UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-22455

 

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

280 Park Avenue, New York, NY

 

10017

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Tina M. Payne

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(212) 832-3232

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31

 

 

Date of reporting period:

June 30, 2015

 

 



 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

To Our Shareholders:

We would like to share with you our report for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The net asset value (NAV) at that date was $26.90 per common share. The Fund's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and its share price can differ from its NAV; at period end, the Fund's closing price on the NYSE was $24.10.

The total returns, including income, for the Fund and its comparative benchmarks were:

    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2015
 
Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund at NAVa    

3.03

%

 
Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund at Market Valuea    

–2.45

%

 
BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed-Rate Preferred Securities Indexb    

2.21

%

 
Blended Benchmark—50% BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Capital Securities
Index/50% BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed-Rate Preferred
Securities Indexb
   

2.08

%

 
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Indexb    

–0.10

%

 

The performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance results reflect the effects of leverage, resulting from borrowings under a credit agreement. Current total returns of the Fund can be obtained by visiting our website at cohenandsteers.com. The Fund's returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. Index performance does not reflect the deduction of any fees, taxes or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year are not annualized.

a  As a closed-end investment company, the price of the Fund's NYSE-traded shares will be set by market forces and can deviate from the NAV per share of the Fund.

b  The BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed-Rate Preferred Securities Index tracks the performance of fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities issued in the U.S. domestic market. The BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Capital Securities Index is a subset of the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate Index including all fixed-to-floating rate, perpetual callable and capital securities. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-market measure of the U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index includes Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Benchmark returns are shown for comparative purposes only and may not be representative of the Fund's portfolio. The Fund's benchmarks do not include below-investment grade securities.


1



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

The Fund makes regular monthly distributions at a level rate (the Policy). Distributions paid by the Fund are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes and are taxable up to the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable income and net realized gains. As a result of the Policy, the Fund may pay distributions in excess of the Fund's investment company taxable income and net realized gains. This excess would be a return of capital distributed from the Fund's assets. Distributions of capital decrease the Fund's total assets and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Fund's expense ratio. In addition, in order to make these distributions, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities at a less than opportune time.

Market Review

Preferred securities had positive total returns in the first six months of 2015, despite a general rise in bond yields over the full period that hindered Treasury securities and investment-grade debt. Nearly all fixed income classes performed well in the first half of the period, with gains spurred in part by quantitative easing by the European Central Bank, which sent regional yields to record lows and influenced yields globally, including in the U.S. In the latter half of the period yields in the U.S. and Europe headed back up, amid signs of improving economic conditions. A somewhat better economic outlook following a slower first quarter in the U.S. also increased the possibility of a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike in 2015.

In this environment, longer-dated and high-quality securities struggled, while credit-sensitive securities had generally positive returns. Nevertheless, within preferreds, securities in the exchange-traded market somewhat outperformed preferreds traded over the counter (OTC), despite the average shorter duration of OTC preferreds. This partly reflected tighter supply conditions in the exchange-traded market, with relatively little new issuance in the period as well as some large issuer redemptions.

Preferred securities issued by banks outperformed the wider preferred market. Large U.S. banks reported solid first-quarter earnings, with the best results seen in the past several years, cheering equity and credit investors. In addition to improvements in trading activity, loan growth, and balance sheets, sentiment toward banks was helped by good cost controls and the prospect of loan resets (based on short-term rates) improving bank net interest margins and overall profitability. Also worth noting is that banks continue to put elevated litigation and penalty expenses behind them.

The performance for the broad banking sector also reflected gains from contingent capital securities (CoCos), which may be classified as debt or preferred securities depending on their place in the capital structure. CoCos have been issued so far primarily by European banks. Demand for the above-average income these securities offer has remained strong, easily absorbing new supply, which itself slowed as the period progressed amid the increased volatility in regional yields.

Preferreds issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs) posted gains for the period. Good and improving real estate fundamentals continued to enhance REITs' financial profiles, while favorable technical factors—low new supply of REIT preferreds combined with steady demand—also supported the group's performance.


2



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Fund Performance

The Fund had a decline in its market price in the period and underperformed its blended benchmark while on a NAV basis it had a gain and outperformed its blended benchmark. Security selection in the banking sector was the primary contributor to relative performance, with positive returns from our overweight and out-of-index positions in certain U.S. and European banks, including CoCos. Security selection in the real estate sector also aided performance. Security selection in the telecommunications sector detracted from relative performance, in part due to our out-of-index position in a long-dated issue that declined.

Impact of Derivatives on Fund Performance

In connection with its use of leverage, the Fund pays interest on borrowings based on a floating rate under the terms of its credit agreement. To reduce the impact that an increase in interest rates could have on the performance of the Fund with respect to these borrowings, the Fund used interest rate swaps to exchange a significant portion of the floating rate for a fixed rate. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, the Fund's use of swaps detracted from the Fund's performance.

The Fund also used derivatives in the form of forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to manage currency risk on certain Fund positions denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts did not have a material effect on the Fund's performance during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

Impact of Leverage on Fund Performance

The Fund employs leverage as part of a yield-enhancement strategy. Leverage, which can increase total return in rising markets (just as it can have the opposite effect in declining markets), significantly contributed to the Fund's performance for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

Investment Outlook

We believe preferreds remain well positioned relative to other credit sectors, offering securities with high income rates and even tax-advantaged dividend income for U.S. buyers. As well, strong and improving credit fundamentals of many issuers, notably banks, provide potential for further narrowing in credit spreads.

We anticipate continued job growth and wage gains are likely to induce the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates late in the year, diminishing its extraordinarily accommodative stance. While yields on longer-maturity Treasuries may rise somewhat as global growth improves, we nonetheless expect yields to be capped by the global environment. We expect only a gradual rise in inflation and a somewhat uneven global economic expansion, with Europe improving but China showing signs of more sluggish growth. In this light, low global yields are likely to continue to exert influence on Treasuries.


3



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Absolute yields offered by foreign sovereign bonds remain very low, and many shorter-maturity European sovereigns now offer negative rates of return, making U.S. bond markets attractive to foreign investors.

Over the intermediate term, Treasury yields may see some upward pressure as the U.S. economy accelerates from a lackluster first quarter and labor markets continue to tighten. As these trends unfold, we believe the high income rates offered by preferred securities may help protect investors from a total-return perspective should prices be negatively impacted by higher demanded bond yields. We continue to favor higher-income securities with wide credit spreads and lower-duration fixed-to-float structures with significant amounts of call protection, which have the potential to perform well in most interest-rate environments.

Sincerely,

       

 

 
       

ROBERT H. STEERS

 

JOSEPH M. HARVEY

 
       

Chairman

 

Portfolio Manager

 
       

 

 
       

WILLIAM F. SCAPELL

 

ELAINE ZAHARIS-NIKAS

 
       

Portfolio Manager

 

Portfolio Manager

 

The views and opinions in the preceding commentary are subject to change without notice and are as of the date of the report. There is no guarantee that any market forecast set forth in the commentary will be realized. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time, should not be relied upon as investment advice and is not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment.

Visit Cohen & Steers online at cohenandsteers.com

For more information about the Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds, visit cohenandsteers.com. Here you will find fund net asset values, fund fact sheets and portfolio highlights, as well as educational resources and timely market updates.

Our website also provides comprehensive information about Cohen & Steers, including our most recent press releases, profiles of our senior investment professionals and their investment approach to each asset class. The Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds invests in major real asset categories including real estate, infrastructure, commodities and natural resource equities, as well as preferred securities and other income solutions.


4



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Our Leverage Strategy
(Unaudited)

Our current leverage strategy utilizes borrowings up to the maximum permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 to provide additional capital for the Fund, with an objective of increasing the net income available for shareholders. As of June 30, 2015, leverage represented 29% of the Fund's managed assets.

It has been our philosophy to utilize interest rate swap transactions to seek to reduce the interest rate risk inherent in our utilization of leverage. Considering that the Fund's borrowings have variable interest rate payments, we seek to lock in those rates on a significant portion of this additional capital through interest rate swap agreements (where we effectively convert our variable rate obligations to fixed rate obligations for the term of the swap agreements). Locking in a significant portion of our leveraging costs is designed to protect the dividend-paying ability of the Fund. The use of leverage increases the volatility of the Fund's net asset value in both up and down markets. However, we believe that locking in a portion of the Fund's leveraging costs for the term of the swap agreements partially protects the Fund's expenses from an increase in short-term interest rates.

