LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Global Total
Return & Income
Fund, Inc.

 

First Quarter Report               

M A R C H   3 1 ,   2 0 0 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Overview
 

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to present the First Quarter Report for Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc. (“LGI” or the “Fund”), for the period ended March 31, 2007. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on April 28, 2004. Its ticker symbol is “LGI.”

The Fund has been in operation for almost three years, and we are pleased with LGI’s performance since its inception. We believe that the Fund has provided investors with an attractive yield and diversification, backed by the extensive experience, commitment, and professional management of Lazard Asset Management LLC (the “Investment Manager” or “Lazard”).

Portfolio Update (as of March 31, 2007)

For the first quarter of 2007, the Fund’s Net Asset Value (“NAV”) performance increased 0.3%, underperform-ing the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI®) World® Index (the “Index”) return of 2.5% . For the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, the Fund’s NAV return of 15.4% was in line with the Index’s return of 15.4% . In addition, the Fund’s since-inception annualized NAV return of 15.2% compares favorably with the Index return of 14.8% . Shares of LGI ended the first quarter of 2007 with a market price of $22.19, representing a 5.6% discount to the Fund’s NAV of $23.51. The Fund’s net assets were $225.8 million as of March 31, 2007, with total leveraged assets of $305.5 million, representing 26.1% leverage.

We believe that LGI’s investment thesis remains sound, as demonstrated by the Fund’s favorable NAV performance since inception. However, the Fund’s first quarter performance within the equity portfolio did lag, as it was affected by a lack of exposure to mining companies and by stock selection within the health care sector. On the other hand, returns for the smaller, short-duration1 emerging market currency and debt portion of the Fund were moderately negative in January but strong for the rest of the first quarter and have been a meaningful positive contributor to performance for the year-to-date and since inception.

As of March 31, 2007, 66.0% of the Fund’s total leveraged assets consisted of global equities and 33.2% consisted of emerging markets currency and debt instruments, while the remaining 0.8% consisted of cash and other assets.

Declaration of Dividends

Pursuant to LGI’s managed distribution policy, the Fund’s Board of Directors has declared a monthly dividend distribution of $0.1042 per share on the Fund’s outstanding stock each month since inception. The Fund continues to maintain this distribution level. In addition, in September and December of 2006, the Fund also made additional, required distributions of accumulated income and net realized capital gains. The cumulative distributions for the last 12 months ended March 31, 2007 totaled $2.339 per share. There was no return of capital in 2006 and the Fund has not returned capital to investors since its inception. The $2.339 distribution represents a market yield of 10.5% (including capital gains), based on the share price of $22.19 at the close of NYSE trading on March 31, 2007.

Additional Information

Please note that available on www.LazardNet.com, are frequent updates on the Fund’s performance, press releases, and a monthly fact sheet that provides information about the Fund’s major holdings, sector weightings, regional exposures, and other characteristics. You may also reach Lazard by phone at 1-800-828-5548.

On behalf of Lazard, we thank you for your investment in Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc. and look forward to continuing to serve your investment needs in the future.


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Overview (continued)
 

Message from the Portfolio Managers

Global Equity Portfolio
(66.0% of total leveraged assets)

The Fund’s global equity portfolio is invested primarily in equity securities of large, well-known global companies with strong financial productivity at attractive valuations. Examples include GlaxoSmithKline, a global research-based pharmaceutical company based in the United Kingdom; Bank of America, a holding company that provides banking and non-banking financial services and products in the United States and internationally; Nokia Corp., the Finnish manufacturer of mobile telephones; and Total SA, the French-based energy supplier that explores for, produces, refines, transports, and markets oil and natural gas.

Companies held in the global equity portfolio are all based in developed-market regions around the world. As of March 31, 2007, 45.2% of these stocks were based in North America, 24.2% were based in Continental Europe (not including the U.K.), 19.2% were from the United Kingdom, and 11.4% were from Japan. The global equity portfolio is similarly well diversified across a number of industry sectors. The top two sectors, by weight, at March 31, 2007, were financials (30.3%), which includes banks, insurance companies, and financial services companies, and information technology (18.9%), a sector that encompasses industries involved in the design, development, installation, and implementation of information systems and applications, including hardware, software, IT services, and media-related companies. Other sectors in the portfolio include consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, health care, industrials, and telecommunications services. The average dividend yield on the global equity portfolio was approximately 2.3% as of March 31, 2007.

