[N-CSR] Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. Certified Shareholder Report
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – Fiscal year ended 30 Apr 2025 (Form N-CSR)
During the 12-month period, MHI generated a 2.53 % total return on NAV and 12.33 % on market price. The gap reflects a marked narrowing of the share price discount to NAV from -12.83 % to -4.50 %. At period-end the NAV stood at $9.55 and market price at $9.12, with net assets of $217.5 million across 22.77 million common shares.
The fund paid an unchanged monthly distribution of $0.035 per share ($0.42 annualised), giving a 30-day SEC yield of 4.60 %—up sharply from 2.93 % a year earlier. Leverage remained modest: Variable-rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares finance 18.7 % of managed assets (vs 18.4 % LY); the average borrowing rate fell 8 bp, helping reduce the expense+interest ratio to 2.22 % (4.16 % LY).
Strategic activity: Management increased the high-yield municipal allocation from 51 % to 53 %, rotated into higher-coupon structures, extended call protection and shifted exposure from A-rated into BBB-rated credits. Top holdings include Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4.88 % of investments) and several NY Transportation Development Corp. airport issues. Realised losses totalled $8.1 million; unrealised gains of $2.9 million left a net investment income of $10.23 million, insufficient to fully fund distributions, producing a $4.27 million decline in common NAV.
Governance & corporate events: 1) Investment adviser changed on 1 Apr 2025 from Amundi US to Victory Capital Management under an interim agreement; fees and terms are unchanged and subject to shareholder approval of a definitive contract by 29 Aug 2025. 2) On 6 May 2025 the Board approved a Plan of Liquidation; shareholders will vote at a forthcoming special meeting, with the Board recommending approval. A proxy statement has been filed with the SEC.
Balance-sheet & risk: The fund holds $50 million of preferreds (asset coverage 535 %), trades no derivatives other than a small long Treasury-bond futures position, and carries sizeable exposure (≈53 %) to below-investment-grade munis. Unrealised tax-basis depreciation totals $5.24 million; capital-loss carry-forwards remain sizeable at $76.2 million (long-term) and $5.8 million (short-term).
Outlook: Management expects credit stability in 2025 but is monitoring tariff and healthcare policy risks. Should shareholders approve the liquidation, investors would likely receive proceeds at or near NAV, eliminating any remaining discount but terminating the strategy.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – Anno fiscale terminato il 30 aprile 2025 (Modulo N-CSR)
Durante il periodo di 12 mesi, MHI ha generato un rendimento totale del 2,53% sul NAV e del 12,33% sul prezzo di mercato. La differenza riflette un netto restringimento dello sconto del prezzo delle azioni rispetto al NAV, passato da -12,83% a -4,50%. Alla fine del periodo, il NAV era pari a 9,55 $ e il prezzo di mercato a 9,12 $, con attività nette per 217,5 milioni di dollari distribuite su 22,77 milioni di azioni ordinarie.
Il fondo ha mantenuto una distribuzione mensile invariata di 0,035 $ per azione (0,42 $ annualizzati), con un rendimento SEC a 30 giorni del 4,60%, in forte aumento rispetto al 2,93% dell'anno precedente. La leva finanziaria è rimasta contenuta: le azioni privilegiate a tasso variabile MuniFund Term finanziano il 18,7% degli asset gestiti (contro il 18,4% dell'anno precedente); il tasso medio di indebitamento è sceso di 8 punti base, contribuendo a ridurre il rapporto spese+interessi al 2,22% (4,16% l'anno precedente).
Attività strategica: Il management ha aumentato l'allocazione in municipal bond ad alto rendimento dal 51% al 53%, ruotando verso strutture con cedole più elevate, estendendo la protezione contro il richiamo anticipato e spostando l'esposizione da crediti con rating A a quelli BBB. Le principali partecipazioni includono Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4,88% degli investimenti) e diverse emissioni aeroportuali della NY Transportation Development Corp. Le perdite realizzate sono state pari a 8,1 milioni di dollari; i guadagni non realizzati di 2,9 milioni di dollari hanno portato a un reddito netto da investimenti di 10,23 milioni di dollari, insufficiente a coprire completamente le distribuzioni, causando un calo del NAV ordinario di 4,27 milioni di dollari.
Governance ed eventi societari: 1) Il consulente agli investimenti è stato cambiato il 1° aprile 2025, passando da Amundi US a Victory Capital Management con un accordo provvisorio; commissioni e termini rimangono invariati e sono soggetti all'approvazione degli azionisti entro il 29 agosto 2025 per un contratto definitivo. 2) Il 6 maggio 2025 il Consiglio di Amministrazione ha approvato un Piano di Liquidazione; gli azionisti voteranno in una prossima assemblea straordinaria, con il Consiglio che raccomanda l'approvazione. Una dichiarazione per delega è stata depositata presso la SEC.
Bilancio e rischio: Il fondo detiene 50 milioni di dollari in azioni privilegiate (copertura degli asset al 535%), non utilizza derivati se non una piccola posizione lunga in futures su titoli del Tesoro, e ha una significativa esposizione (circa 53%) a municipal bond sotto-investment grade. La svalutazione fiscale non realizzata ammonta a 5,24 milioni di dollari; le perdite fiscali riportate sono ancora rilevanti, con 76,2 milioni di dollari a lungo termine e 5,8 milioni a breve termine.
Prospettive: Il management prevede stabilità creditizia nel 2025 ma monitora i rischi legati a tariffe e politiche sanitarie. Qualora gli azionisti approvassero la liquidazione, gli investitori riceverebbero probabilmente i proventi al valore NAV o vicino ad esso, eliminando ogni sconto residuo ma terminando la strategia.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – Año fiscal finalizado el 30 de abril de 2025 (Formulario N-CSR)
Durante el período de 12 meses, MHI generó un rendimiento total del 2,53% sobre NAV y del 12,33% sobre el precio de mercado. La diferencia refleja una notable reducción del descuento del precio de la acción respecto al NAV, pasando de -12,83% a -4,50%. Al final del período, el NAV se situó en 9,55 $ y el precio de mercado en 9,12 $, con activos netos por 217,5 millones de dólares distribuidos en 22,77 millones de acciones comunes.
El fondo mantuvo una distribución mensual sin cambios de 0,035 $ por acción (0,42 $ anualizados), otorgando un rendimiento SEC a 30 días del 4,60%, un aumento significativo respecto al 2,93% del año anterior. El apalancamiento se mantuvo moderado: las acciones preferentes variables MuniFund Term financian el 18,7% de los activos gestionados (frente al 18,4% del año anterior); la tasa promedio de endeudamiento bajó 8 puntos básicos, ayudando a reducir la relación gastos+intereses al 2,22% (4,16% el año anterior).
Actividad estratégica: La administración aumentó la asignación a bonos municipales de alto rendimiento del 51% al 53%, rotando hacia estructuras con cupones más altos, extendiendo la protección contra llamadas anticipadas y cambiando la exposición de créditos con calificación A a BBB. Las principales posiciones incluyen Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4,88% de las inversiones) y varias emisiones aeroportuarias de NY Transportation Development Corp. Las pérdidas realizadas totalizaron 8,1 millones de dólares; las ganancias no realizadas de 2,9 millones de dólares dejaron un ingreso neto por inversiones de 10,23 millones de dólares, insuficiente para cubrir completamente las distribuciones, produciendo un descenso de 4,27 millones de dólares en el NAV común.
Gobernanza y eventos corporativos: 1) Se cambió el asesor de inversiones el 1 de abril de 2025, de Amundi US a Victory Capital Management bajo un acuerdo provisional; las tarifas y términos permanecen sin cambios y están sujetos a la aprobación de los accionistas para un contrato definitivo antes del 29 de agosto de 2025. 2) El 6 de mayo de 2025, la Junta aprobó un Plan de Liquidación; los accionistas votarán en una próxima reunión especial, con la Junta recomendando la aprobación. Se ha presentado una declaración de poder ante la SEC.
Balance y riesgo: El fondo posee 50 millones de dólares en acciones preferentes (cobertura de activos del 535%), no opera derivados salvo una pequeña posición larga en futuros de bonos del Tesoro, y tiene una exposición considerable (≈53%) a bonos municipales por debajo del grado de inversión. La depreciación fiscal no realizada asciende a 5,24 millones de dólares; las pérdidas fiscales acumuladas siguen siendo significativas con 76,2 millones de dólares a largo plazo y 5,8 millones a corto plazo.
Perspectivas: La administración espera estabilidad crediticia en 2025 pero está vigilando riesgos relacionados con tarifas y políticas de salud. Si los accionistas aprueban la liquidación, los inversores probablemente recibirán los ingresos al NAV o cerca de este, eliminando cualquier descuento restante pero terminando la estrategia.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – 2025년 4월 30일 종료 회계연도 (Form N-CSR)
12개월 기간 동안 MHI는 NAV 기준 총수익률 2.53%와 시장가격 기준 12.33%를 기록했습니다. 이 차이는 주가가 NAV 대비 할인폭이 -12.83%에서 -4.50%로 크게 줄어든 데서 기인합니다. 기간 말 기준 NAV는 9.55달러, 시장가격은 9.12달러였으며, 2277만 주의 보통주를 통해 순자산 2억1750만 달러를 보유하고 있습니다.
펀드는 변함없는 월별 배당금 주당 0.035달러(연 환산 0.42달러)를 지급했으며, 30일 SEC 수익률은 4.60%로 전년 2.93%에서 크게 상승했습니다. 레버리지는 적당한 수준으로 유지되었습니다: 변동금리 MuniFund Term 우선주가 운용자산의 18.7%를 금융하며 (전년 18.4%), 평균 차입금리는 8bp 하락해 비용+이자 비율을 2.22%(전년 4.16%)로 낮추는 데 기여했습니다.
전략 활동: 경영진은 고수익 지방채 할당을 51%에서 53%로 늘리고, 더 높은 쿠폰 구조로 전환했으며, 콜 보호 기간을 연장하고, A등급에서 BBB등급 신용으로 노출을 이동시켰습니다. 주요 보유 종목에는 Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (투자 비중 4.88%)와 NY Transportation Development Corp.의 여러 공항 채권이 포함됩니다. 실현 손실은 810만 달러였으며, 미실현 이익 290만 달러를 더해 순투자수익 1023만 달러를 기록했으나 배당금을 완전히 충당하지 못해 보통주 NAV가 427만 달러 감소했습니다.
지배구조 및 기업 이벤트: 1) 투자 자문사가 2025년 4월 1일부로 Amundi US에서 Victory Capital Management로 변경되었으며, 임시 계약 하에 수수료 및 조건은 변함없고 2025년 8월 29일까지 주주 승인 대상입니다. 2) 2025년 5월 6일 이사회가 청산 계획 승인을 결정했으며, 주주들은 곧 있을 특별 총회에서 투표할 예정이고 이사회는 승인 권고 중입니다. 위임장 설명서가 SEC에 제출되었습니다.
재무상태 및 위험: 펀드는 5000만 달러의 우선주를 보유(자산 담보율 535%), 국채 선물 소량 장기 포지션 외 파생상품 거래는 없으며, 투자등급 미만 지방채에 약 53% 노출되어 있습니다. 미실현 세무상 감가상각은 524만 달러이며, 장기 7620만 달러와 단기 580만 달러의 자본손실 이월액이 상당합니다.
전망: 경영진은 2025년 신용 안정성을 예상하나 관세 및 보건 정책 위험을 주시하고 있습니다. 주주가 청산을 승인할 경우 투자자는 NAV 또는 그 근처의 수익금을 받을 가능성이 높아 남은 할인폭이 사라지지만 전략은 종료됩니다.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE : MHI) – Exercice clos le 30 avril 2025 (Formulaire N-CSR)
Au cours de la période de 12 mois, MHI a généré un rendement total de 2,53 % sur la VNI et de 12,33 % sur le cours de marché. Cet écart reflète un rétrécissement marqué de la décote du prix de l'action par rapport à la VNI, passant de -12,83 % à -4,50 %. À la fin de la période, la VNI s'établissait à 9,55 $ et le cours de marché à 9,12 $, avec des actifs nets de 217,5 millions de dollars répartis sur 22,77 millions d'actions ordinaires.
Le fonds a maintenu une distribution mensuelle inchangée de 0,035 $ par action (0,42 $ annualisé), offrant un rendement SEC à 30 jours de 4,60 %, en forte hausse par rapport à 2,93 % un an plus tôt. L'effet de levier est resté modéré : les actions privilégiées à taux variable MuniFund Term financent 18,7 % des actifs gérés (contre 18,4 % l'année précédente) ; le taux d'emprunt moyen a diminué de 8 points de base, contribuant à réduire le ratio frais+intérêts à 2,22 % (4,16 % l'année précédente).
Activité stratégique : La direction a augmenté l'allocation aux obligations municipales à haut rendement de 51 % à 53 %, s'est tournée vers des structures à coupons plus élevés, a prolongé la protection contre le rappel anticipé et a déplacé l'exposition des crédits notés A vers des crédits notés BBB. Les principales positions incluent Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4,88 % des investissements) et plusieurs émissions aéroportuaires de la NY Transportation Development Corp. Les pertes réalisées se sont élevées à 8,1 millions de dollars ; les gains non réalisés de 2,9 millions de dollars ont permis un revenu net d'investissement de 10,23 millions de dollars, insuffisant pour couvrir intégralement les distributions, entraînant une baisse de la VNI ordinaire de 4,27 millions de dollars.
Gouvernance et événements d'entreprise : 1) Le conseiller en investissement a changé le 1er avril 2025, passant d'Amundi US à Victory Capital Management dans le cadre d'un accord intérimaire ; les frais et conditions restent inchangés et sont soumis à l'approbation des actionnaires d'un contrat définitif avant le 29 août 2025. 2) Le 6 mai 2025, le conseil d'administration a approuvé un plan de liquidation ; les actionnaires voteront lors d'une prochaine assemblée extraordinaire, le conseil recommandant l'approbation. Une déclaration de procuration a été déposée auprès de la SEC.
Bilan et risque : Le fonds détient 50 millions de dollars d'actions privilégiées (couverture des actifs de 535 %), ne négocie pas de dérivés à l'exception d'une petite position longue sur des contrats à terme sur obligations du Trésor, et présente une exposition importante (≈53 %) aux obligations municipales en dessous de la catégorie investissement. La dépréciation fiscale non réalisée s'élève à 5,24 millions de dollars ; les reports de pertes en capital restent importants, à 76,2 millions de dollars à long terme et 5,8 millions à court terme.
Perspectives : La direction prévoit une stabilité du crédit en 2025 mais surveille les risques liés aux tarifs et aux politiques de santé. Si les actionnaires approuvent la liquidation, les investisseurs recevraient probablement des produits proches de la VNI, éliminant toute décote restante mais mettant fin à la stratégie.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – Geschäftsjahr zum 30. April 2025 (Formular N-CSR)
Im 12-Monats-Zeitraum erzielte MHI eine Gesamtrendite von 2,53 % auf den NAV und 12,33 % auf den Marktpreis. Die Differenz spiegelt eine deutliche Verringerung des Kursabschlags zum NAV von -12,83 % auf -4,50 % wider. Am Periodenende lag der NAV bei 9,55 $ und der Marktpreis bei 9,12 $, mit Nettovermögen von 217,5 Millionen Dollar aufgeteilt auf 22,77 Millionen Stammaktien.
Der Fonds zahlte eine unveränderte monatliche Ausschüttung von 0,035 $ pro Aktie (jährlich 0,42 $), was eine 30-Tage-SEC-Rendite von 4,60 % ergibt – ein deutlicher Anstieg gegenüber 2,93 % im Vorjahr. Die Verschuldung blieb moderat: Variable MuniFund Term Preferred Shares finanzieren 18,7 % der verwalteten Vermögenswerte (gegenüber 18,4 % im Vorjahr); der durchschnittliche Zinssatz sank um 8 Basispunkte, was zur Senkung des Aufwand+Zins-Verhältnisses auf 2,22 % (4,16 % im Vorjahr) beitrug.
Strategische Aktivitäten: Das Management erhöhte die Allokation in Hochzinskommunalanleihen von 51 % auf 53 %, setzte auf höher verzinste Strukturen, verlängerte den Call-Schutz und verlagerte die Exponierung von A-gerateten zu BBB-gerateten Krediten. Zu den Top-Beständen gehören Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4,88 % der Investitionen) und mehrere Flughafenanleihen der NY Transportation Development Corp. Realisierte Verluste beliefen sich auf 8,1 Millionen Dollar; unrealisierte Gewinne von 2,9 Millionen Dollar führten zu einem Nettoanlageertrag von 10,23 Millionen Dollar, der nicht ausreichte, um die Ausschüttungen vollständig zu finanzieren, was zu einem Rückgang des Stamm-NAV um 4,27 Millionen Dollar führte.
Governance & Unternehmensereignisse: 1) Investmentberater wechselte am 1. April 2025 von Amundi US zu Victory Capital Management im Rahmen einer Zwischenvereinbarung; Gebühren und Bedingungen bleiben unverändert und unterliegen der Zustimmung der Aktionäre bis zum 29. August 2025 für einen endgültigen Vertrag. 2) Am 6. Mai 2025 genehmigte der Vorstand einen Liquidationsplan; die Aktionäre werden bei einer bevorstehenden außerordentlichen Hauptversammlung abstimmen, wobei der Vorstand die Zustimmung empfiehlt. Eine Vollmachtserklärung wurde bei der SEC eingereicht.
Bilanz & Risiko: Der Fonds hält 50 Millionen Dollar an Vorzugsaktien (Asset Coverage 535 %), handelt keine Derivate außer einer kleinen Long-Position in Treasury-Bond-Futures und hat eine beträchtliche Exponierung (ca. 53 %) gegenüber unter Investment-Grade liegenden Kommunalanleihen. Nicht realisierte steuerliche Abschreibungen belaufen sich auf 5,24 Millionen Dollar; Verlustvorträge sind mit 76,2 Millionen Dollar langfristig und 5,8 Millionen kurzfristig weiterhin erheblich.
Ausblick: Das Management erwartet für 2025 eine stabile Kreditlage, beobachtet jedoch Risiken im Zusammenhang mit Zöllen und Gesundheitspolitik. Sollten die Aktionäre der Liquidation zustimmen, würden Anleger voraussichtlich Erlöse nahe dem NAV erhalten, wodurch ein verbleibender Abschlag entfiele, die Strategie jedoch beendet würde.
