25     

Weatherford International PLC

    7.000%         3/15/38         BBB–         17,438   
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                               257,702   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.8%                           
  100  EUR   

Ephios Bondco PLC, 144A

    6.250%         7/01/22         B+         112,690   
      Household Durables – 0.3%                           
  50     

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc., 144A

    6.500%         12/15/20         BB–         48,188   
      Household Products – 0.7%                           
  100     

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V, 144A

    3.250%         3/12/25         A         96,339   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.1%         
  20     

GenOn Energy Inc.

    9.500%         10/15/18         B–         16,157   

 

  32       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (3)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Industrial Conglomerates – 1.5%                           
$ 200     

Alfa SAB de CV, 144A

    5.250%         3/25/24         BBB–       $ 202,500   
      Insurance – 1.2%                           
  50     

Genworth Holdings Inc.

    4.800%         2/15/24         Ba1         33,750   
  30     

Liberty Mutual Group Inc., 144A

    4.950%         5/01/22         BBB         31,800   
  100     

Symetra Financial Corporation

    4.250%         7/15/24         BBB+         100,795   
 

Total Insurance

                               166,345   
      Machinery – 1.0%                           
  55     

Eaton Corporation

    4.150%         11/01/42         A–         50,707   
  50     

Ingersoll Rand

    5.750%         6/15/43         BBB         54,497   
  40     

Terex Corporation

    6.000%         5/15/21         BB         36,800   
 

Total Machinery

                               142,004   
      Media – 1.6%                           
  70     

21st Century Fox America Inc.

    6.650%         11/15/37         BBB+         81,344   
  20     

Cequel Communication Holdings I, 144A

    5.125%         12/15/21         B–         18,000   
  55     

DIRECTV Holdings LLC

    3.800%         3/15/22         A–         55,381   
  45     

SES SA, 144A

    3.600%         4/04/23         BBB         43,835   
  25  CAD   

Videotron Limited, 144A

    5.625%         6/15/25         BB         18,159   
 

Total Media

                               216,719   
      Metals & Mining – 2.8%                           
  55     

Alcoa Inc.

    5.400%         4/15/21         BBB–         53,488   
  45     

Allegheny Technologies Inc.

    6.625%         8/15/23         BB–         26,550   
  25     

Anglogold Holdings PLC

    6.500%         4/15/40         Baa3         16,625   
  55     

ArcelorMittal

    7.000%         2/25/22         BB+         44,275   
  35     

Century Aluminum Company, 144A

    7.500%         6/01/21         BB–         23,450   
  25     

First Quantum Minerals Limited, 144A

    6.750%         2/15/20         BB–         16,125   
  75     

Freeport McMoRan, Inc.

    3.550%         3/01/22         BBB         43,500   
  50     

Newmont Mining Corporation

    3.500%         3/15/22         BBB         44,582   
  50     

Teck Resources Limited

    3.750%         2/01/23         BB+         23,125   
  25     

Vale Overseas Limited

    6.875%         11/10/39         BBB         17,373   
  100     

Yamana Gold Inc.

    4.950%         7/15/24         Baa3         84,855   
 

Total Metals & Mining

                               393,948   
      Multiline Retail – 0.2%                           
  25     

Family Tree Escrow LLC, 144A

    5.250%         3/01/20         Ba3         25,813   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 3.7%                           
  50     

Amerada Hess Corporation

    7.125%         3/15/33         BBB         48,700   
  50     

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

    6.200%         3/15/40         BBB         46,000   
  80     

Apache Corporation

    4.250%         1/15/44         BBB+         64,026   
  150  CAD   

Baytex Energy Corporation

    6.625%         7/19/22         BB         82,763   

 

Nuveen Investments     33   


Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (3)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                           
$ 42     

California Resources Corporation, 144A

    8.000%         12/15/22         BB+       $ 22,103   
  17     

California Resources Corporation

    5.500%         9/15/21         BB–         5,355   
  25     

Calumet Specialty Products

    7.625%         1/15/22         B+         21,250   
  30     

Cenovus Energy Inc.

    3.800%         9/15/23         BBB         27,176   
  5     

Concho Resources Inc.

    5.500%         10/01/22         BB+         4,550   
  25     

Martin Mid-Stream Partners LP Finance

    7.250%         2/15/21         B–         22,000   
  20  CAD   

Paramount Resources Limited, 144A

    7.625%         12/04/19         BB–         11,680   
  25     

Petrobras International Finance Company

    5.375%         1/27/21         BB+         18,625   
  85     

Transocean Inc.

    4.300%         10/15/22         BB+         45,050   
  50     

Western Refining Inc.

    6.250%         4/01/21         B+         48,000   
  45     

Woodside Finance Limited, 144A

    3.650%         3/05/25         BBB+         39,887   
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               507,165   
      Paper & Forest Products – 1.0%                           
  25     

Domtar Corporation

    4.400%         4/01/22         BBB–         25,427   
  80     

Domtar Corporation

    6.750%         2/15/44         BBB–         78,166   
  50     

Resolute Forest Products

    5.875%         5/15/23         BB–         36,375   
 

Total Paper & Forest Products

                               139,968   
      Personal Products – 0.3%                           
  30     

International Paper Company

    8.700%         6/15/38         BBB         38,602   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 2.0%                           
  70     

American Tower Company

    5.000%         2/15/24         BBB         74,102   
  75     

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    3.625%         10/01/22         BBB         72,095   
  80     

HCP Inc.

    3.750%         2/01/19         BBB+         82,556   
  50     

Vereit Operating Partner

    4.600%         2/06/24         BB+         47,375   
 

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

                               276,128   
      Software – 2.0%                           
  25     

BMC Software Finance Inc., 144A

    8.125%         7/15/21         CCC+         16,625   
  75     

Computer Sciences Corporation

    4.450%         9/15/22         BBB+         76,941   
  200     

SixSigma Networks Mexico SA de CV, 144A

    8.250%         11/07/21         B+         191,000   
 

Total Software

                               284,566   
      Specialty Retail – 0.2%                           
  35     

Swiss Re Treasury US Corporation, 144A

    4.250%         12/06/42         AA–         33,032   
      Telecommunication Services – 0.4%                           
  50     

Axtel SAB de CV, 144A

    9.000%         1/31/20         B+         51,875   
      Tobacco – 0.2%                           
  30     

Reynolds American Inc.

    3.250%         11/01/22         BBB–         29,679   

 

  34       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (3)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.8%                           
$ 100     

United Rentals North America Inc.

    7.375%         5/15/20         BB–       $ 105,500   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 2.1%                           
  75     

Colombia Telecommunicaciones S.A. ESP, 144A

    8.500%         9/30/65         B+         64,313   
  200     

ENTEL Chile SA, 144A

    4.750%         8/01/26         BBB+         187,111   
  50     

Sprint Corporation

    7.250%         9/15/21         B+         37,250   
 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                               288,674   
 

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $6,585,414)

                               6,155,426   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 6.8%

  

  
      Banks – 3.8%                           
$ 200     

Barclays PLC

    8.250%         N/A (6)         BB+       $ 212,940   
  50     

Citigroup Inc.

    6.250%         N/A (6)         BB+         51,000   
  60     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.750%         N/A (6)         BBB–         65,400   
  200     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6.375%         N/A (6)         BBB         197,500   
  510     

Total Banks

                               526,840   
      Capital Markets – 1.9%                           
  75     

Goldman Sachs Capital II

    4.000%         N/A (6)         Ba1         52,875   
  200     

UBS Group AG, Reg S

    7.125%         N/A (6)         BB+         209,435   
  275     

Total Capital Markets

                               262,310   
      Electric Utilities – 0.7%                           
  100     

Electricite de France, 144A

    5.250%         N/A (6)         Baa1         94,000   
      Insurance – 0.4%                           
  25     

Genworth Financial Inc.

    6.150%         11/15/66         Ba2         6,750   
  50     

Prudential Financial Inc.

    5.200%         3/15/44         BBB+         48,276   
  75     

Total Insurance

                               55,026   
$ 960     

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $966,209)

  

     938,176   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 7.3%         
$ 42     

Countrywide Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2007-4 A2

    5.397%         4/25/47         Caa1       $ 45,803   
  28     

Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage, Series 2005-27

    5.500%         12/25/35         Caa1         26,563   
  145     

Fannie Mae TBA Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    4.500%         TBA         Aaa         156,555   
  315     

Fannie Mae TBA Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    4.000%         TBA         Aaa         333,242   
  400     

Fannie Mae TBA Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    3.500%         TBA         Aaa         412,558   
  40     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust, Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-K712

    3.486%         5/25/45         Aaa         40,134   
$ 970     

Total Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $1,011,133)

  

     1,014,855   

 

Nuveen Investments     35   


Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (3)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

SOVEREIGN DEBT – 39.8%

          
      Australia – 3.1%                           
  600  AUD   

Australian Government, Reg S

    1.750%         11/21/20         Aaa       $ 427,523   
      Colombia – 1.1%                           
$ 130     

Republic of Colombia

    8.125%         5/21/24         BBB         155,870   
      Costa Rica – 1.2%                           
  200     

Republic of Costa Rica, 144A

    7.000%         4/04/44         Ba1         166,750   
      Dominican Republic – 0.7%                           
  100     

Dominican Republic, 144A

    5.500%         1/27/25         BB–         96,250   
      Germany – 9.1%                           
  250  EUR   

Deutschland Republic, Reg S

    0.500%         2/15/25         Aaa         269,753   
  400  EUR   

Deutschland Republic, Reg S

    1.000%         8/15/25         Aaa         449,358   
  400  EUR   

Deutschland Republic, Reg S

    2.500%         8/15/46         Aaa         541,835   
 

Total Germany

                               1,260,946   
      Hungary – 2.5%                           
  85,000  HUF   

Republic of Hungary, Government Bond

    5.500%         6/24/25         BBB–         341,969   
      Indonesia – 1.4%                           
  200     

Republic of Indonesia, 144A

    4.750%         1/08/26         Baa3         197,532   
      Italy – 3.9%                           
  110  EUR   

Buoni Poliennali del Tesoro, Italian Treasury Bond

    3.750%         9/01/24         BBB+         141,823   
  350  EUR   

Buoni Poliennali del Tesoro, Italian Treasury Bond

    2.000%         12/01/25         BBB+         393,763   
 

Total Italy

                               535,586   
      Mexico – 7.5%                           
  7,400  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    4.750%         6/14/18         A3         431,424   
  3,000  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    5.000%         12/11/19         A         172,290   
  2,450  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    8.000%         12/07/23         A         159,111   
  2,975  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    7.750%         11/13/42         A         188,622   
  100  EUR   

United Mexican States

    4.000%         10/15/30         A3         90,714   
 

Total Mexico

                               1,042,161   
      Poland – 1.2%                           
  250  PLN   

Republic of Poland

    5.750%         9/23/22         A         75,707   
  325  PLN   

Republic of Poland

    3.250%         7/25/25         A         85,214   
 

Total Poland

                               160,921   
      Portugal – 3.7%                           
  460  EUR   

Portugal Obrigacoes do Tesouro, 144A, Reg S

    2.875%         10/15/25         Ba1         514,553   
      South Africa – 2.5%                           
  3,800  ZAR   

Republic of South Africa

    7.250%         1/15/20         BBB+         230,220   

 

  36       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (3)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      South Africa (continued)                           
  1,700  ZAR   

Republic of South Africa

    10.500%         12/21/26         BBB+       $ 116,004   
 

Total South Africa

                               346,224   
      Sri Lanka – 1.3%                           
$ 200     

Republic of Sri Lanka, 144A

    6.850%         11/03/25         BB–         188,395   
      Uruguay – 0.6%                           
  100     

Republic of Uruguay

    5.100%         6/18/50         BBB         86,251   
 

Total Sovereign Debt (cost $6,274,326)

                               5,520,931   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $14,900,307)

                               13,711,383   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity              Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 6.4%

          
      REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 6.4%                           
$ 887     

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 12/31/15, repurchase price $887,326, collateralized by $880,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.125%, due 2/15/43, value $907,350

    0.030%         1/04/16                $ 887,323   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $887,323)

  

              887,323   
 

Total Investments (cost $15,787,630) – 105.3%

  

              14,598,706   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (5.3)% (7)

                               (733,752
 

Net Assets – 100%

                             $ 13,864,954   

Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts outstanding:

 

Counterparty      Currency Contracts to Deliver    Amount
(Local Currency)
     In Exchange
For Currency
   Amount
(Local Currency)
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(U.S. Dollars)
 
Bank of America, N.A.      Hungarian Forint      103,870,000      U.S. Dollar      357,224         1/29/16       $ (527
Bank of America, N.A.      Indian Rupee      36,000,000       U.S. Dollar      541,761         2/05/16         244   
Bank of America, N.A.      Mexican Peso      11,750,000       U.S. Dollar      687,577         1/29/16         6,986   
Bank of America, N.A.      Polish Zloty      350,000       U.S. Dollar      90,296         1/29/16         1,120   
Bank of America, N.A.      U.S. Dollar      1,365       Hungarian Forint      396,000         1/29/16         (1
Bank of America, N.A.      U.S. Dollar      88,119       Polish Zloty      350,000         1/29/16         1,057   
Bank of America, N.A.      U.S. Dollar      534,103       Indonesian Rupiah      7,400,000,000         1/25/16         (2,011
Bank of America, N.A.      U.S. Dollar      539,730       Indian Rupee      36,000,000         2/05/16         1,786   
Citibank, National Association      Euro      42,000       U.S. Dollar      45,857         2/29/16         151   
Citibank, National Association      Euro      300,000       U.S. Dollar      328,658         2/29/16         2,189   
Deutsche Bank AG      Australian Dollar      337,000       U.S. Dollar      242,554         1/29/16         (2,729
Deutsche Bank AG      U.S. Dollar      467,233       Pound Sterling      307,000         1/22/16         (14,631
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      187,870       Canadian Dollar      254,000         1/29/16         (4,295
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      863,816       Pound Sterling      569,000         1/29/16         (24,939
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC      Singapore Dollar      1,000,000       U.S. Dollar      708,125         1/29/16         3,452   
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC      South African Rand      5,397,000       U.S. Dollar      351,718         1/29/16         4,247   
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC      South Korean Won      1,100,000,000       U.S. Dollar      932,678         2/16/16         (2,272
                                            $ (30,173

 

Nuveen Investments     37   


Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015 (continued)

 

Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:

 

Counterparty    Notional
Amount
     Fund
Pay/
Receive
Floating
Rate
     Floating
Rate Index
     Fixed Rate
(Annualized)
    Fixed Rate
Payment
Frequency
     Termination
Date
     Value      Variation
Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 200,000         Receive         3-Month
USD-LIBOR-ICE
        2.078     Semi-
Annually
        2/19/23       $ (4,795      N/A       $ (4,795

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.*

     1,000,000         Receive         3-Month
USD-LIBOR-ICE
        2.258        Semi-
Annually
        9/02/25         (23,100    $ (4,550      (23,100
     $ 1,200,000                                                   $ (27,895    $ (4,550    $ (27,895
* Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. is the clearing broker for this transaction.

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount at
Value
     Variation
Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note        Short         (9      3/16       $ (1,064,883    $ (1,266    $ 3,133   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3) Principal Amount (000) denominated in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

(4) Investment valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by, or at the discretion of, the Board. For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 3. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 2 – Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

(5) As of, or subsequent to, the end of the reporting period, this security is non-income producing. Non-income producing, in the case of a fixed-income security, generally denotes that the issuer has (1) defaulted on the payment of principal or interest, (2) is under the protection of the Federal Bankruptcy Court or (3) the Fund’s Adviser has concluded that the issue is not likely to meet its future interest payment obligations and has ceased accruing additional income on the Fund’s records.

 

(6) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(7) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the cash collateral at brokers and/or the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, when applicable.

 

Reg S Regulation S allows U.S. companies to sell securities to persons or entities located outside of the United States without registering those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, Regulation S provides a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the offers and sales of securities by both foreign and domestic issuers that are made outside the United States.

 

TBA To be announced. Maturity date not known prior to settlement of this transaction.

 

(WI/DD) Investment, or portion of investment, purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

AUD Australian Dollar

 

CAD Canadian Dollar

 

EUR Euro

 

HUF Hungarian Forint

 

MXN Mexican Peso

 

PLN Polish Zloty

 

ZAR South African Rand

 

144A Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

USD-LIBOR-ICE United States Dollar-London Inter-Bank Offered Rate-Intercontinental Exchange.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  38       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1)                           Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 94.2%

          
 

COMMON STOCKS – 0.3%

          
      Building Products – 0.0%                           
  527     

Dayton Superior, Class A, (2), (3)

           $ 30,195   
  585     

Dayton Superior, Class 1, (2), (3)

                               33,550   
 

Total Building Products

                               63,745   
      Capital Markets – 0.1%                           
  5,732     

Adamas Finance Asia Limited, (2)

             3,640   
  50,000     

Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, Class A Shares

                               311,500   
 

Total Capital Markets

                               315,140   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.1%                           
  10,000     

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc., (4)

                               150,800   
      Metals & Mining – 0.0%                           
  499,059     

Northland Resources SA, (2), (3)

                               100   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.0%                           
  50,119     

Connacher Oil and Gas Limited, (2), (15)

                               4,410   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 0.1%                           
  20,000     

STAG Industrial Inc.

                               369,000   
 

Total Common Stocks (cost $1,988,607)

                               903,195   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (5)      Value  
 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES – 1.2%

  

        
      Electric Utilities – 0.5%                           
  50,000     

Exelon Corporation

    6.500%                  BBB–       $ 2,023,500   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.2%                           
  13,000     

Dynegy Inc., (4)

    5.375%                  N/R         651,690   
      Metals & Mining – 0.1%                           
  37,500     

ArcelorMittal

    6.000%                  BB–         244,125   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.4%                           
  40,000     

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

    7.500%                  N/R         1,358,000   
 

Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $6,337,303)

                               4,277,315   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (7)      Maturity (6)      Ratings (5)      Value  
 

VARIABLE RATE SENIOR LOAN INTERESTS – 6.3% (7)

  

        
      Auto Components – 1.1%                           
$ 4,000     

Crowne Group LLC, Second Lien Term Loan C

    9.000%         9/29/21         CCC+       $ 3,800,000   

 

Nuveen Investments     39   


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (7)      Maturity (6)      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Construction Materials – 0.6%                           
$ 2,500     

Atkore International Inc.

    7.750%         9/27/21         CCC+       $ 2,190,627   
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.5%                           
  1,995     

Jill Acquisition LLC, First Lien Term Loan B

    6.000%         5/08/22         B         1,955,100   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 0.4%                       
  1,453     

Birch Communications Inc., First Lien Term Loan B

    7.750%         4/19/20         B         1,358,671   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.3%                           
  1,006     

Surgery Center Holdings Inc., Second Lien Term Loan

    8.500%         7/24/21         CCC+         945,755   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.4%                           
  988     

Amaya BV, First Lien Term Loan

    5.000%         7/29/21         BB         924,993   
  656     

Amaya BV, Second Lien Term Loan

    8.000%         7/29/22         B+         656,250   
  1,891     

Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Term Loan B5, (8)

    10.000%         1/29/18         D         1,644,783   
  1,955     

Rock Ohio Caesar LLC, Term Loan B

    5.000%         3/29/19         B+         1,818,150   
  5,490     

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                               5,044,176   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.4%                       
  130     

Empire Generating Company LLC, Term Loan C

    5.250%         3/13/21         B+         107,608   
  1,778     

Empire Generating Company LLC

    5.250%         3/13/21         B+         1,467,206   
  1,908     

Total Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

                               1,574,814   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.5%                           
  2,942     

Arch Coal Inc., Term Loan B

    6.250%         5/16/18         Caa1         1,358,120   
  2,493     

Fieldwood Energy LLC, Second Lien Term Loan

    8.375%         9/30/20         B–         392,586   
  2,000     

Samson Investment Company Second Lien Term Loan, (8)

    5.000%         9/25/18         N/R         100,000   
  7,435     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               1,850,706   
      Professional Services – 0.8%                           
  2,000     

Sedgwick Claims Management Service Inc., Second Lien Term Loan

    6.750%         2/28/22         CCC+         1,847,500   
  1,000     

Sedgwick Claims Management Service Inc., Second Lien Term Loan

    6.750%         2/28/22         CCC+         923,750   
  3,000     

Total Professional Services

                               2,771,250   
      Software – 0.3%                           
  1,000     

Deltek Incorporated, Second Lien Term Loan

    9.500%         6/19/23         CCC+         997,500   
$ 29,787     

Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (cost $28,263,634)

                               22,488,599   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (5)      Value  
 

$25 PAR (OR SIMILAR) RETAIL PREFERRED – 6.1%

  

        
      Banks – 1.4%                           
  32,380     

Bank of America Corporation

    4.000%            BB+       $ 695,522   
  109,536     

HSBC USA Inc.

    1.068%            BBB+         2,418,555   
  75,000     

RBS Capital Funding Trust V

    5.900%                  BB–         1,840,500   
 

Total Banks

                               4,954,577   

 

  40       Nuveen Investments


Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (5)      Value  
      Capital Markets – 0.9%                           
  152,330     

Morgan Stanley

    4.000%                  Ba1       $ 3,166,941   
      Food Products – 0.3%                           
  41,734     

CHS Inc.

    6.750%                  N/R         1,118,889   
      Household Durables – 0.1%                           
  63,610     

Hovnanian Enterprises Incorporated

    7.625%                  Caa3         284,973   
      Insurance – 0.4%                           
  60,000     

AmTrust Financial Services Inc., (4)

    7.250%                  N/R         1,524,000   
      Multi-Utilities – 0.4%                           
  27,000     

Dominion Resources Inc.

    6.375%                  Baa3         1,298,160   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 2.6%                           
  50,960     

Colony Financial Inc.

    7.125%            N/R         1,116,534   
  60,000     

Colony Financial Inc.

    7.500%            N/R         1,467,600   
  52,558     

Coresite Realty Corporation

    7.250%            N/R         1,392,261   
  30,000     

General Growth Properties

    6.375%            N/R         744,000   
  70,000     

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

    8.750%            N/R         1,648,500   
  72,767     

Northstar Realty Finance Corporation

    8.500%            N/R         1,673,641   
  47,400     

Urstadt Biddle Properties, (15)

    6.750%                  N/R         1,243,302   
 

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

                               9,285,838   
 

Total $25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred (cost $21,772,683)

                               21,633,378   
Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      CORPORATE BONDS – 73.8%                           
      Aerospace & Defense – 1.5%                           
$ 2,200     

Bombardier Inc., 144A

    6.000%         10/15/22         B       $ 1,542,200   
  1,500     

StandardAero Aviation Holdings Inc., 144A

    10.000%         7/15/23         CCC         1,488,750   
  2,867     

Triumph Group Inc.

    4.875%         4/01/21         Ba3         2,309,727   
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

                               5,340,677   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 0.5%                           
  1,900  EUR   

XPO Logistics, Inc., 144A

    5.750%         6/15/21         B2         1,925,046   
      Airlines – 0.7%                           
  175     

American Airlines Group Inc., 144A

    4.625%         3/01/20         BB–         166,688   
  3,000     

VistaJet Malta Finance PLC, 144A, (4)

    7.750%         6/01/20         B         2,250,000   
 

Total Airlines

                               2,416,688   
      Auto Components – 2.1%                           
  1,475     

Jac Holding Corporation, 144A, (4)

    11.500%         10/01/19         B         1,382,813   
  1,560     

Midas Intermediate Holdco II LLC / Midas Intermediate Holdco II Finance Inc., 144A

    7.875%         10/01/22         CCC+         1,396,200   
  2,000     

MPG Holdco I Inc., (4)

    7.375%         10/15/22         B+         2,020,000   

 

Nuveen Investments     41   


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Auto Components (continued)                           
$ 2,950     

Tupy S/A, 144A

    6.625%         7/17/24         BB       $ 2,573,875   
 

Total Auto Components

                               7,372,888   
      Banks – 0.6%                           
  2,450     

Popular Inc.

    7.000%         7/01/19         BB–         2,290,750   
      Building Products – 3.3%                           
  1,450     

Associated Materials Inc.

    9.125%         11/01/17         B–         1,000,500   
  2,000     

Builders FirstSource Inc., 144A

    10.750%         8/15/23         B–         1,985,000   
  2,000     

Corporativo Javer S.A. de C.V, 144A

    9.875%         4/06/21         B+         2,050,000   
  2,750     

NCI Building Systems, Inc., 144A

    8.250%         1/15/23         B+         2,887,500   
  3,000     

NWH Escrow Corporation, 144A

    7.500%         8/01/21         B         2,400,000   
  1,000     

Odebrecht Finance Limited, 144A

    4.375%         4/25/25         BBB–         520,000   
  1,800     

Odebrecht Finance Limited, 144A

    7.125%         6/26/42         BBB–         913,500   
 

Total Building Products

                               11,756,500   
      Chemicals – 3.3%                           
  2,000     

Chemours Co, 144A

    6.625%         5/15/23         BB–         1,400,000   
  2,000     

Hexion Inc.

    10.000%         4/15/20         B3         1,650,000   
  1,500     

Hexion US Finance Corporation

    8.875%         2/01/18         CCC         1,057,500   
  1,000     

Kissner Milling Company Limited, 144A

    7.250%         6/01/19         B         937,500   
  400     

Koppers Inc.

    7.875%         12/01/19         BB–         395,000   
  3,525     

Momentive Performance Materials Inc., (3), (8)

    8.875%         10/15/20         N/R           
  3,525     

Momentive Performance Materials Inc.

    3.880%         10/24/21         B         2,432,250   
  2,000     

Platform Specialty Products Corporation, 144A

    10.375%         5/01/21         B+         1,995,000   
  125     

PolyOne Corporation

    5.250%         3/15/23         BB–         121,875   
  2,950     

Tronox Finance LLC

    6.375%         8/15/20         B+         1,775,310   
 

Total Chemicals

                               11,764,435   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.6%                           
  2,420  CAD   

GFL Environmental Corporation, 144A

    7.500%         6/18/18         B         1,713,955   
  1,160  EUR   

Waste Italia SPA, 144A

    10.500%         11/15/19         Caa2         479,672   
 

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                               2,193,627   
      Communications Equipment – 0.5%                           
  2,000     

Broadview Networks Holdings Inc.

    10.500%         11/15/17         N/R         1,895,000   
      Construction & Engineering – 1.1%                           
  1,500     

Boart Longyear Management Pty Ltd, 144A

    7.000%         4/01/21         CCC+         600,000   
  2,358     

Michael Baker Holdings LLC Finance Corporation, 144A

    8.875%         4/15/19         B–         1,650,797   
  15,000  NOK   

VV Holding AS, 144A

    6.360%         7/10/19         N/R         1,626,866   
 

Total Construction & Engineering

                               3,877,663   
      Construction Materials – 2.2%                           
  2,000     

Cemex Finance LLC, 144A

    9.375%         10/12/22         BB–         2,105,000   

 

  42       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Construction Materials (continued)                           
$ 2,500     

Norbord Inc., 144A

    5.375%         12/01/20         Ba2       $ 2,500,000   
  3,180     

Reliance Intermediate Holdings LP, 144A

    6.500%         4/01/23         BB–         3,307,200   
 

Total Construction Materials

                               7,912,200   
      Consumer Finance – 1.4%                           
  2,350     

Constellis Holdings LLC / Constellis Finance Corporation, 144A

    9.750%         5/15/20         B         1,929,938   
  1,945     

Covenant Surgical Partners Inc., 144A

    8.750%         8/01/19         B–         1,896,375   
  1,500     

Enova International, Inc.

