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Form N-CSR LORD ABBETT BOND DEBENTU For: Dec 31

March 7, 2019 12:20 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: 811-02145

 

LORD ABBETT BOND-DEBENTURE FUND, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

 

90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

John T. Fitzgerald, Esq., Vice President & Assistant Secretary

90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 201-6984

 

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31

 

Date of reporting period: 12/31/2018

 
Item 1:Report(s) to Shareholders.
 

 

LORD ABBETT
ANNUAL REPORT

 

Lord Abbett
Bond Debenture Fund

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

 

Important Information on Paperless Delivery

Beginning in February 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports like this one 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, investment advisor or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on Lord Abbett’s website and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. Shareholders who hold accounts directly with the Fund may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing into your Lord Abbett online account at lordabbett.com and selecting “Log In.” For further information, you may also contact the Fund at (800) 821-5129. Shareholders who hold accounts through a financial intermediary should contact them directly.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge by contacting the Fund at (800) 821-5129. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with Lord Abbett. If your fund shares are held through a financial intermediary please contact them directly. Your election applies to all funds held with that intermediary.

 

Table of Contents

 

1   A Letter to Shareholders
     
4   Investment Comparison
     
5   Information About Your Fund’s Expenses and Holdings Presented by Sector
     
8   Schedule of Investments
     
46   Statement of Assets and Liabilities
     
48   Statement of Operations
     
49   Statements of Changes in Net Assets
     
50   Financial Highlights
     
54   Notes to Financial Statements
     
71   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     
72   Supplemental Information to Shareholders
 

 

 

Lord Abbett Bond Debenture Fund
Annual Report

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

 

 

From left to right: James L.L. Tullis, Independent Chairman of the Lord Abbett Funds and Douglas B. Sieg, Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Lord Abbett Funds.

 

Dear Shareholders: We are pleased to provide you with this overview of the performance of Lord Abbett Bond Debenture Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. On this page and the following pages, we discuss the major factors that influenced fiscal year performance. For detailed and more timely information about the Fund, please visit our website at www.lordabbett.com, where you also can access quarterly commentaries that provide updates on the Fund’s performance and other portfolio related updates.

Thank you for investing in Lord Abbett mutual funds. We value the trust that you place in us and look forward to serving your investment needs in the years to come.

 

Best regards,

 

 

Douglas B. Sieg
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer


 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund returned -3.79%, reflecting performance at the net asset value (NAV) of Class A shares with all distributions reinvested, compared to its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index,1 which returned 0.01% over the same period.

During the period, there were several market-moving events. In June 2018, the White House announced its intent to impose additional tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, on top of the $50

billion previously announced. The aggressive U.S. trade posture continued into September with trade tensions mounting between the U.S. and China. While the impact has yet to fully be realized, many corporations anticipate that the retaliatory tariffs will weigh on profits. In 2018, the Fed raised its target for short-term interest rates by 0.25% at each of its March, June, September and December meetings, raising the target range to 2.25%-2.50%. As the Fed continued to raise rates, the U.S. Treasury yield curve


 

1

 

 

 

flattened throughout the year. The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury securities (“Treasuries”) reached multi-year highs in November, and pulled back in December as risk averse sentiment roiled the markets and investors to flocked to safety. Amid rising concerns surrounding escalating trade tensions, slowing global growth, and increasing interest rates, the Nasdaq experienced the largest monthly drop since 2008 in October 2018. US equity markets were volatile to finish out the year, with the S&P 500® Index2 suffering the largest December decline since the Great Depression, culminating in the worst year since the financial crisis. Additionally, leveraged credit segments of the market experienced a sharp sell-off, notably in December, due to concerns over slower growth, falling oil prices, year-end technical pressures and general risk averse sentiment. Despite the sell-off, the U.S. economy continued to expand by more than 2% during each quarter of the trailing 12-month period, with domestic GDP growth ranging between 2.2% to 4.2% from the third quarter of 2017 to the third quarter of 2018. The 4.2% GDP growth in the second quarter marked the strongest growth rate since the third quarter of 2014. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), gained 1.9%, a decline of 0.1% year-over-year, mainly driven lower by falling energy prices. Oil prices suffered sharp declines due to oversupply concerns.

During the 12-month period the leveraged credit sectors of the U.S. fixed income market, including high yield bonds and loans, experienced mixed returns, with high yield bonds underperforming and bank loans outperforming investment grade bonds. High yield credit spreads widened during the period, most notably in December, as the fourth quarter risk averse sentiment took a toll on risk assets. Returns within the high yield market were driven lower primarily by the lower-rated issues, as ‘CCC’ rated bonds underperformed higher-rated issues over the 12-month period.

As it has in the past, the Fund maintained a significant allocation to high yield bonds, as we remained positive on the high yield market from a fundamental perspective. The Fund’s exposure to high yield bonds detracted from relative performance, as the high yield market significantly underperformed investment grade bonds, as represented by the Fund’s benchmark the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index1.

The Fund maintained an allocation to equities throughout the period, which also detracted from relative performance, as the asset class came under pressure during the year, most notably in the fourth quarter, as general risk averse sentiment caused a broad-based sell-off.

The Fund’s modest allocation to bank loans contributed to relative performance during the period. Despite volatility late in the year, the asset class performed relatively well in relation to other risk assets.


 

2

 

 

 

The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed and, therefore, its holdings and the weightings of a particular issuer or

particular sector as a percentage of portfolio assets are subject to change. Sectors may include many industries.


 

1     The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index of U.S dollar-denominated, investment-grade U.S. government and corporate securities, and mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. Indexes are unmanaged, do not reflect the deduction of fees or expenses, and an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2     The S&P 500® Index is widely regarded as the standard for measuring large cap U.S. stock market performance and includes a representative sample of leading companies in leading industries.

 

Unless otherwise specified, indexes reflect total return, with all dividends reinvested. Indexes are unmanaged, do not reflect the deduction of fees or expenses, and are not available for direct investment.

 

Important Performance and Other Information

Performance data quoted in the following pages reflect past performance and are no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that shares, on any given day or when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You

can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by calling Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388 or referring to www.lordabbett.com.

 

The annual commentary above discusses the views of the Fund’s management and various portfolio holdings of the Fund as of December 31, 2018. These views and portfolio holdings may have changed after this date. Information provided in the commentary is not a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Because the Fund’s portfolio is actively managed and may change significantly, the Fund may no longer own the securities described above or may have otherwise changed its position in the securities. For more recent information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings, please visit www.lordabbett.com.

 

A Note about Risk: See Notes to Financial Statements for a discussion of investment risks. For a more detailed discussion of the risks associated with the Fund, please see the Fund’s prospectus.

 

Mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, banks, and are subject to investment risks including possible loss of principal amount invested.


 

3

 

 

 

Investment Comparison

 

Below is a comparison of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares with the same investment in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the ICE BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Constrained Index, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The performance of other classes will be greater than or less than the performance shown in the graph below due to different sales loads and expenses applicable to such classes. The graph and performance table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns at Maximum Applicable
Sales Charge for the Periods Ended December 31, 2018

 

   1 Year   5 Years    10 Years    Life of Class  
Class A3   –5.95%   3.45%    8.66%     
Class C4   –5.28%   3.28%    8.23%     
Class F5   –3.83%   4.00%    9.10%     
Class F36   –3.57%           1.56%
Class I5   –3.77%   4.10%    9.21%     
Class P5   –4.00%   3.85%    8.88%     
Class R25   –4.17%   3.52%    8.59%     
Class R35   –4.21%   3.60%    8.69%     
Class R47   –3.83%           3.41%
Class R57   –3.63%           3.66%
Class R67   –3.56%           3.74%

 

1     Reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 2.25%.

2     Performance of each unmanaged index does not reflect any fees or expenses. The performance of each index is not necessarily representative of the Fund’s performance.

3     Total return, which is the percentage change in net asset value, after deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 2.25% applicable to Class A shares, with all dividends and distributions reinvested for the periods shown ended December 31, 2018 is calculated using the SEC-required uniform method to compute such return.

4     The 1% CDSC for Class C shares normally applies before the first anniversary of the purchase date. Performance for other periods is at net asset value.

5     Performance is at net asset value.

6     Commenced operations and performance for the Class began on April 4, 2017. Performance is at net asset value.

7     Commenced operations and performance for the Class began on June 30, 2015. Performance is at net asset value.


 

4

 

 

 

Expense Example

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments (these charges vary among the share classes); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees (these charges vary among the share classes); and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018).

 

Actual Expenses

For each class of the Fund, the first line of the table on the following page provides information about 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 titled “Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/18 – 12/31/18” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

For each class of the Fund, the second line of the table on the following page 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 and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 5
 

 

 

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 sales charges (loads). 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
Account
Value
  Ending
Account
Value
  Expenses
Paid During
Period
     7/1/18    12/31/18  7/1/18 – 12/31/18
Class A         
Actual  $1,000.00   $973.50        $3.98 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.17   $4.08 
Class C               
Actual  $1,000.00   $969.20   $7.15 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,017.95   $7.32 
Class F               
Actual  $1,000.00   $972.60   $3.48 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.68   $3.57 
Class F3               
Actual  $1,000.00   $973.30   $2.59 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.58   $2.65 
Class I               
Actual  $1,000.00   $972.90   $2.98 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.18   $3.06 
Class P               
Actual  $1,000.00   $970.90   $4.72 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.91   $4.84 
Class R2               
Actual  $1,000.00   $970.30   $5.96 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.16   $6.11 
Class R3               
Actual  $1,000.00   $970.70   $5.46 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.66   $5.60 
Class R4               
Actual  $1,000.00   $972.00   $4.22 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.92   $4.33 
Class R5               
Actual  $1,000.00   $973.00   $2.98 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.18   $3.06 
Class R6               
Actual  $1,000.00   $973.30   $2.59 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.58   $2.65 

 

For each class of the Fund, net expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for such class (0.80% for Class A, 1.44% for Class C, 0.70% for Class F, 0.52% for Class F3, 0.60% for Class I, 0.95% for Class P, 1.20% for Class R2, 1.10% for Class R3, 0.85% for Class R4, 0.60% for Class R5 and 0.52% for Class R6) multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect one-half year period).

 

6 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Presented by Sector

December 31, 2018

 

Sector*   %** 
Asset Backed   1.23%
Automotive   1.05%
Banking   4.38%
Basic Industry   5.12%
Capital Goods   3.01%
Consumer Goods   5.03%
Energy   7.80%
Financial Services   3.64%
Foreign Government   6.50%
Healthcare   8.59%
Insurance   1.94%
Leisure   3.67%
Media   4.04%
Municipal   3.54%
Real Estate   1.18%
Retail   7.69%
Services   3.08%
Technology & Electronics   5.64%
Telecommunications   4.33%
Transportation   3.04%
U.S. Government   10.13%
Utility   5.21%
Repurchase Agreement   0.16%
Total   100.00%

 

*   A sector may comprise several industries.
**   Represents percent of total investments.

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 7
 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 108.56%                
                 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES 2.68%                
                 
Automobiles 0.17%                
ACC Trust 2018-1 B  4.82%  5/20/2021  6,637   $6,656,851 
ACC Trust 2018-1 C  6.81%  2/21/2023   5,140    5,160,437 
TCF Auto Receivables Owner Trust 2016-1A B  2.32%  6/15/2022   8,695    8,556,775 
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust 2016-3A B  2.07%  12/15/2021   416    416,128 
Total              20,790,191 
                 
Other 2.51%                
ALM XIX Ltd. 2016-19A C  6.786%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.35%
)# 7/15/2028   4,038    4,045,420 
AMMC CLO 15 Ltd. 2014-15A DRR  5.727%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.40%
)# 1/15/2032   2,514    2,454,889 
AMMC CLO XII Ltd. 2013-12A DR  5.318%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.70%
)# 11/10/2030   3,859    3,515,593 
Anchorage Capital CLO 9 Ltd. 2016-9A D  6.436%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%
)# 1/15/2029   9,600    9,469,286 
Ascentium Equipment Receivables Trust 2016-2A B  2.50%  9/12/2022   3,705    3,684,796 
Atrium XV-15A D  5.776%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%
)# 1/23/2031   7,286    6,802,358 
Battalion CLO VII Ltd. 2014-7A CRR  5.379%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.93%
)# 7/17/2028   1,831    1,778,711 
BlueMountain CLO XXIII Ltd. 2018-23A D  5.365%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.90%
)# 10/20/2031   4,348    4,076,922 
Cedar Funding VI CLO Ltd. 2016-6A BR  4.069%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.60%
)# 10/20/2028   2,600    2,536,483 
Cedar Funding VI CLO Ltd. 2016-6A DR  5.469%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%
)# 10/20/2028   7,699    7,211,757 
Cent CLO 21 Ltd. 2014-21A CR2  5.709%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.20%
)# 7/27/2030   4,936    4,605,472 
Conn’s Receivables Funding LLC 2017-B C  5.95%  11/15/2022   23,832    24,214,084 
Galaxy XXI CLO Ltd. 2015-21A AR  3.489%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.02%
)# 4/20/2031   5,311    5,241,542 
Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd. 2015-2A CR  4.64%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.15%
)# 7/25/2027   5,476    5,312,989 
Harbor Park CLO 18-1 Ltd. 2018-1A D  5.739%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.90%
)# 1/20/2031   4,560    4,221,251 
Hardee’s Funding LLC 2018-1A A2II  4.959%  6/20/2048   38,186    38,938,565 
Jamestown CLO VII Ltd. 2015-7A BR  4.14%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.65%
)# 7/25/2027   12,548    11,893,323 
KKR CLO 15 Ltd-15 DR  5.592%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.15%
)# 1/18/2032   2,736    2,615,473 

 

8 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Other (continued)                
Madison Park Funding XIV Ltd. 2014-14A DRR  5.419%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.95%
)# 10/22/2030     $ 3,923   $3,693,748 
Mariner CLO 2015-1 LLC 2015-1A DR  6.119%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.65%
)# 4/20/2029   2,277    2,218,896 
Mariner CLO LLC 2017-4A D  5.558%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.05%
)# 10/26/2029   6,254    5,912,035 
Mountain View CLO X Ltd. 2015-10A BR  3.786%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.35%
)# 10/13/2027   13,725    13,430,516 
Octagon Investment Partners 39 Ltd. 2018-3A D  5.415%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.95%
)# 10/20/2030  3,789   $3,566,070 
Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd. 2018-1A A1  3.036%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + .60%
)# 4/15/2026   25,600    25,445,768 
Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd. 2018-1A A2  3.486%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.05%
)# 4/15/2026   9,660    9,250,845 
Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd. 2018-1A B  3.836%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.40%
)# 4/15/2026   5,069    4,745,568 
Planet Fitness Master Issuer LLC 2018-1A A2I  4.262%  9/5/2048   17,994    18,111,901 
Planet Fitness Master Issuer LLC 2018-1A A2II  4.666%  9/5/2048   22,493    22,821,515 
Regatta VI Funding Ltd. 2016-1A DR  5.169%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.70%
)# 7/20/2028   2,216    2,086,252 
Sound Point CLO XI Ltd. 2016-1A DR  5.408%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.95%
)# 7/20/2028   6,840    6,684,850 
THL Credit Wind River CLO Ltd. 2018-3A D  5.776%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.95%
)# 1/20/2031   7,164    6,658,883 
Voya CLO Ltd. 2016-2A C  6.70%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.25%
)# 7/19/2028   5,250    5,251,807 
West CLO Ltd. 2014-2A BR  4.186%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%
)# 1/16/2027   4,541    4,420,961 
Westcott Park CLO Ltd. 2016-1A D  6.819%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.35%
)# 7/20/2028   8,150    8,161,774 
Wingstop Funding LLC 2018-1 A2  4.97%  12/5/2048   19,747    20,218,953 
Total              305,299,256 
Total Asset-Backed Securities (cost $330,207,336)              326,089,447 
                 
         Shares
(000)
      
COMMON STOCKS 9.37%                
                 
Aerospace/Defense 0.11%                
HEICO Corp.         170    13,197,633 
                 
Air Transportation 0.26%                
Alaska Air Group, Inc.         318    19,346,527 
Spirit Airlines, Inc.*         217    12,581,672 
Total              31,928,199 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 9
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments          Shares
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Auto Parts & Equipment 0.13%                  
Chassix Holdings, Inc.           607   $15,176,425 
                   
Banking 0.35%                  
American Express Co.           249    23,735,442 
Western Alliance Bancorp*           478    18,863,544 
Total                42,598,986 
                   
Beverages 0.10%                  
Pernod Ricard SA(a)          EUR 77    12,577,204 
                   
Building & Construction 0.10%                  
PulteGroup, Inc.           478    12,427,898 
                   
Building Materials 0.21%                  
RPM International, Inc.           210    12,347,091 
Vulcan Materials Co.           134    13,252,143 
Total                25,599,234 
                   
Chemicals 0.10%                  
Ecolab, Inc.           85    12,473,030 
                   
Discount Stores 0.12%                  
Amazon.com, Inc.*           10    14,893,535 
                   
Diversified Capital Goods 0.11%                  
Dover Corp.           183    13,015,423 
                   
Electric: Generation 0.10%                  
AES Corp.           878    12,691,976 
                   
Electric: Integrated 0.52%                  
Ameren Corp.           276    18,007,263 
Eneva SA*(a)          BRL 33    117,832 
OGE Energy Corp.           628    24,598,309 
Portland General Electric Co.           438    20,073,267 
Total                62,796,671 
                   
Electronics 0.17%                  
Zebra Technologies Corp. Class A*           128    20,398,955 
                   
Energy: Exploration & Production 0.17%                  
Chaparral Energy, Inc. Class A*           541    2,662,350 
MEG Energy Corp.*(a)          CAD 3,213    18,143,050 
Templar Energy LLC Class A Units           417    260,514 
Total                21,065,914 

 

10 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments          Shares
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Food & Drug Retailers 0.16%                
Kroger Co. (The)           688   $18,926,298 
                   
Food: Wholesale 0.35%                  
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.           257    18,940,155 
McCormick & Co., Inc.           172    24,006,647 
Total                42,946,802 
                   
Gas Distribution 0.15%                  
Dommo Energia SA*(a)          BRL 3,526    757,898 
ONE Gas, Inc.           226    18,024,385 
Total                18,782,283 
                   
Health Facilities 0.25%                  
HCA Healthcare, Inc.           242    30,108,189 
                   
Health Services 0.10%                  
PRA Health Sciences, Inc.*           132    12,162,446 
                   
Insurance Brokerage 0.16%                  
Aon plc (United Kingdom)(b)           133    19,361,807 
                   
Investments & Miscellaneous Financial Services 0.69%          
Arthur J Gallagher & Co.           342    25,170,466 
BlackRock, Inc.           33    13,002,342 
CME Group, Inc.           110    20,738,349 
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.           65    12,954,215 
Thomson Reuters Corp. (Canada)(b)           259    12,515,623 
Total                84,380,995 
                   
Machinery 0.11%                  
Roper Technologies, Inc.           48    12,766,841 
                   
Media: Content 0.13%                  
AMC Networks, Inc. Class A*           242    13,304,613 
ION Media Networks, Inc.           4    2,651,730(c) 
Total                15,956,343 
                   
Media: Diversified 0.16%                  
Walt Disney Co. (The)           182    20,003,450 
                   
Medical Products 0.16%                  
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*           127    19,404,035 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 11
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments          Shares
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Packaging 0.20%                  
AptarGroup, Inc.           265   $24,888,288 
                   
Personal & Household Products 0.33%                  
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.           226    14,849,200 
Gibson Brands, Inc.           105    10,527,700(d)
Procter & Gamble Co. (The)           139    12,811,809 
Remington Outdoor Co., Inc.*           164    1,596,543 
Total                39,785,252 
                   
Pharmaceuticals 0.36%                  
Amgen, Inc.           67    12,998,700 
Canopy Growth Corp.*(a)          CAD 409    10,974,204 
Eli Lilly & Co.           166    19,196,212 
Total                43,169,116 
                   
Real Estate Investment Trusts 0.26%                  
Americold Realty Trust           733    18,713,158 
Medical Properties Trust, Inc.           829    13,337,427 
Total                32,050,585 
                   
Restaurants 0.40%                  
Shake Shack, Inc. Class A*           663    30,122,272 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.           320    19,079,463 
Total                49,201,735 
                   
Software/Services 0.77%                  
Atlassian Corp. plc Class A (Australia)*(b)           388    34,514,363 
MongoDB, Inc.*           172    14,363,252 
Tableau Software, Inc. Class A*           164    19,735,800 
Trade Desk, Inc. (The) Class A*           211    24,481,929 
Total                93,095,344 
                   
Specialty Retail 1.19%                  
Claires Holdings LLC           15    12,700,162 
Columbia Sportswear Co.           302    25,415,194 
Deckers Outdoor Corp.*           256    32,737,415 
Etsy, Inc.*           316    15,053,003 
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (Canada)*(b)           160    19,398,011 
NIKE, Inc. Class B           358    26,574,000 
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.*           191    12,688,179 
Total                144,565,964 

 

12 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments        Shares
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Support: Services 0.26%                
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.*         174   $19,359,534 
TripAdvisor, Inc.*         234    12,605,778 
Total              31,965,312 
                 
Technology Hardware & Equipment 0.11%                
Cisco Systems, Inc.         298    12,924,689 
                 
Telecommunications: Wireless 0.25%                
American Tower Corp.         196    30,955,094 
                 
Theaters & Entertainment 0.27%                
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.*         396    19,515,460 
Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR*         989    13,072,624 
Total              32,588,084 
Total Common Stocks (cost $1,207,813,193)              1,140,830,035 
                 
   Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
      
CONVERTIBLE BONDS 0.49%                
                 
Automakers 0.16%                
Tesla, Inc.  1.25%  3/1/2021  17,223    19,389,843 
                 
Software/Services 0.33%                
Twilio, Inc.  0.25%  6/1/2023   14,414    20,612,467 
Weibo Corp. (China)†(b)  1.25%  11/15/2022   21,409    19,559,904 
Total              40,172,371 
Total Convertible Bonds (cost $59,167,563)              59,562,214 
                 
FLOATING RATE LOANS(e) 6.61%                
                 
Air Transportation 0.21%                
American Airlines, Inc. 2018 Replacement Term Loan4.256%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%
) 6/27/2025   27,044    25,421,360 
                 
