UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR/A

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NUMBER: 811-21484

 

   
EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER:   Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
   
     
ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:  

2020 Calamos Court

Naperville, Illinois 60563-2787

     
   
NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE:  

John P. Calamos, Sr., Founder, Chairman and
Global Chief Investment Officer
Calamos Advisors LLC
2020 Calamos Court
Naperville, Illinois
60563-2787

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (630) 245-7200

DATE OF FISCAL YEAR END: October 31, 2017

DATE OF REPORTING PERIOD: November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2017

 

 
 

Item 1. Report to Shareholders

 

(COVER PAGE)
TIMELY INFORMATION INSIDE
Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ)
ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER 31, 2017
 
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Experience and Foresight

Our Managed Distribution Policy 

Closed-end fund investors often seek a steady stream of income. Recognizing this important need, Calamos closed-end funds adhere to a managed distribution policy in which we aim to provide consistent monthly distributions through the disbursement of the following:

 

●     Net investment income

 

●     Net realized short-term capital gains

 

●     Net realized long-term capital gains

 

●     And, if necessary, return of capital

 

We set distributions at levels that we believe are sustainable for the long term. Our team focuses on delivering an attractive monthly distribution, while maintaining a long-term emphasis on risk management. The level of the funds’ distributions can be greatly influenced by market conditions, including the interest rate environment, the individual performance of securities held by the funds, our view of retaining leverage, fund tax considerations, and regulatory requirements.

 

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s plan. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may amend or terminate the managed distribution policy at any time without prior notice to the Fund’s shareholders.

 

For more information about any Calamos closed-end funds, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor or Calamos Investments at 800.582.6959 (Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Central Time). You can also visit us at www.calamos.com.

 

Note: The Fund will adopt the managed distribution policy on January 1, 2018.

TABLE OF CONTENTS    
     
Letter to Shareholders 1  
     
The Calamos Closed-End Funds:
An Overview
5  
     
Investment Team Discussion 6  
     
Schedule of Investments 10  
     
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 24  
     
Statement of Operations 25  
     
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 26  
     
Statement of Cash Flows 27  
     
Notes to Financial Statements 28  
     
Financial Highlights 36  
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 37  
     
Trustee Approval of Management Agreement 38  
     
Tax Information 40  
     
Trustees and Officers 41  
     
About Closed-End Funds 43  
     
Managed Distribution Policy 44  
     
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan 44  
     

 

 

 

Letter to Shareholders

 

-s- JOHN P. CALAMOS 

JOHN  P. CALAMOS, SR.
Founder, Chairman
and Global Chief
Investment Officer

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder: 

 

Welcome to your annual report for the one-year period ended October 31, 2017. In this report, you will find commentary from the Calamos portfolio management team, as well as a listing of portfolio holdings, financial statements and highlights, and detailed information about the performance and positioning of the Calamos Funds. I encourage you to review this information carefully.

  

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ) is an income-oriented total return fund. This means we are focused not only on delivering a competitive stream of distributions, but also on total return. We utilize dynamic asset allocation to pursue high current income with a less rate-sensitive approach, while also maintaining a focus on capital gains.

  

Distribution

  

During the period, the Fund provided a compelling monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share. We believe the Fund’s current annualized distribution rate, which was 8.03%* on a market price basis as of October 31, 2017, was very competitive, given the low interest rates in many segments of the bond market. In our view, the Fund’s distributions illustrate the benefits of a multi-asset class approach and flexible allocation strategy.

  

We understand that many closed-end fund investors seek steady, predictable distributions instead of distributions that fluctuate. We aim to keep distributions consistent from month to month, and at a level that we believe can be sustained over the long term. In setting the Fund’s distribution rate, the investment management team and the Fund’s Board of Trustees consider the interest rate, market and economic environment. We also factor in our assessment of individual securities and asset classes.

 

*       

Current Annualized Distribution Rate is the Fund’s most recent distribution, expressed as an annualized percentage of the Fund’s current market price per share. The Fund’s 10/16/17 distribution was $0.0825 per share. Based on our current estimates, we anticipate that approximately $0.0825 is paid from ordinary income or capital gains and that approximately $0.0000 represents a return of capital. Estimates are calculated on a tax basis rather than on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, but should not be used for tax reporting purposes. Distributions are subject to re-characterization for tax purposes after the end of the fiscal year. This information is not legal or tax advice. Consult a professional regarding your specific legal or tax matters. Under the Fund’s level rate distribution policy, distributions paid to common shareholders may include net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains and return of capital. When the net investment income and net realized short-term capital gains are not sufficient, a portion of the level rate distribution will be a return of capital. In addition, a limited number of distributions per calendar year may include net realized long-term capital gains. The distribution rate may vary.



CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT           1

 

 

 

Letter to Shareholders

Market Review

 

During the reporting period, confidence in the synchronized global growth narrative grew against a backdrop of improving economic data and healthy corporate earnings. Stocks posted strong returns and a number of bellwether market gauges reached new heights. From a geographic perspective, gains were broad based, with U.S., developed markets and emerging markets stocks advancing briskly.1 Convertible securities, which blend attributes of both stocks and bonds, participated in a large measure of the stock market’s upside, both in the U.S. and globally.2 Within the fixed income markets, more economically sensitive high-yield securities continued to perform well3 as investors maintained an appetite for risk and yield. However, as the Federal Reserve maintained a gradual course of raising short-term interest rates and investors gravitated toward stocks, traditional fixed-income securities, such as investment grade bonds, encountered headwinds.4

 

Our Use of Leverage**

 

We have the flexibility to utilize leverage in this Fund. Over the long term, we believe that the judicious use of leverage provides us with opportunities to enhance total return and support the Fund’s distribution rate. Leverage strategies typically entail borrowing at short-term interest rates and investing the proceeds at higher rates of return. During the reporting period, we believed the prudent use of leverage would be advantageous given the economic environment, specifically the low borrowing costs we were able to secure. Overall, we believe the use of leverage will contribute favorably to the returns of the Fund, as we anticipate that the performance of the Fund’s holdings will exceed the cost of borrowing.

 

Outlook

 

Looking forward, we believe global economic conditions can provide a supportive backdrop for the markets. The U.S. recovery is mature but still has steam, while other major economies are in earlier stages of recovery. As global growth continues, we see additional upside in the global business cycle and, in turn, for stocks, convertible securities and select areas of the high-yield market.

 

While our outlook is constructive, our teams are watchful of potential downside risks. Among them, the policies of global central banks are moving away from the exceedingly accommodative stances of past years. We are also mindful of global political instability, strained trade relationships, heated rhetoric between the U.S. and North Korea, potential deceleration in China, and high levels of corporate debt.

 

**    

Leverage creates risks that may adversely affect return, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of common shares, and fluctuations in the variable rates of the leverage financing. The Fund has a non-fundamental policy that it will not issue preferred shares, borrow money, or issue debt securities with an aggregate liquidation preference and aggregate principal amount exceeding 38% of the Fund’s managed assets as measured immediately after the issuance of any preferred shares or debt.

 

2           CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

Letter to Shareholders

 

 

Further, valuations are stretched in some areas of the market, and we may see consolidation and sector rotation. Given the sustained rally in equities, we would not be surprised to see a pause or even a correction. In an environment of economic expansion, downside volatility could provide buying opportunities for our team’s long-term approach.

 

Calamos at 40 Years: A Look Back … and Ahead

 

Calamos Investments celebrated its 40-year anniversary earlier this year. Much has changed since I founded the firm in 1977. Some changes, such as the rise of passive strategies, are concerning to me—especially given our view that the markets will increasingly require experienced and active management.

 

However, many of these changes are quite positive, such as an increased focus on global asset allocation. I’m also encouraged by the growing role of liquid alternative strategies in investors’ portfolios. For decades, we have offered risk-managed global and alternative strategies as a way to potentially mitigate risk, enhance returns, and generate income in innovative ways. We’ve continued to expand our capabilities in both areas, always guided by the asset allocation needs of investors.

 

When markets are going up as they have been, investors may be more inclined to put financial planning and asset allocation on cruise control. While that’s understandable, I encourage you to take some time to check in with your financial advisor to ensure your portfolio is aligned with your goals and risk tolerance. Throughout the years, I’ve seen the markets change directions quite suddenly in a short period, often catching investors off guard. The allocations of your portfolio will also shift over time as investments appreciate at different rates. Regardless of the direction of the market, a periodic check in with your advisor can be a smart strategy, and as I have noted in the past, the new year presents a good opportunity for these conversations.

 

As always, we thank you for your continued trust. The longevity and success of our firm over these 40 years is a reflection of the trust you have placed in us. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals over the coming decades.

 

Please visit our website www.calamos.com often. You will find a wealth of resources and commentary on the markets, asset allocation and our funds.

 

Sincerely,

-s- John P. Calamos 

John P. Calamos, Sr.
Founder, Chairman and Global Chief Investment Officer

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT          3

 

 

 

Letter to Shareholders

 

Before investing, carefully consider a fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Please see the prospectus containing this and other information or call 800.582.6959. Please read the prospectus carefully. Performance data represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

  1The MSCI All Country World Index is a measure of global stock market performance, which returned 23.86% for the one-year period ending October 31, 2017. The MSCI World Index is a market-capitalization weighted index composed of companies representative of the market structure of developed market countries in North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. For the one-year period ended, the index returned 23.46%. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. For the one-year period, the index returned 23.63%. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index considered broadly representative of emerging market equity performance. The index represents companies within the constituent emerging markets that are available to investors worldwide, and it returned 26.91% for the one-year period ended October 31, 2017.  
      
  2

The ICE BofAML All U.S. Convertibles ex-Mandatory Index represents the U.S. convertible securities market excluding mandatory convertibles. The index returned 20.69% for the one-year period ending October 31, 2017. The ICE BofAML Global 300 Convertible Index is a global convertible index composed of companies representative of the market structure of countries in North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. The index returned 16.13% for the one-year period ended October 31, 2017.

 
       
  3

The Credit Suisse U.S. High Yield Index is an unmanaged index of high yield debt securities, which returned 9.04% for the one-year period ending October 31, 2017.

 
      
  4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is considered generally representative of the investment-grade bond market. For the one-year period ending October 31, 2017, the index returned 0.90%.

 

 

Sources: Lipper, Inc.; Morningstar, Inc.

 

Unmanaged index returns assume reinvestment of any and all distributions and, unlike fund returns, do not reflect fees, expenses or sales charges. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Investments in overseas markets pose special risks, including currency fluctuation and political risks. These risks are generally intensified for investments in emerging markets. Countries, regions, and sectors mentioned are presented to illustrate countries, regions, and sectors in which a fund may invest. Fund holdings are subject to change daily. The Funds are actively managed.

 

The information contained herein is based on internal research derived from various sources and does not purport to be statements of all material facts relating to the securities mentioned. The information contained herein, while not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness, has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. There are certain risks involved with investing in convertible securities in addition to market risk, such as call risk, dividend risk, liquidity risk and default risk, that should be carefully considered prior to investing. This information is being provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or an offer to buy or sell any security in the portfolio. Investments in alternative strategies may not be suitable for all investors.

 

This report is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

 

4           CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

  

The Calamos Closed-End Funds: An Overview

 

In our closed-end funds, we draw upon decades of investment experience, including a long history of opportunistically blending asset classes in an attempt to capture upside potential while seeking to manage downside risk. We launched our first closed-end fund in 2002.

 

Closed-end funds are long-term investments. Most focus on providing monthly distributions, but there are important differences among individual closed-end funds. Calamos closed-end funds can be grouped into multiple categories that seek to produce income while offering exposure to various asset classes and sectors.

  

Portfolios Positioned to Pursue High Current Income from Income and Capital Gains

   

Portfolios Positioned to Seek Current Income, with

Increased Emphasis on Capital Gains Potential

 

OBJECTIVE: U.S. ENHANCED FIXED INCOME

 

Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund
(Ticker: CHI)

Invests in high yield and convertible securities, primarily in U.S. markets

 

Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund
(Ticker CHY) 

Invests in high yield and convertible securities, primarily in U.S. markets

 

OBJECTIVE: GLOBAL ENHANCED FIXED INCOME

 

Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund
(Ticker: CHW)

Invests in global fixed income securities, alternative
investments and equities

   

 

OBJECTIVE: GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN

 

Calamos Global Total Return Fund
(Ticker: CGO)

Invests in equities and higher-yielding convertible
securities and corporate bonds, in both U.S. and
non-U.S. markets

 

OBJECTIVE: U.S. TOTAL RETURN

 

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
(Ticker: CSQ)

Invests in equities and higher-yielding convertible
securities and corporate bonds, primarily in U.S. markets

 

Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund
(Ticker: CCD)

Invests in convertibles and other fixed income securities

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 5

 

 

 

 

Investment Team Discussion

 

TOTAL RETURN* AS OF 10/31/17

  Common Shares – Inception 3/26/04

      1 Year   Since Inception**  
On Market Price     35.23%   7.34%
On NAV     25.11%   7.98%

*Total return measures net investment income and net realized gain or loss from Fund investments, and change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, assuming reinvestment of income and net realized gains distributions.

**Annualized since inception.

 

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS
Information Technology     20.3 %
Consumer Discretionary     14.7  
Financials     14.6  
Health Care     12.0  
Industrials     9.6  
Energy     7.6  
Consumer Staples     5.8  
Telecommunication Services     3.3  
Other     2.8  
Materials     2.7  
Utilities     2.0  
Real Estate     1.9  

 

Sector Weightings are based on managed assets and may vary over time. Sector Weightings exclude any government/sovereign bonds or options on broad market indexes the Fund may hold.

STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND (CSQ)

INVESTMENT TEAM DISCUSSION

 

Please discuss the Fund’s strategy and role within an asset allocation.

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ) is a total-return-oriented offering that seeks to provide a steady stream of income paid out on a monthly basis. We invest in a diversified portfolio of equities, convertible securities and high-yield securities. The allocation to each asset class is dynamic, and reflects our view of the economic landscape as well as the potential of individual securities. By combining these asset classes, we believe that we are well positioned over the long term to generate capital gains as well as income. This broader range of security types also provides us with increased opportunities to manage the risk/reward characteristics of the portfolio over full market cycles. Through this approach, we seek to offer investors an attractive monthly distribution and equity participation.

 

We believe our exposure to the equity markets enables us to risk manage the Fund during high periods of market volatility and allows us to optimize our performance going forward.

 

While we invest primarily in securities of U.S. issuers, we favor those companies that are actively participating in globalization with geographically diversified revenue streams and global business strategies. We emphasize companies that we believe offer reliable debt servicing, respectable balance sheets, solid free cash flow and good prospects for sustainable growth. We continue to remain generally optimistic with respect to the U.S. equity market in the short-term and look forward to continued growth through economic expansion and reflationary market dynamics, and the benefits of global economic synchronization.

 

How did the Fund perform over the reporting period?

The Fund increased 25.11% on a net asset value (NAV) basis and 35.23% on a market price basis for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2017. The S&P 500 Index finished at 23.63% and the Credit Suisse U.S. High Yield Index gained 9.04% for the same period.

 

At the end of the reporting period, the Fund’s shares traded at a 3.37% discount to net asset value.

 

How do NAV and market price return differ?

Closed-end funds trade on exchanges, where the price of shares may be influenced by factors other than the value of the underlying securities. The price of a share in the market is called market value. Market price may be influenced by factors unrelated to the performance of the fund’s holdings, such as general market sentiment or future expectation. A fund’s NAV return measures the actual return of the individual securities in the portfolio, less fund expenses. It also measures how a manager was able to capitalize on market opportunities. Because we believe closed-end funds are best utilized long term within asset allocations, we think that NAV return is the better measure of a fund’s performance. However, when managing the Fund, we strongly consider actions and policies that we believe will optimize its overall price performance and returns based on market value.



6 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

Investment Team Discussion

 

SINCE INCEPTION MARKET PRICE AND NAV HISTORY THROUGH 10/31/17

  

 (LINE GRAPH)

  

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns at NAV reflect the deduction of the Fund’s management fee, debt leverage costs and all other applicable fees and expenses. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by visiting www.calamos.com.

 

Please discuss the Fund’s distributions during the 12-month period.

We employ a level rate distribution policy* with the goal of providing shareholders with a consistent distribution stream. In each month of the period, the Fund distributed $0.0825 per share, resulting in a current annualized distribution rate of 8.03% of market price as of October 31, 2017.

 

We believe that both the Fund’s distribution rate and level remained attractive and competitive, as low interest rates limited yield opportunities in the marketplace. For example, as of October 31, 2017, the dividend yield of S&P 500 Index stocks averaged 2.07%. Yields also were low within the U.S. government bond market, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury and 30-year U.S. Treasury yielding 2.38% and 2.88%, respectively.

 

What factors influenced performance over the reporting period?

The Fund has a wide set of investment parameters that allow us to take advantage of investment opportunities through numerous types of investment vehicles. By optimizing this flexibility, the Fund was able to maintain its exposure to the equity markets, which improved during the period. Moreover, convertibles and bonds provided income and appreciation to the portfolio during the period.

 

In terms of sectors and corresponding industries, our selection and allocation to consumer staples, specifically in tobacco, contributed to performance relative to the S&P 500 Index. Our underweight and selection in real estate (retail REITs) was also helpful during the period.

 

Selection in health care (biotechnology) was a drag on Fund performance relative to the S&P 500 Index for the period. Our selection in information technology (selection in semiconductors) also lagged relative to the index.

 

*

Under the Fund’s level rate distribution policy, distributions paid to common shareholders may include net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains and return of capital. When the net investment income and net realized short-term capital gains are not sufficient, a portion of the level rate distribution will be a return of capital. In addition, a limited number of distributions per calendar year may include net realized long-term capital gains. Distribution rate may vary. The Fund will transition to a managed distribution policy effective January 2018. See inside front cover for details.

(PIE CHART) 


 

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 7

 

 

 

 

Investment Team Discussion

 

How is the Fund positioned?

We continue to favor businesses with compelling growth opportunities and global revenue drivers. We believe that the U.S. economy still has legs as reflationary forces continue to drive equities upward. However, we also believe an enhanced focus on risk management and valuation sensitivity is crucial.

 

We are cognizant of the fact that rising interest rates can have a detrimental effect on longer-term fixed income securities. To mitigate this impact, we make managing the duration of the fixed income assets in our portfolio a priority.

 

In terms of positioning, we maintained a relatively high allocation to U.S. stocks and convertibles. We are excited about the opportunities in the convertible market as steady issuance equates to additional choices in the space. Accordingly, we have been able to take advantage of attractive opportunities and establish meaningful exposures in those investments.

 

The portfolio currently holds large absolute allocations toward the information technology, consumer discretionary and financials sectors. We expect our positioning to be beneficial as more companies seek solutions to enhance and improve productivity and business performance. We also believe these sectors are poised to benefit from many of our long-term secular themes, including increased accessibility to data and robust consumer demand for products and services that provide access to information. We believe consumer discretionary stocks will also benefit from improving economic conditions derived from healthy employment, improved housing valuations, growing consumer confidence and range-bound energy prices. We have also maintained a presence in financials, as we expect the sector will benefit from rising interest rates, increased lending, and a more hospitable regulatory environment.

