Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number 811-21333

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

    333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606    

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Gifford R. Zimmerman—Vice President and Secretary

    333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606    

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end:       July 31      

Date of reporting period:  October 31, 2016  

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

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

 

 

 

 

 


Item 1. Schedule of Investments

 

 


JQC

 

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

  

Portfolio of Investments

   October 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (4)      Maturity (2)      Ratings (3)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 149.9% (94.0% of Total Investments)

  

 

VARIABLE RATE SENIOR LOAN INTERESTS – 117.0% (73.3% of Total Investments) (4)

  

  
      Aerospace & Defense – 0.3% (0.2% of Total Investments)                
$ 4,269     

B/E Aerospace, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.820%         12/16/21         BB+       $ 4,319,418   
      Airlines – 1.5% (0.9% of Total Investments)                
  3,000     

American Airlines, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         BB+         3,006,963   
  5,000     

American Airlines, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.250%         4/28/23         BB+         5,009,375   
  10,277     

American Airlines, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien, (DD1)

    3.250%         6/29/20         BB+         10,303,134   
  18,277     

Total Airlines

                               18,319,472   
      Automobiles – 2.6% (1.6% of Total Investments)                
  2,641     

Chrysler Group LLC, Term Loan B

    3.500%         5/24/17         BBB–         2,647,574   
  12,356     

Chrysler Group LLC, Tranche B, Term Loan

    3.250%         12/31/18         BBB–         12,378,045   
  15,795     

Formula One Group, Term Loan, First Lien

    4.750%         7/30/21         B         15,854,688   
  2,000     

Formula One Group, Term Loan, Second Lien

    7.750%         7/29/22         CCC+         2,015,000   
  32,792     

Total Automobiles

                               32,895,307   
      Capital Markets – 0.9% (0.6% of Total Investments)                
  11,643     

RPI Finance Trust, Term Loan B5

    3.338%         10/06/22         Baa2         11,765,849   
      Chemicals – 5.5% (3.4% of Total Investments)                
  16,848     

Ineos US Finance LLC, Cash Dollar, Term Loan

    3.750%         5/04/18         BB–         16,897,099   
  5,345     

Ineos US Finance LLC, Term Loan B, First Lien

    4.250%         3/31/22         BB–         5,376,802   
  34,069     

Univar, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    4.250%         7/01/22         BB–         34,140,321   
  12,741     

US Coatings Acquisition, Term Loan B

    3.750%         2/01/20         BB+         12,849,704   
  69,003     

Total Chemicals

                               69,263,926   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 2.8% (1.7% of Total Investments)                
  19,652     

ADS Waste Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.500%         10/28/23         BB–         19,712,973   
  7,250     

Monitronics International, Inc., Term Loan B2, First Lien

    6.500%         9/30/22         B2         7,213,750   
  7,980     

West Corporation, Term Loan B12

    3.750%         6/17/23         BB         8,036,858   
  34,882     

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                               34,963,581   
      Communications Equipment – 1.6% (1.0% of Total Investments)                
  3,296     

Avaya, Inc., Term Loan B3

    5.390%         10/26/17         B2         2,925,519   
  373     

Avaya, Inc., Term Loan B7

    6.250%         5/29/20         B2         308,161   
  1,877     

Commscope, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.250%         12/29/22         Ba1         1,889,535   
  14,630     

Telesat Canada Inc., Term Loan B

    3.500%         3/28/19         BB–         14,662,255   
  20,176     

Total Communications Equipment

                               19,785,470   
      Consumer Finance – 3.9% (2.5% of Total Investments)                
  30,173     

First Data Corporation, Term Loan B

    4.274%         7/08/22         BB         30,420,150   
  18,997     

First Data Corporation, Term Loan, First Lien

    3.524%         3/24/21         BB         19,123,691   
  49,170     

Total Consumer Finance

                               49,543,841   
      Containers & Packaging – 1.3% (0.8% of Total Investments)                
  1,714     

Berry Plastics Holding Corporation, Term Loan H

    3.750%         10/01/22         Ba3         1,721,559   
  14,748     

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, First Lien

    4.250%         2/06/23         B+         14,799,453   
  16,462     

Total Containers & Packaging

                               16,521,012   
      Diversified Consumer Services – 4.0% (2.5% of Total Investments)                
  6,939     