- Board-approved liquidation plan offers potential 4.5 % uplift to NAV for common shareholders, subject to vote.
- Share price discount narrowed sharply from 12.83 % to 4.50 %, indicating stronger demand and reduced market friction.
- SEC yield surged to 4.60 % (vs 2.93 % LY), enhancing income attractiveness.
- Borrowing cost declined 8 bp, helping cut total expense+interest ratio to 2.22 %.
- Market price return of 12.33 % outpaced both broad and high-yield muni benchmarks due to discount compression.
- NAV total return (2.53 %) lagged the Bloomberg US Municipal High Yield Bond Index (4.35 %).
- $8.4 million realised losses and net asset decline of $4.27 million signal ongoing credit volatility.
- High leverage to sub-investment-grade (≈53 %) and concentrated sector exposures heighten credit and liquidity risk.
- Expense ratio remains high at 2.22 % of common net assets.
- Liquidation process may trigger forced sales of illiquid bonds, potentially eroding NAV before payout.
Insights
TL;DR: Liquidation vote could unlock NAV; discount already narrowed, yield attractive, but NAV underperformed high-yield muni index.
The Board-backed liquidation proposal is the dominant catalyst. If approved, common holders would receive cash (or equivalent) close to reported NAV, capturing the residual 4.5 % discount and ending uncertainty over future management. Discount compression already accounts for most of the 12.3 % market return, but further upside remains until the vote.
Operationally, NII covered 107 % of distributions, leverage cost fell and the SEC yield climbed to 4.6 %, bolstering income appeal in the run-off period. Strategy tweaks (higher coupons, longer calls, BBB bias) supported cash flow, though at the expense of slight relative under-performance vs the Bloomberg HY muni index (2.53 % vs 4.35 %). With asset coverage of 535 %, preferred share risk is low.
Impact assessment: liquidation path plus narrow discount → impactful & modestly positive.
TL;DR: High junk exposure, realised losses and pending liquidation add execution and timing risk.
Over half the portfolio is sub-investment-grade, with concentrated bets in tobacco, transportation and Puerto Rico credits—sectors prone to spread spikes in risk-off markets. Realised losses of $8.1 million and capital-loss carry forwards highlight past credit volatility. Liquidation, while potentially value-accretive, introduces timeline risk (shareholder vote, settlement) and may force sales in illiquid muni segments, pressuring prices. Expense ratio is still elevated at 2.22 %, and NAV performance lagged the HY benchmark.
Impact assessment: execution risk offsets discount-capture upside → moderately negative.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – Anno fiscale terminato il 30 aprile 2025 (Modulo N-CSR)
Durante il periodo di 12 mesi, MHI ha generato un rendimento totale del 2,53% sul NAV e del 12,33% sul prezzo di mercato. La differenza riflette un netto restringimento dello sconto del prezzo delle azioni rispetto al NAV, passato da -12,83% a -4,50%. Alla fine del periodo, il NAV era pari a 9,55 $ e il prezzo di mercato a 9,12 $, con attività nette per 217,5 milioni di dollari distribuite su 22,77 milioni di azioni ordinarie.
Il fondo ha mantenuto una distribuzione mensile invariata di 0,035 $ per azione (0,42 $ annualizzati), con un rendimento SEC a 30 giorni del 4,60%, in forte aumento rispetto al 2,93% dell'anno precedente. La leva finanziaria è rimasta contenuta: le azioni privilegiate a tasso variabile MuniFund Term finanziano il 18,7% degli asset gestiti (contro il 18,4% dell'anno precedente); il tasso medio di indebitamento è sceso di 8 punti base, contribuendo a ridurre il rapporto spese+interessi al 2,22% (4,16% l'anno precedente).
Attività strategica: Il management ha aumentato l'allocazione in municipal bond ad alto rendimento dal 51% al 53%, ruotando verso strutture con cedole più elevate, estendendo la protezione contro il richiamo anticipato e spostando l'esposizione da crediti con rating A a quelli BBB. Le principali partecipazioni includono Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4,88% degli investimenti) e diverse emissioni aeroportuali della NY Transportation Development Corp. Le perdite realizzate sono state pari a 8,1 milioni di dollari; i guadagni non realizzati di 2,9 milioni di dollari hanno portato a un reddito netto da investimenti di 10,23 milioni di dollari, insufficiente a coprire completamente le distribuzioni, causando un calo del NAV ordinario di 4,27 milioni di dollari.
Governance ed eventi societari: 1) Il consulente agli investimenti è stato cambiato il 1° aprile 2025, passando da Amundi US a Victory Capital Management con un accordo provvisorio; commissioni e termini rimangono invariati e sono soggetti all'approvazione degli azionisti entro il 29 agosto 2025 per un contratto definitivo. 2) Il 6 maggio 2025 il Consiglio di Amministrazione ha approvato un Piano di Liquidazione; gli azionisti voteranno in una prossima assemblea straordinaria, con il Consiglio che raccomanda l'approvazione. Una dichiarazione per delega è stata depositata presso la SEC.
Bilancio e rischio: Il fondo detiene 50 milioni di dollari in azioni privilegiate (copertura degli asset al 535%), non utilizza derivati se non una piccola posizione lunga in futures su titoli del Tesoro, e ha una significativa esposizione (circa 53%) a municipal bond sotto-investment grade. La svalutazione fiscale non realizzata ammonta a 5,24 milioni di dollari; le perdite fiscali riportate sono ancora rilevanti, con 76,2 milioni di dollari a lungo termine e 5,8 milioni a breve termine.
Prospettive: Il management prevede stabilità creditizia nel 2025 ma monitora i rischi legati a tariffe e politiche sanitarie. Qualora gli azionisti approvassero la liquidazione, gli investitori riceverebbero probabilmente i proventi al valore NAV o vicino ad esso, eliminando ogni sconto residuo ma terminando la strategia.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – Año fiscal finalizado el 30 de abril de 2025 (Formulario N-CSR)
Durante el período de 12 meses, MHI generó un rendimiento total del 2,53% sobre NAV y del 12,33% sobre el precio de mercado. La diferencia refleja una notable reducción del descuento del precio de la acción respecto al NAV, pasando de -12,83% a -4,50%. Al final del período, el NAV se situó en 9,55 $ y el precio de mercado en 9,12 $, con activos netos por 217,5 millones de dólares distribuidos en 22,77 millones de acciones comunes.
El fondo mantuvo una distribución mensual sin cambios de 0,035 $ por acción (0,42 $ anualizados), otorgando un rendimiento SEC a 30 días del 4,60%, un aumento significativo respecto al 2,93% del año anterior. El apalancamiento se mantuvo moderado: las acciones preferentes variables MuniFund Term financian el 18,7% de los activos gestionados (frente al 18,4% del año anterior); la tasa promedio de endeudamiento bajó 8 puntos básicos, ayudando a reducir la relación gastos+intereses al 2,22% (4,16% el año anterior).
Actividad estratégica: La administración aumentó la asignación a bonos municipales de alto rendimiento del 51% al 53%, rotando hacia estructuras con cupones más altos, extendiendo la protección contra llamadas anticipadas y cambiando la exposición de créditos con calificación A a BBB. Las principales posiciones incluyen Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4,88% de las inversiones) y varias emisiones aeroportuarias de NY Transportation Development Corp. Las pérdidas realizadas totalizaron 8,1 millones de dólares; las ganancias no realizadas de 2,9 millones de dólares dejaron un ingreso neto por inversiones de 10,23 millones de dólares, insuficiente para cubrir completamente las distribuciones, produciendo un descenso de 4,27 millones de dólares en el NAV común.
Gobernanza y eventos corporativos: 1) Se cambió el asesor de inversiones el 1 de abril de 2025, de Amundi US a Victory Capital Management bajo un acuerdo provisional; las tarifas y términos permanecen sin cambios y están sujetos a la aprobación de los accionistas para un contrato definitivo antes del 29 de agosto de 2025. 2) El 6 de mayo de 2025, la Junta aprobó un Plan de Liquidación; los accionistas votarán en una próxima reunión especial, con la Junta recomendando la aprobación. Se ha presentado una declaración de poder ante la SEC.
Balance y riesgo: El fondo posee 50 millones de dólares en acciones preferentes (cobertura de activos del 535%), no opera derivados salvo una pequeña posición larga en futuros de bonos del Tesoro, y tiene una exposición considerable (≈53%) a bonos municipales por debajo del grado de inversión. La depreciación fiscal no realizada asciende a 5,24 millones de dólares; las pérdidas fiscales acumuladas siguen siendo significativas con 76,2 millones de dólares a largo plazo y 5,8 millones a corto plazo.
Perspectivas: La administración espera estabilidad crediticia en 2025 pero está vigilando riesgos relacionados con tarifas y políticas de salud. Si los accionistas aprueban la liquidación, los inversores probablemente recibirán los ingresos al NAV o cerca de este, eliminando cualquier descuento restante pero terminando la estrategia.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – 2025년 4월 30일 종료 회계연도 (Form N-CSR)
12개월 기간 동안 MHI는 NAV 기준 총수익률 2.53%와 시장가격 기준 12.33%를 기록했습니다. 이 차이는 주가가 NAV 대비 할인폭이 -12.83%에서 -4.50%로 크게 줄어든 데서 기인합니다. 기간 말 기준 NAV는 9.55달러, 시장가격은 9.12달러였으며, 2277만 주의 보통주를 통해 순자산 2억1750만 달러를 보유하고 있습니다.
펀드는 변함없는 월별 배당금 주당 0.035달러(연 환산 0.42달러)를 지급했으며, 30일 SEC 수익률은 4.60%로 전년 2.93%에서 크게 상승했습니다. 레버리지는 적당한 수준으로 유지되었습니다: 변동금리 MuniFund Term 우선주가 운용자산의 18.7%를 금융하며 (전년 18.4%), 평균 차입금리는 8bp 하락해 비용+이자 비율을 2.22%(전년 4.16%)로 낮추는 데 기여했습니다.
전략 활동: 경영진은 고수익 지방채 할당을 51%에서 53%로 늘리고, 더 높은 쿠폰 구조로 전환했으며, 콜 보호 기간을 연장하고, A등급에서 BBB등급 신용으로 노출을 이동시켰습니다. 주요 보유 종목에는 Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (투자 비중 4.88%)와 NY Transportation Development Corp.의 여러 공항 채권이 포함됩니다. 실현 손실은 810만 달러였으며, 미실현 이익 290만 달러를 더해 순투자수익 1023만 달러를 기록했으나 배당금을 완전히 충당하지 못해 보통주 NAV가 427만 달러 감소했습니다.
지배구조 및 기업 이벤트: 1) 투자 자문사가 2025년 4월 1일부로 Amundi US에서 Victory Capital Management로 변경되었으며, 임시 계약 하에 수수료 및 조건은 변함없고 2025년 8월 29일까지 주주 승인 대상입니다. 2) 2025년 5월 6일 이사회가 청산 계획 승인을 결정했으며, 주주들은 곧 있을 특별 총회에서 투표할 예정이고 이사회는 승인 권고 중입니다. 위임장 설명서가 SEC에 제출되었습니다.
재무상태 및 위험: 펀드는 5000만 달러의 우선주를 보유(자산 담보율 535%), 국채 선물 소량 장기 포지션 외 파생상품 거래는 없으며, 투자등급 미만 지방채에 약 53% 노출되어 있습니다. 미실현 세무상 감가상각은 524만 달러이며, 장기 7620만 달러와 단기 580만 달러의 자본손실 이월액이 상당합니다.
전망: 경영진은 2025년 신용 안정성을 예상하나 관세 및 보건 정책 위험을 주시하고 있습니다. 주주가 청산을 승인할 경우 투자자는 NAV 또는 그 근처의 수익금을 받을 가능성이 높아 남은 할인폭이 사라지지만 전략은 종료됩니다.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE : MHI) – Exercice clos le 30 avril 2025 (Formulaire N-CSR)
Au cours de la période de 12 mois, MHI a généré un rendement total de 2,53 % sur la VNI et de 12,33 % sur le cours de marché. Cet écart reflète un rétrécissement marqué de la décote du prix de l'action par rapport à la VNI, passant de -12,83 % à -4,50 %. À la fin de la période, la VNI s'établissait à 9,55 $ et le cours de marché à 9,12 $, avec des actifs nets de 217,5 millions de dollars répartis sur 22,77 millions d'actions ordinaires.
Le fonds a maintenu une distribution mensuelle inchangée de 0,035 $ par action (0,42 $ annualisé), offrant un rendement SEC à 30 jours de 4,60 %, en forte hausse par rapport à 2,93 % un an plus tôt. L'effet de levier est resté modéré : les actions privilégiées à taux variable MuniFund Term financent 18,7 % des actifs gérés (contre 18,4 % l'année précédente) ; le taux d'emprunt moyen a diminué de 8 points de base, contribuant à réduire le ratio frais+intérêts à 2,22 % (4,16 % l'année précédente).
Activité stratégique : La direction a augmenté l'allocation aux obligations municipales à haut rendement de 51 % à 53 %, s'est tournée vers des structures à coupons plus élevés, a prolongé la protection contre le rappel anticipé et a déplacé l'exposition des crédits notés A vers des crédits notés BBB. Les principales positions incluent Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4,88 % des investissements) et plusieurs émissions aéroportuaires de la NY Transportation Development Corp. Les pertes réalisées se sont élevées à 8,1 millions de dollars ; les gains non réalisés de 2,9 millions de dollars ont permis un revenu net d'investissement de 10,23 millions de dollars, insuffisant pour couvrir intégralement les distributions, entraînant une baisse de la VNI ordinaire de 4,27 millions de dollars.
Gouvernance et événements d'entreprise : 1) Le conseiller en investissement a changé le 1er avril 2025, passant d'Amundi US à Victory Capital Management dans le cadre d'un accord intérimaire ; les frais et conditions restent inchangés et sont soumis à l'approbation des actionnaires d'un contrat définitif avant le 29 août 2025. 2) Le 6 mai 2025, le conseil d'administration a approuvé un plan de liquidation ; les actionnaires voteront lors d'une prochaine assemblée extraordinaire, le conseil recommandant l'approbation. Une déclaration de procuration a été déposée auprès de la SEC.
Bilan et risque : Le fonds détient 50 millions de dollars d'actions privilégiées (couverture des actifs de 535 %), ne négocie pas de dérivés à l'exception d'une petite position longue sur des contrats à terme sur obligations du Trésor, et présente une exposition importante (≈53 %) aux obligations municipales en dessous de la catégorie investissement. La dépréciation fiscale non réalisée s'élève à 5,24 millions de dollars ; les reports de pertes en capital restent importants, à 76,2 millions de dollars à long terme et 5,8 millions à court terme.
Perspectives : La direction prévoit une stabilité du crédit en 2025 mais surveille les risques liés aux tarifs et aux politiques de santé. Si les actionnaires approuvent la liquidation, les investisseurs recevraient probablement des produits proches de la VNI, éliminant toute décote restante mais mettant fin à la stratégie.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MHI) – Geschäftsjahr zum 30. April 2025 (Formular N-CSR)
Im 12-Monats-Zeitraum erzielte MHI eine Gesamtrendite von 2,53 % auf den NAV und 12,33 % auf den Marktpreis. Die Differenz spiegelt eine deutliche Verringerung des Kursabschlags zum NAV von -12,83 % auf -4,50 % wider. Am Periodenende lag der NAV bei 9,55 $ und der Marktpreis bei 9,12 $, mit Nettovermögen von 217,5 Millionen Dollar aufgeteilt auf 22,77 Millionen Stammaktien.
Der Fonds zahlte eine unveränderte monatliche Ausschüttung von 0,035 $ pro Aktie (jährlich 0,42 $), was eine 30-Tage-SEC-Rendite von 4,60 % ergibt – ein deutlicher Anstieg gegenüber 2,93 % im Vorjahr. Die Verschuldung blieb moderat: Variable MuniFund Term Preferred Shares finanzieren 18,7 % der verwalteten Vermögenswerte (gegenüber 18,4 % im Vorjahr); der durchschnittliche Zinssatz sank um 8 Basispunkte, was zur Senkung des Aufwand+Zins-Verhältnisses auf 2,22 % (4,16 % im Vorjahr) beitrug.
Strategische Aktivitäten: Das Management erhöhte die Allokation in Hochzinskommunalanleihen von 51 % auf 53 %, setzte auf höher verzinste Strukturen, verlängerte den Call-Schutz und verlagerte die Exponierung von A-gerateten zu BBB-gerateten Krediten. Zu den Top-Beständen gehören Buckeye Tobacco Settlement (4,88 % der Investitionen) und mehrere Flughafenanleihen der NY Transportation Development Corp. Realisierte Verluste beliefen sich auf 8,1 Millionen Dollar; unrealisierte Gewinne von 2,9 Millionen Dollar führten zu einem Nettoanlageertrag von 10,23 Millionen Dollar, der nicht ausreichte, um die Ausschüttungen vollständig zu finanzieren, was zu einem Rückgang des Stamm-NAV um 4,27 Millionen Dollar führte.
Governance & Unternehmensereignisse: 1) Investmentberater wechselte am 1. April 2025 von Amundi US zu Victory Capital Management im Rahmen einer Zwischenvereinbarung; Gebühren und Bedingungen bleiben unverändert und unterliegen der Zustimmung der Aktionäre bis zum 29. August 2025 für einen endgültigen Vertrag. 2) Am 6. Mai 2025 genehmigte der Vorstand einen Liquidationsplan; die Aktionäre werden bei einer bevorstehenden außerordentlichen Hauptversammlung abstimmen, wobei der Vorstand die Zustimmung empfiehlt. Eine Vollmachtserklärung wurde bei der SEC eingereicht.
Bilanz & Risiko: Der Fonds hält 50 Millionen Dollar an Vorzugsaktien (Asset Coverage 535 %), handelt keine Derivate außer einer kleinen Long-Position in Treasury-Bond-Futures und hat eine beträchtliche Exponierung (ca. 53 %) gegenüber unter Investment-Grade liegenden Kommunalanleihen. Nicht realisierte steuerliche Abschreibungen belaufen sich auf 5,24 Millionen Dollar; Verlustvorträge sind mit 76,2 Millionen Dollar langfristig und 5,8 Millionen kurzfristig weiterhin erheblich.
