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: 811-4980
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90017
(Address of principal executive offices)
Patrick W. Dennis, Esq.
Assistant Secretary
865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1800
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (213) 244-0000
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2014
Item 1. | Report to Stockholders. |
Annual Report TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. DECEMBER 31 2014
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Presidents Letter |
|
David S. DeVito President, Chief Executive Officer & Director |
Dear Valued Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the 2014 annual report for the TCW Strategic Income Fund (TSI). TSI is a multi-asset class closed-end fund managed by TCW Investment Management Company and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For 2014, the shareholders of the Fund realized a 5.66% return on investment, while the Funds net asset value increased 6.66% (i.e., returns of the underlying assets). TSIs Custom Benchmark Index posted a return for the year of 6.62%. This has brought annualized price-based performance of the Fund to 11.35% for the trailing three-year period and to 15.47% for the trailing five-year period, well ahead of the Funds benchmark for those periods including since inception return. The Funds price based return of 5.66% was slightly lower than the net asset value (NAV) based return of 6.66% in 2014. This relates to changes in the discount to NAV at which TSI shares traded in 2014. Specifically, the share discount to NAV began the year at 8.2% and subsequently widened to 9.4%, thus decreasing the relative return of the TSI shares as compared with the return on the underlying net asset valuation.
The Fund changed its managed distribution policy and implemented a net investment income-based distribution policy effective January 1, 2014, which is to distribute dependable, but not assured, quarterly distributions out of the Funds accumulated net investment income and/or other sources. We believe this new dividend policy is in the best interests of the shareholders and the Fund. In 2014, distributions were made in the following amounts: Q1 2014, $0.0728; Q2 2014, $0.0725; Q3 2014, $0.0644 and Q4 2014, $0.0433.
Fund Performance
Annualized Total Return as of 12/31/14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | 10 year | Since 3/1/06 (2) |
Since 3/5/87 (3) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Price Based Return |
5.66 | % | 11.35 | % | 15.47 | % | 10.59 | % | 12.24 | % | 8.51 | % | ||||||||||||
NAV Based Return |
6.66 | % | 14.01 | % | 15.16 | % | 10.04 | % | 11.29 | % | 9.11 | % | ||||||||||||
Custom Benchmark (1) |
6.62 | % | 8.56 | % | 8.34 | % | 6.46 | % | 6.76 | % | N/A |
(1) | Custom Benchmark Index: 15% S&P 500 with Income, 15% Merrill Lynch Convertible Index, 45% Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index, 25% Citi High Yield Cash Pay Index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than that quoted. The market value and net asset value of the Funds shares will fluctuate with market conditions. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Funds distributions. You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds performance from the amount of the quarterly distribution or from the terms of the Funds distribution policy. |
(2) | The date on which the Funds investment strategy changed to a multi-asset class fund. Prior to this date, the Fund primarily invested in convertible securities. |
(3) | Inception date of the Fund. |
Having already defied the early 2014 consensus on U.S. Treasury (UST) rates with a significant rally in the first three quarters, the year ended on a similar note, with a further decline in yields beyond the intermediate stretch of the yield-curve. The 32 basis point (bps) dip in the fourth quarter on the 10-Year UST brought the year-end level to 2.17%, well below the 3.03% to start the year. While in
1
TSI Annual Letter (Continued)
retrospect, explanations abound as to the surprising fall in rates, it would appear that the markets were unswayed by three significant developments during the year that would typically motivate a relatively higher rate profile. First, after several years of balance sheet expansion via the active purchase of USTs and agency mortgages, the Federal Reserve (Fed) announced and executed a drawdown and elimination of new quantitative easing (QE) purchases, removing its massive buying power (aside from coupon reinvestments on its holdings). Second, on the heels of a weather-induced economic contraction in the first quarter, the middle part of the year saw 4.6% and 5% annualized growth rates, a clear indication of some long-anticipated momentum. Finally, the last 11 months of the year were each punctuated by job creation in excess of two hundred thousand that drew the unemployment rate down to 5.6%.
So, how to account for the unexpected retreat in UST yields in 2014? Undoubtedly, economic weakness persisted overseas as a decoupling from U.S. fortunes became more apparent across developed and emerging markets alike. Through the middle part of the year, this was addressed in varying degrees by Japan, Europe, and China, as each looked to introduce further stimulus to their challenged growth profiles. As a consequence, government bond rates fell, with 10-Year German and Japanese debt trading below 1%, while even Italian and Spanish paper yielded less than USTs. These lower rates have effectively limited upward lift to U.S. rates and the stronger dollar has made USD-denominated assets more compelling, further restricting much of a rise in U.S. rates. And then there is oil, which found prices collapsing in the fourth quarter as weaker demand met with surging supply and financial market machinations. The decline in oil and other commodities prices has magnified global deflationary fears, further feeding the rate environment. Ironically, stock performance in the U.S. only confused the issue, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 5% in the fourth quarter and nearly 14% for the year.
Rallying rates fueled good returns in the broad U.S. bond market, with the Barclays Aggregate Index up 1.8% in the fourth quarter and 6% for the year, though long USTs (20+ years) were the big winners, pacing the market with a 27.5% gain for the year as the long bond yield plummeted over 120 bps. Meanwhile, despite a strong first half of the year, fixed income credit markets ended 2014 relatively cheaper, largely due to increasing creditor concerns about slowing global growth, reflected not least by the drop in oil and other commodities. In particular, emerging market and high yield debt were especially hard hit by the decline in oil prices, lagging significantly for the fourth quarter and year. Similarly, among investment grade corporates, commodity-related sectorsmetals and mining as well as energysaw the largest increase in credit spreads, resulting in considerable underperformance to USTs. Financial credits were the best performers as balance sheets continued to strengthen given ever tighter regulatory control.
Despite the end of the Feds QE program in October, agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) outperformed duration-matched USTs in 2014 for the fifth out of the past six years, returning over 6%. Even without new purchases, the sector remained supported by the Feds reinvestment of MBS pay-downs, while supply remained light given the still-stringent underwriting standards and low securitization rate on the part of banks. Commercial MBS (CMBS) returned nearly 4% in 2014 and generated excess returns of over 100 bps to USTs as commercial real estate prices continued to climb. Non-agency RMBS also performed well during the fourth quarter and year, benefitting from favorable technicals (supply and demand) and improving fundamentals. An absence of new origination and steady pay-downs drove ongoing attrition of the market (though it remains relatively large with over $700 billion outstanding) and demand remained strong from a pool of stable buy-and-hold investors. Fundamentally, steady housing price appreciation and stronger credit profiles within mortgage pools further supported the relative
2
performance. Asset-backed securities (ABS) posted positive returns for the quarter and year, with student loan ABS performing particularly well.
With upward revisions to second and third quarter GDP, the economy, although not yet consistently robust, is demonstrating some strength and resistance to the global challenges. The Fed has begun to normalize monetary policy with the conclusion of its asset purchase program in October and has its eye on coming off the longstanding zero interest rate policy with expectations of a rate hike in 2015. Specific to the Fund, strategy continues to be largely influenced by a view that interest rate pressures will heighten over time and that late-stage credit cycle dynamics such as increased leverage and looser underwriting standards warrant a cautious and selective investment strategy. Interest rate risk is constrained via a shorter-than-Index duration position and credit risk is managed via selective security selection across non-government fixed income sectors.
More specifically from a thematic perspective, non-agency MBS continue to offer very good relative value and remain a sizable allocation within the Fund. Among ABS, select subsectors offer good risk-adjusted value and offer diversity to portfolios, namely FFELP student loans and high quality collateralized loan obligations (CLO). The overweight to CMBS is made up of both agency-backed issues and non-agency CMBS at the top of the capital structure. Corporate credit has become marginally less attractive as the cycle ages and rich valuations persist, thus informing an underweight, particularly among industrial credits. However, financials and utilities remain relatively attractive as both are somewhat protected from increasing leverage due to regulatory oversight. Outside of the investment grade space, bank loans and high yield corporates represent a modest allocation, with a tilt toward issues that are higher in the capital structure and have shorter durations to reduce exposure to interest rate volatility.
TSIs equity exposure is currently implemented with long positions in S&P 500 Index futures that had a notional value representing 4.2% of the Funds market value at year-end. The position was gradually trimmed from mid-year levels as equity valuations continued to increase, though a meaningful correction in equity prices might lead to an increase in the equity allocation.
Leverage is available to the Fund through a $70 million line of credit facility; however, the Fund has not drawn from it currently. The use of leverage has been accretive to returns in recent years owing to the general lowering of market rates. However, this may not always be a positive and management has reduced the use of leverage in the Fund. Should rates rise or credit or mortgage spreads widen, it is our expectation that the NAV of the Fund could be adversely impacted by the use of leverage.
Our expectations for 2015 are for continued slow economic growth with periods of ongoing market volatility. Management is concerned that risk markets may be vulnerable to higher levels of volatility in 2015 and hence (1) leverage is not being utilized, (2) use of credit and high yield has been reduced, and (3) the underweight of equity exposure relative to the Funds Custom Index (Funds equity exposure is just over 4% versus the Custom Indexs exposure of 15%).
3
TSI Annual Letter (Continued)
We greatly appreciate your investment in the Fund and your continuing support of TCW. In the event that you have any additional questions or comments, I invite you to visit our web site at www.tcw.com or call our shareholder services department at 1-866-227-8179.
Sincerely,
David S. DeVito
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
4
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments
Principal Amount |
Fixed Income Securities | Value | ||||||
Asset-Backed Securities (25.6% of Net Assets) |
||||||||
$ | 1,130,000 | 321 Henderson Receivables LLC, (13-3A-B), (144A), 5.54%, due 01/15/75 (1) |
$ | 1,277,519 | ||||
575,000 | 321 Henderson Receivables LLC, (14-2A-B), (144A), 4.48%, due 01/15/75 (1) |
576,084 | ||||||
933,021 | AABS, Ltd., (13-1-B), 6.161%, due 01/10/38 (2) |
930,051 | ||||||
1,150,000 | AMUR Finance I LLC, (2013-1), 10%, due 01/25/22 |
1,149,984 | ||||||
1,121,221 | AMUR Finance I LLC, (2013-2), 10%, due 03/20/24 |
1,121,205 | ||||||
614,144 | AMUR Finance I LLC, (2014-1), 11%, due 11/21/17 |
614,136 | ||||||
500,000 | ARES XXVI CLO, Ltd., (13-1A-C), (144A), 2.981%, due 04/15/25 (1)(2) |
478,071 | ||||||
140,176 | Axis Equipment Finance Receivables LLC, (12-1I-E1), 6.25%, due 04/20/16 |
140,642 | ||||||
425,000 | Axis Equipment Finance Receivables LLC, (12-1I-E2), 7%, due 03/20/17 |
426,881 | ||||||
1,200,000 | Babson CLO, Ltd., (13-IA-A), (144A), 1.331%, due 04/20/25 (1)(2) |
1,180,259 | ||||||
1,150,000 | Babson CLO, Ltd., (14-IA-A1), (144A), 1.72%, due 07/20/25 (1)(2) |
1,146,834 | ||||||
1,182,860 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (03-2-A), (144A), 1.04%, due 12/25/33 (1)(2) |
1,123,334 | ||||||
972,181 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (04-1-A), (144A), 0.53%, due 04/25/34 (1)(2) |
933,755 | ||||||
887,778 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (04-2-A), (144A), 0.6%, due 08/25/34 (1)(2) |
851,607 | ||||||
426,810 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (04-3-A1), (144A), 0.54%, due 01/25/35 (1)(2) |
396,855 | ||||||
1,466,902 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (05-2A-A1), (144A), 0.48%, due 08/25/35 (1)(2) |
1,343,217 | ||||||
1,590,858 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (05-4A-A1), (144A), 0.47%, due 01/25/36 (1)(2) |
1,406,638 | ||||||
1,258,847 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (06-4A-A1), (144A), 0.4%, due 12/25/36 (1)(2) |
1,134,287 | ||||||
1,000,000 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (06-SP1-M1), (144A), 0.62%, due 04/25/36 (1)(2) |
978,281 | ||||||
935,112 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (07-2A-A1), (144A), 0.44%, due 07/25/37 (1)(2) |
804,423 | ||||||
610,412 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (07-3-A1), (144A), 0.41%, due 07/25/37 (1)(2) |
541,162 | ||||||
688,303 | Bayview Commercial Asset Trust, (08-4-A3), (144A), 2.92%, due 07/25/38 (1)(2) |
648,044 | ||||||
600,000 | Blue Hill CLO, Ltd., (13-1A-C1), (144A), 3.231%, due 01/15/26 (1)(2) |
584,836 | ||||||
1,100,000 | BlueMountain CLO, Ltd., (13-1A-A1), (144A), 1.432%, due 05/15/25 (1)(2) |
1,079,001 | ||||||
2,200,000 | Brazos Higher Education Authority, Inc., (10-1-A2), 1.433%, due 02/25/35 (2) |
2,256,928 | ||||||
1,100,000 | Cent CLO 19 LP, (13-19A-A1A), (144A), 1.563%, due 10/29/25 (1)(2) |
1,088,133 | ||||||
1,194,213 | CIT Education Loan Trust, (07-1-A), (144A), 0.345%, due 03/25/42 (1)(2) |
1,139,914 | ||||||
310,000 | Cronos Containers Program, Ltd., (12-2A-A), (144A), 3.81%, due 09/18/27 (1) |
310,039 | ||||||
1,150,000 | Dryden XXVI Senior Loan Fund, (13-26A-A), (144A), 1.331%, due 07/15/25 (1)(2) |
1,127,264 | ||||||
