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Form N-CSRS NICHOLAS EQUITY INCOME For: Sep 30

November 29, 2021 3:40 PM EST

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 811-08062

Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in charter)

411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2100, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Jennifer R. Kloehn, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2100
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 414-272-4650

Date of fiscal year end: 03/31/2022

Date of reporting period: 09/30/2021


 

Item 1. Report to Stockholders.


 

SEMIANNUAL REPORT
September 30, 2021

NICHOLAS EQUITY INCOME
FUND, INC.

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website, www.nicholasfunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); direct shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-544-6547.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); direct shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-544-6547. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Fund complex or your financial intermediary.

WWW.NICHOLASFUNDS.COM


 

NICHOLAS EQUITY INCOME FUND, INC.

November 2021

Report to Fellow Shareholders:

     For the six-months ended September 30, 2021, Nicholas Equity Income Fund (“Fund”) returned 4.44% versus 9.18% for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”). For the twelve-months ended September 30, 2021, the Fund returned 30.14% compared to 30.00% for the S&P 500. The primary investment objective of the Fund is to produce reasonable income for the investor. To achieve this objective, the Fund seeks an income yield that exceeds the corporate dividend yield on the securities included in the S&P 500 Index. We are pleased to report as of September 30, 2021, the Fund had a 30-day SEC yield of 1.67%, which exceeds the S&P 500 indicated yield of 1.41%.

     Returns for the Fund and selected indices are provided in the chart below for the periods ended September 30, 2021. The Fund seeks to own companies that possess a sustainable moat and the ability to earn attractive returns over their cost of capital while producing a steady stream of income. The Morningstar Large Value Category and the Lipper Equity Income Funds Objective are more income oriented and thus better reflect the objective of the Fund than the S&P 500 over longer periods of time.

                Average Annual Total Return  
    6 Month     1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   10 Year   15 Year
Nicholas Equity                                    
Income Fund, Inc.   4.44 %   30.14 %   12.37 %   12.12 %   13.17 %   10.48 %
Standard & Poor’s 500 Index   9.18 %   30.00 %   15.99 %   16.90 %   16.63 %   10.37 %
Morningstar Large                                    
Value Category   4.42 %   34.79 %   9.62 %   11.14 %   12.72 %   7.51 %
Lipper Equity Income                                    
Funds Objective   4.83 %   30.25 %   9.81 %   10.91 %   12.15 %   7.83 %
Consumer Price Index   3.53 %   5.38 %   2.82 %   2.60 %   1.92 %   2.03 %
Ending value of $10,000                                    
invested in Nicholas                                    
Equity Income Fund, Inc. $ 10,444   $ 13,014   $ 14,188   $ 17,716   $ 34,457   $ 44,618  
Fund’s Expense Ratio: (from 07/29/21 Prospectus): 0.72%                    

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by visiting www.nicholasfunds.com/returns.html.

The Fund’s returns are reduced by expenses, while the market indices are not. The ending values above illustrate the performance of a hypothetical $10,000 investment made in the Fund over the timeframes listed. Assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. These figures do not imply any future performance.

     As of September 30, 2021, the Fund held 63 stocks and a cash position of approximately 3%. The majority of stocks in the portfolio are expected to pay a dividend and many have raised their dividend periodically. The Fund’s top five holdings were Medtronic, Microsoft, Northern Trust, Cisco Systems and Analog Devices. These five holdings accounted for 12.53% of the Fund’s net assets. For the six-month period ended September 30, 2021, stocks that helped the Fund’s performance relative to the S&P 500 Index were Blackstone, ConocoPhillips, Cohen & Steers, Arthur J. Gallagher and Avery Dennison. On a relative basis, stocks that hindered performance were Dupont de Nemours, Apple, Stanley Black & Decker, Newell Brands, Air and Products.


 

     Relative to the S&P 500, the Fund’s holdings within the financial sector positively contributed to performance over the past six months, whereas holdings within technology and healthcare detracted from relative performance. In terms of industry concentration, financials represented approximately 18% of the portfolio, information technology 16%, health care 13%, consumer discretionary 11%, industrials 10%, consumer staples 8%, materials 5%, energy 5%, utilities 5%, real estate 4% and communication services 2%.

