gug51899-ncsr.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM N-CSR
 
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 
Investment Company Act file number         811-21982        
 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
2455 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
 
Kevin M. Robinson
2455 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, IL 60532  
(Name and address of agent for service)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (630) 505-3700
 
Date of fiscal year end:  May 31
 
Date of reporting period:  June 1, 2010 - May 31, 2011
 
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
 
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. Section 3507.
 
 
 

 
 
Item 1.  Reports to Stockholders.
 
The registrant's annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), is as follows:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
www.guggenheimfunds.com/gof
 
... your window to the LATEST,
 
most up-to-date information about the
 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
 
The shareholder report you are reading right now is just the beginning of the story. Online at www.guggenheimfunds.com/gof, you will find:
 
·  
Daily, weekly and monthly data on share prices, net asset values, distributions and more
 
·  
Portfolio overviews and performance analyses
 
·  
Announcements, press releases and special notices
 
·  
Fund and adviser contact information
 
Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC are continually updating and expanding shareholder information services on the Fund’s website, in an ongoing effort to provide you with the most current information about how your Fund’s assets are managed, and the results of our efforts. It is just one more small way we are working to keep you better informed about your investment in the Fund.
 
2 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
Dear Shareholder |
 
We thank you for your investment in the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund,” previously known as the Claymore/Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund). This report covers the Fund’s performance for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011.
 
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve that objective by combining a credit-managed fixed-income portfolio with access to a diversified pool of alternative investments and equity strategies. The Fund pursues a relative value-based investment philosophy, which utilizes quantitative and qualitative analysis to seek to identify securities or spreads between securities that deviate from their perceived fair value and/or historical norms.
 
Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (“GFIA” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC (“GPAM” or the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment sub-adviser and is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio of investments. Each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser is an affiliate of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), a global diversified financial services firm with more than $100 billion in assets under management and supervision.
 
All Fund returns cited—whether based on net asset value (“NAV”) or market price—assume the reinvestment of all distributions. For the 12-month period ended May 31, 2011, the Fund returned 26.14% on an NAV basis and 40.85% on a market price basis. The closing price of the Fund’s shares as of May 31, 2011, was $22.32, which represented a premium of 10.99% to the NAV of $20.11. The closing price of the Fund’s shares as of May 31, 2010, was $17.46, which represented a discount of 0.57% to the NAV of $17.56. The market value of the Fund’s shares fluctuates from time to time and it may be higher or lower than the Fund’s NAV.
 
During the 12-month period ended May 31, 2011, the Fund paid monthly dividends of $0.154 per share, plus a special dividend of $0.027 in December 2010. The most recent dividend represents an annualized distribution rate of 8.28% based on the Fund’s last closing market price of $22.32 as of May 31, 2011.
 
We encourage shareholders to consider the opportunity to reinvest their distributions from the Fund through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”), which is described in detail on page 36 of this report. When shares trade at a discount to NAV, the DRIP takes advantage of the discount by reinvesting the monthly dividend distribution in common shares of the Fund purchased in the market at a price less than NAV. Conversely, when the market price of the Fund’s common shares is at a premium above NAV, the DRIP reinvests participants’ dividends in newly-issued common shares at NAV, subject to an IRS limitation that the purchase price cannot be more than 5% below the market price per share. The DRIP provides a cost-effective means to accumulate additional shares and enjoy the benefits of compounding returns over time. Since the Fund endeavors to maintain a stable monthly distribution, the DRIP plan effectively provides an income averaging technique, which causes shareholders to accumulate a larger number of Fund shares when the market price is depressed than when the price is higher.
 
To learn more about the Fund’s performance and investment strategy, we encourage you to read the Questions & Answers section of the report, which begins on page 5. You’ll find information on GPAM’s investment philosophy, their views on the economy and market environment, and detailed information about the factors that impacted the Fund’s performance.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 3
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Dear Shareholder continued
 
We appreciate your investment and look forward to serving your investment needs in the future. For the most up-to-date information on your investment, please visit the Fund’s website at www.guggenheimfunds.com/gof.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Kevin M. Robinson
Chief Executive Officer
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
 
June 30, 2011
 
4 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Questions & Answers |
 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is managed by a team of seasoned professionals at Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC (“GPAM”). This team includes B. Scott Minerd, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer; Anne Bookwalter Walsh, CFA, JD, Senior Managing Director; Michael Curcio, Senior Managing Director; and Kerim Engin, Ph. D., Managing Director & Director of Risk Management. In the following interview, the investment team discusses the market environment and the Fund’s performance for the Fund’s fiscal year ended May 31, 2011.
 

Please remind us of this Fund’s objective and the way it is managed.
 
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund pursues a relative value-based investment philosophy, which utilizes quantitative and qualitative analysis to seek to identify securities or spreads between securities that deviate from their perceived fair value and/or historical norms. GPAM seeks to combine a credit-managed fixed-income portfolio with access to a diversified pool of alternative investments and equity strategies. There is no guarantee that the perceived fair value will be achieved.
 
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a wide range of fixed income and other debt and senior equity securities (“income securities”) selected from a variety of sectors and credit qualities, including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, loans and loan participations, structured finance investments, U.S. government and agency securities, mezzanine and preferred securities and convertible securities, and in common stocks, limited liability company interests, trust certificates and other equity investments (“common equity securities”) that GPAM believes offer attractive yield and/or capital appreciation potential, including employing a strategy of writing (selling) covered call and put options on such equities. GPAM believes the volatility (risk) of the Fund can be reduced by diversifying the portfolio across a large number of sectors and securities, many of which historically have not been highly correlated to one another.
 
Under normal market conditions:
 
• The Fund may invest up to 60% of its total assets in income securities rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”).
 
• The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities of corporate and governmental issuers located outside the U.S., including up to 10% of total assets in income securities of issuers located in emerging markets.
 
• The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in common equity securities consisting of common stock; and
 
• The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in investment funds that primarily hold (directly or indirectly) investments in which the Fund may invest directly and may invest up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets in investment funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) to the extent permitted by applicable law and related interpretations of the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
GPAM’s investment process is a collaborative effort between its Portfolio Construction Group, which utilizes tools such as a proprietary risk optimization model to determine allocation of assets among a variety of sectors, and its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for security selection within these sectors and for implementing securities transactions.
 
The Fund seeks to enhance the level of distributions by utilizing financial leverage through borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements or other forms of debt. As of May 31, 2011, the amount of leverage was approximately 30% of the Fund’s total assets.
 
Although the use of financial leverage by the Fund may create an opportunity for increased return for the common shares, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and gains earned on securities purchased with the financial leverage proceeds are greater than the cost of the financial leverage, then the common shares’ return will be greater than if financial leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income and gains from the securities purchased with the financial leverage is less than the cost of the financial leverage then the return on the common shares will be less than if financial leverage had not been used. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be implemented or that it will be successful during any period during which it is employed.
 

Please tell us about the market environment over the last year.
 
As the U.S. and world economy continued to recover, albeit at a relatively modest pace, financial markets were generally strong, although with considerable volatility. U.S. equities were generally the strongest major asset class. In the bond market, the spread sectors (that is, bonds that carry credit risk) performed especially well, as investors in search of yield embraced risky assets. High yield bonds and riskier asset classes such as asset-backed securities (“ABS”), riskier sectors of commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), and
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 5
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Questions & Answers continued
 
non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) were among the best performing asset classes.
 
For the 12-month period ended May 31, 2011, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (the “S&P 500”), which is generally regarded as an indicator of the broad U.S. stock market, returned 25.95%. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Barclays Aggregate Index”), which is a proxy for the investment grade bond market, returned 5.84%. Reflecting investors’ increased appetite for risk and their search for yield, the return of the Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index was 18.22%. The return of the Barclays Capital 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index was just 0.15%, a reflection of the record low Fed Funds target rate set between zero and 0.25%.
 

How did the Fund perform during this period?
 
The Fund performed very well over the last year, as it has done in previous periods. All Fund returns cited—whether based on net asset value (“NAV”) or market price—assume the reinvestment of all distributions. For the 12-month period ended May 31, 2011, the Fund returned 26.14% on an NAV basis and 40.85% on a market price basis. The closing price of the Fund’s shares as of May 31, 2011, was $22.32, which represented a premium of 10.99% to the NAV of $20.11. The closing price of the Fund’s shares as of May 31, 2010, was $17.46, which represented a discount of 0.57% to the NAV of $17.56. The market value of the Fund’s shares fluctuates from time to time and it may be higher or lower than the Fund’s NAV.
 
An important goal of the Fund is to provide long-term returns in line with equity returns but with less volatility. For the period from the Fund’s inception date of July 27, 2007, through May 31, 2011, the Fund’s NAV return on an annualized basis was 13.29%, compared with the annualized return of 0.39% for the S&P 500 Index. Over this same period, the Fund’s annualized volatility has been approximately 9.01%. This compares with annualized volatility of 19.74% for the S&P 500 Index and 4.57% for the Barclays Aggregate Index over the same period. Since inception, on an annualized basis, the Fund has outperformed equities (as measured by the S&P 500 Index) by 12.89 percentage points with less than half the volatility of equities. The volatility is measured by calculating the standard deviation of the percentage changes in the Fund’s daily NAV and then annualizing these percentage changes. The relatively low volatility of the Fund’s NAV is attributable to its high level of diversification across many different asset classes.
 
During the 12-month period ended May 31, 2011, the Fund paid monthly dividends of $0.154 per share, plus a special dividend of $0.027 in December 2010. The most recent dividend represents an annualized distribution rate of 8.28% based on the Fund’s last closing market price of $22.32 as of May 31, 2011.
 

How was the Fund allocated among asset classes during this period, and how did these decisions affect performance?
 
This Fund was created to provide investors the potential to realize a level of return similar to that achieved by equities, but with less volatility. GPAM tracks a large number of equity and fixed income asset classes and, in constructing this portfolio, they seek to use investments that historically have had low correlations to one another. GPAM has attempted to optimize the portfolio by analyzing the historical returns generated by GPAM’s management team in each sector, the volatility of each sector and the correlations among the sectors. GPAM does this in an effort to reduce the risk of the portfolio while providing the potential for an attractive long-term return to their investors.
 
In late 2008 and early 2009, when financial markets were experiencing extreme distress, GPAM, with its ability to thoroughly analyze both asset classes and individual securities, took advantage of some unusual opportunities to invest in structured securities. Accordingly, the Fund was heavily invested in ABS, which represented approximately 46% of the Fund’s total investments as of May 31, 2010. Additionally, almost 23% of the portfolio was in mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”). These ABS and MBS holdings were the main reasons for the Fund’s strong performance during the first half of the 2011 fiscal year.
 
In recent months, the positions in ABS and MBS have been reduced, and these positions have been replaced mainly with equities. The Fund’s equity strategy is a covered call strategy, which provides income as well as participation in the equity market. The increased equity position contributed to the Fund’s performance, and, in a fairly volatile market, the covered call strategy added to total return as well as to income. As of May 31, 2011, equities represented approximately 11% of total investments, ABS 36%, and MBS 19%.
 
During the 2011 fiscal year, especially in the last few months, the Fund’s fixed income investments, mainly corporate bonds, have been important contributors to performance. As of May 31, 2011, investment grade corporate bonds represented approximately 14% of total investments and high yield bonds approximately 15%.
 
All of the asset classes held in the Fund contributed to performance; no asset class detracted during the period covered by this report.
 
6 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Questions & Answers continued
 

How did the Fund’s leverage affect performance during this period?
 
Since leverage adds to performance when the cost of leverage is less than the total return generated by investments, the use of leverage contributed to the Fund’s total return during this period. The purpose of leverage (borrowing) is to fund the purchase of additional securities that provide increased income and potentially greater appreciation to common shareholders than could be achieved from an unlevered portfolio. Of course, leverage results in greater NAV volatility and entails more downside risk than an unleveraged portfolio.
 
As of May 31, 2011, the Fund’s leverage was approximately 30% of assets. GPAM employs leverage through three vehicles: reverse repurchase agreements, under which they lend securities and receive in return cash which can be used for additional investments; a committed financing facility through BNP Paribas, a leading European bank; and the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”) loan program.
 

What is the current outlook for the markets and the Fund, and how is the Fund positioned for this outlook?
 
GPAM believes that the U.S. economy will continue to recover, albeit at a relatively modest pace. Real economic growth in the neighborhood of 3% for 2011 will be driven in part by a tax benefit that allows corporate capital expenditures to be treated as expenses; this may cause growth that would have occurred in 2012 to be pushed into 2011. As the Federal Reserve continues to fight the dual problems of unemployment and a weak housing market, interest rates are likely to remain very low. Credit and other problems, especially in Europe, mean that world economic growth will be modest.
 
Given the Fund’s mandate and its ability to invest across many asset classes, it has been very well suited to take advantage of the opportunities that have prevailed since the summer of 2007 when the Fund was launched. In the name of this Fund—Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund—the key term is “opportunities.” The Fund was designed to invest across a broad array of sectors and securities, and to take advantage of the imbalances and dislocations that often exist in the financial markets. GPAM continues to believe that a portfolio that is highly diversified across many asset classes, such as those represented by the Fund, can be of great value to investors in a wide variety of market conditions.
 

