UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-Q QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY Investment Company Act file number 811-8497 Name of Fund: Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Fund Address: P.O. Box 9011 Princeton, NJ 08543-9011 Name and address of agent for service: Terry K. Glenn, President, Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc., 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536. Mailing address: P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, NJ 08543-9011 Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (609) 282-2800 Date of fiscal year end: 5/31/04 Date of reporting period: 06/01/04 - 08/31/04 Item 1 - Schedule of Investments Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P Moody's Face Industry+ Ratings Ratings Amount Corporate Bonds Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aerospace & B B2 $ 2,275,000 Alliant Techsystems Inc., 2.75% due $ 2,306,281 Defense - 2/15/2024 (Convertible) (e) 2.5% B+ B1 975,000 Esterline Technologies Corporation, 7.75% due 1,035,937 6/15/2013 B B3 350,000 K & F Industries, Inc., 9.625% due 12/15/2010 387,625 B- Caa1 1,750,000 Standard Aero Holdings, Inc., 8.25% due 1,798,125 9/01/2014(e) B- B3 750,000 TD Funding Corp., 8.375% due 7/15/2011 793,125 B B2 1,800,000 The Titan Corporation, 8% due 5/15/2011 1,858,500 ------------- 8,179,593 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Airlines - BB B1 1,300,000 American Airlines, Inc., 7.80% due 4/01/2008 1,113,159 1.6% Continental Airlines, Inc.: BB- B3 750,000 7.25% due 11/01/2005 639,506 CCC+ Caa2 950,000 8% due 12/15/2005 869,250 B+ B2 552,557 6.541% due 9/15/2009 474,120 BB- B2 1,318,425 7.033% due 6/15/2011 1,022,293 BB+ Ba2 1,328,933 6.90% due 1/02/2017 1,044,708 ------------- 5,163,036 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Automotive - B B3 1,225,000 Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., 8% due 3/15/2014 1,194,375 2.6% B- B3 1,900,000 Autocam Corporation, 10.875% due 6/15/2014(e) 1,919,000 Metaldyne Corporation: B Caa1 2,625,000 11% due 6/15/2012 2,283,750 B B3 1,190,000 10% due 11/01/2013(e) 1,175,125 B Caa1 1,725,000 Stanadyne Corporation (Kohlberg Ownership), 10% 1,785,375 due 8/15/2014(e) ------------- 8,357,625 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broadcasting CCC B3 2,300,000 Granite Broadcasting Corporation, 9.75% due 2,167,750 - 4.7% 12/01/2010 B B1 1,750,000 LIN Television Corporation, 6.50% due 5/15/2013 1,723,750 B- B3 1,375,000 NextMedia Operating, Inc., 10.75% due 7/01/2011 1,540,000 CCC Caa1 2,125,000 Paxson Communications Corporation, 10.75% due 2,135,625 7/15/2008 Salem Communications Holding Corporation: B- B3 1,175,000 7.75% due 12/15/2010 1,222,000 B- B3 1,364,000 9% due 7/01/2011 1,486,760 B B3 3,005,000 Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., 4.875% due 2,775,869 7/15/2018 (Convertible) CCC+ Caa1 2,300,000 Young Broadcasting Inc., 8.75% due 1/15/2014 2,205,125 ------------- 15,256,879 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cable B B3 2,125,000 Kabel Deutschland GmbH, 10.625% due 2,178,125 International 7/01/2014(e) - 1.5% B- B3 2,450,000 NTL Cable PLC, 6.61% due 10/15/2012(d)(e) 2,499,000 ------------- 4,677,125 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P Moody's Face Industry+ Ratings Ratings Amount Corporate Bonds Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cable - Adelphia Communications Corporation (h): U.S. - 7.7% NR* NR* $ 750,000 6% due 2/15/2006 (Convertible) $ 191,250 NR* NR* 1,900,000 12.531%** due 1/15/2008 1,197,000 CCC- Caa1 236,329 Avalon Cable LLC, 11.875% due 12/01/2008 249,327 BB- B1 2,600,000 CSC Holdings, Inc., 7.625% due 4/01/2011 2,697,500 D Caa1 4,850,000 Century Cable Holdings LLC, Term, due 12/31/2009(a) 4,729,759 Charter Communications Holdings, LLC: CCC- Ca 3,500,000 8.625% due 4/01/2009 2,782,500 CCC- Ca 2,000,000 9.625% due 11/15/2009 1,615,000 B- Caa2 3,025,000 Insight