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 811-21539
First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
W. Scott Jardine, Esq.
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 630-765-8000
Date of fiscal year end: May 31
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2023
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 policymaking 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, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
(a) | The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith. |
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Fund Statistics | |
Symbol on New York Stock Exchange | FCT |
Common Share Price | $9.56 |
Common Share Net Asset Value (“NAV”) | $10.96 |
Premium (Discount) to NAV | (12.77)% |
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares | $284,657,340 |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(1) | $0.0920 |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share | $1.1040 |
Current Distribution Rate on Common Share Price(2) | 11.55% |
Current Distribution Rate on NAV(2) | 10.07% |
Performance | ||||
Average Annual Total Returns | ||||
1 Year Ended 5/31/23 | 5 Years Ended 5/31/23 | 10 Years Ended 5/31/23 | Inception (5/25/04) to 5/31/23 | |
Fund Performance(3) | ||||
NAV(4) | 6.01% | 3.42% | 4.16% | 4.12% |
Market Value | -4.14% | 2.22% | 2.59% | 3.13% |
Index Performance | ||||
Morningstar® LSTA® US Leveraged Loan Index(5) | 5.91% | 3.69% | 3.77% | 4.51% |
(1) | Most recent distribution paid through May 31, 2023. Subject to change in the future. |
(2) | Distribution rates are calculated by annualizing the most recent distribution paid through the report date and then dividing by Common Share Price or NAV, as applicable, as of May 31, 2023. Subject to change in the future. |
(3) | Total return is based on the combination of reinvested dividend, capital gain and return of capital distributions, if any, at prices obtained by the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and changes in NAV per share for NAV returns and changes in Common Share Price for market value returns. From inception to October 12, 2010, Four Corners Capital Management, LLC served as the Fund’s sub-advisor. Effective October 12, 2010, the Leveraged Finance Team of First Trust Advisors L.P. assumed the day-to-day responsibility for management of the Fund’s portfolio. Total returns do not reflect sales load and are not annualized for periods of less than one year. Past performance is not indicative of future results. |
(4) | On January 3, 2023, the fair value methodology used to value the senior loan investments held by the Fund was changed. Prior to that date, the senior loans were valued using the bid side price provided by a pricing service. After such date, the senior loans were valued using the midpoint between the bid and ask price provided by a pricing service. The change in the Fund’s fair value methodology on January 3, 2023, resulted in a one-time increase in the Fund’s NAV of approximately $0.046 per share on that date, which represented a positive impact on the Fund’s performance of 0.42%. Without the change to the pricing methodology, the performance of the Fund on a NAV basis would have been 5.53%, 3.32%, 4.11%, and 4.10%, in the one-year, five-year, ten-year and since inception periods ended May 31, 2023, respectively. |
(5) | Formerly, S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index. |
Credit Quality (S&P Ratings)(6) | % of Senior Loans and other Debt Securities(7) |
BBB- | 8.3% |
BB+ | 7.6 |
BB | 3.2 |
BB- | 12.6 |
B+ | 15.2 |
B | 35.2 |
B- | 14.7 |
CCC+ | 2.3 |
CCC | 0.2 |
Not Rated | 0.7 |
Total | 100.0% |
Top 10 Issuers | % of Total Long-Term Investments(7) |
HUB International Limited | 4.2% |
Verscend Technologies, Inc. (Cotiviti) | 3.5 |
SS&C Technologies, Inc. | 3.0 |
Charter Communications Operating, LLC | 2.9 |
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. | 2.7 |
Zelis Payments Buyer, Inc. | 2.7 |
PG&E Corp. | 2.6 |
AssuredPartners, Inc. | 2.6 |
USI, Inc. (fka Compass Investors, Inc.) | 2.5 |
Alliant Holdings I, LLC | 2.4 |
Total | 29.1% |
Industry Classification | % of Total Long-Term Investments(7) |
Software | 19.3% |
Insurance | 16.1 |
Health Care Technology | 11.1 |
Media | 10.7 |
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure | 7.2 |
Health Care Providers & Services | 6.8 |
Commercial Services & Supplies | 5.4 |
Containers & Packaging | 2.7 |
Electric Utilities | 2.6 |
Professional Services | 2.5 |
Wireless Telecommunication Services | 2.1 |
Diversified Telecommunication Services | 2.1 |
Capital Markets | 1.9 |
Food Products | 1.7 |
Health Care Equipment & Supplies | 1.5 |
Machinery | 1.0 |
Specialty Retail | 0.9 |
Diversified Consumer Services | 0.9 |
Pharmaceuticals | 0.9 |
Trading Companies & Distributors | 0.7 |
Financial Services | 0.6 |
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | 0.6 |
Food Staples & Retailing | 0.3 |
Communications Equipment | 0.2 |
Automobile Components | 0.1 |
Building Products | 0.1 |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | 0.0* |
Entertainment | 0.0* |
Life Sciences Tools & Services | 0.0* |
Total | 100.0% |
* | Amount is less than 0.1%. |
(6) | The ratings are by S&P Global Ratings except where otherwise indicated. A credit rating is an assessment provided by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) of the creditworthiness of an issuer with respect to debt obligations except for those debt obligations that are only privately rated. Ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Investment grade is defined as those issuers that have a long-term credit rating of BBB- or higher. The credit ratings shown relate to the creditworthiness of the issuers of the underlying securities in the Fund, and not to the Fund or its shares. Credit ratings are subject to change. |
(7) | Percentages are based on long-term positions. Money market funds are excluded. |
(1) | Source: Bloomberg. Performance of senior loans and high-yield bonds are based on the Morningstar® LSTA® US Leveraged Loan Index and ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index, respectively. |
(2) | Source: J.P. Morgan High Yield Default Monitor. |
Average Annual Total Returns | ||||
1 Year Ended 5/31/23 | 5 Years Ended 5/31/23 | 10 Years Ended 5/31/23 | Inception (5/25/04) to 5/31/23 | |
Fund Performance3 | ||||
NAV(4) | 6.01% | 3.42% | 4.16% | 4.12% |
Market Value | -4.14% | 2.22% | 2.59% | 3.13% |
Index Performance | ||||
Morningstar® LSTA® US Leveraged Loan Index(5) | 5.91% | 3.69% | 3.77% | 4.51% |
Performance figures assume reinvestment of all distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike the Fund, the index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by the Fund. These expenses negatively impact the performance of the Fund. The Fund’s past performance does not predict future performance.
