FCO abrdn Global Income Fund Inc

abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. (FCO)

Annual Report

October 31, 2023

abrdn.com

Letter to Shareholders  (unaudited) 

abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc.

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of Nova Scotia was amended to extend the scheduled commitment termination date to February 27, 2024 with a committed facility amount of $25,000,000. The Fund’s outstanding balance as of October 31, 2023 was $20,350,000. Under the terms of the loan facility and applicable regulations, the Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverage ratios for the amount of its outstanding borrowings. The Board regularly reviews the use of leverage by the Fund. The Fund is also authorized to use reverse repurchase agreements as another form of leverage. A more detailed description of the Fund’s Revolving Credit Facility can be found in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Unclaimed Share Accounts

Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws for certain states require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property (including Fund shares) to the state. Each state has its own definition of unclaimed property, and Fund shares could be considered “unclaimed property” due to account inactivity (e.g., no owner-generated activity for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a shareholder  is returned to the Fund's transfer agent as undeliverable), or a combination of both. If your Fund shares are categorized as unclaimed, your financial advisor or the Fund's transfer agent will follow the applicable state’s statutory requirements to contact you, but if unsuccessful, laws may require that the shares be escheated to the appropriate state. If this happens, you will have to contact the state to recover your property, which may involve time and expense. For more information on unclaimed property and how to maintain an active account, please contact your financial adviser or the Fund's transfer agent.

Open Market Repurchase Program

The Board approved an open market repurchase and discount management policy (the “Program”). The Program allows the Fund to purchase, in the open market, its outstanding common shares, with the amount and timing of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's investment manager. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to NAV per share in the reasonable judgment of management based on historical discount levels and current market conditions. If shares are repurchased, the Fund reports repurchase activity on its website on a monthly basis. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through the Program.

On a quarterly basis, the Board will receive information on any transactions made pursuant to this policy during the prior quarter and if shares are repurchased management will post the number of shares repurchased on the Fund's website on a monthly basis.  Under the terms of the Program, the Fund is permitted to repurchase up to 10%

of its outstanding shares of common stock in the open market during any 12 month period.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

The Fund's complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth quarters of each fiscal year are included in the Fund's semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. These reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund makes the information available to shareholders upon request and without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465.

Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of the relevant year: (1) upon request without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Investor Relations Information

As part of abrdn’s commitment to shareholders, we invite you to visit the Fund on the web at www.abrdnfco.com. Here, you can view monthly fact sheets, quarterly commentary, distribution and performance information, and other Fund literature.

Enroll in abrdn’s email services and be among the first to receive the latest closed-end fund news, announcements, videos, and other information. In addition, you can receive electronic versions of important Fund documents, including annual reports, semi-annual reports, prospectuses and proxy statements. Sign up today at https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter/contact-us/preferences

Contact Us:

Yours sincerely,

/s/ Christian Pittard
Christian Pittard
President 

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All amounts are U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated.

Market Review

Although U.S. Treasury yields generally rose over the 12 months under review, global bond markets delivered positive returns overall. Shorter-dated government bonds outperformed, with the yield curve flattening over the period under review, while still remaining inverted. Investors now expect that the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) has delivered its final interest rate hike in October, taking the federal funds rate to 5.25–5.50%.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield briefly traded above 5.00% in October before ending the period at 4.93%, as economic data continued to illustrate a resilient U.S. economy. That said, at the time of writing, yields have fallen back, with cracks in the economic outlook starting to appear: delinquencies rising, the pandemic build-up in household savings largely run down, credit card debt hitting record levels, and an increasing number of people drawing down hardship payments from their 401k pension accounts. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar retreated from its historic highs in October 2022, although remaining at elevated levels, with the DXY Index¹ above 100 for the period under review.

While the rhetoric from developed market (DM) central banks was that interest rates would remain higher for longer, it seemed most monetary authorities were now at, or very close to, their peak policy² rates. More surprising was the loosening of the yield curve control policy by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) under its new governor, Kazuo Ueda. With the BoJ predicting that inflation will hit 2.0% in 2024, the central bank first loosened the ‘ceiling’ for the 10-year Japanese government bond yield to around 1.0%, before re-defining this as a loose ‘upper bound’ and removing its pledge to defend this level.

Asia and its central banks are in a very different position to developed markets. Data in Asia has generally remained on the weaker side and growth pressures are more evident. Currency performance was mixed, with a basket of Asian currencies strengthening against the U.S. dollar overall, mainly due to strong performance from the Thai baht, Korean won, and Sri Lankan rupee. Asian local currency government bonds delivered positive returns over the 12 months, outperforming U.S. Treasuries.

Asian corporate bonds (credit) delivered positive returns over the 12 months, although the performance deteriorated over the second half of the period as it became clear that the federal funds rate would stay elevated for longer. In addition, purchasing managers’ indices pointed to economic activity levels slowing across the region apart from in Malaysia, which was flat, and in the Philippines, which expanded at a faster rate. Economic activity contracted in October in half of Asia’s economies, including China, with only India still growing strongly in both its manufacturing and services sectors.

Asia’s inflation picture has become more nuanced, with the latest prints showing that Thailand slipped into deflation³ for the first time in over two years. Inflation printed on target in Hong Kong, India, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea, inflation was above central banks’ targets and rose further in the latest prints, most notably in the Philippines. Elsewhere, prices in China remained flat while further economic data continued to highlight economic weakness in the country.

Emerging market (EM) bonds performed strongly, driven by improved risk sentiment combined with countries making progress to achieve debt sustainability. EM central banks coming to the end of their rate-hiking cycles also contributed to performance on a local currency assets, which outperformed hard currency⁴ debt over the period under review. Investment-grade bonds⁵ outperformed lower-quality high yield (HY) bonds⁶, which fell over the 12-month period. Investment-grade spreads⁷ tightened over the period. In EM currencies, the Russian ruble underperformed against the U.S. dollar, while the Chilean peso, Mexican peso, and Brazilian real all strengthened over the 12 months.

The past 12 months-to-end October 2023 saw a reversal of fortune for HY investors. Returns were aided by a coinciding rally in government bond markets that propelled yields lower at the start of the period, while tighter credit spreads also aided performance. EM returns nearly matched the strength of the U.S. These returns were slightly tempered by rising government bond yields towards the end of the period, but it was still a solid 12 months for HY investors.

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Performance Review

The abrdn Global Income Fund returned 10.2% on a net asset value⁸ basis for the year ended October 31, 2023, versus the 6.2% return of its blended benchmark⁹ for the same period. While the performance of the net asset value includes the impact of leverage¹⁰, the benchmark performance does not. The unlevered NAV generated a return, after fees and expenses, of 7.5% for the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2023, demonstrating that the leverage added an incremental 2.7% to fund performance over that timeframe.