    9.750%         6/01/21         B         1,080,000   
 

Total Consumer Finance

                               4,906,313   
      Containers & Packaging – 2.1%                           
  3,219     

Ardagh Finance Holdings SA, 144A

    8.625%         6/15/19         CCC+         3,173,049   
  882     

Ardagh Packaging Finance / MP HD USA, 144A

    7.000%         11/15/20         Caa1         866,912   
  1,750     

Coveris Holdings SA, 144A

    7.875%         11/01/19         B–         1,526,875   
  2,000     

PaperWorks Industries Inc., 144A

    9.500%         8/15/19         B–         1,830,000   
 

Total Containers & Packaging

                               7,396,836   
      Diversified Consumer Services – 0.9%                           
  2,180     

Gibson Brands Inc., 144A

    8.875%         8/01/18         B–         1,264,400   
  3,185     

Jones Group Inc.

    6.125%         11/15/34         CCC–         445,900   
  1,000  GBP   

Twinkle Pizza Holdings PLC, 144A

    8.625%         8/01/22         CCC+         1,530,495   
 

Total Diversified Consumer Services

                               3,240,795   
      Diversified Financial Services – 1.6%                           
  1,750     

CNG Holdings Inc., 144A

    9.375%         5/15/20         B–         735,000   
  2,180     

James Hardie International Finance Limited, 144A

    5.875%         2/15/23         BBB–         2,223,600   
  1,500     

Nationstar Mortgage LLC Capital Corporation

    7.875%         10/01/20         B+         1,435,500   
  1,500     

NewStar Financial, Inc.

    7.250%         5/01/20         BB–         1,455,000   
 

Total Diversified Financial Services

                               5,849,100   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 2.8%                       
  1,225     

CenturyLink Inc.

    7.650%         3/15/42         BB+         937,125   
  1,950     

Consolidated Communications Finance Company

    6.500%         10/01/22         B–         1,638,000   
  1,000     

Frontier Communications Corporation, 144A

    11.000%         9/15/25         BB         990,000   
  1,000     

IntelSat Jackson Holdings

    7.250%         4/01/19         B+         917,500   
  1,500     

IntelSat Jackson Holdings

    6.625%         12/15/22         CCC+         956,250   
  2,800     

Neptune Finco Corporation, 144A

    10.875%         10/15/25         B2         2,933,000   
  2,000     

Windstream Corporation

    7.750%         10/01/21         BB         1,573,750   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               9,945,625   
      Electric Utilities – 1.5%                           
  1,587     

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, 144A, (8)

    11.750%         3/01/22         N/R         1,689,998   
  2,435     

Intergen NV, 144A, (4)

    7.000%         6/30/23         B+         1,929,738   
  2,000     

PPL Energy Supply LLC, 144A

    6.500%         6/01/25         Ba3         1,320,000   

 

Nuveen Investments     43   


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Electric Utilities (continued)                           
$ 1,000     

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings, 144A, (8)

    11.500%         10/01/20         N/R       $ 332,500   
 

Total Electric Utilities

                               5,272,236   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 1.0%                           
  1,950     

Basic Energy Services, Inc.

    7.750%         2/15/19         B–         643,500   
  700     

Calfrac Holdings LP, 144A

    7.500%         12/01/20         B         278,250   
  750     

McDermott International Inc., 144A

    8.000%         5/01/21         BB–         596,250   
  1,000     

Murray Energy Corporation, 144A

    11.250%         4/15/21         CCC+         182,500   
  1,670     

Pacific Drilling V Limited, 144A

    7.250%         12/01/17         B         860,050   
  1,000     

SAExploration Holdings Inc.

    10.000%         7/15/19         B–         590,000   
  1,500     

Seventy Seven Energy Inc.

    6.625%         11/15/19         CCC+         525,000   
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                               3,675,550   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 2.0%                           
  2,500     

Kehe Distributors LLC Finance, 144A

    7.625%         8/15/21         B–         2,543,750   
  2,750     

Supervalu Inc., (4)

    7.750%         11/15/22         B         2,516,250   
  2,000     

Tops Holding LLC / Tops Markets II Corporation, 144A, (4)

    8.000%         6/15/22         B         1,970,000   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                               7,030,000   
      Food Products – 1.6%                           
  2,050     

JBS Investments GmbH, 144A

    7.250%         4/03/24         BB+         1,860,375   
  2,200     

Marfrig Holding Europe BV, 144A

    8.375%         5/09/18         B+         2,112,000   
  2,000     

Southern States Cooperative Inc., 144A

    10.000%         8/15/21         B–         1,730,000   
 

Total Food Products

                               5,702,375   
      Gas Utilities – 0.5%                           
  2,000     

Ferrellgas LP

    6.750%         1/15/22         B+         1,685,000   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 1.1%                           
  2,375     

GreatBatch Limited, 144A

    9.125%         11/01/23         B–         2,351,250   
  1,800     

Tenet Healthcare Corporation

    6.875%         11/15/31         B3         1,458,000   
 

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                               3,809,250   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 1.9%                           
  2,000     

Community Health Systems, Inc., (4)

    6.875%         2/01/22         B+         1,897,500   
  2,000     

Kindred Healthcare Inc.

    8.750%         1/15/23         B2         1,840,000   
  2,000     

Opal Acquisition Inc., 144A

    8.875%         12/15/21         CCC         1,660,000   
  1,750     

Select Medical Corporation

    6.375%         6/01/21         B–         1,531,250   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                               6,928,750   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 2.7%                           
  1,500     

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC, (4)

    8.000%         10/01/20         B+         1,425,000   
  2,000     

Caesars Growth Properties Holdings LLC / Caesars Growth Properties Finance Inc., (4)

    9.375%         5/01/22         B–         1,640,000   
  1,600  CAD   

River Cree Enterprises LP, 144A

    11.000%         1/20/21         B–         1,150,538   

 

  44       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)                           
$ 2,500     

Roc Finance LLC and Roc Finance 1 Corporation, 144A

    12.125%         9/01/18         B–       $ 2,612,500   
  3,285     

Scientific Games International Inc.

    6.250%         9/01/20         B–         1,543,950   
  1,600     

Wynn Macau Limited, 144A, (4)

    5.250%         10/15/21         Ba2         1,408,000   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                               9,779,988   
      Household Durables – 1.6%                           
  2,000     

K. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc.

    5.000%         11/01/21         B1         1,340,000   
  2,500     

KB Home

    7.625%         5/15/23         B+         2,468,750   
  1,850     

RSI Home Products Incorporated, 144A

    6.500%         3/15/23         B+         1,905,500   
 

Total Household Durables

                               5,714,250   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 1.3%                           
  2,000     

Dynegy Inc., (4)

    6.750%         11/01/19         B+         1,880,000   
  1,300     

GenOn Energy Inc.

    9.875%         10/15/20         B–         962,000   
  2,300     

NRG Energy Inc.

    6.625%         3/15/23         BB–         1,995,250   
 

Total Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

                               4,837,250   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.5%                           
  2,500     

Techniplas, LLC, 144A

    10.000%         5/01/20         B         1,775,000   
      Insurance – 0.5%                           
  2,570     

Genworth Holdings Inc.

    4.800%         2/15/24         Ba1         1,734,750   
      Internet Software & Services – 0.1%                           
  500     

Ensemble S Merger Sub Inc., 144A

    9.000%         9/30/23         CCC+         483,125   
      Leisure Products – 0.4%                           
  2,000  CAD   

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited, 144A

    8.500%         11/26/20         B+         1,387,584   
      Machinery – 0.6%                           
  2,230     

CTP Transportation Products LLC-Finance Inc., 144A

    8.250%         12/15/19         B         2,324,775   
      Marine – 2.8%                           
  3,000     

Eletson Holdings Inc., 144A

    9.625%         1/15/22         B+         2,670,000   
  1,750     

Global Ship Lease Inc., 144A

    10.000%         4/01/19         B         1,583,750   
  2,900     

Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, 144A

    8.125%         11/15/21         BB–         2,530,250   
  1,786     

Navios South American Logisitics Inc., Finance US Inc., 144A

    7.250%         5/01/22         B         1,169,830   
  2,200     

Topaz Marine SA, 144A

    8.625%         11/01/18         B–         2,001,340   
 

Total Marine

                               9,955,170   
      Media – 4.0%                           
  1,850     

Charter Communications, CCO Holdings LLC, (4)

    5.125%         2/15/23         BB–         1,852,313   
  2,650     

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

    9.000%         12/15/19         CCC+         1,961,000   
  1,000     

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

    11.250%         3/01/21         CCC+         700,000   
  750     

Lee Enterprises Inc., 144A

    9.500%         3/15/22         B2         690,000   
  1,500     

McClatchy Company

    9.000%         12/15/22         B1         1,335,000   

 

Nuveen Investments     45   


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Media (continued)                           
$ 1,000     

Midcontinent Communications Finance Company, 144A

    6.250%         8/01/21         B       $ 1,010,000   
  2,500     

Radio One Inc., 144A

    9.250%         2/15/20         CCC         1,975,000   
  2,500     

SiTV Inc., 144A

    10.375%         7/01/19         B–         2,000,000   
  180     

Tribune Media Company, 144A, (4)

    5.875%         7/15/22         BB–         180,000   
  3,150  CAD   

Videotron Limited, 144A

    5.625%         6/15/25         BB         2,288,024   
  500     

VTR Finance BV, 144A

    6.875%         1/15/24         B+         460,000   
 

Total Media

                               14,451,337   
      Metals & Mining – 3.5%                           
  2,000     

AK Steel Corporation

    7.625%         10/01/21         CCC+         800,000   
  1,300     

Anglogold Holdings PLC

    5.125%         8/01/22         Baa3         1,033,500   
  2,790     

Century Aluminum Company, 144A, (4)

    7.500%         6/01/21         BB–         1,869,300   
  2,000     

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.

    4.200%         1/15/18         B         530,000   
  283     

Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation

    7.875%         2/01/21         B         169,093   
  2,000  EUR   

Constellium N.V, 144A

    4.625%         5/15/21         B         1,666,840   
  2,349     

First Quantum Minerals Limited, 144A

    6.750%         2/15/20         BB–         1,515,105   
  135     

Hudbay Minerals, Inc.

    9.500%         10/01/20         B         98,888   
  700     

Lundin Mining Corporation, 144A

    7.500%         11/01/20         Ba2         656,250   
  3,504     

Northland Resources AB, 144A, Reg S

    15.000%         7/15/19         N/R         35,044   
  1,583     

Northland Resources AB, 144A, Reg S, (8)

    4.000%         10/15/20         N/R         3,166   
  2,000     

Novellis Inc.

    8.750%         12/15/20         B         1,835,000   
  2,000     

Teck Resources Limited

    4.750%         1/15/22         BB+         970,000   
  2,000     

Westmoreland Coal Co, 144A

    8.750%         1/01/22         B         1,230,000   
 

Total Metals & Mining

                               12,412,186   
      Multiline Retail – 0.6%                           
  3,048     

J.C. Penney Company Inc., (4)

    7.400%         4/01/37         B–         2,011,680   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 8.9%                           
  3,000     

American Eagle Energy Corporation, 144A, (8)

    11.000%         9/01/19         N/R         210,000   
  1,900     

Armstrong Energy Inc.

    11.750%         12/15/19         B–         779,000   
  3,000     

Atlas Energy Holdings Operating Company

    9.250%         8/15/21         CCC         615,000   
  2,600  CAD   

Baytex Energy Corporation

    6.625%         7/19/22         BB         1,434,557   
  2,750     

Bellatrix Exploration Limited, 144A

    8.500%         5/15/20         B3         1,952,500   
  2,000     

Calumet Specialty Products

    7.625%         1/15/22         B+         1,700,000   
  2,000     

CGG SA

    6.875%         1/15/22         CCC+         820,000   
  1,034     

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, 144A

    8.000%         12/15/22         BB–         506,660   
  1,350     

Cloud Peak Energy Resources LLC and Cloud Peak Energy Finance Corporation

    8.500%         12/15/19         BB–         675,000   
  785     

Continental Resources Inc.

    7.375%         10/01/20         BBB–         722,200   
  2,275     

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP

    6.125%         3/01/22         BB         1,581,125   

 

  46       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                           
$ 800     

Denbury Resources Inc.

    5.500%         5/01/22         B1       $ 265,584   
  1,200     

EnQuest PLC, 144A

    7.000%         4/15/22         B–         418,500   
  2,210     

EV Energy Partners LP / EV Energy Finance Corporation

    8.000%         4/15/19         B–         1,105,000   
  1,300     

Genesis Energy LP

    5.750%         2/15/21         B+         1,098,500   
  2,000     

Global Partners LP/GLP Finance

    7.000%         6/15/23         B+         1,640,000   
  3,000     

Golden Close Maritime Corporation Limited, 144A, Reg S

    9.000%         10/24/19         N/R         1,500,000   
  390     

Halcon Resources Corporation, 144A, (4)

    12.000%         2/15/22         CCC+         257,400   
  1,648     

Key Energy Services Inc.

    6.750%         3/01/21         CCC+         414,060   
  2,000     

Martin Mid-Stream Partners LP Finance

    7.250%         2/15/21         B–         1,760,000   
  3,265     

MEG Energy Corporation, 144A

    6.375%         1/30/23         BB–         2,236,525   
  1,950     

Memorial Production Partners LP Finance Corporation

    7.625%         5/01/21         CCC+         585,000   
  2,921     

Metro Exploration Holding Inc., (8)

    11.500%         2/14/16         N/R         116,844   
  1,725     

Oasis Petroleum Inc.

    6.875%         3/15/22         B+         1,104,000   
  1,250  CAD   

Paramount Resources Limited, 144A

    7.625%         12/04/19         BB–         729,999   
  2,500     

Peabody Energy Corporation

    6.500%         9/15/20         B–         343,750   
  750     

Penn Virginia Corporation

    8.500%         5/01/20         CC         118,125   
  352     

Sabine Pass LNG LP

    7.500%         11/30/16         BB+         350,240   
  1,500     

Sandridge Energy Inc., 144A

    8.750%         6/01/20         B         455,625   
  1,500     

Seven Generations Energy Limited, 144A

    6.750%         5/01/23         B2         1,260,000   
  1,100     

Summit Midstream Holdings LLC Finance

    7.500%         7/01/21         B         935,000   
  2,030     

Talos Production LLC, 144A

    9.750%         2/15/18         B–         872,900   
  1,750     

Teekay Corporation, 144A

    8.500%         1/15/20         B+         1,181,250   
  1,620     

Vanguard Natural Resources Finance

    7.875%         4/01/20         B         429,300   
  2,000     

WPX Energy Inc.

    7.500%         8/01/20         Ba1         1,620,000   
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               31,793,644   
      Paper & Forest Products – 1.9%                           
  1,000     

Mercer International Inc.

    7.750%         12/01/22         B+         1,010,000   
  4,550     

Millar Western Forest Products Ltd

    8.500%         4/01/21         B–         2,366,000   
  2,675     

Resolute Forest Products

    5.875%         5/15/23         BB–         1,946,063   
  1,500     

Tembec Industries, Inc., 144A

    9.000%         12/15/19         B–         975,000   
  1,950     

Verso Paper Holdings LLC, (8)

    11.750%         1/15/19         Caa2         341,250   
 

Total Paper & Forest Products

                               6,638,313   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.8%                           
  2,900     

VP Escrow Corporation, 144A

    6.375%         10/15/20         B1         2,798,500   
      Professional Services – 0.7%                           
  2,625     

CEB Inc., 144A

    5.625%         6/15/23         BB–         2,605,313   
      Real Estate Management & Development – 1.0%                       
  3,000     

Hunt Companies Inc., 144A

    9.625%         3/01/21         N/R         2,715,000   

 

Nuveen Investments     47   


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Real Estate Management & Development (continued)                       
$ 945     

Mattamy Group Corporation, 144A, (4)

    6.500%         11/15/20         BB       $ 897,750   
 

Total Real Estate Management & Development

                               3,612,750   
      Road & Rail – 0.4%                           
  2,231     

JCH Parent Inc., 144A

    10.500%         3/15/19         CCC–         1,361,110   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 0.4%                       
  2,200     

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    7.000%         7/01/24         B–         1,430,000   
      Software – 0.5%                           
  2,000     

BCP Singapore VI Cayman Financing Company Limited, 144A

    8.000%         4/15/21         BB–         1,587,500   
  180     

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., 144A

    5.875%         7/15/23         B+         185,850   
 

Total Software

                               1,773,350   
      Specialty Retail – 1.6%                           
  1,500     

L Brands, Inc., 144A, (4)

    6.875%         11/01/35         BB+         1,541,250   
  2,852     

Sally Holdings Inc.

    5.750%         6/01/22         BB+         2,950,784   
  1,500     

The Men’s Warehouse Inc.

    7.000%         7/01/22         B2         1,065,000   
 

Total Specialty Retail

                               5,557,034   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.5%                           
  2,000     

Avation Capital SA, 144A

    7.500%         5/27/20         B+         1,860,000   
      Transportation Infrastructure – 0.9%                           
  3,000     

Navigator Holdings Limited, 144A, Reg S

    9.000%         12/18/17         N/R         3,060,900   
      Utilities – 0.0%                           
  121     

Midwest Generation LLC

    8.560%         1/02/16         N/R         120,354   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 2.8%                       
  1,900     

Colombia Telecommunicaciones S.A. ESP, 144A

    8.500%         9/30/65         B+         1,629,250   
  2,250     

Digicel Group, Limited, 144A

    8.250%         9/30/20         B–         1,856,250   
  2,256     

FairPoint Communications Inc., 144A

    8.750%         8/15/19         B         2,221,175   
  3,050     

Sprint Corporation

    7.250%         9/15/21         B+         2,272,250   
  2,000     

T-Mobile USA Inc.

    6.625%         4/01/23         BB         2,040,000   
  11,456     

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                               10,018,925   
 

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $340,399,127)

                               263,684,592   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
 

CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 0.5%

          
      Metals & Mining – 0.0%                           
$ 1,500     

Great Western Mineral Group, Reg S, (8)

    8.000%         4/06/17         N/R       $ 15,000   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.2%                
  1,000     

NRG Yield Inc, 144A

    3.250%         6/01/20         N/R         839,375   

 

  48       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.3%                           
$ 1,465     

Alpha Natural Resources Inc., (8)

    4.875%         12/15/20         D       $ 1,831   
  1,300     

DCP Midstream LLC, 144A

    5.850%         5/21/43         BB–         994,500   
  2,765     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               996,331   
$ 5,265     

Total Convertible Bonds (cost $4,681,020)

                               1,850,706   
Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 3.2%

  

        
      Banks – 2.2%                           
$ 1,903     

Lloyd’s Banking Group PLC, (4)

    7.500%         N/A (10)         BB+       $ 2,026,695   
  2,000     

Societe Generale, 144A, (4)

    7.875%         N/A (10)         BB+         1,992,600   
  2,000     

SunTrust Capital Trust I, Series A

    4.000%         N/A (10)         Baa3         1,510,000   
  2,600     

UniCredit SpA, Reg S

    8.000%         N/A (10)         BB–         2,455,632   
 

Total Banks

                               7,984,927   
      Capital Markets – 0.6%                           
  2,840     

Goldman Sachs Capital II

    4.000%         N/A (10)         Ba1         2,002,200   
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.3%                           
  1,200     

Banco BTG Pactual SA/Luxembourg, 144A

    8.750%         N/A (10)         B2         840,000   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.0%                           
  2,000     

OAS Financial Limited, 144A

    8.875%         N/A (10)         N/R         100,000   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.1%                           
  400  EUR   

Repsol International Finance BV, Reg S

    3.875%         N/A (10)         Ba1         373,249   
 

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $13,603,097)

                               11,300,376   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (5)      Value  
      ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 0.0%                           
$ 1     

Green Tree Financial Corporation, Manufactured Housing Contract Pass-Through Certificates, Series 1998-1

    6.040%         11/01/29         AA       $ 1,020   
$ 1     

Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $1,003)

                               1,020   
Shares     Description (1), (11)                           Value  
      INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 2.8%                           
  10,000     

Adams Natural Resources Fund Inc.

           $ 177,400   
  134,000     

Blackrock Credit Allocation Income Trust IV

             1,653,560   
  159,500     

First Trust Strategic High Income Fund II

             1,775,235   
  18,500     

Gabelli Global Gold Natural Resources and Income Trust

             87,875   
  169,500     

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund

             1,788,225   
  178,500     

Pimco Income Strategy Fund

             1,738,590   

 

Nuveen Investments     49   


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1), (11)                       Value  
      INVESTMENT COMPANIES (continued)                       
  122,500     

Pioneer Floating Rate Trust

           $ 1,329,125   
  120,309     

Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund

             1,170,607   
  34,351     

WhiteHorse Finance Incorporated

                       394,349   
 

Total Investment Companies (cost $11,776,054)

                       10,114,966   
Shares     Description (1)                       Value  
      WARRANTS – 0.0%                       
  336,891     

Iona Energy Inc., (3)

           $ 1,035   
  6,707     

FairPoint Communications Inc.

                       67   
 

Total Warrants (cost $0)

                       1,102   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $428,822,528)

                       336,255,249   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                  Value  
 

INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LENDING – 5.6%

     
      Money Market Funds – 5.6%                       
  20,019,220     

Mount Vernon Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio, (13)

    0.473% (12)                 $ 20,019,220   
 

Total Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending (cost $20,019,220)

          20,019,220   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                  Value  
      SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 4.4%                       
 

Money Market Funds – 4.4%

          
  15,854,091     

First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class Z

    0.108% (12)                 $ 15,854,091   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $15,854,091)

                       15,854,091   
 

Total Investments (cost $464,695,839) – 104.2%

                       372,128,560   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (4.2)% (14)

                       (14,857,919
 

Net Assets – 100%

                     $ 357,270,641   

 

  50       Nuveen Investments


Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts outstanding:

 

 
Counterparty      Currency Contracts to Deliver    Amount
(Local Currency)
     In Exchange
For Currency
   Amount
(Local Currency)
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(U.S. Dollars)
 
Bank of America, N.A.      Pound Sterling      2,290,000       U.S. Dollar      3,489,617         1/22/16       $ 113,499   
Bank of America, N.A.      U.S. Dollar      1,962,362       Pound Sterling      1,300,000         1/22/16         (45,788
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      Euro      7,811,900       U.S. Dollar      8,601,527         1/29/16         105,698   
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      U.S. Dollar      214,721       Euro      197,000         1/29/16         (473
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      U.S. Dollar      1,019,621       Euro      923,000         1/29/16         (15,812
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      U.S. Dollar      1,179,194       Euro      1,080,000         1/29/16         (4,640
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.      U.S. Dollar      1,628,472       Euro      1,500,000         1/29/16         2,852   
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      Canadian Dollar      14,525,000       U.S. Dollar      10,743,343         1/29/16         245,469   
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      Norwegian Krone      28,316,000       U.S. Dollar      3,244,970         1/22/16         46,730   
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      Swedish Krona      15,525,000       U.S. Dollar      1,788,247         1/22/16         (52,125
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      179,332       Norwegian Krone      1,580,000         1/22/16         (874
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      299,170       Canadian Dollar      417,000         1/29/16         2,214   
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      432,420       Canadian Dollar      600,000         1/29/16         1,227   
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      438,673       Swedish Krona      3,725,000         1/22/16         2,898   
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      1,020,262       Canadian Dollar      1,386,000         1/29/16         (18,537
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      1,401,205       Norwegian Krone      12,190,000         1/22/16         (24,367
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      1,401,552       Swedish Krona      11,800,000         1/22/16         (2,750
                                            $ 355,221   

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount at
Value
     Variation
Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note

       Short         (99      3/16       $ (11,713,711    $ (13,922    $ 37,660   

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note

       Long         146         3/16         18,382,313         43,343         (10,618
                                  $ 6,668,602       $ 29,421       $ 27,042   

 

Nuveen Investments     51   


Nuveen High Income Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

(3) Investment valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by, or at discretion of, the Board. For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 3. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 2 – Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

(4) Investment, or a portion of investment, is out on loan for securities lending. The total value of the securities out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $19,237,593.

 

(5) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(6) Senior loans generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment. Because of these mandatory prepayment conditions and because there may be significant economic incentives for a borrower to prepay, prepayments of senior loans may occur. As a result, the actual remaining maturity of senior loans held may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown.

 

(7) Senior loans generally pay interest at rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term, floating lending rate plus an assigned fixed rate. These floating lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate referenced by the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks. Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan. The rate shown is the coupon as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(8) As of, or subsequent to, the end of the reporting period, this security is non-income producing. Non-income producing, in the case of a fixed-income security, generally denotes that the issuer has (1) defaulted on the payment of principal or interest, (2) is under the protection of the Federal Bankruptcy Court or (3) the Fund’s Adviser has concluded that the issue is not likely to meet its future interest payment obligations and has ceased accruing additional income on the Fund’s records.

 

(9) Principal Amount (000) denominated in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

(10) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(11) A copy of the most recent financial statements for these investment companies can be obtained directly from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on its website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

(12) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(13) The Fund may loan securities representing up to one third of the fair value of its total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks and other institutions. The Fund maintains collateral equal to at least 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned. The cash collateral received by the Fund is invested in this money market fund. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives, Securities Lending for more information.

 

(14) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the cash collateral at brokers and/or the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, when applicable.

 

(15) For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 2. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 2 – Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

Reg S Regulation S allows U.S. companies to sell securities to persons or entities located outside of the United States without registering those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, Regulation S provides a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the offers and sales of securities by both foreign and domestic issuers that are made outside the United States.

 

144A Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

CAD Canadian Dollar

 

EUR Euro

 

GBP Pound Sterling

 

NOK Norwegian Krone

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  52       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1)                           Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 97.7%

          
 

COMMON STOCKS – 0.0%

          
      Building Products – 0.0%                           
  50     

Dayton Superior, Class A, (2), (3)

           $ 2,839   
  55     

Dayton Superior, Class 1, (2), (3)

                               3,154   
 

Total Building Products

                               5,993   
 

Total Common Stocks (cost $20,079)

                               5,993   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (4)      Value  
 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES – 0.1%

          
      Electric Utilities – 0.1%                           
  15,000     

Exelon Corporation

    6.500%                  BBB–       $ 607,050   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.0%                           
  7,500     

Dynegy Inc., (5)

    5.375%                  N/R         375,975   
 

Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $1,488,400)

                               983,025   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (7)      Maturity (6)      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

VARIABLE RATE SENIOR LOAN INTERESTS – 1.3% (7)

          
      Auto Components – 0.3%                           
$ 988     

Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., Term Loan B

    4.000%         3/28/21         BB–       $ 974,744   
  1,979     

Crowne Group LLC, First Lien Term Loan B

    6.000%         9/29/20         B         1,930,500   
  2,967     

Total Auto Components

                               2,905,244   
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.1%                           
  998     

Jill Acquisition LLC, First Lien Term Loan B

    6.000%         5/08/22         B         977,550   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.1%                       
  993     

Surgery Center Holdings Inc., First Lien Term Loan

    5.250%         7/24/20         B         987,124   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.4%                           
  1,980     

Amaya BV, First Lien Term Loan

    5.000%         7/29/21         BB         1,854,636   
  1,496     

Life Time Fitness, First Lien Term Loan B

    4.250%         6/03/22         BB–         1,458,832   
  980     

Rock Ohio Caesar LLC, Term Loan B

    5.000%         3/29/19         B+         911,400   
  4,456     

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                               4,224,868   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.1%                           
  65     

Empire Generating Company LLC, Term Loan C

    5.250%         3/13/21         B+         53,804   
  889     

Empire Generating Company LLC

    5.250%         3/13/21         B+         733,603   
  954     

Total Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

                               787,407   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.1%                           
  980     

Arch Coal Inc., Term Loan B

    6.250%         5/16/18         Caa1         452,338   

 

Nuveen Investments     53   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (7)      Maturity (6)      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                           
$ 2,000     

Samson Investment Company Second Lien Term Loan, (8)

    5.000%         9/25/18         N/R       $ 100,000   
  2,980     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               552,338   
      Professional Services – 0.2%                           
  1,000     

Sedgwick Claims Management Service Inc., Second Lien Term Loan

    6.750%         2/28/22         CCC+         923,750   
  1,000     

Sedgwick Claims Management Service Inc., Second Lien Term Loan

    6.750%         2/28/22         CCC+         923,750   
  2,000     

Total Professional Services

                               1,847,500   
$ 15,348     

Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (cost $15,233,535)

                               12,282,031   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (4)      Value  
 

$25 PAR (OR SIMILAR) RETAIL PREFERRED – 0.5%

          
      Banks – 0.5%                           
  20,600     

AgriBank FCB, (15)

    6.875%            BBB+       $ 2,177,807   
  20,000     

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (15)

    6.200%                  BBB+         2,018,750   
 

Total Banks

                               4,196,557   
      Multi-Utilities – 0.0%                           
  5,000     

Dominion Resources Inc.

