N-CSR 1 tmeaif-ncsra.htm THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND ANNUAL REPORT 7-31-19

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  811-06111



The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



615 E. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)



Mr. Arnulfo Rodriguez
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 E. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Name and address of agent for service)


(877) 785-0376

Registrant's telephone number, including area code



Date of fiscal year end: July 31, 2019



Date of reporting period:  July 31, 2019


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.




The Mexico Equity
and Income Fund, Inc.

Annual Report

July 31, 2019




Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the shareholder reports for The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc. will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
 
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling the Fund’s Transfer Agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, at 1-877-785-0376.
 
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call the Fund’s Transfer Agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, at 1-877-785-0376. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.
 




The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc.
Report of Pichardo Asset Management (“PAM”),
The Investment Adviser.

 
Dear Fund Stockholders,
 
At the threshold of monetary policies easing following downward economic revisions for developed and emerging markets worldwide coupled with U.S. and China trade tensions, the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, at the end of eight months in office, has confirmed the new paradigm from his mandate with profound changes in economic, social and political policies in Mexico.
 
In this context, and amid considerable uncertainty in the domestic equities market and political arena, PAM’s positive narrative is the solid-gradual building of harmonious coexistence between the government and the entrepreneurial sector. There have been many joint meetings among them, as well as the first presidential press interview to Bloomberg. (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-30/amlo-plows-forward-in-mexico-brushing-off-neoliberal-scorn).
 
We believe that a good understanding of President Lopez Obrador and the private sector is a critical element for a successful distributive economic policy, albeit aligned with businesses confidence whose primary goal should be to reach a higher economic activity during the six year term of President Lopez Obrador (2018-2024) than the average 2.0% per annum over the last 15 years.
 
PAM has remained disciplined and continues emphasizing the review of macro data and companies quarterly financial information to make decisions on the Fund’s portfolio. Early in 2019, PAM’s investment team approved an asset rotation to have the Fund’s portfolio into a more defensive one by increasing the percentage allocation of defensive stocks tactically as classified by PAM, with stable earnings, particularly large-capitalization stocks. (Please see: Investment Strategy).
 
The Fund’s U.S. Dollar net asset value per share plotted a positive excess return of 83 basis points compared to the MSCI-Mexico Index performance for the one-year period ended July 31, 2019. (Please see: Exhibit A).
 
Regarding the Mexican economy, The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) announced that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2Q19 grew 0.1% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), compared to a negative figure expected by market consensus that could have triggered a technical recession. On an annual basis, GDP grew 0.4% and exhibited the stagnation of the Mexican economy. By components, primary activities (agriculture, forestry, and fishing) and services (which represent around 60% of GDP) expanded by 1.7% and 1% respectively while the industrial activity (manufacturing, construction, mining, and commodities) contracted by -1.6%. (Please see: July economic report in the Fund’s web page).
 
Mexico’s external accounts have positively consolidated. The balance of payments had remarkable results for the year-to-date period, through June 2019. The current account had a US$ 3.37 billion deficit;

 
1

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
significantly lower than the US$ 13.75 billion observed in the first half of 2018 (1H’18), whereas the capital account registered a US$ 15.46 billion surplus compared to US$ 17.94 billion surplus in 1H’18. In contrast, Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) plotted a 49 level, within the contraction threshold. Manufacturing accounts for 56% of the industrial sector. (Please see: Exhibit B).
 
Within a framework of Mexico’s role as a strategic partner in the potential economic, renewed and revamped American Free Trade Agreement between Mexico, U.S., and Canada, we inform you that Mexico has continued to plot number one as the first commercial partner (14.9% of the total U.S. trade) with the U.S., for the year-to-date period, through June, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Imports from China fell -12.4%, while U.S. imports from Mexico grew 6.3% in the same period. There is no evidence that higher Mexican exports have replaced Chinese exports. However, it is a plausible hypothesis. We will continue to research on this subject. (Please see: Exhibit C).
 
MXE’s INVESTMENT STRATEGY
 
PAM’s Team defined a more defensive portfolio, through i) companies with economic moat and good corporate governance, ii) solid-stable earnings and iii) highly liquid stocks.
 
Following the asset rotation, the Fund’s portfolio trades at a discount of approximately 15% forward 12-month EV/EBITDA compared to the MSCI-Mexico Index, as of July 31, 2019 according to Bloomberg. (Please see: Exhibit F).
 
The Fund’s largest sectors as of July 31, 2019, were:
 
Consumer Staples (21.98%) – cautious top-down approach as lower consumption remains supported by credit, real wages, and remittances that are at all-time high levels. Companies in the sector are market leaders with high operating efficiencies. Conceptually, the market continues to rate PAM’s retailing stock picking as one of the industries to be benefited from the distributive policy of the new regime in Mexico.
 
Financials (17.54%) – appealing thesis for financial groups as loans are growing and profitability (ROEs) continue improving. Attractive P/E valuations with a 45% discount to its 5-year average and an earnings yield of approximately 12%.
 
Communication Services (17.28%) – high liquidity stock with quality management and geographic diversification (25 countries in LatAm, the U.S. and Central and Eastern Europe) offers a defensive profile due to growing smartphone penetration, increasing data demand, ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) improvement, operational efficiencies, and solid margin expansion.
(Please see: Exhibit G).
 
The Fund’s portfolio 10-Top Stocks accounted for 62% of total aggregate assets on July 31, 2019, compared to 62% as of December 31, 2018 and 61% at July 31, 2018. The MSCI-Mexico Index 10-Top Stocks accounted for 74%.
 
MXE’S PERFORMANCE
 
The Fund’s positive 83 basis points excess return, mentioned in the introductory comment, is mainly explained by a 2.07% relative attribution resulting from the decision to start increasing defensive stocks in January – April 2018 due to projected supply shocks as mentioned in our semi-annual report and systematic risk. (Please see: Exhibits D & E).

 
2

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
We are pleased to confirm that the Fund’s long-term investment strategy has continued to provide excess dollar return for the five-year, ten-year and since inception periods. (Please see: Exhibit A).
 
THE MEXICAN STOCK EXCHANGE
 
The MEXBOL Index is trading at a forward EV/EBITDA and P/E multiple of 7.7x and 12.7x, respectively, which implies a discount of 9% and 23% compared to its 10-year average. Moreover, the MEXBOL Index is trading at 2009 levels in USD, where most of the listed companies are currently consolidating ten years of M&A activity. (Please see: Exhibits H & I).
 
FINAL REMARKS
 
The 2020 budget aims to strengthen and support the foremost economic policy guidelines: i) Social welfare, ii) Security, and iii) Pemex capitalization. The macroeconomic and financial forecasts seem realistic as they are similar to the ones made by the private sector specialists, except the estimate of the oil production whose outlook diverges from the private sector one particularly regarding the government strategy to improve the Mexico oil production. (Please see: Exhibit J).
 
Finally, we believe the Mexican market presented an attractive entry point valuation level at the end of the Fund’s fiscal year. Mexican companies have proved to be internationally competitive with 30+ years of experience operating in stressful financial conditions and carried out M&A during the last 15 years which have provided them an economic moat for the long term.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
Maria Eugenia Pichardo
Portfolio Manager
 

 

 
 

 
3

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
Exhibit A.
The Fund’s Net Asset Value per Share U.S. Dollar Return with Dividends Reinvested, compared to the MSCI Mexico Index.

 

Source: U.S. Bancorp1; Thomson2; PAM3; MSCI4; Bloomberg.
 
Performance data represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that the investor’s shares, when sold may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance data to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, (414)765-4255, or by consulting the Fund’s web page: www.mxefund.com.
 
The Fund’s shares have traded in the market above (at a premium), at, and below (at a discount) the net asset value per share (NAV) since the commencement of the Fund’s operations. Generally, shares of closed-end investment companies, including those of the Fund, trade at a discount from NAV.
 

 

 
4

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Exhibit B.
PMI Markit Mexico Manufacturing Index
As of August 31, 2019
 
 
Source: IHS Markit, Bloomberg
 
Exhibit C.
United States International Trade
USD millions
 
 
5

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
Exhibit D.
MXE’s Spread Performance vs. MSCI Mexico Index (basis points)
One Year through July 31, 2019
 
 
Source: PAM; Bloomberg.
 
Exhibit E.
MXE U.S. Dollar Relative Performance vs MSCI Mexico Index
One Year through July 31, 2019
 

Source: PAM, Bloomberg.
 
6

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Exhibit F.
MXE Fund Forward EV/EBITDA Ratio compared to MSCI-Mexico Index
From September 2015 through July 2019
 
 
Source: Bloomberg
 
Exhibit G.
MXE Portfolio Holdings by Sector
As of July 31, 2019
 
 
Source: PAM; Bloomberg.
 
7

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Exhibit H.
MEXBOL Index Forward P/E
From July 2009 through July 2019
 
 
Source: Bloomberg.
 
Exhibit I.
MEXBOL Index Forward EV/EBITDA
From July 2009 through July 2019
 
 
Source: Bloomberg.
 
8

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.
 

Exhibit J.
Pemex’s Crude Oil Production
thousand barrels per day
 
 
Source: Bloomberg.

 
The information provided herein represents the opinion of Pichardo Asset Management not the Fund’s Board of Directors’ and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or investment advice.
 
The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the investment company, and it may be obtained by calling U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, (414) 765-4255 or visiting www.themexicoequityandincomefund.com. Read it carefully before investing.
 
All investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Investing internationally involves additional risks such as currency fluctuations, currency devaluations, price volatility, social and economic instability, differing securities regulations and accounting standards, limited publicly available information, changes in taxation, periods of illiquidity and other factors. These risks are greater in the emerging markets. Stocks of small-and-mid-capitalization companies involve greater volatility and less liquidity than larger-capitalization companies.
 

 
9

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
Investing in Foreign Securities
 
Investment in Mexican securities involves special considerations and risks that are not normally associated with investments in U.S. securities, including (1) relatively higher price volatility, lower liquidity and the small market capitalization of Mexican securities markets; (2) currency fluctuations and the cost of converting Mexican pesos into U.S. dollars; (3) restrictions on foreign investment; (4) political, economic and social risks and uncertainties (5) higher rates of inflation and interest rates than in the United States.
 
Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market.
 
The Portfolio Securities are denominated in pesos. As a result, the Portfolio Securities must increase in market value at a rate in excess of the rate of any decline in the value of the peso against the U.S. dollar in order to avoid a decline in their equivalent U.S. dollar value.
 
The Fund’s holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this report for a complete list of fund holdings. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
 
The Fund may have a higher turnover rate, which could result in higher transaction costs and higher tax liability, which may affect returns.
 
Earnings growth is not a measure of the Fund’s future performance.
 
Definitions
 
 
MEXBOL, or the IPC (Indice de Precios y Cotizaciones), is a capitalization-weighted in¬dex of the leading stocks traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The index was developed with a base level of 0.78 on October 30th, 1978.
     
 
MSCI-MEXICO: The Morgan Stanley Capital International Index Mexico is a capitalization weighted index that monitors the performance of stocks traded in Mexico. One cannot invest directly in an index.
     