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., Term Loan B

    5.250%         6/07/23         BB–         6,814,193   
  2,301     

Hilton Hotels Corporation, Series B1, Term Loan

    3.500%         10/26/20         BBB         2,313,844   

 

NUVEEN     1   


JQC    Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund   
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (4)      Maturity (2)      Ratings (3)      Value  
      Diversified Consumer Services (continued)                
$ 23,519     

Hilton Hotels Corporation, Series B2, Term Loan

    3.029%         10/25/23         BBB       $ 23,676,926   
  645     

Laureate Education, Inc., Term Loan B

    5.000%         6/15/18         B–         641,736   
  17,014     

ServiceMaster Company, Term Loan

    4.250%         7/01/21         BB         17,092,194   
  50,418     

Total Diversified Consumer Services

                               50,538,893   
      Diversified Financial Services – 1.6% (1.0% of Total Investments)                
  20,740     

WideOpenWest Finance LLC, New Term Loan B, (DD1)

    4.500%         8/18/23         B1         20,722,293   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 3.8% (2.4% of Total Investments)                
  7,382     

Level 3 Financing, Inc., Term Loan B2

    3.500%         5/31/22         BB+         7,420,877   
  41,000     

Ziggo N.V., Term Loan D, First Lien

    3.535%         8/31/24         BB–         41,051,250   
  48,382     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               48,472,127   
      Electric Utilities – 0.2% (0.1% of Total Investments)                
  2,443     

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings LLC, DIP Term Loan B, First Lien

    5.000%         8/04/23         Baa3         2,464,740   
  557     

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings LLC, DIP Term Loan C, First Lien

    5.000%         8/04/23         Baa3         562,134   
  3,000     

Total Electric Utilities

                               3,026,874   
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 0.4% (0.2% of Total Investments)                
  4,582     

Zebra Technologies Corporation, Term Loan B

    4.089%         10/27/21         BB+         4,634,985   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.2% (0.2% of Total Investments)                
  5,964     

Drill Rigs Holdings, Inc., Tranche B1, Term Loan

    6.000%         3/31/21         Caa2         3,066,336   
      Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts – 2.8% (1.8% of Total Investments)                
  20,678     

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    4.500%         10/24/22         BB+         20,335,233   
  10,570     

Realogy Corporation, Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.750%         7/20/22         BB+         10,657,481   
  4,817     

Walter Investment Management Corporation, Tranche B, Term Loan, First Lien, (DD1)

    4.750%         12/18/20         B+         4,534,126   
  36,065     

Total Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts

                               35,526,840   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 4.6% (2.9% of Total Investments)         
  25,201     

Albertson’s LLC, Repriced Term Loan B4

    4.500%         8/25/21         BB         25,408,408   
  11,249     

Albertson’s LLC, Term Loan B6

    4.750%         6/22/23         BB         11,370,692   
  12,371     

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc., Replacement Loan, First Lien

    4.500%         9/26/19         B–         12,395,552   
  7,464     

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc., Replacement Loan, Second Lien

    8.500%         3/26/20         CCC         7,509,060   
  1,808     

Supervalu, Inc., New Term Loan

    5.500%         3/21/19         BB         1,814,939   
  58,093     

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                               58,498,651   
      Food Products – 3.5% (2.2% of Total Investments)         
  6,913     

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., Term Loan A, First Lien

    2.313%         3/03/21         BB         6,817,453   
  7,617     

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    5.250%         3/03/23         BB         7,731,030   
  29,321     

US Foods, Inc., Term Loan B

    4.000%         6/27/23         B+         29,538,330   
  43,851     

Total Food Products

                               44,086,813   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 4.0% (2.5% of Total Investments)         
  15,395     

Acelity, Term Loan F

    5.000%         8/03/18         BB–         15,508,899   
  4,505     

ConvaTec, Inc., Term Loan B, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         BB         4,521,882   
  10,351     

Onex Carestream Finance LP, Term Loan, First Lien, (DD1)

    5.000%         6/07/19         B+         9,650,569   
  10,172     

Onex Carestream Finance LP, Term Loan, Second Lien

    9.500%         12/09/19         B–         9,052,828   
  11,558     

Sterigenics International, Inc., Term Loan B

    4.250%         5/16/22         B1         11,558,258   
  51,981     

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                               50,292,436   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 5.6% (3.5% of Total Investments)         
  386     

Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan F

    4.083%         12/31/18         BB–         378,314   
  7,491     

Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan G

    3.750%         12/31/19         BB–         7,142,295   
  13,498     

Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan H

    4.000%         1/27/21         BB–         12,828,572   
  11,029     

Drumm Investors LLC, Term Loan

    9.500%         5/04/18         B         11,001,490   
  11,505     

Millennium Laboratories, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    7.500%         12/21/20         B–         7,327,472   

 

  2      NUVEEN


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (4)      Maturity (2)      Ratings (3)      Value  
      Health Care Providers & Services (continued)         
$ 17,700     

MultiPlan, Inc., Term Loan B

    5.000%         6/07/23         B+       $ 17,925,967   
  8,233     

National Mentor Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B

    4.250%         1/31/21         B+         8,253,623   
  1,580     

Quorum Health Corp., Term Loan B

    6.750%         4/29/22         B1         1,489,992   
  4,990     

U.S. Renal Care, Inc., Term Loan, First Lien

    5.250%         12/30/22         B1         4,786,407   
  76,412     

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                               71,134,132   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 7.8% (4.9% of Total Investments)         
  34,159     

Burger King Corporation, Term Loan B

    3.750%         12/10/21         Ba3         34,358,281   
  1,541     

CCM Merger, Inc., Term Loan B

    4.000%         8/09/21         BB–         1,532,756   
  20,568     

Life Time Fitness, Inc., Term Loan B

    4.250%         6/10/22         BB–         20,613,837   
  4,776     

MGM Growth Properties, Term Loan B

    3.500%         4/25/23         BB+         4,791,670   
  8,753     

Scientific Games Corporation, Term Loan

    6.000%         10/18/20         Ba3         8,810,328   
  7,369     

Scientific Games Corporation, Term Loan B2

    6.000%         10/01/21         Ba3         7,405,594   
  15,695     

Station Casino LLC, Term Loan B

    3.750%         6/08/23         BB         15,775,524   
  4,987     

YUM Brands, Term Loan B

    3.286%         6/16/23         BBB–         5,043,609   
  97,848     

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                               98,331,599   
      Household Products – 2.2% (1.4% of Total Investments)         
  19,000     

Revlon Consumer Products Corporation, Term Loan B, First Lien

    4.250%         9/07/23         Ba3         19,068,286   
  8,603     

Serta Simmons Holdings LLC, Term Loan, First Lien, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         BB–         8,605,571   
  27,603     

Total Household Products

                               27,673,857   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 1.4% (0.8% of Total Investments)         
  17,000     

Dynegy, Inc., Term Loan B

    5.000%         6/27/23         BB         17,114,512   
      Insurance – 0.8% (0.5% of Total Investments)         
  10,671     

Hub International Holdings, Inc., Initial Term Loan

    4.000%         10/02/20         Ba3         10,676,561   
      Internet and Direct Marketing Retail – 1.9% (1.2% of Total Investments)         
  23,981     

Travelport LLC, Term Loan B

    5.000%         9/02/21         B+         24,143,455   
      Internet Software & Services – 4.4% (2.8% of Total Investments)         
  11,500     

Ancestry.com, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien, (DD1)

    5.250%         10/14/23         B1         11,541,688   
  2,000     

Rackspace Hosting, Inc., Term Loan B

    TBD         TBD         BB+         2,014,108   
  25,109     

Sabre Inc., Term Loan

    4.000%         2/19/19         Ba2         25,243,453   
  16,850     

Tibco Software, Inc., Term Loan B, (WI/DD)

    6.500%         12/04/20         B1         16,874,500   
  55,459     

Total Internet Software & Services

                               55,673,749   
      IT Services – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments)                
  2,595     

Global Payments, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.034%         4/22/23         BBB–         2,608,944   
  2,603     

Zayo Group LLC, Term Loan B

    3.750%         5/06/21         Ba2         2,618,056   
  5,198     

Total IT Services

                               5,227,000   
      Leisure Products – 0.2% (0.1% of Total Investments)                
  2,331     

Academy, Ltd., Term Loan B

    5.000%         7/01/22         B         2,265,604   
      Machinery – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments)                
  5,543     

Rexnord LLC, Term Loan B

    4.000%         8/21/20         BB–         5,557,320   
      Media – 10.1% (6.3% of Total Investments)                
  7,246     

