The Korea Fund, Inc. Notes to Financial
Statements
December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
The Korea Fund, Inc. (the Fund) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder, as amended, as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company organized as a Maryland corporation, and accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting
guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial ServicesInvestment Companies. JPMorgan Asset Management (Asia Pacific) Limited (the Investment
Adviser) serves as the Funds investment manager. The Fund has authorized 200 million shares of common stock with $0.01 par value. The Korea Fund has filed a notice under the Commodity Exchange Act under Regulation 4.5 that The Korea
Fund is operated by JPMorgan Asset Management (Asia Pacific) Limited, a registered investment adviser that has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act and,
therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.
The Funds investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation through investment in securities, primarily equity securities, of Korean companies. There
can be no assurance that the Fund will meet its stated objective.
The preparation of the
Funds financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires the Funds management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts and disclosures in the Funds financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Like many other companies, the Funds organizational documents provide that its officers (Officers) and the Board of Directors of the Fund (the
Board or the Directors) are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, both in some of its principal service contracts and in the normal course of its
business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide indemnifications to other parties for certain types of losses or liabilities. The Directors maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this could involve future claims against
the Fund.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed
by the Fund:
(a) Valuation of Investments
Portfolio securities and other financial instruments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at market value. Market values for various types of
securities and other instruments are determined on the basis of closing prices or last sales prices on an exchange or other market, or based on quotes or other market information obtained from quotation reporting systems, established market makers
or independent pricing services. For foreign equity securities (with certain exceptions, if any), the Fund fair values its securities daily using modeling tools provided by a statistical research service. This service utilizes statistics and
programs based on historical performance of markets and other economic data (which may include changes in the value of U.S. securities or security indices). Investments in mutual funds are valued at the net asset value (NAV) as reported
on each business day.
Portfolio securities and other financial instruments for which market
quotations are not readily available (including in cases where available market quotations are deemed to be unreliable), are fair valued, in good faith, pursuant to procedures established by the Board, or persons acting at their discretion
(Valuation Committee) pursuant to procedures established by the Board. The Funds investments are valued daily and the Funds NAV is calculated as of the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open for business using prices supplied by an independent pricing service or broker/dealer quotations, or by using the last sale or settlement price on the exchange that is the primary
market for such securities, or the mean between the last bid and ask quotations. In unusual circumstances, the Board or the Valuation Committee may in good faith determine the NAV as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, notwithstanding an earlier,
unscheduled close or halt of trading on the NYSE.
Short-term investments having a remaining
maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost unless the Board or its Valuation Committee determines that particular circumstances dictate otherwise.
Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to the U.S. dollar using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result,
the NAV of the Funds shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may
be affected significantly on a day that the NYSE is closed.
The prices used by the Fund to
value securities may differ from the value that would be realized if the securities were sold and these differences could be material to the Funds financial statements.
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The Korea Fund, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2022 (unaudited) (continued)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(b) Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be
received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
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Level 1unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments that the Fund has the ability to access |
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Level 2valuations based on other significant observable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, interest rates, yield curves, volatilities,
prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates or other market corroborated inputs |
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Level 3valuations based on significant unobservable inputs (including the Investment Advisers or Valuation Committees own assumptions and securities whose price was determined by using a single
brokers quote) |
The valuation techniques used by the Fund to measure fair
value during the six months ended December 31, 2022 were intended to maximize the use of observable inputs and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
An investment assets or liabilitys level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level input, individually or in aggregate, that is significant
to the fair value measurement. The objective of fair value measurement remains the same even when there is a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability and regardless of the valuation techniques used.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the
risk associated with investing in those securities. The following are certain inputs and techniques that the Fund generally uses to evaluate how to classify each major category of assets and liabilities within Level 2 and Level 3, in
accordance with U.S. GAAP.
An asset or liability for which market values cannot be measured
using the methodologies described above is valued by methods deemed reasonable in good faith by the Valuation Committee, following the procedures established by the Board, to represent fair value. Under these procedures, the Fund generally uses a
market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values and other relevant information. Fair value determinations involve the consideration of a number of subjective
factors, an analysis of applicable facts and circumstances and the exercise of judgment. As a result, it is possible that the fair value for a security determined in good faith in accordance with the Funds valuation procedures may differ from
valuations for the same security determined by other funds using their own valuation procedures. Although the Funds valuation procedures are designed to value a security at the price the Fund may reasonably expect to receive upon the
securitys sale in an orderly transaction, there can be no assurance that any fair value determination thereunder would, in fact, approximate the amount that the Fund would actually realize upon the sale of the security or the price at which
the security would trade if a reliable market price were readily available.