(3) | Total return is based on the combination of reinvested divided, capital gain, and return of capital distribution, if any, at prices obtained by the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and changes in NAV per Common Share for NAV returns and changes in Common Share price for market value returns. Total returns do not reflect sales load and are not annualized for period of less than one year. |
(4) | On January 3, 2023, the fair value methodology used to value the senior loan investments held by the Fund was changed. Prior to that date, the senior loans were valued using the bid side price provided by a pricing service. After such date, the senior loans were valued using the midpoint between the bid and ask price provided by a pricing service. The change in the Fund’s fair value methodology on January 3, 2023, resulted in a one-time increase in the Fund’s NAV of approximately $0.046 per share on that date, which represented a positive impact on the Fund’s performance of 0.42%. Without the change to the pricing methodology, the performance of the Fund on a NAV basis would have been 5.53%, 3.32%, 4.11%, and 4.10%, in the one-year, five-year, ten-year and since inception periods ended May 31, 2023, respectively. |
(5) | Formerly, S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index. |
Principal Value | Description | Rate (a) | Stated Maturity (b) | Value | ||||
SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (c) – 112.8% | ||||||||
Application Software – 16.7% | ||||||||
$625,998 | Applied Systems, Inc., 2026 Term Loan, 3 Mo. SOFR + 4.50%, 0.50% Floor | 9.40% | 09/19/26 | $626,351 | ||||
1,519,713 | ConnectWise, LLC, Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.65% | 09/30/28 | 1,457,504 | ||||
3,097,136 | Epicor Software Corp., First Lien Term Loan C, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.75% Floor | 8.52% | 07/30/27 | 3,017,927 | ||||
4,363,534 | Gainwell Acquisition Corp. (fka Milano), Term Loan B, 3 Mo. SOFR + 4.00%, 0.75% Floor | 9.00% | 10/01/27 | 4,138,529 | ||||
2,685,763 | Greeneden U.S. Holdings II, LLC (Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.,), Initial Dollar Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%, 0.75% Floor | 9.15% | 12/01/27 | 2,623,870 | ||||
611,678 | Hyland Software, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 6.25%, 0.75% Floor | 11.40% | 07/10/25 | 585,137 | ||||
1,995,203 | Hyland Software, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.75% Floor | 8.65% | 07/01/24 | 1,961,534 | ||||
4,118,244 | Informatica Corporation, Initial Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.75%, 0.00% Floor | 7.94% | 10/29/28 | 4,097,220 | ||||
1,298,758 | Internet Brands, Inc. (Web MD/MH Sub I. LLC), 2020 June New Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%, 1.00% Floor | 8.90% | 09/15/24 | 1,296,862 | ||||
1,265,863 | Internet Brands, Inc. (Web MD/MH Sub I. LLC), 2nd Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 6.25%, 0.00% Floor | 11.40% | 02/23/29 | 1,113,960 | ||||
2,444,608 | Internet Brands, Inc. (Web MD/MH Sub I. LLC), Initial Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%, 0.00% Floor | 8.90% | 09/13/24 | 2,444,412 | ||||
69,335 | ION Trading Technologies Limited, Term Loan B, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.75%, 0.00% Floor | 9.91% | 04/01/28 | 66,612 | ||||
4,780,676 | LogMeIn, Inc. (GoTo Group, Inc.), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 4.75%, 0.00% Floor | 9.90% | 08/31/27 | 2,939,016 | ||||
2,166,657 | McAfee Corp. (Condor Merger Sub, Inc.), Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.50% Floor | 8.84% | 02/28/29 | 2,035,758 | ||||
359,350 | N-Able, Inc., Term Loan B, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%, 0.50% Floor | 8.48% | 07/19/28 | 357,104 | ||||
2,087,723 | Open Text Corporation (GXS), New Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.75% | 01/31/30 | 2,085,980 | ||||
5,148,867 | Open Text Corporation (GXS), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.90% | 05/30/25 | 5,146,859 | ||||
912,941 | RealPage, Inc., Second Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 6.50%, 0.75% Floor | 11.65% | 04/22/29 | 861,209 | ||||
5,702,541 | RealPage, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%, 0.50% Floor | 8.15% | 04/24/28 | 5,492,260 | ||||
3,073,448 | SolarWinds Holdings, Inc., Extended Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.00% Floor | 8.90% | 02/17/27 | 3,068,561 | ||||
486,325 | Solera Holdings, Inc. (Polaris Newco), Term Loan B, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%, 0.50% Floor | 9.16% | 06/04/28 | 437,330 | ||||
381,380 | Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG, Inc.), 2021 Term Loan, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.27% | 05/03/26 | 366,930 | ||||
1,288,330 | Ultimate Software Group, Inc., Initial Term Loan B, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.00% Floor | 8.90% | 05/03/26 | 1,245,660 | ||||
47,466,585 | ||||||||
Asset Management & Custody Banks – 2.3% | ||||||||
3,770,225 | Edelman Financial Engines Center, LLC, Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%, 0.75% Floor | 8.90% | 04/07/28 | 3,624,996 | ||||
3,248,900 | Edelman Financial Engines Center, LLC, Term Loan Second Lien, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 6.75%, 0.00% Floor | 11.90% | 07/20/26 | 3,082,394 | ||||
6,707,390 |
Principal Value | Description | Rate (a) | Stated Maturity (b) | Value | ||||
SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (c) (Continued) | ||||||||
Automotive Parts & Equipment – 0.2% | ||||||||
$516,737 | Truck Hero, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%, 0.75% Floor | 9.02% | 01/31/28 | $472,817 | ||||
Broadcasting – 4.3% | ||||||||
313,313 | E.W. Scripps Company, Tranche B-3 Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 2.75%, 0.75% Floor | 8.02% | 01/07/28 | 297,257 | ||||
1,719,808 | Gray Television, Inc., Term Loan E, 1 Mo. SOFR + 2.50%, 0.00% Floor | 7.61% | 01/02/26 | 1,655,049 | ||||
3,101,009 | iHeartCommunications, Inc., Second Amendment Incremental Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.40% | 05/01/26 | 2,445,363 | ||||
1,199,070 | iHeartCommunications, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor | 8.15% | 05/01/26 | 942,547 | ||||
6,811,673 | Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Incremental Term Loan B-4, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.50%, 0.00% Floor | 7.65% | 09/19/26 | 6,750,266 | ||||
21,120 | Univision Communications, Inc., 2017 Replacement Repriced First Lien Term Loan C-5, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.75%, 1.00% Floor | 7.90% | 03/15/24 | 21,153 | ||||
11,558 | Univision Communications, Inc., 2021 Replacement New First Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.75% Floor | 8.40% | 03/15/26 | 11,187 | ||||
12,122,822 | ||||||||
Building Products – 0.1% | ||||||||
263,495 | Hunter Douglas, Inc. (Solis), Term Loan B, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.67% | 02/28/29 | 243,173 | ||||
Cable & Satellite – 3.4% | ||||||||
6,624,508 | Cablevision (aka CSC Holdings, LLC), March 2017 Term Loan B-1, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.25%, 0.00% Floor | 7.36% | 07/17/25 | 6,099,516 | ||||
9,323 | Charter Communications Operating LLC, Term Loan B1, 1 Mo. SOFR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.90% | 04/30/25 | 9,315 | ||||
3,556,191 | Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Term Loan B1, 3 Mo. SOFR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.80% | 04/30/25 | 3,553,168 | ||||
9,661,999 | ||||||||
Casinos & Gaming – 1.6% | ||||||||
4,411,659 | Golden Nugget, Inc. (Fertitta Entertainment LLC), Initial Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 4.00%, 0.50% Floor | 9.15% | 01/27/29 | 4,255,883 | ||||
216,322 | Scientific Games Holdings LP (Scientific Games Lottery), Initial Dollar Term Loan, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.42% | 04/04/29 | 209,107 | ||||
4,464,990 | ||||||||
Coal & Consumable Fuels – 0.0% | ||||||||
28,750 | Arch Coal, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.75%, 1.00% Floor | 7.90% | 03/07/24 | 28,625 | ||||
Commercial Printing – 1.2% | ||||||||
3,501,554 | Multi-Color Corp. (LABL, Inc.), Initial Dollar Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 5.00%, 0.50% Floor | 10.25% | 10/29/28 | 3,416,746 | ||||
Communications Equipment – 0.3% | ||||||||
850,661 | Commscope, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.00% Floor | 8.40% | 04/06/26 | 800,897 | ||||
Education Services – 0.5% | ||||||||
1,464,521 | Ascensus Holdings, Inc. (Mercury), First Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.69% | 08/02/28 | 1,408,379 |
Principal Value | Description | Rate (a) | Stated Maturity (b) | Value | ||||
SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (c) (Continued) | ||||||||
Electric Utilities – 3.2% | ||||||||
$9,133,723 | PG&E Corp., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%, 0.50% Floor | 8.19% | 06/23/25 | $9,078,510 | ||||
Electronic Equipment & Instruments – 0.7% | ||||||||
1,361,150 | Chamberlain Group, Inc. (Chariot), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.50% | 11/03/28 | 1,293,093 | ||||
