nvcsrs
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 811-06495
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
301 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 720
Pasadena,CA 91101
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Donald F. Crumrine
Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated
301 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 720
Pasadena,CA 91101
(Name and address of agent for service)
registrants telephone number, including area code: 626-795-7300
Date of fiscal year end: November 30
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2011
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. Section 3507.
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
Correction
to Semi-Annual Report for the Six Months Ended May 31, 2011
Please note that the semi-annual report mailed by the Fund in late July 2011 contained a chart on
page 7 with incorrect data. The corrected chart is shown below.
The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.
FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND
To the Shareholders of Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund:
During the three month period ending May 31, 2011, the Funds total return
on net asset value was +5.8%. Over the first half of fiscal 2011 the return on
NAV was +11.1%. The table below presents these and other performance measures of
interest to investors.
TOTAL RETURN ON NET ASSET VALUE
FOR PERIODS ENDED MAY 31, 2011
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ACTUAL RETURNS |
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AVERAGE ANNUALIZED RETURNS |
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THREE |
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SIX |
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ONE |
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THREE |
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FIVE |
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TEN |
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LIFE OF |
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MONTHS |
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MONTHS |
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YEAR |
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YEARS |
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YEARS |
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YEARS |
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FUND(1) |
Flaherty
& Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund |
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5.8 |
% |
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11.1 |
% |
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31.3 |
% |
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16.6 |
% |
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6.1 |
% |
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7.9 |
% |
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9.0 |
% |
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate
Index (2) |
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2.6 |
% |
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1.9 |
% |
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5.8 |
% |
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6.5 |
% |
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6.6 |
% |
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5.8 |
% |
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6.6 |
% |
S&P 500 Index (3) |
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1.8 |
% |
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15.0 |
% |
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26.0 |
% |
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0.9 |
% |
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3.3 |
% |
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2.6 |
% |
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8.4 |
% |
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(1) |
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Since inception on February 13, 1992. |
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(2) |
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The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index represents securities that are
SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The index covers the U.S.
investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for
government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and
asset-backed securities. It is generally considered to be representative of
the domestic, investment-grade, fixed-rate, taxable bond market. Unless
otherwise noted, index returns reflect the reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains, if any, but do not reflect fees, brokerage commissions or
other expenses of investing. This index was formerly known as the Lehman
Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index. |
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(3) |
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The S&P 500 is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks. The
index is designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy
through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing
all major industries. |
Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance,
which cannot guarantee future results. In addition, NAV performance will vary
from market price performance, and you may have a taxable gain or loss when you
sell your shares.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we reprise our caution of the
past few letters: returns of this magnitude are unlikely to be repeated. The
market for preferred securities has had a nice run recovering from the depths of
the financial crisis in early 2009. Prices on many securities are now at or
above levels of three years ago, and we view the overall preferred market as
fairly priced relative to other broad asset classes.
Of course, this does not mean all individual securities are perfectly
valued. Pricing inefficiencies are an endearing part of the preferred market,
and it is unlikely this will change. Part of our job is to identify and take
advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. Our credit analysis and
security selection, as well as effective management of leverage, have been at
the heart of the Funds excellent performance.
Financial markets are still facing some major uncertainties. First and
foremost, the economic outlook is as cloudy as ever. European leaders are
dealing with the Greek debt crisis, and other sovereign credit problems are
lurking in the background. Private sector debt shrunk during the financial
crisis; now its the public sectors turn, and it is far from clear how that
will play out. Effects of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami are still being
felt and likely will take years to resolve fully. The housing market remains an
albatross around the neck of the U.S. economy (among others). And worldwide,
financial regulators have yet to fully articulate a new set of rules for bank
capital and regulation.
We see both risk and opportunity in these uncertainties. As always, we will
do our best to minimize the risk and capitalize on the opportunities.
In the discussion topics that follow, we present a more detailed review of
the Funds performance, as well as further discussion on several topics
mentioned above. As always, we encourage you to visit www.preferredincome.com to
read our Quarterly Economic Update, as well as more detailed discussion of the
wonderful world of preferred securities.
Sincerely,
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/s/Donald F. Crumrine
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/s/Robert M. Ettinger |
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Donald F. Crumrine
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Robert M. Ettinger |
Chairman
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President |
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July 8, 2011 |
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2
DISCUSSION TOPICS
THE FUNDS PORTFOLIO RESULTS AND COMPONENTS OF TOTAL RETURN ON NET ASSET VALUE
(NAV)
The table below reflects performance of each investment technique available
for use by the Fund to achieve its objective, namely: (a) investing in a
portfolio of securities; (b) possibly hedging that portfolio of securities
against significant increases in long-term interest rates (see the following
discussion on the status of the Funds interest-rate hedging strategy); and (c)
utilizing leverage to enhance returns to shareholders. Next, we compute the
impact of the Funds operating expenses. All of the parts are summed to
determine total return on the Funds NAV.
COMPONENTS OF PFOS TOTAL RETURN ON NAV
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011
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Six Months* |
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Total Return on Unleveraged Securities Portfolio (including principal and income) |
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+8.1 |
% |
Return from Interest Rate Hedging Strategy |
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N/A |
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Impact of Leverage (including leverage expense) |
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+3.8 |
% |
Expenses (excluding leverage expense) |
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-0.8 |
% |
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* Actual, not annualized |
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Total Return on NAV |
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+11.1 |
% |
Over the first half of fiscal 2011, the Funds investment portfolio has
continued to perform well, both absolutely and relative to various sectors of
the preferred market as measured by the various Bank of America Merrill Lynch
preferred market indices shown in the table below. During this recent six month
period, only the Bank of America Merrill Lynch adjustable-rate preferred index,
reflecting just 2% of the total preferred market, earned a comparable return to
that of the Funds portfolio (the first row of the above table).
TOTAL RETURNS OF BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED SECURITIES INDICES*
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011
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Six Months* |
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BofA Merrill Lynch 8% Capped DRD Preferred Stock Index(SM) |
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+6.0 |
% |
BofA Merrill Lynch 8% Capped Hybrid Preferred Securities Index(SM) |
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+5.1 |
% |
BofA Merrill Lynch 8% Capped Corporate U.S. Capital Securities Index(SM) |
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+6.2 |
% |
BofA Merrill Lynch Adjustable Preferred Stock, 7% Constrained Index(SM) |
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+8.1 |
% |
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* |
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The Bank of America Merrill Lynch 8% Capped DRD Preferred Stock Index(SM)
includes investment grade preferred securities issued by both corporations
and government agencies that qualify for the corporate dividend received
deduction with issuer concentration capped at a maximum of 8%. The Bank of
America Merrill Lynch 8% Capped Hybrid Preferred Securities Index(SM)
includes taxable, fixed-rate, U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade,
preferred securities listed on a U.S. exchange with issuer concentration
capped at 8%. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch 8% Capped Corporate U.S.
Capital Securities Index(SM) includes investment grade fixed rate or
fixed-to-floating rate $1,000 par securities that receive some degree of
equity credit from the rating agencies or their regulators with issuer
concentration capped at a maximum of 8%. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Adjustable Preferred Stock, 7% Constrained Index(SM) includes adjustable
rate preferred securities issued by U.S. corporations and government
agencies with issuer concentration capped at a maximum of 7%. All index
returns include interest and dividend income, and, unlike the Funds
returns, are unmanaged and do not reflect any expenses. |
3
The Funds six-month NAV performance (positive 11.1%) demonstrates
continued success of the strategy of using leverage to enhance return on the
Funds portfolio sufficiently to absorb its expenses and permit the NAV of the
Fund to still outperform all of the unleveraged preferred market indices.
TOTAL RETURN ON MARKET PRICE OF FUND SHARES
While our focus continues to be on managing the Funds investment
portfolio, an investors actual return is comprised of monthly dividend payments
plus changes in the market price of Fund shares. Even following the strong
results over recent years, the market price of Fund shares continued to perform
well during the current fiscal year-to-date, producing a total return of +16.0%
through May 31st.
In a perfect world, the market price of Fund shares would track the Funds
NAV. As can be seen from the graph below, this often is not the case. While for
most of the past ten years the Funds market price has generally been above its
NAV (in market parlance, trading at a premium), the market price dropped well
below the underlying value of each Fund share during the depths of the recent
financial crisis. However, more recently the market price has traded more in
line with the underlying value of the Funds shares, and currently is trading at
a premium to NAV. Because the Funds premium to NAV expanded slightly over the
current fiscal year-to-date, the total return earned on its market price
exceeded the total return on NAV.
Based on a closing price of $10.99 on June 30th and the Funds current
monthly dividend of $0.0735, the current distribution rate on market price of
the Funds shares is 8.0%. Because of the leverage employed by the Fund and
other factors, this distribution rate compares very favorably with those
available on other strategies investing in preferred securities, including ETFs
and open-end funds.
4
PREFERRED MARKET CONDITIONS
Conditions in the market remain positive, although an uncertain economic
environment and unresolved regulatory issues are impacting activity. The best
barometers for market conditions are trading volume, bid-offer spreads, and new
issue activity. At present, all three measures are off from last quarter, but
still indicate healthy conditions.
Market activity often slows during the summer, so we dont read anything
meaningful in the decline. We are more focused on the impact of new regulations
(discussed below) and how financial institutions transition to the new rules. Of
particular interest are securities which under certain circumstances may be
called by the issuer to the detriment of investors. In May, Fifth Third Bancorp
exercised such a call and the market was certainly caught by surprise. As a
result, other issues with similar features declined in price to reflect the risk
of early redemption. Having been aware of this risk for some time, the Funds
portfolio had limited exposure to these issues.
There were 26 new issues during the quarter, totaling just under $10
billion. The bulk of the issuance was from REITs and insurance companies. And,
reflecting ongoing demand from retail investors, most of these new issues came
in a format favored by individual investors$25 par, exchange listed and five
years of call protection.
During the quarter, issuers redeemed 28 issues with a market value of just
under $8.8 billion. The fact that the number and amount approximate those of new
issues is mostly coincidental; however, some companies did take advantage of
market conditions to refinance high-cost preferred securities with new,
less-expensive securities. Of course, as issuers reduce interest expense,
investor income falls as well. We try to minimize the impact of these
transactions, but over time, if interest rates remain low, income earned by the
Fund is likely to decline.
Finally, we observe with a sense of irony the likely shift back to days of
old when traditional preferred stock was the only security (other than common
stock) that banks could treat as capital (discussed more fully in the discussion
of bank regulation below). The market appears well positioned to handle a
transition in which hybrid and trust preferred issues get replaced with
non-cumulative, perpetual preferred stock. This change is likely to have a
significant impact on the Funds portfolio, although it is too early to know the
overall effect of the change. We believe bank credit quality will improve;
however, income earned on the Funds portfolio may fall if new issues come to
market at lower yields.
UPDATE ON REGULATORY AND CAPITAL REFORM FOR BANKS
June saw further clarification on new Basel III international banking
regulations being developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The
Committee announced that it had determined that globally-systemically important
financial institutions should hold up to an additional 2.5% of common equity
above and beyond that required of smaller banks. The idea is to reduce the
likelihood of a failure of a large global bank, which could put the entire
financial system at risk because of the banks size, interconnectedness, lack of
substitutability, global activity and complexity.
As weve discussed previously, international and national banking
regulators have responded to the 2008-2009 financial crisis with new regulation
and stiffer capital requirements. As a refresher, well briefly summarize the
key features of bank regulatory reform from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank), and bank capital requirements of the
Basel III framework both from the perspective of preferred investors.
5
Of primary importance to investors in preferred securities are the
regulations surrounding bank capital requirements: in other words, (1) how much
and what types of capital will banks be required to hold, and (2) what features
will securities need in order to qualify as a particular form of capital? We
expect national regulators to offer preliminary rules on capital later this
summer or early fall, followed by a comment period of several months. That
should put the market on track for final U.S. bank capital rules late this year
or early next year.
How much capital? Under Basel III, banks will be required to maintain much
higher levels of capital than in the past, particularly at the common equity
level. Minimum common equity capital will rise from the current 2.5% of
risk-weighted assets (RWA) to 7%, including a capital conservation buffer when
fully implemented in 2019.
Basel III still leaves a role for preferred securities in a banks capital
structure, as it requires total Tier 1 capital of 8.5%, with the additional 1.5%
comprised of common and/or preferred equity. Further, total capital must be
10.5%, with the additional 2.0% above Tier 1 consisting of both Tier 1 and other
capital.