Department Stores 0.25%                
Belk, Inc. 1st Lien Closing Date Term Loan7.365%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.75%
) 12/12/2022   15,577    12,638,984 
Neiman Marcus Group Ltd LLC Other Term Loan5.63%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 10/25/2020   21,160    17,953,060 
Total              30,592,044 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 13
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Diversified Capital Goods 0.07%                
Graftech International Ltd. Initial Term Loan  6.022%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 2/12/2025  8,550   $8,111,344(f) 
                 
Electric: Generation 0.71%                
Astoria Energy LLC Advance Term Loan B  6.53%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%
) 12/24/2021   16,262    16,021,926 
Frontera Generation Holdings LLC Initial Term Loan  6.629%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.25%
) 5/2/2025   13,281    12,816,085 
Helix Gen Funding, LLC Term Loan  (g) 6/3/2024   2,762    2,592,756 
Lightstone Holdco LLC Refinancing Term Loan B  6.272%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%
) 1/30/2024   23,196    22,017,017 
Lightstone Holdco LLC Refinancing Term Loan C  6.272%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%
) 1/30/2024   1,246    1,182,519 
Longview Power, LLC Advance Term Loan B  (g) 4/13/2021   2,247    1,904,484 
Moxie Patriot LLC Construction Advances Term Loan B1  8.553%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 5.75%
) 12/19/2020   2,355    2,311,223 
Moxie Patriot LLC Construction Advances Term Loan B2  8.553%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 5.75%
) 12/19/2020   12,621    12,384,578 
Edgewater Generation, L.L.C. Term Loan  6.272%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%
) 12/13/2025   15,043    14,760,944 
Total              85,991,532 
                 
Electronics 0.13%                
EXC Holdings III Corp. 1st Lien Initial Dollar Term Loan6.303%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 12/2/2024   15,841    15,326,361 
                 
Food: Wholesale 0.39%                
H-Food Holdings, LLC Initial Term Loan  6.21%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.69%
) 5/23/2025   13,197    12,695,223 
Post Holdings, Inc. Incremental Term Loan  (g) 5/24/2024   36,053    34,836,211 
Total              47,531,434 
                 
Gaming 0.42%                
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP Term Loan B  (g) 3/21/2025   26,975    25,924,668 
VICI Properties 1 LLC Term Loan B  (g) 12/20/2024   27,044    25,915,859 
Total              51,840,527 
                 
Gas Distribution 0.11%                
NorthRiver Midstream Finance LP Initial Term Loan B (Canada)  5.646%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 10/1/2025   13,700    13,408,886 

 

14 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Health Services 0.21%                
Regionalcare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc. 1st Lien Term Loan B  7.129%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.50%
) 11/16/2025  27,086   $25,774,090 
                 
Insurance Brokerage 0.14%                
Hub International Limited Initial Term Loan  5.24%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%
) 4/25/2025   18,164    17,201,683 
                 
Investments & Miscellaneous Financial Services 0.21%                
Edelman Financial Center, LLC, (The) 1st Lien Initial Term Loan  5.686%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 7/21/2025   6,948    6,714,721 
Vertafore, Inc. 1st Lien Initial Term Loan  6.053%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 7/2/2025   19,457    18,551,264 
Total              25,265,985 
                 
Media: Content 0.02%                
Univision Communications Inc. 2017 1st Lien Replacement Repriced Term Loan  (g) 3/15/2024   2,303    2,095,659 
                 
Oil Field Equipment & Services 0.13%                
Apergy Corp. Initial Term Loan  5.063%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.50%
) 5/9/2025   17,069    16,087,616(f)
                 
Personal & Household Products 0.60%                
Anastasia Parent, LLC Closing Date Term Loan  6.272%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%
) 8/11/2025   26,412    25,025,185(f)
Britax U.S. Holdings Inc. Initial Dollar Term Loan6.303%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 10/15/2020   15,264    11,931,492 
Energizer Holdings, Inc. Bridge Term Loan  (g) 6/30/2022   10,441    10,441,000 
FGI Operating Company, LLC Exit Term Loan  12.616%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 10.00%
) 5/15/2022   1,005    1,005,238(f)
Revlon Consumer Products Corp. Initial Term Loan B  6.207%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 9/7/2023   16,487    11,805,922 
TGP Holdings III LLC 1st Lien 2018 Refinancing Term Loan  7.053%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.25%
) 9/25/2024   13,456    12,934,566 
Total              73,143,403 
                 
Recreation & Travel 0.42%                
Intrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc. Initial Bluebird Term Loan  5.506%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%
) 7/31/2024   27,486    26,432,242 
Kingpin Intermediate Holdings LLC 1st Lien Refinancing Term Loan  6.02%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 7/3/2024   12,746    12,411,156 
Silk Bidco AS Facility Term Loan B(a)  3.75%
(6 Mo. Euribor + 4.00%
) 2/22/2025  EUR 10,916    12,400,131 
Total              51,243,529 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 15
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Restaurants 0.40%                
CEC Entertainment, Inc. Term Loan B  5.772%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 2/12/2021  14,252   $13,230,178 
IRB Holding Corp. Term Loan B  5.682%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 2/5/2025   19,501    18,643,267 
Panera Bread Co. Term Loan  4.25%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%
) 7/18/2022   17,335    16,749,687 
Total              48,623,132 
                 
Specialty Retail 1.08%                
Ascena Retail Group, Inc. Tranche B Term Loan  7.063%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.50%
) 8/21/2022   12,286    11,465,725 
Bass Pro Group, LLC Initial Term Loan  7.522%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 5.00%
) 9/25/2024   12,941    12,436,530 
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. 1st Lien Tranche B Term Loan  5.432%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%
) 2/3/2024   25,364    24,726,542 
Boardriders, Inc. Initial Term Loan  9.022%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 6.50%
) 4/23/2024   15,604    15,564,581 
Claire’s Stores, Inc. Revolving Credit Term Loan  (g) 9/22/2022   720    719,580(f)
Claire’s Stores, Inc. Term Loan  8.631%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 6.25%
) 9/15/2038   2,399    3,757,930 
EG Group Limited Additional Facility Term Loan (United Kingdom)(b) 6.813%
(3 Mo. LIBOR +4.00%
) 2/7/2025   9,932    9,596,988 
EG Group Limited Facility Term Loan B (United Kingdom)(b)  6.813%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%
) 2/7/2025   7,916    7,648,779 
GOBP Holdings, Inc. 1st Lien Initial Term Loan  (g) 10/22/2025   15,812    15,495,299 
J. Crew Group, Inc. Amended Term Loan  5.742%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.22%) - 6.023%
  3/5/2021   16,873    13,376,445 
Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. 1st Lien Closing Date Term Loan  5.754%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 3/20/2025   14,975    14,488,572 
Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. 1st Lien Delayed Draw Term Loan  5.754%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 3/20/2025   2,413    2,334,919 
Total              131,611,890 
                 
Support: Services 0.55%                
AVSC Holding Corp. 1st Lien Initial Term Loan  6.00%
(1 Mo. LIBOR +3.25%) - 6.053
  3/1/2025   12,815    12,185,103 
Pike Corp. Initial Term Loan  6.03%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%
) 3/23/2025   18,633    18,295,074 
Southern Graphics Inc. 1st Lien Refinancing Term Loan  5.745%
(2 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%
) 12/31/2022   18,187    17,156,148 
Trans Union LLC 2018 Incremental Term Loan B4  4.522%
(1 Mo. LIBOR +2.00%
) 6/19/2025   19,749    19,103,194 
Total              66,739,519 

 

16 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Telecommunications: Wireless 0.21%                
Sprint Communications, Inc. Initial Term Loan  5.063%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.50%
) 2/2/2024  26,975   $25,739,080 
                 
Theaters & Entertainment 0.25%                
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. Term Loan B5  5.522%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%
) 3/31/2024   32,247    30,870,607 
                 
Transportation: Infrastructure/Services 0.10%                
Commercial Barge Line Co. Initial Term Loan  11.272%
(1 Mo. LIBOR + 8.75%
) 11/12/2020   16,686    12,114,014 
Total Floating Rate Loans (cost $832,075,829)              804,733,695 
                 
FOREIGN BONDS(a) 0.20%                
                 
France 0.10%                
CMA CGM SA  5.25%  1/15/2025  EUR 13,210    12,698,864 
                 
Netherlands 0.10%                
Hema Bondco I BV  6.25%
(3 Mo. Euribor + 6.25%
)# 7/15/2022  EUR 12,774    12,484,050 
Total Foreign Bonds (cost $28,995,725)              25,182,914 
                 
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS 7.18%                
Abu Dhabi Government International†(b)  3.125%  5/3/2026  47,836    46,341,843 
Arab Republic of Egypt†(b)  5.577%  2/21/2023   39,734    37,761,048 
Australian Government(a)  4.25%  4/21/2026  AUD  26,802    21,479,956 
Bahrain Government International Bond†(b)  6.75%  9/20/2029  21,000    20,631,219 
City of Buenos Aires†(b)  7.50%  6/1/2027   16,064    13,694,560 
Development Bank of Mongolia LLC†(b)  7.25%  10/23/2023   26,519    26,069,238 
Federal Republic of Brazil(b)  4.625%  1/13/2028   40,519    39,030,332 
Government of Bermuda  4.138%  1/3/2023   14,720    14,958,022 
Government of Bermuda  4.75%  2/15/2029   12,997    13,256,940 
Government of Bermuda  4.854%  2/6/2024   6,410    6,693,130 
Government of Jamaica(b)  6.75%  4/28/2028   22,327    23,889,890 
Government of Jamaica(b)  8.00%  3/15/2039   23,326    26,824,900 
Hellenic Republic†(a)  4.375%  8/1/2022  EUR 14,317    17,080,597 
Honduras Government†(b)  6.25%  1/19/2027  19,384    19,240,558 
Ivory Coast Bond†(b)  5.375%  7/23/2024   28,894    26,572,945 
Province of British Columbia Canada(a)  2.85%  6/18/2025  CAD 44,800    33,396,871 
Province of Santa Fe†(b)  6.90%  11/1/2027  17,773    13,196,452 
Provincia de Cordoba†(b)  7.125%  6/10/2021   15,068    13,335,180 
Provincia de Cordoba†(b)  7.45%  9/1/2024   11,998    9,838,360 
Provincia de Mendoza†(b)  8.375%  5/19/2024   27,674    22,554,310 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 17
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Queensland Treasury Corp.†(a)  4.00%  6/21/2019  AUD 22,400   $15,919,607 
Republic of Ecuador†(b)  8.875%  10/23/2027  49,199    42,495,636 
Republic of Angola†(b)  8.25%  5/9/2028   12,699    11,992,999 
Republic of Argentina(b)  6.875%  4/22/2021   21,391    19,407,199 
Republic of Chile(b)  3.125%  1/21/2026   27,092    26,211,104 
Republic of EI Salvador†(b)  6.375%  1/18/2027   27,126    24,949,138 
Republic of Kenya†(b)  7.25%  2/28/2028   22,576    20,239,881 
Republic of Kenya†(b)  8.25%  2/28/2048   14,447    12,352,416 
Republic of Paraguay†(b)  5.60%  3/13/2048   27,485    27,141,437 
Republic of Senegal†(b)  6.25%  7/30/2024   18,776    18,292,800 
Republic of South Africa(b)  4.30%  10/12/2028   22,575    20,159,475 
Republic of Sri Lanka(b)  6.825%  7/18/2026   24,464    22,694,103 
Republic of Suriname†(b)  9.25%  10/26/2026   14,321    13,855,567 
Republic of Turkey(a)  3.25%  6/14/2025  EUR 26,171    27,413,056 
Republic of Turkey(b)  7.25%  12/23/2023  39,978    41,155,552 
Republic of Uruguay†(a)  8.50%  3/15/2028  UYU 472,059      12,451,348  
Socialist Republic of Vietnam†(b)  4.80%  11/19/2024  27,091    27,387,186 
State of Qatar†(b)  3.25%  6/2/2026   27,091    26,233,624 
Uruguay Monetary Regulation Bill(a)  Zero Coupon  5/3/2019  UYU 598,596    17,916,441 
Total Foreign Government Obligations (cost $896,287,046)        874,114,920 
                 
GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES PASS-THROUGH 8.85%          
Federal National Mortgage Assoc.(h)
(cost $1,071,645,776)
  4.50%  TBA  1,040,200    1,077,800,203 
                 
HIGH YIELD CORPORATE BONDS 66.23%                
                 
Advertising 0.07%                
Lamar Media Corp.  5.75%  2/1/2026   8,810    8,953,163 
                 
Aerospace/Defense 1.06%                
BBA US Holdings, Inc.  5.375%  5/1/2026   11,385    10,815,636 
Bombardier, Inc. (Canada)†(b)  7.50%  12/1/2024   23,093    21,822,885 
Bombardier, Inc.(Canada)†(b)  7.50%  3/15/2025   45,373    42,934,201 
Bombardier, Inc. (Canada)†(b)  8.75%  12/1/2021   10,395    10,745,831 
United Technologies Corp.  4.125%  11/16/2028   43,645    43,425,133 
Total              129,743,686 
                 
Air Transportation 0.58%                
Air Canada (Canada)†(b)  7.75%  4/15/2021   10,183    10,816,892 
Air Canada 2013-1 Class A Pass Through Trust (Canada)†(b)  4.125%  11/15/2026   8,893    8,831,854 

 

18 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Air Transportation (continued)                
Azul Investments LLP  5.875%  10/26/2024  $35,600   $33,375,356 
British Airways 2018-1 Class A Pass Through Trust (United Kingdom)†(b)  4.125%  3/20/2033   8,972    8,880,038 
British Airways 2018-1 Class AA Pass Through Trust (United Kingdom)†(b)  3.80%  3/20/2033   8,945    8,794,427 
Total              70,698,567 
                 
Auto Loans 0.10%                
General Motors Financial Co., Inc.  3.85%  1/5/2028   14,047    12,260,887 
                 
Auto Parts & Equipment 0.11%                
Allison Transmission, Inc.  5.00%  10/1/2024   14,461    13,936,789 
                 
Automakers 0.77%                
General Motors Co.  5.00%  10/1/2028   19,990    18,987,954 
General Motors Co.  8.375%  7/15/2049   15,000    1,500(c) 
Navistar International Corp.  6.625%  11/1/2025   12,846    12,460,620 
Tesla, Inc.  5.30%  8/15/2025   71,655    62,518,987 
Total              93,969,061 
                 
Banking 4.20%                
ABN AMRO Bank NV (Netherlands)†(b)  4.75%  7/28/2025   31,461    31,364,792 
AIB Group plc (Ireland)†(b)  4.75%  10/12/2023   22,383    22,183,496 
Ally Financial, Inc.  4.625%  3/30/2025   22,002    21,396,945 
American Express Co.  3.40%  2/27/2023   17,804    17,654,218 
ANZ New Zealand Int’l Ltd. (United Kingdom)†(b)  2.125%  7/28/2021   14,890    14,401,604 
Associated Banc-Corp.  4.25%  1/15/2025   7,996    8,051,343 
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (United Kingdom)†(b)  6.75%
(USD Swap + 5.17%
)# (i)  19,074    18,764,047 
Banco Mercantil del Norte SA7.625%
(10 Yr Treasury CMT + 5.353%
)# (i)  6,572    6,391,336 
Banco Safra SA  4.125%  2/8/2023   19,821    19,201,594 
Bank of America Corp.  4.45%  3/3/2026   19,634    19,455,776 
Bank of Ireland Group plc (Ireland)†(b)  4.50%  11/25/2023   17,871    17,526,036 
BankUnited, Inc.  4.875%  11/17/2025   24,313    24,834,023 
BBVA Bancomer SA  5.125%#(j) 1/18/2033   35,647    31,057,805 
CIT Group, Inc.  5.25%  3/7/2025   6,722    6,587,560 
CIT Group, Inc.  6.125%  3/9/2028   12,241    12,210,398 
Citigroup, Inc.  4.45%  9/29/2027   13,296    12,834,297 
Compass Bank  3.875%  4/10/2025   26,897    25,830,579 
Fifth Third Bancorp  8.25%  3/1/2038   8,042    10,700,494 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 19
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Banking (continued)                
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)  3.50% 11/16/2026  $13,667   $12,642,988 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)  3.618%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.11%
)# 4/26/2022   6,189    6,122,211 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)  4.25% 10/21/2025   18,995    18,214,209 
Home BancShares, Inc.  5.625%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.58%
)# 4/15/2027   19,481    19,914,778 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.  5.70%#(j) (i)  13,740    12,220,013 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.  3.54%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.38%
)# 5/1/2028   11,994    11,454,966 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.  3.90% 7/15/2025   17,386    17,250,693 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.6.10%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.33%
)# (i)  12,015    11,954,925 
Macquarie Bank Ltd. (United Kingdom)†(b)6.125%
(5 Yr Swap rate + 3.70%
)# (i)  28,891    24,737,919 
Morgan Stanley  3.125% 7/27/2026   18,976    17,531,932 
Morgan Stanley  3.625% 1/20/2027   24,804    23,610,672 
Popular, Inc.  6.125% 9/14/2023   15,922    15,832,518 
Washington Mutual Bank(k)  6.875% 6/15/2011   22,500    2,250(c)
Total              511,936,417 
                 
Beverages 1.06%                
Bacardi Ltd.  2.75% 7/15/2026   20,151    17,357,711 
Bacardi Ltd.  4.70% 5/15/2028   28,786    27,730,659 
Becle SAB de CV (Mexico)†(b)  3.75% 5/13/2025   15,764    15,060,444 
Brown-Forman Corp.  3.50% 4/15/2025   8,956    8,929,388 
Brown-Forman Corp.  4.50% 7/15/2045   18,174    19,179,448 
Coca-Cola Icecek AS (Turkey)†(b)  4.215%  9/19/2024   28,540    26,792,810 
PepsiCo, Inc.  3.60% 3/1/2024   14,292    14,516,492 
Total              129,566,952 
                 
Building & Construction 1.16%                
Ashton Woods USA LLC/Ashton Woods Finance Co.  6.75% 8/1/2025   14,048    12,292,000 
Ashton Woods USA LLC/Ashton Woods Finance Co.  6.875% 2/15/2021   9,653    9,315,145 
ITR Concession Co. LLC  5.183% 7/15/2035   7,658    7,443,342 
Lennar Corp.  4.75% 11/15/2022   15,303    14,901,296 
Lennar Corp.  4.75% 5/30/2025   4,408    4,149,030 
Lennar Corp.  4.75% 11/29/2027   5,102    4,623,688 
PulteGroup, Inc.  5.00% 1/15/2027   17,108    15,546,895 
PulteGroup, Inc.  6.375% 5/15/2033   25,646    23,530,205 
Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp.  6.125% 4/1/2025   14,448    12,858,720 
Toll Brothers Finance Corp.  5.625% 1/15/2024   14,213    13,999,805 
William Lyon Homes, Inc.  5.875% 1/31/2025   25,933    22,172,715 
Total              140,832,841 

 

20 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Building Materials 0.10%                
Hillman Group, Inc. (The)  6.375% 7/15/2022  $14,608   $11,978,560 
                 
Cable & Satellite Television 2.18%                
Altice France SA (France)†(b)  7.375% 5/1/2026   46,103    42,414,760 
Altice France SA (France)†(b)  8.125% 2/1/2027   13,530    12,785,850 
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.  5.125% 5/1/2027   32,573    30,419,925 
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.  5.75% 2/15/2026   71,221    69,974,632 
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.  5.875% 4/1/2024   15,739    15,699,653 
CSC Holdings LLC  10.875% 10/15/2025   16,727    18,824,900 
DISH DBS Corp.  7.75% 7/1/2026   41,950    34,818,500 
UPCB Finance IV Ltd.  5.375% 1/15/2025   16,988    15,928,289 
Ziggo BV (Netherlands)†(b)  5.50% 1/15/2027   27,526    24,704,585 
Total              265,571,094 
                 
Chemicals 0.96%                
CF Industries, Inc.  4.50% 12/1/2026   26,420    25,876,418 
CF Industries, Inc.  4.95% 6/1/2043   3,074    2,393,878 
CF Industries, Inc.  5.15% 3/15/2034   5,096    4,306,120 
CNAC HK Finbridge Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)(b)  4.125% 7/19/2027   2,784    2,637,562 
CVR Partners LP/CVR Nitrogen Finance Corp.  9.25% 6/15/2023   13,118    13,691,912 
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.  5.00% 9/26/2048   21,585    21,611,813 
Mexichem SAB de CV (Mexico)†(b)  5.875% 9/17/2044   14,262    12,897,840 
OCI NV (Netherlands)†(b)  6.625% 4/15/2023   13,200    13,035,000 
Yingde Gases Investment Ltd. (Hong Kong)†(b)  6.25% 1/19/2023   21,196    19,976,394 
Total              116,426,937 
                 
Consumer/Commercial/Lease Financing 1.01%                
Curo Group Holdings Corp.  8.25% 9/1/2025   20,870    16,487,300 
Freedom Mortgage Corp.  8.125% 11/15/2024   7,514    6,480,825 
Freedom Mortgage Corp.  8.25% 4/15/2025   12,646    10,875,560 
Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.  9.125% 7/15/2026   20,586    20,071,350 
Navient Corp.  6.125% 3/25/2024   22,447    19,360,537 
Navient Corp.  6.75% 6/25/2025   28,191    24,103,305 
Quicken Loans, Inc.  5.25% 1/15/2028   28,288    25,140,960 
Total              122,519,837 
                 
Department Stores 0.36%                
Kohl’s Corp.  5.55% 7/17/2045   27,768    26,085,192 
Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. (Japan)†(b)  3.35% 9/17/2021   17,869    17,926,968 
Total              44,012,160 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 21
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Discount Stores 1.03%                
Amazon.com, Inc.  3.15% 8/22/2027  $28,837   $27,871,510 
Amazon.com, Inc.  4.25% 8/22/2057   20,632    20,136,228 
Amazon.com, Inc.  4.80% 12/5/2034   28,691    30,812,905 
Amazon.com, Inc.  5.20% 12/3/2025   41,869    46,052,211 
Total              124,872,854 
                 