Leverage Factsa,b

Leverage (as a % of managed assets)    

29

%

 
% Fixed Rate     

90

%

 
% Variable Rate     

10

%

 
Weighted Average Fixed Rate on Swaps    

1.1

%

 
Weighted Average Term on Swaps     3.3 years    
Current Rate on Debt    

1.0

%

 

The Fund seeks to enhance its dividend yield through leverage. The use of leverage is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs associated with leverage. The net asset value of the Fund's shares may be reduced by the issuance and ongoing costs of leverage. So long as the Fund is able to invest in securities that produce an investment yield that is greater than the total cost of leverage, the leverage strategy will produce higher current net investment income for shareholders. On the other hand, to the extent that the total cost of leverage exceeds the incremental income gained from employing such leverage, shareholders would realize lower net investment income. In addition to the impact on net income, the use of leverage will have an effect of magnifying capital appreciation or depreciation for shareholders. Specifically, in an up market, leverage will typically generate greater capital appreciation than if the Fund were not employing leverage. Conversely, in down markets, the use of leverage will generally result in greater capital depreciation than if the Fund had been unlevered. To the extent that the Fund is required or elects to reduce its leverage, the Fund may need to liquidate investments, including under adverse economic conditions which may result in capital losses potentially reducing returns to shareholders. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.

a  Data as of June 30, 2015. Information is subject to change.

b  See Note 7 in Notes to Financial Statements.


5



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

June 30, 2015

Top Ten Holdingsa
(Unaudited)

Security  

Value

  % of
Managed
Assets
 

Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 10.00%, Series I

 

$

12,428,125

     

2.8

   

HSBC Capital Funding LP, 10.176%, 144A (United Kingdom)

   

11,838,125

     

2.6

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 7.98%, Series K

   

10,687,250

     

2.4

   

Centaur Funding Corp., 9.08%, due 4/21/20, 144A (Cayman Islands)

   

9,269,531

     

2.1

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 7.90%, Series I

   

9,080,925

     

2.0

   

General Electric Capital Corp., 7.125%, Series A

   

8,085,000

     

1.8

   

MetLife Capital Trust X, 9.25%, due 4/8/38, 144A

   

7,880,592

     

1.7

   

FPL Group Capital, 7.30%, due 9/1/67, Series D

   

7,286,060

     

1.6

   

General Electric Capital Corp., 6.25%, Series B

   

6,241,500

     

1.4

   

Liberty Mutual Insurance, 7.697%, due 10/15/97, 144A

   

5,921,981

     

1.3

   

a  Top ten holdings are determined on the basis of the value of individual securities held. The Fund may also hold positions in other types of securities issued by the companies listed above. See the Schedule of Investments for additional details on such other positions.

Sector Breakdown

(Based on Managed Assets)
(Unaudited)


6




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

PREFERRED SECURITIES—$25 PAR VALUE

 

39.5%

                 

BANKS

 

11.7%

                 

Bank of America Corp., 6.50%, Series Y

       

174,925

   

$

4,413,358

   

BB&T Corp., 5.625%, Series Ea

       

71,045

     

1,714,316

   

Citigroup, 6.875%, Series Ka

       

83,175

     

2,217,446

   

Countrywide Capital IV, 6.75%, due 4/1/33a

       

50,612

     

1,283,520

   

Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 6.75%, 144Aa,b

       

40,000

     

4,148,752

   

Fifth Third Bancorp, 6.625%, Series Ia

       

119,491

     

3,369,646

   

First Niagara Financial Group, 8.625%, Series Ba

       

80,000

     

2,160,000

   

First Republic Bank, 5.50%a

       

104,398

     

2,409,506

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.125%, Series Y

       

100,000

     

2,491,000

   

PNC Financial Services Group, 6.125%, Series Pa

       

80,000

     

2,195,200

   

PrivateBancorp, 7.125%, due 10/30/42a

       

48,250

     

1,280,073

   

Regions Financial Corp., 6.375%, Series Ba

       

65,000

     

1,671,151

   

US Bancorp, 6.50%, Series Fa

       

83,278

     

2,350,105

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 6.625%a

       

40,564

     

1,119,566

   

Zions Bancorp, 7.90%, Series Fa

       

176,458

     

4,902,003

   
     

     

37,725,642

   

BANKS—FOREIGN

 

2.8%

                 
Barclays Bank PLC, 7.75%, Series IV
(United Kingdom)a
       

130,639

     

3,384,856

   
National Westminster Bank PLC, 7.763%, Series C
(United Kingdom)a
       

127,226

     

3,267,164

   
RBS Capital Funding Trust VII, 6.08%, Series G
(United Kingdom)a
       

90,000

     

2,198,700

   
     

     

8,850,720

   

ELECTRIC—INTEGRATED

 

0.9%

                 

Integrys Energy Group, 6.00%, due 8/1/73a

       

105,582

     

2,811,649

   

FINANCE—INVESTMENT BANKER/BROKER

 

2.4%

                 

Goldman Sachs Group, 6.375%, Series Ka

       

65,000

     

1,688,050

   

Morgan Stanley, 6.875%a

       

133,868

     

3,571,598

   

Morgan Stanley, 6.375%, Series Ia

       

100,000

     

2,546,000

   
             

7,805,648

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

INDUSTRIALS—CHEMICALS

 

2.2%

                 

CHS, 6.75%a

       

72,040

   

$

1,831,257

   

CHS, 7.50%, Series 4a

       

31,846

     

861,116

   

CHS, 7.10%, Series IIa

       

165,962

     

4,346,544

   
             

7,038,917

   

INSURANCE

 

6.5%

                 

MULTI-LINE

 

2.2%

                 
Hartford Financial Services Group,
7.875%, due 4/15/42a
       

160,000

     

4,758,400

   

WR Berkley Corp., 5.625%, due 4/30/53a

       

93,399

     

2,259,322

   
             

7,017,722

   

MULTI-LINE—FOREIGN

 

2.9%

                 

ING Groep N.V., 7.05% (Netherlands)a

       

99,064

     

2,556,842

   

ING Groep N.V., 7.20% (Netherlands)a

       

50,000

     

1,289,000

   

ING Groep N.V., 7.375% (Netherlands)a

       

221,502

     

5,533,120

   
             

9,378,962

   

REINSURANCE

 

0.5%

                 

Reinsurance Group of America, 6.20%, due 9/15/42a

       

60,000

     

1,633,800

   

REINSURANCE—FOREIGN

 

0.9%

                 

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd., 5.95% (Bermuda)a

       

50,000

     

1,260,000

   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd., 7.25% (Bermuda)a

       

65,892

     

1,721,758

   
             

2,981,758

   

TOTAL INSURANCE

           

21,012,242

   

INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

 

1.4%

                 

Qwest Corp., 6.875%, due 10/1/54a

       

35,000

     

905,450

   

Qwest Corp., 7.00%, due 4/1/52a

       

58,323

     

1,495,985

   

Qwest Corp., 7.375%, due 6/1/51a

       

80,495

     

2,092,065

   
             

4,493,500

   

PIPELINES

 

0.4%

                 

NuStar Logistics LP, 7.625%, due 1/15/43a

       

45,759

     

1,212,614

   

REAL ESTATE

 

10.6%

                 

DIVERSIFIED

 

2.9%

                 

DuPont Fabros Technology, 7.875%, Series Aa

       

103,254

     

2,615,424

   

National Retail Properties, 6.625%, Series Da

       

128,000

     

3,289,600

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

Retail Properties of America, 7.00%a

       

79,500

   

$

2,101,185

   

Vornado Realty Trust, 6.625%, Series Ia

       

50,000

     

1,257,500

   
             

9,263,709

   

HOTEL

 

1.2%

                 

Chesapeake Lodging Trust, 7.75%, Series Aa

       

75,000

     

2,006,250

   

Hersha Hospitality Trust, 8.00%, Series Ba

       

70,969

     

1,830,645

   
             

3,836,895

   

INDUSTRIALS

 

1.0%

                 

First Potomac Realty Trust, 7.75%, Series Aa

       

120,000

     

3,072,000

   

OFFICE

 

1.8%

                 

American Realty Capital Properties, 6.70%, Series Fa

       

170,372

     

4,090,632

   

Hudson Pacific Properties, 8.375%, Series Ba

       

70,000

     

1,799,000

   
             

5,889,632

   

RESIDENTIAL—MANUFACTURED HOME

 

1.0%

                 

Campus Crest Communities, 8.00%, Series Aa

       

28,681

     

709,855

   

Equity Lifestyle Properties, 6.75%, Series Ca

       

47,378

     

1,227,090

   

UMH Properties, 8.25%, Series Aa

       

50,000

     

1,305,000

   
             

3,241,945

   

SHOPPING CENTERS

 

2.7%

                 

COMMUNITY CENTER

 

1.3%

                 

Kite Realty Group Trust, 8.25%, Series Aa

       

100,000

     

2,567,900

   

WP GLIMCHER, 6.875%, Series Ia

       

69,100

     