Ausblick: Das Management erwartet für 2025 eine stabile Kreditlage, beobachtet jedoch Risiken im Zusammenhang mit Zöllen und Gesundheitspolitik. Sollten die Aktionäre der Liquidation zustimmen, würden Anleger voraussichtlich Erlöse nahe dem NAV erhalten, wodurch ein verbleibender Abschlag entfiele, die Strategie jedoch beendet würde.
Ticker Symbol: MHI |

Portfolio Management Discussion |
2 |
Portfolio Summary |
9 |
Prices and Distributions |
12 |
Performance Update |
13 |
Schedule of Investments |
15 |
Financial Statements |
26 |
Notes to Financial Statements |
32 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
48 |
Additional Information (unaudited) |
50 |
Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and Principal Risks |
51 |
Effects of Leverage |
79 |
Approval of New Investment Advisory Agreement and Interim Investment Advisory Agreement with Victory Capital Management Inc. |
81 |
Directors, Officers and Service Providers |
92 |
Q |
How did the Fund perform during the 12-month period ended April 30, 2025? |
A |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. returned 2.53% at net asset value (NAV) and 12.33% at market price during the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2025. During the same twelve-month period, the Fund’s benchmarks, the Bloomberg US Municipal High Yield Bond Index and the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, returned 4.35% and 1.66% at NAV, respectively. The Bloomberg US Municipal High Yield Bond Index is an unmanaged measure of the performance of lower rated municipal bonds, while the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged measure of the performance of investment-grade municipal bonds. Unlike the Fund, the two indices do not use leverage. While the use of leverage increases investment opportunity, it also increases investment risk. |
During the same twelve-month period, the average return at NAV of the 28 closed end funds in Morningstar’s Closed End High Yield Municipal category (which may or may not be leveraged) |
was 2.25%, and the average return at market price of the closed-end funds within the same Morningstar category was 12.39%. The shares of the Fund were selling at a 4.50% discount to NAV on April 30, 2025. Comparatively, the shares of the Fund were selling at a 12.83% discount to NAV on April 30, 2024. On April 30, 2025, the standardized 30-day SEC yield of the Fund’s shares was 4.60%.* | |
Q |
Which of the Fund's investment strategies contributed positively to performance over the period? |
A |
The Fund’s primary objective is to provide a high level of current income to shareholders, exempt from regular federal income tax. The Fund’s income paying ability was maintained during the period through a series of thematic repositioning trades. Credit selection was a key positive contributor to the Fund's performance. The Fund was able to sell certain lower coupon bonds and reinvest the proceeds of those sales into higher coupon bonds. In addition, the call structure of the portfolio was enhanced as short call bonds were sold and reinvested in municipal bonds with longer call dates. The Fund’s credit profile favored a bias to lower quality, higher yielding securities as select A rated municipal bonds were sold in favor of attractive opportunities within BBB rated municipal bonds. The Fund’s allocation to high yield municipal bonds was increased from 51% to the 53%, closer to the Fund’s maximum limit of 60% in an effort to capture income enhancing opportunities in the current market environment. |
Q |
Which investment strategies detracted from the Fund’s benchmark-relative performance results during the 12-month period ended April 30, 2025? |
A |
The Fund carries leveraged exposure to the municipal bond market. The Fund disposed of relatively illiquid tobacco MSA bonds, including zero coupon bonds, and reinvested proceeds into new issue municipal bonds and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. |
* | The 30-day SEC yield is a standardized formula that is based on the hypothetical annualized earning power (investment income only) of the Fund’s portfolio securities during the period indicated. |
Q |
Did the Fund’s distributions ** to shareholders change during the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2025? |
A |
The Fund’s monthly distribution rate began the one-year period at $0.035 per share in April 2024, and remained at that level through April 30, 2025. |
Q |
Did the level of leverage in the Fund change during the twelve-month period April 30, 2025? |
A |
On April 30, 2025, 18.7% of the Fund’s total managed assets were financed by leverage obtained through the issuance of Variable Rate Muni Fund Term Preferred Shares, a slight increase compared with 18.4% of the Fund’s total managed assets financed by leverage at the start of the period on May 1, 2024. The change in the percentage of the Fund’s total managed assets financed by leverage during the period was the result of a decrease in the value of the Fund’s total managed assets relative to the absolute amount of funds borrowed. The interest rate on the Fund's leverage decreased by 8 basis points during the period from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025. |
Q |
Did the Fund have any exposure to derivatives during the twelve- month period ended April 30, 2025? |
A |
The Fund’s limited exposure to U.S. treasury futures had a negligible effect on benchmark relative performance. |
Q |
What is your investment outlook, and how is the Fund positioned heading into its new fiscal year? |
A |
The endpoint for US tariff rates will be an important driver to the domestic economy and financial markets. The outlook for that landing spot remains opaque, particularly given the lack of a clear and achievable objective for tariff policy. Consensus expectations have generally coalesced around the following: (1) the 10% universal tariff will remain but the most extreme reciprocal tariffs will not be implemented, (2) the tariffs on China will be lowered from 145% to around 60%, and (3) sectoral tariffs of 25% will remain on steel, aluminum and autos. While this may be the most likely outcome, it is far from certain, and we view the distribution of potential tariff outcomes as being skewed |
** |
Distributions are not guaranteed. |
higher relative to the current consensus. Under this tariff scenario, the US economy could muddle through with slower, but positive, economic growth in the second half of the year. If tariffs end up materially higher than current expectations, however, a US growth recession seems likely in coming quarters. The outlook for Fed policy is similarly bimodal as the dual mandate of stable prices (inflation) and maximum employment (growth) appear to be in tension. We do not expect the Fed to preemptively ease monetary policy to prevent a tariff-driven, or supply shock, recession, particularly when prices are rising sharply, but we do anticipate that the Fed would be willing to ease aggressively to reduce the severity of a recession that is clearly under way. | |
We generally expect credit stability in 2025. We believe potential policy shifts could create both credit negatives and credit positives. For example, some of these policy impacts may be felt in port issuers with broadly applied tariffs impacting bottom lines, hands-off energy policy could benefit traditional energy producing local agencies and states, while Medicaid and Medicare eligibility/reimbursement rate shifts could negatively impact smaller regional health care systems. Important to note is that these policies will take time to filter into the municipal market and will likely not be reflected until later in 2025 and beyond. Further, the stronger than expected economic growth experienced in 2024 generally has left issuers well positioned to weather policy shifts that may occur in 2025. | |
In terms of relative value, thematic trades centered around picking specific sectors that likely remain challenging in an evolving political landscape. Broadly speaking, we expect the AMT transportation sector, which includes airports and toll roads, to outperform. This sector typically is subject to AMT, but if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is to be renewed, we believe that it could provide a technical tailwind to the sector. There is likely room for spread compression in the sector if the tax code limits the number of individuals subject to the AMT. The prepaid gas sector is another area of interest. This sector stands to benefit from the Trump administration’s promise to deregulate the energy industry and to impose tariffs on non-US energy supply. On top of the regulatory tailwind, the sector issues into the |
longer end of the municipal yield curve, an area we find particularly attractive in today’s landscape. | |
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the healthcare/hospital sector, which performed well in 2024, but may be disadvantaged by the historically tight credit spreads with which it entered 2025. Additionally, with the potential for significant Medicare and Medicaid policy shifts, systems with high exposure to these programs could see their budgets compress. We believe the correct sector focus shifts allocations from the hospital sector into the senior living subsector, specifically in systems that are less dependent on Medicaid payments from a credit fundamental standpoint. It will be necessary to remain nimble in the event that policy shifts substantially change the course for certain sectors. | |
Our goal is to invest the Fund in what we believe are fundamentally sound credits representing relative value opportunities, while maintaining an appropriate level of risk management. We also seek to avoid experiencing defaults in the Fund through our emphasis on fundamental research. We believe this steady, long-term approach remains the most effective way to identify opportunities and to help minimize the risk associated with investing in the high-yield municipal market. |



(As a percentage of total investments)* | ||
1. | Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Senior Class 2, Series B-2, 5.00%, 6/1/55 | 4.88% |
2. | New York Transportation Development Corp., Delta Airlines Inc-LaGuardia, 5.00%, 10/1/40 | 4.37 |
3. | Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Green Bond, 5.45%, 9/1/52 | 3.93 |
4. | Iowa Finance Authority, Alcoa Inc. Projects, 4.75%, 8/1/42 | 3.51 |
5. | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, WGBH Educational Foundation, Series A, 5.75%, 1/1/42 (AMBAC Insured) | 3.21 |
6. | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1, 5.00%, 7/1/58 | 2.96 |
7. | City of Houston Airport System Revenue, 4.00%, 7/15/41 | 2.73 |
8. | New York Transportation Development Corp., JFK Airport Terminal 6 Redevelopment Project, Series A, 5.50%, 12/31/60 | 2.69 |
9. | Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Public-Private Partnership Project, 5.75%, 9/1/64 | 2.36 |
10. | Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Green Bond, Series C-1, 4.75%, 11/15/45 | 2.33 |
4/30/25 |
4/30/24 | |
Market Value | $ |
$ |
Discount | ( |
( |
4/30/25 |
4/30/24 | |
Net Asset Value | $ |
$ |
Net Investment Income |
Short-Term Capital Gains |
Long-Term Capital Gains | |
5/1/24 – 4/30/25 | $0.4200 | $— | $— |
4/30/25 |
4/30/24 | |
30-Day SEC Yield | 4.60% | 2.93% |
Average Annual Total Return (As of April 30, 2025) | ||||
Period |
Net Asset Value (NAV) |
Market Price |
Bloom- berg Municipal Bond Index |
Bloom- berg U.S. Municipal High Yield Bond Index |
10 Years | 1.77% | 0.27% | 2.10% | 4.11% |
5 Years | -0.40 | 1.27 | 1.17 | 4.65 |
1 Year | 2.53 | 12.33 | 1.66 | 4.35 |

Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
UNAFFILIATED ISSUERS — 120.6% |
||||||
Municipal Bonds — 120.6% of Net Assets(a) |
||||||
Alabama — 1.2% |
||||||
2,750,000 | Mobile County Industrial Development Authority, Calvert LLC Project, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/54 | $ 2,601,033 | ||||
Total Alabama |
$2,601,033 | |||||
Arizona — 0.9% |
||||||
2,115,000 | Industrial Development Authority of the City of Phoenix, 3rd & Indian School Assisted Living Project, 5.40%, 10/1/36 | $ 1,952,505 | ||||
Total Arizona |
$1,952,505 | |||||
Arkansas — 4.7% |
||||||
10,200,000 | Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Green Bond, 5.45%, 9/1/52 | $ 10,316,178 | ||||
Total Arkansas |
$10,316,178 | |||||
California — 7.7% |
||||||
10,000,000(b) | California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Capital Appreciation, Stanislaus County, Subordinated, Series A, 6/1/46 | $ 2,372,000 | ||||
5,300,000(c) | California Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank, Brightline West Passenger Rail Project, Series A, 9.50%, 1/1/65 (144A) | 5,108,140 | ||||
750,000 | California Municipal Finance Authority, Westside Neighborhood School Project, 6.375%, 6/15/64 (144A) | 792,967 | ||||
300,000 | California School Finance Authority, Fortune School of Education Obligated Group, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/54 (144A) | 272,943 | ||||
800,000 | California School Finance Authority, Fortune School of Education Obligated Group, Series A, 5.125%, 6/1/59 (144A) | 731,056 | ||||
1,300,000 | California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Lancer Plaza Project, 5.625%, 11/1/33 | 1,300,949 | ||||
2,000,000 | California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Loma Linda University Medical Center, 5.50%, 12/1/58 (144A) | 2,037,720 | ||||
4,000,000 | San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Private Activity, Series B, 5.25%, 7/1/58 | 4,109,280 | ||||
Total California |
$16,725,055 | |||||
Colorado — 3.3% |
||||||
1,000,000 | Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority, 4.375%, 12/1/52 | $ 848,440 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Colorado — (continued) |
||||||
800,000 | Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority, 5.75%, 12/1/54 (144A) | $ 802,568 | ||||
2,450,000 | Dominion Water & Sanitation District, 5.875%, 12/1/52 | 2,357,022 | ||||
250,000(d) | Mineral Business Improvement District, City Of Littleton, Arapahoe County, Series A, 5.75%, 12/1/54 (144A) | 246,643 | ||||
2,500,000 | Nine Mile Metropolitan District, 5.125%, 12/1/40 | 2,441,025 | ||||
500,000 | Pinery Commercial Metropolitan District No 2, Douglas County, 5.75%, 12/1/54 | 480,545 | ||||
Total Colorado |
$7,176,243 | |||||
Connecticut — 0.4% |
||||||
250,000 | Stamford Housing Authority, Mozaic Concierge Living Project, Series A, 6.25%, 10/1/60 | $ 250,473 | ||||
250,000 | Stamford Housing Authority, Mozaic Concierge Living Project, Series A, 6.375%, 10/1/45 | 252,260 | ||||
360,000 | Stamford Housing Authority, Mozaic Concierge Living Project, Series A, 6.50%, 10/1/55 | 367,106 | ||||
Total Connecticut |
$869,839 | |||||
District of Columbia — 3.8% |
||||||
500,000 | District of Columbia, Union Market Project, Series A, 5.125%, 6/1/34 (144A) | $ 483,225 | ||||
5,025,000 | District of Columbia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Asset-Backed, 6.75%, 5/15/40 | 5,124,595 | ||||
10,000,000(b) | District of Columbia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Capital Appreciation, Asset-Backed, Series A, 6/15/46 | 2,647,000 | ||||
Total District of Columbia |
$8,254,820 | |||||
Florida — 4.0% |
||||||
1,545,000 | Capital Projects Finance Authority, Navigator Academy Of Leadership Obligated Group Project, 5.00%, 6/15/64 (144A) | $ 1,386,668 | ||||
1,500,000 | Capital Projects Finance Authority, PRG - Unionwest Properties LLC Project, Series A-1, 5.00%, 6/1/54 (144A) | 1,442,265 | ||||
820,000 | Capital Trust Authority, Mason Classical Academy Project, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/54 (144A) | 736,024 | ||||
745,000 | Capital Trust Authority, Mason Classical Academy Project, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/64 (144A) | 644,380 | ||||
500,000 | Capital Trust Authority, Mason Classical Academy Project, Series A, 5.25%, 6/15/59 (144A) | 467,000 | ||||
2,000,000 | Florida Development Finance Corp., Brightline Florida Passenger Rail Project, 5.50%, 7/1/53 | 1,996,000 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Florida — (continued) |
||||||
1,000,000(c) | Florida Development Finance Corp., Brightline Florida Passenger Rail Project, 12.00%, 7/15/32 (144A) | $ 1,035,130 | ||||
500,000 | Florida Development Finance Corp., The Henry Project, Series A-1, 5.25%, 6/1/54 (144A) | 483,675 | ||||
605,000 | Miami-Dade County Industrial Development Authority, Academir Charter Schools, Inc., Project, Series A, 5.25%, 7/1/52 (144A) | 569,620 | ||||
Total Florida |
$8,760,762 | |||||
Georgia — 1.7% |
||||||
4,000,000 | Brookhaven Development Authority, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc., Series A, 4.00%, 7/1/44 | $ 3,624,520 | ||||
Total Georgia |
$3,624,520 | |||||
Idaho — 3.9% |
||||||
5,000,000 | Idaho Health Facilities Authority, 3.00%, 3/1/51 | $ 3,480,750 | ||||
5,000,000 | Power County Industrial Development Corp., FMC Corp. Project, 6.45%, 8/1/32 | 5,013,250 | ||||
Total Idaho |
$8,494,000 | |||||
Illinois — 6.8% |
||||||
2,000,000(d) | Chicago Board of Education, Series A, 5.00%, 12/1/47 | $ 1,881,980 | ||||
2,000,000(d) | Chicago Board of Education, Series H, 5.00%, 12/1/46 | 1,861,000 | ||||
1,250,000 | Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Senior Lien, Series A, 5.50%, 1/1/59 | 1,296,100 | ||||
1,300,000 | Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Senior Lien, Series B, 5.50%, 1/1/59 | 1,368,523 | ||||
1,200,000 | City of Marion Sales Tax Revenue, Star Bond District Project Area No. 1, 6.625%, 6/1/55 | 1,209,432 | ||||
272,086(c)(e) | Illinois Finance Authority, Clare Oaks Project, Series A-3, 4.00%, 11/15/52 | 43,534 | ||||
3,500,000 | Illinois Finance Authority, The Admiral at the Lake Project, 5.25%, 5/15/42 | 2,818,200 | ||||
4,000,000 | Illinois Finance Authority, The Admiral at the Lake Project, 5.50%, 5/15/54 | 3,042,840 | ||||
1,205,000 | Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, McCormick Place Expansion, 5.00%, 6/15/57 | 1,177,502 | ||||
432,153(e) | Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, Village of Sauget Project, 5.625%, 11/1/26 | 90,536 | ||||
Total Illinois |
$14,789,647 | |||||
Indiana — 2.0% |
||||||
2,000,000 | City of Evansville, Silver Birch Evansville Project, 5.45%, 1/1/38 | $ 1,820,260 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Indiana — (continued) |
||||||
1,500,000 | City of Mishawaka, Silver Birch Mishawaka Project, 5.375%, 1/1/38 (144A) | $ 1,458,555 | ||||
1,000,000 | Indiana Finance Authority, Multipurpose Educational Facilities, Avondale Meadows Academy Project, 5.375%, 7/1/47 | 954,020 | ||||
Total Indiana |
$4,232,835 | |||||
Iowa — 4.2% |
||||||
9,675,000 | Iowa Finance Authority, Alcoa Inc. Projects, 4.75%, 8/1/42 | $ 9,210,406 | ||||
Total Iowa |
$9,210,406 | |||||
Louisiana — 2.9% |
||||||
5,950,000 | Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Public-Private Partnership Project, 5.75%, 9/1/64 | $ 6,199,900 | ||||
Total Louisiana |
$6,199,900 | |||||
Massachusetts — 4.9% |
||||||
500,000 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Brown University Health Obligated Group Issue, 5.50%, 8/15/50 | $ 519,800 | ||||
780,000 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Gingercare Living Issue, Series A, 5.50%, 12/1/44 (144A) | 761,412 | ||||
695,000 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Gingercare Living Issue, Series A, 5.875%, 12/1/60 (144A) | 670,432 | ||||
200,000 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Merrimack College Student Housing Project, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/54 (144A) | 195,040 | ||||
200,000 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Merrimack College Student Housing Project, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/60 (144A) | 194,308 | ||||
7,100,000 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, WGBH Educational Foundation, Series A, 5.75%, 1/1/42 (AMBAC Insured) | 8,412,009 | ||||
Total Massachusetts |
$10,753,001 | |||||
Michigan — 2.3% |
||||||
970,000 | David Ellis Academy-West, 5.25%, 6/1/45 | $ 851,670 | ||||
4,845,000 | Michigan Finance Authority, Trinity Health Credit Group, 4.00%, 12/1/48 | 4,232,592 | ||||
Total Michigan |
$5,084,262 | |||||
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Minnesota — 0.7% |
||||||
650,000 | City of Brooklyn Park, Prairie Seeds Academy Project, 5.25%, 6/15/64 | $ 589,095 | ||||
1,000,000 | City of Ham Lake, DaVinci Academy, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/47 | 896,610 | ||||
Total Minnesota |
$1,485,705 | |||||
Montana — 0.0% † |
||||||
1,600,000(e) | Two Rivers Authority, 7.375%, 11/1/27 | $ 24,000 | ||||
Total Montana |
$24,000 | |||||
Nevada — 0.8% |
||||||
500,000 | City of Reno, Quilici Ranch, 5.125%, 6/1/47 (144A) | $ 480,280 | ||||
1,500,000(d) | Las Vegas Valley Water District, Series A, 4.00%, 6/1/51 | 1,344,795 | ||||
Total Nevada |
$1,825,075 | |||||
New Hampshire — 2.8% |
||||||
6,000,000 | New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority Act, Dartmouth Health, Series A, 5.00%, 8/1/59 (BAM-TCRS Insured) | $ 6,042,360 | ||||
Total New Hampshire |
$6,042,360 | |||||
New Jersey — 0.9% |
||||||
1,900,000 | New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Continental Airlines, 5.75%, 9/15/27 | $ 1,903,838 | ||||
Total New Jersey |
$1,903,838 | |||||
New Mexico — 0.9% |
||||||
2,095,000(c) | County of Otero, Otero County Jail Project, Certificate Participation, 9.00%, 4/1/28 | $ 2,019,580 | ||||
Total New Mexico |
$2,019,580 | |||||
New York — 19.8% |
||||||
1,260,000 | Erie Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Asset-Backed, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/45 | $ 1,096,931 | ||||
6,175,000 | Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Green Bond, Series C-1, 4.75%, 11/15/45 | 6,101,209 | ||||
2,000,000 | Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Green Bond, Series C-1, 5.25%, 11/15/55 | 2,035,100 | ||||
2,500,000 | New York Counties Tobacco Trust IV, Settlement Pass-Through, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/45 | 2,342,175 | ||||
2,500,000 | New York Transportation Development Corp., Series A, 5.25%, 1/1/50 | 2,440,875 | ||||
11,330,000 | New York Transportation Development Corp., Delta Airlines Inc-LaGuardia, 5.00%, 10/1/40 | 11,468,226 | ||||
1,750,000 | New York Transportation Development Corp., Green Bond, 5.375%, 6/30/60 | 1,752,730 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
New York — (continued) |
||||||
6,980,000 | New York Transportation Development Corp., JFK Airport Terminal 6 Redevelopment Project, Series A, 5.50%, 12/31/60 | $ 7,046,310 | ||||