Tighter credit spreads and a return to favor for EM debt and global HY contributed to the positive total return for the reporting period. The Fund’s use of leverage magnified the positive impact of the investment returns on the net asset value.

Leverage is used strategically by the Fund to support its income-generating capacity. The Fund continues to benefit from a positive interest rate differential between the interest income on the investment portfolio and the cost of the leverage.

Relative to the Fund’s blended benchmark, the investment portfolio outperformed. The principal driver of the outperformance was the overweight¹¹ allocation to EM debt, while our underweight¹² exposure to Australia and New Zealand was also accretive, with this region producing negative returns over the period.

During the reporting period, the Fund's performance was positively impacted by about 2.9% due to the use of the various forms of derivatives. The use of derivatives to hedge the interest rate risk (primarily paid interest rate swap positions to fix the cost of the leverage) in the portfolio contributed positively, while the use of currency forwards detracted value.

The monthly distribution reflects the Fund’s current policy to provide shareholders with a relatively stable cash flow per share. This policy did not have a material effect on the Fund’s investment strategy over the reporting period.

Outlook

Core rates markets rallied sharply in early November 2022 after U.S. inflation printed below expectations and China announced a long-awaited easing of its COVID restrictions. This performance of the rates market gives a flavor of the environment we looked to

position for. However, we are mindful that the market may be overreacting due to technical factors around positioning, largely short rates and long U.S. dollars. The move in U.S. Treasuries prices out too much of the tail end of the policy normalization cycle, and with inflation expected to remain high, we anticipate that the Fed will likely still take the terminal rate to 4.75%–5.00%.

While EM spreads remain relatively contained following the sharp rally seen in June and July, they are well below the levels seen in March–May 2023 (during the regional banking crisis in the U.S.) as hopes of a soft landing¹³ continue. Wider concerns about the economic outlook in DM credit could harm EM relative valuations. However, if spreads move to price in the expectation of a recession, a lower Fed terminal rate¹⁴ and the end of U.S. growth exceptionalism could be beneficial for EMs. The ‘Goldilocks’ scenario for EM combines the current rate path for the Fed with the realization of Fed Chairman Powell’s forecast for a soft landing, resulting in slower U.S. growth and a weaker U.S. dollar. The two scenarios that could lead to a more challenging environment for EMs would be a higher terminal rate due to persistent U.S. inflation, or markedly lower bond yields due to financial stability risks.

Regarding HY, it appears that investors finally came to the realization that lower quality credits will struggle to refinance their bonds at reasonable levels in a higher-for-longer environment, driving spread widening across quality. We maintain our view that the higher quality end of HY offers very attractive return potential. In the meantime, we continue to be focused on looking for good credits, with long maturity runways and ample yield.

Loan Facilities and the Use of Leverage

The Fund utilizes leverage to seek to increase the yield for its shareholders. The amounts borrowed from the Fund’s loan facility may be invested to seek to return higher rates than the rates in the Fund’s portfolio. However, the cost of leverage could exceed the income earned by the Fund on the proceeds of such leverage. To the extent that the Fund is unable to invest the proceeds from the use of leverage in assets which pay interest at a rate which exceeds the rate paid on the leverage, the yield on the Fund’s common stock will decrease. In addition, in the event of a general market decline in the value of assets in which the Fund invests, the effect of that decline will be magnified in the Fund because of the additional assets purchased

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with the proceeds of the leverage. Non-recurring expenses in connection with the implementation of the loan facility will reduce the Fund’s performance.

The Fund’s leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. The funds borrowed pursuant to the loan facility may constitute a substantial lien and burden by reason of their prior claim against the income of the Fund and against the net assets of the Fund in liquidation. The Fund is not permitted to declare dividends or other distributions in the event of default under the loan facility. In the event of default under the loan facility, the lender has the right to cause a liquidation of the collateral (i.e., sell portfolio securities and other assets of the Fund) and, if any such default is not cured, the lender may be able to control the liquidation as well. A liquidation of the Fund’s collateral assets in an event of default, or a voluntary paydown of the loan facility in order to avoid an event of default, would typically involve administrative expenses and sometimes penalties. Additionally, such liquidations often involve selling off of portions of the Fund’s assets at inopportune times which can result in losses when markets are unfavorable. The loan facility has a term of three years and is not a perpetual form of leverage; there can be no assurance that the loan facility will be available for renewal on acceptable terms, if at all.

The credit agreement governing the loan facility includes usual and customary covenants for this type of transaction. These covenants impose on the Fund asset coverage requirements, Fund composition requirements and limits on certain investments, such as illiquid investments, which are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The covenants or guidelines could impede management of the Fund from fully managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies.

Furthermore, non-compliance with such covenants or the occurrence of other events could lead to the cancellation of the loan facility. The covenants also include a requirement that the Fund maintain net assets of no less than $25,000,000.

Prices and availability of leverage are extremely volatile in the current market environment. The Board regularly reviews the use of leverage by the Fund and may explore other forms of leverage. The Fund is authorized to use reverse repurchase agreements as another form of leverage. A reverse repurchase agreement involves the sale of a security, with an agreement to repurchase the same or substantially similar securities at an agreed upon price and date. Whether such a transaction produces a gain for the Fund depends upon the costs of the agreements and the income and gains of the securities purchased with the proceeds received from the sale of the security. If the income and gains on the securities purchased fail to exceed the costs, the Fund’s NAV will decline faster than otherwise would be the case.

Reverse repurchase agreements, as with any leveraging techniques, may increase the Fund’s return; however, such transactions also increase the Fund’s risks in down markets. Under the Fund's loan facilities, the Fund is charged interest on amounts borrowed at a variable rate, which may be based on a reference rate such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR”), plus a spread. Additionally, the Fund may invest in certain debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that utilize SOFR as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various interest rate calculations.

Interest Rate Swaps

The Fund enters into interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk on the credit facility. As of October 31, 2023, the Fund held interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $20,350,000 which represented 100% of the Fund’s total borrowings. Under the terms of the agreements currently in effect, the Fund receives a floating rate of interest and pays fixed rates of interest for the terms and based upon the notional amounts set forth below:

There can be no assurance that the Fund will have an interest rate swap in place at any given time nor can there be any assurance that, if an interest rate swap is in place, it will be successful in hedging the Fund’s interest rate risk with respect to the loan facility.

Risk Considerations

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Foreign securities may be more volatile, harder to price and less liquid than U.S. securities. They are subject to risks associated with less stringent accounting and regulatory standards, the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuation, political and economic instability, reduced information about issuers, higher transaction costs and delayed settlement. The Fund focuses its investments in the Asia-Pacific region, which may subject the Fund to more volatility and greater risk of loss than geographically diverse funds.