500,000 | Dryden XXVIII Senior Loan Fund, (13-28A-A3L), (144A), 2.932%, due 08/15/25 (1)(2) |
480,493 | ||||||
1,260,000 | Education Loan Asset-Backed Trust I, (13-1-A2), (144A), 0.969%, due 04/26/32 (1)(2) |
1,258,909 | ||||||
675,000 | EFS Volunteer LLC, (10-1-A2), (144A), 1.084%, due 10/25/35 (1)(2) |
672,870 | ||||||
1,500,000 | EFS Volunteer No 2 LLC, (12-1-A2), (144A), 1.505%, due 03/25/36 (1)(2) |
1,536,043 | ||||||
2,641,264 | GCO Education Loan Funding Trust, (06-2AR-A1RN), (144A), 0.82%, |
2,531,032 | ||||||
470,374 | GE Business Loan Trust, (03-2A-A), (144A), 0.531%, due 11/15/31 (1)(2) |
452,597 | ||||||
209,593 | GE Business Loan Trust, (04-1-A), (144A), 0.451%, due 05/15/32 (1)(2) |
203,130 | ||||||
243,146 | GE Business Loan Trust, (04-2A-A), (144A), 0.381%, due 12/15/32 (1)(2) |
237,435 | ||||||
601,115 | GE Business Loan Trust, (05-1A-A3), (144A), 0.411%, due 06/15/33 (1)(2) |
584,112 | ||||||
594,456 | GE Business Loan Trust, (05-2A-A), (144A), 0.401%, due 11/15/33 (1)(2) |
574,869 | ||||||
637,292 | Global SC Finance SRL, (14-1A-A2), (144A), 3.09%, due 07/17/29 (1) |
629,129 | ||||||
418,274 | Goal Capital Funding Trust, (06-1-B), 0.683%, due 08/25/42 (2) |
383,762 | ||||||
1,175,000 | GoldenTree Loan Opportunities VII, Ltd., (13-7A-A), (144A), 1.384%, |
1,153,681 | ||||||
1,200,000 | GoldenTree Loan Opportunities VIII, Ltd., (14-8A-A), (144A), 1.681%, due 04/19/26 (1)(2) |
1,191,988 | ||||||
550,860 | Higher Education Funding I, (14-1-A), (144A), 1.283%, due 05/25/34 (1)(2) |
546,022 | ||||||
1,200,000 | ING Investment Management CLO, Ltd., (13-2A-A1), (144A), 1.384%, |
1,179,965 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
5
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
Principal Amount |
Fixed Income Securities | Value | ||||||
Asset-Backed Securities (Continued) |
||||||||
$ | 270,000 | ING Investment Management CLO, Ltd., (14-1A-A1), (144A), 1.731%, |
$ | 268,009 | ||||
988,274 | KKR Financial CLO, Ltd., (05-1A-B), (144A), 0.684%, due 04/26/17 (1)(2) |
984,089 | ||||||
542,250 | Leaf II Receivables Funding LLC, (13-1-E2), (144A), 6%, due 09/15/21 (1) |
519,595 | ||||||
680,000 | Limerock CLO III LLC, (14-3A-D), (144A), 5.379%, due 10/20/26 (1)(2) |
611,631 | ||||||
1,056,686 | MAPS CLO Fund II, Ltd., (07-2A-A1), (144A), 0.471%, due 07/20/22 (1)(2) |
1,048,256 | ||||||
400,000 | National Collegiate Master Student Loan Trust I, (02-2-AR10), (144A), 3.652%, |
401,008 | ||||||
740,712 | National Collegiate Student Loan Trust, (06-3-A3), 0.32%, due 10/25/27 (2) |
732,332 | ||||||
575,000 | Nelnet Student Loan Trust, (14-4A-A2), (144A), 1.119%, due 11/25/43 (1)(2) |
579,650 | ||||||
1,200,000 | Nomad CLO, Ltd., (13-1A-A1), (144A), 1.431%, due 01/15/25 (1)(2) |
1,182,805 | ||||||
2,200,000 | North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, (11-1-A3), 1.134%, |
2,214,344 | ||||||
570,000 | Octagon Investment Partners XVIII, Ltd., (13-1A-B), (144A), 2.982%, |
546,725 | ||||||
804,562 | Peachtree Finance Co. LLC, (2005-B-A), (144A), 4.71%, due 04/15/48 (1) |
830,404 | ||||||
1,000,000 | Scholar Funding Trust, (12-B-A2), (144A), 1.27%, due 03/28/46 (1)(2) |
1,020,007 | ||||||
590,514 | SLC Student Loan Trust, (04-1-B), 0.522%, due 08/15/31 (2) |
541,179 | ||||||
492,113 | SLC Student Loan Trust, (05-2-B), 0.521%, due 03/15/40 (2) |
446,335 | ||||||
696,681 | SLC Student Loan Trust, (06-1-B), 0.451%, due 03/15/39 (2) |
624,343 | ||||||
1,000,000 | SLC Student Loan Trust, (06-2-A5), 0.341%, due 09/15/26 (2)(3) |
982,973 | ||||||
2,600,000 | SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust, (04-A-A3), 0.641%, due 06/15/33 (2)(3) |
2,459,159 | ||||||
2,500,000 | SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust, (04-B-A3), 0.571%, due 03/15/24 (2)(3) |
2,392,277 | ||||||
2,300,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (03-11-A6), (144A), 0.991%, due 12/15/25 (1)(2) |
2,295,129 | ||||||
607,106 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (04-2-B), 0.704%, due 07/25/39 (2) |
567,643 | ||||||
633,229 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (05-4-B), 0.414%, due 07/25/40 (2) |
567,523 | ||||||
687,619 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (05-9-B), 0.534%, due 01/25/41 (2) |
624,515 | ||||||
1,400,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (06-2-A6), 0.404%, due 01/25/41 (2)(3) |
1,332,458 | ||||||
1,400,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (06-8-A6), 0.394%, due 01/25/41 (2) |
1,306,108 | ||||||
209,881 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (07-6-B), 1.084%, due 04/27/43 (2) |
193,918 | ||||||
150,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (07-7-B), 0.984%, due 10/25/28 (2) |
140,754 | ||||||
131,111 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (07-8-B), 1.234%, due 04/27/43 (2) |
122,354 | ||||||
225,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (08-2-B), 1.434%, due 01/25/29 (2) |
210,280 | ||||||
225,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (08-3-B), 1.434%, due 04/25/29 (2) |
210,499 | ||||||
225,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (08-4-B), 2.084%, due 04/25/29 (2) |
225,430 | ||||||
225,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (08-5-B), 2.084%, due 07/25/29 (2) |
230,111 | ||||||
225,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (08-6-B), 2.084%, due 07/25/29 (2) |
226,231 | ||||||
225,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (08-7-B), 2.084%, due 07/25/29 (2) |
226,668 | ||||||
225,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (08-8-B), 2.484%, due 10/25/29 (2) |
235,905 | ||||||
225,000 | SLM Student Loan Trust, (08-9-B), 2.484%, due 10/25/29 (2)(3) |
236,952 | ||||||
675,000 | Sound Point CLO, Ltd., (12-1A-C), (144A), 3.531%, due 10/20/23 (1)(2) |
668,282 | ||||||
861,328 | Structured Receivables Finance LLC, (10-A-B), (144A), 7.614%, due 01/16/46 (1) |
1,036,054 | ||||||
497,565 | Structured Receivables Finance LLC, (10-B-B), (144A), 7.97%, due 08/15/36 (1) |
609,269 | ||||||
1,500,000 | Student Loan Consolidation Center, (02-2-B2), (144A), 1.647%, due 07/01/42 (1)(2) |
1,152,751 | ||||||
700,000 | Symphony CLO, Ltd., (12-9A-C), (144A), 3.479%, due 04/16/22 (1)(2) |
694,665 | ||||||
186,667 | TAL Advantage I LLC, (06-1A-NOTE), (144A), 0.356%, due 04/20/21 (1)(2) |
185,309 | ||||||
21,354 | Triton Container Finance LLC, (07-1A-NOTE), (144A), 0.31%, due 02/26/19 (1)(2) |
21,334 | ||||||
545,316 | Vermont Student Assistance Corp., (12-1-A), 0.855%, due 07/28/34 (2)(3) |
543,812 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost: $69,516,631) |
72,654,496 | |||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
Principal Amount |
Fixed Income Securities | Value | ||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (51.3%) | ||||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesAgency (0.7%) |
||||||||
$ | 13,355,250 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates (K702-X1), 1.525%, due 02/25/18(I/O) (2) |
$ | 552,690 | ||||
6,383,365 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates, (KP01-X), 3.082%, due 01/25/19(I/O) (2) |
634,452 | ||||||
18,584,061 | Government National Mortgage Association, (09-114-IO), 0.23%, due 10/16/49(I/O) (2) |
419,182 | ||||||
8,317,290 | Government National Mortgage Association, (11-152-IO), 1.294%, due 08/16/51(I/O) (2) |
413,244 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesAgency | 2,019,568 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesNon-Agency (0.8%) |
||||||||
1,972,403 | DBRR Trust, (11-LC2-AC4), (144A), 4.537%, due 07/12/44 (1)(2) |
2,136,845 | ||||||
120,000 | Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series, (05-C20-B), 5.237%, |
122,273 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesNon-Agency |
2,259,118 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesAgency (2.4%) |
||||||||
297,135 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (1673-SD), 14.306%, due 02/15/24(I/F) (PAC) (2) |
387,698 | ||||||
641,602 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (1760-ZD), 1.86%, due 02/15/24 (2) |
649,885 | ||||||
235,424 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (2990-JK), 21.361%, due 03/15/35(I/F) (2)(3) |
329,841 | ||||||
5,370,928 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (3122-SG), 5.469%, |
778,606 | ||||||
1,904,550 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (3239-SI), 6.489%, |
314,219 | ||||||
1,045,597 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (3323-SA), 5.949%, due 05/15/37(I/O) (I/F) (2)(3) |
130,699 | ||||||
767,135 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (3459-JS), 6.089%, due 06/15/38(I/O) |
101,496 | ||||||
3,665,621 | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (4030-HS), 6.449%, due 04/15/42(I/O) (I/F) (2)(3) |
630,349 | ||||||
5,281,169 | Federal National Mortgage Association, (04-53-QV), 1.59%, due 02/25/34(I/O) (I/F) (2)(3) |
178,510 | ||||||
675,445 | Federal National Mortgage Association, (07-42-SE), 5.941%, due 05/25/37(I/O) (I/F) (2)(3) |
92,174 | ||||||
4,734,169 | Federal National Mortgage Association, (07-48-SD), 5.931%, due 05/25/37(I/O) (I/F) (2)(3) |
577,115 | ||||||
900,727 | Federal National Mortgage Association, (09-69-CS), 6.581%, due 09/25/39(I/O) (I/F) (2)(3) |
125,581 | ||||||
5,041,746 | Government National Mortgage Association, (06-35-SA), 6.435%, |
865,301 | ||||||
8,999,927 | Government National Mortgage Association, (06-61-SA), 4.585%, |
880,791 | ||||||
5,339,263 | Government National Mortgage Association, (08-58-TS), 6.235%, |
691,393 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Residential Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesAgency |
6,733,658 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesNon-Agency (47.4%) |
||||||||
1,861,392 | ACE Securities Corp., (07-ASP1-A2C), 0.43%, due 03/25/37 (2) |
1,101,232 | ||||||
1,827,047 | Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, (05-4-6A22), 2.751%, due 08/25/35 (2) |
730,832 | ||||||
1,048,177 | Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, (06-1-2A1), 3.524%, due 03/25/36 (2)(4) |
776,920 | ||||||
1,605,475 | Asset-Backed Funding Certificates, (05-HE2-M2), 0.92%, due 06/25/35 (2) |
1,573,321 | ||||||
1,500,000 | Asset-Backed Securities Corp. Home Equity, (06-HE1-A4), 0.469%, due 01/25/36 (2) |
1,333,016 | ||||||
3,000,000 | Asset-Backed Securities Corp. Home Equity, (06-HE3-A5), 0.439%, |
2,289,429 | ||||||
3,094,609 | Asset-Backed Securities Corp. Home Equity, (07-HE1-A4), 0.309%, |
2,508,422 | ||||||
1,102,446 | Banc of America Alternative Loan Trust, (05-10-1CB1), 0.57%, due 11/25/35 (2) |
846,998 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
Principal Amount |
Fixed Income Securities | Value | ||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Continued) |
||||||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesNon-Agency (Continued) |
||||||||
$ | 1,272,850 | Banc of America Funding Trust, (06-3-4A14), 6%, due 03/25/36 |
$ | 1,282,407 | ||||
857,346 | Banc of America Funding Trust, (06-3-5A3), 5.5%, due 03/25/36 (4) |
825,487 | ||||||
685,500 | BCAP LLC Trust, (09-RR4-1A1), (144A), 9.5%, due 06/26/37 (1) |
714,675 | ||||||
711,952 | BCAP LLC Trust, (10-RR11-3A2), (144A), 2.764%, due 06/27/36 (1)(2) |
714,696 | ||||||
987,375 | BCAP LLC Trust, (11-RR3-1A5), (144A), 2.703%, due 05/27/37 (1)(2) |
983,644 | ||||||
1,628,051 | BCAP LLC Trust, (11-RR3-5A3), (144A), 5.094%, due 11/27/37 (1)(2) |
1,579,402 | ||||||
793,615 | BCAP LLC Trust, (11-RR4-1A3), (144A), 2.852%, due 03/26/36 (1)(2) |
772,512 | ||||||
833,848 | BCAP LLC Trust, (11-RR5-1A3), (144A), 2.503%, due 03/26/37 (1)(2) |
820,161 | ||||||
562,565 | BCAP LLC Trust, (11-RR5-2A3), (144A), 6.752%, due 06/26/37 (1)(2) |
563,771 | ||||||
1,296,614 | Bear Stearns Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, (07-4-22A1), 4.899%, |
1,173,283 | ||||||
1,339,573 | Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust, (05-AC6-1A3), 5.5%, |
1,365,320 | ||||||
809,749 | Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust, (06-IM1-A1), 0.4%, |
731,473 | ||||||
455,990 | Centex Home Equity Loan Trust, (05-A-AF5), 5.28%, due 01/25/35 |
472,072 | ||||||
3,100,000 | Centex Home Equity Loan Trust, (06-A-AV4), 0.42%, due 06/25/36 (2) |
2,856,011 | ||||||
3,058,876 | Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., (05-8-1A1A), 2.518%, due 10/25/35 (2) |
2,608,903 | ||||||
1,500,000 | Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., (06-WFH3-A4), 0.41%, due 10/25/36 (2) |
1,453,169 | ||||||
1,973,926 | CitiMortgage Alternative Loan Trust, (06-A3-1A7), 6%, due 07/25/36 (4) |
1,801,766 | ||||||
1,160,762 | CitiMortgage Alternative Loan Trust, (06-A5-1A8), 6%, due 10/25/36 (4) |
1,036,058 | ||||||
432,743 | Conseco Finance Securitizations Corp., (01-4-A4), 7.36%, due 08/01/32 |
480,105 | ||||||
1,200,000 | Countryplace Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, (07-1-A4), (144A), 5.846%, |
1,209,686 | ||||||
1,418,949 | Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, (07-13-2A1), 1.07%, due 10/25/47 (2) |
1,251,540 | ||||||
1,669,726 | Countrywide Home Loans, (04-HYB4-B1), 2.463%, due 09/20/34 (2)(4) |
50,138 | ||||||
58,113,681 | Countrywide Home Loans, (06-14-X), 0.288%, due 09/25/36(I/O) (2) |
642,824 | ||||||
2,508,299 | Countrywide Home Loans, (06-HYB2-1A1), 2.714%, due 04/20/36 (2)(4) |
1,773,317 | ||||||
656,983 | Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., (04-AR5-11A2), 0.91%, |
644,087 | ||||||
2,140,573 | Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., (05-12-1A1), 6.5%, |
1,707,704 | ||||||
1,297,565 | Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, (06-6-1A8), 6%, due 07/25/36 (4) |
1,011,050 | ||||||
1,033,803 | Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC, (03-CB3-AF1), 3.379%, |
1,010,164 | ||||||
1,913,432 | Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC, (06-CB1-AF2), 3.502%, |
1,480,375 | ||||||
3,256,830 | Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC, (06-CB2-AF2), 5.501%, |
2,324,435 | ||||||
1,148,543 | Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC, (07-CB2-A2B), 5.505%, |
868,736 | ||||||
1,873,907 | Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC, (07-CB3-A3), 5.731%, |
1,141,063 | ||||||
3,575,803 | Deutsche Alt-A Securities, Inc. Mortgage Loan Trust, (06-AB2-A2), 6.16%, |
3,064,425 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
Principal Amount |
Fixed Income Securities | Value | ||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Continued) |
||||||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesNon-Agency (Continued) |
||||||||
$ | 1,501,689 | Deutsche Alt-A Securities, Inc. Mortgage Loan Trust, (06-AR6-A6), 0.36%, |
$ | 1,141,765 | ||||
1,195,000 | Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc. REMIC Trust, (10-RS2-A3), (144A), 3.809%, |
1,202,677 | ||||||
403,840 | DSLA Mortgage Loan Trust, (06-AR2-2A1A), 0.364%, due 10/19/36 (2) |
329,874 | ||||||
1,520,702 | First Franklin Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, (06-FF13-A2C), 0.33%, |
1,144,331 | ||||||
2,047,824 | First Franklin Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, (06-FF18-A2D), 0.38%, |
1,380,127 | ||||||
1,231,792 | First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust, (05-AA10-2A1), 2.323%, |
1,057,032 | ||||||
1,097,945 | Green Tree, (08-MH1-A2), (144A), 8.97%, due 04/25/38 (1)(2) |
