[SCHEDULE 13G] CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND Passive Investment Disclosure (>5%)
Calamos fund: BlackRock reports 36% Series H stake
CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND (CSQ) reports that BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC has filed a Schedule 13G disclosing a significant passive ownership position in the fund’s Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares.
CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND (CSQ) reports that BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC has filed a Schedule 13G disclosing a significant passive ownership position in the fund’s Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares.
BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC, organized in Delaware, may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of 2,200,000 Series H preferred shares, representing 36.4% of that class. This is based on 6,040,000 Series H preferred shares outstanding. BlackRock reports no sole voting or dispositive power over these shares, but shared voting and shared dispositive power over the full 2,200,000-share position. Various underlying persons have rights to dividends or sale proceeds, and the filing notes that no single such person holds more than 5% of the total outstanding shares, except for three identified insurance companies.
Positive
None.
Negative
None.
Key Figures
Beneficially owned Series H preferred shares:2,200,000 sharesOwnership percentage of Series H class:36.4%Series H preferred shares outstanding:6,040,000 shares+3 more
6 metrics
Beneficially owned Series H preferred shares2,200,000 sharesShares of CSQ’s Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares beneficially owned by BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC
Ownership percentage of Series H class36.4%Percent of CSQ’s Series H preferred share class reportedly beneficially owned
Series H preferred shares outstanding6,040,000 sharesTotal CSQ Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares outstanding used for the percentage calculation
Sole voting power0 sharesShares of CSQ Series H preferred over which BlackRock reports sole voting power
Shared voting power2,200,000 sharesShares of CSQ Series H preferred over which BlackRock reports shared voting power
Shared dispositive power2,200,000 sharesShares of CSQ Series H preferred over which BlackRock reports shared power to dispose
Key Terms
beneficial ownership, Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, shared voting power, shared dispositive power, +1 more
5 terms
beneficial ownershipfinancial
"may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of 2,200,000 shares"
Beneficial ownership means the person or entity that actually enjoys the benefits of owning shares or other assets — such as receiving dividends, voting rights, or price gains — even if the legal title is held in another name. For investors it matters because knowing who truly controls and profits from a company reveals who can influence decisions, exposes potential conflicts of interest or hidden concentration of power, and affects transparency and risk in the stock.
Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Sharesfinancial
"Title of class of securities: Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares"
shared voting powerfinancial
"Shared Voting Power 2,200,000.00"
Shared voting power occurs when two or more parties jointly have the right to vote or decide how a block of company shares is cast, like co-owners who must agree before moving a piece of furniture. Investors care because who controls voting rights affects board elections, major corporate decisions and takeover outcomes, and shared control can alter regulatory disclosures and the practical influence any holder has over a company’s direction and value.
shared dispositive powerfinancial
"Shared Dispositive Power 2,200,000.00"
Investment Company Act of 1940regulatory
"investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940"
A U.S. federal law that sets the rulebook for pooled investment vehicles such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and similar money managers, requiring them to register with regulators, disclose holdings and fees, limit conflicts of interest, and follow governance standards. It matters to investors because these protections and transparency rules act like a referee and scoreboard, helping people compare funds, trust that managers follow fair practices, and spot hidden costs or risks.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What ownership stake in CSQ’s Series H preferred shares does BlackRock report?
BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC reports beneficial ownership of 2,200,000 Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares of CSQ, representing 36.4% of that preferred share class, based on 6,040,000 Series H shares outstanding.
Does BlackRock have voting and dispositive power over CSQ’s Series H preferred shares?
The filing states BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC has 0 shares with sole voting or dispositive power and 2,200,000 shares with shared voting power and shared dispositive power in CSQ’s Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares.
Is the BlackRock position in CSQ reported as passive or active?
The position is reported on Schedule 13G, which is used for passive beneficial ownership rather than for activists, indicating a non-controlling, passive investment status for the reported CSQ Series H preferred share holdings.
How many CSQ Series H preferred shares are outstanding according to the filing?
The filing states that the reported ownership percentage is based on 6,040,000 Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares of CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND outstanding, which serves as the denominator for the 36.4% ownership calculation.
Who are the other major beneficiaries related to the CSQ Series H preferred shares?
The filing notes that various persons have rights to dividends or sale proceeds, and that more than 5% interests relate to The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc., and Midland National Life Insurance Company.
Where is BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC organized and located in this CSQ filing?
BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC is described as organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its business address at 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001, in connection with its beneficial ownership of CSQ Series H preferred shares.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
(Name of Issuer)
Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares
(Title of Class of Securities)
128125*86
(CUSIP Number)
08/31/2026
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
Rule 13d-1(b)
Rule 13d-1(c)
Rule 13d-1(d)
schemaVersion:
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
128125*86
1
Names of Reporting Persons
BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
DELAWARE
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
0.00
6
Shared Voting Power
2,200,000.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
0.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
2,200,000.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
2,200,000.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
36.4 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
HC
SCHEDULE 13G
Item 1.
(a)
Name of issuer:
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
(b)
Address of issuer's principal executive offices:
2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, IL 60563
Item 2.
(a)
Name of person filing:
This statement is filed on behalf of BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC (the "Reporting Person").
In accordance with SEC Release No. 34-39538 (January 12, 1998), this Schedule 13G reflects the securities beneficially owned, or deemed to be beneficially owned, by certain business units (collectively, the "Reporting Business Units") of BlackRock, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. It does not include securities, if any, beneficially owned by other business units whose beneficial ownership of securities are disaggregated from that of the Reporting Business Units in accordance with such release.
(b)
Address or principal business office or, if none, residence:
The business address of the Reporting Person is 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001.
(c)
Citizenship:
The Reporting Person is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(d)
Title of class of securities:
Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares
(e)
CUSIP Number(s):
128125*86
Item 3.
If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)
Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)
Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)
Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)
Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)
An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)
An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)
A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)
A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)
A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)
A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J),
please specify the type of institution:
(k)
Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.
Ownership
(a)
Amount beneficially owned:
The Reporting Person may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of 2,200,000 shares of the Issuer's Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares. The percentage reflected herein is based on 6,040,000 Series H Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares outstanding.
(b)
Percent of class:
36.4%
(c)
Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
0
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
2,200,000
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
2,200,000
Item 5.
Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Not Applicable
Item 6.
Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.
Various persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the shares of Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund. No one person's interest in the shares of Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund is more than five percent of the total outstanding shares, except for (i) The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, (ii) The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc., and (iii) Midland National Life Insurance Company.
Item 7.
Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
If a parent holding company has filed this schedule, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant subsidiary. If a parent holding company has filed this schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identification of the relevant subsidiary.
See Exhibit 99.1
Item 8.
Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Not Applicable
Item 9.
Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not Applicable
Item 10.
Certifications:
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC
Signature:
/s/ Joseph Virgilio
Name/Title:
Joseph Virgilio, Attorney-in-fact
Date:
09/08/2026
Exhibit Information
Exhibit 24.1: Power of Attorney
Exhibit 99.1: Item 7