Fixed income securities are subject to certain risks including, but not limited to: interest rate (changes in interest rates may cause a decline in the market value of an investment), credit (changes in the financial condition of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or underlying collateral), prepayment (debt issuers may repay or refinance their loans or obligations earlier than anticipated), extension (principal repayments may not occur as quickly as anticipated, causing the

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

1.  Organization

abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on June 28, 1991, as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. The Fund’s principal investment objective is to provide high current income by investing primarily in fixed income securities. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation, but only when consistent with its principal investment objective. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in debt securities. This 80% investment policy is a non-fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") upon 60 days prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund’s investments are divided into three categories: Developed Markets, Investment Grade Developing Markets and Sub-Investment Grade Developing Markets. “Developed Markets” are those countries and/or regions contained in the FTSE World Government Bond Index, New Zealand, Luxembourg and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As of October 31, 2023, securities of the following countries comprised the FTSE World Government Bond Index: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States. New Zealand was added to the FTSE World Government Bond Index in November 2022. "Investment Grade Developing Markets" are those countries and /or regions that are not Developed Markets, and whose sovereign debt is rated not less than Baa3 by Moody's Investor Services ("Moody's") or BBB- by Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P"), or comparably rated by another appropriate nationally or internationally recognized rating agency. As of October 31, 2023, "Investment Grade Developing Markets" are comprised of the following countries and/or regions: Andorra, Aruba,  Bermuda, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), and Uruguay. “Sub-Investment Grade Developing Markets” are those countries that are not Developed Markets or Investment Grade Developing Markets. Under normal circumstances, at least 60% of the Fund’s total assets are invested in fixed income securities of issuers in Developed Markets or Investment Grade Developing Markets, whether or not denominated in the currency of such country; provided, however, that the Fund invests at least 40% of its total assets in fixed income securities of issuers in Developed Markets. The Fund may invest up to 40% of its total assets in fixed income securities of issuers in Sub-Investment Grade Developing

Markets, whether or not denominated in the currency of such country. Fixed income securities of issuers in Sub-Investment Grade Developing Markets may be rated below investment grade, as described below, at the time of investment (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”). Below investment grade securities are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal when due. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Fund to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry, country or region.

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States of America. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. Dollars and the U.S. Dollar is used as both the functional and reporting currency.

a.  Security Valuation:

The Fund values its securities at current market value or fair value, consistent with regulatory requirements. "Fair value" is defined in the Fund's Valuation and Liquidity Procedures as the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants without a compulsion to transact at the measurement date. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), the Board designated abrdn Asia Limited (“abrdn Asia” or the “Investment Manager”) as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for the Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments for which market quotations are not readily available or deemed unreliable.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under U.S. GAAP, the Fund discloses the fair value of its investments using a three-level hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy assigns Level 1, the highest level, measurements to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, Level 2 measurements to valuations based upon other significant observable inputs, including adjusted quoted prices in

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active markets for similar assets, and Level 3, the lowest level, measurements to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation. 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 including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, which are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Open-end mutual funds are valued at the respective net asset value ("NAV") as reported by such company. The prospectuses for the registered open-end management investment companies in which the Fund invests explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing. Closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the market price of the security at the Valuation Time (defined below). A security using any of these pricing methodologies is generally determined to be a Level 1 investment.

Long-term debt and other fixed-income securities are valued at the last quoted or evaluated bid price on the valuation date provided by an independent pricing service provider. If there are no current day bids, the security is valued at the previously applied bid. Pricing services generally price debt securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional “round lot” size and the strategies employed by the Valuation Designee generally trade in round lot sizes. In certain circumstances, some trades may occur in smaller “odd lot” sizes which may be effected at lower, or higher, prices than institutional round lot trades. Short-term debt securities (such as commercial paper and U.S. treasury bills) having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at the last quoted or evaluated bid price on the valuation date provided by an independent pricing service, or on the basis of amortized cost, if it represents the best approximation of fair value. Debt and other fixed-income securities are generally determined to be Level 2 investments.

Short-term investments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents invested in short-term investment funds which are redeemable daily. The Fund sweeps available cash into the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, which has elected to qualify as a “government money market fund” pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, and has an objective, which is not guaranteed, to maintain a $1.00 per share NAV. Generally, these investment types are categorized as Level 1 investments.

Derivatives are valued at fair value. Exchange traded derivatives are generally Level 1 investments and over-the-counter and centrally cleared derivatives are generally Level 2 investments. Forward foreign currency contracts are generally valued based on the bid price of the forward rates and the current spot rate. Forward exchange rate quotations are available for scheduled settlement dates, such as 1-, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month periods. An interpolated valuation is derived based on the actual settlement dates of the forward contracts held. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price or at the last bid price if no settlement price is available. Interest rate swaps agreements are generally valued by an approved pricing agent based on the terms of the swap agreement (including future cash flows).

In the event that a security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closes before the Valuation Time), the security is valued at fair value as determined by the Valuation Designee, taking into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances using valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. Under normal circumstances the Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). A security that has been fair valued by the  Manager may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the nature of the inputs.

The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments;

Level 2 - other significant observable inputs (including valuation factors, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk, etc.); or

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

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During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, there have been no transfers between levels and no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies. Level 3 investments held during and at the end of the fiscal year in relation to net assets were not significant (0.0% of total net assets) and accordingly, a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 is not presented. The valuation technique used at October 31, 2023 was fair valuation at zero pursuant to procedures approved by the Board.

b.  Restricted Securities:

Restricted securities are privately-placed securities whose resale is restricted under U.S. securities laws. The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including unregistered securities eligible for resale without registration pursuant to Rule 144A and privately-placed securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers offered outside the U.S. without registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

(the "1933 Act"). Rule 144A securities may be freely traded among certain qualified institutional investors, such as the Fund, but resale of such securities in the U.S. is permitted only in limited circumstances.

c.  Foreign Currency Translation:

Foreign securities, currencies, and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate of said currencies against the U.S. Dollar, as of the Valuation Time, as provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Board.

Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. Dollars on the following basis:

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities – at the current daily rates of exchange at the Valuation Time; and

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(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses – at the relevant rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Fund isolates that portion of the results of operations arising from changes in the foreign exchange rates due to the fluctuations in the market prices of the securities held at the end of the reporting period. Similarly, the Fund isolates the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of portfolio securities sold during the reporting period.