 

The average credit quality of the portfolio is higher than that of the Credit Suisse U.S. High Yield index. This is typical for the Fund, as our credit process tends to guide us away from the most speculative corporate securities. However, we recognize that opportunities do exist to enhance performance using lower-credit securities.

 

We believe that this environment is conducive to the prudent use of leverage as a means of enhancing total return and supporting the Fund’s distribution rate. Over the quarter, in spite of a cost increase due to rising interest rates, our use of leverage enjoyed a favorable reinvestment dynamic. In addition, on September 6, 2017, the Fund announced the issuance of $242 million in mandatory Redeemable Shares (MRPS). Fitch Ratings assigned long-term ratings of AA to each class of MRPS shares. The MRPS shares were privately placed with institutional investors and were issued in three series subject to mandatory redemptions 5, 7 and 10 years from the date of issuance, as shown. The Series A ($80.50 mm), Series B ($80.50 mm), and Series C ($81.0 mm) MRPS shares are to pay monthly cash dividends initially at rates of 3.70%, 4.00% and 4.24%, respectively, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. In connection with the MRPS share issuance, the Fund terminated an existing credit facility with BNP Paribas and revised the available credit under an existing credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust. As of October 31, 2017, our amount of leveraged assets was approximately 28%.


 

8 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Team Discussion

  

What is your outlook for the Fund?

In our view, equities continue to offer compelling risk/reward characteristics, and we are seeking companies with attractively valued fundamentals. We have also seen strong issuance in convertibles, which presents additional opportunities to generate income while participating in equity market appreciation. Equity and equity-sensitive securities continue to offer attractive risk/reward characteristics from a long-term perspective. We continue to pursue our strategic objective of participating in a significant portion of equity market upside while aiming to reduce volatility throughout a complete market cycle.

 

What are your closing thoughts for Fund shareholders?

Given our outlook for a near-term period of economic growth, we favor quality growth companies. Positive factors within the U.S. include solid job creation, low interest rates, increased consumer and corporate confidence and limited inflationary pressures. We emphasize investments in companies with solid cash flow generation and stronger balance sheets that will benefit from global economic synchronization. From a thematic and sector perspective, we see opportunities in the technology sector, consumer discretionary companies tied to global consumption, and companies positioned to benefit from improving fundamentals and diminished political concerns in Europe. We are also optimistic about financials, as we believe that many of these companies are favorably valued and positioned to grow revenues in a rising-interest-rate and lower-regulatory environment. We are selective regarding companies in the health care sector, favoring those that are more product-growth oriented. We are cautious about companies in the consumer staples sector, which are fully valued as investors seek those stocks for income rather than growth. In our view, equities continue to offer compelling risk/reward characteristics, as we seek companies with attractively valued fundamentals.

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 9

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
CORPORATE BONDS (20.6%)     
     Consumer Discretionary (4.2%)     
 1,510,000   Altice US Finance I Corp.*µ     
     5.500%, 05/15/26  $1,571,532 
 816,000   AV Homes, Inc.     
     6.625%, 05/15/22   848,681 
 1,203,000   Beverages & More, Inc.*     
     11.500%, 06/15/22   1,084,294 
 5,620,000   CalAtlantic Group, Inc.µ     
     5.375%, 10/01/22   6,168,765 
     CCO Holdings, LLC / CCO Holdings     
     Capital Corp.*     
 2,265,000   5.125%, 05/01/27   2,285,657 
 477,000   5.000%, 02/01/28   473,797 
 944,000   Cedar Fair, LP*     
     5.375%, 04/15/27   998,143 
     Century Communities, Inc.     
 1,651,000   6.875%, 05/15/22   1,738,330 
 981,000   5.875%, 07/15/25*   991,256 
 1,368,000   CRC Escrow Issuer, LLC*     
     5.250%, 10/15/25   1,378,096 
 3,209,000   Dana Financing Luxembourg Sarl*     
     6.500%, 06/01/26   3,494,152 
     DISH DBS Corp.     
 3,520,000   6.750%, 06/01/21   3,700,523 
 1,821,000   5.875%, 11/15/24^   1,823,531 
 849,000   Eldorado Resorts, Inc.     
     6.000%, 04/01/25   898,552 
 1,038,000   GameStop Corp.*µ^     
     6.750%, 03/15/21   1,088,353 
 1,411,000   goeasy, Ltd.*     
     7.875%, 11/01/22   1,450,762 
 193,000   Guitar Center, Inc.*     
     6.500%, 04/15/19   180,748 
 1,279,000   Horizon Pharma, Inc. / Horizon Pharma USA, Inc.*^     
     8.750%, 11/01/24   1,340,264 
 5,526,000   L Brands, Inc.µ     
     6.875%, 11/01/35   5,496,325 
 1,132,000   Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.*^     
     5.875%, 11/01/24   1,201,448 
 1,222,000   M/I Homes, Inc.     
     5.625%, 08/01/25   1,248,603 
 297,000   Mclaren Finance, PLC*     
     5.750%, 08/01/22   307,047 
     Meritage Homes Corp.µ     
 3,095,000   7.000%, 04/01/22   3,551,203 
 2,359,000   7.150%, 04/15/20   2,597,931 
 849,000   Netflix, Inc.*^     
     4.875%, 04/15/28   845,421 
 1,321,000   Penske Automotive Group, Inc.     
     5.500%, 05/15/26   1,362,143 
PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
     PetSmart, Inc.*     
 906,000   5.875%, 06/01/25  $789,878 
 250,000   8.875%, 06/01/25^   197,400 
 1,557,000   Reliance Intermediate Holdings, LP*µ     
     6.500%, 04/01/23   1,653,877 
     Rite Aid Corp.^     
 2,850,000   7.700%, 02/15/27   2,422,201 
 1,982,000   6.125%, 04/01/23*   1,851,247 
 8,126,000   Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.µ     
     7.500%, 10/15/27   10,632,708 
 2,558,000   Salem Media Group, Inc.*     
     6.750%, 06/01/24   2,683,176 
 1,895,000   Sally Holdings, LLC / Sally Capital, Inc.^     
     5.625%, 12/01/25   1,884,464 
     SFR Group, SA*     
 1,321,000   7.375%, 05/01/26   1,423,338 
 1,321,000   6.000%, 05/15/22   1,378,358 
 2,737,000   Sirius XM Radio, Inc.*     
     6.000%, 07/15/24   2,930,520 
 2,110,000   Time, Inc.*^     
     5.750%, 04/15/22   2,134,202 
 3,676,000   ZF North America Capital, Inc.*     
     4.750%, 04/29/25   3,867,906 
         81,974,832 
           
     Consumer Staples (0.7%)     
 1,354,000   Albertsons Companies, LLC /     
    Safeway, Inc. / New Albertson’s, Inc. / Albertson’s, LLC     
     5.750%, 03/15/25   1,197,254 
 2,029,000   Fresh Market, Inc.*^     
     9.750%, 05/01/23   1,146,365 
     JBS USA LUX SA / JBS USA     
     Finance, Inc.*     
 4,436,000   5.750%, 06/15/25   4,345,572 
 1,887,000   7.250%, 06/01/21   1,929,259 
     New Albertson’s, Inc.     
 996,000   7.450%, 08/01/29   834,927 
 632,000   8.000%, 05/01/31   550,576 
     Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.*     
 278,000   5.750%, 03/15/25   294,542 
 203,000   5.875%, 09/30/27   211,229 
 1,350,000   Post Holdings, Inc.*     
     5.750%, 03/01/27   1,405,627 
         11,915,351 
           
     Energy (2.1%)     
 1,255,000   Bill Barrett Corp.^     
     7.000%, 10/15/22   1,225,865 
 2,265,000   Calfrac Holdings, LP*     
     7.500%, 12/01/20   2,226,518 
 1,180,000   Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.^     
     6.250%, 04/15/23   1,202,845 
 1,368,000   Chesapeake Energy Corp.*     
     8.000%, 01/15/25   1,352,542 

  

10 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments

  

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
 278,000   Consol Mining Corp.*     
     11.000%, 11/15/25  $285,285 
 274,000   CrownRock, LP / CrownRock     
     Finance, Inc.*     
     5.625%, 10/15/25   278,268 
 2,312,000   DCP Midstream, LLC*‡     
     5.850%, 05/21/43     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.85%   2,205,428 
 486,000   Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.^     
     7.875%, 08/15/25   520,341 
     Energy Transfer Equity, LPµ     
 2,029,000   5.500%, 06/01/27   2,150,152 
 543,000   5.875%, 01/15/24   590,683 
 3,026,000   Energy Transfer Partners, LPµ‡     
     4.394%, 11/01/66     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.02%   2,746,095 
 1,430,000   Genesis Energy, LP / Genesis Energy Finance Corp.     
     6.500%, 10/01/25   1,453,781 
 2,737,000   Gulfmark Offshore, Inc.@     
     6.375%, 03/15/22   766,360 
     Gulfport Energy Corp.     
 1,019,000   6.000%, 10/15/24   1,024,564 
 944,000   6.375%, 05/15/25^   957,079 
 722,000   Halcon Resources Corp.*     
     6.750%, 02/15/25   740,411 
 1,887,000   Laredo Petroleum, Inc.     
     6.250%, 03/15/23   1,962,367 
 3,275,000   MPLX, LPµ     
     4.875%, 06/01/25   3,557,845 
 963,000   Oasis Petroleum, Inc.^     
     6.500%, 11/01/21   981,783 
 1,416,000   Plains All American Pipeline, LPµ‡     
     6.125%, 11/15/22     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.11%   1,443,923 
 321,000   Rice Energy, Inc.     
     7.250%, 05/01/23   346,596 
 6,134,000   SEACOR Holdings, Inc.     
     7.375%, 10/01/19   6,331,607 
 1,595,000   SESI, LLC*^     
     7.750%, 09/15/24   1,652,348 
 533,000   SM Energy Company^     
     6.750%, 09/15/26   548,294 
 1,015,000   Southwestern Energy Company^     
     7.500%, 04/01/26   1,055,849 
 566,000   Transocean, Inc.*     
     7.500%, 01/15/26   584,180 
 1,368,000   Vine Oil & Gas, LP / Vine Oil & Gas Finance Corp.*     
     8.750%, 04/15/23   1,339,128 
 1,598,889   W&T Offshore, Inc.*     
     8.500%, 06/15/21     
     10.000% PIK rate   1,226,356 
PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
 849,000   Weatherford International, Ltd.     
     8.250%, 06/15/23  $854,523 
 533,000   WildHorse Resource Development     
     Corp.*     
     6.875%, 02/01/25   532,883 
         42,143,899 
           
     Financials (2.8%)     
 3,887,000   Ally Financial, Inc.µ     
     8.000%, 11/01/31   5,148,079 
 4,813,000   AON Corp.µ     
     8.205%, 01/01/27   6,328,469 
 1,534,000   Ardonagh Midco 3, PLC*     
     8.625%, 07/15/23   1,616,284 
 1,982,000   AssuredPartners, Inc.*     
     7.000%, 08/15/25   2,068,673 
     CyrusOne, LP / CyrusOne     
     Finance Corp.*µ     
 944,000   5.375%, 03/15/27   1,012,997 
 274,000   5.000%, 03/15/24   287,668 
 3,732,000   Dell International, LLC / EMC Corp.*µ     
     6.020%, 06/15/26   4,170,976 
 1,416,000   Discover Financial Services‡     
     5.500%, 10/30/27     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.08%   1,445,970 
 1,840,000   Equinix, Inc.     
     5.375%, 05/15/27   1,975,957 
 944,000   HUB International, Ltd.*     
     7.875%, 10/01/21   982,968 
 1,793,000   ILFC E-Capital Trust II*µ‡     
     4.610%, 12/21/65   1,740,331 
     Jefferies Finance, LLC*     
 5,686,000   7.375%, 04/01/20^   5,879,210 
 2,454,000   7.250%, 08/15/24   2,506,491 
 1,132,000   Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP / Ladder Capital Finance Corp.*µ     
     5.250%, 10/01/25   1,131,723 
 934,000   Level 3 Financing, Inc.     
     5.375%, 05/01/25   977,520 
 1,515,000   LPL Holdings, Inc.*     
     5.750%, 09/15/25   1,577,441 
 1,699,000   MetLife, Inc.µ     
     6.400%, 12/15/66   1,960,714 
     Navient Corp.     
 1,793,000   6.750%, 06/25/25^   1,876,787 
 543,000   6.500%, 06/15/22   578,591 
 1,066,000   NexBank Capital, Inc.*‡&     
     6.375%, 09/30/27     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.59%   1,077,188 
 1,132,000   Oil Insurance, Ltd.*‡     
     4.317%, 01/08/18     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.98%   1,082,124 

 

See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 11

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
 3,756,000   Quicken Loans, Inc.*µ^     
     5.750%, 05/01/25  $3,985,604 
 547,000   Radian Group, Inc.µ     
     4.500%, 10/01/24   561,895 
 1,685,000   Springleaf Finance Corp.     
     8.250%, 10/01/23   1,922,164 
 604,000   Towne Bank‡     
     4.500%, 07/30/27     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.55%   623,742 
 1,383,000   Tronox Finance, PLC*     
     5.750%, 10/01/25   1,448,381 
 283,000   VEREIT Operating Partnership, LP^     
     3.950%, 08/15/27   282,669 
         54,250,616 
           
     Health Care (2.8%)     
 5,266,000   Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.     
     6.500%, 03/01/24   5,585,172 
 928,000   Alere, Inc.     
     6.500%, 06/15/20   943,080 
 5,931,000   Community Health Systems, Inc.^     
     7.125%, 07/15/20   5,150,955 
 2,680,000   DaVita, Inc.     
     5.125%, 07/15/24   2,698,626 
 1,199,000   Endo International, PLC*     
     7.250%, 01/15/22   1,105,778 
 2,713,000   Endo, Ltd.*     
     6.000%, 07/15/23   2,203,417 
 2,454,000   Greatbatch, Ltd.*     
     9.125%, 11/01/23   2,667,645 
     HCA, Inc.     
 7,767,000   5.875%, 05/01/23   8,329,875 
 1,368,000   7.500%, 11/06/33   1,547,434 
 1,071,000   5.375%, 02/01/25   1,104,876 
 967,000   Hologic, Inc.*µ     
     5.250%, 07/15/22   1,011,182 
 1,368,000   Magellan Health, Inc.µ     
     4.400%, 09/22/24   1,383,328 
 1,996,000   Mallinckrodt International Finance, SA / Mallinckrodt CB, LLC*^     
     5.625%, 10/15/23   1,870,751 
 2,751,000   Teleflex, Inc.     
     5.250%, 06/15/24   2,910,214 
     Tenet Healthcare Corp.^     
 3,397,000   6.750%, 06/15/23   3,194,811 
 1,581,000   5.125%, 05/01/25*   1,538,076 
 1,062,000   Teva Pharmaceutical Finance     
     Netherlands III, BV^     
     3.150%, 10/01/26   940,751 
     Valeant Pharmaceuticals     
     International, Inc.*^     
 9,956,000   7.250%, 07/15/22   9,573,042 
 1,373,000   5.500%, 11/01/25   1,404,744 
PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
 1,015,000   West Street Merger Sub, Inc.*^     
     6.375%, 09/01/25  $1,035,929 
         56,199,686 
           
     Industrials (2.3%)     
 1,227,000   ACCO Brands Corp.*     
     5.250%, 12/15/24   1,276,743 
     Allison Transmission, Inc.*     
 1,227,000   4.750%, 10/01/27   1,240,540 
 359,000   5.000%, 10/01/24µ   374,961 
 1,397,000   Beacon Escrow Corp.*     
     4.875%, 11/01/25   1,417,110 
 812,000   Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.*     
     4.875%, 01/15/26   825,500 
     Covanta Holding Corp.     
 802,000   5.875%, 03/01/24   805,922 
 255,000   5.875%, 07/01/25   252,745 
 1,364,000   Delphi Jersey Holdings, PLC*     
     5.000%, 10/01/25   1,370,547 
 1,378,000   Fly Leasing, Ltd.^     
     5.250%, 10/15/24   1,388,177 
 278,000   FXI Holdings, Inc.*     
     7.875%, 11/01/24   282,819 
 1,987,000   Garda World Security Corp.*     
     7.250%, 11/15/21   2,041,772 
 3,992,000   Golden Nugget, Inc.*     
     6.750%, 10/15/24   4,068,666 
 920,000   Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.     
     8.000%, 05/15/22   971,860 
 1,208,000   H&E Equipment Services, Inc.*     
     5.625%, 09/01/25   1,276,010 
 241,000   Hertz Corp.*     
     7.625%, 06/01/22   251,230 
 722,000   Icahn Enterprises, LPµ     
     6.750%, 02/01/24   767,248 
     IHO Verwaltungs GmbH*     
 566,000   4.500%, 09/15/23^     
     5.250% PIK rate   584,794 
 566,000   4.125%, 09/15/21     
     4.875% PIK rate   578,435 
 717,000   JPW Industries Holding Corp.*     
     9.000%, 10/01/24   755,460 
     Meritor, Inc.     
 2,256,000   6.750%, 06/15/21   2,332,140 
 1,762,000   6.250%, 02/15/24   1,884,697 
     Michael Baker International, LLC*     
 1,834,000   8.250%, 10/15/18   1,839,199 
 1,368,047   8.875%, 04/15/19     
     9.625% PIK rate   1,374,142 
 283,000   Multi-Color Corp.*     
     4.875%, 11/01/25   285,786 
 2,331,000   Navistar International Corp.     
     8.250%, 11/01/21   2,341,047 

 

12 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
     Park Aerospace Holdings, Ltd.*µ     
 1,354,000   4.500%, 03/15/23  $1,357,080 
 963,000   5.500%, 02/15/24^   997,798 
 1,939,000   Park-Ohio Industries, Inc.^     
     6.625%, 04/15/27   2,107,906 
 547,000   Scientific Games International, Inc.*     
     5.000%, 10/15/25   555,908 
 1,416,000   Tennant Company*     
     5.625%, 05/01/25   1,478,977 
     TransDigm, Inc.     
 1,416,000   6.500%, 07/15/24^   1,462,239 
 486,000   6.500%, 05/15/25   502,254 
 142,000   Trident Merger Sub, Inc.*     
     6.625%, 11/01/25   141,780 
 283,000   TriMas Corp.*     
     4.875%, 10/15/25   287,096 
     United Continental Holdings, Inc.     
 2,171,000   6.375%, 06/01/18   2,222,312 
 807,000   4.250%, 10/01/22   814,215 
     United Rentals North America, Inc.     
 1,208,000   4.875%, 01/15/28   1,213,448 
 1,029,000   4.875%, 01/15/28^   1,035,159 
 774,000   4.625%, 10/15/25   793,342 
 637,000   WESCO Distribution, Inc.^     
     5.375%, 06/15/24   671,060 
         46,228,124 
           