865,558 | Verifone Systems, Inc., Term Loan B, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%, 0.00% Floor | 9.48% | 08/20/25 | 757,904 | ||||
2,050,997 | ||||||||
Environmental & Facilities Services – 2.0% | ||||||||
5,696,776 | GFL Environmental, Inc., Extended Term Loan B, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 0.50% Floor | 8.15% | 05/31/27 | 5,695,010 | ||||
Food Distributors – 0.3% | ||||||||
906,505 | US Foods, Inc., Incremental B-2019 Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.00%, 0.00% Floor | 7.15% | 08/31/26 | 904,021 | ||||
Health Care Equipment – 0.0% | ||||||||
85,965 | Embecta Corp., Initial Term Loan, 6 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 0.50% Floor | 7.79% | 03/31/29 | 84,442 | ||||
Health Care Facilities – 1.2% | ||||||||
492,772 | Ardent Health Services, Inc. (AHP Health Partners, Inc.), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.65% | 08/24/28 | 490,924 | ||||
2,966,136 | Select Medical Corporation, Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 2.50%, 0.00% Floor | 7.75% | 03/06/25 | 2,957,326 | ||||
3,448,250 | ||||||||
Health Care Services – 4.4% | ||||||||
2,614,519 | ADMI Corp. (Aspen Dental), 2020 Incremental Term Loan B2, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.38%, 0.50% Floor | 8.53% | 12/23/27 | 2,408,861 | ||||
1,066,705 | ADMI Corp. (Aspen Dental), 2021 Incremental Term Loan B3, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%, 0.50% Floor | 8.90% | 12/23/27 | 984,835 | ||||
2,623,514 | CHG Healthcare Services, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.40% | 09/30/28 | 2,573,339 | ||||
2,643,817 | DaVita, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 7.02% | 08/12/26 | 2,582,547 | ||||
2,608,862 | ExamWorks Group, Inc. (Electron Bidco), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 0.50% Floor | 8.27% | 10/29/28 | 2,556,490 | ||||
1,980,166 | Global Medical Response, Inc. (fka Air Medical), 2021 Refinancing Term Loan, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.25%, 1.00% Floor | 9.24% | 10/02/25 | 1,392,304 | ||||
12,498,376 | ||||||||
Health Care Supplies – 1.8% | ||||||||
5,274,319 | Medline Borrower, LP (Mozart), Initial Dollar Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.40% | 10/21/28 | 5,120,098 | ||||
Health Care Technology – 13.5% | ||||||||
4,850,243 | athenahealth, Inc. (Minerva Merger Sub, Inc.), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.60% | 02/15/29 | 4,583,480 | ||||
1,318,863 | Ciox Health (Healthport/CT Technologies Intermediate Holdings, Inc.), New Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 4.25%, 0.75% Floor | 9.40% | 12/16/25 | 1,238,669 | ||||
1,799,062 | Ensemble RCM, LLC (Ensemble Health), Term Loan B, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.00% Floor | 8.90% | 08/01/26 | 1,799,062 | ||||
4,249,947 | Mediware (Wellsky/Project Ruby Ultimate Parent Corp.), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.75% Floor | 8.40% | 03/10/28 | 4,079,566 | ||||
5,011,350 | Navicure, Inc. (Waystar Technologies, Inc.), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%, 0.00% Floor | 9.15% | 10/23/26 | 4,983,187 |
Principal Value | Description | Rate (a) | Stated Maturity (b) | Value | ||||
SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (c) (Continued) | ||||||||
Health Care Technology (Continued) | ||||||||
$12,281,395 | Verscend Technologies, Inc. (Cotiviti), New Term Loan B-1, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%, 0.00% Floor | 9.15% | 08/27/25 | $12,272,430 | ||||
9,608,764 | Zelis Payments Buyer, Inc., New Term Loan B-1, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.00% Floor | 8.65% | 09/30/26 | 9,542,175 | ||||
38,498,569 | ||||||||
Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines – 2.4% | ||||||||
458,338 | Alterra Mountain Company, Term Loan B-2, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.65% | 08/17/28 | 457,192 | ||||
5,911,648 | Four Seasons Holdings, Inc., New Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.50% | 11/30/29 | 5,925,185 | ||||
396,956 | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc., Extended Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 2.25%, 0.00% Floor | 7.35% | 05/30/30 | 396,502 | ||||
6,778,879 | ||||||||
Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components – 1.3% | ||||||||
1,042,204 | Copeland (Emerald Debt Merger Sub LLC/EMRLD), Initial Term Loan, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor | 8.26% | 05/31/30 | 1,031,130 | ||||
254,038 | Filtration Group Corporation, 2021 Incremental Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.77% | 10/21/28 | 249,698 | ||||
1,775,063 | Filtration Group Corporation, 2023 Extended Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 4.25%, 0.50% Floor | 9.46% | 05/19/28 | 1,761,750 | ||||
615,584 | TK Elevator Newco GMBH (Vertical U.S. Newco, Inc.), New Term Loan B1, 6 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.60% | 07/31/27 | 594,925 | ||||
3,637,503 | ||||||||
Insurance Brokers – 18.7% | ||||||||
2,534,435 | Alliant Holdings I, LLC, Term Loan B-4, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.63% | 11/06/27 | 2,474,242 | ||||
5,844,810 | Alliant Holdings I, LLC, Term Loan B-5, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.56% | 11/06/27 | 5,707,135 | ||||
3,730,732 | Amwins Group, Inc., Feb. 2023 Incremental Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 2.75%, 0.75% Floor | 8.00% | 02/19/28 | 3,704,617 | ||||
1,994,901 | Amwins Group, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.25%, 0.75% Floor | 7.40% | 02/28/28 | 1,958,644 | ||||
473,048 | AssuredPartners, Inc., 2021 Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.00% Floor | 8.77% | 02/13/27 | 461,075 | ||||
107,631 | AssuredPartners, Inc., 2022 Incremental Term Loan B4, 1 Mo. SOFR + 4.25%, 0.50% Floor | 9.40% | 02/13/27 | 106,757 | ||||
1,809,360 | AssuredPartners, Inc., Incremental Term Loan 2022, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.65% | 02/13/27 | 1,763,375 | ||||
6,412,332 | AssuredPartners, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.00% Floor | 8.77% | 02/12/27 | 6,249,362 | ||||
3,772,342 | BroadStreet Partners, Inc., Initial Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor | 8.15% | 01/27/27 | 3,676,864 | ||||
363,037 | BroadStreet Partners, Inc., Term Loan B-3, 1 Mo. SOFR + 4.00%, 0.00% Floor | 8.99% | 01/26/29 | 358,136 | ||||
13,642,284 | HUB International Limited, Initial Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor | 8.14% | 04/25/25 | 13,557,633 | ||||
35,901 | HUB International Limited, Initial Term Loan B, 2 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor | 8.16% | 04/25/25 | 35,678 | ||||
955,699 | HUB International Limited, New Term Loan B-3, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.75% Floor | 8.40% | 04/25/25 | 950,734 | ||||
2,450 | HUB International Limited, New Term Loan B-3, 2 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.75% Floor | 8.41% | 04/25/25 | 2,438 |
Principal Value | Description | Rate (a) | Stated Maturity (b) | Value | ||||
SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (c) (Continued) | ||||||||
Insurance Brokers (Continued) | ||||||||
$498,380 | IMA Financial Group, Inc., Incremental Term Loan B-2, 1 Mo. SOFR + 4.25%, 0.50% Floor | 9.45% | 11/01/28 | $490,904 | ||||
3,067,540 | Ryan Specialty Group, LLC, Term Loan B1, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 0.75% Floor | 8.25% | 09/01/27 | 3,065,148 | ||||
6,943,059 | USI, Inc. (fka Compass Investors Inc.), 2021 New Term Loans, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.00% Floor | 8.41% | 12/02/26 | 6,927,646 | ||||
1,721,111 | USI, Inc. (fka Compass Investors, Inc.), 2022 New Term Loan, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.50% Floor | 8.65% | 11/30/29 | 1,696,904 | ||||
53,187,292 | ||||||||
Integrated Telecommunication Services – 2.3% | ||||||||
3,361,467 | Numericable (Altice France SA or SFR), Term Loan B-11, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.75%, 0.00% Floor | 8.02% | 07/31/25 | 3,112,517 | ||||
747,257 | Zayo Group Holdings, Inc., Incremental Term Loan B-2, 1 Mo. SOFR + 4.25%, 0.50% Floor | 9.40% | 03/09/27 | 591,786 | ||||
3,740,009 | Zayo Group Holdings, Inc., Initial Dollar Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor | 8.15% | 03/09/27 | 2,889,886 | ||||
6,594,189 | ||||||||
Managed Health Care – 0.7% | ||||||||
2,281,542 | Multiplan, Inc. (MPH), Term Loan B, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.25%, 0.50% Floor | 9.73% | 08/31/28 | 1,927,903 | ||||
Metal, Glass & Plastic Containers – 0.2% | ||||||||
490,440 | Berry Global, Inc., Term Loan Z, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.85% | 07/01/26 | 487,443 | ||||
Office Services & Supplies – 1.3% | ||||||||
3,600,464 | Dun & Bradstreet Corp., Refinancing Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.00% Floor | 8.41% | 02/08/26 | 3,584,082 | ||||
Other Specialty Retail – 1.1% | ||||||||
2,210,315 | Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc., Initial Term Loan B, 3 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.75% Floor | 8.41% | 03/03/28 | 2,169,336 | ||||