Equity
Securities (Common and Preferred Stock)Equity securities traded in inactive markets and certain foreign equity securities are valued using inputs which include broker-dealer quotes, recently executed transactions adjusted for changes in
the benchmark index, or evaluated price quotes received from independent pricing services that take into account the integrity of the market sector and issuer, the individual characteristics of the security, and information received from
broker-dealers and other market sources pertaining to the issuer or security. To the extent that these inputs are observable, the values of equity securities are categorized as Level 2. To the extent that these inputs are unobservable, the
values are categorized as Level 3.
(c) Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments are determined on an identified cost basis. Interest income
on uninvested cash is recorded upon receipt. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Korean-based corporations have generally adopted calendar year-ends, and their interim and final corporate
actions are normally approved, finalized and announced by their boards of directors and stockholders in the first and third quarters of each calendar year. Generally, estimates of their dividends are accrued on the
ex-dividend date principally in the prior December and/or June period ends. These dividend announcements are recorded by the Fund on such ex-dividend dates. Any
subsequent adjustments thereto by Korean corporations are recorded when announced. Presently, dividend income from Korean equity investments is earned primarily in the last calendar quarter of each year, and will be received primarily in the first
calendar quarter of the following year. Certain other dividends and related withholding taxes, if applicable, from Korean securities may be recorded subsequent to the ex-dividend date as soon as the Fund is
informed of such dividends and taxes. Dividend and interest income on the Statement of Operations are shown net of any foreign taxes withheld on income from foreign securities.
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The Korea Fund, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2022 (unaudited) (continued)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(d) Federal Income Taxes
The Fund intends to distribute all of its taxable
income and to comply with the other requirements of Subchapter M of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required. The Fund may
be subject to excise tax based on distributions to stockholders.
Accounting for
uncertainty in income taxes establishes for all entities, including pass-through entities such as the Fund, a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of positions taken in filing tax returns (including whether an entity
is taxable in a particular jurisdiction), and requires certain expanded tax disclosures. In accordance with provisions set forth under U.S. GAAP, the Investment Adviser has reviewed the Funds tax positions for all open tax years.
As of December 31, 2022, the Fund has recorded no liability for net unrecognized tax benefits
relating to uncertain income tax positions they have taken. The Funds U.S. federal income tax returns for the prior three years, as applicable, remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
(e) Foreign Investment and Exchange Controls in Korea
The Foreign Exchange Transaction Act, the Presidential Decree relating to such Act and the regulations of the Minister of Strategy and Finance (formerly known as Minister
of Finance and Economy) issued thereunder impose certain limitations and controls which generally affect foreign investors in Korea. Through August 18, 2005, the Fund had a license from the Ministry of Finance and Economy to invest in Korean
securities and to repatriate income received from dividends and interest earned on, and net realized capital gains from, its investments in Korean securities or to repatriate from investment principal up to 10% of the NAV (taken at current value) of
the Fund (except upon termination of the Fund, or for expenses in excess of Fund income, in which case the foregoing restriction shall not apply). Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Act, the Minister of Strategy and Finance has the power, with
prior (posterior in case of urgency) public notice of scope and duration, to suspend all or a part of foreign exchange transactions when emergency measures are deemed necessary in case of radical change in the international or domestic economic
situation. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or the refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for such transactions.
