UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number       811-23075

Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive,

Chicago, IL 60606

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Mark L. Winget

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive,

Chicago, IL 60606

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:       (312) 917-7700

 

Date of fiscal year end:       December 31

 

Date of reporting period:       June 30, 2021

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policy making roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss.3507.


ITEM 1.

REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


LOGO

 

Closed-End Funds

 

30 June

2021

 

Nuveen Closed-End Funds

 

JHB    Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund
JHAA    Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund
JEMD    Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund

 

 

As permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will not be sent to you by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website (www.nuveen.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds electronically at any time by contacting the financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) through which you hold your Fund shares or, if you are a direct investor, by enrolling at www.nuveen.com/e-reports.

You may elect to receive all future shareholder reports in paper free of charge at any time by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-257-8787 and selecting option #2 or (ii) by logging into your Investor Center account at www.computershare.com/investor and clicking on “Communication Preferences”. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all your directly held Nuveen Funds and any other directly held funds within the same group of related investment companies.

 

Semiannual Report


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NOT FDIC INSURED  MAY LOSE VALUE  NO BANK GUARANTEE

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

 

Chair’s Letter to Shareholders

     4  

Important Semiannual Shareholder Report Notice

     5  

Fund Leverage

     6  

Common Share Information

     8  

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries

     10  

Shareholder Meeting Report

     16  

Portfolios of Investments

     17  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     31  

Statement of Operations

     32  

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

     33  

Statement of Cash Flows

     35  

Financial Highlights

     36  

Notes to Financial Statements

     38  

Risk Considerations

     49  

Additional Fund Information

     50  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     51  

Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process

     52  

 

3


Chair’s Letter to Shareholders

 

LOGO

Dear Shareholders,

More than a year has passed since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March 2020, resulting in a year marked by a global economic downturn, financial market turbulence and some immeasurable losses of life. Although the health crisis persists, with the widespread distribution of vaccines in the U.S. and extraordinary economic interventions by governments and central banks around the world, we collectively look forward to what our “new normal” might be.

Global economic activity has continued to rebound, driving both gross domestic product growth and inflation higher, especially in the U.S. Vaccinations have enabled a further reopening of economies while governments and central banks have taken extraordinary measures to support the recoveries. To extend relief programs enacted earlier in the crisis, the U.S. government passed $900 billion in aid to individuals and businesses in late December 2020. Another $1.9 trillion relief package was signed into law in March 2021, providing extended unemployment benefits, direct payments to individuals and families, assistance to state and local municipalities, grants to education and public health, and other support. Currently, Congress is working on an infrastructure spending plan, although its final shape and whether it passes remains to be seen. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and other central banks around the world have upgraded their economic forecasts but remain committed to sustaining the recovery by maintaining accommodative monetary conditions. However, as economies have reopened, the surge in consumer demand has outpaced supply chain capacity, resulting in a jump in inflation indicators in recent months. Whether inflation persists is a subject of debate by economists and some market observers, while the Fed and other central banks believe it to be more transitory.

While the markets’ longer-term outlook has brightened, we expect intermittent bouts of volatility to continue. Markets are closely monitoring central bank signals, particularly if inflation remains elevated, as a sooner-than-expected shift to monetary tightening could slow the economic recovery. Additionally, COVID-19 cases are rising again, as more virulent strains such as the delta variant have spread, both case counts and hospitalizations are rising, and vaccination rollouts have been uneven around the country and around the world. The recovery hinges on controlling the virus, and estimates vary considerably on when economic activity might be fully restored and what level of public inoculation would be sufficient to contain the spread of the virus, particularly in light of new variants. On the political front, the Biden administration’s full policy agenda and the potential for Congressional gridlock remain to be seen, either of which could cause investment outlooks to shift. Short-term market fluctuations can provide your Fund opportunities to invest in new ideas as well as upgrade existing positioning while providing long-term value for shareholders. For more than 120 years, the careful consideration of risk and reward has guided Nuveen’s focus on delivering long-term results to our shareholders.

If you have concerns about what’s coming next, it may be an opportune time to assess your portfolio. We encourage you to review your time horizon, risk tolerance and investment goals with your financial professional.

On behalf of the other members of the Nuveen Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Terence J. Toth

Chair of the Board

August 23, 2021

 

 

4


Important Semiannual Shareholder Report Notice

 

For Shareholders of

Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund (JHB)

Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund (JHAA)

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund (JEMD)

Semiannual Shareholder Report for the period ending June 30, 2021

Beginning with this semiannual shareholder report, the Funds will only include portfolio manager commentaries in their annual shareholder reports. For the Funds’ most recent annual portfolio manager discussion, please refer to the Portfolio Managers’ Comments section of each Fund’s December 31, 2020 annual shareholder report.

For current information on your Fund’s investment objectives, portfolio management team and average annual total returns please refer to the Fund’s website at www.nuveen.com.

For changes that occurred to your Fund both during and subsequent to this reporting period, please refer to the Notes to Financial Statements section of this report.

For average annual total returns as of the end of this reporting period, please refer to the Performance Overview and Holding Summaries section within this report.

 

5


Fund Leverage

 

IMPACT OF THE FUNDS’ LEVERAGE STRATEGIES ON PERFORMANCE

One important factor impacting the returns of the Funds’ common shares relative to their comparative benchmarks was the Funds’ use of leverage through the use of bank borrowings for JHAA as well as the use of reverse repurchase agreements for JEMD. The Funds use leverage because our research has shown that, over time, leveraging provides opportunities for additional income. The opportunity arises when short-term rates that the Fund pay on its leveraging instruments are lower than the interest the Fund earns on its portfolio securities that it has bought with the proceeds of that leverage. This has been particularly true in the recent market environment where short-term rates have been low by historical standards.

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

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

The use of leverage for JHAA and JEMD had a positive impact on the total return performance of the Funds over the reporting period.

As of June 30, 2021, the Funds’ percentages of leverage are shown in the accompanying table.

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Effective Leverage*

       0.00        23.63        21.92

Regulatory Leverage*

       0.00        23.63        0.00
*

Effective Leverage is a Fund’s effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage and the leverage effects of reverse repurchase agreements, certain derivative and other investments in a Fund’s portfolio that increase the Fund’s investment exposure. Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued or borrowings of a Fund. Both of these are part of a Fund’s capital structure. A Fund, however, may from time to time borrow on a typically transient basis in connection with its day-to-day operations, primarily in connection with the need to settle portfolio trades. Such incidental borrowings are excluded from the calculation of a Fund’s effective leverage ratio. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

6


 

THE FUNDS’ LEVERAGE

Bank Borrowings

As noted previously, JHAA employs leverage through the use of bank borrowings. The Fund’s bank borrowing activities are as shown in the accompanying table.

 

    Current Reporting Period           Subsequent to the Close of
the Reporting Period
 
Fund   Outstanding
Balance as of
January 1, 2021
    Draws     Paydowns     Outstanding
Balance as of
June 30, 2021
    Average Balance
Outstanding
           Draws     Paydowns     Outstanding
Balance as of
August 26, 2021
 

JHAA

  $ 24,525,000     $     —     $     —     $ 24,525,000     $ 24,525,000             $     —     $     —     $ 24,525,000  

Refer to Notes to Financial Statements, Note 8 – Fund Leverage, for further details.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

As noted previously, JEMD used reverse repurchase agreements, in which the Fund sells to a counterparty a security that it holds with a contemporaneous agreement to repurchase the same security at an agreed-upon price and date.

The Fund’s transactions in reverse repurchase agreements are as shown in the accompanying table.

 

    Current Reporting Period           Subsequent to the Close of
the Reporting Period
 
Fund  

Outstanding
Balance as of

January 1, 2021

    Sales     Purchases    

Outstanding
Balance as of

June 30, 2021

    Average Balance
Outstanding
           Sales     Purchases      Outstanding
Balance as of
August 26, 2021
 

JEMD

  $ 32,854,811     $     —     $     —     $ 32,854,811     $ 32,854,811             $     —     $     —      $ 32,854,811  

Refer to Notes to Financial Statements, Note 8 – Fund Leverage, for further details.

 

7


Common Share Information

 

COMMON SHARE DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

The following information regarding the Funds’ distributions is current as of June 30, 2021. Each Fund’s distribution levels may vary over time based on each Fund’s investment activity and portfolio investment value changes.

During the current reporting period, the Funds’ distributions to common shareholders were as shown in the accompanying table.

 

Monthly Distributions (Ex-Dividend Date)      JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

January 2021

     $ 0.0205        $ 0.0395        $ 0.0335  

February

       0.0205          0.0395          0.0335  

March

       0.0205          0.0395          0.0305  

April

       0.0205          0.0395          0.0305  

May

       0.0205          0.0395          0.0305  

June 2021

       0.0145          0.0315          0.0305  

Total Distributions from Net Investment Income

     $ 0.1170        $ 0.2290        $ 0.1890  

Current Distribution Rate*

       1.85        3.80        4.51
*

Current distribution rate is based on the Fund’s current annualized monthly distribution divided by the Fund’s current market price. The Fund’s monthly distributions to its shareholders may be comprised of ordinary income, net realized capital gains and, if at the end of the fiscal year the Fund’s cumulative net ordinary income and net realized gains are less than the Fund’s distributions, a return of capital for tax purposes.

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

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

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUND DISTRIBUTION AMOUNTS

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

 

8


 

COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES

During August 2021, (subsequent to the close of the reporting period), the Funds’ Board of Trustees reauthorized an open-market share repurchase program, allowing each Fund to repurchase an aggregate of up to approximately 10% of its outstanding shares.

As of June 30, 2021, and since the inception of the Funds’ repurchase programs, the Funds have cumulatively repurchased and retired their outstanding common shares as shown in the accompanying table.

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Common shares cumulatively repurchased and retired

       0          0          0  

Common shares authorized for repurchase

       5,590,000          780,000          1,420,000  

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

OTHER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION

As of June 30, 2021, the Funds’ common share prices were trading at a premium/(discount) to NAV and trading at an average premium/(discount) to NAV during the current reporting period, as follows:

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Common share NAV

     $ 9.46        $ 10.13        $ 8.21  

Common share price

     $ 9.42        $ 9.96          8.12  

Premium/(Discount) to NAV

       (0.42 )%         (1.68 )%         (1.10 )% 

Average premium/(discount) to NAV

       (1.19 )%         (1.13 )%         (1.25 )% 

JHB, JHAA and JEMD each have an investment objective to return $9.85, $9.875 and $9.85, respectively (the original net asset value following each Fund’s initial public offering (the “Original NAV”)) to shareholders on or about the end of the Fund’s term. There can be no assurance that the Funds will be able to return the Original NAV to shareholders, and such return is not backed or otherwise guaranteed by the Funds’ investment adviser, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), or any other entity.

In connection with the objective of returning Original NAV, each Fund currently intends to set aside and retain in its net assets a portion of its net investment income and possibly all or a portion of its gains. This will reduce the amounts otherwise available for distribution prior to the liquidation of each Fund, and the Fund may incur taxes on such retained amount, which will reduce the overall amounts that the Fund would have otherwise been able to distribute. Such retained income or gains, net of any taxes, would constitute a portion of the liquidating distribution returned to investors at the end of each Fund’s term. In addition, each Fund’s investment in shorter term and lower yielding securities, especially as the Fund nears the end of its term, may reduce investment income and, therefore, the monthly dividends during the period prior to termination. Investors that purchase shares in the secondary market (particularly if their purchase price differs meaningfully from the Original NAV) may receive more or less than their original investment.

Each Fund’s ability to return Original NAV to common shareholders on or about the termination date will depend on market conditions and the success of various portfolio and cash flow management techniques. Recent market conditions have materially increased the risk associated with achieving JHB’s and JEMD’s objective to return Original NAV. These objectives are not a guarantee and is dependent on a number of factors including the extent of market recovery and the cumulative level of income retained in relation to cumulative portfolio gains net of losses. JHAA’s objective is not a guarantee and is dependent on a number of factors including market conditions and the cumulative level of income retained in relation to cumulative portfolio gains net of losses.

 

9


JHB     

Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of June 30, 2021

 

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

Average Annual Total Returns as of June 30, 2021

 

    Cumulative        Average Annual  
     6-Month        1-Year        Since
Inception
 
JHB at Common Share NAV     1.14%          4.82%          4.14%  
JHB at Common Share Price     3.67%          8.66%          3.81%  
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. High Yield 1-5 Year Cash Pay 2% Issuer Capped Index     4.60%          15.47%          5.96%  

Since inception returns are from 8/23/16. Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Daily Common Share NAV and Share Price

 

LOGO

 

10


 

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

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

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Long-Term Corporate Bonds     83.4%  
Sovereign Debt     2.0%  
Convertible Bonds     1.0%  
Common Stocks     0.2%  
Short-Term Corporate Bonds     11.3%  
Other Assets Less Liabilities     2.1%  

Net Assets

    100%  

Country Allocation1

(% of total investments)

 

United States     73.4%  
Germany     9.6%  
Switzerland     4.2%  
United Kingdom     2.3%  
Israel     1.9%  
Mexico     1.4%  
Egypt     1.3%  
Canada     1.0%  
South Africa     0.9%  
Italy     0.9%  
Other     3.1%  

Total

    100%  

Portfolio Composition

(% of total investments)

 

Automobiles     10.8%  
Diversified Financial Services     9.7%  
Wireless Telecommunication Services     8.5%  
Diversified Telecommunication Services     6.9%  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels     6.3%  
Banks     5.4%  
Household Durables     4.0%  
Capital Markets     3.9%  
Pharmaceuticals     3.8%  
Media     3.6%  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure     3.3%  
Containers & Packaging     3.1%  
Metals & Mining     2.9%  
Auto Components     2.9%  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust     2.4%  
Software     2.4%  
Other2     18.0%  
Sovereign Debt     2.1%  

Total

    100%  

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term investments)

 

AA     4.4%  
A     10.5%  
BBB     28.2%  
BB or Lower     55.1%  
N/R (not rated)     1.6%  
N/A (not applicable)     0.2%  

Total

    100%  

Top Five Issuers

(% of total long-term investments)

 

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC     5.5%  
Sprint Corp     4.5%  
Credit Suisse AG/New York NY     4.4%  
T-Mobile USA Inc     4.1%  
CSC Holdings LLC     4.1%  
 

 

1

Includes 5.9% (as a percentage of total investments) in emerging markets countries.

2

See Portfolio of Investments for details on “other” Portfolio Composition.

 

11


JHAA     

Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of June 30, 2021

 

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

Average Annual Total Returns as of June 30, 2021

 

       Cumulative        Average Annual  
        6-Month        1-Year        Since
Inception
 
JHAA at Common Share NAV        3.31%          14.48%          6.54%  
JHAA at Common Share Price        6.38%          12.67%          5.38%  
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. High Yield 1-5 Year Cash Pay 2% Issuer Capped Index        4.60%          15.47%          6.93%  

Since inception returns are from 12/18/18. Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Daily Common Share NAV and Share Price

 

LOGO

 

12


 

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

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

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Corporate Bonds     77.5%  
Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests     33.7%  
Convertible Bonds     2.9%  
Repurchase Agreements     16.7%  
Other Assets Less Liabilities     0.1%  

Net Assets Plus Borrowings

    130.9%  
Borrowings     (30.9)%  

Net Assets

    100%  

Country Allocation1

(% of total investments)

 

United States     86.6%  
Israel     3.6%  
Canada     2.8%  
Zambia     1.2%  
Australia     1.2%  
Ireland     1.1%  
Mexico     1.0%  
Ukraine     1.0%  
Luxembourg     1.0%  
South Africa     0.3%  
Other     0.2%  

Total

    100%  

Portfolio Composition

(% of total investments)

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels     14.3%  
Media     7.5%  
Chemicals     5.2%  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure     5.1%  
Health Care Providers & Services     4.6%  
Consumer Finance     3.8%  
Metals & Mining     3.8%  
Communications Equipment     3.3%  
Automobiles     2.8%  
Electric Utilities     2.5%  
Commercial Services & Supplies     2.4%  
Professional Services     2.1%  
Household Durables     2.1%  
Specialty Retail     2.0%  
Containers & Packaging     1.9%  
Diversified Telecommunication Services     1.6%  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals     1.3%  
Pharmaceuticals     1.3%  
Other2     19.7%  
Repurchase Agreements     12.7%  

Total

    100%  

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term investments)

 

BBB     13.3%  
BB or Lower     84.6%  
N/R (not rated)     2.1%  

Total

    100%  

Top Five Issuers

(% of total long-term investments)

 

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC     3.3%  
CSC Holdings LLC     2.8%  
Navient Corp     2.8%  
NOVA Chemicals Corp     2.4%  
Boyd Gaming Corporation, Refinancing Term Loan B     2.2%  
 

 

1

Includes 4.5% (as a percentage of total investments) in emerging markets countries.

2

See Portfolio of Investments for details on “other” Portfolio Composition.

