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

(811-22543)

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

555 California Street, 50th Floor
San Francisco, CA

 

94104

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Nicole J. Macarchuk, Esq.
KKR Asset Management LLC
555 California Street, 50
th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(415) 315-3620

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

October 31, 2018

 

 

Date of reporting period:

April 30, 2018

 

 



 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 



 

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

April 30, 2018

 



 

Income Opportunities Fund

April 30, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

Table of Contents

 

Management Discussion of Fund Performance

1

Performance Information

5

Schedule of Investments

6

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

14

Statement of Operations

15

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

16

Statement of Cash Flows

17

Financial Highlights

18

Notes to Financial Statements

19

Voting Results from the March 22, 2018 Shareholder Meeting

28

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

29

Privacy Notice

31

 

The KKR Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q within sixty days after the end of the period. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, as well as information relating to how a Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent period ended June 30 will be available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 855-862-6092; and (ii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S TRUSTEES

 

The proxy statements and annual reports include information about the Fund’s Trustees and are available without charge, upon request, by calling 855-862-6092 and by visiting the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov or the Fund’s website at www.kkrfunds.com.

 



 

Management Discussion of Fund Performance

 

Looking Back on the Markets — April 30, 2018

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund (“KIO”) aims to dynamically allocate across credit instruments to capitalize on changes in relative value among corporate credit investments and manage against macroeconomic risks. Our portfolio seeks exposure to companies where the perception of risk may be high but our analysis leads us to believe that risk is lower. Like others, we understand that most asset classes are expensive today but we also have a view that does not mean all assets are expensive. We believe that despite high average valuations across equity and credit markets, there is enough dispersion in value to identify and select a portfolio of large corporates that offer a highly attractive credit spread in today’s market. Our portfolio is focused on where risk or true value is misperceived by many market participants. Our predominant focus is on large companies in sectors where names are not typically over-valued.

 

We believe KIO is well suited to the current credit market conditions as we seek assets that we believe are dislocated or fundamentally mispriced. We believe we are well equipped to construct a robust portfolio in times of stress and provide value to institutional portfolios that have broad credit exposure.

 

Leveraged Loan Commentary(1)

 

New issuance activity gained momentum in Q1 2018 on the back of high volumes in March. Loan new-issue activity increased in March, with gross institutional loan volume totaling $109 billion, contributing to $242 billion total volume for the quarter. This was the third highest quarterly volume on record, according to J.P. Morgan research. Robust activity during the quarter was largely attributable to an increase in M&A issuances rather than refinancing activity. While the refinancing share of activity lessened, repricing remained constant. More specifically, repricing activity totaled to $143 billion in the first three months of 2018 (compared to $135 billion volume in Q4 2017).

 

In terms of performance, the S&P LSTA Leveraged Loan index returned 1.45% in Q1 2018 after returning 1.11% and 1.04% in Q4 2017 and Q3 2017, respectively. The default rate ended the quarter at a three-year high of 2.42% after four issuers filed for bankruptcy during the period. This compares to 2.05% and 1.49% at the end of Q4 2017 and Q1 2017, respectively. The current rate, although significantly higher than the 18-month low of 1.36%, remains well inside the historical average of 3.1%.

 

CLO issuances continued to support demand across the loan market. U.S. CLO issuances were roughly double compared to Q1 2017, with $32.1 billion priced in the first quarter. Retail loan funds turned a corner in 2018, with a net $3.0 billion inflow to mutual funds and ETFs through March. As it relates to M&A, loan volume in the first quarter was approximately $78.5 billion, with private equity accounting for 59% of that amount. Corporate issuances accounted for the remainder. The European loan market registered the fourth-largest total quarterly volume on record of €28 billion. Combined, U.S. and European loan volume was $211 billion, up quarter-over-quarter, but approximately $35 billion less than Q1 2017 volumes.

 

High Yield Bond Commentary(1)

 

New issuance activity in the bond space was low given the periodic bouts of equity and rate volatility. As such, U.S. high-yield issuances totaled $65.5 billion for the quarter, down 20% compared to the start of Q1 2017 ($82.2 billion). Deal volume was largely supported by refinancing activity while M&A issuance activity accounted for only approximately 17% of Q1 issuances. In March, high-yield bonds reported a sixth consecutive outflow, totaling a cumulative -$19.2 billion outflow for the quarter, which continued to put pressure on the market. Additionally, the European high yield market also had a slower-than-expected start to 2018 given a bout of equity market volatility which muted issuances.

 

High yield bond funds reported a -$4.6 billion outflow in January, followed by -$12.4 billion and -$2.3 billion of outflows in February and March, respectively. February’s outflow was the second largest monthly outflow on

 


(1) Source: S&P LCD Quarterly Review and J.P. Morgan as of March 31, 2018.

 

1



 

record behind the -$13.6 billion outflow in June 2013. Notably, outflows totaled $29.0 billion over the last six-month period, which is the largest six-month outflow on record.

 

The ICE BAML High Yield Master index II returned -0.91% in Q1 2018, compared to positive returns in the prior four quarters. Specifically, while high yield bonds had a positive return of 0.64% in January, February and March had negative returns of -0.93% and -0.62%, respectively. Four US companies defaulted in March, totaling $5.6 billion in bonds. Thus far in 2018, fourteen companies have defaulted with debt totaling $28.3 billion ($17.4 billion in bonds and $10.9 billion in loans). For context, the total default volume of $28.3 billion in Q1 2018 accounts for the sixth largest quarterly total on record. As such, the par-weighted U.S. high yield default rate increased to 2.21%, and is up 31bps from 1.90% a year ago.

 

The Market in Numbers

 

For the period of November 1, 2017April 30, 2018:

 

·                  Returns: Over the six month period ending April 30, 2018, the high yield and leveraged loan markets returned -0.23%(2) and 2.39%(3) (as measured by the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Index and the S&P LSTA Leveraged Loan Index), respectively.

 

·                  Spreads: The option adjusted spread on the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Index averaged approximately 353bps(2) for the six month period ending April 30, 2018. The 3-year discounted spread on the S&P LSTA Leveraged Loan Index averaged approximately 387bps(3) for the six month period ending April 30, 2018.

 

·                  Volatility: As measured by the VIX index, over the last six months, the VIX decreased to as low as 9.1 in November 2017, before settling at 15.9(4) as of April 30, 2018.

 

Fund Performance

 

KIO is a diversified closed-end fund that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KIO”. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by employing a dynamic strategy of investing in a targeted portfolio of loans and fixed-income instruments (including derivatives) of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and implementing hedging strategies in order to seek to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. Under normal market conditions, KIO will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in loans and fixed-income instruments or other instruments, including derivative instruments, with similar economic characteristics. The Fund expects to invest primarily in first- and second lien secured loans, unsecured loans and high-yield corporate debt instruments of varying maturities.

 

As of April 30, 2018, the Fund held 70.0% of its net assets in first and second-lien leveraged loans, 60.6% of its net assets in high-yield corporate debt, 8.3% of its net assets in common stock, and 1.4% of its net assets in preferred stock. KIO’s investments represented obligations and equity interests in 93 companies diversified across 36 distinct industries. The top ten issuers represented 42.9% of the Fund’s net assets while the top five industry groups represented 60.8% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s Securities and Exchange Commission 30-day yield was 2.97%.

 

For the period from July 25, 2013 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2018, KIO outperformed the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index on a gross net asset value (“NAV”) and net NAV basis and underperformed it on a market price basis. Over that period, the Fund had returns of 9.71% on a gross NAV basis, 6.96% on a net NAV basis and 4.70% on a market price basis. Over the same period, the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index returned 5.27%. For the six month period ended April 30, 2018, the Fund had returns of 0.84% on a gross NAV basis, -0.63% on a net NAV basis, and -0.84% on a market price

 


(2) Source: ICE Bank of America Merrill Markets Online as of April 30, 2018.

(3) Source: S&P LCD Discounted Spreads as of April 30, 2018.

(4) Source: Bloomberg as of April 30, 2018.

 

2



 

basis, and the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index returned -0.23% over the same time period. Since inception through April 30, 2018, the Fund traded at an average discount to NAV of 9.30%.(5) The Fund employed leverage during the period covered by this report.(6)

 

Business Updates

 

We thank you for your partnership and continued investment in KIO. We look forward to continued communications and will keep you apprised of the progress of KIO specifically and the leveraged finance market place generally. Fund information is available on our website at kkrfunds.com/kio.

 

Disclosures

 

The ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch US Corporate Index is an unmanaged index comprised of U.S. dollar denomination investment grade corporate debt securities publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market with at least one year remaining term to final maturity.