Index Definitions
 
Indices are unmanaged and reflect no expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
 
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks. The index is designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.
 
The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index represents securities that are U.S. domestic, taxable, and dollar denominated. The index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.
 
The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index is an unmanaged index of below investment grade bonds issued by U.S. corporations.
 
Barclays Capital U.S. Treasury Bill 1-3 Months Index tracks the performance of U.S. Treasury bills with a remaining maturity of one to three months. U.S. Treasury bills, which are short-term loans to the U.S. government, are full-faith-and-credit obligations of the U.S. Treasury and are generally regarded as being free of any risk of default.
 

Risks and Other Considerations
 
The views expressed in this report reflect those of Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC and GPAM only through the report period as stated on the cover. These views are subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions and should not be construed as a recommendation of any kind. The material may also include forward looking statements that involve risk and uncertainty, and there is no guarantee that any predictions will come to pass. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The value of the Fund will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. Historically, closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value.
 
Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk: The Fund may invest in income securities rated below investment grade or, if unrated, determined by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable credit quality, which are commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk” bonds. Investment in securities of below investment-grade quality involves substantial risk of loss. Income securities of below investment-grade quality are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due and therefore involve a greater risk of default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and issuer-specific developments.
 
Senior and Second Lien Secured Loans Risk: The Fund’s investments in senior loans and second lien secured floating-rate loans are typically below investment grade and are considered speculative because of the credit risk of their issuers. The risks associated with senior loans of below investment-grade quality are similar to the risks of other lower-grade income securities. Second lien loans are second in right of payment to senior loans and therefore are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and any property securing the loan may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior-secured obligations of the borrower. Second lien loans are expected to have greater price volatility and exposure to losses upon default than senior loans and may be less liquid.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 7
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Questions & Answers continued
 
Structured Finance Investments Risk: The Fund’s structured finance investments may include residential and commercial mortgage-related and asset-backed securities issued by governmental entities and private issuers, collateralized debt obligations and risk-linked securities. These securities entail considerable risk, including many of the risks described above (e.g., market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk and prepayment risk). The value of collateralized debt obligations also may change because of changes in the market’s perception of the underlying collateral of the pool, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for or the originator of the pool, or the financial institution or entity providing credit support for the pool. Returns on risk-linked securities are dependent upon such events as property or casualty damages which may be caused by such catastrophic events as hurricanes or earthquakes or other unpredictable events.
 
Mezzanine Investments Risk: Mezzanine investments are subject to the same risks associated with investment in senior loans, second lien loans and other lower-grade income securities. Mezzanine investments are expected to have greater price volatility than senior loans and second lien loans and may be less liquid.
 
Preferred Stock Risk: Preferred stock is inherently more risky than the bonds and other debt instruments of the issuer, but typically less risky than its common stock. Preferred stocks may be significantly less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S. Government securities, corporate debt and common stock.
 
Convertible Securities Risk: As with all income securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. Convertible securities also tend to reflect the market price of the underlying stock in varying degrees, depending on the relationship of such market price to the conversion price in the terms of the convertible security.
 
Equity Risk: Common equity securities’ prices fluctuate for a number of reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer, the general condition of the relevant stock market, and broader domestic and international political and economic events.
 
Real Estate Securities Risk: Because of the Fund’s ability to invest in securities of companies in the real estate industry and to make indirect investments in real estate, it is subject to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, including declines in the value of real estate; general and local economic conditions; increased competition; and changes in interest rates. Because of the Fund’s ability to make indirect investments in natural resources and physical commodities, and in real property asset companies, the Fund is subject to risks associated with such real property assets, including supply and demand risk, depletion risk, regulatory risk and commodity pricing risk.
 
Personal Property Asset Company Risk: The Fund may invest in personal property asset companies such as special situation transportation assets. The risks of special situation transportation assets include cyclicality of supply and demand for transportation assets and risk of decline in the value of transportation assets and rental values. Private Securities Risk Private securities have additional risk considerations than with investments in comparable public investments.
 
Inflation/Deflation Risk: There is a risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money.
 
Dividend Risk: Dividends on common stock and other common equity securities which the Fund may hold are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of an issuer’s board of directors. There is no guarantee that the issuers of the common equity securities in which the Fund invests will declare dividends in the future or that, if declared, they will remain at current levels or increase over time.
 
Portfolio Turnover Risk: The Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in an increased realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to common shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. Additionally, in a declining market, portfolio turnover may create realized capital losses.
 
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may be exposed to certain additional risks should the Sub-Adviser use derivatives as a means to synthetically implement the Fund’s investment strategies. If the Fund enters into a derivative instrument whereby it agrees to receive the return of a security or financial instrument or a basket of securities or financial instruments, it will typically contract to receive such returns for a predetermined period of time. During such period, the Fund may not have the ability to increase or decrease its exposure. In addition, such customized derivative instruments will likely be highly illiquid, and it is possible that the Fund will not be able to terminate such derivative instruments prior to their expiration date or that the penalties associated with such a termination might impact the Fund’s performance in a material adverse manner. Furthermore, derivative instruments typically contain provisions giving the counterparty the right to terminate the contract upon the occurrence of certain events. If a termination were to occur, the Fund’s return could be adversely affected as it would lose the benefit of the indirect exposure to the reference securities and it may incur significant termination expenses.
 
Foreign Securities and Emerging Markets Risk: Investing in foreign issuers may involve certain risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers due to increased exposure to foreign economic, political and legal developments, including favorable or unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates, exchange control regulations, expropriation or nationalization of assets, imposition of withholding taxes on payments and possible difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign entities. Furthermore, issuers of foreign securities and obligations are subject to different, often less comprehensive, accounting, reporting and disclosure requirements than domestic issuers. The securities and obligations of some foreign companies and foreign markets are less liquid and at times more volatile than comparable U.S. securities, obligations and markets. These risks may be more pronounced to the extent that the Fund invests a significant amount of its assets in companies located in one region and to the extent that the Fund invests in securities of issuers in emerging markets. Heightened risks of investing in emerging markets include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible repatriation of investment income and capital.
 
Financial Leverage Risk: Although the use of Financial Leverage by the Fund may create an opportunity for increased after-tax total return for the Common Shares, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and gains earned on securities purchased with Financial Leverage proceeds are greater than the cost of Financial Leverage, the Fund’s return will be greater than if Financial Leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income or gains from the securities purchased with such proceeds does not cover the cost of Financial Leverage, the return to the Fund will be less than if Financial Leverage had not been used. Financial Leverage involves risks and special considerations for shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price
 
8 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Questions & Answers continued
 
of and dividends on the Common Shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage; the risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings that the Fund must pay will reduce the return to the Common Shareholders; and the effect of Financial Leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the Common Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the Common Shares. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be implemented or that it will be successful during any period during which it is employed.
 
In addition to the risks described above, the Fund is also subject to: Income Securities Risk, Foreign Currency Risk, Risks Associated with the Fund’s Covered Call Option Strategy, Risks of Real Property Asset Companies, Private Securities Risk, Investment Funds Risk, Private Investment Funds Risk, Affiliated Investment Funds Risk, Synthetic Investments Risk, Inflation/Deflation Risk, Anti-Takeover Provisions, Market Discount Risk, and Current Developments Risks. Please see www.guggenheimfunds.com/gof for a more detailed discussion about Fund risks and considerations.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 9
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
Fund Summary | As of May 31, 2011 (unaudited)
 
     
Fund Statistics 
   
Share Price 
 
$22.32 
Common Share Net Asset Value 
 
$20.11 
Premium/Discount to NAV 
 
10.99% 
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares ($000) 
$187,333 
 
Total Returns 
   
(Inception 7/27/07) 
Market 
NAV 
One Year 
40.85% 
26.14% 
Three Year - average annual 
24.54% 
17.92% 
Since Inception - average annual 
15.64% 
13.29% 
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.guggenheimfunds.com/gof. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate with changes in the market conditions and other factors so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable.
 
 
  % of Long-Term
Top Ten Holdings 
Investments 
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust 
6.3% 
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 
 
Series 2006-C7, Class A4 
5.8% 
Airplanes Pass-Through Trust, Series 2001-1A, Class A9 
3.5% 
Lancer Finance Co. SPV Ltd. (British Virgin Islands) 
1.8% 
Aviation Capital Group Trust, Series 2003-2A, Class B1 
1.7% 
Dominos Pizza Master Issuer, LLC, Series 2007-1, Class A2 
1.5% 
Telos CLO Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class A2 (Cayman Islands) 
1.3% 
Attentus CDO Ltd., Series 2007-3A, Class A1B (Cayman Islands) 
1.3% 
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust 
1.3% 
AWAS Aviation Capital Ltd. (Ireland) 
1.2% 
Portfolio composition and holdings are subject to change daily. For more information, please visit www.guggenheimfunds.com/gof. The above summaries are provided for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as recommendations. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
 
 
 
 
*Ratings shown are assigned by one or more Nationally Recognized Statistical Credit Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”), such as Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch. The ratings are an indication of an issuer’s creditworthiness and typically range from AAA or Aaa (highest) to D (lowest). When two or more ratings are available, the lower rating is used; and when only one is available, that rating is used. The Non-Rated category consists of securities that have not been rated by an NRSRO. U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government Agency securities are not rated but deemed to be equivalent to securities rated AAA/Aaa.
 
10 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Portfolio of Investments | May 31, 2011
 
               
Principal
   
Rating
   
Optional Call 
 
Amount
 
Description 
(S&P)*
Coupon 
Maturity 
Provisions** 
Value 
   
Long-Term Investments – 138.5% 
         
   
Corporate Bonds – 40.2% 
         
   
Advertising – 0.2% 
         
$    400,000 
 
MDC Partners, Inc. (Canada)(a) 
B+ 
11.00% 
11/01/2016 
11/01/13 @ 106 
$     444,500 
   
Aerospace & Defense – 0.4% 
         
700,000 
 
Sequa Corp.(b) 
CCC 
11.75% 
12/01/2015 
12/01/11 @ 106 
749,000 
   
Airlines - 7.4% 
         
1,407,144 
 
Aircraft Certificate Owner Trust, Series 2003-1A, Class D(b) 
BB+ 
6.46% 
09/20/2022 
N/A 
1,382,519 
2,000,000 
 
Aircraft Certificate Owner Trust, Series 2003-1A, Class E(b) 
BB+ 
7.00% 
09/20/2022 
N/A 
1,860,000 
1,194,736 
 
America West Airlines 2001-1 Pass-Through Trust, Series 011G(a) 
BB+ 
7.10% 
04/02/2021 
N/A 
1,183,505 
1,130,923 
 
Atlas Air 1998-1 Pass-Through Trust, Series 1998-1, Class A 
NR 
7.38% 
01/02/2018 
N/A 
1,119,614 
258,380 
 
Atlas Air 1999-1 Pass-Through Trust, Series 99-1, Class A-2 
NR 
6.88% 
07/02/2011 
N/A 
248,045 
3,094,000 
 
AWAS Aviation Capital Ltd. (Ireland)(a) (b) 
BBB- 
7.00% 
10/15/2016 
10/18/13 @ 104 
3,210,025 
329,354 
 
Continental Airlines 2007-1 Pass-Through Trust, Series 071C 
B+ 
7.34% 
04/19/2014 
N/A 
329,354 
1,000,000 
 
Delta Air Lines 2011-1 Class A Pass-Through Trust, Class A(a) 
A- 
5.30% 
04/15/2019 
N/A 
1,002,500 
785,000 
 
Global Aviation Holdings, Inc.(a) 
BB- 
14.00% 
08/15/2013 
08/15/12 @ 111 
769,300 
749,364 
 
UAL 2000-1 Pass-Through Trust, Series 001B(a) 
B 
8.03% 
07/01/2011 
N/A 
760,604 
1,845,703 
 
UAL 2009-2A Pass-Through Trust, Series 09-2(a) 
BBB 
9.75% 
01/15/2017 
N/A 
2,113,330 
             