5,100,000 | New York Transportation Development Corp., John F. Kennedy International Airport New Terminal One Project, 5.00%, 6/30/60 | 4,839,288 | ||||
1,800,000 | New York Transportation Development Corp., John F. Kennedy International Airport New Terminal One Project, 5.50%, 6/30/54 | 1,827,972 | ||||
1,000,000 | Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Co., 6.00%, 12/1/53 | 1,019,000 | ||||
1,000,000 | Westchester County Local Development Corp., Purchase Senior Learning Community, 5.00%, 7/1/56 (144A) | 983,520 | ||||
Total New York |
$42,953,336 | |||||
North Carolina — 0.9% |
||||||
1,400,000 | North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Carolina Meadows, 5.25%, 12/1/49 | $ 1,435,182 | ||||
200,000 | North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Penick Village Project, Series A, 5.50%, 9/1/44 | 205,768 | ||||
230,000 | North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Penick Village Project, Series A, 5.50%, 9/1/54 | 231,102 | ||||
Total North Carolina |
$1,872,052 | |||||
Ohio — 7.0% |
||||||
14,675,000 | Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Senior Class 2, Series B-2, 5.00%, 6/1/55 | $ 12,787,942 | ||||
1,000,000 | Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Sanctuary Springboro Project, 5.45%, 1/1/38 (144A) | 969,790 | ||||
1,540,000 | State of Ohio, 5.00%, 12/31/39 | 1,540,138 | ||||
Total Ohio |
$15,297,870 | |||||
Pennsylvania — 4.1% |
||||||
840,000 | Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, City Center Project, 5.00%, 5/1/42 (144A) | $ 823,133 | ||||
1,250,000 | Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, Waterfront - 30 E. Allen Street Project, Series A, 5.25%, 5/1/32 (144A) | 1,274,400 | ||||
300,000 | Chester County Industrial Development Authority, Renaissance Academy Charter School Project, 4.50%, 10/1/64 (144A) | 250,698 | ||||
1,500,000 | Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, Thomas Jefferson University, 4.00%, 5/1/52 | 1,283,400 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Pennsylvania — (continued) |
||||||
3,655,000 | Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, Thomas Jefferson University, Series B, 5.00%, 5/1/52 | $ 3,571,848 | ||||
500,000 | Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, 5.50%, 6/1/49 (144A) | 490,445 | ||||
1,000,000 | Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, Global Leadership Academy Charter School Project, Series A, 5.00%, 11/15/50 | 837,530 | ||||
460,000 | Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc., Project, Series A, 6.625%, 6/1/50 | 457,967 | ||||
Total Pennsylvania |
$8,989,421 | |||||
Puerto Rico — 12.7% |
||||||
468,971(c) | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 11/1/43 | $ 280,210 | ||||
5,267,777(d) | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Restructured Series A-1, 4.00%, 7/1/41 | 4,416,504 | ||||
3,000,000(d) | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Restructured Series A-1, 4.00%, 7/1/46 | 2,362,500 | ||||
5,004,551 | GDB Debt Recovery Authority of Puerto Rico, 7.50%, 8/20/40 | 4,779,346 | ||||
4,700,000 | Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority, Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/47 (144A) | 4,394,688 | ||||
1,400,000(c) | Puerto Rico Industrial Development Co., 7.00%, 1/1/54 | 1,347,136 | ||||
2,500,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series 2, 4.784%, 7/1/58 | 2,278,125 | ||||
8,191,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1, 5.00%, 7/1/58 | 7,771,785 | ||||
Total Puerto Rico |
$27,630,294 | |||||
Rhode Island — 1.1% |
||||||
5,900,000(e) | Central Falls Detention Facility Corp., 7.25%, 7/15/35 | $ 2,360,000 | ||||
Total Rhode Island |
$2,360,000 | |||||
Tennessee — 0.3% |
||||||
550,000 | Knox County Health Educational & Housing Facility Board, University of Tennessee Project, Series B-1, 5.25%, 7/1/64 (BAM Insured) | $ 553,955 | ||||
Total Tennessee |
$553,955 | |||||
Texas — 7.5% |
||||||
300,000 | Arlington Higher Education Finance Corp., Great Hearts America, Series A, 5.00%, 8/15/54 | $ 270,291 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Texas — (continued) |
||||||
490,000 | Arlington Higher Education Finance Corp., LTTS Charter School, Universal Academy, 5.45%, 3/1/49 (144A) | $ 491,426 | ||||
1,000,000 | Arlington Higher Education Finance Corp., Universal Academy, Series A, 7.00%, 3/1/34 | 1,001,590 | ||||
8,000,000 | City of Houston Airport System Revenue, 4.00%, 7/15/41 | 7,165,360 | ||||
3,000,000(d) | Conroe Independent School District, A Political Subdivision Of The State Of Texas Located In Montgomery County, Texas, 4.00%, 2/15/50 (PSF-GTD Insured) | 2,754,120 | ||||
2,500,000 | Greater Texas Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Texas Biomedical Research Institute Project, Series A, 5.25%, 6/1/54 | 2,607,225 | ||||
1,500,000 | New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Sanctuary LTC Project, Series A-1, 5.50%, 1/1/57 | 1,371,090 | ||||
550,000 | Port of Beaumont Navigation District, Jefferson Gulf Coast Energy Project, Series A, 5.125%, 1/1/44 (144A) | 529,193 | ||||
Total Texas |
$16,190,295 | |||||
Utah — 0.8% |
||||||
900,000(d) | Grapevine Wash Local District, Series A-1, 6.00%, 3/1/55 (144A) | $ 834,291 | ||||
400,000 | Mida Mountain Village Public Infrastructure District, Series 1, 5.125%, 6/15/54 (144A) | 388,064 | ||||
600,000 | Mida Mountain Village Public Infrastructure District, Series 2, 6.00%, 6/15/54 (144A) | 584,532 | ||||
Total Utah |
$1,806,887 | |||||
Virgin Islands — 0.7% |
||||||
1,000,000 | Matching Fund Special Purpose Securitization Corp., Series A, 5.00%, 10/1/39 | $ 986,610 | ||||
600,000 | Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, Frenchman'S Reef Hotel Development Project, Series A, 6.00%, 4/1/53 (144A) | 604,062 | ||||
Total Virgin Islands |
$1,590,672 | |||||
Virginia — 2.8% |
||||||
2,650,000 | Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Series A-1, 6.706%, 6/1/46 | $ 2,131,528 | ||||
2,000,000 | Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Senior Lien, 5.00%, 12/31/42 | 2,031,220 |
Principal Amount USD ($) |
Value | |||||
Virginia — (continued) |
||||||
1,000,000 | Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Senior Lien, 5.00%, 12/31/47 | $ 977,800 | ||||
1,000,000 | Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Senior Lien 95 Express Lanes LLC Project, 4.00%, 1/1/48 | 856,640 | ||||
Total Virginia |
$5,997,188 | |||||
Wisconsin — 2.1% |
||||||
250,000 | Public Finance Authority, Cincinnati Classical Academy, Series A, 5.875%, 6/15/54 (144A) | $ 237,840 | ||||
1,500,000 | Public Finance Authority, Gardner Webb University, 5.00%, 7/1/31 (144A) | 1,547,010 | ||||
750,000 | Public Finance Authority, Roseman University Health Sciences Project, 5.875%, 4/1/45 | 750,600 | ||||
2,000,000 | Public Finance Authority, Senior Lien-Puerto Rico Tollroads LLC, Series A, 5.75%, 7/1/54 | 2,070,720 | ||||
Total Wisconsin |
$4,606,170 | |||||
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $268,464,050) |
$262,193,704 | |||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN UNAFFILIATED ISSUERS — 120.6% (Cost $268,464,050) |
$262,193,704 | |||||
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (20.6)% |
$(44,704,777) | |||||
net assets applicable to common stockholders — 100.0% |
$217,488,927 | |||||
AMBAC | Ambac Assurance Corporation. |
BAM | Build America Mutual Assurance Company. |
PSF-GTD | Permanent School Fund Guaranteed. |
TCRS | Transferable Custodial Receipts. |
(144A) | The resale of such security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold normally to qualified institutional buyers. At April 30, 2025, the value of these securities amounted to $35,403,143, or 16.3% of net assets applicable to common stockholders. |
(a) | Consists of Revenue Bonds unless otherwise indicated. |
(b) | Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through accretion of discount. |
(c) | The interest rate is subject to change periodically. The interest rate and/or reference index and spread shown at April 30, 2025. |
(d) | Represents a General Obligation Bond. |
(e) | Security is in default. |
† | Amount rounds to less than 0.1%. |
Revenue Bonds: |
|
Development Revenue | 29.8% |
Transportation Revenue | 19.5 |
Health Revenue | 16.7 |
Tobacco Revenue | 10.9 |
Other Revenue | 6.2 |
Education Revenue | 6.1 |
Water Revenue | 2.6 |
Facilities Revenue | 1.7 |
General Revenue | 0.4 |
93.9% | |
General Obligation Bonds: |
6.1% |
100.0% |
FIXED INCOME INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS
Number of Contracts Long |
Description |
Expiration Date |
Notional Amount |
Market Value |
Unrealized Appreciation |
87 | U.S. Long Bond (CBT) | 6/18/25 | $10,094,948 | $10,146,375 | $51,427 |
TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS |
$10,094,948 |
$10,146,375 |
$51,427 | ||
CBT | Chicago Board of Trade. |
Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there is an excess of value over tax cost | $6,664,996 |
Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there is an excess of tax cost over value | (11,904,193) |
Net unrealized depreciation | $(5,239,197) |
Level 1 | – | unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. |
Level 2 | – | other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.). See Notes to Financial Statements — Note 1A. |
Level 3 | – | significant unobservable inputs (including the Adviser’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments). See Notes to Financial Statements — Note 1A. |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total | |
Municipal Bonds | $— | $262,193,704 | $— | $262,193,704 |
Total Investments in Securities |
$— |
$262,193,704 |
$— |
$262,193,704 |
Other Financial Instruments |
||||
Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (a) |
$— | $(50,000,000) | $— | $(50,000,000) |
Net unrealized appreciation on futures contracts | 51,427 | — | — | 51,427 |
Total Other Financial Instruments |
$51,427 |
$(50,000,000) |
$— |
$(49,948,573) |
(a) | The Fund may hold liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. |
ASSETS: |
|
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $268,464,050) | $262,193,704 |
Cash | 1,043,151 |
Futures collateral | 888,738 |
Due from broker for futures | 38,063 |
Distributions paid in advance | 796,997 |
Receivables — | |
Investment securities sold | 7,395,383 |
Interest | 4,411,580 |
Other assets | 104 |
Total assets |
$276,767,720 |
LIABILITIES: |
|
Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares* | $50,000,000 |
Payables — | |
Investment securities purchased | 8,140,599 |
Distributions | 796,997 |
Directors’ fees | 767 |
Variation margin for futures contracts | 38,063 |
Management fees | 131,933 |
Administrative expenses | 36,242 |
Accrued expenses | 134,192 |
Total liabilities |
$59,278,793 |
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS: |
|
Paid-in capital | $299,230,912 |
Distributable earnings (loss) | (81,741,985) |
Net assets |
$217,488,927 |
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE: |
|
Based on $217,488,927/22,771,349 common shares | $9.55 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
||
Interest from unaffiliated issuers | $15,295,052 | |
Total Investment Income | $15,295,052 | |
EXPENSES: |
||
Management fees | $1,666,482 | |
Administrative expenses | 80,893 | |
Transfer agent fees | 14,767 | |
Stockholder communications expense | 77,208 | |
Custodian fees | 2,570 | |
Professional fees | 297,826 | |
Printing expense | 10,551 | |
Officers’ and Directors’ fees | 9,923 | |
Insurance expense | 5,899 | |
Interest expense | 2,837,373 | |
Miscellaneous | 59,937 | |
Total expenses | $5,063,429 | |
Net investment income | $10,231,623 | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS: |
||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers | $(8,090,293) | |
Futures contracts | (289,318) | $(8,379,611) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | ||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers | $2,940,575 | |
Futures contracts | 504,329 | $3,444,904 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | $(4,934,707) | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $5,296,916 |
Year Ended 4/30/25 |
Year Ended 4/30/24 | |
FROM OPERATIONS: |
||
Net investment income (loss) | $10,231,623 | $7,985,532 |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (8,379,611) | (24,893,481) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | 3,444,904 | 15,267,755 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $5,296,916 |
$(1,640,194) |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS: |
||
($0.42 and $0.35 per share, respectively) | $(9,563,967) | $(7,880,612) |
Tax Return Of Capital To Common Stockholders: |
||
($0.00 and $0.01 per share, respectively) | $— | $(282,917) |
Total distributions to common stockholders | $(9,563,967) | $(8,163,529) |
Net decrease in net assets applicable to common stockholders |
$(4,267,051) |
$(9,803,723) |
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS: |
||
Beginning of year | $221,755,978 | $231,559,701 |
End of year | $217,488,927 |
$221,755,978 |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $5,296,916 |
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash and restricted cash from operating activities: |
|
Purchases of investment securities | $(113,454,024) |
Proceeds from disposition and maturity of investment securities | 110,135,026 |
Net sales of short term investments | 1,071,756 |
Net accretion and amortization of discount/premium on investment securities | (639,029) |
Net realized loss on investments in unaffiliated issuers | 8,090,293 |
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments in unaffiliated issuers | (2,940,575) |
Decrease in due from broker for futures | 29,906 |
Increase in interest receivable | (271,191) |
Decrease in variation margin for futures contracts | (29,906) |
Increase in management fees payable | 109,669 |
Decrease in directors’ fees payable | (122) |
Increase in administrative expenses payable | 12,187 |
Decrease in accrued expenses payable | (21,917) |
Net cash and restricted cash from operating activities | $7,388,989 |
Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities: |
|
Distributions to stockholders | (9,563,967) |
Net cash flows used in financing activities | $(9,563,967) |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH |
$(2,174,978) |
Cash and Restricted Cash: |
|
Beginning of year* | $4,106,867 |
End of year* | $1,931,889 |
Cash Flow Information: |
|
Cash paid for interest | $2,837,373 |
* | The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Statement of Cash Flows: |
Year Ended 4/30/25 |
Year Ended 4/30/24 | |
Cash | $1,043,151 | $3,707,961 |
Restricted cash** | 888,738 | 398,906 |
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows |
$1,931,889 |
$4,106,867 |
** | Restricted cash is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Futures Collateral. |
Year Ended 4/30/25 |
Year Ended 4/30/24 |
Year Ended 4/30/23 |
Year Ended 4/30/22 |
Year Ended 4/30/21 | |
Per Share Operating Performance |
|||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $9.74 | $10.17 | $10.90 | $13.14 | $12.31 |
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:(a) | |||||
Net investment income (loss)(b) | $0.45 | $0.35 | $0.40 | $0.53 | $0.55 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.22) | (0.42) | (0.61) | (2.29) | 0.87 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
$0.23 |
$(0.07) |
$(0.21) |
$(1.76) |
$1.42 |
Distributions to stockholders: | |||||
Net investment income and previously undistributed net investment income |
$(0.42) | $(0.35) | $(0.46)* | $(0.48) | $(0.59)* |
Tax return of capital | — | (0.01) | (0.06) | — | — |
Total distributions |
$(0.42) |
$(0.36) |
$(0.52) |
$(0.48) |
$(0.59) |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value |
$(0.19) |
$(0.43) |
$(0.73) |
$(2.24) |
$0.83 |
Net asset value, end of period | $9.55 | $9.74 | $10.17 | $10.90 | $13.14 |
Market value, end of period | $9.12 | $8.49 | $8.78 | $9.57 | $12.61 |
Total return at net asset value(c) |
2.53% |
(0.02)%(d) |
(1.17)% |
(13.64)% |
12.04% |
Total return at market value(c) |
12.33% |
0.95% |
(2.82)% |
(20.99)% |
22.33% |
Ratios to average net assets of common stockholders: | |||||
Total expenses plus interest expense(e)(f) | 2.22% | 4.16% | 3.15% | 1.56% | 1.62% |
Net investment income | 4.49% | 3.61% | 3.95% | 4.15% | 4.22% |
Portfolio turnover rate | 43% | 35% | 60% | 11% | 10% |
Net assets of common stockholders, end of period (in thousands) | $217,489 | $221,756 | $231,560 | $248,284 | $299,280 |
Preferred shares outstanding (in thousands)(g)(h)(i)(j) | $50,000 | $50,000 | $129,000 | $145,000 | $145,000 |
Asset coverage per preferred share, end of period | $534,978 | $543,512 | $279,504 | $271,230 | $306,399 |
Average market value per preferred share(k) | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Liquidation value, including interest expense payable, per preferred share |
$100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $99,999 |
* | The amount of distributions made to stockholders during the year were in excess of the net investment income earned by the Fund during the year. The Fund has accumulated undistributed net investment income which is part of the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). A portion of the accumulated net investment income was distributed to stockholders during the year. A decrease in distributions may have a negative effect on the market value of the Fund's shares. |
(a) | The per common share data presented above is based upon the average common shares outstanding for the periods presented. |
(b) | Beginning April 30, 2020, distribution payments to preferred stockholders are included as a component of net investment income. |
(c) | Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common shares at the current net asset value or market value on the first day and a sale at the current net asset value or market value on the last day of the periods reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. |
(d) | For the year ended April 30, 2024, the Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement by the Advisor. If the Fund had not been reimbursed by the Advisor the total return would have been (0.12)%. |
(e) | Includes interest expense of 1.25%, 2.86%, 1.94%, 0.45%, 0.47% and 1.10%, respectively. |
(f) | Prior to April 30, 2020, the expense ratios do not reflect the effect of distribution payments to preferred stockholders. |
(g) | The Fund redeemed 635 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, on February 29, 2024. |
(h) | The Fund redeemed 155 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, on October 11, 2023. |
(i) | The Fund redeemed 160 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, on November 14, 2022. |
(j) | The Fund issued 200 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, on February 16, 2021. |
(k) | Market value is redemption value without an active market. |
A. |
Security Valuation |
The net asset value of the Fund is computed once daily, on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. | |
Fixed income securities are valued by using prices supplied by independent pricing services, which consider such factors as market prices, market events, quotations from one or more brokers, Treasury spreads, yields, maturities and ratings, or may use a pricing matrix or other fair value methods or techniques to provide an estimated value of the security or instrument. A pricing matrix is a means of valuing a debt security on the basis of current market prices for other debt securities, historical trading patterns in the market for fixed income securities and/or other factors. Non-U.S. debt securities that are listed on an exchange will be valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third party pricing service. When independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices, or when prices or market quotations are considered to be unreliable, the value of that security may be determined using quotations from one or more broker-dealers. | |
Futures contracts are generally valued at the closing settlement price established by the exchange on which they are traded. | |
Securities for which independent pricing services or broker-dealers are unable to supply prices or for which market prices and/or quotations are |
not readily available or are considered to be unreliable are valued by a fair valuation team comprised of certain personnel of the Adviser. The Adviser is designated as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The Adviser's fair valuation team is responsible for monitoring developments that may impact fair valued securities. | |
Inputs used when applying fair value methods to value a security may include credit ratings, the financial condition of the company, current market conditions and comparable securities. The Adviser may use fair value methods if it is determined that a significant event has occurred after the close of the exchange or market on which the security trades and prior to the determination of the Fund’s net asset value. Examples of a significant event might include political or economic news, corporate restructurings, natural disasters, terrorist activity, tariffs or trading halts. Thus, the valuation of the Fund’s securities may differ significantly from exchange prices, and such differences could be material. | |
B. |
Investment Income and Transactions |
Interest income, including interest on income-bearing cash accounts, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend and interest income are reported net of unrecoverable foreign taxes withheld at the applicable country rates and net of income accrued on defaulted securities. | |
Discounts and premiums on purchase prices of debt securities are accreted or amortized, respectively, daily, into interest income on an effective yield to maturity basis with a corresponding increase or decrease in the cost basis of the security. Premiums and discounts related to certain mortgage-backed securities are amortized or accreted in proportion to the monthly paydowns. | |
Interest and dividend income payable by delivery of additional shares is reclassified as PIK (payment-in-kind) income upon receipt and is included in interest and dividend income, respectively. | |
Security transactions are recorded as of trade date. Gains and losses on sales of investments are calculated on the identified cost method for both financial reporting and federal income tax purposes. | |
C. |
Federal Income Taxes |
It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net taxable income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its stockholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes |
is required. As of April 30, 2025, the Fund did not accrue any interest or penalties with respect to uncertain tax positions, which, if applicable, would be recorded as an income tax expense on the Statement of Operations. Tax returns filed within the prior three years remain subject to examination by federal and state tax authorities. | |
The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions to stockholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Distributions in excess of net investment income or net realized gains are temporary over distributions for financial statement purposes resulting from differences in the recognition or classification of income or distributions for financial statement and tax purposes. Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character, but are not adjusted for temporary differences. | |
At April 30, 2025, the Fund was permitted to carry forward indefinitely $5,789,143 of short-term losses and $70,410,041 of long-term losses. | |
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended April 30, 2025 and April 30, 2024, was as follows: |
2025 |
2024 | |
Distributions paid from: |
||
Tax-exempt income | $12,198,899 | $13,790,979 |
Ordinary income | 202,441 | 413,153 |
Tax return of capital | — | 282,917 |
Total |
$12,401,340 |
$14,487,049 |
2025 | |
Distributable earnings/(losses): |
|
Undistributed tax-exempt income | $493,393 |
Capital loss carryforward | (76,199,184) |
Other book/tax temporary differences | (796,997) |
Net unrealized depreciation | (5,239,197) |
Total |
$(81,741,985) |
D. |
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
All stockholders whose shares are registered in their own names automatically participate in the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), under which participants receive all dividends and capital gain distributions (collectively, dividends) in full and fractional shares of the Fund in lieu of cash. Stockholders may elect not to participate in the Plan. Stockholders not participating in the Plan receive all dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notifying Equiniti Trust Company, the agent for stockholders in administering the Plan (the “Plan Agent”), in writing prior to any dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. | |
If a stockholder’s shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, the stockholder can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on the stockholder’s behalf. If the firm or nominee does not offer the Plan, dividends will be paid in cash to the stockholder of record. A firm or nominee may reinvest a stockholder’s cash dividends in shares of the Fund on terms that differ from the terms of the Plan. | |
Whenever the Fund declares a dividend on shares payable in cash, participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares acquired by the Plan Agent either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized shares from the Fund or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any dividend, the net asset value per share is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage trading fees (market premium), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to each account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per share on the date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum discount from the then current market price per share on the date of issuance does not exceed 5%. If, on the payment date for any dividend, the net asset value per share is greater than the market value (market discount), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired in open-market purchases. There are no brokerage charges with respect to newly issued shares. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage trading fees incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open-market purchases. Participating in the Plan does not relieve stockholders from any federal, state or local taxes which may be due on dividends paid in |
any taxable year. Stockholders holding Plan shares in a brokerage account may be able to transfer the shares to another broker and continue to participate in the Plan. | |
E. |
Risks |
The value of securities held by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, inflation, changes in interest rates, armed conflict such as between Russia and Ukraine or in the Middle East, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. Inflation and interest rates may increase. These circumstances could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments and negatively impact the Fund’s performance. | |
Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced or may experience particularly large losses. Periods of extreme volatility in the financial markets, reduced liquidity of many instruments, increased government debt, inflation, and disruptions to supply chains, consumer demand and employee availability, may continue for some time. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future political, geopolitical or other events or conditions. | |
Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time. | |
The U.S. and other countries are periodically involved in disputes over trade and other matters, which may result in tariffs, investment restrictions and adverse impacts on affected companies and securities. For example, the U.S. has imposed tariffs and other trade barriers on Chinese exports, has restricted sales of certain categories of goods to China, and has established barriers to investments in China. Trade disputes may adversely affect the economies of the U.S. and its trading partners, as well as companies directly or indirectly affected and |
financial markets generally. If the political climate between the U.S. and China does not improve or continues to deteriorate, if China enters into military conflict with Taiwan, the Philippines or another neighbor, or if other geopolitical conflicts develop or get worse, economies, markets and individual securities may be severely affected both regionally and globally, and the value of the Fund’s assets may go down. | |
At times, the Fund’s investments may represent industries or industry sectors that are interrelated or have common risks, making the Fund more susceptible to any economic, political, or regulatory developments or other risks affecting those industries and sectors. | |
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in municipal securities. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Issuers often depend on revenues from these projects to make principal and interest payments. The value of municipal securities can also be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory and political developments, tax law changes or other legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to down-grades or defaults during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession. To the extent the Fund invests significantly in a single state (including California and Massachusetts), city, territory (including Puerto Rico), or region, or in securities the payments on which are dependent upon a single project or source of revenues, or that relate to a sector or industry, including health care facilities, education, transportation, special revenues and pollution control, the Fund will be more susceptible to associated risks and developments. | |
The Fund invests in below investment grade (high yield) municipal securities. Debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These securities involve greater risk of loss, are subject to greater price |
volatility, and may be less liquid and more difficult to value, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change, than higher rated debt securities. | |
The market prices of the Fund’s fixed income securities may fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, the value of a Fund’s portfolio with a portfolio duration of ten years would be expected to decrease by 10%, all other things being equal. A general rise in interest rates could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities. The maturity of a security may be significantly longer than its effective duration. A security’s maturity and other features may be more relevant than its effective duration in determining the security’s sensitivity to other factors affecting the issuer or markets generally, such as changes in credit quality or in the yield premium that the market may establish for certain types of securities (sometimes called “credit spread”). In general, the longer its maturity the more a security may be susceptible to these factors. When the credit spread for a fixed income security goes up, or “widens”, the value of the security will generally go down. | |
If an issuer or guarantor of a security held by the Fund or a counterparty to a financial contract with the Fund defaults on its obligation to pay principal and/or interest, has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines, the value of your investment will typically decline. Changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness may occur quickly. The Fund could be delayed or hindered in its enforcement of rights against an issuer, guarantor or counterparty. | |
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, limit or mitigate, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund such as the Fund’s custodian and accounting agent, and the Fund’s transfer agent. In addition, many beneficial owners of Fund shares hold them through accounts at broker-dealers, retirement platforms and other financial market participants over which neither the Fund nor the Adviser exercises control. Each of these may in turn rely on service providers to |
them, which are also subject to the risk of cyber-attacks. Cybersecurity failures or breaches at the Adviser or the Fund’s service providers or intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund stockholders to effect share purchases or sales or receive distributions, loss of or unauthorized access to private stockholder information and violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, or additional compliance costs. Such costs and losses may not be covered under any insurance. In addition, maintaining vigilance against cyber-attacks may involve substantial costs over time, and system enhancements may themselves be subject to cyber-attacks. | |
F. |
Statement of Cash Flows |
Information on financial transactions which have been settled through the receipt or disbursement of cash or restricted cash is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. Cash as presented in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities includes cash on hand at the Fund’s custodian bank and does not include any short-term investments. As of and for the year ended April 30, 2025, the Fund had restricted cash in the form of futures collateral on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. | |
G. |
Futures Contracts |
The Fund may enter into futures transactions in order to attempt to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices and currency exchange rates or to seek to increase total return. Futures contracts are types of derivatives. | |
All futures contracts entered into by the Fund are traded on a futures exchange. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with a broker an amount of cash or securities equal to the minimum “initial margin” requirements of the associated futures exchange. The amount of cash deposited with the broker as collateral at April 30, 2025 is recorded as “Futures collateral” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. | |
Subsequent payments for futures contracts (“variation margin”) are paid or received by the Fund, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contracts, and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Cash received from or paid to the broker related to previous margin movement is held in a segregated account at the broker and is recorded as either “Due from broker for futures” or “Due to broker for futures” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the |
contract is closed, the Fund realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the opening and closing value of the contract as well as any fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates where applicable. Futures contracts are subject to market risk, interest rate risk and currency exchange rate risk. Changes in value of the contracts may not directly correlate to the changes in value of the underlying securities. With futures, there is reduced counterparty credit risk to the Fund since futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default. | |
The average notional values of long position and short position futures contracts during the year ended April 30, 2025 were $10,324,320 and $0, respectively. Open futures contracts outstanding at April 30, 2025 are listed in the Schedule of Investments. |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
Interest Rate Risk |
Credit Risk |
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk |
Equity Risk |
Commodity Risk |
Assets |
|||||
Net unrealized appreciation on futures contracts^ | $51,427 | $— | $— | $— | $— |
Total Value |
$51,427 |
$— |
$— |
$— |
$— |
^ | Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the assets and/or liabilities on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
Statement of Operations |
Interest Rate Risk |
Credit Risk |
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk |
Equity Risk |
Commodity Risk |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on |
|||||
Futures contracts | $(289,318) | $— | $— | $— | $— |
Total Value |
$(289,318) |
$— |
$— |
$— |
$— |
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on |
|||||
Futures contracts | $504,329 | $— | $— | $— | $— |
Total Value |
$504,329 |
$— |
$— |
$— |
$— |
4/30/25 |
4/30/24 | |
Shares outstanding at beginning of year | 22,771,349 | 22,771,349 |
Shares outstanding at end of year |
prior reporting periods were as follows:
Year Ended 4/30/25 |
Year Ended 4/30/24 | |||
Shares |
Amount |
Shares |
Amount | |
VMTP Shares issued | — | $— | — | $— |
VMTP Shares redeemed | — | — | (790) | (79,000,000) |
Net decrease | — | $— | (790) | $(79,000,000) |
Boston, Massachusetts
June 25, 2025
• | In an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market prices of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates |
• | As a substitute for purchasing or selling securities |
• | To attempt to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered speculative |
• | To manage portfolio characteristics (for example, the duration or credit quality of the Fund’s portfolio) |
• | As a cash flow management technique |
(1) | Issue senior securities, except as permitted by applicable law, as amended and interpreted or modified from time to time by any regulatory authority jurisdiction. |
(2) | Borrow money, except as permitted by applicable law, as amended and interpreted or modified from time to time by any regulatory authority jurisdiction. |
(3) | Invest in real estate, except the Fund may invest in securities of |
issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein, securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts, mortgage-backed securities and other securities that represent a similar indirect interest in real estate, and the Fund may acquire real estate or interests therein through exercising rights or remedies with regard to an instrument. | |
(4) | Make loans, except that the Fund may (i) lend portfolio securities in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies, (ii) enter into repurchase agreements, (iii) purchase all or a portion of an issue of publicly distributed debt securities, bank loan participation interests, bank certificates of deposit, acceptances, debentures or other securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of the securities, (iv) participate in a credit facility whereby the Fund may directly lend to and borrow money from other affiliated funds to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act or an exemption therefrom and (v) make loans in any other manner consistent with applicable law, as amended and interpreted or modified from time to time by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction. |
(5) | Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency instruments and contracts and financial instruments and contracts that might be deemed to be commodities and commodity contracts. |
(6) | Act as an underwriter, except insofar as the Fund technically may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities. |
(7) | Make any investment inconsistent with its classification as a diversified closed-end investment company (or series thereof) under the 1940 Act. |
(8) | Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in any one industry, provided that this limitation does not apply to municipal securities other than those municipal securities backed only by assets and revenues of non-governmental issuers. |
(9) | Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest substantially all (at least 80%) of its assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in debt securities and other obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax. |
Preferred shares as a percentage of total managed assets (including assets attributable to preferred shares) | 18.69% |
Annual effective dividend rate payable by Fund on preferred shares | |
Annual return Fund portfolio must experience (net of expenses) to cover dividend rate on preferred shares | |
Common share total return for (10.00)% assumed portfolio total return | ( |
Common share total return for (5.00)% assumed portfolio total return | ( |
Common share total return for 0.00% assumed portfolio total return | ( |
Common share total return for 5.00% assumed portfolio total return | |
Common share total return for 10.00% assumed portfolio total return |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Thomas J. Perna (74) Chairman of the Board and Director |
Class III Director since 2006. Term expires in 2027. | Private investor (2004 – 2008 and 2013 – present); Chairman (2008 – 2013) and Chief Executive Officer (2008 – 2012), Quadriserv, Inc. (technology products for securities lending industry); and Senior Executive Vice President, The Bank of New York (financial and securities services) (1986 – 2004) | 43 | Director, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (investor communications and securities processing provider for financial services industry) (2009 – 2023); Director, Quadriserv, Inc. (2005 – 2013); and Commissioner, New Jersey State Civil Service Commission (2011 – 2015) |
John E. Baumgardner, Jr. (74)* Director |
Class I Director since 2019. Term expires in 2025. |
Of Counsel (2019 – present), Partner (1983-2018), Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (law firm). | 43 | Chairman, The Lakeville Journal Company, LLC, (privately-held community newspaper group) (2015-2021) |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Diane Durnin (68) Director |
Class II Director since 2020. Term expires in 2026. |
Managing Director - Head of Product Strategy and Development, BNY Mellon Investment Management (investment management firm) (2012-2018); Vice Chairman – The Dreyfus Corporation (2005 – 2018): Executive Vice President Head of Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management (2007-2012); Executive Director- Product Strategy, Mellon Asset Management (2005-2007); Executive Vice President Head of Products, Marketing and Client Service, Dreyfus Corporation (investment management firm) (2000-2005); Senior Vice President Strategic Product and Business Development, Dreyfus Corporation (1994-2000) | 43 | None |
Benjamin M. Friedman (80) Director |
Class II Director since 2008. Term expires in 2026. |
William Joseph Maier Professor of Political Economy, Harvard University (1972 – present) | 43 | Trustee, Mellon Institutional Funds Investment Trust and Mellon Institutional Funds Master Portfolio (oversaw 17 portfolios in fund complex) (1989 - 2008) |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Craig C. MacKay (62) Director |
Class III Director since 2021. Term expires in 2027. | Senior Advisor, England & Company, LLC (advisory firm) (2022 – present); Partner, England & Company, LLC (advisory firm) (2012 – 2022); Group Head – Leveraged Finance Distribution, Oppenheimer & Company (investment bank) (2006 – 2012); Group Head – Private Finance & High Yield Capital Markets Origination, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey (investment bank) (2003 – 2006); and Founder and Chief Executive Officer, HNY Associates, LLC (investment bank) (1996 – 2003) | 43 | Director, Equitable Holdings, Inc. (financial services holding company) (2022 – present); Board Member of Carver Bancorp, Inc. (holding company) and Carver Federal Savings Bank, NA (2017 – present); Advisory Council Member, MasterShares ETF (2016 – 2017); Advisory Council Member, The Deal (financial market information publisher) (2015 – 2016); Board Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Danis Transportation Company (privately-owned commercial carrier) (2000 – 2003); Board Member and Chief Financial Officer, Customer Access Resources (privately-owned teleservices company) (1998 – 2000); Board Member, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (human services agency) (1993 – present); and Board Treasurer, Harlem Dowling Westside Center (foster care agency) (1999 – 2018) |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Lorraine H. Monchak (68) Director |
Class I Director since 2015. Term expires in 2025. |
Chief Investment Officer, 1199 SEIU Funds (healthcare workers union pension funds) (2001 – present); Vice President – International Investments Group, American International Group, Inc. (insurance company) (1993 – 2001); Vice President Corporate Finance and Treasury Group, Citibank, N.A. (1980 – 1986 and 1990 – 1993); Vice President – Asset/Liability Management Group, Federal Farm Funding Corporation (government-sponsored issuer of debt securities) (1988 – 1990); Mortgage Strategies Group, Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc. (investment bank) (1987 – 1988); Mortgage Strategies Group, Drexel Burnham Lambert, Ltd. (investment bank) (1986 – 1987) | 43 | None |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
Fred J. Ricciardi (78) Director |
Class III Director since 2014. Term expires in 2027. | Private investor (2020 – present); Consultant (investment company services) (2012 – 2020); Executive Vice President, BNY Mellon (financial and investment company services) (1969 – 2012); Director, BNY International Financing Corp. (financial services) (2002 – 2012); Director, Mellon Overseas Investment Corp. (financial services) (2009 – 2012); Director, Financial Models (technology) (2005-2007); Director, BNY Hamilton Funds, Ireland (offshore investment companies) (2004-2007); Chairman/Director, AIB/BNY Securities Services, Ltd., Ireland (financial services) (1999-2006); Chairman, BNY Alternative Investment Services, Inc. (financial services) (2005-2007) | 43 | None |
