Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q


QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number         811-21494         

        Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund         
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60606         

Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Jessica R. Droeger—Vice President and Secretary
        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60606         

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         312-917-7700        

Date of fiscal year end:            07/31          

Date of reporting period:          10/31/04         

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

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

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund (JFR)
October 31, 2004


Ratings*

Principal


Stated

Market

Amount (000)

Description(1)

Moody's

S&P

Maturity**

Value


VARIABLE RATE SENIOR LOAN INTERESTS(2) - 123.6% (72.9% of total assets)

Aerospace & Defense - 0.2% (0.1% of total assets)

$

1,581

Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc., Term Loan B

Ba3

B+

06/30/07

$    1,599,309


Airlines - 1.8% (1.1% of total assets)

12,000

United Air Lines, Inc., DIP Term Loan (Tranche B)

NR

NR

06/30/05

12,135,000


Auto Components - 5.3% (3.1% of total assets)

17,662

Federal-Mogul Corporation, Term Loan A (a)

NR

NR

02/24/04

16,436,699

2,000

Federal-Mogul Corporation, Term Loan B (a)

NR

NR

02/24/05

1,866,875

5,287

Mark IV Industries, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

BB-

06/23/11

5,372,660

7,462

Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan

B2

B+

08/28/10

6,958,781

4,994

Metaldyne Company LLC, Term Loan D

B2

BB-

12/31/09

4,982,283


35,617,298


Beverages - 1.4% (0.9% of total assets)

9,538

Dr. Pepper/Seven UP Bottling Group, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

NR

12/19/10

9,676,286


Building Products - 2.3% (1.3% of total assets)

15,000

Nortek, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

B+

08/27/11

15,237,503


Chemicals - 7.6% (4.5% of total assets)

12,937

Hercules Incorporated, Term Loan

Ba1

BB

10/08/10

13,050,697

4,000

Huntsman International LLC, Term Loan

NR

B

03/31/10

4,062,084

12,500

Huntsman International LLC , Term Loan B

B1

B

12/31/10

12,721,875

7,980

Lyondell-Citgo Refining LP, Term Loan

NR

NR

05/21/07

8,039,850

13,000

Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

B+

07/30/12

13,147,264


51,021,770


Commercial Services & Supplies - 3.5% (2.1% of total assets)

9,838

Allied Waste North America, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

BB

01/15/10

9,951,444

6,888

Allied Waste North America, Inc., Term Loan C

B1

BB

01/15/10

6,961,917

1,968

Allied Waste North America, Inc., Term Loan D

B1

BB

01/15/10

1,987,581

4,460

Williams Scotsman, Inc., Term Loan

B1

B+

12/31/06

4,521,106


23,422,048


Construction & Engineering - 0.9% (0.5% of total assets)

3,871

Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., Revolver (a)

NR

NR

07/22/04

3,116,040

3,479

Anthony Crane Rental, L.P., Term Loan (a)

NR

NR

07/23/04

2,800,257


5,916,297


Containers & Packaging - 10.1% (6.0% of total assets)

14,211

Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C., Term Loan B (b)

Ba3

BB

10/29/11

14,471,175

5,027

Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C., Term Loan C (b)

Ba3

BB

10/28/10

5,073,182

6,402

BWAY Corporation, Term Loan B

B1

B+

01/30/11

6,500,256

15,670

Graham Packaging Company, L.P., Term Loan B

B2

B

10/07/11

15,910,343

3,000

Graham Packaging Company, L.P., Term Loan C

B2

CCC+

03/15/12

3,074,376

2,464

Owens-Illinois Group, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

BB-

04/01/08

2,507,925

8,000

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, New Issue Term Loan B (b)

Ba3

BB-

11/01/11

8,142,500

6,979

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, Term Loan B

Ba3

NR

06/30/09

7,019,173

917

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, Term Loan C

Ba3

NR

06/30/09

923,716

3,975

United States Can Company, Term Loan B

B2

B

01/15/10

3,979,956


67,602,602


Electric Utilities - 8.0% (4.7% of total assets)