 

The ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index is a market-value weighted index of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. “Yankee” bonds (debt of foreign issuers issued in the U.S. domestic market) are included in the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index provided that the issuer is domiciled in a country having investment grade foreign currency long-term debt rating. Qualifying bonds must have maturities of one year or more, a fixed coupon schedule and minimum outstanding of US$100 million. In addition, issues having a credit rating lower than BBB3, but not in default, are also included.

 

The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) Volatility Index (VIX) reflects the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility. It is constructed using the implied volatilities of a wide range of S&P 500 index options. The VIX reflects the market’s estimate of future volatility, based on the weighted average of the implied volatilities for a wide range of strikes. The first and second month expirations are used until 8 days from expiration, then the second and third are used.

 

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Returns represent past performance and reflect changes in share prices, the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains, expense limitations and the effects of compounding. The prospectus contains more complete information on the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the investment company, which investors should read and consider carefully before investing. The returns shown do not reflect taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or redemptions. Total investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate, and your shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. An investment in the Fund involves risk, including the risk of loss of principal. For a discussion of the Fund’s risks, see Risk Considerations, Note 3 to the financial statements. Call 855-862-6092 or visit www.kkrfunds.com/kio for performance results current to the most recent calendar quarter-end.

 

Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

An imbalance in supply and demand in the income market may result in valuation uncertainties and greater volatility, less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency in the market. Investments in income securities may be affected by changes in the creditworthiness of the issuer and are subject to the risk of non—payment of principal and interest. The value of income securities also may decline because of real or perceived concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. Borrowing to increase investments (leverage) will exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of Fund investments. Investments rated below investment grade (typically referred to as “junk”) are generally subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments. As interest rates rise, the value of certain income

 


(5) Source: USBank Internal application as of April 30, 2018.

(6) For a discussion of the risks associated with the use of leverage and other risks, please see Risk Considerations, Note 3 to the financial statements.

 

3



 

investments is likely to decline. Senior loans are subject to prepayment risk. Investments in foreign instruments or currencies can involve greater risk and volatility than U.S. investments because of adverse market economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical or other conditions. Changes in the value of investments entered for hedging purposes may not match those of the position being hedged. The Fund may engage in other investment practices that may involve additional risks.

 

4



 

Performance Information

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

Value of $10,000 vs. ICE BofA Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index ®

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of

 

Average Annual Total Returns

 

 

 

 

 

Since Inception

 

$10,000

 

Period Ended April 30, 2018

 

One Year

 

Three Year

 

(7/25/2013)

 

4/30/2018

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund — Market Price Return

 

0.44

%

9.00

%

4.70

%

$

12,447

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund — NAV Return

 

3.61

%

8.15

%

6.96

%

$

13,777

 

ICE BofA Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index®

 

3.21

%

4.99

%

5.27

%

$

12,774

 

 

5



 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

 

Par†

 

Value

 

LEVERAGED LOANS - 70.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Aerospace & Defense - 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

EaglePicher Technologies, LLC, TL 2L 02/18

 

 

 

 

 

9.151% (1 Month US LIBOR + 7.250%), 03/08/2026 (a)

 

1,838,910

 

$

1,849,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto Components - 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

American Tire Distributors, Inc., TL 1L 04/15

 

 

 

 

 

6.244% (US LIBOR + 4.250%), 09/01/2021 (a)

 

2,428,850

 

2,129,664

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Products - 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

SRS Distribution, Inc., TL 2L 06/16

 

 

 

 

 

10.651% (1 Month US LIBOR + 8.750%), 02/24/2023 (a)

 

3,943,740

 

4,066,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals - 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Emerald Performance Materials, LLC, TL 2L 07/14

 

 

 

 

 

9.651% (1 Month US LIBOR + 7.750%), 08/01/2022 (a)

 

1,401,160

 

1,408,747

 

Invictus, TL 2L 01/18

 

 

 

 

 

8.651% (1 Month US LIBOR + 6.750%), 03/28/2026 (a)

 

1,082,100

 

1,094,273

 

New Arclin US Holding Corp., TL 2L 02/17

 

 

 

 

 

11.052% (3 Month US LIBOR + 8.750%), 02/14/2025 (a)

 

282,363

 

286,246

 

Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc., TL 2L 10/17

 

 

 

 

 

10.151% (1 Month US LIBOR + 8.250%), 10/26/2025 (a)

 

2,397,730

 

2,415,713

 

 

 

 

 

5,204,979

 

Commercial Services & Supplies - 7.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Acosta Holdco., Inc., TL 1L B 04/15

 

 

 

 

 

5.151% (1 Month US LIBOR + 3.250%), 09/26/2021 (a)

 

11,784,482

 

9,671,230

 

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc., TL 1L B 06/14

 

 

 

 

 

5.151% (1 Month US LIBOR + 3.250%), 07/23/2021 (a)

 

7,747,194

 

7,435,718

 

Koosharem LLC, TL 1L 03/18

 

 

 

 

 

7.503% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.000%), 04/10/2025 (a)

 

4,461,380

 

4,517,147

 

Monitronics International, Inc., TL 1L 03/12

 

 

 

 

 

7.802% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.500%), 09/30/2022 (a)

 

5,180,705

 

5,029,921

 

 

 

 

 

26,654,016

 

Distributors - 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution International, Inc., TL 1L 12/14

 

 

 

 

 

7.310% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.000%), 12/15/2021 (a)

 

9,690,329

 

8,902,990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Onvoy, LLC, TL 1L 01/17

 

 

 

 

 

6.802% (3 Month US LIBOR + 4.500%), 02/01/2024 (a)

 

3,511,555

 

3,401,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

Excelitas Technologies Corp., TL 2L 10/17

 

 

 

 

 

9.161% (3 Month US LIBOR + 7.500%), 12/01/2025 (a)

 

9,985,960

 

10,198,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Proserv Acquisition LLC, TL 1L B1 12/14 (US Tranche)

 

 

 

 

 

9.125% (3 Month US Prime + 4.375%), 12/22/2021 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (j)

 

1,157,735

 

582,769

 

Proserv Acquisition LLC, TL 1L B2 12/14 (UK Tranche)

 

 

 

 

 

9.125% (3 Month US Prime + 4.375%), 12/22/2021 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (j)

 

679,540

 

342,060

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

6



 

 

 

Par†

 

Value

 

LEVERAGED LOANS - 70.0% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services - 0.3% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Proserv Acquisition LLC, Bridge Loan 1L 03/18

 

 

 

 

 

10.895% (1 Month EURIBOR + 9.000%), 12/22/2021 (a) (b) (c) (e) (j)

 

60,263

 

$

58,455

 

 

 

 

 

983,284

 

Food & Staples Retailing - 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc., TL 2L 01/17

 

 

 

 

 

9.391% (1 Month US LIBOR + 7.500%), 02/03/2025 (a)

 

6,481,857

 

6,570,982

 

Grocery Outlet, Inc., TL 2L 09/14

 

 

 

 

 

10.552% (3 Month US LIBOR + 8.250%), 10/21/2022 (a)

 

591,309

 

597,222

 

 

 

 

 

7,168,204

 

Food Products - 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

CSM Bakery Products, TL 2L 07/13

 

 

 

 

 

10.060% (3 Month US LIBOR + 7.750%), 07/05/2021 (a)

 

991,568

 

951,910

 

CTI Foods Holding Co. LLC, TL 2L 06/13

 

 

 

 

 

9.160% (1 Month US LIBOR + 7.250%), 06/28/2021 (a)

 

3,800,000

 

2,894,327

 

 

 

 

 

3,846,237

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

DeVilbiss Healthcare LLC, TL 1L B 11/16

 

 

 

 

 

7.802% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.500%), 01/03/2023 (a)

 

2,489,329

 

2,326,751

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services - 7.1%

 

 

 

 

 

Amedes Holding AG, TL 1L B 8/15 EUR

 

 

 

 

 

4.750% (6 Month EURIBOR + 4.750%), 08/19/2022 (a) (e)

 

EUR

3,703,840

 

4,459,333

 

Genoa (QoL), TL 2L 10/16

 

 

 

 

 

9.901% (1 Month US LIBOR + 8.000%), 10/28/2024 (a)

 

5,063,890

 

5,146,178

 

Press Ganey Holdings, Inc., TL 2L 10/17

 

 

 

 

 

8.401% (1 Month US LIBOR + 6.500%), 10/23/2025 (a)

 

3,044,038

 