 
Basis point (bps) is one hundredth of a percentage point (0.01%).
     
 
UW: Underweight refers to one of two situations in regard to trading and finance. An underweight portfolio does not hold a sufficient amount of a particular security when compared to the weight of that security held in the underlying benchmark portfolio. Underweight can also refer to an analyst’s opinion regarding the future performance of a security in scenarios where it is expected to underperform.
     
 
The net asset value per share (“NAV”) is calculated as the total market value of all the securities and other assets held by a fund minus total liabilities divided by the total number of common shares outstanding. The NAV of an investment company will fluctuate due to changes in the market prices of the underlying securities.
     
 
The market price of the common share of a closed-end fund is determined in the open market by buyers and sellers and is the price at which investors may purchase or sell the common shares of a closed-end fund, which fluctuates throughout the day. The common share market price may differ

 
10

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
   
from the Fund’s Net Asset Value; shares of a closed-end fund may trade at a premium to (higher than) or a discount to (lower than) NAV. The difference between the market price and NAV is expressed as a percentage that is either a discount or a premium to NAV.
     
 
References to other funds should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
     
 
BANXICO: Banco de Mexico is the central bank of Mexico. By constitutional mandate, it is autonomous in both its operations and management. Its main function is to provide domestic currency to the Mexican economy and its main priority is to ensure the stability of the domestic currency’s purchasing power.
     
 
SHCP: Secretaria de Hacienda y Credito Publico, is the Ministry of Finance.
     
 
INEGI: The National Institute of Statistics and Geography.
     
 
GDP: Gross Domestic Product proxy. The monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory.
     
 
Average forex depreciation: The average currency depreciation is the loss of value of a country’s currency with respect to one or more foreign reference currencies, typically in a floating exchange rate system in which no official currency value is maintained.
     
 
USMCA: The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement is a pending free trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States, intended to replace the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It is the result of the 2017–2018 renegotiation of NAFTA by its member states, which informally agreed to the terms on September 30, 2018, and formally on October 1. Final ratification and implementation is pending.
     
 
EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation & Amortization (EBITDA), is one indicator of a company’s financial performance, and is used as a proxy for the earnings potential of a business, although doing so has its drawbacks. EBITDA strips out the cost of debt capital and its tax effects by adding back interest and taxes to earnings.
     
 
EV/EBITDA: Enterprise value/EBITDA (more commonly referred to by the acronym EV/EBITDA) is a popular valuation multiple used in the finance industry to measure the value of a company. It is the most widely used valuation multiple based on enterprise value and is often used in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, the P/E ratio (Price/Earnings ratio) to determine the fair market value of a company. An advantage of this multiple is that it is capital structure-neutral, and, therefore, this multiple can be used to directly compare companies with different levels of debt.
     
 
ROE: Return on equity (ROE) is a measure of financial performance calculated by dividing net income by shareholders’ equity. Because shareholders’ equity is equal to a company’s assets minus its debt, ROE could be thought of as the return on net assets. ROE is considered a measure of how effectively management is using a company’s assets to create profits.

 
11

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
 
Price to Earnings Ratio P/E: A valuation ratio of a company’s current share price compared to its per-share earnings (EPS).
     
 
Earnings per Share EPS: The portion of a company’s profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. Earnings per share serves as an indicator of a company’s profitability.
     
 
M&A: Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a general term that refers to the consolidation of companies or assets through various types of financial transactions. M&A can include a number of different transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, tender offers, purchase of assets and management acquisitions. In all cases, two companies are involved.
     
 
Small & Mid-Caps: Small & Mid-Capitalization companies are companies with a market capitalization of less than U.S. $ 1.0 billion for Small Cap companies, and between U.S. $1.0 and U.S. $5.0 billion for Mid-Cap companies, as defined by PAM.
     
 
10-Year US T-Bond: A Treasury bond (T-Bond) is a marketable, fixed-interest U.S. government debt security with a maturity of more than 10 years.
     
 
M-Bond: Mexico Federal Government fixed-rate development bonds that are issued and placed at terms of over one year, pay interest every six months and their interest rate is determined at issue date and remains fixed all along the life of the bond.
     
 
Spread: A spread can have several meanings in finance. Basically, however, they all refer to the difference between two prices, rates or yields. In fixed income securities, spread refers to the yield difference between two different securities with the same maturity date, or two similar securities with different maturity dates.
     
 
Turnover: Portfolio turnover is a measure of how frequently assets within a fund are bought and sold by the managers. Portfolio turnover is calculated by taking either the total amount of new securities purchased, or the amount of securities sold (whichever is less) over a period, divided by the total net asset value (NAV) of the fund. The measurement is usually reported for a 12-month time period.
     
 
Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI): Index of the prevailing direction of economic trends in the manufacturing and service sectors.


 

 

 
12

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.



RELEVANT ECONOMIC INFORMATION for the years ended December 31
 
Real Activity (million US$)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Real GDP Growth (y-o-y)
 
2.00
%
 
2.00
%
 
2.36
%
 
2.46
%
 
2.25
%
Industrial Production (y-o-y)
 
0.20
%
 
0.10
%
 
0.00
%
 
0.95
%
 
2.65
%
Trade Balance (US billions)
 
-$13.70
   
-$10.80
   
-$13.14
   
-$14.60
   
-$3.06
 
Exports
 
$450.57
   
$409.49
   
$373.93
   
$380.62
   
$396.91
 
Export growth (y-o-y)
 
10.10
%
 
9.50
%
 
-1.80
%
 
-4.12
%
 
4.40
%
Imports
 
$464.28
   
$420.37
   
$387.06
   
$395.23
   
$399.98
 
Import growth (y-o-y)
 
10.40
%
 
8.60
%
 
-2.10
%
 
-1.20
%
 
4.90
%
                               
Financial Variables and Prices
                             
28-Day CETES (T-bills)/Average
 
7.64
%
 
6.69
%
 
4.16
%
 
2.98
%
 
2.99
%
Exchange rate (Pesos/US$)Average
 
19.23
   
18.91
   
18.68
   
15.88
   
13.31
 
Inflation IPC, 12 month trailing
 
4.83
%
 
6.77
%
 
3.36
%
 
2.13
%
 
4.08
%
                               
Mexbol Index
                             
USD Return
 
-13.80
%
 
15.44
%
 
-9.74
%
 
-13.15
%
 
-9.43
%
Market Cap (US billions)
 
$259.58
   
$298.87
   
$252.77
   
$279.00
   
$326.32
 
   
7.39
x
 
9.27
x
 
9.57
x
 
9.93
x
 
9.92
x
                               
Fund's NAV & Common Share
                             
  Market Price Performance
                             
NAV
 
-5.65
%
 
11.82
%
 
-14.88
%
 
-6.90
%
 
-3.45
%
Market Price
 
-1.84
%
 
12.40
%
 
-14.78
%
 
-10.23
%
 
-4.57
%

Sources: Banamex, Banco de Mexico, Bloomberg.






13

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Allocation of Portfolio Assets
July 31, 2019
(Unaudited)
(Calculated as a percentage of Total Investments)







14

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


 
July 31, 2019
Schedule of Investments

MEXICO – 96.45%
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
COMMON STOCKS – 83.40%
           
             
Beverages – 13.43%
           
Arca Continental, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
417,217
   
$
2,219,134
 
Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV
   
97,500
     
599,131
 
Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series UBD
   
534,360
     
4,843,433
 
             
7,661,698
 
Building Materials – 4.41%
               
Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
468,880
     
2,516,923
 
                 
Chemical Products – 3.68%
               
Alpek, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series A
   
1,303,859
     
1,405,660
 
Mexichem, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
379,696
     
695,643
 
             
2,101,303
 
Construction and Infrastructure – 3.85%
               
Promotora y Operadora de Infraestructura, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
106,219
     
956,782
 
Promotora y Operadora de Infraestructura, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series L
   
203,045
     
1,239,540
 
             
2,196,322
 
Consumer Financing Services – 1.92%
               
Credito Real, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
948,110
     
1,096,842
 
                 
Financial Groups – 15.62%
               
Banco del Bajio, S.A.
   
929,464
     
1,748,467
 
Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series O
   
1,069,148
     
5,382,631
 
Regional, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
372,185
     
1,782,487
 
             
8,913,585
 
Food – 1.87%
               
Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series A
   
561,486
     
1,069,427
 
                 
Hotels, Restaurants, and Recreation – 3.34%
               
Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series A
   
444,861
     
906,958
 
Grupe, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series B (a)(b)(c)(d)
   
429,507
     
997,355
 
             
1,904,313
 
Mining – 4.03%
               
Grupo Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series B
   
939,500
     
2,298,775
 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

15

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


 
July 31, 2019
Schedule of Investments (continued)
 

COMMON STOCKS (continued)
 
Shares
   
Value
 
Railroads – 1.06%
           
GMexico Transportes, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
525,438
   
$
602,655
 
                 
Real Estate Services – 4.58%
               
Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
1,772,501
     
2,610,135
 
                 
Retail – 8.33%
               
El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series C – 1
   
193,813
     
941,367
 
Grupo Comercial Chedraui, S.A. de C.V.
   
252,931
     
381,170
 
Wal-Mart de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
1,162,577
     
3,430,023
 
             
4,752,560
 
Telecommunication – 17.28%
               
America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. – Series L
   
12,431,815
     
8,744,680
 
Telesites S.A.B. de C.V. (a)
   
1,871,027
     
1,114,977
 
             
9,859,657
 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $48,519,015)
           
47,584,195
 
                 
CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES – 2.88%
               
Atlas Discovery Trust II (b)(c)(d)
   
300,000
     
1,641,479
 
TOTAL CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES (Cost $1,460,703)
           
1,641,479
 
                 
MEXICAN GOVERNMENT NOTES/BONDS – 5.24%
               
Bonos de Desarrollo del Gabierno Federal
               
  8.310%, 01/16/2020
   
492,947
     
2,571,903
 
Mexican Bonos de Proteccion al Ahorro
               
  8.300%, 12/24/2020
   
80,379
     
419,051
 
             
2,990,954
 
TOTAL MEXICAN GOVERNMENT NOTES/BONDS (Cost $2,996,903)
           
2,990,954
 
                 
MEXICAN MUTUAL FUNDS – 0.60%
               
Scotiabankinverlat – Scotia Gubernamental S.A. de C.V. SIID (a)
   
1,800,069
     
344,476
 
TOTAL MEXICAN MUTUAL FUNDS (Cost $346,100)
           
344,476
 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

16

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


 
July 31, 2019
Schedule of Investments (concluded)
 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS – 4.33%
 
Shares
   
Value
 
Concentradora Fibra Danhos, S.A. de C.V.
   
934,436
   
$
1,268,263
 
Fibra Uno Administracion, S.A. de C.V.
   