Communications Company, Inc., 12.25%** 2,714,938 due 2/15/2011 NR* NR* 1,469,000 Loral Cyberstar, Inc., 10% due 7/15/2006(h) 1,197,235 NR* NR* 950,000 Loral Space & Communications Ltd., 9.50% due 294,500 1/15/2006(h) B+ B2 4,175,000 Mediacom Broadband LLC, 11% due 7/15/2013 4,519,437 CCC+ Caa1 2,850,000 Rainbow National Services LLC, 10.375% due 9/01/2014(e) 2,949,750 ------------- 25,138,196 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chemicals - B- B3 2,375,000 BCP Caylux Holdings Luxembourg SCA, 9.625% 2,550,156 13.0% due 6/15/2014(e) Crompton Corporation (e): B B1 1,875,000 7.67% due 8/01/2010(d) 1,917,187 B B1 2,175,000 9.875% due 8/01/2012 2,262,000 B+ B3 1,575,000 Geon Company, 6.875% due 12/15/2005 1,639,969 CCC+ NR* 2,200,000 HMP Equity Holdings Corporation, 14.909%** due 1,298,000 5/15/2008 CCC+ Caa2 2,025,000 Huntsman International Holdings LLC, 13.898%** 1,032,750 due 12/31/2009 Huntsman International LLC: B- B3 525,000 9.875% due 3/01/2009 567,000 CCC+ Caa1 2,500,000 10.125% due 7/01/2009 2,575,000 BB- B1 2,025,000 ISP Chemco Inc., 10.25% due 7/01/2011 2,252,812 B+ B2 1,575,000 ISP Holdings, Inc., 10.625% due 12/15/2009 1,732,500 B- B3 1,175,000 Innophos, Inc., 8.875% due 8/15/2014(e) 1,222,000 BB- B1 3,025,000 Millennium America Inc., 7% due 11/15/2006 3,108,188 Nalco Company (e): B- B2 450,000 7.75% due 11/15/2011 479,250 B- Caa1 1,125,000 8.875% due 11/15/2013 1,213,594 B- Caa2 3,500,000 Nalco Finance Holdings Inc., 9.037%** due 2,485,000 2/01/2014(e) BB- B2 3,125,000 Omnova Solutions Inc., 11.25% due 6/01/2010 3,437,500 NR* NR* 725,000 PCI Chemicals, Canada, 10% due 12/31/2008 706,875 B+ B3 3,125,000 PolyOne Corporation, 10.625% due 5/15/2010 3,398,438 B- B3 1,825,000 Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc., 10.625% due 1,989,250 5/15/2011 B- Caa1 3,025,000 Terra Capital, Inc., 11.50% due 6/01/2010 3,372,875 B- B1 2,830,000 Wellman, Inc., Second Lien Term, due 2,796,982 2/10/2010(a) ------------- 42,037,326 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P Moody's Face Industry+ Ratings Ratings Amount Corporate Bonds Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consumer - B- Caa1 $ 1,350,000 Sealy Mattress Company, 8.25% due 6/15/2014(e) $ 1,393,875 Durables - B B2 785,000 Tempur-Pedic, Inc., 10.25% due 8/15/2010 883,125 0.7% ------------- 2,277,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consumer- Non- Chattem, Inc.: Durables - B+ Ba3 650,000 4.79% due 3/01/2010(d) 667,875 2.1% B- B2 600,000 7% due 3/01/2014 594,000 B B3 3,125,000 Hines Nurseries, Inc., 10.25% due 10/01/2011 3,281,250 B- B3 2,200,000 Samsonite Corporation, 8.875% due 6/01/2011(e) 2,266,000 ------------- 6,809,125 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diversified B- B3 2,150,000 CBD Media LLC, 8.625% due 6/01/2011 2,273,625 Media - B B2 850,000 Cadmus Communications Corporation, 8.375% due 903,125 5.9% 6/15/2014(e) B B2 1,367,000 Dex Media West LLC, 9.875% due 8/15/2013 1,572,050 B B2 2,650,000 Houghton Mifflin Company, 8.25% due 2/01/2011 2,732,812 BBB- Baa3 3,800,000 Liberty Media Corporation, 0.75% 4,175,250 due 3/30/2023 (Convertible) B B3 875,000 Primedia Inc., 7.625% due 4/01/2008 857,500 R.H. Donnelley Financial Corporation I (e): BB B1 200,000 8.875% due 12/15/2010 225,250 B+ B2 725,000 10.875% due 12/15/2012 857,313 CCC+ B3 2,450,000 Six Flags, Inc., 9.50% due 2/01/2009 2,376,500 BB- B1 3,302,000 Yell Finance BV, 12.52%** due 8/01/2011 3,153,410 ------------- 19,126,835 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Energy- CCC+ Caa1 825,000 Continental Resources, Inc., 10.25% due 8/01/2008 852,844 Exploration Plains Exploration & Production Company: & Production - B+ Ba3 825,000 8.75% due 7/01/2012 919,875 1.1% B B2 1,700,000 8.75% due 7/01/2012 1,895,500 ------------- 3,668,219 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Energy B B2 1,875,000 Dresser, Inc., 9.375% due 4/15/2011 2,015,625 Other - 4.4% B B2 2,075,000 Ferrellgas