Global Equity Market Review
The multiyear bull market that began in 2003 continued through the first quarter of 2007. In February, stocks rose modestly, fueled by the combination of moderating economic growth, solid corporate profits, and strong mergers and acquisitions activity. Then, a sharp selloff began two days before the end of February, driving indices to modest losses. While there was no obvious trigger for the selloff, some analysts pointed to a sharp decline in Chinese shares. Others blamed the recent rally in the Japanese yen, which implied that speculators were reversing the “carry trade,” following the recent decision by the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates. The weakening U.S. housing market and rising subprime loan defaults may have also weighed on the market. However, the market recovered much of these losses, as comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve led investors to believe that the next move in interest rates could be lower. From a sector perspective, many of the sectors that did well last year, such as materials and industrials, continued to do well in the first quarter, dramatically outperforming the broader market. The consumer staples sector continued to be supported by potential merger activity and pressure from activist shareholders. Conversely, sectors that underperformed last year, such as technology, continued to lag during the first quarter. Energy stocks were also weak, falling sharply early in the quarter along with crude oil prices and never fully recovering, even as oil prices rose late in the quarter due to rising geopolitical risks involving Iran.

Regionally, European and Japanese markets performed roughly in line with the global index. In the United States, concerns about U.S. housing weakness weighed on stocks, particularly financials.

What Helped and What Hurt LGI
Performance benefited from solid stock selection in consumer staples, as the portfolio was positively impacted by private equity interest in the strong cash generation of certain holdings, most notably Cadbury. Companies that were taking steps to improve profitability and enhance shareholder value, often under pressure from restive shareholders, were particularly good performers. A lack of exposure to mining companies detracted from performance, as these stocks continued

2


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Overview (continued)
 

to perform well amid firm commodity prices. However, we feel that valuations in this group are unattractive, as they discount an extended period of margins that are well above historical norms. Stock selection in health care also hurt returns, as the portfolio’s holdings, including Sanofi-Aventis, experienced setbacks related to regulatory approval for new products as well as patent litigation on existing products, notably Johnson & Johnson. However, we believe that valuations are currently attractive for these very financially productive, diversified businesses, the earnings of which should prove resilient if global economies weaken.

Emerging Market Currency and Debt Portfolio
(33.2% of total leveraged assets)

The Fund also seeks enhanced income through investing in high-yielding, short-duration (typically, under one year) emerging market forward currency contracts and local currency debt instruments. As of March 31, 2007, this portfolio consisted primarily of forward currency contracts (77.3%), and a smaller allocation to sovereign debt obligations (16.5%) and structured notes (6.2%) . The average duration of the emerging market currency and debt portfolio was approximately 5.9 months, as of March 31, 2007, with an average yield of 7.7%2.

As of March 31, 2007, the Fund’s emerging market currency and debt holdings were highly diversified across 27 countries within Asia (22.0%), Latin America (21.1%), Africa (20.3%), the Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic countries (12.9%), Eastern Europe (10.2%), and the Middle East (11.5%) .

Emerging Market Currency and Debt Market Review
Across all regions, the Fund’s exposure to emerging market currency and local debt markets materially outperformed London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). January’s flat performance was followed by strength in February and March, despite the mid-quarter global market jitters. Emerging money market yields have eased slightly during the first quarter. However, emerging market central banks are increasing their tolerance for local currency appreciation, as balance of payments flows dictate a strengthening emerging market currency bias, or in the face of upward inflationary pressure in lieu of (or in complement to) interest rate hikes. In aggregate, the Fund’s positions are earning an attractive risk premium while benefiting additionally from emerging market currency gains.

The outlook for emerging local markets continues to be constructive. We expect positive attribution for the coming year from both interest rate carry (currently over 7.5% annualized) and currency appreciation in certain regions. Most of these economies benefit from strong balance of payments, economic growth and continued pursuit of orthodox monetary and fiscal policy. With a healthy yield cushion, we are optimistic on the return outlook for the Fund’s currency and local debt investments.

What Helped and Hurt LGI
Across all regions, the portfolio’s positions materially outperformed, with nearly all countries owned in the portfolio contributing to performance, and only five markets detracting. January performance was flat, while February and March posted solid gains despite the mid-quarter global market jitters precipitated by the Chinese equity market’s sharp fall. Security selection added value, as all local debt holdings generated excess returns, over and above the short-term money market results in each country. Once again, LGI’s large exposure to Brazilian currency and local debt, a top-performing local market, added significant value. The Fund’s ongoing avoidance of Chinese, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong local markets also served it well, as they all underperformed LIBOR during the quarter.

The Fund’s Emerging Market Currency and Debt Market portfolio ended the quarter invested in the currrency and local debt markets of 27 emerging countries. LGI’s overall duration edged higher, to six months by quarter-end, due to accumulation of local bonds in Turkey, Mexico, and Hungary. Over 85% of all holdings mature within 12 months with the duration of the remaining positions falling within the one to six year range.

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Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Overview (continued)
 

Notes to Investment Overview:

1     

A measure of the average cash weighted term-to-maturity of the investment holdings. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a bond to interest rate movements. Duration for a forward currency contract is equal to its term-to-maturity.

 

2

The quoted yield does not account for the implicit cost of borrowing on the forward currency contracts, which would reduce the yield shown.

All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. Past performance is not indicative, nor a guarantee, of future results.

The performance data of the Index and other market data have been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. The Index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.