     Following an impressive recovery from the pandemic lows in 2020, equity markets have continued to make new highs in 2021. Economic growth grew solidly for the first two quarters of the year with Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) growing 6.3% and 6.7%, respectively. GDP improved due to a robust vaccine rollout as well as unprecedented fiscal and monetary support. The second quarter of 2021 marked the first quarter GDP exceeded pre-pandemic levels resulting in the shortest recession in U.S. history. Economic growth, however, slowed sharply over the summer when COVID cases reaccelerated due to the Delta variant. Additionally, supply chain issues, input shortages and rising energy costs all weighed on the economy and has resulted in higher inflation. While COVID cases peaked in mid-September, inflation has continued to rise. The CPI annual rate in the U.S. surged to 6.2% in October 2021, the highest since November of 1990. The Federal Reserve has acknowledged that inflation is elevated but still believes it is due to factors that are expected to be transitory. Is it not known whether inflation is transitory, but a significant risk is that the Federal Reserve makes policy mistakes, which could cause growth to slow. Even if the Federal Reserve adeptly adjusts monetary policy, persistent inflation will impact economic growth. Given as of November 12, 2021, the market was trading at a lofty valuation of 21 times next-twelve months, it is prudent to be mindful of the risks. Thus, we seek to invest in companies with strong business models and competitive advantages that have proven track records of successfully navigating changing and uncertain environments. Moreover, management is focused on owning companies that have an ability to pay and increase dividends. Historically, dividends paid by companies to their shareholders have accounted for almost half of the total returns earned by common stocks, while also mitigating volatility in bear markets. We remain patient and look for opportunities with both valuation and dividend stability in mind.

        Thank you for your continued investment in the Fund.

Sincerely,


See important disclosures on the next page.


 

Opinions expressed are subject to change at any time, are not guaranteed and should not be considered investment advice.

The Fund may invest in small and medium sized companies, which involve additional risks. Small- and medium-capitalization companies tend to have limited liquidity and greater price volatility than large-capitalization companies. Investments in debt securities typically decrease in value when interest rates rise. This risk is usually greater for longer-term debt securities such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. Investment by the Fund in lower-rated and non-rated securities presents a greater risk of loss to principal and interest than higher-rated securities. The Fund may invest in REIT’s and Real Estate Securities which involve additional risks related to the real estate industry. The performance of these securities is dependent on the types and locations of the properties owned by the entities issuing the securities and how well the properties are managed.

Earnings growth is not representative of the Fund’s future performance.

Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.

Please refer to the schedule of investments in the report for complete fund holdings information. Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely recognized as representative of the equity market in general. Each Morningstar Category average represents a universe of Funds with similar investment objectives. The Consumer Price Index (seasonally adjusted) represents changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households. One cannot invest directly in an index.

Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. is an independent mutual fund research and rating service. Each Lipper average represents a universe of funds with similar investment objectives

Dividend / Indicated Yield: The annual dividends per share divided by the price per share expressed as a percentage.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.

Next Twelve Months Price-to-Earnings (NTM P/E) Multiple: Value derived by dividing a company’s next 12 month earnings per share into the current price of one share of its stock.

30-day SEC yield: A standardized yield computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during the past 30-day period by the share price at the end of the period.

There is no guarantee that distributions will be made.

Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

The Nicholas Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.


 

Financial Highlights (NSEIX)
For a share outstanding throughout each period

    Six Months                                
    Ended                                
    09/30/2021           Years Ended March 31,        
    (unaudited)     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
NET ASSET VALUE,                                    
BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 21.75   $ 15.14   $ 18.87   $ 20.50   $ 20.70   $ 18.65  
INCOME (LOSS) FROM                                    
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS                                    
Net investment income(1)   .18     .36     .36     .40     .40     .36  
Net gain (loss) on securities                                    
       (realized and unrealized)   .78     7.23     (1.57 )   .92     .81     2.45  
          Total from investment                                    
           operations   .96     7.59     (1.21 )   1.32     1.21     2.81  
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS                                    
From net investment income   (.18 )   (.29 )   (.28 )   (.56 )   (.53 )   (.36 )
From net capital gain   (1.12 )   (.69 )   (2.24 )   (2.39 )   (.88 )   (.40 )
          Total distributions   (1.30 )   (.98 )   (2.52 )   (2.95 )   (1.41 )   (.76 )
NET ASSET VALUE,                                    
END OF PERIOD $ 21.41   $ 21.75   $ 15.14   $ 18.87   $ 20.50   $ 20.70  
 
TOTAL RETURN   4.44 %(2)   51.18 %   (8.80 )%   7.88 %   5.93 %   15.57 %
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                                    
Net assets, end of                                    
period (millions) $ 470.5   $ 459.6   $ 295.9   $ 386.8   $ 472.6   $ 532.2  
Ratio of expenses to                                    
average net assets .71 %(3)   .72 %   .73 %   .73 %   .72 %   .72 %
Ratio of net investment income                                    
to average net assets.   1.65 %(3)   1.92 %   1.88 %   2.02 %   1.96 %   1.86 %
Portfolio turnover rate   21.64 %(3)   33.58 %   32.04 %   36.76 %   31.66 %   36.18 %

 

(1) Computed based on average shares outstanding.
(2) Not annualized.
(3) Annualized.