935,000
     
1,201,699
 
             
2,469,962
 
TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost $2,397,393)
           
2,469,962
 
TOTAL MEXICO (Cost $55,720,114)
           
55,031,066
 
                 
UNITED STATES – 0.69%
               
                 
INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 0.69%
               
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds –
               
  Government Portfolio – Institutional Class – 2.208% (e)
   
394,275
     
394,275
 
TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES (Cost $394,275)
           
394,275
 
TOTAL UNITED STATES (Cost $394,275)
           
394,275
 
                 
Total Investments (Cost $56,114,389) – 97.14%
           
55,425,341
 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 2.86%
           
1,633,652
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
         
$
57,058,993
 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
Illiquid securities. The total market value of these securities were $2,638,834, representing 4.62% of net assets.
(c)
Fair valued securities. The total market value of these securities were $2,638,834, representing 4.62% of net assets.
(d)
Level 3 securities. Values determined using significant unobservable inputs.
(e)
The rate shown represents the 7-day yield at July 31, 2019.




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

17

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


 
July 31, 2019
Statement of Assets & Liabilities
 

ASSETS:
     
Investments, at value (cost $56,114,389)
 
$
55,425,341
 
Receivable for investments sold
   
2,543,656
 
Interest receivable
   
15,353
 
Foreign currency (cost $18,030)
   
17,933
 
Other assets
   
5,850
 
Total Assets
   
58,008,133
 
LIABILITIES:
       
Payable for securities purchased
   
796,817
 
Advisory fees payable
   
51,507
 
Audit fees payable
   
34,308
 
Administration fees payable
   
13,832
 
Printing and mailing fees payable
   
10,599
 
NYSE fees payable
   
10,117
 
Fund accounting fees payable
   
7,723
 
Custody fees payable
   
7,524
 
Director fees payable
   
5,160
 
CCO fees payable
   
4,745
 
Legal fees payable
   
2,854
 
Transfer Agent fees and expenses payable
   
2,460
 
Due to custodian
   
1,259
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
235
 
Total Liabilities
   
949,140
 
Net Assets
 
$
57,058,993
 
Net Asset Value Per Common Share ($57,058,993 / 5,171,598)
 
$
11.03
 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
       
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 5,171,598 shares outstanding (98,144,872 shares authorized)
   
5,172
 
Paid-in capital
   
71,590,321
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(14,536,500
)
Net Assets
 
$
57,058,993
 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

18

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended
July 31, 2019

INVESTMENT INCOME
     
Dividends(1)
 
$
1,900,736
 
Interest
   
204,353
 
Total Investment Income
   
2,105,089
 
EXPENSES
       
Advisory fees (Note B)
   
829,593
 
Directors’ fees and expenses (Note B)
   
206,763
 
Administration fees (Note B)
   
96,783
 
Printing and mailing fees
   
71,156
 
Legal fees
   
58,943
 
CCO fees and expenses (Note B)
   
50,815
 
Custodian fees (Note B)
   
47,377
 
Fund accounting fees (Note B)
   
45,901
 
Insurance expense
   
35,770
 
Audit fees
   
34,303
 
NYSE fees
   
27,580
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note B)
   
14,660
 
Miscellaneous
   
9,205
 
Total Expenses
   
1,528,849
 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
   
576,240
 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS
       
Net realized loss from investments and foreign currency transactions
   
(4,015,235
)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions
   
(11,440,385
)
Net loss from investments and foreign currency transactions
   
(15,455,620
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
 
$
(14,879,380
)

(1)
Net of $62,833 in dividend withholding tax.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

19

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   
For the
   
For the
 
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
July 31, 2019
   
July 31, 2018
 
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS
           
Operations:
           
Net investment income
 
$
576,240
   
$
306,262
 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
   
(4,015,235
)
   
39,148
 
Net change in unrealized depreciation in value of investments and
               
  foreign currency transactions
   
(11,440,385
)
   
(3,421,225
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
   
(14,879,380
)
   
(3,075,815
)
                 
Distributions to Common Shareholders from:
               
Net dividends and distributions
   
(8,274
)
   
(352,484
)(1)
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions
   
(8,274
)
   
(352,484
)
                 
Capital Share Transactions:
               
Repurchase of common stock through tender offer
   
(19,962,368
)
   
(4,461,164
)
Repurchase of common stock
   
(434,544
)
   
(522,027
)
Decrease in net assets from capital share transactions
   
(20,396,912
)
   
(4,983,191
)
                 
Total decrease in net assets
   
(35,284,566
)
   
(8,411,490
)
                 
Net Assets:
               
Beginning of year
   
92,343,559
     
100,755,049
 
End of year
 
$
57,058,993
   
$
92,343,559
(2) 

(1)
Includes net investment income distributions of $352,484.
(2)
Includes accumulated undistributed net investment income of $111.



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

20

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Financial Highlights
For a Common Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

   
For the Year Ended July 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Per Share Operating Performance
                             
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
13.32
   
$
13.71
   
$
12.32
   
$
13.79
   
$
17.77
 
Net investment income (loss)
   
0.11
     
0.05
     
0.09
     
0.01
     
(0.09
)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on
                                       
  investments and foreign currency transactions
   
(2.45
)
   
(0.43
)
   
1.28
     
(0.92
)
   
(2.14
)
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
   
(2.34
)
   
(0.38
)
   
1.37
     
(0.91
)
   
(2.23
)
                                         
Less: Distributions
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.00
)(2)
   
(0.05
)
   
     
     
(0.01
)
Distributions from net realized gains
   
     
     
     
(0.56
)
   
(1.61
)
Total dividends and distributions
   
     
(0.05
)
   
     
(0.56
)
   
(1.62
)
                                         
Capital Share Transactions
                                       
Anti-dilutive effect of Common
                                       
  Share Repurchase Program
   
0.01
     
0.01
     
0.02
     
0.03
     
 
Anti-dilutive effect of Tender Offer
   
0.04
     
0.03
     
     
     
 
Anti-dilutive effect of
                                       
  Preferred Share Redemption
   
     
     
     
0.00
(2) 
   
 
Dilutive effect of Reinvestment of
                                       
  Distributions to the Fund’s Stockholders
   
     
     
     
(0.03
)
   
(0.13
)
Total capital share transactions
   
0.05
     
0.04
     
0.02
     
     
(0.13
)
Net Asset Value, end of year
 
$
11.03
   
$
13.32
   
$
13.71
   
$
12.32
   
$
13.79
 
                                         
Per share market value, end of year
 
$
10.33
   
$
11.40
   
$
11.88
   
$
10.78
   
$
12.11
 
Total Investment Return Based on
                                       
  Market Value, end of year(1)
   
-9.38
%
   
-3.60
%
   
10.20
%
   
-6.35
%
   
-15.19
%
                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data
                                       
Net assets, end of year (000’s)
 
$
57,059
   
$
92,344
   
$
100,755
   
$
91,579
   
$
102,448
 
Ratios of expenses to average net assets:
   
2.09
%
   
1.75
%
   
1.71
%
   
1.89
%
   
1.76
%
Ratios of net investment income (loss)
                                       
  to average net assets:
   
0.79
%
   
0.34
%
   
0.72
%
   
0.10
%
   
(0.58
)%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
233.24
%
   
187.26
%
   
315.95
%
   
167.08
%
   
175.19
%

(1)
Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at the current market price on the first day and a sale at the current market price on the last day of each period reported.  Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at the closing market price on the dividend ex-date.  Total investment does not reflect brokerage commissions.
(2)
Less than 0.5 cents per share.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

21

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements


NOTE A:  ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on May 24, 1990, and commenced operations on August 21, 1990. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company.
 
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services—Investment Companies”.
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Significant accounting policies are as follows:
 
Portfolio Valuation. Investments are stated at value in the accompanying financial statements. Listed equity securities are valued at the closing price on the exchange or market on which the security is primarily traded (the “Primary Market”) at the valuation time. If the security did not trade on the Primary Market, it shall be valued at the closing price on another comparable exchange where it trades at the valuation time.  If there are no such closing prices, the security shall be valued at the mean between the most recent highest bid and lowest ask prices at the valuation time. Investments in short-term debt securities having a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost if their term to maturity from the date of purchase was less than 60 days, or by amortizing their value on the 61st day prior to maturity if their term to maturity from the date of purchase when acquired by the Fund was more than 60 days. Other assets and securities for which no quotations are readily available will be valued in good faith at fair value using methods determined by the Board of Directors. These methods include, but are not limited to, the fundamental analytical data relating to the investment; the nature and duration of restrictions in the market in which they are traded (including the time needed to dispose of the security, methods of soliciting offers and mechanics of transfer); the evaluation of the forces which influence the market in which these securities may be purchased or sold, including the economic outlook and the condition of the industry in which the issuer participates. The Fund has a Valuation Committee comprised of independent directors which oversees the valuation of portfolio securities.
 
Investment Transactions and Investment Income. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes. Interest income, including the accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is recorded on an accrual basis; dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or, using reasonable diligence, when known to the Fund. The collectibility of income receivable from foreign securities is evaluated periodically, and any resulting allowances for uncollectible amounts are reflected currently in the determination of investment income. There was no allowance for uncollectible amounts at July 31, 2019.

 
22

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 
Tax Status. No provision is made for U.S. Federal income or excise taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and to make the requisite distributions to its shareholders that will be sufficient to relieve it from all or substantially all U.S. Federal income and excise taxes.
 
The Fund is subject to the following withholding taxes on income from Mexican sources:
 
 
Interest income on debt issued by the Mexican federal government is generally not subject to withholding. Withholding tax on interest from other debt obligations such as publicly traded bonds and loans by banks or insurance companies is at a rate of 4.9% under the tax treaty between Mexico and the United States.
   
 
Gains realized from the sale or disposition of debt securities may be subject to a 4.9% withholding tax. Gains realized by the Fund from the sale or disposition of equity securities that are listed and traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange (“MSE”) are exempt from Mexican withholding tax if sold through the stock exchange. Gains realized on transactions outside of the MSE may be subject to withholding at a rate of 25% (20% rate prior to January 1, 2002) of the value of the shares sold or, upon the election of the Fund, at 35% (40% rate prior to January 1, 2002) of the gain. If the Fund has owned less than 25% of the outstanding stock of the issuer of the equity securities within the 12 month period preceding the disposition, then such disposition will not be subject to capital gains taxes as provided for in the treaty to avoid double taxation between Mexico and the United States.

Summary of Fair Value Exposure at July 31, 2019. The Fund follows the FASB ASC Topic 820 hierarchy, under which various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments.
 
The basis of the hierarchy is dependent upon various “inputs” used to determine the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
Level 1 –
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the company has the ability to access.
   