Diversified Capital Goods 1.10%                
BCD Acquisition, Inc.  9.625% 9/15/2023   12,382    12,784,415 
General Electric Co.  2.70% 10/9/2022   39,891    37,046,499 
General Electric Co.  3.10% 1/9/2023   25,636    23,941,986 
Griffon Corp.  5.25% 3/1/2022   11,628    10,566,945 
KOC Holding AS (Turkey)†(b)  5.25% 3/15/2023   15,211    14,268,724 
Siemens Financieringsmaatschappij NV (Netherlands)†(b)  3.25% 5/27/2025   13,036    12,791,990 
SPX FLOW, Inc.  5.625% 8/15/2024   8,609    8,178,550 
SPX FLOW, Inc.  5.875% 8/15/2026   14,947    13,975,445 
Total              133,554,554 
                 
Electric: Distribution/Transportation 0.68%                
Atlantic City Electric Co.  4.00% 10/15/2028   13,493    13,903,824 
Cemig Geracao e Transmissao SA (Brazil)†(b)  9.25% 12/5/2024   13,163    14,058,084 
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co.  4.15% 4/1/2047   11,379    11,069,163 
State Grid Overseas Investment 2016 Ltd.  3.50% 5/4/2027   45,150    43,563,287 
Total              82,594,358 
                 
Electric: Generation 1.32%                
Acwa Power Management & Investments One Ltd. (Sounth Africa)†(b)  5.95% 12/15/2039   14,814    13,967,084 
Calpine Corp.  5.75% 1/15/2025   41,895    38,438,662 
Clearway Energy Operating LLC  5.75% 10/15/2025   15,737    15,087,849 
NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP  4.50% 9/15/2027   19,300    17,249,375 
NRG Energy, Inc.  5.75% 1/15/2028   32,817    31,627,384 
NSG Holdings LLC/NSG Holdings, Inc.  7.75% 12/15/2025   14,893    15,786,630 
Rio Energy SA/UGEN SA/UENSA SA (Argentina)†(b)  6.875% 2/1/2025   17,545    13,071,025 
Talen Energy Supply LLC  4.60% 12/15/2021   198    179,190 
Vistra Operations Co. LLC  5.50% 9/1/2026   15,758    15,226,167 
Total              160,633,366 

 

22 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Electric: Integrated 2.25%                
Aegea Finance Sarl (Brazil)†(b)  5.75% 10/10/2024  $20,480   $19,609,805 
AES Corp. (The)  4.50% 3/15/2023   11,417    11,174,389 
AES Corp. (The)  5.125% 9/1/2027   802    771,925 
Arizona Public Service Co.  2.95% 9/15/2027   13,385    12,697,180 
Ausgrid Finance Pty Ltd. (Australia)†(b)  4.35% 8/1/2028   13,786    13,775,547 
Black Hills Corp.  4.35% 5/1/2033   13,491    13,567,368 
El Paso Electric Co.  5.00% 12/1/2044   20,062    20,969,249 
Entergy Arkansas LLC  4.00% 6/1/2028   18,151    18,554,625 
Entergy Arkansas LLC  4.95% 12/15/2044   16,883    16,946,623 
Entergy Louisiana LLC  4.00% 3/15/2033   10,745    10,895,575 
Entergy Mississippi LLC  2.85% 6/1/2028   19,150    17,935,778 
Indianapolis Power & Light Co.  4.05% 5/1/2046   24,503    22,464,482 
Louisville Gas & Electric Co.  4.375% 10/1/2045   15,039    15,095,873 
Monongahela Power Co.  3.55% 5/15/2027   13,657    13,412,345 
Ohio Power Co.  4.15% 4/1/2048   26,865    26,616,398 
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.  4.223% 6/15/2048   13,467    13,521,462 
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.  7.02% 12/1/2027   2,920    3,592,888 
Rochester Gas & Electric Corp.  3.10% 6/1/2027   13,724    13,114,589 
Sierra Pacific Power Co.  2.60% 5/1/2026   9,730    9,078,334 
Total              273,794,435 
                 
Electronics 0.82%                
Nokia OYJ (Finland)(b)  4.375% 6/12/2027   13,838    12,903,935 
NVIDIA Corp.  3.20% 9/16/2026   29,939    28,474,191 
QUALCOMM, Inc.  3.25% 5/20/2027   17,987    16,827,335 
Trimble, Inc.  4.75% 12/1/2024   27,261    27,518,167 
Xilinx, Inc.  2.95% 6/1/2024   15,096    14,418,457 
Total              100,142,085 
                 
Energy: Exploration & Production 3.01%                
Alta Mesa Holdings LP/Alta Mesa Finance Services Corp.  7.875% 12/15/2024   15,686    9,803,750 
California Resources Corp.  8.00% 12/15/2022   37,595    25,564,600 
Centennial Resource Production LLC  5.375% 1/15/2026   12,041    11,258,335 
Chesapeake Energy Corp.  7.00% 10/1/2024   33,707    29,325,090 
Chesapeake Energy Corp.  7.50% 10/1/2026   13,490    11,601,400 
Denbury Resources, Inc.  7.50% 2/15/2024   12,976    10,510,560 
Eclipse Resources Corp.  8.875% 7/15/2023   13,873    11,965,462 
Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance, Inc.  5.50% 1/30/2026   12,585    12,946,819 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 23
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Energy: Exploration & Production (continued)                
EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc.  8.00% 11/29/2024  11,547   $8,660,250 
Gulfport Energy Corp.  6.375% 5/15/2025   6,742    5,991,953 
Gulfport Energy Corp.  6.375% 1/15/2026   6,913    5,997,028 
HighPoint Operating Corp.  7.00% 10/15/2022   9,822    8,987,130 
Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.  5.00% 12/1/2024   19,212    17,098,680 
Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.  5.75% 10/1/2025   8,125    7,271,875 
Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.  6.25% 11/1/2028   12,846    11,352,652 
Hunt Oil Co. of Peru LLC Sucursal Del Peru (Peru)†(b)  6.375% 6/1/2028   26,408    26,847,693 
Indigo Natural Resources LLC  6.875% 2/15/2026   13,837    11,969,005 
Jonah Energy LLC/Jonah Energy Finance Corp.  7.25% 10/15/2025   21,795    14,166,750 
MEG Energy Corp. (Canada)†(b)  6.50% 1/15/2025   11,902    12,125,162 
MEG Energy Corp. (Canada)†(b)  7.00% 3/31/2024   23,708    22,759,680 
Murphy Oil Corp.  6.875% 8/15/2024   5,221    5,205,481 
OGX Austria GmbH (Brazil)†(b)(k)  8.50% 6/1/2018   20,000    400 
Range Resources Corp.  4.875% 5/15/2025   14,471    11,938,575 
SM Energy Co.  6.625% 1/15/2027   8,237    7,372,115 
SM Energy Co.  6.75% 9/15/2026   12,750    11,475,000 
Southwestern Energy Co.  7.75% 10/1/2027   12,722    12,149,510 
SRC Energy, Inc.  6.25% 12/1/2025   21,135    17,647,725 
Texaco Capital, Inc.  8.625% 11/15/2031   11,023    16,215,042 
WildHorse Resource Development Corp.  6.875% 2/1/2025   8,918    8,472,100 
Total              366,679,822 
                 
Environmental 0.27%                
Darling Global Finance BV†(a)  3.625% 5/15/2026  EUR  7,646    8,698,860 
Paprec Holding SA(a)  4.00% 3/31/2025  EUR  12,427    12,106,056 
Waste Pro USA, Inc.  5.50% 2/15/2026  13,660    12,635,500 
Total              33,440,416 
                 
Food & Drug Retailers 0.87%                
Albertsons Cos LLC/Safeway, Inc./Albertsons LP/Albertson’s LLC  5.75% 3/15/2025   32,370    28,485,600 
Albertsons Cos LLC/Safeway, Inc./Albertsons LP/Albertson’s LLC  6.625% 6/15/2024   24,128    22,499,360 
CVS Health Corp.  4.30% 3/25/2028   25,242    24,763,195 
Ingles Markets, Inc.  5.75% 6/15/2023   19,550    19,403,375 
Kroger Co. (The)  2.65% 10/15/2026   8,094    7,217,035 
Kroger Co. (The)  4.65% 1/15/2048   4,496    4,146,328 
Total              106,514,893 

 

24 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Food: Wholesale 1.61%                
Arcor SAIC (Argentina)†(b)  6.00% 7/6/2023  $22,148   $20,484,685 
B&G Foods, Inc.  5.25% 4/1/2025   14,068    13,135,995 
Campbell Soup Co.  4.15% 3/15/2028   23,370    21,810,805 
Chobani LLC/Chobani Finance Corp., Inc.  7.50% 4/15/2025   15,174    12,025,395 
Conagra Brands, Inc.  4.60% 11/1/2025   16,978    17,063,618 
FAGE International SA/FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc. (Luxembourg)†(b)  5.625%  8/15/2026  13,976   12,001,890
JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Finance, Inc.  5.875% 7/15/2024   13,559    13,338,666 
JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Finance, Inc.  6.75% 2/15/2028   13,602    13,312,957 
Kernel Holding SA (Ukraine)†(b)  8.75% 1/31/2022   7,753    7,455,192 
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.  4.625% 11/1/2024   12,447    12,135,825 
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.  4.875% 11/1/2026   892    860,780 
McCormick & Co., Inc.  4.20% 8/15/2047   21,326    20,024,424 
MHP Lux SA (Luxembourg)†(b)  6.95% 4/3/2026   21,993    19,015,148 
Nvent Finance Sarl (Luxembourg)(b)  4.55% 4/15/2028   13,384    13,145,373 
Total              195,810,753 
                 
Forestry/Paper 0.56%                
Norbord, Inc. (Canada)†(b)  6.25% 4/15/2023   18,438    18,536,828 
Rayonier AM Products, Inc.  5.50% 6/1/2024   13,628    12,060,780 
Suzano Austria GmbH (Brazil)†(b)  5.75% 7/14/2026   14,057    14,373,282 
Suzano Austria GmbH (Brazil)†(b)  6.00% 1/15/2029   9,025    9,232,575 
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (Canada)†(b)  4.35% 10/15/2024   14,594    14,477,959 
Total              68,681,424 
                 
Gaming 1.11%                
Boyd Gaming Corp.  6.00% 8/15/2026   13,070    12,269,463 
Eldorado Resorts, Inc.  6.00% 9/15/2026   13,521    12,811,147 
Eldorado Resorts, Inc.  6.00% 4/1/2025   5,376    5,212,785 
Everi Payments, Inc.  7.50% 12/15/2025   13,419    12,731,276 
GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.  5.75% 6/1/2028   18,808    19,066,610 
Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.  7.875% 2/1/2024   19,057    19,676,352 
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment†(l)  7.875% 10/15/2024   13,557    12,726,634 
Penn National Gaming, Inc.  5.625% 1/15/2027   20,104    18,043,340 
Stars Group Holdings BV/Stars Group US Co-Borrower LLC (Netherlands)†(b)  7.00% 7/15/2026   13,242    12,910,950 
Station Casinos LLC  5.00% 10/1/2025   11,158    10,125,885 
Total              135,574,442 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 25
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Gas Distribution 2.32%                
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC  5.125% 6/30/2027  $23,796   $22,553,849 
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC  5.875% 3/31/2025   14,002    13,966,995 
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC  7.00% 6/30/2024   8,783    9,288,022 
Dominion Energy Gas Holdings LLC  3.60% 12/15/2024   12,050    11,984,441 
Florida Gas Transmission Co. LLC  4.35% 7/15/2025   18,069    18,478,952 
IFM US Colonial Pipeline 2 LLC  6.45% 5/1/2021   17,675    18,463,243 
LBC Tank Terminals Holding Netherlands BV (Belgium)†(b)  6.875% 5/15/2023   13,377    12,039,300 
NGPL PipeCo LLC  4.875% 8/15/2027   31,233    29,554,226 
Northern Natural Gas Co.  4.30% 1/15/2049   20,972    20,520,266 
ONE Gas, Inc.  4.50% 11/1/2048   13,497    13,947,596 
Plains All American Pipeline LP  6.125%#(j) (i)  13,888    11,700,640 
Rockies Express Pipeline LLC  6.875% 4/15/2040   22,654    23,786,700 
Sabal Trail Transmission LLC  4.246% 5/1/2028   20,166    19,906,716 
Southern Star Central Corp.  5.125% 7/15/2022   10,145    9,789,925 
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.  4.25% 11/15/2023   8,725    8,103,344 
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.  5.875% 4/15/2026   13,090    12,795,475 
Transportadora de Gas Internacional SA ESP (Colombia)†(b)  5.55% 11/1/2028   24,773    25,113,629 
Total              281,993,319 
                 
Health Facilities 3.62%                
AHP Health Partners, Inc.  9.75% 7/15/2026   13,727    13,967,222 
Ascension Health  3.945% 11/15/2046   8,881    8,586,484 
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.  8.00% 11/15/2019   27,328    26,098,240 
Dignity Health  3.812% 11/1/2024   7,500    7,556,552 
HCA, Inc.  4.75% 5/1/2023   8,609    8,501,387 
HCA, Inc.  5.25% 4/15/2025   13,995    13,960,012 
HCA, Inc.  5.25% 6/15/2026   11,878    11,818,610 
HCA, Inc.  5.375% 2/1/2025   6,146    6,007,715 
HCA, Inc.  5.50% 6/15/2047   50,449    47,926,550 
HCA, Inc.  5.875% 3/15/2022   13,139    13,500,322 
HCA, Inc.  5.875% 2/15/2026   1,735    1,730,663 
HCA, Inc.  7.05% 12/1/2027   3,490    3,690,675 
HCA, Inc.  7.50% 2/15/2022   23,489    25,015,785 
HCA, Inc.  7.58% 9/15/2025   5,778    6,153,570 
HCA, Inc.  7.69% 6/15/2025   12,776    13,638,380 
HCA, Inc.  8.36% 4/15/2024   2,295    2,535,975 

 

26 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Health Facilities (continued)                
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center  4.20% 7/1/2055  $28,034   $28,272,552 
MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp.  5.00% 10/15/2027   14,011    12,846,336 
New York & Presbyterian Hospital (The)  4.063% 8/1/2056   16,078    15,592,764 
NYU Langone Hospitals  4.368% 7/1/2047   12,348    12,325,753 
Rede D’or Finance Sarl (Luxembourg)†(b)  4.95% 1/17/2028   25,738    22,810,302 
RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc.  8.25% 5/1/2023   9,865    10,000,644 
RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc./LifePoint Health, Inc.  9.75% 12/1/2026   26,103    24,797,850 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.  4.625% 7/15/2024   7,281    6,798,634 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.  5.125% 5/1/2025   65,257    61,015,295 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.  6.75% 6/15/2023   37,692    35,524,710 
Total              440,672,982 
                 
Health Services 1.12%                
DaVita, Inc.  5.00% 5/1/2025   19,962    18,190,373 
DaVita, Inc.  5.125% 7/15/2024   13,935    13,098,900 
Eagle Holding Co. II LLC PIK 8.375%  7.625% 5/15/2022   6,366    6,095,445 
Jaguar Holding Co. II/Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC  6.375% 8/1/2023   13,280    12,723,435 
Montefiore Obligated Group  5.246% 11/1/2048   18,042    17,514,369 
MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC  7.125% 6/1/2024   9,799    9,162,065 
NVA Holdings, Inc.  6.875% 4/1/2026   12,875    11,587,500 
Syneos Health, Inc./inVentiv Health, Inc./inVentiv Health Clinical, Inc.  7.50% 10/1/2024   5,736    5,994,120 
Verscend Escrow Corp.  9.75% 8/15/2026   19,792    18,678,700 
West Street Merger Sub, Inc.  6.375% 9/1/2025   25,648    22,826,720 
Total              135,871,627 
                 
Hotels 0.53%                
ESH Hospitality, Inc.  5.25% 5/1/2025   13,467    12,557,978 
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.  4.25% 9/1/2024   11,114    10,530,515 
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.  5.125% 5/1/2026   22,390    21,550,375 
Wyndham Destinations, Inc.  5.75% 4/1/2027   8,665    7,982,631 
Wyndham Destinations, Inc.  6.35% 10/1/2025   12,105    11,802,375 
Total              64,423,874 
                 
Insurance Brokerage 0.53%                
Acrisure LLC/Acrisure Finance, Inc.  7.00% 11/15/2025   22,880    19,619,600 
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer  8.25% 8/1/2023   18,536    18,477,982 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 27
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Insurance Brokerage (continued)                
Farmers Insurance Exchange  4.747%
(3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.23%
)# 11/1/2057  $14,130   $12,535,430 
HUB International Ltd.  7.00% 5/1/2026   14,796    13,464,360 
Total              64,097,372 
                 
Integrated Energy 0.84%                
Cheniere Energy Partners LP  5.25% 10/1/2025   13,080    12,246,150 
Cheniere Energy Partners LP  5.625% 10/1/2026   17,984    16,860,000 
Exxon Mobil Corp.  3.043% 3/1/2026   23,752    23,205,379 
Rio Oil Finance Trust Series 2018-1 (Brazil)†(b)  8.20% 4/6/2028   12,879    13,522,950 
Shell International Finance BV (Netherlands)(b)  6.375% 12/15/2038   28,912    36,748,563 
Total              102,583,042 
                 
Investments & Miscellaneous Financial Services 1.00%      
BrightSphere Investment Group plc (United Kingdom)(b)  4.80% 7/27/2026   11,448    11,046,611 
MSCI, Inc.  5.375% 5/15/2027   2,745    2,693,531 
MSCI, Inc.  5.75% 8/15/2025   16,165    16,367,062 
Neuberger Berman Group LLC/Neuberger Berman Finance Corp.  4.50% 3/15/2027   17,785    17,808,884 
Neuberger Berman Group LLC/Neuberger Berman Finance Corp.  4.875% 4/15/2045   39,054    34,979,907 
Power Finance Corp. Ltd. (India)†(b)  6.15% 12/6/2028   11,044    10,862,779 
S&P Global, Inc.  6.55% 11/15/2037   13,324    16,649,550 
VFH Parent LLC/Orchestra Co-Issuer, Inc.  6.75% 6/15/2022   11,984    11,659,713 
Total              122,068,037 
                 
Life Insurance 0.53%                
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (The)  3.85% 9/30/2047   28,610    26,011,117 
Nuveen Finance LLC  4.125% 11/1/2024   7,927    8,084,175 
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America  4.27% 5/15/2047   17,804    17,106,144 
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America  4.90% 9/15/2044   12,705    13,220,520 
Total              64,421,956 
                 
Machinery 0.23%                
Roper Technologies, Inc.  4.20% 9/15/2028   19,379    19,235,688 
Xylem, Inc.  3.25% 11/1/2026   8,884    8,461,021 
Total              27,696,709 

 

28 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Managed Care 1.21%                
Anthem, Inc.  3.65% 12/1/2027  10,427   $9,986,774 
Centene Corp.  4.75% 1/15/2025   26,345    25,225,338 
Centene Corp.  5.375% 6/1/2026   29,900    29,152,500 
Centene Corp.  6.125% 2/15/2024   18,803    19,296,579 
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals  4.15% 5/1/2047   17,628    17,463,450 
Polaris Intermediate Corp. PIK 8.50%  8.50% 12/1/2022   16,766    15,355,476 
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.  5.25% 4/1/2025   32,352    31,260,120 
Total              147,740,237 
                 
Media: Content 1.47%                
Activision Blizzard, Inc.  4.50% 6/15/2047   19,496    17,580,144 
AMC Networks, Inc.  4.75% 8/1/2025   27,032    24,599,120 
Gray Television, Inc.  5.125% 10/15/2024   6,740    6,231,130 
Gray Television, Inc.  5.875% 7/15/2026   9,833    9,191,888 
Netflix, Inc.(a)  3.625% 5/15/2027  EUR  33,484    37,265,145 
Netflix, Inc.  4.625% 5/15/2029  11,287    12,729,172 
Netflix, Inc.  4.875% 4/15/2028   5,940    5,435,100 
Netflix, Inc.  5.50% 2/15/2022   5,323    5,381,340 
Netflix, Inc.  5.875% 2/15/2025   13,000    13,146,250 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.  5.00% 8/1/2027   11,533    10,581,528 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.  5.375% 7/15/2026   10,495    9,852,181 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.  6.00% 7/15/2024   9,524    9,583,525 
Univision Communications, Inc.  5.125% 5/15/2023   11,389    10,249,858 
Univision Communications, Inc.  5.125% 2/15/2025   8,026    7,062,880 
Total              178,889,261 
                 
Media: Diversified 0.21%                
21st Century Fox America, Inc.  7.75% 12/1/2045   16,950    25,002,613 
                 
Medical Products 0.67%                
Boston Scientific Corp.  7.00% 11/15/2035   16,135    20,249,321 
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.  4.30% 6/15/2028   27,927    28,305,232 
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc./Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics SA  6.625% 5/15/2022   24,815    22,457,575 
Teleflex, Inc.  4.625% 11/15/2027   6,711    6,249,619 
Teleflex, Inc.  4.875% 6/1/2026   4,031    3,869,760 
Total              81,131,507 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 29
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Metals/Mining (Excluding Steel) 2.04%                
Alcoa Nederland Holding BV (Netherlands)†(b)  6.75% 9/30/2024  $21,682   $22,115,640 
Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. (Canada)†(b)  8.75% 7/15/2026   13,211    11,904,036 
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.  5.75% 3/1/2025   34,181    30,848,352 
Eterna Capital Pte Ltd. PIK 8.00% (Singapore)(b)  8.00% 12/11/2022   27,104    23,771,357 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.  3.875% 3/15/2023   69,141    64,128,277 
Grinding Media, Inc./Moly-Cop AltaSteel Ltd.  7.375% 12/15/2023   6,084    5,916,690 
Imperial Metals Corp. (Canada)†(b)  7.00% 3/15/2019   10,318    6,964,650 
Mirabela Nickel Ltd. (Australia)(b)  1.00% 9/10/2044   185    19(c)
Nexa Resources SA (Brazil)†(b)  5.375% 5/4/2027   14,189    13,781,066 
Novelis Corp.  5.875% 9/30/2026   8,892    7,891,650 
Novelis Corp.  6.25% 8/15/2024   8,652    8,154,510 
Peabody Energy Corp.  6.375% 3/31/2025   26,254    24,481,855 
Rain CII Carbon LLC/CII Carbon Corp.  7.25% 4/1/2025   20,273    18,448,430 
Warrior Met Coal, Inc.  8.00% 11/1/2024   10,469    10,416,655 
Total              248,823,187 
                 