The views of the Fund’s management and the portfolio holdings described in this report are as of March 31, 2007; these views and portfolio holdings may have changed subsequent to this date. Nothing herein should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold a particular investment. There is no assurance that the portfolio holdings discussed herein will remain in the Fund at the time you receive this report, or that portfolio holdings sold will have not been repurchased. The specific portfolio holdings discussed may in aggregate represent only a small percentage of the Fund’s holdings. It should not be assumed that investments identified and discussed were, or will be, profitable, or that the investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable, or equal the performance of the investments discussed herein.

The views and opinions expressed are provided for general information only, and do not constitute specific tax, legal, or investment advice to, or recommendations for, any person. There can be no guarantee as to the accuracy of the outlooks for markets, sectors and securities as discussed herein. You should read the Fund’s prospectus for a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s investment objective, strategies, risks and fees.

 

 

 

 

Please consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For more complete information about the Fund, you may obtain the prospectus by calling 800-828-5548, or online, at www.LazardNet.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. The prospectus contains investment objective, risks, charges, expenses and other information about the Fund, which may not be detailed in this report.

 

 

 

4


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Overview (continued)
 
 
Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in
LGI and MSCI World Index* (unaudited)

       
LGI at Market Price $13,877   
  LGI at Net Asset Value 15,141  
MSCI World Index 14,976  
       

Average Annual Total Returns*
Periods Ended March 31, 2007
(unaudited)
   
One
 
Since
   
Year
           Inception**
Market Price     26.37 %   11.85 %
Net Asset Value   15.36     15.23  
MSCI World Index   15.44     14.80  
 

 

*

All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, nor a guarantee, of future results; the investment return, market price and net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares in the Fund, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a stockholder would pay on the Fund’s distributions or on the sale of Fund shares.

 

 

The performance data of the Index has been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to its accuracy. The Index represents market value-weighted average returns of selected securities listed on the stock exchanges of Europe, Australasia and the Far East, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. The Index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.

 

**  

The Fund’s inception date was April 28, 2004.

5


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Investment Overview (concluded)
 
 
Ten Largest Equity Holdings
March 31, 2007 (unaudited)
         
      Percentage of
Security Value                 Net Assets
Microsoft Corp. $9,096,768   4.03 %
Diageo PLC Sponsored ADR 8,184,045   3.62  
Exxon Mobil Corp. 7,929,795   3.51  
International Business Machines Corp. 7,606,782   3.37  
Oracle Corp. 7,246,561   3.21  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 7,203,589   3.19  
Bank of America Corp. 7,050,964   3.12  
Nomura Holdings, Inc. ADR 6,894,798   3.05  
HSBC Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR 6,699,903   2.97  
Johnson & Johnson 6,285,118   2.78  


 

 

 

6


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Portfolio of Investments
March 31, 2007 (unaudited)

Description   Shares        
Value
Common Stocks—89.3%          
Finland—2.0%          
 Nokia Oyj Sponsored ADR (c)   192,800   $      4,418,976
 
France—5.1%          
 Sanofi-Aventis ADR (d)   105,200     4,577,252
 Societe Generale Sponsored ADR   72,000     2,498,400
 Total SA Sponsored ADR (c)   64,000     4,465,920
 Total France         11,541,572
 
Italy—1.0%          
 Eni SpA Sponsored ADR (c)   36,350     2,356,571
 
Japan—10.2%          
 Canon, Inc. Sponsored ADR   44,700     2,399,496
 Hoya Corp. Sponsored ADR   54,300     1,797,330
 Mitsubishi UFJ Financial          
   Group, Inc. ADR (c)   323,100     3,638,106
 Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance          
   Co., Ltd. ADR (d)   17,600     2,204,565
 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Sponsored          
   ADR (d)   192,200     4,113,080
 Nomura Holdings, Inc. ADR (d)   332,600     6,894,798
 Sumitomo Mitsui Financial          
   Group, Inc. ADR   209,100     1,902,810
 Total Japan         22,950,185
 
Netherlands—2.6%          
 Heineken NV ADR   225,600     5,899,440
 
Singapore—2.1%          
 Singapore Telecommunications,          
   Ltd. ADR (d)   217,400     4,706,710
 
Sweden—1.0%          
 Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson          
   Sponsored ADR   61,900     2,295,871
 
Switzerland—9.9%          
 Credit Suisse Group Sponsored          
   ADR   73,400     5,272,322
 Nestle SA Sponsored ADR   34,400     3,341,960
 Novartis AG ADR   78,900     4,310,307
 Swiss Reinsurance Co. Sponsored          
   ADR   24,900     2,279,346
           
 UBS AG (c)   75,900     4,510,737
 Zurich Financial Services AG          
   ADR   92,500     2,668,625
 Total Switzerland         22,383,297
 