1,788,308

   
             

4,356,208

   

REGIONAL MALL

 

1.4%

                 

CBL & Associates Properties, 7.375%, Series Da

       

174,935

     

4,396,116

   

TOTAL SHOPPING CENTERS

           

8,752,324

   

TOTAL REAL ESTATE

           

34,056,505

   

TRANSPORT—MARINE—FOREIGN

 

0.3%

                 

Seaspan Corp., 6.375%, due 4/30/19 (Hong Kong)

       

9,940

     

250,985

   

Seaspan Corp., 9.50%, Series C (Hong Kong)a

       

35,027

     

904,747

   
             

1,155,732

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

UTILITIES

 

0.3%

                 

SCE Trust III, 5.75%a

       

41,100

   

$

1,094,082

   
TOTAL PREFERRED SECURITIES—$25 PAR VALUE
(Identified cost—$119,348,148)
           

127,257,251

   

PREFERRED SECURITIES—CAPITAL SECURITIES

 

94.9%

                 

BANKS

 

29.5%

                 

AgriBank FCB, 6.875%

       

26,000

     

2,738,125

   

Bank of America Corp., 6.10%, Series AA

       

1,876,000

     

1,854,895

   

Bank of America Corp., 6.50%, Series Z

       

3,605,000

     

3,735,681

   

Citigroup, 5.875%, Series O

       

2,100,000

     

2,107,245

   

Citigroup, 5.95%, Series P

       

2,900,000

     

2,802,705

   

Citigroup Capital III, 7.625%, due 12/1/36

       

4,115,000

     

5,049,862

   

Citizens Financial Group, 5.50%, 144Ab

       

1,229,000

     

1,197,507

   

CoBank ACB, 6.25%, 144Aa,b

       

25,000

     

2,575,782

   

CoBank ACB, 6.125%, Series Ga

       

25,000

     

2,332,813

   
Countrywide Capital III, 8.05%, due 6/15/27,
Series Bc
       

1,815,000

     

2,247,671

   

Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 10.00%, Series Ia

       

10,000

     

12,428,125

   

Goldman Sachs Capital I, 6.345%, due 2/15/34

       

3,250,000

     

3,780,293

   

Goldman Sachs Capital II, 4.00%, (FRN)

       

4,300,000

     

3,284,125

   

Goldman Sachs Group/The, 5.375%, Series M

       

2,938,000

     

2,906,123

   
Huntington Bancshares, 8.50%, Series A
(Convertible)a
       

3,712

     

4,974,080

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 7.90%, Series Id

       

8,575,000

     

9,080,925

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.75%, Series S

       

4,500,000

     

4,813,560

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.125%, Series U

       

1,350,000

     

1,357,222

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.10%, Series X

       

1,100,000

     

1,105,225

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 5.30%, Series Z

       

1,600,000

     

1,592,160

   

PNC Financial Services Group, 6.75%

       

4,500,000

     

4,989,375

   
Sovereign Real Estate Investment Trust,
12.00%, 144Aa,b
       

1,500

     

1,966,875

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 7.98%, Series K

       

9,850,000

     

10,687,250

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 5.90%, Series S

       

1,706,000

     

1,714,530

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 5.875%, Series U

       

2,750,000

     

2,818,887

   

Zions Bancorp, 7.20%, Series J

       

1,097,000

     

1,168,305

   
     

     

95,309,346

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

BANKS—FOREIGN

 

32.7%

                 
Baggot Securities Ltd., 10.24%, 144A (EUR)
(Ireland)a,b
       

1,327,000

   

$

1,529,557

   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, 9.00% (Spain)a

       

2,200,000

     

2,370,500

   
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, 6.75%,
(EUR) (Spain)
       

2,000,000

     

2,222,624

   

Bank of Ireland, 7.375%, (EUR) (Ireland)

       

1,800,000

     

2,000,207

   
Bank of Ireland, 10.00%, due 7/30/16, Series EMTN
(EUR) (Ireland)a
       

1,400,000

     

1,662,242

   
Barclays Bank PLC, 7.625%, due 11/21/22
(United Kingdom)
       

2,425,000

     

2,766,137

   
Barclays Bank PLC, 7.75%, due 4/10/23
(United Kingdom)
       

3,200,000

     

3,472,000

   

Barclays Bank PLC, 6.86%, 144A (United Kingdom)b

       

3,297,000

     

3,709,125

   

Barclays PLC, 8.00% (United Kingdom) (EUR)a

       

1,450,000

     

1,721,606

   

Barclays PLC, 8.25% (United Kingdom)

       

3,193,000

     

3,378,066

   
BBVA Bancomer SA Texas, 6.75%, due 9/30/22,
144A (Mexico)b
       

2,000,000

     

2,207,500

   

BNP Paribas, 7.195%, 144A (France)b

       

1,950,000

     

2,305,875

   

Credit Agricole SA, 7.875%, 144A (France)b

       

2,300,000

     

2,371,629

   
Credit Agricole SA, 8.125%, due 9/19/33,
144A (France)b
       

2,000,000

     

2,207,500

   
Credit Suisse AG, 6.50%, due 8/8/23, 144A
(Switzerland)b
       

2,000,000

     

2,192,222

   

Credit Suisse Group AG, 7.50%, 144A (Switzerland)b

       

2,487,000

     

2,597,065

   

Deutsche Bank AG, 7.50% (Germany)

       

4,500,000

     

4,494,375

   
Dresdner Funding Trust I, 8.151%, due 6/30/31,
144A (Germany)b
       

3,007,869

     

3,763,596

   

HBOS Capital Funding LP, 6.85% (United Kingdom)

       

3,300,000

     

3,376,441

   
HSBC Capital Funding LP, 10.176%, 144A
(United Kingdom)b
       

7,750,000

     

11,838,125

   

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.375% (United Kingdom)

       

2,400,000

     

2,409,000

   

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.375% (United Kingdom)

       

3,500,000

     

3,526,250

   
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.,
6.00%, 144A (China)b
       

1,200,000

     

1,242,660

   

Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 7.50% (United Kingdom)

       

5,637,000

     

5,820,203

   
Nationwide Building Society, 10.25%, due 12/6/99,
(GBP) (United Kingdom)a
       

2,460,000

     

4,960,346

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

Rabobank Nederland, 8.40% (Netherlands)a

       

3,000,000

   

$

3,248,706

   

Rabobank Nederland, 11.00%, 144A (Netherlands)b

       

3,350,000

     

4,258,688

   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 7.648%
(United Kingdom)
       

4,327,000

     

5,408,750

   
Standard Chartered PLC, 6.50%, 144A
(United Kingdom)b
       

2,400,000

     

2,423,105

   
Standard Chartered PLC, 7.014%, 144A
(United Kingdom)b
       

2,050,000

     

2,271,667

   

UBS AG, 7.625%, due 8/17/22 (Switzerland)

       

3,750,000

     

4,401,176

   

UBS Group AG, 7.00% (Switzerland)

       

2,100,000

     

2,136,750

   

UBS Group AG, 7.125% (Switzerland)

       

900,000

     

938,565

   
             

105,232,258

   

FINANCE—DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES

 

4.8%

                 
Depository Trust & Clearing Corp/The, 4.875%,
Series C, 144Ab
       

1,250,000

     

1,246,875

   

General Electric Capital Corp., 7.125%, Series A

       

7,000,000

     

8,085,000

   

General Electric Capital Corp., 6.25%, Series B

       

5,700,000

     

6,241,500

   
             

15,573,375

   

INSURANCE

 

19.0%

                 

LIFE/HEALTH INSURANCE

 

5.7%

                 

MetLife, 5.25%, Series C

       

1,581,000

     

1,571,119

   

MetLife Capital Trust IV, 7.875%, due 12/15/37, 144Ab

       

3,950,000

     

4,971,075

   

MetLife Capital Trust X, 9.25%, due 4/8/38, 144Ab

       

5,599,000

     

7,880,592

   

Principal Financial Group, 4.70%, due 5/15/55

       

2,350,000

     

2,344,125

   

Prudential Financial, 5.375%, due 5/15/45

       

1,558,000

     

1,538,525

   
             

18,305,436

   

LIFE/HEALTH INSURANCE—FOREIGN

 

3.8%

                 

La Mondiale Vie, 7.625% (France)a

       

4,100,000

     

4,452,862

   
Nippon Life Insurance Co., 5.10%, due 10/16/44,
144A (Japan)b
       

2,000,000

     

2,102,500

   

Prudential PLC, 7.75% (United Kingdom)a

       

1,650,000

     

1,724,250

   
Sumitomo Life Insurance Co., 6.50%, due 9/20/73,
144A (Japan)b
       

3,500,000

     

3,976,875

   
             

12,256,487

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

MULTI-LINE

 