3,082,088

 

Quorum Health Corp., TL 1L 04/16

 

 

 

 

 

8.651% (1 Month US LIBOR + 6.750%), 04/29/2022 (a)

 

8,357,624

 

8,554,780

 

Team Health, Inc., TL 1L 01/17

 

 

 

 

 

4.651% (1 Month US LIBOR + 2.750%), 02/06/2024 (a)

 

3,970,314

 

3,856,167

 

 

 

 

 

25,098,546

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

Sky Betting & Gaming, TL 1L 07/17

 

 

 

 

 

5.052% (3 Month US LIBOR + 2.750%), 08/23/2024 (a) (e)

 

15,634

 

15,693

 

SMG/PA, TL 2L 12/17

 

 

 

 

 

8.901% (1 Month US LIBOR + 7.000%), 01/23/2026 (a)

 

480,720

 

492,438

 

The Bay Club Co., TL 1L 08/16

 

 

 

 

 

8.490% (3 Month US LIBOR + 6.500%), 08/31/2022 (a)

 

5,378,381

 

5,464,112

 

 

 

 

 

5,972,243

 

Internet Software & Services - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Access CIG, LLC, TL 2L 02/18

 

 

 

 

 

9.651% (1 Month US LIBOR + 7.750%), 02/27/2026 (a)

 

723,835

 

730,624

 

Access CIG, LLC, TL 2L DD 02/18

 

 

 

 

 

9.648% (1 Month US LIBOR + 7.750%), 02/27/2026 (a) (h)

 

134,667

 

135,930

 

 

 

 

 

866,554

 

IT Services - 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

NeuStar, Inc., TL 2L 02/17

 

 

 

 

 

10.302% (3 Month US LIBOR + 8.000%), 08/08/2025 (a)

 

720,434

 

720,884

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

7



 

 

 

Par†

 

Value

 

LEVERAGED LOANS - 70.0% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

IT Services - 1.5% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Sutherland Global Services, Inc., TL 1L 10/14 _US Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

7.677% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.375%), 04/23/2021 (a)

 

3,870,648

 

$

3,720,660

 

Sutherland Global Services, Inc., TL 1L 10/14_Cayman Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

7.677% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.375%), 04/23/2021 (a)

 

900,999

 

866,086

 

 

 

 

 

5,307,630

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Albany Molecular Research, Inc., TL 2L 07/17

 

 

 

 

 

8.901% (1 Month US LIBOR + 7.000%), 08/28/2025 (a)

 

1,670,930

 

1,695,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Machinery - 8.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Accuride Corp., TL 1L B 10/17

 

 

 

 

 

7.552% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.250%), 11/17/2023 (a)

 

4,590,378

 

4,642,019

 

BakerCorp International, Inc., TL 1L B 06/11

 

 

 

 

 

5.359% (3 Month US LIBOR + 3.000%), 02/07/2020 (a)

 

6,341,718

 

6,325,864

 

Utility One Source LP, TL 1L 03/17

 

 

 

 

 

7.401% (1 Month US LIBOR + 5.500%), 04/18/2023 (a)

 

6,434,090

 

6,611,028

 

WireCo WorldGroup, Inc., TL 1L 07/16

 

 

 

 

 

7.484% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.500%), 09/29/2023 (a) (e)

 

7,293,619

 

7,364,294

 

WireCo WorldGroup, Inc., TL 2L 07/16

 

 

 

 

 

10.984% (3 Month US LIBOR + 9.000%), 09/30/2024 (a) (e)

 

4,543,961

 

4,612,120

 

 

 

 

 

29,555,325

 

Media - 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, TL 1L B4 12/17

 

 

 

 

 

6.456% (3 Month US LIBOR + 4.500%), 01/02/2024 (a) (e)

 

2,389,980

 

2,483,715

 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, TL 1L B5 12/17

 

 

 

 

 

6.625%, 01/02/2024 (e)

 

4,376,850

 

4,470,405

 

NEP Broadcasting, LLC, TL 2L 06/17

 

 

 

 

 

9.339% (3 Month US LIBOR + 7.000%), 01/23/2023 (a)

 

591,910

 

597,459

 

 

 

 

 

7,551,579

 

Metals & Mining - 7.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Foresight Energy, LLC, TL 1L B 03/17

 

 

 

 

 

8.109% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.750%), 03/28/2022 (a)

 

4,574,524

 

4,488,043

 

Sequa Corp., TL 1L B 11/17

 

 

 

 

 

7.071% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.000%), 11/28/2021 (a)

 

5,767,931

 

5,852,056

 

Sequa Corp., TL 2L 04/17

 

 

 

 

 

10.752% (3 Month US LIBOR + 9.000%), 04/28/2022 (a)

 

14,270,888

 

14,490,874

 

 

 

 

 

24,830,973

 

Multiline Retail - 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

Belk, Inc., TL 1L B 08/15

 

 

 

 

 

7.087% (3 Month US LIBOR + 4.750%), 12/12/2022 (a)

 

8,832,068

 

7,549,210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Services - 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

SIRVA Worldwide, Inc., TL 1L 10/16

 

 

 

 

 

8.534% (3 Month US LIBOR + 6.500%), 11/22/2022 (a)

 

5,058,302

 

5,108,885

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail - 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Transplace, TL 2L 09/17

 

 

 

 

 

10.645% (1 Month US LIBOR + 8.750%), 10/06/2025 (a)

 

4,532,039

 

4,608,517

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

8



 

 

 

Par†

 

Value

 

LEVERAGED LOANS - 70.0% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Software - 8.7%

 

 

 

 

 

Applied Systems, Inc., TL 2L 09/17

 

 

 

 

 

9.302% (3 Month US LIBOR + 7.000%), 09/19/2025 (a)

 

6,013,300

 

$

6,226,772

 

iParadigms Holdings, LLC, TL 2L 07/14

 

 

 

 

 

9.552% (3 Month US LIBOR + 7.250%), 07/29/2022 (a)

 

5,133,360

 

5,056,360

 

Misys Ltd., TL 2L 04/17

 

 

 

 

 

9.234% (3 Month US LIBOR + 7.250%), 06/13/2025 (a)

 

9,697,362

 

9,608,874

 

P2 Energy Solutions, Inc., TL 1L 10/13

 

 

 

 

 

5.800% (3 Month US LIBOR + 4.000%), 10/30/2020 (a)

 

10,175,266

 

10,045,938

 

 

 

 

 

30,937,944

 

Specialty Retail - 3.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte Russe, Inc., TL 1L 12/17

 

 

 

 

 

8.500%, 02/02/2023 (b) (c) (j)

 

1,531,496

 

1,531,496

 

David’s Bridal, Inc., TL 1L B 10/12

 

 

 

 

 

6.310% (3 Month US LIBOR + 4.000%), 10/11/2019 (a)

 

1,587,070

 

1,370,832

 

Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., TL 1L 09/16

 

 

 

 

 

7.509% (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.000%), 10/20/2023 (a)

 

1,338,255

 

1,333,658

 

Savers, Inc., TL 1L C 07/12

 

 

 

 

 

6.111% (3 Month US LIBOR + 3.750%), 07/09/2019 (a) (b) (c)

 

6,454,364

 

6,280,935

 

 

 

 

 

10,516,921

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Nine West Holdings, TL 1L 04/18 DIP

 

 

 

 

 

10.000%, 12/31/2018 (c) (h) (j)

 

173,477

 

160,033

 

Nine West Holdings, TL 1L B 03/14

 

 

 

 

 

7.500% (3 Month US Prime + 4.750%), 10/08/2019 (a)

 

2,193,290

 

2,117,446

 

 

 

 

 

2,277,479

 

Trading Companies & Distributors - 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

FleetPride Corporation, TL 1L B 03/18

 

 

 

 

 

6.378% (1 Month US LIBOR + 4.500%), 11/18/2022 (a)

 

4,008,660

 

4,013,671

 

FleetPride Corporation, TL 2L 03/18

 

 

 

 

 

10.878% (1 Month US LIBOR + 9.000%), 05/19/2023 (a)

 

2,604,310

 

2,561,990

 

 

 

 

 

6,575,661

 

Transportation Infrastructure - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Barge Lines Co., TL 1L B 11/15

 

 

 

 

 

10.651% (1 Month US LIBOR + 8.750%), 11/12/2020 (a)

 

1,762,938

 

1,034,298

 

Direct ChassisLink, Inc., TL 2L 11/17

 

 

 

 

 

7.901% (1 Month US LIBOR + 6.000%), 06/15/2023 (a)

 

2,347,058

 

2,394,000

 

 

 

 

 

3,428,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LEVERAGED LOANS (amortized cost $249,289,732)

 

 

 

248,614,101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HIGH YIELD SECURITIES - 60.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Aerospace & Defense - 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Pattonair Holdings Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

9.000%, 11/01/2022 (e) (g)

 

2,863,000

 

2,948,890

 

Triumph Group, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

7.750%, 08/15/2025

 

3,377,000

 

3,461,425

 

 

 

 

 

6,410,315

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

9



 

 

 

Par†

 

Value

 

HIGH YIELD SECURITIES - 60.6% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Building Products - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Ply Gem Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

8.000%, 04/15/2026 (g)

 

3,358,000

 

$

3,359,007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Cornerstone Chemical Co.