     Information Technology (1.8%)     
 2,663,000   Alliance Data Systems Corp.*     
     5.875%, 11/01/21   2,771,224 
     Amkor Technology, Inc.     
 2,907,000   6.375%, 10/01/22^   3,010,271 
 2,856,000   6.625%, 06/01/21   2,906,309 
     Cardtronics, Inc.µ     
 1,727,000   5.125%, 08/01/22   1,773,836 
 1,387,000   5.500%, 05/01/25*   1,384,309 
 1,241,000   CBS Radio, Inc.*^     
     7.250%, 11/01/24   1,308,002 
 1,272,000   CDK Global, Inc.*µ     
     4.875%, 06/01/27   1,327,179 
 763,000   CDW, LLC / CDW Finance Corp.µ     
     5.000%, 09/01/23   796,221 
    Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.      
 2,020,000   7.625%, 03/15/20   1,990,609 
 750,000   7.625%, 03/15/20^   751,196 
 1,836,000   CommScope Technologies, LLC*µ     
     6.000%, 06/15/25   1,945,104 
 7,361,000   First Data Corp. - Class A*     
     7.000%, 12/01/23   7,886,244 
 1,416,000   Harland Clarke Holdings Corp.*     
     8.375%, 08/15/22   1,492,379 
PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
     Nuance Communications, Inc.µ     
 1,227,000   6.000%, 07/01/24  $1,327,129 
 1,132,000   5.625%, 12/15/26*   1,203,967 
 647,000   5.375%, 08/15/20*   658,336 
 1,368,000   TTM Technologies, Inc.*     
     5.625%, 10/01/25   1,394,813 
 958,000   VFH Parent, LLC*^     
     6.750%, 06/15/22   996,426 
         34,923,554 
           
     Materials (1.2%)     
 1,967,000   AK Steel Corp.^     
     6.375%, 10/15/25   1,939,777 
 1,732,000   Alcoa Nederland Holding, BV*µ^     
     7.000%, 09/30/26   1,981,096 
 3,445,000   ArcelorMittal, SA     
     7.500%, 10/15/39   4,306,732 
 1,298,000   Arconic, Inc.µ     
     5.125%, 10/01/24   1,394,591 
     First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.*     
 743,000   7.000%, 02/15/21   772,523 
 377,000   7.250%, 04/01/23   400,251 
     Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.^     
 1,633,000   4.550%, 11/14/24   1,633,204 
 514,000   3.550%, 03/01/22   508,994 
 1,510,000   INEOS Group Holdings, SA*^     
     5.625%, 08/01/24   1,576,840 
 689,000   Kinross Gold Corp.*µ     
     4.500%, 07/15/27   697,898 
 689,000   New Gold, Inc.*     
     6.375%, 05/15/25   734,154 
 2,407,000   PBF Holding Company, LLC / PBF     
     Finance Corp.*     
     7.250%, 06/15/25   2,502,582 
 1,265,000   Sealed Air Corp.*     
     5.250%, 04/01/23   1,363,202 
 519,000   Steel Dynamics, Inc.*     
     4.125%, 09/15/25   523,002 
 486,000   Trinseo Materials Operating, SCA*     
     5.375%, 09/01/25   511,775 
     United States Steel Corp.     
 1,793,000   8.375%, 07/01/21*   1,970,301 
 481,000   6.875%, 08/15/25^   489,215 
 142,000   Warrior Met Coal, Inc.*     
     8.000%, 11/01/24   145,676 
         23,451,813 
           
     Real Estate (0.2%)     
 1,102,000   Crescent Communities, LLC/Crescent Ventures, Inc.*     
     8.875%, 10/15/21   1,172,247 
     iStar, Inc.     
 944,000   6.000%, 04/01/22   989,166 
 250,000   4.625%, 09/15/20   255,561 

  

See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 13

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
 2,038,000   MPT Operating Partnership, LP /     
     MPT Finance Corp.µ     
     5.000%, 10/15/27  $2,093,301 
         4,510,275 
           
    Telecommunication Services (2.0%)     
 897,000   Altice Financing, SA*^     
     7.500%, 05/15/26   985,960 
 1,331,000   CB Escrow Corp.*     
     8.000%, 10/15/25   1,381,079 
 920,000   CenturyLink, Inc.µ^     
     7.500%, 04/01/24   978,544 
 4,756,000   CSC Holdings, LLC*µ     
     5.500%, 04/15/27   4,911,426 
 4,418,000   Embarq Corp.µ     
     7.995%, 06/01/36   4,474,241 
     Frontier Communications Corp.     
 3,190,000   7.625%, 04/15/24^   2,441,658 
 2,718,000   10.500%, 09/15/22   2,386,920 
 1,463,000   11.000%, 09/15/25   1,241,846 
 176,000   6.875%, 01/15/25^   131,337 
 1,085,000   Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.     
     6.625%, 08/01/26   1,150,360 
     Intelsat Jackson Holdings, SA     
 2,147,000   9.750%, 07/15/25*   2,164,155 
 1,439,000   7.500%, 04/01/21^   1,368,849 
 882,000   8.000%, 02/15/24*   940,763 
 1,340,000   Qwest Corp.     
     6.875%, 09/15/33   1,323,719 
 562,000   SBA Communications Corp.*     
     4.000%, 10/01/22   570,829 
     Sprint Corp.     
 5,077,000   7.875%, 09/15/23   5,688,423 
 2,793,000   7.125%, 06/15/24^   3,026,579 
 2,100,000   T-Mobile USA, Inc.     
     6.625%, 04/01/23   2,207,163 
 1,132,000   United States Cellular Corp.     
     6.700%, 12/15/33   1,196,694 
     Windstream Services, LLC     
 1,321,000   7.750%, 10/01/21   1,006,622 
 779,000   7.750%, 10/15/20   698,124 
         40,275,291 
           
     Utilities (0.5%)     
 2,737,000   AES Corp.µ     
     7.375%, 07/01/21   3,112,476 
 2,501,000   Dynegy, Inc.*^     
     8.125%, 01/30/26   2,783,000 
 1,897,000   NRG Energy, Inc.^     
     6.625%, 01/15/27   2,028,851 
 986,000   PPL Capital Funding, Inc.µ‡     
     3.998%, 03/30/67     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.67%   975,499 
         8,899,826 
PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
     TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS     
     (Cost $398,352,122)  $404,773,267 
           
CONVERTIBLE BONDS (15.5%)    
     Consumer Discretionary (4.6%)     
 7,300,000   DISH Network Corp.     
     3.375%, 08/15/26   7,848,741 
 7,429,000   Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc.*^     
     1.000%, 06/30/47   7,613,313 
     Liberty Interactive, LLC     
 7,385,000   1.750%, 09/30/46*   8,373,371 
 5,190,000   4.000%, 11/15/29   3,567,762 
 3,035,000   3.750%, 02/15/30   2,106,988 
     Liberty Media Corp.     
 15,900,000   2.250%, 09/30/46   16,635,614 
 14,750,000   1.375%, 10/15/23   17,758,631 
 3,640,000   Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.*     
     1.500%, 09/15/22   3,945,178 
 9,000,000   Priceline Group, Inc.     
     0.350%, 06/15/20   13,402,170 
 7,800,000   Tesla, Inc.     
     2.375%, 03/15/22   9,473,568 
         90,725,336 
           
     Energy (0.3%)     
 8,850,000   Nabors Industries, Inc.*^     
     0.750%, 01/15/24   6,546,345 
           
     Financials (0.7%)     
 7,500,000   Ares Capital Corp.*^     
     3.750%, 02/01/22   7,666,912 
 5,080,000   IAC FinanceCo, Inc.*^     
     0.875%, 10/01/22   5,500,370 
         13,167,282 
           
     Health Care (0.7%)     
 5,120,000   Illumina, Inc.     
     0.000%, 06/15/19   5,476,122 
 3,285,000   Innoviva, Inc.*     
     2.500%, 08/15/25   3,192,297 
 4,700,000   NuVasive, Inc.     
     2.250%, 03/15/21   5,445,702 
         14,114,121 
           
     Industrials (1.0%)     
 2,569,000   Air Lease Corp.     
     3.875%, 12/01/18   3,932,432 
 2,924,000   Air Transport Services Group, Inc.*     
     1.125%, 10/15/24   3,080,332 
 4,400,000   Kaman Corp.*     
     3.250%, 05/01/24   4,774,748 
 7,520,000   Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*     
     2.375%, 04/01/22   7,003,263 
         18,790,775 

 

14 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments

  

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
     Information Technology (7.4%)     
 4,200,000   Citrix Systems, Inc.     
     0.500%, 04/15/19  $5,156,004 
 4,900,000   Finisar Corp.*^     
     0.500%, 12/15/36   4,692,926 
 2,170,000   II-VI, Inc.*     
     0.250%, 09/01/22   2,534,831 
 6,100,000   Inphi Corp.^     
     0.750%, 09/01/21   6,352,266 
 8,100,000   Intel Corp.     
     3.250%, 08/01/39   17,668,611 
 7,500,000   Lumentum Holdings, Inc.*^     
     0.250%, 03/15/24   9,593,775 
 12,970,000   Microchip Technology, Inc.*     
     1.625%, 02/15/27   16,345,961 
 6,300,000   NXP Semiconductors, NV^     
     1.000%, 12/01/19   7,769,381 
     ON Semiconductor Corp.^     
 5,822,000   1.000%, 12/01/20   7,534,017 
 5,000,000   1.625%, 10/15/23*   6,245,625 
 4,800,000   Pandora Media, Inc.     
     1.750%, 12/01/20   4,484,520 
 1,790,000   RealPage, Inc.*     
     1.500%, 11/15/22   2,194,066 
 14,420,000   Salesforce.com, Inc.     
     0.250%, 04/01/18   22,169,668 
 6,700,000   Servicenow, Inc.*^   7,546,947 
 7,600,000   Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*^     
     1.375%, 03/01/22   9,153,744 
 3,700,000   Veeco Instruments, Inc.^     
     2.700%, 01/15/23   3,412,048 
 1,567,000   Weibo Corp.*     
     1.250%, 11/15/22   1,638,886 
 11,000,000   Workday, Inc.*     
     0.250%, 10/01/22   11,161,260 
         145,654,536 
           
     Materials (0.3%)     
 5,300,000   Royal Gold, Inc.     
     2.875%, 06/15/19   5,817,466 
           
     Real Estate (0.5%)     
 5,300,000   Empire State Realty OP, LP*     
     2.625%, 08/15/19   5,823,481 
 4,520,000   Starwood Waypoint Homes*     
     3.500%, 01/15/22   5,054,241 
         10,877,722 
     TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS     
     (Cost $285,578,050)   305,693,583 
           
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITY (0.3%) 
 6,087,000   United States Treasury Note     
     2.000%, 11/15/26     
     (Cost $5,859,312)   5,911,969 
PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
SYNTHETIC CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (1.4%) ¤ 
CORPORATE BONDS (1.2%)     
     Consumer Discretionary (0.3%)     
 90,000   Altice US Finance I Corp.*µ     
     5.500%, 05/15/26  $93,668 
 49,000   AV Homes, Inc.     
     6.625%, 05/15/22   50,962 
 72,000   Beverages & More, Inc.*     
     11.500%, 06/15/22   64,895 
 335,000   CalAtlantic Group, Inc.µ     
     5.375%, 10/01/22   367,711 
     CCO Holdings, LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp.*     
 135,000   5.125%, 05/01/27   136,231 
 28,000   5.000%, 02/01/28   27,812 
 56,000   Cedar Fair, LP*     
     5.375%, 04/15/27   59,212 
     Century Communities, Inc.     
 98,000   6.875%, 05/15/22   103,184 
 59,000   5.875%, 07/15/25*   59,617 
 82,000   CRC Escrow Issuer, LLC*     
     5.250%, 10/15/25   82,605 
 191,000   Dana Financing Luxembourg Sarl*     
     6.500%, 06/01/26   207,972 
     DISH DBS Corp.     
 210,000   6.750%, 06/01/21   220,770 
 109,000   5.875%, 11/15/24^   109,152 
 51,000   Eldorado Resorts, Inc.     
     6.000%, 04/01/25   53,977 
 62,000   GameStop Corp.*µ^     
     6.750%, 03/15/21   65,008 
 84,000   goeasy, Ltd.*     
     7.875%, 11/01/22   86,367 
 12,000   Guitar Center, Inc.*     
     6.500%, 04/15/19   11,238 
 76,000   Horizon Pharma, Inc. / Horizon Pharma USA, Inc.*^     
     8.750%, 11/01/24   79,640 
 329,000   L Brands, Inc.µ     
     6.875%, 11/01/35   327,233 
 68,000   Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.*^     
     5.875%, 11/01/24   72,172 
 73,000   M/I Homes, Inc.     
     5.625%, 08/01/25   74,589 
 18,000   Mclaren Finance, PLC*     
     5.750%, 08/01/22   18,609 
     Meritage Homes Corp.µ     
 185,000   7.000%, 04/01/22   212,269 
 141,000   7.150%, 04/15/20   155,281 
 51,000   Netflix, Inc.*^     
     4.875%, 04/15/28   50,785 
 79,000   Penske Automotive Group, Inc.     
     5.500%, 05/15/26   81,460 

 

See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 15

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
     PetSmart, Inc.*     
 54,000   5.875%, 06/01/25  $47,079 
 15,000   8.875%, 06/01/25^   11,844 
 93,000   Reliance Intermediate Holdings, LP*µ     
     6.500%, 04/01/23   98,787 
     Rite Aid Corp.^     
 170,000   7.700%, 02/15/27   144,482 
 118,000   6.125%, 04/01/23*   110,216 
 484,000   Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.µ     
     7.500%, 10/15/27   633,304 
 152,000   Salem Media Group, Inc.*     
     6.750%, 06/01/24   159,438 
 113,000   Sally Holdings, LLC / Sally Capital, Inc.^     
     5.625%, 12/01/25   112,372 
     SFR Group, SA*     
 79,000   7.375%, 05/01/26   85,120 
 79,000   6.000%, 05/15/22   82,430 
 163,000   Sirius XM Radio, Inc.*     
     6.000%, 07/15/24   174,525 
 126,000   Time, Inc.*^     
     5.750%, 04/15/22   127,445 
 219,000   ZF North America Capital, Inc.*     
     4.750%, 04/29/25   230,433 
         4,889,894 
           
     Consumer Staples (0.0%)     
 81,000   Albertsons Companies, LLC /     
    Safeway, Inc. / New Albertson’s, Inc. /     
     Albertson’s, LLC     
     5.750%, 03/15/25   71,623 
 121,000   Fresh Market, Inc.*^     
     9.750%, 05/01/23   68,364 
     JBS USA LUX SA / JBS USA     
     Finance, Inc.*     
 264,000   5.750%, 06/15/25   258,618 
 113,000   7.250%, 06/01/21   115,531 
     New Albertson’s, Inc.     
 59,000   7.450%, 08/01/29   49,459 
 38,000   8.000%, 05/01/31   33,104 
     Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.*     
 17,000   5.750%, 03/15/25   18,012 
 12,000   5.875%, 09/30/27   12,486 
 80,000   Post Holdings, Inc.*     
     5.750%, 03/01/27   83,296 
         710,493 
           
     Energy (0.1%)     
 75,000   Bill Barrett Corp.^     
     7.000%, 10/15/22   73,259 
 135,000   Calfrac Holdings, LP*     
     7.500%, 12/01/20   132,706 
 70,000   Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.^     
     6.250%, 04/15/23   71,355 
 82,000   Chesapeake Energy Corp.*     
     8.000%, 01/15/25   81,073 
PRINCIPAL        
AMOUNT      VALUE 
 17,000   Consol Mining Corp.*     
     11.000%, 11/15/25  $17,446 
 16,000   CrownRock, LP / CrownRock     
     Finance, Inc.*     
     5.625%, 10/15/25   16,249 
 138,000   DCP Midstream, LLC*‡     
     5.850%, 05/21/43     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.85%   131,639 
 29,000   Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.^     
     7.875%, 08/15/25   31,049 
     Energy Transfer Equity, LPµ     
 121,000   5.500%, 06/01/27   128,225 
 32,000   5.875%, 01/15/24   34,810 
 180,000   Energy Transfer Partners, LPµ‡     
     4.394%, 11/01/66     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.02%   163,350 
 85,000   Genesis Energy, LP / Genesis Energy Finance Corp.     
     6.500%, 10/01/25   86,414 
 163,000   Gulfmark Offshore, Inc.@     
     6.375%, 03/15/22   45,640 
     Gulfport Energy Corp.     
 61,000   6.000%, 10/15/24   61,333 
 56,000   6.375%, 05/15/25^   56,776 
 43,000   Halcon Resources Corp.*     
     6.750%, 02/15/25   44,097 
 113,000   Laredo Petroleum, Inc.     
     6.250%, 03/15/23   117,513 
 195,000   MPLX, LPµ     
     4.875%, 06/01/25   211,841 
 57,000   Oasis Petroleum, Inc.^     
     6.500%, 11/01/21   58,112 
 84,000   Plains All American Pipeline, LPµ‡     
     6.125%, 11/15/22     
     3 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.11%   85,656 
 19,000   Rice Energy, Inc.     
     7.250%, 05/01/23   20,515 
 366,000   SEACOR Holdings, Inc.     
     7.375%, 10/01/19   377,791 
 95,000   SESI, LLC*^     
     7.750%, 09/15/24   98,416 
 32,000   SM Energy Company^     
     6.750%, 09/15/26   32,918 
 60,000   Southwestern Energy Company^     
     7.500%, 04/01/26   62,415 
 34,000   Transocean, Inc.*     
     7.500%, 01/15/26   35,092 
 82,000   Vine Oil & Gas, LP / Vine Oil & Gas Finance Corp.*     
     8.750%, 04/15/23   80,269 
 95,000   W&T Offshore, Inc.*     
     8.500%, 06/15/21     
     10.000% PIK rate   72,865 

 

16 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
     VALUE 
51,000  Weatherford International, Ltd.     
   8.250%, 06/15/23  $51,332 
32,000  WildHorse Resource     
   Development Corp.*     
   6.875%, 02/01/25   31,993 
       2,512,149 
         