In addition, all banks will be subject to a countercyclical capital
buffer ranging from 0% to 2.5%, as determined by national regulators; and large
global banks will be subject to the 1% to 2.5% systemically important financial
institution capital buffer.
While individual countries still need to adopt these standards, we expect
that the great majority will do so. In fact, Switzerland has already announced
that its two systemically important banks, UBS and Credit Suisse, will be
required to hold total capital of at least 19% of RWA, including a Tier 1 common
equity ratio of 10% well in excess of the Basel III standard.
What type of preferred security qualifies as Tier 1 capital? Basel III also
introduces loss absorbency rules for preferred securities. The theory is that
all Tier 1 capital should be able to absorb losses on both a gone concern
basis and on a going concern basis. Historically, preferred securities have
provided substantial loss absorbency upon failure of a firm, since all preferred
claims are subordinate to claims of depositors and senior creditors. However,
preferreds are strictly by their contractual terms only moderately loss
absorbing on a going concern basis, because the issuer can defer dividend
payments but not eliminate the preferred liability outright in times of strain.
Basel III provides that regulators must have the ability to force the conversion
of preferreds to common stock, or lower or write off the preferred liability if
they believe the bank is no longer viable.
Preferred securities, however, dont need to incorporate such terms
explicitly. If a countrys bank resolution regime incorporates a system for
allocating losses to capital providers prior to the injection of state funding,
then the loss provision language is not required. While we wont know for sure
until final rules are written for the United States, it appears that Dodd-Frank
gives U.S. bank regulators just such authority. As a result, it is likely that
perpetual, noncumulative U.S. bank preferreds eligible for the dividends
received deduction will remain qualifying Tier 1 capital under the new rules.
Other countries are likely to adopt similar resolution regimes as well.
Dodd-Frank also makes significant changes to U.S. banks operations and
capital requirements. Most importantly for preferred investors, it eliminates
trust preferred securities (TruPS) from Tier 1 capital for most banks the Fund
invests in. The new rules phase in starting from 2013 through 2015. This change
in regulatory treatment for TruPS makes it likely that most, though not all,
TruPS will be called between 2013 and 2016, as banks replace those instruments
with qualifying forms of Tier 1 capital. As of May 31, approximately 18% of the
Funds portfolio was invested in TruPS issued by U.S. banks.
6
We continue to believe that the Dodd-Frank and Basel III regulatory changes
will be positive for investors in preferred securities. Banks will need to hold
significantly more common equity capital than they have in the past. In fact,
they already do. This will give banks much more capacity to absorb losses before
preferred investments are in danger of impairment. While all these regulatory
changes create uncertainty in the market, we believe they will be beneficial for
preferreds.
THE FUNDS LEVERAGE
Leverage is an important part of the Funds strategy for producing high
current income. The cost of leverage typically is lower than the yield on the
Funds portfolio. The difference between what the Fund earns on its investments
and pays on borrowed money increases income available to common shareholders.
Over the past six months, the Fund has paid an average annualized interest rate
of 1.3% on its borrowed money. Given the much higher current yields generated by
the Funds portfolio, this use of leverage has had a meaningful positive impact
on the Funds dividends to common shareholders.
There are two useful measures of how much leverage the Fund has in place.
The first is simply the total dollar amount of leverage. The other measure is
the ratio of the Funds assets financed by that leverage (in other words, the
amount of leverage divided by total assets). The chart below presents both
measures of leverage over the past three years.
As reflected by the table, the dramatic recovery in asset prices has meant
the Fund has been able to comfortably increase borrowings and use the money to
purchase additional securities. During the first six months of this fiscal year,
the Fund has continued to increase its leverage balances, while not
significantly increasing the leverage ratio.
The right percentage of leverage in a fund is never simple to determine.
Type of borrowing, cost of funds and market conditions all will be factors to
consider. At present, we are comfortable with the leverage percentage used by
the Fund, and we will consider increasing or decreasing the amount of borrowing
based on future market conditions.
7
STATUS OF THE FUNDS HEDGING STRATEGY
The Fund suspended its interest rate hedging program as the financial
crisis intensified in the autumn of 2008. There were three principal reasons why
we suspended the program at the time. First, the relationship between preferred
securities prices and the Funds hedging instruments (Treasury bond futures,
interest rate swaps, and options on both) was turned on its head during the
financial crisis. Historically, preferred prices had tended to rise (fall) in
periods of falling (rising) long-term Treasury rates, but as the financial
crisis unfolded, the opposite occurred: preferred prices plunged while Treasury
and swap rates fell, as investors sold risky assets and raced into Treasuries.
Therefore, hedging lost its effectiveness. Second, the cost of hedging rose
dramatically, as the yield curve steepened and options prices rose sharply.
Finally, preferred securities became exceptionally cheap and were likely to
offer high returns to shareholders even if Treasury yields increased moderately.
Add them up, and we believed that hedging simply would not work under market
conditions at the time.
Re-examining those three factors today, we believe that conditions have
moved us closer to reinstating the Funds hedging strategy, but we are not there
yet. First, the correlation between preferred securities and our hedging
instruments has improved, but it remains both weaker and significantly less
stable than historical norms. Second, owing largely to the steepness of the
yield curve, options continue to be very expensive. The third factor, preferred
securities valuation, currently sits within the range we would consider
normal, but by itself that does not persuade us to hedge the Funds portfolio
exposure just yet. We will continue to evaluate market conditions and may
reinstate the Funds hedging strategy if we judge that conditions warrant it.
8
INVESTMENT POLICY MODIFICATION
On February 3, 2011, the Fund announced the following changes to its
investment policies. These changes were effective on April 4, 2011.
OLD POLICY: At time of purchase, at least 75% of the securities that the
Fund will acquire will be rated investment grade by either Moodys Investors
Services, Inc. (Moodys) or Standard & Poors Corporation (S&P), or, if
unrated, judged to be comparable in quality. In addition, the Fund may invest up
to 25% of its assets at the time of purchase in securities rated below
investment grade by both Moodys and S&P, if (a) such securities are rated at
least Ba3 by Moodys or BB- by S&P and (b) such securities are issued by an
issuer having an outstanding class of senior debt rated investment grade at the
time of purchase. Thus, the Fund may not invest in securities rated below Ba3
by Moodys and below BB- by S&P.
NEW POLICY: At time of purchase, at least 75% of the securities that the
Fund will acquire will be rated investment grade by any one of Moodys, S&P or
Fitch Ratings Group (Fitch). In addition, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its
assets at the time of purchase in securities rated below investment grade by all
of Moodys, S&P and Fitch, provided that (a) such securities are rated at least
Ba3 by Moodys, BB- by S&P, or BB- by Fitch or (b) such securities are
issued by an issuer having an outstanding class of senior debt rated investment
grade by any one of Moodys, S&P, or Fitch at the time of purchase. Thus, the
Fund may invest in securities rated below Ba3 by Moodys, BB- by S&P and
BB- by Fitch if the issuer has investment grade senior debt outstanding.
IMPACT OF CHANGES:
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(1) |
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Fitch is now one of the approved ratings agencies for determining
whether a security meets the definition of investment grade for
purposes of the Funds policy of investing at least 75% of its assets
in securities rated investment grade at the time of purchase or in
securities of equivalent quality; |
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(2) |
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The Fund may now purchase securities rated below Ba3/BB-/BB- by each
of Moodys, S&P and Fitch, respectively, as long as the senior debt of
the same issuer is rated investment grade by any one of Moodys, S&P
or Fitch at the time of purchase; and |
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(3) |
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If the senior debt of an issuer is unrated or it has no outstanding
senior debt, the Fund may now purchase its preferred securities if
they are rated at least Ba3/BB-/BB- by any one of Moodys, S&P or
Fitch, respectively. |
As a result of these changes, a security would be counted as investment
grade if it had an investment grade rating by any one of Moodys, S&P or Fitch,
even if the other two rating agencies rated it below investment grade. The
effect of this change would be to reduce the Funds holdings deemed below
investment grade purchases, as of January 31, 2011, from 16.4% to 12.5%. In
addition, the Fund would be authorized to purchase below Ba or BB securities of
investment grade issuers, subject to an overall 25% limit on purchasing below
investment grade securities. While this change would permit the Fund to acquire
securities rated B and below, the Funds adviser has no current intention of
doing so.
As before, the Fund will apply the ratings criteria at the time of purchase
and the Fund will not be required to dispose of securities if, after purchase,
they are downgraded, although the adviser may take this into account in
determining whether to retain the security. As a result, more than 25% of the
Funds holdings at any time may be rated below investment grade or in equivalent
securities. In addition, as before, the Fund may invest in unrated securities
that the Funds investment adviser deems to be comparable in quality to rated
issues in which the Fund is authorized to invest.
9
RISKS OF INVESTING IN SECURITIES RATED BELOW BA3/BB-
The Fund can purchase below-investment grade securities with ratings of at
least Ba3 by Moodys and BB- by S&P and Fitch; such ratings generally indicate
an issuer that is less vulnerable to non-payment of its obligations than other
speculative issuers. The issuer, however, faces major ongoing uncertainty or
exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions that could lead
to inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. Under the Funds new
investment policy with respect to the investment grade rating of securities, the
Fund may invest in securities with ratings below Ba3/BB- so long as the issuer
of such securities has an outstanding class of senior debt rated investment
grade by any one of Moodys, S&P or Fitch. Although a companys senior debt
rating may be investment grade, an underlying security issued by such company in
which the Fund may invest may have a lower than investment grade rating. A
security with a rating below Ba3/BB- generally indicates the issuer of such
security has a high degree of vulnerability of not paying its financial
obligations. A security rated B1 to B3 by Moodys, or B+ to B- by S&P or Fitch,
for example, indicates an issuer that is more vulnerable to not paying its
obligations than a Ba3 or BB- issuer; the issuer, however, currently has the
capacity to meet its financial commitments, although adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the issuers capacity or
willingness to meet its financial commitments. Securities rated Caa by Moodys
or CCC by S&P or Fitch indicate an issuer that is highly speculative and likely
to be in, or very near default with some prospects of recovery of principal and
interest, although the issuer is dependent upon favorable business, financial,
and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments. Securities rated
below Caa or CCC generally indicate an issuer that is highly vulnerable to not
paying its obligations or that has defaulted on an obligation.