1,171,022 | ||||||
466,639 | Green Tree, (08-MH1-A3), (144A), 8.97%, due 04/25/38 (1)(2) |
494,910 | ||||||
588,499 | Green Tree Financial Corp., (96-6-M1), 7.95%, due 09/15/27 |
654,061 | ||||||
813,579 | Green Tree Financial Corp., (96-7-M1), 7.7%, due 09/15/26 (2) |
874,086 | ||||||
523,465 | Green Tree Financial Corp., (97-3-A5), 7.14%, due 03/15/28 |
556,814 | ||||||
217,009 | Green Tree Financial Corp., (97-3-A7), 7.64%, due 03/15/28 (2) |
232,229 | ||||||
559,956 | Green Tree Financial Corp., (98-3-A6), 6.76%, due 03/01/30 (2) |
594,142 | ||||||
645,933 | Green Tree Financial Corp., (98-4-A5), 6.18%, due 04/01/30 |
666,828 | ||||||
552,355 | Green Tree Financial Corp., (98-4-A6), 6.53%, due 04/01/30 (2) |
576,793 | ||||||
584,879 | Green Tree Financial Corp., (98-4-A7), 6.87%, due 04/01/30 (2) |
621,832 | ||||||
286,903 | Greenpoint Manufactured Housing, (99-5-A5), 7.82%, due 12/15/29 (2) |
291,988 | ||||||
2,197,238 | GSAA Home Equity Trust, (06-13-AF6), 6.04%, due 07/25/36 |
1,423,066 | ||||||
1,517,565 | GSAMP Trust, (06-FM3-A2C), 0.37%, due 11/25/36 (2) |
909,906 | ||||||
934,930 | GSC Capital Corp. Mortgage Trust, (06-2-A1), 0.35%, due 05/25/36 (2)(4) |
685,215 | ||||||
848,822 | GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, (05-AR3-6A1), 2.617%, due 05/25/35 (2) |
806,802 | ||||||
948,955 | HSI Asset Loan Obligation Trust, (07-2-2A12), 6%, due 09/25/37 |
906,728 | ||||||
1,000,000 | HSI Asset Securitization Corp. Trust, (06-OPT2-2A4), 0.46%, due 01/25/36 (2) |
956,269 | ||||||
1,015,314 | Indymac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, (04-AR6-5A1), 2.519%, due 10/25/34 (2) |
965,042 | ||||||
1,392,493 | Indymac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, (05-AR19-A1), 4.654%, due 10/25/35 (2)(4) |
1,180,139 | ||||||
2,643,717 | Indymac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, (06-AR13-A4X), 3.963%, |
79,842 | ||||||
2,126,566 | Indymac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, (07-AR5-2A1), 2.662%, due 05/25/37 (2)(4) |
1,674,749 | ||||||
2,051,990 | Indymac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, (07-FLX2-A1C), 0.36%, due 04/25/37 (2) |
1,494,745 | ||||||
335,096 | Indymac Manufactured Housing Contract, (98-2-A4), 6.64%, due 08/25/29 (2) |
334,285 | ||||||
1,045,443 | JPMorgan Alternative Loan Trust, (06-A2-5A1), 4.846%, due 05/25/36 (2)(4) |
816,432 | ||||||
525,070 | JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, (07-S2-1A1), 5%, due 06/25/37 (4) |
429,676 | ||||||
443,417 | Lehman ABS Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, (01-B-A6), 6.467%, |
486,789 | ||||||
1,856,182 | Lehman XS Trust, (06-10N-1A3A), 0.38%, due 07/25/46 (2)(4) |
1,488,485 | ||||||
2,691,032 | Lehman XS Trust, (06-12N-A31A), 0.37%, due 08/25/46 (2)(4) |
2,077,415 | ||||||
1,700,000 | Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust, (04-4-M1), 1.07%, due 10/25/34 (2) |
1,622,733 | ||||||
1,747,257 | MASTR Alternative Loans Trust, (07-HF1-4A1), 7%, due 10/25/47 (4) |
1,296,313 | ||||||
2,000,000 | MASTR Asset-Backed Securities Trust, (07-HE1-A4), 0.45%, due 05/25/37 (2) |
1,311,668 | ||||||
1,113,172 | Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, (07-3-A2B), 0.3%, |
756,330 | ||||||
2,273,072 | Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, (07-3-A2C), 0.35%, |
1,510,712 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
Principal Amount |
Fixed Income Securities | Value | ||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Continued) |
||||||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesNon-Agency (Continued) |
||||||||
$ | 915,660 | Merrill Lynch Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, (07-2-1A1), 2.54%, |
$ | 846,753 | ||||
601,298 | Mid-State Trust, (04-1-B), 8.9%, due 08/15/37 |
722,551 | ||||||
601,298 | Mid-State Trust, (04-1-M1), 6.497%, due 08/15/37 |
656,118 | ||||||
395,703 | Mid-State Trust, (6-A1), 7.34%, due 07/01/35 |
428,402 | ||||||
412,651 | Mid-State Trust, (6-A3), 7.54%, due 07/01/35 |
444,154 | ||||||
1,124,064 | Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I, Inc. Trust, (03-NC6-M1), 1.37%, |
1,100,145 | ||||||
149,762 | Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I, Inc. Trust, (05-HE3-M2), 0.95%, |
150,094 | ||||||
1,500,000 | Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I, Inc. Trust, (05-HE3-M3), 0.965%, |
1,453,316 | ||||||
1,493,997 | Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I, Inc. Trust, (07-15AR-4A1), 4.71%, |
1,138,768 | ||||||
1,588,000 | Morgan Stanley Home Equity Loan Trust, (06-2-A4), 0.45%, due 02/25/36 (2) |
1,429,021 | ||||||
1,186,579 | MortgageIT Trust, (05-5-A1), 0.43%, due 12/25/35 (2) |
1,072,262 | ||||||
3,000,000 | Nationstar Home Equity Loan Trust, (07-B-2AV3), 0.42%, due 04/25/37 (2) |
2,370,990 | ||||||
912,635 | New Century Home Equity Loan Trust, (05-3-M1), 0.65%, due 07/25/35 (2) |
911,177 | ||||||
1,962,293 | Nomura Asset Acceptance Corp., (06-AR1-1A), 3.63%, due 02/25/36 (2)(4) |
1,468,202 | ||||||
475,987 | Oakwood Mortgage Investors, Inc., (01-D-A3), 5.9%, due 09/15/22 (2) |
412,878 | ||||||
778,350 | Oakwood Mortgage Investors, Inc., (01-D-A4), 6.93%, due 09/15/31 (2) |
719,510 | ||||||
581,001 | Oakwood Mortgage Investors, Inc., (02-A-A3), 6.03%, due 05/15/24 (2) |
579,229 | ||||||
766,008 | Oakwood Mortgage Investors, Inc., (98-A-M), 6.825%, due 05/15/28 (2) |
826,356 | ||||||
282,046 | Oakwood Mortgage Investors, Inc., (98-D-A), 6.4%, due 01/15/29 |
287,287 | ||||||
604,164 | Oakwood Mortgage Investors, Inc., (99-B-A4), 6.99%, due 12/15/26 |
645,801 | ||||||
661,946 | Origen Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, (04-A-M2), 6.64%, |
725,497 | ||||||
544,688 | Origen Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, (05-A-M1), 5.46%, |
571,347 | ||||||
1,810,000 | Park Place Securities, Inc., (05-WCW1-M1), 0.62%, due 09/25/35 (2) |
1,801,249 | ||||||
520,139 | Popular ABS Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, (05-3-AF4), 4.648%, |
524,835 | ||||||
611,000 | Popular ABS Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, (05-6-A4), 4.337%, due 01/25/36 |
479,132 | ||||||
2,049,029 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (05-QA7-A1), 2.877%, due 07/25/35 (2)(4) |
1,638,133 | ||||||
1,436,177 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (05-QA8-CB21), 3.192%, due 07/25/35 (2)(4) |
1,186,157 | ||||||
1,104,413 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (06-QS1-A3), 5.75%, due 01/25/36(PAC) (4) |
977,505 | ||||||
27,009,364 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (06-QS11-AV), 0.334%, due 08/25/36(I/O) (2) |
381,426 | ||||||
13,022,624 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (06-QS6-1AV), 0.737%, due 06/25/36(I/O) (2) |
415,598 | ||||||
2,507,062 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (06-QS8-A3), 6%, due 08/25/36 (4) |
2,013,484 | ||||||
29,745,039 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (07-QS2-AV), 0.319%, due 01/25/37(I/O) (2) |
412,183 | ||||||
29,585,413 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (07-QS3-AV), 0.323%, due 02/25/37(I/O) (2) |
482,477 | ||||||
721,063 | Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., (07-QS6-A62), 5.5%, due 04/25/37(TAC) (4) |
571,857 | ||||||
4,732,156 | Residential Asset Securitization Trust, (07-A5-AX), 6%, due 05/25/37(I/O) (4) |
1,008,896 | ||||||
82,477,209 | Residential Funding Mortgage Securities, (06-S9-AV), 0.312%, |
1,098,143 | ||||||
245,215 | Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, (01-HI3-AI7), 7.56%, due 07/25/26 |
249,525 | ||||||
4,614,000 | Securitized Asset-Backed Receivables LLC Trust, (07-NC2-A2C), 0.39%, |
2,711,126 | ||||||
968,458 | Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, (05-20-1A1), 2.491%, |
725,638 | ||||||
897,397 | Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, (07-9-2A1), 2.679%, |
708,168 | ||||||
1,120,146 | Structured Asset Mortgage Investments, Inc., (07-AR6-A1), 1.613%, due 08/25/47 (2) |
996,769 | ||||||
1,000,000 | Structured Asset Securities Corp., (05-WF4-M2), 0.6%, due 11/25/35 (2) |
939,251 | ||||||
161,814 | UCFC Manufactured Housing Contract, (97-4-A4), 6.995%, due 04/15/29 (2) |
160,664 | ||||||
411,440 | Vanderbilt Acquisition Loan Trust, (02-1-A4), 6.57%, due 05/07/27 (2) |
428,541 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
Principal Amount |
Fixed Income Securities | Value | ||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Continued) |
||||||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesNon-Agency (Continued) |
||||||||
$ | 371,606 | Vanderbilt Acquisition Loan Trust, (02-1-M1), 7.33%, due 05/07/32 (2) |
$ | 410,294 | ||||
900,000 | Vanderbilt Mortgage Finance, (02-C-A5), 7.6%, due 12/07/32 (3) |
943,860 | ||||||
3,093,702 | WAMU Asset-Backed Certificates, (07-HE1-2A3), 0.32%, due 01/25/37 (2) |
1,811,925 | ||||||
730,000 | Wells Fargo Home Equity Trust, (06-2-A3), 0.38%, due 01/25/37 (2) |
575,755 | ||||||
1,500,000 | Wells Fargo Home Equity Trust, (06-2-A4), 0.42%, due 07/25/36 (2) |
1,431,879 | ||||||
1,183,353 | Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, (06-AR10-5A1), 2.607%, |
1,147,216 | ||||||
967,965 | Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, (07-AR3-A4), 5.702%, |
951,610 | ||||||
599,667 | Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, (08-1-4A1), 5.75%, |
633,916 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Residential Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesNon-Agency |
134,555,551 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost: $127,200,527) |
145,567,895 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Bank Loans (0.3%) |
||||||||
Telecommunications (0.3%) |
||||||||
946,938 | Intelsat Jackson Holdings, Ltd. (Luxembourg), Term Loan, 4.644%, |
935,338 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Bank Loans (Cost: $946,938) |
935,338 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Corporate Bonds (8.6%) |
||||||||
Airlines (1.6%) |
||||||||
446,649 | America West Airlines, Inc. Pass-Through Certificates, (01-1), 7.1%, |
496,339 | ||||||
1,452,468 | Continental Airlines, Inc. Pass-Through Certificates, (00-2-A1), 7.707%, |
1,623,133 | ||||||
505,184 | Delta Air Lines, Inc. Pass-Through Certificates, (02-1G1), 6.718%, |
582,225 | ||||||
1,000,000 | JetBlue Airways Corp. Pass-Through Trust, (04-2-G2), 0.682%, due 05/15/18(EETC) (2) |
976,500 | ||||||
696,640 | US Airways Group, Inc. Pass-Through Certificates, (10-1A), 6.25%, |
787,203 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Airlines |
4,465,400 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Banks (2.4%) |
||||||||
2,000,000 | Citigroup, Inc., 0.783%, due 08/25/36 (2) |
1,612,136 | ||||||
1,000,000 | HBOS PLC (United Kingdom), (144A), 6%, due 11/01/33 (1) |
1,154,416 | ||||||
900,000 | JPMorgan Chase Capital XXI, 1.182%, due 01/15/87 (2) |
769,500 | ||||||
1,000,000 | JPMorgan Chase Capital XXIII, 1.232%, due 05/15/77 (2) |
815,000 | ||||||
650,000 | Lloyds TSB Bank PLC (United Kingdom), (144A), 5.8%, due 01/13/20 (1) |
751,935 | ||||||
908,000 | Macquarie Bank, Ltd. (Australia), (144A), 6.625%, due 04/07/21 (1) |
1,049,563 | ||||||
520,000 | Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (United Kingdom), 6.125%, due 12/15/22 |
568,048 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Banks |
6,720,598 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Commercial Services (0.1%) |
||||||||
275,000 | Autopistas Metropolitanas de Puerto Rico LLC, (144A), 6.75%, |
230,313 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Diversified Financial Services (0.6%) |
||||||||
2,000,000 | General Electric Capital Corp., 0.712%, due 08/15/36 (2) |
1,757,715 | ||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
Principal Amount |
Fixed Income Securities | Value | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (Continued) |
||||||||
Electric (0.7%) |
||||||||
$ | 1,000,000 | FirstEnergy Transmission LLC, (144A), 4.35%, due 01/15/25 (1) |
$ | 1,020,289 | ||||
2,250,000 | Gabs Dynegy Danskamm, Series B, 7.67%, due 08/11/16 (6) |
| ||||||
910,965 | Mirant Mid-Atlantic LLC, Exchange Pass-Through Certificates, Series C, 10.06%, |
979,288 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Electric |
1,999,577 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Engineering & Construction (0.6%) |
||||||||
700,000 | Heathrow Funding, Ltd. (United Kingdom), (144A), 4.875%, due 07/15/23 (1) |
791,516 | ||||||
750,000 | Sydney Airport Finance Co. Pty, Ltd. (Australia), (144A), 5.125%, due 02/22/21 (1) |
841,307 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Engineering & Construction |
1,632,823 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Insurance (0.3%) |
||||||||
715,000 | ZFS Finance USA Trust II, (144A), 6.45%, due 12/15/65 (1)(2) |
752,538 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Oil & Gas (0.1%) |
||||||||
500,000 | Pacific Drilling V, Ltd., (144A), 7.25%, due 12/01/17 (1) |
455,000 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Pipelines (0.5%) |
||||||||
1,500,000 | Sabine Pass LNG, LP, (144A), 7.5%, due 11/30/16 (1) |
1,571,250 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Real Estate (0.5%) |
||||||||
1,375,000 | Post Apartment Homes, LP, 4.75%, due 10/15/17 |
1,479,402 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
REIT (1.2%) |
||||||||
1,000,000 | HCP, Inc., 2.625%, due 02/01/20 |
991,331 | ||||||
700,000 | Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc., 5.75%, due 01/15/21 |
784,930 | ||||||
500,000 | Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc., 6.5%, due 01/17/17 |
546,269 | ||||||
950,000 | SL Green Realty Corp., 5%, due 08/15/18 |
1,020,910 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total REIT |
3,343,440 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost: $22,450,563) |
24,408,056 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Municipal Bonds (2.2%) |
||||||||
1,000,000 | California State, Build America Bonds, 7.95%, due 03/01/36 |
1,237,230 | ||||||
750,000 | City of Chicago, Illinois, General Obligation Unlimited, 6.05%, due 01/01/29 |
790,155 | ||||||
1,000,000 | City of New York, New York, Build America Bonds, 6.646%, due 12/01/31 |
1,195,680 | ||||||
1,200,000 | Illinois State, Build America Bonds, 6.63%, due 02/01/35 |
1,337,196 | ||||||
765,000 | Illinois State, General Obligation Bond, 4.35%, due 06/01/18 |
800,236 | ||||||
800,000 | New York City Water and Sewer System, Build America Bonds, 6.491%, |
928,576 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost: $6,043,827) |
6,289,073 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Fixed Income Securities (Cost: $226,158,486) (88.0%) |
249,854,858 | |||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
Number of Shares |
Convertible Preferred Stock | Value | ||||||
Electric (0.3%) |
||||||||
16,500 | AES Corp., $3.375 |
$ | 839,685 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Convertible Preferred Stock (Cost: $772,200) (0.3%) |
839,685 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Common Stock | ||||||||
Electric (0.2%) |
||||||||
1,073 | Dynegy, Inc. (7) |
32,566 | ||||||
11,293 | Mach Gen, LLC (7)(8) |
536,417 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Electric |
568,983 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Common Stock (Cost: $1,232,952) (0.2%) |