   Financials (0.2%)     
232,000  Ally Financial, Inc.µ     
   8.000%, 11/01/31   307,269 
287,000  AON Corp.µ     
   8.205%, 01/01/27   377,368 
91,000  Ardonagh Midco 3, PLC*     
   8.625%, 07/15/23   95,881 
118,000  AssuredPartners, Inc.*     
   7.000%, 08/15/25   123,160 
   CyrusOne, LP / CyrusOne     
   Finance Corp.*µ     
56,000  5.375%, 03/15/27   60,093 
16,000  5.000%, 03/15/24   16,798 
223,000  Dell International, LLC / EMC Corp.*µ     
   6.020%, 06/15/26   249,230 
84,000  Discover Financial Services‡     
   5.500%, 10/30/27     
   3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.08%   85,778 
110,000  Equinix, Inc.     
   5.375%, 05/15/27   118,128 
56,000  HUB International, Ltd.*     
   7.875%, 10/01/21   58,312 
107,000  ILFC E-Capital Trust II*µ‡     
   4.610%, 12/21/65   103,857 
   Jefferies Finance, LLC*     
339,000  7.375%, 04/01/20^   350,519 
146,000  7.250%, 08/15/24   149,123 
68,000  Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP / Ladder Capital Finance Corp.*µ     
   5.250%, 10/01/25   67,983 
56,000  Level 3 Financing, Inc.     
   5.375%, 05/01/25   58,609 
90,000  LPL Holdings, Inc.*     
   5.750%, 09/15/25   93,709 
101,000  MetLife, Inc.µ     
   6.400%, 12/15/66   116,558 
   Navient Corp.     
107,000  6.750%, 06/25/25^   112,000 
32,000  6.500%, 06/15/22   34,097 
64,000  NexBank Capital, Inc.*‡&     
   6.375%, 09/30/27     
   3 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.59%   64,672 
68,000  Oil Insurance, Ltd.*‡     
   4.317%, 01/08/18     
   3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.98%   65,004 
224,000  Quicken Loans, Inc.*µ^     
   5.750%, 05/01/25   237,693 
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
     VALUE 
33,000  Radian Group, Inc.µ     
   4.500%, 10/01/24  $33,899 
100,000  Springleaf Finance Corp.     
   8.250%, 10/01/23   114,075 
36,000  Towne Bank‡     
   4.500%, 07/30/27     
   3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.55%   37,177 
82,000  Tronox Finance, PLC*     
   5.750%, 10/01/25   85,877 
17,000  VEREIT Operating Partnership, LP^     
   3.950%, 08/15/27   16,980 
       3,233,849 
         
   Health Care (0.2%)     
314,000  Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.     
   6.500%, 03/01/24   333,031 
55,000  Alere, Inc.     
   6.500%, 06/15/20   55,894 
354,000  Community Health Systems, Inc.^     
   7.125%, 07/15/20   307,442 
160,000  DaVita, Inc.     
   5.125%, 07/15/24   161,112 
71,000  Endo International, PLC*     
   7.250%, 01/15/22   65,480 
162,000  Endo, Ltd.*     
   6.000%, 07/15/23   131,572 
146,000  Greatbatch, Ltd.*     
   9.125%, 11/01/23   158,711 
   HCA, Inc.     
463,000  5.875%, 05/01/23   496,554 
82,000  7.500%, 11/06/33   92,755 
64,000  5.375%, 02/01/25   66,024 
58,000  Hologic, Inc.*µ     
   5.250%, 07/15/22   60,650 
82,000  Magellan Health, Inc.µ     
   4.400%, 09/22/24   82,919 
119,000  Mallinckrodt International Finance, SA / Mallinckrodt CB, LLC*^     
   5.625%, 10/15/23   111,533 
164,000  Teleflex, Inc.     
   5.250%, 06/15/24   173,491 
   Tenet Healthcare Corp.^     
203,000  6.750%, 06/15/23   190,917 
94,000  5.125%, 05/01/25*   91,448 
63,000  Teva Pharmaceutical Finance     
   Netherlands III, BV^     
   3.150%, 10/01/26   55,807 
   Valeant Pharmaceuticals     
   International, Inc.*^     
594,000  7.250%, 07/15/22   571,152 
82,000  5.500%, 11/01/25   83,896 
60,000  West Street Merger Sub, Inc.*^     
   6.375%, 09/01/25   61,237 
       3,351,625 


 

See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 17

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
     VALUE 
   Industrials (0.1%)     
73,000  ACCO Brands Corp.*     
   5.250%, 12/15/24  $75,959 
   Allison Transmission, Inc.*     
73,000  4.750%, 10/01/27   73,806 
21,000  5.000%, 10/01/24µ   21,934 
83,000  Beacon Escrow Corp.*     
   4.875%, 11/01/25   84,195 
48,000  Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.*     
   4.875%, 01/15/26   48,798 
   Covanta Holding Corp.     
48,000  5.875%, 03/01/24   48,235 
15,000  5.875%, 07/01/25   14,867 
81,000  Delphi Jersey Holdings, PLC*     
   5.000%, 10/01/25   81,389 
82,000  Fly Leasing, Ltd.^     
   5.250%, 10/15/24   82,606 
17,000  FXI Holdings, Inc.*     
   7.875%, 11/01/24   17,295 
118,000  Garda World Security Corp.*     
   7.250%, 11/15/21   121,253 
238,000  Golden Nugget, Inc.*     
   6.750%, 10/15/24   242,571 
55,000  Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.     
   8.000%, 05/15/22   58,100 
72,000  H&E Equipment Services, Inc.*     
   5.625%, 09/01/25   76,054 
14,000  Hertz Corp.*     
   7.625%, 06/01/22   14,594 
43,000  Icahn Enterprises, LPµ     
   6.750%, 02/01/24   45,695 
   IHO Verwaltungs GmbH*     
34,000  4.500%, 09/15/23^     
   5.250% PIK rate   35,129 
34,000  4.125%, 09/15/21     
   4.875% PIK rate   34,747 
43,000  JPW Industries Holding Corp.*     
   9.000%, 10/01/24   45,306 
   Meritor, Inc.     
134,000  6.750%, 06/15/21   138,522 
105,000  6.250%, 02/15/24   112,312 
   Michael Baker International, LLC*     
109,000  8.250%, 10/15/18   109,309 
82,000  8.875%, 04/15/19     
   9.625% PIK rate   82,365 
17,000  Multi-Color Corp.*     
   4.875%, 11/01/25   17,167 
139,000  Navistar International Corp.     
   8.250%, 11/01/21   139,599 
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
     VALUE 
   Park Aerospace Holdings, Ltd.*µ     
81,000  4.500%, 03/15/23  $81,184 
57,000  5.500%, 02/15/24^   59,060 
116,000  Park-Ohio Industries, Inc.^     
   6.625%, 04/15/27   126,105 
33,000  Scientific Games International, Inc.*     
   5.000%, 10/15/25   33,537 
84,000  Tennant Company*     
   5.625%, 05/01/25   87,736 
   TransDigm, Inc.     
84,000  6.500%, 07/15/24^   86,743 
29,000  6.500%, 05/15/25   29,970 
8,000  Trident Merger Sub, Inc.*     
   6.625%, 11/01/25   7,988 
17,000  TriMas Corp.*     
   4.875%, 10/15/25   17,246 
   United Continental Holdings, Inc.     
129,000  6.375%, 06/01/18   132,049 
48,000  4.250%, 10/01/22   48,429 
   United Rentals North America, Inc.     
72,000  4.875%, 01/15/28   72,325 
61,000  4.875%, 01/15/28^   61,365 
46,000  4.625%, 10/15/25   47,149 
38,000  WESCO Distribution, Inc.^     
   5.375%, 06/15/24   40,032 
       2,752,725 
         
   Information Technology (0.1%)     
159,000  Alliance Data Systems Corp.*     
   5.875%, 11/01/21   165,462 
   Amkor Technology, Inc.     
173,000  6.375%, 10/01/22^   179,146 
170,000  6.625%, 06/01/21   172,995 
   Cardtronics, Inc.µ     
103,000  5.125%, 08/01/22   105,794 
83,000  5.500%, 05/01/25*   82,839 
74,000  CBS Radio, Inc.*^     
   7.250%, 11/01/24   77,995 
76,000  CDK Global, Inc.*µ     
   4.875%, 06/01/27   79,297 
46,000  CDW, LLC / CDW Finance Corp.µ     
   5.000%, 09/01/23   48,003 
   Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.     
120,000  7.625%, 03/15/20   118,254 
45,000  7.625%, 03/15/20^   45,072 
109,000  CommScope Technologies, LLC*µ     
   6.000%, 06/15/25   115,477 
439,000  First Data Corp.*     
   7.000%, 12/01/23   470,325 
84,000  Harland Clarke Holdings Corp.*     
   8.375%, 08/15/22   88,531 


 

18 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
     VALUE 
   Nuance Communications, Inc.µ     
73,000  6.000%, 07/01/24  $78,957 
68,000  5.625%, 12/15/26*   72,323 
39,000  5.375%, 08/15/20*   39,683 
82,000  TTM Technologies, Inc.*     
   5.625%, 10/01/25   83,607 
57,000  VFH Parent, LLC*^     
   6.750%, 06/15/22   59,286 
       2,083,046 
         
   Materials (0.1%)     
117,000  AK Steel Corp.^     
   6.375%, 10/15/25   115,381 
103,000  Alcoa Nederland Holding, BV*µ^     
   7.000%, 09/30/26   117,813 
205,000  ArcelorMittal, SA     
   7.500%, 10/15/39   256,279 
77,000  Arconic, Inc.µ     
   5.125%, 10/01/24   82,730 
   First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.*     
44,000  7.000%, 02/15/21   45,748 
23,000  7.250%, 04/01/23   24,419 
   Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.^     
97,000  4.550%, 11/14/24   97,012 
31,000  3.550%, 03/01/22   30,698 
90,000  INEOS Group Holdings, SA*^     
   5.625%, 08/01/24   93,984 
41,000  Kinross Gold Corp.*µ     
   4.500%, 07/15/27   41,529 
41,000  New Gold, Inc.*     
   6.375%, 05/15/25   43,687 
143,000  PBF Holding Company, LLC / PBF Finance Corp.*     
   7.250%, 06/15/25   148,679 
75,000  Sealed Air Corp.*     
   5.250%, 04/01/23   80,822 
31,000  Steel Dynamics, Inc.*     
   4.125%, 09/15/25   31,239 
29,000  Trinseo Materials Operating, SCA*     
   5.375%, 09/01/25   30,538 
   United States Steel Corp.     
107,000  8.375%, 07/01/21*   117,581 
29,000  6.875%, 08/15/25^   29,495 
8,000  Warrior Met Coal, Inc.*     
   8.000%, 11/01/24   8,207 
       1,395,841 
         
   Real Estate (0.0%)     
66,000  Crescent Communities, LLC/Crescent     
   Ventures, Inc.*     
   8.875%, 10/15/21   70,207 
   iStar, Inc.     
56,000  6.000%, 04/01/22   58,679 
15,000  4.625%, 09/15/20   15,334 
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
     VALUE 
122,000  MPT Operating Partnership, LP / MPT Finance Corp.µ     
   5.000%, 10/15/27  $125,311 
       269,531 
         
   Telecommunication Services (0.1%)     
53,000  Altice Financing, SA*^     
   7.500%, 05/15/26   58,256 
79,000  CB Escrow Corp.*     
   8.000%, 10/15/25   81,972 
55,000  CenturyLink, Inc.µ^     
   7.500%, 04/01/24   58,500 
284,000  CSC Holdings, LLC*µ     
   5.500%, 04/15/27   293,281 
263,000  Embarq Corp.µ     
   7.995%, 06/01/36   266,348 
   Frontier Communications Corp.     
190,000  7.625%, 04/15/24^   145,428 
162,000  10.500%, 09/15/22   142,267 
87,000  11.000%, 09/15/25   73,849 
11,000  6.875%, 01/15/25^   8,209 
65,000  Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.     
   6.625%, 08/01/26   68,916 
   Intelsat Jackson Holdings, SA     
128,000  9.750%, 07/15/25*   129,023 
86,000  7.500%, 04/01/21^   81,808 
53,000  8.000%, 02/15/24*   56,531 
80,000  Qwest Corp.     
   6.875%, 09/15/33   79,028 
33,000  SBA Communications Corp.*     
   4.000%, 10/01/22   33,518 
   Sprint Corp.     
303,000  7.875%, 09/15/23   339,490 
167,000  7.125%, 06/15/24^   180,966 
125,000  T-Mobile USA, Inc.     
   6.625%, 04/01/23   131,379 
68,000  United States Cellular Corp.     
   6.700%, 12/15/33   71,886 
   Windstream Services, LLC     
79,000  7.750%, 10/01/21   60,199 
46,000  7.750%, 10/15/20   41,224 
       2,402,078 
         
   Utilities (0.0%)     
163,000  AES Corp.µ     
   7.375%, 07/01/21   185,361 
149,000  Dynegy, Inc.*^     
   8.125%, 01/30/26   165,800 
113,000  NRG Energy, Inc.^     
   6.625%, 01/15/27   120,854 
59,000  PPL Capital Funding, Inc.µ‡     
   3.998%, 03/30/67     
   3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.67%   58,372 
       530,387 
   TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS   24,131,618 


 

See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 19

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
        VALUE  
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITY (0.0%)  
363,000   United States Treasury Note        
    2.000%, 11/15/26   $ 352,562  

 

NUMBER OF       
CONTRACTS/       
NOTIONAL       
AMOUNT     VALUE 
PURCHASED OPTIONS (0.2%) #     
   Materials (0.0%)     
183  Alcoa Corp.     
18,300  Call, 01/19/18, Strike $50.00   40,717 
   United States Steel Corp.     
95        
9,500  Call, 11/17/17, Strike $29.00   3,325 
95        
9,500  Call, 11/17/17, Strike $27.00   7,838 
95        
9,500  Call, 11/17/17, Strike $26.00   11,067 
       62,947 
         
   Other (0.2%)     
15,900  iShares MSCI EAFE ETF     
1,590,000  Call, 12/15/17, Strike $69.00   2,011,350 
6,000  iShares Russell 2000 ETF     
600,000  Call, 12/15/17, Strike $148.00   2,247,000 
       4,258,350 
   TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS   4,321,297 
   TOTAL SYNTHETIC     
   CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES     
   (Cost $27,000,665)   28,805,477 

 

NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (7.4%)        
    Consumer Staples (0.6%)        
111,900   Bunge, Ltd.        
    4.875%, 12/31/49     11,595,805  
             
    Energy (0.9%)        
84,885   CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (Time Warner, Inc., Charter Communications, Time, Inc.)**§        
    3.399%, 09/15/29     6,007,481  
114,350   Hess Corp.        
    8.000%, 02/01/19     6,312,120  
    NuStar Energy, LP‡        
165,000   7.625%, 06/15/22        
    3 mo. USD LIBOR + 5.64%     4,199,250  
53,034   8.500%, 12/15/21        
    3 mo. USD LIBOR + 6.77%     1,392,143  
          17,910,994  
NUMBER OF
SHARES
     VALUE 
   Financials (0.3%)     
80,250  Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.     
   5.150%, 10/15/37  $4,904,784 
         
   Health Care (1.5%)     
17,847  Allergan, PLC     
   5.500%, 03/01/18   11,487,935 
215,575  Anthem, Inc.     
   5.250%, 05/01/18   11,485,836 
133,000  Becton Dickinson and Company     
   6.125%, 05/01/20   7,550,410 
       30,524,181 
   Industrials (0.7%)     
122,000  Rexnord Corp.     
   5.750%, 11/15/19   7,019,880 
64,000  Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.^     
   5.375%, 05/15/20   7,569,280 
       14,589,160 
   Real Estate (1.2%)     
105,279  American Tower Corp.     
   5.500%, 02/15/18   13,283,052 
8,765  Crown Castle International Corp.     
   6.875%, 08/01/20   9,640,711 
       22,923,763 
   Telecommunication Services (0.5%)     
108,000  T-Mobile USA, Inc.     
   5.500%, 12/15/17   10,454,400 
         
   Utilities (1.7%)     
40,398  Dominion Resources, Inc.     
   6.750%, 08/15/19   2,114,027 
144,600  DTE Energy Company     
   6.500%, 10/01/19   7,957,743 
   NextEra Energy, Inc.     
231,000  6.371%, 09/01/18   16,112,250 
124,600  6.123%, 09/01/19^   7,102,200 
       33,286,220 
   TOTAL CONVERTIBLE     
   PREFERRED STOCKS     
   (Cost $136,209,312)   146,189,307 
         
COMMON STOCKS (87.2%)     
   Consumer Discretionary (11.4%)     
36,300  Amazon.com, Inc.^#   40,121,664 
185,615  Carnival Corp.^   12,322,980 
509,825  Comcast Corp. - Class A   18,368,995 
369,380  Ford Motor Company   4,532,292 
22,035  GameStop Corp. - Class A^   411,834 
154,993  General Motors Company, Inc.^   6,661,599 
138,000  Home Depot, Inc.   22,877,640 
94,000  Lowe’s Companies, Inc.   7,515,300 


 

20 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
123,000   McDonald’s Corp.^~   $ 20,529,930  
71,990   Netflix, Inc.#     14,140,996  
162,800   Nike, Inc. - Class B     8,952,372  
1,400   Priceline Group, Inc.^#     2,676,744  
35,580   Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.     4,403,737  
324,000   Starbucks Corp.^     17,768,160  
153,000   TJX Companies, Inc.^     10,679,400  
49,999   TopBuild Corp.^#     3,299,434  
201,000   Walt Disney Company^     19,659,810  
60,000   Whirlpool Corp.^     9,835,800  
          224,758,687  
             
    Consumer Staples (7.0%)        
85,500   Altria Group, Inc.     5,490,810  
505,000   Coca-Cola Company^     23,219,900  
53,100   Costco Wholesale Corp.^     8,553,348  
340,000   Mondelez International, Inc. - Class A^     14,086,200  
163,670   PepsiCo, Inc.^     18,041,344  
147,500   Philip Morris International, Inc.     15,434,400  
342,000   Procter & Gamble Company^     29,528,280  
170,835   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.     14,915,604  
125,000   Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.^     8,283,750  
          137,553,636  
             
    Energy (7.1%)        
475,000   BP, PLC     19,318,250  
325,000   Chevron Corp.^     37,664,250  
111,120   ConocoPhillips     5,683,788  
60,000   Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.^#     1,003,800  
86,865   Enterprise Products Partners, LP#     2,128,192  
117,000   EOG Resources, Inc.^     11,684,790  
360,000   Exxon Mobil Corp.^     30,006,000  
137,300   Halliburton Company^     5,868,202  
33,560   Magellan Midstream Partners, LP#~     2,305,908  
100,220   Marathon Petroleum Corp.     5,987,143  
26,500   Pioneer Natural Resources Company^     3,966,255  
156,200   Schlumberger, Ltd.^     9,996,800  
64,160   Spectra Energy Partners, LP#     2,766,579  
21,850   Targa Resources Corp.     906,775  
          139,286,732  
             
    Financials (16.6%)        
35,430   Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.     6,607,695  
165,000   American Express Company^~     15,760,800  
133,375   American International Group, Inc.^     8,617,359  
1,032,250   Bank of America Corp.^     28,273,327  
214,375   Bank of New York Mellon Corp.^     11,029,594  
161,625   BB&T Corp.     7,958,415  
44,895   Chubb Corp.     6,771,064  
945,000   Citigroup, Inc.^     69,457,500  
             
NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
125,000   Discover Financial Services   $ 8,316,250  
153,765   E*TRADE Financial Corp.#     6,702,616  
175,050   First Republic Bank^     17,049,870  
25,600   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.     6,207,488  
567,000   JPMorgan Chase & Company     57,045,870  
132,475   Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.     10,721,202  
203,205   MetLife, Inc.     10,887,724  
180,000   Morgan Stanley     9,000,000  
85,200   PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.     11,654,508  
81,900   Prudential Financial, Inc.     9,046,674  
277,726   Synchrony Financial     9,059,422  
311,215   Wells Fargo & Company^     17,471,610  
          327,638,988  
             