Acquisitions Cogeco Cable II L.P., Term Loan B

    3.250%         11/30/19         BB         7,259,817   
  3,577     

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc., Term Loan, First Lien

    4.250%         7/23/21         B1         3,549,278   
  2,401     

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc., Term Loan, Second Lien

    7.500%         7/25/22         CCC+         2,278,103   
  1,358     

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Term Loan E

    8.034%         7/30/19         Caa1         1,039,555   
  1,235     

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Tranche D, Term Loan

    7.284%         1/30/19         Caa1         941,206   
  31,597     

Cumulus Media, Inc., Term Loan B

    4.250%         12/23/20         B3         21,959,683   
  28,370     

EMI Music Publishing LLC, Term Loan B3

    4.000%         8/19/22         BB–         28,470,813   
  3,000     

Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation, Term Loan B, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         Ba2         3,008,751   
  409     

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Term Loan B, First Lien, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         Ba3         411,210   
  4,591     

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Term Loan B, First Lien, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         BB+         4,614,685   

 

NUVEEN     3   


JQC    Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund   
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (4)      Maturity (2)      Ratings (3)      Value  
      Media (continued)                
$ 11,910     

Numericable Group S.A., Term Loan

    4.750%         2/10/23         B+       $ 11,933,820   
  6,533     

Springer Science & Business Media, Inc., Term Loan B9, First Lien

    4.750%         8/14/20         B         6,364,089   
  26,753     

Tribune Company, Term Loan B

    3.750%         12/27/20         BB+         26,920,631   
  4,223     

Univision Communications, Inc., Replacement Term Loan, First Lien

    4.000%         3/01/20         B+         4,234,202   
  5,190     

Virgin Media Investment Holdings, Term Loan F, First Lien

    3.500%         6/30/23         BB–         5,215,057   
  138,393     

Total Media

                               128,200,900   
      Metals & Mining – 1.0% (0.6% of Total Investments)                
  12,891     

Fortescue Metals Group, Ltd., Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.750%         6/30/19         BB+         12,896,702   
      Multiline Retail – 0.8% (0.5% of Total Investments)                
  6,965     

Belk, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    5.750%         12/12/22         B+         6,305,812   
  1,145     

Dollar Tree, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.063%         7/06/22         BBB         1,158,303   
  2,840     

Dollar Tree, Inc., Term Loan B2

    4.250%         7/06/22         BBB         2,877,701   
  10,950     

Total Multiline Retail

                               10,341,816   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 1.4% (0.9% of Total Investments)                
  1,121     

Crestwood Holdings LLC, Term Loan B

    9.000%         6/19/19         B3         1,053,676   
  4,886     

Fieldwood Energy LLC, Term Loan, First Lien

    8.000%         8/31/20         B2         4,287,574   
  3,320     

Fieldwood Energy LLC, Term Loan, Second Lien, (DD1)

    8.375%         9/30/20         CCC–         1,992,270   
  9,130     

Fieldwood Energy LLC, Term Loan, Second Lien

    8.375%         9/30/20         B–         7,372,607   
  4,544     

Harvey Gulf International Marine, Inc., Term Loan B

    5.500%         6/18/20         CCC+         3,362,413   
  23,001     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               18,068,540   
      Pharmaceuticals – 3.8% (2.4% of Total Investments)                
  30,853     

Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    4.250%         8/18/22         B1         30,881,676   
  7,015     

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Series C2, Tranche B Term Loan

    5.250%         12/11/19         BB         7,020,355   
  7,997     

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Series E1, Tranche B Term Loan

    5.250%         8/05/20         BB         8,000,370   
  1,684     

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Series F1, Tranche B Term Loan

    5.500%         4/01/22         BB         1,686,708   
  47,549     

Total Pharmaceuticals

                               47,589,109   
      Professional Services – 0.1% (0.0% of Total Investments)                
  910     

Ceridian Corporation, Term Loan B2

    4.500%         9/15/20         Ba3         894,387   
      Real Estate Management & Development – 1.2% (0.8% of Total Investments)                
  15,531     

Capital Automotive LP, Term Loan, Tranche B1

    4.000%         4/10/19         BB         15,626,135   
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 4.3% (2.7% of Total Investments)

  