568,983 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Principal Amount |
Short-Term Investment | |||||||
Repurchase Agreement (Cost: $33,362,209) (11.8%) |
||||||||
$ | 33,362,209 | State Street Bank & Trust Company, 0%, due 01/02/15, (collateralized by $34,935,000 Federal National Mortgage Association, 2.26%, due 10/17/22, valued at $34,034,236; Total Amount to be Received Upon Repurchase $33,362,209) |
33,362,209 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
U.S. Treasury Security (Cost: $690,945) (0.2%) |
||||||||
691,000 | U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.04%, due 03/19/15 (3)(9) |
690,978 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost: $34,053,154) (12.0%) |
34,053,187 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost: $262,216,792) (100.5%) |
285,316,713 | |||||||
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.5%) |
(1,481,392 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
NET ASSETS (100.0%) |
$ | 283,835,321 | ||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
Futures Contracts Exchange Traded | ||||||||||||||||
Number of |
Type |
Expiration Date |
Notional Contract Value |
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||
BUY | ||||||||||||||||
117 | S&P 500 E-mini Index Futures |
03/20/15 | $ | 12,006,540 | $ | 10,897 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
SELL | ||||||||||||||||
10 | 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures |
03/20/15 | $ | 1,267,969 | $ | (8,066 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Written Options Exchange Traded | ||||||||||||||||
Number of |
Description |
Premiums (Received) |
Value | |||||||||||||
28 | S&P 500 E-mini Index Futures Option Call, Strike Price 2,100, Expires 03/20/15 |
$ | (61,904 | ) | $ | (46,900 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(1) | Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold, normally only to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 2014, the value of these securities amounted to $69,018,932 or 24.3% of net assets. These securities are determined to be liquid by the Advisor, unless otherwise noted, under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Funds Board of Directors. |
(2) | Floating or variable rate security. The interest shown reflects the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. |
(3) | All or a portion of this security is segregated to cover open futures and written options contracts. |
(4) | A portion of the principal balance has been written-off during the period due to defaults in the underlying loans. |
(5) | Rate stated is the effective yield. |
(6) | Security is currently in default due to bankruptcy or failure to make payment of principal or interest by the issuer. Income is not being accrued. |
(7) | Non-income producing security. |
(8) | Restricted Security (Note 7.) |
(9) | Rate shown represents yield-to-maturity. |
ABS - | Asset-Backed Securities. |
CLO - | Collateralized Loan Obligation. |
EETC - | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate. |
I/F - | Inverse Floating rate security whose interest rate moves in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates. |
I/O - | Interest Only Security. |
PAC - | Planned Amortization Class. |
REIT - | Real Estate Investment Trust. |
TAC - | Target Amortization Class. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
14
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Investments by Industry |
December 31, 2014 |
Industry | Percentage of Net Assets |
|||
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Non-Agency |
47.4 | % | ||
Asset-Backed Securities |
25.6 | |||
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Agency |
2.4 | |||
Banks |
2.4 | |||
Municipal Bonds |
2.2 | |||
Airlines |
1.6 | |||
Electric |
1.2 | |||
REIT |
1.2 | |||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities - Non-Agency |
0.8 | |||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities - Agency |
0.7 | |||
Diversified Financial Services |
0.6 | |||
Engineering & Construction |
0.6 | |||
Pipelines |
0.5 | |||
Real Estate |
0.5 | |||
Telecommunications |
0.3 | |||
Insurance |
0.3 | |||
Commercial Services |
0.1 | |||
Oil & Gas |
0.1 | |||
Short-Term Investments |
12.0 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
100.5 | % | ||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
15
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities December 31, 2014 |
ASSETS: |
||||
Investments, at Value (Cost: $228,854,583) |
$ | 251,954,504 | ||
Repurchase Agreement, at Value (Cost: $33,362,209) |
33,362,209 | |||
Cash |
83,378 | |||
Interest and Dividends Receivable |
1,123,153 | |||
Other assets |
39,165 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Assets |
286,562,409 | |||
|
|
|||
LIABILITIES: |
||||
Distributions Payable |
2,064,845 | |||
Accrued Other Expenses |
150,709 | |||
Payable for Daily Variation Margin on Open Financial Futures Contracts |
144,343 | |||
Accrued Investment Advisory Fees |
142,428 | |||
Payables for Securities Purchased |
141,367 | |||
Written Options, at Value (Premiums Received $61,904) |
46,900 | |||
Accrued Directors Fees and Expenses |
21,804 | |||
Interest Payable on Borrowings |
9,150 | |||
Accrued Compliance Expense |
5,542 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Liabilities |
2,727,088 | |||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS |
$ | 283,835,321 | ||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: |
||||
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (75,000,000 shares authorized, |
$ | 476,870 | ||
Paid-in Capital |
268,963,513 | |||
Accumulated Net Realized Loss on Investments and Futures Contracts |
(6,904,484 | ) | ||
Distributions in Excess of Net Investment Income |
(1,818,334 | ) | ||
Net Unrealized Appreciation on Investments, Futures Contracts and Written Options |
23,117,756 | |||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS |
$ | 283,835,321 | ||
|
|
|||
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE |
$ | 5.95 | ||
|
|
|||
MARKET PRICE PER SHARE |
$ | 5.39 | ||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
16
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Statement of Operations |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
||||
Income |
||||
Interest |
$ | 13,759,453 | ||
Dividends |
180,709 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Investment Income |
13,940,162 | |||
|
|
|||
Expenses |
||||
Investment Advisory Fees |
1,647,918 | |||
Audit and Tax Service Fees |
136,783 | |||
Directors Fees and Expenses |
126,343 | |||
Legal Fees |
124,666 | |||
Proxy Expense |
79,992 | |||
Printing and Distribution Costs |
49,318 | |||
Transfer Agent Fees |
49,049 | |||
Insurance Expense |
45,684 | |||
Listing Fees |
44,349 | |||
Interest Expense |
42,089 | |||
Accounting Fees |
36,613 | |||
Custodian Fees |
25,153 | |||
Miscellaneous Expense |
23,415 | |||
Compliance Expense |
15,325 | |||
Administration Fees |
14,773 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Expenses |
2,461,470 | |||
|
|
|||
Net Investment Income |
11,478,692 | |||
|
|
|||
NET REALIZED GAIN AND CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON INVESTMENTS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND WRITTEN OPTIONS: |
||||
Net Realized Gain on: |
||||
Investments |
3,810,368 | |||
Futures Contracts |
2,889,013 | |||
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: |
||||
Investments |
1,032,821 | |||
Futures Contracts |
(662,564 | ) | ||
Written Options |
15,004 | |||
|
|
|||
Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
7,084,642 | |||
|
|
|||
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS |
$ | 18,563,334 | ||
|
|
|||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
17
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
|||||||
OPERATIONS: |
||||||||
Net Investment Income |
$ | 11,478,692 | $ | 14,577,425 | ||||
Net Realized Gain on Investments and Futures Contracts |
6,699,381 | 17,670,762 | ||||||
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments, Futures Contracts and Written Options |
385,261 | (3,278,453 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations |
18,563,334 | 28,969,734 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: |
||||||||
From Net Investment Income |
(12,064,800 | ) | (18,690,880 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: |
||||||||
Shares Issued in Reinvestment of Dividends (45,047 for the year ended December 31, 2013) |
| 259,919 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Increase in Net Assets |
6,498,534 | 10,538,773 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
NET ASSETS: |
||||||||
Beginning of Year |
277,336,787 | 266,798,014 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
End of Year |
$ | 283,835,321 | $ | 277,336,787 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Distributions in Excess of Net Investment Income |
$ | (1,818,334 | ) | $ | (1,716,772 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
18
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements |
December 31, 2014 |
Note 1 Significant Accounting Policies
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated in Maryland on January 13, 1987 as a diversified, closed-end investment management company and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TSI. The Fund commenced operations on March 5, 1987. The Funds investment objective is to seek a total return comprised of current income and capital appreciation by investing in convertible securities, marketable equity securities, investment-grade debt securities, high-yield debt securities, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies and instrumentalities (U.S. Government Securities), repurchase agreements, mortgage related securities, asset-backed securities, money market securities, other securities and derivative instruments without limit believed by the Funds investment advisor to be consistent with the Funds investment objective. TCW Investment Management Company (the Advisor) is the investment advisor to the Fund and is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Principles of Accounting The Fund uses the accrual method of accounting for financial reporting purposes. The Fund is considered an investment company under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 946, Financial Services Investment Companies.
Security Valuation: Securities and derivative contracts traded on national exchanges, except those traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ), are valued at the last reported sales price or the mean of the current bid and asked prices if there are no sales in the trading period. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price, which may not be the last reported sales price. Other securities including short-term investments which are traded on the over-the-counter (OTC) market are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as furnished by independent pricing services or by dealer quotations. S&P 500 Index futures contracts are valued at the first sale price after 4 p.m. ET on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which market quotations are not reflective of a securitys market value, are fair valued by the Advisor as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Funds Board of Directors.
Fair value is defined as the price that a fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under the accounting principals generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), the Fund discloses investments in a three-tier hierarchy. This hierarchy is utilized to establish classification of fair value inputs for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entitys own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below.
19
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 1 Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
Level 2 other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3 significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an investments assigned Level within the hierarchy. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to each security.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition, as well as changes related to liquidity of investments, could cause a security to be reclassified between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
Fair Value Measurements: A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Funds major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis follows:
Asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities. The fair value of asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities is estimated based on models that consider the estimated cash flows of each debt tranche of the issuer, establish a benchmark yield, and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche including, but not limited to, the prepayment speed assumptions and attributes of the collateral. To the extent the inputs are observable and timely, the values would be categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; otherwise they would be categorized in Level 3.
Bank loans. The fair value of bank loans is estimated using recently executed transactions, market price quotations, credit/market events, and cross-asset pricing. Inputs are generally observable and are obtained from independent sources. Bank loans are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Corporate bonds. The fair value of corporate bonds is estimated using recently executed transactions, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads, or credit default swap spreads adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. Corporate bonds are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; in instances where prices, spreads, or any of the other aforementioned key inputs are unobservable, they are categorized in Level 3 of the hierarchy.
20
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
Equity securities. Securities are generally valued based on quoted prices from the applicable exchange. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Restricted securities issued by publicly held companies are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; if the discount is applied and significant, they are categorized in Level 3. Restricted securities held in non-public entities are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because they trade infrequently, and therefore, the inputs are unobservable.
Futures contracts. Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement price established at the close of business each day by the exchange on which they are traded. The value of the Funds futures contracts is marked daily and an appropriate payable or receivable for the change in value (variation margin) is recorded by the Fund. They are categorized in Level 1.
Municipal bonds. Municipal bonds are fair valued based on pricing models that take into account, among other factors, information received from market makers and broker-dealers, current trades, bid wants lists, offerings, market movements, callability of the bond, state of issuance, benchmark yield curves, and bond insurance. To the extent that these inputs are observable and timely, the fair values of municipal bonds would be categorized in Level 2; otherwise the fair values would be categorized in Level 3.