United Kingdom—17.1%
         
 Barclays PLC Sponsored ADR (d)   67,800     3,860,532
 BP PLC Sponsored ADR (c)   69,600     4,506,600
 Cadbury Schweppes PLC Sponsored          
   ADR (c)   112,700     5,789,399
 Diageo PLC Sponsored ADR   101,100     8,184,045
 GlaxoSmithKline PLC Sponsored          
   ADR (c), (d)   80,200     4,431,852
 HSBC Holdings PLC Sponsored          
   ADR (d)   76,300     6,699,903
 Vodafone Group PLC Sponsored          
   ADR   191,712     5,149,384
 Total United Kingdom         38,621,715
 
United States—38.3%
         
 Bank of America Corp. (c)   138,200     7,050,964
 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (c)   92,600     2,570,576
 Cisco Systems, Inc. (a)   220,400     5,626,812
 ConocoPhillips   32,900     2,248,715
 Dell, Inc. (a)   92,900     2,156,209
 Exxon Mobil Corp. (c)   105,100     7,929,795
 First Data Corp. (c)   84,300     2,267,670
 General Electric Co.   116,300     4,112,368
 International Business Machines          
   Corp.   80,700     7,606,782
 Johnson & Johnson (c)   104,300     6,285,118
 JPMorgan Chase & Co. (c)   148,896     7,203,589
 Mellon Financial Corp. (d)   103,600     4,469,304
 Microsoft Corp. (c)   326,400     9,096,768
 Oracle Corp. (a), (c)   399,700     7,246,561
 The Home Depot, Inc.   165,500     6,080,470
 United Technologies Corp.   68,900     4,478,500
 Total United States         86,430,201
 
Total Common Stocks          
 (Identified cost $164,251,207)         201,604,538

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

7


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
March 31, 2007 (unaudited)

    Principal        
   
Amount
           
Description  
(000) (e)
    Value  
Foreign Government            
 Obligations—8.5%            
Costa Rica—1.6%
           
  Costa Rican Bono de Estabilizacion
           
    Monetaria,
           
    0.00%, 10/10/07
  639,500   $      1,190,811  
  Costa Rican Titulos de Propiedad:
           
    0.00%, 04/11/07
  626,200     1,204,687  
    0.00%, 10/10/07
  660,000     1,228,984  
  Total Costa Rica
        3,624,482  
Egypt—3.6%
           
  Central Bank of Egypt Certificates
           
    of Deposit:
           
    0.00%, 04/26/07
  14,000     2,442,200  
    0.00%, 05/23/07
  4,000     693,375  
    0.00%, 07/04/07
  7,000     1,201,020  
  Egypt Treasury Bills:
           
    0.00%, 04/17/07
  7,125     1,245,607  
    0.00%, 04/24/07
  11,825     2,063,907  
    0.00%, 05/01/07
  3,250     566,329  
  Total Egypt
        8,212,438  
Hungary—1.0%
           
  Hungarian Government Bonds:
           
    9.50%, 02/12/09
  200,510     1,117,258  
    6.50%, 08/12/09
  205,770     1,083,054  
  Total Hungary
        2,200,312  
Mexico—1.2%
           
  Mexican Bonos:            
    8.00%, 12/24/08
  12,370     1,135,166  
    9.00%, 12/20/12
  15,450     1,501,014  
  Total Mexico
        2,636,180  
             
Turkey—1.1%            
 Turkish Government Bonds:            
   0.00%, 08/13/08   2,400     1,346,127  
   14.00%, 01/19/11   1,782     1,171,946  
 Total Turkey         2,518,073  
Total Foreign Government            
 Obligations            
 (Identified cost $18,858,897)         19,191,485  
Structured Notes—1.7%            
Brazil—1.5%            
 Citibank Brazil Inflation-Linked Bond            
   NTN-B:            
   7.90%, 05/18/09 (f)   927     1,062,257  
   7.70%, 08/17/10 (f)   1,029     1,166,218  
   7.35%, 05/18/15 (f)   989     1,126,636  
 Total Brazil         3,355,111  
Colombia—0.2%            
 Citibank Colombia TES Credit            
   Linked Unsecured Note,            
   9.88%, 04/27/12 (f)   397     496,664  
Total Structured Notes            
 (Identified cost $3,318,598)         3,851,775  
 
 
Description   Shares     Value  
Collateral For Securities            
 on Loan—13.5%            
 State Street Navigator Securities            
   Lending Prime Portfolio,            
   5.33% (g), (h)            
   (Identified cost $30,543,178)   30,543,178     30,543,178  
 
Total Investments—113.0%            
 (Identified cost $216,971,880) (b)      
$
255,190,976  
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and            
 Other Assets—(13.0)%         (29,423,917 )
             
Net Assets—100.0%      
$
225,767,059  

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

8


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
March 31, 2007 (unaudited)

Forward Currency Purchase Contracts open at March 31, 2007:

           
U.S. $ Cost
 
U.S. $
           
Forward Currency   Expiration   Foreign  
on Origination
 
Current
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
Purchase Contracts       Date       Currency      
Date
     