The Fund relinquished its license from the Korean Ministry of Finance and Economy effective August 19, 2005. The Fund had engaged in negotiations with the Korean
Ministry of Finance and Economy concerning the feasibility of the Funds license being amended to allow the Fund to repatriate more than 10% of Fund capital. However, the Ministry of Finance and Economy advised the Fund that the license cannot
be amended as a result of a change in the Korean regulations. As a result of the relinquishment of the license, the Fund is subject to the Korean securities transaction tax equal to 0.23% of the fair market value of any portfolio securities
transferred by the Fund on the Korea Exchange and 0.45% of the fair market value of any portfolio securities transferred outside of the Korea Exchange. The relinquishment did not otherwise affect the Funds operations. For the six months ended
December 31, 2022, the Fund incurred $53,182 in transaction taxes in connection with portfolio securities transferred by the Fund on the Korea Exchange. These transaction costs are not accrued and are accounted for on a paid basis only. The
transaction tax is levied as a percentage of the fair market value at the time of disposal and is deducted from the sale proceeds so the Fund receives the net proceeds only. No accrual for this transaction tax is included in the fair market value
price used to value each security on a daily basis. Net realized gain (loss) on investments on the Statement of Operations is shown net of the transaction taxes incurred by the Fund.
Certain securities held by the Fund may be subject to aggregate or individual foreign ownership
limits. These holdings are in industries that are deemed to be of national importance.
(f)
Dividends and Distributions
The Fund declares dividends from net investment income and distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually.
The Fund records dividends and distributions on the ex-dividend date. The amount of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with U.S.
federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These book-tax differences are considered either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in
nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal income tax treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and/or distributions exceed current and accumulated
earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes, they are reported as dividends and/or distributions to stockholders from return of capital.
(g) Foreign Currency Translation
The Funds accounting records are
maintained in U.S. dollars as follows: (1) the foreign currency market values of investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the period; and
(2) purchases and sales, income and expenses are translated at the prevailing exchange rate on the respective dates of such transactions. The resulting net foreign currency gain (loss) is included in the Funds Statement of Operations.
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The Korea Fund, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2022 (unaudited) (continued)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The Fund does not generally isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates from the fluctuations
arising from changes in the market prices of securities. Accordingly, such foreign currency gain (loss) is included in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. However, the Fund does isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates when determining the gain (loss) upon the sale or maturity of foreign currency denominated debt obligations pursuant to U.S. federal income tax regulations; such amount is categorized as foreign currency gain (loss) for both
financial reporting and income tax reporting purposes.
At December 31, 2022, the Korean
WON (W)/U.S. dollar ($) exchange rate was W 1,265.50 to $1.
(h)
Securities Lending
The Fund may engage in securities lending in order to generate additional income. The Fund is able to lend to approved borrowers. Goldman
Sachs Bank USA (Goldman Sachs) serves as lending agent for the Fund, pursuant to a Securities Lending Agency Agreement (the Securities Lending Agency Agreement). Securities loaned are collateralized by cash equal to at least
100% of the market value of the loaned securities, which is invested in shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. During the term of the loan, the Fund will continue to receive any dividends or amounts equivalent thereto, on the
loaned securities while receiving a fee from the borrower and/or earning interest on the investment of the cash collateral. Securities lending income is disclosed as such in the Statement of Operations. Income generated from the investment of cash
collateral, less negotiated rebate fees paid to borrowers and transaction costs, is allocated between the Fund and securities lending agent. Cash collateral received for securities on loan is invested in securities identified in the Schedule of
Investments and the corresponding liability is recognized as such in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Under the Securities Lending Agency Agreement, Goldman Sachs
marks to market the loaned securities on a daily basis. In the event the cash received from the borrower is less than 105% of the value of the loaned securities (102% for U.S. securities), Goldman Sachs requests additional cash from the borrower so
as to maintain a collateralization level of at least 105% of the value of the loaned securities plus accrued interest (102% for U.S. securities), subject to certain de minimus amounts.
Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the lender securities identical to the
loaned securities. The Fund may pay reasonable finders, administration and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities and may share the interest earned on the collateral with the borrower. The Fund bears the risk of delay in
recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the securities loaned should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The Fund also bears the risk of loss in the event the securities purchased with cash collateral depreciate in value.
2. Principal Risks
In the normal course of business, the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to, among other
things, changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to a transaction to perform (counterparty risk). The Fund is also exposed to other risks such as, but not limited to, foreign currency risk.
To the extent the Fund directly invests in foreign currencies or in securities that trade in, and
receive revenues in, foreign currencies, or in derivatives that provide exposure to foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedging positions,
that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including economic growth, inflation, changes in
interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the
United States or abroad. As a result, the Funds investments in foreign currency-denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Fund. The local emerging market currencies in which the Fund may be invested may experience substantially
greater volatility against the U.S. dollar than the major convertible currencies in developed countries.