11,000

Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, Term Loan (b)

B1

B+

03/08/11

11,190,212

6,032

Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, Term Loan B

B1

B+

03/08/11

6,071,294

4,770

Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, Term Loan C

B1

B+

03/08/11

4,798,360

9,950

Calpine Construction Finance Company, L.P., Term Loan B

B1

B+

08/31/09

10,705,930

3,750

Mission Energy Holdings International, Inc., Term Loan

B3

NR

12/11/06

3,767,580

3,953

Orion Power Midwest, L.P., Term Loan

NR

NR

10/28/05

3,955,663

12,602

Reliant Energy, Inc., Term Loan B (c)

NR

NR

03/31/07

12,828,109


53,317,148


Food & Staples Retailing - 2.9% (1.7% of total assets)

19,000

The Jean Coutu Group Inc., Term Loan B

B1

BB

07/30/11

19,316,303


Food Products - 0.8% (0.4% of total assets)

5,000

Dole Holding Company, LLC, Term Loan

B3

B

07/22/10

5,079,688


Healthcare Equipment & Supplies - 3.2% (1.9% of total assets)

11,860

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

BB-

06/25/09

12,041,885

9,023

Kinetic Concepts, Inc., Term Loan B-1

B1

BB-

08/11/10

9,138,000


21,179,885


Healthcare Providers & Services - 5.4% (3.2% of total assets)

4,962

Beverly Enterprises, Inc., Term Loan B

Ba3

BB

10/22/08

5,041,007

25,491

IASIS Healthcare LLC, Term Loan B

B1

B+

06/22/11

25,868,329

5,000

Vanguard Health Holding Company I, LLC, Term Loan B

B2

B

09/23/11

5,089,065


35,998,401


Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 9.9% (5.8% of total assets)

8,077

24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

B

07/01/09

8,182,819

2,449

Alliance Gaming Corporation, Term Loan B

Ba3

BB-

09/05/09

2,478,426

3,603

Ameristar Casinos, Inc., Term Loan B-1

Ba3

BB-

12/20/06

3,648,350

5,985

Boyd Gaming Corporation, Term Loan B

Ba2

BB

06/30/11

6,066,546

2,985

Jack in the Box Inc., Term Loan

Ba2

BB

01/09/10

3,027,871

14,481

OpBiz, LLC, Term Loan A

NR

NR

08/31/10

14,010,668

34

OpBiz, LLC, Term Loan B (PIK)

NR

NR

08/31/10

32,562

8,636

Venetian Casino Resort, LLC, Term Loan B

B1

B+

06/15/11

8,796,495

7,851

Wyndham International, Inc., Term Loan I (c)

NR

NR

06/30/06

7,871,056

11,695

Wyndham International, Inc., Term Loan II

NR

NR

04/01/06

11,737,704


65,852,497


Household Durables - 3.3% (2.0% of total assets)

3,000

Jostens IH Corp., Term Loan B (b)

B1

B+

07/29/10

3,048,750

19,018

Sealy Mattress Company, Term Loan C

B2

B+

08/06/12

19,291,877


22,340,627


Industrial Conglomerates - 0.8% (0.4% of total assets)

4,988

PP Holding Corporation, Term Loan

B1

B

11/12/11

5,052,961


Insurance - 4.3% (2.5% of total assets)

27,930

Conseco, Inc., Term Loan

B2

BB-

06/22/10

28,517,689


Machinery - 1.8% (1.1% of total assets)

3,000

Dresser-Rand Group Inc., Term Loan (b)

B1

B+

10/10/10

3,047,813

4,742

Mueller Group, Inc., Term Loan

B2

B+

04/25/11

4,780,966

2,451

Terex Corporation, Term Loan B

B1

BB-

07/03/09

2,482,995

1,988

Terex Corporation, Incremental Term Loan C

B1

BB-

12/31/09

2,014,507


12,326,281


Marine - 2.2% (1.3% of total assets)