     
  30,362     

Avago Technologies, Term Loan B3

    3.535%         2/01/23         BBB         30,713,445   
  3,969     

Microsemi Corporation, Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.750%         1/15/23         BB         4,009,337   
  5,732     

NXP Semiconductor LLC, Term Loan F

    3.405%         12/07/20         Baa2         5,758,326   
  13,250     

On Semiconductor Corp., Term Loan B, First Lien

    3.777%         3/31/23         Ba1         13,342,273   
  53,313     

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                               53,823,381   
      Software – 15.9% (10.0% of Total Investments)                
  4,082     

Blackboard, Inc., Term Loan B4

    6.000%         6/30/21         B+         4,053,979   
  26,537     

BMC Software, Inc., Initial Term Loan

    5.000%         9/10/20         B1         26,224,642   
  10,642     

Compuware Corporation, Tranche B2, Term Loan, First Lien

    6.250%         12/15/21         B         10,669,105   
  27,891     

Ellucian, Term Loan B, First Lien

    4.750%         9/30/22         B2         27,975,549   
  16,720     

Emdeon Business Services LLC, Term Loan B2

    3.750%         11/02/18         Ba3         16,774,388   
  23,846     

Infor Global Solutions Intermediate Holdings, Ltd., Term Loan B5

    3.750%         6/03/20         B+         23,816,222   
  6,435     

Informatica Corp.,Term Loan B

    4.500%         8/05/22         B         6,332,844   
  18,169     

Kronos Incorporated, Initial Term Loan, Second Lien

    9.750%         4/30/20         CCC         18,191,444   
  3,000     

Kronos Incorporated, Term Loan B, First Lien, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         B2         3,016,641   
  15,169     

Kronos Incorporated, Term Loan B, Second Lien, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         CCC         15,675,023   
  8,977     

Micro Focus International PLC, Term Loan B

    4.500%         11/19/21         BB–         9,023,389   
  1,402     

Micro Focus International PLC, Term Loan C

    4.500%         11/20/19         BB–         1,409,888   

 

  4      NUVEEN


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (4)      Maturity (2)      Ratings (3)      Value  
      Software (continued)                
$ 15,000     

Misys PLC, Term Loan, Second Lien

    12.000%         6/12/19         CCC+       $ 15,787,500   
  11,347     

SS&C Technologies, Inc./ Sunshine Acquisition II, Inc., Term Loan B1

    4.000%         7/08/22         BB         11,448,630   
  1,381     

SS&C Technologies, Inc./ Sunshine Acquisition II, Inc., Term Loan B2

    4.000%         7/08/22         BB         1,393,295   
  10,000     

Uber Technologies, Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien

    5.000%         7/13/23         N/R         10,056,250   
  200,598     

Total Software

                               201,848,789   
      Specialty Retail – 2.9% (1.8% of Total Investments)                           
  7,447     

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Term Loan B4

    3.500%         8/13/21         BB         7,504,066   
  1,500     

Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., Term Loan B, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         B1         1,496,876   
  2,819     

Michaels Stores, Inc., Term Loan B1, First Lien

    3.750%         1/30/23         BB         2,842,158   
  7,548     

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., Term Loan B1

    5.000%         1/26/23         B         7,625,999   
  17,778     

Petsmart Inc., Term Loan B, First Lien, (WI/DD)

    TBD         TBD         BB–         17,833,061   
  37,092     

Total Specialty Retail

                               37,302,160   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 3.4% (2.1% of Total Investments)         
  33,422     

Dell International LLC, Term Loan B

    4.000%         9/07/23         BBB–         33,697,330   
  8,778     

Western Digital, Inc., Term Loan B1

    4.500%         4/29/23         BBB–         8,890,473   
  42,200     

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                               42,587,803   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.3% (0.8% of Total Investments)         
  16,952     

HD Supply, Inc., Term Loan B

    3.750%         8/13/21         BB         17,028,369   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.2% (0.1% of Total Investments)         
  2,680     

T-Mobile USA, Term Loan B

    3.500%         11/09/22         BBB–         2,702,959   
$ 1,503,856     

Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests
(cost $1,500,789,648)

                               1,482,952,963   
Shares     Description (1)                           Value  
 

COMMON STOCKS – 0.8% (0.5% of Total Investments)

  

     
      Diversified Consumer Services – 0.6% (0.4% of Total Investments)         
  403,318     

Cengage Learning Holdings II LP, (5), (6)