 

13


JEMD     

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of June 30, 2021

 

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

Average Annual Total Returns as of June 30, 2021

 

    Cumulative        Average Annual  
     6-Month        1-Year        Since
Inception
 
JEMD at Common Share NAV     6.25%          14.50%          0.38%  
JEMD at Common Share Price     11.15%          19.42%          (0.14)%  
JP Morgan EMBI Global Diversified Index     (0.66)%          7.53%          4.13%  

Since inception returns are from 9/26/17. Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Daily Common Share NAV and Share Price

LOGO

 

14


 

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

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

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Emerging Markets Debt     74.1%  
Corporate Bonds     51.1%  
Common Stocks     0.7%  
Convertible Bonds     0.4%  
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations     0.3%  
Other Assets Less Liabilities     1.6%  

Net Assets Plus Reverse Repurchase Agreements

    128.2%  
Reverse Repurchase Agreements     (28.2)%  

Net Assets

    100%  

Country Allocation1

(% of total investments)

 

South Africa     10.1%  
Turkey     9.3%  
Ukraine     8.2%  
Rwanda     6.0%  
Iraq     5.9%  
Mexico     4.6%  
Barbados     4.5%  
Nigeria     4.5%  
Costa Rica     4.4%  
El Salvador     4.2%  
China     3.7%  
Ecuador     3.5%  
Brazil     3.3%  
Mongolia     3.3%  
Zambia     3.2%  
Egypt     3.1%  
Other3     18.2%  

Total

    100%  

Portfolio Composition

(% of total investments)

 

Emerging Markets Debt     58.5%  
Banks     8.5%  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels     7.5%  
Road & Rail     5.1%  
Food Products     3.1%  
Other2     17.0%  
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations     0.3%  

Total

    100%  

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total investments)

 

BBB     11.0%  
BB or Lower     88.1%  
N/R (not rated)     0.3%  
N/A (not applicable)     0.6%  

Total

    100%  

Top Five Issuers

(% of total investments)

 

Rwanda International Government Bond     6.0%  
Iraq International Bond     5.9%  
Ukraine Government International Bond     5.8%  
Transnet SOC Ltd     5.1%  
Petroleos Mexicanos     4.6%  
 

 

1

Includes 97.5% (as a percentage of total investments) in emerging markets countries.

2

See Portfolio of Investments for details on “other” Portfolio Composition.

3

“Other” countries include thirteen countries that individually constitute less than 3.1% as a percentage of total investments.

 

15


Shareholder Meeting Report

 

The annual meeting of shareholders was held on April 6, 2021 for JHB, JHAA and JEMD. The meeting was held virtually due to public health concerns regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; at this meeting the shareholders were asked to elect Board members.

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  
        Common
Shares
       Common
Shares
       Common
Shares
 

Approval of the Board Members was reached as follows:

              

Jack B. Evans

              

For

       26,546,982          4,055,417          7,948,279  

Withhold

       21,173,905          2,512,732          4,505,455  

Total

       47,720,887          6,568,149          12,453,734  

Albin F. Moschner

              

For

       26,578,591          4,055,417          7,946,262  

Withhold

       21,142,296          2,512,732          4,507,472  

Total

       47,720,887          6,568,149          12,453,734  

Matthew Thornton III

              

For

       46,623,989          6,550,427          12,417,905  

Withhold

       1,096,898          17,722          35,829  

Total

       47,720,887          6,568,149          12,453,734  

 

16


JHB   

Nuveen Corporate Income
November 2021 Target Term Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021

     (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 86.6% (88.4% of Total Investments)

 

  
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 83.4% (85.1% of Total Investments)

 

  
      Aerospace & Defense – 0.3%         
$ 1,305    

BAE Systems PLC, 144A

    4.750%        10/11/21        BBB      $ 1,320,032  
      Airlines – 1.7%         
  8    

Continental Airlines 2007-1 Class B Pass Through Trust

    6.903%        4/19/22        BBB+        7,822  
  8,000    

Delta Air Lines Inc

    3.625%        3/15/22        Baa3        8,112,603  
  6,700    

Virgin Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, 144A

    7.875%        10/15/21        N/R        611,375  
  14,708    

Total Airlines

                               8,731,800  
      Auto Components – 2.8%         
  14,500    

ZF North America Capital Inc, 144A

    4.500%        4/29/22        BB+        14,826,250  
      Automobiles – 10.6%         
  2,000    

Daimler Finance North America LLC, 144A

    2.000%        7/06/21        A3        2,000,400  
  8,223    

Daimler Finance North America LLC, 144A

    2.200%        10/30/21        A3        8,275,420  
  10,000    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC

    3.813%        10/12/21        BB+        10,075,000  
  5,000    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC

    5.596%        1/07/22        BB+        5,102,600  
  5,055    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC

    3.339%        3/28/22        BB+        5,129,309  
  4,945    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC, (3-Month LIBOR reference rate + 1.270% spread), (3)

    1.416%        3/28/22        BB+        4,933,055  
  10,500    

General Motors Financial Co Inc

    4.375%        9/25/21        BBB        10,597,561  
  9,780    

Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC, 144A

    2.500%        9/24/21        A3        9,828,571  
  55,503    

Total Automobiles

                               55,941,916  
      Banks – 5.3%         
  9,452    

Barclays PLC

    3.200%        8/10/21        A        9,481,280  
  10,000    

Deutsche Bank AG/New York NY

    4.250%        10/14/21        BBB        10,108,434  
  2,700    

MUFG Bank Ltd, 144A

    2.850%        9/08/21        A1        2,712,861  
  720    

Santander UK Group Holdings PLC

    2.875%        8/05/21        A        721,662  
  550    

Ukreximbank Via Biz Finance PLC, 144A

    9.625%        4/27/22        B        566,566  
  2,500    

UniCredit SpA, 144A

    6.572%        1/14/22        Baa2        2,577,155  
  1,844    

UniCredit SpA, 144A

    3.750%        4/12/22        Baa1        1,888,359  
  27,766    

Total Banks

                               28,056,317  
      Biotechnology – 2.3%         
  12,163    

Gilead Sciences Inc

    4.400%        12/01/21        A3        12,244,714  
      Capital Markets – 3.8%         
  20,050    

Credit Suisse AG/New York NY

    3.000%        10/29/21        Aa3        20,232,115  
      Consumer Finance – 2.3%         
  4,585    

Ally Financial Inc

    4.125%        2/13/22        BBB–        4,689,489  
  6,225    

Navient Corp

    7.250%        1/25/22        Ba3        6,456,570  
  995    

SLM Corp

    5.125%        4/05/22        BB+        1,013,656  
  11,805    

Total Consumer Finance

                               12,159,715  
      Containers & Packaging – 3.0%         
  15,685    

Ball Corp

    5.000%        3/15/22        BB+        16,077,125  
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 4.9%         
  9,768    

Cogent Communications Group Inc, 144A

    5.375%        3/01/22        BB        9,936,205  
  11,195    

Lumen Technologies Inc

    5.800%        3/15/22        BB        11,520,662  
  2,500    

Qwest Corp

    6.750%        12/01/21        BBB-        2,559,375  
  1,918    

Telstra Corp Ltd, 144A

    4.800%        10/12/21        A2        1,941,975  
  25,381    

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               25,958,217  

 

17


JHB    Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund (continued)
   Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021
   (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Electric Utilities – 1.3%         
$ 4,951    

Duke Energy Corp

    1.800%        9/01/21        BBB      $ 4,955,719  
  2,000    

Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, 144A

    6.950%        11/10/21        B1        2,007,500  
  6,951    

Total Electric Utilities

                               6,963,219  
      Food & Staples Retailing – 0.7%         
  795    

Mondelez International Holdings Netherlands BV, 144A

    2.000%        10/28/21        A3        798,356  
  1,730    

Smithfield Foods Inc, 144A

    2.650%        10/03/21        BBB        1,738,422  
  1,010    

Smithfield Foods Inc, 144A

    3.350%        2/01/22        BBB        1,024,197  
  3,535    

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                               3,560,975  
      Food Products – 1.7%         
  8,989    

J M Smucker Co/The

    3.500%        10/15/21        BBB        9,076,680  
      Health Care Providers & Services – 0.1%         
  310    

Fresenius Medical Care US Finance II Inc, 144A

    5.875%        1/31/22        BBB        319,459  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 3.2%         
  1,820    

Marriott International Inc/MD

    3.125%        10/15/21        BBB–        1,821,843  
  7,000    

MGM Resorts International

    7.750%        3/15/22        BB        7,316,400  
  7,900    

Yum! Brands Inc

    3.750%        11/01/21        BB–        7,909,875  
  16,720    

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                               17,048,118  
      Household Durables – 3.9%         
  15,022    

Lennar Corp

    4.125%        1/15/22        BBB        15,172,220  
  5,500    

Toll Brothers Finance Corp

    5.875%        2/15/22        BBB–        5,610,605  
  20,522    

Total Household Durables

                               20,782,825  
      Internet & Direct Marketing Retail – 1.3%         
  6,655    

Netflix Inc

    5.500%        2/15/22        BB+        6,821,375  
      Machinery – 0.8%         
  4,185    

CNH Industrial Capital LLC

    3.875%        10/15/21        BBB        4,224,131  
      Media – 3.5%         
  18,270    

CSC Holdings LLC

    6.750%        11/15/21        B+        18,629,919  
      Metals & Mining – 2.7%         
  5,534    

Freeport-McMoRan Inc

    3.550%        3/01/22        BB+        5,582,422  
  1,500    

Glencore Finance Canada Ltd, 144A

    4.950%        11/15/21        BBB+        1,524,546  
  1,699    

Petra Diamonds US Treasury PLC, 144A, (cash 10.500%, PIK 10.500%)

    10.500%        3/08/26        B–        1,660,773  
  5,324    

Teck Resources Ltd

    4.750%        1/15/22        BBB–        5,384,138  
  14,057    

Total Metals & Mining

                               14,151,879  
      Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust – 2.4%         
  12,500    

Starwood Property Trust Inc

    5.000%        12/15/21        BB+        12,562,500  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 6.2%         
  4,933    

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP / Calumet Finance Corp

    7.625%        1/15/22        B–        4,920,668  
  3,000    

Occidental Petroleum Corp

    2.600%        8/13/21        Ba2        3,000,000  
  10,000    

Occidental Petroleum Corp

    3.125%        2/15/22        Ba2        10,050,000  
  3,000    

Petroleos Mexicanos

    4.875%        1/24/22        BBB        3,055,500  
  4,000    

Petroleos Mexicanos

    5.375%        3/13/22        BBB        4,097,980  
  3,524    

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC

    6.250%        3/15/22        BBB–        3,614,717  
  4,000    

Southwestern Energy Co

    4.100%        3/15/22        BB        4,030,000  
  32,457    

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               32,768,865  
      Pharmaceuticals – 3.7%         
  3,920    

Bayer US Finance LLC, 144A

    3.000%        10/08/21        BBB+        3,947,916  
  5,825    

Elanco Animal Health Inc

    4.912%        8/27/21        Ba2        5,847,572  
  3,750    

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co BV

    3.650%        11/10/21        Ba2        3,759,375  
  6,199    

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance IV BV

    3.650%        11/10/21        Ba2        6,245,802  
  19,694    

Total Pharmaceuticals

                               19,800,665  

 

18


 
 
 

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Real Estate Management & Development – 0.5%         
$ 2,900    

China Evergrande Group

    8.250%        3/23/22        B3      $ 2,473,632  
      Software – 2.3%         
  12,274    

Oracle Corp

    1.900%        9/15/21        BBB+        12,298,166  
      Specialty Retail – 1.4%         
  7,000    

Foot Locker Inc

    8.500%        1/15/22        BB+        7,280,000  
      Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.6%         
  3,280    

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP / Ladder Capital Finance Corp, 144A

    5.250%        3/15/22        BB+        3,296,400  
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.8%         
  2,000    

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC / AerCap Global Aviation Trust

    3.950%        2/01/22        BBB        2,033,784  
  7,000    

Aircastle Ltd

    5.500%        2/15/22        BBB        7,207,342  
  9,000    

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

                               9,241,126  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 8.3%         
  3,000    

MTN Mauritius Investments Ltd, 144A

    5.373%        2/13/22        Ba2        3,063,900  
  1,475    

Sprint Communications Inc

    9.250%        4/15/22        N/R        1,567,188  
  20,375    

Sprint Corp

    7.250%        9/15/21        BB+        20,676,142  
  18,429    

T-Mobile USA Inc

    4.000%        4/15/22        BB+        18,758,418  
  43,279    

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                               44,065,648  
$ 441,444    

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $444,814,168)

                               440,913,783  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

SOVEREIGN DEBT – 2.0% (2.1% of Total Investments)

          
      Argentina – 0.0%                           
$ 35    

Argentine Republic Government International Bond

    1.000%        7/09/29        CCC+      $ 13,395  
  582    

Argentine Republic Government International Bond

    0.125%        7/09/30        CCC+        208,478  
  617    

Total Argentina

                               221,873  
      Egypt – 1.3%         
  6,750    

Egypt Government International Bond, 144A

    6.125%        1/31/22        B+        6,895,125  
      Turkey – 0.7%                           
  3,625    

Turkey Government International Bond

    5.125%        3/25/22        BB–        3,697,500  
$ 10,992    

Total Sovereign Debt (cost $10,773,775)

                               10,814,498  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 1.0% (1.0% of Total Investments)

          
      Interactive Media & Services – 1.0%         
$ 5,000    

Twitter Inc

    1.000%        9/15/21        N/R      $ 5,093,750  
$ 5,000    

Total Convertible Bonds (cost $4,983,370)

                               5,093,750  
Shares     Description (1)                           Value  
 

COMMON STOCKS – 0.2% (0.2% of Total Investments)

          
      Metals & Mining – 0.2%         
  45,174,957    

Petra Diamonds, (4), (5)

                             $ 918,610  
 

Total Common Stocks (cost $849,289)

                               918,610  
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $461,420,602)

                             $ 457,740,641  

 

19


JHB   

Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund (continued)

   Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021
   (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon     

Maturity

    

Ratings (2)

     Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 11.3% (11.6% of Total Investments)

 

      CORPORATE BONDS – 11.3% (11.6% of Total Investments)  
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.9%                           
$ 10,000    

AT&T Inc144A

    0.000%        10/19/21        A-2      $ 9,994,500  
      Diversified Financial Services – 9.4%                           
  10,000    

Atlantic Asset Securitization LLC, 144A

    0.000%        9/27/21        A-1        9,998,044  
  10,000    

Chariot Funding LLC, 144A

    0.000%        10/26/21        A-1        9,996,425  
  10,000    

Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC, 144A

    0.000%        8/25/21        A-1        9,998,167  
  10,000    

Halkin Finance LLC, 144A

    0.000%        10/26/21        A-1        9,996,100  
  10,000    

Mountcliff Funding LLC, 144A

    0.000%        10/26/21        A-1        9,995,450  
$ 50,000    

Total Diversified Financial Services

                               49,984,186  
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $59,978,686)

                               59,978,686  
 

Total Investments (cost $521,399,288) – 97.9%

                               517,719,327  
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 2.1%

                               10,901,866  
 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%

                             $ 528,621,193  

 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1)

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to common shares unless otherwise noted.

 

(2)

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3)

Variable rate security. The rate shown is the coupon as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(4)

Non-income producing; issuer has not declared an ex-dividend date within the past twelve months.

 

(5)

For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 2.

 

144A

Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

LIBOR

London Inter-Bank Offered Rate

 

PIK

Payment-in-kind (“PIK”) security. Depending on the terms of the security, income may be received in the form of cash, securities, or a combination of both. The PIK rate shown, where applicable, represents the annualized rate of the last PIK payment made by the issuer as of the end of the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

20


JHAA
  

Nuveen Corporate Income 2023
Target Term Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021

     (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)               Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 114.1% (87.3% of Total Investments)

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS – 77.5% (59.3% of Total Investments)

 

      Air Freight & Logistics – 1.5%  
$ 1,200    

XPO Logistics Inc, 144A

     6.125%        9/01/23        BB–      $ 1,209,000  
      Airlines – 1.3%                            
  1,000    

United Airlines Holdings Inc

     5.000%        2/01/24        Ba3        1,037,500  
      Auto Components – 1.6%                            
  975    

Icahn Enterprises LP / Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp

     6.750%        2/01/24        BB        995,894  
  250    

ZF North America Capital Inc, 144A

     4.500%        4/29/22        BB+        255,625  
  1,225    

Total Auto Components

                                1,251,519  
      Automobiles – 3.7%                            
  2,000    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC

     3.370%        11/17/23        BB+        2,073,364  
  800    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC

     5.584%        3/18/24        BB+        876,160  
  2,800    

Total Automobiles

                                2,949,524  
      Chemicals – 2.7%                            
  2,025    

NOVA Chemicals Corp, 144A

     4.875%        6/01/24        BB-        2,136,910  
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 3.0%                            
  1,475    

ADT Security Corp/The

     4.125%        6/15/23        BB–        1,552,437  
  750    

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC / Prime Finance Inc, 144A

     5.250%        4/15/24        BB–        803,648  
  2,225    

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                                2,356,085  
      Communications Equipment – 2.0%                            
  1,500    

CommScope Inc, 144A

     5.500%        3/01/24        Ba3        1,543,125  
      Consumer Finance – 5.0%                            
  500    

Navient Corp

     5.500%        1/25/23        Ba3        527,350  
  1,300    

Navient Corp

     7.250%        9/25/23        Ba3        1,434,875  
  500    

Navient Corp

     6.125%        3/25/24        Ba3        539,630  
  1,300    

OneMain Finance Corp

     8.250%        10/01/23        BB–        1,462,500  
  3,600    

Total Consumer Finance

                                3,964,355  
      Containers & Packaging – 2.4%                            
  1,000    

OI European Group BV, 144A

     4.000%        3/15/23        B+        1,030,350  
  850    

Sealed Air Corp, 144A

     5.250%        4/01/23        BB+        898,352  
  1,850    

Total Containers & Packaging

                                1,928,702  
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.9%                            
  300    

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd, 144A

     4.500%        3/15/23        BBB–        315,353  
  350    

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd, 144A

     5.500%        2/15/24        BBB–        384,756  
  650    

Total Diversified Financial Services

                                700,109  
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 2.1%                            
  1,500    

Lumen Technologies Inc

     6.750%        12/01/23        BB        1,663,470  
      Electric Utilities – 3.3%                            
  1,500    

Pacific Gas and Electric Co

     1.750%        6/16/22        BBB–        1,499,173  
  1,100    

TerraForm Power Operating LLC, 144A

     4.250%        1/31/23        BB        1,128,875  
  2,600    

Total Electric Utilities

                                2,628,048  

 

21


JHAA    Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund (continued)
   Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021
   (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)               Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Equity Real Estate Investment Trust – 1.0%                            
$ 750    

GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II Inc

     5.375%        11/01/23        BBB–      $ 814,980  
      Food & Staples Retailing – 0.3%                            
  250    

Albertsons Cos Inc / Safeway Inc / New Albertsons LP / Albertsons LLC, 144A

     3.500%        2/15/23        BB        256,628  
      Gas Utilities – 1.2%                            
  900    

AmeriGas Partners LP / AmeriGas Finance Corp

     5.625%        5/20/24        BB        983,250  
      Health Care Providers & Services – 2.7%                            
  118    

Encompass Health Corp

     5.125%        3/15/23        B+        118,295  
  500    

HCA Inc

     5.875%        5/01/23        Baa3        543,350  
  500    

Molina Healthcare Inc

     5.375%        11/15/22        BB–        523,125  
  850    

Tenet Healthcare Corp

     6.750%        6/15/23        B–        927,563  
  1,968    

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                                2,112,333  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 2.1%                            
  1,000    

MGM Resorts International

     6.000%        3/15/23        BB        1,069,700  
  600    

Wynn Las Vegas LLC / Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp, 144A

     4.250%        5/30/23        BB–        622,500  
  1,600    

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                                1,692,200  
      Household Durables – 2.8%                            
  1,250    

KB Home

     7.625%        5/15/23        BB        1,358,962  
  785    

Taylor Morrison Communities Inc / Taylor Morrison Holdings II Inc, 144A

     5.625%        3/01/24        BB        850,736  
  2,035    

Total Household Durables

                                2,209,698  
      Media – 5.1%                            
  340    

AMC Networks Inc

     5.000%        4/01/24        BB        344,325  
  375    

CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp, 144A

     4.000%        3/01/23        BB+        378,281  
  2,350    

CSC Holdings LLC

     5.250%        6/01/24        B+        2,546,703  
  750    

DISH DBS Corp

     5.000%        3/15/23        B2        784,973  
  3,815    

Total Media

                                4,054,282  
      Metals & Mining – 4.9%                            
  850    

Commercial Metals Co

     4.875%        5/15/23        BB+        896,155  
  1,250    

First Quantum Minerals Ltd, 144A

     6.500%        3/01/24        B        1,275,000  
  1,125    

FMG Resources August 2006 Pty Ltd, 144A

     5.125%        5/15/24        BB+        1,224,844  
  500    

Freeport-McMoRan Inc

     3.875%        3/15/23        BB+        521,330  
  3,725    

Total Metals & Mining

                                3,917,329  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 18.7%                            
  300    

Buckeye Partners LP

     4.150%        7/01/23        BB        310,125  
  533    

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP / Calumet Finance Corp

     7.625%        1/15/22        B–        531,667  
  500    

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP / Calumet Finance Corp

     7.750%        4/15/23        B–        497,500  
  750    

Cenovus Energy Inc

     3.000%        8/15/22        BBB–        765,258  
  225    

Continental Resources Inc/OK

     4.500%        4/15/23        BBB–        234,131  
  500    

Continental Resources Inc/OK

     3.800%        6/01/24        BBB–        528,750  
  794    

Energean Israel Finance Ltd , Reg S, 144A

     4.500%        3/30/24        BB–        810,827  
  250    

Energy Transfer LP

     5.875%        1/15/24        BBB–        277,026  
  500    

EnLink Midstream Partners LP

     4.400%        4/01/24        BB+        525,000  
  500    

EQM Midstream Partners LP

     4.750%        7/15/23        BB        521,875  
  1,500    

Leviathan Bond Ltd, 144A

     5.750%        6/30/23        BB        1,567,898  
  1,000    

NAK Naftogaz Ukraine via Kondor Finance PLC

     7.375%        7/19/22        B        1,028,773  
  1,750    

Occidental Petroleum Corp

     2.700%        2/15/23        Ba2        1,788,850  
  1,000    

Petroleos Mexicanos

     4.875%        1/18/24        BBB        1,049,500  
  1,000    

Range Resources Corp

     5.000%        3/15/23        B+        1,035,000  
  300    

Sasol Financing International Ltd

     4.500%        11/14/22        BB        307,350  
  1,000    

SM Energy Co

     5.000%        1/15/24        B        998,750  
  1,000    

Southwestern Energy Co

     4.100%        3/15/22        BB        1,007,500  
  270    

Western Midstream Operating LP

     4.000%        7/01/22        BB        274,387  
  750    

Western Midstream Operating LP, (3-Month LIBOR reference rate + 2.100% spread), (3)

     2.288%        1/13/23        BB        746,257  
  14,422    

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                                14,806,424  

 

22


  
  
  

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)                   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Pharmaceuticals – 1.7%                              
$ 1,300    

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV

 

     6.000%        4/15/24        Ba2      $ 1,378,000  
      Real Estate Management & Development – 0.8%                              
  600    

Realogy Group LLC / Realogy Co-Issuer Corp, 144A

 

     4.875%        6/01/23        B–        624,000  
      Specialty Retail – 1.4%                              
  1,000    

L Brands Inc

 

     5.625%        10/15/23        BB–        1,098,750  
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 1.1%                              
  500    

Diebold Nixdorf Inc

 

     8.500%        4/15/24        CCC        511,875  
  375    

EMC Corp

 

     3.375%        6/01/23        BB        389,516  
  875    

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

 

                                901,391  
      Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 1.0%                              
  750    

Hanesbrands Inc, 144A

 

     4.625%        5/15/24        BB        795,000  
      Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 1.3%                              
  1,000    

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP / Ladder Capital Finance Corp, 144A

 

     5.250%        3/15/22        BB+        1,005,000  
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.1%                              
  400    

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC / AerCap Global Aviation Trust

 

     4.500%        9/15/23        BBB        428,910  
  400    

Aircastle Ltd

 

     4.400%        9/25/23        BBB        428,193  
  800    

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

 

                                857,103  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.8%                              
  525    

Sprint Corp

 

     7.875%        9/15/23        BB+        596,440  
$ 58,490    

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $58,508,631)

 

                                61,471,155  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (4)      Reference
Rate (4)
     Spread (4)      Maturity (5)      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

VARIABLE RATE SENIOR LOAN INTERESTS – 33.7% (25.8% of Total Investments) (4)

 

  
      Beverages – 0.8%  
$ 620    

Arctic Glacier U.S.A., Inc., Term Loan B

    4.500%        3-Month LIBOR        3.500%        3/20/24        CCC+      $ 596,197  
      Capital Markets – 0.6%  
  478    

Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC, Term Loan A

    1.854%        1-Month LIBOR        1.750%        3/22/23        Ba2        474,410  
      Chemicals – 4.1%  
  747    

Axalta Coating Systems US Holdings Inc., Term Loan B3

    1.897%        3-Month LIBOR        1.750%        6/01/24        BBB–        743,051  
  995    

Ineos US Finance LLC, Term Loan B

    2.104%        1-Month LIBOR        2.000%        3/31/24        BBB–        984,945  
  1,500    

Minerals Technologies Inc., Term Loan B

    3.000%        1-Month LIBOR        2.250%        2/14/24        BB+        1,505,625  
  3,242    

Total Chemicals

 

                                         3,233,621  
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.2%  
  177    

RR Donnelley & Sons Co., Term Loan B

    5.104%        1-Month LIBOR        5.000%        1/15/24        B+        177,627  
      Communications Equipment – 2.3%  
  1,000    

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, (DD1)

    3.750%        3-Month LIBOR        2.750%        6/07/23        Ba3        998,355  
  844    

Univision Communications Inc., Term Loan C5

    2.854%        1-Month LIBOR        2.750%        3/15/24        B        844,616  
  1,844    

Total Communications Equipment

 

                                         1,842,971  

 

23


JHAA    Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund (continued)
   Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021
   (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (4)      Reference
Rate (4)
     Spread (4)      Maturity (5)      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Food & Staples Retailing – 0.6%  
$ 450    

US Foods, Inc., Term Loan B

    1.854%        1-Month LIBOR        1.750%        6/27/23        BB–      $ 446,068  
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 1.7%  
  1,311    

Greatbatch Ltd., Term Loan B

    3.500%        1-Month LIBOR        2.500%        10/27/22        B+        1,314,148  
      Health Care Providers & Services – 3.3%  
  498    

Air Methods, Term Loan B

    4.500%        3-Month LIBOR        3.500%        4/21/24        B        491,914  
  467    

ATI Holdings Acquisition, Inc., Term Loan

    4.500%        6-Month LIBOR        3.500%        5/10/23        B2        467,711  
  741    

ExamWorks Group, Inc., Term Loan, (DD1)

    4.250%        1-Month LIBOR        3.250%        7/27/23        B1        742,566  
  975    

Team Health, Inc., Initial Term Loan

    3.750%        1-Month LIBOR        2.750%        2/06/24        B        949,377  
  2,681    

Total Health Care Providers & Services

 

                                         2,651,568  
      Health Care Technology – 1.5%  
  656    

Change Healthcare Holdings LLC, Term Loan B

    3.500%        1-Month LIBOR        2.500%        3/01/24        B+        656,340  
  500    

IQVIA Inc., Term Loan B1

    1.854%        1-Month LIBOR        1.750%        3/07/24        BBB–        497,875  
  1,156    

Total Health Care Technology

 

                                         1,154,215  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 4.6%  
  1,957    

Boyd Gaming Corporation, Term Loan B3, (DD1)

    2.338%        1-Week LIBOR        2.250%        9/15/23        BB        1,957,437  
  250    

Cedar Fair LP, Term Loan B

    1.854%        1-Month LIBOR        1.750%        4/13/24        Ba2        246,563  
  94    

CDS U.S. Intermediate Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, First Lien

    7.000%        3-Month LIBOR        6.000%        11/24/25        B        94,501  
  87    

CDS U.S. Intermediate Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, Second Lien

    2.000%        3-Month LIBOR        1.000%        11/24/27        CCC        86,705  
  295    

CityCenter Holdings, LLC, Term Loan B

    3.000%        1-Month LIBOR        2.250%        4/18/24        B+        292,624  
  497    

Golden Nugget Inc., Initial Term Loan B

    3.250%        2-Month LIBOR        2.500%        10/04/23        B        494,119  
  489    

Travel Leaders Group, LLC, Term Loan B

    4.104%        1-Month LIBOR        4.000%        1/25/24        CCC        471,772  
  3,669    

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

                                         3,643,721  
      Household Products – 0.2%  
  188    

Reynolds Group Holdings Inc., Term Loan

    2.854%        1-Month LIBOR        2.750%        2/05/23        B+        188,132  
      Insurance – 1.1%  
  266    

Asurion LLC, Term Loan B6

    3.104%        1-Month LIBOR        3.000%        11/03/23        Ba3        265,221  
  634    

USI Inc., Initial Term Loan

    3.147%        3-Month LIBOR        3.000%        5/16/24        B        628,397  
  900    

Total Insurance

 

                                         893,618  
      IT Services – 1.7%  
  749    

Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, First Lien

    6.000%        3-Month LIBOR        5.000%        3/09/23        CCC+        742,825  
  633    

Tempo Acquisition LLC, Term Loan B

    5.000%        PRIME        1.750%        5/01/24        B1        633,241  
  1,382    

Total IT Services

 

                                         1,376,066  
      Machinery – 0.8%  
  593    

Blount International Inc., Term Loan B

    4.750%        1-Month LIBOR        3.750%        4/12/23        B2        595,392  
      Media – 3.2%  
  1,000    

Gray Television, Inc., Term Loan B

    2.342%        1-Month LIBOR        2.250%        2/07/24        BB+        996,255  
  1,040    

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Term Loan B3, (DD1)

    2.345%        1-Month LIBOR        2.250%        1/17/24        BBB–        1,037,874  
  498    

WideOpenWest Finance LLC, Term Loan B

    4.250%        1-Month LIBOR        3.250%        8/19/23        B        497,944  
  2,538    

Total Media

 

                                         2,532,073  

 

24


  
  
  

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (4)      Reference
Rate (4)
     Spread (4)      Maturity (5)      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Professional Services – 2.8%  
$ 723    

CHG Healthcare Services Inc., Term Loan, First Lien

    4.000%        3-Month LIBOR        3.000%        6/07/23        B      $ 723,038  
  1,500    

Nielsen Finance LLC, Term Loan B4

    2.081%        1-Month LIBOR        2.000%        10/04/23        BBB–        1,500,000  
  2,223    

Total Professional Services

 

                                         2,223,038  
      Real Estate Management & Development – 0.6%  
  481    

Brookfield Property REIT Inc., Term Loan A2

    3.104%        1-Month LIBOR        3.000%        8/24/23        BB+        477,739  
      Road & Rail – 1.7%  
  709    

Hertz Corporation, (The) Term Loan B

    3.500%        1-Month LIBOR        2.750%        6/30/23        N/R        710,124  
  653    

Hertz Corporation, (The) DIP Delayed Draw Term Loan, (6)

    6.477%        1-Month LIBOR        7.250%        12/31/21        N/R        656,932  
  1,362    

Total Road & Rail

 

                                         1,367,056  
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 0.1%  
  107    

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc., Term Loan

    2.354%        1-Month LIBOR        2.250%        5/19/24        Ba2        106,747  
      Specialty Retail – 1.2%  
  935    

Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., Term Loan

    6.000%        1-Month LIBOR        5.000%        10/16/23        B        934,850  
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 0.6%  
  494    

Diebold, Incorporated, Term Loan B

    2.875%        1-Month LIBOR        2.750%        11/06/23        B–        487,163  
$ 26,831    

Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (cost $26,604,149)

 

                       26,716,420  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)                   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 2.9% (2.2% of Total Investments)

 

      Media – 1.6%                                     
$ 1,275    

DISH Network Corp, 144A

                      2.375%        3/15/24        B1      $ 1,235,953  
      Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust – 1.3%  
  500    

Blackstone Mortgage Trust Inc

          4.750%        3/15/23        N/R        509,400  
  500    

Starwood Property Trust Inc

 

              4.375%        4/01/23        BB+        535,650  
  1,000    

Total Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust

 

                                         1,045,050  
$ 2,275    

Total Convertible Bonds (cost $2,145,874)

 

                                         2,281,003  
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $87,258,654)

 

                                         90,468,578  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)              Coupon      Maturity              Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 16.7% (12.7% of Total Investments)

 

      REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 16.7% (12.7% of Total Investments)  
$ 13,211    

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 6/30/21, repurchase price $13,211,012, collateralized by $11,967,600, U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Notes, 0.125%, due 4/15/22, value $13,475,265

 

              0.000%        7/01/21               $ 13,211,012  
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $13,211,012)

 

                                13,211,012  
 

Total Investments (cost $100,469,666) – 130.8%

 

                                103,679,590  
 

Borrowings – (30.9)% (7), (8)

 

                                (24,525,000
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.1%

 

                                99,759  
 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%

 

                              $ 79,254,349  

 

25


JHAA    Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund (continued)
   Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021
   (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1)

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to common shares unless otherwise noted.

 

(2)

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3)

Variable rate security. The rate shown is the coupon as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(4)

Senior loans generally pay interest at rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term, floating lending rate (Reference Rate) plus an assigned fixed rate (Spread). These floating lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate referenced by the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks. Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan. The rate shown is the coupon as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(5)

Senior loans generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment. Because of these mandatory prepayment conditions and because there may be significant economic incentives for a borrower to prepay, prepayments of senior loans may occur. As a result, the actual remaining maturity of senior loans held may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown.

 

(6)

Investment, or portion of investment, represents an outstanding unfunded senior loan commitment.

 

(7)

Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 23.7%.

 

(8)

The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible investments (excluding any investments separately pledged as collateral for specific investments in derivatives, when applicable) in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for borrowings.

 

144A

Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

DD1

Portion of investment purchased on a delayed delivery basis.

 

LIBOR

London Inter-Bank Offered Rate

 

Reg S

Regulation S allows U.S. companies to sell securities to persons or entities located outside of the United States without registering those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, Regulation S provides a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the offers and sales of securities by both foreign and domestic issuers that are made outside the United States.