Monoline Insurance 0.09%                
MGIC Investment Corp.  5.75% 8/15/2023   10,670    10,656,663 
                 
Non-Electric Utilities 0.10%                
Brooklyn Union Gas Co. (The)  3.407% 3/10/2026   11,916    11,690,100 
                 
Oil Field Equipment & Services 1.42%                
Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline LLC (United Arab Emirates)†(b)  4.60% 11/2/2047   28,472    27,873,946 
CSI Compressco LP/CSI Compressco Finance, Inc.  7.50% 4/1/2025   15,663    14,644,905 
Ensco plc (United Kingdom)(b)  4.50% 10/1/2024   16,899    11,068,845 
Ensco plc (United Kingdom)(b)  5.20% 3/15/2025   33,214    22,253,380 
Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.  6.25% 10/1/2021   11,835    10,473,975 
Noble Holding International Ltd.  7.875% 2/1/2026   24,835    21,264,969 
Pioneer Energy Services Corp.  6.125% 3/15/2022   7,266    4,468,590 
Precision Drilling Corp. (Canada)(b)  5.25% 11/15/2024   13,978    11,671,630 
Rowan Cos., Inc.  4.75% 1/15/2024   15,436    11,731,360 
Transocean Phoenix 2 Ltd.  7.75% 10/15/2024   7,482    7,482,400 
Transocean Pontus Ltd.  6.125% 8/1/2025   6,741    6,538,770 
Transocean Proteus Ltd.  6.25% 12/1/2024   10,600    10,202,500 
Transocean, Inc.  7.50% 1/15/2026   12,803    11,298,647 
Unit Corp.  6.625% 5/15/2021   2,445    2,237,175 
Total              173,211,092 

 

30 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Oil Refining & Marketing 0.32%                
Citgo Holding, Inc.  10.75% 2/15/2020  23,028   $23,546,130 
Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS (Turkey)†(b)  4.50% 10/18/2024   17,115    15,021,151 
Total              38,567,281 
                 
Packaging 0.30%                
Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc.  7.375% 12/15/2026   11,810    12,636,700 
Pactiv LLC  7.95% 12/15/2025   11,829    11,592,420 
Sealed Air Corp.  6.875% 7/15/2033   12,427    12,458,068 
Total              36,687,188 
                 
Personal & Household Products 0.86%                
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.  3.15% 8/1/2027   22,128    20,865,102 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.  3.95% 8/1/2047   5,392    4,932,154 
Energizer Gamma Acquisition, Inc.  6.375% 7/15/2026   12,362    11,373,040 
Gibson Brands, Inc.†(k)  8.88% 8/1/2018   19,905    16,620,675 
Mattel, Inc.  2.35% 8/15/2021   28,026    24,943,140 
Mattel, Inc.  6.75% 12/31/2025   14,059    12,578,447 
SC Johnson & Son, Inc.  4.75% 10/15/2046   12,635    13,741,249 
Total              105,053,807 
                 
Pharmaceuticals 1.65%                
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.†(a)  4.50% 5/15/2023  EUR  31,388    34,095,782 
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.  5.50% 3/1/2023  22,796    20,868,370 
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.  5.625% 12/1/2021   41,550    40,952,719 
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.  5.875% 5/15/2023   20,719    19,242,771 
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.  7.00% 3/15/2024   12,232    12,384,900 
Elanco Animal Health, Inc.  4.90% 8/28/2028   13,882    14,160,756 
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands II BV(a)  1.875% 3/31/2027  EUR  13,100    12,041,453 
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV (Netherlands)(b)  3.15% 10/1/2026  20,877    15,967,935 
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International  8.50% 1/31/2027   18,551    18,040,847 
Zoetis, Inc.  3.90% 8/20/2028   13,486    13,246,873 
Total              201,002,406 
                 
Printing & Publishing 0.15%                
Meredith Corp.  6.875% 2/1/2026   18,864    18,486,720 
                 
Property & Casualty 0.21%                
Allstate Corp. (The)  3.28% 12/15/2026   12,471    12,250,094 
Arch Capital Finance LLC  4.011% 12/15/2026   13,319    13,329,222 
Total              25,579,316 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 31
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Rail 0.56%                
Central Japan Railway Co. (Japan)†(b)  4.25%  11/24/2045  17,006   $17,836,052 
China Railway Xunjie Co. Ltd. (China)(b)  3.25%  7/28/2026   4,608    4,311,784 
Rumo Luxembourg Sarl (Luxembourg)†(b)  5.875%  1/18/2025   20,674    19,834,326 
Rumo Luxembourg Sarl (Luxembourg)†(b)  7.375%  2/9/2024   14,853    15,519,900 
Watco Cos. LLC/Watco Finance Corp.  6.375%  4/1/2023   10,514    10,592,855 
Total              68,094,917 
                 
Real Estate Development & Management 0.19%                
Ontario Teachers’ Cadillac Fairview Properties Trust (Canada)†(b)  3.875%  3/20/2027   23,275    23,201,997 
                 
Real Estate Investment Trusts 0.83%                
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.  3.95%  1/15/2028   14,750    14,281,485 
EPR Properties  4.50%  6/1/2027   13,546    13,085,572 
EPR Properties  4.75%  12/15/2026   9,030    8,951,198 
Goodman US Finance Four LLC  4.50%  10/15/2037   11,486    10,981,891 
Goodman US Finance Three LLC  3.70%  3/15/2028   7,763    7,406,936 
National Retail Properties, Inc.  4.30%  10/15/2028   20,243    20,394,694 
Prologis LP  3.875%  9/15/2028   8,980    9,165,709 
VEREIT Operating Partnership LP  4.875%  6/1/2026   17,065    17,091,343 
Total              101,358,828 
                 
Recreation & Travel 0.58%                
eDreams ODIGEO SA†(a)  5.50%  9/1/2023  EUR  11,565    12,452,777 
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  7.50%  10/15/2027  16,918    20,146,117 
Silversea Cruise Finance Ltd.  7.25%  2/1/2025   18,091    19,216,260 
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.  4.875%  7/31/2024   13,503    12,760,335 
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.  5.50%  4/15/2027   6,860    6,482,700 
Total              71,058,189 
                 
Reinsurance 0.45%                
AXIS Specialty Finance plc (United Kingdom)(b)  5.15%  4/1/2045   16,694    16,087,210 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.  2.75%  3/15/2023   7,903    7,762,294 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.  3.125%  3/15/2026   7,903    7,671,064 
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.  8.00%  11/30/2039   17,809    23,840,231 
Total              55,360,799 
                 
Restaurants 0.55%                
Darden Restaurants, Inc.  3.85%  5/1/2027   4,496    4,335,155 
Darden Restaurants, Inc.  4.55%  2/15/2048   8,095    7,478,598 
IRB Holding Corp.  6.75%  2/15/2026   13,514    11,858,535 

 

32 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Restaurants (continued)                
KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC  4.75%  6/1/2027  25,312   $23,603,440 
KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC  5.00%  6/1/2024   20,332    19,671,210 
Total              66,946,938 
                 
Software/Services 2.85%                
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (China)(b)  3.125%  11/28/2021   18,436    18,249,322 
Autodesk, Inc.  3.50%  6/15/2027   27,008    25,174,588 
Banff Merger Sub, Inc.  9.75%  9/1/2026   13,245    12,152,288 
Citrix Systems, Inc.  4.50%  12/1/2027   17,872    17,122,755 
First Data Corp.  5.75%  1/15/2024   37,266    36,533,350 
j2 Cloud Services LLC/j2 Global Co-Obligor, Inc.  6.00%  7/15/2025   13,134    12,887,737 
Match Group, Inc.  5.00%  12/15/2027   28,090    25,913,025 
Microsoft Corp.  2.40%  8/8/2026   22,252    20,844,932 
Microsoft Corp.  3.125%  11/3/2025   33,202    32,884,051 
Microsoft Corp.  3.30%  2/6/2027   26,383    26,174,460 
Microsoft Corp.  4.50%  2/6/2057   21,428    22,932,613 
salesforce.com, Inc.  3.70%  4/11/2028   17,807    17,932,266 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)†(b)  3.595%  1/19/2028   19,777    18,613,929 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)†(b)  3.925%  1/19/2038   23,479    20,984,168 
VeriSign, Inc.  4.75%  7/15/2027   8,783    8,269,634 
VeriSign, Inc.  5.25%  4/1/2025   15,945    15,845,344 
Visa, Inc.  3.15%  12/14/2025   14,645    14,411,821 
Total              346,926,283 
                 
Specialty Retail 1.41%                
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.  6.00%  12/15/2024   13,310    12,810,875 
Best Buy Co., Inc.  4.45%  10/1/2028   26,980    25,799,801 
Claire’s Stores, Inc.  14.00%  3/15/2039   2,500    4,020,825 
Guitar Center Escrow Issuer, Inc.  9.50%  10/15/2021   13,342    12,374,705 
Hot Topic, Inc.  9.25%  6/15/2021   10,679    10,518,815 
Levi Strauss & Co.(a)  3.375%  3/15/2027  EUR 11,100    12,706,744 
PetSmart, Inc.  5.875%  6/1/2025  16,272    11,837,880 
PVH Corp.(a)  3.125%  12/15/2027  EUR  11,316    12,167,393 
Tapestry, Inc.  4.125%  7/15/2027  16,634    15,600,348 
Tiffany & Co.  4.90%  10/1/2044   18,993    17,093,876 
Under Armour, Inc.  3.25%  6/15/2026   16,094    13,430,084 
Weight Watchers International, Inc.  8.625%  12/1/2025   22,325    22,855,219 
Total              171,216,565 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 33
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Steel Producers/Products 0.33%                
Allegheny Technologies, Inc.  7.875%  8/15/2023  17,595   $18,012,881 
Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc.  11.00%  5/15/2022   6,884    6,952,840 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.  4.125%  9/15/2025   10,927    10,093,816 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.  5.00%  12/15/2026   5,285    5,020,750 
Total              40,080,287 
                 
Support: Services 2.26%                
AECOM  5.125%  3/15/2027   3,205    2,756,300 
Ahern Rentals, Inc.  7.375%  5/15/2023   13,025    10,485,125 
Ashtead Capital, Inc.  4.375%  8/15/2027   13,664    12,365,920 
Brand Industrial Services, Inc.  8.50%  7/15/2025   19,863    17,032,523 
Brink’s Co. (The)  4.625%  10/15/2027   18,978    17,369,235 
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (The)  4.858%  1/1/2114   8,223    8,462,250 
Cloud Crane LLC  10.125%  8/1/2024   9,910    10,207,300 
Garda World Security Corp. (Canada)†(b)  8.75%  5/15/2025   13,762    12,592,230 
IHS Markit Ltd. (United Kingdom)†(b)  4.00%  3/1/2026   29,435    27,448,137 
IHS Markit Ltd. (United Kingdom)(b)  4.75%  8/1/2028   17,974    17,570,124 
Jurassic Holdings III, Inc.  6.875%  2/15/2021   16,782    14,264,700 
Marble II Pte Ltd. (Singapore)†(b)  5.30%  6/20/2022   26,573    25,719,528 
Metropolitan Museum of Art (The)  3.40%  7/1/2045   23,378    22,126,113 
Monitronics International, Inc.  9.125%  4/1/2020   10,520    2,722,050 
Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc.  9.25%  5/15/2023   13,503    13,958,726 
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc. (Canada)†(b)  5.375%  1/15/2025   13,118    12,790,050 
United Rentals North America, Inc.  4.625%  10/15/2025   11,437    10,236,115 
United Rentals North America, Inc.  4.875%  1/15/2028   21,596    19,004,480 
United Rentals North America, Inc.  5.875%  9/15/2026   6,713    6,352,176 
WeWork Cos., Inc.  7.875%  5/1/2025   13,453    12,006,803 
Total              275,469,885 
                 
Technology Hardware & Equipment 0.96%                
Banff Merger Sub, Inc.†(a)  8.375%  9/1/2026  EUR 11,553    12,287,473 
CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.  5.50%  12/1/2024  15,000    14,887,500 
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.  6.02%  6/15/2026   20,895    21,029,343 
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.  7.125%  6/15/2024   30,859    31,422,783 
HP, Inc.  6.00%  9/15/2041   13,421    13,405,781 
Western Digital Corp.  4.75%  2/15/2026   27,985    24,381,931 
Total              117,414,811 

 

34 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Telecommunications: Satellite 0.52%                
Intelsat Connect Finance SA (Luxembourg)†(b)  9.50%  2/15/2023  14,157   $12,245,805 
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg)(b)  5.50%  8/1/2023   28,802    25,201,750 
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg)†(b)  8.50%  10/15/2024   26,155    25,501,125 
Total              62,948,680 
                 
Telecommunications: Wireless 1.44%                
Sprint Capital Corp.  6.875%  11/15/2028   100,288    95,022,880 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.  6.00%  4/15/2024   13,317    13,350,293 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.  6.375%  3/1/2025   27,346    27,755,096 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.  6.50%  1/15/2026   38,271    39,132,097 
Total              175,260,366 
                 
Telecommunications: Wireline Integrated & Services 2.28%          
CenturyLink, Inc.  5.625%  4/1/2025   21,924    19,347,930 
CenturyLink, Inc.  7.50%  4/1/2024   55,045    53,256,037 
DKT Finance ApS (Denmark)†(b)  9.375%  6/17/2023   19,101    19,626,278 
Equinix, Inc.(a)  2.875%  2/1/2026  EUR 37,001    40,292,207 
GCI LLC  6.875%  4/15/2025  13,026    12,700,350 
Hellas Telecommunications Luxembourg II SCA (Luxembourg)†(b)(k)  Zero Coupon  1/15/2015   15,000    1,500(c)
InterXion Holding NV†(a)  4.75%  6/15/2025  EUR 16,771    19,747,749 
Level 3 Financing, Inc.  5.25%  3/15/2026  9,860    9,046,550 
Motorola Solutions, Inc.  4.60%  2/23/2028   13,419    13,152,671 
Uniti Group LP/Uniti Group Finance, Inc./CSL Capital LLC  8.25%  10/15/2023   21,109    18,470,375 
Verizon Communications, Inc.  2.625%  8/15/2026   64,987    59,050,441 
WTT Investment Ltd. (Hong Kong)†(b)  5.50%  11/21/2022   13,508    13,213,776 
Total              277,905,864 
                 
Theaters & Entertainment 0.07%                
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.  5.875%  11/15/2026   9,360    8,049,600 
                 
Tobacco 0.16%                
Imperial Brands Finance PLC (United Kingdom)†(b)  4.25%  7/21/2025   19,446    19,162,276 
                 
Transportation: Infrastructure/Services 1.02%                
Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen SA (Panama)†(b)  6.00%  11/18/2048   22,350    22,265,070 
Autopistas del Sol SA (Costa Rica)†(b)  7.375%  12/30/2030   12,537    11,471,271 
Autoridad del Canal de Panama (Panama)†(b)  4.95%  7/29/2035   8,750    8,946,962 
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.  4.20%  4/15/2028   20,351    20,458,147 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 35
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Transportation: Infrastructure/Services (continued)                
Delhi International Airport Ltd. (India)†(b)  6.125%  10/31/2026  7,372   $7,169,639 
Kirby Corp.  4.20%  3/1/2028   18,006    17,653,116 
Promontoria Holding BV†(a)  6.75%  8/15/2023  EUR  11,540    12,844,094 
Stena AB (Sweden)†(b)  7.00%  2/1/2024  14,542    13,305,930 
XPO CNW, Inc.  6.70%  5/1/2034   12,256    10,478,880 
Total              124,593,109 
Total High Yield Corporate Bonds (cost $8,499,009,489)              8,066,100,043 
                 
MUNICIPAL BONDS 4.41%                
                 
Air Transportation 0.31%                
Los Angeles, CA  5.575%  5/15/2020   9,340    9,666,713 
Miami Dade Cnty, FL  3.982%  10/1/2041   9,660    9,297,364 
Miami-Dade Cnty, FL  4.28%  10/1/2041   18,040    18,276,504 
Total              37,240,581 
                 
Education 1.10%                
California St Univ  3.899%  11/1/2047   33,030    32,371,382 
Ohio Univ  5.59%  12/1/2114   8,904    10,176,916 
Permanent University Fund - Texas A&M University System  3.66%  7/1/2047   78,015    75,109,722 
Univ of California Bd of Regents  6.548%  5/15/2048   12,463    16,475,961 
Total              134,133,981 
                 
General Obligation 1.30%                
California  7.55%  4/1/2039   15,015    21,561,390 
Chicago Transit Auth, IL  6.899%  12/1/2040   8,926    11,425,637 
Chicago, IL  5.432%  1/1/2042   22,392    19,898,651 
Chicago, IL  6.314%  1/1/2044   22,402    22,120,183 
District of Columbia  5.591%  12/1/2034   14,130    16,802,972 
Honolulu City & Cnty, HI  5.418%  12/1/2027   6,620    7,790,350 
Los Angeles Unif Sch Dist, CA  5.75%  7/1/2034   8,927    10,584,476 
Massachusetts  4.20%  12/1/2021   7,355    7,537,625 
New York City  5.985%  12/1/2036   10,161    12,310,763 
Ohio St Univ  4.048%  12/1/2056   6,271    6,250,807 
Pennsylvania  5.45%  2/15/2030   12,190    14,053,119 
The Bd of Governors of the Univ of North Carolina  3.847%  12/1/2034   7,950    8,294,076 
Total              158,630,049 

 

36 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
Government Guaranteed 0.04%              
City & County of San Francisco CA  5.45%  6/15/2025  4,540   $5,137,600 
                 
Lease Obligation 0.05%                
Wisconsin Gen Fund Annual  3.294%  5/1/2037   7,145    6,487,017 
                 
Miscellaneous 0.74%                
Dallas Convention Center Hotel Dev Corp., TX  7.088%  1/1/2042   17,795    22,936,865 
New York City Indl Dev Agy  11.00%  3/1/2029   22,198    29,277,386 
Pasadena Public Fing Auth  7.148%  3/1/2043   26,795    37,568,198 
Total              89,782,449 
                 
Tax Revenue 0.47%                
Massachusetts Sch Bldg Auth  5.715%  8/15/2039   20,055    24,613,902 
Memphis-Shelby County Industrial Development Board, TN  7.00%  7/1/2045   12,890    13,403,409 
San Jose Redev Agy, CA  2.259%  8/1/2020   19,600    19,430,852 
Total              57,448,163 
                 
Transportation: Infrastructure/Services 0.26%                
Chicago Transit Auth, IL  6.20%  12/1/2040   12,385    15,072,545 
Port of Seattle, WA  3.571%  5/1/2032   6,380    6,261,396 
Port of Seattle, WA  3.755%  5/1/2036   10,835    10,656,764 
Total              31,990,705 
                 
Utilities 0.14%                
San Antonio, TX Elec & Gas  5.718%  2/1/2041   13,240    16,491,612 
Total Municipal Bonds (cost $539,585,571)              537,342,157 
                 
NON-AGENCY COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITY 0.37%            
Caesars Palace Las Vegas Trust 2017-VICI D
(cost $45,508,794)
  4.354%#(m) 10/15/2034   44,851    44,940,841 
                 
   Dividend
Rate
     Shares
(000)
      
PREFERRED STOCK 0.01%                
                 
Energy: Exploration & Production                
Templar Energy LLC
(cost $3,769,749)
  Zero Coupon      378    1,135,289 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 37
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investments  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS 2.16%              
               
Government                
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Note(n)  0.50%  1/15/2028  141,520   $135,155,653 
U.S. Treasury Note  2.75%  5/31/2023   109,121    110,329,798 
U.S. Treasury Note  3.125%  11/15/2028   17,265    17,923,321 
Total              263,408,772 
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations
(cost $261,724,513)
              263,408,772 
                 
WARRANT 0.00%                
                 
   Exercise
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Shares
(000)
      
Personal & Household Products                
Remington Outdoor Co., Inc.
(cost $871,457)
  $35.05  5/15/2022   165    1,651(d)
Total Long-Term Investments
(cost $13,776,662,041)
              13,221,242,181 
                 
         Principal
Amount
(000)
      
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT 0.17%                
                 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT                
Repurchase Agreement dated 12/31/2018, 1.45% due 1/2/2019 with Fixed Income Clearing Corp. collateralized by $20,280,000 of U.S. Treasury Note at 2.875% due 7/31/2025; $345,000 of U.S. Treasury Note at 2.00% due 8/15/2025; value: $21,143,406; proceeds: $20,727,245
(cost $20,725,575)
        20,726    20,725,575 
Total Investments in Securities 108.73% (cost $13,797,387,616)           13,241,967,756 
Less Unfunded Loan Commitments (0.11%) (cost $13,484,922)           (13,406,167)
Net Investments in Securities 108.62% (cost $13,783,902,694)           13,228,561,589 
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets(o) (8.62%)           (1,049,862,015)
Net Assets 100.00%             $12,178,699,574 

 

38 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

AUD Australian dollar.
BRL Brazilian real.
CAD Canadian dollar.
EUR Euro.
UYU Uruguayan Peso.
ADR American Depositary Receipt.
EURIBOR  Euro Interbank Offered Rate.
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate.
PIK Payment-in-kind.
Units More than one class of securities traded together.