                             $ 7,864,701   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.1% (0.0% of Total Investments)         
  10,935     

Vantage Drill International, (5), (6)

                               924,008   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 0.0% (0.0% of Total Investments)         
  348,604     

Millennium Health LLC, (6)

                               653,632   
      Media – 0.1% (0.1% of Total Investments)         
  51,720     

Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., (5), (6)

             249,979   
  271     

Cumulus Media, Inc., (6)

             374   
  22,352     

Tribune Media Company

             728,675   
  17,988     

Tribune Media Company, (7)

               
  5,588     

Tronc, Inc., (6)

                               67,224   
 

Total Media

                               1,046,252   
 

Total Common Stocks (cost $26,732,959)

                               10,488,593   
Shares     Description (1), (8)                           Value  
 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS – 6.1% (3.9% of Total Investments)

  

  
  2,571,083     

PowerShares Senior Loan Portfolio

           $ 59,597,704   
  663,865     

SPDR Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF

                               18,243,010   
 

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (cost $77,423,601)

                               77,840,714   

 

NUVEEN     5   


JQC    Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund   
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (3)      Value  
 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES – 0.3% (0.2% of Total Investments)

  

  
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.3% (0.2% of Total Investments)         
  60,200     

Stericycle, Inc.

    5.250%                  N/R       $ 4,061,694   
 

Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $5,029,111)

                               4,061,694   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (3)      Value  
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 25.7% (16.1% of Total Investments)

  

  
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.3% (0.2% of Total Investments)         
$ 3,900     

NES Rental Holdings Inc., 144A

    7.875%         5/01/18         B–       $ 3,822,000   
      Communications Equipment – 2.2% (1.4% of Total Investments)         
  19,375     

Avaya Inc., 144A, (9)

    7.000%         4/01/19         B2         15,742,187   
  9,250     

Avaya Inc., 144A

    10.500%         3/01/21         CCC–         3,052,500   
  8,510     

CommScope Technologies Finance LLC, 144A, (9)

    6.000%         6/15/25         B1         8,935,500   
  37,135     

Total Communications Equipment

                               27,730,187   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.9% (1.2% of Total Investments)         
  9,455     

Frontier Communications Corporation, (9)

    6.250%         9/15/21         BB         8,982,250   
  5,000     

Frontier Communications Corporation, (9)

    6.875%         1/15/25         BB         4,187,500   
  11,800     

IntelSat Limited

    7.750%         6/01/21         CC         3,835,000   
  23,355     

IntelSat Limited

    8.125%         6/01/23         CC         7,707,150   
  49,610     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               24,711,900   
      Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts – 1.2% (0.7% of Total Investments)         
  13,950     

Communications Sales & Leasing Inc., (9)

    8.250%         10/15/23         BB–         14,717,250   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 0.1% (0.0% of Total Investments)         
  1,000     

Rite Aid Corporation, 144A

    6.125%         4/01/23         B         1,056,870   
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 1.6% (1.0% of Total Investments)         
  15,460     

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, (9)

    8.125%         4/01/22         B–         15,112,150   
  5,600     

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, (9)

    6.750%         6/15/23         B–         5,138,000   
  21,060     

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                               20,250,150   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 1.5% (0.9% of Total Investments)         
  12,500     

DJO Finco Inc. / DJO Finance LLC / DJO Finance Corporation, 144A, (9)

    8.125%         6/15/21         CCC+         11,468,750   
  5,945     

IMS Health Incorporated, 144A

    5.000%         10/15/26         BB+         6,138,212   
  1,000     

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 144A

    7.125%         6/01/24         B–         1,069,900   
  19,445     

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                               18,676,862   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.7% (1.1% of Total Investments)         
  4,250     

Scientific Games Corporation, 144A

    7.000%         1/01/22         Ba3         4,515,625   
  18,750     

Scientific Games International Inc.