13,978,796 
   
Auto Parts & Equipment – 0.1% 
         
250,000 
 
Exide Technologies(b) 
B 
8.63% 
02/01/2018 
02/01/15 @ 104 
265,625 
   
Banks – 7.7% 
         
1,000,000 
 
Agfirst Farm Credit Bank(a) (b) (c) 
A 
7.30% 
 
07/05/11 @ 100 
916,660 
1,250,000 
 
Barclays Bank PLC (United Kingdom)(a) (c) (d) 
A- 
6.28% 
 
12/15/34 @ 100 
1,106,600 
1,200,000 
 
BNP Paribas (France)(a) (b) (c) (d) 
A 
7.20% 
 
06/25/37 @ 100 
1,188,000 
350,000 
 
Comerica Bank 
A- 
7.88% 
09/15/2026 
N/A 
422,262 
1,000,000 
 
Credit Agricole SA (France)(a) (b) (c) (d) 
BBB+ 
6.64% 
 
05/31/17 @ 100 
900,000 
1,000,000 
 
Fifth Third Bancorp(a) 
BBB- 
8.25% 
03/01/2038 
N/A 
1,247,392 
1,000,000 
 
KeyCorp Capital III(a) 
BB 
7.75% 
07/15/2029 
N/A 
1,067,045 
1,250,000 
 
Mellon Capital IV, Series 1(a) (c) (d) 
A- 
6.24% 
 
06/20/12 @ 100 
1,150,000 
1,250,000 
 
Northgroup Preferred Capital Corp.(a) (b) (c) (d) 
A 
6.38% 
 
10/15/17 @ 100 
1,233,087 
700,000 
 
PNC Preferred Funding Trust III(a) (b) (c) (d) 
BBB 
8.70% 
 
03/15/13 @ 100 
747,159 
500,000 
 
Rabobank Nederland NV (Netherlands)(a) (b) (c) (d) 
AA- 
11.00% 
 
06/30/19 @ 100 
650,900 
1,400,000 
 
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Series U (United Kingdom)(a) (c) (d) 
C 
7.64% 
 
09/29/17 @ 100 
1,158,500 
650,000 
 
Susquehanna Capital II(a) 
BB- 
11.00% 
03/23/2040 
03/23/15 @ 100 
705,250 
1,250,000 
 
US AgBank FCB(a) (b) (c) (d) 
A 
6.11% 
 
07/10/12 @ 100 
869,425 
1,000,000 
 
Wells Fargo Capital XIII, Series GMTN(a) (c) (d) 
A- 
7.70% 
 
03/26/13 @ 100 
1,027,500 
             
14,389,780 
   
Building Materials – 0.7% 
         
1,250,000 
 
Cemex SAB de CV (Mexico)(b) 
B 
9.00% 
01/11/2018 
01/11/15 @ 105 
1,303,125 
   
Commercial Services – 1.6% 
         
490,000 
 
Bankrate, Inc.(b) 
B 
11.75% 
07/15/2015 
07/15/13 @ 106 
557,987 
250,000 
 
DynCorp International, Inc.(b) 
B 
10.38% 
07/01/2017 
07/01/14 @ 105 
265,000 
2,050,000 
 
NCO Group, Inc. 
CCC- 
11.88% 
11/15/2014 
11/15/11 @ 103 
1,783,500 
280,000 
 
PharmaNet Development Group, Inc.(a) (b) 
B+ 
10.88% 
04/15/2017 
04/15/14 @ 105 
347,200 
             
2,953,687 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 11
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments continued
 
               
Principal 
   
Rating 
   
Optional Call 
 
Amount 
 
Description 
(S&P)* 
Coupon 
Maturity 
Provisions** 
Value 
   
Computers – 0.6% 
         
$   455,000 
 
Compucom Systems, Inc.(b) 
B 
12.50% 
10/01/2015 
10/01/11 @ 106 
$     488,556 
450,000 
 
iGate Corp.(b) 
B+ 
9.00% 
05/01/2016 
05/01/14 @ 105 
462,375 
250,000 
 
Stratus Technologies, Inc.(a) 
B- 
12.00% 
03/29/2015 
04/15/13 @ 1,120 
235,625 
             
1,186,556 
   
Distribution & Wholesale – 0.7% 
         
370,000 
 
Baker & Taylor, Inc.(b) 
CCC+ 
11.50% 
07/01/2013 
07/01/13 @ 100 
308,950 
1,000,000 
 
Intcomex, Inc.(a) 
B3 
13.25% 
12/15/2014 
12/15/12 @ 107 
1,040,000 
             
1,348,950 
   
Diversified Financial Services – 4.7% 
         
2,000,000 
 
International Lease Finance Corp.(a) (b) 
BBB- 
7.13% 
09/01/2018 
N/A 
2,190,000 
4,563,027 
 
Lancer Finance Co. SPV Ltd. (British Virgin Islands)(a) (b) 
Baa3 
5.85% 
12/12/2016 
N/A 
4,706,941 
2,000,000 
 
Svensk Exportkredit AB (Sweden)(a) (b) (c) 
A+ 
6.38% 
 
09/27/11 @ 100 
1,889,670 
             
8,786,611 
   
Electric – 0.5% 
         
1,000,000 
 
Wisconsin Energy Corp.(a) (d) 
BBB- 
6.25% 
05/15/2067 
05/15/17 @ 100 
1,012,500 
   
Engineering & Construction – 0.9% 
         
2,000,000 
 
Alion Science and Technology Corp. 
CCC 
10.25% 
02/01/2015 
02/01/12 @ 103 
1,650,000 
   
Entertainment – 2.0% 
         
874,000 
 
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians(b) 
BB+ 
6.35% 
10/01/2015 
N/A 
861,642 
375,000 
 
Diamond Resorts Corp.(b) 
B- 
12.00% 
08/15/2018 
08/15/14 @ 106 
404,063 
500,000 
 
Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma(b) 
B- 
12.00% 
10/15/2015 
10/15/11 @ 109 
542,500 
1,350,000 
 
Lions Gate Entertainment, Inc.(a) (b) 
B- 
10.25% 
11/01/2016 
11/01/13 @ 105 
1,388,812 
700,000 
 
River Rock Entertainment Authority(a) 
B- 
9.75% 
11/01/2011 
07/05/11 @ 100 
616,000 
             
3,813,017 
   
Food – 1.1% 
         
500,000 
 
BI-LO, LLC / BI-LO Finance Corp.(b) 
B 
9.25% 
02/15/2019 
02/15/15 @ 105 
517,500 
1,500,000 
 
Bumble Bee Acquisition Corp.(b) 
B 
9.00% 
12/15/2017 
12/15/14 @ 105 
1,541,250 
             
2,058,750 
   
Forest Products & Paper – 0.1% 
         
250,000 
 
Verso Paper Holdings, LLC / Verso Paper, Inc.(b) 
B 
8.75% 
02/01/2019 
02/01/15 @ 104 
250,000 
   
Health Care Services – 0.5% 
         
250,000 
 
Apria Healthcare Group, Inc.(a) 
BB+ 
11.25% 
11/01/2014 
11/01/11 @ 106 
264,063 
275,000 
 
OnCure Holdings, Inc. 
B 
11.75% 
05/15/2017 
05/15/14 @ 106 
286,688 
295,000 
 
Symbion, Inc.(e) 
CCC 
11.00% 
08/23/2015 
08/23/12 @ 106 
279,512 
             
830,263 
   
Household Products & Housewares – 0.7% 
         
1,445,000 
 
American Achievement Corp.(b) 
B 
10.88% 
04/15/2016 
10/15/13 @ 105 
1,354,688 
   
Housewares – 0.1% 
         
75,000 
 
American Standards Americas(b) 
B 
10.75% 
01/15/2016 
01/15/13 @ 105 
78,563 
   
Insurance – 4.8% 
         
1,000,000 
 
Allstate Corp.(a) (d) 
BBB 
6.50% 
05/15/2057 
05/15/37 @ 100 
1,022,500 
1,000,000 
 
American Financial Group, Inc.(a) 
BBB+ 
9.88% 
06/15/2019 
N/A 
1,253,453 
1,000,000 
 
AXA SA (France)(a) (b) (c) (d) 
BBB 
6.46% 
 
12/14/18 @ 100 
910,000 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
12 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments continued
 
               
Principal 
   
Rating 
   
Optional Call 
 
Amount 
 
Description 
(S&P)* 
Coupon 
Maturity 
Provisions** 
Value 
   
Insurance (continued) 
         
$  700,000 
 
Blue Finance Ltd. (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) (g) 
BB+ 
4.69% 
04/10/2012 
10/08/11 @ 101 
$    693,140 
800,000 
 
Ironshore Holdings US, Inc.(a) (b) 
BBB- 
8.50% 
05/15/2020 
N/A 
890,528 
1,000,000 
 
MetLife Capital Trust IV(a) (b) 
BBB 
7.88% 
12/15/2037 
12/15/32 @ 100 
1,117,110 
700,000 
 
National Life Insurance Co.(a) (b) 
BBB+ 
10.50% 
09/15/2039 
N/A 
918,697 
800,000 
 
Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co.(b) 
A 
7.63% 
06/15/2040 
N/A 
898,584 
1,250,000 
 
Progressive Corp.(a) (d) 
A- 
6.70% 
06/15/2037 
06/15/17 @ 100 
1,321,875 
             
9,025,887 
   
Internet – 0.8% 
         
1,510,000 
 
GXS Worldwide, Inc. 
B 
9.75% 
06/15/2015 
06/15/12 @ 105 
1,536,425 
   
Investment Companies – 0.7% 
         
900,000 
 
Offshore Group Investment Ltd. (Cayman Islands) 
B- 
11.50% 
08/01/2015 
02/01/13 @ 109 
992,250 
210,000 
 
Offshore Group Investments Ltd. (Cayman Islands)(b) 
B- 
11.50% 
08/01/2015 
02/01/13 @ 109 
231,000 
             
1,223,250 
   
Iron & Steel – 0.1% 
         
240,000 
 
Standard Steel, LLC/Standard Steel Finance Corp.(b) 
B 
12.00% 
05/01/2015 
05/01/13 @ 106 
246,734 
   
Media – 0.3% 
         
500,000 
 
DCP, LLC/DCP Corp.(b) 
B+ 
10.75% 
08/15/2015 
08/15/13 @ 105 
468,750 
   
Mining – 0.6% 
         
1,025,000 
 
Midwest Vanadium Pty Ltd. (Australia)(b) 
B- 
11.50% 
02/15/2018 
02/15/15 @ 106 
1,050,625 
   
Packaging & Containers – 0.9% 
         
1,325,000 
 
Pregis Corp. 
CCC 
12.38% 
10/15/2013 
10/15/11 @ 103 
1,315,063 
300,000 
 
Pretium Packaging LLC / Pretium Finance, Inc.(b) 
B 
11.50% 
04/01/2016 
04/01/14 @ 106 
307,875 
             
1,622,938 
   
Retail – 0.9% 
         
800,000 
 
CKE Restaurants, Inc. 
B- 
11.38% 
07/15/2018 
07/15/14 @ 106 
876,000 
750,000 
 
Liz Claiborne, Inc.(b) 
B- 
10.50% 
04/15/2019 
04/15/14 @ 105 
768,750 
             
1,644,750 
   
Software – 0.1% 
         
400,000 
 
Open Solutions, Inc.(b) 
CCC+ 
9.75% 
02/01/2015 
02/01/12 @ 102 
252,000 
   
Telecommunications – 0.8% 
         
1,086,000 
 
Clearwire Communications, LLC/Clearwire Finance, Inc.(b) 
CCC+ 
12.00% 
12/01/2015 
12/01/12 @ 106 
1,187,812 
300,000 
 
CommScope, Inc.(b) 
B 
8.25% 
01/15/2019 
01/15/15 @ 104 
314,250 
             
1,502,062 
   
Transportation – 0.2% 
         
400,000 
 
United Maritime Group, LLC/United Maritime Group Finance Corp.(a) 
B 
11.75% 
06/15/2015 
12/15/12 @ 106 
420,000 
   
Total Corporate Bonds – 40.2% 
         
   
(Cost $72,701,639) 
       
75,447,832 
   
Asset Backed Securities – 50.2% 
         
   
Automobile – 0.0% 
         
92,310 
 
Bush Truck Leasing LLC, Class C(b) 
NR 
5.00% 
09/25/2018 
N/A 
92,070 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 13
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments continued
 
Principal 
   
Rating 
   
Optional Call 
 
Amount 
 
Description 
(S&P)* 
Coupon 
Maturity 
Provisions** 
Value 
$ 1,371,214 
 
Aspen Funding I Ltd., Series 2002-1A, Class A1L (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
A 
0.89% 
07/10/2037 
N/A 
$    1,121,804 
217,062 
 
Commodore CDO I Ltd., Series 1A, Class A (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BBB 
0.78% 
02/24/2034 
N/A 
199,198 
827,464 
 
Coronado CDO Ltd., Series 1A, Class A1 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BB+ 
0.77% 
09/04/2038 
N/A 
598,471 
1,114,878 
 
Diversified Asset Securitization Holdings III, Series 1A, Class A2 (Cayman Islands)(b) 
A 
7.42% 
07/05/2036 
N/A 
1,012,276 
4,029,673 
 
Duke Funding Ltd., Series 2003-5A, Class 1W (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
CCC 
0.82% 
08/07/2033 
N/A 
2,095,430 
390,114 
 
MWAM CBO Ltd., Series 2001-1A, Class A (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AA 
1.00% 
01/30/2031 
N/A 
368,986 
1,207,879 
 
Putnam Structured Product CDO, Series 2002-1A, Class A2 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BB+ 
0.88% 
01/10/2038 
N/A 
969,323 
1,022,651 
 
Putnam Structured Product CDO, Series 2003-A1LT, Class A1 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BB- 
0.65% 
10/15/2038 
N/A 
889,349 
480,031 
 
Saybrook Point CBO Ltd., Series 2001-1A, Class A (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BB 
0.74% 
02/25/2031 
N/A 
442,214 
             