 

  Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and, unless registered under such Act or exempted from registration, may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers.
#   Variable rate security. The interest rate represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2018.
*   Non-income producing security.
(a)   Investment in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities.
(b)   Foreign security traded in U.S. dollars.
(c)   Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(p) in the Notes to Financials. Security fair valued by the Pricing Committee.
(d)   Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(p) in the Notes to Financials. Security valued utilizing third party pricing information without adjustment. Such valuations are based on unobservable inputs. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.
(e)   Floating Rate Loans in which the Fund invests generally pay interest at rates which are periodically re-determined at a margin above the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the prime rate offered by major U.S. banks. The rate(s) shown is the rate(s) in effect at December 31, 2018.
(f)   Level 3 Investment as described in Note 2(p) in the Notes to Financials. Floating Rate Loans categorized as Level 3 are valued based on a single quotation obtained from a dealer. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America do not require the Fund to create quantitative unobservable inputs that were not developed by the Fund. Therefore, the Fund does not have access to unobservable inputs and cannot disclose such inputs in the valuation.
(g)   Interest rate to be determined.
(h)   To-be-announced (“TBA”). Security purchased on a forward commitment basis with an approximate principal and maturity date. Actual principal and maturity will be determined upon settlement when the specific mortgage pools are assigned.
(i)   Security is perpetual in nature and has no stated maturity.
(j)   Variable Rate is Fixed to Float: Rate remains fixed until a designated future date.
(k)   Defaulted (non-income producing security).
(l)   Security has been fully or partially segregated for open reverse repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2018 (See Note 2(n)).
(m)   Interest rate is based on the weighted average interest rates of the underlying mortgages within the mortgage pool.
(n)   Treasury Inflation Protected Security. A U.S. Treasury Note or Bond that offers protection from inflation by paying a fixed rate of interest on principal amount that is adjusted for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index.
(o)   Liabilities in Excess of Cash, Foreign Cash and Other Assets include net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, futures contracts, reverse repurchase agreements and swaps as follows:

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 39
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Indexes - Buy Protection at December 31, 2018(1):

 

Referenced
Index
Central
Clearing party
Fund Pays
(Quarterly)
Termination
Date
Notional
Amount
Notional
Value
Payments
Upfront(2)
Unrealized
Appreciation(3)
Markit CDX.NA.IG.31(4)(5) Credit Suisse 1.00% 12/20/2023 $954,831,000 $960,154,660 $(11,831,686) $6,508,026

 

(1)   If the Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities.
(2)   Upfront payments received by Central Clearing Party are presented net of amortization (See Note 2(i)).
(3)   Total unrealized appreciation on Credit Default Swaps on Indexes amounted to $6,508,026. Total unrealized depreciation on Credit Default Swaps on Indexes amounted to $0.
(4)   Central Clearinghouse: Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
(5)   The Referenced Index is for the Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Indexes, which is comprised of a basket of investment grade securities.

 

Credit Default Swaps on Indexes/Issuer - Sell Protection at December 31, 2018(1):

 

Referenced
Index/Issuer
  Swap
Counterparty
  Fund
Receives
(Quarterly)
  Termi-
nation
Date
  Notional
Amount
   Notional
Value
   Payments
Upfront(2)
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)(3)
   Credit
Default
Swap
Agreements
Payable at
Fair Value(4)
 
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.9*  Credit Suisse  3.00%  9/17/2058  $22,888,000   $20,108,539   $(1,873,599)  $(905,862)  $(2,779,461)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.10*  Credit Suisse  3.00%  11/17/2059   50,333,000    44,542,919    (3,593,591)   (2,196,490)   (5,790,081)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.9*  Deutsche Bank  3.00%  9/17/2058   36,637,000    32,187,895    (2,999,085)   (1,450,020)   (4,449,105)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.10*  Deutsche Bank  3.00%  11/17/2059   9,149,000    8,096,540    (653,205)   (399,255)   (1,052,460)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.11*  Deutsche Bank  3.00%  11/18/2054   9,162,000    8,007,962    (603,616)   (550,422)   (1,154,038)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.9*  Goldman Sachs  3.00%  9/17/2058   13,539,000    11,894,858    (1,108,295)   (535,847)   (1,644,142)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.10*  Goldman Sachs  3.00%  11/17/2059   38,427,000    34,006,532    (2,743,546)   (1,676,922)   (4,420,468)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.11*  J.P.Morgan Chase  3.00%  11/18/2054   4,607,000    4,026,706    (303,521)   (276,773)   (580,294)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.9*  Morgan Stanley  3.00%  9/17/2058   56,159,000    49,339,193    (4,597,144)   (2,222,663)   (6,819,807)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.10*  Morgan Stanley  3.00%  11/17/2059   84,071,000    74,399,852    (6,002,360)   (3,668,788)   (9,671,148)
Markit CMBX. NA.BBB.11*  Morgan Stanley  3.00%  11/18/2054   120,987,000    105,747,581    (7,970,929)   (7,268,490)   (15,239,419)
Tesla  J.P.Morgan Chase  1.00%  6/20/2020   15,704,000    15,110,452    (978,073)   384,525    (593,548)
                      $(33,426,964)  $(20,767,007)  $(54,193,971)

 

* The Referenced Index is for Credit Default Swaps on Indexes, which is comprised of a basket of emerging market sovereign issuers. (See Note 2(i)).

 

40 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

(1)   If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities.
(2)   Upfront payments received by Central Clearinghouse are presented net of amortization (See Note 2(i)).
(3)   Total unrealized appreciation on Credit Default Swaps in Indexes amounted to $384,525. Total unrealized depreciation on Credit Default Swaps on Indexes amounted to $21,151,532.
(4)   Includes upfront payments received.

 

Total Return Swap Contracts at December 31, 2018:

 

Swap
Counterparty
  Referenced
Index*
  Referenced
Spread
  Units   Position   Termination
Date
Notional
Amount
Notional
Value
  Unrealized
Appreciation
Goldman Sachs   IBXXLL   3 Mo. LIBOR + .00%   154,457   Short   3/20/2019   $ 25,775,000   $ 25,169,915     $ 605,085
Morgan Stanley   IBXXLL   3 Mo. LIBOR + .00%   82,373   Short   3/20/2019     13,571,000     13,423,345       147,655
J.P.Morgan Chase   IBXXLL   3 Mo. LIBOR + .00%   148,505   Short   3/20/2019     24,429,000     24,199,932       229,068
                        $ 63,775,000   $ 62,793,192     $ 981,808

 

* iBoxx Leverage Loan Index.

 

Open Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts at December 31, 2018:

 

Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
  Transaction
Type
  Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Foreign
Currency
  U.S. $
Cost on
Origination
Date
  U.S. $
Current
Value
  Unrealized
Appreciation
euro   Buy   J.P. Morgan   2/19/2019   3,350,000     $3,818,172   $ 3,853,335     $ 35,163
euro   Buy   Toronto Dominion Bank   4/10/2019   6,500,000     7,477,698     7,509,350       31,652
Unrealized Appreciation on Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts       $ 66,815
                                   
Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
  Transaction
Type
  Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Foreign
Currency
  U.S. $
Cost on
Origination
Date
    U.S. $
Current
Value
  Unrealized
Depreciation
euro   Sell   State Street Bank and Trust   2/19/2019   95,000,000     $108,495,738   $ 109,273,672        $ (777,934)
euro   Sell   Toronto Dominion Bank   3/7/2019   196,500,000     224,494,176     226,330,257       (1,836,081)
euro   Sell   State Street Bank and Trust   4/10/2019   11,329,000     13,019,524     13,088,220       (68,696)
Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts           $ (2,682,711)

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 41
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Open Futures Contracts at December 31, 2018:

 

            Notional   Notional   Unrealized 
Type  Expiration  Contracts  Position  Amount   Value   Appreciation 
U.S. 2-Year Treasury Note  March 2019  8,690  Long  $1,836,743,103   $1,844,995,625   $8,252,522 
U.S. 5-Year Treasury Note  March 2019  12,408  Long   1,401,414,983    1,423,042,500    21,627,517 
Total Unrealized Appreciation on Open Futures Contracts               $29,880,039 
                         
            Notional   Notional   Unrealized 
Type  Expiration  Contracts  Position  Amount   Value   Depreciation 
Euro-Bobl  March 2019  56  Short  EUR (7,409,260)   EUR (7,421,120)   $(13,588)
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Note  March 2019  293  Short  $(34,896,250)  $(35,750,578)   (854,328)
U.S. 10-Year Ultra Treasury Bond  March 2019  60  Short   (7,560,830)   (7,804,688)   (243,858)
U.S. Long Bond  March 2019  8,386  Short   (1,167,997,300)   (1,224,356,000)   (56,358,700)
Ultra Long U.S. Treasury Bond  March 2019  376  Short   (57,218,902)   (60,406,750)   (3,187,848)
Total Unrealized Depreciation on Open Futures Contracts               $(60,658,322)

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement Payable as of December 31, 2018:

 

Counterparty  Principal   Collateral
Held by
Counterparty
  Interest
Rate(1)
  Trade
Date
  Maturity
Date(2)
  Fair
Value(3)
 
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co  $1,867,331   $2,400,000 principal, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment at 7.875% due 10/15/2024, $2,253,000 fair value  (6.00)%  4/6/2019  On Demand  $1,783,301 

 

(1)   The negative interest rate on the reverse repurchase agreement results in interest income to the Fund.
(2)   This reverse repurchase agreement has no stated maturity and may be terminated by either party at any time.
(3)   Total fair value of reverse repurchase agreements is presented net of interest receivable of $84,030.

 

42 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2018 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value(1):

 

Investment Type(2)(3)  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Long-Term Investments                    
Asset-Backed Securities  $   $326,089,447   $   $326,089,447 
Common Stocks                    
Auto Parts & Equipment       15,176,425        15,176,425 
Beverages       12,577,204        12,577,204 
Electric: Integrated   62,678,839    117,832        62,796,671 
Energy: Exploration & Production   20,805,400    260,514        21,065,914 
Gas Distribution   18,024,385    757,898        18,782,283 
Media: Content   13,304,613        2,651,730    15,956,343 
Personal & Household Products   27,661,009    1,596,543    10,527,700    39,785,252 
Specialty Retail   131,865,802    12,700,162        144,565,964 
Remaining Industries   810,123,979            810,123,979 
Convertible Bonds       59,562,214        59,562,214 
Floating Rate Loans                    
Diversified Capital Goods           8,111,344    8,111,344 
Oil Field Equipment & Services           16,087,616    16,087,616 
Personal & Household Products       36,671,980    26,030,423    62,702,403 
Specialty Retail       128,646,723        128,646,723 
Remaining Industries       575,779,442        575,779,442 
Foreign Bonds       25,182,914        25,182,914 
Foreign Government Obligations       874,114,920        874,114,920 
Government Sponsored Enterprises Pass-Through       1,077,800,203        1,077,800,203 
High Yield Corporate Bonds                    
Automakers       93,967,561    1,500    93,969,061 
Banking       511,934,167    2,250    511,936,417 
Metals/Mining (Excluding Steel)       248,823,168    19    248,823,187 
Telecommunications: Wireline Integrated & Services       277,904,364    1,500    277,905,864 
Remaining Industries       6,933,465,514        6,933,465,514 
Municipal Bonds       537,342,157        537,342,157 
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security       44,940,841        44,940,841 
Preferred Stock       1,135,289        1,135,289 
U.S. Treasury Obligations       263,408,772        263,408,772 
Warrant           1,651    1,651 
Short-Term Investment                    
Repurchase Agreement       20,725,575        20,725,575 
Total  $1,084,464,027   $12,080,681,829   $63,415,733   $13,228,561,589 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 43
 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Investment Type(2)(3)  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Other Financial Instruments                    
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Contracts                    
Assets  $   $6,508,026   $   $6,508,026 
Liabilities                
Credit Default Swap Contracts                    
Assets                
Liabilities       (54,193,971)       (54,193,971)
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts                    
Assets       66,815        66,815 
Liabilities       (2,682,711)       (2,682,711)
Futures Contracts                    
Assets   29,880,039            29,880,039 
Liabilities   (60,658,322)           (60,658,322)
Reverse Repurchase Agreement                    
Assets                
Liabilities       (1,783,301)       (1,783,301)
Total Return Swaps Contracts                    
Assets       981,808        981,808 
Liabilities                
Unfunded Commitments                    
Assets                
Liabilities       (78,775)       (78,775)
Total  $(30,778,283)  $(51,182,109)  $   $(81,960,392)

 

(1)   Refer to Note 2(p) for a description of fair value measurements and the three-tier hierarchy of inputs.
(2)   See Schedule of Investments for fair values in each industry and identification of foreign issuers and/or geography. The table above is presented by Investment Type. Industries are presented within an Investment Type should such Investment Type include securities classified as two or more levels within the three-tier fair value hierarchy. Each Level 3 security is identified on the Schedule of Investments along with the valuation technique utilized.
(3)   There were no Level 1/Level 2 transfers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

44 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Schedule of Investments (concluded)

December 31, 2018

 

The following is a reconciliation of investments with unobservable inputs (Level 3) that were used in determining fair value:

 

Investment Type  Asset-Backed
Securities
   Common
Stocks
   Convertible
Bonds
   Floating
Rate
Loans
   High Yield
Corporate
Bonds
   Warrant 
Balance as of January 1, 2018  $24,081,974   $2,080,250   $172,761   $30,576,590   $3,428,378   $ 
Accrued Discounts (Premiums)               187,215    (40,488)    
Realized Gain (Loss)           182,507    (48,634)   (329,484)    
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)       2,867,961    1,264,361    (5,995,040)   656,325    (869,811)
Purchases       8,231,219        96,862,936    4,628,906    871,462 
Sales           (1,619,629)   (71,353,684)   (5,736,650)    
Transfers into Level 3                        
Transfers out of Level 3   (24,081,974)               (2,601,718)    
Balance as of December 31, 2018  $   $13,179,430   $   $50,229,383   $5,269   $1,651 
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2018, related to Level 3 investments held at December 31, 2018  $   $2,867,961   $   $(2,572,324)  $   $(869,806)

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 45
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

ASSETS:    
Investments in securities, at fair value (cost $13,783,902,694)  $13,228,561,589 
Cash   10,401,380 
Deposits with brokers for futures collateral   20,470,178 
Deposits with brokers for swaps collateral   65,752,647 
Receivables:     
Interest and dividends   152,362,414 
Capital shares sold   89,154,215 
Investment securities sold   61,165,121 
Total return swap, at fair value   981,808 
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   66,815 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   256,274 
Total assets   13,629,172,441 
LIABILITIES:     
Payables:     
Investment securities purchased   1,246,991,894 
Capital shares reacquired   77,313,459 
Management fee   4,716,923 
Variation margin on futures contracts   3,459,923 
12b-1 distribution plan   2,422,428 
Directors’ fees   2,019,350 
Fund administration   427,103 
Variation margin for centrally cleared credit default swap agreements   976,992 
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts   2,682,711 
Reverse repurchase agreement payable, at fair value   1,783,301 
Credit default swap agreements payable, at fair value (including upfront payments of $33,426,964)   54,193,971 
Unrealized depreciation on unfunded commitments   78,755 
Distributions payable   50,513,247 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   2,892,810 
Total liabilities   1,450,472,867 
NET ASSETS  $12,178,699,574 
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS:     
Paid-in capital  $12,932,270,435 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (753,570,861)
Net Assets  $12,178,699,574 

 

46 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (concluded)

December 31, 2018

 

Net assets by class:     
Class A Shares  $4,252,131,885 
Class C Shares  $1,296,749,382 
Class F Shares  $3,827,057,342 
Class F3 Shares  $1,533,935,198 
Class I Shares  $927,023,889 
Class P Shares  $17,453,496 
Class R2 Shares  $6,459,881 
Class R3 Shares  $152,743,431 
Class R4 Shares  $18,847,051 
Class R5 Shares  $30,204,223 
Class R6 Shares  $116,093,796 
Outstanding shares by class:     
Class A Shares (1.14 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   569,428,784 
Class C Shares (600 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   173,180,178 
Class F Shares (1.2 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   513,259,630 
Class F3 Shares (300 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   206,367,862 
Class I Shares (300 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   124,832,908 
Class P Shares (160 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   2,284,787 
Class R2 Shares (300 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   864,937 
Class R3 Shares (300 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   20,488,210 
Class R4 Shares (300 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   2,523,115 
Class R5 Shares (300 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   4,062,448 
Class R6 Shares (300 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)   15,620,661 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets divided by outstanding shares):     
Class A Shares-Net asset value   $7.47 
Class A Shares-Maximum offering price (Net asset value plus sales charge of 2.25%)   $7.64 
Class C Shares-Net asset value   $7.49 
Class F Shares-Net asset value   $7.46 
Class F3 Shares-Net asset value   $7.43 
Class I Shares-Net asset value   $7.43 
Class P Shares-Net asset value   $7.64 
Class R2 Shares-Net asset value   $7.47 
Class R3 Shares-Net asset value   $7.46 
Class R4 Shares-Net asset value   $7.47 
Class R5 Shares-Net asset value   $7.43 
Class R6 Shares-Net asset value   $7.43 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 47
 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Investment income:     
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $296,296)  $17,437,801 
Interest and other (net of foreign withholding taxes of $222,634)   623,869,677 
Total investment income   641,307,478 
Expenses:     
Management fee   57,707,822 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class A   9,089,838 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class B   11,001 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class C   13,397,010 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class F   4,181,915 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class P   75,081 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class R2   45,645 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class R3   763,173 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class R4   34,867 
12b-1 distribution plan-Class T   14 
Shareholder servicing   9,977,241 
Fund administration   5,245,782 
Reports to shareholders   1,207,070 
Registration   923,699 
Directors’ fees   454,986 
Professional   404,797 
Custody   372,695 
Other   272,014 
Gross expenses   104,164,650 
Expense reductions (See Note 9)   (271,938)
Net expenses   103,892,712 
Net investment income   537,414,766 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss):     
Net realized loss on investments   (69,214,851)
Net realized gain on futures contracts   71,052,013 
Net realized gain on foreign currency exchange contracts   18,439,734 
Net realized gain on swap contracts   5,856,417 
Net realized gain on foreign currency related transactions   1,344,190 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments   (1,046,999,577)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts   (26,437,560)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts   880,506 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts   (738,058)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   (33,671)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on unfunded commitments   (78,755)
Net realized and unrealized loss   (1,045,929,612)
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting From Operations  $(508,514,846)

 

48 See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS  For the Year Ended
December 31, 2018
   For the Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
Operations:          
Net investment income    $537,414,766     $439,928,311 
Net realized gain on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and foreign currency related transactions   27,477,503    355,943,469 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps, unfunded commitments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   (1,073,407,115)   148,832,514 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (508,514,846)   944,704,294 
Distributions to shareholders:(1)          
Class A   (273,541,757)   (210,833,042)
Class B   (36,443)   (1,029,002)
Class C   (82,853,966)   (78,585,851)
Class F   (255,883,833)   (181,977,391)
Class F3   (89,827,609)   (16,349,940)
Class I   (65,360,758)   (31,720,637)
Class P   (1,192,680)   (1,718,291)
Class R2   (416,429)   (365,838)
Class R3   (8,820,786)   (6,435,618)
Class R4   (909,635)   (263,835)
Class R5   (1,918,387)   (1,210,160)
Class R6   (6,994,963)   (2,080,644)
Class T   (249)   (237)
Total distributions to shareholders   (787,757,495)   (532,570,486)
Capital share transactions (Net of share conversions) (See Note 14):     
Net proceeds from sales of shares   4,366,086,058    6,456,007,068 
Reinvestment of distributions   696,869,024    464,691,431 
Cost of shares reacquired   (4,183,622,590)   (4,192,283,810)
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions   879,332,492    2,728,414,689 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (416,939,849)   3,140,548,497 
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year  $12,595,639,423   $9,455,090,926 
End of year  $12,178,699,574   $12,595,639,423 
Undistributed net investment income(2)  $   $ 

 

(1) The SEC eliminated the requirement to disclose the source of distributions paid in 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the source of distributions was net investment income as follows: Class A $(184,374,395), Class B $(977,132), Class C $(67,580,567), Class F $(159,926,082), Class F3 $(10,003,243), Class I $(25,599,464), Class P $(1,527,044), Class R2 $(312,078), Class R3 $(5,531,805), Class R4 $(216,101), Class R5 $(1,049,883), Class R6 $(1,694,324) and Class T $(176). Net realized gain - Class A $(26,458,647), Class B $(51,870), Class C $(11,005,284), Class F $(22,051,309), Class F3 $(6,346,697), Class I $(6,121,173), Class P $(191,247), Class R2 $(53,760), Class R3 $(903,813), Class R4 $(47,734), Class R5 $(160,277), Class R6 $(386,320) and Class T $(61).
(2) The SEC eliminated the requirement to disclose undistributed net investment income in 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the undistributed net investment income was $20,828,060.