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

– 4–


 

Top Ten Equity Portfolio Holdings
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

  Percentage  
Name of Net Assets  
Medtronic Public Limited Company 2.77 %
Microsoft Corporation 2.71 %
Northern Trust Corporation 2.39 %
Cisco Systems, Inc. 2.36 %
Analog Devices, Inc. 2.30 %
Microchip Technology Incorporated 2.25 %
Chevron Corporation 2.22 %
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) 2.20 %
ConocoPhillips 2.17 %
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 2.14 %
Total of top ten 23.51 %

 

Sector Diversification (as a percentage of portfolio)
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)


– 5–


 

Fund Expenses
For the six month period ended September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other operating expenses. The following table is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period.

The first line of the table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as wire fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning   Ending   Expenses Paid
    Account Value   Account Value   During Period*
    03/31/21   09/30/21   04/01/21 - 09/30/21
Actual $ 1,000.00 $ 1,044.40 $ 3.64
Hypothetical   1,000.00   1,021.44   3.60
(5% return before expenses)            

 

*     

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I six-month annualized expense ratio of 0.71%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183 then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period.

– 6–


 

Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Shares or      
Principal      
Amount     Value
COMMON STOCKS — 97.20%    
  Communication Services – Telecommunications Services — 2.27%    
117,000 AT&T Inc. $ 3,160,170
139,500 Verizon Communications Inc.   7,534,395
      10,694,565
  Consumer Discretionary – Durables & Apparel — 1.41%    
300,000 Newell Brands Inc.   6,642,000
  Consumer Discretionary – Retailing — 8.29%    
270,000 American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.   6,966,000
20,000 Best Buy Co., Inc.   2,114,200
53,500 Genuine Parts Company   6,485,805
23,300 Home Depot, Inc. (The)   7,648,458
35,500 Target Corporation   8,121,335
116,500 TJX Companies, Inc. (The)   7,686,670
      39,022,468
  Consumer Discretionary – Services — 1.51%    
8,646 Cedar Fair, L.P.   401,001
122,500 Travel + Leisure Co.   6,679,925
      7,080,926
  Consumer Staples – Food & Staples Retailing — 2.04%    
122,000 Sysco Corporation   9,577,000
  Consumer Staples – Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 4.34%    
180,000 Coca-Cola Company (The)   9,444,600
101,500 Mondelez International, Inc. – Class A   5,905,270
53,500 Philip Morris International Inc.   5,071,265
      20,421,135
  Consumer Staples – Household & Personal Products — 1.59%    
53,500 Proctor & Gamble Company (The)   7,479,300
  Energy — 5.05%    
103,000 Chevron Corporation   10,449,350
150,500 ConocoPhillips   10,199,385
119,100 Enterprise Products Partners L.P.   2,577,324
20,183 Williams Companies, Inc. (The)   523,547
      23,749,606
  Financials – Banks — 7.28%    
600,000 First Horizon Corporation   9,774,000
61,500 JPMorgan Chase & Co.   10,066,935
52,800 PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)   10,329,792
75,000 Webster Financial Corporation   4,084,500
      34,255,227

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this schedule.

– 7–


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Shares or      
Principal      
Amount     Value
COMMON STOCKS — 97.20% (continued)    
  Financials – Diversified — 8.38%    
6,950 BlackRock, Inc. $ 5,828,687
125,000 Charles Schwab Corporation (The)   9,105,000
50,500 Cohen & Steers, Inc.   4,230,385
104,500 Northern Trust Corporation   11,266,145
97,500 Raymond James Financial, Inc.   8,997,300
      39,427,517
  Financials – Insurance — 1.92%    
52,000 Chubb Limited   9,020,960
  Health Care – Equipment & Services — 7.42%    
62,000 Abbott Laboratories   7,324,060
90,800 CVS Health Corporation   7,705,288
104,000 Medtronic Public Limited Company   13,036,400
200,000 Smith & Nephew plc   6,868,000
      34,933,748
  Health Care – Pharmaceuticals,    
  Biotechnology & Life Sciences — 5.15%    
49,500 AbbVie Inc.   5,339,565
55,500 Johnson & Johnson   8,963,250
132,500 Merck & Co., Inc.   9,952,075
      24,254,890
  Industrials – Capital Goods — 9.85%    
43,500 Eaton Corporation plc   6,494,985
70,000 Emerson Electric Co.   6,594,000
32,500 Honeywell International Inc.   6,899,100
41,500 Illinois Tool Works Inc.   8,575,145
39,500 Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.   5,087,205
46,500 Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.   8,151,915
11,500 W.W. Grainger, Inc.   4,520,190
      46,322,540
  Information Technology – Hardware & Equipment — 3.82%    
204,000 Cisco Systems, Inc.   11,103,720
250,000 Juniper Networks, Inc.   6,880,000
      17,983,720
  Information Technology – Semiconductors &    
  Semiconductor Equipment — 7.66%    
64,500 Analog Devices, Inc.   10,802,460
15,500 Broadcom Inc.   7,516,415
69,000 Microchip Technology Incorporated   10,590,810

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this schedule.