    Health Care (11.5%)        
139,700   Abbott Laboratories^~     7,575,931  
187,125   AbbVie, Inc.     16,888,031  
46,225   Aetna, Inc.     7,859,637  
103,095   Agilent Technologies, Inc.     7,013,553  
17,250   Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.^#     2,064,135  
60,300   Amgen, Inc.     10,565,766  
181,015   Baxter International, Inc.     11,670,037  
68,900   Bristol-Myers Squibb Company     4,248,374  
115,120   Celgene Corp.^#     11,623,667  
137,350   Eli Lilly and Company^     11,254,459  
275,000   Johnson & Johnson     38,337,750  
98,200   Medtronic, PLC     7,907,064  
288,000   Merck & Company, Inc.     15,865,920  
740,400   Pfizer, Inc.     25,958,424  
93,375   Stryker Corp.^     14,460,986  
42,800   Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.     8,295,924  
116,700   UnitedHealth Group, Inc.     24,532,674  
          226,122,332  
             
    Industrials (9.3%)        
21,850   Boeing Company^     5,636,863  
103,225   Caterpillar, Inc.^     14,017,955  
220,200   CSX Corp.     11,104,686  
162,000   Delta Air Lines, Inc.     8,104,860  
185,000   Eaton Corp., PLC^     14,803,700  
581,550   General Electric Company     11,724,048  
118,650   Honeywell International, Inc.     17,104,584  
46,281   Lockheed Martin Corp.^     14,261,953  
450,000   Masco Corp.     17,919,000  
33,000   Northrop Grumman Corp.     9,752,490  
64,090   PACCAR, Inc.     4,597,176  
135,000 EUR Siemens, AG     19,390,415  
188,000   Union Pacific Corp.     21,768,520  
109,300   United Parcel Service, Inc. - Class B     12,846,029  
          183,032,279  


 

See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 21

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
             
    Information Technology (19.0%)        
81,415   Accenture, PLC - Class A   $ 11,590,239  
28,285   Adobe Systems, Inc.#~     4,954,401  
37,745   Alphabet, Inc. - Class A#     38,992,095  
12,534   Alphabet, Inc. - Class C#     12,742,566  
504,140   Apple, Inc.     85,219,826  
400,365   Applied Materials, Inc.^     22,592,597  
55,150   Broadcom, Ltd.^     14,554,636  
225,000   Cisco Systems, Inc.     7,683,750  
221,265   Facebook, Inc. - Class A#     39,840,976  
56,750   Lam Research Corp.^     11,836,347  
89,000   MasterCard, Inc. - Class A     13,240,530  
641,000   Microsoft Corp.^     53,318,380  
300,000   Nintendo Company, Ltd.     14,454,810  
1,500,000   Nokia Corp.     7,335,000  
49,700   NVIDIA Corp.     10,278,457  
118,300   Oracle Corp.^     6,021,470  
190,870   Visa, Inc. - Class A^     20,991,883  
          375,647,963  
             
    Materials (2.2%)        
527,879   DowDuPont, Inc.     38,170,930  
82,000   Nucor Corp.     4,742,060  
          42,912,990  
             
    Real Estate (0.7%)        
37,100   American Tower Corp.^     5,330,157  
43,850   Crown Castle International Corp.^     4,695,458  
56,400   Welltower, Inc.     3,776,544  
          13,802,159  
             
    Telecommunication Services (1.8%)    
615,000   AT&T, Inc.^~     20,694,750  
205,085 EUR Orange, SA     3,369,072  
261,000   Verizon Communications, Inc.^     12,494,070  
          36,557,892  
             
    Utilities (0.6%)        
295,194   Exelon Corp.     11,869,751  
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS        
    (Cost $1,511,979,912)     1,719,183,409  
RIGHTS (0.0%) #        
    Consumer Discretionary (0.0%)        
22,573   Motors Liquidation Company        
    (Cost $—)     220,538  
WARRANTS (0.1%) #        
    Consumer Discretionary (0.1%)        
88,470   General Motors Company, Inc.        
    07/10/19, Strike $18.33        
    (Cost $5,539,299)     2,252,446  
NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS (3.6%)        
    Other (3.6%)        
222,925   iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF^  $ 19,722,175  
130,335   iShares MSCI EAFE ETF     9,075,226  
32,700   iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF^     10,273,686  
91,055   iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF^     11,307,210  
566,000   SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield        
    Bond ETF^     21,077,840  
    TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS        
    (Cost $70,073,768)     71,456,137  
             
NUMBER OF            
CONTRACTS/            
NOTIONAL            
AMOUNT         VALUE  
PURCHASED OPTIONS (0.1%) #        
    Materials (0.0%)        
183   Alcoa Corp.        
18,300   Put, 01/19/18, Strike $42.00     18,757  
95   United States Steel Corp.        
9,500   Put, 11/17/17, Strike $21.00     3,468  
          22,225  
             
    Other (0.1%)        
2,100   Powershares QQQ        
210,000   Put, 12/15/17, Strike $140.00     109,200  
9,500   S&P 500 ETF Trust        
950,000   Put, 12/29/17, Strike $252.00     2,166,000  
          2,275,200  
    TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS        
    (Cost $4,304,788)     2,297,425  
             
NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (3.3%)        
31,896,982   Fidelity Prime Money Market Fund - Institutional Class     31,906,551  
31,668,474   Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Government Portfolio     31,668,474  
    TOTAL SHORT TERM        
    INVESTMENTS        
    (Cost $63,578,044)     63,575,025  
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS (139.5%)      
  (Cost $2,508,475,272)     2,750,358,583  
MANDATORY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES, AT LIQUIDATION VALUE (-12.3%)     (242,000,000 )
LIABILITIES, LESS OTHER ASSETS (-27.2%)     (536,449,071 )
NET ASSETS (100.0%) $  1,971,909,512  


22 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments

  

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments October 31, 2017

 

NUMBER OF CONTRACTS/  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
        VALUE  
WRITTEN OPTIONS (0.0%) #        
    Materials (0.0%)        
183   Alcoa Corp.        
18,300   Put, 01/19/18, Strike $47.00   $ (48,953 )
95   United States Steel Corp.        
9,500   Put, 11/17/17, Strike $25.00     (12,587 )
    TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS        
    (Premium $73,800)     (61,540 )

 

NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

*Securities issued and sold pursuant to a Rule 144A transaction are excepted from the registration requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may only be sold to qualified institutional buyers (“QIBs”), such as the Fund. Any resale of these securities must generally be effected through a sale that is registered under the Act or otherwise exempted from such registration requirements.

µSecurity, or portion of security, is held in a segregated account as collateral for note payable aggregating a total value of $107,397,006 (see Note 6 – Notes Payable).

^Security, or portion of security, is on loan.

Variable rate security. The rate shown is the rate in effect at October 31, 2017.

@In default status and considered non-income producing.

&Illiquid security.

¤The synthetic convertible securities strategy combines separate securities that together possess the economic characteristics similar to a convertible security.

**      Step coupon security. Coupon changes periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. The rate shown is the rate in effect at October 31, 2017.

§Securities exchangeable or convertible into securities of one or more entities that are different than the issuer. Each entity is identified in the parenthetical.

#Non-income producing security.

~Security, or portion of security, is segregated as collateral (or potential collateral for future transactions) for written options. The aggregate value of such securities is $1,768,727.

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY ABBREVIATION

 

EUR    European Monetary Unit

 

Note: Value for securities denominated in foreign currencies is shown in U.S. dollars. The principal amount for such securities is shown in the respective foreign currency. The date on options represents the expiration date of the option contract. The option contract may be exercised at any date on or before the date shown.



See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 23

 

 

 

  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities October 31, 2017

  

ASSETS      
Investments in securities, at value (cost $2,508,475,272) $ 2,750,358,583  
Receivables:      
Accrued interest and dividends   10,533,164  
Investments sold   50,470,839  
Prepaid expenses   168,167  
Other assets   1,089,173  
Total assets   2,812,619,926  
LIABILITIES      
Due to custodian bank   802,742  
Options written, at value (premium $73,800)   61,540  
Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares ($25 liquidation value per share applicable to 9,680,000 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding) (net of deferred offering costs of $2,558,290) (Note 7)   239,441,710  
Payables:      
Notes payable   543,000,000  
Investments purchased   53,023,951  
Affiliates:      
Investment advisory fees   2,330,465  
Deferred compensation to trustees   245,600  
Financial accounting fees   27,031  
Trustees’ fees and officer compensation   24,489  
Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities   1,752,886  
Total liabilities   840,710,414  
NET ASSETS $ 1,971,909,512  
       
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS      
Common stock, no par value, unlimited shares authorized 154,514,000 shares issued and outstanding $ 1,806,050,423  
Undistributed net investment income (loss)   (6,782,578 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency transactions, written options and interest rate swaps   (69,258,796 )
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, foreign currency translations, interest rate swaps and written options   241,900,463  
NET ASSETS $ 1,971,909,512  
Net asset value per common shares based upon 154,514,000 shares issued and outstanding $ 12.76  

  

24 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations Year Ended October 31, 2017

  

INVESTMENT INCOME      
Interest $ 33,030,458  
Dividends   46,336,138  
Securities lending income   81,705  
Dividend taxes withheld   (135,734 )
Total investment income   79,312,567  
EXPENSES      
Investment advisory fees   25,595,930  
Interest expense on Notes Payable (Note 6)   10,066,470  
Interest expense and amortization of offering costs on Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares (Notes 1 and 7)   1,531,152  
Legal fees   364,146  
Financial accounting fees   297,607  
Printing and mailing fees   217,221  
Accounting fees   169,467  
Trustees’ fees and officer compensation   160,512  
Audit fees   99,660  
Custodian fees   67,806  
Registration fees   39,188  
Transfer agent fees   27,423  
Other   265,232  
Total expenses   38,901,814  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)   40,410,753  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)      
Net realized gain (loss) from:      
Investments, excluding purchased options   149,750,756  
Purchased options   (16,555,985 )
Foreign currency transactions   4,421  
Written options   3,888,174  
Interest rate swaps   13,815  
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:      
Investments, excluding purchased options   228,880,953  
Purchased options   75,868  
Foreign currency translations   4,301  
Written options   (1,080,117 )
Interest rate swaps   29,643  
NET GAIN (LOSS)   365,011,829  
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 405,422,582  

  

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 25

 

 

 

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   YEAR
ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
2017

YEAR
ENDED
OCTOBER 31,

2016

 
OPERATIONS           
Net investment income (loss)  $ 40,410,753  $ 46,416,198 
Net realized gain (loss)    137,101,181    42,485,345 
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)    227,910,648    (19,502,671)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations    405,422,582    69,398,872 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM           
Net investment income    (131,111,802)   (70,667,812)
Net realized gains    (21,857,058)   (25,304,173)
Return of capital        (56,996,875)
Net decrease in net assets from distributions to common shareholders    (152,968,860)   (152,968,860)
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS    252,453,722    (83,569,988)
NET ASSETS           
Beginning of year  $ 1,719,455,790  $ 1,803,025,778 
End of year  $ 1,971,909,512  $ 1,719,455,790 
Undistributed net investment income (loss)  $ (6,782,578) $ (7,286,704)

 

26 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

  

 

 

 

 

Statement of Cash Flows Year Ended October 31, 2017

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations$ 405,422,582 
Adjustments to reconcile net increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Purchase of investment securities, including purchased options  (1,367,811,066)
Net proceeds from disposition of short term investments  70,473,582 
Proceeds paid on closing written options  (5,236,752)
Proceeds from disposition of investment securities, including purchased options  1,312,634,822 
Premiums received from written options  5,699,494 
Amortization and accretion of fixed-income securities  (4,341,597)
Amortization of offering costs on Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares  59,459 
Net realized gains/losses from investments, excluding purchased options  (149,746,973)
Net realized gains/losses from purchased options  16,555,985 
Net realized gains/losses from written options  (3,888,174)
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments, excluding purchased options  (228,880,953)
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on purchased options  (75,868)
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on written options  1,080,117 
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on interest rate swaps  (29,643)
Net change in assets and liabilities:    
(Increase)/decrease in assets:    
Accrued interest and dividends receivable  (707,836)
Prepaid expenses  (126,735)
Other assets  (843,145)
Increase/(decrease) in liabilities:    
Payables to affiliates  283,231 
Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities  1,239,385 
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities$ 51,759,915 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Distributions to shareholders  (152,968,860)
Proceeds from preferred shares sold  242,000,000 
Offering costs on Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares  (2,617,749)
Net increase/(decrease) in due to custodian bank  802,742 
Repayment of note payable  (139,000,000)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities$ (51,783,867)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash$ (23,952)
Cash at beginning of year$ 23,952 
Cash at end of year$  
Supplemental disclosure    
Cash paid for interest on Notes Payable$ 8,903,285 
Cash paid for interest expense and amortization of offering costs on Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares$ 1,531,152 

  

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 27

 

 

 

  

Notes to Financial Statements

  

Note 1 – Organization and Significant Accounting Policies 

Organization. Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on December 31, 2003 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund commenced operations on March 26, 2004.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy is to provide total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income. The Fund, under normal circumstances, will invest at least 50% of its managed assets in equity securities (including securities that are convertible into equity securities). The Fund may invest up to 35% of its managed assets in securities of foreign issuers, including debt and equity securities of corporate issuers and debt securities of government issuers in developed and emerging markets. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its managed assets in securities of foreign issuers in emerging markets. “Managed assets” means the Fund’s total assets (including any assets attributable to any leverage that may be outstanding) minus total liabilities (other than debt representing financial leverage).

 

Significant Accounting Policies. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), and the Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Under U.S. GAAP, management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements and actual results may differ from those estimates. Subsequent events, if any, through the date that the financial statements were issued, have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:

 

Fund Valuation. The valuation of the Fund’s investments is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by and under the ultimate supervision of the board of trustees.

 

Fund securities that are traded on U.S. securities exchanges, except option securities, are valued at the official closing price, which is the last current reported sales price on its principal exchange at the time each Fund determines its net asset value (“NAV”). Securities traded in the over-the-counter market and quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price, as determined by NASDAQ, or lacking a NASDAQ Official Closing Price, the last current reported sale price on NASDAQ at the time a Fund determines its NAV. When a last sale or closing price is not available, equity securities, other than option securities, that are traded on a U.S. securities exchange and other equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on its principal exchange in accordance with guidelines adopted by the board of trustees. Each option security traded on a U.S. securities exchange is valued at the mid-point of the consolidated bid/ask quote for the option security, also in accordance with guidelines adopted by the board of trustees. Each over-the-counter option that is not traded through the Options Clearing Corporation is valued based on a quotation provided by the counterparty to such option under the ultimate supervision of the board of trustees.

 

Fixed income securities, certain convertible preferred securities, and non-exchange traded derivatives are normally valued by independent pricing services or by dealers or brokers who make markets in such securities. Valuations of such fixed income securities, certain convertible preferred securities, and non-exchange traded derivatives consider yield or price of equivalent securities of comparable quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data and do not rely exclusively upon exchange or over-the-counter prices.

 

Trading on European and Far Eastern exchanges and over-the-counter markets is typically completed at various times before the close of business on each day on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open. Each security trading on these exchanges or in over-the-counter markets may be valued utilizing a systematic fair valuation model provided by an independent pricing service approved by the board of trustees. The valuation of each security that meets certain criteria in relation to the valuation model is systematically adjusted to reflect the impact of movement in the U.S. market after the foreign markets close. Securities that do not meet the criteria, or that are principally traded in other foreign markets, are valued as of the last reported sale price at the time the Fund determines its NAV, or when reliable market prices or quotations are not readily available, at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations as of the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Trading of foreign securities may not take place on every NYSE business day. In addition, trading may take place in various foreign markets on Saturdays or on other days when the NYSE is not open and on which the Fund’s NAV is not calculated.

 

28 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

  

If the pricing committee determines that the valuation of a security in accordance with the methods described above is not reflective of a fair value for such security, the security is valued at a fair value by the pricing committee, under the ultimate supervision of the board of trustees, following the guidelines and/or procedures adopted by the board of trustees.

 

The Fund also may use fair value pricing, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the board of trustees and under the ultimate supervision of the board of trustees, if trading in the security is halted or if the value of a security it holds is materially affected by events occurring before the Fund’s pricing time but after the close of the primary market or exchange on which the security is listed. Those procedures may utilize valuations furnished by pricing services approved by the board of trustees, which may be based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships between securities that are generally recognized by institutional traders, a computerized matrix system, or appraisals derived from information concerning the securities or similar securities received from recognized dealers in those securities.

 

When fair value pricing of securities is employed, the prices of securities used by a Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from market quotations or official closing prices. In light of the judgment involved in fair valuations, there can be no assurance that a fair value assigned to a particular security is accurate.

 

Investment Transactions. Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis as of October 31, 2017. Net realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest income is recognized using the accrual method and includes accretion of original issue and market discount and amortization of premium. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information becomes available after the ex-dividend date.

 

Foreign Currency Translation. Values of investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using a rate quoted by a major bank or dealer in the particular currency market, as reported by a recognized quotation dissemination service.

 

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes 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 from investments.

 

Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from disposition of foreign currency, the difference in the foreign exchange rates 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 ex-date or accrual date and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes (due to the changes in the exchange rate) in the value of foreign currency and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies held at period end.

 

Allocation of Expenses Among Funds. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund; certain other common expenses of Calamos Advisors Trust, Calamos Investment Trust, Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund, Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund, Calamos Global Total Return Fund, Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund and Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund are allocated proportionately among each Fund to which the expenses relate in relation to the net assets of each Fund or on another reasonable basis.

 

Income Taxes. No provision has been made for U.S. income taxes because the Fund’s policy is to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and distribute to shareholders substantially all of the Fund’s taxable income and net realized gains.

 

Dividends and distributions paid to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these “book/tax” differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for foreign currency transactions, contingent payment debt instruments and methods of amortizing and accreting for fixed income securities. The financial statements are not adjusted for temporary differences.

 

Distributions to holders of mandatory redeemable preferred shares (“MRPS”) as described in Note 7 are accrued on a daily basis and are treated as an operating expense due to the fixed term of the obligation. The distributions are shown on the Statement of Operations as Interest expense and amortization of offering costs on Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares. For tax purposes, the distributions made to the holders of the MRPS are treated as dividends.

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 29

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

The Fund recognized no liability for uncertain tax positions. A reconciliation is not provided as the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized benefits are zero, with no interim additions, reductions or settlements. Tax years 2013 - 2016 remain subject to examination by the U.S. and the State of Illinois tax jurisdictions.

 

Indemnifications. Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the Fund is obligated to indemnify its officers and trustees against certain liabilities incurred by them by reason of having been an officer or trustee of the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Fund’s management expects the risk of material loss in connection to a potential claim to be remote.