Level 2 –
Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
   
Level 3 –
Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the company’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the
 
 
23

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 
determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
 
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments carried at fair value as of July 31, 2019:
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3*
   
Total
 
Equity
                       
Beverages
 
$
7,661,698
   
$
   
$
   
$
7,661,698
 
Building Materials
   
2,516,923
     
     
     
2,516,923
 
Capital Development Certificates
   
     
     
1,641,479
     
1,641,479
 
Chemical Products
   
2,101,303
     
     
     
2,101,303
 
Construction and Infrastructure
   
2,196,322
     
     
     
2,196,322
 
Consumer Financing Services
   
1,096,842
     
     
     
1,096,842
 
Financial Groups
   
8,913,585
     
     
     
8,913,585
 
Food
   
1,069,427
     
     
     
1,069,427
 
Hotels, Restaurants, and Recreation
   
906,958
     
     
997,355
     
1,904,313
 
Mining
   
2,298,775
     
     
     
2,298,775
 
Railroads
   
602,655
     
     
     
602,655
 
Real Estate Services
   
2,610,135
     
     
     
2,610,135
 
Retail
   
4,752,560
     
     
     
4,752,560
 
Telecommunication
   
9,859,657
     
     
     
9,859,657
 
Total Equity
 
$
46,586,840
   
$
   
$
2,638,834
   
$
49,225,674
 
Mexican Government Notes/Bonds
 
$
   
$
2,990,954
   
$
   
$
2,990,954
 
Mexican Mutual Funds
 
$
344,476
   
$
   
$
   
$
344,476
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts
 
$
2,469,962
   
$
   
$
   
$
2,469,962
 
Short-Term Investments
 
$
394,275
   
$
   
$
   
$
394,275
 
Total Investments in Securities
 
$
49,795,553
   
$
2,990,954
   
$
2,638,834
   
$
55,425,341
 

*
The Fund measures Level 3 activity as of the beginning and end of each financial reporting period.

 

 
24

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 
Level 3 Reconciliation Disclosure
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
 
         
Capital
 
   
Common
   
Development
 
Category
 
Stock
   
Certificates
 
Balance as of July 31, 2018
 
$
1,065,217
   
$
1,695,905
 
Acquisitions
   
     
 
Dispositions
   
(747
)
   
 
Realized gain
   
295
     
 
Change in unrealized depreciation(1)
   
(67,410
)
   
(54,426
)
Balance as of July 31, 2019
 
$
997,355
   
$
1,641,479
 
Change in unrealized depreciation(1) during the period
               
  for Level 3 investments held at July 31, 2019
 
$
(67,410
)
 
$
(54,426
)

(1)
Included in the net unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currency on the Statement of Assets & Liabilities.

The following table presents additional information about valuation methodologies and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of July 31, 2019:
 
   
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
     
   
July 31, 2019
 
Methodologies
 
Input(1)
 
Range
 
Common Stock
 
$
997,355
 
Market
 
Liquidity
 

$2.187 –
 
         
Comparables
 
Discount
 

$2.501
 
                       
Capital Development Certificates
 
$
1,641,479
 
Market
 
Liquidity
 

$4.911 –
 
         
Comparables/
 
Discount
 

$5.667
 
         
Sum of the Parts
           
         
Valuation
           

(1)
In determining these inputs, management evaluates a variety of factors including economic conditions, foreign exchange rates, industry and market developments, market valuations of comparable companies and company specific developments.

 

 
25

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Fund did not invest in derivative securities or engage in hedging activities during the period ended July 31, 2019.
 
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and to make the requisite distributions of income and capital gains to its shareholders sufficient to relieve it from all or substantially all federal income taxes. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that permanent differences between financial reporting and tax reporting be reclassified between various components of net assets.
 
The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. The Adviser has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years (2016-2018), or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2019 tax returns. The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal, New York State and foreign jurisdictions where the Fund makes significant investments; however, the Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.
 
Reclassification of Capital Accounts. Accounting Principles generally accepted in the United States of America require certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. The permanent differences are primarily attributed to foreign currency loss reclassifications.  For the year ended July 31, 2019, the following reclassifications were made for permanent tax differences on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
Accumulated deficit
 
$
 
Paid-in Capital
   
 

Foreign Currency Translation.
The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
 
 
(i)
market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the current Mexican peso exchange rate on the valuation date, and
     
 
(ii)
purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the Mexican peso exchange rate prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Fluctuations in foreign currency rates, however, when determining the gain or loss upon the sale of foreign currency denominated debt obligations pursuant to U.S. Federal income tax regulations; such amounts are categorized as foreign exchange gain or loss for income tax reporting purposes.

 

 
26

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 
The Fund reports realized foreign exchange gains and losses on all other foreign currency related transactions as components of realized gains and losses for financial reporting purposes, whereas such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income or loss for Federal income tax purposes.
 
Securities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are subject to changes in value due to fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate. Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin as a result of, among other factors, the level of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibilities of political or economic instability.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its net investment income, including foreign currency gains. The Fund also intends to distribute annually any net realized capital gains in excess of net realized capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), except in circumstances where the Directors of the Fund determine that the decrease in the size of the Fund’s assets resulting from the distribution of the gains would generally not be in the interest of the Fund’s shareholders. An additional distribution may be made to the extent necessary to avoid payment of a 4% U.S. Federal excise tax.
 
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized gains are determined in accordance with U.S. Federal income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These “book/tax” differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their Federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. To the extent they exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions from additional paid-in capital.
 
Distributions to Shareholders. The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the periods ended July 31, 2019 and July 31, 2018 were as follows:
 
Distributions paid from:
 
7/31/19
   
7/31/18
 
Ordinary Income
 
$
8,274
   
$
352,484
 
Long-Term Capital Gain
   
     
 
Total
 
$
8,274
   
$
352,484
 

 

 
27

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 
As of July 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
 
 
Cost of Investments for tax purposes(a)
 
$
59,118,849
 
 
Gross tax unrealized appreciation on investments
   
2,877,420
 
 
Gross tax unrealized depreciation on investments
   
(6,570,928
)
 
Net tax unrealized appreciation on investments
   
(3,693,508
)
 
Undistributed ordinary income
   
621,054
 
 
Undistributed long-term capital gains
   
 
 
Total distributable earnings
   
621,054
 
 
Other accumulated losse
 
$
(11,464,046
)
 
Total accumulated losses
 
$
(14,536,500
)

(a)
Represents cost for federal income tax purposes. Differences between the Fund’s cost basis of investments at July 31, 2019, for book and tax purposes, relates primarily to the deferral of losses related to wash sales and PFIC’s.

At July 31, 2019, the Fund had tax basis capital losses which may be carried forward to offset future short term and long term capital gains indefinitely in the amount of $4,561,286 and $6,888,805, respectively.  To the extent that the Fund may realize future net capital gains, those gains will be offset by any of the unused capital loss carryforward.
 
NOTE B:  MANAGEMENT, INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
 
Pichardo Asset Management, S.A. de C.V. serves as the Fund’s Investment Adviser (the “Investment Adviser”) under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) effective July 1, 2003. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser makes investment decisions for the Fund and supervises the acquisition and disposition of securities by the Fund. For its services, the Investment Adviser is paid a base fee, accrued daily at the annual rate of 1.00%, subject to a performance fee adjustment which increases or decreases the fee depending upon how well the Fund has performed relative to the MSCI Mexico Index (the “Index”) 12 month rolling average. The fee adjustment will be calculated using a monthly adjustment rate that is based upon the Fund’s relative performance to the Index. The performance adjustment rate will be positive (resulting in an upward fee adjustment) for each percentage point, or portion thereof, that the investment performance of the Fund exceeds the investment performance of the Index for the performance period multiplied by three (3) and will be negative (resulting in a downward fee adjustment) for each percentage point, or portion thereof, that the investment performance of the Index exceeds the investment performance of the Fund for the performance period multiplied by three (3).  Determinations of the performance adjustment rate (positive or negative) will be made in increments of 0.01% of differential performance.  As an example, if the Fund’s performance for the preceding 12 months exceeds the performance of the Index by 1.00%, the performance adjustment
 
 
28

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 
rate would be 3 x 0.01, which would result in a monthly fee equal to an annual rate of 1.03%. The performance adjustment rate will be limited to a 0.15% fee adjustment, positive or negative.
 
For the year ended July 31, 2019, the Fund’s investment performance ranged from 0.7% to 9.7% above the investment performance of the Index.  Accordingly, for the year ended July 31, 2019 the net investment advisor fee consisted of the base fee of $730,725 and an upward performance fee adjustment of $98,868.
 
Effective January 1, 2015, the Fund pays each of its directors who is not a director, officer or employee of the Investment Adviser, the Administrator or any affiliate thereof an annual fee of $35,000, paid pro rata, quarterly plus a fee of $500 for each meeting held telephonically. As additional annual compensation, the Chairman of the Fund will receive $5,000, the Audit Committee Chairman and Valuation Committee Chairman will receive $3,000, and the Nomination Committee Chairman will receive $2,000. For serving the Fund as Chief Compliance Officer, in addition to the aforementioned Directors’ fees, Mr. Hellerman receives annual compensation in the amount of $45,000. In addition, the Fund reimburses the directors and Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) for travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with Board of Directors’ meetings and CCO due diligence requirements.
 
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services” or the “Administrator”), serves as the Fund’s Administrator and, in that capacity, performs various administrative services for the Fund. Fund Services also serves as the Fund’s Fund Accountant (the “Fund Accountant”) and Transfer Agent. U.S. Bank, N.A. serves as the Fund’s custodian (the “Custodian”). The Custodian is an affiliate of the Administrator. The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, reports and returns for the Fund; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the directors; monitors the activities of the Fund’s Custodian and Fund Accountant; coordinates the preparation and payment of the Fund’s expenses and reviews the Fund’s expense accruals.
 
NOTE C:  PORTFOLIO ACTIVITY
 
Purchases and sales of securities other than short-term obligations, aggregated $158,059,395 and $182,328,438 respectively, for the year ended July 31, 2019.
 
At July 31, 2019 approximately 96.5% of the Fund’s net assets were invested in Mexican securities. The Mexican securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid, and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. Consequently, acquisitions and dispositions of securities by the Fund may be limited.
 
NOTE D:  CAPITAL STOCK
 
During the year ended July 31, 2019, the Fund purchased 38,364 shares of capital stock in the open market at a cost of $434,544. The weighted average discount of these purchases comparing the average purchase price to net asset value at the close of the New York Stock Exchange was 13.79%.
 
 
29

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 
The Fund announced on January 11, 2019 that it was offering to purchase up to 25% of common shares outstanding of the Fund at 99% of the net asset value (“NAV”) per common share on February 15, 2019. At the expiration of the offer on February 15, 2019, a total of 4,892,653 shares or approximately 70.95% of the Fund’s outstanding common shares were validly tendered. As the total number of shares tendered exceeded the number of shares the Fund offered to purchase pursuant to the Offer, on a pro-rated basis, approximately 35.23% of the Fund’s shares tendered by each tendering shareholder were accepted for payment. There were 1,723,866 shares accepted for payment at a price of $11.58 per share (99% of the NAV per common share of $11.70) or $19,962,368.
 
During the year ended July 31, 2018, the Fund purchased 48,714 shares of capital stock in the open market at a cost of $522,027. The weighted average discount of these purchases comparing the average purchase price to net asset value at the close of the New York Stock Exchange was 14.01%.
 