7,697,051 
   
Collateralized Loan Obligation – 19.5% 
         
500,000 
 
Alm Loan Funding, Series 2010-3A, Class C (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
Baa2 
4.26% 
11/20/2020 
N/A 
506,075 
300,000 
 
ARCC Commercial Loan Trust, Series 2006-1A, Class C(b) (f) 
BB+ 
1.01% 
12/20/2019 
N/A 
270,750 
635,902 
 
Armstrong Loan Funding Ltd., Series 2008-1A, Class B (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AA+ 
1.27% 
08/01/2016 
N/A 
622,955 
2,000,000 
 
Black Diamond CLO Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class B (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
A+ 
0.66% 
04/29/2019 
N/A 
1,706,500 
2,000,000 
 
Black Diamond CLO Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class C (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BBB+ 
0.96% 
04/29/2019 
N/A 
1,593,560 
2,776,587 
 
Business Loan Express, Series 2006-AA, Class A(a) (b) (f) 
AAA 
0.44% 
10/20/2038 
N/A 
1,862,549 
822,936 
 
Business Loan Express, Series 2007-AA, Class A(b) (f) 
AAA 
0.60% 
10/20/2040 
05/20/20 @ 100 
543,138 
3,000,000 
 
CapitalSource Commercial Loan Trust, Series 2006-2A, Class C(b) (f) 
BBB+ 
0.88% 
09/20/2022 
07/20/12 @ 100 
2,671,903 
750,000 
 
CapitalSource Commercial Loan Trust, Series 2006-2A, Class D(b) (f) 
B+ 
1.72% 
09/20/2022 
N/A 
655,980 
1,000,000 
 
Churchill Financial Cayman Ltd., Series 2007-1A, Class C (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
A+ 
1.54% 
07/10/2019 
N/A 
812,360 
1,000,000 
 
Churchill Financial Cayman Ltd., Series 2007-1A, Class D2 (Cayman Islands)(b) 
BBB+ 
8.37% 
07/10/2019 
N/A 
1,002,490 
250,000 
 
Cratos CLO Ltd., Series 2007-1A, Class C (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AA- 
1.36% 
05/19/2021 
N/A 
195,000 
500,000 
 
DFR Middle Market CLO Ltd., Series 2007-1A, Class C(b) (f) 
A 
2.57% 
07/20/2019 
N/A 
451,755 
800,000 
 
Eastland CLO Ltd., Series 2007-1A, Class A2B (Cayman Islands)(a) (b) (f) 
A+ 
0.60% 
05/01/2022 
N/A 
622,712 
500,000 
 
Emporia Preferred Funding, Series 2005-1A, Class B1 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AA- 
0.84% 
10/12/2018 
N/A 
428,980 
1,000,000 
 
Emporia Preferred Funding, Series 2005-1A, Class C (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
A- 
1.24% 
10/12/2018 
N/A 
832,340 
500,000 
 
FM Leveraged Capital Fund, Series 2005-1A, Class B (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
A+ 
0.86% 
08/01/2017 
N/A 
437,075 
1,000,000 
 
Friedbergmilstein Private Capital Fund, Series 2004-1A, Class B2 (Cayman Islands)(b) 
AA 
5.41% 
01/15/2019 
N/A 
943,880 
1,000,000 
 
GSC Partners CDO Fund Ltd., Series 2006-7A, Class C (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BBB+ 
1.26% 
05/25/2020 
N/A 
660,000 
1,000,000 
 
MC Funding Ltd. / MC Funding 2006-1, LLC, Series 2006-1A, Class C (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
Baa3 
1.26% 
12/20/2020 
N/A 
810,970 
800,000 
 
Mountain View Funding CLO, Series 2007-3A, Class A2 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AAA 
0.62% 
04/16/2021 
N/A 
713,880 
1,000,000 
 
Nantucket CLO Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class B (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AA 
0.68% 
11/24/2020 
N/A 
868,620 
500,000 
 
Navigator CDO Ltd., Series 2004-1A, Class B2 (Cayman Islands)(b) 
BB+ 
5.59% 
01/14/2017 
N/A 
493,125 
1,500,000 
 
Rosedale CLO Ltd., Series I-A, Class AIJ (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
A+ 
0.68% 
07/24/2021 
N/A 
1,342,905 
514,262 
 
Sargas CLO II Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class E (Cayman Islands)(f) 
B+ 
4.27% 
10/20/2018 
N/A 
491,685 
1,000,000 
 
Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom)(f) 
NR 
0.29% 
01/09/2013 
N/A 
901,250 
2,000,000 
 
Stanfield Modena CLO Ltd., Series 2004-1A, Class C (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BBB- 
1.56% 
09/22/2016 
N/A 
1,873,300 
600,000 
 
Start CLO Ltd., Series 2006-2, Class C (Cayman Islands)(f) 
A+ 
1.06% 
06/29/2012 
N/A 
599,352 
1,000,000 
 
Start CLO Ltd., Series 2006-2, Class D (Cayman Islands)(f) 
BBB+ 
2.16% 
06/29/2012 
N/A 
998,440 
500,000 
 
Start CLO Ltd., Series 2008-5X, Class C (Cayman Islands) 
NR 
22.14% 
01/09/2013 
N/A 
497,875 
2,000,000 
 
TCW Global Project Fund, Series 2004-1A, Class A1 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AAA 
1.18% 
06/15/2016 
N/A 
1,759,760 
2,000,000 
 
TCW Global Project Fund, Series 2004-1A, Class B1 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BBB 
2.23% 
06/15/2016 
N/A 
1,322,020 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
14 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments continued
 
               
Principal 
   
Rating 
   
Optional Call 
 
Amount 
 
Description 
(S&P)* 
Coupon 
Maturity 
Provisions** 
Value 
   
Collateralized Loan Obligation (continued) 
         
$ 1,000,000 
 
TCW Global Project Fund, Series 2005-1A, Class B2 (Cayman Islands)(b) 
A 
5.79% 
09/01/2017 
N/A 
$     848,580 
4,000,000 
 
Telos CLO Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class A2 (Cayman Islands)(a) (b) (f) 
AA+ 
0.69% 
10/11/2021 
N/A 
3,504,800 
2,500,000 
 
Telos CLO Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class B (Cayman Islands)(a) (b) (f) 
A+ 
0.78% 
10/11/2021 
N/A 
2,071,475 
1,000,000 
 
Zohar CDO, Series 2007-3A, Class A2 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BB+ 
0.86% 
04/15/2019 
N/A 
605,860 
             
36,523,899 
   
Commercial Real Estate – 0.9% 
         
2,000,000 
 
Wrightwood Capital Real Estate CDO Ltd., Series 2005-1A, Class A1 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AAA 
0.58% 
11/21/2040 
N/A 
1,780,000 
   
Commercial Receivables – 1.4% 
         
500,000 
 
FCC Financing Subsidiary, LLC, Series 2010-1A, Class B(b) (f) 
NR 
12.95% 
03/31/2017 
N/A 
550,000 
2,000,000 
 
HFG Healthco-4, LLC, Series 2006-1A, Class A(b) (f) 
Aa2 
0.59% 
06/05/2012 
N/A 
1,999,560 
             
2,549,560 
   
Credit Card – 2.5% 
         
1,000,000 
 
LCP Rights Trust, Series 2010-1, Class A 
BB 
14.55% 
07/17/2017 
N/A 
999,930 
290,323 
 
LCP Rights Trust, Series 2010-1, Class C 
B 
19.21% 
07/17/2017 
N/A 
290,279 
714,286 
 
LCP Rights Trust, Series 2010-1, Class D 
BB 
14.55% 
01/15/2016 
N/A 
714,186 
1,500,000 
 
LCP Rights Trust, Series 2010-1, Class F 
B 
19.21% 
01/15/2016 
N/A 
1,499,610 
500,000 
 
LCP Rights Trust, Series 2010-1, Class G 
BB 
11.71% 
09/18/2018 
N/A 
499,980 
200,000 
 
LCP Rights Trust, Series 2010-1, Class H 
BB 
14.56% 
09/18/2018 
N/A 
199,986 
400,000 
 
LCP Rights Trust, Series 2010-1, Class I 
NR 
18.29% 
09/18/2018 
N/A 
399,952 
             
4,603,923 
   
Financial – 0.0% 
         
34,047 
 
Blue Falcon, Series A-2(b) 
NR 
3.21% 
12/25/2016 
N/A 
33,599 
   
Insurance – 2.1% 
         
1,623,697 
 
321 Henderson Receivables I, LLC, Series 2007-3A, Class A(a) (b) 
BBB 
6.15% 
10/15/2048 
08/15/35 @ 100 
1,730,632 
400,647 
 
321 Henderson Receivables I, LLC, Series 2008-1A, Class A(a) (b) 
AA+ 
6.19% 
01/15/2044 
06/15/24 @ 100 
452,089 
500,000 
 
321 Henderson Receivables I, LLC, Series 2008-1A, Class B(a) (b) 
AA 
8.37% 
01/15/2046 
02/15/28 @ 100 
569,121 
500,000 
 
321 Henderson Receivables I, LLC, Series 2008-1A, Class C(b) 
A 
9.36% 
01/15/2048 
07/15/29 @ 100 
570,996 
500,000 
 
321 Henderson Receivables I, LLC, Series 2008-1A, Class D(b) 
BBB 
10.81% 
01/15/2050 
05/15/31 @ 100 
603,672 
             
3,926,510 
   
Other – 0.8% 
         
1,500,000 
 
Glenn Pool Oil & Gas Trust 
NR 
6.00% 
08/02/2021 
N/A 
1,492,500 
   
Student Loan – 0.1% 
         
363,237 
 
MRU Student Loan Trust, Series 2008-A, Class A1A(b) 
AAA 
7.40% 
01/25/2041 
N/A 
155,008 
202,567 
 
MRU Student Loan Trust, Series 2008-A, Class B(b) (f) 
AA 
5.77% 
01/25/2041 
N/A 
42,539 
202,567 
 
MRU Student Loan Trust, Series 2008-1A, Class C(b) (f) 
A 
7.77% 
01/25/2041 
N/A 
34,436 
             
231,983 
   
Timeshare – 2.1% 
         
1,840,674 
 
Diamond Resorts Owner Trust, Series 2009-1, Class A(a) (b) 
A 
9.31% 
03/20/2026 
11/20/13 @ 100 
1,858,367 
986,178 
 
Sierra Receivables Funding Co., Series 2006-1A, Class A1(a) (b) 
BBB- 
5.84% 
05/20/2018 
06/20/12 @ 100 
1,010,617 
451,897 
 
Silverleaf Finance, LLC, Series 2010-A, Class B(b) 
BBB 
8.00% 
07/15/2022 
09/15/15 @ 100 
437,894 
600,000 
 
Silverleaf Finance, LLC, Series 2011-A, Class A(b) 
NR 
9.00% 
06/15/2023 
N/A 
562,000 
             
3,868,878 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 15
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments continued
 
               
Principal 
   
Rating 
   
Optional Call 
 
Amount 
 
Description 
(S&P)* 
Coupon 
Maturity 
Provisions** 
Value 
   
Transportation – 9.8% 
         
$ 1,879,179 
 
Aircraft Lease Securitisation Ltd., Series 2007-1A, Class G3 (Channel Islands)(a) (b) (f) 
A- 
0.47% 
05/10/2032 
N/A 
$ 1,757,032 
13,408,051 
 
Airplanes Pass-Through Trust, Series 2001-1A, Class A9(a) (f) 
CCC 
0.75% 
03/15/2019 
N/A 
9,016,915 
983,371 
 
Aviation Capital Group Trust, Series 2000-1A, Class A1(b) (f) 
BB 
0.68% 
11/15/2025 
N/A 
642,879 
5,131,002 
 
Aviation Capital Group Trust, Series 2003-2A, Class B1(a) (b) (f) 
BBB 
3.20% 
09/20/2033 
N/A 
4,310,042 
721,933 
 
Blade Engine Securitization Ltd., Series 2006-1A, Class B (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BBB+ 
3.20% 
09/15/2041 
N/A 
608,907 
83,121 
 
Helios Finance LP, Series 2007-S1, Class B1 (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
BBB 
0.90% 
10/20/2014 
N/A 
82,750 
1,128,259 
 
Lease Investment Flight Trust, Series 1, Class A3(a) (f) 
B+ 
0.63% 
07/15/2016 
N/A 
1,105,693 
778,552 
 
Vega Containervessel PLC, Series 2006-1A, Class A (Ireland)(a) (b) 
Ba3 
5.56% 
02/10/2021 
N/A 
731,839 
             
18,256,057 
   
Trust Preferred Stock – 1.8% 
         
6,000,000 
 
Attentus CDO Ltd., Series 2007-3A, Class A1B (Cayman Islands)(b) (f) 
AAA 
0.55% 
10/11/2042 
N/A 
3,288,480 
   
Whole Business – 5.1% 
         
500,000 
 
Adams Outdoor Advertising LP, Series 2010-1, Class B(a) (b) 
Ba2 
8.84% 
12/20/2040 
N/A 
536,520 
1,000,000 
 
