NAC Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund

 

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Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

Chair’s Letter
to Shareholders

Dear Shareholders,

The COVID-19 crisis is taking an unprecedented toll on our health, societies, economies and financial markets. Our thoughts are with you during this time of significant disruption caused by the disease and its economic fallout.

A renewed increase in COVID-19 cases in some areas, including an outbreak affecting President Trump and White House staffers and contacts, showed that controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus remains an ongoing public health concern as economies reopen and social activities resume. In the meantime, medical knowledge is improving and some areas have been able to implement much narrower restrictions when infection clusters have recurred. This has helped an economic recovery gain traction, with a significant recovery in jobs, consumer spending, manufacturing and other indicators from their weakest levels. Additionally, progress toward a vaccine and treatments has been promising, while the timeline is unknown. Markets have recently taken an optimistic view, but the path of the economy from here and the upcoming U.S. presidential election are increasingly in the forefront.

While we do not want to understate the dampening effect on the global economy, it is important to differentiate short-term interruptions from the longer-lasting implications to the economy. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, some areas of the global economy were showing signs of improvement after trade tensions had weighed on economic activity for much of 2019. More recently, countries that have reopened have seen marked improvement in some near-term economic indicators. Central banks and governments around the world have announced economic stimulus measures and pledged to continue doing what it takes to support their economies. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate to near zero and introduced similar programs that helped revive the U.S. economy after the 2008 financial crisis. The U.S. Government has approved three relief packages, including a $2 trillion-dollar package directly supporting businesses and individuals. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, called the CARES Act, has provided direct payments and expanded unemployment benefits to individuals, loans and grants to small businesses, loans and other money to large corporations and funding for hospitals, public health, education and state and local governments. In the European Union, the European Central Bank recently increased the size of its Pandemic Emergency Purchase Program, known as PEPP, to $1.6 trillion from $882 billion and extended its duration to June 2021.

In the meantime, patience and a long-term perspective are key for investors. When market fluctuations are the leading headlines day after day, it’s tempting to “do something.” However, your long-term goals can’t be met with short-term thinking. We encourage you to talk to your financial professional, who can review your time horizon, risk tolerance and investment goals. On behalf of the other members of the Nuveen Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

Terence J. Toth
Chair of the Board
October 23, 2020

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Portfolio Manager’s Comments


Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (NCA)
Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2 (NCB)
Nuveen California AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund (NKX)
Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund (NAC)

These Funds feature portfolio management by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (NAM), an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Funds’ investment adviser. Portfolio manager Scott R. Romans, PhD, reviews key investment strategies and the six-month performance of these Nuveen California Municipal Funds. Scott has managed NCA, NKX and NAC since 2003 and NCB since its inception in 2009.

During August 2020, the Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2 (NCB) was approved for merger into Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (NCA) by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. The merger is pending shareholder approval.

An Update on COVID-19 Coronavirus and its Impact on the Securities Markets

Slowing COVID-19 coronavirus infection rates around the world encouraged authorities to loosen restrictions on business and social activity in recent months. While economic indicators have improved considerably from the depths of the shutdown, some regions, including the U.S. and Europe, have seen an uptick in infection rates after reopening, which prompted tightening coronavirus restrictions in some areas. Additionally, certain government programs supporting businesses and workers are expiring with little clarity on extensions or replacement options. Amid these challenges, the pace of recovery appeared to be moderating, and short-term market volatility has picked up again.

The initial market response was severe, but the responses from central banks and governments to ease the strain on financial systems, businesses and individuals, as well as positive vaccine news, have helped markets bounce back from the depths of the crisis. Although the detection of the virus in China was made public in December 2019, markets did not start to fully acknowledge the risks and potential economic impact until the latter portion of February 2020, when outbreaks outside of China were first reported. Global stock markets sold off severely, with the S&P 500® index reaching a bear market (a 20% drop from the previous high) within three weeks, the fastest bear market decline in history. Even certain parts of the bond market suffered; below investment grade municipal and corporate bonds generally dropped the furthest, mostly out of concerns for the continued financial stability of lower quality

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This material is not intended to be a recommendation or investment advice, does not constitute a solicitation to buy, sell or hold a security or an investment strategy and is not provided in a fiduciary capacity. The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Investment decisions should be made based on an investor’s objectives and circumstances and in consultation with his or her advisors.

Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio manager as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. The Funds disclaim any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group (S&P), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings, while BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below investment grade ratings. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

Bond insurance guarantees only the payment of principal and interest on the bond when due, and not the value of the bonds themselves, which will fluctuate with the bond market and the financial success of the issuer and the insurer. Insurance relates specifically to the bonds in the portfolio and not to the share prices of a Fund. No representation is made as to the insurers’ ability to meet their commitments.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

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Portfolio Manager’s Comments (continued)

issuers. Demand for safe-haven assets, along with mounting recession fears, drove the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note to 0.5% in March 2020, an all-time low. Additionally, oil prices collapsed to an 18-year low on supply glut concerns, as shutdowns across the global economy sharply reduced oil demand, although oil prices have recovered to well above those lows.

While most markets have recovered most of their losses, volatility will likely remain elevated until the health crisis itself is under control (via fewer new cases, lower infection rates and/or verified treatments or vaccines). There are still many unknowns and new information is incoming daily, compounding the difficulty of modeling outcomes for epidemiologists and economists alike.

Nuveen, LLC and our portfolio management teams are monitoring the situation carefully and continuously refining our views and approaches to managing the Funds to best pursue investment objectives while mitigating risks through all market environments.

What key strategies were used to manage these Funds during the six-month reporting period ended August 31, 2020?

Each Fund seeks to provide current income exempt from both regular federal and California state income taxes, and in the case of NKX the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) applicable to individuals, by investing primarily in a portfolio of municipal obligations issued by state and local government authorities within the state of California or certain U.S. territories. Under normal market conditions, each Fund invests at least 80% of the sum of its net assets and the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in municipal bonds that pay interest that is exempt from regular federal personal income tax and California’s personal income tax. Each Fund may invest up to 20% in municipal securities that are exempt from regular federal income tax, but not from California’s income tax if, in the Sub-Adviser’s judgement, such purchases are expected to enhance the Fund’s after-tax total return potential. To the extent that the Funds invest in bonds of municipal issuers located in other states, each Fund may have income that is not exempt from state personal income tax. For NCA and NCB, each Fund’s use of tender option bonds to more efficiently implement its investment strategy may create up to 10% effective leverage.

During the six-month reporting period, the municipal bond market endured a liquidity-driven sell-off followed by an uneven recovery across the credit quality spectrum. With the Federal Reserve (Fed) providing a backstop, the highest credit quality segments of the market snapped back relatively quickly. However, the turnaround in lower rated municipal credits and sectors was slower to materialize amid macroeconomic uncertainty and a broader reevaluation of municipal credit risk.

As the economic shock caused by coronavirus containment measures was becoming apparent in March 2020, financial markets including U.S. municipal bonds responded dramatically. Interest rate volatility spiked, municipal bond prices severely dislocated from Treasury bond prices and municipal credit spreads widened to levels significantly above the long-term average. Quick intervention from the Fed to inject liquidity into the financial system and bolster confidence in the credit markets brought stability, supporting a rebound in the high grade segments of the municipal bond market. Lower rated, higher yielding municipal bonds, however, were slower to rebound, as these credits are more typically found in sectors more affected by the coronavirus, including transportation, lodging, convention centers, hospitals, senior living facilities and higher education.

Despite the elevated volatility in March and April 2020, interest rates ended the six-month reporting period down slightly from the beginning of the reporting period. A sharper fall in short-term rates, driven by the Fed moving its benchmark target rate to zero, steepened the yield curve. Demand for municipal bonds began to recover, with investor inflows resuming a positive trend after the March-April 2020 sell-off, including in high yield municipal bonds. Issuance also approached more normal levels by the end of the

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reporting period. Notably, taxable municipal bonds’ share of issuance has risen meaningfully over the past year, which has increased the scarcity value of tax-exempt municipal bonds. Supply-demand conditions have therefore remained favorable for municipal bonds, helping credit spreads to narrow from the widest levels seen during the pandemic-induced volatility. At the state level, the California municipal market outperformed the national market, as measured by the S&P Municipal Bond California Index and S&P Municipal Bond Index, respectively.

We continued to take a bottom-up approach to discovering sectors that appeared undervalued as well as individual credits that we believed had the potential to perform well over the long term. Our trading activity continued to focus on pursuing the Funds’ investment objectives. In the beginning weeks of the reporting period, our buying continued along the same lines as the previous six months. Given a lack of attractive longer-term opportunities amid very low rates and tight credit spreads in early March 2020, we kept the Funds fully invested by purchasing high grade bonds to serve as temporary placeholders.