 

Note 2 – Investment Adviser and Transactions With Affiliates Or Certain Other Parties 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with Calamos Advisors LLC (“Calamos Advisors”), the Fund pays an annual fee, payable monthly, equal to 1.00% based on the average weekly managed assets.

 

Pursuant to a financial accounting services agreement, during the year the Fund paid Calamos Advisors a fee for financial accounting services payable monthly at the annual rate of 0.0175% on the first $1 billion of combined assets, 0.0150% on the next $1 billion of combined assets and 0.0110% on combined assets above $2 billion (for purposes of this calculation “combined assets” means the sum of the total average daily net assets of Calamos Investment Trust and Calamos Advisors Trust and the total average weekly managed assets of Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund, Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund, Calamos Global Total Return Fund, Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund and Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund). Financial accounting services include, but are not limited to, the following: managing expenses and expense payment processing; monitoring the calculation of expense accrual amounts; calculating, tracking and reporting tax adjustments on all assets; and monitoring trustee deferred compensation plan accruals and valuations. The Fund pays its pro rata share of the financial accounting services fee payable to Calamos Advisors based on its relative portion of combined assets used in calculating the fee.

 

The Fund reimburses Calamos Advisors for a portion of compensation paid to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. This compensation is reported as part of the “Trustees’ fees and officer compensation” expense on the Statement of Operations.

 

The Fund has adopted a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, a trustee who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) and has elected to participate in the Plan (a “participating trustee”) may defer receipt of all or a portion of their compensation from the Fund. The deferred compensation payable to the participating trustee is credited to the trustee’s deferral account as of the business day such compensation would have been paid to the participating trustee. The value of amounts deferred for a participating trustee is determined by reference to the change in value of Class I shares of one or more funds of Calamos Investment Trust designated by the participant. The value of the account increases with contributions to the account or with increases in the value of the measuring shares, and the value of the account decreases with withdrawals from the account or with declines in the value of the measuring shares. Deferred compensation of $245,600 is included in “Other assets” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 2017. The Fund’s obligation to make payments under the Plan is a general obligation of the Fund and is included in “Payable for deferred compensation to trustees” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 2017.

 

Note 3 – Investments 

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of long-term investments for the year ended October 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

   U.S. 
   GOVERNMENT 
   SECURITIES  OTHER
Cost of purchases$ 6,190,488 $ 1,640,926,731 
Proceeds from sales     1,597,283,726 
         

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes at October 31, 2017 was as follows:

 
         
Cost basis of investments    $ 2,585,682,418 
Gross unrealized appreciation      365,472,604 
Gross unrealized depreciation      (200,857,979)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    $ 164,614,625 

  

30 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

  

Note 4 – Income Taxes 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, the Fund recorded the following permanent reclassifications to reflect tax character. The results of operations and net assets were not affected by these reclassifications.

 

Paid-in capital$ 3,703,578 
Undistributed net investment income/(loss)  113,062,233 
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) on investments  (116,765,811)

  

The Fund intends to make monthly distributions from its income available for distribution, which consists of the Fund’s dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, and net realized gains on stock investments. At least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains, if any. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distinguishes between distributions on a tax basis and a financial reporting basis. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits be reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in-capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income. Distributions in any year may include a return of capital component.

 

Distributions for the year ended October 31, 2017 were characterized for federal income tax purposes as follows:

 

   YEAR ENDED  YEAR ENDED
   OCTOBER 31, 2017  OCTOBER 31, 2016
Distributions paid from:        
Ordinary income$ 132,583,495 $ 70,667,812 
Long-term capital gains  21,857,058   25,304,173 
Return of capital     56,996,875 

 

As of October 31, 2017, the components of accumulated earnings/(loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 
         
Undistributed ordinary income    $ 1,440,505 
Undistributed capital gains       
Total undistributed earnings      1,440,505 
Accumulated capital and other losses       
Net unrealized gains/(losses)      164,619,517 
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)      166,060,022 
Other      (200,933)
Paid-in-capital      1,806,050,423 
Net assets applicable to common shareholders    $ 1,971,909,512 

  

Note 5 – Derivative Instruments 

Foreign Currency Risk. The Fund may engage in portfolio hedging with respect to changes in currency exchange rates by entering into forward foreign currency contracts to purchase or sell currencies. A forward foreign currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. Risks associated with such contracts include, among other things, movement in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar and the ability of the counterparty to perform.

 

To mitigate the counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that governs over-the-counter derivatives and foreign exchange contracts and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out netting), including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Generally, collateral is exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty and the amount of collateral due from the Fund or to a counterparty has to exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer has to be

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 31

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

  

made. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. When a Fund is required to post collateral under the terms of a derivatives transaction and master netting agreement, the Fund’s custodian holds the collateral in a segregated account, subject to the terms of a tri-party agreement among the Fund, the custodian and the counterparty.  The master netting agreement and tri-party agreement provide, in relevant part, that the counterparty may have rights to the amounts in the segregated account in the event that the Fund defaults in its obligation with respect to the derivative instrument that is subject to the collateral requirement.  When a counterparty is required to post collateral under the terms of a derivatives transaction and master netting agreement, the counterparty delivers such amount to the Fund’s custodian.  The master netting agreement provides, in relevant part, that the Fund may have rights to such collateral in the event that the counterparty defaults in its obligation with respect to the derivative instrument that is subject to the collateral requirement.

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The net unrealized gain, if any, represents the credit risk to the Fund on a forward foreign currency contract. The contracts are valued daily at forward foreign exchange rates. The Fund realizes a gain or loss when a position is closed or upon settlement of the contracts. There were no open forward foreign currency contracts at October 31, 2017.

 

Equity Risk. The Fund may engage in option transactions and in doing so achieves similar objectives to what it would achieve through the sale or purchase of individual securities. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security, index or other instrument at the exercise price. A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the seller the obligation to buy, the underlying security, index, or other instrument at the exercise price.

 

To seek to offset some of the risk of a potential decline in value of certain long positions, the Fund may also purchase put options on individual securities, broad-based securities indexes or certain exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The Fund may also seek to generate income from option premiums by writing (selling) options on a portion of the equity securities (including securities that are convertible into equity securities) in the Fund’s portfolio, on broad-based securities indexes, or certain ETFs.

 

When a Fund purchases an option, it pays a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as an asset. When a Fund writes an option, it receives a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as a liability. The asset or liability is adjusted daily to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain or loss to the extent of the premium received or paid. If an option is exercised, the premium received or paid is recorded as an adjustment to the proceeds from the sale or the cost basis of the purchase. The difference between the premium and the amount received or paid on a closing purchase or sale transaction is also treated as a realized gain or loss. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid. Gain or loss on written options and purchased options is presented separately as net realized gain or loss on written options and net realized gain or loss on purchased options, respectively.

 

Options written by the Fund do not typically give rise to counterparty credit risk since options written obligate the Fund and not the counterparty to perform. Exchange traded purchased options have minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default.

 

As of October 31, 2017, the Fund had outstanding purchased options and/or written options as listed on the Schedule of Investments.

 

Interest Rate Risk. The Fund may engage in interest rate swaps primarily to hedge the interest rate risk on the Fund’s borrowings (see Note 6 – Notes Payable). An interest rate swap is a contract that involves the exchange of one type of interest rate for another type of interest rate. If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value; if interest rates fall, the Fund would likely lose money on the swap transaction. Unrealized gains are reported as an asset, and unrealized losses are reported as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in value of swaps, including accruals of periodic amounts of interest to be paid or received on swaps, is reported as change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on interest rate swaps in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded in net realized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps in the Statement of Operations upon payment or receipt of a periodic payment or termination of the swap agreements. Swap agreements are stated at fair value. Notional principal amounts are used to express the extent of involvement in these transactions, but the amounts potentially subject to credit risk are much smaller.

 

32 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

  

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

  

In connection with these contracts, securities may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the respective swap contracts in the event of default or bankruptcy of the Fund. Please see the disclosure regarding ISDA Master Agreements under Foreign Currency Risk within this note.

 

Premiums paid to or by a Fund are accrued daily and included in realized gain (loss) when paid on swaps in the accompanying Statement of Operations. The contracts are marked-to-market daily based upon third party vendor valuations and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Gains or losses are realized upon early termination of the contract. Risks may exceed amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts’ terms, counterparty’s creditworthiness, and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the contracts.

 

As of October 31, 2017, the Fund had no outstanding interest rate swap agreements.

 

As of October 31, 2017, the Fund had outstanding derivative contracts which are reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

   ASSET   LIABILITY
   DERIVATIVES   DERIVATIVES
Gross amounts at fair value:         
Purchased Options(1)  $6,618,722   $
Written Options(2)       61,540
   $6,618,722   $61,540

 

(1) Generally, the Statement of Assets and Liabilities location for “Options purchased” is “Investments in securities, at value.”

(2) Generally, the Statement of Assets and Liabilities location for “Options written” is “Options written, at value.”

 

For the year ended October 31, 2017, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund is reflected below:*

 
   VOLUME
Purchased options   111,108
Options written   42,235
* Activity during the period is measured by opened number of contracts for options purchased or written    

 

Note 6 – Notes Payable 

The Fund, with the approval of its board of trustees, including its independent trustees, has entered into an Amended and Restated Liquidity Agreement (the “SSB Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”) that allows the Fund to borrow up to a limit of $830.0 million, and provides for securities lending and securities repurchase transactions. Borrowings under the SSB Agreement are secured by assets of the Fund that are held with the Fund’s custodian in a separate account (the “pledged collateral”). Interest on the SSB Agreement is charged on the drawn amount at the rate of Overnight LIBOR plus .80%. A commitment fee of .10% is payable on any undrawn balance. For the year ended October 31, 2017, the average borrowings under the Agreement were $660.0 million. For the year ended October 31, 2017, the average interest rate was 2.00%. As of October 31, 2017, the amount of total outstanding borrowings was $543.0 million, which approximates fair value. The interest rate applicable to the borrowings on October 31, 2017 was 1.05%.

 

Under the terms of the SSB Agreement, all securities lent through SSB must be secured continuously by collateral received in cash. Cash collateral held by SSB on behalf of the Fund may be credited against the amounts borrowed under the SSB Agreement. Any amounts credited against borrowings under the SSB Agreement would count against the Fund’s leverage limitations under the 1940 Act, unless otherwise covered in accordance with SEC Release IC-10666. Under the terms of the SSB Agreement, SSB will return the value of the collateral to the borrower at the termination of the selected securities loan(s), which will eliminate the credit against the borrowings under the SSB Agreement and will cause the amount drawn under the SSB Agreement to increase in an amount equal to the returned collateral. Under the terms of the SSB Agreement, the Fund will make a variable “net income” payment related to any collateral credited against borrowings under the SSB Agreement which will be paid to the securities borrower, less any payments due to the Fund or SSB under the terms of the SSB Agreement. The Fund has the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time. As of October 31, 2017, the Fund used approximately $509.2 million of its cash collateral to offset borrowings under the SSB Agreement, representing 18.5% of managed assets, and was required to pay a “net income” payment equal to an annualized

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 33

 

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

interest rate of 0.99%, which can fluctuate depending on interest rates. As of October 31, 2017, approximately $496.9 million of securities were on loan ($145.6 million of fixed income securities and $351.3 million of equity securities) under the SSB Agreement which are reflected in the Investment in securities, at value on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The borrowings are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

 

Note 7 – Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares 

On September 6, 2017, the Fund issued 9,680,000 mandatory redeemable preferred shares (“MRPS”) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $242.0 million. Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the MRPS issuance are aggregated with the outstanding liability and are being amortized to Interest expense and amortization of offering costs on Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares over the respective life of each series of MRPS and shown in the Statement of Operations.

 

The MRPS are divided into three series with different mandatory redemption dates and dividend rates. The table below summarizes the key terms of each series of the MRPS at October 31, 2017.

                       
  TERM           LIQUIDATION     AGGREGATE
  REDEMPTION DIVIDEND   SHARES     PREFERENCE     LIQUIDATION
SERIES DATE RATE   (000’S)     PER SHARE     PREFERENCE
Series A 9/06/22 3.70 % 3,220     $ 25       $   80,500,000
Series B 9/06/24 4.00 % 3,220     $ 25       $   80,500,000
Series C 9/06/27 4.24 % 3,240     $ 25       $   81,000,000
              Total       $ 242,000,000

 

The MRPS are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. The MRPS are considered debt of the issuer; therefore, the liquidation preference, which approximates fair value of the MRPS, is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities net of deferred offering costs. The MRPS are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

 

Holders of MRPS are entitled to receive monthly cumulative cash dividends payable on the first business day of each month. The MRPS currently are rated “AA” by Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”). If on the first day of a monthly dividend period the MRPS of any class are rated lower than “A” by Fitch (or lower than the equivalent of such rating by any other rating agency providing a rating pursuant to the request of the Fund), the dividend rate for such period shall be increased by 0.5%, 2.0% or 4.0% according to an agreed upon schedule. The MRPS’ dividend rate is also subject to increase during periods when the Fund has not made timely payments to MRPS holders and/or the MRPS do not have a current credit rating, subject to various terms conditions. Dividends accrued and paid to the shareholders of MRPS are included in “Interest expense and amortization of offering costs on Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shareholders” within the Statement of Operations.

 

The MRPS rank junior to the Fund’s borrowings under the SSB Agreement and senior to the Fund’s outstanding common stock. The Fund may, at its option, subject to various terms and conditions, redeem the MRPS, in whole or in part, at the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends, plus a make whole premium equal to the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments. Each class of MRPS is subject to mandatory redemption on the term redemption date specified in the table above. Periodically, the Fund is subject to an overcollateralization test based on applicable rating agency criteria (the “OC Test”) and an asset coverage test with respect to its outstanding senior securities (the “AC Test”). The Fund may be required to redeem MRPS before their term redemption date if it does not comply with one or both tests. So long as any MRPS are outstanding, the Fund may not declare, pay or set aside for payment cash dividends or other distributions on shares of its common stock unless (1) the Fund has satisfied the OC Test on at least one testing date in the preceding 65 days, (2) immediately after such transaction, the Fund would comply with the AC Test, (3) full cumulative dividends on the MRPS due on or prior to the date of such transaction have been declared and paid and (4) the Fund has redeemed all MRPS required to have been redeemed on such date or has deposited funds sufficient for such redemption, subject to certain grace periods and exceptions.

 

Except as otherwise required pursuant to the Fund’s governing documents or applicable law, the holders of the MRPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of MRPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the MRPS have the right to elect at least two trustees of the Fund, voting separately as a class. Except during any time when the Fund has failed to make a dividend or redemption payment in respect of MRPS outstanding, the holders of MRPS have agreed to vote in accordance with the recommendation of the board of trustees on any matter submitted to them for their vote or to the vote of shareholders of the Fund generally.

 

34 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Note 8 – Common Shares 

There are unlimited common shares of beneficial interest authorized and 154,514,000 shares outstanding at October 31, 2017.

 

Transactions in common shares were as follows:

        
   YEAR ENDED   YEAR ENDED
   OCTOBER 31, 2017   OCTOBER 31, 2016
Beginning shares   154,514,000    154,514,000
Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions       
Ending shares   154,514,000    154,514,000

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act that the Fund may from time to time purchase its shares of common stock in the open market.

 

The Fund also may offer and sell common shares from time to time at an offering price equal to or in excess of the net asset value per share of the Fund’s common shares at the time such common shares are initially sold.

 

Note 9 – Fair Value Measurements 

Various inputs are used to determine the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels as follows:

 

Level 1 – Prices are determined using inputs from unadjusted quoted prices from active markets (including securities actively traded on a securities exchange) for identical assets.

 

Level 2 – Prices are determined using significant observable market inputs other than unadjusted quoted prices, including quoted prices of similar securities, fair value adjustments to quoted foreign securities, interest rates, credit risk, prepayment speeds, and other relevant data.

 

Level 3 – Prices reflect unobservable market inputs (including the Fund’s own judgments about assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value) when observable inputs are unavailable.

 

Debt securities are valued based upon evaluated prices received from an independent pricing service or from a dealer or broker who makes markets in such securities. Pricing services utilize various observable market data and as such, debt securities are generally categorized as Level 2. The levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Transfers between the levels for investment securities or other financial instruments are measured at the end of the reporting period.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s holdings at fair value:

 

   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3   TOTAL 
Assets:                    
Corporate Bonds  $   $404,773,267   $   $404,773,267 
Convertible Bonds       305,693,583        305,693,583 
U.S. Government and Agency Securities       5,911,969        5,911,969 
Synthetic Convertible Securities (Corporate Bonds)       24,131,618        24,131,618 
Synthetic Convertible Securities (U.S. Government and Agency Security)       352,562        352,562 
Synthetic Convertible Securities (Purchased Options)   4,321,297            4,321,297 
Convertible Preferred Stocks   115,723,494    30,465,813        146,189,307 
Common Stocks U.S.   1,681,969,112    14,454,810        1,696,423,922 
Common Stocks Foreign       22,759,487        22,759,487 
Rights       220,538        220,538 
Warrants   2,252,446            2,252,446 
Exchange-Traded Funds   71,456,137            71,456,137 
Purchased Options   2,297,425            2,297,425 
Short Term Investments   63,575,025            63,575,025 
Total  $1,941,594,936   $808,763,647   $   $2,750,358,583 
Liabilities:                    
Written Options  $61,540   $   $   $61,540 
Total  $61,540   $   $   $61,540 

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 35

  

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each year were as follows:

 

      YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,   
   2017  2016  2015  2014  2013
Net asset value, beginning of year  $11.13   $11.67   $12.51   $11.86   $10.56 
Income from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss)*   0.26    0.30    0.38    0.42    0.41 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   2.36    0.15    (0.23)   1.16    1.73 
Total from investment operations   2.62    0.45    0.15    1.58    2.14 
Less distributions to common shareholders from:                         
Net investment income   (0.85)   (0.46)   (0.66)   (0.55)   (0.59)
Net realized gains   (0.14)   (0.16)       (0.16)    
Return of capital       (0.37)   (0.33)   (0.22)   (0.25)
Total distributions   (0.99)   (0.99)   (0.99)   (0.93)   (0.84)
Net asset value, end of year  $12.76   $11.13   $11.67   $12.51   $11.86 
Market value, end of year  $12.33   $9.95   $10.20   $11.82   $10.56 
Total investment return based on:(a)                         
Net asset value   25.11%   5.48%   1.98%   14.46%   21.83%
Market value   35.23%   7.89%   (5.66)%   21.46%   11.75%
Net assets, end of year (000)  $1,971,910   $1,719,456   $1,803,026   $1,932,218   $1,832,666 
Ratios to average net assets applicable to common shareholders:                         
Net expenses(b)   2.09%   1.97%   1.81%   1.72%   1.79%
Net investment income (loss)   2.17%   2.73%   3.11%   3.39%   3.71%
Portfolio turnover rate   65%   31%   23%   20%   55%
Average commission rate paid  $0.0240   $0.0307   $0.0336   $0.0210   $0.0234 
Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, at redemption value                         
($25 per share liquidation preference) (000’s omitted)  $242,000   $   $   $   $ 
Notes Payable (000’s omitted)  $543,000   $682,000   $716,000   $725,000   $700,000 
Asset coverage per $1,000 of loan outstanding(c)  $5,077   $3,521   $3,518   $3,665   $3,619 
Asset coverage per $25 liquidation value per share of Mandatory                         
Redeemable Preferred Shares(d)  $285   $   $   $   $ 

  

*      Net investment income calculated based on average shares method.
(a)      Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the opening of the first day and a sale on the closing of the last day of the period reported. Dividends and distributions are assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year. Brokerage commissions are not reflected. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share market price is the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the Fund at a given time. Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors, including supply and demand and market conditions.
(b)      Ratio of net expenses, excluding interest expense on Notes Payable and interest expense and amortization of offering costs on Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, to average net assets was 1.47%, 1.49%, 1.47%, 1.44% and 1.44%, respectively.
(c)      Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including Notes payable and Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing this by the amount of notes payable outstanding, and by multiplying the result by 1,000.
(d)      Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including Notes payable and Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing this by the number of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares outstanding, and by multiplying the result by 25.