4,712

American Commercial Lines LLC, Term Loan B

NR

NR

06/30/06

4,714,122

5,208

American Commercial Lines LLC, Term Loan C

NR

NR

06/30/07

5,210,887

4,988

Horizon Lines, LLC, Term Loan

B2

B+

07/11/11

5,078,936


15,003,945


Media - 31.6% (18.7% of total assets)

1,944

American Media Operations, Inc., Term Loan C

Ba3

B+

04/01/07

1,974,519

5,000

Cablevision Systems Corp, Floating Rate Note, 4.500% plus six-month LIBOR

B3

B+

04/01/09

5,300,000

17,000

Century Cable Holdings, LLC, Discretionary Term Loan (a)

NR

NR

12/31/09

16,757,402

7,000

Century Cable Holdings, LLC, Revolver (a)

NR

NR

10/25/10

6,873,125

2,000

Century Cable Holdings, LLC, Term Loan (a)

NR

NR

06/30/09

1,978,572

9,975

Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Term Loan B

B2

B

04/07/11

9,910,257

1,819

Dex Media East, LLC, Term Loan A

Ba2

BB-

11/08/08

1,840,126

4,757

Dex Media East, LLC, Term Loan B

Ba2

BB-

11/10/08

4,826,811

6,037

Dex Media West, LLC, Term Loan A

Ba2

BB-

09/09/09

6,114,911

10,258

Dex Media West, LLC, Term Loan B

Ba2

BB-

03/09/10

10,418,361

19,000

Emmis Operating Company, Term Loan

Ba2

B+

11/10/11

19,204,250

25,000

Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation, Term Loan B

B1

B

06/30/11

25,343,750

22,000

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc., Term Loan B

NR

NR

04/26/11

22,104,500

20,000

Panamsat Corporation, Term Loan B

B1

BB+

08/20/11

20,135,220

4,988

R.H. Donnelley Inc., Term Loan

Ba3

NR

06/30/11

5,065,951

5,000

Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, Term Loan

Ba2

BB+

03/31/12

5,087,500

26,724

Regal Cinemas Corporation, Term Loan

Ba3

BB-

11/10/10

27,084,987

20,900

WMG Acquisition Corp., Term Loan

B1

B+

02/27/11

21,222,819


211,243,061


Metals & Mining - 4.6% (2.7% of total assets)

7,645

Amsted Industries Incorporated, Term Loan B

B1

BB-

10/15/10

7,726,325

16,500

Foundation PA Coal Company, Term Loan B

Ba3

BB-

07/30/11

16,706,250

2,829

Ispat Sidbec Inc., Term Loan B

NR

BB-

01/15/06

2,818,106

3,612

Ispat Sidbec Inc., Term Loan C

NR

BB-

01/15/06

3,598,597


30,849,278


Oil & Gas - 2.9% (1.7% of total assets)

1,925

Headwaters Incorporated, Term Loan

B1

B+

04/30/11

1,948,260

2,000

Headwaters Incorporated, Term Loan B

B3

B-

09/01/12

2,048,750

14,963

Pride Offshore, Inc., Term Loan

Ba1

BB+

07/07/11

15,155,763


19,152,773


Personal Products - 1.5% (0.9% of total assets)

10,077

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan B

B1

B

04/06/11

10,179,367


Real Estate - 1.5% (0.9% of total assets)

10,000

Universal City Development Partners, LTD, Term Loan

NR

NR

06/30/07

10,037,500


Road & Rail - 2.7% (1.6% of total assets)

17,753

Laidlaw Inc., Term Loan B-1

Ba3

BB+

06/19/09

18,050,004


Wireless Telecommunication Services - 3.1% (1.8% of total assets)

20,377

Nextel Finance Company, Term Loan E

Ba1

BB+

12/15/10

20,459,694


Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (cost $822,412,161)