Partners LP, 8.75% due 6/15/2012 2,261,750 BBB Baa2 2,300,000 Halliburton Company, 3.125% due 2,495,500 7/15/2023 (Convertible) (e) CCC B3 3,750,000 Ocean Rig Norway AS, 10.25% due 6/01/2008 3,726,563 Star Gas Partners, LP: B B3 2,250,000 10.25% due 2/15/2013 2,430,000 B B3 500,000 10.25% due 2/15/2013(e) 540,000 D Ca 2,025,000 Trico Marine Services, Inc., 8.875% due 972,000 5/15/2012(h) ------------- 14,441,438 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial - B B3 2,900,000 Refco Finance Holdings LLC, 9% due 8/01/2012(e) 3,001,500 0.9% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P Moody's Face Industry+ Ratings Ratings Amount Corporate Bonds Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Food/ B B3 $ 750,000 American Seafoods Group LLC, 10.125% due $ 819,375 Tobacco - 4/15/2010 5.4% Commonwealth Brands, Inc. (e): B- B2 1,925,000 9.75% due 4/15/2008 2,035,687 B- B3 1,475,000 10.625% due 9/01/2008 1,559,813 B+ Ba3 3,250,000 Cott Beverages, Inc., 8% due 12/15/2011 3,522,187 B B2 1,250,000 Del Monte Corporation, 8.625% due 12/15/2012 1,390,625 CCC B2 2,200,000 Doane Pet Care Company, 10.75% due 3/01/2010 2,332,000 B- B3 1,275,000 Merisant Company, 9.50% due 7/15/2013(e) 1,275,000 NR* NR* 1,950,000 New World Pasta Company, 9.25% due 136,500 2/15/2009(h) BB Ba2 2,100,000 Smithfield Foods, Inc., 8% due 10/15/2009 2,283,750 B- Caa1 1,250,000 Tabletop Holdings, Inc., 12.25%** due 5/15/2014(e) 731,250 B+ B2 1,375,000 The Wornick Company, 10.875% due 7/15/2011(e) 1,443,750 ------------- 17,529,937 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gaming - B+ B1 3,250,000 Boyd Gaming Corporation, 8.75% due 4/15/2012 3,575,000 6.8% B B3 1,925,000 Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino, 12% 2,175,250 due 11/15/2010 BB+ Ba1 1,550,000 MGM Mirage Inc., 8.50% due 9/15/2010 1,743,750 B B2 3,625,000 The Majestic Star Casino, LLC, 9.50% due 3,706,562 10/15/2010 BB- Ba2 2,325,000 Park Place Entertainment Corporation, 7.875% due 2,580,750 3/15/2010 CCC+ Caa1 1,425,000 Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 8.25% due 3/15/2012 1,432,125 B B2 2,575,000 Poster Financial Group, Inc., 8.75% due 12/01/2011 2,639,375 B B2 2,700,000 Resorts International Hotel and Casino, Inc., 3,064,500 11.50% due 3/15/2009 CCC+ B3 987,000 Wynn Las Vegas, LLC, 12% due 11/01/2010 1,214,010 ------------- 22,131,322 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Government - Federal Republic of Brazil: Foreign - BB- B1 1,114,132 8% due 4/15/2014 1,090,512 1.5% B+ B1 1,625,000 10.50% due 7/14/2014 1,742,812 B+ B1 1,900,000 10.125% due 5/15/2027 1,923,750 ------------- 4,757,074 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Health Care - Alpharma, Inc.: 6.6% CCC+ NR* 1,900,000 3% due 6/01/2006 (Convertible) 2,341,750 B- B3 2,100,000 8.625% due 5/01/2011(e) 2,105,250 A- NR* 1,900,000 Chiron Corporation, 2.75% due 1,985,500 6/30/2034 (Convertible) (e) BB+ Ba3 2,902,000 Fisher Scientific International Inc., 8.125% due 3,221,220 5/01/2012 B+ Ba3 3,750,000 Fresenius Medical Care Capital Trust II, 7.875% 4,003,125 due 2/01/2008 NR* NR* 2,825,000 HealthSouth Corporation, 8.375% due 10/01/2011 2,768,500 Tenet Healthcare Corporation: B- B3 1,000,000 5.375% due 11/15/2006 1,007,500 B- B3 1,125,000 9.875% due 7/01/2014(e) 1,172,813 B- B2 2,675,000 US Oncology, Inc., 9% due 8/15/2012(e) 2,802,063 ------------- 21,407,721 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P Moody's Face Industry+ Ratings Ratings Amount Corporate Bonds Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Housing - Building Materials Corporation of America: 3.4% B+ B2 $ 400,000 7.75% due 7/15/2005 $ 405,000 B+ B2 1,050,000 8% due 10/15/2007 1,063,125 B+ B2 5,325,000 8% due 12/01/2008 5,364,937 BB- Ba3 650,000 Forest City Enterprises, Inc., 7.625% due 6/01/2015 666,250 B- B3 1,875,000 Nortek, Inc., 8.50% due 9/01/2014(e) 1,954,688 BB- B1 1,475,000 Texas Industries, Inc., 10.25% due 6/15/2011 1,681,500 ------------- 