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses represent foreign exchange gains and losses from transactions in foreign currencies and forward foreign currency contracts, exchange gains or losses realized between the trade date and settlement date on security transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. Dollar. Generally, when the U.S. Dollar rises in value against foreign currency, the Fund's investments denominated in that foreign currency will lose value because the foreign currency is worth fewer U.S. Dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. Dollar falls in relative value.

d.  Rights Issues and Warrants:

Rights issues give the right, normally to existing shareholders, to buy a proportional number of additional securities at a given price (generally at a discount) within a fixed period (generally a short-term period) and are offered at the company's discretion. Warrants are securities that give the holder the right to buy common stock at a specified price for a specified period of time. Rights issues and warrants are speculative and have no value if they are not exercised before the expiration date. Rights issues and warrants are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are traded.

e.  Derivative Financial Instruments:

The Fund is authorized to use derivatives to manage currency risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk and to replicate, or use as a substitute for, physical securities. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract. The use of derivative instruments involves, to varying degrees, elements of market risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

A forward foreign currency exchange contract ("forward contract") involves an obligation to purchase and sell a specific currency at a

future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward contracts are used to manage the Fund's currency exposure in an efficient manner. They are used to sell unwanted currency exposure that comes with holding securities in a market, or to buy currency exposure where the exposure from holding securities is insufficient to give the desired currency exposure either in absolute terms or relative to a particular benchmark or index. The use of forward contracts allows for the separation of investment decision-making between foreign exchange holdings and their currencies.

The forward contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Forward contracts' prices are received daily from an independent pricing provider. When the forward contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. These realized and unrealized gains and losses are reported on the Statement of Operations. The Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or from unanticipated movements in exchange rates. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund used forward contracts to hedge its currency exposure.

While the Fund may enter into forward contracts to seek to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain risks. The Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in exchange rates. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be an imperfect correlation between the Fund’s portfolio holdings or securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by the Fund. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge, which will expose the Fund to the risk of foreign exchange loss.

Forward contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparties to such contracts may default on their obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing house, a default on the contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the market price at the time of the default.

Swaps

A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows and/or meet certain obligations at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates (interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps, currency exchange rates in the case of currency swaps) or the occurrence of a

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credit event with respect to an underlying reference obligation (in the case of a credit default swap) for a specified amount of an underlying asset or notional principal amount. The Fund will enter into swaps only on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the amount of the difference between the two payments. Except for currency swaps and credit default swaps, the notional principal amount is used solely to calculate the payment streams but is not exchanged. With respect to currency swaps, actual principal amounts of currencies may be exchanged by the counterparties at the initiation, and again upon the termination of the transaction.

Traditionally, swaps were customized, privately negotiated agreements executed between two parties (“OTC Swaps”) but since 2013, certain swaps are required to be cleared pursuant to rules and regulations related to the Dodd – Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd Frank”) and/or Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 on OTC Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories (“EMIR”) (“Cleared Swaps”). Like OTC Swaps, Cleared Swaps are negotiated bilaterally. Unlike OTC Swaps, the act of clearing results in two swaps executed between each of the parties and a central counterparty (“CCP”), and thus the counterparty credit exposure of the parties is to the CCP rather than to one another. Upon entering into a Cleared Swap, the Fund is required to pledge an amount of cash and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This payment is known as “initial margin”. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” are calculated each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the fair value/market value of the underlying assets. An unrealized gain/(loss) equal to the variation margin is recognized on a daily basis. When the contract

matures or is terminated, the gain or loss is realized and is presented in the Statements of Operations as a net realized gain or loss on swap contracts. The margin requirements associated with OTC Swaps and Cleared Swaps may not be the same.

Entering into swap agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. 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 and that there may be unfavorable changes in the value of the index or securities underlying the agreement. The Fund's maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk related to swaps is the fair value of the contract. This risk is mitigated by the posting of collateral by the counterparties to the Fund to cover the Fund's exposure to the counterparty.

Interest Rate Swaps

The Fund may use interest rate swap contracts to manage its exposure to interest rates. Interest rate swap contracts typically represent the exchange between the Fund and a counterparty of respective commitments to make variable rate and fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. Interest rate swap contracts may have a term that is greater than one year, but typically require periodic interim settlement in cash, at which time the specified value of the variable interest rate is reset for the next settlement period. Net payments of interest are recorded as realized gains or losses. During the period that the swap contract is open, the contract is marked-to-market as the net amount due to or from the Fund and changes in the value of swap contracts are recorded as unrealized gains or losses.

Summary of Derivative Instruments:

The Fund may use derivatives for various purposes as noted above. The following is a summary of the fair value of derivative instruments, not accounted for as hedging instruments, as of October 31, 2023:

	Risk Exposure Category
	Interest Rate Contracts	Foreign Currency Contracts	Credit Contracts	Equity Contracts	Commodity Contracts	Other	Total
Assets:
Unrealized appreciation on:
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts	$              –	$  16,934	$–	$–	$–	$–	$     16,934
Swap Contracts	1,717,543	–	–	–	–	–	1,717,543
Total	$1,717,543	$  16,934	$–	$–	$–	$–	$1,734,477

Information about derivatives reflected as of the date of this report is generally indicative of the type of activity for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023. The table below summarizes the weighted average values of derivatives holdings for the Fund during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023.

Derivative	Average Notional Value
Swap Contracts at Notional Amount	$18,850,000
Foreign Currency Contracts Purchased	$ 13,288,711
Foreign Currency Contracts Sold	$   8,118,543

f.  Bank Loans:

The Fund may invest in bank loans. Bank loans include floating and fixed-rate debt obligations. Floating rate loans are debt obligations issued by companies or other entities with floating interest rates that reset periodically. Bank loans may include, but are not limited to, term loans, delayed funding loans, bridge loans and revolving credit facilities. Loan interest will primarily take the form of assignments purchased in the primary or secondary market but may include participations. Floating rate loans are secured by specific collateral of the borrower and are senior to most other securities of the borrower (e.g., common stock or debt instruments) in the event of bankruptcy. Floating rate loans are often issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and refinancings. Floating rate loans are typically structured and administered by a financial institution that acts as the agent of the lenders participating in the floating rate loan. Floating rate loans may be acquired directly through the agent, as an assignment from another lender who holds a direct interest in the floating rate loan, or as a participation interest in another lender’s portion of the floating rate loan.

The Fund may also enter into, or acquire participation in, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are borrowings in which the Fund agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrowing issuer for a specified term. A revolving credit facility differs from a delayed funding loan in that as the borrowing issuer repays the loan,

an amount equal to the repayment is again made available to the borrowing issuer under the facility. The borrowing issuer may at any time borrow and repay amounts so long as, in the aggregate, at any given time the amount borrowed does not exceed the maximum amount established by the loan agreement. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for floating or variable rates of interest.