1,069,187 | Petsmart, Inc., Initial Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.75% Floor | 9.00% | 02/12/28 | 1,056,357 | ||||
3,225,693 | ||||||||
Packaged Foods & Meats – 2.1% | ||||||||
5,902,411 | Hostess Brands, LLC (HB Holdings), Term Loan B, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 2.25%, 0.75% Floor | 7.52% | 08/03/25 | 5,900,286 | ||||
Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials – 3.2% | ||||||||
4,590,074 | Graham Packaging Company, L.P., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 0.75% Floor | 8.27% | 08/04/27 | 4,481,060 | ||||
1,620,561 | Pactiv LLC/Evergreen Packaging LLC (fka Reynolds Group Holdings), Term Loan B-2, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.00% Floor | 8.52% | 02/05/26 | 1,611,534 | ||||
2,972,943 | Pactiv LLC/Evergreen Packaging LLC (fka Reynolds Group Holdings), Tranche B-3 U.S. Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.52% | 09/20/28 | 2,913,811 | ||||
9,006,405 | ||||||||
Pharmaceuticals – 1.0% | ||||||||
967,032 | Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.65% | 05/05/28 | 966,166 | ||||
248,731 | Nestle Skin Health (Sunshine Lux VII SARL/Galderma), 2021 Term Loan B-3, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%, 0.75% Floor | 8.91% | 10/02/26 | 243,142 |
Principal Value | Description | Rate (a) | Stated Maturity (b) | Value | ||||
SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (c) (Continued) | ||||||||
Pharmaceuticals (Continued) | ||||||||
$1,792,394 | Parexel International Corp. (Phoenix Newco), First Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.40% | 11/15/28 | $1,736,283 | ||||
2,945,591 | ||||||||
Property & Casualty Insurance – 0.6% | ||||||||
1,835,924 | Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., 2023 Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.00% Floor | 8.90% | 02/24/28 | 1,788,447 | ||||
Research & Consulting Services – 3.1% | ||||||||
5,922,821 | Clarivate Analytics PLC (Camelot), Amendment No. 2 Incremental Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 1.00% Floor | 8.27% | 10/31/26 | 5,863,593 | ||||
1,000,000 | Clarivate Analytics PLC (Camelot), Initial Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor | 8.27% | 10/31/26 | 990,000 | ||||
289,680 | Corelogic, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.69% | 06/02/28 | 260,007 | ||||
384,876 | J.D. Power (Project Boost Purchaser LLC), 2021 Incremental Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.65% | 05/26/26 | 379,504 | ||||
997,416 | J.D. Power (Project Boost Purchaser LLC), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.00% Floor | 8.65% | 05/30/26 | 983,831 | ||||
354,382 | Veritext Corporation (VT TopCo, Inc.), Non-Fungible 1st Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.75% Floor | 9.02% | 08/10/25 | 350,483 | ||||
8,827,418 | ||||||||
Restaurants – 4.4% | ||||||||
7,298,552 | 1011778 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company (Restaurant Brands) (aka Burger King/Tim Horton’s), Term Loan B-4, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.90% | 11/14/26 | 7,157,143 | ||||
5,582,269 | IRB Holding Corp. (Arby’s/Inspire Brands), 2022 Replacement Term B Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.00%, 0.75% Floor | 8.25% | 12/15/27 | 5,426,691 | ||||
12,583,834 | ||||||||
Security & Alarm Services – 1.6% | ||||||||
4,549,406 | Garda World Security Corporation, Term Loan B-2, 1 Mo. SOFR + 4.25%, 0.00% Floor | 9.44% | 10/30/26 | 4,486,283 | ||||
Specialized Consumer Services – 0.6% | ||||||||
921,686 | Asurion, LLC, New B-8 Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.00% Floor | 8.40% | 12/23/26 | 854,352 | ||||
1,093,343 | Asurion, LLC, Second Lien Term Loan B-3, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 5.25%, 0.00% Floor | 10.40% | 01/31/28 | 903,381 | ||||
1,757,733 | ||||||||
Specialized Finance – 0.7% | ||||||||
846,021 | Radiate Holdco, LLC (Astound), Amendment No. 6 Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.75% Floor | 8.40% | 09/25/26 | 705,129 | ||||
1,476,645 | WCG Purchaser Corp. (WIRB- Copernicus Group), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. SOFR + 4.00%, 1.00% Floor | 9.27% | 01/08/27 | 1,405,581 | ||||
2,110,710 | ||||||||
Systems Software – 6.5% | ||||||||
4,012,602 | BMC Software Finance, Inc. (Boxer Parent), 2021 Replacement Dollar Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.75%, 0.00% Floor | 8.90% | 10/02/25 | 3,962,444 | ||||
960,825 | Idera, Inc., Initial Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.75%, 0.75% Floor | 8.88% | 02/15/28 | 925,097 | ||||
881,407 | Proofpoint, Inc., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor | 8.40% | 08/31/28 | 853,004 |
Principal Value | Description | Rate (a) | Stated Maturity (b) | Value | ||||
SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (c) (Continued) | ||||||||
Systems Software (Continued) | ||||||||
$2,367,232 | SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B-3, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.90% | 04/16/25 | $2,356,781 | ||||
2,094,530 | SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B-4, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.90% | 04/16/25 | 2,085,283 | ||||
5,060,638 | SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B-5, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.90% | 04/16/25 | 5,039,636 | ||||
3,270,724 | SUSE (Marcel Lux IV SARL), Facility B1 USD, Daily SOFR + 3.25%, 0.00% Floor | 8.16%-8.44% | 03/15/26 | 3,250,282 | ||||
18,472,527 | ||||||||
Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.8% | ||||||||
112,742 | SRS Distribution, Inc., 2020 Refinancing Term Loan, 1 Mo. SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.75% | 06/04/28 | 107,166 | ||||
2,314,295 | SRS Distribution, Inc., 2021 Refinancing Term Loan, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor | 8.65% | 06/04/28 | 2,203,648 | ||||
2,310,814 | ||||||||
Wireless Telecommunication Services – 2.5% | ||||||||
7,234,856 | SBA Senior Finance II LLC, Term Loan B, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.75%, 0.00% Floor | 6.91% | 04/11/25 | 7,229,574 | ||||
Total Senior Floating-Rate Loan Interests | 321,015,302 | |||||||
(Cost $329,343,669) | ||||||||
Principal Value | Description | Stated Coupon | Stated Maturity | Value | ||||
CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (c) – 8.6% | ||||||||
Application Software – 0.1% | ||||||||
560,000 | GoTo Group, Inc. (d) | 5.50% | 09/01/27 | 319,607 | ||||
Broadcasting – 2.6% | ||||||||
1,000,000 | Gray Television, Inc. (d) | 5.88% | 07/15/26 | 860,749 | ||||
2,000,000 | Gray Television, Inc. (d) | 7.00% | 05/15/27 | 1,649,649 | ||||
3,043,000 | Nexstar Media, Inc. (d) | 5.63% | 07/15/27 | 2,795,680 | ||||
2,395,000 | Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (d) | 3.13% | 09/01/26 | 2,115,801 | ||||
7,421,879 | ||||||||
Cable & Satellite – 2.8% | ||||||||
7,000,000 | CCO Holdings, LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (d) | 5.13% | 05/01/27 | 6,493,637 | ||||
2,000,000 | CSC Holdings, LLC (d) | 7.50% | 04/01/28 | 1,086,192 | ||||
374,000 | CSC Holdings, LLC (d) | 11.25% | 05/15/28 | 354,803 | ||||
7,934,632 | ||||||||
Casinos & Gaming – 0.4% | ||||||||
572,000 | Fertitta Entertainment, LLC / Fertitta Entertainment Finance Co., Inc. (d) | 4.63% | 01/15/29 | 499,934 | ||||
572,000 | VICI Properties, L.P. / VICI Note Co., Inc. (d) | 4.25% | 12/01/26 | 537,271 | ||||
1,037,205 | ||||||||
Health Care Facilities – 1.7% | ||||||||
2,500,000 | Tenet Healthcare Corp. | 6.25% | 02/01/27 | 2,464,894 | ||||
2,500,000 | Tenet Healthcare Corp. | 5.13% | 11/01/27 | 2,391,166 | ||||
4,856,060 | ||||||||
Health Care Services – 0.2% | ||||||||
376,000 | DaVita, Inc. (d) | 4.63% | 06/01/30 | 322,518 |
Principal Value | Description | Stated Coupon | Stated Maturity | Value | ||||
CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (c) (Continued) | ||||||||
Health Care Services (Continued) | ||||||||
$226,000 | DaVita, Inc. (d) | 3.75% | 02/15/31 | $179,624 | ||||
324,000 | Global Medical Response, Inc. (d) | 6.50% | 10/01/25 | 219,213 | ||||
721,355 | ||||||||
Insurance Brokers – 0.3% | ||||||||
359,000 | AmWINS Group, Inc. (d) | 4.88% | 06/30/29 | 320,875 | ||||
500,000 | AssuredPartners, Inc. (d) | 7.00% | 08/15/25 | 493,719 | ||||
814,594 | ||||||||
Integrated Telecommunication Services – 0.2% | ||||||||
769,000 | Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (d) | 4.00% | 03/01/27 | 538,046 | ||||
Systems Software – 0.3% | ||||||||
1,007,000 | SS&C Technologies, Inc. (d) | 5.50% | 09/30/27 | 962,125 | ||||
Total Corporate Bonds and Notes | 24,605,503 | |||||||
(Cost $26,795,935) | ||||||||
FOREIGN CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (c) – 0.6% | ||||||||
Application Software – 0.0% | ||||||||
22,000 | Open Text Corp. (d) | 3.88% | 02/15/28 | 19,287 | ||||
Environmental & Facilities Services – 0.6% | ||||||||
1,554,000 | GFL Environmental, Inc. (d) | 3.75% | 08/01/25 | 1,473,452 | ||||
305,000 | GFL Environmental, Inc. (d) | 4.00% | 08/01/28 | 272,626 | ||||
1,746,078 | ||||||||
Total Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes | 1,765,365 | |||||||