Options contracts. Exchange listed option contracts traded on securities exchanges are fair valued using quoted prices from the applicable exchange; they are categorized in Level 1. Option contracts traded over-the-counter (OTC) are fair valued based on pricing models and incorporate various inputs such as interest rate, credit spreads, currency exchange rates and volatility measurements for in-the-money, at-the-money, and out-of-money contracts on a given strike price. To the extent that these inputs are observable and timely, the fair value of OTC option contracts would be categorized in Level 2; otherwise, the fair values would be categorized in Level 3.
Short-term investments. Short-term investments are valued using market price quotations, and are reflected in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value, and are categorized as Level 2.
Restricted securities. Restricted securities, including illiquid Rule 144A securities, issued by non-public entities are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because they trade infrequently, and therefore, the inputs are unobservable. Any other restricted securities valued similar to publicly traded securities may be categorized in Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether a discount is applied and significant to the fair value.
U.S. Government and agency securities. U.S. government and agency securities are normally valued using a model that incorporates market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, quoted market prices, and reference data. Accordingly, U.S. government and agency securities are normally categorized in Level 1 or 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the liquidity and transparency of the market.
21
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 1 Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Funds investments:
Description |
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Fixed Income Securities |
||||||||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities |
$ | | $ | 69,769,171 | $ | 2,885,325 | $ | 72,654,496 | ||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations |
||||||||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities - Agency |
| 2,019,568 | | 2,019,568 | ||||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities - Non-Agency |
| 2,259,118 | | 2,259,118 | ||||||||||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Agency |
| 6,733,658 | | 6,733,658 | ||||||||||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Non-Agency |
| 129,614,980 | 4,940,571 | 134,555,551 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations |
| 140,627,324 | 4,940,571 | 145,567,895 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Bank Loans * |
| 935,338 | | 935,338 | ||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds * |
| 24,408,056 | | 24,408,056 | ||||||||||||
Municipal Bonds |
| 6,289,073 | | 6,289,073 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Fixed Income Securities |
| 242,028,962 | 7,825,896 | 249,854,858 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Convertible Preferred Stock * |
839,685 | | | 839,685 | ||||||||||||
Common Stock * |
32,566 | | 536,417 | 568,983 | ||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments |
690,978 | 33,362,209 | | 34,053,187 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Investments |
$ | 1,563,229 | $ | 275,391,171 | $ | 8,362,313 | $ | 285,316,713 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Asset Derivatives |
||||||||||||||||
Futures |
||||||||||||||||
Equity Risk |
10,897 | | | 10,897 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 1,574,126 | $ | 275,391,171 | $ | 8,362,313 | $ | 285,327,610 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Liability Derivatives |
||||||||||||||||
Futures |
||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Risk |
$ | (8,066 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (8,066 | ) | ||||||
Written Options |
||||||||||||||||
Equity Risk |
(46,900 | ) | | | (46,900 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | (54,966 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (54,966 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | See Schedule of Investments for corresponding industries. |
The Fund did not have any transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:
Asset-Backed Securities |
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Non-Agency |
Common Stock |
Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2013 |
$ | 3,869,947 | $ | 4,973,477 | $ | | $ | 8,843,424 | ||||||||
Accrued Discounts (Premiums) |
| (776,161 | ) | | (776,161 | ) | ||||||||||
Realized Gain (Loss) |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Change in Unrealized Appreciation |
(60 | ) | 221,197 | (658,802 | ) | (437,665 | ) | |||||||||
Purchases |
718,738 | 522,058 | 1,195,219 | 2,436,015 | ||||||||||||
Sales |
(1,703,300 | ) | | | (1,703,300 | ) | ||||||||||
Transfers in to Level 3 (1) |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Transfers out of Level 3 (1) |
| | | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2014 |
$ | 2,885,325 | $ | 4,940,571 | $ | 536,417 | $ | 8,362,313 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Change in Unrealized Appreciation from |
||||||||||||||||
Investments Still Held at December 31, 2014 |
$ | (24 | ) | $ | 221,197 | $ | (658,802 | ) | (437,629 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | The Fund recognizes transfers in and out at the beginning of the period. |
22
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
Significant unobservable valuations inputs of Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:
Description |
Fair Value at |
Valuation |
Unobservable Input |
Range | ||||
Asset-Backed Securities |
$2,885,325 | Third-party Broker | Broker Quotes | $100 | ||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Non-Agency (Interest Only Collateral Strip Rate Securities) |
$3,931,675 | Third-party Vendor | Vendor Prices | $1.11 to $3.19 | ||||
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Non-Agency (Interest Only Securities) |
$1,008,896 | Third-party Vendor | Vendor Prices | $21.32 | ||||
Common Stock |
$ 536,417 | Third-party Vendor | Vendor Prices | $47.50 |
* | The valuation technique employed on the Level 3 securities involves the use of third-party broker quotes and vendor prices. The Advisor monitors the third-party brokers and vendors using the valuation process described below. |
Level 3 Valuation Process: Investments classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy may be fair valued by the Advisor with consent of the Pricing Committee in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Directors and under the general oversight of the Board of Directors. The Pricing Committee employs various methods to determine fair valuations including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions and review of any related market activity. The Pricing Committee reports to the Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled meetings. It is possible that fair value prices will be used by the Fund to a significant extent. The value determined for an investment using the Companys fair value procedures may differ from recent market prices for the investment and may be significantly different from the value realized upon the sale of such investment. The Advisor, as part of the daily process, conducts back-testing of prices based on daily trade activities.
The Pricing Committee consists of the President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, and a representative from the portfolio management team as well as alternate members as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. The Pricing Committee reviews and makes recommendations concerning the fair valuation of portfolio securities and the Funds pricing procedures in general.
Security Transactions and Related Investment Income: Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Realized gains and losses on investments are recorded on the basis of specific identification.
Distributions: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on each ex-dividend date. The Fund declared and paid or reinvested dividends quarterly under an income-based distribution policy. The income-based distribution policy has a stated goal of providing quarterly distributions out of the Funds accumulated undistributed net investment income and/or other sources subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Sub-chapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The source for the dividend can come from net investment income and net realized capital gains measured on a fiscal year basis. Any portion of the distribution that exceeds income and capital gains will be treated as a return of capital.
23
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 1 Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Under certain conditions, federal tax regulations cause some or all of the return of capital to be taxed as ordinary income. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These differences may be primarily due to differing treatments for market discount and premium, losses recognized on structured debt, losses deferred due to wash sales and spillover distributions. Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in-capital and may affect net investment income per share.
Derivative Instruments: Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are based on the values of one or more indicators, such as a security, asset, currency, interest rate, or index. Derivative transactions can create investment leverage and may be highly volatile. It is possible that a derivative transaction will result in a loss greater than the principal amount invested. The Fund may not be able to close out a derivative transaction at a favorable time or price.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund had derivatives and transactions in derivatives, grouped in the following risk categories:
Equity Risk |
Interest Rate Risk |
Total | ||||||||||
Statement of Assets and Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Asset Derivatives |
||||||||||||
Futures Contracts (1) |
$ | 10,897 | $ | | $ | 10,897 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Value |
$ | 10,897 | $ | | $ | 10,897 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Liability Derivatives |
||||||||||||
Futures Contracts (1) |
$ | | $ | (8,066 | ) | $ | (8,066 | ) | ||||
Written Options |
(46,900 | ) | | (46,900 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Value |
$ | (46,900 | ) | $ | (8,066 | ) | $ | (54,966 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Statement of Operations: |
||||||||||||
Realized Gain (Loss) on: |
||||||||||||
Futures Contracts |
$ | 2,914,267 | $ | (25,254 | ) | $ | 2,889,013 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Realized Gain (Loss) |
$ | 2,914,267 | $ | (25,254 | ) | $ | 2,889,013 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: |
||||||||||||
Futures Contracts |
$ | (654,498 | ) | $ | (8,066 | ) | $ | (662,564 | ) | |||
Written Options |
15,004 | | 15,004 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Change in Appreciation (Depreciation) |
$ | (639,494 | ) | $ | (8,066 | ) | $ | (647,560 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Shares/Units (2) |
||||||||||||
Futures Contracts |
148 | 10 | 158 | |||||||||
Written Options |
28 | | 28 |
(1) | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only variation margin on December 31, 2014 is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
(2) | Amounts disclosed represent average number of contracts, which are representative of the volume traded for the year ended December 31, 2014. |
Counterparty Credit Risk: A derivative contract may result in a mark to market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
The Funds risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund.
24
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
With exchange traded futures and centrally cleared swaps, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency) of the clearing broker or clearinghouse. Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange traded futures and centrally cleared swaps with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing brokers customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing brokers customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund. In order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigates its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events. In addition, certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties to OTC derivatives to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity in the event the Funds net assets declines by a stated percentage or the Fund fails to meet the terms of its ISDA Master Agreements, which would cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty.
Collateral requirements: For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark to market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral pledged or received by the Fund.
Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a party has to exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold, typically $250,000 or $500,000, before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of each business day and the collateral is transferred on the next business day. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. The Fund attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties that the Advisor believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund has implemented the disclosure requirements pursuant to FASB ASU No. 2013-01, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, that requires disclosures to make financial statements that are prepared under U.S. GAAP more comparable to those prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards.
25
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 1 Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, under the terms of Master Repurchase Agreements (MRA). The MRA permits the Fund, under certain circumstances including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset payables and/or receivables under the MRA with collateral held and/or posted to the counterparty and create one single net payment due to or from the Fund. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of MRA counterpartys bankruptcy or insolvency. Pursuant to the terms of the MRA, the Fund receives securities as collateral with a market value in excess of the repurchase price to be received by the Fund upon the maturity of the repurchase transaction. Upon a bankruptcy or insolvency of the MRA counterparty, the Fund recognizes a liability with respect to such excess collateral to reflect the Funds obligation under bankruptcy law to return the excess to the counterparty. Repurchase agreements outstanding at the end of the year are listed in the Funds Schedule of Investments.
The following table presents the Funds Master Repurchase Agreement by counterparty net of amounts available for offset and net of the related collateral received or pledged by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:
Counterparty |
Gross Assets Subject to Master Agreements |
Gross Liabilities Subject to Master Agreements |
Net Assets (Liabilities) Subject to Master Agreements |
Collateral Received |
Net Amount | |||||||||||||||
State Street Bank & Trust Company (Repurchase Agreement) |
$ | 33,362,209 | $ | | $ | 33,362,209 | $ | (33,362,209 | ) (1) | $ | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Collateral with a value of $34,034,236 has been received in connection with a master repurchase agreement. Excess collateral received from the individual master repurchase agreement is not shown for financial reporting purposes. |
Futures Contracts: The Fund may enter into futures contracts. The Fund may seek to manage a variety of different risks through the use of futures contracts, such as interest rate risk, equity price risk, and currency risk. The Fund may use index futures to hedge against broad market risks to its portfolio or to gain broad market exposure when it holds uninvested cash or as an inexpensive substitute for cash investments directly in securities or other assets. Securities index futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell units of a securities index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made and are settled in cash. Positions in futures may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a secondary market for such futures. Because futures contracts are exchange-traded, they typically have minimal exposure to counterparty risk. Parties to a futures contract are not required to post the entire notional amount of the contract, but rather a small percentage of that amount (by way of margin), both at the time they enter into futures transactions, and then on a daily basis if their positions decline in value; as a result, futures contracts are highly leveraged. Such payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Because futures markets are highly leveraged, they can be extremely volatile, and there can be no assurance that the pricing of a futures contract will correlate precisely with the pricing of the asset or index underlying it or the asset or liability of the Fund that is the subject of the hedge. It may not always be possible for the Fund to enter into a closing transaction with respect to a futures contract it has entered into at a favorable time or price. When the Fund enters into a futures transaction, it is subject to the risk that the value of the futures contract will move in a direction unfavorable to it.
26
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
When the Fund uses futures contracts for hedging purposes, it is likely that the Fund will have an asset or liability that will offset any loss (or gain) on the transactions, at least in part. When a futures contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The Fund used S&P 500 Index futures to gain exposure to the equity market. The Fund also utilized Treasury futures to help manage interest rate duration and credit market exposure. Futures contracts outstanding at December 31, 2014 are listed in the Funds Schedule of Investments.
Options The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on securities, and securities indices. The Fund may purchase put options on securities to seek to protect holdings in an underlying or related security against a substantial decline in market value. The Fund may purchase call options on securities to seek to protect against substantial increases in prices of securities the Fund intends to purchase pending its ability to invest in such securities in an orderly manner. The Fund may write a call or put option only if the option is covered by the Fund holding a position in the underlying securities or by other means which would permit immediate satisfaction of the Funds obligation as writer of the option. The purchase and writing of options involves certain risks. During the option period, the covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying securities above the sum of the premium and exercise price, but, as long as its obligation as a writer continues, has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying securities decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it maybe required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying securities at the exercise price. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security, in the case of a put, remains equal to or greater than the exercise price or, in the case of a call, remains less than or equal to the exercise price, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on the options markets, the Fund may be unable to close out a position.
The Fund may execute transactions in both listed and over-the-counter options. Listed options involve minimal counterparty risk since listed options are guaranteed against default by the exchange on which they trade. Transactions in certain over-the-counter options may expose the Fund to the risk of default by the counterparty to the transaction. In the event of default by the counterparty to the over-the-counter option transaction, the Funds maximum amount of loss is the premium paid (as purchaser) or the unrealized loss of the contract (as writer). Written Option Contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2014, are listed on the Schedule of investments.
Transactions in written option contracts for the year ended December 31, 2014, were as follows:
Call Contracts |
Call Premiums |
|||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013 |
| $ | | |||||
Options written |
28 | 61,904 | ||||||
Options terminated in closing purchase transactions |
| | ||||||
Options exercised |
| | ||||||
Options expired |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014 |
28 | $ | 61,904 | |||||
|
|
|
|
27
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 1 Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Swap Agreements: The Fund may enter into swap agreements. Swap agreements are typically two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a notional amount (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a basket of securities representing a particular index).
The Fund may enter into credit default swap transactions as a buyer or seller of credit protection. In a credit default swap, one party provides what is in effect insurance against a default or other adverse credit event affecting an issuer of debt securities (typically referred to as a reference entity). In general, the buyer of credit protection is obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront amount or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap. If a credit event occurs, the buyer has the right to deliver to the seller bonds or other obligations of the reference entity (with a value up to the full notional value of the swap), and to receive a payment equal to the par value of the bonds or other obligations. Credit events that would trigger a request that the seller make payment are specific to each credit default swap agreement, but generally include bankruptcy, failure to pay, restructuring, obligation acceleration, obligation default, or repudiation/moratorium. When the Fund buys protection, it may or may not own securities of the reference entity. When the Fund sells protection under a credit default swap, the position may have the effect of creating leverage in the Funds portfolio through the Funds indirect long exposure to the issuer or securities on which the swap is written. When the Fund sells protection, it may do so either to earn additional income or to create such a synthetic long position.