The COVID-19 crisis related sell-off over the remainder of March and into April 2020 drove interest rates higher and credit spreads wider, allowing us to take advantage of the higher yields and more attractive relative value opportunities now on offer in the marketplace. We rotated out of the high grade, lower yielding “placeholder” positions into longer-term positions in lower rated, higher yielding bonds. We also sought to capture tax efficiencies and enhance the Funds’ income distribution capabilities by selling depreciated bonds with lower embedded yields and buying similar structures offering higher embedded yields. During this reporting period, the Funds bought credits issued for tobacco, housing, airports and airport-related, health care, land secured projects, charter schools and Puerto Rico. We funded these buys using the proceeds from called and maturing bonds, as well as the aforementioned selling of high grade paper.

As of August 31, 2020, NKX and NAC continued to use inverse floating rate securities. We employ inverse floaters for a variety of reasons, including duration management, income enhancement and total return enhancement.

How did the Funds perform during the six-month reporting period ended August 31, 2020?

The tables in each Fund’s Performance Overview and Holding Summaries section of this report provide the Funds’ total returns for the six-month, one-year, five-year and ten-year periods ended August 31, 2020. Each Fund’s returns on common share net asset value (NAV) are compared with the performance of corresponding market indexes.

For the six months ended August 31, 2020, the total returns at common share NAV for all four Funds underperformed the returns for the S&P Municipal Bond California Index and the national S&P Municipal Bond Index.

The Funds’ duration and yield curve positioning was disadvantageous during this reporting period. Our emphasis on longer duration bonds, which offer comparatively higher yields, was a headwind to performance as longer duration bonds underperformed shorter duration bonds during this reporting period.

Credit quality allocations also detracted from performance. The Funds’ exposure to lower rated, higher yielding debt underper-formed the market during this reporting period, particularly among bonds rated BBB and lower. Most of the underperformance in the lower rated segments occurred in the March-April 2020 sell-off, and while credit spread recovery continued over the subsequent months, spreads were still wide of pre-pandemic levels at the close of this reporting period.

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Portfolio Manager’s Comments (continued)

On a sector basis, the best performing areas were those composed of predominantly high quality bonds such as pre-refunded and state general obligations (GOs). The utilities sector performed well because of its perception as a relatively defensive sector that is less vulnerable to coronavirus-related impacts. Tobacco securitization bonds also outperformed during this reporting period. Not surprisingly, the weakest performing sectors were those with greater COVID-19 crisis risks and/or more exposure to lower rated bonds. The health care sector underperformed. Hospital profit margins were under pressure from the higher costs associated with treating COVID-19 patients along with the loss of revenues from the cancellation of elective procedures, and senior living facilities faced uncertainty due to their high risk population. Declining travel and commuting trends, along with the potential for super-spreader events, hampered the outlook for the transportation sector. The housing and higher education sectors also lagged.

We note that NCB underperformed NCA due to NCB’s higher allocation to lower rated bonds and, to a lesser extent, its slightly longer duration than NCA. NAC’s underperformance relative to NKX was attributable to NAC’s greater exposure to lower rated bonds, which was somewhat offset by NAC’s more favorable duration positioning. Because NKX does not invest in alternative minimum tax (AMT) bonds, which are predominantly issued in lower rated sectors such as airports and industrial development revenue/pollution control revenue (especially resource recovery), the Fund was less exposed to the underperformance of those sectors. In addition, the use of regulatory leverage was a factor affecting the performance of NKX and NAC. NCA and NCB do not use regulatory leverage. Leverage is discussed in more detail later in the Fund Leverage section of this report.

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Fund Leverage

IMPACT OF THE FUNDS’ LEVERAGE STRATEGIES ON PERFORMANCE

One important factor impacting the returns of the Funds’ common shares relative to their comparative benchmarks was the Funds’ use of leverage through their issuance of preferred shares and/or investments in inverse floating rate securities, which represent leveraged investments in underlying bonds. The Funds use leverage because our research has shown that, over time, leveraging provides opportunities for additional income. The opportunity arises when short-term rates that the Fund pays on its leveraging instruments are lower than the interest the Fund earns on its portfolio of long-term bonds that it has bought with the proceeds of that leverage. This has been particularly true in the recent market environment where short-term rates have been low by historical standards.

However, use of leverage can expose Fund common shares to additional price volatility. When a Fund uses leverage, the Fund’s common shares will experience a greater increase in their net asset value if the municipal bonds acquired through the use of leverage increase in value, but will also experience a correspondingly larger decline in their net asset value if the bonds acquired through leverage decline in value, which will make the shares’ net asset value more volatile, and total return performance more variable, over time.