    6.375%                  Baa3         240,400   
 

Total $25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred (cost $4,315,000)

                               4,436,957   
Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 73.4%

          
      Aerospace & Defense – 1.1%                           
$ 2,785     

BAE Systems Holdings, 144A

    3.850%         12/15/25         BBB+       $ 2,758,743   
  1,000     

Bombardier Inc., 144A

    7.500%         3/15/18         B         975,000   
  2,140     

Exelis, Inc.

    5.550%         10/01/21         BBB–         2,346,812   
  3,000     

Martin Marietta Materials

    4.250%         7/02/24         BBB         2,945,781   
  1,500     

Triumph Group Inc., (5)

    4.875%         4/01/21         Ba3         1,208,438   
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

                               10,234,774   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 0.1%                           
  1,200     

XPO Logistics, Inc., 144A, (5)

    6.500%         6/15/22         B2         1,110,000   
      Airlines – 0.7%                           
  2,000     

American Airlines Group Inc., 144A

    4.625%         3/01/20         BB–         1,905,000   
  2,851     

Northwest Airlines Trust Pass Through Certificates 2007-1

    7.027%         11/01/19         A         3,176,803   
  1,500     

VistaJet Malta Finance PLC, 144A, (5)

    7.750%         6/01/20         B         1,125,000   
 

Total Airlines

                               6,206,803   
      Asset-Backed Securities – 0.2%                           
  1,716     

American Airlines Inc., Pass Through Trust 2013-2B, 144A

    5.600%         7/15/20         BBB–         1,750,181   

 

  54       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Auto Components – 0.7%                           
$ 1,575     

American & Axle Manufacturing Inc., (5)

    6.625%         10/15/22         BB–       $ 1,649,813   
  1,000     

Midas Intermediate Holdco II LLC / Midas Intermediate Holdco II Finance Inc., 144A

    7.875%         10/01/22         CCC+         895,000   
  1,400     

MPG Holdco I Inc., (5)

    7.375%         10/15/22         B+         1,414,000   
  1,580     

Tenneco Inc.

    5.375%         12/15/24         BB+         1,603,700   
  1,500     

Tupy S/A, 144A

    6.625%         7/17/24         BB         1,308,750   
 

Total Auto Components

                               6,871,263   
      Automobiles – 0.7%                           
  3,000     

General Motors Corporation

    4.000%         4/01/25         BBB–         2,842,089   
  3,240     

General Motors Financial Company Inc., (5)

    4.250%         5/15/23         BBB–         3,205,144   
 

Total Automobiles

                               6,047,233   
      Banks – 8.9%                           
  2,000     

Bancolombia SA

    5.950%         6/03/21         BBB+         2,062,500   
  15,750     

Bank of America Corporation, (5)

    4.000%         4/01/24         A         16,116,125   
  4,210     

Bank of America Corporation

    4.200%         8/26/24         A–         4,216,113   
  4,025     

Bank of America Corporation

    4.250%         10/22/26         A–         3,984,492   
  2,700     

Barclays Bank PLC

    3.650%         3/16/25         A         2,594,768   
  1,760     

CIT Group Inc.

    5.000%         8/01/23         BB+         1,786,400   
  5,710     

Citigroup Inc.

    3.750%         6/16/24         A         5,815,441   
  4,665     

Citigroup Inc.

    3.300%         4/27/25         A         4,581,902   
  6,000     

Citigroup Inc.

    4.300%         11/20/26         A–         5,974,206   
  2,545     

General Electric Capital Corporation

    6.875%         1/10/39         AA+         3,468,830   
  2,360     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6.800%         6/01/38         A+         2,937,457   
  3,605     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    3.375%         5/01/23         A         3,545,052   
  3,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    3.875%         9/10/24         A         2,985,756   
  2,280     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.400%         5/15/38         A+         2,904,294   
  1,000     

Popular Inc.

    7.000%         7/01/19         BB–         935,000   
  1,220     

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

    6.100%         6/10/23         BBB         1,311,406   
  3,335     

Santander UK PLC, 144A

    5.000%         11/07/23         A–         3,471,572   
  2,485     

Societe Generale, 144A

    5.000%         1/17/24         A–         2,534,208   
  1,960     

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A

    5.700%         3/26/44         A2         1,961,582   
  1,500     

State Bank of India London, 144A

    3.622%         4/17/19         BBB–         1,528,749   
  2,000     

State Bank of India London, 144A

    4.875%         4/17/24         BBB–         2,137,570   
  4,500     

Wells Fargo & Company

    4.100%         6/03/26         A+         4,542,732   
 

Total Banks

                               81,396,155   
      Beverages – 0.5%                           
  1,250     

Andalou Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayii AS, 144A

    3.375%         11/01/22         BBB–         1,048,490   
  1,350     

Constellation Brands Inc.

    4.250%         5/01/23         BB+         1,350,000   
  2,000     

DS Services of America, Inc., 144A

    10.000%         9/01/21         BB–         2,270,000   
 

Total Beverages

                               4,668,490   

 

Nuveen Investments     55   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Building Products – 1.1%                           
$ 1,500     

Builders FirstSource Inc., 144A

    7.625%         6/01/21         BB–       $ 1,578,750   
  1,500     

Hardwoods Acquisition Inc., 144A

    7.500%         8/01/21         B         1,237,500   
  1,875     

Masco Corporation

    5.950%         3/15/22         BBB         2,025,000   
  2,000     

NCI Building Systems, Inc., 144A

    8.250%         1/15/23         B+         2,100,000   
  2,740     

Owens Corning Incorporated

    4.200%         12/15/22         BBB–         2,743,326   
 

Total Building Products

                               9,684,576   
      Capital Markets – 4.7%                           
  900     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    5.750%         1/24/22         A         1,023,586   
  14,800     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    4.000%         3/03/24         A         15,198,253   
  1,920     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    4.250%         10/21/25         A–         1,906,518   
  14,815     

Morgan Stanley

    4.000%         7/23/25         A         15,268,843   
  10,500     

Morgan Stanley

    3.950%         4/23/27         A–         10,195,448   
 

Total Capital Markets

                               43,592,648   
      Chemicals – 2.3%                           
  3,000     

Agrium Inc.

    3.375%         3/15/25         BBB         2,738,646   
  2,125     

Braskem Finance Limited, 144A

    5.750%         4/15/21         BBB–         1,848,750   
  2,500     

Chemours Co, 144A

    6.625%         5/15/23         BB–         1,750,000   
  1,450     

Hexion Inc.

    6.625%         4/15/20         B3         1,134,625   
  1,600     

Huntsman International LLC, (5)

    4.875%         11/15/20         B1         1,460,000   
  964     

Ineos Group Holdings SA, 144A, (5)

    6.125%         8/15/18         B–         954,360   
  2,000     

Momentive Performance Materials Inc., (3), (8)

    8.875%         10/15/20         N/R           
  2,000     

Momentive Performance Materials Inc.

    3.880%         10/24/21         B         1,380,000   
  2,000     

NOVA Chemicals Corporation, 144A, (5)

    5.250%         8/01/23         BBB–         1,980,000   
  1,350     

NOVA Chemicals Corporation, 144A, (5)

    5.000%         5/01/25         BBB–         1,312,875   
  1,600     

Office Cherifien Des Phosphates SA, 144A

    5.625%         4/25/24         BBB–         1,623,600   
  1,800     

Platform Specialty Products Corporation, 144A

    6.500%         2/01/22         B+         1,557,000   
  1,605     

PolyOne Corporation

    5.250%         3/15/23         BB–         1,564,875   
  715     

Rayonier AM Products Inc., 144A

    5.500%         6/01/24         BB         564,850   
  1,750     

Tronox Finance LLC, (5)

    6.375%         8/15/20         B+         1,053,150   
 

Total Chemicals

                               20,922,731   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.1%                           
  1,995     

ABX Group Inc.

    6.375%         12/01/19         Ba3         1,910,213   
  1,290     

ADT Corporation, (5)

    6.250%         10/15/21         BBB–         1,347,470   
  1,200     

Casella Waste Systems Inc.

    7.750%         2/15/19         B–         1,191,000   
  1,320     

Clean Harbors Inc., (5)

    5.250%         8/01/20         BB+         1,346,400   
  1,220     

Covanta Energy Corporation, Synthetic Letter of Credit

    6.375%         10/01/22         Ba3         1,213,900   
  2,000     

ERAC USA Finance LLC, 144A, (5)

    3.850%         11/15/24         BBB+         2,001,594   
  1,000  CAD   

GFL Environmental Corporation, 144A

    7.500%         6/18/18         B         708,246   

 

  56       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)                           
$ 800     

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, (5)

    7.625%         6/15/20         BB–       $ 824,920   
 

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                               10,543,743   
      Communications Equipment – 0.5%                           
  700     

Goodman Networks Inc.

    12.125%         7/01/18         CCC+         189,000   
  4,940     

Qualcomm, Inc., (5)

    3.450%         5/20/25         A+         4,739,026   
 

Total Communications Equipment

                               4,928,026   
      Construction & Engineering – 0.2%                           
  1,450     

AECOM Technology Corporation

    5.750%         10/15/22         BB–         1,493,500   
  500     

Boart Longyear Management Pty Ltd, 144A

    7.000%         4/01/21         CCC+         200,000   
 

Total Construction & Engineering

                               1,693,500   
      Construction Materials – 0.6%                           
  1,000     

Cemex Finance LLC, 144A

    9.375%         10/12/22         BB–         1,052,500   
  1,500     

Cemex SAB de CV, 144A, (5)

    5.700%         1/11/25         BB–         1,254,375   
  1,200     

Norbord Inc., 144A

    5.375%         12/01/20         Ba2         1,200,000   
  2,000     

Reliance Intermediate Holdings LP, 144A

    6.500%         4/01/23         BB–         2,080,000   
 

Total Construction Materials

                               5,586,875   
      Consumer Finance – 1.8%                           
  3,938     

Capital One Bank

    3.375%         2/15/23         Baa1         3,855,428   
  750     

Credit Acceptance Corporation, 144A, (5)

    7.375%         3/15/23         BB         746,250   
  3,500     

Discover Bank

    4.250%         3/13/26         BBB+         3,523,506   
  3,215     

Discover Financial Services

    5.200%         4/27/22         BBB+         3,439,552   
  1,500     

First Data Corporation, 144A

    7.000%         12/01/23         B         1,500,000   
  3,445     

Ford Motor Credit Company

    4.250%         9/20/22         BBB–         3,524,648   
 

Total Consumer Finance

                               16,589,384   
      Containers & Packaging – 1.3%                           
  2,131     

Ardagh Finance Holdings SA, 144A, (5)

    8.625%         6/15/19         CCC+         2,100,587   
  2,100  CAD   

Cascades Inc., 144A

    5.500%         7/15/21         Ba3         1,473,779   
  1,000     

Coveris Holdings SA, 144A

    7.875%         11/01/19         B–         872,500   
  2,385     

Packaging Corporation of America

    3.650%         9/15/24         BBB         2,318,916   
  1,000     

PaperWorks Industries Inc., 144A

    9.500%         8/15/19         B–         915,000   
  3,640     

Rock-Tenn Company

    4.900%         3/01/22         BBB         3,860,777   
 

Total Containers & Packaging

                               11,541,559   
      Diversified Consumer Services – 0.3%                           
  1,000     

Gibson Brands Inc., 144A

    8.875%         8/01/18         B–         580,000   
  1,150     

Nine West Holdings Incorporated, 144A

    8.250%         3/15/19         CCC–         230,000   
  1,500  GBP   

Twinkle Pizza Holdings PLC, 144A

    6.625%         8/01/21         B         2,262,485   
 

Total Diversified Consumer Services

                               3,072,485   

 

Nuveen Investments     57   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Diversified Financial Services – 2.0%                           
$ 1,125     

Argos Merger Sub Inc., 144A

    7.125%         3/15/23         B–       $ 1,115,438   
  5,465     

BNP Paribas, (5)

    4.250%         10/15/24         A         5,416,750   
  750     

CNG Holdings Inc., 144A

    9.375%         5/15/20         B–         315,000   
  1,650     

Fly Leasing Limited

    6.750%         12/15/20         BB         1,691,003   
  1,750     

James Hardie International Finance Limited, 144A

    5.875%         2/15/23         BBB–         1,785,000   
  1,000     

Jefferies Finance LLC Corporation, 144A, (5)

    7.375%         4/01/20         B1         887,500   
  1,300     

Jefferies LoanCore LLC Finance Corporation, 144A

    6.875%         6/01/20         B         1,235,000   
  1,745     

Nationstar Mortgage LLC Capital Corporation

    7.875%         10/01/20         B+         1,669,965   
  1,000     

NewStar Financial, Inc.

    7.250%         5/01/20         BB–         970,000   
  3,705     

Synchrony Financial

    4.250%         8/15/24         BBB–         3,655,271   
 

Total Diversified Financial Services

                               18,740,927   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 3.0%                       
  1,250     

AT&T, Inc.

    5.550%         8/15/41         A–         1,255,144   
  1,000     

CenturyLink Inc.

    6.750%         12/01/23         BB+         937,500   
  600     

CyrusOne LP Finance

    6.375%         11/15/22         B+         618,000   
  2,000     

Frontier Communications Corporation, 144A

    11.000%         9/15/25         BB         1,980,000   
  2,240     

Frontier Communications Corporation

    8.500%         4/15/20         BB         2,245,600   
  1,750     

GCI Inc.

    6.875%         4/15/25         BB–         1,789,375   
  1,000     

IntelSat Jackson Holdings, (5)

    7.500%         4/01/21         B+         870,000   
  1,000     

IntelSat Jackson Holdings

    6.625%         12/15/22         CCC+         637,500   
  1,000     

Level 3 Financing Inc.

    5.375%         8/15/22         BB         1,015,000   
  2,500     

Neptune Finco Corporation, 144A

    10.125%         1/15/23         B2         2,606,250   
  2,360     

Qwest Corporation

    6.750%         12/01/21         BBB–         2,472,100   
  6,540     

Verizon Communications

    5.150%         9/15/23         A–         7,190,351   
  3,000     

Verizon Communications, (5)

    3.500%         11/01/24         A–         2,964,561   
  700     

Verizon Communications, (5)

    6.550%         9/15/43         A–         831,024   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               27,412,405   
      Electric Utilities – 1.1%                           
  2,030     

APT Pipelines Limited, 144A

    3.875%         10/11/22         BBB         1,953,702   
  2,600     

Eskom Holdings Limited, 144A, (5)

    7.125%         2/11/25         BB+         2,249,000   
  2,615     

FirstEnergy Transmission LLC, 144A

    4.350%         1/15/25         Baa3         2,652,188   
  1,750     

Intergen NV, 144A

    7.000%         6/30/23         B+         1,386,875   
  1,690     

PPL Energy Supply LLC, 144A, (5)

    6.500%         6/01/25         Ba3         1,115,400   
  1,000     

RJS Power Holdings LLC, 144A

    5.125%         7/15/19         Ba3         750,000   
 

Total Electric Utilities

                               10,107,165   
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 0.1%                           
  1,400     

Anixter Inc.

    5.125%         10/01/21         BB+         1,400,000   

 

  58       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Energy Equipment & Services – 1.7%                           
$ 1,985     

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., (5)

    5.700%         10/15/39         BBB+       $ 1,356,227   
  3,075     

Ensco PLC, (5)

    4.700%         3/15/21         BBB         2,477,011   
  2,500     

Ensco PLC, (5)

    5.200%         3/15/25         BBB         1,780,010   
  500     

McDermott International Inc., 144A, (5)

    8.000%         5/01/21         BB–         397,500   
  1,835     

Nabors Industries Inc.

    4.625%         9/15/21         Baa2         1,508,530   
  3,000     

Noble Holding International Limited, GDR, (5)

    5.950%         4/01/25         BBB         2,070,282   
  2,000     

Origin Energy Finance Limited, 144A

    3.500%         10/09/18         BBB–         1,950,514   
  750     

Pacific Drilling V Limited, 144A

    7.250%         12/01/17         B         386,250   
  2,750     

Regency Energy Partners Finance

    5.000%         10/01/22         BBB–         2,437,223   
  750     

Seventy Seven Energy Inc.

    6.625%         11/15/19         CCC+         262,500   
  1,385     

Weatherford International PLC

    7.000%         3/15/38         BBB–         966,038   
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                               15,592,085   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 0.8%                           
  1,750     

Supervalu Inc., (5)

    7.750%         11/15/22         B         1,601,250   
  3,000     

Tops Holding LLC / Tops Markets II Corporation, 144A

    8.000%         6/15/22         B         2,955,000   
  3,000     

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    3.800%         11/18/24         BBB         2,912,787   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                               7,469,037   
      Food Products – 1.1%                           
  1,500     

BRF Brasil Foods SA, 144A

    4.750%         5/22/24         BBB         1,376,250   
  2,000     

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, 144A

    3.875%         6/27/24         BBB         1,943,758   
  3,185     

Kraft Foods Group Inc.

    5.000%         6/04/42         BBB–         3,206,855   
  1,295     

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, 144A

    5.750%         3/15/25         BB+         1,259,388   
  2,000     

Tyson Foods, (5)

    3.950%         8/15/24         BBB         2,053,592   
 

Total Food Products

                               9,839,843   
      Gas Utilities – 0.2%                           
  1,390     

Ferrellgas LP

    6.750%         1/15/22         B+         1,171,075   
  1,250     

Suburban Propane Partners LP

    5.500%         6/01/24         BB–         1,006,250   
 

Total Gas Utilities

                               2,177,325   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.3%                           
  400  EUR   

Ephios Bondco PLC, 144A

    6.250%         7/01/22         B+         450,764   
  1,625     

GreatBatch Limited, 144A

    9.125%         11/01/23         B–         1,608,750   
  1,000     

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, (5)

    4.375%         10/01/21         Ba2         965,000   
 

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                               3,024,514   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 0.7%                           
  2,850     

Community Health Systems, Inc., (5)

    6.875%         2/01/22         B+         2,703,938   
  1,750     

Kindred Healthcare Inc.

    6.375%         4/15/22         B2         1,452,500   
  1,000     

Mednax Inc., 144A

    5.250%         12/01/23         BBB–         1,005,000   
  1,250     

Select Medical Corporation

    6.375%         6/01/21         B–         1,093,750   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                               6,255,188   

 

Nuveen Investments     59   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.2%                           
$ 1,500     

1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance Inc., 144A

    6.000%         4/01/22         B–       $ 1,545,000   
  3,250     

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC, (5)

    8.000%         10/01/20         B+         3,087,500   
  1,250     

Caesars Growth Properties Holdings LLC / Caesars Growth Properties Finance Inc., (5)

    9.375%         5/01/22         B–         1,025,000   
  2,000     

Roc Finance LLC and Roc Finance 1 Corporation, 144A

    12.125%         9/01/18         B–         2,090,000   
  1,500     

Scientific Games Corporation, 144A

    7.000%         1/01/22         BB–         1,432,500   
  1,650     

Wynn Macau Limited, 144A, (5)

    5.250%         10/15/21         Ba2         1,452,000   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                               10,632,000   
      Household Durables – 1.3%                           
  1,875     

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc., 144A

    6.500%         12/15/20         BB–         1,807,031   
  1,000     

CalAtlantic Group Inc.

    5.875%         11/15/24         BB         1,045,000   
  2,940     

Harman International Industries, Inc.

    4.150%         5/15/25         BBB–         2,819,304   
  1,750     

KB Home

    7.000%         12/15/21         B+         1,725,938   
  1,000     

KB Home

    7.625%         5/15/23         B+         987,500   
  1,500     

RSI Home Products Incorporated, 144A

    6.500%         3/15/23         B+         1,545,000   
  1,800     

William Lyon Homes Incorporated

    8.500%         11/15/20         B–         1,903,500   
 

Total Household Durables

                               11,833,273   
      Household Products – 0.3%                           
  1,300     

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V, 144A

    3.250%         3/12/25         A         1,252,402   
  2,000     

Macys Retail Holdings Inc.

    4.500%         12/15/34         BBB+         1,671,360   
 

Total Household Products

                               2,923,762   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 1.0%                           
  3,700     

AES Corporation, (5)

    7.375%         7/01/21         BB         3,774,000   
  1,000     

Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc., 144A

    4.500%         6/01/25         Baa2         906,382   
  2,000     

Dynegy Inc., (5)

    7.625%         11/01/24         B+         1,709,600   
  1,650     

GenOn Energy Inc.

    9.500%         10/15/18         B–         1,332,920   
  1,500     

GenOn Energy Inc.

    9.875%         10/15/20         B–         1,110,000   
 

Total Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

                               8,832,902   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.2%                           
  1,000     

Alfa SAB de CV, 144A, (5)

    5.250%         3/25/24         BBB–         1,012,500   
  1,000     

Stena AB, 144A

    7.000%         2/01/24         BB         850,000   
 

Total Industrial Conglomerates

                               1,862,500   
      Insurance – 2.7%                           
  2,475     

AFLAC Insurance

    6.450%         8/15/40         A–         3,035,761   
  3,000     

Fairfax US Inc., 144A

    4.875%         8/13/24         BBB–         2,913,612   
  3,255     

Genworth Holdings Inc.

    4.800%         2/15/24         Ba1         2,197,125   
  3,370     

Liberty Mutual Group Inc., 144A

    4.950%         5/01/22         BBB         3,572,183   
  3,498     

Lincoln National Corporation

    4.200%         3/15/22         A–         3,657,649   

 

  60       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Insurance (continued)                           
$ 3,015     

Symetra Financial Corporation

    4.250%         7/15/24         BBB+       $ 3,039,039   
  1,830     

UnumProvident Corporation

    5.625%         9/15/20         BBB         2,012,854   
  4,790     

XLIT Limited

    4.450%         3/31/25         BBB         4,694,962   
 

Total Insurance

                               25,123,185   
      Internet Software & Services – 0.1%                           
  1,000     

Earthlink Inc.

    7.375%         6/01/20         Ba3         1,017,500   
      IT Services – 0.2%                           
  1,730     

Zayo Group LLC / Zayo Capital Inc.

    6.000%         4/01/23         B–         1,634,850   
      Machinery – 1.1%                           
  1,060     

BlueLine Rental Finance Corporation, 144A, (5)

    7.000%         2/01/19         B+         954,000   
  1,510     

CTP Transportation Products LLC-Finance Inc., 144A

    8.250%         12/15/19         B         1,574,175   
  3,100     

Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Finance SA

    3.550%         11/01/24         BBB         3,035,139   
  3,280     

Pentair Finance SA

    4.650%         9/15/25         BBB         3,361,728   
  1,640     

Terex Corporation, (5)

    6.000%         5/15/21         BB         1,508,800   
 

Total Machinery

                               10,433,842   
      Marine – 0.5%                           
  1,900     

Eletson Holdings Inc., 144A

    9.625%         1/15/22         B+         1,691,000   
  1,000     

Global Ship Lease Inc., 144A

    10.000%         4/01/19         B         905,000   
  1,340     

Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, 144A

    8.125%         11/15/21         BB–         1,169,150   
  1,100     

Navios South American Logisitics Inc., Finance US Inc., 144A

    7.250%         5/01/22         B         720,500   
 

Total Marine

                               4,485,650   
      Media – 4.8%                           
  2,750     

21st Century Fox America Inc.

    6.650%         11/15/37         BBB+         3,195,668   
  1,500     

Altice S.A, 144A

    7.750%         5/15/22         B         1,353,750   
  2,810     

CBS Corporation

    3.500%         1/15/25         BBB         2,680,650   
  4,310     

CCO Safari II LLC, 144A

    4.908%         7/23/25         BBB–         4,305,761   
  1,175     

Cequel Communication Holdings I, 144A

    5.125%         12/15/21         B–         1,057,500   
  740     

Charter Communications, CCO Holdings LLC, (5)

    5.125%         2/15/23         BB–         740,925   
  2,000     

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

    11.250%         3/01/21         CCC+         1,400,000   
  1,790     

Comcast Corporation

    6.400%         5/15/38         A–         2,221,753   
  3,000     

Cox Communications Inc., 144A

    3.850%         2/01/25         BBB+         2,750,655   
  1,500     

CSC Holdings Inc.

    8.625%         2/15/19         BB         1,597,500   
  4,335     

DIRECTV Holdings LLC

    3.800%         3/15/22         A–         4,365,040   
  1,590     

Dish DBS Corporation

    5.875%         11/15/24         BB–         1,415,100   
  1,000     

Lee Enterprises Inc., 144A

    9.500%         3/15/22         B2         920,000   
  1,000     

Midcontinent Communications Finance Company, 144A

    6.250%         8/01/21         B         1,010,000   
  2,006     

Numericable Group SA, 144A

    6.000%         5/15/22         B+         1,945,820   
  1,750     

Radio One Inc., 144A

    7.375%         10/15/22         B         1,557,500   

 

Nuveen Investments     61   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Media (continued)                           
$ 1,310     

Sinclair Television Group

    6.375%         11/01/21         B+       $ 1,349,300   
  1,000     

Sirius XM Radio Inc., 144A

    5.750%         8/01/21         BB         1,032,500   
  2,805     

Time Warner Inc.

    3.875%         1/15/26         BBB+         2,781,951   
  1,750     

Tribune Media Company, 144A, (5)

    5.875%         7/15/22         BB–         1,750,000   
  750     

Unitymedia KabelBW GmbH, 144A

    6.125%         1/15/25         B         741,113   
  1,750  CAD   

Videotron Limited, 144A

    5.625%         6/15/25         BB         1,271,125   
  1,500     

VTR Finance BV, 144A

    6.875%         1/15/24         B+         1,380,000   
  1,750     

WMG Acquisition Group, 144A

    6.000%         1/15/21         B1         1,758,750   
 

Total Media

                               44,582,361   
      Metals & Mining – 2.8%                           
  1,500     

AK Steel Corporation, (5)

    8.750%         12/01/18         B+         1,350,000   
  500     

AK Steel Corporation

    7.625%         10/01/21         CCC+         200,000   
  1,555     

Alcoa Inc.

    5.400%         4/15/21         BBB–         1,512,238   
  2,500     

Allegheny Technologies Inc.