Adams Outdoor Advertising LP, Series 2010-1, Class C(a) (b) 
B3 
10.76% 
12/20/2040 
N/A 
1,076,289 
1,488,068 
 
Cajun Global LLC, Series 2011-1A, Class A2(a) (b) 
BBB 
5.96% 
02/20/2041 
N/A 
1,540,151 
3,760,000 
 
Dominos Pizza Master Issuer, LLC, Series 2007-1, Class A2(a) (b) 
BBB- 
5.26% 
04/25/2037 
04/25/12 @ 100 
3,816,400 
600,000 
 
NuCO2 Funding, LLC, Series 2008-1A, Class A1(b) 
Baa2 
7.25% 
06/25/2038 
N/A 
634,428 
2,000,000 
 
Sonic Capital LLC, Series 2011-1A, Class A2(a) (b) 
BBB 
5.44% 
05/20/2041 
N/A 
2,020,000 
             
9,623,788 
   
Total Asset Backed Securities – 50.2% 
         
   
(Cost $85,876,520) 
       
93,968,298 
   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 26.4% 
         
   
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities – Traditional – 22.0% 
         
500,000 
 
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2003-2, Class G(b) (f) 
A- 
5.34% 
03/11/2041 
N/A 
474,009 
1,000,000 
 
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2004-5, Class B(a) (f) 
AA+ 
5.06% 
11/10/2041 
N/A 
1,028,687 
600,000 
 
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2005-5, Class AJ(a) (f) 
BBB+ 
5.15% 
10/10/2045 
N/A 
611,320 
1,500,000 
 
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Series 2005-PW10, Class AJ(a) (f) 
BB+ 
5.47% 
12/11/2040 
N/A 
1,453,632 
500,000 
 
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2004-C2, Class E(b) (f) 
A- 
5.02% 
10/15/2041 
N/A 
468,596 
1,200,000 
 
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C6, Class AM(f) 
BBB+ 
5.70% 
12/10/2049 
N/A 
1,235,888 
2,000,000 
 
Citigroup/Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-CD1, Class AJ(a) (f) 
A3 
5.22% 
07/15/2044 
N/A 
1,963,787 
13,500,000 
 
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-C7, Class A4(a) (f) (i) 
AAA 
5.75% 
06/10/2046 
N/A 
15,042,630 
1,000,000 
 
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-C7, Class AM(a) (f) 
A 
5.78% 
06/10/2046 
N/A 
1,049,593 
1,000,000 
 
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-CN2A, Class F(a) (b) (f) 
CCC+ 
5.57% 
02/05/2019 
N/A 
979,080 
1,500,000 
 
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, Series 2006-C3, Class AM(a) (f) 
BBB- 
5.82% 
06/15/2038 
N/A 
1,585,666 
600,000 
 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 2001-GL3A, Class E(b) (f) 
A2 
6.85% 
08/05/2018 
N/A 
600,455 
500,000 
 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 2007-EOP, Class H(a) (b) (f) 
BBB- 
3.58% 
03/06/2020 
N/A 
495,360 
1,000,000 
 
JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-LDP3, Class AJ(a) (f) 
BBB 
4.97% 
08/15/2042 
N/A 
993,217 
2,600,000 
 
JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2007-LD11, Class AM(a) (f) 
BB+ 
5.82% 
06/15/2049 
N/A 
2,507,344 
2,000,000 
 
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Series 2005-HQ6, Class AJ(a) (f) 
A- 
5.07% 
08/13/2042 
N/A 
2,011,959 
200,000 
 
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Series 2005-IQ9, Class C 
A- 
4.91% 
07/15/2056 
N/A 
190,600 
1,000,000 
 
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Series 2006-HQ10, Class AM(a) 
Aa2 
5.36% 
11/12/2041 
N/A 
1,034,011 
1,250,000 
 
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Series 2006-IQ12, Class AM(a) 
A 
5.37% 
12/15/2043 
N/A 
1,263,079 
1,000,000 
 
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Series 2006-T23, Class AM(a) (f) 
A+ 
5.80% 
08/12/2041 
N/A 
1,072,611 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
16 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments continued
 
               
Principal 
   
Rating 
   
Optional Call 
 
Amount 
 
Description 
(S&P)* 
Coupon 
Maturity 
Provisions** 
Value 
   
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities – Traditional (continued) 
         
$ 2,000,000 
 
TIAA Seasoned Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C4, Class AJ(a) (f) 
A+ 
5.98% 
08/15/2039 
N/A 
$   2,046,480 
2,000,000 
 
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-C20, Class AJ(a) (f) 
BBB- 
5.15% 
07/15/2042 
N/A 
2,038,153 
1,000,000 
 
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-C21, Class AJ(a) (f) 
A- 
5.20% 
10/15/2044 
N/A 
1,027,594 
             
41,173,751 
   
Commercial Mortgage Backed Security – Military Housing – 0.9% 
         
1,000,000 
 
Hampton Roads PPV, LLC(a) (b) 
Ba2 
6.07% 
12/15/2041 
N/A 
810,630 
1,000,000 
 
Hampton Roads PPV, LLC(a) (b) 
Ba2 
6.17% 
06/15/2053 
N/A 
796,710 
             
1,607,340 
   
Commercial Mortgage Backed Security – Non-Traditional – 0.4% 
         
750,000 
 
Timberstar Trust, Series 2006-1A, Class C(a) (b) 
A 
5.88% 
10/15/2036 
N/A 
797,253 
   
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities – 3.1% 
         
808,929 
 
Asset Backed Funding Certificates, Series 2005-AQ1, Class A6(a) (h) 
AAA 
4.78% 
06/25/2035 
04/25/21 @ 100 
793,752 
2,801,575 
 
Countrywide Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2004-S, Class 1A(f) 
CCC 
0.44% 
02/15/2030 
N/A 
1,676,521 
100,718 
 
Deutsche ALT-A Securities, Inc. Alternate Loan Trust, Series 2006-AB4, Class A1A(f) 
CCC 
6.01% 
10/25/2036 
01/25/18 @ 100 
59,187 
486,930 
 
GSAA Trust, Series 2007-5, Class 1F2A(a) (f) 
CCC 
5.79% 
03/25/2047 
05/25/29 @ 100 
373,253 
769,441 
 
IndyMac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-AR9, Class 3A1(f) 
Caa1 
5.27% 
06/25/2036 
05/25/20 @ 100 
677,982 
370,386 
 
New Century Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2004-A, Class AII9(f) 
BBB+ 
5.23% 
08/25/2034 
08/25/18 @ 100 
357,649 
1,056,866 
 
TBW Mortgage Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-6, Class A3(h) 
D 
5.75% 
01/25/2037 
05/25/18 @ 100 
579,435 
2,432,141 
 
TBW Mortgage Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-6, Class A5B(h) 
D 
6.04% 
01/25/2037 
05/25/18 @ 100 
1,337,118 
             
5,854,897 
   
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 26.4% 
         
   
(Cost $45,555,195) 
       
49,433,241 
   
Term Loans – 3.1% (j) 
         
   
Electronics – 0.2% 
         
283,064 
 
Clientlogic Corp.(f) 
B+ 
5.79% 
01/30/2014 
N/A 
283,889 
   
Health Care, Education & Childcare – 0.5% 
         
834,167 
 
Embanet(f) 
CCC 
3.28% 
06/28/2012 
N/A 
814,839 
   
Leisure – 0.7% 
         
1,379,436 
 
Bushnell Performance Optics(f) 
BB- 
4.57% 
08/24/2013 
N/A 
1,355,296 
   
Retail – 0.8% 
         
1,110,391 
 
Deb Shops, Inc.(f) 
CCC 
10.00% 
04/23/2014 
N/A 
494,124 
962,500 
 
Mattress Holding Corp.(f) 
B 
2.56% 
10/23/2014 
N/A 
921,594 
150,000 
 
Targus Group International, Inc.(f) 
B 
9.75% 
05/25/2016 
N/A 
147,750 
             
1,563,468 
   
Technology – 0.9% 
         
493,750 
 
Flexera Software, Inc.(f) 
BB- 
7.50% 
01/20/2017 
N/A 
497,145 
1,000,000 
 
Information Global Solutions(f) 
NR 
6.44% 
03/02/2014 
N/A 
905,000 
300,000 
 
Sirva Worldwide, Inc.(f) 
B 
10.75% 
03/17/2017 
N/A 
292,875 
             
1,695,020 
   
Transportation – 0.0% 
         
34,630 
 
Carey International, Inc.(f). 
NR 
9.00% 
01/25/2014 
N/A 
13,852 
   
Total Term Loans – 3.1% 
         
   
(Cost $6,332,196) 
       
5,726,364 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 17
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments continued
 
           
Number 
   
Rating 
   
of Shares 
 
Description 
(S&P)* 
Coupon 
Value 
   
Preferred Stocks – 2.7% 
     
   
Banks – 0.6% 
     
 40,000 
 
BB&T Capital Trust VI(a) 
BBB 
9.60% 
$    1,063,200 
   
Diversified Financial Services – 0.6% 
     
50,000 
 
Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust II(a) 
BBB+ 
6.55% 
1,250,000 
37,600 
 
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., Series J(k) 
NR 
7.95% 
413 
         
1,250,413 
   
Insurance – 0.3% 
     
20,000 
 
Aegon NV PFD (Netherlands)(a) 
BBB 
6.38% 
477,000 
3,800 
 
ING Groep NV (Netherlands)(a) 
B 
7.05% 
90,934 
         
567,934 
   
Telecommunications – 0.6% 
     
1,000 
 
Centaur Funding Corp. (Cayman Islands)(b) 
Baa3 
9.08% 
1,170,625 
   
Transportation – 0.6% 
     
40,000 
 
Seaspan Corp., Series C (Marshall Islands) 
NR 
9.50% 
1,104,800 
   
Total Preferred Stocks – 2.7% 
     
   
(Cost $5,704,813) 
   
5,156,972 
   
Exchange Traded Funds – 15.8% 
     
80,900 
 
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund(a) (l) 
   
1,282,265 
24,900 
 
iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate Index Fund(a) (l) 
   
1,563,720 
52,800 
 
PowerShares QQQ Trust, Series 1(a) (l) 
   
3,081,408 
28,100 
 
ProShares Ultra S&P500(a) (l) 
   
1,545,219 
26,000 
 
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust(a) (l) 
   
3,263,000 
121,600 
 
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(a) (l) 
   
16,402,624 
28,800 
 
SPDR S&P Retail ETF(a) (l) 
   
1,559,232 
25,000 
 
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund(a) (l) 
   
846,750 
   
(Cost $27,666,745) 
   
29,544,218 
   
Exchange Traded Notes – 0.1% 
     
   
Equity Fund – 0.1% 
     
2,800 
 
iPATH S&P 500 VIX MID-Term Futures ETN(a) (l) (m) 
   
139,468 
   
(Cost $172,131) 
     
   
Total Long-Term Investments – 138.5% 
     
   
(Cost $244,009,239) 
   
259,416,393 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
18 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
               
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments continued 
         
           
Number 
   
Rating 
   
Optional Call 
 
of Shares 
 
Description 
(S&P)* 
Coupon 
Maturity 
Provisions** 
Value 
   
Short-Term Investments – 2.6% 
         
   
Money Market – 2.1% 
         
4,019,312 
 
Federated Prime Obligation Fund 
       
$    4,019,312 
   
(Cost $4,019,312) 
         
Principal 
             
Amount 
 
Municipal Bonds – 0.5% 
         
   
Michigan – 0.5% 
         
$  400,000 
 
Michigan Finance Authority State Aid Revenue Notes, School District of the City of Detroit, Series 2011A-1 
SP-1 
6.45% 
02/20/2012 
N/A 
405,968 
480,000 
 
Michigan Finance Authority State Aid Revenue Notes, School District of the City of Detroit, Series 2011A-2 
SP-1 
6.65% 
03/20/2012 
N/A 
487,973 
   
(Cost $880,000) 
       
893,941 
   
Short-Term Investments – 2.6% 
         
   
(Cost $4,899,312) 
       
4,913,253 
   
Total Investments – 141.1% 
         
   
(Cost $248,908,551) 
       
264,329,646 
   
Other Assets in excess of Liabilities – 2.2% 
       
4,082,231 
   
Total Value of Options Written – (0.2%) (Premiums received – $383,942) 
       
(408,713) 
   
Borrowings – (12.0%) 
       
(22,432,914) 
   
Reverse Repurchase Agreements – (25.4%) 
       
(47,618,513) 
   
TALF Loan – (5.7%) 
       
(10,618,934) 
   
Net Assets – 100.0% 
       
$ 187,332,803 
 
AB – Stock Company
CBO – Collateralized Bond Obligation
CDO – Collateralized Debt Obligation
CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligation
FCB – Farmers Credit Bureau
LLC – Limited Liability Company
LP – Limited Partnership
N/A- Not Available
NV – Publicly Traded Company
PLC – Public Limited Company
PPV – Public/private venture
Pty Ltd. – Propriety Limited
SA – Corporation
S&P – Standard & Poor’s
SAB de CV – Publicly Traded Company
SPV – Special Purpose Vehicle
 