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 49
 

Financial Highlights

 

      Per Share Operating Performance:
      Investment operations:  Distributions to
shareholders from:
   Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
  Net
invest-
ment
income
(a)
  Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
  Total
from
invest-
ment
oper-
ations
  Net
Investment
income
  Net
realized
gain
  Total
distri-
butions
Class A                                   
12/31/2018      $8.25         $0.33        $(0.63)     $(0.30)     $(0.36)         $(0.12)        $(0.48)   
12/31/2017   7.93    0.33    0.39    0.72    (0.35)   (0.05)   (0.40)
12/31/2016   7.40    0.35    0.54    0.89    (0.36)       (0.36)
12/31/2015   7.93    0.32    (0.44)   (0.12)   (0.35)   (0.06)   (0.41)
12/31/2014   8.15    0.37    (c)   0.37    (0.39)   (0.20)   (0.59)
                                    
Class C                                   
12/31/2018   8.27    0.28    (0.63)   (0.35)   (0.31)   (0.12)   (0.43)
12/31/2017   7.95    0.28    0.39    0.67    (0.30)   (0.05)   (0.35)
12/31/2016   7.42    0.30    0.55    0.85    (0.32)       (0.32)
12/31/2015   7.95    0.27    (0.44)   (0.17)   (0.30)   (0.06)   (0.36)
12/31/2014   8.17    0.32    (c)   0.32    (0.34)   (0.20)   (0.54)
                                    
Class F                                   
12/31/2018   8.24    0.34    (0.64)   (0.30)   (0.36)   (0.12)   (0.48)
12/31/2017   7.92    0.34    0.39    0.73    (0.36)   (0.05)   (0.41)
12/31/2016   7.39    0.36    0.54    0.90    (0.37)       (0.37)
12/31/2015   7.91    0.33    (0.44)   (0.11)   (0.35)   (0.06)   (0.41)
12/31/2014   8.14    0.38    (0.01)   0.37    (0.40)   (0.20)   (0.60)
                                    
Class F3                                   
12/31/2018   8.21    0.35    (0.63)   (0.28)   (0.38)   (0.12)   (0.50)
4/4/2017 to 12/31/2017(d)  8.01    0.25    0.27    0.52    (0.27)   (0.05)   (0.32)
                                    
Class I                                   
12/31/2018   8.21    0.34    (0.63)   (0.29)   (0.37)   (0.12)   (0.49)
12/31/2017   7.89    0.35    0.38    0.73    (0.36)   (0.05)   (0.41)
12/31/2016   7.36    0.36    0.55    0.91    (0.38)       (0.38)
12/31/2015   7.89    0.34    (0.45)   (0.11)   (0.36)   (0.06)   (0.42)
12/31/2014   8.11    0.38    (c)   0.38    (0.40)   (0.20)   (0.60)
                                    
Class P                                   
12/31/2018   8.44    0.31    (0.64)   (0.33)   (0.35)   (0.12)   (0.47)
12/31/2017   8.11    0.34    0.39    0.73    (0.35)   (0.05)   (0.40)
12/31/2016   7.57    0.35    0.56    0.91    (0.37)       (0.37)
12/31/2015   8.10    0.33    (0.45)   (0.12)   (0.35)   (0.06)   (0.41)
12/31/2014   8.33    0.38    (0.01)   0.37    (0.40)   (0.20)   (0.60)

 

50 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 
      Ratios to Average Net Assets:  Supplemental Data:
                
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
  Total
return(b)
(%)
  Total
expenses
(%)
  Net
investment
income
(%)
  Net
assets, end
of period
(000)
  Portfolio
turnover
rate
(%)
                            
  $7.47    (3.79)   0.79    4.11   $4,252,132    147 
 8.25    9.21    0.81    4.10    4,491,809    113 
 7.93    12.35    0.81    4.57    4,263,801    119 
 7.40    (1.74)   0.82    4.10    4,183,669    119 
 7.93    4.51    0.86    4.50    4,524,711    88 
                            
 7.49    (4.38)   1.43    3.46    1,296,749    147 
 8.27    8.52    1.43    3.49    1,872,830    113 
 7.95    11.63    1.44    3.95    1,892,905    119 
 7.42    (2.35)   1.46    3.48    1,882,589    119 
 7.95    3.85    1.50    3.86    2,082,896    88 
                            
 7.46    (3.83)   0.69    4.20    3,827,057    147 
 8.24    9.32    0.71    4.16    3,793,021    113 
 7.92    12.46    0.71    4.65    2,607,811    119 
 7.39    (1.53)   0.72    4.20    1,893,642    119 
 7.91    4.53    0.72    4.59    1,817,781    88 
                            
 7.43    (3.57)   0.52    4.37    1,533,935    147 
 8.21    6.55(e)   0.53(f)   4.06(f)   1,093,748    113 
                            
 7.43    (3.77)   0.59    4.30    927,024    147 
 8.21    9.44    0.61    4.25    1,039,534    113 
 7.89    12.62    0.61    4.77    450,661    119 
 7.36    (1.59)   0.62    4.28    382,854    119 
 7.89    4.76    0.62    4.68    393,851    88 
                            
 7.64    (4.00)   0.95    3.94    17,453    147 
 8.44    9.18    0.86    4.07    32,370    113 
 8.11    12.27    0.87    4.53    36,825    119 
 7.57    (1.66)   0.87    4.06    35,632    119 
 8.10    4.39    0.87    4.51    44,078    88 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 51
 

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

      Per Share Operating Performance:
      Investment operations:  Distributions to
shareholders from:
   Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
  Net
invest-
ment
income
(a)
  Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
  Total
from
invest-
ment
oper-
ations
  Net
investment
income
  Net
realized
gain
  Total
distri-
butions
Class R2                                   
12/31/2018       $8.25           $0.30          $(0.64)         $(0.34)          $(0.32)           $(0.12)         $(0.44)   
12/31/2017   7.93    0.30    0.39    0.69    (0.32)   (0.05)   (0.37)
12/31/2016   7.40    0.31    0.55    0.86    (0.33)       (0.33)
12/31/2015   7.93    0.29    (0.44)   (0.15)   (0.32)   (0.06)   (0.38)
12/31/2014   8.15    0.34    (c)   0.34    (0.36)   (0.20)   (0.56)
                                    
Class R3                                   
12/31/2018   8.24    0.30    (0.63)   (0.33)   (0.33)   (0.12)   (0.45)
12/31/2017   7.92    0.31    0.38    0.69    (0.32)   (0.05)   (0.37)
12/31/2016   7.39    0.32    0.55    0.87    (0.34)       (0.34)
12/31/2015   7.91    0.30    (0.44)   (0.14)   (0.32)   (0.06)   (0.38)
12/31/2014   8.14    0.35    (0.01)   0.34    (0.37)   (0.20)   (0.57)
                                    
Class R4                                   
12/31/2018   8.25    0.33    (0.64)   (0.31)   (0.35)   (0.12)   (0.47)
12/31/2017   7.93    0.33    0.38    0.71    (0.34)   (0.05)   (0.39)
12/31/2016   7.40    0.34    0.55    0.89    (0.36)       (0.36)
6/30/2015 to 12/31/2015(g)  7.99    0.16    (0.52)   (0.36)   (0.17)   (0.06)   (0.23)
                                    
Class R5                                   
12/31/2018   8.21    0.34    (0.63)   (0.29)   (0.37)   (0.12)   (0.49)
12/31/2017   7.86    0.35    0.41    0.76    (0.36)   (0.05)   (0.41)
12/31/2016   7.36    0.21    0.67    0.88    (0.38)       (0.38)
6/30/2015 to 12/31/2015(g)  7.95    0.17    (0.52)   (0.35)   (0.18)   (0.06)   (0.24)
                                    
Class R6                                   
12/31/2018   8.21    0.35    (0.63)   (0.28)   (0.38)   (0.12)   (0.50)
12/31/2017   7.89    0.35    0.39    0.74    (0.37)   (0.05)   (0.42)
12/31/2016   7.37    0.37    0.53    0.90    (0.38)       (0.38)
6/30/2015 to 12/31/2015(g)  7.95    0.17    (0.51)   (0.34)   (0.18)   (0.06)   (0.24)

 

(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.
(b) Total return for Classes A and C does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. Total return for all other classes assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.
(c) Amount less than $0.01.
(d) Commenced on April 4, 2017.
(e) Not annualized.
(f) Annualized.
(g) Commenced on June 30, 2015.

 

52 See Notes to Financial Statements.  
 
      Ratios to Average Net Assets:  Supplemental Data:
                
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
  Total
return(b)
(%)
  Total
expenses
(%)
  Net
investment
income
(%)
  Net
assets, end
of period
(000)
  Portfolio
turnover
rate
(%)
                            
   $7.47    (4.17)   1.19    3.71   $6,460    147 
 8.25    8.78    1.21    3.68    9,066    113 
 7.93    11.91    1.21    4.05    5,324    119 
 7.40    (2.13)   1.22    3.71    4,075    119 
 7.93    4.15    1.22    4.13    4,557    88 
                            
 7.46    (4.21)   1.09    3.81    152,743    147 
 8.24    8.90    1.10    3.80    151,842    113 
 7.92    12.03    1.11    4.19    128,317    119 
 7.39    (1.91)   1.12    3.82    107,581    119 
 7.91    4.13    1.10    4.24    111,368    88 
                            
 7.47    (3.83)   0.84    4.09    18,847    147 
 8.25    9.16    0.86    3.98    8,420    113 
 7.93    12.29    0.86    4.40    2,072    119 
 7.40    (4.59)(e)   0.87(f)   4.27(f)   207    119 
                            
 7.43    (3.63)   0.59    4.32    30,204    147 
 8.21    9.46    0.61    4.29    27,302    113 
 7.86    12.62    0.61    2.70    386    119 
 7.36    (4.50)(e)   0.62(f)   4.39(f)   10    119 
                            
 7.43    (3.56)   0.52    4.39    116,094    147 
 8.21    9.54    0.52    4.31    69,028    113 
 7.89    12.56    0.53    4.83    15,346    119 
 7.37    (4.36)(e)   0.54(f)   4.49(f)   10,994    119 

 

  See Notes to Financial Statements. 53
 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION  

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund was organized in 1970 and incorporated under Maryland law on January 23, 1976.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income and the opportunity for capital appreciation to produce a high total return. The Fund has eleven active classes of shares: Class A, C, F, F3, I, P, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, each with different expenses and dividends. A front-end sales charge is normally added to the net asset value (“NAV”) for Class A shares. There is no front-end sales charge in the case of Class C, F, F3, I, P, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 shares, although there may be a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) in certain cases as follows: Class A shares purchased without a sales charge and redeemed before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the purchase falls (subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus); Class C shares redeemed before the first anniversary of purchase. Effective April 30, 2018, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th day is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the tenth anniversary of the month on which the purchase order was accepted. The Fund’s Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors, with certain exceptions as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus. On April 25, 2018, the Fund’s remaining Class B shares converted to Class A shares.

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  

 

(a) Investment ValuationUnder procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), the Fund’s investment manager, has formed a Pricing Committee to administer the pricing and valuation of portfolio investments and to ensure that prices utilized reasonably reflect fair value. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.
   
  Securities actively traded on any recognized U.S. or non-U.S. exchange or on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or system on which they are principally traded. Events occurring after the close of trading on non-U.S. exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Fund may utilize an independent fair valuation service in adjusting the valuations of foreign securities. Unlisted equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if no sale price is available, at the mean between the most recently quoted bid and asked prices. Fixed income securities are valued based on evaluated prices supplied by independent pricing services, which reflect broker/dealer supplied valuations and the independent pricing services’ own electronic data processing techniques. Floating rate loans are valued at the average of bid and ask quotations obtained from dealers in loans on the basis of prices supplied by independent

 

54

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

  pricing services. Exchange traded options and futures contracts are valued at the last quoted sale price in the market where they are principally traded. If no sale has occurred, the mean between the most recently quoted bid and asked prices is used. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued using daily forward exchange rates. Swaps are valued daily using independent pricing services or quotations from broker/dealers to the extent available.
   
  Securities for which prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined by the Pricing Committee. The Pricing Committee considers a number of factors, including observable and unobservable inputs, when arriving at fair value. The Pricing Committee may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, yield curves, broker quotes, observable trading activity, option adjusted spread models and other relevant information to determine the fair value of portfolio investments. The Board or a designated committee thereof regularly reviews fair value determinations made by the Pricing Committee and may employ techniques such as reviewing related market activity, reviewing inputs and assumptions, and retrospectively comparing prices of subsequent purchases and sales transactions to fair value determinations made by the Pricing Committee.
   
  Short-term securities with 60 days or less remaining to maturity are valued using the amortized cost method, which approximates fair value.
   
(b) Security TransactionsSecurity transactions are recorded as of the date that the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified-cost method. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day.
   
(c) Investment IncomeDividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis as earned. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized using the effective interest method and are included in Interest and other income on the Statement of Operations. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and interest have been provided for in accordance with the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Investment income is allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day.
   
(d) Income TaxesIt is the policy of the Fund to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no income tax provision is required.
   
  The Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Fund’s filed U.S. federal tax returns remains open for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2018. The statutes of limitations on the Fund’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.
   
(e) ExpensesExpenses, excluding class-specific expenses, are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day. Class A, C, F, P, R2, R3 and R4 shares bear their class-specific share of all expenses and fees relating to the Fund’s 12b-1 Distribution Plan.

 

55

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

(f) Foreign TransactionsThe books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars and transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded in the Fund’s records at the rate prevailing when earned or recorded. Asset and liability accounts that are denominated in foreign currencies are adjusted daily to reflect current exchange rates and any unrealized gain (loss), if applicable, is included in Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. The resultant exchange gains and losses upon settlement of such transactions, if applicable, are included in Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the changes in market prices of the securities.
   
  The Fund uses foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities. Losses from these transactions may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency or if the counterparties do not perform under the contracts’ terms.
   
(g) Forward Foreign Currency Exchange ContractsThe Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to reduce exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign portfolio holdings, or gain or reduce exposure to foreign currency solely for investment purposes. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated rate. The contracts are valued daily at forward exchange rates and any unrealized gain (loss) is included in Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. The gain (loss) arising from the difference between the U.S. dollar cost of the original contract and the value of the foreign currency in U.S. dollars upon closing of such contracts is included in Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange contracts on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
   
(h) Futures ContractsThe Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts to enhance returns, to attempt to economically hedge some of its investment risk, or as a substitute position in lieu of holding the underlying asset on which the instrument is based. At the time of entering into a futures transaction, an investor is required to deposit and maintain a specified amount of cash or eligible securities called “initial margin.” Subsequent payments made or received by the Fund called “variation margin” are made on a daily basis as the market price of the futures contract fluctuates. The Fund will record an unrealized gain (loss) based on the amount of variation margin. When a contract is closed, a realized gain (loss) is recorded equal to the difference between the opening and closing value of the contract.
   
(i) Credit Default SwapsThe Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts in order to hedge credit risk or for speculation purposes. As a seller of a credit default swap contract (“seller of protection”), the Fund is required to pay the notional amount or other agreed-upon value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default by or other credit event involving the referenced issuer, obligation or index. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract.
   
  As a purchaser of a credit default swap contract (“buyer of protection”), the Fund would receive the notional amount or other agreed upon value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of default by or other credit event involving the referenced issuer, obligation or index. In return, the Fund would make periodic payments to the counterparty over the term of the contracts, provided no event of default has occurred.

 

56

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

  These credit default swaps may have as a reference obligation corporate or sovereign issuers or credit indexes. These credit indexes are comprised of a basket of securities representing a particular sector of the market.
   
  Credit default swaps are fair valued based upon quotations from counterparties, brokers or market-makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an unrealized appreciation or depreciation. For a credit default swap sold by the Fund, payment of the agreed-upon amount made by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as the cost of the referenced debt obligation purchased/received. For a credit default swap purchased by the Fund, the agreed-upon amount received by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as proceeds from sale/delivery of the referenced debt obligation and the resulting gain or loss realized on the referenced debt obligation is recorded as such by the Fund.
   
  Any upfront payments made or received upon entering a credit default swap contract would be amortized or accreted over the life of the swap and recorded as realized gains or losses. Collateral, in the form of cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the custodian bank or broker in accordance with the swap agreement. The value and credit rating of each credit default swap where the Fund is the seller of protection, are both measures of the current payment/performance risk of the swap. As the value of the swap changes as a positive or negative percentage of the total notional amount, the payment/performance risk may decrease or increase, respectively. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund as a seller of protection could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront payments received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements entered into by the Fund for the same referenced entity or entities.
   
  Entering into credit default swaps involves credit and market risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates, and that Lord Abbett does not correctly predict the creditworthiness of the issuers of the reference obligation on which the credit default swap is based. For the centrally cleared credit default swaps, there was minimal counterparty risk to the Fund, since such credit default swaps entered into were traded through a central clearinghouse, which guarantees against default.
   
(j) Mortgage Dollar RollsThe Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls in which a Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal (including prepayments of principal) and interest paid on the securities sold.
   
(k) Total Return SwapsThe Fund may enter into total return swap agreements to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning such security or investing directly in that market. The Fund may agree to make payments that are the equivalent of interest in exchange for the right to receive payments equivalent to any appreciation in the value of an underlying security, index or other asset, as well as receive payments equivalent to any distributions made on that asset, over the term of the swap. If the value of the asset underlying a total return

 

57

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

  swap declines over the term of the swap, the Fund also may be required to pay an amount equal to that decline in value to their counterparty.
   
(l) When-Issued, Forward Transactions or To-Be-Announced (“TBA”) TransactionsThe Fund may purchase portfolio securities on a when-issued or forward basis. When-issued, forward transactions or TBA transactions involve a commitment by a fund to purchase securities, with payment and delivery (“settlement”) to take place in the future, in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield at the time of entering into the transaction. During the period between purchase and settlement, the fair value of the securities will fluctuate and assets consisting of cash and/or marketable securities (normally short-term U.S. Government or U.S. Government sponsored enterprise securities) marked to market daily in an amount sufficient to make payment at settlement will be segregated at the Fund’s custodian in order to pay for the commitment. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the liability for the purchase and fair value of the security in determining its NAV. The Fund, generally, has the ability to close out a purchase obligation on or before the settlement date rather than take delivery of the security. Under no circumstances will settlement for such securities take place more than 120 days after the purchase date.
   
(m) Repurchase AgreementsThe Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to securities. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which a fund acquires a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller (a bank or securities dealer) at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon date. The Fund requires at all times that the repurchase agreement be collateralized by cash, or by securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies, its instrumentalities, or U.S. Government sponsored enterprises having a value equal to, or in excess of, the value of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). If the seller of the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities at a time when the fair value of these securities has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the securities.
   
(n) Reverse Repurchase AgreementsThe Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells a security to a securities dealer or bank for cash and also agrees to repurchase the same security later at a set price. Reverse repurchase agreements expose the Fund to credit risk (that is, the risk that the counterparty will fail to resell the security to the Fund). Engaging in reverse repurchase agreements also may involve the use of leverage, in that the Fund may reinvest the cash it receives in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities to be repurchased by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price
   
  For the year ended December 31, 2018, the average interest rate, the amount of interest and the average principal amount for the days borrowed in the period were as follows:

 

Interest
Rate
Average
Interest
Amount
Borrowed
6.00% $84,030 $1,867,331

 

(o) Floating Rate LoansThe Fund may invest in floating rate loans, which usually take the form of loan participations and assignments. Loan participations and assignments are agreements to make money available to U.S. or foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities (the “Borrower”) in a specified amount, at a specified rate and within a specified time. A loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign bank, insurance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of loan investors (“Loan Investors”). The

 

58

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Agent typically administers and enforces the loan on behalf of the other Loan Investors in the syndicate and may hold any collateral on behalf of the Loan Investors. Such loan participations and assignments are typically senior, secured and collateralized in nature. The Fund records an investment when the Borrower withdraws money and records interest as earned. These loans pay interest at rates which are periodically reset by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. These base lending rates are generally the prime rate offered by a designated U.S. bank or London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”).

 

The loans in which the Fund invests may be subject to some restrictions on resale. For example, the Fund may be contractually obligated to receive approval from the Agent and/or Borrower prior to the sale of these investments. The Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance with the terms of the loan agreement with the Borrower. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of the Borrower, the selling participant and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the Borrower (“Intermediate Participants”). In the event that the Borrower, selling participant or Intermediate Participants become insolvent or enter into bankruptcy, the Fund may incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment or may suffer a loss of principal and/or interest.

 

Unfunded commitments represent the remaining obligation of the Fund to the Borrower. At any point in time, up to the maturity date of the issue, the Borrower may demand the unfunded portion. Until demanded by the Borrower, unfunded commitments are not recognized as an asset on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on unfunded commitments if any on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities represents mark to market of the unfunded portion of the Fund’s floating rate notes. As of December 31, 2018 the Fund had the following unfunded loan commitments:

 

Claire’s Store, Inc. Revolving Credit  $719,580 
Energizer Holdings, Inc. Bridge Term Loan   10,441,000 
Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. 1st Lien Delayed Draw Term Loan   2,321,020 
Total  $13,481,600 

 

(p) Fair Value MeasurementsFair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used 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) and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level of inputs that is significant to the fair value measurement, and is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below:

 

59

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

  Level 1 –  unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;
     
  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and
     
  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

  A summary of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments and other financial instruments as of December 31, 2018 and, if applicable, Level 1/Level 2 transfers and Level 3 rollforwards for the fiscal year then ended is included in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
   
  Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the three-tier hierarchy. All transfers between different levels within the three-tier hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

3. MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES  

 

Management Fee

The Fund has a management agreement with Lord Abbett, pursuant to which Lord Abbett supplies the Fund with investment management services and executive and other personnel, provides office space and pays for ordinary and necessary office and clerical expenses relating to research and statistical work and supervision of the Fund’s investment portfolio.

 

The management fee is based on the Fund’s average daily net assets at the following annual rate:

 

First $500 million   .50%
Next $9.5 billion   .45%
Over $10 billion   .40%

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the effective management fee was at an annualized rate of .44% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

In addition, Lord Abbett provides certain administrative services to the Fund pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement in return for a fee at an annual rate of .04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

12b-1 Distribution Plan

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan with respect to Class A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3, R4 and T shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, which provides for the payment of ongoing distribution and service fees to Lord Abbett Distributor LLC (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of Lord Abbett. The following annual rates have been authorized by the Board pursuant to the plan:

 

Fees*  Class A   Class B(1)   Class C(2)   Class F(3)   Class P   Class R2   Class R3   Class R4   Class T(4) 
Service   .15%    .25%   .25%       .25%   .25%   .25%   .25%   .25%
Distribution    .05%   .75%   .75%   .10%   .20%   .35%   .25%        

 

* The Fund may designate a portion of the aggregate fee as attributable to service activities for purposes of calculating Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) sales charge limitations.
(1) Class B closed on April 25, 2018.
(2) The Rule 12b-1 fee the Fund pays on Class C shares is a blended rate based on 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares held for less than one year and .80% (.25% service, .55% distribution) of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear Rule 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

 

60

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

(3) The Class F share Rule 12b-1 fee may be designated as a service fee in limited circumstances as described in the Fund’s prospectus.
(4) Class T shares closed on July 24, 2018.

 

Class F3, I, R5 and R6 shares do not have a distribution plan.

 

Commissions

Distributor received the following commissions on sales of shares of the Fund, after concessions were paid to authorized dealers, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Distributor
Commissions
Dealers’
Concessions
$478,139 $3,132,603

 

Distributor received CDSCs of $126,286 and $184,126 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

One Director and certain of the Fund’s officers have an interest in Lord Abbett.

 

4. DISTRIBUTIONS AND CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS  

 

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared daily and paid monthly. Taxable net realized gains from investment transactions, reduced by allowable capital loss carryforwards, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders at least annually. The capital loss carryforward amount, if any, is available to offset future net capital gains. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amounts of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These book/tax differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions, which exceed earnings and profits for tax purposes, are reported as a tax return of capital.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

   Year Ended 12/31/2018      Year Ended 12/31/2017 
Distributions paid from:          
Ordinary income  $649,203,158   $532,570,486 
Net long-term capital gains   138,554,337     
Total distributions paid  $787,757,495   $532,570,486 

 

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated losses on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income – net  $9,437,213 
Total undistributed earnings   9,437,213 
Temporary differences   (152,900,421)
Unrealized losses – net   (610,107,653)
Total accumulated losses – net  $(753,570,861)

 

At the Fund’s election, certain losses incurred within the taxable year (Qualified Late-Year Losses) are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund’s next taxable year. The Fund incurred and will elect to defer post-October capital losses of $150,881,071 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

61

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate unrealized security gains and losses on investments and other financial instruments based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost  $13,791,901,223 
Gross unrealized gain   119,635,428 
Gross unrealized loss   (729,725,169)
Net unrealized security loss  $(610,089,741)

 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable to the tax treatment of certain securities, other financial instruments, amortization of premium and wash sales.