 

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

26


JEMD   

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022
Target Term Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021

     (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 126.3% (99.7% of Total Investments)

 

  
 

EMERGING MARKETS DEBT – 74.1% (58.5% of Total Investments)

 

  
      Argentina – 2.8%         
$ 7,575    

Provincia de Buenos Aires/Government Bonds, 144A

    6.500%        2/15/23        D      $ 3,314,138  
      Bahrain – 2.6%         
  2,950    

Bahrain Government International Bond, 144A

    6.125%        7/05/22        B+        3,086,137  
      Barbados – 5.7%         
  6,640    

Barbados Government International Bond, 144A

    6.500%        10/01/29        B–        6,705,895  
      Costa Rica – 4.3%         
  5,000    

Costa Rica Government International Bond, 144A, (3)

    4.250%        1/26/23        B        5,073,000  
      Ecuador – 4.5%         
  2,205    

Ecuador Government International Bond, 144A

    0.500%        7/31/30        B–        1,879,784  
  625    

Ecuador Government International Bond, 144A

    0.000%        7/31/30        B–        344,758  
  3,640    

Ecuador Government International Bond, 144A

    0.500%        7/31/35        B–        2,493,712  
  853    

Ecuador Government International Bond, 144A

    0.500%        7/31/40        B–        527,546  
  7,323    

Total Ecuador

                               5,245,800  
      Egypt – 4.0%         
  3,775    

Egypt Government International Bond, 144A

    6.125%        1/31/22        B+        3,856,162  
  725    

Egypt Government International Bond, 144A

    5.577%        2/21/23        B+        761,230  
  4,500    

Total Egypt

                               4,617,392  
      El Salvador – 5.4%         
  6,375    

El Salvador Government International Bond, 144A, (3)

    7.750%        1/24/23        B-        6,296,588  
      Ghana – 2.3%         
  2,500    

Ghana Government International Bond, 144A

    9.250%        9/15/22        B        2,624,500  
      Iraq – 7.4%         
  8,500    

Iraq International Bond, 144A, (3)

    6.752%        3/09/23        B–        8,684,875  
      Lebanon – 1.0%         
  5,000    

Lebanon Government International Bond, (4)

    6.000%        1/27/23        D        628,850  
  4,000    

Lebanon Government International Bond, (4)

    6.400%        5/26/23        D        500,800  
  9,000    

Total Lebanon

                               1,129,650  
      Mongolia – 4.2%         
  3,000    

Mongolia Government International Bond, 144A

    5.125%        12/05/22        B        3,120,044  
  1,650    

Mongolia Government International Bond, 144A

    5.625%        5/01/23        B        1,742,813  
  4,650    

Total Mongolia

                               4,862,857  
      Nigeria – 3.0%         
  3,425    

Nigeria Government International Bond, (3)

    5.625%        6/27/22        B2        3,534,634  
      Pakistan – 3.0%         
  3,450    

Third Pakistan International Sukuk Co Ltd/The, 144A

    5.625%        12/05/22        B–        3,542,322  
      Rwanda – 7.6%         
  8,400    

Rwanda International Government Bond, 144A, (3)

    6.625%        5/02/23        B+        8,904,000  

 

27


JEMD    Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund (continued)
   Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021
   (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Sri Lanka – 1.9%         
$ 3,000    

Sri Lanka Government International Bond, 144A

    5.750%        4/18/23        CCC+      $ 2,223,750  
      Turkey – 3.0%         
  2,500    

Turkey Government International Bond

    3.250%        3/23/23        BB–        2,494,400  
  1,000    

Turkiye Ihracat Kredi Bankasi AS, 144A

    4.250%        9/18/22        B+        1,012,500  
  3,500    

Total Turkey

                               3,506,900  
      Ukraine – 7.4%         
  8,225    

Ukraine Government International Bond, 144A, (3)

    7.750%        9/01/22        B        8,636,250  
      Zambia – 4.0%         
  7,500    

Zambia Government International Bond, 144A

    5.375%        9/20/22        D        4,704,030  
$ 102,513    

Total Emerging Markets Debt (cost $100,527,200)

                               86,692,718  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 51.1% (40.3% of Total Investments)

          
      Aerospace & Defense – 2.6%                           
$ 3,000    

Embraer SA

    5.150%        6/15/22        BB+      $ 3,082,410  
      Banks – 10.8%         
  2,000    

TC Ziraat Bankasi AS, 144A

    5.125%        5/03/22        B+        2,036,360  
  3,200    

Turkiye Is Bankasi AS, 144A

    6.000%        10/24/22        B–        3,270,323  
  2,704    

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi TAO, 144A

    6.000%        11/01/22        B–        2,759,486  
  700    

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi TAO, 144A

    5.750%        1/30/23        B+        720,573  
  717    

Ukreximbank Via Biz Finance PLC, 144A

    9.625%        4/27/22        B        738,253  
  3,000    

United Bank for Africa PLC, 144A, (3)

    7.750%        6/08/22        B        3,097,500  
  12,321    

Total Banks

                               12,622,495  
      Beverages – 1.3%         
  1,500    

Anadolu Efes Biracilik Ve Malt Sanayii AS, 144A

    3.375%        11/01/22        BBB–        1,530,000  
      Capital Markets – 1.3%         
  1,500    

Grupo Aval Ltd, 144A, (3)

    4.750%        9/26/22        BBB-        1,540,792  
      Consumer Finance – 1.7%         
  2,000    

DAE Funding LLC, 144A

    4.500%        8/01/22        Baa3        2,003,000  
      Electric Utilities – 1.3%         
  1,500    

Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, 144A

    6.950%        11/10/21        B1        1,505,625  
      Food Products – 4.0%         
  1,800    

BRF SA, 144A

    3.950%        5/22/23        Ba2        1,863,000  
  2,700    

Kernel Holding SA, 144A

    8.750%        1/31/22        BB–        2,801,412  
  4,500    

Total Food Products

                               4,664,412  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.9%         
  1,000    

Fortune Star BVI Ltd

    5.250%        3/23/22        BB        1,010,330  
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 2.0%         
  2,250    

Azure Power Energy Ltd, 144A, (3)

    5.500%        11/03/22        Ba2        2,283,750  
      Metals & Mining – 1.9%         
  1,569    

Petra Diamonds US Treasury PLC, 144A, (cash 10.500%, PIK 10.500%)

    10.500%        3/08/26        B–        1,533,697  
  700    

Volcan Cia Minera SAA, 144A

    5.375%        2/02/22        BB        707,007  
  2,269    

Total Metals & Mining

                               2,240,704  

 

28


  
  
  

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 9.6%         
$ 6,740    

Petroleos Mexicanos

    3.500%        1/30/23        BBB      $ 6,881,473  
  4,200    

Sasol Financing International Ltd

    4.500%        11/14/22        BB        4,302,900  
  10,940    

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               11,184,373  
      Pharmaceuticals – 2.2%         
  2,050    

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co BV

    2.950%        12/18/22        BBB        2,060,250  
  475    

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV

    2.200%        7/21/21        BBB        474,810  
  2,525    

Total Pharmaceuticals

                               2,535,060  
      Real Estate Management & Development – 3.8%         
  3,200    

China Evergrande Group

    8.250%        3/23/22        B3        2,729,524  
  1,750    

Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd

    4.750%        7/25/22        Baa3        1,773,448  
  4,950    

Total Real Estate Management & Development

                               4,502,972  
      Road & Rail – 6.4%         
  7,400    

Transnet SOC Ltd, 144A, (3)

    4.000%        7/26/22        Ba2        7,538,321  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.3%         
  1,525    

MTN Mauritius Investments Ltd, 144A

    5.373%        2/13/22        Ba2        1,557,482  
$ 59,180    

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $59,021,503)

                               59,801,726  
Shares     Description (1)                           Value  
 

COMMON STOCKS – 0.7% (0.6% of Total Investments)

          
      Metals & Mining – 0.7%         
  41,708,682    

Petra Diamonds, (5), (6)

                             $ 848,126  
 

Total Common Stocks (cost $784,123)

                               848,126  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments)

          
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.4%         
$ 598    

Digicel Group Holdings Ltd, 144A, (cash 7.000%, PIK 7.000%)

    7.000%        N/A (7)        CC      $ 461,791  
$ 598    

Total Convertible Bonds (cost $79,181)

                               461,791  
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $160,412,007)

                               147,804,361  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.3% (0.3% of Total Investments)

 

      U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 0.3% (0.3% of Total Investments)  
$ 396    

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp Discount Notes

    0.000%        7/01/21        N/R      $ 396,000  
$ 396    

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $396,000)

                               396,000  
 

Total Investments (cost $160,808,007) – 126.6%

                               148,200,361  
 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements, including accrued interest – (28.2)% (8)

 

              (32,974,255
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 1.6%

                               1,799,774  
 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%

                             $ 117,025,880  

 

29


JEMD   

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund (continued)

  

Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021

   (Unaudited)

 

Summary of Investments in Emerging Markets Countries

 

South Africa     10.1%  
Turkey     9.3%  
Ukraine     8.2%  
Rwanda     6.0%  
Iraq     5.9%  
Mexico     4.6%  
Barbados     4.5%  
Nigeria     4.5%  
Costa Rica     4.4%  
El Salvador     4.2%  
China     3.7%  
Ecuador     3.5%  
Brazil     3.3%  
Mongolia     3.3%  
Zambia     3.2%  
Egypt     3.1%  
Pakistan     2.4%  
Argentina     2.3%  
Bahrain     2.2%  
Ghana     1.8%  
India     1.5%  
Sri Lanka     1.5%  
United Arab Emirates     1.4%  
Colombia     1.0%  
Lebanon     0.8%  
Peru     0.5%  
Jamaica     0.3%  

Total Emerging Markets Countries

    97.5%  

Total Developed Countries

    2.5%  

Total Investments

    100%  
 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1)

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to common shares unless otherwise noted.

 

(2)

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3)

Investment, or portion of investment has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in reverse repurchase agreements. As of the end of the reporting period, investments with a value of $48,529,627 have been pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements.

 

(4)

Defaulted security. A security whose issuer has failed to fully pay principal and/or interest when due, or is under the protection of bankruptcy.

 

(5)

Non-income producing; issuer has not declared an ex-dividend date within the past twelve months.

 

(6)

For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 2.

 

(7)

Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(8)

Reverse Repurchase Agreements as a percentage of Total Investments is 22.2%.

 

N/A

Not Applicable.

 

144A

Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

PIK

Payment-in-kind (“PIK”) security. Depending on the terms of the security, income may be received in the form of cash, securities, or a combination of both. The PIK rate shown, where applicable, represents the annualized rate of the last PIK payment made by the issuer as of the end of the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

30


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

      JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Assets

            

Long-term investments, at value (cost $461,420,602, $87,258,654 and $160,412,007, respectively)

   $ 457,740,641        $ 90,468,578        $ 147,804,361  

Short-term investments, at value (cost approximates value)

     59,978,686          13,211,012          396,000  

Cash

     2,162,061                    

Receivable for:

            

Interest

     5,707,798          916,425          2,117,048  

Investments sold

     4,285,417          3,898,964          343,440  

Reclaims

     23,762                    

Other assets

     26,887          355           

Total assets

     529,925,252          108,495,334          150,660,849  

Liabilities

            

Cash overdraft

                       49,828  

Borrowings

              24,525,000           

Reverse repurchase agreements, including accrued interest

                       32,974,255  

Payable for:

            

Dividends

     790,326          243,598          422,052  

Investments purchased – regular settlement

              1,637,888           

Investments purchased – when-issued/delayed-delivery settlement

              2,435,976           

Unfunded senior loans

              258,720           

Accrued expenses:

            

Custodian fees

     103,235          51,629          25,710  

Interest

              940           

Management fees

     283,946          55,751          118,041  

Trustees fees

     32,299          1,339          1,891  

Other

     94,253          30,144          43,192  

Total liabilities

     1,304,059          29,240,985          33,634,969  

Net assets applicable to common shares outstanding

   $ 528,621,193        $ 79,254,349        $ 117,025,880  

Common shares outstanding

     55,900,049          7,825,808          14,248,486  

Net asset value (“NAV”) per common share outstanding

   $ 9.46        $ 10.13        $ 8.21  

Net assets applicable to common shares consist of:

                              

Common shares, $0.01 par value per share

   $ 559,000        $ 78,258        $ 142,485  

Paid-in-surplus

     548,482,363          76,965,226          139,695,040  

Total distributable earnings

     (20,420,170        2,210,865          (22,811,645

Net assets applicable to common shares

   $ 528,621,193        $ 79,254,349        $ 117,025,880  

Authorized common shares

     Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

31


Statement of Operations

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

      JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Investment Income

   $ 7,985,905        $ 2,275,920        $ 3,499,881  

Expenses

            

Management fees

     1,717,122          335,833          699,052  

Interest expense

              111,784          142,323  

Custodian fees

     42,270          23,177          10,211  

Trustees fees

     6,354          1,387          2,058  

Professional fees

     38,175          23,832          23,761  

Shareholder reporting expenses

     30,410          11,863          18,139  

Shareholder servicing agent fees

     932          932          931  

Stock exchange listing fees

     10,064          5,801          3,296  

Investor relations expenses

     12,306          2,434          3,410  

Other

     11,717          5,527          6,702  

Total expenses

     1,869,350          522,570          909,883  

Net investment income (loss)

     6,116,555          1,753,350          2,589,998  

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

            

Net realized gain (loss) from investments and foreign currency

     449,176          413,448          (789,619

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency

     (986,926        352,476          5,226,318  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (537,750        765,924          4,436,699  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations

   $ 5,578,805        $ 2,519,274        $ 7,026,697  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

32


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

     JHB        JHAA  
      Six Months
Ended
6/30/21
(Unaudited)
       Year
Ended
12/31/20
       Six Months
Ended
6/30/21
(Unaudited)
       Year
Ended
12/31/20
 

Operations

                 

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 6,116,555        $ 19,203,348        $ 1,753,350        $ 4,110,198  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments and foreign currency

     449,176          (17,660,517        413,448          (2,192,600

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency

     (986,926        (7,892,389        352,476          (224,577

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations

     5,578,805          (6,349,558        2,519,274          1,693,021  

Distributions to Common Shareholders

                 

Dividends

     (6,540,306        (21,381,466        (1,792,041        (4,267,771

Decrease in net assets applicable to common shares from distributions to common shareholders

     (6,540,306        (21,381,466        (1,792,041        (4,267,771

Capital Share Transactions

                 

Net proceeds from common shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

              141,156          3,531          70,204  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from capital share transactions

              141,156          3,531          70,204  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares

     (961,501        (27,589,868        730,764          (2,504,546

Net assets applicable to common shares at the beginning of period

     529,582,694          557,172,562          78,523,585          81,028,131  

Net assets applicable to common shares at the end of period

   $ 528,621,193        $ 529,582,694        $ 79,254,349        $ 78,523,585  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

33


Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

     JEMD  
      Six Months
Ended
6/30/21
(Unaudited)
       Year
Ended
12/31/20
 

Operations

       

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 2,589,998        $ 6,051,559  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments and foreign currency

     (789,619        (8,415,315

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency

     5,226,318          (5,176,486

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations

     7,026,697          (7,540,242

Distributions to Common Shareholders

       

Dividends

     (2,692,727        (6,182,401

Decrease in net assets applicable to common shares from distributions to common shareholders

     (2,692,727        (6,182,401

Capital Share Transactions

       

Net proceeds from common shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     12,358          63,298  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from capital share transactions

     12,358          63,298  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares

     4,346,328          (13,659,345

Net assets applicable to common shares at the beginning of period

     112,679,552          126,338,897  

Net assets applicable to common shares at the end of period

   $ 117,025,880        $ 112,679,552  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

34


Statement of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

      JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

            

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations

   $ 5,578,805        $ 2,519,274        $ 7,026,697  

Adjustments to reconcile the net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

            

Purchases of investments

     (333,231,333        (33,815,477        (14,447,173

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

     264,761,520          40,269,027          13,017,879  

Proceeds from (Purchase of) short-term investments, net

     (59,978,686        (5,614,290        (396,000

Taxes paid

     (168,534        (26,127        (80,663

Amortization (Accretion) of premiums and discounts, net

     4,078,986          (53,641        162,820  

(Increase) Decrease in:

            

Receivable for interest

     (101,455        111,106          148,585  

Receivable for investments sold

     10,562,707          (973,802        (293,235

Receivable for reclaims

     (19,817                  

Other assets

     (5,535        (66         

Increase (Decrease) in:

            

Payable for investments purchased – regular settlement

              1,637,888           

Payable for investments purchased – when-issued/delayed-delivery settlement

              (1,581,615         

Payable for unfunded senior loans

              (295,328         

Accrued custodian fees

     40,840          21,079          25,710  

Accrued interest

              (1,269        (46,858

Accrued management fees

     (9,696        (1,275        730  

Accrued shareholder reporting expenses

     (41,138        (6,253         

Accrued Trustees fees

     7,627          706          987  

Accrued other expenses

     41,223          (573        (25,160

Net realized (gain) loss from investments and foreign currency

     (449,176        (413,448        789,619  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency

     986,926          (352,476        (5,226,318

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (107,946,736        1,423,440          657,620  

Cash Flow from Financing Activities:

            

Cash overdraft

                       49,828  

Cash distributions paid to common shareholders

     (5,749,980        (1,544,912        (2,258,317

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (5,749,980        (1,544,912        (2,208,489

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

     (113,696,716        (121,472        (1,550,869

Cash at the beginning of period

     115,858,777          121,472          1,550,869  

Cash at the end of period

     2,162,061                    
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information    JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Cash paid for interest (excluding costs)

   $        $ 111,183        $ 189,181  

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consists of reinvestments of common share distributions

              3,531          12,358  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

35


Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

               

    

    

                         
          Investment Operations     Less Distributions to
Common Shareholders
    Common Share  
     Beginning
Common
Share
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
    Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Total     From
Net
Investment
Income
    From
Accumulated
Net
Realized
Gains
    Return
of
Capital
    Total     Offering
Costs
   

Premium

from
Shares

Sold
through

Shelf

Offering

    Ending
NAV
    Ending
Share
Price
 

JHB

 

       

Year Ended 12/31:

 

                   

2021(h)

  $ 9.47     $ 0.11     $   —     $ 0.11     $ (0.12   $   —     $   —     $ (0.12   $   —     $   —     $ 9.46     $ 9.42  

2020

    9.97       0.34       (0.46     (0.12     (0.38                 (0.38                 9.47       9.20  

2019

    9.50       0.49       0.49       0.98       (0.51               (0.51                 9.97       10.01  

2018

    10.12       0.59       (0.62     (0.03     (0.57     (0.02           (0.59                 9.50       8.90  

2017

    9.92       0.64       0.16       0.80       (0.58     (0.02           (0.60                 10.12       9.96  

2016(b)

    9.85       0.17       0.06       0.23       (0.14     (0.01           (0.15     (0.01           9.92       9.88  

JHAA

 

       

Year Ended 12/31:

 

                   

2021(h)

    10.03       0.22       0.11       0.33       (0.23                 (0.23                 10.13       9.96  

2020

    10.36       0.53       (0.31     0.22       (0.55                 (0.55                 10.03       9.58  

2019

    9.85       0.63       0.45       1.08       (0.57                 (0.57                 10.36       10.85  

2018(f)

    9.88       (0.01           (0.01                             (0.02           9.85       10.85  

JEMD

                                                                                               

Year Ended 12/31:

 

     

2021(h)

    7.91       0.18       0.31       0.49       (0.19                 (0.19                 8.21       8.12  

2020

    8.87       0.42       (0.95     (0.53     (0.43                 (0.43                 7.91       7.48  

2019

    8.49       0.54       0.29       0.83       (0.45                 (0.45                 8.87       8.91  

2018

    9.84       0.54       (1.38     (0.84     (0.51                 (0.51                 8.49       7.63  

2017(g)

    9.85       0.12       (0.02     0.10       (0.09               (0.09     (0.02           9.84       9.40  

 

    Borrowings at the End of Period  
     Aggregate
Amount
Outstanding
(000)
       Asset
Coverage
Per $1,000
 

JHB

 

Year Ended 12/31:

 

2021(h)

  $        $  

2020

              

2019

    192,000          3,902  

2018

    190,000          3,793  

2017

    190,000          3,976  

2016(b)

    190,000          3,915  

JHAA

 

Year Ended 12/31:

      

2021(h)

    24,525          4,232  

2020

    24,525          4,202  

2019

    27,025          3,998  

 

36


 

 

            Common Share Supplemental Data/
Ratios Applicable to Common Shares
 
Common Shares
Total Returns
          Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)        

Based
on
NAV(c)

    Based
on
Share
Price(c)
    Ending
Net Assets
(000)
    Expenses    

Net
Investment
Income (Loss)

    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)
 
                                             
         
  1.14     3.67   $ 528,621       0.71 %**      2.33 %**      58
  (1.07     (4.17     529,583       0.99       3.65       45  
  10.44       18.39       557,173       1.98       4.96       41  
  (0.43     (4.99     530,692       1.86       5.94       27  
  8.22       6.98       565,385       1.57       6.37       37  
  2.26       0.32       553,912       1.17 **      4.79 **      6  
                                             
         
  3.31       6.38       79,254       1.34 **      4.48 **      36  
  2.51       (6.43     78,524       1.57       5.49       47  
  11.20       5.71       81,028       2.03       6.13       34  
  (0.30     8.50       69,042       1.74 **      (1.74 )**       
                                             
         
  6.25       11.15       117,026       1.60 **      4.55 **      9  
  (5.57     (10.90     112,680       1.87       5.52       18  
  9.88       22.93       126,339       2.50       6.11       14  
  (8.71     (13.85     120,871       2.38       5.98       9  
  0.79       (5.15     140,077       1.85 **      4.70 **      7  

 

(a)

Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily common shares method.