The Fund announced on January 19, 2018 that it was offering to purchase up to 5% of common shares outstanding of the Fund at 95% of the net asset value (“NAV”) per common share on February 23, 2018.  At the expiration of the offer on February 23, 2018, a total of 1,961,143 shares or approximately 26.71% of the Fund’s outstanding common shares were validly tendered.  As the total number of shares tendered exceeded the number of shares the Fund offered to purchase pursuant to the Offer, on a pro-rated basis, approximately 18.72% of the Fund’s shares tendered by each tendering shareholder were accepted for payment. There were 367,174 shares accepted for payment at a price of $12.15 per share (95% of the NAV per common share of $12.79) or $4,461,164.
 
During the year ended July 31, 2017, the Fund purchased 82,941 shares of capital stock in the open market at a cost of $882,728.  The weighted average discount of these purchases comparing the average purchase price to net asset value at the close of the New York Stock Exchange was 13.74%.
 
During the year ended July 31, 2016, the Fund purchased 109,636 shares of capital stock in the open market at a cost of $1,207,197.  The weighted average discount of these purchases comparing the average purchase price to net asset value at the close of the New York Stock Exchange was 13.68%.
 
On December 8, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a stock dividend of $0.56 per share. This dividend was paid in shares of common stock of the Fund, or in cash by specific election of the stockholders. The Fund issued 113,378 shares of common stock to stockholders that did not elect the cash option, which amounted to $1,089,584.
 
On December 17, 2015 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund, the preferred stockholders, voting as a separate class, and the common and preferred stockholders, voting together as a single class, each approved an amendment to the Fund’s Articles Supplementary authorizing the elimination of the preferred stock.  Consequently, the Fund redeemed all 48,535 preferred shares outstanding at 98% of the Fund’s net asset value per common share as of the close of business on Friday, January 8, 2016. Since such net asset

 
30

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
July 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

 
value was $11.50, the Fund paid each preferred stockholder $11.27 per share on or about February 10, 2016. The total amount of the redemption payment was $546,989.  The net asset value per share of the Fund’s stockholders was increased by approximately $0.001 per share as a result of this redemption.
 
Share Repurchase
 
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock in the open market.
 
NOTE E: RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). The primary focus of ASU 2018-13 is to improve the effectiveness of the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The changes affect all companies that are required to include fair value measurement disclosures. In general, the amendments in ASU 2018-13 are effective for all entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. An entity is permitted to early adopt the removed or modified disclosures upon the issuance of ASU 2018-13 and may delay adoption of the additional disclosures, which are required for public companies only, until their effective date. Management has chosen to early adopt the eliminated or modified disclosures for the year ended July 31, 2019.
 
NOTE F: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
In preparing these financial statements, management has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were available to be issued. The Fund has determined that there were no subsequent events that would need to be disclosed in the Fund’s financial statements.
 



 
 
31

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Report Of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm


To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc.,
 
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc., (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of July 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of July 31, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We have served as the Fund’s auditor since 2002.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
 
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 20, 2019
 


32

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Additional Information
July 31, 2019
(Unaudited)


BOARD CONSIDERATION OF THE CONTINUATION OF THE FUND’S INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited)
 
In March 2019, the Board of Directors of The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc., (the “Fund”), including the Independent Directors, unanimously approved the renewal of the Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Adviser for an additional one-year term. The information, material facts and conclusions that formed the basis for the Independent Directors approval are described below.
 
INFORMATION REVIEWED
 
During the course of the year, the Independent Directors review a wide variety of materials relating to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser, including reports on the Fund’s investment results, portfolio composition, investment strategy, economic outlook, valuation, and other matters. In addition, in connection with its annual review of the Agreement, independent counsel on behalf of the Independent Directors requested and the Independent Directors reviewed information that included materials regarding the Fund’s investment results, advisory fee and expense comparisons, financial and profitability information regarding the Adviser, descriptions of various functions such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and information about the personnel providing investment management and administrative services to the Fund. In connection with its review, the Independent Directors received assistance and advice in the form of a written memorandum regarding legal and industry standards with respect to the renewal of an investment advisory agreement from counsel to the Fund. The Independent Directors discussed the approval of the Agreement with representatives of the Adviser and during an executive session with counsel at which no representatives of the Adviser were present. In deciding to recommend approval of the Agreement, the Independent Directors did not identify any single or particular piece of information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor. This summary describes the most important, but not all, of the factors considered by the Independent Directors.
 
1.  NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE FUND
 
The Independent Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser to the Fund and the amount of time devoted to the Fund’s affairs by the Adviser’s staff. The Independent Directors considered the Adviser’s specific responsibilities in all aspects of daily management of the Fund, as well as the qualifications, experience and responsibilities of Ms. Maria Eugenia Pichardo, the Fund’s portfolio manager, and other key personnel at the Adviser involved in the day-to-day activities of the Fund. The Independent Directors also considered the operational strength of the Adviser. The Independent Directors discussed in detail the Adviser’s performance and compliance oversight, including the reports of the Fund’s chief compliance officer to the Independent Directors on the effectiveness of the Adviser’s compliance program. The Independent Directors noted that the Adviser exhibited a high level of diligence and attention to detail in carrying out its responsibilities under the Agreement and that the nature, overall quality, and extent of the management services were satisfactory and the Adviser continued to be reliable.
 

 
33

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
 
July 31, 2019
Additional Information (continued)
(Unaudited)

 
The Independent Directors reviewed the personnel responsible for providing services to the Fund and concluded, based on their experience and interaction with the Adviser, that (a) the Adviser was able to retain quality personnel, (b) the Adviser exhibited a high level of diligence and attention to detail in carrying out its responsibilities under the Investment Advisory Agreement, (c) the Adviser was sufficiently responsive to the requests of the Independent Directors, and (d) the Adviser had consistently kept the Independent Directors apprised of developments related to the Fund and the Mexican economy in general.
 
2.  INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND
 
The Independent Directors discussed the performance of the Fund for the one-year, three-year, five-year and ten year periods ended January 31, 2019. In assessing the quality of the portfolio management services delivered by the Adviser, the Independent Directors also compared the short-term and long-term performance of the Fund on both an absolute basis and in comparison to a peer group of closed end international funds constructed by data provided by Morningstar, Inc. (the “Morningstar Peer Group”) and assembled by Fund Services independently from the Adviser. The Independent Directors noted that the one year return for the Fund ranked fourth amongst its peer group while the Fund ranked fifteenth, fifteenth and fourth for the three-year, five-year and ten year periods, respectively.  The Independent Directors further noted that Fund’s performance was above the Morningstar Peer Group median for the one-year and ten-year periods ended January 31, 2019, and below the Morningstar Peer Group median for the three-year and five-year periods ended January 31, 2019, though still satisfactory. The Independent Directors noted that they had reviewed the investment performance of the Fund at each quarterly Meeting over the course of the year. The Independent Directors concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory under current market conditions. Although past performance is not a guarantee or indication of future results, the Independent Directors determined that the Fund and its shareholders were likely to benefit from the Adviser’s continued management.
 
3.  COSTS OF SERVICES PROVIDED AND PROFITS REALIZED BY THE ADVISER
 
The Independent Directors considered the cost of services and the structure of the Adviser’s fees, including a review of the expense analyses and other pertinent material with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Independent Directors reviewed information comparing the Fund’s contractual advisory fees with the Morningstar Peer Group.  The Independent Directors noted that the Fund’s contractual management base fee of 1.00% fell within the third quartile and was slightly above the Morningstar Peer Group average of 0.94%, which fell within the third quartile and that the contractual investment advisory fee adjusted for the downward performance adjustment under the fulcrum fee for performance was two basis points higher than the Morningstar Peer Group average.  The Independent Directors then noted that the then current expense ratio of 1.75% for the Fund was higher than the Morningstar Peer Group average of 1.38%. The Independent Directors noted that the higher expense ratio was in part due to the Fund’s asset size being smaller than the average size of the Morningstar Peer Group.  The Independent Directors further noted that the expense ratio had since increased to 2.00%, largely due to an increase in
 

 
34

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
 
July 31, 2019
Additional Information (continued)
(Unaudited)

 
advisory fees paid resulting from the positive fulcrum fee adjustments. The Independent Directors concluded that the Fund’s expenses and advisory fees paid to the Adviser were fair and not unreasonable in light of the comparative performance, expense and advisory fee information.  The Independent Directors also considered the overall profitability of the Adviser, after reviewing the Adviser’s financial information.  The Independent Directors examined the level of profits that could be expected to accrue to the Adviser from the fees payable under the Agreement, as well as the Fund’s brokerage arrangements, noting that the Adviser makes no effort to seek soft dollar arrangements. These considerations were based on materials requested by the Independent Directors and the Fund’s administrator specifically for the March 2019 meeting at which the Agreement was formally considered, as well as the presentations made by the Adviser over the course of the year.
 
The Independent Directors concluded that the Fund’s expenses and the management fees paid to the Adviser were fair and reasonable in light of the comparative performance, expense and management fee information. The Independent Directors further concluded that the Adviser’s profit from advising the Fund had not been, and currently was not, excessive and that the Adviser had maintained adequate profit levels to support its services to the Fund from the revenues of its overall investment advisory business.
 
4.  EXTENT OF ECONOMIES OF SCALE AS THE FUND GROWS
 
The Independent Directors considered the extent to which economies of scale were or should be reflected in the Fund’s advisory fee, and concluded that in view of the Fund’s investment results, the Fund’s reasonable level of total expenses and overall size of the net assets in the Fund that the investment advisory fees were reasonable and that there were no economies of scale available at this time that should be passed along to the Fund.
 
5.  BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FUND
 
The Independent Directors considered the direct and indirect benefits that could be realized by the Adviser from its association with the Fund.  The Independent Directors examined the brokerage and commissions of the Adviser with respect to the Fund, noting that the Adviser receives no soft dollar benefits from its relationship with the Fund and has no affiliated entities that provide services to the Fund.  The Independent Directors concluded that any such benefits were difficult to quantify and likely not significant.
 
CONCLUSIONS
 
Based on their review, including consideration of each of the factors referred to above, the Board and the Independent Directors concluded that the terms of the Agreement are fair and reasonable to the Fund and its stockholders, that the Fund’s stockholders receive reasonable value in return for the advisory fees paid to the Adviser by the Fund and that renewal of the Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders.
 


 
35

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
 
July 31, 2019
Additional Information (continued)
(Unaudited)

 
NOTE 1:  INFORMATION ABOUT PROXY VOTING
 
Information regarding how the Fund votes proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge upon request by calling toll-free at 1-877-785-0376 and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by calling the toll-free number listed above.
 