See “Bank Loan Risk” under “Portfolio Investment Risks” for information regarding the risks associated with an investment in bank loans.

g.  Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses:

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) from security and foreign currency transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted or amortized on an effective yield basis over the estimated lives of the respective securities.

h.  Distributions:

The Fund has a managed distribution policy to pay distributions from net investment income supplemented by net realized foreign exchange gains, net realized short-term capital gains, net realized long-term capital gains and return of capital distributions, if necessary, on a monthly basis. The managed distribution policy is subject to regular review by the Board. The Fund will also declare and pay distributions at least annually from net realized gains on investment transactions and net realized foreign exchange gains, if any. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

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i.  Federal Income Taxes:

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code"), and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve the Fund from all federal income taxes. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for each of the most recent four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 are subject to such review.

j.  Foreign Withholding Tax:

Dividend and interest income from non-U.S. sources received by the Fund are generally subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes. In addition, the Fund may be subject to capital gains tax in certain countries in which it invests. The above taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of applicable U.S. income tax treaties with some of these countries. The Fund accrues such taxes when the related income is earned.

In addition, when the Fund sells securities within certain countries in which it invests, the capital gains realized may be subject to tax. Based on these market requirements and as required under GAAP, the Fund accrues deferred capital gains tax on securities currently held that have unrealized appreciation within these countries. The amount of deferred capital gains tax accrued, if any,  is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

k.  Cash Flow Information:

The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains on investment and currency transactions which are paid in cash or are reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. Cash includes domestic and foreign currency as well as cash in segregated accounts for financial futures, swaps, and forward contracts which has been designated as collateral.

l.  Payment-In-Kind:

The Fund may invest in the open market or receive pursuant to debt restructuring, securities that pay-in-kind ("PIK") the interest due on such debt instruments. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual

rate specified, is added to the existing principal balance of the debt when issued bonds have same terms as the bond or recorded as a separate bond when terms are different from the existing debt, and is recorded as interest income.

3.  Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates

Investment Manager, Investment Sub-Adviser and Fund Administrator:

abrdn Asia Limited serves as the Investment Manager to the Fund, pursuant to a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”). abrdn Investments Limited (the "Sub-Adviser") serves as the sub-adviser, pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement. The Investment Manager and the Sub-Adviser (collectively, the “Advisers”) are wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of abrdn plc. In rendering advisory services, the Advisers may use the resources of investment advisor subsidiaries of abrdn plc. These affiliates have entered into procedures pursuant to which investment professionals from affiliates may render portfolio management and research services as associated persons of the Advisers.

The Investment Manager manages the Fund’s investments and makes investment decisions on behalf of the Fund, including the selection of and the placement of orders with, brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser manages the portion of the Fund’s assets that the Investment Manager allocates to it. The Sub-Adviser is paid by the Investment Manager, not the Fund.

The Management Agreement provides the Investment Manager with a fee, payable monthly by the Fund, at the following annual rates: 0.65% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets up to $200 million, 0.60% of Managed Assets between $200 million and $500 million, and 0.55% of Managed Assets in excess of $500 million. Managed Assets is defined in the Management Agreement as net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund paid the Investment Manager $456,297.

abrdn, Inc., an affiliate of the Advisers, is the Fund’s administrator, pursuant to an agreement under which abrdn, Inc. receives a fee, payable monthly by the Fund, at an annual fee rate of 0.125% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets up to $1 billion, 0.10% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets between $1 billion and $2 billion, and 0.075% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets in excess of $2 billion. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, abrdn, Inc. earned $87,749 from the Fund for administration services.

Investor Relations:

Under the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement, abrdn, Inc. provides and/or engages third parties to provide investor relations services to the Fund and certain other funds advised by abrdn Asia or

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its affiliates as part of an Investor Relations Program. Under the Investor Relations Services Agreement, the Fund owes a portion of the fees related to the Investor Relations Program (the “Fund’s Portion”). However, Investor Relations Services fees are limited by abrdn, Inc. so that the Fund will only pay up to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets. Any difference between the capped rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets and the Fund’s Portion is paid for by abrdn, Inc.

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund incurred investor relations fees of approximately $57,780. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, abrdn, Inc. bore $31,890 of the investor relations cost allocated to the Fund because the investor relations fees were above 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets on an annual basis.

4.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, were $32,414,992 and $22,065,598, respectively.

5.  Capital

The authorized capital of the Fund is 300 million shares of $0.001 par value per share of common stock. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund reinvested 26,982 shares pursuant to its Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan. As of October 31, 2023, there were 13,392,080 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

On September 23, 2021, the Fund entered into an underwriting sales agreement with Jones Trading Institutional Services LLC (“Jones”), pursuant to which the Fund may offer and sell up to $35,000,000 of common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Shares”), from time to time, through Jones as its agent, in transactions deemed to be “at the market” as defined in Rule 415 under the 1933 Act (the “ATM Offering”). During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, 2,362,324 shares of common stock were sold under this agreement for $12,016,192 (net of commissions to Jones of $121,378).

Offering costs associated with Fund’s shelf registration statement initially effective with the SEC on July 2021 are approximately $88,543 of which $44,959 were charged to paid-in-capital upon the issuance of associated shares. The Fund’s ATM Offering, through Jones, was made under this shelf registration statement and the associated offering costs are approximately $344,090 of which $249,598 were charged to paid-in-capital upon the issuance of associated shares and $94,492 remains in prepaid expenses..

Additional shares of the Fund may be issued under certain circumstances, including pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend

Reinvestment and Optional Cash Purchase Plan. Additional information concerning the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan is included within this report.

6.  Open Market Repurchase Policy

The Board approved an open market repurchase and discount management policy (the “Program”). The Program allows the Fund to purchase, in the open market, its outstanding common shares, with the amount and timing of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Investment Manager. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to NAV per share in the reasonable judgment of management based on historical discount levels and current market conditions.

On a quarterly basis, the Board will receive information on any transactions made pursuant to this policy during the prior quarter and if shares are repurchased management will post the number of shares repurchased on the Fund’s website on a monthly basis. Under the terms of the Program, the Fund is permitted to repurchase up to 10% of its outstanding shares of common stock in the open market during any 12 month period.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through this Program.

7.  Credit Facility

The Fund may use leverage to the maximum extent permitted by the 1940 Act, which permits leverage to exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount obtained through leverage) in certain market conditions.

The Fund’s Revolving Credit loan Facility with The Bank of Nova Scotia was renewed for a 3-year term on February 28, 2020 and was last amended on September 21, 2021. On February 28, 2023, the Fund’s Revolving Credit Facility with the Bank of Nova Scotia was amended to extend the scheduled commitment termination date to February 27, 2024 with a committed facility amount of $25,000,000. As of October 31, 2023, the balance of the loan outstanding was $20,350,000. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 the average interest rate on the loan facility was 5.94% and the average balance was $18,426,713. The interest expense is accrued on a daily basis and is payable to The Bank of Nova Scotia on a monthly basis.