 

36 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2017, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2017, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund as of October 31, 2017, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

(SIGNATURE) 

 

Chicago, Illinois

December 15, 2017

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 37

  

 

 

  

Trustee Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)

   

The Board of Trustees of the Fund oversees the management of the Fund, and, as required by law, determines annually whether to continue the Fund’s management agreement with Calamos Advisors LLC (the “Adviser”) pursuant to which the Adviser serves as the investment manager and administrator for the Fund. The “Independent Trustees,” who comprise more than 80% of the Board, have never been affiliated with the Adviser.

 

In connection with their most recent consideration regarding the continuation of the management agreement, the Trustees received and reviewed a substantial amount of information provided by the Adviser in response to detailed requests of the Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel. In the course of their consideration of the agreement, the Independent Trustees were advised by their counsel, and in addition to meeting with management of the Adviser, they met separately in executive session with their counsel.

 

At a meeting held on June 21, 2017, based on their evaluation of the information referred to above and other information provided in this and previous meetings, the Trustees determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser were fair and reasonable in light of the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by the Adviser and its affiliates, the fees charged for those services and other matters that the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. At that meeting, the Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the continuation of the management agreement through July 31, 2018, subject to possible earlier termination as provided in the agreement.

 

In connection with its consideration of the management agreement, the Board considered, among other things: (i) the nature, quality and extent of the Adviser’s services, (ii) the investment performance of the Fund as well as performance information for comparable funds and other, comparable clients of the Adviser, (iii) the fees and other expenses paid by the Fund as well as expense information for comparable funds and for other, comparable clients of the Adviser, (iv) the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund, (v) whether economies of scale may be realized as the Fund grows and whether potential economies may be shared, in some measure, with Fund investors and (vi) other benefits to the Adviser from its relationship with the Fund. In the Board’s deliberations, no single factor was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve continuation of the management agreement.

 

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board’s consideration of the nature, quality and extent of the Adviser’s services to the Fund took into account the knowledge gained from the Board’s meetings with the Adviser throughout the years. In addition, the Board considered: the Adviser’s long-term history of managing the Fund; the consistency of investment approach; the background and experience of the Adviser’s investment personnel responsible for managing the Fund; and the Adviser’s performance as administrator of the Fund, including, among other things, in the areas of brokerage selection, trade execution, compliance and shareholder communications. The Board also reviewed the Adviser’s resources and key personnel involved in providing investment management services to the Fund. The Board noted the personal investments that the Adviser’s key investment personnel have made in the Fund, which further aligns the interests of the Adviser and its personnel with those of the Fund’s shareholders. In addition, the Board considered compliance reports about the Adviser from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.

 

The Board also considered the information provided by the Adviser regarding the Fund’s performance and the steps the Adviser is taking to improve performance. In particular, the Board noted the additional personnel added or planned to be added to the investment team, which includes portfolio managers, research analysts, research associates and risk management personnel. The Board also noted the Adviser’s significant investment into its infrastructure and investment processes.

 

Investment Performance of the Fund. The Board considered the Fund’s investment performance over various time periods, including how the Fund performed compared to the median performance of a group of comparable funds (the Fund’s “Category”) selected by an independent third-party service provider. In certain instances noted below, the Category represents a custom group of comparable funds, also selected by an independent third-party service provider. The performance periods considered by the Board ended on March 31, 2017, except where otherwise noted.  Where available, the Board considered one-, three-, five- and ten-year performance.   To the extent the Board considered data for periods other than those ending on March 31, 2017 or considered comparative data in addition to that of the Category, the data was still produced by the independent third-party service provider.

 

The Board considered that the Fund outperformed its Category median for the one- and three-year periods and equaled the Category median during the ten-year period (though it underperformed for the five-year period).

 

38 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

Trustee Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)

  

Costs of Services Provided and Profits Realized by the Adviser. Using information provided by an independent third-party service provider, the Board evaluated the Fund’s actual management fee rate compared to the median management fee rate for other mutual funds similar in size, character and investment strategy (the Fund’s “Expense Group”), and the Fund’s total expense ratio compared to the median total expense ratio of the Fund’s Expense Group.

 

The Board also reviewed the Adviser’s management fee rates for its institutional separate accounts and for its sub-advised funds (for which the Adviser provides portfolio management services only). The Board took into account the Adviser’s assertion that although, generally, the rates of fees paid by institutional clients were lower than the rates of fees paid by the Fund, the differences reflected the Adviser’s greater level of responsibilities and significantly broader scope of services regarding the Fund, the more extensive regulatory obligations and risks associated with managing the Fund, and other financial considerations with respect to creation and sponsorship of the Fund. The Board considered factors that lead to more expenses for registered funds including but not limited to: (i) capital expenditures to establish a fund, (ii) length of time to reach critical mass, and the related expenses, (iii) higher servicing costs of intermediaries and shareholders, (iv) higher redemption rates of assets under management and (v) greater exposure to “make whole” errors.

 

The Board also considered the Adviser’s costs in serving as the Fund’s investment adviser and manager, including but not limited to costs associated with technology, infrastructure and compliance necessary to manage the Fund. The Board reviewed the Adviser’s methodology for allocating costs among the Adviser’s lines of business. The Board also considered information regarding the structure of the Adviser’s compensation program for portfolio managers, analysts and certain other employees and the relationship of such compensation to the attraction and retention of quality personnel. Finally, the Board reviewed information on the profitability of the Adviser in serving as the Fund’s investment manager and of the Adviser and its affiliates in all of their relationships with the Fund, as well as an explanation of the methodology utilized in allocating various expenses among the Fund and the Adviser’s other business units. Data was provided to the Board with respect to profitability, both on a pre- and post-marketing cost basis. The Board reviewed the annual report of the Adviser’s parent company and discussed its corporate structure.

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s management fee rate and total expense ratio are both higher than the respective medians of the Fund’s Expense Group. The Board, in its consideration of expenses, also took into account its review of the Fund’s performance.

 

Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether the Fund’s management fee shares with shareholders potential economies of scale that may be achieved by the Adviser. The Board also considered the benefits accruing to shareholders from the Adviser’s investments into its infrastructure and investment processes.

 

Other Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board also considered other benefits that accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that while the Adviser may potentially benefit from its relationship with the Fund in ways other than the fees payable by the Fund, the Fund also may benefit from its relationship with the Adviser in ways other than the services to be provided by the Adviser and its affiliates pursuant to their agreement with the Fund and the fees payable by the Fund.

 

The Board also considered the Adviser’s use of a portion of the commissions paid by the Fund on its portfolio brokerage transactions to obtain research products and services benefiting the Fund and/or other clients of the Adviser and concluded, based on reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, that the Adviser’s use of “soft” commission dollars to obtain research products and services was consistent with regulatory requirements.

 

After full consideration of the above factors as well as other factors that were instructive in their consideration, the Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, concluded that the continuation of the management agreement with the Adviser was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 39

 

 

 

 

Tax Information (Unaudited)

   

We are providing this information as required by the Internal Revenue Code (Code). The amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in this report due to differences between tax and financial reporting requirements. In February 2018, shareholders will receive Form 1099-DIV which will include their share of qualified dividends and capital gains distributed during the calendar year 2017. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisors for information on the treatment of these amounts on their individual income tax returns.

 

Under Section 852(b)(3)(C) of the Code, the Fund hereby designates $21,857,058 as capital gain dividends for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.

 

Under Section 854(b)(2) of the Code, the Fund hereby designates $31,017,619 or the maximum amount allowable under the Code, as qualified dividends for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.

 

Under Section 854(b)(2) of the Code, the Fund hereby designates 20.10% of the ordinary income dividends as income qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.

 

40 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

 

The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the investment management agreement between the Fund and Calamos Advisors, is the responsibility of its board of trustees. Each trustee elected will hold office for the terms noted below or until such trustee’s earlier resignation, death or removal; however, each trustee who is not an interested person of the Fund shall retire as a trustee at the end of the calendar year in which the trustee attains the age of 75 years.

 

The following table sets forth each trustee’s name, year of birth, position(s) with the Fund, number of portfolios in the Calamos Fund Complex overseen, principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other directorships held, and date first elected or appointed. Each Trustee oversees each Fund of the Trust.

  

NAME AND
YEAR OF BIRTH
  POSITION(S) WITH FUND   PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX^
OVERSEEN
  PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS
AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
             
Trustees who are interested persons of the Fund:
John P. Calamos, Sr., (1940)*   Chairman, Trustee and President (since 1988)   23   Founder, Chairman, and Global Chief Investment Officer, Calamos Asset Management, Inc. (“CAM”), Calamos Investments LLC (“CILLC”), Calamos Advisors LLC and its predecessor (“Calamos Advisors”) and Calamos Wealth Management LLC (“CWM”), prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer (until 2016), and previously Chief Executive Officer, Calamos Financial Services LLC and its predecessor (“CFS”) (until 2013); Director, CAM
             
Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund:
John E. Neal, (1950)   Trustee (since 2001)   23   Private investor; Director, Equity Residential Trust (publicly-owned REIT) and Creation Investments (private international microfinance company); Partner, Linden LLC (health care private equity); Director, Centrust Bank (Northbrook, Illinois community bank)
             
William R. Rybak, (1951)   Trustee (since 2002)   23   Private investor; Chairman (since February 2016) and Director (since February 2010), Christian Brothers Investment Services Inc.); Director, Private Bancorp (2003-2017); Trustee, JNL Series Trust, JNL Investors Series Trust and JNL Variable Fund LLC** (since January 2007); Trustee, Lewis University (since October 2012); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Van Kampen Investments, Inc. and subsidiaries (investment manager)
             
Stephen B. Timbers, (1944)   Trustee (since 2004); Lead Independent Trustee (since 2005)   23   Private investor
             
David D. Tripple, (1944)   Trustee (since 2006)   23   Private investor; Trustee, Century Growth Opportunities Fund (since 2010), Century Shares Trust and Century Small Cap Select Fund (since January 2004)***
             
Virginia G. Breen, (1964)   Trustee (since 2015)   23   Trustee, Neuberger, Berman Fund Complex (since 2015)****; Trustee, Jones Lang LaSalle Income Property Trust (since 2004); Director, UBS A&Q Fund Complex (since 2008)*****; Director, Bank of America/US Trust Company (until 2015); Director of Modus Link Global Solutions, Inc. (until 2013)

 

*Mr. Calamos is an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act because he is an officer of the Trust and an affiliate of Calamos Advisors and CFS.

 

**Overseeing 118 portfolios in fund complex.

 

***Overseeing two portfolios in fund complex.

 

****Overseeing eleven portfolios in fund complex.

 

*****Overseeing eight portfolios in fund complex.

 

^The Fund Complex consists of CALAMOS Investment Trust, CALAMOS Advisors Trust, CALAMOS Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund, CALAMOS Convertible and High Income Fund, CALAMOS Strategic Total Return Fund, CALAMOS Global Total Return Fund, CALAMOS Global Dynamic Income Fund and CALAMOS Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund.

 

The address of each trustee is 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563.

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 41

 

 

 

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

 

Officers. The preceding table gives information about John P. Calamos, Sr., who is Chairman, Trustee and President of the Fund. The following table sets forth each other officer’s name, year of birth, position with the Fund and date first appointed to that position, and principal occupation(s) during the past five years. Each officer serves until his or her successor is chosen and qualified or until his or her resignation or removal by the board of trustees.

 

NAME AND
YEAR OF BIRTH
  POSITION(S) WITH FUND   PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS
         
John S. Koudounis, (1966)   Vice President (since 2016)   Chief Executive Officer, CAM, CILLC, Calamos Advisors, CWM and CFS (since 2016); Director CAM (since 2016); President and Chief Executive Officer (2010-2016), Mizuho Securities USA Inc.
         
Thomas Herman, (1961)   Vice President (since 2016); prior thereto Chief Financial Officer (2016-2017)   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, CAM, CILLC, Calamos Advisors, CWM, and CFS (since 2016); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Harris Associates (2010-2016)
         
Curtis Holloway, (1967)   Chief Financial Officer (since March2017) and Treasurer (since 2010), Prior thereto Assistant Treasurer (2007-2010)   Senior Vice President, Head of Fund Administrtation (since 2017), Calamos Advisors; Vice President, Fund Administration, (since 2013)
         
Robert Behan, (1964)   Vice President (since September 2013)   President (since 2015), Head of Global Distribution (since April 2013), CAM, CILLC, Calamos Advisors, and CFS; prior thereto Senior Vice President (2009-2013), prior thereto Head of US Intermediary Distribution (2010-2013)
         
J. Christopher Jackson, (1951)   Vice President and Secretary (since 2010)   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, CAM, CILLC, Calamos Advisors and CFS (since 2010); Director, Calamos Global Funds plc (since 2011)
         
Mark J. Mickey, (1951)   Chief Compliance Officer (since 2005)   Chief Compliance Officer, Calamos Funds (since 2005)

  

The address of each officer is 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563.

 

42 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

  

About Closed-End Funds

  

What is a Closed-End Fund? 

A closed-end fund is a publicly traded investment company that raises its initial investment capital through the issuance of a fixed number of shares to investors in a public offering. Shares of a closed-end fund are listed on a stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market. Like all investment companies, a closed-end fund is professionally managed and offers investors a unique investment solution based on its investment objective approved by the fund’s Board of Directors.

 

Potential Advantages of Closed-End Fund Investing 

  Defined Asset Pool Allows Efficient Portfolio Management—Although closed-end fund shares trade actively on a securities exchange, this doesn’t affect the closed-end fund manager because there are no new investors buying into or selling out of the fund’s portfolio.  

 

  More Flexibility in the Timing and Price of Trades—Investors can purchase and sell shares of closed-end funds throughout the trading day, just like the shares of other publicly traded securities.  

 

  Lower Expense Ratios—The expense ratios of closed-end funds are oftentimes less than those of mutual funds. Over time, a lower expense ratio could enhance investment performance.  

 

  Closed-End Structure Makes Sense for Less-Liquid Asset Classes—A closed-end structure makes sense for investors considering less-liquid asset classes, such as high-yield bonds or micro-cap stocks.  

 

  Ability to Put Leverage to Work—Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (such as preferred shares or debentures) or borrow money to “leverage” their investment positions.  

 

  No Minimum Investment Requirements  

 

OPEN-END MUTUAL FUNDS VERSUS CLOSED-END FUNDS  

 

OPEN-END FUND   CLOSED-END FUND
Issues new shares on an ongoing basis   Generally issues a fixed number of shares
Issues common equity shares   Can issue common equity shares and senior securities such
as preferred shares and bonds
Sold at NAV plus any sales charge   Price determined by the marketplace
Sold through the fund’s distributor   Traded in the secondary market
Fund redeems shares at NAV calculated at the close of
business day
  Fund does not redeem shares

  

You can purchase or sell common shares of closed-end funds daily. Like any other stock, market price will fluctuate with the market. Upon sale, your shares may have a market price that is above or below net asset value and may be worth more or less than your original investment. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount, which is a market price that is below their net asset value.

 

Leverage creates risks which may adversely affect return, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of common shares and fluctuations in the variable rates of the leverage financing.

 

Each open-end or closed-end fund should be evaluated individually. Before investing carefully consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses.

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 43

 

 

  

Managed Distribution Policy

 

Using a Managed Distribution Policy to Promote Dependable Income and Total Return 

The goal of the managed distribution policy is to provide investors a predictable, though not assured, level of cash flow, which can serve either as a stable income stream or, through reinvestment, may contribute significantly to long-term total return.

 

We understand the importance that investors place on the stability of dividends and their ability to contribute to long-term total return, which is why we have instituted a managed distribution policy for the Fund. Under the policy, monthly distributions paid may include net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains, net realized long-term capital gains and, if necessary, return of capital. There is no guarantee that the Fund will realize capital gains in any given year. Distributions are subject to re-characterization for tax purposes after the end of the fiscal year. All shareholders with taxable accounts will receive written notification regarding the components and tax treatment for distributions via Form 1099-DIV.

 

Distributions from the Fund are generally subject to Federal income taxes.

 

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan  

 

Maximizing Investment with an Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan 

The Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan offers a simple, cost-efficient and convenient way to reinvest your dividends and capital gains distributions in additional shares of the Fund, allowing you to increase your investment in the Fund.

 

Potential Benefits  

Compounded Growth: By automatically reinvesting with the Plan, you gain the potential to allow your dividends and capital gains to compound over time.  

 

Potential for Lower Commission Costs: Additional shares are purchased in large blocks, with brokerage commissions shared among all plan participants. There is no cost to enroll in the Plan.  

 

Convenience: After enrollment, the Plan is automatic and includes detailed statements for participants.  

 

Participants can terminate their enrollment at any time.  

  

Pursuant to the Plan, unless a shareholder is ineligible or elects otherwise, all dividend and capital gains on common shares distributions are automatically reinvested by Computershare, as agent for shareholders in administering the Plan (“Plan Agent”), in additional common shares of the Fund. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and distributions payable in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by Plan Agent, as dividend paying agent. Shareholders may elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive all dividends and distributions in cash by sending written instructions to the Plan Agent, as dividend paying agent, at: Dividend Reinvestment Department, P.O. Box 358016, Pittsburgh, PA 15252. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by giving notice in writing to the Plan Agent; such termination will be effective with respect to a particular dividend or distribution if notice is received prior to the record date for the applicable distribution.

 

The shares are acquired by the Plan Agent for the participant’s account either (i) through receipt of additional common shares from the Fund (“newly issued shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open market (“open-market purchases”) on the NASDAQ or elsewhere. If, on the payment date, the net asset value per share of the common shares is equal to or less than the market price per common share plus estimated brokerage commissions (a “market premium”), the Plan Agent will receive newly issued shares from the Fund for each participant’s account. The number of newly issued common shares to be credited to the participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend or distribution by the greater of (i) the net asset value per common share on the payment date, or (ii) 95% of the market price per common share on the payment date.