 
NOTE 2:  AVAILABILITY OF QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The filing will be available, upon request, by calling 1-877-785-0376. Furthermore, you will be able to obtain a copy of the filing on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov beginning with the filing for the period ended October 31, 2004. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
 
 
NOTE 3:  INFORMATION ABOUT CERTIFICATIONS
 
In December 2018, the Fund submitted a CEO annual certification to the NYSE in which the Fund’s principal executive officer certified that she was not aware, as of the date of the certification, of any violation by the Fund of the NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the Fund’s principal executive and principal financial officers have made quarterly certifications, included in the filing with the SEC on Forms N-CSR and N-Q, relating to, among other things, the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
NOTE 4:  INFORMATION ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Except for historical information contained in this report for the Fund, the matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include any adviser or portfolio manager predictions, assessments, analyses or outlooks for individual securities, industries, market sectors and/or markets. These statements involve risks and uncertainties. In addition to the general risks described for the Fund in the most recent Prospectus, other factors bearing on this report include the accuracy of the adviser’s or portfolio manager’s data, forecasts and predictions, and the appropriateness of the investment programs designed by the adviser or portfolio manager to implement their strategies efficiently and effectively. Any one or more of these factors, as well as other risks affecting the securities markets and investment instruments generally, could cause the actual results of the Fund to differ materially as compared to benchmarks associated with the Fund.
 
 
36

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
 
July 31, 2019
Additional Information (concluded)
(Unaudited)

 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS ONLY
 
The percent of ordinary income distributions designated as interest related dividends for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019 was 0.00%. (unaudited)
 
The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gain distributions under Internal Revenue Section 871(k)(2)(C) was 0.00%. (unaudited)
 
The Fund designates 100% of dividends declared for the fiscal year July 31, 2019 from net investment income as qualified dividend income under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. (unaudited)
 











37

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Dividends and Distributions
July 31, 2019
(Unaudited)


DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its net investment company taxable income at least annually. Investment company taxable income, as defined in section 852 of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986, includes all of the Fund’s taxable income minus the excess, if any, of its net realized long-term capital gains over its net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), plus or minus certain other required adjustments. The Fund also expects to distribute annually substantially all of its net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), except in circumstances where the Fund realizes very large capital gains and where the Directors of the Fund determine that the decrease in the size of the Fund’s assets resulting from the distribution of the gains would not be in the interest of the Fund’s shareholders generally.
 
Pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), each shareholder will be deemed to have elected, unless the Plan Agent (as defined below) is otherwise instructed by the shareholder in writing, to have all distributions, net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, as the Plan Agent (the “Plan Agent”). Shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and distributions in cash, net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, paid in U.S. dollars by check mailed directly to the shareholder by the Plan Agent, as dividend-paying agent. Shareholders who do not wish to have dividends and distributions automatically reinvested should notify the Plan Agent for The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc., c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, ATTN: Ms. Casey Sauer, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Dividends and distributions with respect to shares of the Fund’s Common Stock registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”) will be reinvested under the Plan unless the service is not provided by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive dividends and distributions in cash. A shareholder whose shares are held by a broker or nominee that does not provide a dividend reinvestment program may be required to have his shares registered in his own name to participate in the Plan. Investors who own shares of the Fund’s Common Stock registered in street name should contact the broker or nominee for details.
 
The Plan Agent serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Plan. If the Directors of the Fund declare an income dividend or a capital gains distribution payable in the Fund’s Common Stock, or in cash, as shareholders may have elected, nonparticipants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive Common Stock to be issued by the Fund. If the market price per share on the valuation date equals or exceeds net asset value per share on that date, the Fund will issue new shares to participants at net asset value; or, if the net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the valuation date, then such shares will be issued at 95% of the market price.
 
If net asset value per share on the valuation date exceeds the market price per share on that date, participants in the Plan will receive shares of Common Stock from the Fund valued at market price. The
 

38

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
 
July 31, 2019
Dividends and Distributions (concluded)
(Unaudited)

 
valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a New York Stock Exchange trading day, the next preceding trading day. If the Fund should declare an income dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy Fund shares in the open market on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts on, or shortly after, the payment date.
 
The Plan Agent maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmations of all transactions in an account, including information needed by shareholders for personal and tax records. Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent in noncertified form in the name of the participant, and each shareholder’s proxy will include those shares purchased pursuant to the Plan.
 
In the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold shares for others who are beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the shareholders as representing the total amount registered in the shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.
 
There is no charge to participants for reinvesting dividends or capital gains distributions payable in either Common Stock or cash. The Plan Agent’s fees for the handling or reinvestment of such dividends and capital gains distributions will be paid by the Fund. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable either in stock or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions payable in cash.
 
Brokerage charges for purchasing small amounts of Common Stock for individual accounts through the Plan are expected to be less than usual brokerage charges for such transactions because the Plan Agent will be purchasing stock for all participants in blocks and prorating the lower commissions thus attainable. Brokerage commissions will vary based on, among other things, the broker selected to effect a particular purchase and the number of participants on whose behalf such purchase is being made.
 
The receipt of dividends and distributions in Common Stock under the Plan will not relieve participants of any income tax (including withholding tax) that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.
 
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes in the Plan are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to notice of the termination sent to participants at least 30 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended by the Fund or the Plan Agent, but (except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law, or rules or policies of a regulatory authority) only upon at least 30 days’ written notice to participants. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at the address above.
 

39

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Results of Annual
Stockholders Meeting
July 31, 2019
(Unaudited)


The Fund’s Annual Stockholders meeting was held on December 13, 2018, at the offices of U.S. Bancorp Fund Services LLC, 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202. As of October 18, 2018, the record date, outstanding shares of common stock were 6,895,464. Holders of 6,400,296 common shares of the Fund were present at the meeting either in person or by proxy. These holders, as being holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, constituted a quorum. The stockholders voted on one proposal. The stockholders elected two Directors to the Board of Directors.  The following table provides information concerning the matters voted on at the meeting:
 
I.
Election of Directors
       
   
Votes For
Votes Against
Votes Withheld
 
 
(A)  Richard Abraham
3,322,192
2,984,501
93,603
 
 
(B)  Rajeev Das
3,346,278
2,960,415
93,603
 










40

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Privacy Policy
July 31, 2019
(Unaudited)


  
FACTS
 
WHAT DOES THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC. (THE “FUND”), AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO THE FUND, ON THE FUND’S BEHALF, DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
 
   
 
Why?
 
Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
 
 
What?
 
The types of personal information we, and our service providers, on our behalf, collect and share depends on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
 
     
• Social Security number
 
     
• account balances
 
     
• account transactions
 
     
• transaction history
 
     
• wire transfer instructions
 
     
• checking account information
 
     
When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
 
 
How?
 
All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Fund, and our service providers, on our behalf, choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
 

 
Reasons we can share your personal information
Does the Fund share?
Can you limit this sharing?
 
For our everyday business purposes –
   
 
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s),
   
 
respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to
   
 
credit bureaus
Yes
No
 
For our marketing purposes –
   
 
to offer our products and services to you
No
We don’t share
 
For joint marketing with other financial companies
No
We don’t share
 
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
   
 
information about your transactions and experiences
Yes
No
 
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
   
 
information about your creditworthiness
No
We don’t share
 
For our affiliates to market to you
No
We don’t share
 
For nonaffiliates to market to you
No
We don’t share
 
 
Questions?
 
Call (877) 785-0376
 
41

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.
 
 
 
July 31, 2019
Privacy Policy (concluded)
(Unaudited)
 

 
What we do
     
 
Who is providing this notice?
 
The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)
 
 
How does the Fund, and the
 
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use,
 
 
Fund’s service providers, on the
 
we and our service providers use security measures that comply with
 
 
Fund’s behalf, protect my
 
federal law.  These measures include computer safeguards and secured
 
 
personal information?
 
files and buildings.
 
 
How does the Fund, and the
 
We collect your personal information, for example, when you:
 
 
Fund’s service providers, on
 
open an account
 
 
the Fund’s behalf, collect my
 
provide account information
 
 
personal information?
 
• give us your contact information
 
     
• make a wire transfer
 
     
We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 
 
Why can’t I limit all sharing?
 
Federal law gives you the right to limit only
 
     
• sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness
 
     
• affiliates from using your information to market to you
 
     
• sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
 
     
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
 
 
Definitions
     
 
Affiliates
 
Companies related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
 
     
None
 
 
Nonaffiliates
 
Companies not related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
 
     
The Fund does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.
 
 
Joint marketing
 
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
 
     
The Fund does not jointly market.
 



42

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Management of the Fund
July 31, 2019
(Unaudited)


Board of Directors. The management and affairs of the Fund are supervised by the Board of Directors. The Board consists of five individuals, whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund as the term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Directors are fiduciaries for the Fund’s shareholders and are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland in this regard. The Board establishes policies for the operation of the Fund and appoints the officers who conduct the daily business of the Fund. The Directors and Interested Officers of the Fund are listed below with their addresses, present position(s) with the Fund, length of time served, principal occupations over at least the last five years, and any other Directorships held. Please note that the Fund is not part of a fund complex.
 
Additional information about the Directors and Officers of the Fund is included in the Fund’s most recent Proxy Statement.
 
     
Term of
   
 
Year
Position(s)
Office/Length
Principal Occupation
Other Directorships
Name and Address
Born
with the Fund
of Time Served
During the Past Five Years
Held by Director
Gerald Hellerman
1937
Director, Chief
Since
Managing Director of
Trustee, High Income
615 E. Michigan Street
 
Compliance
2016 / 18 years
Hellerman Associates
Securities Fund;
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Officer
 
(a financial and corporate
Director, Swiss
       
consulting firm) since 1993
Helvetia Fund, Inc.;
       
(which terminated activities
Trustee, Crossroads
       
as of December 31, 2013).
Liquidating Trust;
         
Director,
         
MVC Capital, Inc.;
         
Director, Special
         
Opportunities
         
Fund, Inc.; Trustee,
         
Fiera Capital Series
         
Trust; Director,
         
Ironsides Partners
         
Opportunity
         
Offshore Fund Ltd.
         
(until 2016);
         
Director, Emergent
         
Capital, Inc.
         
(until 2017).


43

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.


 
July 31, 2019
Management of the Fund (continued)
(Unaudited)


       
Term of
 
 
Year
Position(s)
Office/Length
Principal Occupation
Other Directorships
Name and Address
Born
with the Fund
of Time Served
During the Past Five Years
Held by Director
Phillip Goldstein
1945
Chairman
Since
Since its inception in 2009,
Chairman, High
Park 80 West, Plaza Two,
   
2017 / 19 years
Mr. Goldstein has been a
Income Securities
250 Pehle Avenue,
     
member of Bulldog Investors,
Fund; Director, Swiss
Suite 708
     
LLC, the investment advisor
Helvetia Fund, Inc.;
Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
     
of Special Opportunities
Trustee, Crossroads
       
Fund, Inc. and the Bulldog
Liquidating Trust;
       
Investors group of funds.
Director, Brookfield
       
He also is a member of
DTLA Fund Office
       
Kimball & Winthrop, LLC,
Trust Investor;
       
the managing general
Director, MVC
       
partner of Bulldog Investors
Capital, Inc.;
       
General Partnership, since
Chairman, Special
       
2012. From 1992-2012,
Opportunities Fund,
       
Mr. Goldstein was a
Inc.; Chairman,
       
member of the general
Emergent Capital,
       
partners of several private
Inc. (until 2017).
       
funds in the Bulldog
 
       
Investors group of funds
 
       
and in 2012 became a
 
       
member of Bulldog
 
       
Holdings, LLC, which
 
       
became the sole owner of
 
       
such general partners.
 