* Mr. Baumgardner is Of Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, which acts as counsel to the Independent Directors of the Fund. |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Director During At Least The Past Five Years |
David C. Brown (52)** Director |
Class II Director since 2025. Term expires in 2026. |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (2013-present), Victory Capital Management Inc.; Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (2013-present), Victory Capital Holdings, Inc.; Director, Victory Capital Services, Inc. (2013-present); Director, Victory Capital Transfer Agency, Inc. (2019-present) | 159 | None |
** Mr. Brown is an “Interested Person” by reason of his relationship with Victory Capital. |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Officer During At Least The Past Five Years |
Thomas Dusenberry (47) President |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board | Director, Fund Administration, Victory Capital; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer (May 2023-present); Manager, Fund Administration, Victory Capital; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer (2020-2022), Assistant Treasurer (2019), Salient MF Trust, Salient Midstream, MLP Fund and Forward Funds; Principal Financial Officer (2018-2021) and Treasurer (2020-2021), Salient Private Access Funds and Endowment PMF Funds; Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting and Operations, Salient Partners (2020-2022); Director of Fund Operations, Salient Partners (2016-2019). Mr. Dusenberry also serves as President of Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Officer During At Least The Past Five Years |
Scott A. Stahorsky (55) Vice President |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board | Director, Third-Party Dealer Services & Reg Administration, Fund Administration, Victory Capital (2023-present); Vice President, Victory Capital Transfer Agency, Inc. (2023-present); Manager, Fund Administration, Victory Capital 2015- 2023). Mr. Stahorsky also serves as Vice President Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Patricia McClain (62) Secretary |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board | Director, Regulatory Administration, Fund Administration, Victory Capital (2019-present). Ms. McClain also serves as Secretary of Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Officer During At Least The Past Five Years |
Carol D. Trevino (59) Treasurer |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board | Director, Financial Reporting, Fund Administration (2023-present); Director, Accounting and Finance, Victory Capital (2019-2023); Accounting/ Financial Director, USAA (2013-2019). Ms. Trevino also serves as Treasurer of Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Christopher Ponte (40) Assistant Treasurer |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board | Director, Fund and Broker Dealer Finance, Fund Administration, (2023-present); Victory Capital Transfer Agency, Inc. (2023-present); Manager, Fund Administration, Victory Capital (2017-2023); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Services, Inc. (since 2018). Mr. Ponte also serves as Assistant Treasurer of Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
Name, Age and Position Held With the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Victory Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships Held by Officer During At Least The Past Five Years |
Sean Fox (48) Chief Compliance Officer |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board | Sr. Compliance Officer, Victory Capital (2019-Present); Compliance Officer, Victory Capital (2015-2019). Mr. Fox also serves as Chief Compliance Officer for Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds | 159 | None |
D. Brent Rowse (43) Anti-Money Laundering Officers and Identity Theft Officer |
Since 2025. Serves at the discretion of the Board | Sr. Compliance Officer, Victory Capital (2023-present); Compliance Officer, Victory Capital (2019-2023). Mr. Rowse also serves as the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer for Victory Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III, Victory Portfolios IV and Victory Variable Insurance Funds, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer closed-end funds and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Victory Capital Services, Inc. | 159 | None |
change of address, lost stock certificates,Company, LLC
stock transferOperations Center
6201 15th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Company, LLC
Wall Street Station
P.O. Box 922
New York, NY 10269-0560

60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
(a) Disclose whether, as of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. If the registrant has not adopted such a code of ethics, explain why it has not done so.
The registrant has adopted, as of the end of the period covered by this report, a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller.
(b) For purposes of this Item, the term “code of ethics” means written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
(1) Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
(2) Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;
(3) Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;
(4) The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
(5) Accountability for adherence to the code.
(c) The registrant must briefly describe the nature of any amendment, during the period covered by the report, to a provision of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item. The registrant must file a copy of any such amendment as an exhibit pursuant to Item 19(a), unless the registrant has elected to satisfy paragraph (f) of this Item by posting its code of ethics on its website pursuant to paragraph (f)(2) of this Item, or by undertaking to provide its code of ethics to any person without charge, upon request, pursuant to paragraph (f)(3) of this Item.
The registrant has made no amendments to the code of ethics during the period covered by this report.
(d) If the registrant has, during the period covered by the report, granted a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this Item, the registrant must briefly describe the nature of the waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted, and the date of the waiver.
Not applicable.
(e) If the registrant intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under paragraph (c) or (d) of this Item regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item by posting such information on its Internet website, disclose the registrant’s Internet address and such intention.
Not applicable.
(f) The registrant must:
(1) File with the Commission, pursuant to Item 19(a)(1), a copy of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, as an exhibit to its annual report on this Form N-CSR (see attachment);
(2) Post the text of such code of ethics on its Internet website and disclose, in its most recent report on this Form N-CSR, its Internet address and the fact that it has posted such code of ethics on its Internet website; or
(3) Undertake in its most recent report on this Form N-CSR to provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of such code of ethics and explain the manner in which such request may be made. See Item 19(2)
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
(a) (1) Disclose that the registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that the registrant either:
(i) Has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee; or
(ii) Does not have an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.
The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert.
(2) If the registrant provides the disclosure required by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this Item, it must disclose the name of the audit committee financial expert and whether that person is “independent.” In order to be considered “independent” for purposes of this Item, a member of an audit committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the Board of Directors, or any other board committee:
(i) Accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the issuer; or
(ii) Be an “interested person” of the investment company as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(19)).
Mr. Fred J. Ricciardi, an independent Director, is such an audit committee financial expert.
(3) If the registrant provides the disclosure required by paragraph (a)(1) (ii) of this Item, it must explain why it does not have an audit committee financial expert.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
(a) Disclose, under the caption AUDIT FEES, the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
The Fund paid Deloitte & Touche LLP for audit fees of $48,300 and $47,300 during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(b) Disclose, under the caption AUDIT-RELATED FEES, the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
N/A
(c) Disclose, under the caption TAX FEES, the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
The Fund paid aggregate non-audit fees to Deloitte & Touche LLP for tax services of $9,000 and $10,500 during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(d) Disclose, under the caption ALL OTHER FEES, the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
There were no other fees in 2025 or 2024.
(e) (1) Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
PIONEER FUNDS
APPROVAL OF AUDIT, AUDIT-RELATED, TAX AND OTHER SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
SECTION I - POLICY PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
The Pioneer Funds recognize the importance of maintaining the independence of their outside auditors. Maintaining independence is a shared responsibility involving Amundi Asset Management US, Inc., the audit committee and the independent auditors.
The Funds recognize that a Fund’s independent auditors: 1) possess knowledge of the Funds, 2) are able to incorporate certain services into the scope of the audit, thereby avoiding redundant work, cost and disruption of Fund personnel and processes, and 3) have expertise that has value to the Funds. As a result, there are situations where it is desirable to use the Fund’s independent auditors for services in addition to the annual audit and where the potential for conflicts of interests are minimal. Consequently, this policy, which is intended to comply with Rule 210.2-01(C)(7), sets forth guidelines and procedures to be followed by the Funds when retaining the independent audit firm to perform audit, audit-related tax and other services under those circumstances, while also maintaining independence.
Approval of a service in accordance with this policy for a Fund shall also constitute approval for any other Fund whose pre-approval is required pursuant to Rule 210.2-01(c)(7)(ii).
In addition to the procedures set forth in this policy, any non-audit services that may be provided consistently with Rule 210.2-01 may be approved by the Audit Committee itself and any pre-approval that may be waived in accordance with Rule 210.2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) is hereby waived.
Selection of a Fund’s independent auditors and their compensation shall be determined by the Audit Committee and shall not be subject to this policy.
SECTION II - POLICY
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES | ||
I. AUDIT SERVICES | Services that are directly related to performing the independent audit of the Funds | • Accounting research assistance
• SEC consultation, registration statements, and reporting
• Tax accrual related matters
• Implementation of new accounting standards
• Compliance letters (e.g. rating agency letters)
• Regulatory reviews and assistance regarding financial matters
• Semi-annual reviews (if requested)
• Comfort letters for closed end offerings | ||
II. AUDIT-RELATED SERVICES | Services which are not prohibited under Rule 210.2-01(C)(4) (the “Rule”) and are related extensions of the audit services support the audit, or use the knowledge/expertise gained from the audit procedures as a foundation to complete the project. In most cases, if the Audit-Related Services are not performed by the Audit firm, the scope of the Audit Services would likely increase. The Services are typically well-defined and governed by accounting professional standards (AICPA, SEC, etc.) | • AICPA attest and agreed-upon procedures
• Technology control assessments
• Financial reporting control assessments
• Enterprise security architecture assessment |
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY | |
• “One-time” pre-approval for the audit period for all pre-approved specific service subcategories. Approval of the independent auditors as auditors for a Fund shall constitute pre approval for these services. |
• A summary of all such services and related fees reported at each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting. | |
• “One-time” pre-approval for the fund fiscal year within a specified dollar limit for all pre-approved specific service subcategories
• Specific approval is needed to exceed the pre-approved dollar limit for these services (see general Audit Committee approval policy below for details on obtaining specific approvals) |
• A summary of all such services and related fees (including comparison to specified dollar limits) reported quarterly. | |
• Specific approval is needed to use the Fund’s auditors for Audit-Related Services not denoted as “pre-approved”, or to add a specific service subcategory as “pre-approved” |
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES | ||
III. TAX SERVICES | Services which are not prohibited by the Rule, if an officer of the Fund determines that using the Fund’s auditor to provide these services creates significant synergy in the form of efficiency, minimized disruption, or the ability to maintain a desired level of confidentiality. | • Tax planning and support
• Tax controversy assistance
• Tax compliance, tax returns, excise tax returns and support
• Tax opinions |
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY | |
• “One-time” pre-approval for the fund fiscal year within a specified dollar limit |
• A summary of all such services and related fees (including comparison to specified dollar limits) reported quarterly. | |
• Specific approval is needed to exceed the pre-approved dollar limits for these services (see general Audit Committee approval policy below for details on obtaining specific approvals) |
||
• Specific approval is needed to use the Fund’s auditors for tax services not denoted as pre-approved, or to add a specific service subcategory as “pre-approved” |
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES | ||
IV. OTHER SERVICES | Services which are not prohibited by the Rule, if an officer of the Fund determines that using the Fund’s auditor to provide these services creates significant synergy in the form of efficiency, minimized disruption, the ability to maintain a desired level of confidentiality, or where the Fund’s auditors posses unique or superior qualifications to provide these services, resulting in superior value and results for the Fund. | • Business Risk Management support | ||
A. SYNERGISTIC, UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS |
• Other control and regulatory compliance projects | |||
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY | |
• “One-time” pre-approval for the fund fiscal year within a specified dollar limit |
• A summary of all such services and related fees (including comparison to specified dollar limits) reported quarterly. | |
• Specific approval is needed to exceed the pre-approved dollar limits for these services (see general Audit Committee approval policy below for details on obtaining specific approvals) |
||
• Specific approval is needed to use the Fund’s auditors for “Synergistic” or “Unique Qualifications” Other Services not denoted as pre-approved to the left, or to add a specific service subcategory as “pre-approved” |
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PROHIBITED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES | ||
PROHIBITED SERVICES | Services which result in the auditors losing independence status under the Rule. | 1. Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the audit client* | ||
2. Financial information systems design and implementation* | ||||
3. Appraisal or valuation services, fairness* opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports | ||||
4. Actuarial services (i.e., setting actuarial reserves versus actuarial audit work)* | ||||
5. Internal audit outsourcing services* | ||||
6. Management functions or human resources | ||||
7. Broker or dealer, investment advisor, or investment banking services | ||||
8. Legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit | ||||
9. Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible |
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY | |
• These services are not to be performed with the exception of the(*) services that may be permitted if they would not be subject to audit procedures at the audit client (as defined in rule 2-01(f)(4)) level the firm providing the service. |
• A summary of all services and related fees reported at each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting will serve as continual confirmation that has not provided any restricted services. |
GENERAL AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY:
• | For all projects, the officers of the Funds and the Fund’s auditors will each make an assessment to determine that any proposed projects will not impair independence. |
• | Potential services will be classified into the four non-restricted service categories and the “Approval of Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other Services” Policy above will be applied. Any services outside the specific pre-approved service subcategories set forth above must be specifically approved by the Audit Committee. |
• | At least quarterly, the Audit Committee shall review a report summarizing the services by service category, including fees, provided by the Audit firm as set forth in the above policy. |
(2) Disclose the percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
Non-Audit Services
Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the effective date of the new SEC pre-approval rules, the Fund’s audit committee is required to pre-approve services to affiliates defined by SEC rules to the extent that the services are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Fund. For the years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024, there were no services provided to an affiliate that required the Fund’s audit committee pre-approval.
(f) If greater than 50 percent, disclose the percentage of hours expended on the principal accountants engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.
N/A
(g) Disclose the aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrants accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrants investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant.
The Fund paid aggregate non-audit fees to Deloitte & Touche LLP for tax services of $9,000 and $10,500 during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(h) Disclose whether the registrants audit committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrants investment adviser (not including any subadviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
The Fund’s audit committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Affiliates (as defined) that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
(i) A registrant identified by the Commission pursuant to Section 104(i)(2)(A) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7214(i)(2)(A)), as having retained, for the preparation of the audit report on its financial statements included in the Form NCSR, a registered public accounting firm that has a branch or office that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction must electronically submit to the Commission on a supplemental basis documentation that establishes that the registrant is not owned or controlled by a governmental entity in the foreign jurisdiction. The registrant must submit this documentation on or before the due date for this form. A registrant that is owned or controlled by a foreign governmental entity is not required to submit such documentation.
N/A
(j) A registrant that is a foreign issuer, as defined in 17 CFR 240.3b-4, identified by the Commission pursuant to Section 104(i)(2)(A) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7214(i)(2)(A)), as having retained, for the preparation of the audit report on its financial statements included in the Form N-CSR, a registered public accounting firm that has a branch or office that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction, for each year in which the registrant is so identified, must provide the below disclosures. Also, any such identified foreign issuer that uses a variable-interest entity or any similar structure that results in additional foreign entities being consolidated in the financial statements of the registrant is required to provide the below disclosures for itself and its consolidated foreign operating entity or entities. A registrant must disclose:
(1) That, for the immediately preceding annual financial statement period, a registered public accounting firm that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely, because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction, issued an audit report for the registrant;
N/A
(2) The percentage of shares of the registrant owned by governmental entities in the foreign jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated or otherwise organized;
N/A
(3) Whether governmental entities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction with respect to that registered public accounting firm have a controlling financial interest with respect to the registrant;
N/A
(4) The name of each official of the Chinese Communist Party who is a member of the board of directors of the registrant or the operating entity with respect to the registrant;
N/A
(5) Whether the articles of incorporation of the registrant (or equivalent organizing document) contains any charter of the Chinese Communist Party, including the text of any such charter.