Value
     
Appreciation
     
Depreciation
ARS   04/09/07   397,312   $ 128,000  
$
128,156  
$
156   $
ARS   04/25/07   1,549,500     500,000     500,108     108    
ARS   05/02/07   1,863,000     600,000     601,370     1,370    
ARS   05/02/07   2,983,680     960,000     963,121     3,121    
BRL   09/20/07   2,352,609     1,047,000     1,121,497     74,497    
BRL   09/20/07   5,583,770     2,483,000     2,661,804     178,804    
BRL   10/05/07   993,450     444,000     472,492     28,492    
BRL   10/30/07   1,305,901     586,000     618,777     32,777    
BWP   04/11/07   4,917,929     779,000     785,220     6,220    
BWP   04/20/07   6,430,619     1,028,000     1,025,133         2,867
BWP   04/23/07   2,539,783     399,000     404,666     5,666    
COP   04/02/07   611,955,000     270,000     277,767     7,767    
COP   04/02/07   1,875,600,000     863,536     851,336         12,200
COP   04/02/07   1,875,600,000     863,536     851,336         12,200
COP   04/23/07   4,952,392,000     2,272,000     2,245,754         26,246
COP   04/25/07   880,696,000     389,000     399,332     10,332    
COP   04/26/07   1,042,820,000     460,000     472,822     12,822    
EUR   04/12/07   1,356,944     1,809,145     1,807,164         1,981
EUR   05/02/07   970,000     1,279,590     1,292,873     13,283    
GHC   05/24/07   6,539,400,000     692,000     700,062     8,062    
GHC   06/18/07   2,103,450,000     222,000     224,256     2,256    
GHC   07/16/07   3,393,000,000     360,000     359,695         305
GHC   07/24/07   5,426,964,580     573,130     574,289     1,159    
GHC   08/27/07   9,923,540,000     1,049,000     1,042,206         6,794
GHC   09/13/07   5,521,023,000     584,854     577,661         7,193
IDR   04/12/07   3,708,720,000     408,000     406,435         1,565
IDR   04/12/07   5,667,431,000     623,000     621,088         1,912
IDR   04/20/07   5,154,087,500     557,500     564,832     7,332    
IDR   05/15/07   25,373,040,000     2,746,000     2,780,607     34,607    
IDR   06/20/07   5,170,812,500     557,500     566,664     9,164    
ILS   04/10/07   4,324,590     1,026,000     1,040,611     14,611    
ILS   04/19/07   4,837,979     1,149,000     1,164,445     15,445    
INR   04/05/07   37,220,400     840,000     855,461     15,461    
INR   04/05/07   27,984,210     629,000     643,180     14,180    
INR   04/05/07   5,136,510     119,094     118,056         1,038
INR   04/16/07   54,091,380     1,218,000     1,240,448     22,448    
INR   04/23/07   48,398,560     1,094,000     1,108,326     14,326    
INR   05/07/07   29,034,560     656,000     663,454     7,454    
INR   05/17/07   10,358,040     228,000     236,434     8,434    
INR   05/18/07   10,358,040     228,000     236,408     8,408    
KWD   04/30/07   327,970     1,135,000     1,133,157         1,843
KWD   04/30/07   344,741     1,193,000     1,191,104         1,896
KWD   06/04/07   335,218     1,159,000     1,158,130         870
KWD   07/16/07   325,808     1,126,000     1,125,628         372

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

9


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
March 31, 2007 (unaudited)

Forward Currency Purchase Contracts open at March 31, 2007 (continued):

           
U.S. $ Cost
 
U.S. $
           
Forward Currency   Expiration   Foreign  
on Origination
 
Current
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
Purchase Contracts       Date       Currency      
Date
     