    10.000%         12/01/22         B–         17,250,000   
  23,000     

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                               21,765,625   
      Media – 4.0% (2.5% of Total Investments)         
  593     

Affinion International Holdings Co, 144A

    7.500%         7/30/18         B–         565,834   
  2,860     

Altice US Finance I Corporation, 144A

    5.375%         7/15/23         BB–         2,938,650   
  4,000     

CCO Holdings LLC Finance Corporation, 144A, (9)

    5.125%         5/01/23         BB+         4,140,000   
  10,609     

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., (9)

    9.000%         12/15/19         Caa1         8,049,579   
  41,015     

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., PIK

    14.000%         2/01/21         CC         15,585,838   
  300     

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

    9.000%         3/01/21         Caa1         214,500   
  7,000     

CSC Holdings Inc., 144A

    5.500%         4/15/27         Ba1         7,100,625   
  5,000     

Dish DBS Corporation

    5.125%         5/01/20         Ba3         5,175,000   
  6,000     

Dish DBS Corporation

    7.750%         7/01/26         Ba3         6,588,780   
  77,377     

Total Media

                               50,358,806   

 

  6      NUVEEN


Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (3)      Value  
      Multiline Retail – 0.6% (0.4% of Total Investments)         
$ 7,375     

Dollar Tree, Inc.

    5.750%         3/01/23         BB       $ 7,826,719   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 1.1% (0.7% of Total Investments)                
  7,000     

California Resources Corporation, 144A

    8.000%         12/15/22         CCC+         4,742,500   
  1,000     

Oasis Petroleum Inc.

    6.875%         3/15/22         B+         990,000   
  9,000     

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

    5.000%         3/15/19         B+         8,550,000   
  17,000     

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               14,282,500   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.2% (0.1% of Total Investments)         
  4,850     

Concordia Healthcare Corporation, 144A

    9.500%         10/21/22         CCC         2,934,250   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 0.9% (0.6% of Total Investments)         
  3,167     

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    7.500%         8/15/22         CCC         3,349,103   
  1,719     

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    7.000%         7/01/24         CCC         1,702,884   
  5,625     

Micron Technology, Inc., 144A

    7.500%         9/15/23         Baa2         6,208,594   
  10,511     

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                               11,260,581   
      Software – 0.6% (0.4% of Total Investments)         
  2,830     

Balboa Merger Sub Inc., 144A

    11.375%         12/01/21         CCC         2,730,950   
  5,000     

BMC Software Finance Inc., 144A

    8.125%         7/15/21         CCC+         4,575,000   
  7,830     

Total Software

                               7,305,950   
      Specialty Retail – 0.4% (0.2% of Total Investments)         
  9,500     

Claires Stores, Inc., 144A

    9.000%         3/15/19         CCC–         4,750,000   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 1.4% (0.9% of Total Investments)         
  5,000     

Diamond 1 Finance Corporation / Diamond 2 Finance Corporation, 144A

    5.875%         6/15/21         BB+         5,243,610   
  5,000     

Diamond 1 Finance Corporation / Diamond 2 Finance Corporation, 144A

    7.125%         6/15/24         BB+         5,478,210   
  7,000     

Diamond 1 Finance Corporation / Diamond 2 Finance Corporation, 144A

    6.020%         6/15/26         BBB–         7,627,340   
  17,000     

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                               18,349,160   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 6.0% (3.8% of Total Investments)         
  7,000     

Altice Financing SA, 144A, (9)

    6.625%         2/15/23         BB–         7,214,410   
  1,000     

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, 144A

    6.625%         8/01/26         BB–         990,000   
  6,000     

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, 144A

    5.250%         8/01/26         BB+         5,910,000   
  12,000     

Sprint Communications Inc., (9)

    7.000%         8/15/20         B+         12,450,000   
  2,500     

Sprint Corporation

    7.250%         9/15/21         B+         2,559,375   
  29,000     

Sprint Corporation, (9)

    7.875%         9/15/23         B+         28,637,500   
  5,000     

T-Mobile USA Inc., (9)

    6.250%         4/01/21         BB         5,206,250   
  12,000     

T-Mobile USA Inc., (9)

    6.375%         3/01/25         BB         12,862,560   
  74,500     

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                               75,830,095   
$ 395,043     

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $384,797,550)

                               325,628,905   
 

Total Long-Term Investments
(cost $1,994,772,869)

                               1,900,972,869   

 

NUVEEN     7   


JQC    Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund   
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

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

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 9.5% (6.0% of Total Investments)

  

 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 9.5% (6.0% of Total Investments)

  

     
$ 121,002     

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 10/31/16, repurchase price $121,002,552,
collateralized by $35,315,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds,
5.250%, due 11/15/28, value $48,602,269; $74,920,000
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.625%, due 10/31/23, value $74,825,214