10
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
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FUND STATISTICS |
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|
|
Net Asset Value |
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$ |
10.30 |
|
Market Price |
|
$ |
10.94 |
|
Premium |
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|
6.21 |
% |
Yield on Market Price |
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|
8.06 |
% |
Common Stock Shares
Outstanding |
|
|
12,039,459 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INDUSTRY CATEGORIES
|
|
% OF NET ASSETS+ |
|
|
|
|
|
MOODYS RATINGS |
|
% OF NET ASSETS+ |
|
A |
|
|
6.4 |
% |
BBB |
|
|
75.1 |
% |
BB |
|
|
15.3 |
% |
Below BB |
|
|
0.9 |
% |
Not Rated* |
|
|
0.3 |
% |
Below Investment Grade** |
|
|
9.0 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Does not include net other assets and liabilities of 2.0%. |
|
** |
|
Below investment grade by all of Moodys, S&P, and Fitch. |
|
|
|
|
|
TOP 10 HOLDINGS BY ISSUER |
|
% OF NET ASSETS+ |
|
Liberty Mutual Group |
|
|
4.5 |
% |
Banco Santander |
|
|
4.4 |
% |
HSBC Plc |
|
|
4.1 |
% |
Capital One Financial |
|
|
4.0 |
% |
Metlife |
|
|
3.9 |
% |
Wells Fargo |
|
|
3.1 |
% |
Enbridge Energy Partners |
|
|
3.0 |
% |
Southern California Edison |
|
|
2.6 |
% |
Barclays Bank Plc |
|
|
2.4 |
% |
Principal Financial |
|
|
2.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% OF NET ASSETS***+ |
|
Holdings Generating Qualified Dividend
Income (QDI) for Individuals |
|
|
44 |
% |
Holdings Generating Income Eligible for
the Corporate Dividends Received Deduction (DRD) |
|
|
30 |
% |
|
|
|
|
*** |
|
This does not reflect year-end results or actual tax categorization of
Fund distributions. These percentages can, and do, change, perhaps
significantly, depending on market conditions. Investors should consult
their tax advisor regarding their personal situation. |
|
+ |
|
Net Assets includes assets attributable to the use of leverage. |
11
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARES/$ PAR |
|
|
|
|
VALUE |
|
PREFERRED SECURITIES - 94.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BANKING - 37.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,750,000 |
|
|
Astoria Capital Trust I, 9.75% 11/01/29, Series B |
|
$ |
2,869,410 |
(1) |
|
280,123 |
|
|
Banco Santander, 10.50% Pfd., Series 10 |
|
|
8,180,012 |
**(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
Bank of America Corporation: |
|
|
|
|
|
5,175 |
|
|
8.20% Pfd |
|
|
135,481 |
* |
|
11,025 |
|
|
8.625% Pfd |
|
|
291,170 |
* |
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
BankAmerica Institutional, Series A, 8.07% 12/31/26, 144A**** |
|
|
516,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
Barclays Bank PLC: |
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,750,000 |
|
|
6.278% |
|
|
2,461,250 |
**(1)(2) |
|
1,200 |
|
|
7.75% Pfd., Series 4 |
|
|
30,804 |
**(2) |
|
77,000 |
|
|
8.125% Pfd., Series 5 |
|
|
2,024,330 |
**(1)(2) |
|
29,400 |
|
|
BB&T Capital Trust VI, 9.60% Pfd. 08/01/64 |
|
|
781,452 |
|
$ |
1,375,000 |
|
|
BBVA International Preferred, 5.919% |
|
|
1,199,528 |
**(1)(2) |
$ |
1,750,000 |
|
|
BNP Paribas, 7.195%, 144A**** |
|
|
1,750,000 |
**(1)(2) |
$ |
5,250,000 |
|
|
Capital One Capital III, 7.686% 08/15/36 |
|
|
5,420,625 |
(1) |
$ |
250,000 |
|
|
Capital One Capital V, 10.25% 08/15/39 |
|
|
267,500 |
|
$ |
1,750,000 |
|
|
Capital One Capital VI, 8.875% 05/15/40 |
|
|
1,826,562 |
(1) |
|
56,700 |
|
|
Citigroup Capital XIII, 7.875% Pfd. 10/30/40 |
|
|
1,585,831 |
(1) |
$ |
4,500,000 |
|
|
Colonial BancGroup, 7.114%, 144A**** |
|
|
202,500 |
++ |
|
4,500 |
|
|
FBOP Corporation, Adj. Rate Pfd., 144A**** |
|
|
11,250 |
*(3)(4)+ |
$ |
700,000 |
|
|
Fifth Third Capital Trust IV, 6.50% 04/15/37 |
|
|
700,000 |
(1) |
|
125,000 |
|
|
Fifth Third Capital Trust VI, 7.25% Pfd. 11/15/67 |
|
|
3,199,225 |
(1) |
|
890 |
|
|
First Republic Preferred Capital Corporation, 10.50% Pfd., 144A**** |
|
|
915,587 |
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
First Tennessee Bank, Adj. Rate Pfd., 3.75%(5) , 144A**** |
|
|
2,485,547 |
*(1) |
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
First Tennessee Capital II, 6.30% 04/15/34, Series B |
|
|
481,250 |
|
$ |
350,000 |
|
|
Fleet Capital Trust II, 7.92% 12/11/26 |
|
|
361,375 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
FT Real Estate Securities Company, 9.50% Pfd., 144A**** |
|
|
970,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Goldman Sachs: |
|
|
|
|
$ |
700,000 |
|
|
Capital I, 6.345% 02/15/34 |
|
|
676,271 |
(1) |
$ |
523,000 |
|
|
Capital II, 5.793% |
|
|
439,320 |
(1) |
|
3,500 |
|
|
STRIPES Custodial Receipts, Adj. Rate, 10.70%(5), Pvt |
|
|
2,201,500 |
*(3)(4) |
|
127,500 |
|
|
HSBC Holdings PLC, 8.00% Pfd., Series 2 |
|
|
3,490,313 |
**(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
HSBC USA, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
140,000 |
|
|
6.50% Pfd., Series H |
|
|
3,543,750 |
*(1) |
|
1,000 |
|
|
$2.8575 Pfd |
|
|
48,750 |
* |
$ |
1,525,000 |
|
|
JPMorgan Chase Capital XVIII, 6.95% 08/17/36, Series R |
|
|
1,572,617 |
(1) |
|
22,440 |
|
|
Keycorp Capital VIII, 7.00% Pfd. 06/15/66 |
|
|
572,220 |
(1) |
|
59,260 |
|
|
Keycorp Capital IX, 6.75% Pfd. 12/15/66 |
|
|
1,513,589 |
(1) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARES/$ PAR |
|
|
|
|
VALUE |
|
PREFERRED SECURITIES (CONTINUED) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BANKING (CONTINUED) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,200 |
|
|
Keycorp Capital X, 8.00% Pfd. 03/15/68 |
|
$ |
651,168 |
(1) |
$ |
450,000 |
|
|
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 6.657%, 144A**** |
|
|
352,125 |
**(2)+ |
|
10,000 |
|
|
Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VI, 6.60% Pfd. 02/01/46 |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
13,000 |
|
|
National City Capital Trust II, 6.625% Pfd. 11/15/36 |
|
|
331,780 |
|
$ |
840,000 |
|
|
NB Capital Trust IV, 8.25% 04/15/27 |
|
|
870,450 |
(1) |
|
99,000 |
|
|
PNC Financial Services, 9.875% Pfd., Series L |
|
|
2,830,786 |
*(1) |
$ |
1,105,000 |
|
|
PNC Preferred Funding Trust III, 8.70%, 144A**** |
|
|
1,183,069 |
(1) |
|
2,600 |
|
|
Sovereign REIT, 12.00% Pfd., Series A, 144A**** |
|
|
3,074,500 |
|
$ |
1,100,000 |
|
|
Wachovia Capital Trust III, Adj. Rate, 5.56975%(5) |
|
|
1,022,175 |
*(1) |
|
20,000 |
|
|
Wachovia Preferred Funding, 7.25% Pfd., Series A |
|
|
528,050 |
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
|
Washington Mutual, 9.75%, 144A**** |
|
|
22,500 |
++ |
$ |
1,400,000 |
|
|
Webster Capital Trust IV, 7.65% 06/15/37 |
|
|
1,402,264 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
Wells Fargo & Company: |
|
|
|
|
|
2,730 |
|
|
7.50% Pfd., Series L |
|
|
2,962,050 |
*(1) |
|
35,000 |
|
|
8.00% Pfd., Series J |
|
|
1,009,400 |
* |
$ |
245,000 |
|
|
Wells Fargo Capital XV, 9.75% |
|
|
264,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,480,186 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL SERVICES - 2.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
250,000 |
|
|
Ameriprise Financial, Inc., 7.518% 06/01/66 |
|
|
269,375 |
(1) |
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Claudius, Ltd. Credit Suisse AG, 7.875%, Series B |
|
|
1,046,250 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
Heller Financial, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
6.687% Pfd., Series C |
|
|
2,989,689 |
*(1) |
|
5,260 |
|
|
6.95% Pfd., Series D |
|
|
532,575 |
* |
|
20,699 |
|
|
HSBC Finance Corporation, 6.36% Pfd., Series B |
|
|
505,832 |
* |
|
|
|
|
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
45,800 |
|
|
5.67% Pfd., Series D |
|
|
12,366 |
*++ |
|
9,500 |
|
|
5.94% Pfd., Series C |
|
|
2,850 |
*++ |
|
25,000 |
|
|
6.50% Pfd., Series F |
|
|
1,588 |
*++ |
|
13,400 |
|
|
7.95% Pfd |
|
|
147 |
*++ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,360,672 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INSURANCE - 21.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,200,000 |
|
|
Ace Capital Trust II, 9.70% 04/01/30 |
|
|
1,621,430 |
(1)(2) |
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
AON Corporation, 8.205% 01/01/27 |
|
|
264,896 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARES/$ PAR |
|
|
|
|
VALUE |
|
PREFERRED SECURITIES (CONTINUED) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INSURANCE (CONTINUED) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arch Capital Group Ltd.: |
|
|
|
|
|
14,400 |
|
|
7.875% Pfd., Series B |
|
$ |
364,500 |
**(1)(2) |
|
25,000 |
|
|
8.00% Pfd., Series A |
|
|
642,970 |
**(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
AXA SA: |
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,100,000 |
|
|
6.379%, 144A**** |
|
|
1,947,750 |
**(1)(2) |
$ |
1,400,000 |
|
|
6.463%, 144A**** |
|
|
1,288,000 |
**(1)(2) |
|
29,700 |
|
|
Axis Capital Holdings, 7.50% Pfd., Series B |
|
|
2,932,875 |
(1)(2) |
|
90,000 |
|
|
Delphi Financial Group, 7.376% Pfd. 05/15/37 |
|
|
2,210,625 |
(1) |
$ |
4,000,000 |
|
|
Everest Re Holdings, 6.60% 05/15/37 |
|
|
3,900,000 |
(1) |
$ |
4,600,000 |
|
|
Liberty Mutual Group, 10.75% 06/15/58, 144A**** |
|
|
6,279,000 |
(1) |
$ |
1,080,000 |
|
|
MetLife Capital Trust IV, 7.875% 12/15/37, 144A**** |
|
|
1,211,879 |
(1) |
$ |
2,513,000 |
|
|
MetLife Capital Trust X, 9.25% 04/08/38, 144A**** |
|
|
3,204,075 |
(1) |
$ |
2,000,000 |
|
|
MetLife, Inc., 10.75% 08/01/39 |
|
|
2,842,666 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
Principal Financial Group: |
|
|
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
5.563% Pfd., Series A |
|
|
2,169,750 |
*(1) |
|
90,000 |
|
|
6.518% Pfd., Series B |
|
|
2,309,067 |
*(1) |
|
50,400 |
|
|
Renaissancere Holdings Ltd., 6.08% Pfd., Series C |
|
|
1,221,696 |
**(1)(2) |
|
115,500 |
|
|
Scottish Re Group Ltd., 7.25% Pfd |
|
|
1,313,813 |
**(2)+ |
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Stancorp Financial Group, 6.90% 06/01/67 |
|
|
989,839 |
(1) |
$ |
1,060,000 |
|
|
USF&G Capital, 8.312% 07/01/46, 144A**** |
|
|
1,251,754 |
(1) |
$ |
1,700,000 |
|
|
XL Capital Ltd., 6.50%, Series E |
|
|
1,621,375 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,587,960 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UTILITIES - 25.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
Alabama Power Company, 6.45% Pfd |
|
|
1,196,721 |
*(1) |
|
|
|
|
Baltimore Gas & Electric Company: |
|
|
|
|
|
6,579 |
|
|
6.70% Pfd., Series 1993 |
|
|
678,254 |
*(1) |
|
2,500 |
|
|
7.125% Pfd., Series 1993 |
|
|
253,203 |
* |
|
8,900 |
|
|
Calenergy Capital Trust III, 6.50% Pfd. 09/01/27 |
|
|
447,225 |
|
$ |
2,750,000 |
|
|
COMED Financing III, 6.35% 03/15/33 |
|
|
2,431,192 |
(1) |
|
8,000 |
|
|
Constellation Energy Group, 8.625% Pfd. 06/15/63, Series A |
|
|
216,240 |
|
$ |
750,000 |
|
|
Dominion Resources Capital Trust I, 7.83% 12/01/27 |
|
|
779,629 |
(1) |
$ |
3,000,000 |
|
|
Dominion Resources, Inc., 7.50% 06/30/66 |
|
|
3,183,351 |
(1) |
|
40,000 |
|
|
Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 6.45% Pfd |
|
|
985,000 |
* |
|
13,000 |
|
|
Entergy Louisiana, Inc., 6.95% Pfd |
|
|
1,293,500 |
* |
|
80,000 |
|
|
Entergy Mississippi, Inc., 6.25% Pfd |
|
|
1,985,000 |
* |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARES/$ PAR |
|
|
|
|
VALUE |
|
PREFERRED SECURITIES (CONTINUED) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UTILITIES (CONTINUED) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FPL Group Capital, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,660,000 |
|
|
6.65% 06/15/67 |
|
$ |
2,683,243 |
(1) |
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
|
7.30% 09/01/67, Series D |
|
|
1,053,818 |
(1) |
|
17,500 |
|
|
Georgia Power Company, 6.50% Pfd., Series 2007A |
|
|
1,820,548 |
*(1) |
|
|
|
|
Gulf Power Company: |
|
|
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
6.00% Pfd., Series 1 |
|
|
1,606,788 |
*(1) |
|
17,500 |
|
|
6.45% Pfd., Series 2007A |
|
|
1,816,068 |
*(1) |
|
30,500 |
|
|
Indianapolis Power & Light Company, 5.65% Pfd |
|
|
2,868,906 |
*(1) |
|
140,485 |
|
|
Interstate Power & Light Company, 8.375% Pfd., Series B |
|
|
4,082,845 |
*(1) |
|
7,000 |
|
|
MDU Resources Group, 4.50% Pfd. 07/08/10 |
|
|
592,375 |
* |
$ |
1,500,000 |
|
|
PECO Energy Capital Trust III, 7.38% 04/06/28, Series D |
|
|
1,528,689 |
(1) |
$ |
345,000 |
|
|
PPL Capital Funding, 6.70% 03/30/67, Series A |
|
|
342,820 |
|
|
41,500 |
|
|
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, 6.25% Pfd |
|
|
1,046,580 |
* |
$ |
4,155,000 |
|
|
Puget Sound Energy, Inc., 6.974% 06/01/67 |
|
|
4,248,463 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
Southern California Edison: |
|
|
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
6.00% Pfd., Series C |
|
|
2,613,361 |
*(1) |
|
15,000 |
|
|
6.125% Pfd |
|
|
1,462,500 |
*(1) |
|
8,250 |
|
|
6.50% Pfd., Series D |
|
|
823,196 |
* |
$ |
750,000 |
|
|
TXU Electric Capital V, 8.175% 01/30/37 |
|
|
236,250 |
(3) |
|
8,265 |
|
|
Union Electric Company, $4.75 Pfd |
|
|
695,552 |
* |
|
3,000 |
|
|
Virginia Electric & Power Company, $6.98 Pfd |