11,135,500 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information BB+ Ba2 1,925,000 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 4.38% due 1,958,687 Technology - 7/15/2009(d)(e) 1.7% B- B3 1,150,000 UGS Corp., 10% due 6/01/2012(e) 1,253,500 CCC+ Caa2 2,350,000 Viasystems, Inc., 10.50% due 1/15/2011 2,267,750 ------------- 5,479,937 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leisure - FelCor Lodging LP: 1.7% B- B1 2,850,000 5.84% due 6/01/2011(d)(e) 2,864,250 B- B1 1,550,000 9% due 6/01/2011 1,689,500 B+ B1 1,050,000 Intrawest Corporation, 7.50% due 10/15/2013 1,065,750 ------------- 5,619,500 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manu- CCC+ Caa1 800,000 Columbus McKinnon Corporation, 8.50% due 780,000 facturing - 4/01/2008 6.5% B- B2 925,000 Da-Lite Screen Company, Inc., 9.50% due 971,250 5/15/2011(e) B- B3 2,500,000 Eagle-Picher Incorporated, 9.75% due 9/01/2013 2,693,750 B- B3 3,450,000 Invensys PLC, 9.875% due 3/15/2011(e) 3,501,750 B B2 2,475,000 JohnsonDiversey, Inc., 9.625% due 5/15/2012 2,772,000 B- Caa1 1,175,000 Mueller Group, Inc., 10% due 5/01/2012(e) 1,266,063 B- B3 775,000 Rexnord Corporation, 10.125% due 12/15/2012 875,750 B- Caa1 975,000 Sensus Metering Systems Inc., 8.625% due 955,500 12/15/2013(e) B B3 1,825,000 Superior Essex Communications LLC, 9% due 1,797,625 4/15/2012(e) B B3 3,125,000 TriMas Corporation, 9.875% due 6/15/2012 3,312,500 BBB Baa3 1,605,000 Tyco International Group SA, 2.75% due 1/15/2018 (Convertible) 2,307,188 ------------- 21,233,376 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P Moody's Face Industry+ Ratings Ratings Amount Corporate Bonds Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Metal - BB- B1 $ 1,200,000 Century Aluminum Company, 7.50% due $ 1,233,000 Other - 2.2% 8/15/2014(e) B B1 1,150,000 Foundation PA Coal Company, 7.25% due 1,210,375 8/01/2014(e) BB Ba3 2,925,000 Luscar Coal Ltd., 9.75% due 10/15/2011 3,297,937 NR* Ba1 1,375,000 Vale Overseas Ltd., 8.25% due 1/17/2034 1,306,250 ------------- 7,047,562 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Packaging - CCC B3 1,400,000 Consolidated Container Company LLC, 10.75%** due 1,120,000 6.7% 6/15/2009(e) Crown Euro Holdings SA: B+ B1 950,000 9.50% due 3/01/2011 1,054,500 B B2 500,000 10.875% due 3/01/2013 581,250 CCC+ Caa1 950,000 Graham Packaging Company, 8.75% due 1/15/2008 976,125 CCC+ Caa2 2,625,000 Graham Packaging Holdings Company, 10.75% 2,726,719 due 1/15/2009 Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.: BB- B2 3,325,000 8.875% due 2/15/2009 3,615,938 B B3 775,000 8.25% due 5/15/2013 817,625 Pliant Corporation: B B3 2,200,000 11.125%** due 6/15/2009 1,941,500 B- Caa2 3,550,000 13% due 6/01/2010 3,266,000 CCC Caa2 1,975,000 Tekni-Plex, Inc., 12.75% due 6/15/2010 1,905,875 U.S. Can Corporation: CCC+ Caa1 375,000 10.875% due 7/15/2010 390,000 CCC+ Caa2 2,825,000 12.375% due 10/01/2010 2,613,125 B B2 650,000 Wise Metals Group LLC, 10.25% due 5/15/2012(e) 653,250 ------------- 21,661,907 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paper - 7.0% D NR* 1,000,000 APP International Finance Company B.V., 11.75% 495,000 due 10/01/2005(h) BB Ba2 2,675,000 Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., 5.02% due 2,728,500 6/15/2011(d)(e) BB Ba2 3,025,000 Bowater Incorporated, 4.88% due 3/15/2010(d) 3,009,875 B Caa1 2,125,000 Caraustar Industries, Inc., 9.875% due 4/01/2011 2,247,187 Georgia-Pacific Corporation: BB+ Ba2 1,425,000 7.375% due 7/15/2008 1,556,812 BB+ Ba2 1,200,000 9.375% due 2/01/2013 1,413,000 Graphic Packaging International Inc.: B- B2 825,000 8.50% due 8/15/2011 915,750 B- B3 950,000 9.50% due 8/15/2013 1,064,000 B B3 1,900,000 JSG Funding PLC, 9.625% due 10/01/2012 2,137,500 B B2 2,975,000 Jefferson Smurfit Corporation, 8.25% due 3,242,750 10/01/2012 Norske Skog Canada Ltd.: BB Ba3 2,450,000 8.625% due 6/15/2011 2,652,125 BB Ba3 150,000 7.375% due 3/01/2014 152,625 NR* NR* 1,003,000 Western Forest Products