    6.625%         8/15/23         BB–         1,475,000   
  2,690     

Anglogold Holdings PLC

    6.500%         4/15/40         Baa3         1,788,850   
  2,015     

ArcelorMittal, (5)

    7.000%         2/25/22         BB+         1,622,075   
  1,500     

ArcelorMittal, (5)

    6.125%         6/01/25         BB+         1,091,250   
  1,200     

Century Aluminum Company, 144A, (5)

    7.500%         6/01/21         BB–         804,000   
  1,000     

Constellium N.V, 144A

    8.000%         1/15/23         B         782,500   
  1,450     

Eldorado Gold Corporation, 144A

    6.125%         12/15/20         BB         1,268,750   
  935     

First Quantum Minerals Limited, 144A

    6.750%         2/15/20         BB–         603,075   
  3,165     

Freeport McMoRan, Inc., (5)

    3.550%         3/01/22         BBB         1,835,700   
  500     

Lundin Mining Corporation, 144A

    7.500%         11/01/20         Ba2         468,750   
  2,610     

Newmont Mining Corporation

    3.500%         3/15/22         BBB         2,327,193   
  1,250     

Novellis Inc.

    8.750%         12/15/20         B         1,146,875   
  3,000     

Teck Resources Limited, (5)

    3.750%         2/01/23         BB+         1,387,500   
  2,000     

Vale Overseas Limited, (5)

    4.375%         1/11/22         BBB         1,513,658   
  1,500     

Westmoreland Coal Co, 144A

    8.750%         1/01/22         B         922,500   
  1,265     

Xstrata Finance Canada Limited, 144A

    6.900%         11/15/37         BBB         1,012,000   
  3,000     

Yamana Gold Inc.

    4.950%         7/15/24         Baa3         2,545,662   
 

Total Metals & Mining

                               25,657,576   
      Multiline Retail – 0.3%                           
  1,200     

Family Tree Escrow LLC, 144A

    5.250%         3/01/20         Ba3         1,239,000   
  1,400     

J.C. Penney Company Inc., (5)

    8.125%         10/01/19         B–         1,267,000   
 

Total Multiline Retail

                               2,506,000   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 8.3%                           
  740     

Amerada Hess Corporation

    7.125%         3/15/33         BBB         720,753   
  4,170     

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

    6.200%         3/15/40         BBB         3,836,404   

 

  62       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                           
$ 1,600     

Antero Resources Corporation

    5.125%         12/01/22         BB       $ 1,216,000   
  3,650     

Apache Corporation

    4.250%         1/15/44         BBB+         2,921,168   
  1,700  CAD   

Baytex Energy Corporation

    6.625%         7/19/22         BB         937,979   
  1,500     

Bellatrix Exploration Limited, 144A

    8.500%         5/15/20         B3         1,065,000   
  1,295     

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company

    6.125%         4/01/36         A3         1,509,212   
  2,965     

BP Capital Markets PLC

    3.814%         2/10/24         A         2,964,428   
  1,220     

California Resources Corporation, 144A, (5)

    8.000%         12/15/22         BB+         642,025   
  455     

California Resources Corporation, (5)

    5.500%         9/15/21         BB–         143,325   
  1,750     

Calumet Specialty Products, (5)

    7.625%         1/15/22         B+         1,487,500   
  1,410     

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

    5.850%         2/01/35         BBB+         1,249,768   
  1,120     

Cenovus Energy Inc.

    3.800%         9/15/23         BBB         1,014,581   
  565     

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, 144A, (5)

    8.000%         12/15/22         BB–         276,850   
  1,425     

Concho Resources Inc., (5)

    5.500%         10/01/22         BB+         1,296,750   
  2,965     

Continental Resources Inc., (5)

    5.000%         9/15/22         BBB–         2,186,688   
  1,750     

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP

    6.125%         3/01/22         BB         1,216,250   
  1,300     

Denbury Resources Inc.

    5.500%         5/01/22         B1         431,574   
  1,400     

Energy Transfer Equity LP, (5)

    5.875%         1/15/24         BB+         1,141,000   
  1,000     

Energy Transfer Equity LP

    5.500%         6/01/27         BB+         760,000   
  2,315     

EnLink Midstream Partners LP

    4.150%         6/01/25         BBB         1,781,879   
  800     

EnQuest PLC, 144A

    7.000%         4/15/22         B–         279,000   
  1,000     

EV Energy Partners LP / EV Energy Finance Corporation

    8.000%         4/15/19         B–         500,000   
  1,800     

Gibson Energy, 144A

    6.750%         7/15/21         BB         1,723,500   
  1,360     

Global Partners LP/GLP Finance

    6.250%         7/15/22         B+         1,088,000   
  292     

Halcon Resources Corporation, 144A, (5)

    12.000%         2/15/22         CCC+         192,720   
  2,300     

Hess Corporation, (5)

    3.500%         7/15/24         BBB         2,015,281   
  2,415     

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP

    4.250%         9/01/24         BBB–         2,055,863   
  600     

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP

    6.950%         1/15/38         BBB–         533,389   
  5,000     

Marathon Petroleum Corporation, (5)

    3.625%         9/15/24         BBB         4,661,710   
  1,060     

Martin Mid-Stream Partners LP Finance

    7.250%         2/15/21         B–         932,800   
  2,500     

MEG Energy Corporation, 144A

    6.375%         1/30/23         BB–         1,712,500   
  1,000     

Memorial Production Partners LP Finance Corporation

    7.625%         5/01/21         CCC+         300,000   
  2,000     

MPLX LP

    4.000%         2/15/25         BBB–         1,681,630   
  2,060     

Newfield Exploration Company

    5.375%         1/01/26         BBB–         1,704,650   
  1,550     

NGL Energy Partners LP/Fin Co

    5.125%         7/15/19         BB–         1,224,500   
  1,750     

Oasis Petroleum Inc., (5)

    6.875%         3/15/22         B+         1,120,000   
  1,130  CAD   

Paramount Resources Limited, 144A

    7.625%         12/04/19         BB–         659,919   
  1,275     

Petro Canada

    6.800%         5/15/38         A–         1,394,126   
  2,000     

Reliance Holdings USA Inc., 144A

    5.400%         2/14/22         BBB+         2,163,880   
  1,570     

Rose Rock Midstream LP / Rose Rock Finance Corporation

    5.625%         7/15/22         B1         1,114,700   

 

Nuveen Investments     63   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                           
$ 1,345     

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC

    5.625%         2/01/21         BB+       $ 1,237,400   
  750     

Sanchez Energy Corporation

    6.125%         1/15/23         B–         405,000   
  1,000     

Seven Generations Energy Limited, 144A

    6.750%         5/01/23         B2         840,000   
  2,600     

Southeast Supply Header LLC, 144A

    4.250%         6/15/24         BBB–         2,495,020   
  1,445     

Southwestern Energy Company, (5)

    4.100%         3/15/22         BBB–         908,847   
  2,250     

Summit Midstream Holdings LLC Finance

    7.500%         7/01/21         B         1,912,500   
  1,520     

Targa Resources Inc.

    4.250%         11/15/23         BB+         1,170,400   
  4,100     

Transocean Inc.

    4.300%         10/15/22         BB+         2,173,000   
  3,325     

Valero Energy Corporation, (5)

    3.650%         3/15/25         BBB         3,137,899   
  1,000     

Vanguard Natural Resources Finance

    7.875%         4/01/20         B         265,000   
  500     

Western Refining Inc.

    6.250%         4/01/21         B+         480,000   
  1,500     

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

    5.750%         3/15/21         BB–         1,093,500   
  2,875     

Woodside Finance Limited, 144A

    3.650%         3/05/25         BBB+         2,548,366   
  1,885     

WPX Energy Inc., (5)

    7.500%         8/01/20         Ba1         1,526,850   
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               76,051,084   
      Paper & Forest Products – 0.8%                           
  3,100     

Domtar Corporation

    6.750%         2/15/44         BBB–         3,028,917   
  1,500     

Mercer International Inc.

    7.750%         12/01/22         B+         1,515,000   
  1,750     

Resolute Forest Products

    5.875%         5/15/23         BB–         1,273,125   
  1,500     

Sappi Papier Holding GMBH, 144A

    6.625%         4/15/21         BB         1,515,000   
  750     

Tembec Industries, Inc., 144A

    9.000%         12/15/19         B–         487,500   
 

Total Paper & Forest Products

                               7,819,542   
      Personal Products – 0.4%                           
  2,915     

International Paper Company

    8.700%         6/15/38         BBB         3,750,862   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.4%                           
  2,000     

Endo Finance LLC, 144A

    5.750%         1/15/22         B1         1,940,000   
  1,450     

VP Escrow Corporation, 144A

    6.375%         10/15/20         B1         1,399,250   
 

Total Pharmaceuticals

                               3,339,250   
      Professional Services – 0.2%                           
  1,500     

CEB Inc., 144A

    5.625%         6/15/23         BB–         1,488,750   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 2.2%                           
  3,070     

American Tower Company

    5.000%         2/15/24         BBB         3,249,909   
  1,500     

Communications Sales & Leasing Inc., 144A

    6.000%         4/15/23         BBB–         1,417,500   
  3,500     

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    3.625%         10/01/22         BBB         3,364,445   
  2,060     

Omega Healthcare Investors Inc.

    4.950%         4/01/24         BBB–         2,080,612   
  2,080     

Piedmont Operating Partnership LP

    4.450%         3/15/24         BBB         2,082,486   
  1,420     

Plum Creek Timberlands LP

    4.700%         3/15/21         BBB         1,510,799   
  2,000     

Realogy Group LLC / Realogy Co-Issuer Corporation, 144A, (5)

    5.250%         12/01/21         B         2,050,000   

 

  64       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Real Estate Investment Trust (continued)                           
$ 3,000     

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    4.750%         5/01/24         BBB–       $ 2,922,798   
  1,795     

Vereit Operating Partner

    4.600%         2/06/24         BB+         1,700,763   
 

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

                               20,379,312   
      Real Estate Management & Development – 0.3%                           
  500     

Crescent Resources LLC, 144A

    10.250%         8/15/17         B+         500,000   
  2,000     

Hunt Companies Inc., 144A

    9.625%         3/01/21         N/R         1,810,000   
  760     

Mattamy Group Corporation, 144A, (5)

    6.500%         11/15/20         BB         722,000   
 

Total Real Estate Management & Development

                               3,032,000   
      Road & Rail – 0.3%                           
  1,000     

Hertz Corporation, (5)

    7.375%         1/15/21         B         1,037,500   
  1,350     

Watco Companies LLC Finance, 144A

    6.375%         4/01/23         B         1,329,750   
 

Total Road & Rail

                               2,367,250   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 0.1%                           
  1,000     

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    7.000%         7/01/24         B–         650,000   
      Software – 0.9%                           
  1,500     

BMC Software Finance Inc., 144A

    8.125%         7/15/21         CCC+         997,500   
  2,395     

Computer Sciences Corporation

    4.450%         9/15/22         BBB+         2,456,992   
  1,500     

Open Text Corporation, 144A

    5.625%         1/15/23         BB         1,485,000   
  1,000     

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., 144A

    5.875%         7/15/23         B+         1,032,500   
  2,500     

Total System Services Inc.

    3.750%         6/01/23         BBB+         2,426,605   
 

Total Software

                               8,398,597   
      Specialty Retail – 1.4%                           
  2,000     

AutoNation Inc.

    4.500%         10/01/25         BBB–         2,030,414   
  2,745     

Bed Bath and Beyond Incorporated

    4.915%         8/01/34         A–         2,447,634   
  1,175     

Guitar Center Inc., 144A

    6.500%         4/15/19         B–         998,750   
  1,500     

L Brands, Inc., 144A, (5)

    6.875%         11/01/35         BB+         1,541,250   
  1,250     

Neiman Marcus Mariposa Borrower / Merger Sub LLC, 144A, (5)

    8.000%         10/15/21         CCC+         925,000   
  4,485     

Signet UK Finance PLC

    4.700%         6/15/24         BBB–         4,418,795   
  1,000     

The Men’s Warehouse Inc.

    7.000%         7/01/22         B2         710,000   
 

Total Specialty Retail

                               13,071,843   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.5%                           
  3,970     

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co, 144A, (5)

    4.900%         10/15/25         A–         3,898,862   
  950     

NCR Corporation

    6.375%         12/15/23         BB         935,750   
 

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                               4,834,612   
      Telecommunication Services – 0.3%                           
  2,390     

Axtel SAB de CV, 144A

    9.000%         1/31/20         B+         2,479,625   
      Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.2%                           
  2,195     

Levi Strauss & Company, (5)

    5.000%         5/01/25         BB         2,184,025   

 

Nuveen Investments     65   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Tobacco – 0.5%                           
$ 1,006     

Altria Group Inc.

    9.950%         11/10/38         BBB+       $ 1,612,716   
  2,800     

Imperial Tobacco Finance, 144A

    3.500%         2/11/23         BBB         2,743,779   
 

Total Tobacco

                               4,356,495   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.5%                           
  1,995     

Air Lease Corporation

    3.875%         4/01/21         BBB–         2,004,975   
  2,237     

United Rentals North America Inc., (5)

    7.375%         5/15/20         BB–         2,360,035   
 

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

                               4,365,010   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.8%                       
  1,000     

Altice Financing SA, 144A

    6.625%         2/15/23         BB–         987,500   
  2,000     

Colombia Telecommunicaciones S.A. ESP, 144A

    8.500%         9/30/65         B+         1,715,000   
  1,250     

Digicel Group, Limited, 144A

    8.250%         9/30/20         B–         1,031,250   
  3,000     

ENTEL Chile SA, 144A

    4.750%         8/01/26         BBB+         2,806,668   
  1,000     

FairPoint Communications Inc., 144A

    8.750%         8/15/19         B         985,000   
  2,100     

Millicom International Cellular SA, 144A

    6.000%         3/15/25         BB+         1,785,000   
  1,000     

Softbank Corporation, 144A, (5)

    4.500%         4/15/20         BB+         995,000   
  3,750     

Sprint Corporation

    7.250%         9/15/21         B+         2,793,748   
  1,350     

Telecom Italia SpA, 144A

    5.303%         5/30/24         BBB–         1,333,125   
  1,225     

T-Mobile USA Inc.

    6.731%         4/28/22         BB         1,277,063   
  1,000     

Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 144A

    4.750%         7/15/20         BB         990,000   
 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                               16,699,354   
 

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $726,385,110)

                               675,251,927   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 6.6%

          
      Banks – 4.4%                           
$ 1,000     

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A, Reg S

    9.000%         N/A (10)         BB       $ 1,070,642   
  1,625     

Bank of America Corporation

    6.250%         N/A (10)         BB+         1,629,063   
  4,895     

Barclays PLC

    8.250%         N/A (10)         BB+         5,211,711   
  2,000     

Citigroup Inc.

    8.400%         N/A (10)         BB+         2,179,000   
  220     

Citigroup Inc.

    5.875%         N/A (10)         BB+         218,350   
  30     

Citigroup Inc.

    6.250%         N/A (10)         BB+         30,600   
  1,525     

Fifth Third Bancorp.

    5.100%         N/A (10)         Baa3         1,362,969   
  2,300     

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

    5.375%         N/A (10)         Ba1         2,285,625   
  2,488     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6.375%         N/A (10)         BBB         2,456,900   
  2,000     

ING Groep N.V, (5)

    6.000%         N/A (10)         Ba1         2,000,000   
  2,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.750%         N/A (10)         BBB–         2,180,000   
  1,248     

Lloyd’s Banking Group PLC, (5)

    7.500%         N/A (10)         BB+         1,329,120   
  2,000     

Nordea Bank AB, 144A

    6.125%         N/A (10)         BBB         1,952,900   

 

  66       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Banks (continued)                           
$ 1,500     

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

    7.500%         N/A (10)         BB–       $ 1,561,875   
  2,000     

Societe Generale, 144A

    7.875%         N/A (10)         BB+         1,992,600   
  2,000     

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A, (5)

    6.500%         N/A (10)         BBB–         1,932,362   
  2,620     

SunTrust Bank Inc., (5)

    5.625%         N/A (10)         Baa3         2,636,375   
  2,000     

UniCredit SpA, Reg S

    8.000%         N/A (10)         BB–         1,888,948   
  3,585     

Wachovia Capital Trust III

    5.570%         N/A (10)         BBB         3,453,251   
  3,000     

Wells Fargo & Company

    5.875%         N/A (10)         BBB         3,157,500   
  40,036     

Total Banks

                               40,529,791   
      Capital Markets – 0.3%                           
  2,800     

UBS Group AG, Reg S

    7.125%         N/A (10)         BB+         2,932,093   
      Consumer Finance – 0.2%                           
  1,620     

American Express Company

    5.200%         N/A (10)         Baa2         1,599,750   
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.3%                           
  2,610     

BNP Paribas, 144A

    7.375%         N/A (10)         BBB–         2,678,512   
      Electric Utilities – 0.2%                           
  1,570     

Electricite de France, 144A

    5.250%         N/A (10)         Baa1         1,475,800   
      Food Products – 0.3%                           
  2,780     

Land O’ Lakes Incorporated, 144A

    8.000%         N/A (10)         BB         2,887,725   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.3%                           
  3,086     

General Electric Company, (5)

    4.000%         N/A (10)         AA–         3,086,250   
  1,000     

OAS Financial Limited, 144A

    8.875%         N/A (10)         N/R         50,000   
  4,086     

Total Industrial Conglomerates

                               3,136,250   
      Insurance – 0.6%                           
  1,500     

Allstate Corporation

    5.750%         8/15/53         Baa1         1,542,000   
  1,985     

Genworth Financial Inc.

    6.150%         11/15/66         Ba2         535,950   
  3,000     

Sirius International Group Limited, 144A

    7.506%         N/A (10)         BBB–         3,030,000   
  6,485     

Total Insurance

                               5,107,950   
$ 61,987     

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $61,645,529)

                               60,347,871   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 0.0%

          
$ 370     

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.250%         11/15/25         Aaa       $ 369,172   
$ 370     

Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (cost $368,439)

                               369,172   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 10.2%

          
$ 1,143     

321 Henderson Receivables LLC, Series 2010-3A

    3.820%         12/15/48         Aaa       $ 1,171,516   
  1,250     

American Homes 4 Rent, Series 2014-SFR1

    2.451%         6/17/31         Baa2         1,212,916   

 

Nuveen Investments     67   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)

          
$ 2,364     

American Homes 4 Rent, Series 2014-SFR2

    3.786%         10/17/36         Aaa       $ 2,378,592   
  2,270     

AmeriCold LLC Trust, Series 2010

    6.811%         1/14/29         A+         2,559,618   
  33     

Bank of America Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2005-5 2 CB1

    6.000%         6/25/35         Caa1         31,147   
  1,200     

Bank of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. , Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-UBS7

    4.367%         9/17/48         A–         1,157,505   
  770     

Bank of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. , Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-UBS7

    3.167%         9/17/48         BBB–         560,285   
  2,400     

Barclays Commercial Mortgage, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-STP

    4.284%         9/12/28         BBB–         2,340,750   
  4,598     

Colony American Homes Trust 2014-1A

    1.400%         5/17/31         Aaa         4,503,737   
  3,000     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-SAVA

    2.731%         6/15/34         A         2,987,715   
  3,940     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates 2015-CR22

    4.128%         3/12/48         A–         3,743,281   
  2,860     

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-CR26

    4.496%         10/13/48         A–         2,702,076   
  221     

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-24CB

    5.000%         11/25/19         B3         223,074   
  544     

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-19CB

    6.000%         8/25/36         Caa3         496,609   
  1,345     

Countrywide Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2007-4 A2

    5.530%         3/25/29         Caa1         1,465,686   
  477     

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, Series 2004-2

    2.409%         2/25/34         BB+         460,551   
  1,138     

Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage, Series 2005-27

    5.500%         1/25/23         Caa1         1,062,523   
  165     

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corporation, Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2003-23

    5.750%         9/25/33         AA+         174,846   
  378     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Interest Strips 366 25, (I/O)

    5.000%         9/01/24         Aaa         25,759   
  113     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AL1187

    5.500%         7/01/24         Aaa         115,418   
  331     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AA0005

    5.500%         11/01/38         Aaa         369,791   
  279     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool AA0889

    5.500%         12/01/38         Aaa         311,211   
  1,078     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 255956

    5.500%         10/01/25         Aaa         1,200,539   
  124     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 256890

    6.000%         9/01/37         Aaa         135,531   
  136     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 725205

    5.000%         3/01/34         Aaa         150,144   
  45     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 725553

    2.346%         9/01/33         Aaa         47,776   
  192     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 725773

    5.500%         9/01/34         Aaa         216,692   
  75     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 735060

    6.000%         11/01/34         Aaa         85,031   
  58     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 735606

    1.900%         5/01/35         Aaa         60,443   
  52     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 745101

    6.000%         4/01/32         Aaa         57,969   
  255     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 745324

    6.000%         3/01/34         Aaa         281,903   
  267     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 745548

    2.444%         1/01/35         Aaa         278,462   
  56     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 824163

    5.500%         4/01/35         Aaa         62,801   
  125     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 831377

    6.500%         4/01/36         Aaa         143,114   
  75     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 838948

    1.891%         8/01/35         Aaa         78,091   
  51     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 852909

    6.500%         4/01/36         Aaa         58,299   
  (11)   

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 889618

    5.500%         5/01/38         Aaa         215   
  166     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 893318

    6.500%         8/01/36         Aaa         196,925   

 

  68       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)

          
$ 19     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 905597

    5.743%         12/01/36         Aaa       $ 20,356   
  76     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 944340

    6.000%         6/01/37         Aaa         86,284   
  57     

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 946228

    6.159%         9/01/37         Aaa         60,195   
  (11)   

Fannie Mae Mortgage Pool 985344

    5.500%         7/01/38         Aaa         104   
  26,795     

Fannie Mae TBA Mortgage Pool, (WI/DD)

    3.500%         TBA         Aaa         27,636,261   
  3,120     

Fannie Mae, Connecticut Avenue Securities, Series 2015-C03

    5.422%         7/25/25         Aaa         3,103,928   
  433     

FDIC Structures Sale Guaranteed Notes, Series 2010-S1

    0.793%         2/25/48         Aaa         433,421   
  13     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Mortgage Pool 1B3220

    2.330%         1/01/37         Aaa         13,803   
  4     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Series 2376

    5.500%         11/15/16         Aaa         3,826   
  369     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 1L0117

    2.765%         10/01/29         Aaa         385,288   
  723     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 1K1238

    2.500%         7/01/36         Aaa         765,825   
  169     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847240

    2.390%         7/01/30         Aaa         175,403   
  109     

Freddie Mac Gold Pool 847411

    2.372%         5/01/33         Aaa         113,804   
  338     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various A17212

    6.500%         7/01/31         Aaa         389,967   
  65     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Pool, Various H09059

    7.000%         8/01/37         Aaa         71,385   
  1,405     

Freddie Mac Mortgage Trust, Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-K712

    3.371%         5/25/45         Aaa         1,409,701   
  18     

Freddie Mac Non Gold Participation Certificates 847681

    2.512%         12/01/36         Aaa         19,457   
  3,430     

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-GC32

    3.345%         7/10/48         BBB–         2,498,282   
  79     

Government National Mortgage Association, Guaranteed REMIC Pass-Through Securities and MX Securities Trust

    4.500%         5/16/38         Aaa         81,675   
  1,470     

Impac Secured Assets Corporation, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2000-3

    8.000%         10/25/30         CCC         1,494,354   
  251     

IndyMac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR1

    2.502%         3/25/35         BBB+         249,924   
  3,910     

Invitation Homes Trust 2014-SFR1

    2.951%         6/19/31         Baa2         3,852,867   
  937     

JPMorgan Alternative Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-S1

    0.702%         6/25/37         CCC         846,642   
  1,370     

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Pass-Through Certificates 2015-C29

    3.702%         5/15/48         BBB–         1,022,622   
  4,869     

JPMorgan Madison Avenue Securities Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-1

    2.672%         11/25/24         BBB–         4,881,001   
  379     

Lehman Mortgage Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2008-6

    5.266%         4/25/38         BB+         382,212   
  2,749     

Master RePerforming Loan Trust 2005-1

    7.500%         8/25/34         Ba3         2,861,802   
  230     

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Inc, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006

    5.204%         12/12/49         AA         236,037   
  1,000     

ML_CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-8

    5.877%         8/12/49         BB         1,025,157   
  1,955     

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2015-C22

    4.243%         4/17/48         BBB–         1,586,993   
  115     

Oaktree Real Estate Investments, Commercial Mortgage Asset Backed Securities ORES NPL LLC 2013-LV2I, 144A

    3.081%         9/25/25         N/R         115,336   
  436     

RBSSP Resecuritization Trust, Series 2012-8 1A1

    0.419%         10/28/36         N/R         421,766   

 

Nuveen Investments     69   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)

          
$ 118     

Residential Accredit Loans Inc., Mortgage Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-QS12

    5.500%         8/25/35         Caa2       $ 105,698   
  385     

Wachovia Mortgage Loan Trust LLC, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-B

    2.762%         10/20/35         D         334,678   
  291     

Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corporation, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-RA3

    6.356%         8/25/38         AA         307,507   
  3,430     

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage-Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2015-C26

    3.586%         2/18/48         BBB–         2,552,450   
  19     

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities, 2005-AR16 Class 3A2

    2.708%         10/25/35         A+         18,867   
  1,352     

Wells Fargo-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2013-C15

    4.480%         8/17/46         BBB–         1,244,246   
$ 96,062     

Total Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $93,720,949)

  

                       93,917,665   
Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
 

SOVEREIGN DEBT – 5.6%

          
      Colombia – 0.1%                           
$ 850     

Republic of Colombia

    8.125%         5/21/24         BBB       $ 1,019,150   
      Costa Rica – 0.5%                           
  5,200     

Republic of Costa Rica, 144A

    7.000%         4/04/44         Ba1         4,335,500   
      Dominican Republic – 0.4%                           
  3,500     

Dominican Republic, 144A

    5.500%         1/27/25         BB–         3,368,750   
      Indonesia – 0.3%                           
  2,700     

Republic of Indonesia, 144A, (5)

    4.750%         1/08/26         BBB–         2,666,687   
      Mexico – 2.1%                           
  74,700  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    8.500%         12/13/18         A         4,767,979   
  72,550  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    8.000%         12/07/23         A         4,711,623   
  60,500  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    10.000%         12/05/24         A         4,419,050   
  84,800  MXN   

Mexico Bonos de DeSarrollo

    7.750%         11/13/42         A         5,376,525   
 

Total Mexico

                               19,275,177   
      Portugal – 0.5%                           
  4,300  EUR   

Portugal Obrigacoes do Tesouro, 144A, Reg S

    2.875%         10/15/25         Ba1         4,809,979   
      South Africa – 1.3%                           
  64,000  ZAR   

Republic of South Africa

    8.000%         12/21/18         BBB+         4,038,717   
  3,250     

Republic of South Africa, (5)

    5.875%         9/16/25         Baa2         3,322,183   
  102,270  ZAR   

Republic of South Africa

    7.000%         2/28/31         Baa2         5,036,485   
 

Total South Africa

                               12,397,385   
      Sri Lanka – 0.3%                           
  2,600     

Republic of Sri Lanka, 144A (5)

    6.850%         11/03/25         BB–         2,449,140   

 

  70       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000) (9)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (4)      Value  
      Uruguay – 0.1%                           
$ 850     

Republic of Uruguay

    5.100%         6/18/50         BBB       $ 733,125   
 

Total Sovereign Debt (cost $64,928,184)

                               51,054,893   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $968,105,225)

                               898,649,534   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                      Value  
 

INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LENDING – 13.0%

  

     
      Money Market Funds – 13.0%                           
  119,270,506     

Mount Vernon Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio, (13)

    0.473% (12)                         $ 119,270,506   
 

Total Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending (cost $119,270,506)

  

              119,270,506   
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon                      Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 4.8%

          
      Money Market Funds – 4.8%                           
  43,922,615     

First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class Z

    0.108% (12)                         $ 43,922,615   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $43,922,615)

                               43,922,615   
 

Total Investments (cost $1,131,298,346) – 115.5%

                               1,061,842,655   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (15.5)% (14)

                               (142,261,763
 

Net Assets – 100%

                             $ 919,580,892   

Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts outstanding:

 

Counterparty      Currency Contracts to Deliver    Amount
(Local Currency)
     In Exchange
For Currency
     Amount
(Local Currency)
     Settlement
Date
    

Unrealized

Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(U.S. Dollars)

 
Bank of America, N.A.      Euro      4,938,000        U.S. Dollar         5,438,338        1/29/16      $ 68,018   
Bank of America, N.A.      Mexican Peso      339,710,000         U.S. Dollar         19,878,869         1/29/16         210,350   
Bank of America, N.A.      Pound Sterling      1,530,000         U.S. Dollar         2,331,491         1/22/16         75,831   
Bank of America, N.A.      U.S. Dollar      91,560         Euro         84,000         1/29/16         (206
Bank of America, N.A.      U.S. Dollar      183,066         Mexican Peso         3,180,000         1/29/16         1,050   
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      Canadian Dollar      7,559,000         U.S. Dollar         5,590,976         1/29/16         127,745   
Goldman Sachs Bank USA      U.S. Dollar      367,557         Canadian Dollar         510,000         1/29/16         1,043   
Nomura International PLC      South African Rand      421,950,000         U.S. Dollar         28,804,407         1/29/16         1,668,156   
Nomura International PLC      U.S. Dollar      4,811,386         South African Rand         76,400,000         1/29/16         102,015   
Nomura International PLC      U.S. Dollar      13,013,845        South African Rand         206,600,000        1/29/16        272,917   
                                                $ 2,526,919   

Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:

 

Counterparty   Notional
Amount
    Fund
Pay/Receive
Floating
Rate
    Floating
Rate Index
    Fixed Rate
(Annualized)
    Fixed Rate
Payment
Frequency
    Termination
Date
    Value     Variation
Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

  $ 21,000,000        Receive        3-Month
USD-
LIBOR-ICE
       2.113     Semi-
Annually
       2/21/22      $ (477,249     N/A      $ (477,249

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

    10,800,000        Receive        3-Month
USD-
LIBOR-ICE
       2.078        Semi-
Annually
       2/19/23        (168,391     N/A        (168,391

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC*

    26,000,000        Receive        3-Month
USD-
LIBOR-ICE
       2.743        Semi-
Annually
       4/15/24        (1,458,532   $ 1,450,820        (1,458,532
    $ 57,800,000                                              $ (2,104,172   $ 1,450,820      $ (2,104,172
* Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. is the clearing broker for this transaction.