– 8–


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Shares or      
Principal      
Amount     Value
COMMON STOCKS — 97.20% (continued)    
  Information Technology – Semiconductors &    
  Semiconductor Equipment — 7.66% (continued)    
37,000 Texas Instruments Incorporated $ 7,111,770
      36,021,455
  Information Technology – Software & Services — 5.01%    
25,000 Citrix Systems, Inc.   2,684,250
58,500 International Business Machines Corporation   8,127,405
45,250 Microsoft Corporation   12,756,880
      23,568,535
  Materials — 5.07%    
32,750 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.   8,387,603
33,500 Avery Dennison Corporation   6,941,535
125,500 DuPont de Nemours, Inc.   8,532,745
      23,861,883
  Real Estate — 4.51%    
40,712 Digital Realty Trust, Inc.   5,880,848
9,750 Equinix, Inc.   7,703,768
104,300 W.P. Carey Inc.   7,618,072
      21,202,688
  Utilities — 4.63%    
89,000 CMS Energy Corporation   5,315,970
80,500 Dominion Energy, Inc.   5,878,110
96,500 NextEra Energy, Inc.   7,577,180
34,000 WEC Energy Group, Inc.   2,998,800
      21,770,060
       TOTAL COMMON STOCKS    
        (cost $337,556,108)   457,290,223

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this schedule.

– 9–


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

  Shares or        
  Principal        
  Amount     Value  
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 2.89%      
    U.S. Government Securities — 1.38%      
$ 4,500,000 U.S. Treasury Bill 11/02/2021, 0.020% $ 4,499,920  
  2,000,000 U.S. Treasury Bill 11/26/2021, 0.020%   1,999,938  
        6,499,858  
    Money Market Fund — 1.51%      
  7,096,518 Morgan Stanley Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio      
    (Institutional Class) 7-day net yield, 0.03%   7,096,518  
    TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS      
    (cost $13,596,376)   13,596,376  
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS      
    (cost $351,152,484) — 100.09%   470,886,599  
    LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS — (0.09)%   (431,498 )
    TOTAL NET ASSETS      
    (basis of percentages disclosed above) — 100% $ 470,455,101  

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this schedule.

– 10 –


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

ASSETS    
Investments in securities at value (cost $351,152,484) $ 470,886,599
Receivables —    
Investment securities sold   462,238
Dividend and interest   933,381
Capital stock subscription   15,588
Total receivables   1,411,207
Other   54,167
Total assets   472,351,973
 
LIABILITIES    
Payables —    
Investment securities purchased   1,596,398
Due to adviser —    
Management fee   243,360
Accounting and administrative fee   9,969
                  Total due to adviser   253,329
Other payables and accrued expense   47,145
Total liabilities   1,896,872
Total net assets $ 470,455,101
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF    
Paid in capital $ 328,576,581
Accumulated distributable earnings   141,878,520
Total net assets $ 470,455,101
 
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ($.0001 par value,    
  250,000,000 shares authorized), offering price    
and redemption price (21,974,775 shares outstanding) $ 21.41

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

– 11 –


 

Statement of Operations
For the six months ended September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

INCOME      
Dividend $ 5,694,259  
Interest   1,436  
Total income   5,695,695  
 
EXPENSES      
Management fee   1,473,878  
Accounting and administrative fees   60,367  
Transfer agent fees   49,090  
Registration fees   42,959  
Audit and tax fees   17,525  
Accounting system and pricing service fees   16,836  
Custodian fees   12,267  
Directors’ fees   11,565  
Printing   7,813  
Insurance   6,612  
Postage and mailing   4,815  
Legal fees   4,421  
Other operating expenses   7,495  
Total expenses   1,715,643  
Net investment income   3,980,052  
 
NET REALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS   23,509,455  
 
CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED      
APPRECIATION/DEPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS   (7,115,241 )
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments   16,394,214  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $ 20,374,266  

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

– 12 –


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the six months ended September 30, 2021 (unaudited)
and the year ended March 31, 2021