1.5%

                 
American International Group, 8.175%,
due 5/15/68, (FRN)
       

3,551,000

   

$

4,710,402

   

MULTI-LINE—FOREIGN

 

2.5%

                 

Aviva PLC, 8.25% (United Kingdom)a

       

2,000,000

     

2,187,958

   

AXA SA, 8.60%, due 12/15/30 (France)

       

1,000,000

     

1,345,155

   

AXA SA, 6.463%, 144A (France)b

       

2,250,000

     

2,300,625

   

Cloverie PLC, 8.25% (Switzerland)a

       

2,000,000

     

2,228,750

   
             

8,062,488

   

PROPERTY CASUALTY

 

1.2%

                 

Liberty Mutual Group, 7.80%, due 3/7/37, 144Ab

       

3,200,000

     

3,800,000

   

PROPERTY CASUALTY—FOREIGN

 

3.2%

                 
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd., 7.00%,
due 3/15/72, 144A (Japan)b
       

3,100,000

     

3,623,125

   
QBE Capital Funding III Ltd., 7.25%, due 5/24/41,
144A (Australia)b
       

2,250,000

     

2,496,969

   
QBE Insurance Group Ltd., 6.75%, due 12/2/44
(Australia)a
       

2,051,000

     

2,163,805

   
RL Finance Bonds No. 2 PLC, 6.125%, due 11/30/43,
(GBP) (United Kingdom)a
       

1,200,000

     

1,987,221

   
     

     

10,271,120

   

REINSURANCE—FOREIGN

 

1.1%

                 

Aquarius + Investments PLC, 8.25% (Switzerland)a

       

3,510,000

     

3,808,350

   

TOTAL INSURANCE

           

61,214,283

   

INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

 

2.9%

                 
Centaur Funding Corp., 9.08%, due 4/21/20,
144A (Cayman Islands)a,b
       

7,500

     

9,269,531

   

PIPELINES

 

1.0%

                 
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 7.034%,
due 1/15/68, Series B
       

1,980,000

     

2,133,450

   

Transcanada Trust, 5.625%, due 5/20/75 (Canada)

       

1,068,000

     

1,082,512

   
             

3,215,962

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

UTILITIES

 

5.0%

                 

ELECTRIC UTILITIES

 

2.2%

                 

FPL Group Capital, 7.30%, due 9/1/67, Series D

       

7,015,000

   

$

7,286,060

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES—FOREIGN

 

1.0%

                 

Enel SpA, 8.75%, due 9/24/73, 144A (Italy)b

       

2,830,000

     

3,258,038

   

MULTI-UTILITIES

 

1.8%

                 

Dominion Resources, 5.75%, due 10/1/54

       

3,111,000

     

3,250,936

   

Dominion Resources, 7.50%, due 6/30/66, Series A

       

1,430,000

     

1,354,925

   

PPL Capital Funding, 6.70%, due 3/30/67, Series A

       

1,300,000

     

1,148,500

   
             

5,754,361

   

TOTAL UTILITIES

           

16,298,459

   
TOTAL PREFERRED SECURITIES—CAPITAL SECURITIES
(Identified cost—$282,769,673)
     

   

306,113,214

   
        Principal
Amount
     

CORPORATE BONDS

 

3.1%

                 

INSURANCE—PROPERTY CASUALTY

 

1.8%

                 
Liberty Mutual Insurance, 7.697%,
due 10/15/97, 144Ab
     

$

4,829,000

     

5,921,981

   

INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

 

1.3%

                 

Embarq Corp., 7.995%, due 6/1/36

       

2,000,000

     

2,222,400

   

Frontier Communications Corp., 9.00%, due 8/15/31

       

2,250,000

     

2,058,750

   
             

4,281,150

   
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Identified cost—$8,809,565)
           

10,203,131

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
14



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

   

0.5%

                   

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

             
State Street Institutional Treasury
Money Market Fund, 0.00%e
       

1,500,000

   

$

1,500,000

   
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Identified cost—$1,500,000)
           

1,500,000

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Identified cost—$412,427,386)

   

138.0

%

           

445,073,596

   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

   

(38.0

)

           

(122,525,552

)

 
NET ASSETS (Equivalent to $26.90 per share
based on 11,989,361 shares of common
stock outstanding)
   

100.0

%

         

$

322,548,044

   

Note: Percentages indicated are based on the net assets of the Fund.

a  All or a portion of the security is pledged as collateral in connection with the Fund's revolving credit agreement. $187,695,267 in aggregate has been pledged as collateral.

b  Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors. Aggregate holdings equal 32.8% of the net assets of the Fund, of which 0.0% are illiquid.

c  A portion of the security is segregated as collateral for open forward foreign currency exchange contracts. $990,709 in aggregate has been segregated as collateral.

d  A portion of the security is segregated as collateral for interest rate swap transactions. $688,350 in aggregate has been segregated as collateral.

e  Rate quoted represents the annualized seven-day yield of the Fund.

Interest rate swaps outstanding at June 30, 2015 were as follows:

Counterparty

  Notional
Amount
  Fixed
Rate
Payable
  Floating Rate
(resets monthly)
Receivablea
  Termination
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Royal Bank of Canada

 

$

38,700,000

     

0.855

%

   

0.186

%

 

October 30, 2017

 

$

24,994

   

Royal Bank of Canada

   

38,700,000

     

1.087

%

   

0.186

%

 

October 29, 2018

   

147,174

   

Royal Bank of Canada

   

38,700,000

     

1.309

%

   

0.186

%

 

October 29, 2019

   

248,516

   
   

$

420,684

   

a  Based on LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate). Represents rates in effect at June 30, 2015.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
15



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at June 30, 2015 were as follows:

Counterparty

  Contracts to
Deliver
  In Exchange
For
  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

6,523,177

   

USD

7,155,077

   

7/2/15

 

$

(117,284

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

1,355,374

   

USD

1,527,330

   

7/2/15

   

16,292

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

GBP

4,495,079

   

USD

6,858,488

   

7/2/15

   

(204,404

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

7,068,017

   

GBP

4,495,079

   

7/2/15

   

(5,125

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

8,776,548

   

EUR

7,878,551

   

7/2/15

   

6,851

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

8,199,872

   

USD

9,137,388

   

8/4/15

   

(8,142

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

GBP

4,425,433

   

USD

6,956,258

   

8/4/15

   

4,354

   
   

$

(307,458

)

 

Glossary of Portfolio Abbreviations

EUR  Euro Currency
FRN  Floating Rate Note
GBP  Great British Pound
USD  United States Dollar

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
16




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

ASSETS:

 

Investments in securities, at value (Identified cost—$412,427,386)

 

$

445,073,596

   

Cash

   

1,629,847

   

Foreign currency, at value (Identified cost—$198,278)

   

198,095

   

Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swap transactions

   

420,684

   

Receivable for:

 

Dividends and interest

   

4,535,644

   

Investment securities sold

   

409,514

   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

27,497

   

Other assets

   

57,077

   

Total Assets

   

452,351,954

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

334,955

   

Payable for:

 

Revolving credit agreement

   

129,000,000

   

Investment management fees

   

261,512

   

Interest expense

   

105,967

   

Administration fees

   

18,679

   

Dividends declared

   

13,973

   

Directors' fees

   

440

   

Other liabilities

   

68,384

   

Total Liabilities

   

129,803,910

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

322,548,044

   

NET ASSETS consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

285,308,075

   

Dividends in excess of net investment income

   

(1,359,398

)

 

Accumulated undistributed net realized gain

   

5,847,820

   

Net unrealized appreciation

   

32,751,547

   
   

$

322,548,044

   

NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE:

 

($322,548,044 ÷ 11,989,361 shares outstanding)

 

$

26.90

   

MARKET PRICE PER SHARE

 

$

24.10

   

MARKET PRICE DISCOUNT TO NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

   

(10.41

)%

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
17



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Investment Income:

 

Dividend income

 

$

5,703,647

   

Interest income

   

8,960,471

   

Total Investment Income

   

14,664,118

   

Expenses:

 

Investment management fees

   

1,591,037

   

Interest expense

   

634,148

   

Administration fees

   

153,846

   

Line of credit fees

   

51,887

   

Professional fees

   

49,006

   

Shareholder reporting expenses

   

28,585

   

Custodian fees and expenses

   

19,325

   

Directors' fees and expenses

   

10,583

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   

10,473

   

Registration and filing fees

   

4,557

   

Miscellaneous

   

23,055

   

Total Expenses

   

2,576,502

   

Net Investment Income

   

12,087,616

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

2,960,942

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

883,099

   

Interest rate swap transactions

   

(532,941

)

 

Net realized gain

   

3,311,100

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

(4,870,244

)