Value
     
Appreciation
     
Depreciation
KZT   05/08/07   74,976,800  
$
592,000  
$
606,294  
$
14,294  
$
KZT   08/02/07   93,035,600     745,000     753,448     8,448    
KZT   08/09/07   76,622,000     617,173     620,578     3,405    
KZT   09/10/07   68,641,200     552,000     556,164     4,164    
MXN   04/09/07   10,640,463     985,000     965,891         19,109
MXN   04/09/07   1,496,466     135,116     135,842     726    
MXN   05/29/07   20,773,040     1,887,000     1,880,824         6,176
MXN   03/31/08   4,261,246     376,000     378,421     2,421    
MYR   04/12/07   1,413,751     405,202     409,142     3,940    
MYR   04/16/07   2,709,399     777,000     784,265     7,265    
MYR   04/23/07   2,874,480     826,000     832,344     6,344    
MYR   05/11/07   3,207,783     925,500     929,697     4,197    
MYR   05/14/07   3,207,783     925,500     929,837     4,337    
MYR   06/12/07   1,897,514     543,000     550,815     7,815    
NGN   04/05/07   178,352,490     1,367,000     1,393,923     26,923    
NGN   06/05/07   49,946,968     388,000     383,972         4,028
NGN   07/10/07   154,130,070     1,189,000     1,173,480         15,520
NGN   07/17/07   156,655,070     1,210,000     1,192,704         17,296
NGN   09/07/07   178,977,600     1,381,000     1,362,658         18,342
PEN   08/14/07   1,964,505     610,000     618,022     8,022    
PEN   08/16/07   1,640,209     516,000     516,000        
PHP   04/19/07   11,277,420     231,000     233,766     2,766    
PHP   04/20/07   50,772,800     1,040,000     1,052,461     12,461    
PHP   05/14/07   68,481,450     1,371,000     1,419,698     48,698    
PHP   06/26/07   81,843,980     1,502,000     1,697,035     195,035    
PLN   04/12/07   3,617,720     1,216,776     1,248,170     31,394    
PLN   05/14/07   2,144,196     722,000     740,592     18,592    
PLN   05/14/07   1,137,732     391,000     392,966     1,966    
PLN   05/21/07   9,083,701     3,059,000     3,138,136     79,136    
RON   04/12/07   1,406,987     546,000     558,010     12,010    
RON   04/30/07   7,409,000     2,920,724     2,933,711     12,987    
RUB   05/24/07   106,389,050     3,826,944     4,087,643     260,699    
RUB   08/27/07   56,586,000     2,163,073     2,174,787     11,714    
RUB   11/07/07   46,639,980     1,739,000     1,792,627     53,627    
RUB   02/01/08   11,541,000     434,768     443,306     8,538    
RUB   09/19/08   21,264,250     725,000     807,624     82,624    
SGD   04/10/07   1,038,696     678,000     684,501     6,501    
SGD   04/11/07   996,030     651,000     656,425     5,425    
SGD   04/30/07   2,688,557     1,777,000     1,773,981         3,019
SGD   05/07/07   1,323,051     867,000     873,381     6,381    
SGD   05/22/07   364,951     240,000     241,149     1,149    
SGD   06/15/07   730,543     481,000     483,459     2,459    
SGD   08/27/07   1,382,563     910,000     919,079     9,079    
SKK   05/02/07   30,859,100     1,150,000     1,239,564     89,564    

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

10


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
March 31, 2007 (unaudited)

Forward Currency Purchase Contracts open at March 31, 2007 (concluded):

           
U.S. $ Cost
 
U.S. $
           
Forward Currency   Expiration   Foreign  
on Origination
 
Current
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
Purchase Contracts       Date       Currency      
Date
     
Value
     
Appreciation
     
Depreciation
SKK   05/23/07   25,203,410  
$
1,004,851  
$
1,013,211  
$
8,360  
$
SKK   06/13/07   26,788,000     1,035,045     1,077,690     42,645    
TRY   05/31/07   746,493     459,352     525,903     66,551    
TRY   06/27/07   4,353,244     2,699,686     3,041,283     341,597    
TZS   04/16/07   557,516,000     426,503     448,741     22,238    
TZS   04/30/07   580,163,400     436,000     465,861     29,861    
TZS   05/08/07   520,053,000     396,684     416,634     19,950    
TZS   05/15/07   470,744,000     361,000     376,374     15,374    
TZS   10/16/07   503,740,750     383,000     385,483     2,483    
TZS   02/05/08   385,792,000     274,000     285,701     11,701    
TZS   02/06/08   516,304,000     368,000     382,243     14,243    
TZS   04/30/08   745,327,886     547,230     544,432         2,798
UAH   04/02/07   3,195,000     634,306     635,199     893    
UAH   04/11/07   4,693,000     928,388     933,087     4,699    
UAH   04/13/07   7,632,000     1,512,066     1,517,460     5,394    
UGX   04/11/07   670,128,000     368,000     382,515     14,515    
UGX   09/10/07   479,650,000     265,000     268,306     3,306    
Total Forward Currency Purchase Contracts      
$
95,027,772  
$
97,079,880  
$
2,217,678  
$
165,570
 
Forward Currency Sale Contracts open at March 31, 2007:
 
           
U.S. $ Cost
 
U.S. $
           
Forward Currency   Expiration   Foreign  
on Origination
 
Current
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
Sale Contracts       Date       Currency      
Date
     