N/A
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
(a) If the registrant is a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3), state whether or not the registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)). If the registrant has such a committee, however designated, identify each committee member. If the entire Board of Directors is acting as the registrant’s audit committee as specified in Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(B)), so state.
N/A
(b) If applicable, provide the disclosure required by Rule 10A-3(d) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3(d)) regarding an exemption from the listing standards for audit committees.
N/A
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
File Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period as set forth in 210.1212 of Regulation S-X [17 CFR 210.12-12], unless the schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
Included in Item 1
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Included in Item 1
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
N/A
ITEM 9. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. (Unaudited)
N/A
Item 10. REMUNERATION PAID TO DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. (Unaudited)
Each Board Member also serves as a Board Member of other Funds in the Pioneer Family of Funds complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each Fund based on net assets. Directors’ fees paid by the Fund are within Item 1. Statement of Operations as Directors’ fees and expenses.
Item 11. STATEMENT REGARDING BASIS FOR APPROVAL OF INVESMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT. (Unaudited)
Approval of New Investment Advisory Agreement and Interim Investment Advisory Agreement with Victory Capital Management Inc.
Effective April 1, 2025, Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. (“Amundi US”), the Fund’s previous investment adviser, has been contributed to Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (“Victory Capital Holdings”), the parent company of Victory Capital Management Inc. (“Victory Capital”) (the “Transaction”). As a result of the Transaction, the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with Amundi US (the “Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement”) terminated automatically on April 1, 2025. In connection with the Transaction, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Directors”) approved a new investment advisory agreement with Victory Capital (the “New Investment Advisory Agreement”) at a Board meeting held on December 16, 2024, subject to approval by the Fund’s stockholders. As of May 1, 2025, the Fund’s stockholders had not approved the New Investment Advisory Agreement. At the December 16, 2024 Board meeting, the Board also approved an interim investment advisory agreement with Victory Capital (the “Interim Investment Advisory Agreement”) to take effect upon the closing of the Transaction in the event that additional time was needed to solicit stockholder approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board’s considerations in approving the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement are discussed below.
Board Evaluation of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and Interim Investment Advisory Agreement
The Board evaluated the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement and Interim Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund. At in-person meetings held on May 14-15, 2024, July 22-23, 2024, September 16-17, 2024, November 12-13, 2024, and December 16, 2024, the Board met to consider the Transaction, including the plan to contribute Amundi US to Victory Capital Holdings in exchange for Amundi Asset Management S.A.S. (“Amundi”) becoming a significant shareholder of Victory Capital Holdings, and to establish a long-term reciprocal distribution partnership between Amundi and Victory Capital. The Board was advised that the Transaction, if completed, would constitute a change of control under the 1940 Act that would result in the termination of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement.
At these meetings, which included meetings of the full Board and separate meetings of the Independent Directors, and at video conferences of the Independent Directors held on May 23, 2024, June 24, 2024, August 19, 2024, October 29, 2024 and December 9, 2024, the Board or the Independent Directors, as the case may be, considered, among other things, whether it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders to approve the New Investment Advisory Agreement. To assist the Board in its consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the anticipated impacts of the Transaction on the Fund and its stockholders, Victory Capital provided materials and information about Victory Capital, including its financial condition and asset management capabilities and organization, and Victory Capital and Amundi provided materials and information about the proposed Transaction between Victory Capital and Amundi.
To assist the Board in its consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, Victory Capital provided extensive information to the Board regarding the Transaction and the investment advisory services to be provided by Victory Capital under the New Investment Advisory Agreement. Before and during the December 16, 2024 meeting, the Board sought additional information as it deemed necessary and appropriate. In connection with their consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Directors worked with their independent legal counsel to prepare requests for additional information that were submitted to Victory Capital and Amundi US. The Board’s requests for information sought information relevant to the Board’s consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and other anticipated impacts of the Transaction on the Fund and its stockholders. In addition, the Board formed a Transaction Sub-Committee, comprised solely of Independent Directors, to assist the Board in its consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Transaction. The Board and the Transaction Sub- Committee met with senior management representatives of Victory Capital and Amundi US on numerous occasions to discuss various aspects of the Transaction, to review information provided to assist the Board in its consideration of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Transaction, and to make supplemental due diligence requests for
additional information from Victory Capital and Amundi US with respect to the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Transaction. Victory Capital and Amundi US provided documents and information in response to the requests from the Board and the Transaction Sub-Committee, as well as made presentations to, and responded to questions from, the Board and the Transaction Sub-Committee at various meetings.
Prior to voting on the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Directors reviewed the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement with representatives of Amundi US and Victory Capital, counsel to the Fund and counsel to the Independent Directors. The Independent Directors also reviewed the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement with their counsel in private sessions at which no representatives of Amundi US, Victory Capital or counsel to the Fund were present.
The Board’s evaluation of the New Investment Advisory Agreement reflected the information provided specifically in connection with its review of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, as well as, where relevant, information that was previously furnished to the Board in connection with the renewal of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement at inperson meetings held on September 17, 2024 and at other Board meetings throughout the prior year.
Among other things, the Directors considered:
(i) that, in the Transaction, Amundi US would be contributed to Victory Capital in exchange for shares of Victory Capital Holdings issued to Amundi without Amundi becoming a controlling stockholder of Victory Capital Holdings, and that Victory Capital and Amundi would establish a long-term reciprocal distribution partnership;
(ii) representations by Victory Capital regarding the reputation, experience, financial strength and resources of Victory Capital and its investment franchises;
(iii) that Victory Capital has informed the Board that the Transaction was not expected to have a material adverse impact on the nature, scope and overall quality of services provided to the Fund and its stockholders, including investment management, risk management, administrative, compliance, legal and other services;
(iv) that Victory Capital informed the Board that the portfolio managers of the Fund were expected to continue to act as portfolio managers of the Fund following the consummation of the Transaction as members of Pioneer Investments, a planned Victory Capital investment franchise, managing the Fund using the same investment approach under which the Fund was previously managed, and the Board considered the historical investment performance record of the Fund under such investment approach;
(v) the non-investment resources, infrastructure and personnel of Victory Capital that would be involved in Victory Capital’s services to the Fund, including Victory Capital’s legal and operational structure, risk management, administrative, legal, compliance and cybersecurity functions;
(vi) that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee rate would remain the same and would not increase by virtue of the New Investment Advisory Agreement;
(vii) the terms and conditions of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, including that the New Investment Advisory Agreement was substantially identical to the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement;
(viii) the terms of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement (including fees) also are substantially the same as the terms of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, that the Interim Investment Agreement allows Victory Capital to manage each Fund for up to 150 days following the closing of the Transaction, and that investment advisory fees payable under the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement will be held in escrow during the term of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement;
(ix) that the Directors had recently approved the continuance of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement with Amundi US at an inperson meeting held on September 17, 2024 and, in connection with the Directors’ review of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, received and considered full comparative fee and expense data;
(x) Victory Capital’s plans to propose to transition from certain of the Fund’s current service providers, including fund administration, to the Victory Funds’ service providers following the consummation of the Transaction
(xi) that Victory Capital had agreed with the Board that, for at least three years after the Transaction closes, Victory Capital would waive fees and/or reimburse expenses so that the Fund’s total net annual operating expenses (excluding certain customary items) does not exceed the lower of (i) the total net annual operating expenses associated with investing in the Fund after application of expense limitation arrangements currently in effect for the Fund, if any, or (ii) the total net annual operating expenses of the Fund as of the end of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year at the time of the Transaction close, and that the contractual expense limitation agreement permits Victory Capital to recoup advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed for up to two years after the fiscal year in which the waiver or reimbursement took place, subject to the lesser of any operating expense limitation in effect at the time of: (1) the original waiver or expense reimbursement; or (2) recoupment, after giving effect to the recoupment
amount;
(xii) that Victory Capital did not expect to propose any changes to the investment objective(s) of the Fund or any changes to the principal investment strategies of the Fund as a result of the Transaction;
(xiii) that Victory Capital had acquired and integrated several investment management companies;
(xiv) the potential benefits to the stockholders of the Fund, including continuity of portfolio management and operating efficiencies due to the greater scale of Victory Capital that may be achieved from the Transaction;
(xv) that Victory Capital and Amundi would each derive benefits from the Transaction and that, as a result, they had a financial interest in the matters that were being considered;
(xvi) that Victory Capital and Amundi had agreed to conduct, and use reasonable best efforts to cause their affiliates to conduct, their respective businesses in compliance with Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act so as not to impose an “unfair burden” on the Fund; and
(xvii) that the Fund would not bear the costs of obtaining stockholder approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, including proxy solicitation costs, legal fees and the costs of printing and mailing the proxy statement, regardless of whether the Transaction is consummated. Certain of these considerations are discussed in more detail below. The Directors also requested, obtained and considered the following information in connection with their evaluation of the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund: (i) memoranda provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Directors in their deliberations regarding the New Investment Advisory Agreement; and (ii) the Fund’s advisory fees and total expense ratios, the financial statements of Victory Capital, a profitability analysis provided by Victory Capital, and an analysis from Victory Capital as to possible economies of scale. The Directors further considered, materials provided in connection with their review of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, including, for the Fund, information regarding the qualifications of the investment management teams for the Fund, as well as the level of investment by the Fund’s portfolio managers in the Fund. In addition, the Directors considered the information provided at regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year regarding the Fund’s performance and risk attributes, including through meetings with investment management personnel, and took into account other information related to the Fund provided to the Directors at regularly scheduled meetings.
At the December 16, 2024, meeting, based on their evaluation of the information provided by Victory Capital and Amundi US, the Directors including the Independent Directors voting separately, approved the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund. In considering the New Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Directors considered various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors described below. The Directors did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in their determinations. The Directors considered the same factors with respect to the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services.
The Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had been provided by Amundi US to the Fund and that were expected to be provided by Victory Capital to the Fund following the consummation of the Transaction, taking into account the investment objective(s) and principal investment strategies of the Fund.
The Board considered information provided by Victory Capital regarding its business and operating structure, scale of operations, leadership and reputation. The Board also considered the capabilities, resources, and personnel of Victory Capital, in order to determine whether Victory Capital was capable of providing the same level of investment management services provided to the Fund by Amundi US. The Board received information regarding Victory Capital’s plans to integrate Amundi US investment personnel into Victory Capital as members of Pioneer Investments, a Victory Capital investment franchise. The Board noted that it had considered the qualifications of the portfolio managers at Amundi US at its September 17, 2024 Meeting.
The Directors considered Victory Capital’s representation that there would be no change to the investment approach under which the Fund would be managed under the New Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Board considered the non-investment resources, infrastructure and personnel of Victory Capital that would be involved in Victory Capital’s services to the Fund, including Victory Capital’s compliance, risk management, cybersecurity and legal resources and personnel. The Board also reviewed information provided by Victory Capital related to its business, legal, and regulatory affairs, including information regarding the resources available to Victory Capital to provide the services specified under the New Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board also considered Victory Capital’s financial condition, and noted that Victory Capital was expected to be able to provide a high level of service to the Fund and continuously invest and re-invest in its investment management business. The Directors considered that Amundi US previously supervised and monitored the performance of the Fund’s service providers and provided the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations, and considered the personnel and resources that Victory Capital proposed to provide with respect to such services. The Directors also considered that, as administrator, Amundi US was responsible for the administration of the Fund’s business and other affairs and that, post-Transaction, Victory Capital would be responsible for the administration of the Fund’s business and other affairs. The Directors considered that the fees Victory Capital would charge for administration services are higher than the fees that Amundi US received as reimbursement for services rendered, and considered Victory Capital’s explanation of the reasons for the differences in administration fees charged by Victory Capital and Amundi US as well as the expense limitation arrangements proposed to be implemented for the Fund for at least three years following the completion of the Transaction. The Directors considered that the terms and conditions of the New Investment Advisory Agreement were substantially similar to the terms and conditions of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, except for different execution dates, effective dates and termination dates. The Directors considered that the terms of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement (including fees) also are substantially the same as the terms of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement, that the Interim Investment Agreement allows Victory Capital to manage each Fund for up to 150 days following the closing of the Transaction, and that investment advisory fees payable under the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement will be held in escrow during the term of the Interim Investment Advisory
Agreement.
The Directors received and considered information regarding the Victory Funds’ key service providers, including custody, transfer agency and administration service providers, the fees charged by such service providers as compared to the fees charged by the Fund’s current service providers, and Victory Capital’s plans to propose the transition from certain of the Fund’s current service providers to the Victory Funds’ service providers following the consummation of the Transaction.
The Directors considered that Victory Capital had advised the Board that, notwithstanding the above, the Transaction was not expected to have a material adverse impact on the nature, scope and overall quality of services provided to the Fund and its stockholders, including investment advisory, risk management, administrative, compliance, legal and other services, as a result of the Transaction. In that regard, the Directors considered the statements by representatives of Victory Capital that they did not foresee major changes in the day-to-day investment management operations of the Fund as a direct result of the Transaction, and also considered the risk management, legal and compliance services that Victory Capital would provide with respect to the Fund.
Based on these considerations, the Directors concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services that are proposed to be provided by Victory Capital to the Fund would be satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Performance of the Fund.
In considering the Fund’s performance, the Directors regularly reviewed and discussed throughout the year data prepared by Amundi US and information comparing the Fund’s performance with the performance of its peer group of funds, as classified by Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar), and with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. The Directors also regularly considered the Fund’s returns at market value relative to its peers, as well as the discount at which the Fund’s shares may trade on the New York Stock Exchange compared to its net asset value per share. They also discussed the Fund’s performance with Amundi US on a regular basis. The Directors’ regular reviews and discussions factored into the Directors’ deliberations concerning the approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement.
In addition, the Board considered that the Fund’s portfolio managers were expected to continue to act as portfolio managers of the Fund following the consummation of the Transaction as members of Pioneer Investments, a Victory Capital investment franchise. The Board also considered that no changes were proposed to the Fund’s investment objective(s) or principal investment strategies in connection with the Transaction and the New Investment Advisory Agreement.
Advisory Fee and Expenses.
The Directors noted that the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund was identical under the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement. The Directors considered information received in connection with the Directors’ consideration of the renewal of the Amundi US Investment Advisory Agreement at in-person meetings held on September 17, 2024 showing the fees and expenses of the Fund in comparison to the advisory fees and expense ratios of a peer group of funds selected on the basis of criteria determined by the Independent Directors for this purpose using data provided by Strategic Insight Mutual Fund Research and Consulting, LLC (Strategic Insight), an independent third party. The peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareowners.
The Directors considered that the Fund’s advisory fee (based on managed assets) for the Fund’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was in the second quintile relative to the advisory fees paid by other funds in its Strategic Insight peer group for the comparable period. The Directors considered that the expense ratio (based on managed assets) of the Fund’s common stock for the most recent fiscal year was in the first quintile (including investment-related expenses) and in the fourth quintile (excluding investment-related expenses), in each case relative to its Strategic Insight peer group for the comparable period. The Directors noted Amundi US’s explanation of the reasons that the expense ratio of the Fund’s common stock was in the fourth quintile (excluding investment-related expenses) relative to its Strategic Insight peer group.
The Directors also considered Victory Capital’s contractual commitment under the expense limitation agreement to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses for at least three years after the closing of the Transaction, so that the Fund’s total net annual operating expenses (excluding certain customary items) does not exceed the lower of (i) the total net annual operating expenses associated with investing in the Fund after application of expense limitation arrangements currently in effect for the Fund, if any, or (ii) the total net annual operating expenses of the Fund as of the end of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, at the time the Transaction closes. The Directors considered that the expense limitation agreement permits Victory Capital to recoup advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed for up to two years after the fiscal year in which the waiver or reimbursement took place, subject to the lesser of any operating expense limitation in effect at the time of: (1) the original waiver or expense reimbursement; or (2) recoupment, after giving effect to the recoupment amount.
The Directors also considered that Victory Capital does not manage closedend funds except for the Pioneer closed-end funds.
The Directors concluded that the advisory fee payable by the Fund to Victory Capital under the New Investment Advisory Agreement was reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services to be provided by Victory Capital.
Profitability.
The Directors considered information provided by Victory Capital regarding the estimated profitability of Victory Capital with respect to the advisory services proposed to be provided by Victory Capital to the Fund, including the methodology used by Victory Capital in allocating certain of its costs to the management of the Fund. The Directors also considered Victory Capital’s profit margins in connection with the overall operation of the Fund. The Board considered the investments Victory Capital expected to make to support and grow the Pioneer funds brand and the costs to integrate the Amundi US/Pioneer Funds business into Victory Capital. The Board also considered information regarding Victory Capital’s profit margins with respect to the funds it currently manages. The Board considered Victory Capital’s representation that the fully integrated Amundi US/Pioneer Funds business, including investments to support ongoing growth, was expected to have a positive impact on Victory Capital’s overall financial profitability. The Directors considered Victory Capital’s profit margins in comparison to the limited industry data available and noted that the profitability of any adviser was affected by numerous factors, including its organizational structure and method for allocating expenses. The Directors concluded that Victory Capital’s estimated profitability with respect to the management of the Fund was not unreasonable.
Economies of Scale.
The Directors considered the extent to which Victory Capital may realize economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing and supporting the Fund. Since the Fund is a closed-end fund that has not raised additional capital, the Directors concluded that economies of scale were not a relevant consideration in the renewal of the investment advisory agreement.
Other Benefits.
The Directors considered the other benefits that Victory Capital may enjoy from its relationship with the Fund. The Directors considered the character and amount of fees to be paid by the Fund, other than under the New Investment Advisory Agreement, for services to be provided by Victory Capital and its affiliates. The Directors further considered the revenues and profitability of Victory Capital’s businesses other than the Fund business. To the extent applicable, the Directors also considered the potential benefits to the Fund and to Victory Capital and its affiliates from the use of “soft” commission dollars generated by the Fund to pay for research and
brokerage services.