 

Nuveen Investments     71   


Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount at
Value*
     Variation Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Euro-Bund

       Long         45         3/16       $ 7,722,921       $ 102       $ (17,271

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note

       Short         (1,564      3/16         (196,917,375      (464,303      611,357   

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

       Long         14         3/16         2,152,500         7,000         2,053   

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

       Long         276         3/16         43,797,750         276,000         296,897   
                                  $ (143,244,204 )    $ (181,201 )    $ 893,036   
* Total aggregate Notional Amount at Value of long and short positions is $53,673,171 and $(196,917,375), respectively.

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

(3) Investment valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by, or at discretion of, the Board. For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 3. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 2 – Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

(4) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(5) Investment, or a portion of investment, is out on loan for securities lending. The total value of the securities out on loan as of the end of the reporting period was $114,782,278.

 

(6) Senior loans generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment. Because of these mandatory prepayment conditions and because there may be significant economic incentives for a borrower to prepay, prepayments of senior loans may occur. As a result, the actual remaining maturity of senior loans held may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown.

 

(7) Senior loans generally pay interest at rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term, floating lending rate plus an assigned fixed rate. These floating lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate referenced by the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks. Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan. The rate shown is the coupon as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(8) As of, or subsequent to, the end of the reporting period, this security is non-income producing. Non-income producing, in the case of a fixed-income security, generally denotes that the issuer has (1) defaulted on the payment of principal or interest, (2) is under the protection of the Federal Bankruptcy Court or (3) the Fund’s Adviser has concluded that the issue is not likely to meet its future interest payment obligations and has ceased accruing additional income on the Fund’s records.

 

(9) Principal Amount (000) denominated in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

(10) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(11) Principal Amount (000) rounds to less than $1,000.

 

(12) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(13) The Fund may loan securities representing up to one third of the fair value of its total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks and other institutions. The Fund maintains collateral equal to at least 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned. The cash collateral received by the Fund is invested in this money market fund. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives, Securities Lending for more information.

 

(14) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the cash collateral at brokers and/or the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, when applicable.

 

(15) For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 2. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 2 – Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

(I/O) Interest only.

 

GDR Global Depositary Receipt

 

RegS Regulation S allows U.S. companies to sell securities to persons or entities located outside of the United States without registering those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, Regulation S provides a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the offers and sales of securities by both foreign and domestic issuers that are made outside the United States.

 

TBA To be announced. Maturity date not known prior to settlement of this transaction.

 

144A Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

(WI/DD) Investment, or portion of investment, purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

CAD Canadian Dollar

 

EUR Euro

 

GBP Pound Sterling

 

MXN Mexican Peso

 

ZAR South African Rand

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  72       Nuveen Investments


Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 98.1%

                
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 33.9%

                
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.7%                                 
$ 50     

ADS Waste Holdings Inc.

    8.250%           10/01/20           CCC+         $ 50,375   
  50     

Casella Waste Systems Inc.

    7.750%           2/15/19           B–           49,625   
  40     

Covanta Holding Corporation

    5.875%           3/01/24           Ba3           36,200   
  140     

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                                     136,200   
      Construction & Engineering – 0.6%                                 
  50     

AECOM Technology Corporation

    5.875%           10/15/24           BB–           51,000   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.9%                                 
  50     

CyrusOne LP Finance

    6.375%           11/15/22           B+           51,500   
  50     

Qualitytech LP/QTS Finance Corp.

    5.875%           8/01/22           BB–           51,000   
  50     

SBA Communications Corporation

    4.875%           7/15/22           B           49,250   
  150     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                                     151,750   
      Electric Utilities – 4.4%                                 
  65     

Exelon Generation Co. LLC

    4.250%           6/15/22           BBB           65,860   
  95     

Mississippi Power Company

    4.250%           3/15/42           A–           72,628   
  40     

Northern States Power Company

    2.600%           5/15/23           Aa3           38,989   
  70     

PPL Capital Funding Inc.

    3.500%           12/01/22           BBB+           70,551   
  60     

PPL Energy Supply LLC, 144A

    6.500%           6/01/25           Ba3           39,600   
  70     

Progress Energy, Inc.

    3.150%           4/01/22           BBB+           68,742   
  400     

Total Electric Utilities

                                     356,370   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.4%                                 
  50     

Compressco Partners LP / Compressco Finance Corporation

    7.250%           8/15/22           B           37,000   
      Gas Utilities – 1.3%                                 
  50     

AmeriGas Finance LLC

    7.000%           5/20/22           Ba2           48,375   
  20     

Ferrellgas LP

    6.750%           1/15/22           B+           16,850   
  50     

Suburban Propane Partners LP

    5.750%           3/01/25           BB–           40,500   
  120     

Total Gas Utilities

                                     105,725   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.6%                                 
  55     

Tenet Healthcare Corporation

    6.750%           2/01/20           B3           52,250   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 4.4%                                 
  50     

Acadia Healthcare

    5.625%           2/15/23           B–           47,250   
  50     

Community Health Systems, Inc.

    6.875%           2/01/22           B+           47,438   
  75     

HCA Inc.

    5.375%           2/01/25           BB           74,063   
  50     

IASIS Healthcare Capital Corporation

    8.375%           5/15/19           CCC+           46,000   

 

Nuveen Investments     73   


Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      Health Care Providers & Services (continued)                                 
$ 50     

Kindred Healthcare Inc.

    6.375%           4/15/22           B2         $ 41,500   
  60     

Select Medical Corporation

    6.375%           6/01/21           B–           52,500   
  50     

Surgical Care Affiliates Inc., 144A

    6.000%           4/01/23           B–           48,750   
  385     

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                                     357,501   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 1.2%                                 
  50     

Dynegy Inc.

    7.625%           11/01/24           B+           42,740   
  65     

GenOn Energy Inc.

    9.500%           10/15/18           B–           52,509   
  115     

Total Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

                                     95,249   
      Internet Software & Services – 0.5%                                 
  40     

Equinix Inc.

    5.750%           1/01/25           BB           40,900   
      IT Services – 0.6%                                 
  50     

Zayo Group LLC / Zayo Capital Inc.

    6.000%           4/01/23           B–           47,250   
      Multi-Utilities – 1.2%                                 
  100     

Public Service Electric & Gas Company

    4.050%           5/01/45           Aa3           97,928   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 9.3%                                 
  90     

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company

    3.750%           11/15/23           A3           92,366   
  70     

Calumet Specialty Products

    7.625%           1/15/22           B+           59,500   
  25     

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP

    6.125%           3/01/22           BB           17,375   
  50     

Energy Transfer Equity LP

    5.500%           6/01/27           BB+           38,000   
  70     

Enterprise Products Operating Group LLP

    3.350%           3/15/23           BBB+           63,324   
  50     

Global Partners LP/GLP Finance

    6.250%           7/15/22           B+           40,000   
  70     

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP

    3.500%           9/01/23           BBB–           58,071   
  56     

Martin Mid-Stream Partners LP Finance

    7.250%           2/15/21           B–           49,280   
  55     

MPLX LP

    4.000%           2/15/25           BBB–           46,245   
  50     

NGL Energy Partners LP/Fin Co

    5.125%           7/15/19           BB–           39,500   
  10     

NGL Energy Partners LP/Fin Co

    6.875%           10/15/21           BB–           7,500   
  10     

Northern Tier Energy LLC

    7.125%           11/15/20           BB–           10,100   
  85     

Rose Rock Midstream LP / Rose Rock Finance Corporation

    5.625%           7/15/22           B1           60,350   
  25     

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC

    6.250%           3/15/22           BB+           23,125   
  100     

Southeast Supply Header LLC, 144A

    4.250%           6/15/24           BBB–           95,962   
  15     

Summit Midstream Holdings LLC Finance

    7.500%           7/01/21           B           12,750   
  50     

Western Refining Inc.

    6.250%           4/01/21           B+           48,000   
  881     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                                     761,448   
      Real Estate Investment Trust – 1.9%                                 
  100     

American Tower Company

    5.000%           2/15/24           BBB           105,860   
  60     

Communications Sales & Leasing Inc.

    8.250%           10/15/23           BB           51,150   
  160     

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

                                     157,010   

 

  74       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon        Maturity        Ratings (2)        Value  
      Road & Rail – 3.9%                                 
$ 95     

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation

    4.375%           9/01/42           A3         $ 89,815   
  90     

Norfolk Southern Corporation

    3.850%           1/15/24           BBB+           91,684   
  85     

Union Pacific Corporation

    4.750%           12/15/43           A           91,394   
  50     

Watco Companies LLC Finance, 144A

    6.375%           4/01/23           B           49,250   
  320     

Total Road & Rail

                                     322,143   
$ 3,016     

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $3,049,983)

                                     2,769,724   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)             Optional Call
Provisions (3)
       Ratings (2)        Value  
 

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 64.2%

                
      Arizona – 4.2%                                 
$ 110     

Phoenix, Arizona, Various Purpose General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009A, 5.269%, 7/01/34

         No Opt. Call          AA+         $ 128,855   
  80     

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, Arizona, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds, Series 2010A, 4.839%, 1/01/41

         No Opt. Call           Aa1           91,409   
  105     

Salt Verde Financial Corporation, Arizona, Senior Gas Revenue Bonds, Citigroup Energy Inc Prepay Contract Obligations, Series 2007, 5.250%, 12/01/28

               No Opt. Call           BBB+           126,634   
  295     

Total Arizona

                                     346,898   
      California – 12.9%                                 
  275     

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, California, User Fee Revenue Bonds, Subordinate Lien Series 2004B, 0.000%, 10/01/31 – AMBAC Insured

         No Opt. Call           BBB+           104,896   
  100     

Bay Area Toll Authority, California, Revenue Bonds, San Francisco Bay Area Toll Bridge, Build America Federally Taxable Bond Series 2009F-2, 6.263%, 4/01/49

         No Opt. Call           AA           134,873   
  100     

California State, Various Purpose General Obligation Bonds, Build America Federally Taxable Bonds, Series 2009, 7.550%, 4/01/39

         No Opt. Call           AA–           145,745   
  110     

Los Angeles Department of Airports, California, Revenue Bonds, Los Angeles International Airport, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009C, 6.582%, 5/15/39

         No Opt. Call           AA–           141,266   
  100     

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California, Power System Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable – Direct Payment – Build America Bonds, Series 2010A, 5.716%, 7/01/39

         No Opt. Call           AA–           120,809   
  10     

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California, Waterworks Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009C, 6.008%, 7/01/39

         No Opt. Call           AA           12,252   
  95     

Sacramento Municipal Utility District, California, Electric Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010W, 6.156%, 5/15/36

         No Opt. Call           AA–           115,729   
  130     

San Francisco City and County Public Utilities Commission, California, Water Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010E, 6.000%, 11/01/40

         No Opt. Call           AA–           158,918   
  100     

University of California, General Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009R, 5.770%, 5/15/43

               No Opt. Call           AA           122,334   
  1,020     

Total California

                                     1,056,822   
      Colorado – 2.1%                                 
  100     

Colorado Springs, Colorado, Utilities System Revenue Bonds, Improvement, Build America Bond Series 2010D-4, 6.615%, 11/15/40

         No Opt. Call           AA           133,046   

 

Nuveen Investments     75   


Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)           Optional Call
Provisions (3)
       Ratings (2)        Value  
      Colorado (continued)                               
$ 100     

E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado, Toll Revenue Bonds, Refunding Series 2006B, 0.000%, 9/01/35 – NPFG Insured

           9/26 at 63.78           AA–         $ 42,220   
  200     

Total Colorado

                                 175,266   
      Illinois – 9.1%                               
  70     

Chicago Greater Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Illinois, General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009, 5.720%, 12/01/38

         No Opt. Call           AAA           80,560   
  105     

Chicago Transit Authority, Illinois, Sales Tax Receipts Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010B, 6.200%, 12/01/40

         No Opt. Call           AA           113,591   
  100     

Chicago, Illinois, General Airport Revenue Bonds, O’Hare International Airport, Third Lien, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 6.845%, 1/01/38

         1/20 at 100.00           A           112,132   
  110     

Illinois State, General Obligation Bonds, Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010-1, 6.630%, 2/01/35

         No Opt. Call           A–           113,967   
  150     

Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Toll Highway Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Senior Lien Series 2009A, 6.184%, 1/01/34

         No Opt. Call           AA–           187,100   
  120     

Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency, Power Project Revenue Bonds, Prairie State Project, Build America Bond Series 2009C, 6.859%, 1/01/39

           No Opt. Call           A2           138,577   
  655     

Total Illinois

                                 745,927   
      Kansas – 1.0%                               
  75     

Kansas Department of Transportation, Highway Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010A, 4.596%, 9/01/35

           No Opt. Call           AAA           81,291   
      Louisiana – 1.6%                               
  120     

East Baton Rouge Sewerage Commission, Louisiana, Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B, 6.087%, 2/01/45

           2/20 at 100.00           AA           132,096   
      Massachusetts – 0.2%                               
  10     

Massachusetts State, General Obligation Bonds, Consolidated Loan, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010, 5.456%, 12/01/39

           No Opt. Call           AA+           12,090   
      Missouri – 0.9%                               
  60     

Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission, Power Project Revenue Bonds, Plum Point Project, Build America Bond Series 2009A, 7.730%, 1/01/39

           No Opt. Call           A           76,117   
      New Jersey – 4.8%                               
  50     

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Special Facilities Revenue Bonds, Continental Airlines Inc., Series 1999, 5.250%, 9/15/29 (Alternative Minimum Tax)

         9/22 at 101.00           BB–           54,799   
  25     

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Transportation System Bonds, Build America Bonds Issuer Subsidy Program, Series 2009B, 6.875%, 12/15/39

         6/19 at 100.00           A–           26,252   
  100     

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Transportation System Bonds, Build America Bonds Issuer Subsidy Program, Series 2010C, 6.104%, 12/15/28

         12/20 at 100.00           A–           104,523   
  150     

New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A, 7.102%, 1/01/41

           No Opt. Call           A+           207,125   
  325     

Total New Jersey

                                 392,699   
      New York – 7.5%                               
  105     

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Dedicated Tax Fund Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A-2, 6.089%, 11/15/40

         No Opt. Call           AA           133,081   

 

  76       Nuveen Investments


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)           Optional Call
Provisions (3)
       Ratings (2)        Value  
      New York (continued)                               
$ 100     

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B-1, 6.648%, 11/15/39

         No Opt. Call           AA–         $ 130,309   
  100     

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New York, Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Second Generation Resolution, Build America Taxable Bonds, Fiscal 2011 Series AA, 5.790%, 6/15/41

         6/20 at 100.00           AA+           110,348   
  100     

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, New York, Building Aid Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Fiscal 2011 Series 2010S-1B, 6.828%, 7/15/40

         No Opt. Call           AA           132,276   
  100     

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Revenue Bonds, One Hundred Eighty-First Series 2014, 4.960%, 8/01/46

           No Opt. Call           AA–           108,369   
  505     

Total New York

                                 614,383   
      Ohio – 4.2%                               
  100     

American Municipal Power Inc., Ohio, Combined Hydroelectric Projects Revenue Bonds, Build America Bond Series 2009B, 6.449%, 2/15/44

         No Opt. Call           A           119,454   
  100     

JobsOhio Beverage System, Ohio, Statewide Liquor Profits Revenue Bonds, Senior Lien Taxable Series 2013B, 4.532%, 1/01/35

         No Opt. Call           AA           106,165   
  105     

Ohio State University, General Receipts Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010C, 4.910%, 6/01/40

           No Opt. Call           Aa1           118,103   
  305     

Total Ohio

                                 343,722   
      Oregon – 1.5%                               
  100     

Oregon State Department of Transportation, Highway User Tax Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010A, 5.834%, 11/15/34

           No Opt. Call           AA+           125,977   
      Pennsylvania – 3.0%                               
  100     

Commonwealth Financing Authority, Pennsylvania, State Appropriation Lease Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009D, 6.218%, 6/01/39

         No Opt. Call           A+           116,404   
  100     

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Turnpike Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009A, 6.105%, 12/01/39

           No Opt. Call           A1           124,164   
  200     

Total Pennsylvania

                                 240,568   
      Tennessee – 1.6%                               
  100     

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Convention Center Authority, Tennessee, Tourism Tax Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Subordinate Lien Series 2010B, 6.731%, 7/01/43

           No Opt. Call           Aa3           127,362   
      Texas – 5.0%                               
  40     

Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Texas, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 4.922%, 12/01/41

         No Opt. Call           AA+           45,726   
  100     

Dallas County Hospital District, Texas, General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009C, 5.621%, 8/15/44

         No Opt. Call           AA+           123,807   
  100     

North Texas Tollway Authority, System Revenue Bonds, Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010-B2, 8.910%, 2/01/30

         2/20 at 100.00           Baa2           118,587   
  95     

Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corporation, Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, LBJ Infrastructure Group LLC IH-635 Managed Lanes Project, Series 2010, 7.500%, 6/30/33

           6/20 at 100.00           Baa3           117,887   
  335     

Total Texas

                                 406,007   

 

Nuveen Investments     77   


Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)           Optional Call
Provisions (3)
       Ratings (2)        Value  
      Virginia – 3.1%                               
$ 100     

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Virginia, Dulles Toll Road Second Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds, Series 2009D, 7.462%, 10/01/46 – AGC Insured

         No Opt. Call           BBB+         $ 134,823   
  100     

Virginia Transportation Board, Transportation Revenue Bonds, Capital Projects, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A-2, 5.350%, 5/15/35

           No Opt. Call           AA+           115,253   
  200     

Total Virginia

                                 250,076   
      Washington – 1.5%                               
  100     

Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, Washington, Sales and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2009S-2T, 5.491%, 11/01/39

           No Opt. Call           AAA           122,240   
$ 4,605     

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $5,167,680)

                                 5,249,541   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $8,217,663)

                                 8,019,265   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 1.9% (4)

                                 152,369   
 

Net Assets – 100%

                               $ 8,171,634   

Investments in Derivatives as of December 31, 2015

Futures Contracts outstanding:

 

Description      Contract
Position
     Number of
Contracts
     Contract
Expiration
     Notional
Amount
at Value
     Variation
Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
U.S. Treasury Long Bond        Short         (7      3/16       $ (1,076,250    $ (3,500    $ 1,177   

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3) Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be subject to periodic principal paydowns.

 

(4) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the over-the-counter derivatives as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives is recognized as part of the cash collateral at brokers and/or the receivable or payable for variation margin as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, when applicable.

 

144A Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  78       Nuveen Investments


Statement of

  Assets and Liabilities   December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

      Global Total
Return Bond
     High Income
Bond
     Strategic
Income
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 

Assets

           

Long-term investments, at value (cost $14,900,307, $428,822,528, $968,105,225 and $8,217,663, respectively)

   $ 13,711,383       $ 336,255,249       $ 898,649,534       $ 8,019,265   

Investments purchased with collateral from securities lending, at value (cost approximates value)

             20,019,220         119,270,506           

Short-term investments, at value (cost approximates value)

     887,323         15,854,091         43,922,615           

Cash denominated in foreign currencies (cost $31,780, $160,035, $1,418,406 and $—, respectively)

     31,532         161,550         1,387,389           

Cash

                             30,235   

Cash collateral at brokers(1)

     64,225         154,400         2,165,268         27,720   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net

     16,421         355,221         2,526,919           

Receivable for:

           

Dividends

     1,359         235,646         70,392           

Due from broker

             23,189         45,841           

Interest

     162,660         7,632,284         12,198,276         119,148   

Investments sold

     505,225         1,050,496         68,881           

Reclaims

     5,088                           

Reimbursement from Adviser

     7,740                         3,766   

Shares sold

     25,685         1,742,042         1,514,268         2,052   

Variation margin on futures contracts

             43,343         283,102           

Variation margin on swap contracts

                     1,450,820           

Other assets

     11,981         97,375         77,546         15,314   

Total assets

     15,430,622         383,624,106         1,083,631,357         8,217,500   

Liabilities

           

Cash overdraft

             12         15           

Unrealized depreciation on:

           

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     46,594                           

Interest rate swaps

     4,795                 645,640           

Payable for:

           

Collateral from securities lending program

             20,019,220         119,270,506           

Dividends

     42,913         1,273,422         1,787,968         24,624   

Investments purchased

     1,404,364                 36,973,289           

Shares redeemed

     3,049         4,536,196         4,041,118         583   

Variation margin on futures contracts

     1,266         13,922         464,303         3,500   

Variation margin on swap contracts

     4,550                           

Accrued expenses:

           

Management fees

             202,418         327,101           

Directors/Trustees fees

     86         30,711         35,929         44   

12b-1 distribution and service fees

     488         56,968         138,436         156   

Other

     57,563         220,596         366,160         16,959   

Total liabilities

     1,565,668         26,353,465         164,050,465         45,866   

Net assets

   $ 13,864,954       $ 357,270,641       $ 919,580,892       $ 8,171,634   

 

(1) Cash pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     79   


Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited) (continued)

 

 

      Global Total
Return Bond
       High Income
Bond
       Strategic
Income
       U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 

Class A Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 1,387,278         $ 90,852,349         $ 231,212,532         $ 526,854   

Shares outstanding

     80,015           13,206,805           22,692,989           27,561   

Net asset value (“NAV”) per share

   $ 17.34         $ 6.88         $ 10.19         $ 19.12   

Offering price per share (NAV per share plus maximum sales charge of 4.75%,
4.75%, 4.25% and 4.25%, respectively, of offering price)

   $ 18.20         $ 7.22         $ 10.64         $ 19.97   

Class C Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 199,249         $ 38,853,289         $ 96,674,962         $ 47,808   

Shares outstanding

     11,437           5,656,320           9,545,109           2,500   

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 17.42         $ 6.87         $ 10.13         $ 19.12   

Class R3 Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 42,600         $ 833,993         $ 8,472,219         $   

Shares outstanding

     2,449           118,767           828,451             

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 17.39         $ 7.02         $ 10.23         $   

Class R6 Shares

                 

Net assets

   $         $         $ 32,504,246         $   

Shares outstanding

                         3,191,589             

NAV and offering price per share

   $         $         $ 10.18         $   

Class I Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 12,235,827         $ 226,731,010         $ 550,716,933         $ 7,596,972   

Shares outstanding

     703,049           32,876,721           54,095,539           397,406   

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 17.40         $ 6.90         $ 10.18         $ 19.12   

Net assets consist of:

                                         

Capital paid-in

   $ 16,644,132         $ 519,987,862         $ 1,053,285,686         $ 8,575,059   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income

     (478,903        4,034,209           13,695,708           (30,745

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

     (1,054,383        (74,557,991        (79,279,922        (175,459

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (1,245,892        (92,193,439        (68,120,580        (197,221

Net assets

   $ 13,864,954         $ 357,270,641         $ 919,580,892         $ 8,171,634   

Authorized shares – per class

     Unlimited           2 billion           2 billion           Unlimited   

Par value per share

   $ 0.01         $ 0.0001         $ 0.0001         $ 0.01   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  80       Nuveen Investments


Statement of

  Operations  

Six Months Ended December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

      Global Total
Return Bond
    

High Income

Bond

     Strategic
Income
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 

Investment Income

           

Dividend income (net of foreign tax withheld of $—, $338, $— and $—, respectively)

   $ 8,972       $ 1,632,604       $ 595,126       $   

Interest income (net of foreign tax withheld of $—, $1,476, $138 and $—, respectively)

     377,702         20,988,918         29,628,517         203,765   

Securities lending income, net

             189,777         269,401           

Total investment income

     386,674         22,811,299         30,493,044         203,765   

Expenses

           

Management fees

     45,033         1,526,013         2,822,389         25,297   

12b-1 service fees – Class A Shares

     1,956         147,147         332,048         437   

12b-1 distribution and service fees – Class C Shares

     945         240,581         532,105         357   

12b-1 distribution and service fees – Class R3 Shares

     110         2,430         29,274           

Shareholder servicing agent fees

     1,430         229,106         429,830         1,661   

Custodian fees

     37,136         83,101         164,756         17,821   

Directors/Trustees fees

     204         6,723         14,396         103   

Professional fees

     21,397         35,688         62,677         7,390   

Shareholder reporting expenses

     10,939         27,946         67,955         5,268   

Federal and state registration fees

     23,038         43,275         72,116         21,131   

Other

     6,243         91,869         23,479         2,470   

Total expenses before fee waiver/expense reimbursement

     148,431         2,433,879         4,551,025         81,935   

Fee waiver/expense reimbursement

     (88,457              (529,309      (52,141

Net expenses

     59,974         2,433,879         4,021,716         29,794   

Net investment income (loss)

     326,700         20,377,420         26,471,328         173,971   

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

           

Net realized gain (loss) from:

           

Investments and foreign currency

     (1,071,039      (44,784,791      (40,208,644      (58,864

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     206,968         1,991,908         11,065,782           

Futures contracts

     (5,490      25,266         (2,646,881      (12,194

Swaps

     (18,736      (1,288,860      (3,869,940        

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

           