 

 

 

 

 

6.750%, 08/15/2024 (g)

 

1,042,000

 

1,031,580

 

OCI NV

 

 

 

 

 

6.625%, 04/15/2023 (e) (g)

 

2,603,000

 

2,639,442

 

 

 

 

 

3,671,022

 

Commercial Services & Supplies - 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Vivint, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

8.750%, 12/01/2020

 

2,406,000

 

2,351,865

 

7.625%, 09/01/2023

 

2,506,000

 

2,349,375

 

 

 

 

 

4,701,240

 

Communications Equipment - 2.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

10.000%, 11/30/2024 (g)

 

9,062,000

 

10,013,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering - 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Maxim Crane Works LP / Maxim Finance Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

10.125%, 08/01/2024 (g)

 

4,876,000

 

5,314,840

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials - 4.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Cemex Materials LLC

 

 

 

 

 

7.700%, 07/21/2025 (g)

 

13,776,000

 

15,473,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging - 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

7.950%, 12/15/2025

 

2,002,000

 

2,217,215

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Frontier Communications Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

8.500%, 04/01/2026 (g)

 

1,500,000

 

1,458,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 7.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Artesyn Technologies, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

9.750%, 10/15/2020 (g)

 

9,594,000

 

9,258,210

 

Vertiv Group Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

9.250%, 10/15/2024 (g)

 

16,541,000

 

16,706,410

 

 

 

 

 

25,964,620

 

Energy Equipment & Services - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

USA Compression Partners LLC

 

 

 

 

 

6.875%, 04/01/2026 (g)

 

1,017,000

 

1,037,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 4.5%

 

 

 

 

 

DJO Finance LLC / DJO Finance Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

8.125%, 06/15/2021 (g)

 

15,837,000

 

15,856,796

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

10



 

 

 

Par†

 

Value

 

HIGH YIELD SECURITIES - 60.6% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services - 5.9%

 

 

 

 

 

Envision Healthcare Holdings

 

 

 

 

 

5.125%, 07/01/2022 (g)

 

4,496,000

 

$

4,439,800

 

Quorum Health Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

11.625%, 04/15/2023

 

109,000

 

115,813

 

Surgery Partners Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

8.875%, 04/15/2021 (g)

 

8,070,000

 

8,291,925

 

6.750%, 07/01/2025 (g)

 

2,841,000

 

2,684,745

 

Team Health, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

6.375%, 02/01/2025 (g)

 

5,703,000

 

4,961,610

 

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

7.000%, 08/01/2025 (g)

 

538,000

 

528,585

 

 

 

 

 

21,022,478

 

Health Care Technology - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Change Healthcare Holdings LLC

 

 

 

 

 

5.750%, 03/01/2025 (g)

 

649,000

 

634,398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 3.9%

 

 

 

 

 

Boyne USA, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

7.250%, 05/01/2025 (g)

 

1,681,000

 

1,736,137

 

ClubCorp Club Operations, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

8.500%, 09/15/2025 (g)

 

12,520,000

 

12,207,000

 

 

 

 

 

13,943,137

 

Household Products - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Steinhoff

 

 

 

 

 

4.000%, 01/30/2021 (e) (g)

 

EUR

900,000

 

956,418

 

1.250%, 08/11/2022 (e) (g)

 

EUR

 2,500,000

 

2,626,381

 

 

 

 

 

3,582,799

 

Insurance - 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

Hub International Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

7.000%, 05/01/2026 (g)

 

2,519,000

 

2,525,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services - 4.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Avantor, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

6.000%, 10/01/2024 (b) (c) (g)

 

14,962,594

 

15,037,407

 

PAREXEL International Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

6.375%, 09/01/2025 (g)

 

1,370,000

 

1,346,025

 

 

 

 

 

16,383,432

 

Machinery - 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaver-Brooks, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

7.875%, 03/01/2023 (g)

 

6,132,000

 

6,331,290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media - 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Clear Channel International BV

 

 

 

 

 

8.750%, 12/15/2020 (g)

 

3,651,000

 

3,806,167

 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA

 

 

 

 

 

7.250%, 10/15/2020 (e)

 

4,947,000

 

4,829,509

 

 

 

 

 

8,635,676

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

11



 

 

 

Par†

 

Value

 

HIGH YIELD SECURITIES - 60.6% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining - 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

7.875%, 08/15/2023

 

5,289,000

 

$

5,730,896

 

Foresight Energy, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

11.500%, 04/01/2023 (g)

 

3,064,000

 

2,589,080

 

 

 

 

 

8,319,976

 

Multiline Retail - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

J.C. Penney Corp., Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

8.125%, 10/01/2019

 

153,000

 

160,650

 

5.650%, 06/01/2020

 

60,000

 

60,150

 

 

 

 

 

220,800

 

Road & Rail - 4.2%

 

 

 

 

 

The Kenan Advantage Group, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

7.875%, 07/31/2023 (g)

 

14,689,000

 

14,909,335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software - 4.4%

 

 

 

 

 

CDK Global, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

4.875%, 06/01/2027

 

4,320,000

 

4,147,200

 

Datatel, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

9.000%, 09/30/2023 (g)

 

6,727,000

 

7,080,167

 

TIBCO Software, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

11.375%, 12/01/2021 (g)

 

4,020,000

 

4,376,775

 

 

 

 

 

15,604,142

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Lycra

 

 

 

 

 

7.500%, 05/01/2025 (e) (g)

 

907,000

 

929,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Direct ChassisLink, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

10.000%, 06/15/2023 (g)

 

3,326,000

 

3,508,930

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

Sprint Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

7.875%, 09/15/2023

 

2,274,000

 

2,438,865

 

6.875%, 11/15/2028

 

732,000

 

746,640

 

 

 

 

 

3,185,505

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL HIGH YIELD SECURITIES (amortized cost $211,952,320)

 

 

 

215,215,005

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS - 8.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services - 5.1%

 

 

 

 

 

Amedisys, Inc. (b) (c) (d)

 

271,040

 

17,913,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 3.0%

 

 

 

 

 

VICI Properties, Inc.

 

591,340

 

10,750,561

 

 

See notes to financial statements

 

12



 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 8.3% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Towergate SUN NewCo Common Shares A (b) (c) (d) (e) (j)

 

GBP

8,597

 

$

 

Towergate TopCo Common (b) (c) (d) (e) (j)

 

GBP

540,649

 

829,913

 

 

 

 

 

829,913

 

Specialty Retail - 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte Russe, Inc. (b) (c) (d) (j)

 

3,649

 

60,774

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (cost $16,017,108)

 

 

 

29,554,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCK - 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance - 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Towergate SUN NewCo Preference B

 

 

 

 

 

N/A (b) (c) (d) (e) (j)

 

GBP

3,194,971

 

4,904,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK (cost $4,736,869)

 

 

 

4,904,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (amortized cost $481,996,029) (i) - 140.3%

 

 

 

498,287,765

 

LIABILITIES EXCEEDING OTHER ASSETS, NET - (40.3)%

 

 

 

(143,224,347

)

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

 

 

 

$

355,063,418

 

 


                         In U.S. Dollars unless otherwise indicated.

EUR      Euro.

GBP       Great British Pound.

(a)                 Variable rate security, the coupon rate shown is the effective rate as of April 30, 2018.

(b)                 Security considered restricted due to the Adviser’s knowledge of material non-public information. The total value of these securities as of April 30, 2018 was $47,541,220 and represented 13.4% of net assets.

(c)                  Security considered illiquid, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The total value of these securities as of April 30, 2018 was $47,701,253 and represented 13.4% of net assets.

(d)                 Non-income producing security.

(e)                  Non-U.S. security.

(f)                   Defaulted Security.

(g)                  Securities exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers in transactions exempt from registration. The total value of these securities as of April 30, 2018 was $186,605,402, which represent 52.6% of net assets.