In addition, common share income in levered funds will typically decrease in comparison to unlevered funds when short-term interest rates increase and increase when short-term interest rates decrease. In recent quarters, fund leverage expenses have generally tracked the overall movement of short-term tax-exempt interest rates. While fund leverage expenses are somewhat higher than their recent lows, leverage nevertheless continues to provide the opportunity for incremental common share income, particularly over longer-term periods.

Leverage from issuance of preferred shares had a negative impact on the performance of NKX and NAC over the reporting period. The use of leverage through inverse floating rate securities had a negligible impact on the performance of NKX and NAC over the reporting period.

As of August 31, 2020, the Funds’ percentages of leverage are as shown in the accompanying table.

 

 

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Refer to Notes to Financial Statements, Note 5 — Fund Shares, for further details on preferred shares and each Fund’s respective transactions.

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Each Fund seeks to pay regular monthly dividends out of its net investment income at a rate that reflects its past and projected net income performance. To permit each Fund to maintain a more stable monthly dividend, the Fund may pay dividends at a rate that may be more or less than the amount of net income actually earned by the Fund during the period. Distributions to shareholders are determined on a tax basis, which may differ from amounts recorded in the accounting records. In instances where the monthly dividend exceeds the earned net investment income, the Fund would report a negative undistributed net ordinary income. Refer to Note 6 – Income Tax Information for additional information regarding the amounts of undistributed net ordinary income and undistributed net long-term capital gains and the character of the actual distributions paid by the Fund during the period.

All monthly dividends paid by each Fund during the current reporting period were paid from net investment income. If a portion of the Fund’s monthly distributions is sourced or comprised of elements other than net investment income, including capital gains and/or a return of capital, shareholders will be notified of those sources. For financial reporting purposes, the per share amounts of each Fund’s distributions for the reporting period are presented in this report’s Financial Highlights. For income tax purposes, distribution information for each Fund as of its most recent tax year end is presented in Note 6 – Income Tax Information within the Notes to Financial Statements of this report.

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUND DISTRIBUTION AMOUNTS

The Nuveen Closed-End Funds’ monthly and quarterly periodic distributions to shareholders are posted on www.nuveen.com and can be found on Nuveen’s enhanced closed-end fund resource page, which is at https://www.nuveen.com/resource-center-closed-endfunds, along with other Nuveen closed-end fund product updates. To ensure timely access to the latest information, shareholders may use a subscribe function, which can be activated at this web page (https://www.nuveen.com/subscriptions).

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Common Share Information (continued)

COMMON SHARE EQUITY SHELF PROGRAM

During the current reporting period, NKX was authorized by the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue additional common shares through an equity shelf program (“Shelf Offering”). Under this program NKX, subject to market conditions, may raise additional capital from time to time in varying amounts and offering methods at a net price at or above the Fund’s NAV per common share. Under the Shelf Offering, NKX was authorized to issue additional shares as shown in the accompanying table.

 

*  Represents additional authorized common shares for the period July 10, 2020 through August 31, 2020.

During the current reporting period, NKX did not sell common shares through its shelf program.

Refer to the Notes to Financial Statements, Note 5 – Fund Shares for further details of Shelf Offering and the Fund’s transactions.

 

During the current reporting period, the Funds did not repurchase any of their outstanding common shares.

 

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Risk Considerations

Risk Considerations

Fund shares are not guaranteed or endorsed by any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (NCA)

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2 (NCB)

Investing in closed-end funds involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Closed-end fund shares may frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, derivatives risk, liquidity risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. State concentration makes the Fund more susceptible to local adverse economic, political, or regulatory changes affecting municipal bond issuers. These and other risk considerations such as tax risk are described in more detail on the Fund’s web page at www.nuveen.com/NCA and www.nuveen.com/NCB.

Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NKX)

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund (NAC)

Investing in closed-end funds involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Closed-end fund shares may frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, derivatives risk, liquidity risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Leverage increases return volatility and magnifies the Fund’s potential return and its risks; there is no guarantee a fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. State concentration makes the Fund more susceptible to local adverse economic, political, or regulatory changes affecting municipal bond issuers. These and other risk considerations such as inverse floater risk and tax risk are described in more detail on the Fund’s web page at www.nuveen.com/NKX and www.nuveen.com/NAC.

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Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

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This data relates to the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below-investment grade ratings. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

 

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Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

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This data relates to the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below-investment grade ratings. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

 

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Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

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This data relates to the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below-investment grade ratings. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

 

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Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

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This data relates to the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below-investment grade ratings. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.