The amounts borrowed from the loan facility may be invested to return higher rates than the rates in the Fund’s portfolio. However, the cost of leverage could exceed the income earned by the Fund on the proceeds of such leverage. To the extent that the Fund is unable to invest the proceeds from the use of leverage in assets which pay interest at a rate which exceeds the rate paid on the leverage, the yield on the Fund’s common stock will decrease. In addition, in the event of a general market decline in the value of assets in which the Fund

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invests, the effect of that decline will be magnified in the Fund because of the additional assets purchased with the proceeds of the leverage. Non-recurring expenses in connection with the implementation of the loan facility will reduce the Fund's performance.

The Fund’s leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. The funds borrowed pursuant to the loan facility may constitute a substantial lien and burden by reason of their prior claim against the income of the Fund and against the net assets of the Fund in liquidation. The Fund is not permitted to declare dividends or other distributions in the event of default under the loan facility. In the event of a default under the loan facility, the lenders have the right to cause a liquidation of the collateral (i.e., sell portfolio securities and other assets of the Fund) and, if any such default is not cured, the lenders may be able to control the liquidation as well. A liquidation of the Fund’s collateral assets in an event of default, or a voluntary paydown of the loan facility in order to avoid an event of default, would typically involve administrative expenses and could involve penalties. Additionally, such liquidations often involve selling off portions of the Fund’s assets at inopportune times which can result in losses when markets are unfavorable. The loan facility has a term of three years and is not a perpetual form of leverage; there can be no assurance that the loan facility will be available for renewal on acceptable terms, if at all. Bank loan fees and expenses included in the Statement of Operations include fees for the renewal of the loan facility as well as commitment fees for any portion of the loan facility not drawn upon at any time during the period. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund incurred fees of approximately $100,702.

The credit agreement governing the loan facility includes usual and customary covenants for this type of transaction. These covenants impose on the Fund asset coverage requirements, Fund composition requirements and limits on certain investments, such as illiquid investments, which are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. The covenants or guidelines could impede the Investment Manager or Sub-Adviser from fully managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. The covenants also include a requirement that the Fund maintain net assets of no less than $25,000,000. Furthermore, non-compliance with such covenants or the occurrence of other events could lead to the cancelation of the loan facility.

8.  Portfolio Investment Risks

a.  Bank Loan Risk:

There are a number of risks associated with an investment in bank loans including credit risk, interest rate risk, illiquid securities risk, and prepayment risk. There is also the possibility that the collateral

securing a loan, if any, may be difficult to liquidate or be insufficient to cover the amount owed under the loan. These risks could cause the Fund to lose income or principal on a particular investment, which in turn could affect the Fund’s returns. In addition, bank loans may settle on a delayed basis, resulting in the proceeds from the sale of such loans not being readily available to make additional investments or distributions. To the extent the extended settlement process gives rise to short-term liquidity needs, the Fund may hold additional cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders.

b.  Credit and Market Risk:

A debt instrument’s price depends, in part, on the credit quality of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or underlying collateral and can decline in response to changes in the financial condition of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or underlying collateral, or changes in specific or general market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other conditions. Funds that invest in high yield and emerging market instruments are subject to certain additional credit and market risks. The yields of high yield and emerging market debt obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit risk. The Fund's investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk of not receiving timely and/or ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility, and less liquid secondary market trading. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, war, terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. 

c.  Emerging Markets Risk:

The Fund is subject to emerging markets risk. This is a magnification of the risks that apply to foreign investments. These risks are greater for securities of companies in emerging market countries because the countries may have less stable governments, more volatile currencies and less established markets (see “Risks Associated with Foreign Securities and Currencies” below). Additional risks associated with investing in emerging markets include, among other things, smaller market capitalizations, less government regulation, less extensive and less frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements, loss resulting from problems in share registration and custody, and the nationalization of foreign deposits or assets.

d.  Focus Risk:

The Fund may have elements of risk not typically associated with investments in the United States due to focused investments in a limited number of countries or regions subject to foreign securities or currency risks. Such focused investments may subject the Fund to additional risks resulting from political or economic conditions in such countries or regions and the possible imposition of adverse

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governmental laws or currency exchange restrictions could cause the securities and their markets to be less liquid and their prices to be more volatile than those of comparable U.S. securities.

e.  High-Yield Bonds and Other Lower-Rated Securities Risk:

The Fund’s investments in high-yield bonds (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) and other lower-rated securities will subject the Fund to substantial risk of loss. Investments in high-yield bonds are speculative and issuers of these securities are generally considered to be less financially secure and less able to repay interest and principal than issuers of investment-grade securities. Prices of high-yield bonds tend to be very volatile. These securities are less liquid than investment-grade debt securities and may be difficult to price or sell, particularly in times of negative sentiment toward high-yield securities.

f.  Interest Rate Risk:

The prices of fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund’s fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk.

The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to a changing interest rate environment and the effect of potential government monetary and fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives.

Changes in interest rates or a lack of market participants may lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed-income or debt markets, making it more difficult for the Fund to sell its holdings.

g.  Risk Associated with Foreign Securities and Currencies:

Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, and political or social instability or diplomatic developments, which could adversely affect investments in those countries. Foreign securities may also be harder to price than U.S. securities.

Certain countries also may impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets by foreign entities, including restrictions on investments in issuers of industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests. These factors may limit the investment opportunities available and result in a lack of liquidity and high price volatility with respect to securities of issuers from developing countries.

The value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar fluctuates in response to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical or other conditions. A decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. Dollar reduces the value in U.S. Dollars of investments denominated in that foreign currency. This risk may impact the Fund more greatly to the extent the Fund does not hedge its currency risk, or hedging techniques used by the Advisers are unsuccessful.

h.  Russia/Ukraine Risk:

In February 2022, Russia commenced a military attack on Ukraine. The outbreak of hostilities between the two countries and the threat of wider spread hostilities could have a severe adverse effect on the region and global economies, including significant negative impacts on the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas. In addition, sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and other countries, and any sanctions imposed in the future, could have a significant adverse impact on the Russian economy and related markets. The price and liquidity of investments may fluctuate widely as a result of the conflict and related events. This armed conflict is still ongoing as of the date of this report. How long the armed conflict and related events will last cannot be predicted. These tensions and any related events could have a significant impact on Fund performance and the value of the Fund's investments.

9.  Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Fund may provide general indemnifications pursuant to certain contracts and organizational documents. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund, and therefore, cannot be estimated; however, the Fund expects the risk of loss from such claims to be remote.

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11.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no disclosures and/or adjustments were required to the financial statements as of October 31, 2023, other than as noted below.

On November 9, 2023 and December 11, 2023, the Fund announced that it will pay on November 30, 2023 and January 10, 2024, respectively, a distribution of U.S. $0.07 per share to all shareholders of record as of November 22, 2023 and December 29, 2023, respectively. 

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RECENT CHANGES

The following information is a summary of certain changes during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased the Fund.