(h)                 Includes unfunded or partially unfunded loan commitments. At April 30, 2018, the value of these unfunded securities amounted to $58,120 or 0.02% of net assets.

(i)                     All investments are held as collateral for the Fund’s credit facility.

(j)                    Fair valued security. Value determined using significant unobservable inputs.

 

The following table represents the Fund’s investments categorized by country of risk as of April 30, 2018.

 

Country Weightings:

 

% of Net Assets

 

United States

 

127.6

%

Cayman Islands

 

3.4

%

Luxembourg

 

3.3

%

United Kingdom

 

2.7

%

Germany

 

1.3

%

Austria

 

1.0

%

Netherlands

 

1.0

%

 

 

140.3

%

Liabilities Exceeding Other Assets, Net

 

(40.3

)%

 

 

100.0

%

 

See notes to financial statements

 

13



 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Assets

 

 

 

Investments, at value (amortized cost $481,996,029)

 

$

498,287,765

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

12,953,666

 

Receivable for investments sold

 

4,447,447

 

Dividends and interest receivable

 

5,231,045

 

Prepaid expenses

 

75,625

 

Total assets

 

520,995,548

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Credit facility

 

143,480,476

 

Payable for investments purchased

 

21,498,816

 

Investment advisory fees

 

453,558

 

Trustees’ fees

 

6,932

 

Administration fees

 

13,332

 

Investor support services fees

 

41,232

 

Other accrued expenses

 

437,784

 

Total liabilities

 

165,932,130

 

Net assets

 

$

355,063,418

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets

 

 

 

Paid-in capital — (unlimited shares authorized — $0.001 par value)

 

$

362,095,253

 

Undistributed net investment loss

 

(52,121

)

Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

(23,832,632

)

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, foreign currency transactions and deferred Trustees’ fees

 

16,852,918

 

Net assets

 

$

355,063,418

 

Net asset value, price per share
($355,063,418 ÷ 20,340,315 shares)

 

$

17.46

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14



 

Statement of Operations

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

19,217,089

 

Term loan income

 

604,697

 

Dividend income

 

94,615

 

Total investment income

 

19,916,401

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees

 

2,620,506

 

Credit facility interest expense

 

1,560,763

 

Investor support services fees

 

238,228

 

Legal fees

 

159,595

 

Term loan fees

 

132,837

 

Administration fees

 

59,270

 

Trustees’ fees

 

57,246

 

Audit and tax fees

 

37,564

 

Custodian fees

 

30,616

 

Shareholder reporting expense

 

28,392

 

Transfer agency fees

 

8,232

 

Other expenses

 

153,460

 

Total expenses

 

5,086,709

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

14,829,692

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency transactions and deferred Trustees’ fees

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on

 

 

 

Investments

 

(7,136,388

)

Foreign currency transactions

 

58,544

 

Net realized loss

 

(7,077,844

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on

 

 

 

Investments

 

10,380,393

 

Foreign currency transactions

 

(163,516

)

Deferred Trustees’ fees

 

5,685

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation

 

10,222,562

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, foreign currency transactions and deferred Trustees’ fees

 

3,144,718

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

17,974,410

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

15



 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

April 30, 2018

 

October 31, 2017

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$

14,829,692

 

$

24,226,008

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

(7,077,844

)

4,043,921

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, foreign currency transactions and deferred Trustees’ fees

 

10,222,562

 

6,880,561

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

17,974,410

 

35,150,490

 

Distributions to shareholders from

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(15,257,197

)

(24,269,652

)

Return of capital

 

(379,817

)

 

Total distributions

 

(15,637,014

)

(24,269,652

)

From capital share transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from rights offering

 

72,353,344

 

 

Total capital share transactions

 

72,353,344

 

 

Net increase in net assets

 

74,690,740

 

10,880,838

 

Net assets

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period/year

 

280,372,678

 

269,491,840

 

End of period/year

 

$

355,063,418

 

$

280,372,678

 

Undistributed net investment income (loss)

 

$

(52,121

)

$

375,384

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

16



 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

17,974,410

 

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided in operating activities:

 

 

 

Purchases of investments

 

(230,188,060

)

Proceeds from sales of investments

 

128,625,586

 

Net amortization (accretion) of premiums/discounts

 

(1,299,860

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

 

(10,380,393

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation on foreign currency transactions

 

(72,861

)

Net realized loss on investments

 

7,136,388

 

Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions

 

(74,037

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

Increase in advisory fees payable

 

84,236

 

Decrease in Trustees’ fees

 

(32,309

)

Decrease in receivable for investments sold

 

1,852,260

 

Increase in payable for investments purchased

 

13,651,554

 

Increase in dividends and interest receivable

 

(228,179

)

Increase in prepaid expenses

 

(46,294

)

Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(123,191

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(73,120,750

)

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

Cash distributions paid to shareholders

 

(15,637,014

)

Proceeds from rights offering

 

72,353,344

 

Proceeds from credit facility

 

64,981,291

 

Payment on borrowing of credit facility

 

(39,578,672

)

Foreign currency translation on credit facility

 

335,734

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

82,454,683

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,333,933

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

Beginning Balance

 

3,619,733

 

Ending Balance

 

$

12,953,666

 

 

 

 

 

Supplement Disclosure

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest expense

 

$

1,560,763

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

17



 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Year

 

Year

 

Year

 

Year

 

Period

 

 

 

April 30,

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

2018

 

October 31,

 

October 31,

 

October 31,

 

October 31,

 

October 31,

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013*

 

Per share operating performance(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period/year

 

$

18.38

 

$

17.67

 

$

17.11

 

$

18.98

 

$

19.56

 

$

19.06

 

Income from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

0.76

 

1.59

 

1.61

 

1.47

 

1.48

 

0.27

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency transactions and deferred Trustees’ fees

 

0.15

 

0.71

 

0.45

 

(1.69

)

(0.40

)

0.36

 

Total income from operations

 

0.91

 

2.30

 

2.06

 

(0.22

)

1.08

 

0.63

 

Distributions from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(0.78

)

(1.59

)

(1.50

)

(1.51

)

(1.62

)

(0.13

)

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

(0.10

)

(0.04

)

 

Return of capital

 

(0.02

)

 

 

(0.04

)

 

 

Total distributions

 

(0.80

)

(1.59

)

(1.50

)

(1.65

)

(1.66

)

(0.13

)

Dilutive effect of rights offering

 

(1.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, end of period/year

 

$

17.46

 

$

18.38

 

$

17.67

 

$

17 .11

 

$

18 .98

 

$

19.56

 

Total return#

 

(0.84

)%†

18.08

%

17.10

%

(6.50

)%

7.95

%

(10.07

)%†

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios to average net assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

2.98

%**

2.74

%

2.68

%

2.46

%

2.29

%

2.32

%**

Net investment income

 

8.70

%**

8.74

%

9.79

%

8.23

%

7.57

%

5.36

%**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market value/price

 

$

15.91

 

$

16.87

 

$

15.68

 

$

14.82

 

$

17.58

 

$

17.86

 

Price premium/(discount)

 

(8.83

)%

(8.22

)%

(11.26

)%

(13.38

)%

(7.38

)%

(8.69

)%

Net assets, end of period/year (000’s)

 

$

355,063

 

$

280,373

 

$

269,492

 

$

261,004

 

$

289,474

 

$

298,425

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

27.20

%†

84.06

%

82.48

%

73.33

%

65.35

%

11.75

%†

 


(1)

Per share calculations were performed using average shares.

*

Commenced operations on July 25, 2013.

**

Annualized.

Total return and portfolio turnover rate are for the period indicated and have not been annualized.

#

Total return is computed based on New York Stock Exchange market price of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effect of brokerage commissions. Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

18



 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.           Organization

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) was organized on March 17, 2011 as a statutory trust under the laws of the state of Delaware. The Fund is a closed-end registered management investment company. The Fund commenced operations on July 25, 2013. The Fund seeks to generate a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund is diversified for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). KKR Credit Advisors (US) LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”).

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and are stated in United States (“U.S.”) dollars. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in these financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Valuation of Investments — The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Fund has adopted valuation policies and procedures to ensure investments are valued in a manner consistent with GAAP as required by the 1940 Act. The Board has delegated primary responsibility in ensuring these valuation policies and procedures are followed, including those relating to fair valuation, to the Adviser.

 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters, or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity for disclosure purposes.

 

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical levels, as defined under GAAP, are directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these assets and liabilities, and are as follows:

 

Level 1 — Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

 

The types of assets generally included in this category are common stocks listed in active markets.