|
|
316,969 |
* |
$ |
475,000 |
|
|
Wisconsin Energy Corporation, 6.25% 05/15/67 |
|
|
481,529 |
(1) |
|
3,000 |
|
|
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, 6.88% Pfd |
|
|
321,094 |
* |
$ |
2,500,000 |
|
|
WPS Resources Corporation, 6.11% 12/01/66 |
|
|
2,477,847 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,568,756 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ENERGY - 6.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,000,000 |
|
|
Enbridge Energy Partners LP, 8.05% 10/01/37 |
|
|
5,537,175 |
(1) |
$ |
3,500,000 |
|
|
Enterprise Products Partners, 8.375% 08/01/66, Series A |
|
|
3,819,014 |
(1) |
|
3,000 |
|
|
Kinder Morgan GP, Inc., 8.33% Pfd., 144A**** |
|
|
3,050,813 |
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,407,002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARES/$ PAR |
|
|
|
|
VALUE |
|
PREFERRED SECURITIES (CONTINUED) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) - 0.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PS Business Parks, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
8,500 |
|
|
6.70% Pfd., Series P |
|
$ |
214,360 |
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
6.875% Pfd., Series R |
|
|
188,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
403,210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES - 1.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., 6.25% Pfd., 144A**** |
|
|
2,945,471 |
*(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,945,471 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL PREFERRED SECURITIES
(Cost $167,335,038) |
|
|
176,753,257 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES - 3.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BANKING - 0.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
|
Goldman Sachs Group, 6.75% 10/01/37, Sub Notes |
|
|
403,151 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
403,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INSURANCE - 2.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,250,000 |
|
|
Liberty Mutual Insurance, 7.697% 10/15/97, 144A**** |
|
|
2,155,124 |
(1) |
$ |
2,000,000 |
|
|
UnumProvident Corporation, 7.25% 03/15/28 |
|
|
2,157,804 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,312,928 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UTILITIES - 0.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
974,000 |
|
|
Southern Union Company, 8.25% 11/15/29, Senior Notes |
|
|
1,181,727 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,181,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
(Cost $4,685,576) |
|
|
5,897,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMON STOCK - 0.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UTILITIES - 0.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,558 |
|
|
PPL Corporation |
|
|
410,390 |
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
410,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $358,473) |
|
|
410,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARES/$ PAR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VALUE |
|
MONEY MARKET FUND - 0.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,382,179 |
|
|
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,382,179 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUND
(Cost $1,382,179) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,382,179 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $173,761,266***) |
|
|
98.9 |
% |
|
|
184,443,632 |
|
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Net) |
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
|
2,075,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL MANAGED ASSETS |
|
|
100.0 |
%++ |
|
$ |
186,519,605 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOAN PRINCIPAL BALANCE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(62,500,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
124,019,605 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Securities eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction and
distributing Qualified Dividend Income. |
|
** |
|
Securities distributing Qualified Dividend Income only. |
|
*** |
|
Aggregate cost of securities held. |
|
**** |
|
Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
registration to qualified institutional buyers. At May 31, 2011, these
securities amounted to $34,817,194 or 18.7% of total managed assets.
|
|
(1) |
|
All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral for the
Funds loan. The total value of such securities was $136,642,412 at
May 31, 2011.
|
|
(2) |
|
Foreign Issuer. |
|
(3) |
|
Illiquid. |
|
(4) |
|
Fair valued as of May 31, 2011. |
|
(5) |
|
Represents the rate in effect as of the reporting date. |
|
+ |
|
Non-income producing. |
|
++ |
|
The issuer has filed for bankruptcy protection. As a result, the Fund
may not be able to recover the principal invested and also does not
expect to receive income on this security going forward.
|
|
++ |
|
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of
that category as a percentage of total managed assets. |
|
|
|
ABBREVIATIONS: |
|
PFD. |
|
Preferred Securities |
|
PVT. |
|
Private Placement Securities |
|
REIT |
|
Real Estate Investment Trust |
|
STRIPES |
|
Structured Residual Interest Preferred Enhanced Securities |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments, at value (Cost $173,761,266) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
184,443,632 |
|
Dividends and interest receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,283,650 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
86,090 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
186,813,372 |
|
LIABILITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan Payable |
|
$ |
62,500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends payable to Common Stock Shareholders |
|
|
90,284 |
|
|
|
|
|
Investment advisory fee payable |
|
|
89,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Administration, Transfer Agent and Custodian fees payable |
|
|
31,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
Professional fees payable |
|
|
55,430 |
|
|
|
|
|
Directors fees payable |
|
|
1,920 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables |
|
|
25,341 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,793,767 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
124,019,605 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK consist of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed net investment income |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
489,054 |
|
Accumulated net realized loss on investments sold |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(26,377,516 |
) |
Unrealized appreciation of investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,682,366 |
|
Par value of Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
120,395 |
|
Paid-in capital in excess of par value of Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
139,105,306 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net Assets Available to Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
124,019,605 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock (12,039,459 shares outstanding) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
10.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends+ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,252,266 |
|
Interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,693,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,945,403 |
|
|
EXPENSES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment advisory fees |
|
$ |
506,684 |
|
|
|
|
|
Administrators fees |
|
|
91,601 |
|
|
|
|
|
Professional fees |
|
|
114,016 |
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance expenses |
|
|
47,229 |
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer Agent fees |
|
|
31,912 |
|
|
|
|
|
Directors fees |
|
|
37,492 |
|
|
|
|
|
Custodian fees |
|
|
11,603 |
|
|
|
|
|
Compliance fees |
|
|
19,694 |
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
378,281 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
71,944 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,310,456 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INVESTMENT INCOME |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,634,947 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain on investments sold during the period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,968,688 |
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation
of investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,997,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,966,479 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS TO COMMON STOCK RESULTING
FROM OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12,601,426 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
For Federal income tax purposes, a significant portion of this amount
may not qualify for the inter-corporate dividends received deduction
(DRD) or as qualified dividend income (QDI) for individuals. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIX MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAY 31, 2011 |
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
|
(UNAUDITED) |
|
|
NOVEMBER 30, 2010 |
|
OPERATIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
$ |
5,634,947 |
|
|
$ |
10,567,029 |
|
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments sold during the period |
|
|
2,968,688 |
|
|
|
2,893,764 |
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments |
|
|
3,997,791 |
|
|
|
16,663,789 |
|
Distributions to APS* Shareholders from net investment income,
including changes in accumulated undeclared distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(73,485 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS |
|
|
12,601,426 |
|
|
|
30,051,097 |
|
DISTRIBUTIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid from net investment income to Common Stock
Shareholders(1) |
|
|
(5,660,197 |
) |
|
|
(9,263,572 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS |
|
|
(5,660,197 |
) |
|
|
(9,263,572 |
) |
|
FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase from shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment
and Cash Purchase Plan |
|
|
455,274 |
|
|
|
817,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK
RESULTING FROM FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS |
|
|
455,274 |
|
|
|
817,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO
COMMON STOCK FOR THE PERIOD |
|
$ |
7,396,503 |
|
|
$ |
21,604,556 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period |
|
$ |
116,623,102 |
|
|
$ |
95,018,546 |
|
Net increase in net assets during the period |
|
|
7,396,503 |
|
|
|
21,604,556 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period (including undistributed net investment
income of $489,054 and $514,304, respectively) |
|
$ |
124,019,605 |
|
|
$ |
116,623,102 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Auction Preferred Stock. |
|
(1) |
|
May include income earned, but not paid out, in prior fiscal year. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH |
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
|
$ |
12,601,426 |
|
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Purchase of investment securities |
|
|
(25,057,089 |
) |
Proceeds from disposition of investment securities |
|
|
18,558,000 |
|
Purchase of short-term investment securities, net |
|
|
(685,473 |
) |
Proceeds from bankruptcy settlement |
|
|
1,699 |
|
Cash received from litigation claim |
|
|
7,106 |
|
Decrease in dividends and interest receivable |
|
|
10,250 |
|
Increase in prepaid expenses |
|
|
(30,891 |
) |
Net amortization/(accretion) of premium/(discount) |
|
|
(289,160 |
) |
Decrease in payable for investments purchased |
|
|
(244,985 |
) |
Increase in payables to related parties |
|
|
8,855 |
|
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities |
|
|
(5,275 |
) |
Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on securities |
|
|
(3,997,791 |
) |
Net realized gain from investments sold |
|
|
(2,968,688 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
(2,092,016 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from loan |
|
|
7,300,000 |
|
Dividends paid (net of reinvestment of dividends and change in
dividends payable) to common stock shareholders from net
investment income |
|
|
(5,207,984 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by financing activities |
|
|
2,092,016 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash |
|
|
|
|
|
CASH: |
|
|
|
|
Beginning of the period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of the period |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
|
|
|
|
Interest paid during the period |
|
$ |
371,902 |
|
Reinvestment of dividends |
|
|
455,274 |
|
Decrease in dividends payable to common stock shareholders |
|
|
(3,061 |
) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
21
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FOR A COMMON STOCK SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD.