During the term of a swap transaction, changes in the value of the swap are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking to market to reflect the market value of the swap. When the swap is terminated, the Fund will record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Funds basis in the agreement. Upfront swap premium payments paid or received by the Fund, if any, are recorded within the value of the open swap agreement on the Funds Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represent payments paid or received upon entering into the swap agreement to compensate for differences between stated terms of the swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads, currency exchange rates, and other relevant factors). These upfront payments are recorded as realized gain or loss on the Funds Statement of Operations upon termination or maturity of the swap agreement.
During the term of a swap transaction, the periodic net payments can be made for a set period of time or may be triggered by a predetermined credit event. The net periodic payments may be based on a fixed or variable interest rate, the change in market value of a specified security, basket of securities or index, or the return generated by a security. These periodic payments received or made by the Fund are recorded as realized gains and losses, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund did not enter into such agreements.
Mortgage-Backed Securities: The Fund may invest in mortgage pass-through securities which represent interests in pools of mortgages in which payments of both principal and interest on the securities are generally made monthly, in effect passing through monthly payments made by borrowers on the residential or commercial mortgage loans which underlie the securities (net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). Mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of debt securities,
28
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. The Fund may also invest in Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs). CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by residential or commercial mortgage loans or residential or commercial mortgage pass-through securities. Interest and principal are generally paid monthly. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans or private mortgage pass-through securities but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. The issuer of a series of CMOs may elect to be treated for tax purposes as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC). CMOs are structured into multiple classes, each bearing a different stated maturity. Monthly payment of principal received from the pool of underlying mortgages, including prepayments, is first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity class. Investors holding the longer maturity classes usually receive principal only after shorter classes have been retired. An investor may be partially protected against a sooner than desired return of principal because of the sequential payments. The Fund may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. In certain cases, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or IO class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or PO class). The yield to maturity on IOs is sensitive to the rate of principal prepayments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and principal payments may have a material effect on yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs.
When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery, and Forward Commitment Transactions: The Fund may enter into when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment transactions in order to lock in the purchase price of the underlying security or to adjust the interest rate exposure of the Funds existing portfolios. In when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions, the Fund commits to purchase particular securities, with payment and delivery to take place at a future date. Although the Fund does not pay for the securities or start earning interest on them until they are delivered, it immediately assumes the risks of ownership, including the risk of price fluctuation. If the Funds counterparty fails to deliver a security purchased on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis, there may be a loss, and that the Fund may have missed an opportunity to make an alternative investment.
Prior to settlement of these transactions, the value of the subject securities will fluctuate, reflecting interest rate changes. In addition, because the Fund is not required to pay for when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment securities until the delivery date, they may result in a form of leverage to the extent the Fund does not maintain liquid assets equal to the face amount of the contract. To guard against this deemed leverage, the Fund segregates cash and/or securities in an amount or value at least equal to the amount of these transactions.
Security Lending: The Fund may lend its securities to qualified brokers. The loans must be collateralized at all times primarily with cash although the Fund can accept money market instruments or U.S. Government securities with a market value at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. As with any extensions of credit, the Fund may bear the risk of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral if the borrowers of the securities fail financially. The Fund earns additional income for lending its securities by investing the cash collateral in short-term investments. The Fund did not lend any securities during the year ended December 31, 2014.
29
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 2 Risk Considerations
Market Risk: The Funds investments will fluctuate with market conditions, so will the value of your investment in the Fund. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund or the Fund could underperform other investments.
Liquidity Risk: The Funds investments in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may not be able to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Investments in high yield securities, foreign securities, derivatives or other securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Certain investments in private placements and Rule 144A securities may be considered illiquid investments. The Fund may invest in private placements and Rule 144A securities.
Interest Rate Risk: The values of the Funds investments fluctuate in response to movements in interest rates. If rates rise, the values of debt securities generally fall. The longer the average duration of a Funds investment portfolio, the greater the change in value.
Mortgage-Backed and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk: The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities. The values of some mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities may expose the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. When interest rates rise, the value of mortgage-related securities generally will decline; however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage related-securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed-income securities. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and may shorten or extend the effective maturity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. If an unanticipated rate of prepayment on underlying mortgages increases the effective maturity of a mortgage-related security, the volatility of the security can be expected to increase. The value of these securities may fluctuate in response to the markets perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers. Additionally, although mortgages and mortgage-related securities are generally supported by some form of government or private guarantee and/or insurance, there is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations.
Derivatives Risk: Use of derivatives, which at times is an important part of the Funds investment strategy, involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Investments in derivatives could cause the Fund to lose more than the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial.
Credit Risk: The values of any of the Funds investments may also decline in response to events affecting the issuer or its credit rating. The lower rated debt securities in which the Fund may invest are considered speculative and are subject to greater volatility and risk of loss than investment-grade securities, particularly in deteriorating economic conditions. The value of some mortgage-related securities in which the Fund invests also may fall because of unanticipated levels of principal prepayments that can occur when interest rates decline. The Fund invests a material portion of its assets in securities of issuers that hold mortgage- and asset-backed securities and direct investments in securities backed by commercial and residential mortgage loans and other financial assets. The value and related income of these securities are sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults. Continuing shifts in the markets perception of credit quality on securities backed by commercial and residential mortgage
30
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
loans and other financial assets may result in increased volatility of market prices and periods of illiquidity that can negatively impact the valuation of certain issuers held by the Fund.
Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and Asset-backed securities (ABS) are characterized and classified in a variety of different ways. These classifications include a view of the securities cash flow structure (passthrough, sequential pay, prepayment-protected, interest-only, principal-only, etc.), the security of the claim on the underlying assets (senior, mezzanine and subordinated), as well as types of underlying collateral (prime conforming loans, prime non-conforming loans, Alt-A loans, subprime loans, commercial loans, etc.). In many cases, the classification incorporates a degree of subjectivity a particular loan might be categorized as prime by the underwriting standards of one mortgage issuer while another might classify the loan as subprime. In addition to other functions, the risk associated with an investment in a mortgage loan must take into account the nature of the collateral, the form and the level of credit enhancement, the vintage of the loan, the geography of the loan, the purpose of the loan (refinance versus purchase versus equity take-out), the borrowers credit quality (e.g. FICO score), and whether the loan is a first trust deed or a second lien.
Counterparty Risk: The Fund may be exposed to counterparty risk, or the risk that an entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions may default. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to credit and counterparty risks, consist principally of investments and cash due from counterparties. The exposure to credit and counterparty risks with respect to these financial assets is reflected in fair value recorded in the Funds Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Note 3 Federal Income Taxes
It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and distribute all of its net taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
At December 31, 2014, the Fund had total loss carry forward for federal income tax purposes of $3,692,739 which will expire in 2018.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund distributed, on a tax basis, $12,064,800 of ordinary income. For the previous year ended December 31, 2013, the Fund distributed, on a tax basis, $18,690,880 of ordinary income. The Fund had no undistributed ordinary income at December 31, 2014, or December 31, 2013, on a tax basis.
At December 31, 2014, net unrealized appreciation for federal income tax purposes is comprised of the following components:
Unrealized appreciation |
$ | 26,597,022 | ||
Unrealized (depreciation) |
(3,596,250 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net Unrealized appreciation |
$ | 23,000,772 | ||
|
|
|||
Cost of Investments for federal income tax purposes |
$ | 262,315,941 | ||
|
|
The following reclassifications have been made for the permanent difference between book and tax accounting as of December 31, 2014:
Increase (Decrease) |
||||
Distributions in Excess of Net Investment Income |
$ | 484,546 | ||
Accumulated Net Realized Loss on Investments |
$ | (484,546 | ) |
31
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 3 Federal Income Taxes (Continued)
The Fund did not have any unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, nor were there any increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits for the period then ended; and therefore no interest or penalties were accrued. The Fund is subject to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities for returns filed for the prior three and four fiscal years, respectively.
Note 4 Investment Advisory and Service Fees
As compensation for the investment advisory services rendered, facilities provided, and expenses borne, the Advisor is paid a monthly fee by the Fund computed at the annual rate of 0.75% of the first $100 million of the Funds average managed assets and 0.50% of the Funds average managed assets in excess of $100 million.
In addition to the management fees, the Fund reimburses, with approval by the Funds Board of Directors, a portion of the Advisors costs associated in support of the Funds Rule 38a-1 compliance obligations, which is included in the Statement of Operations as Compliance Expense.
Note 5 Purchases and Sales of Securities
For the year ended December 31, 2014, purchases and sales or maturities of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) aggregated to $29,614,280 and $70,500,074, respectively for non-U.S. Government Securities and aggregated to $2,229,925 and $227,220, respectively, for U.S. Government Securities.
Note 6 Directors Fees
Directors who are not affiliated with the Advisor received, as a group, fees and expenses of $126,343 from the Fund for the year ended year ended December 31, 2014. Directors may elect to defer receipt of their fees in accordance with the terms of a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. Amounts deferred are recorded on the Funds books as other liabilities. Deferred compensation is included within directors fees and expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Certain Officers and/or Directors of the Fund are also Officers and/or Directors of the Advisor but they do not receive any compensation from the Fund.
Note 7 Restricted Securities
The Fund is permitted to invest in securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Disposal of these securities may involve time consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. There was one restricted security at December 31, 2014.
Aggregate Cost |
Aggregate Value |
Value as a Percentage of Funds Net Assets |
||||||||||
Total of Restricted Security |
$ | 1,195,219 | $ | 536,417 | 0.19 | % |
Note 8 Loan Outstanding
The Fund is permitted to have borrowings for investment purposes. The Fund has entered into a line of credit agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon which permits the Fund to borrow up to $70 million at a rate, per annum, equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.00%. There is also an annual commitment fee of $35,000. The average daily loan balance during the period for which loans were outstanding amounted to $4,762,976 and the weighted average interest rate was 1.22%. Interest expense on the line of credit was
32
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2014 |
$42,089 for year ended December 31, 2014. The maximum outstanding loan balance during the year ended December 31, 2014 was $8,680,000. There was no loan balance outstanding as of December 31, 2014.
Note 9 Indemnifications
Under the Funds organizational documents, its Officers and Directors may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, the Fund entered into an agreement with each of the Directors which provides that the Fund will indemnify and hold harmless each Director against any expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Director in any proceeding arising out of or in connection with the Directors services to the Fund, to the fullest extent permitted by the Funds Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Securities Act of 1933, and the 1940 Act, each as now or hereinafter in force. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote. The Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with such indemnification.
Note 10 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement
On June 7, 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-08, Financial Services Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements. ASU No. 2013-08 sets forth a new approach for determining whether a public or private entity is an investment company and sets certain measurement and disclosure requirements for an investment company. ASU No. 2013-08 is effective in annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013, and for interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Management has determined that as an investment company that is regulated under the 1940 Act, the Fund qualifies as an investment company pursuant to FASB ASC No. 946, Financial Services Investment Companies and meets the reporting requirement under the new pronouncement.
In June 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-11, Transfers & Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (ASU 2014-11) to improve the financial reporting of repurchase agreements and other similar transactions. ASU 2014-11 includes expanded disclosure requirements for entities that enter into reverse repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. ASU 2014-11 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Management is currently evaluating the implications of these changes and their impact on the financial statements.
33
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Financial Highlights
Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
Year Ended December 31, 2010 |
||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share, Beginning of Year |
$ | 5.82 | $ | 5.60 | $ | 4.94 | $ | 5.52 | $ | 4.77 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income from Operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (1) |
0.24 | 0.31 | 0.43 | 0.54 | 0.90 | |||||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments |
0.14 | 0.30 | 0.78 | (0.23 | ) | 0.47 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
0.38 | 0.61 | 1.21 | 0.31 | 1.37 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Less Distributions: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions from Net Investment Income |
(0.25 | ) | (0.39 | ) | (0.55 | ) | (0.89 | ) | (0.62 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share, End of Year |
$ | 5.95 | $ | 5.82 | $ | 5.60 | $ | 4.94 | $ | 5.52 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Market Value Per Share, End of Year |
$ | 5.39 | $ | 5.34 | $ | 5.36 | $ | 4.85 | $ | 5.22 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Asset Value Total Return (2) |
6.66 | % | 11.19 | % | 24.95 | % | 5.50 | % | 29.53 | % | ||||||||||
Market Price |
5.66 | % | 6.92 | % | 22.20 | % | 10.54 | % | 34.54 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (in thousands) |
$ | 283,835 | $ | 277,337 | $ | 266,798 | $ | 235,227 | $ | 262,582 | ||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses Before Interest Expense to Average Net Assets |
0.85 | % | 0.91 | % | 1.03 | % | 0.98 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of Interest Expense to Average Net Assets |
0.02 | % | 0.11 | % | 0.21 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.19 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets |
0.87 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.24 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.19 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets |
4.05 | % | 5.25 | % | 7.88 | % | 9.58 | % | 16.67 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate |
12.09 | % | 34.97 | % | 35.09 | % | 39.63 | % | 49.30 | % |
(1) | Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period. |
(2) | Based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions. |
(3) | Based on market price per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
34
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Los Angeles, California
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financials highlights are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Los Angeles, California
February 13, 2015
35
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy
We, The TCW Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, the TCW Funds, Inc., TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. and the Metropolitan West Funds (collectively, TCW) are committed to protecting the nonpublic personal and financial information of our customers and consumers who obtain or seek to obtain financial products or services primarily for personal, family or household purposes. We fulfill our commitment by establishing and implementing policies and systems to protect the security and confidentiality of this information.
In our offices, we limit access to nonpublic personal and financial information about you to those TCW personnel who need to know the information in order to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your nonpublic personal and financial information.
What You Should Know
At TCW, we recognize the importance of keeping information about you secure and confidential. We do not sell or share your nonpublic personal and financial information with marketers or others outside our affiliated group of companies.
We carefully manage information among our affiliated group of companies to safeguard your privacy and to provide you with consistently excellent service.
We are providing this notice to you to comply with the requirements of Regulation S-P, Privacy of Consumer Financial Information, issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Categories of Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of nonpublic personal and financial information about you from the following sources:
| Your name, address and identifying numbers, and other personal and financial information, from you and from identification cards and papers you submit to us, on applications, subscription agreements or other forms or communications. |
| Information about your account balances and financial transactions with us, our affiliated entities, or nonaffiliated third parties, from our internal sources, from affiliated entities and from nonaffiliated third parties. |
| Information about your account balances and financial transactions and other personal and financial information, from consumer credit reporting agencies or other nonaffiliated third parties, to verify information received from you or others. |
Categories of Information We Disclose to Nonaffiliated Third Parties
| We may disclose your name, address and account and other identifying numbers, as well as information about your pending or past transactions and other personal financial information, to nonaffiliated third parties, for our everyday business purposes such as necessary to execute, process, service and confirm your securities transactions and mutual fund transactions, to administer and service your account and commingled investment vehicles in which you are invested, to market our products and services through joint marketing arrangements or to respond to court orders and legal investigations. |
36
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Privacy Policy (Continued)
| We may disclose nonpublic personal and financial information concerning you to law enforcement agencies, federal regulatory agencies, self-regulatory organizations or other nonaffiliated third parties, if required or requested to do so by a court order, judicial subpoena or regulatory inquiry. |
We do not otherwise disclose your nonpublic personal and financial information to nonaffiliated third parties, except where we believe in good faith that disclosure is required or permitted by law. Because we do not disclose your nonpublic personal and financial information to nonaffiliated third parties, our Customer Privacy Policy does not contain opt-out provisions.