(b)

For the period August 23, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016.

(c)

Total Return Based on Common Share NAV is the combination of changes in common share NAV, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending NAV. The actual reinvest price for the last dividend declared in the period may often be based on the Fund’s market price (and not its NAV), and therefore may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.

Total Return Based on Common Share Price is the combination of changes in the market price per share and the effect of reinvested dividend income and reinvested capital gains distributions, if any, at the average price paid per share at the time of reinvestment. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending market price. The actual reinvestment for the last dividend declared in the period may take place over several days, and in some instances may not be based on the market price, so the actual reinvestment price may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.

(d)     Net Investment Income (Loss) ratios reflect income earned and expenses incurred on assets attributable to borrowings and/or reverse repurchase agreements, where applicable, (as described in Note 8 – Fund Leverage), where applicable.
    Each ratio includes the effect of all interest expense paid and other costs related to borrowings and/or reverse repurchase agreements, where applicable, as follows:

 

Ratios of Interest Expense
to Average Net Assets Applicable to
Common Shares
 

JHB

       

Year Ended 12/31:

 

2021(h)

   

2020

    0.20  

2019

    1.01  

2018

    0.92  

2017

    0.62  

2016(b)

    0.25 ** 
Ratios of Interest Expense
to Average Net Assets Applicable to
Common Shares
 

JHAA

       

Year Ended 12/31:

 

2021(h)

    0.29 %** 

2020

    0.47  

2019

    0.99 ** 
Ratios of Interest Expense to
Average Net Assets Applicable
to Common Shares
 

JEMD

       

Year Ended 12/31:

 

2021(h)

    0.25 %** 

2020

    0.48  

2019

    1.09  

2018

    0.94  

2017(g)

    0.48 ** 
 

 

(e)

Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 4 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.

(f)

For the period December 18, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018.

(g)

For the period September 26, 2017 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2017.

(h)

Unaudited. For the six months ended June 30, 2021.

*

Rounds to less than $0.01 per common share.

**

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

37


Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1. General Information

Fund Information

The funds covered in this report and their corresponding New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) symbols are as follows (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

   

Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund (JHB)

 

   

Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund (JHAA)

 

   

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund (JEMD)

The Funds are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended, as diversified, closed-end management investment companies. JHB, JHAA and JEMD were each organized as Massachusetts business trusts on July 13, 2015, September 20, 2018 and June 1, 2017, respectively.

Each Fund seeks to return its original net asset value (“NAV”) per share on or about its termination date as noted in the following table.

 

     Original NAV
Per Share
       Termination Date  

JHB

  $ 9.85          November 1, 2021  

JHAA

  $ 9.875          December 1, 2023  

JEMD

  $ 9.85          December 1, 2022  

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is June 30, 2021, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended June 30, 2021 (the “current fiscal period”).

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

The Funds’ investment adviser is Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC (“Nuveen”). Nuveen is the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA). The Adviser has overall responsibility for management of the Funds, oversees the management of the Funds’ portfolios, manages the Funds’ business affairs and provides certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services, and, if necessary, asset allocation decisions. For JHB and JHAA, the Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements with Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, (“NAM”), a subsidiary of the Adviser, under which NAM manages the investment portfolios of the Funds. For JEMD, the Adviser has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Teachers Advisors, LLC (“TAL”), an affiliate of the Adviser, under which TAL manages the Fund’s investment portfolio.

JHB Announces Wind-Up Period

JHB has entered the wind-up period in anticipation of its termination date on November 1, 2021. During the wind-up period the Fund may deviate from its investment objectives and policies, and may invest up to a 100% of its managed assets in high quality, short-term securities. High quality, short-term securities for this Fund include securities rated investment grade (BBB-/Baa3 or higher or unrated but judged by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality) with a final or remaining maturity of 397 days or less. Consequently, for the remainder of its term, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its managed assets in (i) corporate debt securities; and (ii) short-term investment grade securities that have a final or remaining maturity of 397 days or less, so long as the maturity of any security in the Fund does not occur later than May 1, 2022. These expanded investment parameters currently will provide the fund additional flexibility to reinvest the proceeds of matured or called portfolio securities in higher quality, short-term securities. As the Fund gets closer to its termination date, the fund will begin to affirmatively transition its remaining below investment grade portfolio holdings to such high quality, short-term securities to enhance its ability to efficiently liquidate its portfolio at termination. The Fund has also completed the process of redeeming and retiring its leverage in anticipation of its termination date. The Fund’s NAV ended the reporting period at $9.46 per share.

Other Matters

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and subsequent global pandemic began significantly impacting the U.S. and global financial markets and economies during the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2020. The worldwide spread of COVID-19 has created significant uncertainty in the global economy. The duration and extent of COVID-19 over the long term cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 and the extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Funds’ normal course of business, results of operations, investments, and cash flows will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and difficult to predict. Management continues to monitor and evaluate this situation.

 

38


 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require the use of estimates made by management and the evaluation of subsequent events. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Each Fund is an investment company and follows the accounting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. The NAV for financial reporting purposes may differ from the NAV for processing security and common share transactions. The NAV for financial reporting purposes includes security and common share transactions through the date of the report. Total return is computed based on the NAV used for processing security and common share transactions. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds.

Compensation

The Funds pay no compensation directly to those of its trustees who are affiliated with the Adviser or to its officers, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the Funds from the Adviser or its affiliates. The Funds’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has adopted a deferred compensation plan for independent trustees that enables trustees to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to receive from certain Nuveen-advised funds. Under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar amounts had been invested in shares of select Nuveen-advised funds.

Distributions to Common Shareholders

Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount, character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

In seeking to achieve its investment objectives, each Fund currently intends to set aside and retain in its net assets (and therefore its NAV) a portion of its net investment income, and possibly all or a portion of its gains. This will reduce the amounts otherwise available for distribution prior to the liquidation of the Funds, and the Funds may incur taxes on such retained amounts. Such retained income or gains, net of any taxes, would constitute a portion of the liquidating distribution returned to investors on or about the termination date.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation

To the extent that the Funds invest in securities and/or contracts that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the Funds will be subject to currency risk, which is the risk that an increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currency will reduce returns or portfolio value. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the Funds’ investments denominated in that currency will lose value because its currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value. Investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars on a spot (i.e. cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and income denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the respective dates of such transactions.

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the end of each day. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the respective dates of the transactions.

Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates associated with (i) foreign currency, (ii) investments and (iii) derivatives include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date of the transactions, foreign currency transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the amounts actually received are recognized as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from investments and foreign currency” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in foreign exchange rates associated with (i) investments and (ii) other assets and liabilities are recognized as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currency” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. The unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates associated with investments in derivatives are recognized as a component of the respective derivative’s related “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

 

39


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the following Funds’ investments in non-U.S. securities were as follows:

 

JHB      Value      % of Total
Investments
 

Country:

       

Germany

     $ 49,306,449        9.6

Switzerland

       21,756,661        4.2  

United Kingdom

       11,522,975        2.3  

Israel

       10,005,177        1.9  

Mexico

       7,153,480        1.4  

Egypt

       6,895,125        1.3  

Canada

       5,384,138        1.0  

South Africa

       4,724,673        0.9  

Italy

       4,465,514        0.9  

Other

       16,267,064        3.1  

Total non-U.S. securities

     $ 137,481,256        26.6
JHAA                  

Country:

       

Israel

     $ 3,756,725        3.6

Canada

       2,902,168        2.8  

Zambia

       1,275,000        1.2  

Australia

       1,224,844        1.2  

Ireland

       1,129,020        1.1  

Mexico

       1,049,500        1.0  

Ukraine

       1,028,773        1.0  

Luxembourg

       984,946        1.0  

South Africa

       307,350        0.3  

Other

       255,624        0.2  

Total non-U.S. securities

     $ 13,913,950        13.4

Indemnifications

Under the Funds’ organizational documents, their officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expect the risk of loss to be remote.

Investments and Investment Income

Securities transactions are accounted for as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the “primary market” is considered the date on which the loan allocations are determined. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the “secondary market” is the date on which the transaction is entered into. Realized gains and losses on securities transactions are based upon the specific identification method. Investment income is comprised of interest income, which is recorded on an accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums for financial reporting purposes. Investment income also reflects payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, fee income and paydown gains and losses, if any. PIK interest represents income received in the form of securities in lieu of cash. Fee income consists primarily of amendment fees. Amendment fees are earned as compensation for evaluating and accepting changes to an original senior loan agreement and are recognized when received.

Netting Agreements

In the ordinary course of business, the Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable master repurchase agreements, International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) master agreements or other similar arrangements (“netting agreements”). Generally, the right to offset in netting agreements allows each Fund to offset certain securities and derivatives with a specific counterparty, when applicable, as well as any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. Generally, each Fund manages its cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis.

The Funds’ investments subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, if any, are further described in Note 4 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives.

 

40


 

New Accounting Pronouncements and Rule Issuances

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The main objective of the new guidance is to provide relief to companies that will be impacted by the expected change in benchmark interest rates when participating banks will no longer be required to submit London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) quotes by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The new guidance allows companies to, provided the only change to existing contracts are a change to an approved benchmark interest rate, account for modifications as a continuance of the existing contract without additional analysis. For new and existing contracts, the Funds may elect to apply the amendments as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has not yet elected to apply the amendments, is continuously evaluating the potential effect a discontinuation of LIBOR could have on the Funds’ investments and has currently determined that it is unlikely the ASU’s adoption will have a significant impact on the Funds’ financial statements and various filings.

Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Adopts New Rules to Modernize Fund Valuation Framework

In December 2020, the SEC voted to adopt a new rule governing fund valuation practices. New Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. Rule 2a-5 will permit fund boards to designate certain parties to perform fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain other conditions. Rule 2a-5 also defines when market quotations are “readily available” for purposes of Section 2(a)(41) of the 1940 Act, which requires a fund to fair value a security when market quotations are not readily available. The SEC also adopted new Rule 31a-4 under the 1940 Act, which sets forth the recordkeeping requirements associated with fair value determinations. Finally, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues, including the role of a board in determining fair value and the accounting and auditing of fund investments. Rule 2a-5 and Rule 31a-4 became effective on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. A fund may voluntarily comply with the rules after the effective date, and in advance of the compliance date, under certain conditions. Management is currently assessing the impact of these provisions on the Funds’ financial statements.

3. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The Funds’ investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value utilizing valuation methods approved by the Board. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. U.S. GAAP establishes the three-tier hierarchy which is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect management’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following is a summary of the three-tiered hierarchy of valuation input levels.

 

Level 1 –   Inputs are unadjusted and prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 –   Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, credit spreads, etc.).
Level 3 –   Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Funds’ major classifications of assets and liabilities measured at fair value follows:

Equity securities and exchange-traded funds listed or traded on a national market or exchange are valued based on their sale price at the official close of business of such market or exchange on the valuation date. Foreign equity securities and registered investment companies that trade on a foreign exchange are valued at the last sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange where traded and converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange on the date of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and that valuation adjustments are not applied, they are generally classified as Level 1. If there is no official close of business, then the latest available sale price is utilized. If no sales are reported, then the mean of the latest available bid and ask prices is utilized and these securities are generally classified as Level 2.

Prices of fixed-income securities are generally provided by an independent pricing service (“pricing service”) approved by the Board. The pricing service establishes a security’s fair value using methods that may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing service may consider information about a security, its issuer or market activity provided by the Adviser. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.

 

41


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

For events affecting the value of foreign securities between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Funds’ net assets are calculated, such securities will be valued at fair value in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. These foreign securities are generally classified as Level 2.

Repurchase agreements are valued at contract amount plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.

Any portfolio security or derivative for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued at fair value, as determined in good faith using procedures approved by the Board. As a general principle, the fair value of a security would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for it in a current sale. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, which may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. To the extent the inputs are observable and timely, the values would be classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; otherwise they would be classified as Level 3.

The following table summarizes the market value of the Funds’ investments as of the end of the reporting period, based on the inputs used to value them:

 

JHB    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Long-Term Investments*:

           

Corporate Bonds

   $      $ 440,913,783      $      $ 440,913,783  

Sovereign Debt

            10,814,498               10,814,498  

Convertible Bonds

            5,093,750               5,093,750  

Common Stocks

            918,610 **              918,610  

Short-Term Investments:

           

Corporate Bonds

            59,978,686               59,978,686  

Total

   $      $ 517,719,327      $      $ 517,719,327  
JHAA                                

Long-Term Investments*:

           

Corporate Bonds

   $      $ 61,471,155      $      $ 61,471,155  

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

            26,716,420               26,716,420  

Convertible Bonds

            2,281,003               2,281,003  

Short-Term Investments:

           

Repurchase Agreements

            13,211,012               13,211,012  

Total

   $      $ 103,679,590      $      $ 103,679,590  
JEMD                                

Long-Term Investments*:

           

Emerging Markets Debt

   $      $ 86,692,718      $      $ 86,692,718  

Corporate Bonds

            59,801,726               59,801,726  

Common Stocks

            848,126 **          848,126  

Convertible Bonds

            461,791               461,791  

Short-Term Investments:

           

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

            396,000               396,000  

Total

   $      $ 148,200,361      $      $ 148,200,361  
*

Refer to the Funds’ Portfolio of Investments for industry and/or country classifications, where applicable.

**

Refer to the Funds’ Portfolio of Investments for securities classified as Level 2.

 

42


 

4. Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives

Portfolio Securities

Unfunded Commitments

Pursuant to the terms of certain of the variable rate senior loan agreements, each Fund may have unfunded senior loan commitments. Each Fund will maintain with its custodian, cash, liquid securities and/or liquid senior loans having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of unfunded senior loan commitments. As of the end of the reporting period, the Funds’ outstanding unfunded senior loan commitments were as follows:

 

        JHAA  

Outstanding unfunded senior loan commitment

     $ 258,720  

Participation Commitments

With respect to the senior loans held in each Fund’s portfolio, a Fund may: 1) invest in assignments; 2) act as a participant in primary lending syndicates; or 3) invest in participations. If a Fund purchases a participation of a senior loan interest, the Fund would typically enter into a contractual agreement with the lender or other third party selling the participation, rather than directly with the borrower. As such, a Fund not only assumes the credit risk of the borrower, but also that of the selling participant or other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. As of the end of the reporting period, the Funds had no such outstanding participation commitments.

Repurchase Agreements

In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, it is each Fund’s policy that its custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the fair value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest, at all times. If the counterparty defaults, and the fair value of the collateral declines, realization of the collateral may be delayed or limited.

The following table presents the repurchase agreements for the Funds that are subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, and the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements.

 

Fund    Counterparty    Short-Term
Investments, at Value
       Collateral
Pledged (From)
Counterparty
 
JHAA   

Fixed Income Clearing Corporation

   $ 13,211,012        $ (13,475,265

Zero Coupon Securities

A zero coupon security does not pay a regular interest coupon to its holders during the life of the security. Income to the holder of the security comes from accretion of the difference between the original purchase price of the security at issuance and the par value of the security at maturity and is effectively paid at maturity. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

Investment Transactions

Long-term purchases and sales (including maturities) during the current fiscal period were as follows:

 

     JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Purchases

  $ 333,231,333        $ 33,815,477        $ 14,447,173  

Sales and maturities

    264,761,520          40,269,030          13,017,879  

The Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may have extended settlement periods; interest income is not accrued until settlement date. Any securities so purchased are subject to market fluctuation during this period. The Funds have earmarked securities in their portfolios with a current value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued/delayed-delivery purchase commitments. If a Fund has outstanding when-issued/delayed-delivery purchases commitments as of the end of the reporting period, such amounts are recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Investments in Derivatives

Each Fund is authorized to invest in certain derivative instruments, such as futures, options and swap contracts. Each Fund limits its investments in futures, options on futures and swap contracts to the extent necessary for the Adviser to claim the exclusion from registration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund. The Funds record derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value

 

43


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Funds’ investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes.