During the applicable period, there have been: (i) no material changes to the Fund’s investment objectives and policies that constitute its principal portfolio emphasis that have not been approved by shareholders, (ii) no material changes to the Fund’s principal risks, (iii) no changes to the persons primarily responsible for day-to-day management of the Fund; and (iv) no changes to the Fund’s charter or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change of control that have not been approved by shareholders.

 

44	abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc.

abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc.

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INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The principal types of debt securities in which the Fund is permitted to invest include those described below. The list is not exclusive, but is indicative of the kinds of securities which the Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions permit it to buy.

Debt Securities

Local Currency Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Bonds. The Fund is permitted to invest in securities issued or guaranteed by governmental entities, including sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities, whether or not denominated in the currency of the country where such entity is located. The available maturities for these types of securities vary from country to country.

Commercial Banks. The Fund may also invest in securities issued by banks, whether or not denominated in the currency of the country where such bank is located.

U.S. Dollar-Denominated Debt Securities. The Fund is also permitted to invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities in order to gain exposure to certain global debt markets without exposing the Fund to local currency risk. Such debt securities may be issued by issuers in Developed Markets, Investment Grade Developing Markets, or Sub-Investment Grade Developing Markets and may be issued and/or registered in the United States. U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities are subject to credit risk relating primarily to the issuer of the bond and liquidity risk relating to the maintenance of a sufficiently liquid market for the specific security. Such securities are also affected by movements in U.S. interest rates.

External Debt. The Fund may invest in external debt obligations, which are often longer-maturity (up to 30 years) securities, registered in London or globally, that are generally issued in U.S. dollars, but are increasingly issued in euros and occasionally in yen. External debt is typically issued in bearer form, carry a fixed or floating rate of interest, and amortize principal through a bullet payment with semi-annual interest payments in the currency in which the bond is issued.

Supranational Debt Obligations. The Fund may invest in debt issued by supranational entities. Supranational entities are entities constituted by the national governments of several countries to promote economic development, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Obligations of these entities are supported by

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appropriated but unpaid commitments of their member countries, and there can be no assurances that these commitments will be undertaken or met in the future.

Companies. The Fund is permitted to invest in publicly-traded notes and debentures or bills of exchange issued or guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by companies domiciled in a Developed Market, an Investment Grade Developing Market or a Sub-Investment Grade Developing Market.

U.S. Securities

Government. The Fund is permitted to invest in U.S. government securities, including obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, some of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (such as direct pass-through certificates of the Government National Mortgage Association), some of which are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. government (such as obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks), and some of which are backed only by the credit of the issuer itself. Government obligations do not generally involve the credit risks associated with other types of interest bearing securities, although, as a result, the yields available from U.S. government obligations are generally lower than the yields available from corporate interest bearing securities. Like other interest bearing securities, however, the value of Government obligations changes as interest rates fluctuate.

Corporations and Banks. The Fund is permitted to invest for defensive and other temporary purposes in U.S. corporate debt instruments rated at the time of investment Aa or better by Moody's or AA or better by S& P, finance company and corporate commercial paper, and other short-term obligations, in each case rated at the time of investment Prime-2 or better by Moody's or A-2 or better by S&P. The Fund is also permitted to invest in obligations of U.S. Federal or state chartered banks and bank holding companies rated at the time of investment Aa or better by Moody's or AA or better by S&P (including certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and other short-term obligations).

Bank Loans

The Fund may acquire privately held loans from banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, or other lenders, as well as claims held by trade or other creditors, and may originate these types of loans. The bank loans in which the Fund invests may be structured and administered by a third party that acts as agent for a group of lenders that make or hold interests in the loan. The Fund may acquire interests in such loans by taking an assignment of all or a portion of a direct interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks and other securities that entitle the holder to acquire common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities have general characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest or preferred dividends paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to non-convertible debt obligations. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation's capital structure and, therefore, generally entail less risk than the corporation's common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a debt obligation. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund would be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security and convert it to underlying common stock, or would sell the convertible security to a third party, which may have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objectives. The price of a convertible security often reflects variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt may not. The value of a convertible security is a function of (i) its yield in comparison to the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (ii) its worth if converted into the underlying common stock.

Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities are a form of structured debt obligation. Asset-backed securities are payment claims that are securitized in the form of negotiable paper that is issued by a financing company (generally called a special purpose vehicle). Collateral assets brought into a pool according to specific diversification rules. A special purpose vehicle is founded for the purpose of securitizing these payment claims and the assets of the special purpose vehicle are the diversified pool of collateral assets. The special purpose vehicle issues marketable securities which are intended to represent a lower level or risk than an underlying collateral asset individually, due to the diversification in the pool. The redemption of the securities issued by the special purpose vehicle takes place out of the cash flow generated by the collected assets. A special purpose vehicle may issue multiple securities with different priorities to the cash flows generated and the collateral assets. The collateral for asset-backed securities may include home equity loans, automobile and credit card receivables, boat loans, computer leases, airplane leases, mobile home loans, recreational vehicle loans and hospital account receivables. The Fund may invest in these and other types of asset-backed securities that

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may be developed in the future. There is the possibility that recoveries on the underlying collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities.

Derivatives

With respect to all of its portfolio the Fund will invest in derivatives for two main purposes: (1) to modify interest rate risk, modify credit risk and adjust currency risk within the portfolio, and (2) to enable the Fund to replicate or substitute for a particular security in order to gain access to a particular global market or security, where either the physical security is judged by the Investment Manager to be too expensive, or the Investment Manager believes there is an insufficient supply of the particular security or no security fitting the precise needs of the Fund exists. The types of derivatives which may be used include, but are not limited to, futures, options, forwards, forwards that can only be settled in U.S. dollars, swaps, and securities with structured cash flows, whether traded on an exchange or over-the-counter, that have as their underlying security reference to a fixed income security or currency. In general, derivatives will not be utilized to leverage the Fund.

Investment in fixed income securities may at certain times be more efficiently achieved using derivative securities to replicate physical securities. These types of derivatives carry identical market price risks to the equivalent physical securities but provide a number of transactional benefits. For example, by using derivatives, the Fund may be able to implement investment decisions at lower costs, increase the after-tax yield, obtain prices that are not available in the underlying cash market, or settle in U.S. dollars. In less developed markets, liquidity and credit quality can be enhanced and transaction costs reduced by using derivatives rather than the underlying securities. In certain circumstances, due to lack of available direct investment opportunity or government regulations, the only means of gaining exposure to particular countries is through derivatives.

The derivatives used for adjusting currency exposures or replicating underlying securities are usually over-the-counter ("OTC") securities. OTC securities carry credit risk associated with the counterparty institution. See "Risk Factors – Derivatives." To manage this risk, the Fund will only use counterparty institutions rated A- or better by a recognized international rating agency. Up to 10% of total assets may be put at risk in derivatives transactions with any single counterparty (aggregate interest rate, credit and currency derivatives exposure). A maximum of 10% of total assets may be at risk in currency-linked notes.