Inc., 15% due 7/28/2009(g) 1,123,360 ------------- 22,738,484 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P Moody's Face Industry+ Ratings Ratings Amount Corporate Bonds Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Retail - 0.5% B+ B1 $ 275,000 Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation, 8.375% due $ 292,875 6/01/2012(e) B B3 1,250,000 The Jean Coutu Group, Inc., 8.50% due 8/01/2014(e) 1,259,375 ------------- 1,552,250 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Services - BB- Ba3 2,625,000 Allied Waste North America, Inc., 8.875% due 2,880,938 5.7% 4/01/2008 B B2 825,000 Buhrmann US Inc., 8.25% due 7/01/2014(e) 827,062 B- B2 2,900,000 The Coinmach Corporation, 9% due 2/01/2010(e) 2,936,250 B B1 2,725,000 Corrections Corporation of America, 7.50% due 2,868,062 5/01/2011 BB- Ba2 875,000 MSW Energy Holdings II LLC, 7.375% due 910,000 9/01/2010 BB Ba1 1,500,000 MSW Energy Holdings LLC, 8.50% due 9/01/2010 1,635,000 B+ B2 1,875,000 United Rentals (North America), Inc., 7.75% due 1,743,750 11/15/2013 CCC Ca 775,000 Waste Services, Inc., 9.50% due 4/15/2014(e) 685,875 Williams Scotsman, Inc.: B- B3 3,750,000 9.875% due 6/01/2007 3,693,750 B B2 375,000 10% due 8/15/2008 410,625 ------------- 18,591,312 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steel - 0.9% B+ B1 1,425,000 CSN Islands VIII Corp., 9.75% due 12/16/2013(e) 1,417,875 B B2 1,200,000 UCAR Finance Inc., 10.25% due 2/15/2012 1,362,000 ------------- 2,779,875 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tele- ADC Telecommunications, Inc. (Convertible): communi- NR* NR* 2,200,000 1% due 6/15/2008 1,996,500 cations- 6.9% NR* NR* 750,000 2.235% due 6/15/2013 (d) 704,063 B- B2 2,475,000 Alaska Communications System Holdings, Inc., 2,475,000 9.875% due 8/15/2011 B- B3 2,850,000 Cincinnati Bell Inc., 8.375% due 1/15/2014 2,522,250 B- Caa1 3,250,000 FairPoint Communications, Inc., 12.50% due 3,477,500 5/01/2010 NR* Caa1 2,750,000 LCI International, Inc., 7.25% due 6/15/2007 2,433,750 B Caa2 1,725,000 Qwest Capital Funding, Inc., 7.25% due 2/15/2011 1,474,875 B Caa1 1,350,000 Qwest Services Corp., 14% due 12/15/2010(e) 1,569,375 NR* NR* 1,000,000 Terremark Worldwide, Inc., 9% due 956,250 6/15/2009 (Convertible) (e) B B1 850,000 Time Warner Telecom Holdings, Inc., 5.711% due 828,750 2/15/2011(d) Time Warner Telecom, Inc.: CCC+ B3 500,000 9.75% due 7/15/2008 485,000 CCC+ B3 3,875,000 10.125% due 2/01/2011 3,642,500 ------------- 22,565,813 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trans- B+ B2 1,900,000 Laidlaw International, Inc., 10.75% due 6/15/2011 2,166,000 portation - BB- Ba2 2,325,000 Teekay Shipping Corporation, 8.875% due 1.5% 7/15/2011 2,606,906 ------------- 4,772,906 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P Moody's Face Industry+ Ratings Ratings Amount Corporate Bonds Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Utility - The AES Corporation: 12.3% B- B2 $ 4,458,000 9.375% due 9/15/2010 $ 4,959,525 B+ B1 2,100,000 8.75% due 5/15/2013(e) 2,336,250 NR* NR* 850,000 AES Drax Energy Limited, 11.50% due 4,250 8/30/2010(h) CCC+ Caa1 7,325,000 Calpine Canada Energy Finance ULC, 8.50% due 4,669,687 5/01/2008 Calpine Corporation: CCC+ Caa1 1,500,000 8.25% due 8/15/2005 1,462,500 CCC+ Caa1 950,000 8.75% due 7/15/2007 693,500 BBB- Ba2 4,600,000 CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 3.75% due 5,244,000 5/15/2023 (Convertible) BB Ba1 2,071,000 ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp., 7.99% due 2,143,485 12/30/2011 B B1 1,900,000 Edison Mission Energy, 9.875% due 4/15/2011 2,180,250 CCC+ Caa1 4,625,000 El Paso CGP Company, 7.75% due 6/15/2010 4,445,781 CCC B3 2,625,000 Mission Energy Holding Company, 13.50% due 3,300,938 7/15/2008 Nevada Power Company: BB Ba2 3,300,000 10.875% due 10/15/2009 3,811,500 BB Ba2 600,000 9% due 8/15/2013 672,000 BB Ba2 1,650,000 Sierra Pacific Power Company, 8% due 6/01/2008 1,765,500 B- B2 1,200,000 Sierra Pacific