 

5. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS  

 

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

U.S.
Government
Purchases*
Non-U.S.
Government
Purchases
U.S.
Government
Sales*
Non-U.S.
Government
Sales
$7,117,708,459 $14,241,569,192 $6,066,803,032 $13,217,301,951

 

* Includes U.S. Government sponsored enterprises securities.

 

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities (“cross-trade”) from and to other Lord Abbett funds or client accounts pursuant to procedures approved by the Board in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the “Rule”). Each cross-trade is executed at a fair market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund engaged in cross-trades purchases of $21,448,939 and sales of $122,967,593 which resulted in net realized gains of $727,810.

 

6. DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES  

 

The Fund entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (as described in note 2(g)). A forward foreign currency exchange contract reduces the Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver (or settle in cash) and increases its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will receive (or settle in cash) for the duration of the contract. The Fund’s use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that Lord Abbett will not accurately predict currency movements, and the Fund’s returns could be reduced as a result. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedged positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

 

The Fund entered into U.S. Treasury futures contracts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (as described in note 2(h)) to economically hedge against changes in interest rates. The Fund bears the risk of interest rates moving unexpectedly, in which case the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and realize a loss. There is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since futures are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees futures against default.

 

The Fund entered into credit default swaps for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (as described in note 2(i)) to economically hedge credit risk. Credit default swaps involve the exchange

 

62

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

of a fixed rate premium for protection against the loss in value of an underlying security within the index in the event of a defined credit event, such as payment default or bankruptcy. Under a credit default swap one party acts as a guarantor by receiving the fixed periodic payment in exchange for the commitment to purchase the underlying security at par if the defined credit event occurs. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, either as the protection seller or as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract. For the centrally cleared credit default swaps, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since these credit default swaps are traded through a central clearinghouse. As a counterparty to all centrally cleared credit default swaps, the clearinghouse guarantees credit default swaps against default.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following derivatives at fair value, grouped into appropriate risk categories that illustrate the Fund’s use of derivative instruments:

 

Asset Derivatives  Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Credit
Contracts
   Equity
Contracts
 
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Contracts(1)          $6,508,026     
Total Return Swap Contracts(2)              $981,808 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(3)      $66,815         
Futures Contracts(4)  $29,880,039             
                     
Liability Derivatives                    
Credit Default Swap Contracts(5)          $54,193,971     
Futures Contracts(4)  $60,658,322             
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(6)      $2,682,711         

 

(1) Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation of centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(2) Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Total return swaps, at fair value.
(3) Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
(4) Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(5) Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Credit default swap agreements payable, at fair value.
(6) Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

 

63

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Transactions in derivative instruments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were as follows:

 

   Interest   Foreign         
   Rate   Currency   Credit   Equity 
   Contracts   Contracts   Contracts   Contracts 
Net Realized Gain (Loss)                    
Credit Default Swaps Contracts(1)          $5,856,417     
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(2)      $18,439,734         
Futures Contracts(3)  $71,052,013             
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation                    
Credit Default Swaps Contracts(4)          $(1,719,866)    
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(5)      $880,506         
Futures Contracts(6)  $(26,437,560)            
Total Return Swaps Contracts(4)              $981,808 
Average Number of Contracts/Notional Amounts*                    
Credit Default Swaps Contracts(7)          $1,815,705,238     
Total Return Swap Contracts(7)              $6,888,462 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts(7)      $421,287,209         
Futures Contracts(8)   33,478             

 

* Calculated based on the number of contracts or notional amounts for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(1) Statements of Operations location: Net realized gain on swap contracts.
(2) Statements of Operations location: Net realized gain on foreign currency exchange contracts.
(3) Statements of Operations location: Net realized gain on futures contracts.
(4) Statements of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts.
(5) Statements of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts.
(6) Statements of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts.
(7) Amount represents notional amounts in U.S. dollars.
(8) Amount represents number of contracts.

 

7. DISCLOSURES ABOUT OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) requires disclosures intended to help better assess the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a fund’s financial position. The following tables illustrate gross and net information about recognized assets and liabilities eligible for offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; and disclose such amounts subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement, by counterparty. A master netting agreement is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty which provides for the net settlement of amounts owed under all contracts traded under that agreement, as well as cash collateral, through a single payment by one party to the other in the event of default on or termination of any one contract. The Fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the master netting agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty:

 

64

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Description  Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
   Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
   Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts  $66,815   $   $66,815
Total Return Swaps Contract   981,808        981,808
Repurchase Agreement   20,725,575        20,725,575
Total  $21,774,198   $   $21,774,198

 

   Net Amounts                
   of Assets   Amounts Not Offset in the      
   Presented in   Statement of Assets and Liabilities      
   the Statement       Cash   Securities    
   of Assets and   Financial   Collateral   Collateral   Net
Counterparty  Liabilities   Instruments   Received(a)   Received(a)   Amount(b)
Fixed Income Clearing Corp.  $20,725,575      $   $   $(20,725,575)  $
Goldman Sachs   605,085    (605,085)           
J.P. Morgan Chase   264,231    (264,231)           
Morgan Stanley   147,655    (147,655)           
Toronto Dominion Bank   31,652    (31,652)           
Total  $21,774,198   $(1,048,623)  $   $(20,725,575)  $

 

Description  Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities   Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
   Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Credit Default Contracts  $54,193,971   $   $54,193,971
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts   2,682,711        2,682,711
Reverse Repurchase Agreement   1,783,301        1,783,301
Total  $58,659,983   $   $58,659,983

 

   Net Amounts                
   of Liabilities   Amounts Not Offset in the    
   Presented in   Statement of Assets and Liabilities    
   the Statement       Cash   Securities    
   of Assets and   Financial   Collateral   Collateral   Net
Counterparty  Liabilities   Instruments   Pledged(a)   Pledged(a)   Amount(c)
Credit Suisse  $8,569,542      $   $(8,569,542)  $   $
Deutsche Bank   6,655,603        (6,650,000)       5,603
Goldman Sachs   6,064,610    (605,085)   (5,459,525)       
J.P. Morgan Chase   2,957,143    (264,231)   (1,060,000)       1,632,912
Morgan Stanley   31,730,374    (147,655)   (31,582,719)       
State Street Bank and Trust   846,630        (510,000)       336,630
Toronto Dominion Bank   1,836,081    (31,652)   (1,570,000)       234,429
Total  $58,659,983   $(1,048,623)  $(55,401,786)  $   $2,209,574

 

(a) Collateral disclosed is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets (liabilities) presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, for each respective counterparty.
(b) Net amount represents the amount owed to the Fund by the counterparty as of December 31, 2018.
(c) Net amount represents the amount owed by the Fund to the counterparty as of December 31, 2018.

 

65

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

8. DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION  

 

The Fund’s officers and one Director, who are associated with Lord Abbett, do not receive any compensation from the Fund for serving in such capacities. Independent Directors’ fees are allocated among all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds based on the net assets of each fund. There is an equity-based plan available to all Independent Directors under which Independent Directors must defer receipt of a portion of, and may elect to defer receipt of an additional portion of Directors’ fees. The deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in the funds. Such amounts and earnings accrued thereon are included in Directors’ fees on the Statement of Operations and in Directors’ fees payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes until such amounts are paid.

 

9. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS  

 

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its transfer agent and custodian, whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s expenses.

 

10. LINE OF CREDIT  

 

During the period ended August 8, 2018, the Fund and certain other funds managed by Lord Abbett (collectively, the “Participating Funds”) participated in a syndicated line of credit facility with various lenders for $600 million (the “Facility”), whereas State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”) participates as a lender and as agent for the lenders. The Facility is to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to satisfy redemptions. The Participating Funds are subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of Fund assets (if Fund assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, or $350 million, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings. During the period ended August 8, 2018, the Fund did not utilize the Facility.

 

For the period August 9, 2018 through December 20, 2018, the Participating Funds entered into an amended syndicated line of credit facility with various lenders for $1.06 billion (the “Syndicated Facility”), whereas SSB participates as a lender and as agent for the lenders. Under the Syndicated Facility, the Participating Funds are subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of Fund assets (if Fund assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, $350 million, or $1 billion, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings. Effective December 21, 2018, the Participating Funds entered into an amended Syndicated Facility with various lenders for $1.1 billion based on the same terms as described above.

 

Effective August 9, 2018, the Participating Funds entered into an additional line of credit facility with SSB for $250 million (the “Bilateral Facility,” and together with the Syndicated Facility, the “Facilities”). Under the Bilateral Facility, each Participating Fund may borrow up to the lesser of $250 million or one- third of Fund assets. The Facilities are to be used for temporary or emergency purposes to satisfy redemption requests and manage liquidity.

 

For the period from August 9, 2018 through December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize the Facilities.

 

11. INTERFUND LENDING PROGRAM  

 

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC exemptive order”), certain registered open-end management investment companies managed by Lord Abbett, including the Fund, participate in a joint lending and borrowing program (the “Interfund

 

66

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Lending Program”). The SEC exemptive order allows the Fund to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes subject to the limitations and conditions.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not participate as a borrower or lender in the Interfund Lending Program.

 

12. CUSTODIAN AND ACCOUNTING AGENT  

 

SSB is the Fund’s custodian and accounting agent. SSB performs custodial, accounting and recordkeeping functions relating to portfolio transactions and calculating the Fund’s NAV.

 

 

13. INVESTMENT RISKS  

 

The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities and to the changing prospects of individual companies and/or sectors in which the Fund invests. The value of an investment will change as interest rates fluctuate and in response to market movements. When interest rates rise, the prices of debt securities are likely to decline; when rates fall, such prices tend to rise. Longer-term debt securities are usually more sensitive to interest rate changes. There is also the risk that an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest to the Fund, a risk that is greater with high-yield securities (sometimes called “lower-rated bonds” or “junk bonds”), in which the Fund may substantially invest. Some issuers, particularly of high-yield securities, may default as to principal and/or interest payments after the Fund purchases its securities. A default, or concerns in the market about an increase in risk of default, may result in losses to the Fund. High-yield securities are subject to greater price fluctuations, as well as additional risks. The market for below investment grade securities may be less liquid, which may make such securities more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of financial distress, increased market volatility, or significant market decline.

 

The Fund is subject to the risk of investing in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities (such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”)). Unlike Ginnie Mae securities, securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-related organizations such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so by law. Consequently, the Fund may be required to look principally to the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation.

 

The mortgage-related and asset-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults. These changes can affect the value, income, and/or liquidity of such positions. When interest rates are declining, the value of these securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. Early principal repayment may deprive the Fund of income payments above current market rates. Alternatively, rising interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a security and typically reducing its value. The payment rate will thus affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security. In addition, the Fund may invest in non-agency asset backed and mortgage related securities, which are issued by private institutions, not by government-sponsored enterprises.

 

67

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in equity securities, the value of which fluctuates in response to movements in the equity securities markets in general, the changing prospects of individual companies in which the Fund invests, or an individual company’s financial condition.

 

The Fund may invest in convertible securities, which have both equity and fixed income risk characteristics, including market, credit, liquidity, and interest rate risks. Generally, convertible securities offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality and less potential for gains or capital appreciation in a rising equity securities market than equity securities. They tend to be more volatile than other fixed income securities and the market for convertible securities may be less liquid than the markets for stocks or bonds. A significant portion of convertible securities have below investment grade credit ratings and are subject to increased credit and liquidity risks.

 

Due to the Fund’s investment exposure to foreign companies and American Depositary Receipts, the Fund may experience increased market, industry and sector, liquidity, currency, political, information, and other risks. The securities of foreign companies also may be subject to inadequate exchange control regulations, the imposition of economic sanctions or other government restrictions, higher transaction and other costs, and delays in settlement to the extent they are traded on non-U.S. exchanges or markets.

 

The Fund is subject to the risks associated with derivatives, which may be different from and greater than the risks associated with directly investing in securities. Derivatives may be subject to risks such as liquidity risk, leveraging risk, interest rate risk, market risk, and credit risk. Illiquid securities may lower the Fund’s returns since the Fund may be unable to sell these securities at their desired time or price. Derivatives also may involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the value of the underlying asset, rate or index. Whether the Fund’s use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, the Fund’s ability to correctly forecast market movements and other factors. Losses may also arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations. If the Fund incorrectly forecasts these and other factors, the Fund’s performance could suffer. The Fund’s use of derivatives could result in a loss exceeding the amount of the Fund’s investment in these instruments.

 

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in floating rate or adjustable rate senior loans, including bridge loans, novations, assignments, and participations, which are subject to increased credit and liquidity risks. Senior loans are business loans made to borrowers that may be U.S. or foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. The senior loans in which the Fund invests may consist primarily of senior loans that are rated below investment grade or, if unrated, deemed by Lord Abbett to be equivalent to below investment grade securities. Below investment grade senior loans, as in the case of high-yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are usually more credit sensitive than interest rate sensitive, although the value of these instruments may be impacted by broader interest rate swings in the overall fixed income market. In addition, senior loans may be subject to structural subordination.

 

These factors can affect the Fund’s performance.

 

68

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

14. SUMMARY OF CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS  

 

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2018
   Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
Class A Shares  Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Shares sold   89,042,771   $715,517,851    130,421,720   $1,062,666,423 
Converted from Class B*   725,710    5,954,085    5,005,101    40,753,976 
Converted from Class C**   42,540,947    341,584,436         
Reinvestment of distributions   32,122,488    253,143,937    23,671,425    193,498,676 
Shares reacquired   (139,461,180)   (1,109,191,945)   (152,458,116)   (1,239,565,300)
Increase   24,970,736   $207,008,364    6,640,130   $57,353,775 
                     
Class B Shares                    
Shares sold   350   $1,372    157,434   $1,272,177 
Reinvestment of distributions   3,780    31,162    109,093    889,855 
Shares reacquired   (84,851)   (694,589)   (966,972)   (7,862,216)
Converted to Class A*   (723,417)   (5,954,085)   (4,987,084)   (40,753,976)
Decrease   (804,138)  $(6,616,140)   (5,687,529)  $(46,454,160)
                     
Class C Shares                    
Shares sold   31,268,208   $251,885,686    41,611,419   $340,570,323 
Reinvestment of distributions   9,385,524    74,297,016    8,313,336    68,129,835 
Shares reacquired   (51,447,004)   (411,326,771)   (61,659,318)   (502,939,276)
Converted to Class A**   (42,435,232)   (341,584,436)        
Decrease   (53,228,504)  $(426,728,505)   (11,734,563)  $(94,239,118)
                     
Class F Shares                    
Shares sold   253,719,826   $2,036,261,266    376,928,985   $3,064,862,711 
Reinvestment of distributions   25,443,252    200,126,782    17,965,603    146,757,467 
Shares reacquired   (226,304,503)   (1,785,567,950)   (263,911,211)   (2,168,609,611)
Increase   52,858,575   $450,820,098    130,983,377   $1,043,010,567 
                     
Class F3 Shares(a)                    
Shares sold   94,593,905   $756,207,322    134,987,915   $1,110,817,647 
Reinvestment of distributions   11,496,201    89,940,220    2,005,568    16,481,862 
Shares reacquired   (32,893,600)   (259,525,702)   (3,822,127)   (31,457,352)
Increase   73,196,506   $586,621,840    133,171,356   $1,095,842,157 
                     
Class I Shares                    
Shares sold   54,051,383   $431,982,693    86,548,200   $710,918,084 
Reinvestment of distributions   7,780,452    61,042,373    3,413,127    27,821,715 
Shares reacquired   (63,691,245)   (502,420,870)   (20,418,964)   (166,070,091)
Increase (decrease)   (1,859,410)  $(9,395,804)   69,542,363   $572,669,708 
                     
Class P Shares                    
Shares sold   249,640   $2,045,598    567,197   $4,718,360 
Reinvestment of distributions   146,936    1,187,883    204,932    1,711,749 
Shares reacquired   (1,948,530)   (16,225,112)   (1,478,406)   (12,360,600)
Decrease   (1,551,954)  $(12,991,631)   (706,277)  $(5,930,491)

 

69

 

Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2018
   Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
Class R2 Shares  Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Shares sold   365,702   $2,951,667    716,109   $5,790,307 
Reinvestment of distributions   30,106    237,641    24,247    198,610 
Shares reacquired   (629,724)   (5,053,425)   (313,038)   (2,547,617)
Increase (decrease)   (233,916)  $(1,864,117)   427,318   $3,441,300 
                     
Class R3 Shares                    
Shares sold   4,877,246   $39,068,672    6,926,590   $56,141,762 
Reinvestment of distributions   1,121,177    8,808,906    784,980    6,408,309 
Shares reacquired   (3,945,159)   (31,669,016)   (5,488,388)   (44,396,572)
Increase   2,053,264   $16,208,562    2,223,182   $18,153,499 
                     
Class R4 Shares                    
Shares sold   2,255,095   $18,064,121    931,435   $7,342,108 
Reinvestment of distributions   84,687    662,989    19,728    161,790 
Shares reacquired   (837,046)   (6,630,028)   (192,083)   (1,554,649)
Increase   1,502,736   $12,097,082    759,080   $5,949,249 
                     
Class R5 Shares                    
Shares sold   1,820,043   $14,564,194    3,759,364   $30,034,372 
Reinvestment of distributions   243,244    1,907,052    148,299    1,207,888 
Shares reacquired   (1,324,437)   (10,494,608)   (633,158)   (5,143,854)
Increase   738,850   $5,976,638    3,274,505   $26,098,406 
                     
Class R6 Shares                    
Shares sold   12,151,378   $97,535,616    7,495,631   $60,862,794 
Reinvestment of distributions   701,225    5,482,843    174,435    1,423,439 
Shares reacquired   (5,638,275)   (44,812,345)   (1,208,481)   (9,776,672)
Increase   7,214,328   $58,206,114    6,461,585   $52,509,561 
                     
Class T Shares(b)                    
Shares sold      $    1,218   $10,000 
Reinvestment of distributions   27    220    29    236 
Shares reacquired   (1,274)   (10,229)        
Increase (decrease)   (1,247)  $(10,009)   1,247   $10,236 

 

* Automatic conversion of Class B shares occurred on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th day was not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the day on which the purchase order was accepted. Class B shares were closed on April 25, 2018.
** Automatic conversion of Class C shares occurs on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th day is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the tenth anniversary of the day on which the purchase order was accepted.
(a) Shares commenced on April 4, 2017.
(b) Shares commenced on July 28, 2017.

 

70

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the shareholders and Board of Directors of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2018, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
February 28, 2019

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Lord Abbett Family of Funds’ investment companies since 1932.

 

71

 

Basic Information About Management

 

The Board is responsible for the management of the business and affairs of the Fund in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland. The Board elects officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund and who execute policies authorized by the Board. The Board also approves an investment adviser to each Fund and continues to monitor the cost and quality of the services the investment adviser provides, and annually considers whether to renew the contract with the adviser. Generally, each Director holds office until his/her successor is elected and qualified or until his/her earlier resignation or removal, as provided in the Fund’s organizational documents.

 

Lord Abbett, a Delaware limited liability company, is the Fund’s investment adviser. Designated Lord Abbett personnel are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

Interested Directors

 

Mr. Sieg is affiliated with Lord Abbett and is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the Act. Mr. Sieg is director/trustee of each of the 13 investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, which consist of 61 investment portfolios. Mr. Sieg is an officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds.

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Fund
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years
Douglas B. Sieg
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1969)
  Director since 2016; President and Chief Executive Officer since 2018  

Principal Occupation: Managing Partner (since 2018) and was formerly Head of Client Services, joined Lord Abbett in 1994.

 

Other Directorships: None.

 

 

 

 

Independent Directors

 

The following Independent Directors also are directors/trustees of each of the 13 investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, which consist of 61 investment portfolios.

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Fund
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years
Eric C. Fast
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1949)
  Director since 2014  

Principal Occupation: Chief Executive Officer of Crane Co., an industrial products company (2001–2014).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (since 2007) and Regions Financial Corporation (since 2010). Previously served as a director of Crane Co. (1999–2014).

         
Evelyn E. Guernsey
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1955)
  Director since 2011  

Principal Occupation: None.

 

Other Directorships: None.

 

 

72

 

Basic Information About Management (continued)

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Fund
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years
Julie A. Hill
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1946)
  Director since 2004  

Principal Occupation: Owner and CEO of The Hill Company, a business consulting firm (since 1998).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Anthem, Inc., a health benefits company (since 1994).

 

         
Kathleen M. Lutito
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1963)
  Director since 2017  

Principal Occupation: President and Chief Investment Officer of CenturyLink Investment Management Company (since 2006).

 

Other Directorships: None

 

         
James M. McTaggart
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1947)
  Director since 2012  

Principal Occupation: Independent management advisor and consultant (since 2012).

 

Other Directorships: Blyth, Inc., a home products company (2004–2015).

 

         
Karla M. Rabusch
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1959)
  Director since 2017  

Principal Occupation: President and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (2003–2017); President of Wells Fargo Funds (2003–2016).

 

Other Directorships: None.

 

         
Mark A. Schmid
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1959)
  Director since 2016  

Principal Occupation: Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the University of Chicago (since 2009).

 

Other Directorships: None.

 

         
James L.L. Tullis
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1947)
  Director since 2006; Chairman since 2017  

Principal Occupation: CEO of Tullis-Dickerson and Co. Inc., a venture capital management firm (1990–2016); CEO of Tullis Health Investors-FL LLC. (since 2012).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Crane Co. (since 1998), Alphatec Spine, Inc. (since 2018), and electroCore, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Officers

 

None of the officers listed below have received compensation from the Fund. All of the officers of the Fund also may be officers of the other Lord Abbett Funds and maintain offices at 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Unless otherwise indicated, the position(s) and title(s) listed under the “Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years” column indicate each officer’s position(s) and title(s) with Lord Abbett. Each officer serves for an indefinite term (i.e., until his or her death, resignation, retirement, or removal).