Investments and foreign currency

     (36,389      (51,154,647      (45,164,647      (103,203

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     77,055         182,103         1,919,659           

Futures contracts

     (19,688      302,559         1,296,817         (28,119

Swaps

     (26,647      250,790         (274,558        

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (893,966      (94,475,672      (77,882,412      (202,380

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ (567,266    $ (74,098,252    $ (51,411,084    $ (28,409

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     81   


Statement of

  Changes in Net Assets   (Unaudited)

 

     Global Total Return Bond          High Income Bond  
      Six Months Ended
12/31/15
     Year Ended
6/30/15
         

Six Months Ended
12/31/15

     Year Ended
6/30/15
 

Operations

             

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 326,700       $ 782,049         $ 20,377,420       $ 52,325,710   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments and foreign currency

     (1,071,039      (326,542        (44,784,791      (34,123,226

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     206,968         (250,808        1,991,908         13,219,277   

Futures contracts

     (5,490      (182,445        25,266         (578,896

Swaps

     (18,736      13,589           (1,288,860      (1,827,472

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Investments and foreign currency

     (36,389      (1,418,081        (51,154,647      (73,863,867

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     77,055         (103,660        182,103         146,922   

Futures contracts

     (19,688      13,462           302,559         (352,543

Swaps

     (26,647      (28,185          250,790         320,392   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (567,266      (1,500,621          (74,098,252      (44,733,703

Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income:

             

Class A Shares

     (31,174      (64,249        (4,103,361      (10,263,959

Class C Shares

     (3,028      (6,623        (1,478,132      (3,494,239

Class R3 Shares

     (824      (1,868        (32,536      (68,691

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (299,064      (798,173        (13,010,594      (37,801,973

From accumulated net realized gains:

             

Class A Shares

             (20,483                (1,298,112

Class C Shares

             (2,560                (551,922

Class R3 Shares

             (670                (10,919

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

             (250,904                  (5,141,766

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (334,090      (1,145,530          (18,624,623      (58,631,581

Fund Share Transactions

             

Proceeds from sale of shares

     200,876         1,078,129           128,898,742         477,217,806   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     72,527         364,059             8,754,582         25,563,889   
     273,403         1,442,188           137,653,324         502,781,695   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (4,326,488      (688,048          (310,004,909      (779,613,360

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (4,053,085      754,140             (172,351,585      (276,831,665

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (4,954,441      (1,892,011        (265,074,460      (380,196,949

Net assets at the beginning of period

     18,819,395         20,711,406             622,345,101         1,002,542,050   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 13,864,954       $ 18,819,395           $ 357,270,641       $ 622,345,101   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ (478,903    $ (471,513        $ 4,034,209       $ 2,281,412   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  82       Nuveen Investments


     Strategic Income          U.S. Infrastructure Bond  
     

Six Months Ended
12/31/15

     Year Ended
6/30/15
         

Six Months Ended
12/31/15

    

Year Ended
6/30/15

 

Operations

             

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 26,471,328       $ 47,638,574         $ 173,971       $ 314,543   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments and foreign currency

     (40,208,644      (9,317,210        (58,864      3,619   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     11,065,782         18,051,609                     

Futures contracts

     (2,646,881      (6,149,196        (12,194      (106,378

Swaps

     (3,869,940      (863,146                  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Investments and foreign currency

     (45,164,647      (56,122,617        (103,203      (212,989

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     1,919,659         790,473                     

Futures contracts

     1,296,817         (495,755        (28,119      44,447   

Swaps

     (274,558      (1,179,760                    

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     (51,411,084      (7,647,028          (28,409      43,242   

Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income:

             

Class A Shares

     (6,619,411      (10,648,005        (8,456      (6,013

Class C Shares

     (2,231,304      (3,444,106        (1,292      (2,019

Class R3 Shares

     (277,097      (433,800                  

Class R6 Shares

     (711,132      (447,293                  

Class I Shares

     (17,914,260      (37,555,701        (188,033      (325,689

From accumulated net realized gains:

             

Class A Shares

                                 

Class C Shares

                                 

Class R3 Shares

                                 

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

                                   

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (27,753,204      (52,528,905          (197,781      (333,721

Fund Share Transactions

             

Proceeds from sale of shares

     124,964,373         804,277,621           503,664         1,695,746   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     15,789,450         26,744,855             32,790         27,419   
     140,753,823         831,022,476           536,454         1,723,165   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (347,236,732      (359,677,544          (292,246      (392,069

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (206,482,909      471,344,932             244,208         1,331,096   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (285,647,197      411,168,999           18,018         1,040,617   

Net assets at the beginning of period

     1,205,228,089         794,059,090             8,153,616         7,112,999   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 919,580,892       $ 1,205,228,089           $ 8,171,634       $ 8,153,616   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ 13,695,708       $ 14,977,584           $ (30,745    $ (6,935

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     83   


Financial

Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Global Total Return Bond

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (12/11)

  

                       

2016(f)

  $ 18.35      $ 0.35         $ (1.00      $ (0.65     $ (0.36      $         $ (0.36      $ 17.34   

2015

    20.97        0.73           (2.26        (1.53       (0.82        (0.27        (1.09        18.35   

2014

    20.54        0.79           0.68           1.47          (0.73        (0.31        (1.04        20.97   

2013

    21.19        0.72           (0.14        0.58          (0.86        (0.37        (1.23        20.54   

2012(d)

    20.00        0.41           1.07           1.48            (0.29                  (0.29        21.19   

Class C (12/11)

  

                       

2016(f)

    18.44        0.28           (1.01        (0.73       (0.29                  (0.29        17.42   

2015

    21.04        0.58           (2.26        (1.68       (0.65        (0.27        (0.92        18.44   

2014

    20.58        0.63           0.70           1.33          (0.56        (0.31        (0.87        21.04   

2013

    21.18        0.56           (0.10        0.46          (0.69        (0.37        (1.06        20.58   

2012(d)

    20.00        0.29           1.13           1.42            (0.24                  (0.24        21.18   

Class R3 (12/11)

  

                       

2016(f)

    18.41        0.33           (1.01        (0.68       (0.34                  (0.34        17.39   

2015

    21.03        0.68           (2.27        (1.59       (0.76        (0.27        (1.03        18.41   

2014

    20.58        0.74           0.69           1.43          (0.67        (0.31        (0.98        21.03   

2013

    21.20        0.66           (0.11        0.55          (0.80        (0.37        (1.17        20.58   

2012(d)

    20.00        0.35           1.13           1.48            (0.28                  (0.28        21.20   

Class I (12/11)

  

                       

2016(f)

    18.42        0.38           (1.02        (0.64       (0.38                  (0.38        17.40   

2015

    21.05        0.78           (2.27        (1.49       (0.87        (0.27        (1.14        18.42   

2014

    20.61        0.84           0.69           1.53          (0.78        (0.31        (1.09        21.05   

2013

    21.23        0.77           (0.11        0.66          (0.91        (0.37        (1.28        20.61   

2012(d)

    20.00        0.42           1.12           1.54            (0.31                  (0.31        21.23   

 

  84       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)
 
                        
  (3.63 )%    $ 1,387          2.09 %*         2.76 %*        0.96 %*         3.89 %*         52
  (7.45     1,612          1.82           2.85          0.96           3.71           89   
  7.45        1,378          2.03           2.81          0.97           3.87           109   
  2.47        1,037          2.16           2.10          0.97           3.29           176   
  7.42        310            2.44        1.99         0.98        3.46        116   
                        
  (3.99     199          2.85        2.01       1.71        3.14        52   
  (8.15     204          2.57           2.11          1.71           2.96           89   
  6.74        204          2.77           2.06          1.72           3.11           109   
  1.94        158          2.99           1.29          1.72           2.56           176   
  7.10        53            2.74        1.41         1.72        2.42        116   
                        
  (3.75     43          2.35        2.51       1.21        3.65        52   
  (7.72     45          2.07           2.60          1.21           3.46           89   
  7.26        51          2.26           2.57          1.22           3.61           109   
  2.34        50          2.31           1.91          1.22           3.00           176   
  7.38        53            2.24        1.91         1.23        2.92        116   
                        
  (3.49     12,236          1.82        3.03       0.71        4.13        52   
  (7.26     16,958          1.57           3.10          0.71           3.95           89   
  7.76        19,078          1.77           3.09          0.72           4.13           109   
  2.86        16,392          1.81           2.41          0.72           3.50           176   
  7.71        14,767            1.74        2.41         0.73        3.42        116   

 

 

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) For the period December 2, 2011 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2012.  
(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(f) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     85   


Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (continued)

 

High Income Bond

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

      Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
      

From

Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains

       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (8/01)

  

                              

2016(e)

  $ 8.23      $ 0.29         $ (1.37      $ (1.08     $ (0.27      $         $ (0.27      $ 6.88   

2015

    9.29        0.55           (1.00        (0.45       (0.54        (0.07        (0.61        8.23   

2014

    8.99        0.58           0.53           1.11          (0.61        (0.20        (0.81        9.29   

2013

    8.64        0.63           0.39           1.02          (0.67                  (0.67        8.99   

2012

    9.05        0.69           (0.38        0.31          (0.69        (0.03        (0.72        8.64   

2011

    8.28        0.67           0.76           1.43            (0.66                  (0.66        9.05   

Class C (8/01)

  

                              

2016(e)

    8.22        0.26           (1.37        (1.11       (0.24                  (0.24        6.87   

2015

    9.27       
0.49
  
       (0.99        (0.50       (0.48        (0.07        (0.55        8.22   

2014

    8.98        0.51           0.52           1.03          (0.54        (0.20        (0.74        9.27   

2013

    8.62        0.56           0.40           0.96          (0.60                  (0.60        8.98   

2012

    9.01        0.63           (0.37        0.26          (0.62        (0.03        (0.65        8.62   

2011

    8.25        0.60           0.75           1.35            (0.59                  (0.59        9.01   

Class R3 (9/01)

  

                              

2016(e)

    8.40        0.29           (1.41        (1.12       (0.26                  (0.26        7.02   

2015

    9.48        0.53           (1.01        (0.48       (0.53        (0.07        (0.60        8.40   

2014

    9.17        0.57           0.54           1.11          (0.60        (0.20        (0.80        9.48   

2013

    8.81        0.62           0.40           1.02          (0.66                  (0.66        9.17   

2012

    9.23        0.67           (0.38        0.29          (0.68        (0.03        (0.71        8.81   

2011

    8.44        0.66           0.77           1.43            (0.64                  (0.64        9.23   

Class I (8/01)

  

                              

2016(e)

    8.26        0.30           (1.38        (1.08       (0.28                  (0.28        6.90   

2015

    9.31        0.57           (0.98        (0.41       (0.57        (0.07        (0.64        8.26   

2014

    9.01        0.60           0.53           1.13          (0.63        (0.20        (0.83        9.31   

2013

    8.65        0.66           0.39           1.05          (0.69                  (0.69        9.01   

2012

    9.05        0.71           (0.37        0.34          (0.71        (0.03        (0.74        8.65   

2011

    8.29        0.69           0.75           1.44            (0.68                  (0.68        9.05   

 

  86       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses       

Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)

         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)
 
                        
  (13.37 )%    $ 90,852          1.02 %*         7.64 %*        1.02 %*         7.64 %*         32
  (4.82     119,535          0.97           6.31          0.97           6.31           80   
  12.88        209,830          0.95           6.37          0.95           6.37           85   
  11.99        141,132          0.94           6.92          0.94           6.92           133   
  3.76        92,018          1.06           7.98          1.04           7.99           124   
  17.61        30,984            1.22           7.38            1.10           7.50           130   
                        
  (13.75     38,853          1.78        6.92       1.78        6.92        32   
  (5.45     55,409          1.72           5.62          1.72           5.62           80   
  11.98        71,974          1.70           5.64          1.70           5.64           85   
  11.33        67,466          1.70           6.21          1.70           6.21           133   
  3.18        48,667          1.80           7.26          1.79           7.27           124   
  16.67        9,792            1.97           6.64            1.85           6.76           130   
                        
  (13.52     834          1.28        7.45       1.28        7.45        32   
  (5.07     995          1.21           6.03          1.21           6.03           80   
  12.65        1,099          1.20           6.09          1.20           6.09           85   
  11.79        697          1.19           6.69          1.19           6.69           133   
  3.46        615          1.31           7.66          1.29           7.68           124   
  17.28        309            1.47           7.12            1.35           7.25           130   
                        
  (13.21     226,731          0.77        7.83       0.77        7.83        32   
  (4.55     446,406          0.72           6.56          0.72           6.56           80   
  13.15        719,640          0.71           6.61          0.71           6.61           85   
  12.39        495,863          0.70           7.24          0.70           7.24           133   
  4.15        465,299          0.84           8.19          0.80           8.23           124   
  17.77        460,785            0.97           7.63            0.85           7.75           130   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable. As of October 31, 2013, the Adviser is no longer reimbursing the Fund for any fees and expenses.  
(d) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(e) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     87   


Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Strategic Income

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (2/00)

  

                       

2016(g)

  $ 10.97      $ 0.25         $ (0.76      $ (0.51     $ (0.27      $
  —
  
     $ (0.27      $ 10.19   

2015

    11.60        0.49           (0.58        (0.09       (0.54                  (0.54        10.97   

2014

    11.02        0.53           0.59           1.12          (0.54                  (0.54        11.60   

2013

    10.83        0.52           0.16           0.68          (0.49                  (0.49        11.02   

2012

    10.72        0.44           0.10           0.54          (0.43                  (0.43        10.83   

2011

    10.27        0.43           0.45           0.88            (0.43                  (0.43        10.72   

Class C (2/00)

  

                       

2016(g)

    10.90        0.21           (0.76        (0.55       (0.22                  (0.22        10.13   

2015

    11.52        0.40           (0.57        (0.17       (0.45                  (0.45 )          10.90   

2014

    10.94        0.44           0.60           1.04          (0.46                  (0.46        11.52   

2013

    10.76        0.43           0.16           0.59          (0.41                  (0.41        10.94   

2012

    10.65        0.36           0.09           0.45          (0.34                  (0.34        10.76   

2011

    10.20        0.35           0.44           0.79            (0.34                  (0.34        10.65   

Class R3 (9/01)

  

                       

2016(g)

    11.01        0.24           (0.76        (0.52       (0.26                  (0.26        10.23   

2015

    11.64        0.46           (0.57        (0.11       (0.52                  (0.52 )          11.01   

2014

    11.05        0.51           0.60           1.11          (0.52                  (0.52        11.64   

2013

    10.88        0.49           0.15           0.64          (0.47                  (0.47        11.05   

2012

    10.77        0.41           0.10           0.51          (0.40                  (0.40        10.88   

2011

    10.31        0.41           0.45           0.86            (0.40                  (0.40        10.77   

Class R6 (1/15)

                                

2016(g)

    10.96        0.27           (0.77        (0.50       (0.28                  (0.28        10.18   

2015(f)

    11.22        0.24           (0.25        (0.01         (0.25                  (0.25 )          10.96   

Class I (2/00)

  

                       

2016(g)

    10.96        0.27           (0.77        (0.50       (0.28                  (0.28        10.18   

2015

    11.59        0.52           (0.58 )        (0.06 )       (0.57                  (0.57 )          10.96   

2014

    11.01        0.56           0.59           1.15          (0.57                  (0.57        11.59   

2013

    10.83        0.55           0.15           0.70          (0.52                  (0.52        11.01   

2012

    10.71        0.45           0.12           0.57          (0.45                  (0.45        10.83   

2011

    10.26        0.46           0.44           0.90            (0.45                  (0.45        10.71   

 

  88       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)(e)
 
                        
  (4.74 )%    $ 231,213          0.92 %*         4.66 %*        0.82 %*         4.75 %*         25
  (0.80     288,080          0.92           4.25          0.82           4.34           47   
  10.46        128,189          0.91           4.65          0.84           4.73           50   
  6.25        72,341          0.90           4.50          0.84           4.57           69   
  5.14        52,802          0.93           4.01          0.85           4.10           199   
  8.69        25,045            1.05           3.93            0.88           4.10           98   
                        
  (5.07     96,675          1.67        3.91       1.57        4.01        25   
  (1.50     110,660          1.67           3.51          1.57           3.60           47   
  9.59        48,335          1.66           3.91          1.59           3.98           50   
  5.50        35,146          1.65           3.75          1.59           3.81           69   
  4.32        31,085          1.67           3.30          1.60           3.37           199   
  7.85        8,092            1.80           3.22            1.73           3.29           98   
                        
  (4.83     8,472          1.17        4.40       1.07        4.50        25   
  (1.01     12,272          1.17           4.00          1.07           4.09           47   
  10.19        5,321          1.16           4.41          1.09           4.48           50   
  5.89        2,926          1.15           4.27          1.09           4.34           69   
  4.83        1,903          1.19           3.73          1.12           3.80           199   
  8.40        1,020            1.29           3.73            1.23           3.79           98   
                        
  (4.62     32,504          0.60        5.03       0.50        5.13        25   
  (0.10     20,498            0.61        4.70         0.50        4.81        47   
                        
  (4.62     550,717          0.67        4.90       0.57        5.00        25   
  (0.54 )     773,719         0.67           4.48          0.57           4.57          47   
  10.77        612,214          0.66           4.92          0.59           5.00           50   
  6.42        517,292          0.65           4.75          0.59           4.81           69   
  5.35        534,608          0.69           4.19          0.63           4.26           199   
  8.99        615,107            0.80           4.22            0.73           4.29           98   

 

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) For fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2011, the Fund will no longer exclude dollar roll transactions, where applicable.  
(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(f) For the period January 20, 2015 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2015.  
(g) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     89   


Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (continued)

 

U.S. Infrastructure Bond

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations         Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total          From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (5/14)

  

                       

2016(f)

  $ 19.65      $ 0.39         $ (0.47      $ (0.08     $ (0.45      $   —         $ (0.45      $ 19.12   

2015

    20.32        0.78           (0.63        0.15          (0.82                  (0.82        19.65   

2014(d)

    20.00        0.09           0.30           0.39            (0.07                  (0.07        20.32   

Class C (5/14)

  

                       

2016(f)

    19.65        0.32           (0.48        (0.16       (0.37                  (0.37        19.12   

2015

    20.31        0.62           (0.62                 (0.66                  (0.66        19.65   

2014(d)

    20.00        0.07           0.29           0.36            (0.05                  (0.05        20.31   

Class I (5/14)

  

                       

2016(f)

    19.65        0.42           (0.48        (0.06       (0.47                  (0.47        19.12   

2015

    20.32        0.83           (0.62        0.21          (0.88                  (0.88 )          19.65   

2014(d)

    20.00        0.10           0.29           0.39            (0.07                  (0.07        20.32   

 

  90       Nuveen Investments


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
        Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
         Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)
 
                        
  (0.43 )%    $ 527          2.20 %*         2.73 %*        0.95 %*         3.97 %*         8
  0.70        255          1.79           3.04          0.95           3.87           15   
  1.93        51            3.46        0.77         0.96        3.27        4   
                        
  (0.87     48          2.97        1.97       1.70        3.24        8   
  (0.03     73          2.51           2.27          1.70           3.08           15   
  1.81        51            4.20        0.03         1.71        2.52        4   
                        
  (0.31     7,597          1.97        2.98       0.70        4.25        8   
  0.96        7,825          1.50           3.27          0.70           4.07           15   
  1.95        7,011            3.20        1.03         0.71        3.52        4   

 

 

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) For the period May 12, 2014 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2014.  
(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(f) For the six months ended December 31, 2015.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

Nuveen Investments     91   


Notes to

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. General Information and Significant Accounting Policies

General Information

Trust and Fund Information

Nuveen Investment Funds, Inc. and Nuveen Investment Trust (each a “Trust” and collectively, the “Trusts”), are open-end management investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Nuveen Investment Funds, Inc. is comprised of the Nuveen High Income Bond Fund (“High Income Bond”) and Nuveen Strategic Income Fund (“Strategic Income”), among others and Nuveen Investment Trust is comprised of the Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund (“Global Total Return Bond”) and Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund (“U.S. Infrastructure Bond”), among others (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), as diversified funds. Nuveen Investment Funds, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Maryland on August 20, 1987. Nuveen Investment Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust in May 6, 1996.

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is December 31, 2015, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended December 31, 2015 (the “current fiscal period”).

Investment Adviser

The Funds’ investment adviser is Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen”). The Adviser is responsible for each Fund’s overall investment strategy and asset allocation decisions. The Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements with Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), a subsidiary of the Adviser, under which the Sub-Adviser manages the investment portfolios of the Funds.

Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies

Global Total Return Bond

Global Total Return Bond’s investment objective is to seek total return. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in bonds from issuers located around the world. The bonds in which the Fund may invest may be of any maturity and include: debt obligations of foreign governments; domestic and foreign corporate debt obligations, including obligations issued by special-purpose entities that are backed by corporate debt obligations; U.S. government securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities); residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities; and asset-backed securities.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 40% of its net assets in non-U.S. issuers and is invested in issuers located in at least three countries (including the U.S.). The Fund may invest in debt obligations issued by governmental and corporate issuers located in emerging markets countries.

The Fund invests in securities that are U.S. dollar-denominated and in securities that are denominated in foreign currencies. As described in more detail below, the Fund may utilize various currency-related derivatives in an effort to enhance the Fund’s total return or to manage risk.

Up to 30% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in securities rated lower than investment grade or in unrated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser (such securities commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk” bonds). If the rating of a security is reduced or the credit quality of an unrated security declines after purchase, the Fund is not required to sell the security, but may consider doing so.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: options; futures contracts; options on futures contracts; interest rate caps, collars, and floors; foreign currency contracts; options on foreign currencies; swap agreements, including swap agreements on interest rates, currency rates, security indexes and specific securities, and credit default swap agreements; and options on foregoing types of swap agreements. The Fund may enter into standardized derivatives contracts traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, and non-standardized derivatives contracts traded in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, currency risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or for speculative purposes in an effort to enhance returns. The Fund may also use derivatives to gain exposure to non-dollar denominated securities markets to the extent it does not do so through direct investments. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions. The Fund may not use any derivative to gain exposure to a security or type of security that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

 

  92       Nuveen Investments


High Income Bond

High Income Bond’s investment objective is to provide investors with a high level of current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in bonds rated lower than investment grade at the time of purchase or in unrated bonds of comparable quality (securities commonly referred to as “high-yield” securities or “junk” bonds). These bonds generally provide high income in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the failure to make required interest or principal payments. High-yield bond issuers include small or relatively new companies lacking the history or capital to merit investment-grade status, former blue chip companies downgraded because of financial problems, companies electing to borrow heavily to finance or avoid a takeover or buyout, and firms with heavy debt loads. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed and floating rate loans, including senior loans and secured and unsecured junior loans. The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), closed-end funds and other investment companies.

There is no minimum rating requirement and no limitation on the average maturity or average effective duration of securities held by the Fund.

The Fund may invest without limitation in debt obligations of foreign corporations and governments, provided that no more than 20% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in debt obligations issued by governmental and corporate issuers that are located in emerging market countries. A country is considered to have an “emerging market” if it has a relatively low gross national product per capita compared to the world’s major economies, and the potential for rapid economic growth, provided that no issuer included in the Fund’s current benchmark index will be considered to be located in an emerging market country.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: options; futures contracts; options on futures contracts; foreign currency contracts; options on foreign currencies; swap agreements, including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, total return swaps, and credit default swaps; and options on swap agreements. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, currency risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or for speculative purposes in an effort to increase the Fund’s yield or to enhance returns. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions.

Strategic Income

Strategic Income’s investment objective is to provide investors with total return. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in debt securities, including U.S. government securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities), residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, domestic and foreign corporate debt obligations, including obligations issued by special-purpose entities that are backed by corporate debt obligations and debt obligations of foreign governments. The Fund may invest in fixed and floating rate loans, including senior loans and secured and unsecured junior loans, in an amount not to exceed 20% of the Fund’s net assets and municipal securities in an amount not to exceed 20% of net assets.

The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated debt obligations of foreign corporations and governments, including debt obligations issued by governmental and corporate issuers that are located in emerging market countries. The Fund may invest without limitation in U.S. dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers.

The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in securities rated lower than investment grade or unrated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser (securities commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk” bonds). The Fund will not invest in securities rated lower than CCC at the time of purchase or in unrated securities of comparable quality as determined by the Sub-Adviser. If the rating of a security is reduced or the credit quality of an unrated security declines after purchase, the Fund is not required to sell the security, but may consider doing so. Unrated securities will not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets.

To generate additional income, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in dollar roll transactions. In a dollar roll transaction, the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month while contracting with the same party to repurchase similar securities at a future date.

Under normal market conditions the Fund attempts to maintain a weighted average effective maturity for its portfolio securities of fifteen years or less and an average effective duration of three to eight years. The Fund’s weighted average effective maturity and average effective duration are measures of how the value of the Fund’s shares may react to interest rate changes.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: options; futures contracts; options on futures contracts; interest rate caps, collars, and floors; foreign currency contracts; options on foreign currencies; swap agreements, including swap agreements on interest rates, currency rates, security indexes and specific securities, and credit default swap agreements; and options on the foregoing types of swap agreements. The Fund may enter into standardized derivatives contracts traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, and non-standardized derivatives contracts traded in the OTC market. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, currency risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or for speculative purposes in an effort to increase the Fund’s yield or to enhance returns. The Fund may also use derivatives to gain exposure to non-dollar denominated securities markets to the extent it does not do so through direct investments. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions. The Fund may not use any derivative to gain exposure to a security or type of security that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

 

Nuveen Investments     93   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

U.S. Infrastructure Bond

U.S. Infrastructure Bond’s investment objective is to seek current income consistent with limited risk to capital. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in infrastructure-related debt securities of U.S. issuers. Such securities include taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds issued to finance the ownership, development, construction, renovation or operation of infrastructure assets and debt securities issued by, or loans issued to, infrastructure-related companies, which include companies involved in the ownership, development, construction, renovation, financing or operation of infrastructure assets, or that provide the services and raw materials necessary for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure assets.

Infrastructure assets are the physical structures and networks upon which the operation, growth and development of a community depends, which include water, sewer, and energy utilities; transportation and communication networks; health care facilities, schools, government accommodations and other public service facilities; and shipping, timber, steel, alternative energy, and other resources and services necessary for the construction and maintenance of these physical structures and networks.

Municipal bonds in which the Fund invests include obligations issued by U.S. states and their subdivisions, authorities, instrumentalities and corporations, as well as obligations issued by U.S. territories (such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam). The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and participation interests in municipal leases. The Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds, which are issued at substantial discounts from their value at maturity and pay no cash income to their holders until they mature.

The Fund does not seek to provide income exempt from federal income tax. The Fund may invest in both taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds. The Fund does not anticipate investing in tax-exempt bonds to the extent that its dividends will qualify as “exempt-interest dividends” and, as a result, it is expected that the Fund’s dividends will be taxable.

Other debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate debt obligations, including obligations issued by special-purpose entities that are backed by corporate debt obligations, fixed and floating rate loans, including senior loans and secured and unsecured junior loans.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt obligations of non-U.S. issuers, including debt obligations issued by issuers that are located in emerging market countries.

The Fund may invest up to 40% of its net assets in securities rated below investment grade or, if unrated, judged by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality. Such securities are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk” bonds.

The Fund is not subject to any formal restrictions on its average portfolio maturity or duration, or on the duration or maturity of the individual securities in which it invests. However, the Fund generally invests in longer term bonds which are more sensitive to interest rate risk.