(Cost $1,783,097) |
Shares | Description | Value | ||
COMMON STOCKS (c) – 0.1% | ||||
Pharmaceuticals – 0.1% | ||||
150,392 | Akorn, Inc. (e) (f) (g) | 140,993 | ||
(Cost $1,724,086) | ||||
WARRANTS (c) – 0.0% | ||||
Movies & Entertainment – 0.0% | ||||
315,514 | Cineworld Group PLC, expiring 11/23/25 (e) (g) (h) | 10,793 | ||
(Cost $0) | ||||
RIGHTS (c) – 0.0% | ||||
Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.0% | ||||
1 | New Millennium Holdco, Inc., Corporate Claim Trust, no expiration date (g) (h) (i) (j) | 0 | ||
1 | New Millennium Holdco, Inc., Lender Claim Trust, no expiration date (g) (h) (i) (j) | 0 | ||
Total Rights | 0 | |||
(Cost $0) | ||||
Total Investments – 122.1% | 347,537,956 | |||
(Cost $359,646,787) | ||||
Outstanding Loans – (16.9)% | (48,000,000) | |||
Net Other Assets and Liabilities – (5.2)% | (14,880,616) | |||
Net Assets – 100.0% | $284,657,340 |
(a) | Senior Floating-Rate Loan Interests (“Senior Loans”) in which the Fund invests pay interest at rates which are periodically predetermined by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium. These base lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate offered by one or more major European banks, such as the LIBOR, (ii) the SOFR obtained from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Financial Research, (iii) the prime rate offered by one or more United States banks or (iv) the certificate of deposit rate. Certain Senior Loans are subject to a LIBOR or SOFR floor that establishes a minimum LIBOR or SOFR rate. When a range of rates is disclosed, the Fund holds more than one contract within the same tranche with identical LIBOR or SOFR period, spread and floor, but different LIBOR or SOFR reset dates. |
(b) | Senior Loans generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment. As a result, the actual remaining maturity of Senior Loans may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown. |
(c) | All of these securities are available to serve as collateral for the outstanding loans. |
(d) | This security, sold within the terms of a private placement memorandum, is exempt from registration upon resale under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, this security has been determined to be liquid by First Trust Advisors L.P. (the “Advisor”). Although market instability can result in periods of increased overall market illiquidity, liquidity for each security is determined based on security specific factors and assumptions, which require subjective judgment. At May 31, 2023, securities noted as such amounted to $21,514,808 or 7.6% of net assets. |
(e) | This issuer has filed for protection in bankruptcy court. |
(f) | Security received in a transaction exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers (see Note 2D - Restricted Securities in the Notes to Financial Statements). |
(g) | Non-income producing security. |
(h) | Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, this security has been determined to be illiquid by the Advisor. |
(i) | This security is fair valued by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, and in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder, as amended. At May 31, 2023, securities noted as such are valued at $0 or 0.0% of net assets. |
(j) | This security’s value was determined using significant unobservable inputs (see Note 2A – Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Financial Statements). |
LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
Total Value at 5/31/2023 | Level 1 Quoted Prices | Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs | Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs | |
Senior Floating-Rate Loan Interests* | $ 321,015,302 | $ — | $ 321,015,302 | $ — |
Corporate Bonds and Notes* | 24,605,503 | — | 24,605,503 | — |
Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes* | 1,765,365 | — | 1,765,365 | — |
Common Stocks* | 140,993 | — | 140,993 | — |
Warrants* | 10,793 | — | 10,793 | — |
Rights* | —** | — | — | —** |
Total Investments | $ 347,537,956 | $— | $ 347,537,956 | $—** |
* | See Portfolio of Investments for industry breakout. |
** | Investments are valued at $0. |
ASSETS: | |
Investments, at value (Cost $359,646,787) | $ 347,537,956 |
Cash | 5,483,489 |
Receivables: | |
Investment securities sold | 1,193,683 |
Interest | 1,100,562 |
Prepaid expenses | 21,235 |
Total Assets | 355,336,925 |
LIABILITIES: | |
Outstanding loans | 48,000,000 |
Payables: | |
Investment securities purchased | 22,176,708 |
Investment advisory fees | 212,961 |
Interest and fees on loans | 111,750 |
Audit and tax fees | 69,879 |
Administrative fees | 24,965 |
Shareholder reporting fees | 24,612 |
Legal fees | 12,549 |
Trustees’ fees and expenses | 7,678 |
Custodian fees | 2,215 |
Transfer agent fees | 1,612 |
Financial reporting fees | 771 |
Unrealized depreciation on unfunded loan commitments | 29,721 |
Other liabilities | 4,164 |
Total Liabilities | 70,679,585 |
NET ASSETS | $284,657,340 |
NET ASSETS consist of: | |
Paid-in capital | $ 352,816,114 |
Par value | 259,834 |
Accumulated distributable earnings (loss) | (68,418,608) |
NET ASSETS | $284,657,340 |
NET ASSET VALUE, per Common Share (par value $0.01 per Common Share) | $10.96 |
Number of Common Shares outstanding (unlimited number of Common Shares has been authorized) |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | ||
Interest | $ 26,036,268 | |
Total investment income | 26,036,268 | |
EXPENSES: | ||
Interest and fees on loans | 2,746,131 | |
Investment advisory fees | 2,645,011 | |
Administrative fees | 238,334 | |
Shareholder reporting fees | 92,137 | |
Audit and tax fees | 74,803 | |
Legal fees | 71,367 | |
Listing expense | 25,292 | |
Trustees’ fees and expenses | 18,445 | |
Custodian fees | 16,751 | |
Transfer agent fees | 15,874 | |
Financial reporting fees | 9,250 | |
Other | 40,853 | |
Total expenses | 5,994,248 | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) | 20,042,020 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS): | ||
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (18,246,359) | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | ||
Investments | 12,137,364 | |
Unfunded loan commitments | 42,804 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 12,180,168 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | (6,066,191) | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | $ 13,975,829 |
Year Ended 5/31/2023 | Year Ended 5/31/2022 | ||
OPERATIONS: | |||
Net investment income (loss) | $ 20,042,020 | $ 14,768,290 | |
Net realized gain (loss) | (18,246,359) | (1,184,588) | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 12,180,168 | (24,665,993) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | 13,975,829 | (11,082,291) | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM: | |||
Investment operations | (20,337,430) | (14,904,773) | |
Return of capital | (2,696,843) | (10,282,054) | |
Total distributions to shareholders | (23,034,273) | (25,186,827) | |
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS: | |||
Proceeds from Common Shares reinvested | — | 366,260 | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions | — | 366,260 | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (9,058,444) | (35,902,858) | |
NET ASSETS: | |||
Beginning of period | 293,715,784 | 329,618,642 | |
End of period | $ 284,657,340 | $ 293,715,784 | |
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS were as follows: | |||
Common Shares at beginning of period | 25,983,388 | 25,953,421 | |
Common Shares issued as reinvestment under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan | — | 29,967 | |
Common Shares at end of period | 25,983,388 | 25,983,388 |
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $13,975,829 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
Purchases of investments | (286,356,199) | |
Sales, maturities and paydown of investments | 362,772,423 | |
Return of capital distributions received from investments | 259,985 | |
Net amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on investments | (1,269,945) | |
Net realized gain/loss on investments | 18,246,359 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and unfunded loan commitments | (12,180,168) | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||
Decrease in interest receivable | 221,103 | |
Decrease in prepaid expenses | 2 | |
Decrease in interest and fees payable on loans | (14,852) | |
Decrease in investment advisory fees payable | (51,364) | |
Decrease in audit and tax fees payable | (3,173) | |
Increase in legal fees payable | 9,799 | |
Increase in shareholder reporting fees payable | 4,230 | |
Decrease in administrative fees payable | (4,883) | |
Decrease in custodian fees payable | (5,591) | |
Decrease in transfer agent fees payable | (9,165) | |
Increase in trustees’ fees and expenses payable | 4,575 | |
Increase in other liabilities payable | 428 | |
Cash provided by operating activities | $95,599,393 | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from investment operations | (20,337,430) | |
Distributions to Common Shareholders from return of capital | (2,696,843) | |
Repayment of borrowings | (164,000,000) | |
Proceeds from borrowings | 96,000,000 | |