Although the Funds are authorized to invest in derivative instruments, and may do so in the future, they did not make any such investments during the current fiscal period.

Market and Counterparty Credit Risk

In the normal course of business each Fund may invest in financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to the transaction to perform (counterparty credit risk). The potential loss could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded on the financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose each Fund to counterparty credit risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties on forward, option and swap transactions, when applicable. The extent of each Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk in respect to these financial assets approximates their carrying value as recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Each Fund helps manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties. Additionally, counterparties may be required to pledge collateral daily (based on the daily valuation of the financial asset) on behalf of each Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain above a pre-determined threshold. Reciprocally, when each Fund has an unrealized loss, the Funds have instructed the custodian to pledge assets of the Funds as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss above a pre-determined threshold. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the valuations fluctuate, either up or down, by at least the pre-determined threshold amount.

5. Fund Shares

Common Share Transactions

Transactions in common shares during the Funds’ current and prior fiscal period were as follows:

 

       JHB      JHAA*      JEMD  
        Six Months
Ended
6/30/21
     Year Ended
12/31/20
     Six Months
Ended
6/30/21
     Year Ended
12/31/20
     Six Months
Ended
6/30/21
     Year Ended
12/31/20
 

Common shares:

                   

Issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

              14,165        349        7,226        1,494        7,423  
*

Prior to the commencement of operations, the Adviser purchased 10,128 shares, which are still held as of the end of the reporting period.

6. Income Tax Information

Each Fund is a separate taxpayer for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income to shareholders and to otherwise comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. In any year when a Fund realizes net capital gains, the Fund may choose to distribute all or a portion of its net capital gains to shareholders, or alternatively, to retain all or a portion of its net capital gains and pay federal corporate income taxes on such retained gains.

For all open tax years and all major taxing jurisdictions, management of the Funds has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e., generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Funds is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts as detailed below. Temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the NAVs of the Funds.

 

44


 

The table below presents the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of each Fund’s investment portfolio, as determined on a federal income tax basis, as of June 30, 2021.

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Tax cost of investments

     $ 521,680,607        $ 100,493,273        $ 160,821,172  

Gross unrealized:

              

Appreciation

     $ 2,956,069        $ 3,256,737        $ 3,808,911  

Depreciation

       (6,917,349        (70,420        (16,429,722

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     $ (3,961,280      $ 3,186,317        $ (12,620,811

Permanent differences, primarily due to paydowns, distribution reallocations, bond premium amortization adjustments and federal taxes paid, resulted in reclassifications among the Funds’ components of common share net assets as of December 31, 2020, the Funds’ last tax year end.

The tax components of undistributed net ordinary income and net long-term capital gains as of December 31, 2020, the Funds’ last tax year end, were as follows:

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Undistributed net ordinary income1

     $ 4,241,506        $ 890,710        $ 2,160,276  

Undistributed net long-term capital gains

                          
1 

Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the Funds’ last tax year ended December 31, 2020 was designated for purposes of the dividends paid deduction as follows:

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Distributions from net ordinary income1

     $ 21,381,466        $ 4,267,771        $ 6,182,401  

Distributions from net long-term capital gains

                          
1 

Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains, if any.

As of December 31, 2020, the Funds’ last tax year end, the Funds had unused capital losses carrying forward available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any. The capital losses are not subject to expiration.

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Not subject to expiration:

              

Short-term

     $ 1,037,621        $ 366,510        $ 350,783  

Long-term

       19,867,496          1,892,758          11,180,533  

Total

     $ 20,905,117        $ 2,259,268        $ 11,531,316  

7. Management Fees

Each Fund’s management fee compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services and general office facilities. NAM and TAL are compensated for their services to the Funds from the management fees paid to the Adviser.

Each Funds’ management fee consists of two components – a fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets managed by the Adviser. This pricing structure enables Fund shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within their respective Fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by the Adviser.

The annual fund-level fee, payable monthly, for each Fund is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Managed Assets*      JHB
Fund-Level
Fee Rate
      

JHAA
Fund-Level
Fee Rate

       JEMD
Fund-Level
Fee Rate
 

For the first $500 million

       0.5000        0.5000        0.8000

For the next $250 million

       0.4875          0.4875          0.7875  

For managed assets over $750 million

       0.4750          0.4750          0.7750  

 

45


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The annual complex-level fee, payable monthly, is calculated by multiplying the current complex-wide fee rate, determined according to the following schedule by the Funds’ daily managed assets:

 

Complex-Level Eligible Asset Breakpoint Level*      Effective Complex-Level
Fee Rate at Breakpoint Level
 

$55 billion

       0.2000

$56 billion

       0.1996  

$57 billion

       0.1989  

$60 billion

       0.1961  

$63 billion

       0.1931  

$66 billion

       0.1900  

$71 billion

       0.1851  

$76 billion

       0.1806  

$80 billion

       0.1773  

$91 billion

       0.1691  

$125 billion

       0.1599  

$200 billion

       0.1505  

$250 billion

       0.1469  

$300 billion

       0.1445  
*

For the complex-level fees, managed assets include closed-end fund assets managed by the Adviser that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by a TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by the Adviser as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining managed assets in certain circumstances. The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily managed assets of all Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds that constitute “eligible assets.” Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of a determined amount (originally $2 billion) added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with the Adviser’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011, but do not include certain assets of certain Nuveen funds that were reorganized into funds advised by an affiliate of the Adviser during the 2019 calendar year. As of June 30, 2021, the complex-level fee for each Fund was 0.1539%.

8. Fund Leverage

Borrowings

During the current fiscal period, JHAA entered into borrowing arrangements (“Borrowings”) as a means of leverage.

As of the end of the reporting period JHAA’s maximum commitment amount under its Borrowings is as follows:

 

        JHAA  

Maximum commitment amount

       $27,500,000  

As of the end of the reporting period, JHAA’s outstanding balance on its Borrowings was as follows:

 

        JHAA  

Outstanding balance on Borrowings

       $24,525,000  

For JHAA interest is charged on the Borrowings at 1-Month LIBOR plus 0.775% per annum on the amounts borrowed and accrues a 0.125% per annum commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the Borrowings.

During the current fiscal period, the average daily balance outstanding and average annual interest rate on JHAA’s Borrowings were as follows:

 

        JHAA  

Utilization period (days outstanding)

       181  

Average daily balance outstanding

       $24,525,000  

Average annual interest rate

       0.92

In order to maintain their Borrowings, the Fund must meet certain collateral, asset coverage and other requirements. The Fund’s Borrowings outstanding is fully secured by eligible securities held in its portfolio of investments.

The Fund’s Borrowings outstanding are recognized as “Borrowings” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest expense incurred on the borrowed amount and undrawn balance are recognized as components of “Interest expense” on the Statement of Operations.

 

46


 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

During the current fiscal period, JEMD entered into reverse repurchase agreements as a means of leverage.

The Fund may enter into a reverse repurchase agreement with brokers, dealers, banks or other financial institutions that have been determined by the Adviser to be creditworthy. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells to the counterparty a security that it holds with a contemporaneous agreement to repurchase the same security at an agreed-upon price and date, reflecting the interest rate effective for the term of the agreement. It may also be viewed as the borrowing of money by the Fund. Cash received in exchange for securities delivered, plus accrued interest payments to be made by the Fund to a counterparty, are reflected as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest payments made by the Fund to counterparties are recognized as a component of “Interest expense” on the Statement of Operations.

In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund retains the risk of loss associated with the sold security. In order to minimize risk, the Fund identifies for coverage securities and cash as collateral with a fair value at least equal to its purchase obligations under these agreements (including accrued interest). Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that the purchaser fails to return the securities as agreed upon, files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent. Upon a bankruptcy or insolvency of a counterparty, the Fund is considered to be an unsecured creditor with respect to excess collateral and as such the return of excess collateral may be delayed. The Fund will identify assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser to cover its obligations under reverse repurchase agreements.

As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund’s outstanding balances on its reverse repurchase agreements were as follows:

 

Counterparty      Coupon      Principal
Amount
     Maturity      Value      Value and
Accrued Interest
 

J.P. Morgan Securities PLC

       0.790    $ (19,854,811      N/A      $ (19,854,811    $ (19,956,329

Societe Generale

       0.853      (13,000,000      N/A        (13,000,000      (13,017,926
                $ (32,854,811             $ (32,854,811    $ (32,974,255

N/A – Maturity is not applicable. The final repurchase date will be established following pre-specified advance notice by the Fund or the counterparty to the reverse repurchase agreement.

During the current fiscal period, the average daily balance outstanding (which was for the entire current reporting period) and average interest rate on JEMD’s reverse repurchase agreements were as follows:

 

Average daily balance outstanding

       $32,854,811  

Average annual interest rate

       1.09

The following table presents the reverse repurchase agreements subject to netting agreements and the collateral delivered related to those reverse repurchase agreements.

 

Counterparty   Reverse Repurchase
Agreements*
       Collateral Pledged
to Counterparty
 

J.P. Morgan Securities PLC

  $ (19,956,329      $ 29,328,229  

Societe Generale

    (13,017,926        19,201,398  
    $ (32,974,255      $ 48,529,627  
*

Represents gross value and accrued interest for the counterparty as reported in the preceding table.

9. Inter-Fund Lending

Inter-Fund Borrowing and Lending

The SEC has granted an exemptive order permitting registered open-end and closed-end Nuveen funds to participate in an inter-fund lending facility whereby the Nuveen funds may directly lend to and borrow money from each other for temporary purposes (e.g., to satisfy redemption requests or when a sale of securities “fails,” resulting in an unanticipated cash shortfall) (the “Inter-Fund Program”). The closed-end Nuveen funds, including the Funds covered by this shareholder report, will participate only as lenders, and not as borrowers, in the Inter-Fund Program because such closed-end funds rarely, if ever, need to borrow cash to meet redemptions. The Inter-Fund Program is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, the requirements that (1) no fund may borrow or lend money through the Inter-Fund Program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than is typically available from a bank or other financial institution for a comparable transaction; (2) no fund may borrow on an unsecured basis through the Inter-Fund Program unless the Funds’ outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the inter-fund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided that if the borrowing fund has a secured borrowing outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another fund, the inter-fund loan must be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value; (3) if a Funds’ total outstanding

 

47


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

borrowings immediately after an inter-fund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the fund may borrow through the inter-fund loan on a secured basis only; (4) no fund may lend money if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the Inter-Fund Program to exceed 15% of its net assets at the time of the loan; (5) a Funds’ inter-fund loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending Funds’ net assets; (6) the duration of inter-fund loans will be limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven days; and (7) each inter-fund loan may be called on one business day’s notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund. In addition, a Nuveen fund may participate in the Inter-Fund Program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the Funds’ investment objective and investment policies. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Inter-Fund Program.

The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting the Inter-Fund Program are designed to minimize the risks associated with Inter-Fund Program for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a fund borrows money from another fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher rate or take other actions to payoff such loan if an inter-fund loan is not available from another fund. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.

During the current reporting period, none of the Funds covered by this shareholder report have entered into any inter-fund loan activity.

10. Subsequent Events

Borrowings

During July 2021, JHAA amended its borrowings and decreased its interest on Borrowings to 1-Month LIBOR plus 0.7000% per annum on the amount borrowed and 0.125% per annum on the undrawn balance. All other terms remained unchanged.

 

48


Risk Considerations

 

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

Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund (JHB)

Investing in closed-end funds involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Closed-end fund shares may frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, derivatives risk, liquidity risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Lower credit debt securities may be more likely to fail to make timely interest or principal payments and may be subject to higher liquidity risk. Leverage increases return volatility and magnifies the Fund’s potential return and its risks; there is no guarantee a fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards. The risks of foreign investments are magnified in emerging markets. These and other risk considerations including the Fund’s limited term and call risk are described in more detail on the Fund’s web page at www.nuveen.com/JHB.

Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund (JHAA)

Investing in closed-end funds involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Closed-end fund shares may frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, derivatives risk, liquidity risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Lower credit debt securities may be more likely to fail to make timely interest or principal payments and may be subject to higher liquidity risk. Adjustable Rate Senior Loans may not be fully secured by collateral, generally do not trade on exchanges, and are typically issued by unrated or below-investment grade companies, and therefore are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk. Leverage increases return volatility and magnifies the Fund’s potential return and its risks; there is no guarantee a fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. Foreign investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, lack of liquidity and differing legal and accounting standards. The risks of foreign investments are magnified in emerging markets. These and other risk considerations including the Fund’s limited term and call risk are described in more detail on the Fund’s web page at www.nuveen.com/JHAA.

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund (JEMD)

Investing in closed-end funds involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Closed-end fund shares may frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Emerging markets, particularly including frontier markets, involve additional risks, including smaller capitalization, illiquidity, price volatility, political and economic instability that could lead to diminished security values, and different legal and accounting standards. Debt or fixed income securities such as those held by the Fund, are subject to market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, derivatives risk, liquidity risk, and income risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Lower credit debt securities may be more likely to fail to make timely interest or principal payments. Leverage increases return volatility and magnifies the Fund’s potential return and its risks; there is no guarantee a fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. These and other risk considerations such as limited term risk are described in more detail on the Fund’s web page at www.nuveen.com/JEMD.

 

49


Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

Board of Trustees          
Jack B. Evans   William C. Hunter   Amy B.R. Lancellotta   Joanne T. Medero   Albin F. Moschner   John K. Nelson

Judith M. Stockdale

 

Carole E. Stone

 

Matthew Thornton III

 

Terence J. Toth

 

Margaret L. Wolff

  Robert L. Young

 

         

Investment Adviser

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Custodian

State Street Bank
& Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

 

Legal Counsel

Chapman and Cutler LLP

Chicago, IL 60603

 

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP

200 East Randolph Street

Chicago, IL 60601

 

Transfer Agent and
Shareholder Services

Computershare Trust

Company, N.A.

150 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

(800) 257-8787

 

 

Portfolio of Investments Information

Each Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. You may obtain this information on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

Nuveen Funds’ Proxy Voting Information

You may obtain (i) information regarding how each fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen toll-free at (800) 257-8787 or on Nuveen’s website at www.nuveen.com and (ii) a description of the policies and procedures that each fund used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen toll free at (800) 257-8787. You may also obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

CEO Certification Disclosure

The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the annual CEO certification as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The Fund has filed with the SEC the certification of its CEO and Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

 

Common Share Repurchases

The Funds intend to repurchase, through their open-market share repurchase program, shares of their own common stock at such times and in such amounts as is deemed advisable. During the period covered by this report, each Fund repurchased shares of its common stock, as shown in the accompanying table. Any future repurchases will be reported to shareholders in the next annual or semi-annual report.

 

        JHB        JHAA        JEMD  

Common shares repurchased

       0          0          0  

FINRA BrokerCheck

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides information regarding the disciplinary history of FINRA member firms and associated investment professionals. This information as well as an investor brochure describing FINRA BrokerCheck is available to the public by calling the FINRA BrokerCheck Hotline number at (800) 289-9999 or by visiting www.FINRA.org.

 

50


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

Average Annual Total Return: This is a commonly used method to express an investment’s performance over a particular, usually multi-year time period. It expresses the return that would have been necessary each year to equal the investment’s actual cumulative performance (including change in NAV or market price and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, if any) over the time period being considered.

 

 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. High Yield 1-5 Year Cash Pay 2% Issuer Capped Index: An index that tracks the performance of U.S. non-investment grade bonds with maturities of one to 4.99 years and limits each issue to 2% of the index. Benchmark returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

 

 

Duration: Duration is a measure of the expected period over which a bond’s principal and interest will be paid, and consequently is a measure of the sensitivity of a bond’s or bond fund’s value to changes when market interest rates change. Generally, the longer a bond’s or fund’s duration, the more the price of the bond or fund will change as interest rates change.

 

 

Effective Leverage: Effective leverage is a fund’s effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage (see below) and the leverage effects of certain derivative investments in the fund’s portfolio.

 

 

JP Morgan EMBI Global Diversified Index: A uniquely-weighted version of the JP Morgan EMBI Global Index. It limits the weights of those index countries with larger debt stocks by only including specified portions of these countries’ eligible current face amounts of debt outstanding. The countries covered are identical to those covered by the JP Morgan EMBI Global Index which tracks total returns for U.S.-dollar denominated debt instruments issued by emerging market sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities: Brady bonds, loans, Eurobonds. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

 

 

Leverage: Leverage is created whenever a fund has investment exposure (both reward and/or risk) equivalent to more than 100% of the investment capital.

 

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share: A fund’s Net Assets is equal to its total assets (securities, cash, accrued earnings and receivables) less its total liabilities. NAV per share is equal to the fund’s Net Assets divided by its number of shares outstanding.

 

 

Regulatory Leverage: Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued by or borrowings of a fund. Both of these are part of a fund’s capital structure. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

51


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process

(Unaudited)

 

At a meeting held on May 25-27, 2021 (the “May Meeting”), the Boards of Trustees (collectively, the “Board” and each Trustee, a “Board Member”) of the Funds, which are comprised entirely of Board Members who are not “interested persons” (as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) (the “Independent Board Members”), approved, for their respective Fund, the renewal of the management agreement (each, an “Investment Management Agreement”) with Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), pursuant to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser to such Fund and the sub-advisory agreement (each, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with (a) in the case of Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund (the “November 2021 Fund”) and Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund (the “2023 Fund”), Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“NAM”), pursuant to which NAM serves as the investment sub-adviser to each such Fund; and (b) in the case of Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund (the “Emerging Markets Fund”), Teachers Advisors, LLC (“TAL,” and NAM and TAL are each, a “Sub-Adviser”), pursuant to which TAL serves as the investment sub-adviser to such Fund. Although the 1940 Act requires that continuances of the Advisory Agreements (as defined below) be approved by the in-person vote of a majority of the Independent Board Members, the May Meeting was held virtually through the internet in view of the health risks associated with holding an in-person meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental restrictions on gatherings. The May Meeting was held virtually in reliance on certain exemptive relief the Securities and Exchange Commission provided to registered investment companies providing temporary relief from the in-person voting requirements of the 1940 Act with respect to the approval of a fund’s advisory agreement in light of these challenges.