    Six Months        
    Ended        
    09/30/2021     Year Ended  
    (unaudited)     03/31/2021  
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS            
FROM OPERATIONS            
Net investment income $ 3,980,052   $ 7,397,509  
Net realized gain on investments   23,509,455     36,931,730  
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation            
on investments   (7,115,241 )   109,944,257  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets            
          resulting from operations   20,374,266     154,273,496  
 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM            
Investment operations   (27,465,787 )   (20,208,244 )
 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS            
Proceeds from shares issued            
(455,633 and 4,304,200 shares, respectively)   10,051,979     78,828,355  
Reinvestment of distributions            
(1,106,516 and 913,225 shares, respectively)   23,610,323     17,296,766  
Cost of shares redeemed            
(712,522 and 3,638,323 shares, respectively)   (15,681,426 )   (66,551,644 )
Change in net assets derived            
from capital share transactions   17,980,876     29,573,477  
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   10,889,355     163,638,729  
 
NET ASSETS            
Beginning of period   459,565,746     295,927,017  
End of period $ 470,455,101   $ 459,565,746  

 

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

– 13 –


 

Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

These financial statements have been prepared pursuant to reporting rules for interim
financial statements. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for
annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and financial highlights and notes in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form
N-CSR for the year ended March 31, 2021.

These financial statements have not been audited. Management believes that these financial
statements include all adjustments (which, unless otherwise noted, include only normal
recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial results for each
period shown.

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies —
Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is organized as a Maryland corporation and
is registered as an open-end, diversified management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The primary objective of the Fund is to
produce reasonable income with moderate long-term growth as a secondary consideration.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies of the Fund:

(a) Equity securities traded on a stock exchange will ordinarily be valued on the basis of
the last sale price on the date of valuation on the securities principal exchange, or if
in the absence of any sale on that day, the closing bid price. For securities
principally traded on the NASDAQ market, the Fund uses the NASDAQ Official
Closing Price. Investments in shares of open-end mutual funds, including money
market funds, are valued at their daily net asset value, which is calculated as of the
close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Debt securities, excluding
short-term investments, are valued at their current evaluated bid price as determined
by an independent pricing service, which generates evaluations on the basis of
dealer quotes for normal institutional-sized trading units, issuer analysis, bond
market activity and various other factors. Securities for which market quotations
may not be readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Short-term investments
purchased at par are valued at cost, which approximates market value. Short-term
investments purchased at a premium or discount are stated at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. The Fund did not maintain any positions in derivative
instruments or engage in hedging activities during the year. Investment transactions
for financial statement purposes are recorded on trade date.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820-10, “Fair Value
Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820-10”), fair value is defined as the price
that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an
independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment.
ASC 820-10 established a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable
market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish
classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer
broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset
or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a
particular valuation technique used to measure fair value such as a pricing model

– 14 –


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be
observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the
assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on
market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity.
Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions
about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability
based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier
hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for
similar investments, interest rates, benchmark yields, bids, offers,
transactions, spreads and other relationships observed in the
markets among market securities, underlying equity of the issuer,
proprietary pricing models, credit risk, etc.)

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own
assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an
indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of September 30, 2021 in valuing
the Fund’s investments carried at value:

    Investments
Valuation Inputs   in Securities
Level 1 –    
Common Stocks(1) $ 457,290,223
Money Market Fund   7,096,518
Level 2 –    
U.S. Government Securities   6,499,858
Level 3 –    
None  
Total $ 470,886,599

 

(1) See Schedule of Investments for further detail by industry.

The Fund did not hold any Level 3 investments during the year.

(b) Net realized gain (loss) on portfolio securities was computed on the basis of
specific identification.

(c) Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, and interest income is
recognized on an accrual basis. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at value
on date of distribution. Generally, discounts and premiums on long-term debt
security purchases, if any, are amortized over the expected lives of the respective
securities using the effective yield method.

– 15 –


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

(d) Provision has not been made for federal income taxes or excise taxes since the
Fund has elected to be taxed as a “regulated investment company” and intends to
distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized capital gains on
sales of investments to its shareholders and otherwise comply with the provisions
of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies.

(e) Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date. Distributions from net investment income are generally declared and paid at
least annually. Distributions of net realized capital gain, if any, are declared and paid
at least annually.

The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized capital
gain are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may
differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for
financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent
book-to-tax differences to reflect tax character.

The tax character of distributions paid during the six months ended September 30,
2021 and the year ended March 31, 2021 was as follows:

    09/30/2021   03/31/2021
Distributions paid from:        
Ordinary income $ 3,827,280 $ 5,942,788
Long-term capital gain   23,638,507   14,265,456
Total distributions paid $ 27,465,787 $ 20,208,244

 

As of September 30, 2021, investment cost for federal tax purposes was
$351,081,665 and the tax basis components of net assets were as follows:

Unrealized appreciation $ 126,900,311  
Unrealized depreciation   (7,095,377 )
Net unrealized appreciation $ 119,804,934  

 

The difference between financial statement and tax-basis cost is attributable
primarily to holdings in partnership interests.