Value
     
Appreciation
     
Depreciation
BWP   04/11/07   3,755,009  
$
595,000  
$
599,543  
$
 
$
4,543
BWP   04/20/07   3,050,626     485,000     486,314         1,314
COP   04/02/07   2,487,555,000     1,113,000     1,129,103         16,103
COP   04/23/07   1,882,023,750     865,000     853,438     11,562    
EUR   05/23/07   755,000     1,004,851     1,007,173         2,322
HUF   04/27/07   211,494,727     1,134,574     1,136,090         1,516
HUF   04/28/07   209,816,271     1,120,095     1,122,413         2,318
INR   04/29/07   22,202,640     513,000     510,298     2,702    
INR   04/30/07   48,138,480     1,112,000     1,106,399     5,601    
INR   05/01/07   3,888,900     90,000     89,182     818    
MXN   05/02/07   12,136,929     1,084,284     1,101,734         17,450
MXN   05/03/07   11,121,833     1,005,000     1,006,989         1,989
RON   05/04/07   4,571,000     1,809,145     1,812,854         3,709
RUB   05/05/07   23,963,580     892,000     920,720         28,720
TRY   05/06/07   1,433,837     992,000     1,010,135         18,135
TZS   05/07/07   557,516,000     441,772     448,741         6,969
TZS   04/30/07   580,163,400     460,447     465,861         5,414
TZS   05/08/07   520,053,000     392,197     416,634         24,437
UAH   04/02/07   3,195,000     635,189     635,199         10
Total Forward Currency Sale Contracts      
$
15,744,554  
$
15,858,820     20,683     134,949
Gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation on Forward Currency Contracts
   
$
2,238,361  
$
300,519

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

11


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
March 31, 2007 (unaudited)

(a)     

Non-income producing security.

 

(b)

For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost was $216,971,880, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation was $40,978,052, aggregate gross unrealized depreciation was $2,758,956, and the net unrealized appreciation was $38,219,096.

 

(c)

Segregated security for forward currency contracts.

 

(d)

Security or portion thereof is out on loan.

 

(e)

Principal amount denominated in respective country’s currency unless otherwise specified.

 

(f)

Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, these securities may only be traded among “qualified institutional buyers.” At March 31, 2007, these securities amounted to 1.7% of net assets and none are considered to be liquid. Principal amount denominated in U.S. dollar. Interest rate shown reflects current yield as of March 31, 2007.

 

(g)

Rate shown reflects 7 day yield as of March 31, 2007.

 

(h)

Represents security purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan.

Security Abbreviations:
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
NTN-B—Brazil Sovereign “Nota do Tesouro Nacional”
TES—Titulos de Tesoreria

Currency Abbreviations:      
ARS — Argentine Peso   MYR — Malaysian Ringgit
BRL — Brazilian Real   NGN — Nigerian Naira
BWP — Botswana Pula   PEN — Peruvian New Sol
COP — Colombian Peso   PHP — Philippine Peso
EUR — Euro   PLN — Polish Zloty
GHC — Ghanaian Cedi   RON — Romanian Leu
HUF — Hungarian Forint   RUB — Russian Ruble
IDR — Indonesian Rupiah                            SGD — Singapore Dollar
ILS — Israeli Shekel   SKK — Slovenska Koruna
INR — Indian Rupee   TRY — New Turkish Lira
KWD — Kuwaiti Dinar   TZS — Tanzanian Shilling
KZT — Kazak Tenge   UAH — Ukranian Hryvnia
MXN  — Mexican Peso   UGX   — Ugandan Shilling

12


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Notes to Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
March 31, 2007 (unaudited)


Portfolio holdings by industry (as percentage of net assets):

Industry      
Alcohol & Tobacco   6.2 %
Automotive   1.8  
Banking   13.8  
Commercial Services   1.0  
Computer Software   7.2  
Drugs   7.0  
Energy Integrated   9.5  
Financial Services   10.2  
Food & Beverages   4.0  
Insurance   3.2  
Manufacturing   3.8  
Medical Products   2.8  
Retail   2.7  
Semiconductors & Components   1.9  
Technology   3.4  
Technology Hardware   6.4  
Telecommunications   4.4  
     Subtotal
  89.3  
Foreign Government Obligations   8.5  
Structured Notes   1.7  
Collateral for Securities on Loan   13.5  
     Total Investments
  113.0 %

13


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
(unaudited)

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare, Inc., as dividend disbursing agent (the “Plan Agent”), in additional Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all distributions in cash, paid by check mailed directly to you by the Plan Agent.

Under the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined on the dividend or distribution payment date, as follows:

(1)  

If the Common Stock is trading at or above net asset value at the time of valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at a price equal to the greater of (i) net asset value per Common Share on that date or (ii) 95% of the Common Stock’s market price on that date.

 

(2)

If the Common Stock is trading below net asset value at the time of valuation, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will purchase Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. It is possible that the market price for the Common Stock may increase before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases. Therefore, the average purchase price per share paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the market price at the time of valuation, resulting in the purchase of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in Common Stock issued by the Fund. The Plan Agent will use all dividends and distributions received in cash to purchase Common Stock in the open market within 30 days of the valuation date. Interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash payments.

You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Plan Agent. If you withdraw or the Plan is terminated, you will receive whole shares in your account under the Plan and you will receive a cash payment for any fraction of a share in your account. If you wish, the Plan Agent will sell your shares and send you the proceeds, minus an initial $15 service fee plus $0.12 per share being liquidated (for processing and brokerage expenses).