The Fund is subject to elements of risk not typically associated with investments in the U.S., due to concentrated investments in foreign issuers located in a specific
country or region. Such concentrations will subject the Fund to additional risks resulting from future political or economic conditions in such country or region and the possible imposition of adverse governmental laws or currency exchange
restrictions affecting such country or region, which could cause the securities and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies.
The Fund may be subject to increased risk to the extent it allocates assets among investment
styles and certain styles under-perform relative to other investment styles.
The market
values of securities may decline due to general market conditions (market risk) which are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook
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The Korea Fund, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2022 (unaudited) (continued)
2. Principal Risks (continued)
for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, adverse changes to credit markets or adverse investor sentiment. They may also decline due to factors that
affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Equity securities and equity-related investments generally have greater market price volatility than
fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. Credit ratings downgrades may also negatively affect securities held by the Fund. Even when markets perform
well, there is no assurance that the investments held by the Fund will increase in value along with the broader market. In addition, market risk includes the risk that local, regional or global events, including geopolitical and other events may
disrupt the economy on a national or global level. For example, events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the economy or the
markets for financial instruments and, as a result, could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. As a further example, an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus designated as
COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread globally, being designated as a pandemic in early 2020. The transmission of COVID-19 and
efforts to contain its spread have resulted in, among other things, border closings and other significant travel restrictions and disruptions; mandatory stay-at-home and
work-from-home orders in numerous countries, including the United States; significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, as well as mandatory business closures; lower consumer demand for goods and services;
event cancellations and restrictions; cancellations, reductions and other changes in services; significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery; public gathering limitations and prolonged quarantines; and general concern and
uncertainty. These effects have exacerbated the significant risks inherent in market investments, and the COVID-19 pandemic has meaningfully disrupted the global economy and markets, causing market losses
across a range of asset classes, as well as both heightened market volatility and increased illiquidity for trading. Although the long-term economic fallout of COVID-19 is difficult to predict, it has the
potential to continue to have ongoing material adverse effects on the global economy, the economies of individual countries, and the financial performance of individual issuers, sectors, industries, asset classes, and markets in significant and
unforeseen ways. Health crises caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 may also exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, economic, market and financial risks. The
effects of the outbreak in developing or emerging market countries may be greater due to less established health care systems. The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects may last for an extended period of time,
result in significant market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, declines in global financial markets, higher default rates, and a substantial economic downturn or recession. Furthermore, the ability of the Investment Adviser or
its affiliates to operate effectively, including the ability of personnel to function, communicate and travel to the extent necessary to carry out the Funds investment strategies and objectives, may be materially impaired. All of the foregoing
could impair Funds ability to maintain operational standards (such as with respect to satisfying redemption requests), disrupt the operations of the Funds service providers, adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Funds
investments, and negatively impact the Funds performance and your investment in the respective Fund.
The Fund is exposed to counterparty risk, or the risk that an institution or other entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions will default. The
potential loss to the Fund could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded in the Funds financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to counterparty risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties
and investments. The Investment Adviser seeks to minimize the Funds counterparty risk by performing reviews of each counterparty and by minimizing concentration of counterparty risk by undertaking transactions with multiple customers and
counterparties on recognized and reputable exchanges. Delivery of securities sold is only made once the Fund has received payment. Payment is made on a purchase once the securities have been delivered by the counterparty. The trade will fail if
either party fails to meet its obligation.
3. Investment Adviser
The Fund has an Investment Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with the Investment Adviser. Subject to the supervision of the Funds Board, the
Investment Adviser is responsible for managing, either directly or through others selected by it, the Funds investment activities, business affairs, and other administrative matters. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the investment adviser
receives an annual fee, payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.70% of the value of the Funds average daily net assets up to $250 million and 0.65% of average daily net assets in excess of $250 million.
4. Related Party, Other Service Provider Transactions and Directors
JPMorgan Asset Management (Asia Pacific) Limited (the Investment Adviser), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
(JPMorgan) provides investment advisory services to the Fund under the terms of an investment advisory agreement. See Section 3 Investment Advisor of this report for details of the fee relating to that agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions to
JPMorgan companies or affiliated brokers/dealers.