Categories of Information We Disclose to Our Affiliated Entities
| We may disclose your name, address and account and other identifying numbers, account balances, information about your pending or past transactions and other personal financial information to our affiliated entities for any purpose. |
| We regularly disclose your name, address and account and other identifying numbers, account balances and information about your pending or past transactions to our affiliates to execute, process and confirm securities transactions or mutual fund transactions for you, to administer and service your account and commingled investment vehicles in which you are invested, or to market our products and services to you. |
Information About Former Customers
We do not disclose nonpublic personal and financial information about former customers to nonaffiliated third parties unless required or requested to do so by a court order, judicial subpoena or regulatory inquiry, or otherwise where we believe in good faith that disclosure is required or permitted by law.
Questions
Should you have any questions about our Customer Privacy Policy, please contact us by email or by regular mail at the address at the end of this policy.
Reminder About TCWs Financial Products
Financial products offered by The TCW Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, the TCW Funds, Inc., TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. and the Metropolitan West Funds:
| Are not guaranteed by a bank; |
| Are not obligations of The TCW Group, Inc. or of its subsidiaries; |
| Are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and |
| Are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount committed or invested, and earnings thereon. |
THE TCW GROUP, INC.
TCW FUNDS, INC.
TCW STRATEGIC INCOME FUND, INC.
METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS
Attention: Privacy Officer | 865 South Figueroa St. Suite 1800 | Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
email: privacy@tcw.com
37
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Management and Advisory Agreement
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund) and TCW Investment Management Company (the Advisor) are parties to an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement (Current Agreement), pursuant to which the Advisor is responsible for managing the investments of the Fund. The Current Agreement continues in effect from year to year provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the Board), including the directors who are not interested persons of the Fund or the Advisor (the Independent Directors). The Current Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.
At a meeting held on September 8, 2014, the Board, including the Independent Directors, re-approved the Current Agreement for an additional one year term.
Continuation of the Current Agreement
The Advisor provided materials to the Board in advance of meetings held on August 26, 2014 and September 8, 2014 (the Current Agreement Materials) for their evaluation of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement between the Fund and the Advisor in response to information requested by the Independent Directors, who were advised by Counsel to the Independent Directors with respect to these and other relevant matters. The Boards consideration of the continuation of the Current Agreement represents the Boards first renewal decision with respect to the Current Agreement since affiliates of the Carlyle Group, L.P. acquired a majority interest in the Advisor (the Transaction). The Transaction closed in early 2013 and the Board considered its ongoing impact when considering the Current Agreement Materials. In addition, the Independent Directors met separately with Counsel to the Independent Directors to consider the information provided. As a result of those meetings and their other meetings, the Independent Directors unanimously recommended continuation of the Current Agreement after considering the following factors among others:
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services
The Independent Directors considered the general nature, extent, and quality of services provided or expected to be provided by the Advisor pursuant to the Current Agreement. The Independent Directors evaluated the Advisors experience in serving as manager of the Fund, and considered the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is served by a large investment management organization where it and its affiliates also serve a variety of other investment advisory clients, including separate accounts, other pooled investment vehicles, registered investment companies and commingled funds. The Independent Directors also considered the ability of the Advisor to provide appropriate levels of support and resources to the Fund.
In addition, the Independent Directors took note of the background and experience of the senior management and portfolio management personnel of the Advisor and that the Advisor provides and is expected to continue to provide substantial expertise and attention to the Fund as well as resources and infrastructure. The Independent Directors considered the ability of the Advisor to attract and retain qualified business professionals and its compensation program. The Independent Directors also considered the breadth of the compliance programs of the Advisor, as well as the compliance operations of the Advisor with respect to the Fund. The Independent Directors concluded that they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the services provided and anticipated to be provided to the Fund by the Advisor under the Current Agreement.
38
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Management and Advisory Agreement (Continued)
Investment Performance
The Independent Directors reviewed information about the Funds historical performance, including materials prepared by the Advisor and the Report prepared by Lipper, an independent third party consultant, which provided a comparative analysis of the Fund with the performance of similar funds over one, three, five and 10 year periods. The Independent Directors noted that the investment performance of the Fund was generally consistent with or above the median performance of the applicable Lipper peer group during most periods covered in the Report. The Independent Directors concluded that the Advisor should continue to provide investment advisory and management services to the Fund.
Advisory Fees and Profitability
The Independent Directors considered information in the materials prepared by the Advisor regarding the advisory fees charged to the Fund, advisory fees paid by other funds in the Funds peer group, and advisory fees paid to the Advisor under advisory contracts with respect to other funds. The Independent Directors noted that the investment advisory fees charged by the Advisor to the Fund was at or below the median of its Lipper peer group. The Independent Directors reviewed related materials prepared by the Advisor. The Independent Directors also noted that the Advisor does not manage any separate accounts or other funds with an investment strategy substantially similar to the current strategy of the Fund.
The Independent Directors considered the costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Advisor and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund. Recognizing the difficulty in evaluating a managers profitability with respect to the funds it manages in the context of a manager with multiple lines of business, and noting that other profitability methodologies might also be reasonable, the Independent Directors concluded that the profits of the Advisor and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund was reasonable. Based on these various considerations, the Independent Directors concluded that the contractual management fees of the Fund under the Current Agreement is fair and bears a reasonable relationship to the services rendered.
Expenses and Economies of Scale
The Independent Directors noted that the total expense of the Fund was near or below expenses incurred by other funds in its peer group. The Independent Directors considered the potential of the Advisor to achieve economies of scale as the Fund grows in size and whether the advisory fees in the Current Agreement reflect those economies of scale. The Board noted that, as a closed-end fund, there is limited potential for the Fund to experience significant asset growth other than through capital appreciation and income production. The Independent Directors also considered the relative advantages and disadvantages of an advisory fee with breakpoints. The Independent Directors noted the Current Agreement with the Advisor has a fee breakpoint and that the overall fee to be charged to the Fund is reasonable and concluded that the current fee structure reflected in the Current Agreement is appropriate.
39
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Management and Advisory Agreement (Continued)
Ancillary Benefits
The Independent Directors considered ancillary benefits to be received by the Advisor and its affiliates as a result of the relationship of the Advisor with the Fund, including compensation for certain compliance support services. The Independent Directors noted that, in addition to the fees the Advisor receives under the Current Agreement, the Advisor receives additional benefits in connection with management of the Fund in the form of reports, research and other services from brokers and their affiliates in return for brokerage commissions paid to such brokers. The Independent Directors concluded that any potential benefits to be derived by the Advisor from its relationships with the Fund are consistent with the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund.
Based on the consideration discussed above and other considerations, the Board, including the Independent Directors, approved continuation of the Current Agreement.
40
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Supplemental Information
Proxy Voting Guidelines
The policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies are available without charge. The Board of Directors of the Fund has delegated the Funds proxy voting authority to the Advisor.
Disclosure of Proxy Voting Guidelines
The proxy voting guidelines of the Advisor are available:
1. | By calling 1-(877) 829-4768 to obtain a hard copy; or |
2. | By going to the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. |
When the Fund receives a request for a description of the Advisors proxy voting guidelines, it will deliver the description that is disclosed in the Funds Statement of Additional Information. This information will be sent out via first class mail (or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery) within three business days of receiving the request.
The Advisor, on behalf of the Fund, must prepare and file Form N-PX with the SEC not later than August 31 of each year, which must include the Funds proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 of that year. The Funds proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available:
1. | By calling 1-(877) 829-4768 to obtain a hard copy; or |
2. | By going to the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. |
When the Fund receives a request for the Funds proxy voting record, it will send the information disclosed in the Funds most recently filed report on Form N-PX via first class mail (or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery) within three business days of receiving the request.
The Fund also discloses its proxy voting record on its website as soon as is reasonably practicable after its report on Form N-PX is filed with the SEC.
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of its fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Form N-Q is available by calling 1-(877) 829-4768 to obtain a hard copy. You may also obtain the Funds Form N-Q:
1. | By going to the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov.; or |
2. | By visiting the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and photocopying it (Phone 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the SECs Public Reference Room). |
Corporate Governance Listing Standards
In accordance with Section 303A.12 (a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the Funds Annual CEO Certification certifying compliance with NYSEs Corporate Governance Listing Standards was submitted to the Exchange on October 6, 2014 as part of its Annual Written Affirmation.
41
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Report of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund was held on September 9, 2014. At the meeting, the following matter was submitted to a shareholder vote: the election of Samuel P. Bell, David S. DeVito, John A. Gavin, Patrick C. Haden, Janet E. Kerr, David Lippman, Peter McMillan, Charles A. Parker, Victoria B. Rogers and Andrew Tarica as Directors to serve until their successors are elected and qualify. Each nominee was elected with Mr. Bell receiving 40,010,024 affirmative votes and 654,333 votes withheld, Mr. DeVito receiving 40,207,637 affirmative votes and 456,720 votes withheld, Mr. Gavin receiving 39,870,693 affirmative votes and 793,665 votes withheld, Mr. Haden receiving 38,504,840 affirmative votes and 2,159,518 votes withheld, Ms. Kerr receiving 40,222,484 affirmative votes and 441,874 votes withheld, Mr. Lippman receiving 40,185,369 affirmative votes and 478,988 votes withheld, Mr. McMillan receiving 40,167,453 affirmative votes and 496,905 votes withheld, Mr. Parker receiving 39,942,678 affirmative votes and 721,679 votes withheld, Ms. Rogers receiving 40,210,495 affirmative votes and 453,862 votes withheld and Mr. Tarica receiving 40,231,886 affirmative votes and 432,471 votes withheld. 47,686,957 shares were outstanding on the record date of the meeting and 40,664,358 shares entitled to vote with respect to the proposal were present in person or proxy at the meeting.
42
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Shareholders who wish to add to their investment may do so by making an election to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan). Under the Plan, your dividend is used to purchase shares on the open market whenever shares, including the related sales commission, are selling below the Funds net assets value per share. You will be charged a pro-rata portion of brokerage commissions on open-market purchases under the Plan. If the market price, including commission, is selling above the net asset value, you will receive shares at a price equal to the higher of the net asset value per share on the payment date or 95% of the closing market price on the payment date. Generally, for tax purposes, shareholders participating in the Plan will be treated as having received a distribution from the Fund in cash equal to the value of the shares purchased from them under the Plan.
To enroll in the Plan, if your shares are registered in your name, write to Computershare, P.O. Box #30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170, or call toll free at (866) 227-8179. If your shares are held by a brokerage firm, please call your broker. If you participate in the Plan through a broker, you may not be able to transfer your shares to another broker and continue to participate in the Plan if your new broker does not permit such participation. If you no longer want to participate in the Plan, please contact Computershare or your broker. You may elect to continue to hold shares previously purchased on your behalf or sell your shares and receive the proceeds, net of any brokerage commissions. If you need additional information or assistance, please call our investor relations department at (877) 829-4768 or visit our website at www.tcw.com. As always, we would be pleased to accommodate your investment needs.
Distribution policy
The Fund has a net investment income-based distribution policy. The policy is to pay quarterly distributions out of the Funds accumulated undistributed net investment income and/or other sources subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Sub-chapter M of the Internal Revenue Code.
Distribution policies are a matter of Board discretion and may be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice. Any such change or termination may have an adverse effect on the market price for the Funds shares.
You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of the quarterly distribution or from the terms of the Funds distribution policy.
43
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Directors and Officers
A board of ten directors is responsible for overseeing the operations of the TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund). The directors of the Fund, and their business addresses and their principal occupations for the last five years are set forth below.
Independent Directors
Name, Address, Position with Fund (1) |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Other Directorships held by Director | |||
Samuel P. Bell (78) | Indefinite term; Mr. Bell has served as a director of the Fund since October 2002. | Private Investor. | Point 360 (post production services) and TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual fund with 22 series). | |||
John A. Gavin (83) | Indefinite term; Mr. Gavin has served as a director of the Fund since May 2001. | Founder and Chairman of Gamma Holdings (international capital consulting firm). | Hotchkis and Wiley Funds (mutual fund with 5 series) and TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual fund with 22 series). | |||
Patrick C. Haden (62) Chairman |
Indefinite term; Mr. Haden has served as a director of the Fund since May 2001. | Athletic Director, University of Southern California. Prior to August 2010, General Partner, Riordan, Lewis & Haden (private equity firm). | Tetra Tech, Inc. (environmental consulting), Metropolitan West Funds (mutual fund with 9 series) and TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual fund with 22 series). | |||
Janet E. Kerr (60) | Indefinite term; Ms. Kerr has served as a director of the Fund since August 2010. | Professor Emeritus and Founder of the Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law, Pepperdine University School of Law; Strategic Advisor, Bloomberg BNA (News, Media). | La-Z-Boy Furniture Incorporated (residential furniture producer), Tillys (retailer of apparel and accessories), and TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual fund with 22 series). | |||
Peter McMillan (57) | Indefinite term; Mr. McMillan has served as a director of the Fund since August 2010. | Co-founder and Managing Partner, Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC (investment advisory firm); Co-founder and Executive Vice President of KBS Capital Advisors (a manager of real estate investment trusts). | KBS Real Estate Investment Trusts (real estate investments), Metropolitan West Funds (mutual funds with 9 series) and TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual fund with 22 series). | |||
Charles A. Parker (80) | Indefinite term; Mr. Parker has served as a director of the Fund since May 1988. | Private Investor. | Burridge Center for Research in Security Prices (University of Colorado) and TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual fund with 22 series). | |||
Victoria B. Rogers (53) | Indefinite term; Ms. Rogers has served as a director of the Fund since October 2011. | President, the Rose Hills Foundation. | Causeway Capital Management Trust (mutual fund with 5 series) and TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual fund with 22 series). | |||
Andrew Tarica (56) | Indefinite term; Mr. Tarica has served as a director of the Fund since March 2012. | Chief Executive Officer, Meadowbrook Capital Management (asset management company) and Employee, Concept Capital Markets LLC (broker dealer). | Metropolitan West Funds (mutual fund with 9 series) and TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual fund with 22 series). |
(1) | The address of each Independent Director is c/o Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Counsel to the Independent Directors, TCW Strategic Income Fund, 355 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071. |
44
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Directors and Officers (Continued) |
Interested Directors
Each of these directors is an interested person of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act because he is a director and officer of the Advisor, and a shareholder and director of The TCW Group, Inc., the parent company of the Advisor.