826,185,215


Ratings*

Principal


Stated

Market

Amount (000)

Description(1)

Moody's

S&P

Maturity

Value


CORPORATE BONDS - 21.9% (12.9% of total assets)

Auto Components - 1.3% (0.8% of total assets)

$

8,000

Tenneco Automotive Inc., Series B, 11.625%

B3

B-

10/15/09

8,540,000


Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.8% (0.5% of total assets)

5,000

Allied Waste North America, Inc., Series B, 7.625%

B2

BB-

01/01/06

5,200,000


Construction & Engineering - 0.8% (0.5% of total assets)

5,000

Beazer Homes USA, 8.375%

Ba1

BB

04/15/12

5,537,500


Containers & Packaging - 0.6% (0.3% of total assets)

3,795

Smurfit Capital Funding, 6.750%

B1

BB-

11/20/05

3,937,313


Food Products - 3.0% (1.7% of total assets)

1,000

Dean Foods Company, 6.750%

Ba2

BB-

06/15/05

1,022,500

5,000

Del Monte Corporation, Series B, 9.250%

B2

B

05/15/11

5,550,000

2,000

Dole Foods Co., 8.625%

B2

B+

05/01/09

2,225,000

10,000

Dole Foods Co., 8.875%

B2

B+

03/15/11

11,125,000


19,922,500


Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 6.7% (3.9% of total assets)

9,505

Aztar Corporation, 9.000%

Ba3

B+

08/15/11

10,693,125

11,330

Harrahs Entertainment, 7.875%

Ba1

BB+

12/15/05

11,924,825

2,000

MGM Grand, 7.250%

Ba1

BB+

10/15/06

2,140,000

5,425

MGM Mirage, 9.750%

Ba2

BB-

06/01/07

6,130,250

2,000

Park Place Entertainment, 7.875%

Ba2

BB-

12/15/05

2,102,500

2,000

Park Place Entertainment, 8.500%

Ba1

BB+

11/15/06

2,210,000

9,000

Park Place Entertainment, 9.375%

Ba2

BB-

02/15/07

10,080,000


45,280,700


Household Durables - 1.1% (0.7% of total assets)

4,000

D.R. Horton, Inc., 9.375%

Ba1

BB+

07/15/09

4,360,000

3,000

Standard Pacific Corporation, 9.500%

Ba2

BB

09/15/10

3,285,000


7,645,000


Machinery - 2.2% (1.3% of total assets)

13,400

Navistar International, Series B, 9.375%

Ba3

BB-

06/01/06

14,539,000


Oil & Gas - 1.3% (0.8% of total assets)

8,000

Chesapeake Energy Corp, 8.375%

Ba3

BB-

11/01/08

8,760,000


Paper & Forest Products - 1.6% (0.9% of total assets)

5,000

Georgia Pacific, 8.125%

Ba3

BB+

05/15/11

5,862,500

4,000

Georgia Pacific, 9.375%

Ba2

BB+

02/01/13

4,730,000


10,592,500


Road & Rail - 2.5% (1.5% of total assets)

2,000

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, 10.500%

Ba2

BB

10/01/07

2,330,000

8,000

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, 8.000%

Ba2

BB

04/01/12

8,920,000

5,000

KB Home, 7.750%

Ba2

BB-

02/01/10

5,475,000


16,725,000


Total Corporate Bonds (cost $145,899,738)

146,679,513


Ratings*

Principal


Stated

Market

Amount (000)

Description(1)

Moody's

S&P

Maturity

Value


SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 20.3% (11.9% of total assets))

U.S. Treasury Bills - 0.7% (0.5% of total assets)

$

2,000

US Treasury Bill, 1.630%

Aaa

AAA

11/04/04

1,999,791

3,000

US Treasury Bill, 2.080%

Aaa

AAA

04/28/05

2,969,666


4,969,457


Repurchase Agreements - 19.6% (11.4% of total assets)