 

73

 

Basic Information About Management (continued)

 

Name and
Year of Birth
  Current Position
with the Fund
  Length of Service
of Current

Position
  Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Douglas B. Sieg
(1969)
  President and Chief Executive Officer   Elected as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2018   Managing Partner of Lord Abbett (since 2018) and was formerly Head of Client Services, joined Lord Abbett in 1994.
             
Robert A. Lee
(1969)
  Executive Vice President   Elected in 2016   Partner and Chief Investment Officer, and was formerly Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Director of Taxable Fixed Income, joined Lord Abbett in 1997.
             
Steven F. Rocco
(1979)
  Executive Vice President   Elected in 2014   Partner and Director of Taxable Fixed Income, joined Lord Abbett in 2004.
             
Pamela P. Chen
(1978)
  Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Privacy Officer   Elected in 2018   Associate General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2017 and was formerly Special Counsel at Schulte, Roth & Zabel LLP (2005–2017).
             
Robert S. Clark
(1975)
  Vice President   Elected in 2018   Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2010.
             
John T. Fitzgerald
(1975)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2018   Deputy General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2018 and was formerly Deputy Head of U.S. Funds Legal, Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase (2005–2018).
             
Christopher J. Gizzo
(1986)
  Vice President   Elected in 2018   Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2008.
             
Bernard J. Grzelak
(1971)
  Chief Financial Officer and Vice President   Elected in 2017   Partner, Chief Operating Officer, Global Funds and Risk, joined Lord Abbett in 2003.
             
Linda Y. Kim
(1980)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2016   Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2015 and was formerly an Associate at Stroock & Stroock  & Lavan LLP (2007–2015).

 

74

 

Basic Information About Management (concluded)

 

Name and
Year of Birth
  Current Position
with the Fund
  Length of Service
of Current
Position
  Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Joseph M. McGill
(1962)
  Chief Compliance Officer   Elected in 2014   Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, joined Lord Abbett in 2014 and was formerly Managing Director and the Chief Compliance Officer at UBS Global Asset Management (2003–2013).
             
A. Edward Oberhaus, III
(1959)
  Vice President   Elected in 1996   Partner and Director, joined Lord Abbett in 1983.
             
Andrew H. O’Brien
(1973)
  Vice President   Elected in 2016   Partner and Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 1998.
             
Amanda S. Ryan
(1978)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2018   Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2016 and was formerly a Director and Corporate Counsel at PGIM Investments (2012–2016).
             
Lawrence B. Stoller
(1963)
  Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   Elected in 2007   Partner and General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2007.
             
Leah G. Traub
(1979)
  Vice President   Elected in 2016   Partner and Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2007.
             
Kewjin Yuoh
(1971)
  Vice President   Elected in 2016   Partner and Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2010.
             
Jackson C. Chan
(1964)
  AML Compliance Officer   Elected in 2018   Deputy Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Regulatory Affairs, joined Lord Abbett in 2014 and was formerly Director at UBS Global Asset Management (2005–2014).
             
Vito A. Fronda
(1969)
  Treasurer   Elected in 2018   Partner and Director of Taxation, joined Lord Abbett in 2003.

 

Please call 888–522–2388 for a copy of the statement of additional information, which contains further information about the Fund’s Directors. It is available free upon request.

 

75

 

Approval of Advisory Contract

 

The Board, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund or of Lord Abbett, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Directors”), annually considers whether to approve the continuation of the existing management agreement between the Fund and Lord Abbett (the “Agreement”). In connection with its most recent approval, the Board reviewed materials relating specifically to the Agreement, as well as numerous materials received throughout the course of the year, including information about the Fund’s investment performance compared to the performance of its benchmarks. Before making its decision as to the Fund, the Board had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information, taking into account its knowledge of Lord Abbett gained through its meetings and discussions. These meetings and discussions included reviews of Fund performance conducted by members of the Contract Committee, the deliberations of the Contract Committee, and discussions between the Contract Committee and Lord Abbett’s management. The Independent Directors also met with their independent legal counsel in various private sessions at which no representatives of management were present.

 

The materials received by the Board included, but were not limited to: (1) information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions (“Broadridge”) regarding the investment performance of the Fund compared to the investment performance of certain funds with similar investment styles as determined by Broadridge, based, in part, on the Fund’s Morningstar category (the “performance peer group”), and the investment performance of two appropriate benchmarks; (2) information provided by Broadridge regarding the expense ratios, contractual and actual management fee rates, and other expense components for the Fund and certain funds in the same Morningstar category, with generally the same or similar share classes and operational characteristics, including asset size (the “expense peer group”); (3) certain supplemental investment performance information provided by Lord Abbett; (4) information provided by Lord Abbett on the expense ratios, management fee rates, and other expense components for the Fund; (5) sales and redemption information for the Fund; (6) information regarding Lord Abbett’s financial condition; (7) an analysis of the relative profitability of the Agreement to Lord Abbett; (8) information provided by Lord Abbett regarding the investment management fee schedules for Lord Abbett’s other advisory clients maintaining accounts with a similar investment strategy as the Fund; and (9) information regarding the personnel and other resources devoted by Lord Abbett to managing the Fund.

 

Investment Management and Related Services Generally. The Board considered the services provided by Lord Abbett to the Fund, including investment research, portfolio management, and trading, and Lord Abbett’s commitment to compliance with all applicable legal requirements. The Board also observed that Lord Abbett was solely engaged in the investment management business and accordingly did not experience the conflicts of interest that may result from being engaged in other lines of business. The Board considered the investment advisory services provided by Lord Abbett to other clients, the fees charged for the services, and the differences in the nature of the services provided to the Fund and other Lord Abbett Funds, on the one hand, and the services provided to other clients, on the other. After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded that the Fund was likely to continue to benefit from the nature, extent and quality of the investment services provided by Lord Abbett under the Agreement.

 

Investment Performance. The Board reviewed the Fund’s investment performance in relation to that of the performance peer group and two appropriate benchmarks as of various periods ended August 31, 2018. The Board observed that the Fund’s investment performance was above the median of the performance peer group for the one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods. The Board

 

76

 

Approval of Advisory Contract (continued)

 

further considered Lord Abbett’s performance and reputation generally, the performance of other Lord Abbett-managed funds overseen by the Board, and the willingness of Lord Abbett to take steps intended to improve performance when appropriate. After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded that the Fund’s Agreement should be continued.

 

Lord Abbett’s Personnel and Methods. The Board considered the qualifications of the personnel providing investment management services to the Fund, in light of its investment objective and discipline, and other services provided to the Fund by Lord Abbett. Among other things, the Board considered the size, experience, and turnover of Lord Abbett’s staff, Lord Abbett’s investment methodology and philosophy, and Lord Abbett’s approach to recruiting, training, and retaining personnel.

 

Nature and Quality of Other Services. The Board considered the nature, quality, and extent of compliance, administrative, and other services performed by Lord Abbett and the nature and extent of Lord Abbett’s supervision of third party service providers, including the Fund’s transfer agent and custodian.

 

Expenses. The Board considered the expense level of the Fund, including the contractual and actual management fee rates, and the expense levels of the Fund’s expense peer group. It also considered how the expense level of the Fund related to those of the expense peer group and the amount and nature of the fees paid by shareholders. The Board observed that the net total expense ratio of the Fund was below the median of the expense peer group. After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of its overall approval of the Agreement, that the expense level of the Fund was reasonable and supported the continuation of the Agreement.

 

Profitability. The Board considered the level of Lord Abbett’s operating margin in managing the Fund, including a review of Lord Abbett’s methodology for allocating its costs to its management of the Fund. It considered whether the Fund was profitable to Lord Abbett in connection with the Fund’s operation, including the fee that Lord Abbett receives from the Fund for providing administrative services to the Fund. The Board also considered the profits realized from other business segments of Lord Abbett, which may benefit from or be related to the Fund’s business. The Board considered Lord Abbett’s profit margins excluding Lord Abbett’s marketing and distribution expenses. The Board also considered Lord Abbett’s profit margins, without those exclusions, in comparison with available industry data and how those profit margins could affect Lord Abbett’s ability to recruit and retain personnel. The Board recognized that Lord Abbett’s overall profitability was a factor in enabling it to attract and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Fund. After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of its overall approval of the Agreement, that Lord Abbett’s profitability with respect to the Fund was not excessive.

 

Economies of Scale. The Board considered the extent to which there had been economies of scale in managing the Fund, whether the Fund’s shareholders had appropriately benefited from such economies of scale, and whether there was potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board concluded that the existing management fee schedule, with its breakpoints in the level of the management fee, adequately addressed any economies of scale in managing the Fund.

 

Other Benefits to Lord Abbett. The Board considered the amount and nature of the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s shareholders to Lord Abbett and the Distributor for services other than investment advisory services, such as the fee that Lord Abbett receives from the Fund for providing administrative services to the Fund. The Board also considered the revenues and profitability of Lord Abbett’s investment advisory business apart from its mutual fund business, and the intangible benefits enjoyed by Lord Abbett by virtue of its relationship with the Fund. The Board observed that

 

77

 

Approval of Advisory Contract (concluded)

 

the Distributor receives 12b-1 fees from certain of the Lord Abbett Funds as to shares held in accounts for which there is no other broker of record, may retain a portion of the 12b-1 fees it receives, and receives a portion of the sales charges on sales and redemptions of some classes of shares of the Lord Abbett Funds. In addition, the Board observed that Lord Abbett accrues certain benefits for its business of providing investment advice to clients other than the Lord Abbett Funds, but that business also benefits the Funds. The Board also noted that Lord Abbett, as disclosed in the prospectus of the Fund, has entered into revenue sharing arrangements with certain entities that distribute shares of the Lord Abbett Funds. The Board also took into consideration the investment research that Lord Abbett receives as a result of client brokerage transactions.

 

Alternative Arrangements. The Board considered whether, instead of approving continuation of the Agreement, it might be in the best interests of the Fund to implement one or more alternative arrangements, such as continuing to employ Lord Abbett, but on different terms. After considering all of the relevant factors, the Board unanimously found that continuation of the Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and voted unanimously to approve the continuation of the Agreement. In considering whether to approve the continuation of the Agreement, the Board did not identify any single factor as paramount or controlling. Individual Directors may have evaluated the information presented differently from one another, giving different weights to various factors. This summary does not discuss in detail all matters considered.

 

78

 

Householding

 

The Fund has adopted a policy that allows it to send only one copy of the Fund’s prospectus, proxy material, annual report and semiannual report to certain shareholders residing at the same “household.” This reduces Fund expenses, which benefits you and other shareholders. If you need additional copies or do not want your mailings to be “householded,” please call Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388 or send a written request with your name, the name of your fund or funds and your account number or numbers to Lord Abbett Family of Funds, P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121.

 

Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Records

 

A description of the policies and procedures that Lord Abbett uses to vote proxies related to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and information on how Lord Abbett voted the Fund’s proxies during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, (i) by calling 888-522-2388; (ii) on Lord Abbett’s Website at www.lordabbett.com; and (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Website at www.sec.gov.

 

Shareholder Reports and Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

 

The Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for its first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Copies of the filings are available without charge, upon request on the SEC’s Website at www.sec.gov and may be available by calling Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388.

 

Tax Information

 

3% of the ordinary income distributions paid by the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2018 is qualified dividend income. For corporate shareholders, 3% of the Fund’s ordinary income distributions qualified for the dividend received deduction.

 

Additionally, of the distribution paid to the shareholders during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, $66,246,138 and $138,554,337, respectively, represent short-term capital gains and long-term capital gains.

 

For foreign shareholders, 96% of the net investment income distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 represents interest-related dividends.

 

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

This report, when not used for the general information of shareholders of the Fund, is to be distributed only if preceded or accompanied by a current fund prospectus.      
       
Lord Abbett mutual fund shares are distributed by     LABD-2
LORD ABBETT DISTRIBUTOR LLC.   Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (2/19)
 
Item 2: Code of Ethics.

 

(a)In accordance with applicable requirements, the Registrant adopted a Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics on June 19, 2003 that applies to the principal executive officer and senior financial officers of the Registrant (“Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics was in effect during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (the “Period”).

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

(c)The Registrant has not amended the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the Period.

 

(d)The Registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the Period.

 

(e)Not applicable.

 

(f)See Item 12(a)(1) concerning the filing of the Code of Ethics.

 

Item 3: Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The Registrant’s board of directors has determined that each of the following independent directors who are members of the audit committee is an audit committee financial expert: Evelyn E. Guernsey, Karla M. Rabusch and Mark A. Schmid. Each of these persons is independent within the meaning of the Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4: Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

In response to sections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of Item 4, the aggregate fees billed to the Registrant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 by the Registrant’s principal accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (collectively, “Deloitte”) were as follows:

 

   Fiscal year ended:
   2018  2017
Audit Fees {a}  $76,800   $76,800 
Audit-Related Fees   - 0 -    - 0 - 
Total audit and audit-related fees   76,800    76,800 
           
Tax Fees {b}   12,046    12,014 
All Other Fees   - 0 -    - 0 - 
           
    Total Fees  $88,846   $88,814 
 
 

 

  {a} Consists of fees for audits of the Registrant’s annual financial statements.
   
  {b} Fees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 consist of fees for preparing the U.S. Income Tax Return for Regulated Investment Companies, New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Return, New Jersey Annual Report Form, U.S. Return of Excise Tax on Undistributed Income of Investment Companies, IRS Forms 1099-MISC and 1096 Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns.  

 

(e) (1) Pursuant to Rule 2-01(c) (7) of Regulation S-X, the Registrant’s Audit Committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures. Such policies and procedures generally provide that the Audit Committee must pre-approve:

 

·any audit, audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided to the Lord Abbett Funds, including the Registrant, and
·any audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided to the Registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to one or more Funds comprising the Registrant if the engagement relates directly to operations and financial reporting of a Fund, by the independent auditor to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence.

 

The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chairman, subject to a fee limit of $10,000 per event, and not to exceed $25,000 annually. The Chairman will report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditor has received general pre-approval, it must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

(e) (2) The Registrant’s Audit Committee has approved 100% of the services described in this Item 4 (b) through (d).

 

(f) Not applicable.

 

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant are shown above in the response to Item 4 (a), (b), (c) and (d) as “All Other Fees”.

 

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were:

 
  Fiscal year ended:
  2018 2017
All Other Fees {a} $200,339 $201,416

 

 

 

  {a} Consist of fees for Independent Services Auditors’ Report on Controls Placed in Operation and Tests of Operating Effectiveness related to Lord Abbett’s Asset Management Services (“SOC-1 Report”).  

 

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to entities under the common control of Lord Abbett for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were:

  Fiscal year ended:
  2018 2017
All Other Fees $ - 0 - $ - 0 -

 

 

 

(h) The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant, that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X and has determined that the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining Deloitte’s independence.

 

Item 5: Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
   
  Not applicable.
   
Item 6: Investments.
   
  Not applicable.
   
Item 7: Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
   
  Not applicable.
   
Item 8: Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
   
  Not applicable.
   
Item 9: Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
 
  Not applicable.
   
Item 10: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
   
  Not applicable.
   
Item 11: Controls and Procedures.
   
  (a) Based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to them by others within those entities.
   
  (b) There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of 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: Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)The Lord Abbett Family of Funds Sarbanes Oxley Code of Ethics for the Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto as part of Ex-99. CODEETH.

 

(a)(2)Certification of each Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto as a part of EX-99.CERT.

 

(b)Certification of each Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is provided as a part of EX-99.906CERT.
 

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.

 

  LORD ABBETT BOND-DEBENTURE FUND, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Douglas B. Sieg  
    Douglas B. Sieg
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: February 28, 2019

 

By: /s/ Bernard J. Grzelak  
  Bernard J. Grzelak  
  Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

Date: February 28, 2019

 

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

 

By: /s/ Douglas B. Sieg  
  Douglas B. Sieg
  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: February 28, 2019

 

By: /s/ Bernard J. Grzelak  
  Bernard J. Grzelak
  Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

Date: February 28, 2019

 

EX-99.CODE ETH

 

THE LORD ABBETT FAMILY OF FUNDS
SARBANES-OXLEY CODE OF ETHICS
FOR THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICERS

 

I.Covered Officers/Purpose of the Code

 

The Lord Abbett Family of Funds’ code of ethics (the “Code”) for the investment companies within the complex (collectively, “Funds” and each individually a “Fund”), applies to each Fund’s Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers (the “Covered Officers”, each of whom is set forth in Exhibit A) for the purpose of promoting:

 

·honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

·full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds;

 

·compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;

 

·the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and

 

·accountability for adherence to the Code.

 

Each Covered Officer should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.

 

II.Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Any Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest

 

Overview. A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Covered Officer’s private interest interferes with the interests of, or his/her service to, a Fund. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his/her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his/her position with a Fund.

 

Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and a Fund and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Fund because of their status as “affiliated persons” of the investment adviser to each of the Funds. The compliance programs and procedures of Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”) are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of such requirements. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code.

 

Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between each of the Funds

 

June 2003

 

and Lord Abbett of which the Covered Officers are also members. As a result, this Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for a Fund or for Lord Abbett, or for both), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions which will have different effects on Lord Abbett and each of the Funds. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between each of the Funds and Lord Abbett and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of one or more Funds and, if addressed in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, will be deemed to have been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the Funds that the Covered Officers are also officers of the other Lord Abbett investment companies covered by this and by a separate code of ethics.

 

Other conflicts of interest are covered by this Code, even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. In reading the following examples of conflicts of interest under this Code, Covered Officers should keep in mind that such a list cannot ever be exhaustive by covering every possible scenario. It follows that the overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interest of a Fund.

 

*                    *                    *                    *

 

Each Covered Officer must:

 

·not use his/her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by a Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Fund; and

 

·not cause a Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than the benefit the Fund.

 

There are some potential conflict of interest situations that should be discussed with Lord Abbett’s General Counsel if material. Examples of these include:

 

·service as a director on the board of any public company;

 

·any direct ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Funds’ service providers, other than Lord Abbett or any affiliated person of Lord Abbett;

 

·a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by a Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares, other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer’s employment, such as compensation or as a member of Lord Abbett.

 

III.Disclosure & Compliance

 

·Each Covered Officer should familiarize him/herself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Funds;

 

June 2003

 
·each Covered Officer should not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about a Fund to others, whether within or outside Lord Abbett or a Fund, including to a Fund’s independent directors/trustees and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations;

 

·each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his/her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Funds and Lord Abbett with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Funds file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds; and

 

·it is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

IV.Reporting and Accountability

 

Each Covered Officer must:

 

·upon adoption of the Code, affirm in writing to the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of a Fund that he/she has received, read, and understands the Code;

 

·annually thereafter affirm to the Committee that he/she has complied with the requirements of the Code;

 

·report at least annually such affiliations or other relationships related to conflicts of interest as covered by the Funds’ Annual Directors & Officers Questionnaire;

 

·not retaliate against any employee or member of Lord Abbett for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith; and

 

·notify Lord Abbett’s General Counsel promptly if he/she alleges any violation of this Code. Failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code.

 

Lord Abbett’s General Counsel is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. The General Counsel may consult, as appropriate, with the Committee, and/or counsel to the Independent Directors, and is encouraged to do so. However, any approvals or waivers sought by the Covered Persons will be considered by the Committee.

 

June 2003

 

Each of the Funds will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code:

 

·Lord Abbett’s General Counsel will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him;

 

·if, after such investigation, the General Counsel believes that no violation has occurred, the General Counsel is not required to take any further action, but he shall discuss with the Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting his investigation and conclusion;

 

·any matter that the General Counsel believes is a violation will be reported to the Committee;

 

·if the Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, it will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of Lord Abbett; or a recommendation to dismiss the Covered Officer;

 

·the Committee will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and

 

·any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules.

 

V.Other Policies and Procedures

 

This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Funds for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Funds, the Funds’ adviser, principal underwriter, or other service providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code, they are superceded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Funds’ and Lord Abbett’s codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code.

 

VI.Amendments

 

Except as to the individuals listed in Exhibit A, this Code may not be amended except in written form, which is specifically approved or ratified by a majority vote of a Fund’s independent directors/trustees.

 

VII.Confidentiality

 

All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Committee and its counsel.

 

June 2003

 
VIII.Internal Use

 

The Code is intended solely for the internal use by each of the Funds and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of any Fund, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: June 19, 2003

 

June 2003

 

Exhibit A

 

Persons Covered by this Code of Ethics   Position With Funds
     
Douglas B. Sieg   Principal Executive Officer   President and Chief Executive
Officer
         
Bernard J. Grzelak   Principal Financial Officer   Chief Financial Officer and
Vice President
         
Vito A. Fronda   Principal Accounting Officer   Treasurer

 

November 2018

 

EX-99.CERT

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

Pursuant to Section 302 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

I, Douglas B. Sieg, certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture 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 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 second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.The Registrant’s other certifying officer 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: February 28, 2019  
   
  /s/ Douglas B. Sieg  
  Douglas B. Sieg
  President and Chief Executive Officer
   
 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

Pursuant to Section 302 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

I, Bernard J. Grzelak, certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture 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 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 second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.The Registrant’s other certifying officer 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: February 28, 2019  
   
  /s/ Bernard J. Grzelak  
  Bernard J. Grzelak
  Chief Financial Officer and Vice President
 

EX-99.906CERT

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

Pursuant to Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Each of the undersigned below certifies that:

 

1.This report on Form N-CSR Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

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

 

Date:  February 28, 2019  
   
By:  /s/ Douglas B. Sieg  
  Douglas B. Sieg
  President and Chief Executive Officer
   
By:  /s/ Bernard J. Grzelak  
  Bernard J. Grzelak
  Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

 

A SIGNED ORIGINAL OF THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 906, OR OTHER DOCUMENT AUTHENTICATING, ACKNOWLEDGING, OR OTHERWISE ADOPTING THE SIGNATURE THAT APPEARS IN TYPED FORM WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 906, HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE REGISTRANT AND WILL BE RETAINED BY THE REGISTRANT AND FURNISHED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ITS STAFF UPON REQUEST.

 


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