Name, Address, Position with Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Other Directorships held by Director | |||
David S. DeVito (52)* President and Chief Executive Officer |
Indefinite term; Mr. DeVito has served as a director of the Fund since January 2008, and as President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2014. | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the Advisor, The TCW Group, Inc., Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company; President and Chief Executive Officer, TCW Funds, Inc.; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Metropolitan West Funds. | TCW Funds, Inc. (a mutual fund with 22 series). | |||
David Lippman (56)* | Indefinite term; Mr. Lippman has served as a director of the Fund since February 2014. | Chief Executive Officer, The TCW Group, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer and President, the Advisor, TCW Asset Management Company, Trust Company of the West, and Metropolitan West Asset Management LLC; President and Principal Executive Officer, Metropolitan West Funds. | None. |
The officers of the Fund who are not directors of the Fund are:
Name and Address | Position(s) Held with Fund |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years (1) | ||
Peter A. Brown (59)* | Senior Vice President | Managing Director, the Advisor, The TCW Group, Inc., Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company; Senior Vice President, TCW Funds, Inc. | ||
Meredith S. Jackson (55)* | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, the Advisor, The TCW Group Inc., Trust Company of the West, TCW Asset Management Company and Metropolitan West Asset Management LLC; Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary, TCW Funds, Inc. and Metropolitan West Funds. Previously, Partner and Chair of the Debt Finance Practice Group, Irell & Manella (law firm) (1999 January 2013). |
45
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Directors and Officers (Continued)
Name and Address | Position(s) Held with Fund |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years (1) | ||
Jeffrey Engelsman (47)* | Chief Compliance Officer | Managing Director, Global Chief Compliance Officer, the Advisor, The TCW Group, Inc., Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company; Previously, Managing Director of New York Life Investment Management Company and Chief Compliance Officer of MainStay Group of Funds. | ||
Richard Villa (50)* | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, the Advisor, The TCW Group, Inc., Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, TCW Funds, Inc. |
(1) | Positions with The TCW Group, Inc. and its affiliates may have changed over time. |
* | Address is 865 South Figueroa Street, 18th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90017 |
In addition, George N. Winn, Senior Vice President of Trust Company of the West, TCW Asset Management Company, Metropolitan West Asset Management LLC and the Advisor, is the Assistant Treasurer of the Fund; Patrick W. Dennis, Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel of Trust Company of the West, TCW Asset Management Company, Metropolitan West Asset Management LLC and the Advisor, is an Assistant Secretary of the Fund; and Jon-Luc Dupuy, Vice President and Senior Counsel for State Street Corporations Legal Administration Group, is also an Assistant Secretary of the Fund.
46
TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. 865 South Figueroa Street Investment Advisor Directors Los Angeles, California 90017 TCW Investment Management Company Samuel P. Bell 865 South Figueroa Street Director 866 227 8179 Los Angeles, California 90017 David S. DeVito www.TCW.com Transfer Agent, Dividend Reinvestment and Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer Disbursement Agent and Registrar Computershare John A. Gavin P.O. Box #30170 Director College Station, Texas 77842-3170 Patrick C. Haden Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Director, Chairman Deloitte & Touche, LLP Janet E. Kerr 555 West 5th Street Director Los Angeles, California 90013 David B. Lippman Custodian & Administrator Director State Street Bank & Trust Company Peter McMillan One Lincoln Street Director Boston, Massachusetts 02111 Charles A. Parker Legal Counsel Director Paul Hastings LLP Victoria B. Rogers 55 Second Street Director San Francisco, California 94105 Andrew Tarica Director Officers Meredith S. Jackson Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary Richard Villa Treasurer, and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Jeffrey A. Engelsman Chief Compliance Officer Peter A. Brown Senior Vice President George N. Winn Assistant Treasurer Patrick Dennis Assistant Secretary Jon-Luc Dupuy Assistant Secretary
Item 2. | Code of Ethics |
(a) | The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions. |
(c) | The registrant has made no material changes to its code of ethics. |
(d) | The registrant has not granted any waivers from any provisions of its code of ethics during the period covered by this |
Form | N-CSR. |
(e) | Not applicable. |
(f) | A copy of the registrants code of ethics is filed as Exhibit 12(a)(1) to this Form N-CSR. |
Item 3. | Audit Committee Financial Expert |
(a)(1) | The registrants Board of Directors (the Board) has determined that the registrant has three members serving on the registrants Audit Committee that possess the attributes identified in Form N-CSR to qualify as an audit committee financial expert. |
(a)(2) | The audit committee financial experts are Samuel P. Bell, Charles A. Parker and Victoria B. Rogers. Each has been deemed to be independent as that term is defined in Form N-CSR. |
Item 4. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
The firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte) serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the registrant.
(a) Audit Fees
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Deloitte for the audit of the registrants annual financial statements or for services that are normally provided by Deloitte in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were:
2014 |
2013 | |
$81,000 |
$83,000 |
(b) | Audit-Related Fees |
For the fiscal years December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services rendered by Deloitte that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the registrants financial statements and that are not reported under Audit Fees above were:
2014 |
2013 | |
$0 |
$0 |
(c) | Tax Fees |
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the aggregate fees billed for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning by Deloitte were:
2014 |
2013 | |
$5,250 |
$5,250 |
Fees were for the preparation and filing of the registrants corporate returns.
(d) | All Other Fees |
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte to the registrant for all services other than services reported under Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, and Tax Fees were:
2014 |
2013 | |
$0 |
$0 |
(e) (1) The registrants Audit Committee approves each specific service the auditor will perform for the registrant. Accordingly, the audit committee has not established pre-approval policies or procedures for services that the auditor may perform for the registrant.
(e) (2) None of the services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item were approved by the registrants Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) | Not applicable. |
(g) No non-audit fees except as disclosed in Item 4(c) above were billed by the registrants accountant for services rendered to the registrant, or rendered to the registrants investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant.
(h) Not applicable.
Item 5. | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. |
(a) The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The registrants audit committee members, consisting solely of independent directors, are:
Samuel P. Bell
John A. Gavin
Patrick C. Haden
Janet E. Kerr
Peter McMillan
Charles A. Parker
Victoria B. Rogers
Andrew Tarica
Item 6. | Schedule of Investments. |
The Schedule of Investments is included as part of Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
Item 7. | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Attached to this Form N-CSR as Exhibit 12(c) is a copy of the proxy voting policies and procedures of the registrant.
Item 8. | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
(a)(1) Portfolio Managers
Mitch Flack | Portfolio manager and Managing Director, TCW Investment Management Company, Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company since December 2009. Portfolio manager, partner and a mortgage specialist with Metropolitan West Asset Management Company, LLC prior to December 2009. | |
Stephen Kane | Portfolio manager and Group Managing Director, TCW Investment Management Company, Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company since December 2009. Portfolio manager, founding partner with Metropolitan West Asset Management Company, LLC prior to December 2009. | |
Laird R. Landmann | President, Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC, portfolio manager and Group Managing Director, TCW Investment Management Company, Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company since December 2009. Portfolio manager and a founding partner with Metropolitan West Asset Management Company, LLC prior to December 2009. |
Tad Rivelle | Portfolio manager, Group Managing Director, and Chief Investment OfficerHigh Grade Fixed Income, TCW Investment Management Company, Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company since December 2009. Chief Investment Officer, portfolio manager and a founding partner with Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC prior to December 2009. | |
Bryan Whalen | Portfolio manager and Managing Director, TCW Investment Management Company, Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company since December 2009. Portfolio manager and a partner with Metropolitan West Asset Management Company, LLC prior to December 2009. |
The foregoing information regarding the registrants portfolio managers is as of February 19, 2015.
(2) Other Accounts Managed as of December 31, 2014 in millions
Registered Investment Companies asset-based advisory fee |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles asset-based advisory fee |
Other Accounts asset-based advisory fee |
Registered Investment Companies performance- based advisory fee |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles performance- based advisory fee |
Other Accounts performance- based advisory fee |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mitch Flack |
4 | $ | 9,161 | 25 | $ | 2,215 | 25 | $ | 4,755 | 0 | 0 | 23 | $ | 2,157 | 1 | $ | 205 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Kane |
33 | $ | 73,550 | 41 | $ | 6,301 | 215 | $ | 24,811 | 0 | 0 | 26 | $ | 2,663 | 5 | $ | 2,709 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Laird Landmann |
31 | $ | 73,549 | 38 | $ | 5,234 | 211 | $ | 24,578 | 0 | 0 | 27 | $ | 2,768 | 5 | $ | 2,709 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tad Rivelle |
31 | $ | 80,405 | 35 | $ | 3,623 | 214 | $ | 24,680 | 0 | 0 | 26 | $ | 2,663 | 5 | $ | 2,709 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bryan Whalen |
13 | $ | 68,624 | 32 | $ | 3,846 | 39 | $ | 8,277 | 0 | 0 | 27 | $ | 2,409 | 1 | $ | 205 |
Conflicts
Actual or potential conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has management responsibilities to more than one account (including the registrant), such as devotion of unequal time and attention to the management of the accounts, inability to allocate limited investment opportunities across a broad band of accounts and incentive to allocate opportunities to an account where the portfolio manager or The TCW Group (TCW) has a greater financial incentive, such as a performance fee account or where an account or fund managed by a portfolio manager has a higher fee sharing arrangement than the portfolio managers fee sharing percentage with respect to the registrant. TCW has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these types of conflicts and TCW believes its policies and procedures serve to operate in a manner that is fair and equitable among its clients, including the registrant.
(3) Portfolio Manager Compensation
The overall objective of TCW Investment Management Companys (Advisor) compensation program for portfolio managers is to attract competent and expert investment professionals and to retain them over the long-term. Compensation is comprised of several components which, in the aggregate, are designed to achieve these objectives and to reward the portfolio managers for their contributions to the successful performance of the accounts they manage. Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary, profit sharing based compensation (profit sharing), bonus and equity incentive participation in the Advisors parent company (equity incentives). Profit sharing and equity incentives generally represent most of the portfolio managers compensation. In some cases, portfolio managers are eligible for discretionary bonuses.
Salary. Salary is agreed to with managers at time of employment and is reviewed from time to time. It does not change significantly and often does not constitute a significant part of the portfolio managers compensation.
Profit Sharing. Profit sharing is linked quantitatively to a fixed percentage of net income relating to accounts in the investment strategy area for which the portfolio managers are responsible and is typically paid quarterly. In most cases, revenues are allocated to a pool and profit sharing compensation is paid out after the deduction of certain expenses (including base salaries) related to the strategy group. The profit sharing percentage used to compensate a portfolio manager for management of the Fund is generally the same as that used to compensate portfolio managers for all other client accounts in the same strategy managed by the Advisor or one of the other TCW Advisors (together, the TCW Group). Income included in a profit sharing pool will relate to the products managed by the portfolio manager. In some cases, the pool includes revenues related to more than one equity or fixed income product where the portfolio managers work together as a team, in which case each participant in the pool is entitled to profit sharing derived from all the included products. In certain cases, a portfolio manager may also participate in a profit sharing pool that includes revenues from products besides the strategies offered in the Fund, including alternative investment products; the portfolio manager would be entitled to participate in such pool where he or she supervises, is involved in the management of, or is associated with a group, other members of which manage, such products. Profit sharing arrangements are generally the result of agreement between the portfolio manager and the TCW Group, although in some cases they may be discretionary based on supervisor allocation.
In some cases, the profit sharing percentage is subject to increase based on the relative pre-tax performance of the investment strategy composite returns, net of fees and expenses, to that of the benchmark. The measurement of performance relative to the benchmark can be based on single year or multiple year metrics, or a combination thereof. The benchmark used is the one associated with the Fund managed by the portfolio manager as disclosed in the prospectus. Benchmarks vary from strategy to strategy but, within a given strategy, the same benchmark applies to all accounts, including the Fund.
Discretionary Bonus/Guaranteed Minimums. In general, portfolio managers do not receive discretionary bonuses. However, in some cases bonuses may be paid on a discretionary basis out of a department profit sharing pool, as determined by the supervisor(s) in the department. In other cases where portfolio managers do not receive profit sharing or where the company has determined the combination of salary and profit sharing does not adequately compensate the portfolio manager, discretionary bonuses may be paid by the TCW Group. Also, pursuant to contractual arrangements, some portfolio managers may be entitled to a mandatory bonus if the sum of their salary and profit sharing does not meet certain minimum thresholds.
Equity Incentives. Many portfolio managers participate in equity incentives based on overall firm performance of the TCW Group and its affiliates, through ownership or participation in restricted unit plans that vest over time or unit appreciation plans of the Advisors parent company. The plans include the Fixed Income Retention Plan, Restricted Unit Plan and 2014 Equity Unit Incentive Plan.
Under the Fixed Income Retention Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income area were awarded cash and/or partnership units in the Advisors parent company, either on a contractually-determined basis or on a discretionary basis. Awards under this plan were made in 2010 that vest over a period of time and other awards are granted annually.
Under the Restricted Unit Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income and equity areas were awarded partnership units in the Advisors parent company. Awards under this plan vest over time. Vesting is in part dependent on satisfaction of performance criteria.
Under the 2013 Equity Unit Incentive Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income and equity areas are awarded options to acquire partnership units in the Advisors parent company with a strike price equal to the fair market value of the option at the date of grant. The options granted under the plan are subject to vesting and other conditions.
Other Plans and Compensation Vehicles. Portfolio managers may also elect to participate in the TCW Groups 401(k) plan, to which they may contribute a portion of their pre- and post-tax compensation to the plan for investment on a tax-deferred basis.
(4) Share Ownership in Registrant as of December 31, 2014
Portfolio Manager |
None | $1 to $10K |
$10K to $50K |
$50K to $100K |
$100K to $500K |
$500K to $1 Mill |
Over $1 Mill |
|||||||||||||
Mitch Flack |
X | |||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Kane |
X | |||||||||||||||||||
Laird Landmann |
X | |||||||||||||||||||
Tad Rivelle |
X | |||||||||||||||||||
Bryan Whalen |
X |
Item 9. | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
None
Item 10. | Submission of Matters to a vote of Security Holders. |
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrants Board of Directors.
Item 11. | Controls and Procedures. |
(a) | The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by the appropriate persons as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act. |
(b) | There were no changes in the registrants internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the registrants last fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. | Exhibits. |
(a)(1) EX-99.CODE Code of Ethics referred to in Item 2 is filed herewith
(a)(2) EX-99.CERT The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the 1940
Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) are filed herewith.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) EX-99.906CERT The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are filed herewith.
(c) EX-99.(c) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are filed herewith.
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) | TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. | |
By (Signature and Title) | ||
/s/ David S. DeVito | ||
David S. DeVito | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date | February 24, 2015 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title) | ||
/s/ David S. DeVito | ||
David S. DeVito | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date | February 24, 2015 | |
By (Signature and Title) | ||
/s/ Richard M. Villa | ||
Richard M. Villa | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
Date | February 24, 2015 |