           
Glenn Goodstein
1963
Director
Since
Registered Investment
None
5650 El Camino Real,
   
2016 / 18 years
Advisor; held numerous
 
Suite 155
     
executive positions with
 
Carlsbad, CA 92008
     
Automatic Data Processing
 
       
until 1996.
 

 

 
44

THE MEXICO EQUITY AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 
 
July 31, 2019
Management of the Fund (concluded)
(Unaudited)

 
     
Term of
   
 
Year
Position(s)
Office/Length
Principal Occupation
Other Directorships
Name and Address
Born
with the Fund
of Time Served
During the Past Five Years
Held by Director
Rajeev Das
1968
Director
Since
Since 2004, Mr. Das has
Trustee, High Income
68 Lafayette Avenue
   
2018 / 18 years
been a Principal of the
Securities Fund.
Dumont, NJ 07628
     
entities serving as the general
 
       
partner of the private
 
       
investment partnerships in
 
       
the Bulldog Investors group
 
       
of investment funds.  Head
 
       
Trader of Bulldog Investors,
 
       
LLC, the investment
 
       
adviser to the Special
 
       
Opportunities Fund, Inc.,
 
       
since its inception in
 
       
2009.  Secretary of the Swiss
 
       
Helvetia Fund. Treasurer of
 
       
Special Opportunities Fund,
 
       
Inc., from 2009-2014.
 
           
Richard Abraham
1955
Director
Since
Since 1998, Mr. Abraham
None
143 Colfax Rd
   
2018 / 4 years
has been self employed as
 
Havertown, PA 19083
     
a securities trader.
 
           
Maria Eugenia Pichardo
1950
Officer,
Indefinite / 15 years
Portfolio Manager of the
None
Andres Bello No. 45 – 22 Floor
 
President
 
Fund since the Fund’s
 
Col. Chapultepec Polanco
     
Inception; President and
 
Del. Miguel Hidalgo
     
General Partner, Pichardo
 
Mexico, CDMX (D.F.),
     
Asset Management, S.A. de
 
C.P. 11560
     
C.V. since 2003; Managing
 
       
Director, Acciones y Valores
 
       
de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
 
       
from 1979-2002.
 
           
Luis Calzada
1965
Secretary
Indefinite / 8 years
Administrative and
None
Andres Bello No. 45 – 22 Floor
   

Compliance Director,
 
Col. Chapultepec Polanco
     
Pichardo Asset
 
Mexico, CDMX (D.F.),
     
Management S.A. de C.V.
 
C.P. 11560
         
           
Arnulfo Rodriguez
1962
Chief
Since
Strategist and Debt Portfolio
None
Andres Bello No. 45 – 22 Floor
 
Financial
2016 / 3 years
Manager, Pichardo Asset
 
Col. Chapultepec Polanco
 
Officer
 
Management, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico, CDMX (D.F.),
     
from January 2016-present;
 
C.P. 11560
     
Local Fixed Income Research
 
       
Vice President, Acciones y
 
       
Valores Banamex from July
 
       
2011-January 2016.
 


45











(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)
 















THE MEXICO EQUITY
AND INCOME FUND, INC.


Investment Adviser:
Pichardo Asset Management, S.A. de C.V.
Andres Bello No. 45 – 22 Floor
Col. Chapultepec Polanco
Del. Miguel Hidalgo
Mexico, CDMX (D.F.), C.P. 11560
 
Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm:
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP
Two Liberty Place
50 South 16th Street, Suite 2900
Philadelphia, PA 19102
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar,
Fund Administrator
and Fund Accountant:
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Custodian:
U.S. Bank, N.A.
Custody Operations
1555 Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212
 
Board of Directors:
Richard Abraham
Rajeev Das
Phillip Goldstein
Glenn Goodstein
Gerald Hellerman




Item 2. Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer.  The registrant has not made any amendments to its code of ethics during the period covered by this report.  The registrant has not granted any waivers from any provisions of the code of ethics during the period covered by this report.  The registrant undertakes to provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of its code of ethics by mail when they call the registrant at 1-877-785-0376.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s board of directors has determined that there is at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.  Rajeev Das is the “audit committee financial expert” and is considered to be “independent” as each term is defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The registrant has engaged its principal accountant to perform audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services during the past two fiscal years.  “Audit services” refer to performing an audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.  “Audit-related services” refer to the assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit.  “Tax services” refer to professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.  “Other services” were not provided by the principal accountant.  The following table details the aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed for each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees by the principal accountant.

 
FYE  7/31/2019
FYE  7/31/2018
Audit Fees
$31,000
$30,900
Audit-Related Fees
$0
$0
Tax Fees
$3,300
$3,300
All Other Fees
$0
$0

The audit committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures that require the audit committee to pre‑approve all audit and non‑audit services of the registrant, including services provided to any entity affiliated with the registrant.

The percentage of fees billed by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP applicable to non-audit services pursuant to waiver of pre-approval requirement were as follows:

 
FYE  7/31/2019
FYE  7/31/2018
Audit-Related Fees
0%
0%
Tax Fees
0%
0%
All Other Fees
0%
0%

All of the principal accountant’s hours spent on auditing the registrant’s financial statements were attributed to work performed by full‑time permanent employees of the principal accountant.

The following table indicates the non-audit fees billed or expected to be billed by the registrant’s accountant for services to the registrant and to the registrant’s investment adviser (and any other controlling entity, etc.—not sub-adviser) for the last two years.  The audit committee of the board of trustees/directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant's investment adviser is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence and has concluded that the provision of such non-audit services by the accountant has not compromised the accountant’s independence.

Non-Audit Related Fees
FYE  7/31/2019
FYE  7/31/2018
Registrant
$3,300
$3,300
Registrant’s Investment Adviser
$0
$0

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

The standing audit committee is comprised of Mr. Abraham, Mr. Phillip Goldstein, Mr. Glenn Goodstein and Mr. Rajeev Das.

Item 6. Investments.

(a)
Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
 
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
 
The Proxy Voting Policies and Guidelines contained in this document summarize The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc.’s (the “Fund”) positions on various issues of concern to the Fund’s shareholders.  These Guidelines give general indication as to how the Fund’s Advisor will vote Fund shares on each issue listed.  However, this listing does not address all potential voting issues or the intricacies that may surround individual proxy votes.  For that reason there may be instances in which votes may vary from the guidelines presented here.  The Fund endeavors to vote Fund shares in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and strategies.
 
I.     CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
A.    Board and Governance Issues
 
1.     Board of Director/Trustee Composition
 
The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of the corporation.
 
The Fund advisor will oppose slates without at least a majority of independent directors (1/3 of directors who are outsiders to the corporation).
 
The Fund advisor will vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees include independent directors exclusively.
 
2.     Increase Authorized Common Stock
 
The Fund advisor will generally support the authorization of additional common stock necessary to facilitate a stock split.
 
The Fund advisor will generally support the authorization of additional common stock, if the company already has a large amount of stock authorized but not issued or reserved for its stock option plans.  In this latter instance, there is a concern that the authorized but unissued shares will be used as a poison pill or other takeover defense, which will be opposed.  In addition, we will require the company to provide a specific purpose for any request to increase shares by more than 100 percent of the current authorization.
 
3.     Blank Check Preferred Stock
 
Blank check preferred is stock with a fixed dividend and a preferential claim on company assets relative to common shares.  The terms of the stock (voting dividend and conversion rights) are set by the Board at a future date without further shareholder action.  While such an issue can in theory have legitimate corporate purposes, most often it has been used as a takeover defense since the stock has terms that make the entire company less attractive.
 
The Fund advisor will generally oppose the creation of blank check preferred stock.
 
4.     Classified or “Staggered” Board
 
On a classified (or staggered) board, directors are divided into separate classes (usually three) with directors in each class elected to overlapping three-year terms.  Companies argue that such Boards offer continuity in direction which promotes long-term planning.  However, in some instances they may serve to deter unwanted takeovers since a potential buyer would have to wait at least two years to gain a majority of Board seats.
 
The Fund advisor will vote on a case-by-case basis on issues involving classified boards.
 
5.     Supermajority Vote Requirements
 
Supermajority vote requirements in a company’s charter or bylaws require a level of voting approval in excess of a simple majority.  Generally, supermajority provisions require at least 2/3 affirmative vote for passage of issues.
 
The Fund advisor will vote on a case-by-case issues involving supermajority voting.
 
6.     Restrictions on Shareholders to Act by Written Consent
 
Written consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry out a shareholder action without waiting until the annual meeting or by calling a special meeting.  It permits action to be taken by the written consent of the same percentage of outstanding shares that would be required to effect the proposed action at a shareholder meeting.
 
The Fund advisor will generally oppose proposals to limit or eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent.
 
7.     Restrictions on Shareholders to Call Meetings
 
The Fund advisor will generally oppose such a restriction as it limits the right of the shareholder.
 
8.     Limitations, Director Liability and Indemnification
 
Because of increased litigation brought against directors of corporations and the increased costs of director’s liability insurance, many states have passed laws limiting director liability for those acting in good faith.  Shareholders however must opt into such statutes.  In addition, many companies are seeking to add indemnification of directors to corporate bylaws.
 
The Fund advisor will generally support director liability and indemnification resolutions because it is important for companies to be able to attract the most qualified individuals to their Boards.  Note: Those directors acting fraudulently would remain liable for their actions irrespective of this resolution.
 
9.     Reincorporation
 
Corporations are in general bound by the laws of the state in which they are incorporated.  Companies reincorporate for a variety of reasons including shifting incorporation to a state where the company has its most active operations or corporate headquarters, or shifting incorporation to take advantage of state corporate takeover laws.
 
While each reincorporation proposal will be evaluated based on its own merits, the Fund advisor will generally support reincorporation resolutions for valid business reasons (such as reincorporating in the same state as the corporate headquarters).
 
10.   Cumulative Voting
 
Cumulative voting allows shareholders to “stack” their votes behind one or a few directors running for the board, thereby helping a minority of shareholders to win board representation.  Cumulative voting gives minority shareholders a voice in corporate affairs proportionate to their actual strength in voting shares.
 
The Fund advisor will generally support proposals calling for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
 
11.   Dual Classes of Stock
 
In order to maintain corporate control in the hands of a certain group of shareholders, companies may seek to create multiple classes of stock with differing rights pertaining to voting and dividends.
 
The Fund advisor will generally oppose dual classes of stock.  However, the advisor will support classes of stock offering different dividend rights (such as one class which pays cash dividends and a second which pays stock dividends) depending on the circumstances.
 
12.   Limit Directors’ Tenure
 
In general corporate directors may stand for re-election indefinitely.  Opponents of this practice suggest that limited tenure would inject new perspectives into the boardroom as well as possibly creating room for directors from diverse backgrounds; however, continuity is important to corporate leadership and in some instances alternative means may be explored for injecting new ideas or members from diverse backgrounds into corporate boardrooms.
 