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The Korea Fund, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2022 (unaudited) (continued)
4. Related Party, Other Service Provider Transactions and Directors (continued)
(a) Other Service Providers
Pursuant to an Administration Agreement, JPMorgan
Chase Bank N.A. (JPMCB) (the Administrator), an affiliate of JPMorgan Asset Management (Asia Pacific) Limited (the Adviser) provides certain administration services to the Fund. In consideration of these services
, the Administrator receives a fee accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.075% of the first $10 billion of each Funds respective average daily net assets, plus 0.050% of each Funds respective average daily net assets
between $10 billion and $20 billion, plus 0.025% of each Funds respective average daily net assets between $20 billion and $25 billion, plus 0.01% of each Funds respective average daily net assets in excess of $25 billion, subject to a
minimum annual fee of $78,000.
Pursuant to a Global Custody Agreement, JPMCB also provides
portfolio custody and accounting services to the Fund. For performing these services, the Fund pays JPMCB transaction and asset-based fees that vary according to the number of transactions and positions, plus out-of-pocket expenses. The accounting
fee is subject to a minimum annual fee of $20,000. The amounts paid directly to JPMCB by the Fund for administration, custody and accounting services are included in Custodian, administrator and accounting agent fees on the Statement of Operations.
Pursuant to a Services Agreement, JPMorgan Funds Limited (JPMFL) provides various
services (including fund secretarial and administration services) for the Fund. JPMFL receives no compensation from the Fund for these services, JPMFL receives its fee from its associate, JPMorgan Asset Management (Asia Pacific) Limited in the form
of an intercompany credit.
(b) Directors
The Fund pays each of its Directors who is not a director, officer or employee of the Advisor, Administrator or any affiliate thereof, an annual fee of $56,000, the Audit
Committee Chairman $64,000 and the Chairman $70,000 which includes a $2,500 attendance fee. Per Special In-Person Meeting a fee of $3,000 is payable or $1,000 per special Board meeting attended telephonically.
In addition, each director is eligible to receive a per diem fee of $2,000 per day, or pro-rated fee for a lessor period, as compensation for taking on special assignments. Such special assignments must be
approved in advance by the Governance, Nominating and Remuneration Committee, except that special assignments for which compensation will be less than $5,000 may be approved in advance by the Chairman of the Governance, Nominating and Remuneration
Committee. A report regarding compensation for such assignments will be provided to the full Governance, Nominating and Remuneration Committee at their next regular meeting.
5. Investments in Securities
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term securities were $18,870,336 and $22,109,768, respectively.
6. Income Tax Information
At December 31, 2022, the cost basis of portfolio securities for federal income tax purposes was $124,591,531. Gross unrealized appreciation was $30,681,486; gross
unrealized depreciation was $20,457,439; and net unrealized appreciation was $10,224,047.
7. Discount Management Program
The Fund has a share repurchase program under
which the Fund will repurchase in each twelve month period ended June 30, up to 10% of its common stock outstanding as of the close of business on June 30 the prior year. The shares are permitted to be repurchased at differing trigger
levels without announcement. The Fund will repurchase shares at a discount, in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. Subject to these procedures, the timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by the Board and/or its
Discount Management Committee in consultation with the Investment Adviser.
For the six months
ended December 31, 2022, the Fund repurchased 31,367 shares of its common stock on the open market, which represented 0.6% of the shares outstanding at June 30, 2022 at a total cost, inclusive of commissions (charged on a tiered rate
basis), of $749,959 at a per-share weighted average discount to NAV of 14.52%. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Fund repurchased 16,470 shares of its common stock on the open market, which
represented approximately 0.3% of the shares outstanding at June 30, 2021 at a total cost, inclusive of commissions (charged on a tiered rate basis), of $529,275 at a per-share weighted average discount
to NAV of 14.44%.
8. Fund Ownership
At December 31, 2022, the City of London Investment Group PLC, Lazard Asset Management LLC, 1607 Capital Partners LLC and Allspring Global
Investments Holdings LLC held approximately 37%, 18%, 10% and 8%, respectively, of the Funds outstanding shares. Investment activities of these stockholders could have a material impact to the Fund.
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