The Fund had no material uncertain tax positions and has not recorded a liability for
unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2021. Also, the Fund recognized no
interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits during the period ended
September 30, 2021. At September 30, 2021, the fiscal years 2018 through 2021
remain open to examination in the Fund’s major tax jurisdictions.

(f) The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the
accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 946, “Financial Services –
Investment Companies.” U.S. GAAP guidance requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that effect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from estimates.

– 16 –


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (unaudited)

(g) In the normal course of business the Fund enters into contracts that contain
general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these
arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims against the Fund that
have not yet occurred. Based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be
remote.

(h) In connection with the preparation of the Fund’s financial statements, management
evaluated subsequent events after the date of the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities of September 30, 2021. There have been no material subsequent events
since September 30, 2021 that would require adjustment to or additional disclosure
in these financial statements.

(2) Related Parties —
(a) Investment Adviser and Management Agreement —

The Fund has an agreement with Nicholas Company, Inc. (with whom certain
officers and directors of the Fund are affiliated) (the “Adviser”) to serve as
investment adviser and manager. Under the terms of the agreement, a monthly fee
is paid to the Adviser based on an annualized fee of 0.70% of the average net asset
value up to and including $50 million and 0.60% of the average net asset value in
excess of $50 million.

The Adviser may be paid for accounting and administrative services rendered by its
personnel, subject to the following guidelines: (i) up to five basis points, on an
annual basis, of the average net asset value of the Fund up to and including
$2 billion and up to three basis points, on an annual basis, of the average net asset
value of the Fund greater than $2 billion, based on the average net asset value of
the Fund as determined by valuations made at the close of each business day of
each month, and (ii) where the preceding calculation results in an annual payment
of less than $50,000, the Adviser, in its discretion, may charge the Fund up to
$50,000 for such services.

(b) Legal Counsel —

A director of the Adviser is affiliated with a law firm that provides services to the
Fund. The Fund incurred expenses of $2,171 for the six-month period ended
September 30, 2021 for legal services rendered by this law firm.

(3) Investment Transactions —
For the period ended September 30, 2021, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from
sales of investment securities, other than short-term obligations, aggregated
$50,675,246 and $59,700,912, respectively.

– 17 –


 

Historical Record
(unaudited)

        Net                
        Investment         Dollar     Growth of
    Net   Income     Capital Gain   Weighted     an Initial
    Asset Value   Distributions     Distributions   Price/Earnings   $10,000
    Per Share   Per Share     Per Share   Ratio(2)     Investment(3)
November 23, 1993(1) $ 10.00 $   $    $ 10,000
March 31, 1994   10.04   0.0133       14.4 times     10,053
March 31, 1995   10.56   0.2810       14.6     10,871
March 31, 1996   12.35   0.3370       16.8     13,111
March 31, 1997   12.27   0.4527     0.5483   15.9     14,138
March 31, 1998   14.35   0.5014     0.6586   23.0     18,072
March 31, 1999   12.32   0.4843     0.3278   22.0     16,509
March 31, 2000   11.10   0.4447     0.2392   20.6     15,816
March 31, 2001   11.20   0.1980       21.0     16,250
March 31, 2002   12.66   0.1697       22.4     18,642
March 31, 2003   9.02   0.1920       15.6     13,531
March 31, 2004   12.45   0.1486       16.1     18,933
March 31, 2005   13.58   0.2120       21.0     20,995
March 31, 2006   13.66   0.3843     0.4259   16.8     22,456
March 31, 2007   15.98   0.3663     0.2138   17.0     27,307
March 31, 2008   12.59   0.3377     2.0340   18.2     25,247
March 31, 2009   8.64   0.4188       11.6     17,989
March 31, 2010   13.64   0.3167       17.7     29,211
March 31, 2011   15.98   0.3017     0.0041   19.4     34,949
March 31, 2012   15.61   0.4843     0.5318   18.5     36,470
March 31, 2013   17.93   0.4658     0.3584   22.3     44,139
March 31, 2014   19.68   0.4076     0.8054   19.1     51,554
March 31, 2015   20.99   0.4294     0.7468   22.4     58,325
March 31, 2016   18.65   0.4226     0.8980   15.4     55,455
March 31, 2017   20.70   0.3615     0.3955   18.6     64,090
March 31, 2018   20.50   0.5324     0.8782   19.1     67,893
March 31, 2019   18.87   0.5634     2.3904   17.6     73,247
March 31, 2020   15.14   0.2772     2.2405   16.3     66,803
March 31, 2021   21.75   0.2839     0.6929   23.7     100,994
September 30, 2021   21.41   0.1776 (a)   1.1191 (b) 21.7     105,480

 

(1)     

Date of Initial Public Offering.

(2)     

Based on latest 12 months accomplished earnings.

(3)     

Assuming reinvestment of all distributions.