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term interest rates (“inverse floaters”). Inverse floaters are derivative securities that provide leveraged exposure to underlying bonds. The Fund’s investments in inverse floaters are designed to increase the Fund’s income and returns through this leveraged exposure. These investments are speculative, however, and also create the possibility that income and returns will be diminished.

The Fund may utilize the following derivatives: options; futures contracts; options on futures contracts; interest rate caps, collars, and floors; foreign currency contracts; options on foreign currencies; swap agreements, including swap agreements on interest rates, currency rates, security indexes and specific securities, and credit default swap agreements; and options on the foregoing types of swap agreements. The Fund may enter into standardized derivatives contracts traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, and non-standardized derivatives contracts traded in the OTC market. The Fund may use these derivatives in an attempt to manage market risk, currency risk, credit risk and yield curve risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or for speculative purposes in an effort to increase the Fund’s yield or to enhance returns. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to enhance returns, rather than offset the risk of other positions.

The Funds’ most recent prospectus provides further descriptions of each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks.

Significant Accounting Policies

Each Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

Investment Transactions

Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the “primary market” is considered the date on which loan allocations are determined. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the “secondary market” is the date on which the transaction is entered into. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are determined on the specific identification method, which is the same basis used for federal income tax purposes. Investments purchased on a when-issued/delayed delivery basis may have extended settlement periods. Any investments so purchased are subject to market fluctuation during this period. The Funds have earmarked securities in their portfolios with a current value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments.

 

  94       Nuveen Investments


As of the end of the reporting period, the following Funds’ outstanding when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments were as follows:

 

        Global Total
Return
Bond
    

Strategic

Income

 
Outstanding when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments      $ 904,359       $ 27,697,754   

Investment Income

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for foreign securities, when information is available. Interest income, which reflects the amortization of premiums and includes accretion of discounts for financial reporting purposes, is recorded on an accrual basis. Interest income also reflects pay down gains and losses, if any. Fee income consists primarily of amendment fees. Amendment fees are earned as compensation for evaluating and accepting changes to an original senior loan agreement and are recognized when received. Fee income and amendment fees, if any, are recognized as a component of “Interest income” on the Statement of Operations. Securities lending income is comprised of fees earned from borrowers and income earned on cash collateral investments, net of lending agent fees.

Professional Fees

Professional fees presented on the Statement of Operations consist of legal fees incurred in the normal course of operations, audit fees, tax consulting fees and, in some cases, workout expenditures. Workout expenditures are incurred in an attempt to protect or enhance an investment or to pursue other claims or legal actions on behalf of Fund shareholders. If a refund is received for workout expenditures paid in a prior reporting period, such amounts will be recognized as “Legal fee refund” on the Statement of Operations.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and distributed to shareholders monthly. Fund shares begin to accrue dividends on the business day after the day when the monies used to purchase Fund shares are collected by the transfer agent.

Net realized capital gains from investment transactions, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders at least annually. Furthermore, capital gains are distributed only to the extent they exceed available capital loss carryforwards.

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Share Classes and Sales Charges

Class A Shares are generally sold with an up-front sales charge and incur a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value (“NAV”) without an up-front sales charge. Class A Share purchases may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1.00% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Class C Shares are sold without an up-front sales charge but incur a 0.75% annual 12b-1 distribution fee and a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within twelve months of purchase. Class R3 Shares are sold without an up-front sales charge but incur a 0.25% annual 12b-1 distribution fee and a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class R6 and Class I Shares are not subject to any sales charge or 12b-1 distribution or service fees.

Multiclass Operations and Allocations

Income and expenses of the Funds that are not directly attributable to a specific class of shares are prorated among the classes based on the relative settled shares of each class. Expenses directly attributable to a class of shares are recorded to the specific class. Currently, the only expenses that are allocated on a class-specific basis are 12b-1 distribution and service fees.

Sub-transfer agent fees, which are recognized as a component of “Shareholder servicing agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, are not charged to Class R6 Shares and are prorated among the other classes based on their relative net assets.

Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the Funds are prorated among the classes based on the relative net assets of each class.

Indemnifications

Under each Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and directors/trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to each Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, each Trust enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. Each Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against each Trust that have not yet occurred. However, each Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Netting Agreements

In the ordinary course of business, the Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable master repurchase agreements (Global Total Return Bond and U.S. Infrastructure Bond only), International Swaps and Derivative Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) master agreements or other similar arrangements

 

Nuveen Investments     95   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

(“netting agreements”). Generally, the right to offset in netting agreements allows each Fund to offset certain securities and derivatives with a specific counterparty as well as any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. Generally, each Fund manages its cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis.

The Funds’ investments subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, if any, are further described in Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

2. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The fair valuation input levels as described below are for fair value measurement purposes.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for 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. 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 following is a summary of the three-tiered hierarchy of valuation input levels.

 

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

Common stocks and other equity-type securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded and are generally classified as Level 1. Securities primarily traded on the NASDAQ National Market (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price and are generally classified as Level 1. However, securities traded on a securities exchange or NASDAQ for which there were no transactions on a given day or securities not listed on a securities exchange or NASDAQ are valued at the quoted bid price and are generally classified as Level 2.

ETFs are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded and are generally classified as Level 1.

Investments in investment companies are valued at their respective NAVs on valuation date and are generally classified as Level 1.

Prices of fixed-income securities are provided by a pricing service approved by the Funds’ Board of Directors/Trustees (the “Board”). The pricing service establishes a security’s fair value using methods that may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing service may consider information about a security, its issuer, or market activity provided by the Adviser. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.

Prices of forward foreign currency exchange contracts and swap contracts are also priced by a pricing service approved by the Board using the same methods as described above, and are generally classified as Level 2.

Futures contracts are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the last traded price and are generally classified as Level 1.

Repurchase agreements are valued at contract amount plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to the U.S. dollar using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Funds’ shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares. If significant market events occur between the time of determination of the closing price of a foreign security on an exchange and the time that the Funds’ NAV is determined, or if under the Funds’ procedures, the closing price of a foreign security is not deemed to be reliable, the security would be valued at fair value as determined in accordance

 

  96       Nuveen Investments


with procedures established in good faith by the Board. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.

Certain securities may not be able to be priced by the pre-established pricing methods as described above. Such securities may be valued by the Board and/or its appointee at fair value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; debt securities that have gone into default and for which there is no current market quotation; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund’s NAV (as may be the case in non-U.S. markets on which the security is primarily traded) or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, is not deemed to reflect the security’s fair value. As a general principle, the fair value of a security would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for it in a current sale. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, which may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs. Regardless of the method employed to value a particular security, all valuations are subject to review by the Board and/or its appointee.

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of each Fund’s fair value measurements as of the end of the reporting period:

 

Global Total Return Bond      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Long-Term Investments*:              

Convertible Preferred Securities

     $ 81,995       $       $   —       $ 81,995   

Corporate Bonds

               6,155,426         ****       6,155,426   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

               938,176                 938,176   

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

               1,014,855                 1,014,855   

Sovereign Debt

               5,520,931                 5,520,931   
Short-Term Investments:              

Repurchase Agreements

               887,323                 887,323   
Investments in Derivatives:              

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts***

               (30,173              (30,173

Interest Rate Swaps***

               (27,895              (27,895

Futures Contracts***

       3,133                         3,133   
Total      $ 85,128       $ 14,458,643       $       $ 14,543,771   

 

High Income Bond                                  
Long-Term Investments*:              

Common Stocks

     $ 834,940       $ 4,410 **     $ 63,845 **     $ 903,195   

Convertible Preferred Securities

       4,277,315                         4,277,315   

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

               22,488,599                 22,488,599   

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

       20,390,076         1,243,302                 21,633,378   

Corporate Bonds

               263,684,592         ****       263,684,592   

Convertible Bonds

               1,850,706                 1,850,706   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

               11,300,376                 11,300,376   

Asset-Backed Securities

               1,020                 1,020   

Investment Companies

       10,114,966                         10,114,966   

Warrants

               67         1,035 **       1,102   
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending        20,019,220                         20,019,220   
Short-Term Investments:              

Money Market Funds

       15,854,091                         15,854,091   
Investments in Derivatives:              

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts***

               355,221                 355,221   

Futures Contracts***

       27,042                         27,042   
Total      $ 71,517,650       $ 300,928,293       $ 64,880      $ 372,510,823   

 

Nuveen Investments     97   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Strategic Income      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Long-Term Investments*:              

Common Stocks

     $       $       $ 5,993 **     $ 5,993   

Convertible Preferred Securities

       983,025                         983,025   

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

               12,282,031                 12,282,031   

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

       240,400         4,196,557                 4,436,957   

Corporate Bonds

               675,251,927         ****       675,251,927   

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

               60,347,871                 60,347,871   

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

               369,172                 369,172   

Asset-Backed Securities

               93,917,665                 93,917,665   

Sovereign Debt

               51,054,893                 51,054,893   
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Lending        119,270,506                         119,270,506   
Short-Term Investments:              

Money Market Funds

       43,922,615                         43,922,615   
Investments in Derivatives:              

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts***

               2,526,919                 2,526,919   

Interest Rate Swaps***

               (2,104,172              (2,104,172

Futures Contracts***

       893,036                         893,036   
Total      $ 165,309,582       $ 897,842,863       $ 5,993      $ 1,063,158,438   
U.S. Infrastructure Bond                                  
Long-Term Investments*:              

Corporate Bonds

     $       $ 2,769,724       $       $ 2,769,724   

Municipal Bonds

               5,249,541                 5,249,541   
Investments in Derivatives:              

Futures Contracts***

       1,177                         1,177   
Total      $ 1,177       $ 8,019,265       $       $ 8,020,442   
* Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for industry, state and country classifications, where applicable.
** Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for securities classified as Level 2 and/or Level 3, where applicable.
*** Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.
**** Value equals zero as of the end of the reporting period. Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for securities classified as Level 3.

The Board is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the oversight of the daily valuation process to the Adviser’s Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the valuation policies and procedures adopted by the Board, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds’ pricing policies and reporting to the Board. The Valuation Committee is aided in its efforts by the Adviser’s dedicated Securities Valuation Team, which is responsible for administering the daily valuation process and applying fair value methodologies as approved by the Valuation Committee. When determining the reliability of independent pricing services for investments owned by the Funds, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of the pricing services and monitors the quality of security prices received through various testing reports conducted by the Securities Valuation Team.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making a fair value determination, based on the facts and circumstances specific to the portfolio instrument. Fair value determinations generally will be derived as follows, using public or private market information:

 

  (i) If available, fair value determinations shall be derived by extrapolating from recent transactions or quoted prices for identical or comparable securities.

 

  (ii) If such information is not available, an analytical valuation methodology may be used based on other available information including, but not limited to: analyst appraisals, research reports, corporate action information, issuer financial statements and shelf registration statements. Such analytical valuation methodologies may include, but are not limited to: multiple of earnings, discount from market value of a similar freely-traded security, discounted cash flow analysis, book value or a multiple thereof, risk premium/yield analysis, yield to maturity and/or fundamental investment analysis.

The purchase price of a portfolio instrument will be used to fair value the instrument only if no other valuation methodology is available or deemed appropriate, and it is determined that the purchase price fairly reflects the instrument’s current value.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such testing and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board.

 

  98       Nuveen Investments


3. Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives

Portfolio Securities

Foreign Currency Transactions

To the extent that the Funds invest in securities and/or contracts that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the Funds will be subject to currency risk, which is the risk that an increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currency will reduce returns or portfolio value. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the Funds’ investments denominated in that currency will lose value because their currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value. Investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars on a spot (i.e. cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and income denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the respective dates of such transactions.

As of the end of the reporting period, Global Total Return Bond’s investments in non-U.S. securities were as follows:

 

Global Total Return Bond      Value      % of
Net Assets
 
Country:        

Mexico

     $ 1,583,875         11.4

Germany

       1,260,945         9.1   

United Kingdom

       879,575         6.3   

Australia

       715,395         5.2   

France

       608,885         4.4   

South Africa

       535,850         3.9   

Italy

       535,586         3.9   

Portugal

       514,553         3.7   

Hungary

       341,969         2.5   

Canada

       298,973         2.2   

Switzerland

       242,467         1.7   

Other

       1,881,458         13.5   
Total non-U.S. securities      $ 9,399,531        67.8

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Investment transactions, income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date of the transactions, foreign currency transactions and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Funds and the amounts actually received.

The realized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with (i) foreign currency (ii) investments (iii) investments in derivatives and (iv) other assets and liabilities are recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from investments and foreign currency” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with (i) investments and (ii) other assets and liabilities are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates associated with investments in derivatives are recognized as a component of the respective derivative’s related “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

Repurchase Agreements

Global Total Return Bond and U.S. Infrastructure Bond are authorized to invest in repurchase agreements. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, it is each Fund’s policy that its custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the fair value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest, at all times. If the counterparty defaults, and the fair value of the collateral declines, realization of the collateral may be delayed or limited.

The following table presents the repurchase agreements for the Funds that are subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, and the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements.

 

Fund   Counterparty   Short-Term
Investments, at Value
    Collateral
Pledged (From)
Counterparty*
    Net
Exposure
 
Global Total Return Bond   Fixed Income Clearing Corporation   $ 887,323      $ (887,323   $   —   
* As of the end of the reporting period, the value of the collateral pledged from the counterparty exceeded the value of the repurchase agreements. Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for details on the repurchase agreements.

 

Nuveen Investments     99   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Securities lending

In order to generate additional income, High Income Bond and Strategic Income may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of each Fund’s total assets (which includes collateral for securities on loan) to broker-dealers, banks or other institutions. When loaning securities, each Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities, including the economic equivalent of dividends or interest generated by the security. Each Fund also has the ability to recall the securities on loan at any time.

Each Fund’s policy is to receive, at the inception of a loan, cash collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of securities loaned, which is recognized as “Payable for collateral from securities lending program” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Collateral for securities on loan is invested in a money market fund, which is recognized as “Investments purchased with collateral from securities lending, at value” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The market value of the securities loaned is determined at the close of each business day in order to determine the adequacy of the collateral. If the value of the securities on loan increases such that the level of collateralization falls below 100%, additional collateral is received from the borrower on the next business day, which is recognized as “Due from broker” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities out on loan are subject to termination at any time at the option of the borrower or the Funds. Upon termination, the borrower is required to return to the Funds securities identical to the securities loaned. Generally, in the event the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the loaned securities, the Funds has the right to use the collateral to acquire identical securities. In the event the Funds is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral, there may be a loss to the Funds. Under each Fund’s securities lending agreement, however, the securities lending agent has indemnified the Fund against losses resulting from borrower default, except to the extent that those losses result from a decrease in the value of the collateral due to its investment by the Fund. The Funds bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of collateral.

The Funds’ custodian, U.S. Bank National Association, serves as its securities lending agent. Each Fund pays the custodian a fee based on its proportional share of the custodian’s expense of operating its securities lending program. Income earned from the securities lending program is paid to the Fund, net of any fees paid. Income from securities lending, net of fees paid, is recognized as “Securities lending income, net” on the Statement of Operations.

The following table presents the securities out on loan for the Funds, and the collateral delivered related to those securities, as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Fund   Asset Class out on Loan   Long-Term
Investments, at Value
    Collateral
Pledged (From)
Counterparty
    Net
Exposure
 

High Income Bond

       
  Common Stocks   $ 111,592      $ (111,592   $   —   
  Convertible Preferred Securities     652,123        (652,123       
  $25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred     5,060        (5,060       
  Corporate Bonds     17,008,839        (17,008,839       
    $1,000 Par or Similar Institutional Preferred     1,459,979        (1,459,979       
    Total     19,237,593        (19,237,593       

Strategic Income

       
  Convertible Preferred Securities     6,587        (6,587       
  Corporate Bonds     100,072,400        (100,072,400       
  $1,000 Par or Similar Institutional Preferred     10,205,052        (10,205,052       
    Sovereign Debt     4,498,239        (4,498,239       
    Total     114,782,278        (114,782,278       

Securities lending fees paid by each Fund during the current fiscal period were as follows:

 

     High Income
Bond
     Strategic
Income
 
Securities lending fees paid   $ 31,534      $ 41,302   

Zero Coupon Securities

A zero coupon security does not pay a regular interest coupon to its holders during the life of the security. Income to the holder of the security comes from accretion of the difference between the original purchase price of the security at issuance and the par value of the security at maturity and is effectively paid at maturity. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

Investments in Derivatives

Each Fund is authorized to invest in certain derivative instruments. The Funds record derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Funds’ investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes.

 

  100       Nuveen Investments


Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

Each Fund is authorized to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contract”) under two circumstances: (i) when a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency to “lock in” the U.S. exchange rate of the transaction, with such period being a short-dated contract covering the period between transaction date and settlement date; or (ii) when the Sub-Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may experience a substantial movement against the U.S. dollar or against another foreign currency.

A forward contract is an agreement between two parties to purchase or sell a specified quantity of a currency at or before a specified date in the future at a specified price. Forward contracts are typically traded in the OTC markets and all details of the contract are negotiated between the counterparties to the agreement. Accordingly, the forward contracts are valued by reference to the contracts traded in the OTC markets. The contractual obligations of a buyer or seller may generally be satisfied by taking or making physical delivery of the underlying currency, establishing an opposite position in the contract and recognizing the profit or loss on both positions simultaneously on the delivery date or, in some instances, paying a cash settlement before the designated date of delivery.

Forward contracts are valued daily at the forward rate. The net amount recorded on these transactions for each counterparty is recognized as a component of “Unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts (, net)” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in value of the forward contracts during the reporting period is recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of forward foreign currency exchange contracts” on the Statement of Operations. When the contract is closed or offset with the same counterparty, a Fund recognizes the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was entered and the value at the time it was closed or offset as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from forward foreign currency exchange contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Forward contracts will generally not be entered into for terms greater than three months, but may have maturities of up to six months or more. The use of forward contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of a Fund’s investment securities; however, it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. The use of forward contracts involves the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted. A forward contract would limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a particular currency; however, it also would limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase instead of decrease. These contracts may involve market risk in excess of the unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Forward contracts are subject to counterparty risk if the counterparty fails to perform as specified in the contract due to financial impairment or other reason.

During the current fiscal period, Global Total Return Bond, High Income Bond and Strategic Income invested in forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Global Total Return Bond used foreign currency exchange contracts to gain exposure to selected foreign currencies, and in some cases, to hedge the currency risk present in a foreign bond. High Income Bond and Strategic Income used forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage foreign currency exposure. For example, High Income Bond and Strategic Income may reduce unwanted currency exposure from their portfolios, or may take long forward positions in select currencies in an attempt to benefit from the potential price appreciation.

The average notional amount of forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding during the current fiscal period was as follows:

 

        Global Total
Return
Bond
       High Income
Bond
       Strategic
Income
 
Average notional amount of forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding*      $ 13,434,871         $ 47,519,217         $ 201,298,682   
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.

The following table presents the fair value of all forward foreign currency exchange contracts held by the Funds as of the end of the reporting period, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

           

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
           

Asset Derivatives

       (Liability) Derivatives  
Underlying
Risk Exposure
   Derivative Instrument      Location      Value        Location      Value  

Global Total Return Bond

                      

Foreign currency exchange rate

   Forward contracts      Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net      $ 21,232         Unrealized depreciation on
forward foreign currency
exchange contracts
     $ (46,594

Foreign currency exchange rate

   Forward contracts      Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net        (4,811               

Total

                 $ 16,421                $ (46,594

 

Nuveen Investments     101   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

           

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
           

Asset Derivatives

       (Liability) Derivatives  
Underlying
Risk Exposure
   Derivative Instrument      Location      Value        Location      Value  

High Income Bond

                      

Foreign currency exchange rate

   Forward contracts      Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net      $ 520,587              $   —   

Foreign currency exchange rate

   Forward contracts      Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net        (165,366               

Total

                 $ 355,221                $   

Strategic Income

                      

Foreign currency exchange rate

   Forward contracts      Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net      $ 2,527,125              $   —   

Foreign currency exchange rate

   Forward contracts      Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, net        (206               

Total

                 $ 2,526,919                $   

The following table presents the forward foreign currency exchange contracts subject to netting agreements and the collateral delivered related to those forward foreign currency exchange contracts as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Fund    Counterparty   Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation on
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts*
    Gross
Unrealized
(Depreciation) on
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts*
    Amounts
Netted on
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) on
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
    Collateral
Pledged
to (from)
Counterparty
    Net
Exposure
 
Global Total Return Bond            
  

Bank of America, N.A.

  $ 11,193      $ (2,539   $ (2,539   $ 8,654      $      $ 8,654   
  

Citibank, National Association

    2,340                      2,340               2,340   
  

Deutsche Bank AG

           (17,360            (17,360            (17,360
  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

           (29,234            (29,234            (29,234
    

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    7,699        (2,272     (2,272     5,427               5,427   

Total

       $ 21,232      $ (51,405 )   $ (4,811   $ (30,173 )   $      $ (30,173
High Income Bond            
  

Bank of America, N.A.

  $ 113,499      $ (45,788   $ (45,788   $ 67,711      $      $ 67,711   
  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    108,550        (20,925     (20,925     87,625               87,625   
    

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

    298,538        (98,653     (98,653     199,885        (199,885       

Total

       $ 520,587      $ (165,366 )   $ (165,366   $ 355,221     $ (199,885   $ 155,336   

Strategic Income

           
  

Bank of America, N.A.

  $ 355,249      $ (206   $ (206   $ 355,043      $ (355,043   $   
  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

    128,788                      128,788        (128,788       
    

Nomura International PLC

    2,043,088                      2,043,088        (1,900,000     143,088   

Total

       $ 2,527,125      $ (206 )   $ (206   $ 2,526,919     $ (2,383,831   $ 143,088   
* Represents gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the counterparty as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized on forward foreign currency exchange contracts on the Statement of Operations during the current fiscal period, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Fund   Underlying
Risk Exposure
  Derivative
Instrument
  Net Realized
Gain (Loss) from
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
    Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) of
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
 
Global Total Return Bond   Foreign currency exchange rate   Forward contracts   $ 206,968      $ 77,055   
High Income Bond   Foreign currency exchange rate   Forward contracts     1,991,908        182,103   
Strategic Income   Foreign currency exchange rate   Forward contracts     11,065,782        1,919,659   

 

  102       Nuveen Investments


Futures Contracts

Upon execution of a futures contract, a Fund is obligated to deposit cash or eligible securities, also known as “initial margin,” into an account at its clearing broker equal to a specified percentage of the contract amount. Cash held by the broker to cover initial margin requirements on open futures contracts, if any, is recognized as “Cash collateral at brokers” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Investments in futures contracts obligate a Fund and the clearing broker to settle monies on a daily basis representing changes in the prior days “mark-to-market” of the open contracts. If a Fund has unrealized appreciation the clearing broker would credit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to appreciation and conversely if a Fund has unrealized depreciation the clearing broker would debit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to depreciation. These daily cash settlements are also known as “variation margin.” Variation margin is recognized as a receivable and/or payable for “Variation margin on futures contracts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as an unrealized gain or loss by “marking-to-market” on a daily basis to reflect the changes in market value of the contract, which is recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations. When the contract is closed or expired, a Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract on the closing date and value of the contract when originally entered into, which is recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Risks of investments in futures contracts include the possible adverse movement in the price of the securities or indices underlying the contracts, the possibility that there may not be a liquid secondary market for the contracts and/or that a change in the value of the contract may not correlate with a change in the value of the underlying securities or indices.

During the current fiscal period, each of the Funds invested in futures contracts. Global Total Return Bond and Strategic Income used U.S. Treasury and Eurodollar futures as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage portfolio duration and yield curve exposure; using selected foreign bond futures to actively manage exposure to those markets. High Income Bond used U.S. Treasury futures as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage portfolio duration and yield curve exposure. U.S. Infrastructure Bond shorted U.S. Treasury futures to hedge against potential increases in interest rates.

The average notional amount of futures contracts outstanding during the current fiscal period was as follows:

 

        Global Total
Return
Bond
     High Income
Bond
     Strategic
Income
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Average notional amount of futures contracts outstanding*      $ 2,299,601       $ 39,360,748       $ 249,858,667       $ 1,077,854   
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the absolute aggregate notional amount of contracts outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.

The following table presents the fair value of all futures contracts held by the Funds as of the end of the reporting period, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

           

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
           

Asset Derivatives

       (Liability) Derivatives  
Underlying
Risk Exposure
   Derivative Instrument      Location      Value        Location      Value  

Global Total Return Bond

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts     

     $         Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
     $ 3,133   

High Income Bond

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts     

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*

     $ (10,618      Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
     $ 37,660   

Strategic Income

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts      Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*      $ 298,950              $   

Interest rate

   Futures contracts      Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*        (17,271      Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
       611,357   

Total

                 $ 281,679                $ 611,357  

U.S. Infrastructure Bond

                      

Interest rate

   Futures contracts           $         Payable for variation margin
on futures contracts*
     $ 1,177   
* Value represents unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments and not the asset and/or liability derivatives location as described in the table above.

 

Nuveen Investments     103   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized on futures contracts on the Statement of Operations during the current fiscal period, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Fund   Underlying
Risk Exposure
  Derivative
Instrument
  Net Realized
Gain (Loss) from
Futures Contracts
    Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) of
Futures Contracts
 
Global Total Return Bond   Interest rate   Futures contracts   $ (5,490   $ (19,688
High Income Bond   Interest rate   Futures contracts     25,266        302,559   
Strategic Income   Interest rate   Futures contracts     (2,646,881     1,296,817   
U.S. Infrastructure Bond   Interest rate   Futures contracts     (12,194     (28,119

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

Interest rate swap contracts involve a Fund’s agreement with the counterparty to pay or receive a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty receiving or paying a variable rate payment. Forward interest rate swap contracts involve a Fund’s agreement with a counterparty to pay, in the future, a fixed or variable rate payment in exchange for the counterparty paying the Fund a variable or fixed rate payment, the accruals for which would begin at a specified date in the future (the “effective date”). The amount of the payment obligation is based on the notional amount of the swap contract. Swap contracts do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to the swap counterparty on such transactions is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is to receive.

Interest rate swap contracts are valued daily. Upon entering into an interest rate swap contract (and beginning on the effective date for a forward interest rate swap contract), a Fund accrues the fixed rate payment expected to be paid or received and the variable rate payment expected to be received or paid on the interest rate swap contracts on a daily basis, and recognizes the daily change in the fair value of the Fund’s contractual rights and obligations under the contracts. For OTC swaps, the net amount recorded on these transactions, for each counterparty, is recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a component of “Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on interest rate swaps (, net).”

Upon the execution of an exchanged-cleared swap contract, in certain instances a Fund is obligated to deposit cash or eligible securities, also known as “initial margin,” into an account at its clearing broker equal to a specified percentage of the contract amount. Cash held by the broker to cover initial margin requirements on open swap contracts, if any, is recognized as “Cash collateral at brokers” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Investments in exchange-cleared interest rate swap contracts obligate a Fund and the clearing broker to settle monies on a daily basis representing changes in the prior day’s “mark-to-market” of the swap contract. If a Fund has unrealized appreciation, the clearing broker will credit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to the appreciation. Conversely, if the Fund has unrealized depreciation, the clearing broker will debit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to the depreciation. These daily cash settlements are also known as “variation margin.” Variation margin is recognized as a receivable and/or payable for “Variation margin on swap contracts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The net amount of periodic payments settled in cash are recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from swaps” on the Statement of Operations, in addition to the net realized gain or loss recorded upon the termination of the swap contract. For tax purposes, payments expected to be received or paid on the swap contacts are treated as ordinary income or expense, respectively.