Following up to an initial two-year period, the Board considers the renewal of each Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement on behalf of the applicable Fund on an annual basis. The Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements” and the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser are collectively, the “Fund Advisers” and each, a “Fund Adviser.” Throughout the year, the Board and its committees meet regularly and, at these meetings, receive regular and/or special reports that cover an extensive array of topics and information that are relevant to its annual consideration of the renewal of the advisory agreements for the Nuveen funds. Such information may address, among other things, fund performance and risk information; the Adviser’s strategic plans; product initiatives for various funds; the review of the funds and investment teams; compliance, regulatory and risk management matters; the trading practices of the various sub-advisers to the funds; valuation of securities; fund expenses; securities lending; liquidity management; overall market and regulatory developments; and with respect to closed-end funds, capital management initiatives, institutional ownership, management of leverage financing and the secondary market trading of the closed-end funds and any actions to address discounts. The Board also seeks to meet periodically with the Nuveen funds’ sub-advisers and portfolio teams, when feasible.

In addition, in connection with the annual consideration of the advisory agreements for the Nuveen funds, the Board, through its independent legal counsel, requested and received extensive materials and information prepared specifically for its annual consideration of the renewal of such advisory agreements by the Adviser and by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data. The materials cover a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, a description of the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Fund Advisers; a review of product actions taken during 2020 (such as mergers, liquidations, fund launches, changes to investment teams, and changes to investment policies); a review of each sub-adviser to the Nuveen funds and the applicable investment teams; an analysis of fund performance in absolute terms and as compared to the performance of certain peer funds and benchmarks with a focus on any performance outliers; an analysis of the fees and expense ratios of the Nuveen funds in absolute terms and as compared to those of certain peer funds with a focus on any expense outliers; a review of management fee schedules; a description of portfolio manager compensation; an overview of the secondary market trading of shares of the Nuveen closed-end funds (including, among other things, an analysis of performance, distribution and valuation and capital-raising trends in the broader closed-end fund market and with respect to Nuveen closed-end funds and a review of the leverage management actions taken on behalf of the closed-end funds particularly during the periods of market volatility generally caused by the COVID-19 pandemic); a review of the performance of various service providers; a description of various initiatives Nuveen had undertaken or continued during the year for the benefit of particular fund(s) and/or the complex; a description of the profitability or financial data of Nuveen and the sub-advisers to the Nuveen funds; and a description of indirect benefits received by the Adviser and the sub-advisers as a result of their

 

52


 

relationships with the Nuveen funds. The information prepared specifically for the annual review supplemented the information provided to the Board and its committees and the evaluations of the Nuveen funds by the Board and its committees during the year.

In continuing its practice, the Board met prior to the May Meeting to begin its considerations of the renewal of the Advisory Agreements. Accordingly, on April 21-22, 2021 (the “April Meeting”), the Board met to review and discuss, in part, the performance of the Nuveen funds and the Adviser’s evaluation of each sub-adviser to the Nuveen funds. At the April Meeting, the Board Members asked questions and requested additional information that was provided for the May Meeting. The Board reviewed fund performance throughout the year and in its review, the Board recognized the volatile market conditions that occurred in early 2020 arising, in part, from the public health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and the resulting impact on a fund’s performance for 2020 and thereafter. Accordingly, the Board considered performance data measured over various periods of time as summarized in more detail below.

The Independent Board Members considered the review of the advisory agreements for the Nuveen funds to be an ongoing process and employed the accumulated information, knowledge and experience the Board Members had gained during their tenure on the boards governing the Nuveen funds and working with the Adviser and sub-advisers in their review of the advisory agreements. The contractual arrangements are a result of multiple years of review, negotiation and information provided in connection with the boards’ annual review of the Nuveen funds’ advisory arrangements and oversight of the Nuveen funds.

The Independent Board Members were advised by independent legal counsel during the annual review process as well as throughout the year, including meeting in executive sessions with such counsel at which no representatives from the Adviser or the Sub-Advisers were present. In connection with their annual review, the Independent Board Members also received a memorandum from independent legal counsel outlining their fiduciary duties and legal standards in reviewing the Advisory Agreements.

The Board’s decision to renew the Advisory Agreements was not based on a single identified factor, but rather the decision reflected the comprehensive consideration of all the information provided throughout the year and at the April and May Meetings, and each Board Member may have attributed different levels of importance to the various factors and information considered in connection with the approval process. The following summarizes the principal factors and information, but not all the factors, the Board considered in deciding to renew the Advisory Agreements as well as the Board’s conclusions.

 

A.   Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In evaluating the renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of the applicable Fund Adviser’s services provided to the respective Fund with particular focus on the services and enhancements to such services provided during the last year. The Independent Board Members considered the Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements separately in the course of their review. With this approach, they considered the respective roles of the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers in providing services to the applicable Fund(s).

The Board recognized that the Nuveen funds operate in a highly regulated industry and, therefore, the Adviser has provided a wide array of management, oversight and administrative services to manage and operate the funds, and the scope and complexity of these services have expanded over time as a result of, among other things, regulatory and other developments. The Board accordingly considered the extensive resources, tools and capabilities available to the Adviser to operate and manage the Nuveen funds. With respect to the Adviser, as a general matter, some of these services it and its affiliates provide to the Nuveen funds include, but are not limited to: product management (such as setting dividends, analyzing fund expenses, providing competitive analysis, and providing due diligence support); investment oversight, risk management and securities valuation services (such as overseeing and reviewing the various sub-advisers to the Nuveen funds and their investment teams; analyzing fund performance and risk data; overseeing operational and risk management; participating in financial statement, marketing and risk disclosures; providing daily valuation services and developing related valuation policies, procedures and methodologies; periodic testing of audit and regulatory requirements; participating in product development and management processes; participating in leverage management, liquidity monitoring and counterparty

 

53


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

credit oversight; providing due diligence and overseeing fund accounting and custody providers; overseeing third party pricing services and periodically assessing investment and liquidity risks); fund administration (such as preparing fund tax returns and other tax compliance services; preparing regulatory filings; overseeing the funds’ independent public accountants and other service providers; analyzing products and enhancements; and managing fund budgets and expenses); oversight of shareholder services and transfer agency functions (such as overseeing transfer agent service providers which include registered shareholder customer service and transaction processing; overseeing proxy solicitation and tabulation services; and overseeing the production and distribution of financial reports by service providers); Board relations services (such as organizing and administering Board and committee meetings, preparing various reports to the Board and committees and providing other support services); compliance and regulatory oversight services (such as managing compliance policies; monitoring compliance with applicable fund policies and laws and regulations; devising internal compliance programs and a framework to review and assess compliance programs; evaluating the compliance programs of the various sub-advisers to the Nuveen funds and certain other service providers; responding to regulatory requests; and preparing compliance training materials); legal support and oversight of outside law firms (such as helping to prepare and file registration statements and proxy statements; overseeing fund activities and providing legal interpretations regarding such activities; maintaining regulatory registrations and negotiating agreements with other fund service providers; and monitoring changes in regulatory requirements and commenting on rule proposals impacting investment companies); and with respect to closed-end funds, managing leverage, monitoring asset coverage and promoting an orderly secondary market.

In evaluating services, the Board reviewed various highlights of the initiatives the Adviser and its affiliates have undertaken or continued in 2020 to benefit the Nuveen complex and/or particular Nuveen funds and meet the requirements of an increasingly complex regulatory environment including, but not limited to:

 

   

Centralization of Functions – ongoing initiatives to centralize investment leadership, market approach and shared support functions within Nuveen and its affiliates in seeking to operate more effectively the business and enhance the services to the Nuveen funds;

 

   

Fund Improvements and Product Management Initiatives – continuing to proactively manage the Nuveen fund complex as a whole and at the individual fund level with an aim to continually improve product platforms and investment strategies to better serve shareholders through, among other things, rationalizing the product line and gaining efficiencies through mergers, repositionings and liquidations; launching new funds; reviewing and updating investment policies and benchmarks; and modifying portfolio management teams for various funds;

 

   

Investment Team Integrations – continuing to integrate and adjust the members of certain investment teams, in part, to allow greater access to tools and resources within the Nuveen organization and its affiliates;

 

   

Capital Initiatives – continuing to invest capital to support new Nuveen funds with initial capital as well as to support existing funds and facilitate regulatory or logistical changes;

 

   

Compliance Program Initiatives – continuing efforts to mitigate compliance risk, increase operating efficiencies, implement enhancements to strengthen key compliance program elements and support international business growth and other corporate objectives;

 

   

Investment Oversight – preparing reports to the Board addressing, among other things, fund performance; market conditions; investment teams; new products; changes to mandates, policies and benchmarks; and other management proposals;

 

   

Risk Management and Valuation Services – continuing to oversee and manage risk including, among other things, conducting daily calculations and monitoring of risk measures across the Nuveen funds, instituting appropriate investment risk controls, providing risk reporting throughout the firm, participating in internal oversight committees, and continuing to implement an operational risk framework that seeks to provide greater transparency of operational risk matters across the complex as well as provide multiple other risk programs that seek to provide a more disciplined and consistent approach to identifying and mitigating Nuveen’s operational risks. Further, the securities valuation team continues, among other things, to oversee the daily valuation process of the portfolio securities of the funds, maintains

 

54


 

  the valuation policies and procedures, facilitates valuation committee meetings, manages relationships with pricing vendors, and prepares relevant valuation reports and designs methods to simplify and enhance valuation workflow within the organization;

 

   

Regulatory Matters – continuing efforts to monitor regulatory trends and advocate on behalf of Nuveen and/or the Nuveen funds, to implement and comply with new or revised rules and mandates and to respond to regulatory inquiries and exams;

 

   

Government Relations – continuing efforts of various Nuveen teams and Nuveen’s affiliates to develop policy positions on a broad range of issues that may impact the Nuveen funds, advocate and communicate these positions to lawmakers and other regulatory authorities and work with trade associations to ensure these positions are represented;

 

   

Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Information Security – continuing efforts of Nuveen to periodically test and update business continuity and disaster recovery plans and, together with its affiliates, to maintain an information security program designed to identify and manage information security risks, and provide reports to the Board, at least annually, addressing, among other things, management’s security risk assessment, cyber risk profile, potential impact of new or revised laws and regulations, incident tracking and other relevant information technology risk-related reports;

 

   

Dividend Management Services – continuing to manage the dividends among the varying types of Nuveen funds within the Nuveen complex to be consistent with the respective fund’s product design and positioning in striving to deliver those earnings to shareholders in a relatively consistent manner over time as well as assisting in the development of new products or the restructuring of existing funds; and

 

   

with respect specifically to closed-end funds, such continuing services also included:

 

   

Leverage Management Services – continuing to actively manage the various forms of leverage utilized across the complex, including through committing resources and focusing on sourcing/structure development and bank provider management, which was key to navigating the respective funds through the COVID-related market volatility in 2020;

 

   

Capital Management, Market Intelligence and Secondary Market Services – ongoing capital management efforts through shelf offerings, share repurchases, tender offers and capital return programs as well as providing market data analysis to help understand closed-end fund ownership cycles and their impact on secondary market trading as well as to improve proxy solicitation efforts; and

 

   

Closed-end Fund Investor Relations Program – maintaining the closed-end fund investor relations program which, among other things, raises awareness, provides educational materials and cultivates advocacy for closed-end funds and the Nuveen closed-end fund product line.

In its review, the Board recognized that Nuveen’s risk management, compliance, technology and operations capabilities are all integral to providing its investment management services to the Nuveen funds. Further, the Board noted the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Nuveen fund, as each Nuveen fund is a part of a large fund complex with a variety of investment disciplines, capabilities, expertise and resources available to navigate and support the funds including during stressed times as occurred in the market in the first half of 2020. The Board recognized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the year and the adaptations required by service providers to continue to deliver their services to the Nuveen funds, including working remotely. In this regard, the Board noted the ability of the Adviser and the various sub-advisers to the Nuveen funds to provide continuously their services notwithstanding the significant disruptions caused by the pandemic. In addition to the services provided by the Adviser, the Board also considered the risks borne by the Adviser and its affiliates in managing the Nuveen funds, including entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, regulatory and litigation risks.

The Board further considered the division of responsibilities between the Adviser and the respective Sub-Adviser and recognized that the Sub-Advisers and their investment personnel generally are responsible for the management of each applicable Fund’s portfolio under the oversight of the Adviser and the Board. The Board considered an analysis of each

 

55


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Sub-Adviser provided by the Adviser which included, among other things, the assets under management of the applicable investment team and changes thereto, a summary of the applicable investment team and changes thereto, the investment process and philosophy of the applicable investment team, the performance of the Nuveen funds sub-advised by such Sub-Adviser over various periods of time and a summary of any significant policy and/or other changes to the Nuveen funds sub-advised by such Sub-Adviser. The Board further considered at the May Meeting or prior meetings evaluations of each Sub-Adviser’s compliance programs and trade execution. The Board also considered the structure of investment personnel compensation programs and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives to act in the best interests of the respective Nuveen funds. The Board noted that the Adviser recommended the renewal of the Sub-Advisory Agreements.

Based on its review, the Board determined, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the respective Funds under each applicable Advisory Agreement.

 

B.   The Investment Performance of the Funds and Fund Advisers

In evaluating the quality of the services provided by the Fund Advisers, the Board also received and considered a variety of investment performance data of the Nuveen funds they advise. In evaluating performance, the Board recognized that performance data may differ significantly depending on the ending date selected, particularly during periods of market volatility, and therefore considered performance over a variety of time periods that may include full market cycles. In this regard, the Board reviewed, among other things, Fund performance over the quarter, one- and three-year periods ending December 31, 2020 (or for shorter periods available to the extent a Fund was not in existence during such periods) as well as performance data periods ending nearer to the May Meeting, including the quarter, one- and three-year periods ending March 31, 2021 and May 14, 2021 (or for shorter periods available to the extent a Fund was not in existence during such periods). The performance data prepared for the annual review of the advisory agreements for the Nuveen funds supplemented the fund performance data that the Board received throughout the year at its meetings representing differing time periods. In its review, the Board took into account the discussions with representatives of the Adviser; the Adviser’s analysis regarding fund performance that occurred at these Board meetings with particular focus on funds that were considered performance outliers (both overperformance and underperformance); the factors contributing to the performance; and any recommendations or steps taken to address performance concerns. Regardless of the time period reviewed by the Board, the Board recognized that shareholders may evaluate performance based on their own holding periods which may differ from the periods reviewed by the Board and lead to differing results.

In its review, the Board reviewed both absolute and relative fund performance during the annual review over the various time periods. With respect to the latter, the Board considered fund performance in comparison to the performance of peer funds (the “Performance Peer Group”) and recognized and/or customized benchmarks (i.e., generally benchmarks derived from multiple recognized benchmarks). For Nuveen funds that had changes in portfolio managers since 2018 or significant changes, among other things, to their investment strategies or policies since 2019, the Board reviewed certain performance data comparing the performance of such funds before and after such changes. In considering performance data, the Board is aware of certain inherent limitations with such data, including that differences between the objective(s), strategies and other characteristics of the Nuveen funds compared to the respective Performance Peer Group and/or benchmark(s) (such as differences in the use of leverage) as well as differences in the composition of the Performance Peer Group over time will necessarily contribute to differences in performance results and limit the value of the comparative information. To assist the Board in its review of the comparability of the relative performance, the Adviser has ranked the relevancy of the peer group to the funds as low, medium or high.

The Board also evaluated performance in light of various relevant factors, including, among other things, general market conditions, issuer-specific information, asset class information, leverage and fund cash flows. In relation to general market conditions, the Board recognized the significant market decline in the early part of 2020 in connection with, among other things, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and that such a period of underperformance and market volatility may significantly weigh on the longer term performance results. Accordingly, depending on the facts and circumstances including any differences between the respective Nuveen fund and its benchmark and/or Performance Peer Group, the Board may be satisfied with a fund’s performance notwithstanding that its performance may be below that of its benchmark or peer group

 

56


 

for certain periods. However, with respect to any Nuveen funds for which the Board had identified performance issues, the Board monitors such funds closely until performance improves, discusses with the Adviser the reasons for such results, considers whether any steps are necessary or appropriate to address such issues, and reviews the results of any steps undertaken.

The secondary market trading of shares of the Nuveen closed-end funds continues to be a priority for the Board given its importance to shareholders, and therefore data reflecting the premiums and discounts at which the shares of the closed-end funds trade are reviewed by the Board during its annual review and by the Board and/or its Closed-end Fund committee during its respective quarterly meetings throughout the year. The Board continuously reviews all closed-end fund discounts and the fund’s performance relative to both primary and secondary benchmarks and peers. In its review, the Board considers, among other things, changes to investment mandates and guidelines, enhanced and attractive distribution policies, leverage levels and types, fund reorganizations, share repurchases and similar capital market actions and effective communications programs to build greater awareness and deepen understanding of closed-end funds.

The Board noted that each of the Nuveen target term funds (including each Fund) had investment objectives that seek to provide a high level of current income and to return its original net asset value per common share on or about its termination date. Given the heightened market volatility in early 2020 which continued to impact longer term performance and the investment objectives of these funds to seek the return of original net asset value, the Board will continue to monitor each of these funds. Further, the Board’s determinations with respect to each Fund are summarized below.