 

Foreign currency translations

   

(490,349

)

 

Interest rate swap transactions

   

(744,552

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

(6,105,145

)

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

   

(2,794,045

)

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

9,293,571

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
18



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (Unaudited)

    For the
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 

Change in Net Assets:

 

From Operations:

 

Net investment income

 

$

12,087,616

   

$

24,798,144

   

Net realized gain

   

3,311,100

     

6,718,627

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation)
   

(6,105,145

)

   

10,639,017

   
Net increase in net assets resulting
from operations
   

9,293,571

     

42,155,788

   
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                   

Net investment income

   

(12,373,021

)

   

(23,838,742

)

 

Net realized gain

   

     

(6,901,980

)

 
Total dividends and distributions to
shareholders
   

(12,373,021

)

   

(30,740,722

)

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

   

(3,079,450

)

   

11,415,066

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

325,627,494

     

314,212,428

   

End of perioda

 

$

322,548,044

   

$

325,627,494

   

a  Includes dividends in excess of net investment income of $1,359,398 and $1,073,993, respectively.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
19



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Decrease in Cash:

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

9,293,571

   
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from
operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

Purchases of long-term investments

   

(60,537,255

)

 

Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments

   

2,900,000

   

Net amortization of premium

   

366,997

   

Proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term investments

   

59,903,080

   

Net increase in dividends and interest receivable and other assets

   

(62,152

)

 
Net decrease in interest expense payable, accrued expenses and
other liabilities
   

(69,144

)

 

Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments

   

4,870,244

   

Net change in unrealized depreciation on interest rate swap transactions

   

744,552

   
Net change in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency
exchange contracts
   

500,067

   

Net realized gain on investments

   

(2,960,942

)

 

Cash provided by operating activities

   

14,949,018

   

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

Dividends and distributions paid

   

(18,367,034

)

 

Decrease in cash

   

(3,418,016

)

 

Cash at beginning of period

   

5,245,958

   

Cash at end of period (including foreign currency)

 

$

1,827,942

   

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, interest paid was $638,615.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
20




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)

The following table includes selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and other performance information derived from the financial statements. It should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto.

    For the Six
Months Ended
 

For the Year Ended December 31,

  For the Period
November 24, 2010a
through
 

Per Share Operating Performance:

 

June 30, 2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

27.16

   

$

26.21

   

$

27.11

   

$

22.60

   

$

23.74

   

$

23.88

   
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
 

Net investment income

   

1.01

b

   

2.07

b

   

2.05

b

   

2.08

b

   

2.03

     

0.08

   
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss)
   

(0.24

)

   

1.44

     

(0.68

)

   

4.73

     

(1.28

)

   

0.01

   
Total from investment
operations
   

0.77

     

3.51

     

1.37

     

6.81

     

0.75

     

0.09

   
Less dividends and distributions to
shareholders from:
 

Net investment income

   

(1.03

)

   

(1.99

)

   

(1.89

)

   

(2.10

)

   

(1.81

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Net realized gain

   

     

(0.57

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

(0.00

)c

 

Return of capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.08

)

   

   
Total dividends and
distributions to
shareholders
   

(1.03

)

   

(2.56

)

   

(2.28

)

   

(2.30

)

   

(1.89

)

   

(0.17

)

 
Offering costs charged to
paid-in capital
   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)c

   

(0.06

)

 
Anti-dilutive (dilutive) effect from the
issuance of reinvested shares
   

     

     

0.00

c

   

0.00

c

   

(0.00

)c

   

(0.00

)c

 
Anti-dilutive effect from the
repurchase of shares
   

     

     

0.01

     

     

     

   
Net increase (decrease) in net
asset value
   

(0.26

)

   

0.95

     

(0.90

)

   

4.51

     

(1.14

)

   

(0.14

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

26.90

   

$

27.16

   

$

26.21

   

$

27.11

   

$

22.60

   

$

23.74

   

Market value, end of period

 

$

24.10

   

$

25.70

   

$

24.69

   

$

26.76

   

$

21.68

   

$

24.83

   

Total net asset value returnd

   

3.03

%e

   

14.43

%

   

5.66

%

   

31.17

%

   

3.20

%

   

0.12

%e

 

Total market value returnd

   

–2.45

%e

   

14.94

%

   

0.83

%

   

34.97

%

   

–5.35

%

   

0.03

%e

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
21



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

    For the Six
Months Ended
  For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Period
November 24, 2010a
through
 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

June 30, 2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

Net assets, end of period (in millions)

 

$

322.5

   

$

325.6

   

$

314.2

   

$

325.7

   

$

271.4

   

$

277.8

   
Ratio of expenses to average daily
net assets
   

1.58

%f

   

1.57

%

   

1.60

%

   

1.71

%

   

1.78

%

   

1.17

%f

 
Ratio of expenses to average daily
net assets (excluding interest
expense)
   

1.19

%f

   

1.16

%

   

1.17

%

   

1.22

%

   

1.28

%

   

1.17

%f

 
Ratio of net investment income to
average daily net assets
   

7.40

%f

   

7.50

%

   

7.56

%

   

8.19

%

   

8.57

%

   

3.79

%f

 
Ratio of expenses to average
daily managed assetsg
   

1.13

%f

   

1.13

%

   

1.14

%

   

1.20

%

   

1.24

%

   

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

   

13

%e

   

28

%

   

41

%

   

42

%

   

48

%

   

1

%e

 

Revolving Credit Agreement:

 
Asset coverage ratio for revolving
credit agreement
   

350

%

   

352

%

   

344

%

   

353

%

   

310

%

   

%

 
Asset coverage per $1,000 for
revolving credit agreement
 

$

3,500

   

$

3,524

   

$

3,436

   

$

3,525

   

$

3,104

   

$

   

a  Commencement of operations.

b  Calculation based on average shares outstanding.

c  Amount is less than $0.005.

d  Total net asset value return measures the change in net asset value per share over the period indicated. Total market value return is computed based upon the Fund's NYSE market price per share and excludes the effects of brokerage commissions. Dividends and distributions are assumed, for purposes of these calculations, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

e  Not annualized.

f  Annualized.

g  Average daily managed assets represent net assets plus the outstanding balance of the revolving credit agreement.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
22




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Note 1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on August 16, 2010 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is high current income.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The Fund is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946—Investment Companies. The accounting policies of the Fund are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Portfolio Valuation: Investments in securities that are listed on the NYSE are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected at the close of the NYSE on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask prices on such day or, if no ask price is available, at the bid price. Forward contracts are valued daily at the prevailing forward exchange rate.

Securities not listed on the NYSE but listed on other domestic or foreign securities exchanges are valued in a similar manner. Securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price reflected at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If after the close of a foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued, market conditions change significantly, certain non-U.S. equity holdings may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board of Directors.

Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities whose primary market is believed by Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the investment manager) to be over-the-counter, are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date as reported by sources deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors to reflect their fair market value. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask prices on such day or, if no ask price is available, at the bid price. However, certain fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a third-party pricing service or third-party broker-dealers when such prices are believed by the investment manager, pursuant to delegation by the Board of Directors, to reflect the fair market value of such securities. Interest rate swaps are valued utilizing quotes received from an outside pricing service. The pricing services or broker-dealers use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services or broker-dealers may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services or broker-dealers also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market


23



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

transactions in comparable securities and the various relationships between securities in determining fair value and/or characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features which are used to calculate the fair values.

Short-term debt securities with a maturity date of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing net asset value.

The policies and procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Directors delegate authority to make fair value determinations to the investment manager, subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. The investment manager has established a valuation committee (Valuation Committee) to administer, implement and oversee the fair valuation process according to the policies and procedures approved annually by the Board of Directors. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

Securities for which market prices are unavailable, or securities for which the investment manager determines that the bid and/or ask price or a counterparty valuation does not reflect market value, will be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee, pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Directors. Circumstances in which market prices may be unavailable include, but are not limited to, when trading in a security is suspended, the exchange on which the security is traded is subject to an unscheduled close or disruption or material events occur after the close of the exchange on which the security is principally traded. In these circumstances, the Fund determines fair value in a manner that fairly reflects the market value of the security on the valuation date based on consideration of any information or factors it deems appropriate. These may include, but are not limited to, recent transactions in comparable securities, information relating to the specific security and developments in the markets.

The Fund's use of fair value pricing may cause the net asset value of Fund shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security.

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would expect to receive upon the sale of an investment or expect to pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. The hierarchy of inputs that are used in determining the fair value of the Fund's investments is summarized below.