    0.030%         11/01/16                $ 121,002,451   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $121,002,451)

                               121,002,451   
 

Total Investments (cost $2,115,775,320) – 159.4%

                               2,021,975,320   
 

Borrowings – (44.2)% (10), (11)

                               (561,000,000
 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements – (11.5)% (12)

                               (145,255,427
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (3.7)% (13)

                               (47,625,957
 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%

                             $ 1,268,093,936   

Investment in Derivatives as of October 31, 2016

Credit Default Swaps

 

Counterparty   Referenced
Entity
    Buy/Sell
Protection (14)
    Current
Credit
Spread (15)
    Notional
Amount
    Fixed Rate
(Annualized)
    Termination
Date
    Value     Variation
Margin
Receivable/
(Payable)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC*

    CDX.NA.HY.26        Sell        3.93   $ 20,000,000        5.000     6/20/21      $ 977,957      $ (15,558   $ 500,705   
* Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC is also the clearing broker for this transaction.

Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

  8      NUVEEN


The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of the end of the reporting period:

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Long-Term Investments:

           

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

   $       $ 1,482,952,963       $       $ 1,482,952,963   

Common Stocks

     1,449,905         9,038,688              10,488,593   

Exchange-Traded Funds

     77,840,714                         77,840,714   

Convertible Preferred Securities

     4,061,694                         4,061,694   

Corporate Bonds

             325,628,905                 325,628,905   

Short-Term Investments:

           

Repurchase Agreements

             121,002,451                 121,002,451   

Investments in Derivatives:

           

Credit Default Swaps**

             500,705                 500,705   

Total

   $ 83,352,313       $ 1,939,123,712       $       $ 2,022,476,025   
* Value equals zero as of the end of the reporting period.
** Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

Income Tax Information

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to the treatment of timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions and recognition of premium amortization. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset value of the Fund.

As of October 31, 2016, the cost of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) was $2,122,304,739.

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) as of October 31, 2016, were as follows:

 

Gross unrealized:

          

Appreciation

     $ 25,568,659   

Depreciation

       (125,898,078

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     $ (100,329,419

 

NUVEEN     9   


JQC    Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund   
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(6) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

(7) Investment valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by, or at the discretion of, the Board. For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 3.

 

(8) A copy of the most recent financial statements for these exchange-traded funds can be obtained directly from the Securities and Exchange Commission on its website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

(9) Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in reverse repurchase agreements.

 

(10) Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 27.7%.

 

(11) The Fund segregates 100% of its eligible investments (excluding any investments separately pledged as collateral for specific investments in derivatives or reverse repurchase agreements, when applicable) in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for borrowings.

 

(12) Reverse Repurchase Agreements as a percentage of Total Investments is 7.2%.

 

(13) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of certain over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives as well as the OTC-cleared and exchange-traded derivatives, when applicable.

 

(14) The Fund entered into the credit default swap to gain investment exposure to the referenced entity. Selling protection has a similar credit risk position to owning that referenced entity. Buying protection has a similar credit risk position to selling the referenced entity short.

 

(15) The credit spread generally serves as an indication of the current status of the payment/performance risk and therefore the likelihood of default of the credit derivative. The credit spread also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into a credit default swap contract. Higher credit spreads are indicative of a higher likelihood of performance by the seller of protection.

 

(DD1) Portion of investment purchased on a delayed delivery basis.

 

(WI/DD) Purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

PIK All or a portion of this security is payment-in-kind.

 

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

 

TBD Senior loan purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. Certain details associated with this purchase are not known prior to the settlement date of the transaction. In addition, senior loans typically trade without accrued interest and therefore a coupon rate is not available prior to settlement. At settlement, if still unknown, the borrower or counterparty will provide the Fund with the final coupon rate and maturity date.

 

  10      NUVEEN


Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

 

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

 

  b. There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: EX-99 CERT Attached hereto.

 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)    Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund   
By (Signature and Title)    /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman                                                       
   Gifford R. Zimmerman   
   Vice President and Secretary   

Date: December 30, 2016

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/ Cedric H. Antosiewicz                                                        
   Cedric H. Antosiewicz   
   Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer)   
Date: December 30, 2016      
By (Signature and Title)    /s/ Stephen D. Foy                                                                    
   Stephen D. Foy   
   Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer)   
Date: December 30, 2016