Accordingly, the Fund advisor will vote on a case-by-case basis attempts to limit director tenure.
 
13.   Minimum Director Stock Ownership
 
The director share ownership proposal requires that all corporate directors own a minimum number of shares in the corporation.  The purpose of this resolution is to encourage directors to have the same interest as other shareholders.
 
The Fund advisor will support resolutions that require corporate directors to own shares in the company.
 
14.   Selection of Auditor
 
Annual election of the outside accountants is standard practice.  While it is recognized that the company is in the best position to evaluate the competence of the outside accountants, we believe that outside accountants must ultimately be accountable to shareholders.  Furthermore, audit committees have been the subject of a report released by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees in conjunction with the NYSE and the National Association of Securities Dealers.  The Blue Ribbon Commission concluded that audit committees must improve their current level of oversight of independent accountants.  Given the rash of accounting irregularities that were not detected by audit panels or auditors, shareholder ratification is an essential step in restoring investor confidence.
 
The Fund advisor will oppose the resolutions seeking ratification of the auditor when fees for financial systems design and implementation exceed audit and all other fees, as this can compromise the independence of the auditor.
 
The Fund advisor will oppose the election of the audit committee chair if the audit committee recommends an auditors whose fees for financial systems design and implementation exceed audit and all other fees, as this can compromise the independence of the auditor.
 
B.     Executive Compensation
 
1.     Disclosure of CEO, Executive, Board and Management Compensation
 
On a case-by-case basis, the Fund advisor will support shareholder resolutions requesting companies to disclose the salaries of top management and the Board of Directors.
 
2.     Compensation for CEO, Executive, Board and Management
 
The Fund advisor will oppose an executive compensation proposal if we believe the compensation does not reflect the economic and social circumstances of the company (i.e. at times of layoffs, downsizing, employee wage freezes, etc.).
 
3.     Formation and Independence of Compensation Review Committee
 
The Fund advisor will support shareholder resolutions requesting the formation of a committee of independent directors to review and examine executive compensation.
 
4.     Stock Options for Board and Executives
 
The Fund advisor will generally oppose stock option plans that in total offer greater than 15% of shares outstanding because of voting and earnings dilution.
 
The Fund advisor will generally oppose option programs that allow the repricing of underwater options.  (Repricing divides shareholder and employee interests.  Shareholders cannot “reprice” their stock and, therefore, optionees should not be treated differently).
 
The Fund advisor will generally oppose stock option plans that have option exercise prices below the marketplace on the day of the grant.
 
The Fund advisor will generally support options programs for outside directors subject to the same constraints previously described.
 
5.     Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOPs)
 
The Fund advisor will support ESOPs created to promote active employee ownership.  However, they will oppose any ESOP whose purpose is to prevent a corporate takeover.
 
6.     Pay Equity
 
The Fund advisor will support shareholder resolutions that request that management provide a race and/or gender pay equity report.
 
7.     Ratio Between CEO and Worker Pay
 
The Fund advisor will generally support shareholder resolutions requesting that management report on the ratio between CEO and employee compensation.
 
8.     Maximum Ratio Between CEO and Worker Compensation and/or Cap on CEO Compensation
 
The Fund advisor will vote on a case-by-case basis shareholder resolutions requesting management to set a maximum ratio between CEO and employee compensation and/or a cap on CEO compensation.
 
9.     Changes to Charter or By-Laws
 
The Fund advisor will conduct a case-by-case review of the proposed changes with the voting decision resting on whether the proposed changes are in shareholder’s best interests.
 
10.   Confidential Voting
 
Typically, proxy voting differs from voting in political elections in that the company is made aware of shareholder votes as they are cast.  This enables management to contact dissenting shareholders in an attempt to get them to change their votes.
 
The Fund advisor will support confidential voting because the voting process should be free of coercion.
 
11.   Equal Access to Proxy
 
Equal access proposals ask companies to give shareholders access to proxy materials to state their views on contested issues, including director nominations.  In some cases, they would actually allow shareholders to nominate directors.  Companies suggest that such proposals would make an increasingly complex process even more burdensome.
 
In general, the Fund advisor will oppose resolutions for equal access proposals.
 
12.   Golden Parachutes
 
Golden parachutes are severance payments to top executives who are terminated or demoted pursuant to a takeover.  Companies argue that such provisions are necessary to keep executives from “jumping ship” during potential takeover attempts.
 
The Fund advisor will support the right of shareholders to vote on golden parachutes because they go above and beyond ordinary compensation practices.  In evaluating a particular golden parachute, we will examine total management compensation, the employees covered by the plan, and the quality of management.
 
C.    Mergers and Acquisitions
 
1.     Considering the Non-Financial Effects of a Merger Proposal
 
Such a proposal allows or requires the Board to consider the impact of merger decisions on various “stakeholders,” such as employees, communities, customers and business partners.  This proposal gives the Board the right to reject a tender offer on the grounds that it would adversely affect the company’s stakeholders.
 
The Fund advisor will support shareholder resolutions that consider non-financial impacts of mergers.
 
2.     Mergers, Restructuring and Spin-offs
 
A merger, restructuring, or spin-off in some way affects a change in control of the company’s assets.  In evaluating the merit of each issue, we will consider the terms of each proposal.  This will include an analysis of the potential long-term value of the investment.
 
The Fund advisor will support management proposals for merger or restructuring if the transaction appears to offer fair value and other proxy voting policies stated are not violated.  For example, the advisor may oppose restructuring resolution which include in it significant takeover defenses and may again oppose the merger of a non-nuclear and a nuclear utility if it poses potential liabilities.
 
3.     Poison Pills
 
Poison pills (or shareholder rights plans) are triggered by an unwanted takeover attempt and cause a variety of events to occur which may make the company financially less attractive to the suitor.  Typically, directors have enacted these plans without shareholder approval.  Most poison pill resolutions deal with putting poison pills up for a vote or repealing them altogether.
 
The Fund advisor will support proposals to put rights plans up for a shareholder vote.  In general, poison pills will be opposed unless management is able to present a convincing case fur such a plan.
 
4.     Anti-Greenmail Proposals
 
Greenmail is the payment a corporate raider receives in exchange for his/her shares.  This payment is usually at a premium to the market price, so while greenmail can ensure the continued independence of the company, it discriminates against other shareholders.
 
The Fund advisor will generally support greenmail provisions.
 
5.     Opt-Out of State Anti-Takeover Law
 
A strategy for dealing with anti-takeover issues has been a shareholder resolution asking for a company to opt-out of a particular state’s anti-takeover laws.
 
The Fund advisor will generally support bylaws changes requiring a company to opt-out of state anti-takeover laws.  However, resolutions requiring companies to opt-into state anti-takeover statutes will be opposed.

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

Information is presented as of July 31, 2019.

Portfolio Manager. Ms. Maria Eugenia Pichardo is the Portfolio Manager responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, which includes making portfolio management decisions and executing transactions.

Ms. Pichardo has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since the Fund's inception (1990).  She is also the President and General Partner of Pichardo Asset Management, S.A. de C.V. ("PAM') (the Fund's Investment Adviser) since February 2003.  Prior to starting PAM, from 1989 to 1990 she was General Director of Acci-Worldwide S.A. de C. V, a wholly owned asset management subsidiary of Acciones y Valores de Mexico, S. A. de C.V member of the Banamex Financial Group, subsidiary of Citigroup. Ms Pichardo was Managing Director and General Director of the International Sales Division of Acciones y Valores de Mexico, S. A. de C. V from 1983 to 1989.

 
 
 
Portfolio Manager Name
Registered
Investment
Company (dollar
amount and
number of
accounts)
 
Other Pooled
Investments (dollar
amount and number
of accounts)
 
Other Accounts
(dollar amount
and number of
accounts)
Ms. Maria Eugenia Pichardo
$57,058,993 (1)
$11,205,170 (2)
$0 (0)

Material Conflict of Interest. The Portfolio Manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to other accounts and accordingly may be presented with potential or actual conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest can arise in the allocation of securities to the various accounts when a security is purchased or sold over a period of time.   “PAM” has established policies and procedures to avoid conflict of interest.

The management of other accounts may result in the Portfolio Manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and/or other accounts. In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Board of Directors was satisfied that the Portfolio Manager would be able to devote sufficient attention to the management of the Fund, and that PAM seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of the portfolio manager.

Compensation.  Ms. Pichardo receives a fixed annual salary and bonus from PAM.

Securities Owned in the Fund by Portfolio Manager. As of July 31, 2019, the Portfolio Manager owned the following securities in the Fund:

Portfolio Manager Name
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund
(None, $1-$10,000,
$10,001-$50,000, $50,001-
$100,000, $100,001 -
$500,000, $500,001 to
$1,000,000, Over
$1,000,000)
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Securities in all Registered
Investment Companies
Overseen by Portfolio
Manager in Family of
Investment Companies
Ms. Maria Eugenia Pichardo
None
None

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

Period
(a)
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased
(b)
Average Price Paid
per Share (or Unit)
(c)
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
(d)
Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units)
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
2/1/19 to 2/28/19
1,723,866(1)
$11.58
1,723,866
0
3/1/19 to 3/31/19
0
$0.00
0
0
4/1/19 to 4/30/19
0
$0.00
0
0
5/1/19 to 5/31/19
0
$0.00
0
0
6/1/19 to 6/30/19
0
$0.00
0
0
7/1/19 to 7/31/19
0
$0.00
0
0
Total
1,723,866
$11.58
0
0

(1) The Fund announced on January 11, 2019 that it was offering to purchase up to 25% of common shares outstanding of the Fund at 99% of the net asset value (“NAV”) per common share on February 15, 2019. At the expiration of the offer on February 15, 2019, a total of 4,892,653 shares or approximately 70.95% of the Fund’s outstanding common shares were validly tendered. As the total number of shares tendered exceeded the number of shares the Fund offered to purchase pursuant to the Offer, on a pro-rated basis, approximately 35.23% of the Fund’s shares tendered by each tendering shareholder were accepted for payment. There were 1,723,866 shares accepted for payment at a price of $11.58 per share (99% of the NAV per common share of $11.70) or $19,962,368.

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 of directors.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a)
The Registrant’s President and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d‑15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider.

(b)
There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) 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. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

The registrant did not engage in securities lending activities during the fiscal period reported on this Form N-CSR.

Item 13. Exhibits.

(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 Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit.  Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form N-CSR filed October 9, 2012.

(2) A separate certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Filed herewith.

(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c‑1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons.  None.

(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant.  There was no change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by this report.

(b)
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002.  Furnished herewith.

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)   The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc. 

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Maria Eugenia Pichardo
Maria Eugenia Pichardo, President

Date    October 3, 2019



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/ Maria Eugenia Pichardo
Maria Eugenia Pichardo, President

Date    October 3, 2019 

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Arnulfo Rodriguez
Arnulfo Rodriguez, Chief Financial Officer

Date    October 3, 2019

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.