(a)     

Paid $0.0916 on May 12, 2021 to shareholders of record on May 11, 2021. Paid $0.0860 on August 4, 2021 to shareholders of record on August 3, 2021.

(b)     

Paid $1.1191 on May 12, 2021 to shareholders of record on May 11, 2021.

– 18 –


 

Approval of Investment Advisory Contract
(unaudited)

In May 2021, the Board of Directors of the Fund renewed the one-year term of the Investment Advisory Agreement by and between the Fund and the Adviser through May 2022. In connection with the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, no changes to the amount or manner of calculation of the management fee or the terms of the agreement were proposed by the Adviser or adopted by the Board. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the management fee was 0.61% and the Fund’s total expense ratio (including the management fee) was 0.72%. In renewing the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board carefully considered the following factors on an absolute basis and relative to the Fund’s peer group (i) the Fund’s expense ratio, which was low compared to the overall peer group; (ii) the Fund’s performance on a short-term and long-term basis; (iii) the Fund’s management fee; (iv) the range and quality of the services offered by the Adviser. The peer group fund data included mid-, large- and small-cap blend and value focused funds with similar asset sizes and a prospectus objective of equity income. In terms of the peer group data used for performance comparisons, the Fund was ranked 10th, 4th, 8th and 8th out of 16 funds for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ending March 31, 2021. The Fund had the fifth lowest expense ratio among its peer group. The Board also reviewed the twelve-month yield and Fund’s risk/return profile as measured by standard deviation and the Fund’s Morningstar rankings.

The Board considered the range of services to be provided by the Adviser to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board discussed the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser and concluded that the services provided were consistent with the terms of the advisory agreement and the needs of the Fund, and that the services provided were of a high quality. The Board considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Adviser. Among other things, the Board noted its consideration of the Fund’s performance relative to peer funds. The Board reviewed the actual relative short-term and long-term performance of the Fund. The Board agreed that the Fund demonstrated strong long-term performance relative to benchmarks and its peers. The Board also discussed the extent to which economies of scale would be realized, and whether such economies were reflected in the Fund’s fee levels and concluded that the Adviser had been instrumental in holding down Fund costs, citing consistently low fees relative to comparable funds.

The Board considered the cost of services provided by the Adviser. The Board also considered the profits realized by the Adviser in connection with the management and distribution of the Fund, as expressed by the Adviser’s management in general terms. The Board expressed the opinion that given the Board’s focus on performance and maintaining a low fee structure that the Adviser’s profits were not relevant.

The Board determined that the Adviser had fully and adequately carried out the terms and conditions of its contract with the Fund. The Board expressed satisfaction with the Fund’s performance, management’s control of expenses and the rate of the management fee for the Fund and the overall level of services provided to the Fund by the Adviser.

– 19 –


 

Liquidity Risk Management Program
(unaudited)

The Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act. The Program seeks to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, i.e., the risk that the Fund is unable to satisfy redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Board of Directors of the Fund has designated Nicholas Company, Inc., the Fund’s investment adviser, to administer the Program. Certain aspects of the Program rely on third parties to perform certain functions, including the provision of market data and application of models.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under Rule 22e-4); (4) for a Fund that does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under Rule 22e-4), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that will generally be invested in highly liquid investments (a “Highly Liquid Investment Minimum”); and (5) periodic reporting to the Board of Directors.

At a meeting of the Board of Directors on February 1, 2021, Nicholas Company, Inc. provided a written report to the Board addressing the operation, and the adequacy and effectiveness of the implementation, of the Program, including, as applicable, the operation of any Highly Liquid Investment Minimum and any material changes to the Program, for the period from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the “Reporting Period”). Among other things, the annual report discussed: (1) the results of stress tests designed to assess liquidity under a hypothetical stressed scenario involving elevated redemptions; and (2) an assessment of the methodologies used to classify investments into one of four liquidity categories. The report concluded that the Program was reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk and was adequately and effectively implemented during the Reporting Period.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.

– 20 –


 

Information on Proxy Voting
(unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800-544-6547 or 414-276-0535. It also appears in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be found on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. A record of how the Fund voted its proxies for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, also is available on the Fund’s website, www.nicholasfunds.com, and the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
(unaudited)

The Fund files its complete schedule of investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

– 21 –


 

Privacy Policy
(unaudited)

     Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc. respects each shareholder’s right to privacy. We are committed to safeguarding the information that you provide us to maintain and execute transactions on your behalf.

We collect the following non-public personal information about you:

*     

Information we receive from you on applications or other forms, whether we receive the form in writing or electronically. This includes, but is not limited to, your name, address, phone number, tax identification number, date of birth, beneficiary information and investment selection.

*     

Information about your transactions with us and account history with us. This includes, but is not limited to, your account number, balances and cost basis information. This also includes transaction requests made through our transfer agent.