 

Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

 

The types of assets and liabilities generally included in this category are high yield securities and certain leveraged loans.

 

Level 3 — Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

 

19



 

The types of assets generally included in this category are certain leveraged loans, common stocks not actively traded and preferred stocks not actively traded.

 

A significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability is an indication that transactions or quoted prices may not be representative of fair value because in such market conditions there may be increased instances of transactions that are not orderly. In those circumstances, further analysis of transactions or quoted prices is needed, and a significant adjustment to the transactions or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value.

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial asset or liability and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of product, whether the product is new, whether the product is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market, and the current market condition. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Fund in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, 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 in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Fund’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the asset. The variability of the observable inputs affected by the factors described above may cause transfers between Levels 1, 2 and/or 3, which the Fund recognizes at the beginning of the period the inputs change.

 

Many financial assets and liabilities have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the marketplace. Bid prices reflect the highest price that the Fund and others are willing to pay for an asset. Ask prices represent the lowest price that the Fund and others are willing to accept for an asset. For financial assets and liabilities whose inputs are based on bid-ask prices, the Fund does not require that fair value always be a predetermined point in the bid-ask range. The Fund’s policy is to allow for mid-market pricing and adjust to the point within the bid-ask range that meets the Fund’s best estimate of fair value.

 

Depending on the relative liquidity in the markets for certain assets, the Fund may transfer assets to Level 3 if it determines that observable quoted prices, obtained directly or indirectly, are not available.

 

Valuation Process

 

The Adviser utilizes a valuation committee (“Valuation Committee”), whose members consist of the Head of Credit-US, Head of Credit-Europe, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer and certain other employees of the Adviser. The Valuation Committee is responsible for approving pricing sources and procedures and for oversight of the Adviser’s pricing practices, including determining the valuation of investments in circumstances where no external pricing data for an investment is available.

 

Investments are generally valued based on quotations from third party pricing services, unless such a quotation is unavailable or is determined to be unreliable or inadequately representing the fair value of the particular assets. In that case, valuations are based on either valuation data obtained from one or more other third party pricing sources, including broker dealers selected by the Adviser, or will reflect the Valuation Committee’s good faith determination of fair value based on other factors considered relevant. The valuation process involved in Level 3 measurements for assets and liabilities is completed daily based on the methodology and assumptions that are used in estimating the value of the investment that are approved by the Valuation Committee on at least a monthly basis and is designed to subject the valuation of Level 3 investments to an appropriate level of consistency, oversight, and review. For assets classified as Level 3, the investment professionals of the Adviser are responsible for preliminary valuations based on various factors including their evaluation of financial and operating data, company specific developments, market valuations of comparable companies and model projections discussed above. All valuations are approved by the Valuation Committee.

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2018, there have been no significant changes to the Fund’s fair value methodologies.

 

20



 

Investment Transactions — Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date, the date the order to buy or sell is executed. Amortization and accretion is calculated using the effective interest method over the holding period of the investment. Realized gains and losses are calculated on the specific identified cost basis.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, cash held in banks and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three or fewer months. Cash equivalents consist solely of money market funds with financial institutions. As of April 30, 2018, the Fund was invested in the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Government Portfolio - Institutional Class.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions — The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. All investments denominated in foreign currency are converted to the U.S. dollar using prevailing exchange rates at the end of the reporting period. Income, expenses, gains and losses on investments denominated in foreign currency are converted to the U.S. dollar using the prevailing exchange rates on the dates when the transactions occurred.

 

The Fund bifurcates that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and interest from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held.

 

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions are declared and paid monthly and distributable net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Term Loan Income — Term Loan Income consists of transaction fees including, but not limited to, delayed compensation, assignment, transfer, administration and amendment fees. Fee and other income is recorded when earned.

 

Income Taxes — The Fund has elected to be treated and has qualified, and intends to continue to qualify in each taxable year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and in conformity with the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010. The Fund will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent the Fund satisfies the requirements under Section 851 of the Internal Revenue Code, including distributing all of its gross investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders based on the Fund’s fiscal year end of October 31.

 

In order to avoid imposition of a 4% excise tax on undistributed income applicable to regulated investment companies, the Fund intends to declare each year as dividends in each calendar year at least 98.0% of its net investment income (earned during the calendar year) and 98.2% of its net realized capital gains (earned during the twelve months ended October 31) plus undistributed amounts, if any, from prior years.

 

The Fund evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether it is “more-likely than-not” (i.e., greater than 50-percent) that each tax position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority based on the technical merits of the position. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management 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 for the open tax years (2014-2016). However, management’s conclusions regarding tax positions taken may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, examination by tax authorities, on-going analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof.

 

As of April 30, 2018, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the six months ended April 30, 2018, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

21



 

3.              Risk Considerations

 

Market Discount Risk — The price of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss.

 

Leverage Risk — Leverage is a speculative technique that may expose the Fund to greater risk and increased costs. When leverage is used, the net asset value and market price of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s investment return will likely be more volatile.

 

The Fund invests mainly in leveraged loans, high yield securities, common stocks not actively traded and preferred stocks. These investments may involve certain risks, as discussed in the Fund’s prospectus, including, but not limited to, those described below:

 

Market Risk — Bond markets rise and fall daily. As with any investment with performance tied to these markets, the value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, which means that the shareholder could lose money.

 

Interest Rate Risk — Interest rates will rise and fall over time. During periods when interest rates are low, the Fund’s yield and total return also may be low. Changes in interest rates also may affect the Fund’s share price and a sharp rise in interest rates could cause the Fund’s share price to fall. The longer the Fund’s duration, the more sensitive to interest rate movements its share price is likely to be.

 

Credit Risk — The Fund is subject to the risk that a decline in the credit quality of an investment could cause the Fund to lose money or underperform. The Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of an investment fails to make timely principal or interest payments or otherwise honor its obligations. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties of derivative contracts (whether a clearing corporation in the case of exchange-traded instruments or another third party in the case of over-the-counter instruments) and other instruments entered into directly by the Fund.

 

Liquidity Risk — A particular investment may be difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund may be unable to sell illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price.

 

Prepayment and Extension Risk — The Fund’s investments are subject to the risk that the investments may be paid off earlier or later than expected. Either situation could cause the Fund to hold investments paying lower than-market rates of interest, which could hurt the Fund’s yield or share price.

 

High Yield Risk — High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (sometimes called junk bonds) that the Fund may invest in are subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risks. High yield securities are considered primarily speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments.

 

Foreign Investment Risk — The Fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers may involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These include risks of adverse changes in foreign economic, political, regulatory and other conditions; changes in currency exchange rates (the currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedging positions, the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged) or exchange control regulations (including limitations on currency movements and exchanges); differing accounting, auditing, financial reporting and legal standards and practices; differing securities market structures; and higher transaction costs. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.

 

22



 

Issuer Risk — The value of securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as its financial strength, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.

 

Refer to the Fund’s prospectus for a more complete description of the principal risks of investing in the Fund.

 

4.              Agreements

 

Investment Advisory Agreement — The Adviser provides day-to-day portfolio management services to the Fund and has discretion to purchase and sell investments in accordance with the Fund’s objectives, policies, and restrictions. For the services it provides to the Fund, the Adviser receives an annual fee, payable monthly by the Fund, in an amount equal to 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets (the “Investment Advisory Fee”). “Managed Assets” is defined as the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to any borrowings (except borrowings solely for short-term cash management purposes), reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, any issuance of preferred shares or notes, and including any assets in respect of shares that will be repurchased as of the end of the month) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than any borrowings).

 

During periods when the Fund is using leverage, the Investment Advisory Fee paid to the Adviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the Investment Advisory Fee paid is calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the assets purchased through leverage.

 

During the six months ended April 30, 2018, the Adviser earned an Investment Advisory Fee of $2,620,506.

 

Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent — U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) (the “Administrator”) serves as the Fund’s Administrator pursuant to an administration agreement under which the Administrator provides administrative and accounting services.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (“Custodian”) serves as the Fund’s custodian pursuant to a custody agreement. The Custodian is an affiliate of USBFS.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to a transfer agency agreement.

 

Investor Support Services Agreement — The Fund has retained Four Wood Capital Partners LLC to provide investor support services in connection with the on-going operation of the Fund. Such services include providing ongoing contact with respect to the Fund and its performance with financial advisors that are representatives of broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries and communicating with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) specialist for the Fund’s common shares, and with the closed-end fund analyst community regarding the Fund on a regular basis.