Cash used in financing activities | (91,034,273) | |
Increase in cash | 4,565,120 | |
Cash at beginning of period | 918,369 | |
Cash at end of period | $5,483,489 | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||
Cash paid during the period for interest and fees | $2,760,983 |
Year Ended May 31, | |||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 11.30 | $ 12.70 | $ 12.46 | $ 13.70 | $ 14.05 | ||||
Income from investment operations: | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | 0.78 | 0.56 | 0.55 | 0.67 | 0.74 | ||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (0.23) | (0.99) | 0.90 | (0.97) | (0.36) | ||||
Total from investment operations | 0.55 | (0.43) | 1.45 | (0.30) | 0.38 | ||||
Distributions paid to shareholders from: | |||||||||
Net investment income | (0.79) | (0.57) | (0.56) | (0.69) | (0.73) | ||||
Return of capital | (0.10) | (0.40) | (0.69) | (0.25) | — | ||||
Total distributions paid to Common Shareholders | (0.89) | (0.97) | (1.25) | (0.94) | (0.73) | ||||
Common Share repurchases | — | — | 0.04 | — | — | ||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ | $11.30 | $12.70 | $12.46 | $13.70 | ||||
Market value, end of period | $ | $10.90 | $12.60 | $11.12 | $11.98 | ||||
Total return based on net asset value (a) | 6.01% | (3.64)% | 13.51% | (1.38)% | 3.44% | ||||
Total return based on market value (a) | (4.14)% | (6.31)% | 26.18% | 0.65% | (2.17)% | ||||
Ratios to average net assets/supplemental data: | |||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s) | $ 284,657 | $ 293,716 | $ 329,619 | $ 332,267 | $ 365,804 | ||||
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | 2.08% | 1.67% | 1.70% | 2.35% | 2.53% | ||||
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.30% | 1.26% | 1.24% | ||||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | 6.97% | 4.64% | 4.37% | 4.98% | 5.34% | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 67% | 45% | 78% | 64% | 58% | ||||
Indebtedness: | |||||||||
Total loans outstanding (in 000’s) | $ 48,000 | $ 116,000 | $ 136,000 | $ 119,000 | $ 163,000 | ||||
Asset coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness (b) | $ 6,930 | $ 3,532 | $ 3,424 | $ 3,792 | $ 3,244 |
(a) | Total return is based on the combination of reinvested dividend, capital gain and return of capital distributions, if any, at prices obtained by the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, and changes in net asset value per share for net asset value returns and changes in Common Share Price for market value returns. Total returns do not reflect sales load and are not annualized for periods of less than one year. Past performance is not indicative of future results. |
(b) | Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the loans outstanding) from the Fund’s total assets, and dividing by the outstanding loans balance in 000’s. |
1) | the most recent price provided by a pricing service; |
(1) | The terms “security” and “securities” used throughout the Notes to Financial Statements include Senior Loans. |
2) | available market prices for the fixed-income security; |
3) | the fundamental business data relating to the borrower; |
4) | an evaluation of the forces which influence the market in which these securities are purchased and sold; |
5) | the type, size and cost of the security; |
6) | the financial statements of the borrower, or the financial condition of the country of issue; |
7) | the credit quality and cash flow of the borrower, or country of issue, based on the Pricing Committee’s, sub-advisor’s or portfolio manager’s analysis, as applicable, or external analysis; |
8) | the information as to any transactions in or offers for the security; |
9) | the price and extent of public trading in similar securities (or equity securities) of the borrower, or comparable companies; |
10) | the coupon payments; |
11) | the quality, value and salability of collateral, if any, securing the security; |
12) | the business prospects of the borrower, including any ability to obtain money or resources from a parent or affiliate and an assessment of the borrower’s management; |
13) | the prospects for the borrower’s industry, and multiples (of earnings and/or cash flows) being paid for similar businesses in that industry; |
14) | the borrower’s competitive position within the industry; |
15) | the borrower’s ability to access additional liquidity through public and/or private markets; and |
1) | benchmark yields; |
2) | reported trades; |
3) | broker/dealer quotes; |
4) | issuer spreads; |
5) | benchmark securities; |
6) | bids and offers; and |
7) | reference data including market research publications. |
1) | the last sale price on the exchange on which they are principally traded or, for Nasdaq and AIM securities, the official closing price; |
2) | the type of security; |
3) | the size of the holding; |
4) | the initial cost of the security; |
5) | transactions in comparable securities; |
6) | price quotes from dealers and/or third-party pricing services; |
7) | relationships among various securities; |
8) | information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange; |
9) | an analysis of the issuer’s financial statements; |
10) | the existence of merger proposals or tender offers that might affect the value of the security; and |
11) | other relevant factors. |
• | Level 1 – Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. An active market is a market in which transactions for the investment occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. |
• | Level 2 – Level 2 inputs are observable inputs, either directly or indirectly, and include the following: |
o | Quoted prices for similar investments in active markets. |
o | Quoted prices for identical or similar investments in markets that are non-active. A non-active market is a market where there are few transactions for the investment, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly. |
o | Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the investment (for example, interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates). |
o | Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. |
• | Level 3 – Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs may reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the investment. |
Borrower | Principal Value | Commitment Amount | Value | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | ||||
athenahealth, Inc. (Minerva Merger Sub, Inc.), Term Loan | $ 595,841 | $ 592,789 | $ 563,070 | $ (29,719) | ||||
Veritext Corporation (VT TopCo, Inc.), Term Loan | 154 | 154 | 152 | (2) | ||||
$592,943 | $563,222 | $(29,721) |
Security | Acquisition Date | Shares | Current Price | Carrying Cost | Value | % of Net Assets |
Akorn, Inc. | 10/15/2020 | 150,392 | $0.94 | $1,724,086 | $140,993 | 0.05% |
Distributions paid from: | 2023 | 2022 |
Ordinary income | $20,337,430 | $14,904,773 |
Capital gains | — | — |
Return of capital | 2,696,843 | 10,282,054 |
Undistributed ordinary income | $— |
Undistributed capital gains | — |
Total undistributed earnings | — |
Accumulated capital and other losses | (56,234,585) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (12,184,023) |
Total accumulated earnings (losses) | (68,418,608) |
Other | — |
Paid-in capital | 353,075,948 |
Total net assets | $284,657,340 |
Tax Cost | Gross Unrealized Appreciation | Gross Unrealized (Depreciation) | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |||
$359,692,258 | $1,086,568 | $(13,240,870) | $(12,154,302) |
(1) | If Common Shares are trading at or above net asset value (“NAV”) at the time of valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at a price equal to the greater of (i) NAV per Common Share on that date or (ii) 95% of the market price on that date. |
(2) | If Common Shares are trading below NAV at the time of valuation, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will purchase Common Shares in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. It is possible that the market price for the Common Shares may increase before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases. Therefore, the average purchase price per share paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the market price at the time of valuation, resulting in the purchase of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Fund. The Plan Agent will use all dividends and distributions received in cash to purchase Common Shares in the open market within 30 days of the valuation date except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchases is necessary to comply with federal securities laws. Interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash payments. |
• | Invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets through purchasing revolving credit facilities, investment grade debtor-in-possession financing, unsecured loans, other floating rate debt securities, such as notes, bonds, and asset-backed securities (such as collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”)), investment grade loans and fixed income debt obligations of any maturity, money market instruments, such as commercial paper, and publicly-traded high yield debt securities. |
• | Invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in securities of: |
o | Firms that, at the time of acquisition, have defaulted on their debt obligations and/or filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or have entered into a voluntary reorganization in conjunction with their creditors and stakeholders in order to avoid a bankruptcy filing; or |
o | Firms prior to an event of default whose acute operating and/or financial problems have resulted in the markets valuing their respective securities and debt at sufficiently discounted prices so as to be yielding, should they not default, a significant premium over comparable duration U.S. Treasury bonds. |
• | Invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign investments, exclusively in developed countries and territories of those countries, but in no case will the Fund invest in securities of issuers located in emerging markets. |
Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses) | -10% | -5% | 0% | 5% | 10% |
Common Share Total Return | -12.80% | -6.96% | -1.11% | 4.73% | 10.57% |
Name, Year of Birth and Position with the Fund | Term of Office and Year First Elected or Appointed(1) | Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in the First Trust Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee | Other Trusteeships or Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years |
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | ||||
Richard E. Erickson, Trustee (1951) | • Three Year Term• Since Fund Inception | Physician, Edward-Elmhurst Medical Group; Physician and Officer, Wheaton Orthopedics (1990 to 2021) | 231 | None |
Thomas R. Kadlec, Trustee (1957) | • Three Year Term• Since Fund Inception | Retired; President, ADM Investor Services, Inc. (Futures Commission Merchant) (2010 to July 2022) | 231 | Director, National Futures Association and ADMIS Singapore Ltd.; Formerly, Director of ADM Investor Services, Inc., ADM Investor Services International, ADMIS Hong Kong Ltd., and Futures Industry Association |
Denise M. Keefe, Trustee (1964) | • Three Year Term• Since 2021 | Executive Vice President, Advocate Aurora Health and President, Advocate Aurora Continuing Health Division (Integrated Healthcare System) | 231 | Director and Board Chair of Advocate Home Health Services, Advocate Home Care Products and Advocate Hospice; Director and Board Chair of Aurora At Home (since 2018); Director of Advocate Physician Partners Accountable Care Organization; Director of RML Long Term Acute Care Hospitals; Director of Senior Helpers (since 2021); and Director of MobileHelp (since 2022) |
Robert F. Keith, Trustee (1956) | • Three Year Term• Since June 2006 | President, Hibs Enterprises (Financial and Management Consulting) | 231 | Formerly, Director of Trust Company of Illinois |
Niel B. Nielson, Trustee (1954) | • Three Year Term• Since Fund Inception | Senior Advisor (2018 to Present), Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (2015 to 2018), Pelita Harapan Educational Foundation (Educational Products and Services) | 231 | None |
(1) | Currently, Richard E. Erickson and Thomas R. Kadlec, as Class I Trustees, are serving as trustees until the Fund’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders. Niel B. Nielson and Denise M. Keefe, as Class II Trustees, are serving as trustees until the Fund’s 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. James A. Bowen and Robert F. Keith, as Class III Trustees, are serving as trustees until the Fund’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. |
Name, Year of Birth and Position with the Fund | Term of Office and Year First Elected or Appointed(1) | Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in the First Trust Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee | Other Trusteeships or Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years |
INTERESTED TRUSTEE | ||||
James A. Bowen(2), Trustee and Chairman of the Board (1955) | • Three Year Term• Since Fund Inception | Chief Executive Officer, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.; Chairman of the Board of Directors, BondWave LLC (Software Development Company) and Stonebridge Advisors LLC (Investment Advisor) | 231 | None |
Name and Year of Birth | Position and Offices with Fund | Term of Office and Length of Service | Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years |
OFFICERS(3) | |||
James M. Dykas (1966) | President and Chief Executive Officer | • Indefinite Term • Since 2016 | Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.; Chief Financial Officer, BondWave LLC (Software Development Company) and Stonebridge Advisors LLC (Investment Advisor) |
Donald P. Swade (1972) | Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer | • Indefinite Term • Since 2016 | Senior Vice President, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P. |
W. Scott Jardine (1960) | Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | • Indefinite Term • Since Fund Inception | General Counsel, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.; Secretary and General Counsel, BondWave LLC; Secretary, Stonebridge Advisors LLC |
Daniel J. Lindquist (1970) | Vice President | • Indefinite Term • Since September 2005 | Managing Director, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P. |
Kristi A. Maher (1966) | Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary | • Indefinite Term • Chief Compliance Officer Since January 2011• Assistant Secretary Since Fund Inception | Deputy General Counsel, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P. |
(1) | Currently, Richard E. Erickson and Thomas R. Kadlec, as Class I Trustees, are serving as trustees until the Fund’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders. Niel B. Nielson and Denise M. Keefe, as Class II Trustees, are serving as trustees until the Fund’s 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. James A. Bowen and Robert F. Keith, as Class III Trustees, are serving as trustees until the Fund’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. |
(2) | Mr. Bowen is deemed an “interested person” of the Fund due to his position as CEO of First Trust Advisors L.P., investment advisor of the Fund. |
(3) | The term “officer” means the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, controller or any other officer who performs a policy making function. |
• | Information we receive from you and your broker-dealer, investment professional or financial representative through interviews, applications, agreements or other forms; |
• | Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates or others; |
• | Information we receive from your inquiries by mail, e-mail or telephone; and |
• | Information we collect on our website through the use of “cookies.” For example, we may identify the pages on our website that your browser requests or visits. |
• | In order to provide you with products and services and to effect transactions that you request or authorize, we may disclose your personal information as described above to unaffiliated financial service providers and other companies that perform administrative or other services on our behalf, such as transfer agents, custodians and trustees, or that assist us in the distribution of investor materials such as trustees, banks, financial representatives, proxy services, solicitors and printers. |
• | We may release information we have about you if you direct us to do so, if we are compelled by law to do so, or in other legally limited circumstances (for example to protect your account from fraud). |
FUND ACCOUNTANT, AND
CUSTODIAN
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(b) | Not applicable. |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
(a) | The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. |
(c) | There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description. |
(d) | The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions. |
(e) | Not applicable. |
(f) | A copy of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller is filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 13(a)(1). |
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s board of trustees has determined that Thomas R. Kadlec and Robert F. Keith are qualified to serve as audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and that each of them is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) AUDIT FEES (REGISTRANT) -- The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $59,000 for 2022 and $59,000 for 2023.
(b) AUDIT-RELATED FEES (REGISTRANT) -- The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.
AUDIT-RELATED FEES (INVESTMENT ADVISOR) -- The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.
(c) TAX FEES (REGISTRANT) -- The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning to the registrant were $21,515 for 2022 and $14,070 for 2023. These fees were for tax consultation and/or tax return preparation and professional services rendered for PFIC (Passive Foreign Investment Company) Identification Services.
TAX FEES (INVESTMENT ADVISOR) -- The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning to the registrant’s advisor were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.