*
Ratings shown are per Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch. Securities classified as NR are not rated. (For securities not rated by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group, the rating by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. is provided. Likewise, for securities not rated by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group and Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., the rating by Fitch Ratings is provided.) All ratings are unaudited. The ratings apply to the credit worthiness of the issuers of the underlying securities and not to the Fund or its shares.
**
Date and price of the earliest optional call or put provision. There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates.
(a)
All or a portion of these securities have been physically segregated in connection with borrowings, unfunded commitments and reverse repurchase agreements. As of May 31, 2011, the total amount segregated was $158,690,792.
(b)
Securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At May 31, 2011, these securities amounted to $124,540,460, which represents 66.5% of net assets applicable to common shares.
(c)
Perpetual maturity.
(d)
Security has a fixed rate coupon which will convert to a floating or variable rate coupon on a future date.
(e)
The issuer of this security may elect to pay interest entirely in cash, entirely by issuing payment-in-kind shares or pay 50% of the interest in cash and 50% of the interest by issuing payment-in-kind shares.
(f)
Floating or variable rate coupon. The rate shown is as of May 31, 2011.
(g)
Risk-Linked Security – A risk-linked security is issued by insurance companies and insurance related special purpose vehicles that apply securitization techniques to catastrophic property and casualty damages. The security is typically a debt obligation for which the return of principal and the payment of interest are contingent on the non-occurrence of a pre-defined “trigger event.” Depending on the specific terms and structure of the security, this trigger could be the result of a hurricane, earthquake or some other catastrophic event.
(h)
Security is a “Step-up” bond where the coupon increases or steps up at a predetermined date. The rate shown reflects the rate in effect at he end of the reporting period.
(i)
All or a portion of this security was acquired, and has been physically segregated in connection with the Fund’s participation in the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility program (the “TALF program”) operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. At May 31, 2011, the total amount physically segregated was $15,042,630. See notes to financial statements.
(j)
Term loans held by the Fund have a variable interest rate feature which is periodically adjusted based on an underlying interest rate benchmark. In addition, term loans may include mandatory and/or optional prepayment terms. As a result, the actual maturity dates of the loan may be different than the amounts disclosed in the portfolio of investments. Term loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund may be contractually obligated to secure approval from the Agent Bank and/or Borrower prior to the sale or disposition of loan.
(k)
Non-income producing as security is in default.
(l)
All or a portion of this security position represents cover for outstanding options written.
(m)
Non-income producing security.
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 19
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) continued
 
             
Contracts
           
(100 shares
     
Expiration 
Exercise 
 
per contract)
   
Options Written (m) 
Month 
Price 
Value 
     
Call Options Written - (0.2%) 
     
 
809 
 
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund 
June 2011 
$ 16.00 
$ (11,326) 
 
28 
 
iPATH S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF 
June 2011 
52.00 
(1,610) 
 
249 
 
iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate Index Fund 
June 2011 
62.00 
(31,374) 
 
1,216 
 
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust 
June 2011 
134.00 
(246,848) 
 
528 
 
Powershares QQQ Trust, Series 1 
June 2011 
59.00 
(20,064) 
 
281 
 
ProShares Ultra S&P 500 
June 2011 
55.00 
(31,332) 
 
260 
 
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF 
June 2011 
127.00 
(15,470) 
 
288 
 
SPDR S&P Retail ETF 
June 2011 
53.00 
(44,064) 
 
250 
 
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund 
June 2011 
34.00 
(6,625) 
     
Total Value of Call Options Written 
   
$ (408,713) 
     
(Premiums received $383,942) 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
20 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | May 31, 2011
 
   
Assets 
 
Investments in securities, at value (cost $248,908,551) 
$ 264,329,646 
Securities sold receivable 
2,751,219 
Interest receivable 
2,189,191 
Cash 
1,489,601 
Unrealized appreciation on swaps 
933,236 
Restricted cash 
562,500 
Dividends receivable 
8,197 
Other assets 
185,700 
Total assets 
272,449,290 
Liabilities 
 
Reverse repurchase agreements 
47,618,513 
Borrowings 
22,432,914 
Payable on TALF Loan 
10,618,934 
Payable for securities purchased 
3,371,018 
Options written, at value (premiums received of $383,942) 
408,713 
Advisory fee payable 
226,176 
Interest due on borrowings 
98,640 
Unrealized depreciation on unfunded commitments 
76,813 
Administration fee payable 
5,797 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 
258,969 
Total liabilities 
85,116,487 
Net Assets 
$ 187,332,803 
Composition of Net Assets 
 
Common stock, $.01 par value per share; unlimited number of shares authorized, 9,317,708 shares issued and outstanding 
$ 93,177 
Additional paid-in capital 
169,360,097 
Accumulated net realized gain on investments, options, futures and swaps 
709,042 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments, options, swaps and unfunded commitments 
16,252,747 
Accumulated undistributed net investment income 
917,740 
Net Assets 
$ 187,332,803 
Net Asset Value (based on 9,317,708 common shares outstanding) 
$ 20.11 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 21
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Statement of Operations | For the Year Ended May 31, 2011
 
     
Investment Income 
   
Interest 
$ 22,125,499 
 
Dividends 
567,827 
 
Total income 
 
$ 22,693,326 
Expenses 
   
Investment advisory fee 
2,461,526 
 
Interest expense 
1,479,174 
 
Professional fees 
193,215 
 
Fund accounting fee 
120,954 
 
Trustees’ fees and expenses 
107,487 
 
Printing expense 
88,716 
 
Administration fee 
64,231 
 
Custodian fee 
60,061 
 
Line of credit fee 
57,936 
 
NYSE listing fee 
21,607 
 
Transfer agent fee 
20,118 
 
Insurance 
14,629 
 
Miscellaneous 
45,967 
 
Total expenses 
 
4,735,621 
Net investment income 
 
17,957,705 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Options, Swaps and Unfunded Commitments 
   
Net realized gain (loss) on: 
   
Investments 
 
6,054,799 
Options 
 
(954,183) 
Swaps 
 
4,125,332 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: 
   
Investments 
 
14,407,511 
Options 
 
(245,155) 
Swaps 
 
(318,839) 
Unfunded commitments 
 
(76,813) 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, options, swaps and unfunded commitments 
 
22,992,652 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 
 
$ 40,950,357 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
22 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets |
 
     
 
For the 
For the 
 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
 
May 31, 2011 
May 31, 2010 
Increase in Net Assets from Operations 
   
Net investment income 
$ 17,957,705 
$ 16,099,616 
Net realized gain on investments, options, foreign currency transaction, futures and swaps 
9,225,948 
4,755,490 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, options, swaps and unfunded commitments 
13,766,704 
43,077,264 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 
40,950,357 
63,932,370 
Distributions to Common Shareholders 
   
From net investment income 
(17,370,509) 
(16,931,384) 
Capital Share Transactions 
   
Reinvestment of dividends 
1,969,567 
1,706,887 
Net increase from capital share transactions 
1,969,567 
1,706,887 
Total increase in net assets 
25,549,415 
48,707,873 
Net Assets 
   
Beginning of period 
161,783,388 
113,075,515 
End of period (including accumulated undistributed net investment 
   
income of $917,740 and $860,558, respectively) 
$ 187,332,803 
$ 161,783,388 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 23
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Statement of Cash Flows | For the Year Ended May 31, 2011
 
   
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: 
 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 
$ 40,950,357 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations to 
 
Net Cash Used by Operating and Investing Activities: 
 
Net unrealized appreciation on investments 
(14,407,511) 
Net unrealized depreciation on options 
245,155 
Net unrealized depreciation on swaps 
318,839 
Net unrealized depreciation on unfunded commitments 
76,813 
Net accretion of bond discount and amortization of bond premium 
(6,427,542) 
Net realized gain on investments 
(6,054,799) 
Paydowns received 
(3,152,962) 
Net realized loss on options 
954,183 
Purchase of long-term investments 
(167,086,777) 
Cost of written options closed 
(7,421,639) 
Premiums received on call options written 
6,149,013 
Proceeds from sale of long-term investments 
150,748,809 
Net purchases of short-term investments 
(4,899,312) 
Decrease in dividends receivable 
34,136 
Increase in interest receivable 
(459,673) 
Increase in securities sold receivable 
(2,751,219) 
Increase in other assets 
(87,773) 
Increase in payable for securities purchased 
3,029,768 
Decrease in interest due on borrowings 
(257,459) 
Increase in advisory fee payable 
28,704 
Increase in administration fee payable 
574 
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities 
46,778 
Net Cash Used by Operating and Investing Activities 
(10,423,537) 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: 
 
Distributions to common shareholders 
(15,400,942) 
Net increase in reverse repurchase agreements 
15,997,268 
Decrease in payable on TALF loan 
(11,337) 
Proceeds from borrowings 
1,567,742 
Payments made on borrowings 
(6,000,197) 
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities 
(3,847,466) 
Net decrease in cash 
(14,271,003) 
Cash at Beginning of Period 
16,323,104 
Cash at End of Period (including restricted cash) 
$ 2,052,101 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: Cash paid during the period for interest 
$ 1,380,534 
Supplemental Disclosure of Non Cash Financing Activity: Dividend reinvestment 
$ 1,969,567 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
24 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Financial Highlights |
 
                         
                  For the period  
   
For the
   
For the
   
For the
  July 27, 2007*  
Per share operating performance 
 
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
  through  
for a common share outstanding throughout the period 
 
May 31, 2011
   
May 31, 2010
   
May 31, 2009
  May 31, 2008  
Net asset value, beginning of period 
  $ 17.56     $ 12.42     $ 17.52     $ 19.10 (b) 
Income from investment operations 
                               
Net investment income (a) 
    1.94       1.76       1.06       0.79  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, options, 
                               
futures, swaps and unfunded commitments 
    2.49       5.23       (4.31 )      (0.99 ) 
Total from investment operations 
    4.43       6.99       (3.25 )      (0.20 ) 
Common share offering expenses charged to paid-in-capital 
                      (0.04 ) 
Distributions to Common Shareholders 
                               
From and in excess of net investment income 
    (1.88 )      (1.85 )      (1.36 )      (0.98 ) 
Return of capital 
                (0.49 )      (0.36 ) 
Total distributions 
    (1.88 )      (1.85 )      (1.85 )      (1.34 ) 
Net asset value, end of period 
  $ 20.11     $ 17.56     $ 12.42     $ 17.52  
Market value, end of period 
  $ 22.32     $ 17.46     $ 11.53     $ 16.78  
Total investment return(c) 
                               
Net asset value 
    26.14 %      59.06 %      -18.37 %      -1.40 % 
Market value 
    40.85 %      70.37 %      -19.51 %      -9.41 % 
Ratios and supplemental data 
                               
Net assets, applicable to common shareholders, end of period (thousands) 
  $ 187,333     $ 161,783     $ 113,076     $ 159,509  
Ratios to Average Net Assets applicable to Common Shares: 
                               
Total expenses, excluding interest expense 
    1.85 %(d)      1.98 %(d)      2.06 %(d)      1.72 %(d)(e) 
Total expenses, including interest expense 
    2.69 %(d)      2.97 %(d)      3.25 %(d)      3.36 %(d)(e) 
Net investment income, including interest expense 
    10.20 %      11.30 %      7.84 %      5.08 %(e) 
Portfolio turnover (f) 
    64 %      67 %      58 %      210 % 
Senior Indebtedness 
                               
Total Borrowings outstanding (in thousands) 
  $ 80,670     $ 69,117     $ 31,085     $ 76,016  
Asset coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness (g) 
  $ 3,322     $ 3,341     $ 4,638     $ 3,098  
 
 
*
Commencement of operations.
(a)
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)
Before deduction of offering expenses charged to capital.
(c)
Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of a common share at the beginning of the period and a sale on the last day of the period reported either at net asset value (“NAV”) or market price per share. Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at NAV for NAV returns or the prices obtained under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan for market value returns. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions. A return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)
The ratios of total expenses to average net assets applicable to common shares do not reflect fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund as a result of its investment in shares of other investment companies. If these fees were included in the expense ratios, the expense ratios would increase by 0.03% for the year ended May 31, 2011, 0.05% for the year ended May 31, 2010, 0.08% for the year ended May 31, 2009, and 0.04% for the period ended May 31, 2008.
(e)
Annualized.
(f)
Portfolio turnover is not annualized for periods of less than one year.
(g)
Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the borrowings) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the total borrowings.
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 25
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Notes to Financial Statements | May 31, 2011
 
Note 1 – Organization:
 
Effective following the close of business on March 24, 2011, Claymore/Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund announced that its name had changed to Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund. Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on November 13, 2006. The Fund is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”).
 
The Fund’s primary investment objective is to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation.
 
Note 2 – Accounting Policies:
 
The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund.
 