Resources, 8.625% due 3/15/2014(e) 1,260,000 B- B1 925,000 Southern Natural Gas Company, 8.875% due 3/15/2010 1,040,625 ------------- 39,989,791 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wireless - CCC B3 825,000 American Tower Escrow Corporation, 14.887%** due 615,656 3.1% 8/01/2008 CCC Caa1 2,000,000 Centennial Communications Corp., 10.125% due 2,055,000 6/15/2013 CCC B3 2,800,000 Crown Castle International Corp., 3,234,000 9.375% due 8/01/2011 B- B2 625,000 Rural Cellular Corporation, 6.38% due 634,375 3/15/2010(d)(e) CCC- Caa2 2,950,000 SBA Communications Corporation, 10.25% due 3,104,875 2/01/2009 CC Caa1 400,000 UbiquiTel Operating Company, 11.347%** due 5/15/2010 410,000 ------------- 10,053,906 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Investments in Corporate Bonds 419,182,070 (Cost - $403,274,579) -- 129.1% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Held Common Stocks ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Airlines - 0.1% 81,243 ABX Air, Inc.(c) 472,022 2,590 US Airways Group, Inc. (Class A) (j) 5,569 ------------- 477,591 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Industry+ Held Common Stocks Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cable - International - 0.8% 223,671 Telewest Global, Inc. (c) $ 2,583,400 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paper - 0.6% 183,923 Western Forest Products Inc. (c) 1,507,566 45,762 Western Forest Products Inc. (Restricted Shares)(c)(e) 375,098 ------------- 1,882,664 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telecommunications - 0.1% 16,244 MCI, Inc.(c) 279,722 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Investments in Common Stocks (Cost - $5,386,161) - 1.6% 5,223,377 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preferred Stocks ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Airlines - 0.0% 1,589 US Airways Group, Inc. (j) 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Automotive - 1.1% 128,000 General Motors Corporation (Convertible) 3,563,520 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Investments in Preferred Stocks (Cost - $3,199,472) - 1.1% 3,563,520 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Warrants (b) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Airlines - 0.0% 1,589 US Airways Group, Inc. 953 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cable - U.S. - 0.0% 32,981 Loral Space & Communications Ltd. 165 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Health Care - 0.0% 32,042 HealthSouth Corporation 72,095 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Packaging - 0.0% 4,000 Pliant Corporation 40 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paper - 0.0% 700 JSG Funding PLC 7,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wireless - 0.1% 825 American Tower Escrow Corporation 152,625 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Investments in Warrants (Cost - $112,171) -- 0.1% 232,878 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (continued) (in U.S. dollars) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beneficial Interest Other Interests (f) Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 3,780,240 US Airways Group, Inc. - Certificate of Beneficial $ 1,134,072 Interest ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Investments in Other Interests (Cost - $1,020,665) - 0.3% 1,134,072 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Investments ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,272,408 Merrill Lynch Liquidity Series, LLC Cash Sweep 1,272,408 Series I (i) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Short-Term Investments 1,272,408 (Cost - $1,272,408) -- 0.4% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Investments (Cost - $414,265,456***) - 132.6% 430,608,325 Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (32.6%) (105,967,456) ------------- Net Assets - 100.0% $ 324,640,869 ============= -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Floating rate corporate loans in which the Fund invests generally pays interest at rates that are periodically redetermined by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium. The base lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate offered by one or more major European banks, such as LIBOR (London InterBank Offered Rate), (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major U.S. banks or (iii) the certificate of deposit rate. Corporate loans represent 2.3% of the Fund's net assets. (b) Warrants entitle the Fund to purchase a predetermined number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date. (c) Non-income producing security. (d) Floating rate note. (e) The security may be offered and sold to "qualified institutional buyers" under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. (f) Other interests represent beneficial interest in liquidation trusts and other reorganization entities. (g) Represents a pay-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional face/shares. (h) Non-income producing - issuer filed for bankruptcy or is in default of interest payments. (i) Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Fund (such companies are defined as "Affiliated Companies" in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) were as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Interest Affiliate Activity Income -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Liquidity Series, LLC Cash Sweep Series I $1,189,909 $1,132 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (j) Non-income producing security. Company is in bankruptcy. 10 Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Schedule of Investments as of August 31, 2004 (concluded) (in U.S. dollars) + For Fund compliance purposes, "Industry" means any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classification for reporting ease. * Not Rated. ** Represents a zero coupon or step bond; the interest rate shown reflects the effective yield at the time of purchase by the Fund. *** The cost and unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments as of August 31, 2004, as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as follows: Aggregate cost $ 414,478,949 =============== Gross unrealized appreciation $ 26,890,927 Gross unrealized depreciation (10,761,551) --------------- Net unrealized appreciation $ 16,129,376 =============== Swaps outstanding as of August 31, 2004 were as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notional Unrealized Amount Appreciation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Receive a variable rate equal to 1-month USD LIBOR and pay a fixed rate of 1.56% Broker, UBS Warburg Expires June 2005 $30,000,000 $146,713 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Item 2 - Controls and Procedures 2(a) - The registrant's certifying officers have reasonably designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared. The registrant's certifying officers have determined that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on our evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report. 2(b) - There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the last fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Item 3 - Exhibits Certifications - Attached hereto 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. Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. By: /s/ Terry K. Glenn ---------------------- Terry K. Glenn, President of Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Date: October 18, 2004 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/ Terry K. Glenn ---------------------- Terry K. Glenn, President of Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Date: October 18, 2004 By: /s/ Donald C. Burke ---------------------- Donald C. Burke, Chief Financial Officer of Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. Date: October 18, 2004