-

State Street Bank, 1.740%, dated 10/29/04, due 11/01/04, repurchase price $416,

416

   collateralized by $5,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 6.250%, due 08/15/23, value $5,950

10,563

State Street Bank, 1.740%, dated 10/29/04, due 11/01/04, repurchase price $10,565,027,

10,563,495

   collateralized by $9,680,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 5.625%, due 05/15/08, value $10,777,325,

48,000

State Street Bank, 1.740%, dated 10/29/04, due 11/01/04, repurchase price $48,006,960,

48,000,000

   collateralized by $48,720,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.750%, due 12/31/04, value $48,963,600

72,000

State Street Bank, 1.740%, dated 10/29/04, due 11/01/04, repurchase price $72,010,440,

72,000,000

   collateralized by $73,440,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.625%, due 03/31/05, value $73,440,000


130,563,911


Total Short-Term Investments (cost $135,533,368)

135,533,368


Total Investments (cost $1,103,845,267) -- 165.8% (97.7% of total assets)

1,108,398,096


Other Assets Less Liabilities -- (6.0%)

(39,764,788)


Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value -- (59.8%)

(400,000,000)


Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares -- 100%

$668,633,308


Select Aggregate Market Index ("SAMI")

 

The Fund held the following SAMIs at October 31, 2004:

 

Unrealized

Notional

Termination

Appreciation/

Counterparty

Amount

Fixed Rate

Date

(Depreciation)


Credit Suisse First Boston

$14,350,000

2.300%

03/20/09

$    12,147

Credit Suisse First Boston

15,000,000

2.150

10/20/09

(18,407)


$    (6,260)


(1)  

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to Common

shares unless otherwise noted.

(2)  

Senior Loans in which the Fund invests generally pay interest at rates which are periodically adjusted

by reference to a base short-term, floating lending rate plus a premium. These base lending rates are

generally (i) the lending rate referenced by the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), or (ii) the

prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks.

Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive

approval from the Agent Bank and/or Borrower prior to the disposition of a Senior Loan.

At October 31, 2004, the Fund had unfunded loan commitments of $4,693,246.

*  

Ratings below Baa by Moody's Investor Service, Inc. or BBB by Standard & Poor's Group are considered

to be below investment grade.

**  

Senior Loans in the Fund's portfolio generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment.

Because of these mandatory prepayment conditions and because there may be significant economic

incentives for a Borrower to prepay, prepayments of Senior Loans in the Fund's portfolio may occur. As

a result, the actual remaining maturity of Senior Loans held in the Fund's portfolio may be substantially

less than the stated maturities shown. The Fund estimates that the actual average maturity of the Senior

Loans held in its portfolio will be approximately 18-24 months.

(a)  

At or subsequent to October 31, 2004, this issue was under the protection of the federal bankruptcy court.

(b)  

Purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

(c)  

Portion purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

(PIK)  

In lieu of cash payment, interest accrued on "Payment in Kind" investment increases principal outstanding.

NR  

Not rated.

Income Tax Information

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial

statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing certain

gains and losses on security transactions and recognition of premium amortization.

At October 31, 2004, the cost of investments was $1,103,886,677.

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments at October 31, 2004,

were as follows:


Gross unrealized:

   Appreciation

$6,666,000

   Depreciation

(2,154,581)


Net unrealized appreciation of investments

$4,511,419


Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

  1. The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
  2. There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: EX-99 CERT Attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant)         Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund        

By (Signature and Title)*          /s/ Jessica R. Droeger--Vice President and Secretary        

Date         12/30/04        

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

By (Signature and Title)*         /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman--Chief Administrative Officer (Principal Executive Officer)        

Date         12/30/04        

By (Signature and Title)*         /s/ Stephen D. Foy--Vice President and Controller (Principal Financial Officer)        

Date         12/30/04        

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