Contained below is per share operating performance data, total investment
returns, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data. This
information has been derived from information provided in the financial
statements and market price data for the Funds shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIX MONTHS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ENDED |
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAY 31, 2011 |
|
|
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, |
|
|
|
(UNAUDITED) |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
|
$ |
9.72 |
|
|
$ |
7.98 |
|
|
$ |
4.71 |
|
|
$ |
10.14 |
|
|
$ |
12.60 |
|
|
$ |
12.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
|
0.89 |
|
|
|
0.73 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on
investments |
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
1.64 |
|
|
|
3.22 |
|
|
|
(5.46 |
) |
|
|
(2.44 |
) |
|
|
0.49 |
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO APS* SHAREHOLDERS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
(0.08 |
) |
|
|
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
|
|
(0.25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from investment operations |
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
2.52 |
|
|
|
3.87 |
|
|
|
(4.79 |
) |
|
|
(1.67 |
) |
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income |
|
|
(0.47 |
) |
|
|
(0.78 |
) |
|
|
(0.60 |
) |
|
|
(0.75 |
) |
|
|
(0.79 |
) |
|
|
(0.80 |
) |
From return of capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to Common Stock
Shareholders |
|
|
(0.47 |
) |
|
|
(0.78 |
) |
|
|
(0.60 |
) |
|
|
(0.78 |
) |
|
|
(0.79 |
) |
|
|
(0.80 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on repurchase of Auction Preferred
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period |
|
$ |
10.30 |
|
|
$ |
9.72 |
|
|
$ |
7.98 |
|
|
$ |
4.71 |
|
|
$ |
10.14 |
|
|
$ |
12.60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market value, end of period |
|
$ |
10.94 |
|
|
$ |
9.89 |
|
|
$ |
7.44 |
|
|
$ |
3.93 |
|
|
$ |
10.30 |
|
|
$ |
12.42 |
|
Total investment return based on net asset
value** |
|
|
11.09 |
%**** |
|
|
32.37 |
% |
|
|
88.38 |
% |
|
|
(48.12 |
%) |
|
|
(13.90 |
%) |
|
|
11.02 |
% |
Total investment return based on market
value** |
|
|
15.97 |
%**** |
|
|
44.46 |
% |
|
|
110.49 |
% |
|
|
(57.38 |
%) |
|
|
(11.28 |
%) |
|
|
15.22 |
% |
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net assets, end of period (in 000s) |
|
$ |
124,020 |
|
|
$ |
116,623 |
|
|
$ |
95,019 |
|
|
$ |
55,747 |
|
|
$ |
119,086 |
|
|
$ |
147,357 |
|
Operating expenses including interest
expense(1) |
|
|
2.21 |
%*** |
|
|
2.32 |
% |
|
|
2.55 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses excluding interest
expense |
|
|
1.57 |
%*** |
|
|
1.60 |
% |
|
|
2.19 |
% |
|
|
2.05 |
% |
|
|
1.56 |
% |
|
|
1.52 |
% |
Net investment income+ |
|
|
9.48 |
%*** |
|
|
9.81 |
% |
|
|
12.38 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income, including payments
to APS Shareholders+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.74 |
% |
|
|
11.03 |
% |
|
|
8.36 |
% |
|
|
6.53 |
% |
|
|
6.34 |
% |
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:++ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
11 |
%**** |
|
|
35 |
% |
|
|
66 |
% |
|
|
60 |
% |
|
|
60 |
% |
|
|
68 |
% |
Total managed assets, end of period
(in 000s) |
|
$ |
186,520 |
|
|
$ |
171,823 |
|
|
$ |
142,019 |
|
|
$ |
105,347 |
|
|
$ |
189,086 |
|
|
$ |
217,357 |
|
Ratio of operating expenses including
interest expense(1)(2) to total managed
assets |
|
|
1.48 |
%*** |
|
|
1.55 |
% |
|
|
1.59 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of operating expenses excluding
interest expense(2) to total managed
assets |
|
|
1.05 |
%*** |
|
|
1.07 |
% |
|
|
1.36 |
% |
|
|
1.19 |
% |
|
|
1.04 |
% |
|
|
1.02 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Auction Preferred Stock. |
|
** |
|
Assumes reinvestment of distributions at the price obtained by the Funds
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan. |
|
*** |
|
Annualized. |
|
**** |
|
Not Annualized. |
|
+ |
|
The net investment income ratios reflect income net of operating expenses,
including interest expense. |
|
++ |
|
Information presented under heading Supplemental Data includes APS and
loan principal balance. |
|
(1) |
|
See Note 8. |
|
(2) |
|
Does not include distributions to APS Shareholders. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
22
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIVIDEND |
|
|
DIVIDENDS |
|
NET ASSET |
|
NYSE |
|
REINVESTMENT |
|
|
PAID |
|
VALUE |
|
CLOSING PRICE |
|
PRICE (1) |
December 31, 2010 Extra |
|
$ |
0.0300 |
|
|
$ |
9.65 |
|
|
$ |
9.48 |
|
|
$ |
9.59 |
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
0.0735 |
|
|
|
9.65 |
|
|
|
9.48 |
|
|
|
9.59 |
|
January 31, 2011 |
|
|
0.0735 |
|
|
|
9.76 |
|
|
|
10.09 |
|
|
|
9.76 |
|
February 28, 2011 |
|
|
0.0735 |
|
|
|
9.95 |
|
|
|
10.35 |
|
|
|
9.95 |
|
March 31, 2011 |
|
|
0.0735 |
|
|
|
9.94 |
|
|
|
10.47 |
|
|
|
9.95 |
|
April 29, 2011 |
|
|
0.0735 |
|
|
|
10.15 |
|
|
|
10.55 |
|
|
|
10.15 |
|
May 31, 2011 |
|
|
0.0735 |
|
|
|
10.30 |
|
|
|
10.94 |
|
|
|
10.39 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Whenever the net asset value per share of the Funds Common Stock is less
than or equal to the market price per share on the reinvestment date, new
shares issued will be valued at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the
then current market price. Otherwise, the reinvestment shares of Common
Stock will be purchased in the open market. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
23
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
SENIOR SECURITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVOLUNTARY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSET |
|
LIQUIDATION |
|
TOTAL DEBT |
|
ASSET |
|
|
|
|
|
|
COVERAGE |
|
PREFERENCE |
|
OUTSTANDING |
|
COVERAGE PER |
|
|
TOTAL APS* SHARES |
|
PER APS |
|
PER APS |
|
END OF PERIOD |
|
$1,000 OF |
DATE |
|
OUTSTANDING (1) |
|
SHARE (2) |
|
SHARE (3) |
|
(000S) (4) |
|
DEBT (5) |
05/31/11** |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
62,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,984 |
|
11/30/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
55,200 |
|
|
|
3,113 |
|
11/30/09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
47,000 |
|
|
|
3,022 |
|
11/30/08 |
|
|
496 |
|
|
$ |
214,002 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
11/30/07 |
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
270,894 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
11/30/06 |
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
310,819 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
See note 7. |
|
(2) |
|
Calculated by subtracting the Funds total liabilities (excluding the APS
and accumulated undeclared distributions to APS) from the Funds total
assets and dividing that amount by the number of APS shares outstanding. |
|
(3) |
|
Excludes accumulated undeclared dividends. |
|
(4) |
|
See note 8. |
|
(5) |
|
Calculated by subtracting the Funds total liabilities (excluding the
loan) from the Funds total assets and dividing that amount by the loan
outstanding in 000s. |
|
* |
|
Auction Preferred Stock. |
|
** |
|
Unaudited. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
24
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. ORGANIZATION
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated (the
Fund) was incorporated as a Maryland corporation on December 10, 1991, and
commenced operations on February 13, 1992 as a diversified, closed-end
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the 1940 Act). The Funds investment objective is to provide its
common shareholders with high current income consistent with the preservation of
capital.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The
preparation of the financial statements is in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities in the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases
and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Portfolio valuation: The net asset value of the Funds Common Stock is
determined by the Funds Administrator no less frequently than on the last
business day of each week and month in accordance with the policies and
procedures approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund. It is determined by
dividing the value of the Funds net assets available to Common Stock by the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. The value of the Funds net assets
available to Common Stock is deemed to equal the value of the Funds total
assets less (i) the Funds liabilities and (ii) the aggregate liquidation value
of any outstanding preferred stock.
The Funds preferred and debt securities are valued on the basis of current
market quotations provided by independent pricing services or dealers approved
by the Board of Directors of the Fund. Each quotation is based on the mean of
the bid and asked prices of a security. In determining the value of a particular
preferred or debt security, a pricing service or dealer may use information with
respect to transactions in such investments, quotations, market transactions in
comparable investments, various relationships observed in the market between
investments, and/or calculated yield measures based on valuation technology
commonly employed in the market for such investments. Common stocks that are
traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last sale price or official close
price on the exchange, as of the close of business on the day the securities are
being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available mean price. Futures
contracts and option contracts on futures contracts are valued on the basis of
the settlement price for such contracts on the primary exchange on which they
trade. Investments in over-the-counter derivative instruments, such as interest
rate swaps and options thereon (swaptions), are valued using prices supplied
by a pricing service, or if such prices are unavailable, prices provided by a
single broker or dealer that is not the counterparty or, if no such prices are
available, at a price at which the counterparty to the contract would repurchase
the instrument or terminate the contract. Investments for which market
quotations are not readily available or for which management determines that the
prices are not reflective of current market conditions are valued at fair value
as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors
of the Fund, including reference to valuations of other securities which are
comparable in quality, maturity and type.
25
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
Investments in money market instruments and all debt and preferred
securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost.
Investments in money market funds are valued at the net asset value of such
funds.
Fair Value Measurement: The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure
fair value of the Funds investments are summarized into three levels as
described in the hierarchy below:
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
quoted prices in active markets for identical securities |
|
|
|
Level 2 |
|
other significant observable inputs (including quoted
prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment
speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
|
|
|
Level 3 |
|
significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds own
assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily
an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Transfers in and out of levels are recognized at market value at the end of the
period. A summary of the inputs used to value the Funds investments as of May
31, 2011 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Significant |
|
|
Significant |
|
|
|
Value at |
|
|
Quoted |
|
|
Observable |
|
|
Unobservable |
|
|
|
May 31, 2011 |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Inputs |
|
|
Inputs |
|
Preferred Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banking |
|
$ |
69,480,186 |
|
|
$ |
48,003,456 |
|
|
$ |
21,262,980 |
|
|
$ |
213,750 |
|
Financial Services |
|
|
5,360,672 |
|
|
|
505,832 |
|
|
|
4,854,840 |
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
39,587,960 |
|
|
|
21,600,291 |
|
|
|
17,987,669 |
|
|
|
|
|
Utilities |
|
|
46,568,756 |
|
|
|
4,299,085 |
|
|
|
42,269,671 |
|
|
|
|
|
Energy |
|
|
12,407,002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,407,002 |
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) |
|
|
403,210 |
|
|
|
403,210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous Industries |
|
|
2,945,471 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,945,471 |
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Debt Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
5,897,806 |
|
|
|
1,584,878 |
|
|
|
4,312,928 |
|
|
|
|
|
Utilities |
|
|
410,390 |
|
|
|
410,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market Fund |
|
|
1,382,179 |
|
|
|
1,382,179 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments |
|
$ |
184,443,632 |
|
|
$ |
78,189,321 |
|
|
$ |
106,040,561 |
|
|
$ |
213,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Fund did not have any significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and
Level 2 during the period.
The Funds investments in Level 2 and Level 3 are based primarily on market
information, where available. This includes, but is not limited to, prices
provided by third-party providers, observable trading activity (including the
recency, depth, and consistency of such information with quoted levels), and the
depth and consistency of broker-quoted prices. In the event market information
is not directly available, comparable information may be observed for securities
that are similar in many respects to those being valued. The Fund may employ an
income approach for certain securities that also takes into account credit risk,
interest rate risk, and potential recovery prospects.
26
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which
significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PREFERRED SECURITIES |
|
|
TOTAL INVESTMENTS |
|
BANKING |
|
BALANCE AS OF 11/30/10 |
|
$ |
19,908 |
|
|
$ |
19,908 |
|
Accrued discounts/premiums |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized gain/(loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in unrealized
appreciation/(depreciation) |
|
|
(8,658 |
) |
|
|
(8,658 |
) |
Net purchases/(sales) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer in and/or out of Level 3 |
|
|
202,500 |
|
|
|
202,500 |
|
|
BALANCE AS OF 05/31/11 |
|
$ |
213,750 |
|
|
$ |
213,750 |
|
As of May 31, 2011, total change in unrealized gain/(loss) on Level 3
securities still held at year-end and included in the change in net assets was
$(8,658). Total unrealized gain/(loss) for all securities (including Level 1 and
Level 2) can be found on the accompanying Statement of Operations.
Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are
recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities sold
are recorded on the specific identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded
on ex-dividend dates. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. The Fund
also amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on fixed income securities using
the effective yield method.
Options: Purchases of options are recorded as an investment, the value of
which is marked-to-market at each valuation date. When the Fund enters into a
closing sale transaction, the Fund will record a gain or loss depending on the
difference between the purchase and sale price.
When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by
the Fund is recorded as a liability, the value of which is marked-to-market at
each valuation date. When a written option expires, the Fund realizes a gain
equal to the amount of the premium originally received. When the Fund enters
into a closing purchase transaction, the Fund realizes a gain (or loss if the
cost of the closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the
option was written) without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the
underlying security, and the liability related to such option is eliminated.
When a call option is exercised, the Fund realizes a gain or loss from the sale
of the underlying security and the proceeds from such sale are increased by the
amount of the premium originally received. When a put option is exercised, the
amount of the premium originally received will reduce the cost of the security
which the Fund purchased upon exercise.