 

Deferred Trustees’ Compensation — The Fund has a Deferred Trustees’ Compensation plan (the “Plan”) that allows the Independent Trustees to defer compensation to a future payment period. The compensation is invested in shares of the Fund. The value of a participating Independent Trustee’s deferral account is based on the shares of deferred amounts as designated by the participating Independent Trustees. Changes in the value of the Independent Trustees’ deferral account are included in the Statement of Operations. The accrued obligations under the Plan, including unrealized appreciation/(depreciation), are included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Other — Certain officers of the Fund are also officers of the Adviser. Such officers are paid no fees by the Fund for serving as officers of the Fund.

 

23



 

5.              Fair Valuation

 

The following table presents information about the Fund’s assets measured on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2018, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized by the Fund to determine such fair value:

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Investments in securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High yield securities

 

$

 

$

215,215,005

 

$

 

$

215,215,005

 

Leveraged loans

 

 

245,939,288

 

2,674,813

 

248,614,101

 

Common stocks

 

28,663,595

 

 

890,687

 

29,554,282

 

Preferred stocks

 

 

 

4,904,377

 

4,904,377

 

Cash equivalents

 

9,861,230

 

 

 

9,861,230

 

Total investments in securities and cash equivalents

 

$

38,524,825

 

$

461,154,293

 

$

8,469,877

 

$

508,148,995

 

 

The following are the details of the restricted securities held by the Fund:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition

 

Amortized

 

 

 

Net

 

Issuer(1)

 

Par/Shares

 

date(s)

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Assets

 

Amedisys, Inc., Common Stock

 

271,040

 

08/05/2013-08/08/2013

 

$

3,799,456

 

$

17,913,034

 

5.1

%

Avantor, Inc.

 

14,962,594

 

09/22/2017-12/05/2017

 

15,009,943

 

15,037,407

 

4.2

%

Charlotte Russe, Inc., TL 1L 12/17

 

1,531,496

 

02/02/2018

 

2,170,718

 

1,531,496

 

0.4

%

Charlotte Russe, Inc., Common Stock

 

3,649

 

02/02/2018

 

 

60,774

 

0.0

%

Proserv Acquisition LLC, Bridge Loan 1L 03/18

 

60,263

 

03/07/2018

 

59,612

 

58,455

 

0.0

%

Proserv Acquisition LLC, TL 1L B2 12/14 (UK Tranche)

 

679,540

 

02/24/2015-09/14/2015

 

586,182

 

342,060

 

0.1

%

Proserv Acquisition LLC, TL 1L B1 12/14 (US Tranche)

 

1,157,735

 

02/24/2015-09/14/2015

 

998,653

 

582,769

 

0.2

%

Savers, Inc., TL 1L C 07/12

 

6,454,364

 

12/02/2015-07/13/2017

 

6,138,364

 

6,280,935

 

1.8

%

Towergate SUN NewCo Common Shares A

 

8,597

 

04/02/2015

 

15

 

 

0.0

%

Towergate SUN NewCo Preference B

 

3,194,971

 

04/02/2015

 

4,736,870

 

4,904,377

 

1.4

%

Towergate TopCo Common

 

540,649

 

04/02/2015

 

815,841

 

829,913

 

0.2

%

 


(1) Refer to the Schedule of Investments for more details on securities listed.

 

24



 

The following is a reconciliation of the investments in which significant unobservable inputs (level 3) were used in determining value.

 

 

 

Leveraged Loans

 

Common Stocks

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Balance at October 31, 2017

 

$

1,540,274

 

$

875,730

 

$

4,828,971

 

Purchases

 

205,044

 

 

 

Sales and Paydowns

 

(653,678

)

(81,332

)

 

Transfer in and/or out of Level 3(1)

 

 

 

 

Settlements

 

2,200,155

 

 

 

Net change in appreciation/(depreciation)

 

4,543,932

 

44,814

 

75,406

 

Net realized gain/(loss)

 

(5,160,914

)

51,475

 

 

Balance as of April 30, 2018

 

$

2,674,813

 

$

890,687

 

$

4,904,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in appreciation/(depreciation) on investments held at April 30, 2018

 

$

(700,530

)

$

73,534

 

$

75,406

 

 


(1) The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers into and out of Level 3 at the beginning of each period.

 

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of April 30, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Range

 

Financial

 

 

 

Valuation

 

Unobservable

 

(Weighted

 

Asset

 

Fair Value

 

Technique(1)

 

Inputs(2)

 

Average)(3)

 

Leveraged Loans

 

$

2,674,813

 

Market Comparables

 

LTM EBIDTA Multiple

 

4.8x (4.8x)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fwd EBIDTA Multiple

 

4.0x (4.0x)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illiquidity Discount

 

20% (20%)

 

 

 

 

 

Liquidation Analysis

 

EBITDA Multiple

 

15.8x (15.8x)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

890,687

 

Market Comparables

 

LTM EBITDA Multiple

 

3.1x - 4.8x (3.2x)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fwd EBITDA Multiple

 

4.0x (4.0x)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illiquidity Discount

 

10%-20% (11%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

$

4,904,377

 

Market Comparables

 

LTM EBITDA Multiple

 

3.1x (3.1x)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illiquidity Discount

 

10% (10%)

 

 


(1) For the assets that have more than one valuation technique, the Fund may rely on the techniques individually or in aggregate based on a weight ascribed to each one ranging from 0-100%. When determining the weighting ascribed to each valuation methodology, the Fund considers, among other factors, the availability of direct market comparables, the applicability of a discounted cash flow analysis and the expected hold period and manner of realization for the investment. These factors can result in different weightings among the investments and in certain instances, may result in up to a 100% weighting to a single methodology.

 

(2) The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s assets and liabilities may include the last twelve months (“LTM”) EBITDA multiple, weighted average cost of capital, discount margin, probability of default, loss severity and constant prepayment rate. In determining certain of these inputs, management evaluates a variety of factors including economic, industry and market trends and developments, market valuations of comparable companies, and company specific developments including potential exit strategies and realization opportunities. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs in isolation could result in significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

 

(3) Weighted average amounts are based on the estimated fair values.

 

25



 

6.              Shares of Beneficial Interest

 

The Fund issued to its stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 19, 2017, transferable rights to subscribe for up to an aggregate of 5,085,079 common shares of the Fund at a rate of one common share for every three rights held. The subscription price pursuant to the offering was $14.87 and the issue was fully subscribed. Total offering costs incurred was $594,816. An additional $2,842,137 of brokerage and dealer-management commissions were charged directly against the proceeds of the rights offering. The Fund increased its net capital by $72,353,344.

 

7.              Investment Transactions

 

The cost of investments purchased and the proceeds from the sale of investments, other than short-term investments, for the six months ended April 30, 2018 were as follows:

 

Purchases

 

$

229,983,017

 

Sales

 

$

128,625,586

 

 

There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities.

 

8.         Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Fund may enter into certain credit agreements, of which all or a portion may be unfunded. These commitments are disclosed in the accompanying Schedule of Investments. The Fund will maintain suffencent liquidity to fund these commitments at the borrower’s discretion.

 

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum liability exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as future claims that have not yet occurred may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, management expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

9.    Federal Income Taxes

 

The timing and characterization of certain income, capital gains, and return of capital distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. As a result, the net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. These book/tax differences may be temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, they are charged or credited to paid-in capital, accumulated net investment income/loss or accumulated net realized gain/loss, as appropriate, in the period in which the differences arise.

 

As of October 31, 2017, the following permanent differences have been reclassified (to)/from the following accounts:

 

Undistributed Net

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Investment

 

Net Realized

 

 

 

Income/(Loss)

 

Gain/(Loss)

 

Paid-in Capital

 

$

(576,836)

 

$

576,836

 

$

 

 

These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net assets per share and are related to foreign currency.

 

26



 

The tax character of distributions declared for the six months ended April 30, 2018 and the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, were as follows:

 

 

 

Ordinary

 

Return of

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

Capital

 

Total

 

April 30, 2018*

 

$

15,257,197

 

$

379,817

 

$

15,637,014

 

October 31, 2017

 

$

24,269,652

 

$

 

$

24,269,652

 

 


* The Fund estimates, for GAAP purposes, a portion of the distribution attributable to current fiscal year net investment income may be reclassified to return of capital at October 31, 2018. A portion of the distribution may be characterized as return of capital for federal income tax purposes as well. The final tax character of any distribution declared in 2018 will be determined in January 2019 and reported to shareholders on IRS Form 1099-Div in accordance with federal income tax regulations.