The Plan Agent maintains all stockholders’ accounts in the Plan and gives written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information you may need for tax records. Shares of Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all Common Stock you have received under the Plan.

There is no brokerage charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in newly-issued shares of Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions.

If you hold your Common Stock with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the Plan, you will not be able to participate in the Plan and any dividend reinvestment may be effected on different terms than those described above. Consult your financial advisor for more information.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan (other than the service charge when you direct the Plan Agent to sell your Common Stock held in a dividend reinvestment account); however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Additional information about the Plan may be obtained from the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43010, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3010.

14


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Board of Directors and Officers Information
(unaudited)

    Position(s)   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Name (Age)   with the Fund(1)   and Other Directorships Held
Board of Directors:        
         
Class I — Directors with Term Expiring in 2009    
Independent Directors:        
         
Leon M. Pollack (66)   Director   Former Managing Director, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette;
        Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Adelphi University; Director,
        J.B. Hanauer & Co. (broker-dealer).
         
Robert M. Solmson (59)   Director   Director, Colonial Williamsburg Co.; Former Chief Executive Officer
        and Chairman, RFS Hotel Investors, Inc.; Former Director, Morgan
        Keegan & Co., Inc.; Former Director, Independent Bank, Memphis.
         
Interested Director:        
Charles Carroll (46)   Chief Executive Officer,   Deputy Chairman and Head of Global Marketing of the
    President and Director   Investment Manager.
     
Class II — Directors with Term Expiring in 2007    
Independent Directors:        
         
Kenneth S. Davidson (62)   Director   President, Davidson Capital Management Corporation; President,
        Aquiline Advisors LLC; Trustee, The Juilliard School; Chairman of
        the Board, Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival; Trustee,
        American Friends of the National Gallery, London.
         
Nancy A. Eckl (44)   Director   Former Vice President, Trust Invesments, American Beacon
        Advisors, Inc. (“American Beacon”) and Vice President of certain
        funds advised by American Beacon; Trustee, College Retirement
        Equities Fund.
         
Lester Z. Lieberman (76)   Director   Private Investor; Chairman, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey;
        Director, Cives Steel Co.; Director, Northside Power Transmission
        Co.; Advisory Trustee, New Jersey Medical School; Director,
        Public Health Research Institute; Trustee Emeritus, Clarkson
        University; Council of Trustees, New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
     
Class III — Directors with Term Expiring in 2008    
Independent Director:        
Richard Reiss, Jr. (63)   Director   Chairman, Georgica Advisors LLC, an investment manager;
        Director, O’Charley’s, Inc., a restaurant chain.
         
Interested Director:        
Ashish Bhutani (46)   Director   Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Manager; from 2001 to
        December 2002, Co-Chief Executive Officer North America of
        Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and member of its Global
        Corporate and Markets Board and the Global Executive Committee.

(1)  

Each Director also serves as a Director for The Lazard Funds, Inc., Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. and Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc. (collectively, the “Lazard Funds”). All of the Independent Directors, except Mr. Lieberman, are also board members of Lazard Alternative Strategies Fund, LLC, a privately-offered fund registered under the 1940 Act and advised by an affiliate of the Investment Manager.

 

15


Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
Board of Directors and Officers Information (concluded)
(unaudited)

    Position(s)    
Name (Age)   with the Fund(1)   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Officers:        
Nathan A. Paul (34)   Vice President   Managing Director and General Counsel of the Investment
    and Secretary   Manager.
         
Stephen St. Clair (48)   Treasurer   Vice President of the Investment Manager.
         
Brian Kawakami (57)   Chief Compliance Officer   Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the
        Investment Manager; Chief Compliance Officer at INVESCO,
        from July 2002 to April 2006; Chief Compliance Officer at Aeltus
        Investment Management, from 1993 to July 2002.
         
Brian D. Simon (44)   Assistant Secretary   Director of the Investment Manager; Vice President, Law &
        Regulations at J. & W. Seligman & Co., from July 1999 to
        October 2002.
         
David A. Kurzweil (32)   Assistant Secretary   Vice President of the Investment Manager; Associate at
        Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, a law firm, from August 1999 to
        January 2003.
         
Cesar A. Trelles (32)   Assistant Treasurer   Fund Administration Manager of the Investment Manager;
        Manager for Mutual Fund Finance Group at UBS Global Asset
        Management, from August 1998 to August 2004.

(1) Each officer also serves as an officer for each of the Lazard Funds.

 

 

 

16


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Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300
Telephone: 800-828-5548
http://www.LazardNet.com

Investment Manager
Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300
Telephone: 800-823-6300

Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43010
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3010

Dividend Disbursing Agent
Computershare, Inc.
P.O. Box 43010
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3010

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Two World Financial Center
New York, New York 10281-1414

Legal Counsel
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
180 Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038-4982
http://www.stroock.com


Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112-6300
www.LazardNet.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This report is intended only for the information of stockholders or those who have received the current prospectus covering shares of Common Stock of Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc. which contains information about management fees and other costs.