Repurchase agreements: The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement
transactions. The Funds investment adviser reviews and approves the eligibility
of the banks and dealers with which the Fund may enter into repurchase agreement
transactions. The value of the collateral underlying such transactions is at
least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligations,
including interest. The Fund maintains possession of the collateral through its
custodian and, in the event of counterparty default, the Fund has the right to
use the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is the possibility of loss
to the Fund in the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its
rights to dispose of the collateral securities.
27
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
Federal income taxes: The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a
regulated investment company by complying with the requirements under subchapter
M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated
investment companies and intends to distribute substantially all of its taxable
net investment income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax
provision is required.
Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken on federal income
tax returns for all open tax years (November 30, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007), and
has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Funds
financial statements. The Funds major tax jurisdictions are federal and
California. The Funds federal and state income and federal excise tax returns
for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired
are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments
of revenue.
Dividends and distributions to shareholders: The Fund expects to declare
dividends on a monthly basis to shareholders of Common Stock (Shareholders).
Distributions to Shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Any net
realized short-term capital gains will be distributed to Shareholders at least
annually. Any net realized long-term capital gains may be distributed to
Shareholders at least annually or may be retained by the Fund as determined by
the Funds Board of Directors. Capital gains retained by the Fund are subject to
tax at the capital gains corporate tax rate. Subject to the Fund qualifying as a
regulated investment company, any taxes paid by the Fund on such net realized
long-term capital gains may be used by the Funds Shareholders as a credit
against their own tax liabilities. The Fund may pay distributions in excess of
the Funds net investment company taxable income and this excess would be a
tax-free return of capital distributed from the Funds assets.
Income and capital gain distributions are determined and characterized in
accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from US GAAP. These
differences are primarily due to (1) differing treatments of income and gains on
various investment securities held by the Fund, including timing differences,
(2) the attribution of expenses against certain components of taxable investment
income, and (3) federal regulations requiring proportionate allocation of income
and gains to all classes of shareholders.
Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include
short-term capital gains, which are included as ordinary income for tax
purposes, and may exclude amortization of premium on certain fixed income
securities, which are not reflected in ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax
character of distributions paid, including changes in accumulated undeclared
distributions to preferred shareholders, during 2011 and 2010 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID IN FISCAL YEAR 2011 |
|
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID IN FISCAL YEAR 2010 |
|
|
ORDINARY |
|
LONG-TERM |
|
ORDINARY |
|
LONG-TERM |
|
|
INCOME |
|
CAPITAL GAINS |
|
INCOME |
|
CAPITAL GAINS |
Common |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
9,263,572 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Preferred |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
73,485 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
28
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
As of November 30, 2010, the components of distributable earnings (i.e.,
ordinary income and capital gain/loss) available to Shareholders, on a tax
basis, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNDISTRIBUTED |
|
UNDISTRIBUTED |
|
NET UNREALIZED |
CAPITAL (LOSS) CARRYFORWARD |
|
ORDINARY INCOME |
|
LONG-TERM GAIN |
|
APPRECIATION/(DEPRECIATION) |
$ (29,782,473) |
|
$ |
824,616 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
7,120,844 |
|
The composition of the Funds $29,782,473 accumulated realized capital
losses was $851,491, $15,168,592 and $13,762,390 incurred in 2007, 2008 and
2009, respectively. These losses may be carried forward and offset against any
future capital gains through 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. During the year
ended November 30, 2010, the Fund utilized $1,223,987, $694,286 and $1,200,020
of capital losses expiring in 2010, 2012 and 2015, respectively.
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (Modernization
Act) was signed into law on December 22, 2010. Under the Modernization Act the
Fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years
beginning after December 22, 2010 (Fiscal Year 2012 for the Fund) indefinitely.
However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years must be utilized
prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. As a result,
pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.
Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain
their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than
being considered all short-term under previous law.
Excise tax: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes a 4%
nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund does not distribute
by the end of any calendar year at least (1) 98% of the sum of its net
investment income for that year and its capital gains (both long-term and
short-term) for its fiscal year and (2) certain undistributed amounts from
previous years. The Fund paid $23,446 of federal excise taxes attributable to
calendar year 2010 in March 2011.
Additional Accounting Standards: In January 2010, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06,
Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU No. 2010-06 amends
FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures, to require additional disclosures regarding fair value
measurements. Certain disclosures required by ASU No. 2010-06 are effective for
interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, and
other required disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Management
has evaluated the impact and has incorporated the disclosures required by ASU
No. 2010-06 in its financial statement disclosures.
In May 2011, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04
Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements
in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. ASU 2011-04 includes common requirements for
measurement of and disclosure about fair value between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. ASU
2011-04 will require reporting entities to disclose the following information
for fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value
hierarchy: quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in the
fair value measurement, the valuation processes used by the reporting entity and
a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value measurement to
changes in unobservable inputs
29
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
and the interrelationships between those unobservable inputs. In addition, ASU
2011-04 will require reporting entities to make disclosures about amounts and
reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value
measurements. The new and revised disclosures are effective for interim and
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Management is
currently evaluating the implications of ASU No. 2011-04 and its impact on the
financial statements.
3. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Fund intends to use derivatives primarily to economically hedge against
risks in the portfolio, namely interest rate risk and credit risk. Historically
the Fund has used options on treasury futures contracts for the purpose of
economically hedging against a significant increase in long-term interest rates.
When the strategy has been employed, the Fund would purchase put options on
treasury futures contracts that would increase in value if long-term interest
rates increased significantly, offsetting some of the related decline in
portfolio asset values. The Fund has also purchased and written call options on
treasury futures contracts to supplement the put option strategy and also to
reduce the overall cost of the interest rate hedge (by earning premiums from the
net sale of call options).
The Fund has the authority to use other derivatives for hedging or to
increase expected return, but has not employed any of these derivatives to-date
and does not anticipate broad use of these derivatives in the near future
(although this may change without advance notice). Other approved derivatives
strategies include: buying and selling credit default swaps, interest rate swaps
and options thereon (swaptions), and options on securities. Accounting policies
for specific derivatives, including the location of these items in the financial
statements, are included in Note 2 as appropriate. No assurance can be given
that such use of derivatives will achieve their desired purposes or, in the case
of hedging, will result in an overall reduction of risk to the Fund.
The Fund did not use any derivatives during the six months ended May 31,
2011 and the fiscal year ended November 30, 2010.
Options on Financial Futures Contracts: When the interest rate hedging
strategy is employed, the Fund intends to use options on financial futures
contracts in much the same way as described above. The risk associated with
purchasing options, and therefore the maximum loss the Fund would incur, is
limited to the purchase price originally paid. The risk in writing a call option
is that the Fund may forego the opportunity for profit if the market price of
the underlying security increases and the option is exercised. The risk in
writing a put option is that the Fund may incur a loss if the market price of
the underlying security decreases and the option is exercised.
4. |
|
INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE, ADMINISTRATION FEE, TRANSFER AGENT FEE,
CUSTODIAN FEE, DIRECTORS FEES AND CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER FEE |
Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated (the Adviser) serves as the Funds
investment adviser. The Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annual rate of
0.625% of the value of the Funds average monthly total managed assets up to
$100 million and 0.50% of the Funds average monthly total managed assets of
$100 million or more.
30
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
For purposes of calculating the fees payable to the Adviser, Administrator
and Custodian, the Funds total managed assets means the total assets of the
Fund (including any assets attributable to the Funds preferred stock that may
be outstanding or otherwise attributable to the use of leverage) minus the sum
of accrued liabilities (other than debt, if any, representing financial
leverage). For purposes of determining total managed assets, the liquidation
preference of any outstanding preferred shares issued by the Fund is not treated
as a liability.
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNY Mellon) serves as the
Funds Administrator. As Administrator, BNY Mellon calculates the net asset
value of the Funds shares attributable to Common Stock and generally assists in
all aspects of the Funds administration and operation. As compensation for BNY
Mellons services as Administrator, the Fund pays BNY Mellon a monthly fee at an
annual rate of 0.10% of the first $200 million of the Funds average weekly
total managed assets, 0.04% of the next $300 million of the Funds average
weekly total managed assets, 0.03% of the next $500 million of the Funds
average weekly total managed assets and 0.02% of the Funds average weekly total
managed assets above $1 billion.
BNY Mellon also serves as the Funds Common Stock dividend-paying agent and
registrar (Transfer Agent). As compensation for BNY Mellons services, the Fund
pays BNY Mellon a fee at an annual rate of 0.02% of the first $150 million of
the Funds average weekly net assets attributable to Common Stock, 0.0075% of
the next $350 million of the Funds average weekly net assets attributable to
Common Stock, and 0.0025% of the Funds average weekly net assets attributable
to Common Stock above $500 million, plus certain out of pocket expenses. For the
purpose of calculating such fee, the Funds average weekly net assets
attributable to Common Stock are deemed to be the average weekly value of the
Funds total assets minus the sum of the Funds liabilities. For this
calculation, the Funds liabilities are deemed to include the aggregate
liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares and the loan
principal balance.
PFPC Trust Company (PFPC Trust), a member of BNY Mellon, serves as the
Funds Custodian. As compensation for PFPC Trusts services as custodian, the
Fund pays PFPC Trust a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.01% of the first $200
million of the Funds average weekly total managed assets, 0.008% of the next
$300 million of the Funds average weekly total managed assets, 0.006% of the
next $500 million of the Funds average weekly total managed assets and 0.005%
of the Funds average weekly total managed assets above $1 billion.
The Fund currently pays each Director who is not a director, officer or
employee of the Adviser a fee of $9,000 per annum, plus $750 for each in-person
meeting of the Board of Directors or Audit Committee, $500 for each in-person
meeting of the Nominating Committee, and $250 for each telephone meeting. The
Audit Committee Chairman receives an additional annual fee of $3,000. The Fund
also reimburses all Directors for travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with such meetings.
The Fund currently pays the Adviser a fee of $37,500 per annum for Chief
Compliance Officer services and reimburses out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with providing services in this role.
5. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the six months ended May 31, 2011, the cost of purchases and proceeds
from sales of securities excluding short-term investments, aggregated
$25,057,089 and $18,558,000, respectively.
31
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
At May 31, 2011, the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax
purposes was $173,324,997, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all
securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost was $25,695,117
and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which
there is an excess of tax cost over value was $14,576,482.
6. COMMON STOCK
At May 31, 2011, 240,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value Common Stock were
authorized.
Common Stock transactions were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIX MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
|
05/31/11 |
|
|
11/30/10 |
|
|
|
SHARES |
|
|
AMOUNT |
|
|
SHARES |
|
|
AMOUNT |
|
Shares issued under the
Dividend Reinvestment
and Cash Purchase Plan |
|
|
45,968 |
|
|
$ |
455,274 |
|
|
|
86,726 |
|
|
$ |
817,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7. AUCTION PREFERRED STOCK (APS)
The Funds Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to
10,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock. Prior to August 4, 2009,
the Fund had preferred stock issued in the form of APS. The APS was senior to
the Common Stock and resulted in the financial leveraging of the Common Stock.
As of August 4, 2009, the Fund redeemed and cancelled the last remaining shares
of APS and does not currently have any issued and outstanding shares of
preferred stock. Although the APS was redeemed, certain additional distributions
were owed to previous holders and were paid in December, 2009.
8. COMMITTED FINANCING AGREEMENT
The Fund entered into a committed financing agreement (Financing
Agreement) on June 26, 2009 which allowed the Fund to borrow up to an initial
limit of $36.6 million on a secured basis. The primary use of the initial
proceeds was to redeem the outstanding shares of APS (See Note 7), although, the
Fund now uses the borrowing facility in the normal course of business as
financial leverage. Such leveraging tends to magnify both the risks and
opportunities to Shareholders. The Financing Agreement has been amended from
time to time to allow for changes in the committed amount. As of May 31, 2011,
the committed amount, and amount borrowed, under the Financing Agreement was
$62.5 million.
Effective January 1, 2011, the lender charges an annualized rate of 0.80%
on the undrawn (committed) balance, and three-month LIBOR (reset quarterly) plus
0.95% on the drawn (borrowed) balance. Prior to January 1, 2011, the lender
charged an annualized rate of 1.00% on the undrawn balance and three-month LIBOR
(reset quarterly) plus 1.10% on the drawn balance. For the six months ended May
31, 2011, the daily weighted average annualized interest rate on the drawn
balance was 1.268% and the average daily loan balance was $58,970,879. The Fund
paid the lender an arrangement fee (at the origination of the facility) equal to
0.50% of the committed amount of $36.6 million. The arrangement fee was
amortized to expense over a period of approximately eighteen months. LIBOR rates
may vary in a manner unrelated to the income received on the Funds assets,
which could have either a beneficial or detrimental impact on net investment
income and gains available to Shareholders.