The Directors noted that the completion of the Transaction would result in a long-term reciprocal distribution partnership between Amundi and Victory Capital, and that Victory Capital may benefit from Amundi’s ability to market the services of Victory Capital globally, including in an increase of the overall scale of Victory Capital. The Directors considered that the Transaction, if completed, would significantly increase Victory Capital’s assets under management and expand Victory Capital’s investment capabilities. The Directors considered that this increased size and diversification could facilitate Victory Capital’s continued investment in its business and products, which Victory Capital would be able to leverage across a broader base of assets. The Directors considered that Victory Capital and the Fund are expected to receive reciprocal intangible benefits from the relationship, including mutual brand recognition. The Directors concluded that any such benefits received by Victory Capital as a result of its relationship with the Fund were reasonable.
Conclusion.
After consideration of the factors described above as well as other factors, the Directors, including the Independent Directors, concluded that the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund, including the fees payable thereunder, were fair and reasonable and voted to approve the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement.
ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. (Unaudited)
A closed-end management investment company that is filing an annual report on this Form N-CSR must, unless it invests exclusively in non-voting securities, describe the policies and procedures that it uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, including the procedures that the company uses when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of its shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the company’s investment adviser; principal underwriter; or any affiliated person (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(3)) and the rules thereunder) of the company, its investment adviser, or its principal underwriter, on the other. Include any policies and procedures of the company’s investment adviser, or any other third party, that the company uses, or that are used on the company’s behalf, to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities.
H-12 PROXY VOTING
BACKGROUND AND RISKS
Voting rights associated with security ownership are closely related to the discretionary asset management services VCM provides to its clients. Therefore, VCM should be capable of accepting and exercising voting authority on behalf of clients with the same standard of care, skill, prudence, and diligence it is subject to when exercising its investment authority on behalf of clients. Further, in order to exercise voting authority on behalf of clients, VCM must comply with Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act (the “proxy rule”) and Rule 14Ad-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “proxy reporting rule”). The proxy rule requires VCM to adopt and implement written policies and procedures designed to ensure it votes securities in the best interest of clients including managing material conflicts of interest between VCM and its clients, to disclose to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures, how they may obtain a copy of these procedures, and information about how VCM voted their securities. The proxy reporting rule requires certain investment managers to report their proxy voting record annually on Form N-PX with respect to certain votes on executive compensation.
Inability to accept and exercise voting authority on behalf of clients or failure to comply with the proxy rule or proxy reporting rule could result in violations of securities law, breach of fiduciary duty, client harm, or damage to VCM’s reputation.
POLICY
VCM will establish policies and procedures and retain resources necessary to ensure it is capable of exercising voting authority on behalf of clients according to the same standard of care with which it exercises investment authority. Because VCM will exercise voting authority, it will comply with the proxy rule and the proxy reporting rule and must vote securities in the best interest of clients.
For purposes of this policy, voting in the best interest of clients means using complete and accurate information to vote with the objective of increasing the long-term economic value of client assets. Similar to investment decision making, voting decisions are qualitative in nature and VCM will consider a variety of factors to arrive at vote decisions. Further a voting decision in the same security may be different between clients for the same reasons VCM clients are invested in different securities. For example, client agreements, investment strategies, or specific investment franchise views on ballot proposals may cause the same security to be voted in a different manner across VCM’s client base.
1 | Page
VCM will vote all securities over which it has authority, provided the client has voting rights and there is sufficient time and information available to make informed decisions. VCM will take reasonable steps to obtain appropriate and timely information.
In situations where voting may impact the ability to trade a security (e.g., shareblocking), VCM will not vote unless it determines that voting is in a client’s best interest.
For a copy of the guidelines (as defined below) please visit VCM’s website at https://investor.vcm.com/policies. To obtain information on specific proxies voted by VCM, clients may contact their VCM client manager or email an inquiry to client_service_team@vcm.com.
VCM will create, maintain, and retain appropriate records related to voting client securities.
LIST OF REQUIRED CONTROLS
• | Proxy Voting Committee (the “committee”) |
• | Client Investment Management Agreements (“IMAs”) |
• | Third-party proxy firm (“proxy firm”) |
• | M-19 Vendor Due Diligence and Oversight (“vendor oversight policy”) |
• | Proxy voting guidelines |
• | Annual committee guideline review |
• | Form ADV, Part 2A |
• | M-13 Record Retention and Destruction, Appendix A (“recordkeeping requirements”) |
CONTROL IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES
• | The committee will consist of members with experience related to the functional areas applicable to voting client securities including responsible investing, investment management, operations, and compliance. The committee is responsible for exercising VCM’s fiduciary responsibilities related to voting client securities including voting in the best interests of clients and identifying and managing conflicts of interest. The committee will be active, keep a charter, and maintain records that demonstrate adequate execution of its responsibilities. |
2 | Page
• | When a client enters into an advisory relationship with VCM, proxy voting roles and responsibilities between the client and VCM will be fully disclosed. Responsibilities delegated to VCM will be communicated to the committee and the committee will be responsible for implementing voting requirements in accordance with each IMA. |
• | In order to support its fiduciary duty related to voting client securities and comply with the proxy rule and proxy reporting rule, VCM will retain, and the committee will oversee a third-party proxy advisory firm (“proxy firm”) to provide both administrative and advisory services related to voting client securities. In relation to the proxy reporting rule, the proxy firm will provide draft filings in the appropriate format. The Business Owner of this policy is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the filing. The Compliance Owner is responsible for ensuring the report is filed in a timely manner and complies with the proxy reporting rule. Selection and ongoing oversight of the proxy firm will be conducted in accordance with the vendor oversight policy. The Sponsor, as defined in the vendor oversight policy, must be a member of the committee. Currently, VCM retains Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. as its proxy firm. |
• | The committee will adopt written proxy voting guidelines authored by the proxy firm (“guidelines”). These guidelines can be used as standing instructions on how the proxy firm must vote ballots provided that the committee must: |
• | Have the ability to customize the guidelines. |
• | Retain the ability to override the guidelines on individual ballot proposals at the client level. |
• | Review the guidelines at least annually, implement customizations based on this review, and submit a written memo to the compliance committee documenting the results of the annual review that includes the name of the proxy firm, links to the specific guidelines adopted, and a description of customizations made. |
• | Make the memo available to clients upon request. |
3 | Page
• | The purpose of the guidelines is 1) to benefit from the specialized expertise related to voting securities provided by the proxy firm and to provide an independent source to resolve conflicts of interest identified between VCM and its clients. For the first purpose, the committee will take into account the guidelines but will have ultimate responsibility for voting decisions. The committee will, in its discretion, rely on additional sources such as portfolio manager input to ensure the voting decisions it makes are in the best interest of specific clients. If the guidelines are silent on any pending ballot proposal, the committee will exercise its voting responsibility with due care and document the rationale for the vote decision. For the second purpose, if the committee identifies a conflict of interest between VCM and clients, the committee must vote in accordance with the guidelines unless the rationale for deviating from guidelines has unanimous consent from the committee and is put in writing, including an analysis of how the conflict of interest is eliminated, mitigated, or disclosed. |
• | The proxy firm will provide technology-based platform that provides operational controls over voting securities that include, at minimum, ballot reconciliation, casting complete ballots in a timely manner and in accordance with adopted written guidelines, ability to adjust or override a vote based on committee input, and reporting capabilities that support compliance with the proxy reporting rule and VCM’s need to oversee the proxy firm and report internally and externally. The committee is responsible for ensuring these controls are operating as intended though must, at minimum, develop reporting designed to ensure all eligible client accounts are properly set up and configured on the proxy firm’s platform and that the proxy firm is voting securities in accordance with the guidelines and this policy. Such reports should be reviewed by the committee at regular intervals and any exceptions should be referred to the LCR department. |
• | The disclosures required under the proxy rule will be contained in VCM’s Form ADV, Part 2A and will be delivered to clients at the time and frequency required by regulation. |
• | The committee will be familiar with the recordkeeping requirements related to voting client securities and will maintain records and ensure the proxy firm maintains records for the required periods. |
Compliance Policy Executive Summary | ||
Policy Name: | H-12 Proxy Voting Policy | |
Applicability: | Victory Capital Management Inc. (“VCM”) | |
Category: | Investments - General | |
Compliance Owner: | Chief Compliance Officer, VCM | |
Business Owner: | Director of Responsible Business, VCM | |
Effective Date: | June 30, 2024 | |
Executive Summary: | Policy and procedures governing the voting of client securities |
4 | Page
ITEM 13. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company that is filing an annual report on this Form N-CSR, provide the following information:
(1) State the name, title, and length of service of the person or persons employed by or associated with the registrant or an investment adviser of the registrant who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the registrant’s portfolio (“Portfolio Manager”). Also state each Portfolio Manager’s business experience during the past 5 years.
Additional information about the portfolio manager
Other accounts managed by the portfolio manager
The table below indicates, for the portfolio manager of the fund, information about the accounts other than the fund over which the portfolio manager has day-to-day investment responsibility. All information on the number of accounts and total assets in the table is as of April 30, 2025. For purposes of the table, “Other Pooled Investment Vehicles” may include investment partnerships, undertakings for collective investments in transferable securities (“UCITS”) and other non-U.S. investment funds and group trusts, and “Other Accounts” may include separate accounts for institutions or individuals, insurance company general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar institutional accounts but generally do not include the portfolio manager’s personal investment accounts or those which the manager may be deemed to own beneficially under the code of ethics. Certain funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager may have substantially similar investment strategies.
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Type of Account |
Number of Accounts Managed |
Total Assets Managed (000’s) |
Number of Accounts Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance- Based |
Assets Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance- Based (000’s) |
|||||||||||||
John (Jake) Crosby van Roden III |
Other Registered Investment Companies |
4 | $ | 2,140,543 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
0 | $ | 0 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 0 | $ | 0 | N/A | N/A |
Potential conflicts of interest
When a portfolio manager is responsible for the management of more than one account, the potential arises for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The principal types of potential conflicts of interest that may arise are discussed below. For the reasons outlined below, Amundi US does not believe that any material conflicts are likely to arise out of a portfolio manager’s responsibility for the management of the fund as well as one or more other accounts. Although Amundi US has adopted procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws and to mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest to affect its portfolio management decisions, there can be no assurance that all conflicts will be identified or that all procedures will be effective in mitigating the potential for such risks. Generally, the risks of such conflicts of interest are increased to the extent that a portfolio manager has a financial incentive to favor one account over another. Amundi US has structured its compensation arrangements in a manner that is intended to limit such potential for conflicts of interest. See “Compensation of Portfolio Managers” below.
• | A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in allocating new investment opportunities that have limited supply, such as initial public offerings and private placements. If, for example, an initial public offering that was expected to appreciate in value significantly shortly after the offering was allocated to a single account, that account may be expected to have better investment performance than other accounts that did not receive an allocation of the initial public offering. Generally, investments for which there is limited availability are allocated based upon a range of factors including available cash and consistency with the accounts’ investment objectives and policies. This allocation methodology necessarily involves some subjective elements but is intended over time to treat each client in an equitable and fair manner. Generally, the investment opportunity is allocated among participating accounts on a pro rata |
basis. Although Amundi US believes that its practices are reasonably designed to treat each client in an equitable and fair manner, there may be instances where a fund may not participate, or may participate to a lesser degree than other clients, in the allocation of an investment opportunity. |
• | A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in the order in which trades for the accounts are placed. If a portfolio manager determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions. The less liquid the market for the security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate purchases or sales represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the potential for accounts that make subsequent purchases or sales to receive a less favorable price. When a portfolio manager intends to trade the same security on the same day for more than one account, the trades typically are “bunched,” which means that the trades for the individual accounts are aggregated and each account receives the same price. There are some types of accounts as to which bunching may not be possible for contractual reasons (such as directed brokerage arrangements). Circumstances may also arise where the trader believes that bunching the orders may not result in the best possible price. Where those accounts or circumstances are involved, Amundi US will place the order in a manner intended to result in as favorable a price as possible for such client. |
• | A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager’s compensation is tied to the performance of that account to a greater degree than other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. If, for example, the portfolio manager receives a bonus based upon the performance of certain accounts relative to a benchmark while other accounts are disregarded for this purpose, the portfolio manager will have a financial incentive to seek to have the accounts that determine the portfolio manager’s bonus achieve the best possible performance to the possible detriment of other accounts. Similarly, if Amundi US receives a performance-based advisory fee, the portfolio manager may favor that account, whether or not the performance of that account directly determines the portfolio manager’s compensation. |
• | A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager has a beneficial interest in the account, in order to benefit a large client or to compensate a client that had poor returns. For example, if the portfolio manager held an interest in an investment partnership that was one of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the portfolio manager would have an economic incentive to favor the account in which the portfolio manager held an interest. |
• | If the different accounts have materially and potentially conflicting investment objectives or strategies, a conflict of interest could arise. For example, if a portfolio manager purchases a security for one account and sells the same security for another account, such trading pattern may disadvantage either the account that is long or short. In making portfolio manager assignments, Amundi US seeks to avoid such potentially conflicting situations. However, where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts with differing investment objectives and policies, it is possible that the portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the best interest of one account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues to hold or increase the holding in such security. |
Compensation of portfolio manager
Amundi US has adopted a system of compensation for portfolio managers that seeks to align the financial interests of the portfolio managers with those of shareholders of the accounts (including Pioneer funds) the portfolio managers manage, as well as with the financial performance of Amundi US. The compensation program for all Amundi US portfolio managers includes a base salary (determined by the rank and tenure of the employee) and an annual bonus program, as well as customary benefits that are offered generally to all full-time employees. Base compensation is fixed and normally reevaluated on an annual basis. Amundi US seeks to set base compensation at market rates, taking into account the experience and responsibilities of the portfolio manager. The bonus plan is intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation that is tied to the portfolio manager achieving superior investment performance and align
the interests of the investment professional with those of shareholders, as well as with the financial performance of Amundi US. Any bonus under the plan is completely discretionary, with a maximum annual bonus that may be in excess of base salary. The annual bonus is based upon a combination of the following factors:
• | Quantitative investment performance. The quantitative investment performance calculation is based on pre-tax investment performance of all of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager (which includes the fund and any other accounts managed by the portfolio manager) over a one-year period (20% weighting) and four-year period (80% weighting), measured for periods ending on December 31. The accounts, which include the fund, are ranked against a group of mutual funds with similar investment objectives and investment focus (60%) and a securities market index measuring the performance of the same type of securities in which the accounts invest (40%), which, in the case of the fund, is the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index and Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal High Yield Bond Index. As a result of these two benchmarks, the performance of the portfolio manager for compensation purposes is measured against the criteria that are relevant to the portfolio manager’s competitive universe. |
• | Qualitative performance. The qualitative performance component with respect to all of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager includes objectives, such as effectiveness in the areas of teamwork, leadership, communications and marketing, that are mutually established and evaluated by each portfolio manager and management. |
• | Amundi US results and business line results. Amundi US’s financial performance, as well as the investment performance of its investment management group, affect a portfolio manager’s actual bonus by a leverage factor of plus or minus (+/–) a predetermined percentage. |
The quantitative and qualitative performance components comprise 80% and 20%, respectively, of the overall bonus calculation (on a pre-adjustment basis). A portion of the annual bonus is deferred for a specified period and may be invested in one or more Pioneer funds.
Certain portfolio managers participate in other programs designed to reward and retain key contributors. Portfolio managers also may participate in a deferred compensation program, whereby deferred amounts are invested in one or more Pioneer funds or collective investment trusts or other unregistered funds with similar investment objectives, strategies and policies.
Share ownership by portfolio manager
The following table indicates as of April 30, 2025 the value, within the indicated range, of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio manager of the fund.
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Beneficial Ownership of the Fund* | |
John (Jake) Crosby van Roden III | A |
* | Key to Dollar Ranges |
A. | None | |
B. | $1 – $10,000 | |
C. | $10,001 – $50,000 | |
D. | $50,001 – $100,000 | |
E. | $100,001 – $500,000 | |
F. | $500,001 – $1,000,000 | |
G. | Over $1,000,000 |
ITEM 14. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, in the following tabular format, provide the information specified in paragraph (b) of this Item with respect to any purchase made by or on behalf of the registrant or any affiliated purchaser, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10b-18(a)(3)), of shares or other units of any class of the registrant’s equity securities that is registered by the registrant pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 781).
During the period covered by this report, there were no purchases made by or on behalf of the registrant or any affiliated purchaser as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), of shares of the registrants equity securities that are registered by the registrant pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
ITEM 15. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Describe any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-R(17 CFR 229.407)(as required by Item 22(b)(15)) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101), or this Item.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors since the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-R of Schedule 14(A) in its definitive proxy statement, or this item.
ITEM 16. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Disclose the conclusions of the registrant’s principal executive and principal financials officers, or persons performing similar functions, regarding the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30(a)-3(b) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
(b) Disclose any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 17. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, provide the following dollar amounts of income and compensation related to the securities lending activities of the registrant during its most recent fiscal year:
N/A
(1) Gross income from securities lending activities;
N/A
(2) All fees and/or compensation for each of the following securities lending activities and related services: any share of revenue generated by the securities lending program paid to the securities lending agent(s) (revenue split); fees paid for cash collateral management services (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split; administrative fees that are not included in the revenue split; fees for indemnification that are not included in the revenue split; rebates paid to borrowers; and any other fees relating to the securities lending program that are not included in the revenue split, including a description of those other fees;
N/A
(3) The aggregate fees/compensation disclosed pursuant to paragraph (2); and
N/A
(4) Net income from securities lending activities (i.e., the dollar amount in paragraph (1) minus the dollar amount in paragraph (3)).
If a fee for a service is included in the revenue split, state that the fee is included in the revenue split.
N/A
(b) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, describe the services provided to the registrant by the securities lending agent in the registrants most recent fiscal year.
N/A
Item 18. RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION.
N/A
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS.
(a) File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated.
(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit.
(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) , exactly as set forth below:
Filed herewith.
(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.
(3) Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
[See General Instruction F]
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, Inc.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Thomas Dusenberry
Thomas Dusenberry, President and Principal Executive Officer
Date July 9, 2025
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Thomas Dusenberry
Thomas Dusenberry, President and Principal Executive Officer
Date July 9, 2025
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Carol D. Trevino
Carol D. Trevino, Treasurer Principal Financial Officer
Date July 9, 2025
* | Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |