Form SC 13G CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL Filed by: Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13G

(Amendment No. )*

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund

(Name of Issuer)

Series F Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares

(Title of Class of Securities)

128125*60

(CUSIP Number)

May 24, 2022

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 

x	Rule 13d-1(b)
¨	Rule 13d-1(c)
¨	Rule 13d-1(d)

 

^* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Athene Annuity and Life Company
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Iowa
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IC

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS AISG GP Ltd.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Cayman Islands
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Life Asset, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Cayman Islands
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   HC

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Life Asset GP, LLC
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION   Cayman Islands
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Apollo Capital Management, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Management Holdings, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

 

 

CUSIP No. 128125*60

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		5	SOLE VOTING POWER
		6	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,760,000
		7	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
		8	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,760,000
9	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,760,000
10	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* ¨
11	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 44.0%
12	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

 

 

Item 1.

(a)

Name of Issuer

 

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund

 

(b)

Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices

 

2020 Calamos Court, c/o Calamos Advisors LLC

Naperville, IL 60653

 

Item 2.

(a)

Name of Person Filing

 

This statement is filed by: (i) Athene Annuity and Life Company (“AAIA”); (ii) Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP (“AISG”); (iii) AISG GP Ltd. (“AISG GP”); (iv) Apollo Life Asset, L.P. (“Apollo Life”); (v) Apollo Life Asset GP, LLC (“Apollo Life GP”); (vi) Apollo Capital Management, L.P. (“Capital Management”); (vii) Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC (“Capital Management GP”); (viii) Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. (“Management Holdings”); and (ix) Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC (“Management Holdings GP”).

 

AAIA holds Series F Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “MRPs”) of the Issuer.  AISG is the investment adviser of AAIA. AISG GP is the general partner of AISG. Apollo Life is the general partner of AISG GP, and Apollo Life GP is the general partner of Apollo Life. Capital Management is the sole member of Apollo Life GP. The general partner of Capital Management is Capital Management GP. Management Holdings is the sole member and manager of Capital Management GP, and Management Holdings GP is the general partner of Management Holdings.

 

(b)

Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

 

The address of the principal office of AAIA is 7700 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. The address of the principal office of AISG is 2121 Rosecrans Ave. Ste 5300, El Segundo, California 90245. The address of the principal office of each of AISG GP, Apollo Life, Apollo Life GP, is c/o Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Center, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, KY1-9008 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. The address of the principal office of each of Capital Management, Capital Management GP, Management Holdings, and Management Holdings GP is 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York, NY 10019.

 

(c)

Citizenship

 

AAIA		Iowa
AISG		Delaware
AISG GP		Cayman Islands
Apollo Life		Cayman Islands
Apollo Life GP		Cayman Islands
Capital Management		Delaware
Capital Management GP		Delaware
Management Holdings		Delaware
Management Holdings GP		Delaware

 

(d)

Title of class of securities

 

Series F Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares

 

(e)

CUSIP No.

 

128125*60

 

 

Item 3.

If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

 

(a)

¨

Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);

 

(b)

¨

Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);

 

(c)

x

Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);

 

(d)

¨

Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a-8);

 

(e)

x

An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

 

(f)

¨

An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

 

(g)

x

A parent holding company or control person in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

 

(h)

¨

A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

 

(i)

¨

A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);

 

(j)

¨

A non-U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J);

 

(k)

¨

Group, in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution: ____

 

Item 4 Ownership.

 

(a) & (b) Information in Rows 5 to 11 of the respective cover pages of the individual Reporting Persons are incorporated into this Item 4 by reference.

 

The Reporting Persons’ aggregate percentage beneficial ownership of the total amount of MRPs outstanding is based on 4,000,000 shares of the MRPs outstanding.

 

AISG, AISG GP, Apollo Life, Apollo Life GP, Capital Management, Capital Management GP, Management Holdings and Management Holdings GP each disclaim beneficial ownership of all Common Stock included in this report, and the filing of this report shall not be construed as an admission that any such person or entity is the beneficial owner of any such securities for purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other purpose.

 

Item 5.

Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

 

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following: ¨

 

Item 6.

Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 7.

Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.

 

See response to Item 2(a), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Item 8.

Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

Notice of Dissolution of Group.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 10.

Certification.

 

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under §240.14a-11.

 

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date: June 2, 2022

 

	ATHENE ANNUITY AND LIFE COMPANY
	By:	Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP,
		its investment adviser
		By:	AISG GP Ltd.,
			its general partner
			By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
				Angelo Lombardo
				Authorized Signatory
	APOLLO INSURANCE SOLUTIONS GROUP LP
	By:	AISG GP Ltd.,
		its general partner
		By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
			Angelo Lombardo
			Authorized Signatory
	AISG GP LTD.
	By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
		Angelo Lombardo
		Authorized Signatory
	APOLLO LIFE ASSET, L.P.
	By:	Apollo Life Asset GP, LLC,
		its general partner
		By:	Apollo Capital Management L.P.,
			its managing member
			By:	Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC,
				its general partner
				By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
					Joseph D. Glatt
					Vice President

 

 

	APOLLO LIFE ASSET GP, LLC
	By:	Apollo Capital Management L.P.,
		its managing member
		By:	Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC,
			its general partner
			By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
				Joseph D. Glatt
				Vice President
	APOLLO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.
	By:	Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC,
		its general partner
		By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
			Joseph D. Glatt
			Vice President
	APOLLO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GP, LLC
	By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
		Joseph D. Glatt
		Vice President
	APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, L.P.
	By:	Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC,
		its general partner
		By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
			Joseph D. Glatt
			Vice President
	APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS GP, LLC
	By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
		Joseph D. Glatt
		Vice President

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 1

 

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND

 

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby confirm the agreement by and among them to the joint filing on behalf of them of the Statement on Schedule 13G and any and all further amendments thereto, with respect to the securities of the above referenced issuer, and that this Agreement be included as an Exhibit to such filing.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby execute this Agreement as of June 2, 2022.

 

	ATHENE ANNUITY AND LIFE COMPANY
	By:	Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP,
		its investment adviser
		By:	AISG GP Ltd.,
			its general partner
			By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
				Angelo Lombardo
				Authorized Signatory
	APOLLO INSURANCE SOLUTIONS GROUP LP
	By:	AISG GP Ltd.,
		its general partner
		By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
			Angelo Lombardo
			Authorized Signatory
	AISG GP LTD.
	By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
		Angelo Lombardo
		Authorized Signatory
	APOLLO LIFE ASSET, L.P.
	By:	Apollo Life Asset GP, LLC,
		its general partner
		By:	Apollo Capital Management L.P.,
			its managing member
			By:	Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC,
				its general partner
				By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
					Joseph D. Glatt
					Vice President

 

 

	APOLLO LIFE ASSET GP, LLC
	By:	Apollo Capital Management L.P.,
		its managing member
		By:	Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC,
			its general partner
			By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
				Joseph D. Glatt
				Vice President
	APOLLO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.
	By:	Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC,
		its general partner
		By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
			Joseph D. Glatt
			Vice President
	APOLLO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GP, LLC
	By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
		Joseph D. Glatt
		Vice President
	APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, L.P.
	By:	Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC,
		its general partner
		By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
			Joseph D. Glatt
			Vice President
	APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS GP, LLC
	By:	/s/ Joseph D. Glatt
		Joseph D. Glatt
		Vice President

 

 

 

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