(d) ALL OTHER FEES (REGISTRANT) -- The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant to the registrant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.
ALL OTHER FEES (INVESTMENT ADVISOR) -- The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant to the registrant’s investment advisor, other than services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.
(e)(1) | Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. |
Pursuant to its charter and its Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for the pre-approval of all audit services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the registrant by its independent auditors. The Chairman of the Committee is authorized to give such pre-approvals on behalf of the Committee up to $25,000 and report any such pre-approval to the full Committee.
The Committee is also responsible for the pre-approval of the independent auditor’s engagements for non-audit services with the registrant’s advisor (not including a sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted or overseen by another investment advisor) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. If the independent auditor has provided non-audit services to the registrant’s advisor (other than any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to its policies, the Committee will consider whether the provision of such non-audit services is compatible with the auditor’s independence.
(e)(2) | The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) for the registrant and the registrant’s investment advisor and distributor of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to the pre-approval exceptions included in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) or paragraph (C)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows: |
Registrant: | Advisor and Distributor: | |||
(b) 0% | (b) 0% | |||
(c) 0% | (c) 0% | |||
(d) 0% | (d) 0% |
(f) | The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was less than fifty percent. |
(g) | The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment advisor (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2022 were $21,515 for the registrant and $16,500 for the registrant’s investment advisor and for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2023 were $14,070 for the registrant and $31,000 for the registrant’s investment advisor. |
(h) | The registrant’s audit committee of its board of trustees determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment advisor (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence. |
(i) | Not applicable. |
(j) | Not applicable. |
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
(a) | The registrant has a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 consisting of all the independent directors of the registrant. The audit committee of the registrant is comprised of: Richard E. Erickson, Thomas R. Kadlec, Denise M. Keefe, Robert F. Keith and Niel B. Nielson. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
Item 6. Investments.
(a) | Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
The Proxy Voting Policies are attached herewith.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
(a)(1) Identification of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members and Description of Role of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members
Information provided as of August 4, 2023
The First Trust Advisors Leveraged Finance Investment team manages a portfolio comprised primarily of U.S. dollar denominated, senior secured floating-rate loans. The Portfolio Managers are responsible for directing the investment activities within the Fund. William Housey is the Senior Portfolio Manager and has primary responsibility for investment decisions. Jeffrey Scott assists Mr. Housey and there are also Senior Credit Analysts assigned to certain industries. The Portfolio Managers are supported in their portfolio management activities by the First Trust Advisors Leveraged Finance investment team, including a team of credit analysts, designated traders, and operations personnel. Senior Credit Analysts are assigned industries and Associate Credit Analysts support the Senior Credit Analysts. All credit analysts, operations personnel and portfolio managers report to Mr. Housey.
William Housey, CFA
Managing Director of Fixed Income, Senior Portfolio Manager
Mr. Housey joined First Trust Advisors L.P. in June 2010 as the Senior Portfolio Manager for the Leveraged Finance Investment Team and has 27 years of investment experience. Mr. Housey is a Managing Director of Fixed Income and is also a member of the First Trust Strategic Model Investment Committee and the Fixed Income Sub-Committee. Prior to joining First Trust, Mr. Housey was at Morgan Stanley Investment Management and its wholly owned subsidiary, Van Kampen Funds, Inc. for 11 years where he last served as Executive Director and Co-Portfolio Manager. Mr. Housey has extensive experience in the portfolio management of both leveraged and unleveraged credit products, including senior loans, high-yield bonds, credit derivatives and corporate restructurings. Mr. Housey received a B.S. in Finance from Eastern Illinois University and an M.B.A. in Finance as well as Management and Strategy from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business. He also holds the FINRA Series 7, Series 52 and Series 63 licenses. Mr. Housey also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago. Mr. Housey also serves on the Village of Glen Ellyn, IL Police Pension Board.
Jeffrey Scott, CFA
Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager
Mr. Scott is a Portfolio Manager and a Sector Specialist Credit Analyst for the Leveraged Finance Investment Team at First Trust Advisors L.P. He has 33 years of experience in the investment management industry and has extensive experience in credit analysis, product development, and product management. Prior to joining First Trust, Jeff served as an Assistant Portfolio Manager and as a Senior Credit Analyst for Morgan Stanley/Van Kampen from October 2008 to June 2010. As Assistant Portfolio Manager, Jeff served on a team that managed over $4.0 billion of Senior Loan assets in three separate funds: Van Kampen Senior Loan Fund; Van Kampen Senior Income Trust; and Van Kampen Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund. His responsibilities included assisting with portfolio construction, buy and sell decision making, and monitoring fund liquidity and leverage. Mr. Scott earned a B.S. in Finance and Economics from Elmhurst College and an M.B.A. with specialization in Analytical Finance and Econometrics and Statistics from the University of Chicago. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago.
(a)(2) Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Member and Potential Conflicts of Interest
Information provided as of May 31, 2023
Name of Portfolio Manager or Team Member | Type of Accounts | Total # of Accounts | Total Assets | # of Accounts Managed for which Advisory Fee is Based on Performance | Total Assets for which Advisory Fee is Based on Performance |
1. William Housey, CFA | Registered Investment Companies: | 6 | $5.206B | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | |
Other Accounts: | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | |
2. Jeffrey Scott, CFA | Registered Investment Companies: | 6 | $5.206B | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | |
| Other Accounts: | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0
|
* Information excludes the registrant.
Potential Conflicts of Interests
Potential conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager of the Registrant has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other funds or other accounts. The First Trust Advisors Leveraged Finance Investment Team adheres to its trade allocation policy utilizing a pro-rata methodology to address this conflict.
First Trust and its affiliate, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (“FTP”), have in place a joint Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policies and Procedures that are designed to (a) prevent First Trust personnel from trading securities based upon material inside information in the possession of such personnel and (b) ensure that First Trust personnel avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest or abuse of their positions of trust and responsibility that could occur through such activities as front running securities trades for the Registrant. Personnel are required to have duplicate confirmations and account statements delivered to First Trust and FTP compliance personnel who then compare such trades to trading activity to detect any potential conflict situations. In addition to the personal trading restrictions specified in the Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policies and Procedures, employees in the First Trust Advisors Leveraged Finance Investment Team are prohibited from buying or selling equity securities (including derivative instruments such as options, warrants and futures) and corporate bonds for their personal account and in any accounts over which they exercise control. Employees in the First Trust Advisors Leveraged Finance Investment Team are also prohibited from engaging in any personal transaction while in possession of material non-public information regarding the security or the issuer of the security. First Trust and FTP also maintain a restricted list of all issuers for which the First Trust Advisors Leveraged Finance Investment Team has material non-public information in its possession and all transactions executed for a product advised or supervised by First Trust or FTP are compared daily against the restricted list.
(a)(3) | Compensation Structure of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members |
Information provided as of May 31, 2023
The compensation structure for internal portfolio managers is based upon a fixed salary as well as a discretionary bonus determined by the management of FTA. Salaries are determined by management and are based upon an individual’s position and overall value to the firm. Bonuses are also determined by management and are generally based upon an individual’s or team’s overall contribution to the success of the firm, assets under management and the profitability of the firm. Certain internal portfolio managers have an indirect ownership stake in the firm and will therefore receive their allocable share of ownership related distributions.
(a)(4) | Disclosure of Securities Ownership as of May 31, 2023 |
Name of Portfolio Manager | Dollar ($) Range of Fund Shares Beneficially Owned |
William Housey |
$50,001 - $100,000 |
Jeffrey Scott |
$10,001-$50,000 |
(b) | Not applicable. |
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 the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or 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 the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these 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 (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.
(a)(1) | Code of Ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto. |
(a)(2) | Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto. |
(a)(3) | Not applicable. |
(a)(4) | Not applicable. |
(b) | Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto. |
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) | First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II |
By (Signature and Title)* | /s/ James M. Dykas | |
James M. Dykas, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) |
Date: | August 4, 2023 |
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/ James M. Dykas | |
James M. Dykas, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) |
Date: | August 4, 2023 |
By (Signature and Title)* | /s/ Donald P. Swade | |
Donald P. Swade, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer (principal financial officer) |
Date: | August 4, 2023 |
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.