For the November 2021 Fund, the Board noted that the Fund’s performance was below the performance of its benchmark and the Fund ranked in the fourth quartile of its Performance Peer Group for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and May 14, 2021. In its review, the Board recognized that the Performance Peer Group was classified as low for relevancy. The Board also noted that recent market conditions have materially increased the risk associated with achieving the Fund’s objective to return original net asset value. The Board, however, considered the changes to the portfolio management team and certain policies of the Fund in 2020. The Board will continue to monitor the Fund.

For the 2023 Fund, the Board noted that the Fund’s performance was below the performance of its benchmark and the Fund ranked in the third quartile of its Performance Peer Group for the one-year period ended December 31, 2020. Although the Fund ranked in the fourth quartile of its Performance Peer Group for the one-year periods ended March 31, 2021 and May 14, 2021, the Fund outperformed its benchmark for such periods. In its review, the Board recognized that the Performance Peer Group was classified as low for relevancy. The Board also considered the changes to the portfolio management team and certain policies of the Fund in 2020. The Board recognized that the Fund was relatively new with a limited performance history available limiting the ability for a meaningful assessment of performance and will continue to monitor the Fund.

For the Emerging Markets Fund, the Board recognized that the Fund’s performance was below the performance of its benchmark for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2020, and the Fund ranked in the third quartile of its Performance Peer Group for the one-year period and second quartile for the three-year period ended December 31, 2020. Although the Fund’s performance was below the performance of its benchmark for the three-year periods ended March 31, 2021 and May 14, 2021, the Fund outperformed its benchmark for the one-year periods ended March 31, 2021 and May 14, 2021. The Fund further ranked in the second quartile of its Performance Peer Group for the one- and three-year periods ended March 31, 2021 and May 14, 2021. In its review, the Board recognized that the Performance Peer Group was classified as low for relevancy. The Board recognized that recent market conditions and certain distressed portfolio holdings in the portfolio increased the risk associated with achieving the Fund’s objective to return original net asset value. The Board will continue to monitor the Fund.

 

C.   Fees, Expenses and Profitability
  1.   Fees and Expenses

As part of its annual review, the Board considered the contractual management fee and net management fee (the management fee after taking into consideration fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, if any) paid by a Nuveen fund to the Adviser in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided. The Board also considered the total operating

 

57


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

expense ratio of each fund before and after any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. More specifically, the Independent Board Members reviewed, among other things, each fund’s gross and net management fee rates (i.e., before and after expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, if any) and net total expense ratio in relation to those of a comparable universe of funds (the “Peer Universe”) established by Broadridge. The Independent Board Members reviewed the methodology Broadridge employed to establish its Peer Universe and recognized that differences between the applicable fund and its respective Peer Universe as well as changes to the composition of the Peer Universe from year to year may limit some of the value of the comparative data. The Independent Board Members also considered a fund’s operating expense ratio as it more directly reflected the shareholder’s costs in investing in the respective fund.

In their review, the Independent Board Members considered, in particular, each fund with a net expense ratio (excluding investment-related costs of leverage) of six basis points or higher compared to that of its peer average (each, an “Expense Outlier Fund”) and an analysis as to the factors contributing to each such fund’s higher relative net expense ratio. In addition, although the Board reviewed a fund’s total net expenses both including and excluding investment-related expenses (i.e., leverage costs) and taxes for certain of the closed-end funds, the Board recognized that leverage expenses will vary across funds and in comparison to peers because of differences in the forms and terms of leverage employed by the respective fund. Accordingly, in reviewing the comparative data between a fund and its peers, the Board generally considered the fund’s net expense ratio and fees (excluding leverage costs and leveraged assets) to be higher if they were over 10 basis points higher, slightly higher if they were 6 to 10 basis points higher, in line if they were within approximately 5 basis points higher than the peer average and below if they were below the peer average of the Peer Universe. The Independent Board Members also considered, in relevant part, a fund’s net management fee and net total expense ratio in light of its performance history.

In their review of the fee arrangements for the Nuveen funds, the Independent Board Members considered the management fee schedules, including the complex-wide and fund-level breakpoint schedules. The Board noted that across the Nuveen fund complex, the complex-wide fee breakpoints reduced fees by approximately $58.4 million and fund-level breakpoints reduced fees by approximately $69.6 million in 2020.

With respect to the Sub-Advisers, the Board also considered the sub-advisory fee schedule paid to each Sub-Adviser in light of the sub-advisory services provided to the respective Fund, the breakpoint schedule and comparative data of the fees such Sub-Adviser charges to other clients, if any. In its review, the Board recognized that the compensation paid to the Sub-Advisers is the responsibility of the Adviser, not the Funds.

The Independent Board Members noted that each Fund had a net management fee and a net expense ratio that were below the respective peer averages.

Based on its review of the information provided, the Board determined that each Fund’s management fees (as applicable) to a Fund Adviser were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.

 

  2.   Comparisons with the Fees of Other Clients

In determining the appropriateness of fees, the Board also considered information regarding the fee rates the respective Fund Advisers charged to certain other types of clients and the type of services provided to these other clients. With respect to the Adviser and/or the Sub-Advisers, such other clients may include retail and institutional managed accounts advised by a Sub-Adviser (with respect to NAM); hedge funds managed by a Sub-Adviser (with respect to NAM); investment companies offered outside the Nuveen family and sub-advised by a Sub-Adviser (with respect to NAM); foreign investment companies offered by Nuveen and sub-advised by a Sub-Adviser (with respect to NAM and TAL); collective investment trusts sub-advised by a Sub-Adviser (with respect to NAM); and certain funds advised by a Sub-Adviser (with respect to TAL). The Board further noted that the Adviser also advised and TAL sub-advised certain exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) sponsored by Nuveen.

The Board recognized that each Fund had an affiliated sub-adviser and, with respect to affiliated sub-advisers, reviewed, among other things, the range of fees assessed for managed accounts, hedge funds (along with their performance fee), foreign investment companies and ETFs offered by Nuveen, as applicable. The Board also reviewed the fee range and average fee rate of certain selected investment strategies offered in retail and institutional managed accounts advised by NAM, the

 

58


 

hedge funds advised by NAM (along with their performance fee) and non-Nuveen investment companies sub-advised by certain affiliated sub-advisers. Further, the Board reviewed the management fees and expense ratios of certain funds advised by TAL in the TIAA-CREF family of funds.

In considering the fee data of other clients, the Board recognized, among other things, the differences in the amount, type and level of services provided to the Nuveen funds relative to other clients as well as the differences in portfolio investment policies, investor profiles, account sizes and regulatory requirements, all of which contribute to the variations in the fee schedules. The Board recognized the breadth of services the Adviser had provided to the Nuveen funds compared to the other types of clients as the funds operate in a highly regulated industry with increasing regulatory requirements as well as the increased entrepreneurial, legal and regulatory risks that the Adviser incurs in sponsoring and managing the funds. Further, with respect to ETFs, the Board considered that Nuveen ETFs were passively managed compared to the active management of the other Nuveen funds which contributed to the differences in fee levels between the Nuveen ETFs and other Nuveen funds. In general, higher fee levels reflect higher levels of service provided by the Adviser, increased investment management complexity, greater product management requirements, and higher levels of business risk or some combination of these factors. The Board further considered that each Sub-Adviser’s fee is essentially for portfolio management services and therefore more comparable to, as applicable, the fees it receives for retail wrap accounts and other external sub-advisory mandates. The Board concluded the varying levels of fees were justified given, among other things, the inherent differences in the products and the level of services provided to the Nuveen funds versus other clients, the differing regulatory requirements and legal liabilities and the entrepreneurial, legal and regulatory risks incurred in sponsoring and advising a registered investment company.

 

  3.   Profitability of Fund Advisers

In their review, the Independent Board Members considered information regarding Nuveen’s level of profitability for its advisory services to the Nuveen funds for the calendar years 2020 and 2019. The Board reviewed, among other things, Nuveen’s net margins (pre-tax) (both including and excluding distribution expenses); gross and net revenue margins (pre- and post-tax and excluding distribution) from Nuveen funds only; revenues, expenses and net income (pre- and post-tax and before distribution expenses) of Nuveen for fund advisory services; and comparative profitability data comparing the operating margins of Nuveen compared to the adjusted operating margins of certain peers that had publicly available data and with the most comparable assets under management (based on asset size and asset composition) for each of the last two calendar years. In reviewing the peer comparison data, the Independent Board Members noted that Nuveen Investments, Inc.’s operating margins were on the low range compared to the total company adjusted operating margins of the peers. The Board also reviewed the revenues and expenses the Adviser derived from its ETF product line for the 2019 and 2020 calendar years.

In reviewing the profitability data, the Independent Board Members recognized the subjective nature of calculating profitability as the information is not audited and is dependent on cost allocation methodologies to allocate corporate-wide expenses to the Nuveen complex and its affiliates and to further allocate such Nuveen complex expenses between the Nuveen fund and non-fund businesses. Generally, fund-specific expenses are allocated to the Nuveen funds and partial fund-related expenses and/or corporate overhead and shared costs (such as legal and compliance, accounting and finance, information technology and human resources and office services) are partially attributed to the funds pursuant to cost allocation methodologies. The Independent Board Members reviewed a description of the cost allocation methodologies employed to develop the financial information, a summary of the history of changes to the methodology over the years from 2010 to 2020, and the net revenue margins derived from the Nuveen funds (pre-tax and including and excluding distribution) and total company margins from Nuveen Investments, Inc. compared to the firm-wide adjusted margins of the peers for each calendar year from 2010 to 2020. The Board had also appointed three Independent Board Members to serve as the Board’s liaisons, with the assistance of independent counsel, to review the development of the profitability data and any proposed changes to the cost allocation methodology prior to incorporating any such changes and to report to the full Board. The Board recognized that other reasonable and valid allocation methodologies could be employed and could lead to significantly different results. The Independent Board Members also considered the key drivers behind the revenue and expense changes that impacted Nuveen’s net margins between 2019 and 2020. The Board also noted the reinvestments

 

59


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Nuveen and/or its parent made into its business through, among other things, the investment of seed capital in certain Nuveen funds and continued investments in enhancements to information technology, portfolio accounting systems and the global trading platform.

In reviewing the comparative peer data noted above, the Board considered that the operating margins of Nuveen Investments, Inc. were in the lower half of the peer group range; however, the Independent Board Members also recognized the limitations of the comparative data given that peer data is not generally public and the calculation of profitability is subjective and affected by numerous factors (such as types of funds a peer manages, its business mix, its cost of capital, the numerous assumptions underlying the methodology used to allocate expenses and other factors) that can have a significant impact on the results.

Aside from Nuveen’s profitability, the Board recognized that the Adviser is a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC, the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”). Accordingly, the Board also reviewed a balance sheet for TIAA reflecting its assets, liabilities and capital and contingency reserves for the 2020 and 2019 calendar years to consider the financial strength of TIAA. The Board recognized the benefit of an investment adviser and its parent with significant resources, particularly during periods of market volatility as experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to Nuveen, the Independent Board Members considered the profitability of the Sub-Advisers from their relationships with the respective Nuveen funds. In this regard, the Independent Board Members reviewed, among other things, NAM’s revenues, expenses and net revenue margins (pre- and post-tax) for its advisory activities for the calendar year ended December 31, 2020 as well as its pre- and post-tax net revenue margins for 2020 compared to such margins for 2019. The Independent Board Members also reviewed a profitability analysis reflecting the revenues, expenses and revenue margin (pre- and post-tax) by asset type for NAM for the calendar year ending December 31, 2020 and the pre- and post-tax revenue margins from 2020 and 2019. With respect to TAL, the Independent Board Members reviewed such Sub-Adviser’s revenues, expenses and net operating income for its advisory services to the Nuveen ETFs and Nuveen closed-end funds for 2020 and 2019.

In evaluating the reasonableness of the compensation, the Independent Board Members also considered any other ancillary benefits derived by the respective Fund Adviser from its relationship with the Nuveen funds as discussed in further detail below.

Based on a consideration of all the information provided, the Board noted that Nuveen’s and each Sub-Adviser’s level of profitability was acceptable and not unreasonable in light of the services provided.

 

D.   Economies of Scale and Whether Fee Levels Reflect These Economies of Scale

The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale with respect to the management of the Nuveen funds and whether these economies of scale have been appropriately shared with the funds. The Board recognized that although economies of scale are difficult to measure and certain expenses may not decline with a rise in assets, there are several methods to help share the benefits of economies of scale, including breakpoints in the management fee schedule, fee waivers and/or expense limitations, the pricing of Nuveen funds at scale at inception and investments in Nuveen’s business which can enhance the services provided to the funds for the fees paid. The Board noted that Nuveen generally has employed these various methods, and the Board considered the extent to which the Nuveen funds will benefit from economies of scale as their assets grow. In this regard, the Board noted that the management fee of the Adviser is generally comprised of a fund-level component and a complex-level component each with its own breakpoint schedule, subject to certain exceptions. The Board reviewed the fund-level and complex-level fee schedules. The Board considered that the fund-level breakpoint schedules are designed to share economies of scale with shareholders if the particular fund grows, and the complex-level breakpoint schedule is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to shareholders when the eligible assets in the complex pass certain thresholds even if the assets of a particular fund are unchanged or have declined. With respect to the Nuveen closed-end funds, the Independent Board Members noted that, although such funds may from time to time make additional share offerings, the growth of their assets would occur primarily through the appreciation of such funds’ investment portfolios. Further, in the calculation of the complex-level component, the Board noted that it had approved the

 

60


 

acquisition of several Nuveen funds by similar TIAA-CREF funds in 2019. However, to mitigate the loss of the assets of these Nuveen funds deemed eligible to be included in the calculation of the complex-wide fee when these Nuveen funds left the complex upon acquisition, Nuveen agreed to credit approximately $604.5 million to assets under management to the Nuveen complex in calculating the complex-wide component.

The Independent Board Members also recognized the Adviser’s continued reinvestment in its business through various initiatives including maintaining a seed account available for investments into Nuveen funds and investing in its internal infrastructure, information technology and other systems that will, among other things, consolidate and enhance accounting systems, integrate technology platforms to support growth and efficient data processing, and further develop its global trading platform to enhance the investment process for the investment teams.

Based on its review, the Board concluded that the current fee arrangements together with the Adviser’s reinvestment in its business appropriately shared any economies of scale with shareholders.

 

E.   Indirect Benefits

The Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding other benefits the respective Fund Adviser or its affiliates may receive as a result of their relationship with the Nuveen funds. The Board considered the compensation that an affiliate of the Adviser received for serving as co-manager in the initial public offerings of new closed-end funds and for serving as an underwriter on shelf offerings of existing closed-end funds. In addition, the Independent Board Members also noted that various sub-advisers (including NAM) may engage in soft dollar transactions pursuant to which they may receive the benefit of research products and other services provided by broker-dealers executing portfolio transactions on behalf of the applicable Nuveen funds. However, the Board noted that any benefits for NAM when transacting in fixed-income securities may be more limited as such securities generally trade on a principal basis and therefore do not generate brokerage commissions. Further, the Board noted that TAL does not participate in soft dollar arrangements with respect to Nuveen fund portfolio transactions.

Based on its review, the Board concluded that any indirect benefits received by a Fund Adviser as a result of its relationship with the Funds were reasonable and within acceptable parameters.

 

F.   Other Considerations

The Board Members did not identify any single factor discussed previously as all-important or controlling. The Board Members, including the Independent Board Members, concluded that the terms of each Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable, that the respective Fund Adviser’s fees were reasonable in light of the services provided to each Fund and that the Advisory Agreements be renewed.

 

61


Notes

 

 

62


Notes

 

 

63


LOGO

 

Nuveen:

Serving Investors for Generations

Since 1898, financial professionals and their clients have relied on Nuveen to provide
dependable investment solutions through continued adherence to proven, long-term investing
principles. Today, we offer a range of high quality solutions designed to
be integral components of a well-diversified core portfolio.

Focused on meeting investor needs.

Nuveen is the investment manager of TIAA. We have grown into one of the world’s premier global asset managers, with specialist knowledge across all major asset classes and particular strength in solutions that provide income for investors and that draw on our expertise in alternatives and responsible investing. Nuveen is driven not only by the independent investment processes across the firm, but also the insights, risk management, analytics and other tools and resources that a truly world-class platform provides. As a global asset manager, our mission is to work in partnership with our clients to create solutions which help them secure their financial future.

Find out how we can help you.

To learn more about how the products and services of Nuveen may be able to help you meet your financial goals, talk to your financial professional, or call us at (800) 257-8787. Please read the information provided carefully before you invest. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment carefully. Where applicable, be sure to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other relevant information. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your securities representative or Nuveen, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Learn more about Nuveen Funds at: www.nuveen.com/closed-end-funds

 

Nuveen Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC  |  333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606  |  www.nuveen.com     ESA-E-0621D        1739068-INV-B-08/22


ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable to this filing.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable to this filing.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable to this filing.

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable to this filing.

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

 

(a)   See Portfolio of Investments in Item 1.

 

(b)   Not applicable.

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to this filing.

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to this filing.

 

ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this item.

 

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a)   The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(b)   There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 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.

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS.

File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form.

(a)(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: Not applicable to this filing.

(a)(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 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) in the exact form set forth below: See EX-99.CERT attached hereto.

(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable.

(a)(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. Not applicable.

(b) If the report is filed under Section  13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2 (b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section  1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an Exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section  18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registration specifically incorporates it by reference: See EX-99.906 CERT attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

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) Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund

 

By (Signature and Title)     /s/ Mark L. Winget
  Mark L. Winget
  Vice President and Secretary

Date: September 2, 2021

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/ David J. Lamb
  David J. Lamb
  Chief Administrative Officer
  (principal executive officer)

Date: September 2, 2021

 

By (Signature and Title)     /s/ E. Scott Wickerham
  E. Scott Wickerham
  Vice President and Controller
  (principal financial officer)

Date: September 2, 2021

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