*     

Other general information that we may obtain about you such as demographic information.

WE DO NOT SELL ANY NON-PUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CURRENT OR FORMER SHAREHOLDERS.

INFORMATION SHARED WITH OUR TRANSFER AGENT, A THIRD PARTY COMPANY, ALSO IS NOT SOLD.

     We may share, only as permitted by law, non-public personal information about you with third party companies. Listed below are some examples of third parties to whom we may disclose non-public personal information. While these examples do not cover every circumstance permitted by law, we hope they help you understand how your information may be shared.

We may share non-public personal information about you:

*     

With companies who work for us to service your accounts or to process transactions that you may request. This would include, but is not limited to, our transfer agent to process your transactions, mailing houses to send you required reports and correspondence regarding the Fund and its Adviser, the Nicholas Company, Inc., and our dividend disbursing agent to process fund dividend checks.

*     

With a party representing you, with your consent, such as your broker or lawyer.

*     

When required by law, such as in response to a subpoena or other legal process.

     The Fund and its Adviser maintain policies and procedures to safeguard your non-public personal information. Access is restricted to employees who the Adviser determines need the information in order to perform their job duties. To guard your non-public personal information we maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards.

     In the event that you hold shares of the Fund with a financial intermediary, including, but not limited to, a broker-dealer, bank, or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary would govern how your non-public personal information would be shared with non-affiliated third parties.

– 22 –


 

Nicholas Funds Services Offered
(unaudited)

IRAs  
  • Traditional • SIMPLE
  • Roth • SEP
Coverdell Education Accounts
Automatic Investment Plan
Direct Deposit of Dividend and Capital Gain Distributions
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
Monthly Automatic Exchange between Funds
Telephone Purchase and Redemption
Telephone Exchange  
24-hour Automated Account Information (800-544-6547)
24-hour Internet Account Access (www.nicholasfunds.com)

 

Please call a shareholder representative for further information on the above services or with any other questions you may have regarding the Nicholas Funds (800-544-6547).

– 23 –


 

Directors and Officers
DAVID O. NICHOLAS, President and Director

JOHN A. HAUSER, Director

DAVID P. PELISEK, Director

DAVID L. JOHNSON, Executive Vice President

JENNIFER R. KLOEHN, Senior Vice President,
Treasurer and Chief Compliance Officer

LAWRENCE J. PAVELEC, Senior Vice President and Secretary

MICHAEL L. SHELTON, Senior Vice President

CANDACE L. LESAK, Vice President

Investment Adviser
NICHOLAS COMPANY, INC.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
www.nicholasfunds.com
414-276-0535 or 800-544-6547

Transfer Agent
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
414-276-0535 or 800-544-6547

Distributor
QUASAR DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Custodian
U.S. BANK N.A.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Counsel
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This report is submitted for the information of shareholders of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Applicable only to annual reports.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Applicable only to annual reports.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Applicable only to annual reports.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable to this filing.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

The schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

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

Applicable only to annual reports filed by closed-end funds.

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

Applicable only to annual reports filed by closed-end funds.

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

Applicable only to closed-end funds.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The Fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, 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”) are effective, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in

Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


 

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

Applicable only to closed-end funds.

Item 13. Exhibits.
(a)(1) Applicable only to annual reports.

(a)(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, attached hereto as EX-99.CERT.

(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more person.

Applicable only to closed-end funds.

(a)(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant.

Not applicable to this filing.

(b) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, attached hereto as EX-99.906 CERT.


 

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) Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc.

By: /s/ David O. Nicholas
Name: David O. Nicholas
Title: Principal Executive Officer

Date: November 29, 2021

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

By: /s/ David O. Nicholas
Name: David O. Nicholas
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: November 29, 2021

By: /s/ Jennifer R. Kloehn
Name: Jennifer R. Kloehn
Title: Principal Financial Officer
Date: November 29, 2021

I, David O. Nicholas, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: 11/29/2021

/s/ David O. Nicholas

 

 

David O. Nicholas

 

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

 

I, Jennifer R. Kloehn, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: 11/29/2021

/s/ Jennifer R. Kloehn

 

 

Jennifer R. Kloehn

 

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

 

EXHIBIT 99.906 CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Section 906

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Registrant: Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc.

Form: N-CSR Semiannual Report dated September 30, 2021

 

I, David O. Nicholas, hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:

11/29/2021

 

 

/s/ David O. Nicholas

 

 

David O. Nicholas, President (Chief Executive Officer)

 

 

I, Jennifer R. Kloehn, hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:

11/29/2021

 

 

/s/ Jennifer R. Kloehn

 

 

Jennifer R. Kloehn, Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)

 

 

 

This certificate is furnished pursuant to the requirements of Form N-CSR and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



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