•  Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)


24



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing the transfer at the end of the period in which the underlying event causing the movement occurred. Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 securities as of June 30, 2015.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at value:

 

Total

  Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical
Investments
(Level 1)
  Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Preferred Securities—
$25 Par Value:
 

Banks

 

$

37,725,642

   

$

33,576,890

   

$

4,148,752

   

$

   

Other Industries

   

89,531,609

     

89,531,609

     

     

   
Preferred Securities—
Capital Securities:
 

Banks

   

95,309,346

     

4,974,080

     

88,368,391

     

1,966,875

   

Other Industries

   

210,803,868

     

     

210,803,868

     

   

Corporate Bonds

   

10,203,131

     

     

10,203,131

     

   

Short-Term Investments

   

1,500,000

     

     

1,500,000

     

   

Total Investmentsa

 

$

445,073,596

   

$

128,082,579

   

$

315,024,142

   

$

1,966,875

b

 

Interest rate swaps

 

$

420,684

   

$

   

$

420,684

   

$

   
Forward foreign currency
exchange contracts
   

27,497

     

     

27,497

     

   
Total Appreciation in Other
Financial Instrumentsa
 

$

448,181

   

$

   

$

448,181

   

$

   
Forward foreign currency
exchange contracts
 

$

(334,955

)

 

$

   

$

(344,955

)

 

$

   
Total Depreciation in Other
Financial Instrumentsa
 

$

(334,955

)

 

$

   

$

(344,955

)

 

$

   

a  Portfolio holdings are disclosed individually on the Schedule of Investments.

b  Level 3 investments are valued by a third-party pricing service. The inputs for these securities are not readily available or cannot be reasonably estimated. A change in the significant unobservable inputs could result in a significantly lower or higher value in such Level 3 investments.


25



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

Following is a reconciliation of investments for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

  Total
Investments
in Securities
  Preferred
Securities—
$25 Par
Value—
Banks
  Preferred
Securities—
Capital
Securities—
Banks
 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

 

$

14,256,250

   

$

2,025,000

   

$

12,231,250

   
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation)
   

138,750

     

(58,125

)

   

196,875

   

Transfers out of Level 3a

   

(12,428,125

)

   

     

(12,428,125

)

 

Transfers within Level 3b

   

     

(1,966,875

)

   

1,966,875

   

Balance as of June 30, 2015

 

$

1,966,875

   

$

   

$

1,966,875

   

The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to securities owned on June 30, 2015 which were valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) amounted to $(58,125).

a  As of December 31, 2014, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of June 30, 2015, the Fund used significant observable inputs in determining the value of the same investments.

b  As of June 30, 2015, transfers within Level 3 occurred due to changes in sector classifications.

Security Transactions and Investment Income: Security transactions are recorded on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends on foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Distributions from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are recorded as ordinary income, net realized capital gains or return of capital based on information reported by the REITs and management's estimates of such amounts based on historical information. These estimates are adjusted when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the REITs and actual amounts may differ from the estimated amounts.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.


26



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates. Pursuant to U.S. federal income tax regulations, certain foreign currency gains/losses included in realized and unrealized gains/losses are included in or are a reduction of ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Securities: The Fund directly purchases securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves special risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. The risks include possible revaluation of currencies, the ability to repatriate funds, less complete financial information about companies and possible future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The Fund enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge the currency exposure associated with certain of its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a commitment between two parties to purchase or sell foreign currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of a forward foreign currency exchange contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These contracts are marked to market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation on foreign currency translations. Realized gains or losses equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed are included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund has made an election to treat gains and losses from forward foreign currency exchange contracts as capital gains and losses.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the contract. Risks may also arise upon entering these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. In connection with these contracts, securities may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the respective contracts.

Interest Rate Swaps: The Fund uses interest rate swaps in connection with borrowing under its revolving credit agreement. The interest rate swaps are intended to reduce interest rate risk by countering the effect that an increase in short-term interest rates could have on the performance of the Fund's shares as a result of the floating rate structure of interest owed pursuant to the revolving credit agreement. In these interest rate swaps, the Fund agrees to pay the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the counterparty) a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty's agreement to pay the Fund a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund's variable rate payment


27



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

obligation on the revolving credit agreement. The payment obligation is based on the notional amount of the swap. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the use of interest rate swaps could enhance or harm the overall performance of the Fund. The market value of interest rate swaps is based on pricing models that consider the time value of money, volatility, the current market and contractual prices of the underlying financial instrument. Unrealized appreciation is reported as an asset and unrealized depreciation is reported as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in value of swaps, including the accrual of periodic amounts of interest to be paid or received on swaps, is reported as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon payment or receipt of a periodic payment or termination of a swap agreement. Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk, and exposure to loss in excess of the related amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund's maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty over the contract's remaining life, to the extent that such amount is positive.

The enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) required the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission to mandate by regulation that certain derivatives, previously traded over-the-counter, including interest rate swaps, be executed in a regulated, transparent market and settled by means of a central clearing house. Any such changes may, among various possible effects, increase the cost of entering into derivatives transactions, require more assets of the Fund to be used for collateral in support of those derivatives than is currently the case, or could limit the Fund's ability to pursue its investment strategies.

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund did not enter into any centrally cleared swap contracts.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders: Dividends from net investment income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly. Net realized capital gains, unless offset by any available capital loss carryforward, are typically distributed to shareholders at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Fund in accordance with the Fund's Reinvestment Plan, unless the shareholder has elected to have them paid in cash.

Dividends from net investment income paid by the Fund are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes. Based upon the results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment manager considers it likely that a portion of the dividends will be reclassified to distributions from net realized gain upon final determination of the Fund's taxable income after December 31, 2015, the Fund's fiscal year end.

Income Taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interest of the shareholders, by complying with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies, and by distributing substantially all of its taxable earnings to its shareholders. Also, in order to avoid the payment


28



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

of any federal excise taxes, the Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized gains on a calendar year basis. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary. Dividend and interest income from holdings in non-U.S. securities is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. Management has analyzed the Fund's tax positions taken on federal and applicable state income tax returns as well as its tax positions in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which it trades for all open tax years and has concluded that as of June 30, 2015, no additional provisions for income tax are required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's tax positions for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, state departments of revenue and by foreign tax authorities.

Note 2. Investment Management Fees, Administration Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Investment Management Fees: The investment manager serves as the Fund's investment manager pursuant to an investment management agreement (the investment management agreement). Under the terms of the investment management agreement, the investment manager provides the Fund with day-to-day investment decisions and generally manages the Fund's investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors.

For the services provided to the Fund, the investment manager receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.70% of the average daily managed assets of the Fund. Managed assets are equal to the net assets plus the amount of any borrowings, used for leverage, outstanding.

Administration Fees: The Fund has entered into an administration agreement with the investment manager under which the investment manager performs certain administrative functions for the Fund and receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily managed assets of the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund incurred $113,646 in fees under this administration agreement. Additionally, the Fund pays State Street Bank and Trust Company as co-administrator under a fund accounting and administration agreement.

Directors' and Officers' Fees: Certain directors and officers of the Fund are also directors, officers and/or employees of the investment manager. The Fund does not pay compensation to directors and officers affiliated with the investment manager except for the Chief Compliance Officer, who received compensation from the investment manager, which was reimbursed by the Fund, in the amount of $2,797 for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

Note 3. Purchases and Sales of Securities

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, totaled $57,755,022 and $58,302,000, respectively.


29



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

Note 4. Derivative Investments

The following tables present the value of derivatives held at June 30, 2015 and the effect of derivatives held during the six months ended June 30, 2015, along with the respective location in the financial statements.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
   

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

Derivatives

 

Location

 

Fair Value

 

Location

 

Fair Value

 
Interest rate swap
contracts
 

Unrealized appreciation

 

$

420,684

   

Unrealized depreciation

 

$

   
Forward foreign
currency exchange  
contractsa
  Unrealized appreciation    

27,497

    Unrealized depreciation    

334,955

   

a  Forward foreign currency exchange contracts executed with Brown Brothers Harriman are not subject to a master netting arrangement or another similar agreement.