 

As of October 31, 2017, the components of accumulated losses on a tax basis for the Fund are as follows:

 

Undistributed

 

Net

 

Other

 

Total

 

Ordinary

 

Unrealized

 

Temporary

 

Accumulated

 

Income

 

Appreciation

 

Differences

 

Losses

 

$

375,384

 

$

6,618,272

 

$

(16,742,704

)

$

(9,749,048

)

 

Net capital losses earned may be carried forward indefinitely and must retain the character of the original loss. At October 31, 2017, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carry-forwards of $16,742,704.

 

As of October 31, 2017, the total cost of securities for federal income tax purposes and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for securities held by the Fund are as follows:

 

 

 

Aggregate

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

Gross

 

Net Unrealized

 

Federal Tax

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Appreciation/

 

Cost

 

Appreciation

 

Depreciation

 

(Depreciation)

 

$

386,208,130

 

$

22,339,084

 

$

(15,720,812

)

$

6,618,272

 

 

10.Credit Facility

 

In July 2013, the Fund entered into a $145.0 million credit agreement that was reduced on July 25, 2016 to $120.0 million and subsequently increased to $160.0 million on December 8, 2017 (the “Maximum Facility Amount”) with The Bank of Nova Scotia and amended in July 2017 with a new termination date of July 23, 2018 (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility bears an unused commitment fee on the unused portion of the credit facility (the “Unused Facility Amount”) equal to (a) 0.15% on the total Unused Facility Amount if the Unused Facility Amount is lower or equal to 75% of the Maximum Facility Amount or (b) 0.25% on the total Unused Facility Amount if the Unused Facility Amount is in excess of 75% of the Maximum Facility Amount. The per annum rate of interest for borrowing under the Credit Facility is equal to (a) London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 0.80% per annum or (b) the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% per annum, and (iii) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.00% per annum.

 

As of April 30, 2018, there were the USD equivalent of $143,480,476 of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and the Fund is in compliance with the terms of the Credit Facility. During the six months ended April 30, 2018, the Fund had an average amount of borrowing of $136,473,033 at an average interest rate of 2.34%.

 

11. Subsequent Events

 

In preparing these financial statements, the Fund has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued. The Fund evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and determined the below additional disclosures was necessary.

 

27



 

VOTING RESULTS FROM THE MARCH 22, 2018 SHAREHOLDER MEETING

 

At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on March 22, 2018, shareholders approved the election of Michael E. Cahill as a Class I Trustee to the Board of Trustees to serve a three year term expiring in 2021 based on the following results:

 

Total Outstanding Shares

 

20,340,315

 

Total Shares Voted

 

17,266,228

 

For

 

16,689,662

 

Withheld

 

576,566

 

 

28



 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Unaudited)

 

Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “DRIP”), income dividends and/or capital gain distributions to Common Shareholders will automatically be reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund by the Plan Administrator. A Common Shareholder may terminate participation in the DRIP at any time by notifying the DRIP Administrator before the record date of the next distribution through the Internet, by telephone or in writing.

 

1.         The Plan Administrator will open an account for each holder of Common Shares under the Plan in the same name in which such holder of Common Shares is registered. Whenever the Fund declares a dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”) payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and Participants will receive the equivalent in Common Shares. The Common Shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the Participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either through (i) receipt of additional unissued but authorized Common Shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere.

 

2.         If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated per share fees (which include any brokerage commissions the Plan Administrator is required to pay) is equal to or greater than the net asset value (“NAV”) per Common Share, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the Participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each Participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the NAV per Common Share on the payment date; provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the closing market value on the payment date, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per Common Share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the NAV per Common Share is greater than the closing market value plus per share fees, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired on behalf of the Participants in Open-Market Purchases. In the event of a market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business day before the next date on which the Common Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired in Open-Market Purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund will pay monthly income Dividends. Therefore, the period during which Open-Market Purchases can be made will exist only from the payment date of each Dividend through the date before the next “ex-dividend” date which typically will be approximately ten days. If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per Common Share exceeds the NAV per Common Share, the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the NAV of the Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at the NAV per Common Share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per Common Share; the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date.

 

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

 

4.         In the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.

 

29



 

5.         There will be no charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each Participant will pay a per Common Share fee incurred in connection with Open Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve Participants of any Federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividend. Participants that request a sale of Common Shares through the Plan Administrator will be subject to a sales fee for Common Share sold. All per Common Share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Plan Administrator is required to pay.

 

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

 

7.      All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, in writing to 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.

 

30



 

Privacy Notice

 

Protection and Security of Your Personal Information

 

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (“KKR”) respects our investors’ right to privacy. All financial companies choose how they share personal information. Consumers have the right under U.S. federal law to limit some, but not all, sharing of personal information. U.S. federal law also requires us to inform you how we collect, share and protect your personal information. Investors may also have additional limiting rights under their respective State’s law. This notice is provided by KKR, its affiliates, and funds (“KKR”, “we”, or “us”). Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do, and call us at (212) 750-8300 if you have any questions.

 

The Personal Information We Collect and How We Collect It

 

We collect the following types of personal information about individuals who are our investors:

 

·                  Information we receive from investors in subscription agreements, questionnaires and in other forms, such as name, address, account information, social security number, the types and amounts of investments, statements of net worth, telephone number, and other contact information;

 

·                  Information we receive from investors, affiliates and other companies about investors’ transactions with us, our affiliates, or other financial institutions with which we have relationships; and

 

·                  Information we receive from third parties such as demographic information and information collected to comply with law and regulation.

 

When you are no longer an investor with us, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

How and Why We Share Personal Information

 

This section lists reasons why financial companies can share their customers’ personal information. With respect to each reason, we explain whether KKR chooses to share for this reason and, if we do share, whether you can limit this sharing.

 

·                  For everyday business purposes: KKR shares personal information for everyday business purposes, such as to

 

·                  process your transactions;

 

·                  provide financial products or services to you;

 

·                  maintain your investment(s);

 

·                  secure business services, including printing, mailing, and processing or analyzing data;

 

·                  secure professional services, including accounting and legal services; or

 

·                  respond to court orders and legal investigations.

 

You cannot limit sharing by KKR for everyday business purposes.

 

·                  For our marketing purposes: KKR shares personal information for our marketing purposes so that we can offer products and services to you. You cannot limit sharing by KKR for this reason.

 

·                  For joint marketing with other financial companies: KKR does not share personal information for joint marketing with other financial companies.

 

31



 

·                  For use by affiliates in providing products and services to you: KKR shares personal information for our affiliates’ use in providing you with products and services that meet your financial services needs. You cannot limit sharing by KKR for this reason.

 

·                  For the everyday business purposes of affiliates: KKR does not share personal information, including information about your credit worthiness, with our affiliates for their everyday business purposes.

 

·                  For use by affiliates to market to you: KKR does not share personal information with affiliates so that they can market to you.

 

·                  For use by non-affiliates to market to you: KKR does not share personal information with non-affiliates so that they can market to you.

 

U.S. Federal law gives you the right to limit sharing of your personal information only for use (i) by affiliate’s everyday business purposes (information about your creditworthiness), (ii) by affiliates to market to you, and (iii) by non-affiliates to market to you. U.S. State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

How We Protect Your Personal Information

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

Definitions

 

Affiliates: Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. KKR does not share with our affiliates, except to provide you products and services that meet your financial needs.

 

Non-affiliates: Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. KKR does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.

 

Joint Marketing: A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products and services to you. KKR does not jointly market.

 

32



 

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Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a) Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

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

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

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

 

As of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2018, the portfolio manager beneficially owned the following shares of the Fund:

 

 

 

Dollar Range of

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Equity Securities Owned**

 

Christopher A. Sheldon

 

None

 

 


** Ranges (None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, $100,001-$500,000, $500,001-$1,000,000 or over $1,000,000).

 



 

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 trustees since the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this item.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR, that the design and operation of such procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the investment company on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

 

(b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting during the six months ended April 30, 2018 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

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

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.

 

(a)(2) A separate certification for the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are filed herewith.

 

(a)(3) Not applicable.

 

(a)(4) Not applicable.

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed 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.

 

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

 

 

 

By

/s/ Suzanne Donohoe

 

Suzanne Donohoe, President

 

 

 

Date

6/25/18

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By

/s/ Suzanne Donohoe

 

Suzanne Donohoe, President

 

 

 

Date

6/25/18

 

 

 

By

/s/ Thomas Murphy

 

Thomas Murphy, Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer & Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Date

6/25/18