32
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
The Fund is required to meet certain asset coverage requirements under the
Financing Agreement and under the 1940 Act. In accordance with the asset
coverage requirements, at least two-thirds of the Funds assets are expected to
be pledged as collateral assuming the full committed amount is drawn. Securities
pledged as collateral are identified in the portfolio of investments. If the
Fund fails to meet these requirements, or maintain other financial covenants
required under the Financing Agreement, the Fund may be required to repay
immediately, in part or in full, the amount borrowed under the Financing
Agreement. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing requirements or covenants
could restrict the Funds ability to pay dividends to Shareholders and could
necessitate sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times. The Financing
Agreement has no stated maturity, but may be terminated by either party without
cause with six months advance notice.
9. PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS, CONCENTRATION AND INVESTMENT QUALITY
The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of preferred
securities. This includes traditional preferred stocks eligible for the
inter-corporate dividends received deduction (DRD) and fully taxable preferred
securities. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of the
Funds net assets will be invested in preferred securities. Also, under normal
market conditions, the Fund invests at least 25% of its total assets in
securities of issuers in each of the utilities industry and financial services
sector. For purposes of the financial services sector concentration policy, a
company is within the financial services sector if it derives at least 50% of
its revenue from providing financial services. The Funds portfolio may
therefore be subject to greater risk and market fluctuation than a portfolio of
securities representing a broader range of investment alternatives.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets at the time of purchase in
securities rated below investment grade by all of Moodys, S&P and Fitch,
provided that (a) such securities are rated at least Ba3 by Moodys, BB- by
S&P, or BB- by Fitch or (b) such securities are issued by an issuer having an
outstanding class of senior debt rated investment grade by any one of Moodys,
S&P, or Fitch at the time of purchase. Thus, the Fund may invest in securities
rated below Ba3 by Moodys, BB- by S&P and BB- by Fitch if the issuer has
investment grade senior debt outstanding. In addition, the Fund may invest in
unrated securities that the Funds investment adviser deems to be comparable in
quality to rated issues in which the Fund is authorized to invest.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its assets in common stocks and, under
normal market conditions, up to 20% of its assets in debt securities. Certain of
its investments in hybrid, i.e., fully taxable, preferred securities will be
subject to the foregoing 20% limitation to the extent that, in the opinion of
the Adviser, such investments are deemed to be debt-like in key characteristics.
Typically, a security will not be considered debt-like (a) if an issuer can
defer payment of income for eighteen months or more without triggering an event
of default and (b) if such issue is a junior and fully subordinated liability of
an issuer or its ultimate guarantor.
In addition to foreign money market securities, the Fund may invest up to
30% of its total assets in the securities of companies organized or having their
principal place of business outside the United States. All foreign securities
held by the Fund will be denominated in U.S. dollars.
33
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
The Fund may employ certain investment techniques in accordance with its
fundamental investment policies. These may include the use of when-issued and
delayed delivery transactions. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis may be settled within 45 days after the date of the
transaction. The Fund may also enter into transactions, in accordance with its
investment policies, involving short sales of securities and purchases of
securities on margin. Such transactions may expose the Fund to credit and market
valuation risk greater than that associated with regular trade settlement
procedures.
10. SECURITIES LENDING
The Fund terminated its securities lending agreement effective April 15,
2011.
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund
through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that
there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the
financial statements.
34
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN
Under the Funds Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the Plan),
a shareholder whose Common Stock is registered in his or her own name will have
all distributions reinvested automatically by BNY Mellon as agent under the
Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Registered shareholders may
elect to receive cash by contacting BNY Mellon at the number provided below. If
shares are registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is,
in street name) and the broker or nominee participates in the Plan,
distributions may be reinvested by the broker or nominee in additional shares
under the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash.
Shareholders may elect to receive cash by contacting their broker or nominee. A
shareholder who holds Common Stock registered in the name of a broker or other
nominee may not be able to transfer the Common Stock to another broker or
nominee and continue to participate in the Plan. Investors who own Common Stock
registered in street name should consult their broker or nominee for details
regarding reinvestment.
The number of shares of Common Stock distributed to participants in the
Plan in lieu of a cash dividend is determined in the following manner. Whenever
the market price per share of the Funds Common Stock is equal to or exceeds the
net asset value per share on the valuation date, participants in the Plan will
be issued new shares valued at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the then
current market value. Otherwise, BNY Mellon will buy shares of the Funds Common
Stock in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or elsewhere,
on or shortly after the payment date of the dividend or distribution and
continuing until the ex-dividend date of the Funds next distribution to holders
of the Common Stock or until it has expended for such purchases all of the cash
that would otherwise be payable to the participants. The number of purchased
shares that will then be credited to the participants accounts will be based on
the average per share purchase price of the shares so purchased, including
brokerage commissions. If BNY Mellon commences purchases in the open market and
the then current market price of the shares (plus any estimated brokerage
commissions) subsequently exceeds their net asset value most recently determined
before the completion of the purchases, BNY Mellon will attempt to terminate
purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue the remaining dividend
or distribution in shares. In this case, the number of shares received by the
participant will be based on the weighted average of prices paid for shares
purchased in the open market and the price at which the Fund issues the
remaining shares. These remaining shares will be issued by the Fund at the
higher of net asset value or 95% of the then current market value.
Plan participants are not subject to any charge for reinvesting dividends
or capital gains distributions. Each Plan participant will, however, bear a
proportionate share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to BNY
Mellons open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends
or capital gains distributions. For the six months ended May 31, 2011, $401 in
brokerage commissions were incurred.
The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions
will not relieve Plan participants of any income tax that may be payable on the
dividends or capital gains distributions. A participant in the Plan will be
treated for Federal income tax purposes as having received, on the dividend
payment date, a dividend or distribution in an amount equal to the cash that the
participant could have received instead of shares.
35
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
In addition to acquiring shares of Common Stock through the reinvestment of
cash dividends and distributions, a shareholder may invest any further amounts
from $100 to $3,000 semi-annually at the then current market price in shares
purchased through the Plan. Such semi-annual investments are subject to any
brokerage commission charges incurred by BNY Mellon under the Plan.
A shareholder whose Common Stock is registered in his or her own name may
terminate participation in the Plan at any time by notifying BNY Mellon in
writing, by completing the form on the back of the Plan account statement and
forwarding it to BNY Mellon, or by calling BNY Mellon directly. A termination
will be effective immediately if notice is received by BNY Mellon not less than
10 days before any dividend or distribution record date. Otherwise, the
termination will be effective, and only with respect to any subsequent dividends
or distributions, on the first day after the dividend or distribution has been
credited to the participants account in additional shares of the Fund. Upon
termination and according to a participants instructions, BNY Mellon will
either (a) issue certificates for the whole shares credited to the shareholders
Plan account and a check representing any fractional shares or (b) sell the
shares in the market. Shareholders who hold Common Stock registered in the name
of a broker or other nominee should consult their broker or nominee to terminate
participation.
The Plan is described in more detail in the Funds Plan brochure.
Information concerning the Plan may be obtained from BNY Mellon at
1-866-351-7446.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROXY VOTING RECORD ON FORM N-PX
The Fund files Form N-PX with its complete proxy voting record for the 12
months ended June 30th no later than August 31st of each year. The Fund filed
its latest Form N-PX with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on
August 23, 2010. This filing, as well as the Funds proxy voting policies and
procedures, are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the
Funds transfer agent at
1-866-351-7446 and (ii) on the SECs website at
www.sec.gov. In addition, the Funds proxy voting policies and procedures are
available on the Funds website at www.preferredincome.com.
PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE ON FORM N-Q
The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for
the first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q, the latest of which was filed
for the quarter ended February 28, 2011. The Funds Form N-Q is available on the
SECs website at www.sec.gov or may be viewed and obtained from the SECs Public
Reference Room in Washington D.C. Information on the operation of the Public
Reference Section may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT TEAM
In managing the day-to-day operations of the Fund, the Adviser relies on
the expertise of its team of money management professionals, consisting of
Messrs. Crumrine, Ettinger, Stone and Chadwick. The professional backgrounds of
each member of the management team are included in the Information about Fund
Directors and Officers section of this report.
36
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
On April 15, 2011, the Fund held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the
Annual Meeting) for the following purpose: Election of Directors of the Fund
(the Proposal). The Proposal was approved by the shareholders and the results
of the voting are as follows:
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
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NAME |
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FOR |
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WITHHELD |
Morgan Gust |
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10,108,758 |
|
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143,790 |
|
Karen H. Hogan |
|
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10,110,398 |
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142,150 |
|
Donald F. Crumrine, David Gale and Robert F. Wulf continue to serve in
their capacities as Directors of the Fund.
37
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
INFORMATION ABOUT FUND DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the
Funds Board of Directors. Information pertaining to the Directors and officers
of the Fund is set forth below.
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PRINCIPAL |
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NUMBER OF FUNDS |
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TERM OF OFFICE |
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OCCUPATION(S) |
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IN FUND COMPLEX |
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NAME, ADDRESS, |
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POSITION(S) |
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AND LENGTH OF |
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DURING PAST |
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OVERSEEN |
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OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS |
AND AGE |
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HELD WITH FUND |
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TIME SERVED* |
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FIVE YEARS |
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BY DIRECTOR |
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HELD BY DIRECTOR** |
NON-INTERESTED
DIRECTORS: |
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DAVID GALE
Delta Dividend Group, Inc.
220 Montgomery Street
Suite 426
San Francisco, CA 94104
Age: 62
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Director
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Class I Director
since
January 1997
|
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President of Delta
Dividend Group, Inc.
(investments)
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4 |
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Metromedia
International
Group, Inc. |
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MORGAN GUST
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 720
Pasadena, CA 91101
Age: 64
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Director and
Nominating
and
Governance
Committee
Chairman
|
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Class III Director
since
February 1992
|
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Owner and operator of
various entities engaged
in agriculture and real
estate; Former President
of Giant Industries, Inc.