Statement of Operations

 

Derivatives

 

Location

  Realized
Gain (Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Depreciation
 
Interest rate swap
contracts
 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

$

(532,941

)

 

$

(744,552

)

 
Forward foreign
currency exchange  
contracts
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)    

901,377

   

(500,067

)

 

The following summarizes the volume of the Fund's interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts activity during the six months ended June 30, 2015:

    Interest
Rate Swap
Contracts
  Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
 

Average Notional Balance

 

$

116,100,000

   

$

13,971,645

   

Ending Notional Balance

   

116,100,000

     

16,093,646

   


30



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

At June 30, 2015, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities (by type), which are subject to a master netting agreement, are as follows:

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

$

420,684

   

$

   

The following table presents the Fund's derivative assets by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a master netting agreement and net of the related collateral received by the Fund, if any, as of June 30, 2015:

Counterparty

  Gross Amounts
of Assets
Presented
in the
Statement
of Assets
and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
and
Derivatives
Available
for Offset
  Collateral
Received
  Net Amount
of Derivative
Assetsa
 

Royal Bank of Canada

 

$

420,684

   

$

   

$

   

$

420,684

   

a  Net amount represents the net receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

Note 5. Income Tax Information

As of June 30, 2015 the federal tax cost and net unrealized appreciation and depreciation at value of securities were as follows:

Cost for federal income tax purposes

 

$

412,427,386

   

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

34,299,264

   
Gross unrealized depreciation    

(1,653,054

)

 

Net unrealized appreciation

 

$

32,646,210

   

Note 6. Capital Stock

The Fund is authorized to issue 250 million shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share.

During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund did not issue shares of common stock for the reinvestment of dividends.

On December 9, 2014, the Board of Directors approved the continuation of the delegation of its authority to management to effect repurchases, pursuant to management's discretion and subject to market conditions and investment considerations, of up to 10% of the Fund's common shares outstanding (Shares Repurchase Program) from January 1, 2015, through the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.


31



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund did not effect any repurchases.

Note 7. Borrowings

The Fund has entered into a $129,000,000 revolving credit agreement (the credit agreement) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street). The Fund pays a monthly financing charge which is calculated based on the used portion of the credit agreement and a LIBOR-based rate. The Fund also pays a fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement. The credit agreement has a 360-day evergreen provision whereby State Street may terminate this agreement upon 360 days' notice, but the Fund may terminate on 30 days' notice to State Street. If the Fund fails to meet certain requirements, or maintain other financial covenants required under the credit agreement, the Fund may be required to repay immediately, in part or in full, the loan balance outstanding under the credit agreement, necessitating the sale of portfolio securities at potentially inopportune times.

As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had outstanding borrowings of $129,000,000. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund borrowed an average daily balance of $129,000,000 at a weighted average borrowing cost of 1.0%.

Note 8. Other

In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions occurring after June 30, 2015 through the date that the financial statements were issued, and has determined that no additional disclosure in the financial statements is required.


32




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

PROXY RESULTS (Unaudited)

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. shareholders voted on the following proposals at the annual meeting held on April 23, 2015. The description of each proposal and number of shares voted are as follows:

Common Shares

  Shares Voted
For
  Authority
Withheld
 

To elect Directors:

 

George Grossman

   

9,208,327.451

     

82,550.223

   

Robert H. Steers

   

9,212,525.179

     

78,352.495

   

C. Edward Ward, Jr.

   

9,188,525.933

     

102,351.741

   


33



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

(Periods ended June 30, 2015) (Unaudited)

Based on Net Asset Value

 

Based on Market Value

 
One Year   Since Inception
(11/24/10)
 

One Year

  Since Inception
(11/24/10)
 
  5.24

%

   

12.07

%

   

0.61

%

   

8.34

%

 

The performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return will vary and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance results reflect the effect of leverage from utilization of borrowings under a revolving credit agreement. Current total returns of the Fund can be obtained by visiting our website at cohenandsteers.com. The Fund's returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

REINVESTMENT PLAN

We urge shareholders who want to take advantage of this plan and whose shares are held in 'Street Name' to consult your boker as soon as possible to determine if you must change registration into your own name to participate.

OTHER INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348, (ii) on our website at cohenandsteers.com or (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's (the SEC) website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of each year (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348 or (ii) on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund's Forms N-Q are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348 or (ii) on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

Please note that distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes and are taxable up to the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable income and net realized gains. Distributions in excess of the Fund's investment company taxable income and net realized gains are a return of capital distributed from the Fund's assets. To the extent this occurs, the Fund's shareholders of record will be notified of the estimated amount of capital returned to shareholders for each such distribution and this information will also be available at cohenandsteers.com. The final tax treatment of all distributions is reported to shareholders on their 1099-DIV forms, which are mailed after the close of each calendar year. Distributions of capital decrease the Fund's total assets


34



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Fund's expense ratio. In addition, in order to make these distributions, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities at a less than opportune time.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock in the open market.

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

The Board of Directors of the Fund, including a majority of the directors who are not parties to the Fund's investment advisory agreement (the Management Agreement), or interested persons of any such party (Independent Directors), has the responsibility under the 1940 Act to approve the Fund's Advisory Agreement for its initial two year term and its continuation annually thereafter at a meeting of the Board of Directors called for the purpose of voting on the approval or continuation. At a telephonic meeting of the Board of Directors held on June 9, 2015 and at a meeting held in person on June 16, 2015, the Management Agreement was discussed and was unanimously continued for a term ending June 30, 2016 by the Fund's Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors. The Independent Directors were represented by independent counsel who assisted them in their deliberations during the meeting and executive session.

In considering whether to continue the Management Agreement, the Board of Directors reviewed materials provided by the Fund's investment manager (the Investment Manager) and Fund counsel which included, among other things, fee, expense and performance information compared to peer funds (Peer Funds) and performance comparisons to a larger category universe, prepared by an independent data provider; summary information prepared by the Investment Manager; and a memorandum outlining the legal duties of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors also considered a supplemental peer group compiled by the Investment Manager when evaluating the Fund's performance and fees and expenses; the Investment Manager believes the supplemental peer group is more representative of the Fund's investment strategy. The Board of Directors also spoke directly with representatives of the independent data provider and met with investment advisory personnel. In addition, the Board of Directors considered information provided from time to time by the Investment Advisor throughout the year at meetings of the Board of Directors, including presentations by portfolio managers relating to the investment performance of the Fund and the investment strategies used in pursuing the Fund's objective. In particular, the Board of Directors considered the following:

(i) The nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by the Investment Manager: The Board of Directors reviewed the services that the Investment Manager provides to the Fund, including, but not limited to, making the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund, and generally managing the Fund's investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund. The Board of Directors also discussed with officers and portfolio managers of the Fund the types of transactions that were being done on behalf of the Fund. Additionally, the Board of Directors took into account the services provided by the Investment Manager to its other funds, including those that have investment objectives and strategies similar to the Fund. The Board of Directors next considered the education, background and experience of the Investment Manager's personnel, noting particularly that the favorable history and reputation of the portfolio managers for the Fund has had, and would likely continue to have, a favorable impact on the Fund. The Board of Directors further noted the Investment Manager's ability to attract qualified and experienced personnel. The Board of Directors also considered the administrative services provided


35



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

by the Investment Manager, including compliance and accounting services. After consideration of the above factors, among others, the Board of Directors concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Investment Manager are adequate and appropriate.

(ii) Investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Manager: The Board of Directors considered the investment performance of the Fund compared to Peer Funds and compared to a relevant blended benchmark. The Board of Directors noted that the Fund outperformed the Peer Funds' medians for the one- and three-year periods ended March 31, 2015, ranking the Fund in the second and third quintiles, respectively. The Fund outperformed its blended benchmark for the one- and three-year periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board of Directors further considered the Fund's performance across all periods versus a peer group compiled by the Investment Manager, and noted that the Fund underperformed the Manager peer group median for the one-year period ended March 31, 2015, ranking four out of four, and outperformed the Manager peer group median for the three-year period, ranking two out of four. The Board of Directors engaged in discussions with the Investment Manager regarding the contributors to and detractors from the Fund's performance during the period, as well as the impact of leverage on the Fund's performance. The Board of Directors also considered supplemental information provided by the Investment Manager, including a narrative summary of various factors affecting performance and the Investment Manager 's performance in managing other funds and products investing in preferred securities. The Board of Directors determined that Fund performance, in light of all the considerations noted above, was satisfactory.

(iii) Cost of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Investment Advisor from the relationship with the Fund: Next, the Board of Directors considered the advisory fees and administrative fees payable by the Fund, as well as total expense ratios. As part of its analysis, the Board of Directors gave consideration to the fee and expense analyses provided by the independent data provider. The Board of Directors considered that the Fund's actual and contractual management fees at managed asset levels were less than 0.02% higher than the Peer Funds' medians, each ranking in the fourth quintile, while the actual management fee at common asset levels represented the Peer Funds' median, ranking in the third quintile. The Fund's total expense ratio including investment-related expenses at managed asset levels was lower than the median of the Peer Funds, ranking in the second quintile, and the Fund's total expense ratio including investment-related expenses at common asset levels was less than 0.02% higher than the median of the Peer Funds, ranking the Fund in the fourth quintile. The Board of Directors also noted that the Fund's total expense ratios excluding investment-related expenses were lower than the Peer Funds' medians at managed and common asset levels, ranking in the first and second quintiles, respectively. The Board of Directors further considered the Fund's fees and expenses versus the peer group compiled by the Investment Manager, and noted that the Fund's actual and contractual management fees at managed asset levels were slightly higher (less than 0.01% and 0.02%, respectively) than the Investment Manager peer group medians, ranking three out of four for each; the Fund's actual management fee at common asset levels was lower than the Investment Manager peer group median, ranking two out of four. The Fund's net expense ratios including investment-related expenses at managed and common asset levels were lower than the Investment Manager peer group medians, ranking one out of four for each. The Board of Directors then considered the administrative services provided by the Investment Manager, including compliance and accounting


36



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

services, and further noted that the Fund pays an administration fee to the Investment Advisor. The Board of Directors concluded that the Fund's current expense structure was satisfactory.