(a) Valuation of Investments
 
The Fund values equity securities at the last reported sale price on the principal exchange or in the principal over-the-counter (“OTC”) market in which such securities are traded, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on the day the securities are being valued or, if there are no sales, at the mean between the last available bid and asked prices on that day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Preferred stocks are valued at their sales price as of the close of the exchange on which they are traded. Preferred stocks for which the last sales price is not available are valued at the last available bid price. Debt securities (including asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and term loans) are valued at the last available bid price. If bids are not available, debt securities are estimated using valuation models that incorporate market data that may include assumptions relating to current yields, timing of cash flows, dealer quotes, prepayment risk, value of underlying collateral, general market conditions, liquidity and prices of other debt securities with comparable coupon rates, maturities/duration, and credit quality. Municipal bonds are valued at the last available bid price for such securities or, if such prices are not available, at priced for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type. Foreign securities are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The Fund’s securities that are primarily traded in foreign markets may be traded in such markets on days that the NYSE is closed. As a result, the net asset value of the Fund may be significantly affected on days when holders of common shares have no ability to trade common shares on the NYSE. Investment companies are valued at the last available closing price. The Fund values exchange-traded options and other derivative contracts at the mean of the best bid and asked prices at the close on those exchanges on which they are traded. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less, at the time of purchase, are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
 
For fixed income securities, fair valuations may include input from Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC (“GPAM”) utilizing a wide variety of market data including yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity, rating, indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over treasuries, and other information and analysis. GPAM also uses third party service providers to model certain securities using cash flow models to represent a fair market value.
 
For those securities where quotations or prices are not available, the valuations are determined in accordance with procedures established in good faith by management and approved by the Board of Trustees. Valuations in accordance with these procedures are intended to reflect each security’s (or asset’s) “fair value.” Such “fair value” is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security (or asset) upon its current sale. Each such determination should be based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to: (i) the type of security, (ii) the initial cost of the security, (iii) the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, (iv) the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies, (v) quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services, (vi) information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange traded securities), (vii) an analysis of the company’s financial statements, and (viii) an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold (e.g. the existence of pending merger activity, public offerings or tender offers that might affect the value of the security). There were no securities fair valued at May 31, 2011.
 
The Fund has elected to value the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF loan”) using the fair value option, as permitted by GAAP, to mitigate the volatility in net assets caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. The fair value option requires that the TALF loan be marked-to-market giving consideration to relevant market factors, including changes in the market value of the pledged collateral. At May 31, 2011, the pledged collateral exceeded the value of the TALF loan.
 
The Fund adopted the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements which provides guidance on how investment assets and liabilities are to be valued and disclosed. Specifically, the amendment requires reporting entities to disclose i) the input and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements, for Level 2 or Level 3 positions, ii) transfers between all levels (including Level 1 and Level 2) on a gross basis (i.e. transfers out must be disclosed separately from transfers in) as well as the reason(s) for the transfer, and iii) purchases, sales, issuances and settlements must be shown on a gross basis in the Level 3 rollforward rather than as one net number. The Fund adopted the disclosures required by this amendment, which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
The Fund values Level 1 securities using readily available market quotations in active markets. The Fund values Level 2 fixed income securities using independent pricing providers who employ matrix pricing models utilizing market prices, broker quotes and prices of securities with comparable maturities and qualities. In addition, the Fund values certain Level 2 fixed income securities using broker quotes. The Fund values Level 2 equity securities using various observable market inputs in accordance with procedures established in good faith by management and approved by the Board of Trustees as described above.
 
26 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Notes to Financial Statements continued
 
The following table represents the Fund’s investments carried on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities by caption and by level within the fair value hierarchy at May 31, 2011.
 
                         
Description 
                       
(value in $000s) 
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets: 
                       
Corporate Bonds 
  $     $ 75,448     $     $ 75,448  
Asset Backed Securities 
          93,968             93,968  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
          49,433             49,433  
Term Loans 
          5,726             5,726  
Municipal Bonds 
          894             894  
Preferred Stocks 
                               
Banks 
    1,063                   1,063  
Diversified Financial Services 
    1,250       *            1,250  
Insurance 
    568                   568  
Telecommunications 
          1,171             1,171  
Transportation 
    1,105                   1,105  
Exchange-Traded Funds 
    29,544                   29,544  
Exchange-Traded Notes 
    140                   140  
Money Market Fund 
    4,019                   4,019  
Interest Rate Swaps 
          1,486             1,486  
Total 
  $ 37,689     $ 228,126     $     $ 265,815  
Liabilities: 
                               
Credit Default Swaps 
  $     $ 553     $     $ 553  
TALF Loan 
          10,619             10,619  
Options Written 
    409                   409  
Unfunded Commitments 
          77             77  
Total 
  $ 409     $ 11,249     $     $ 11,658  
* Amount rounds to less than $1.
 
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended May 31, 2011. There were three transfers, in the amount of $4,646,880, from Level 3 to Level 2 during the year ended May 31, 2011. The transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 occurred when observable valuation inputs became available for these securities.
 
The following table presents the activity of the Fund’s investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 valuations) for the year ended May 31, 2011.
 
                   
Level 3 Holdings 
 
Securities
   
Derivatives
   
Total
 
(value in $000s) 
                 
Beginning Balance at 5/31/10 
  $ 4,632     $     $ 4,632  
Net Realized Gain/Loss 
                 
Change in Unrealized Gain/Loss 
    15             15  
Purchases 
                 
Sales 
                 
Transfer In 
                 
Transfer Out 
    (4,647 )            (4,647 ) 
Ending Balance at 5/31/11 
  $     $     $  
 
 
(b) Investment Transactions and Investment Income
 
Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments are determined on the identified cost basis. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage and asset-backed securities are treated as an adjustment to interest income. For the year ended May 31, 2011, the Fund recognized an increase of interest income and a decrease of net realized gain of $3,152,962. This reclassification is reflected on the Statement of Operations and had no effect on the net asset value of the Fund. Dividend income is recorded net of applicable withholding taxes on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts on debt securities purchased are accreted to interest income over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Premiums on debt securities purchased are amortized to interest income up to the next call date of the respective securities using the effective interest method.
 
(c) Restricted Cash
 
A portion of cash on hand is pledged with a broker for current or potential holdings, which includes options, swaps and securities purchased on a when issued or delayed delivery basis.
 
(d) Swaps
 
A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. The Fund may enter into swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rates and/or credit risk or to generate income. The swaps are valued daily at current market value and any unrealized gain or loss is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gain or loss is realized on the termination date of the swap and is equal to the difference between the Fund’s basis in the swap and the proceeds of the closing transaction, including any fees. During the period that the swap agreement is open, the Fund may be subject to risk from the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the agreement. The swaps involve elements of both market and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Upon termination of a swap agreement, a payable to or receivable from swap counterparty is established on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to reflect the net gain/loss, including interest income/expense, on terminated swap positions. The line item is removed upon settlement according to the terms of the swap agreement.
 
Realized gain (loss) upon termination of swap contracts is recorded on the Statement of Operations. Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swap contracts. Net periodic payments received by the Fund are included as part of realized gain (loss) and, in the case of accruals for periodic payments, are included as part of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statement of Operations.
 
(e) Covered Call Options
 
The Fund will pursue its primary objective by employing an option strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on equity securities and indices. The Fund seeks to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Fund’s common shareholders.
 
When an option is written, the premium received is recorded as an asset with an equal liability and is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market value of the option written. These liabilities are reflected as options written in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums received from writing options which expire unexercised are recorded on the expiration date as a realized gain. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transactions, as a realized loss. If an option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether there has been a realized gain or loss.
 
(f) Currency Translation
 
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the bid and asked price of respective exchange rates on the last day of the period. Purchases and sales of investments denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the date of the transaction.
 
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.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 27
 
 
 
 
 

 

GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Notes to Financial Statements continued
 
Foreign exchange realized gain or loss resulting from holding of a foreign currency, expiration of a currency exchange contract, difference in exchange rates between the trade date and settlement date of an investment purchased or sold, and the difference between dividends or interest actually received compared to the amount shown in a Fund’s accounting records on the date of receipt is shown as net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
 
Foreign exchange unrealized gain or loss on assets and liabilities, other than investments, is shown as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translation on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
 
(g) Distributions to Shareholders
 
The Fund declares and pays monthly dividends to common shareholders. These dividends consist of investment company taxable income, which generally includes qualified dividend income, ordinary income and short-term capital gains. To the extent distributions exceed net investment income, the excess will be deemed a return of capital. Any net realized long-term capital gains are distributed annually to common shareholders.
 
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
 
(h) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
On May 12, 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2011-04, modifying Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. At the same time, the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued International Financial Reporting Standard (“IFRS”) 13, Fair Value Measurement. The objective by the FASB and IASB is convergence of their guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures. Specifically, the ASU requires reporting entities to disclose (i) the amounts of any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, and the reasons for the transfers, (ii) for Level 3 fair value measurements, quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used, (iii) a description of the valuation processes used by the reporting entity and, (iv) a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs if a change in those inputs might result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The effective date of the ASU is for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is therefore not effective for the current fiscal year. The Adviser is in the process of assessing the impact of the updated standards on the Fund’s financial statements.
 
Note 3 – Investment Advisory Agreement, Sub-Advisory Agreement and Other Agreements:
 
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Fund and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (“the Adviser”), the Adviser furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment, provides administrative services, oversees the activities of GPAM, provides personnel including certain officers required for the Fund’s administrative management and compensates the officers or trustees of the Fund who are affiliates of the Adviser. As compensation for these services, the Fund pays the Adviser a fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets (net assets applicable to common shareholders plus any assets attributable to financial leverage).
 
Pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) among the Fund, the Adviser and GPAM, GPAM under the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Adviser, provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, provides investment research, makes and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of securities and provides certain facilities and personnel, including certain officers required for its administrative management and pays the compensation of all officers and trustees of the Fund who are GPAM’s affiliates. As compensation for its services, the Adviser pays GPAM a fee, payable monthly, in an annual amount equal to 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets.
 
Certain officers and trustees of the Fund may also be officers, directors and/or employees of the Adviser or GPAM. The Fund does not compensate its officers or trustees who are officers, directors and/or employees of the aforementioned firms.
 
Under a separate Fund Administration agreement, the Adviser provides fund administration services to the Fund. As compensation for services performed under the Administration Agreement, the Adviser receives a fund administration fee payable monthly at the annual rate set forth below as a percentage of the average daily managed assets of the Fund.
 
Managed Assets 
Rate 
First $200,000,000 
0.0275% 
Next $300,000,000 
0.0200% 
Next $500,000,000 
0.0150% 
Over $1,000,000,000 
0.0100% 
 
For the year ended May 31, 2011, the Fund recognized expenses of $64,231 for these services.
 
The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY”) acts as the Fund’s custodian, accounting agent, and transfer agent. As custodian, BNY is responsible for the custody of the Fund’s assets. As accounting agent, BNY is responsible for maintaining the books and records of the Fund’s securities and cash. As transfer agent, BNY is responsible for performing transfer agency services for the Fund.
 
Note 4 – Federal Income Taxes:
 
The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required. In addition, by distributing substantially all of its ordinary income and long-term capital gains, if any, during each calendar year, the Fund intends not to be subject to U.S. federal excise tax.
 
At May 31, 2011, the following reclassifications were made to the capital accounts of the Fund to reflect permanent book/tax differences and income and gains available for distributions under income tax regulations, which are primarily due to the differences between book and tax treatment of investments in real estate trusts, swaps, and excise taxes paid. Net investment income, net realized gains and net assets were not affected by these changes.
 
     
Undistributed 
   
Net 
   
Investment 
Accumulated Net 
 
Income/(Loss) 
Realized Gain/(Loss) 
Paid in Capital 
$(530,014) 
$546,414 
$(16,400) 
 
28 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Notes to Financial Statements continued
 
Information on the components of investments, excluding purchased and written options, and net assets as of May 31, 2011, is as follows:
 
         
Undistributed 
 
     
Net Tax 
Net Tax 
Ordinary 
Undistributed 
Cost of 
Gross Tax 
Gross Tax 
Unrealized 
Unrealized 
Income/ 
Long-Term Gains/ 
Investments for 
Unrealized 
Unrealized 
Appreciation 
Appreciation 
(Accumulated 
(Accumulated 
Tax Purposes 
Appreciation 
Depreciation 
on Investments 
on Derivatives 
Ordinary Loss) 
Capital Loss) 
$249,464,458 
$22,073,057 
$(7,207,869) 
$14,865,188 
$1,380,980 
$1,633,361 
$ – 
 
 
The differences between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
 
For the year ended May 31, 2011, the tax character of distributions paid to common shareholders as reflected in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets was as follows:
 
     
Distributions paid from 
2011 
2010 
Ordinary Income 
$17,370,509 
$16,931,384 
 
For all open tax years and all major jurisdictions, management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e. generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Fund is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Note 5 – Investments in Securities: 
 
During the year ended May 31, 2011, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, excluding written options and short-term investments were $167,086,777 and $150,748,809, respectively.
 
Note 6 – Derivatives: 
 
(a) Covered Call Option 
 
An option on a security is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option at a specified exercise or “strike” price. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price (in the case of a call) or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security (in the case of a put).
 