Changes in the value of the swap contracts during the fiscal period are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swaps.” In certain instances, payments are made or received upon entering into the swap contract to compensate for differences between the stated terms of the swap agreements and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other relevant factors). Payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period, if any, are recognized as “Interest rate swaps premiums paid and/or received” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

During the current fiscal period, Global Total Return Bond, High Income Bond and Strategic Income invested in interest rate swap contracts as part of an overall portfolio construction strategy to manage duration and overall portfolio yield curve exposure.

The average notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding during the current fiscal period was as follows:

 

        Global Total
Return
Bond
     High Income
Bond
     Strategic
Income
 
Average notional amount of interest rate swap contracts outstanding*      $ 866,667       $ 37,333,333       $ 103,133,333   
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.

Credit Default Swap Contracts

A Fund may enter into a credit default swap contract to seek to maintain a total return on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. Credit default swap contracts involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return if/when there is a credit event by a third party. Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, failure to pay, or restructuring. The specific credit events applicable for each credit default swap are stated in the terms of the particular swap agreement. Upon occurrence of a specific credit event with respect to the underlying referenced entity, the Fund will either (i) receive that security, or an equivalent amount of cash, from the counterparty in exchange for payment of the notional amount to the counterparty, or

 

  104       Nuveen Investments


(ii) pay a net settlement amount of the credit default swap contract less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. The difference between the value of the security delivered and the notional amount received is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are recognized as a component of “Credit default swaps premiums paid and/or received” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, when applicable.

Credit default swap contracts are valued daily. Changes in the value of a credit default swap during the fiscal period are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swaps” and realized gains and losses are recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from swaps” on the Statement of Operations.

For over-the-counter swaps, the daily change in the market value of the swap contract, along with any daily interest fees accrued, are recognized as components of “Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on credit default swaps (, net)” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Investments in swaps cleared through an exchange obligate a Fund and the clearing broker to settle monies on a daily basis representing changes in the prior days “mark-to-market” of the swap. If a Fund has unrealized appreciation the clearing broker would credit the Fund’s account with an amount equal to the appreciation and conversely if a Fund has unrealized depreciation the clearing broker would debit a Fund’s account with an amount equal to the depreciation. These daily cash settlements are also known as “variation margin.” Variation margin is recognized as a receivable and/or payable for “Variation margin on swap contracts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Fund could incur as a buyer of protection in a credit default swap contract is limited to the notional amount of the contract. The maximum potential amount would be offset by the recovery value, if any, of the respective referenced entity. In certain instances, a Fund is obligated to deposit cash or eligible securities, also known as “initial margin,” into an account at its clearing broker equal to a specified percentage of the contract amount. Cash held by the broker to cover initial margin requirements on open swap contracts, if any, is recognized as “Cash collateral at brokers” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

During the current fiscal period, Global Total Return Bond and Strategic Income invested in credit default swap contracts. Global Total Return Bond and Strategic Income used High Yield CDX swaps as a way to take on credit risk and earn a commensurate credit spread.

The average notional amount of credit default swap contracts outstanding during the current fiscal period was as follows:

 

        Global Total
Return
Bond**
    
Strategic
Income
 
Average notional amount of credit default swap contracts outstanding*      $   —       $ 4,666,667   
* The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional at the beginning of the fiscal period and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal period.
** The Fund did not hold any credit default swaps at the beginning of the fiscal year or at the end of any quarter within the current fiscal period.

The following table presents the fair value of all swap contracts held by the Funds as of the end of the reporting period, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

          

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
   

Derivative Instrument

    

Asset Derivatives

       (Liability) Derivatives  
Underlying
Risk Exposure
       Location      Value        Location      Value  

Global Total Return Bond

                                   

Interest rate

  Swaps (Exchange-Cleared)     

     $         Payable for variation margin
on swap contracts*
     $ (23,100

Interest rate

 

Swaps (OTC)

    

               Unrealized depreciation on
interest rate swaps
       (4,795

Total

                $                $ (27,895
Strategic Income                                    

Interest Rate

  Swaps (Exchange-Cleared)      Receivable for variation margin on swap contracts*      $ (1,458,532           $   

Interest Rate

  Swaps (OTC)                     Unrealized depreciation on
interest rate swaps
       (645,640

Total

                $ (1,458,532 )             $ (645,640
* Value represents unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swaps as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments and not the asset and/or liability derivative location as described in the table above.

 

Nuveen Investments     105   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

The following table presents the swap contacts subject to netting agreements and the collateral delivered related to those swap contracts as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Fund    Counterparty    Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation on
Interest Rate
Swaps***
     Gross
Unrealized
(Depreciation) on
Interest Rate
Swaps***
     Amounts
Netted on
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) on
Interest Rate
Swaps
     Collateral
Pledged
to (from)
Counterparty
     Net
Exposure
 
Global Total Return Bond                     
     JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    $   —       $ (4,795    $   —       $ (4,795    $       $ (4,795
Strategic Income                     
     JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    $       $ (645,640    $       $ (645,640    $ 645,640       $   
*** Represents gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the counterparty as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized on swap contracts on the Statement of Operations during the current fiscal period, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

Fund   Underlying
Risk Exposure
  Derivative
Instrument
  Net Realized
Gain (Loss) from
Swaps
    Change in Net
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation) of
Swaps
 
Global Total Return Bond      
  Credit   Swaps   $ (18,736   $   
    Interest rate   Swaps            (26,647
Total           $ (18,736   $ (26,647
High Income Bond        
    Interest rate   Swaps   $ (1,288,860   $ 250,790   
Strategic Income        
  Credit   Swaps   $ (647,632   $   
    Interest rate   Swaps     (3,222,308     (274,558
Total           $ (3,869,940   $ (274,558

Market and Counterparty Credit Risk

In the normal course of business each Fund may invest in financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to the transaction to perform (counterparty credit risk). The potential loss could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded on the financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose each Fund to counterparty credit risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties on forward, option and swap transactions, when applicable. The extent of each Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk in respect to these financial assets approximates their carrying value as recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Each Fund helps manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties. Additionally, counterparties may be required to pledge collateral daily (based on the daily valuation of the financial asset) on behalf of each Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain above a pre-determined threshold. Reciprocally, when each Fund has an unrealized loss, the Funds have instructed the custodian to pledge assets of the Funds as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss above a pre-determined threshold. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the valuations fluctuate, either up or down, by at least the pre-determined threshold amount.

 

  106       Nuveen Investments


4. Fund Shares

Transactions in Fund shares during the current and prior fiscal period were as follows:

 

       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
Global Total Return Bond      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       7,240         $ 129,857           33,410         $ 663,020   

Class C

       1,274           22,531           3,771           75,939   

Class R3

                                       

Class I

       2,670           48,488           17,049           339,170   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       1,720           30,696           4,268           83,527   

Class C

       132           2,362           360           7,063   

Class R3

       3           56           9           168   

Class I

       2,178           39,413           13,892           273,301   
         15,217           273,403           72,759           1,442,188   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (16,798        (299,138        (15,528        (302,329

Class C

       (1,020        (18,680        (2,786        (56,510

Class R3

                                     (2

Class I

       (222,358        (4,008,670        (16,704        (329,207
         (240,176        (4,326,488        (35,018        (688,048
Net increase (decrease)        (224,959      $ (4,053,085        37,741         $ 754,140   
       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
High Income Bond      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       9,294,000         $ 70,029,308           20,579,913         $ 179,760,260   

Class C

       465,187           3,443,507           1,237,977           10,700,119   

Class R3

       25,647           198,430           57,519           514,788   

Class I

       7,317,161           55,227,497           32,641,176           286,242,639   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       486,520           3,624,218           1,136,540           9,756,311   

Class C

       162,791           1,214,747           380,202           3,252,087   

Class R3

       3,353           25,544           7,898           69,117   

Class I

       517,246           3,890,073           1,453,361           12,486,374   
         18,271,905           137,653,324           57,494,586           502,781,695   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (11,095,306        (81,369,685        (29,786,857        (259,748,690

Class C

       (1,713,662        (12,726,261        (2,641,731        (22,651,623

Class R3

       (28,687        (215,148        (62,900        (537,346

Class I

       (29,034,064        (215,693,815        (57,301,772        (496,675,701
         (41,871,719        (310,004,909        (89,793,260        (779,613,360
Net increase (decrease)        (23,599,814      $ (172,351,585        (32,298,674      $ (276,831,665

 

Nuveen Investments     107   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
Strategic Income      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       2,461,272         $ 26,212,639           22,233,359         $ 252,302,027   

Class C

       801,270           8,472,788           6,832,580           77,016,680   

Class R3

       262,860           2,788,636           930,153           10,536,994   

Class R6

       1,601,985           16,919,904           1,927,736           21,625,297   

Class I

       6,637,017           70,570,406           39,093,277           442,796,623   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       586,989           6,204,176           874,773           9,870,223   

Class C

       169,569           1,780,185           247,639           2,777,282   

Class R3

       18,311           194,853           31,479           356,678   

Class R6

       61,589           648,093           33,785           377,964   

Class I

       658,698           6,962,143           1,184,390           13,362,708   
         13,259,560           140,753,823           73,389,171           831,022,476   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (6,615,393        (70,003,712        (7,902,380        (89,477,691

Class C

       (1,575,884        (16,540,748        (1,125,835        (12,594,984

Class R3

       (567,023        (5,993,530        (304,433        (3,451,611

Class R6

       (341,550        (3,657,152        (91,956        (1,035,000

Class I

       (23,783,259        (251,041,590        (22,515,883        (253,118,258
         (32,883,109        (347,236,732        (31,940,487        (359,677,544
Net increase (decrease)        (19,623,549      $ (206,482,909        41,448,684         $ 471,344,932   
       Six Months Ended
12/31/15
       Year Ended
6/30/15
 
U.S. Infrastructure Bond      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       15,656         $ 304,952           10,805         $ 219,867   

Class C

                           1,230           25,000   

Class I

       10,159           198,712           71,062           1,450,879   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       379           7,336           195           3,950   

Class C

       19           364           18           379   

Class I

       1,291           25,090           1,138           23,090   
         27,504           536,454           84,448           1,723,165   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (1,471        (28,842        (503        (10,250

Class C

       (1,249        (23,979        (18        (379

Class I

       (12,272        (239,425        (18,972        (381,440
         (14,992        (292,246        (19,493        (392,069
Net increase (decrease)        12,512         $ 244,208           64,955         $ 1,331,096   

5. Investment Transactions

Long-term purchases and sales (including maturities but excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities lending and derivative transactions) during the current fiscal period were as follows:

 

        Global
Total Return
Bond
     High Income
Bond
     Strategic
Income
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Purchases:              

Investment securities

     $ 3,501,741       $ 162,887,120       $ 195,545,515       $ 849,467   

U.S. Government and agency obligations

       4,663,589                 69,426,193           
Sales and maturities:              

Investment securities

     $ 7,383,906       $ 350,837,450       $ 403,256,023       $ 666,099   

U.S. Government and agency obligations

       4,490,919                 49,746,563           

 

  108       Nuveen Investments


6. Income Tax Information

Each Fund is a separate taxpayer for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders and to otherwise comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

For all open tax years and all major taxing jurisdictions, management of the Funds has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e., generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Funds is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts as detailed below. Temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the NAVs of the Funds.

As of December 31, 2015, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments (excluding investments in derivatives), as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

        Global
Total Return
Bond
       High Income
Bond
       Strategic
Income
       U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Cost of investments      $ 15,792,180         $ 465,630,910         $ 1,131,616,059         $ 8,253,422   
Gross unrealized:                    

Appreciation

     $ 158,179         $ 1,777,129         $ 12,265,163         $ 104,634   

Depreciation

       (1,351,653        (95,279,479        (82,038,567        (338,791
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments      $ (1,193,474      $ (93,502,350      $ (69,773,404      $ (234,157

Permanent differences, primarily due to federal taxes paid, treatment of notional principal contracts, nondeductible stock issuance costs, distribution reallocation, adjustments for investments in real estate investment trusts, investments in partnerships and foreign currency transactions resulted in reclassifications among the Funds’ components of net assets as of June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end, as follows:

 

        Global
Total Return
Bond
       High Income
Bond
       Strategic
Income
       U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Capital paid-in      $         $ 2,671         $ 11,280         $ (152
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income        (601,697        6,585,134           10,120,812           2,207   
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)        601,697           (6,587,805        (10,132,092        (2,055

The tax components of undistributed net ordinary income and net long-term capital gains as of June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end, were as follows:

 

        Global
Total Return
Bond
       High Income
Bond
       Strategic
Income
       U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Undistributed net ordinary income1      $ 76,666         $ 6,128,479         $ 21,235,649         $ 47,620   
Undistributed net long-term capital gains                                        
1  Undistributed net ordinary income (on a tax basis) has not been reduced for the dividend declared during the period June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 and paid on July 1, 2015. Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the Funds’ last tax year ended June 30, 2015, was designated for purposes of the dividends paid deduction as follows:

 

       

Global
Total Return

Bond

       High Income
Bond
       Strategic
Income
       U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Distributions from net ordinary income2      $ 987,815         $ 54,503,646         $ 50,714,515         $ 328,659   
Distributions from net long-term capital gains        156,028           5,641,156                       
2  Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains, if any.

 

Nuveen Investments     109   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end, the following Funds had unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any. If not applied, the carryforwards will expire as shown in the following table. The losses not subject to expiration will be utilized first by a Fund.

 

       

Global
Total Return

Bond

     Strategic
Income
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Expiration June 30, 2018      $       $ 35,110,019       $   
Not subject to expiration        136,207         8,596,300         75,108   
Total      $ 136,207       $ 43,706,319       $ 75,108   

The Funds have elected to defer late-year losses in accordance with federal income tax rules. These losses are treated as having arisen on the first day of the current fiscal year. The following Funds have elected to defer losses as follows:

 

        Global
Total Return
Bond
     High Income
Bond
 
Post-October capital losses3      $       $ 29,845,915   
Late-year ordinary losses4        544,566           
3  Capital losses incurred from November 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, the Funds’ last tax year end.
4  Ordinary losses incurred from January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 and/or specified losses incurred from November 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

7. Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Each Fund’s management fee compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services and general office facilities. The Sub-Adviser is compensated for its services to the Funds from the management fees paid to the Adviser.

Each Fund’s management fee consists of two components – a fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within each individual Fund, and a complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets managed by the Adviser. This pricing structure enables each Fund’s shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within their respective Fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by the Adviser.

The annual Fund-level fee, payable monthly, for each Fund is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Net Assets      Global Total
Return Bond
       High Income
Bond
       Strategic
Income
       U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
For the first $125 million        0.4000        0.4000        0.3600        0.4500
For the next $125 million        0.3875           0.3875           0.3475           0.4375   
For the next $250 million        0.3750           0.3750           0.3350           0.4250   
For the next $500 million        0.3625           0.3625           0.3225           0.4125   
For the next $1 billion        0.3500           0.3500           0.3100           0.4000   
For net assets over $2 billion        0.3250           0.3250           0.2850           0.3875   

 

  110       Nuveen Investments


The annual complex-level fee, payable monthly, for each Fund is determined by taking the complex-level fee rate, which is based on the aggregate amount of “eligible assets” of all Nuveen funds as set forth in the schedule below, and for High Income Bond and Strategic Income, making, as appropriate, an upward adjustment to that rate based upon the percentage of the particular fund’s assets that are not “eligible assets.” The complex-level fee schedule for each Fund is as follows:

 

Complex-Level Asset Breakpoint Level*      Effective Rate at Breakpoint Level  
$55 billion        0.2000
$56 billion        0.1996   
$57 billion        0.1989   
$60 billion        0.1961   
$63 billion        0.1931   
$66 billion        0.1900   
$71 billion        0.1851   
$76 billion        0.1806   
$80 billion        0.1773   
$91 billion        0.1691   
$125 billion        0.1599   
$200 billion        0.1505   
$250 billion        0.1469   
$300 billion        0.1445   
* The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily “eligible assets” of all Nuveen funds. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of $2 billion added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with the Adviser’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011. Eligible assets include closed-end fund assets managed by the Adviser that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the closed-end funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by the TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by the Adviser as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining eligible assets in certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2015, the complex-level fee for each Fund was as follows:

 

Fund      Complex-Level Fee  

Global Total Return Bond

       0.1639

High Income Bond

       0.2000   

Strategic Income

       0.1872   

U.S. Infrastructure Bond

       0.1639   

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (“Expense Cap”) of the following Funds so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares in the amounts and for the time periods stated in the following table:

 

Fund      Expense Cap        Expense Cap
Expiration Date

Global Total Return Bond

       0.75      October 31, 2016

Strategic Income

       0.59         October 31, 2016

U.S. Infrastructure Bond

       0.74         October 31, 2017

Neither Trust pays compensation directly to those of its directors/trustees who are affiliated with the Adviser or to its officers, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to each Trust from the Adviser or its affiliates. The Board has adopted a deferred compensation plan for independent directors/trustees that enable directors/trustees to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to receive from certain Nuveen-advised funds. Under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar amounts had been invested in shares of select Nuveen-advised funds.

During the current fiscal period, Nuveen Securities, LLC. (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen, collected sales charges on purchases of Class A Shares, the majority of which were paid out as concessions to financial intermediaries as follows:

 

     Global
Total Return
Bond
     High Income
Bond
     Strategic
Income
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Sales charges collected   $ 1,965       $ 150,030       $ 108,449       $ 9,377   
Paid to financial intermediaries     1,701         133,454         96,654         8,200   

The Distributor also received 12b-1 service fees on Class A Shares, substantially all of which were paid to compensate financial intermediaries for providing services to shareholders relating to their investments.

 

Nuveen Investments     111   


Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

 

During the current fiscal period, the Distributor compensated financial intermediaries directly with commission advances at the time of purchase as follows:

 

     Global
Total Return
Bond
     High Income
Bond
     Strategic
Income
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Commission advances   $   —       $ 36,319       $ 90,744       $   —   

To compensate for commissions advanced to financial intermediaries, all 12b-1 service and distribution fees collected on Class C Shares during the first year following a purchase are retained by the Distributor. During the current fiscal period, the Distributor retained such 12b-1 fees as follows:

 

     Global
Total Return
Bond
     High Income
Bond
     Strategic
Income
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
12b-1 fees retained   $ 530       $ 16,992       $ 248,519       $ 446   

The remaining 12b-1 fees charged to the Funds were paid to compensate financial intermediaries for providing services to shareholders relating to their investments.

The Distributor also collected and retained CDSC on share redemptions during the current fiscal period as follows:

 

        Global
Total Return
Bond
       High Income
Bond
       Strategic
Income
       U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
CDSC retained      $   —         $ 5,726         $ 24,550         $ 141   

As of the end of the reporting period, Nuveen owned shares of the following Funds:

 

     Global
Total Return
Bond
     U.S. Infrastructure
Bond
 
Class A Shares             2,500   
Class C Shares     2,280         2,500   
Class R3 Shares     2,280           
Class I Shares     676,175         345,000   

8. Borrowing Arrangements

During the current fiscal period, the Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Adviser (“Participating Funds”), established a 364-day, $2.53 billion standby credit facility with a group of lenders, under which the Participating Funds may borrow for various purposes other than leveraging for investment purposes. A large portion of this facility’s capacity (and its associated costs as described below) is currently dedicated for use by a small number of Participating Funds, which includes High Income Bond. The remaining capacity under the facility (and the corresponding portion of the facility’s annual costs) is separately dedicated to most of the other open-end funds in the Nuveen fund family, including Global Total Return, Strategic Income and U.S. Infrastructure Bond, along with a number of Nuveen closed-end funds. The credit facility expires in July 2016 unless extended or renewed.

The credit facility has the following terms: a fee of 0.15% per annum on unused commitment amounts, and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Fed Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations, and along with commitment fees, have been allocated among such Participating Funds based upon the relative proportions of the facility’s aggregate capacity reserved for them and other factors deemed relevant by the Adviser and the Board of each Participating Fund.

During December 2015, High Income Bond utilized the facility at an average daily balance and average annual interest rate of $20,539,855 and 1.59%, respectively. None of the other Funds utilized this facility.

 

  112       Nuveen Investments


Additional

Fund Information

 

 

Fund Manager

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Sub-Adviser

Nuveen Asset Management, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Custodian

State Street Bank & Trust
Company

Boston, MA 02111

 

U.S. Bank National
Association

Milwaukee, WI 53202

  

Legal Counsel

Chapman and Cutler LLP

Chicago, IL 60603

  

Transfer Agent and
Shareholder Services

Boston Financial
Data Services

Nuveen Investor Services

P.O. Box 8530

Boston, MA 02266-8530

(800) 257-8787

  

 

 

             
  Quarterly Form N-Q Portfolio of Investments Information: Each Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. You may obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov or in person at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call the SEC toll-free at (800) SEC-0330 for room hours and operation.  
        

 

  Nuveen Funds’ Proxy Voting Information: You may obtain (i) information regarding how each fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll-free at (800) 257-8787 or on Nuveen’s website at www.nuveen.com and (ii) a description of the policies and procedures that each fund used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll-free at (800) 257-8787. You may also obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov.  

 

             
  FINRA BrokerCheck: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides information regarding the disciplinary history of FINRA member firms and associated investment professionals. This information as well as an investor brochure describing FINRA BrokerCheck is available to the public by calling the FINRA BrokerCheck Hotline number at (800) 289-9999 or by visiting www.FINRA.org.  

 

Nuveen Investments     113   


Glossary of Terms

Used in this Report

 

Asset-Backed Securities (ABS): Securities whose value and income payments are derived from and collateralized by a specific pool of underlying assets. The pool of assets typically is a group of small and/or illiquid assets that may be difficult to sell individually. The underlying pools of asset-backed securities often include payments from credit cards, auto loans or mortgage loans.

Average Annual Total Return: This is a commonly used method to express an investment’s performance over a particular, usually multi-year time period. It expresses the return that would have been necessary each year to equal the investment’s actual cumulative performance (including change in NAV or offer price and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, if any) over the time period being considered.

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index: An unmanaged index that includes all investment-grade, publicly issued, fixed-rate, dollar denominated, nonconvertible debt issues and commercial mortgage-backed securities with maturities of at least one year and outstanding par values of $150 million or more. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays Global Aggregate Unhedged Bond Index: An index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment grade fixed-rate debt markets. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index: An issuer-constrained version of the U.S. Corporate High-Yield Index that covers the U.S. dollar denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays Taxable Municipal Aggregate Eligible Index: A rules based, market-value weighted index engineered for the long-term taxable bond market. To be included in the index, the bonds must meet the eligibility requirements of the U.S. Aggregate Index. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index: An index that covers the U.S. dollar-denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Barclays U.S. Corporate Investment Grade Index: A broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS): Commercial mortgage-backed securities are backed by cash flows of a mortgage or pool of mortgages on commercial real estate. CMBS generally are structured to provide protection to the senior class investors against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. CMBS are typically characterized by the following: i) loans on multi-family housing, non-residential property, ii) payments based on the amortization schedule of 25-30 years with a balloon payment due usually after 10 years, and iii) restrictions on prepayments.

Duration: Duration is a measure of the expected period over which a bond’s principal and interest will be paid, and consequently is a measure of the sensitivity of a bond’s or bond fund’s value to changes when market interest rates change. Generally, the longer a bond’s or fund’s duration, the more the price of the bond or fund will change as interest rates change.

Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized total return for all reporting funds in the Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

 

  114       Nuveen Investments


Lipper Global Income Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Global Income Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charge.

Lipper High Current Yield Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper High Current Yield Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charge.

Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charge.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS): Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are bonds backed by pools of mortgages, usually with similar characteristics, and which return principal and interest in each payment. MBS are composed of residential mortgages (RMBS) or commercial mortgages (CMBS). RMBS are further divided into agency RMBS and non-agency RMBS, depending on the issuer.

Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share: A fund’s Net Assets is equal to its total assets (securities, cash and accrued earnings) less its total liabilities. For funds with multiple classes, Net Assets are determined separately for each share class. NAV per share is equal to the fund’s (or share class’) Net Assets divided by its number of shares outstanding.

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS): Residential mortgage-backed securities are securities the payments on which depend primarily on the cash flow from residential mortgage loans made to borrowers that are secured by residential real estate. RMBS consist of agency and non-agency RMBS. Agency RMBS have agency guarantees that assure investors that they will receive timely payment of interest and principal, regardless of delinquency or default rates on the underlying loans. Agency RMBS include securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and other federal agencies, or issues guaranteed by them. Non-agency RMBS do not have agency guarantees. Non-agency RMBS have credit enhancement built into the structure to shield investors from borrower delinquencies. The spectrum of non-agency residential mortgage loans includes traditional jumbo loans (prime), alternative-A loans (Alt-A), and home equity loans (sub-prime).

Tax Equalization: The practice of treating a portion of the distribution made to a redeeming shareholder, which represents his proportionate part of undistributed net investment income and capital gain as a distribution for tax purposes. Such amounts are referred to as the equalization debits (or payments) and will be considered a distribution to the shareholder of net investment income and capital gain for calculation of the Fund’s dividends paid deduction.

 

Nuveen Investments     115   


LOGO

 

    

 

     

 

           
  Nuveen Investments:            
     Serving Investors for Generations   
    

 

     Since 1898, financial advisors and their clients have relied on Nuveen Investments to provide dependable investment solutions through continued adherence to proven, long-term investing principles. Today, we offer a range of high quality equity and fixed-income solutions designed to be integral components of a well-diversified core portfolio.   
       

 

       

Focused on meeting investor needs.

 

Nuveen Investments provides high-quality investment services designed to help secure the longterm goals of institutional and individual investors as well as the consultants and financial advisors who serve them. Nuveen Investments markets a wide range of specialized investment solutions which provide investors access to capabilities of its high-quality boutique investment affiliates-Nuveen Asset Management, Symphony Asset Management, NWQ Investment Management Company, Santa Barbara Asset Management, Tradewinds Global Investors, Winslow Capital Management, and Gresham Investment Management. In total, Nuveen Investments managed approximately $225 billion as of December 31, 2015.

  
    

 

        
       

Find out how we can help you.

To learn more about how the products and services of Nuveen Investments may be able to help you meet your financial goals, talk to your financial advisor, or call us at (800) 257-8787. Please read the information provided carefully before you invest. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment carefully. Where applicable, be sure to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other relevant information. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your securities representative or Nuveen Investments, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

 

Learn more about Nuveen Funds at: www.nuveen.com/mf

  

 

                 
  Distributed by Nuveen Securities, LLC | 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 | www.nuveen.com   

 

MSA-GHSU-1215D        14134-INV-B-02/17


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to this registrant.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

(a) See Portfolio of Investments in Item 1.

(b) Not applicable.

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

Not applicable to this registrant.

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

Not applicable to this registrant.

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

Not applicable to this registrant.

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

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this Item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

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

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form.

(a)(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit: Not applicable to this filing.

(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) in the exact form set forth below: See EX-99.CERT attached hereto.

(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable to this registrant.

(b) If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an Exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registration specifically incorporates it by reference: See EX-99.906 CERT attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

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

(Registrant) Nuveen Investment Funds, Inc.

 

By   (Signature and Title)   /s/ Kevin J. McCarthy  
   

Kevin J. McCarthy

Vice President and Secretary

 

Date: March 9, 2016

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

 

By   (Signature and Title)   /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman  
   

Gifford R. Zimmerman

Chief Administrative Officer

(principal executive officer)

 

Date: March 9, 2016

 

By   (Signature and Title)   /s/ Stephen D. Foy  
   

Stephen D. Foy

Vice President and Controller

(principal financial officer)

 

Date: March 9, 2016