The Board of Directors also reviewed information regarding the profitability to the Investment Manager of its relationship with the Fund. The Board of Directors considered the level of the Investment Manager's profits and whether the profits were reasonable for the Investment Manager. The Board of Directors took into consideration other benefits to be derived by the Investment Manager in connection with the Management Agreement, noting particularly the research and related services, within the meaning of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that the Investment Manager receives by allocating the Fund's brokerage transactions. The Board of Directors also considered the fees received by the Investment Manager under the Administration Agreement, and noted the significant services received, such as compliance, accounting and operational services and furnishing office space and facilities for the Fund, and providing persons satisfactory to the Board of Directors to serve as officers of the Fund, and that these services were beneficial to the Fund. The Board of Directors concluded that the profits realized by the Investment Manager from its relationship with the Fund were reasonable and consistent with the Investment Manager's fiduciary duties.

(iv) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee levels would reflect such economies of scale: The Board of Directors noted that, as a closed-end fund, the Fund would not be expected to have inflows of capital that might produce increasing economies of scale. The Board of Directors determined that, given the Fund's closed-end structure, there were not significant economies of scale that were not being shared with shareholders.

(v) Comparison of services to be rendered and fees to be paid to those under other investment advisory contracts, such as contracts of the same and other investment advisers or other clients: As discussed above in (iii), the Board of Directors compared the fees paid under the Management Agreement to those under other investment management contracts of other investment advisers managing Peer Funds. The Board of Directors also compared the services rendered, fees paid and profitability under the Management Agreement to those under the Investment Advisor's other fund management agreements and advisory contracts with institutional and other clients with similar investment mandates. The Board of Directors also considered the entrepreneurial risk and financial exposure assumed by the Investment Manager in developing and managing the Fund that the Investment Advisor does not have with institutional and other clients and other differences in the management of registered investment companies and institutional accounts. The Board of Directors determined that on a comparative basis the fees under the Management Agreement were reasonable in relation to the services provided.

No single factor was cited as determinative to the decision of the Board of Directors. Rather, after weighing all of the considerations and conclusions discussed above, the Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors, unanimously approved the continuation of the Management Agreement.


37



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Cohen & Steers Privacy Policy

Facts

 

What Does Cohen & Steers Do With Your Personal Information?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
• Social Security number and account balances
• Transaction history and account transactions
• Purchase history and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons Cohen & Steers chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

  Does Cohen & Steers
share?
  Can you limit this
sharing?
 
For our everyday business purposes—
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or reports to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes—
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies—

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes—
information about your transactions and experiences
 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes—
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you—

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you—

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call 800-330-7348


38



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Cohen & Steers Privacy Policy—(Continued)

Who we are

     

Who is providing this notice?

 

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Cohen & Steers Asia Limited, Cohen & Steers UK Limited, Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC, Cohen & Steers Private Funds and Cohen & Steers Open- and Closed-End Funds (collectively, Cohen & Steers).

 

What we do

     

How does Cohen & Steers protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We restrict access to your information to those employees who need it to perform their jobs, and also require companies that provide services on our behalf to protect your information.

 

How does Cohen & Steers collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you:
• Open an account or buy securities from us
• Provide account information or give us your contact information
• Make deposits or withdrawals from your account
We also collect your personal information from other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only:
• sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness
• affiliates from using your information to market to you
• sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State law and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
 

Definitions

     

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
• Cohen & Steers does not share with affiliates.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
• Cohen & Steers does not share with non-affiliates.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
• Cohen & Steers does not jointly market.
 


39



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Cohen & Steers Investment Solutions

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in global real estate equity securities

  •  Symbols: CSFAX, CSFCX, CSSPX, GRSRX, CSFZX

COHEN & STEERS INSTITUTIONAL REALTY SHARES

  •  Designed for institutional investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

  •  Symbol: CSRIX

COHEN & STEERS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

  •  Symbols: CSEIX, CSCIX, CSDIX, CIRRX, CSZIX

COHEN & STEERS INTERNATIONAL REALTY FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in international real estate securities

  •  Symbols: IRFAX, IRFCX, IRFIX

COHEN & STEERS REALTY SHARES

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

  •  Symbol: CSRSX

COHEN & STEERS
INSTITUTIONAL GLOBAL REALTY SHARES

  •  Designed for institutional investors seeking total return, investing primarily in global real estate securities

  •  Symbol: GRSIX

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in global infrastructure securities

  •  Symbols: CSUAX, CSUCX, CSUIX, CSURX, CSUZX

COHEN & STEERS DIVIDEND VALUE FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking long-term growth of income and capital appreciation, investing primarily in dividend paying common stocks and preferred stocks

  •  Symbols: DVFAX, DVFCX, DVFIX, DVFRX, DVFZX

COHEN & STEERS
PREFERRED SECURITIES AND INCOME FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return (high current income and capital appreciation), investing primarily in preferred and debt securities

  •  Symbols: CPXAX, CPXCX, CPXIX, CPRRX, CPXZX

COHEN & STEERS REAL ASSETS FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return and the maximization of real returns during inflationary environments by investing primarily in real assets

  •  Symbols: RAPAX, RAPCX, RAPIX, RAPRX, RAPZX

COHEN & STEERS
MLP & ENERGY OPPORTUNITY FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in midstream energy master limited partnership (MLP) units and related stocks

  •  Symbols: MLOAX, MLOCX, MLOIX, MLORX, MLOZX

COHEN & STEERS
ACTIVE COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of exchange-traded commodity future contracts and other commodity-related derivative instruments

  •  Symbols: CDFAX, CDFCX, CDFIX, CDFRX, CDFZX

Distributed by Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC.

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS ETF

  •  Designed for investors who seek a relatively low-cost passive approach for investing in a portfolio of real estate equity securities of companies in a specified index

  •  Symbol: GRI

Distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.

ISHARES COHEN & STEERS
REALTY MAJORS INDEX FUND

  •  Designed for investors who seek a relatively low-cost passive approach for investing in a portfolio of real estate equity securities of companies in a specified index

  •  Symbol: ICF

Distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co.

Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the fund carefully before investing. A summary prospectus and prospectus containing this and other information can be obtained by calling 800-330-7348 or by visiting cohenandsteers.com. Please read the summary prospectus and prospectus carefully before investing.


40



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Robert H. Steers
Director and Chairman

Joseph M. Harvey
Director and Vice President

Michael G. Clark
Director

Bonnie Cohen
Director

George Grossman
Director

Dean Junkans
Director

Richard E. Kroon
Director

Richard J. Norman
Director

Frank K. Ross
Director

C. Edward Ward, Jr.
Director

Adam M. Derechin
President and Chief Executive Officer

William F. Scapell
Vice President

Francis C. Poli
Secretary

James Giallanza
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Lisa D. Phelan
Chief Compliance Officer

Heather Kaden
Deputy Chief Compliance Officer

Tina M. Payne
Assistant Secretary

Neil Bloom
Assistant Treasurer

KEY INFORMATION

Investment Manager

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 832-3232

Co-administrator and Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

Computershare
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(866) 227-0757

Legal Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: PSF

Website: cohenandsteers.com

This report is for shareholder information. This is not a prospectus intended for use in the purchase or sale of Fund shares. Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and your investment may be worth more or less at the time you sell your shares.


41




COHEN & STEERS

SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND

280 PARK AVENUE

NEW YORK, NY 10017

eDelivery NOW AVAILABLE

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Semiannual Report June 30, 2015

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund




 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

 

Included in Item 1 above.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

None.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

None.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based upon their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that these disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by the registrant in the report it files or submits on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms

 



 

and that such material information is accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)  Not applicable.

 

(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(a)(3)  Not applicable.

 

(b) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a- 2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 



 

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.

 

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/ Adam M. Derechin

 

 

Name:

Adam M. Derechin

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date: September 4, 2015

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By:

/s/ Adam M. Derechin

 

 

Name:

Adam M. Derechin

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James Giallanza

 

 

Name:

James Giallanza

 

 

Title:

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: September 4, 2015