(petroleum refining and
marketing) from March
2002 through June 2007
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4 |
|
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CoBiz, Financial,
Inc. (financial
services) |
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* |
|
The Funds Board of Directors is divided into three classes, each class
having a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one class
expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve for a
three year term.The three year term for each class expires as follows: |
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CLASS I DIRECTOR three year term expires at the Funds 2012 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders; director may continue in office until his
successor is duly elected and qualified. |
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CLASS II DIRECTORS three year term expires at the Funds 2013 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders; directors may continue in office until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. |
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CLASS III DIRECTORS three year term expires at the Funds 2014
Annual Meeting of Shareholders; directors may continue in office until
their successors are duly elected and qualified. |
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** |
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Each Director also serves as a Director for Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred
Income Fund, Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund,
and Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Total Return Fund. |
39
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
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PRINCIPAL |
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NUMBER OF FUNDS |
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TERM OF OFFICE |
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OCCUPATION(S) |
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IN FUND COMPLEX |
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NAME, ADDRESS, |
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POSITION(S) |
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AND LENGTH OF |
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DURING PAST |
|
OVERSEEN |
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OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS |
AND AGE |
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HELD WITH FUND |
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TIME SERVED* |
|
FIVE YEARS |
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BY DIRECTOR |
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HELD BY DIRECTOR** |
NON-INTERESTED
DIRECTORS: |
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KAREN H. HOGAN
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 720
Pasadena, CA 91101
Age: 50
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Director
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Class III Director
since
April 2005
|
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Active Committee Member
and Volunteer to several
non-profit organizations;
from September 1985 to
January 1997, Senior Vice
President of Preferred Stock
Origination at Lehman
Brothers and Previously,
Vice President of New
Product Development
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4 |
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None |
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ROBERT F.WULF
P.O. Box 753
Neskowin, OR 97149
Age: 74
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Director
and Audit
Committee
Chairman
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Class II Director
since
February 1992
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Financial Consultant;
Trustee, University of
Oregon Foundation;
Trustee, San Francisco
Theological Seminary
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4 |
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None |
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INTERESTED
DIRECTOR: |
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DONALD F. CRUMRINE+
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 720
Pasadena, CA 91101
Age: 63
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Director,
Chairman of
the Board and
Chief
Executive
Officer
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Class II Director
since
February 1992
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Chairman of the Board
and Director of Flaherty &
Crumrine Incorporated
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4 |
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None |
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* |
|
The Funds Board of Directors is divided into three classes, each class
having a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one class
expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve
for a three year term.The three year term for each class expires as follows: |
|
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CLASS I DIRECTOR three year term expires at the Funds 2012 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders; director may continue in office until his
successor is duly elected and qualified. |
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CLASS II DIRECTORS three year term expires at the Funds 2013 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders; directors may continue in office until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. |
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CLASS III DIRECTORS three year term expires at the Funds 2014
Annual Meeting of Shareholders; directors may continue in office until
their successors are duly elected and qualified. |
|
** |
|
Each Director also serves as a Director for Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred
Income Fund, Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund,
and Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Total Return Fund. |
|
+ |
|
Interested person of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Crumrine is
considered an interested person because of his affiliation with Flaherty
& Crumrine Incorporated, which acts as the Funds investment adviser. |
40
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
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PRINCIPAL |
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TERM OF OFFICE |
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OCCUPATION(S) |
NAME, ADDRESS, |
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POSITION(S) |
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AND LENGTH OF |
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DURING PAST |
AND AGE |
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HELD WITH FUND |
|
TIME SERVED |
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FIVE YEARS |
OFFICERS: |
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ROBERT M. ETTINGER
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 720
Pasadena, CA 91101
Age: 52
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President
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Since
October 2002
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President and Director of Flaherty &
Crumrine Incorporated |
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R. ERIC CHADWICK
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 720
Pasadena, CA 91101
Age: 36
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Chief Financial
Officer, Vice
President and
Treasurer
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Since
July 2004
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Director of Flaherty & Crumrine
Incorporated since June 2006;
Vice President of Flaherty &
Crumrine Incorporated |
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CHAD C. CONWELL
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 720
Pasadena, CA 91101
Age: 38
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Chief Compliance
Officer, Vice
President and
Secretary
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Since
July 2005
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Chief Compliance Officer & Vice
President of Flaherty & Crumrine
Incorporated; Director of Flaherty &
Crumrine Incorporated since
January 2011 |
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BRADFORD S. STONE
47 Maple Street
Suite 403
Summit, NJ 07901
Age: 51
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Vice President
and Assistant
Treasurer
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Since
July 2003
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Director of Flaherty & Crumrine
Incorporated since June 2006;
Vice President of Flaherty &
Crumrine Incorporated |
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LAURIE C. LODOLO
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 720
Pasadena, CA 91101
Age: 47
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Assistant Complian
Officer, Assistan
Treasurer and
Assistant Secretar
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ce Since
t July 2004
y
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Assistant Compliance Officer and
Secretary of Flaherty & Crumrine
Incorporated |
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LINDA M. PUCHALSKI
301 E. Colorado Boulevard
Suite 720
Pasadena, CA 91101
Age: 54
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Assistant
Treasurer
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Since
August 2010
|
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Administrator of Flaherty & Crumrine
Incorporated |
41
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
BOARD CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF CONTINUANCE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
On January 25, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the
continuation of the existing investment advisory agreement with the Adviser (the
Investment Advisory Agreement). The following paragraphs summarize the
material information and factors considered by the Board, including the
Non-Interested Directors, as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.
In considering whether to approve the Funds Investment Advisory Agreement,
the Board members considered and discussed a substantial amount of information
and analysis provided, at the Boards request, by the Adviser. The Board members
also considered detailed information regarding performance and expenses of other
investment companies thought to be generally comparable to the Fund. The Board
members discussed with management this and other information relating to the
Investment Advisory Agreement during the Special Meeting held on January 13,
2011 for that specific purpose. In reaching their determinations relating to
continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board members considered
these discussions and all other factors they believed relevant, including the
factors discussed below. In their deliberations, Board members did not identify
any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and Board
members may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Board
members evaluated this information, and all other information available to them,
for the Fund, and their determinations were made separately in respect of each
other fund advised by the Adviser. In particular, the Board members focused on
the following with respect to the Fund.
NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICES
The Board members reviewed in detail the nature and extent of services
provided by the Adviser and the quality of those services over the past year and
since inception. The Board members noted that these services included managing
the Funds investment program, as well as the continued provision of significant
administrative services beyond what the Investment Advisory Agreement required.
The Board members noted that the Adviser also provided, generally at its
expense: office facilities for use by the Fund; personnel responsible for
supervising the performance of administrative, accounting and related services;
and investment compliance monitoring. Board members also considered the
Advisers sound financial condition and the Advisers commitment to its
business, in part evidenced by the Adviser maintaining its staff despite
materially lower revenues during 2008 and 2009 (a period some have called the
global financial crisis). The Board members evaluated the Advisers services
based on their direct experience serving as Directors for many years, focusing
on (i) the Advisers knowledge of the preferred securities market generally and
the sophisticated hedging strategies the Fund had employed until recently, the
reasons why that strategy would have been ineffective during and after the
recent market dislocation, why the Adviser has suspended its customary hedging
strategy, and its focus on, and internal resources dedicated to, identifying
opportunities to add additional value through hedging and other sophisticated
financial transactions, and (ii) the Advisers culture of compliance. The Board
members reviewed the personnel responsible for providing services to the Fund
and observed that, based on their experience and interaction with the Adviser:
(1) the Advisers personnel exhibited a high level of personal integrity,
diligence and attention to detail in carrying out their responsibilities under
the Investment Advisory Agreement; (2) the Adviser was responsive to requests of
the
42
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
Board, and its personnel were available between Board meetings to answer
questions from Board members; and (3) the Adviser had kept the Board apprised of
developments relating to the Fund. The Board members also considered continued
efforts undertaken by the Adviser to maintain an effective compliance program.
The Board members concluded that the nature and extent of the services provided
were reasonable and appropriate in relation to the Funds investment goals and
strategies, the corporate and regulatory environment in which the Fund operates,
the level of services provided by the Adviser, and that the quality of the
Advisers service continues to be high.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
As occurred last year, Board members took note of the extraordinary market
conditions since 2008, the more recent recovery in markets for the Funds
securities and the Funds superior recent performance, which evidenced the
Advisers continued adherence to its investment discipline. The Board members
considered the Funds relative performance since inception, including its
performance in recent fiscal periods, including its disappointing absolute
performance over certain periods that preceded the recent period of excellent
performance. The Board members reviewed the Funds performance compared to
relevant indices and funds thought to be generally comparable to the Fund and
examined differences between the Fund and certain funds in the comparison group.
The Board members also reviewed relative fees and expenses of the Fund and the
funds in the comparison group, including comparative advisory fee,
administration fee and total expense ratios, and noted that the Fund had below
average advisory fees and below average advisory/administration/shareholder
service fees.
PROFITABILITY
The Board members considered the Advisers methodology for determining its
profitability with respect to the Fund, and the Advisers profit margin on an
after-tax basis attributable to managing the Fund. The Board members noted, in
recent years, that declining assets under management, when compared to historic
highs, has led to declining Adviser profitability, but noted with approval the
Advisers continued commitment to maintaining existing personnel and service
levels. The Board members also considered that the Adviser provided, at a lower
cost, services to separate account clients and determined that the difference
was justified in light of the additional services and costs associated with
managing registered investment companies, such as the Fund. The Board members
accepted the Advisers statement that it did not realize material indirect
benefits from its relationship with the Fund and did not obtain soft dollar
credits from securities trading.
ECONOMIES OF SCALE
The Board members noted that the Fund, as a closed-end investment company,
was not expected to increase materially in size and, based on adverse market
conditions and related deleveraging, the Funds size had declined significantly
from historic highs although recently aggregate assets had increased as a
result of market appreciation. Thus, in light of these circumstances, the
Adviser would not benefit from economies of scale, especially where personnel
and other Adviser costs of providing services did not decline commensurately.
The Board members considered whether economies of scale could be realized
because the Adviser advises other similar funds. Based on their experience, the
Board members accepted the Advisers explanation that significant economies of
scale would not be realized because of the complexity of managing preferred
securities for separate funds and other portfolios. Nonetheless, the Board
members
43
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
noted that the Funds advisory fee schedule declines as assets increase beyond a
certain level (commonly known as a breakpoint), and that breakpoints provide
for a sharing with shareholders of benefits derived as a result of economies of
scale arising from increased assets. Accordingly, the Board members determined
that the existing advisory fee levels reflect possible economies of scale, and
possibly at levels more favorable to the Fund than might have been negotiated
had the substantial volatility of the Funds asset levels been anticipated at
the time the breakpoints had been agreed upon.
In light of their discussions and considerations as described above, the
Board members made the following determinations:
|
|
|
the nature and extent and quality of the services provided by the
Adviser are reasonable and appropriate, and the quality of the
services is high; |
|
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|
|
the Funds overall performance over time has been satisfactory, and
its absolute performance for recent periods was reflective of market
conditions, given the Funds investment policies and strategies and
the Advisers adherence to them, which is responsible for the recent
superior performance as markets stabilized; |
|
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|
the fee paid to the Adviser was reasonable in light of (i)
comparative performance and expense and advisory fee information,
considered over relevant time periods, (ii) the cost of the services
provided and profits to be realized, and (iii) the benefits derived or
to be derived by the Adviser from the relationship with the Fund; and |
|
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|
there were not at this time significant economies of scale to be
realized by the Adviser in managing the Funds assets, and the fee was
structured to provide for a sharing of the benefits of economies of
scale. |
Based on these conclusions, the Board members determined that approval of
the Investment Advisory Agreement was in the best interest of the Fund and its
shareholders.
44
DIRECTORS
Donald F. Crumrine, CFA
Chairman of the Board
David Gale
Morgan Gust
Karen H. Hogan
Robert F. Wulf, CFA
OFFICERS
Donald F. Crumrine, CFA
Chief Executive Officer
Robert M. Ettinger, CFA
President
R. Eric Chadwick, CFA
Chief Financial Officer,
Vice President and Treasurer
Chad C. Conwell
Chief Compliance Officer,
Vice President and Secretary
Bradford S. Stone
Vice President and
Assistant Treasurer
Laurie C. Lodolo
Assistant Compliance Officer,
Assistant Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary
Linda M. Puchalski
Assistant Treasurer
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated
e-mail: flaherty@pfdincome.com
QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR SHARES OF FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE PREFERRED INCOME
OPPORTUNITY FUND?
|
|
|
If your shares are held in a Brokerage Account, contact your Broker. |
|
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|
If you have physical possession of your shares in certificate form,
contact the Funds Transfer Agent & Shareholder Servicing
Agent |
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|
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 358035
Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8035
1-866-351-7446 |
THIS REPORT IS SENT TO SHAREHOLDERS OF FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE PREFERRED INCOME
OPPORTUNITY FUND INCORPORATED FOR THEIR INFORMATION. IT IS NOT A PROSPECTUS,
CIRCULAR OR REPRESENTATION INTENDED FOR USE IN THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF SHARES OF
THE FUND OR OF ANY SECURITIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT.
Semi-Annual Report
May 31, 2011
www.preferredincome.com
45
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
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. |
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|
ITEM 7. |
|
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
46
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
There has been no change, as of the date of this filing, in any of the portfolio
managers identified in response to paragraph (a)(1) of this Item in the
registrants most recently filed annual report on Form N-CSR.
|
|
|
ITEM 9. |
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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 registrants 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 registrants principal executive and principal financial
officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that
the registrants 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 registrants 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 registrants second
fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
|
(a)(1) Not applicable. |
|
|
(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. |
|
|
(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. |
47
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) Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
|
|
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|
By (Signature and Title)*
|
|
/s/ Donald F. Crumrine |
|
|
|
|
Donald F. Crumrine, Director, Chairman of the Board
|
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|
|
and Chief Executive Officer |
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|
|
(principal executive officer) |
|
|
Date 7/26/11
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/ Donald F. Crumrine |
|
|
|
|
Donald F. Crumrine, Director, Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
|
|
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
(principal executive officer) |
|
|
Date 7/26/11
|
|
|
|
|
By (Signature and Title)*
|
|
/s/ R. Eric Chadwick |
|
|
|
|
R. Eric Chadwick, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
|
|
|
|
|
and Vice President |
|
|
|
|
(principal financial officer) |
|
|
Date 7/26/11
|
|
|
* |
|
Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her
signature. |
48