The types of derivatives used by the Fund and the techniques employed may change over time as new derivatives and strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur. The Fund will not use derivatives where it would contravene the guidelines set by the lending banks for the Fund's bank loan.

In general, derivatives will not be utilized to leverage the Fund, although they may be used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the Fund's outstanding leverage. The Fund may use interest rate swaps to hedge the Fund's liability with respect to its bank loan. At present, the Fund has been authorized by its Board of Directors to hedge up to 100% of the Fund's liability with respect to its bank loan. See "Investment Securities – Derivatives – Swaps" and "Risk Factors – Derivatives."

Forward Currency Contracts. The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.

The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward currency contracts will vary with factors such as the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency contracts are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved, although the price charged in the transaction includes a dealer's markup. The use of forward currency contracts in this manner is intended to fix a rate of exchange that can be achieved at a certain time in the future.

Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or on exchanges located outside the United States for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In addition, any profits the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include both underlying assets which are traded on U.S. commodities exchanges and those which are not. Unlike trading on U.S. exchanges, trading on foreign commodities exchanges is not regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").

Engaging in these transactions involves risk of loss to the Fund which could adversely affect the value of the Fund's net assets. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading,

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thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting the Fund to substantial losses.

Successful use of futures by the Fund also is subject to the Advisers' ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant market, and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract.

The Fund also may purchase and write options to buy or sell those futures contracts in which it may invest. Such investment strategies will be used for hedging purposes and for non-hedging purposes, subject to applicable law. An option on a futures contract provides the holder with the right to enter into a "long" position in the underlying futures contract, in the case of a call option, or a "short" position in the underlying futures contract, in the case of a put option, at a fixed exercise price up to a stated expiration date or, in the case of certain options, on such date. Upon exercise of the option by the holder, the contract market clearinghouse establishes a corresponding short position for the writer of the option, in the case of a call option, or a corresponding long position in the case of a put option. In the event that an option is exercised, the parties will be subject to all the risks associated with the trading of futures contracts, such as payment of initial and variation margin deposits. In addition, the writer of an option on a futures contract, unlike the holder, is subject to initial and variation margin requirements on the option position.

A position in an option on a futures contract may be terminated by the purchaser or seller prior to expiration by effecting an offsetting purchase or sale transaction, subject to the continued availability of a liquid secondary market, which is the purchase or sale of an option of the same type (i.e., the same exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously purchased or sold. The difference between the premiums paid and received represents the Fund's profit or loss on the transaction.

Options on futures contracts that are written or purchased by the Fund on U.S. exchanges are traded on the same contract market as the underlying futures contract, and, like futures contracts, are subject to regulation by the CFTC and the performance guarantee of the exchange clearinghouse.

The Investment Manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" under the Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA") pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA with respect to the Fund. The Investment Manager is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a "commodity pool operator" under the CEA with respect of the Fund.

Swaps. The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, currency swaps, credit default swaps and other types of available swap agreements,

including swaps on securities, financial assets and indices, and related types of derivatives, such as caps, collars and floors. A swap is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which each party agrees to make one or more payments to the other on regularly scheduled dates over a stated term, based on different interest rates, currency exchange rates, security or financial asset prices, the prices or rates of other types of financial instruments or assets or the levels of specified indices. Under a typical swap, one party may agree to pay a fixed rate or a floating rate determined by reference to a specified instrument, rate or index, multiplied in each case by a specified amount (the "notional amount"), while the other party agrees to pay an amount equal to a different floating rate multiplied by the same notional amount. On each payment date, the obligations of parties are netted, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other. All swap agreements entered into by the Fund with the same counterparty are generally governed by a single master agreement, which provides for the netting of all amounts owed by the parties under the agreement upon the occurrence of an event of default, thereby reducing the credit risk to which such party is exposed.

Swap agreements are typically individually negotiated and structured to provide exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Swap agreements may be entered into for hedging or non-hedging purposes and, therefore, may increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying instrument, rate, asset or index. Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. The Fund is not limited to any particular form or variety of swap agreement if the Advisers determine that it is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies.

Private Placements

Certain debt securities purchased by the Fund may have been placed privately. These securities, which include debt securities offered in the Euromarkets, are somewhat less liquid than securities which are widely traded by the public and there may be contractual restrictions on their resale to the public. Therefore, although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from such sales may be less than what might have been realized on a more active public trading market.

Other Investment Companies

Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 12(d) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies that invest primarily in fixed-income securities. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment company's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the expenses, including advisory fees, that the Fund bears in connection with its own operations.

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Repurchase and Securities Lending Agreements

The Fund is permitted to invest in repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers. A repurchase agreement is a contract under which the Fund acquires a security for a relatively short period (usually no more than one week) subject to the obligations of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund's cost plus interest). The Investment Manager monitors the value of such securities daily to determine that the value equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Under the 1940 Act, repurchase agreements are considered to be loans made by the Fund which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. Repurchase agreements may involve risks in the event of default or insolvency of the seller, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund's ability to dispose of the underlying securities. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with parties who meet creditworthiness standards approved by the Fund's Board of Directors, i.e., banks or broker-dealers which have been determined by the Investment Manager to present no serious risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the repurchase transaction.

The Fund may also lend to banks and broker-dealers portfolio securities with an aggregate market value of up to one-third of its total assets when it deems advisable. Any such loans must be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination of cash, U.S. Government securities, irrevocable letters of credit or other high-quality debt securities) in an amount at least equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the current market value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate the loans at any time and obtain the return of the securities. The Fund will continue to receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities and will continue to have voting rights with respect to the securities. In connection with the lending of its portfolio securities, the Fund is exposed to the risk of delay in recovery of the securities loaned or possible loss of right in the collateral should the borrower become insolvent.

Issuers of irrevocable letters of credit used as collateral for securities lending agreements must meet the same or similar standards.

Firm Commitment Agreements and When-Issued Securities

The Fund may purchase debt securities on a firm commitment or when-issued basis. New issues of certain debt securities are often offered on a when-issued basis; that is, the payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment, but delivery and payment for the securities normally take place after the date of the commitment to purchase. Firm commitment agreements call for the purchase of securities at an agreed-upon price on a specified future date. The transactions are entered into in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund and not for purposes of

leveraging the Fund's assets. The Fund will not earn any income on these securities prior to delivery. The value of when-issued securities and firm commitment agreements may vary prior to and after delivery depending on market conditions and changes in interest rate levels. There is a risk that a party with whom the Fund has entered into such transactions will not perform its commitment, which could result in a gain or loss to the Fund.

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