 

44 CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

  

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

If, on the payment date, the net asset value per common share exceeds the market price plus estimated brokerage commissions (a “market discount”), the Plan Agent has a limited period of time to invest the dividend or distribution amount in shares acquired in open-market purchases. The weighted average price (including brokerage commissions) of all common shares purchased by the Plan Agent as Plan Agent will be the price per common share allocable to each participant. If the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Agent will cease making open-market purchases and will invest the uninvested portion of the dividend or distribution amount in newly issued shares at the close of business on the last purchase date.

 

The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends even though no cash is received by participants.

 

There are no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or distributions payable either in shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or distributions. If a participant elects to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of his or her common shares and remit the proceeds, such participant will be charged his or her pro rata share of brokerage commissions on the shares sold, plus a $15 transaction fee. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.

 

A participant may request the sale of all of the common shares held by the Plan Agent in his or her Plan account in order to terminate participation in the Plan. If such participant elects in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of his shares, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct from the proceeds a $15.00 fee plus the brokerage commissions incurred for the transaction. A participant may re-enroll in the Plan in limited circumstances.

 

The terms and conditions of the Plan may be amended by the Plan Agent or the Fund at any time upon notice as required by the Plan.

 

This discussion of the Plan is only summary, and is qualified in its entirety by the Terms and Conditions of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan filed as part of the Fund’s registration statement.

 

For additional information about the Plan, please contact the Plan Agent, Computershare, at 866.226.8016. If you wish to participate in the Plan and your shares are held in your own name, simply call the Plan Agent. If your shares are not held in your name, please contact your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee to request that they participate in the Plan on your behalf. If your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you may request that your shares be re-registered in your own name.

 

We’re pleased to provide our shareholders with the additional benefit of the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan and hope that it may serve your financial plan.

 

CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT 45

 

 

 

MANAGING YOUR CALAMOS FUNDS INVESTMENTS

 

Calamos Investments offers several convenient means to monitor, manage and feel confident about your Calamos investment choice.

 

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE: 800.582.6959

Dial this toll-free number to speak with a knowledgeable Client Services Representative who can help answer questions or address issues concerning your Calamos Fund.

 

YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR

We encourage you to talk to your financial advisor to determine how the Calamos Funds can benefit your investment portfolio based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs.

(LOGO)

STAY CONNECTED

www.calamos.com/connect

 
Visit our Web site for timely fund performance, detailed fund profiles, fund news and insightful market commentary.

  

 

 

 

 

A description of the Calamos Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and the Fund’s proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, 2017, are available free of charge upon request by calling 800.582.6959, by visiting the Calamos Web site at www.calamos.com, by writing Calamos at: Calamos Investments, Attn: Client Services, 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, IL 60563. The Fund’s proxy voting record is also available free of charge by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov.

The Fund files its complete list of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters each fiscal year on Form N-Q .. The Forms N-Q are available free of charge, upon request, by calling or writing Calamos Investments at the phone number or address provided above or by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. You may also review or, for a fee, copy the forms at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800.732.0330.

The Fund’s report to the SEC on Form N-CSR contains certifications by the fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act, relating to, among other things, the quality of the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.

FOR 24-HOUR AUTOMATED SHAREHOLDER ASSISTANCE: 866.226.8016

 

TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENTS: 800.582.6959

 

VISIT OUR WEB SITE: www.calamos.com

INVESTMENT ADVISER:

Calamos Advisors LLC
2020 Calamos Court

Naperville, IL 60563-2787

CUSTODIAN AND FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT:

State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, MA

TRANSFER AGENT:

Computershare
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
866.226.8016

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM:

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, IL

LEGAL COUNSEL:

Ropes & Gray LLP

Chicago, IL

 

 

 

 

 

  (CALAMOS LOGO)
2020 Calamos Court
Naperville, IL 60563-2787
800.582.6959
www.calamos.com 
© 2017 Calamos Investments LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Calamos® and Calamos Investments® are registered
trademarks of Calamos Investments LLC.
CSQANR 1946 2017

 

 
 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

(a) As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or person performing similar functions.

(b) No response required.

(c) The registrant has not amended its Code of Ethics as it relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item 2 during the period covered by this report.

(d) The registrant has not granted a waiver or an implicit waiver from its Code of Ethics during the period covered by this report.

(e) Not applicable.

(f) (1) The registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached as an Exhibit hereto.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that, for the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto, it has five audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee, each of whom is an independent Trustee for purpose of this N-CSR item: John E. Neal, William R. Rybak, Virginia G. Breen, Stephen B. Timbers and David D. Tripple. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item does not affect the duties, obligations, or liabilities of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

                 
Fiscal Years Ended   10/31/2016     10/31/2017  
Audit Fees(a)   $ 69,509     $ 73,190  
Audit-Related Fees(b)   $ 55,037     $ 26,675  
Tax Fees(c)   $ 667     $ —    
All Other Fees(d)   $ —       $ —    
                 
Total   $ 125,213     $ 99,865  
                 

(a) Audit Fees are the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the

accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

(b) Audit-Related Fees are the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4.

 
 

 

(c) Tax Fees are the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

(d) All Other Fees are the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant to the registrant, other than the services reported in paragraph (a)-(c) of this Item 4.

(e) (1) Registrant’s audit committee meets with the principal accountants and management to review and pre-approve all audit services to be provided by the principal accountants.

The audit committee shall pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the principal accountants to the registrant, including the fees and other compensation to be paid to the principal accountants; provided that the pre-approval of non-audit services is waived if (i) the services were not recognized by management at the time of the engagement as non-audit services,(ii) the aggregate fees for all non-audit services provided to the registrant are less than 5% of the total fees paid by the registrant to its principal accountants during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided, and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the audit committee by management and the audit committee approves them prior to the completion of the audit.

The audit committee shall pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the principal accountants to the investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant if the engagement relates directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant, including the fees and other compensation to be paid to the principal accountants; provided that pre-approval of non-audit services to the adviser or an affiliate of the adviser is not required if (i) the services were not recognized by management at the time of the engagement as non-audit services, (ii) the aggregate fees for all non-audit services provided to the adviser and all entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser are less than 5% of the total fees for non-audit services requiring pre-approval under paragraph (e)(1)of this Item 4 paid by the registrant, the adviser or its affiliates to the registrant’s principal accountants during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided, and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the audit committee by management and the audit committee approves them prior to the completion of the audit.

(e)(2) No percentage of the principal accountant’s fees or services described in each of paragraphs (b)—(d) of this Item were approved pursuant to the waiver provision paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) No disclosures are required by this Item 4(f).

 

 
 

 

(g) The following table presents the aggregate non-audit fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant and the aggregate non-audit fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered by the principal accountant to the investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control of the adviser.

 

                 
Fiscal Years Ended   10/31/2016     10/31/2017  
Registrant   $ —       $ —    
Investment Adviser   $ —       $ —    

(h) No disclosures are required by this Item 4(h).

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee. The members of the registrant’s audit committee are John E. Neal, William R. Rybak, Virginia G. Breen, Stephen B. Timbers, and David D. Tripple.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

Included in the Report to Shareholders in Item 1.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

The registrant has delegated authority to vote all proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities to the Fund’s investment advisor, Calamos Advisors LLC (“Calamos Advisors”). The Calamos Advisors Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are included as an Exhibit hereto.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

(a)(1) As of the date of this filing, the registrant is led by a team of investment professionals. The Global Chief Investment Officer and Co-Portfolio Managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of the registrant’s portfolio:

During the past five years, John P. Calamos, Sr. has been President and Trustee of the Trust and Founder, Chairman and Global Co-CIO of CALAMOS ADVISORS since August 2016; Chairman and Global CIO since April 2016; Chairman, CEO and Global Co-CIO since April 2013; CEO and Global Co-CIO since 2012; and CEO and Co-CIO prior thereto. Nick Niziolek joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in March 2005 and has been a Co-CIO, Head of International and Global Strategies, as well as a Senior Co-Portfolio Manager, since September 2015. Between August 2013 and September 2015, he was a Co-Portfolio Manager, Co-Head of Research. Between March 2013 and August 2013 he was a Co-Portfolio Manager. Between March 2005 and March 2013 he was a senior strategy analyst. Jon Vacko joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in 2000 and has been a Co-Portfolio Manager, Co-Head of Research since August 2013. Previously, he was a Co-Head of Research and Investments from July 2010 to August 2013. Dennis Cogan joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in March 2005 and since March 2013 is a Co-Portfolio Manager. Between March 2005 and March 2013 he was a senior strategy analyst. John Hillenbrand joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in 2002 and since September 2015 is a Co-CIO, Head of Multi-Asset Strategies and Co-Head of Convertible Strategies, as well as a Senior Co-Portfolio Manager. From March 2013 to September 2015 he was a Co-Portfolio Manager. Between August 2002 and March 2013 he was a senior strategy analyst. Joe Wysocki joined Calamos Advisors in October 2003 and since March 2015 is a Co-Portfolio Manager. Previously, Mr. Wysocki was a sector head from March 2014 to March 2015. Prior thereto, he was a Co-Portfolio Manager from March 2013 to March 2014. Between February 2007 and March 2013 he was a senior strategy analyst. Eli Pars joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in May 2013 and has been Co-CIO, Head of Alternative Strategies and Co-Head of Convertible Strategies, as well as a Senior Co-Portfolio Manager, since September 2015. Between May 2013 and September 2015, he was a Co-Portfolio Manager. Previously, he was a Portfolio Manager at Chicago Fundamental Investment Partners from February 2009 until November 2012. R. Matthew Freund joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in November 2016 as a Co-CIO, Head of Fixed Income Strategies, as well as a Senior Co-Portfolio Manager. Previously, he was SVP of Investment Portfolio Management and Chief Investment Officer at USAA Investments since 2010.

(a)(2) The portfolio managers also have responsibility for the day-to-day management of accounts other than the registrant. Information regarding these other accounts is set forth below.

 
 

 

Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type as of October 31, 2017

 

   Registered  Other Pooled      
   Investment  Investment  Other
   Companies  Vehicles  Accounts
   Accounts  Assets  Accounts  Assets  Accounts  Assets
John P. Calamos Sr.  22   17,258,980,239   12   653,590,354   2,646   2,053,806,595 
John Hillenbrand  20   12,540,831,598   12   653,590,354   2,646   2,053,806,595 
Jon Vacko  20   12,540,831,598   12   653,590,354   2,646   2,053,806,595 
Eli Pars  19   15,508,833,203   12   653,590,354   2,646   2,053,806,595 
Dennis Cogan  11   7,223,505,480   7   469,133,498   2,646   2,053,806,595 
Nick Niziolek  11   7,223,505,480   7   469,133,498   2,646   2,053,806,595 
Joe Wysocki  10   9,160,768,330   4   508,077,145   2,646   2,053,806,595 
R. Matthew Freund  12   10,011,551,844   5   184,456,856   0    

  

Number of Accounts and Assets for which Advisory Fee is Performance Based as of October 31, 2017

 

   Registered  Other Pooled      
   Investment  Investment  Other
   Companies  Vehicles  Accounts
   Accounts  Assets  Accounts  Assets  Accounts  Assets
John P. Calamos Sr.  2   414,409,727   0      0    
John Hillenbrand  2   414,409,727   0      0    
Jon Vacko  2   414,409,727   0      0    
Eli Pars  2   414,409,727   0      0    
Dennis Cogan  2   414,409,727   0      0    
Nick Niziolek  2   414,409,727   0      0    
Joe Wysocki  0      0      0    
R. Matthew Freund  0      0      0    

 

 

 
 

(a)(2) Other than potential conflicts between investment strategies, the side-by-side management of both the Funds and other accounts may raise potential conflicts of interest due to the interest held by Calamos Advisors in an account and certain trading practices used by the portfolio managers (e.g., cross trades between a Fund and another account and allocation of aggregated trades). Calamos Advisors has developed policies and procedures reasonably designed to mitigate those conflicts. For example, Calamos Advisors will only place cross-trades in securities held by the Funds in accordance with the rules promulgated under the 1940 Act and has adopted policies designed to ensure the fair allocation of securities purchased on an aggregated basis. The allocation methodology employed by Calamos Advisors varies depending on the type of securities sought to be bought or sold and the type of client or group of clients. Generally, however, orders are placed first for those clients that have given Calamos Advisors brokerage discretion (including the ability to step out a portion of trades), and then to clients that have directed Calamos Advisors to execute trades through a specific broker. However, if the directed broker allows Calamos Advisors to execute with other brokerage firms, which then book the transaction directly with the directed broker, the order will be placed as if the client had given Calamos Advisors full brokerage discretion. Calamos Advisors and its affiliates frequently use a “rotational” method of placing and aggregating client orders and will build and fill a position for a designated client or group of clients before placing orders for other clients.

A client account may not receive an allocation of an order if: (a) the client would receive an unmarketable amount of securities based on account size; (b) the client has precluded Calamos Advisors from using a particular broker; (c) the cash balance in the client account will be insufficient to pay for the securities allocated to it at settlement; (d) current portfolio attributes make an allocation inappropriate; and (e) account specific guidelines, objectives and other account specific factors make an allocation inappropriate. Allocation methodology may be modified when strict adherence to the usual allocation is impractical or leads to inefficient or undesirable results. Calamos Advisors’ head trader must approve each instance that the usual allocation methodology is not followed and provide a reasonable basis for such instances and all modifications must be reported in writing to the Calamos Advisors’ Chief Compliance Officer on a monthly basis.

Investment opportunities for which there is limited availability generally are allocated among participating client accounts pursuant to an objective methodology (i.e., either on a pro rata basis or using a rotational method, as described above). However, in some instances, Calamos Advisors may consider subjective elements in attempting to allocate a trade, in which case a Fund may not participate, or may participate to a lesser degree than other clients, in the allocation of an investment opportunity. In considering subjective criteria when allocating trades, Calamos Advisors is bound by its fiduciary duty to its clients to treat all client accounts fairly and equitably.

The Co-Portfolio Managers advise certain accounts under a performance fee arrangement. A performance fee arrangement may create an incentive for a Co-Portfolio Manager to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of performance fees. A performance fee arrangement may result in increased compensation to the Co-Portfolio Managers from such accounts due to unrealized appreciation as well as realized gains in the client’s account.

(a)(3) As of October 31, 2017, John P. Calamos, Sr., our Global CIO, aside from distributions arising from his ownership from various entities, receives all of his compensation from Calamos. He has entered into an employment agreement that provides for compensation in the form of an annual base salary and a target bonus, both components payable in cash. His target bonus is set at a percentage of the respective base salary. Similarly, Mr. Calamos is eligible for a Long-Term Incentive (“LTI”). The LTI program at Calamos has been revised as of November 2017 and currently consists of two types of awards: (1) Mutual Fund Incentive Awards for investment professionals and (2) Phantom Equity Incentive Awards for non-investment professionals.

As of October 31, 2017, John Hillenbrand, Nick Niziolek, Eli Pars, Jon Vacko, Dennis Cogan, and Joe Wysocki receive all of their compensation from Calamos. These individuals each receive compensation in the form of an annual base salary, a discretionary bonus (payable in cash) and are eligible for LTI awards. Each of these individuals has a bonus range of opportunity which is expressed as a percentage of base salary. Each of these individuals are also eligible for discretionary LTI awards based on individual and collective performance, however these awards are not guaranteed from year to year. The LTI program at Calamos for investment professionals is a Mutual Fund Incentive Award with amounts deemed to be invested in one or more funds. “Funds” mean mutual funds, ETFs or private funds managed by Calamos or a subsidiary of Calamos. Additionally, Messrs. Hillenbrand, Niziolek and Pars has been granted additional deferred bonus and compensation awards

As of October 31, 2017, R. Matthew Freund receives all of his compensation from Calamos. Mr. Freund's compensation consists of base salary, annual short-term cash incentive and a long-term incentive payable either in cash or equity. Mr. Freund's total compensation consisting of base salary and minimum annual short-term cash and long-term incentive are guaranteed through 2018. Mr. Freund's base salary is guaranteed through March 31, 2019. Mr. Freund is eligible for the LTI program.

The amounts paid to all Co-Portfolio Managers and the criteria utilized to determine the amounts are benchmarked against industry specific data provided by third party analytical agencies. The Co-Portfolio Managers' compensation structure does not differentiate between the Funds and other accounts managed by the Co-Portfolio Managers, and is determined on an overall basis, taking into consideration annually the performance of the various strategies managed by the Co-Portfolio Managers. Portfolio performance, as measured by risk-adjusted portfolio performance, is utilized to determine the target bonus, as well as overall performance of Calamos. All Co-Portfolio Managers are eligible to receive annual awards under an incentive compensation plan. All Co-Portfolio Managers of the firm are eligible for the LTI program.

 

 
 

(a)(4) As of October 31, 2017, the end of the registrant’s most recently completed fiscal year, the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager in the registrant is shown below:

     
Portfolio Manager   Registrant
John P. Calamos Sr.   Over $1,000,000
Dennis Cogan   None
Nick Niziolek   None
John Hillenbrand   None
Eli Pars   None
Jon Vacko   $0-$10,000
Joe Wysocki   $10,001-$50,000
R. Matthew Freund   None

(b) Not applicable.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

No material changes.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and timely reported.

b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second 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 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

(a) Securities Lending Activities

(1) Gross income from securities lending activities: $8,937,149

(2) Fees and/or compensation for:

Any share of revenue generated by the securities lending program paid to the securities lending agent: $3,120,404

Rebates paid to borrower: $3,978,168

(3) Aggregate fees and/or compensation $7,098,572

(4) Net income from securities lending activities: $1,838,577

(b) Under the terms of an Amended and Restated Liquidity Agreement (the “Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”), all securities lent through SSB must be secured continuously by collateral received in cash. Cash collateral held by SSB on behalf of the Fund may be credited against the amounts borrowed under the Agreement. Any amounts credited against borrowings under the Agreement would count against the Fund's leverage limitations under the 1940 Act, unless otherwise covered in accordance with SEC Release IC-10666. Under the terms of the Agreement, SSB will return the value of the collateral to the borrower at the termination of the selected securities loan(s), which will eliminate the credit against the borrowings under the Agreement and will cause the amount drawn under the Agreement to increase in an amount equal to the returned collateral. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Fund will make a variable “net income” payment related to any collateral credited against borrowings under the Agreement which will be paid to the securities borrower, less any payments due to the Fund or SSB under the terms of the Agreement. The Fund has the right to call a loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time.

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.

(a)(1) Code of Ethics

(a)(2)(i) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.

(a)(2)(ii) Certification of Principal Financial Officer.

(a)(2)(iii) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

 

 
 

 

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.

     
 
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
 
 
By: /s/ John P. Calamos, Sr.
     
Name: John P. Calamos, Sr.
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: January 8, 2018

 

     
By: /s/ Curtis Holloway
     
Name: Curtis Holloway
Title: Principal Financial Officer
Date: January 8, 2018

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

     
By: /s/ John P. Calamos, Sr.
     
Name: John P. Calamos, Sr.
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: January 8, 2018

 

     
By: /s/ Curtis Holloway
     
Name: Curtis Holloway
Title: Principal Financial Officer
Date: January 8, 2018