There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.
 
The Fund entered into written option contracts during the year ended May 31, 2011. 
 
Details of the transactions were as follows:
 
 
Number of Contracts 
Premiums Received 
Options outstanding, beginning of year 
10,539 
$     818,148 
Options written during the year 
118,340 
6,149,013 
Options expired during the year 
(47,863) 
(1,287,902) 
Options closed during the year 
(70,893) 
(4,240,753) 
Options assigned during the year 
(6,214) 
(1,054,564) 
Options outstanding, end of year 
3,909 
$    383,942 
 
 
(b) Swaps
 
Swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party (the “Counterparty”) based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the Counterparty agrees to make periodic payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be done on a net basis, the Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Fund’s custodian bank. The Fund has entered into master netting arrangements, established within the Fund’s International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. master agreements, which allow the Fund to net unrealized appreciation and depreciation for positions in swaps for each individual counterparty.
 
Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make payments of the total return from the underlying asset during a specified period in return for receiving payments equal to a fixed or floating rate of interest or the total return from another designated underlying asset.
 
Interest rate swap agreements involve the Fund’s agreement to exchange a stream of interest payments for another party’s stream of cash flows.
 
Credit default swap transactions involve the Fund’s agreement to exchange the credit risk of an issuer. A buyer of a credit default swap is said to buy protection by paying periodic fees in return for a contingent payment from the seller if the issuer has a credit event such as bankruptcy, a failure to pay outstanding obligations or deteriorating credit while the swap is outstanding. A seller of a credit default swap is said to sell protection and thus collects the periodic fees and profits if the credit of the issuer remains stable or improves while the swap is outstanding but the seller in a credit default swap contract would be required to pay an agreed-upon amount, which approximates the notional amount of the swap, to the buyer in the event of an adverse credit event of the issuer.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 29
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Notes to Financial Statements continued
 
The Fund entered into swap agreements during the year ended May 31, 2011, to potentially enhance return. Details of the swap agreements outstanding as of May 31, 2011, are as follows:
 
               
Credit Default Swap Agreements 
           
       
Implied Credit 
     
       
Spread at 
    Unrealized 
   
Buy/Sell 
Termination 
May 31, 
   
 Appreciation/ 
Counterparty 
Reference Entity 
Protection 
Date 
2011 (2) 
Notional Amount (000) 
Receive Fixed Rate 
(Depreciation) 
 
Basket of distinct 
           
Goldman Sachs(1) 
corporate entities 
Sell 
09/20/14 
7.12% 
$ 3,000 
1.180% 
$ (552,675) 
             
Interest Rate Swap Agreements 
           
              Unrealized 
             
Appreciation 
Counterparty 
   
Floating Rate 
Termination Date 
Notional Amount (000) 
Receive Fixed Rate 
(Depreciation) 
Goldman Sachs (3) 
   
3 Month LIBOR 
01/04/38 
$ 10,000 
5.675% 
$   782,468 
Goldman Sachs (3) 
   
3 Month LIBOR 
01/12/15 
10,000 
3.155 
150,493 
Goldman Sachs (3) 
   
3 Month LIBOR 
07/07/38 
5,000 
5.753 
348,150 
Goldman Sachs (3) 
   
3 Month LIBOR 
07/07/38 
5,000 
5.940 
70,500 
Goldman Sachs(3) 
   
3 Month LIBOR 
01/12/15 
5,000 
3.095 
134,300 
             
$1,485,911 
Total Unrealized Appreciation for Swap Agreements 
       
$  933,236 
 
(1)
The Fund receives a fixed rate based upon the notional amount of $3 million and if a defined credit event occurs, pays cumulative losses in excess of a stated percentage on an underlying basket of distinct corporate entities with an aggregate notional value of $3 billion. The maximum loss exposure is $3 million.
 
(2)
Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate issues or sovereign issues of an emerging country as of period end serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundless and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced entity or obligation.
 
(3)
The Fund pays the floating rate and receives the fixed rate.
 
 
(c)
Summary of Derivatives Information
 
The Fund is required by GAAP to disclose: a) how and why a fund uses derivative instruments, b) how derivatives instruments and related hedge fund items are accounted for, and c) how derivative instruments and related hedge items affect a fund’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
 
The following table presents the types of derivatives in the Fund by location as presented on the Statement of Assets Liabilities at May 31, 2011. 
 
 
 
Statement of Asset and Liability Presentation of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments: 
 
(value in $000s) 
       
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives 
 
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location 
Fair Value 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location
Fair Value 
Equity risk 
Unrealized appreciation on swaps 
$       – 
Options Written 
$409 
Interest rate risk 
Unrealized appreciation on swaps 
  1,486
Unrealized depreciation on swaps 
 
Credit risk 
Unrealized appreciation on swaps 
       –
Unrealized depreciation on swaps 
553 
Total 
 
$ 1,486 
 
$962 
 
 
The following table presents the effect of Derivatives Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2011.
 
 
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations: 
 
(value in $000s) 
       
 
Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives 
 
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments 
Options 
Swaps 
Total 
 
Equity risk 
$ (954) 
$ 1,699 
$ 745 
 
Interest rate risk 
 
2,390 
2,390 
 
Credit risk 
 
36 
36 
 
Total 
$ (954) 
$ 4,125 
$ 3,171 
 
 
 
30 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Notes to Financial Statements continued 
   
 
 
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives 
 
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments 
Options 
Swaps 
Total 
 
Equity risk 
$ (245) 
$ (88) 
$ (333) 
 
Interest rate risk 
 
(908) 
(908) 
 
Credit risk 
 
677 
677 
 
Total 
$ (245) 
$ (319) 
$ (564) 
 
 
 
Derivative notional amounts and values as of May 31, 2011, are indicative of the volume of the Fund’s derivatives over the reporting year.
 
Note 7 – Leverage:
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
 
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements as part of its financial leverage strategy. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund temporarily transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase the instrument at an agreed upon time (normally within seven days) and price, which reflects an interest payment. Such agreements are considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act. The Fund may enter into such agreements when it is able to invest the cash acquired at a rate higher than the cost of the agreement, which would increase earned income. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the instruments transferred to another party or the instruments in which the proceeds may be invested would affect the market value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s assets. For the year ended May 31, 2011, the average daily balance for which reverse repurchase agreements were outstanding amounted to $37,018,252. The average interest rate was 2.13%. At May 31, 2011, there was $47,618,513 in reverse repurchase agreements outstanding. The total amount segregated in connection with the outstanding reverse repurchase agreements was $84,245,545.
 
At May 31, 2011, the Fund had outstanding reverse repurchase agreements with various counterparties. Details of the reverse repurchase agreements by counterparty are as follows:
 
       
 
Range of 
Range of 
 
Counterparty 
Interest Rates 
Maturity Dates 
Face Value 
Banc of America Securities LLC 
1.27% - 2.02% 
07/20/11 - 08/16/11 
$ 5,120,875 
Barclays Capital, Inc. 
0.85% - 2.31% 
06/03/11 - 09/25/14 
13,616,446 
Credit Suisse Securities LLC 
1.50% 
07/07/11 - 07/18/11 
2,030,877 
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. 
2.76% 
08/10/11 
1,380,000 
Goldman Sachs & Co. 
2.76% 
08/17/11 
212,340 
Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. 
1.45% - 2.20% 
06/24/11 - 08/10/11 
9,326,100 
Jefferies & Co., Inc. 
2.44% - 2.79% 
06/06/11 - 06/30/11 
6,722,000 
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. 
1.05% - 1.50% 
06/01/11 - 08/15/11 
9,209,875 
     
$47,618,513 
 
 
Borrowings
 
On November 20, 2008, the Fund entered into a $30,000,000 credit facility agreement with BNP Paribas. Interest on the amount borrowed is based on the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.85%. An unused commitment fee of 0.75% is charged on the difference between the $30,000,000 credit facility and the amount borrowed. At May 31, 2011, there was $22,432,914 outstanding in connection with the Fund’s credit facility. The average daily amount of borrowings on the credit facility during the year ended May 31, 2011, was $22,399,880 with a related average interest rate of 1.21%. The maximum amount outstanding during the year ended May 31, 2011 was $26,727,551. As of May 31, 2011, the total amount segregated in connection with borrowings was $65,334,776.
 
The credit facility agreement governing the loan facility includes usual and customary covenants. These covenants impose on the Fund asset coverage requirements, collateral requirements, investment strategy requirements, and certain financial obligations. These covenants place limits or restrictions on the Fund’s ability to (i) enter into additional indebtedness with a party other than the lender, (ii) change its fundamental investment policy, or (iii) pledge to any other party, other than to the lender, securities owned or held by the Fund over which BNY has a lien. In addition, the Fund is required to deliver financial information to the lender within established deadlines, maintain an asset coverage ratio (as defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act) greater than 300%, comply with the rules of the stock exchange on which its share are listed, and maintain its classification as a “closed-end fund company” as defined in the 1940 Act.
 
TALF Program
 
The Fund may invest a portion of its total assets through participation in the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility program (the “TALF program”), a program developed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the U.S. Department of the Treasury and operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”). Under the TALF program, the FRBNY may provide loans to the Fund to purchase certain investment-grade, asset-backed securities which must be backed by auto loans, student loans, credit card loans, small business loans or certain commercial mortgage-backed securities (“Eligible Securities”).
 
Per the terms of the TALF Program, the FRBNY lends to each borrower an amount equal to the lesser of par or market value of the Eligible Securities pledged as collateral minus a percentage of the par or market value of the Eligible Securities. The Fund pledges Eligible Securities as collateral for a TALF Program loan, which consist of securities that the Fund currently owns or securities that the Fund purchases with the loan proceeds. Loans acquired through the TALF Program may be prepaid at the option of the Fund without any prepayment penalty, and the Fund may satisfy its loan obligation in full at any time by surrendering the Eligible Securities pledged by the Fund to the FRBNY. The TALF program loans are non-recourse. If the Fund does not repay the loan, or if the Eligible Securities pledged by the Fund loses some or all of its value, under the terms of the TALF Program the FRBNY may enforce its rights only against the Eligible Securities pledged as collateral by the Fund and not against any other assets of the Fund.
 
The Fund is charged interest based on the terms of each loan and the type of Eligible Securities pledged as collateral by the Fund. During the year ended May 31, 2011, the Fund paid $419,464 of interest expense, which is included in Interest expense on the Statement of Operations.
 
As of May 31, 2011, borrowings under the TALF Program represent 3.9% of the Fund’s total assets.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 31
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Notes to Financial Statements continued
 
Details of the TALF loan outstanding at May 31, 2011, are as follows:
 
     
Loan 
   
Principal 
Loan             
Collateral 
Amount 
Type             
Description 
$10,618,934 
Commercial Mortgage Obligation 
Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates 
 
 
Loan 
Loan 
   
Interest 
Maturity 
Loan 
Collateral 
Rate 
Date 
Value 
Value 
3.796% 
9/25/14 
$10,618,934 
$15,042,630 
 
 
Note 8 – Loan Commitments
 
Pursuant to the terms of certain Term Loan agreements, the Fund held unfunded loan commitments of as of May 31, 2011. The Fund is obligated to fund these loan commitments at the borrower’s discretion. The Fund intends to reserve against such contingent obligations by designating cash, liquid securities, and liquid term loans as a reserve. As of May 31, 2011, the total amount segregated in connection with unfunded commitments was $9,100,471. The unrealized depreciation on these commitments of $76,813 as of May 31, 2011 is reported as “Unrealized depreciation on unfunded commitments” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
At May 31, 2011, the Fund had the following unfunded loan commitments which could be extended at the option of the borrower:
 
     
Unrealized 
 
Expiration 
Principal 
Appreciation/ 
Borrower 
Date 
Amount 
(Depreciation) 
Endo Pharmaceuticals 
10/10/2011 
$1,000,000 
$          – 
Level 3 Communications LLC 
4/21/2012 
500,000 
 
PTS Catalent 
4/10/2013 
500,000 
(28,313) 
Rural/Metro 
9/28/2011 
300,000 
 
ServiceMaster 
7/24/2013 
800,000 
(48,500) 
Solera 
8/15/2011 
1,000,000 
 
   
$4,100,000 
$(76,813) 
 
 
Note 9 – Capital:
 
Common Shares
 
The Fund has an unlimited amount of common shares, $0.01 par value, authorized and 9,317,708 issued and outstanding.
 
Transactions in common shares were as follows:
 
 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
 
May 31, 2011 
May 31, 2010 
Beginning Shares 
9,215,636 
9,105,240 
Shares issued through dividend reinvestment 
102,072 
110,396 
Ending Shares 
9,317,708 
9,215,636 
 
 
Note 10 – Indemnifications:
 
In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations, which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would require future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Note 11 – Subsequent Event:
 
The Fund evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were available for issue and determined there were no additional material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements, except as noted below.
 
On June 1, 2011, the Fund declared a monthly dividend to common shareholders of $0.154 per common share. The dividend was payable on June 30, 2011, to shareholders of record on June 15, 2011.
 
On July 1, 2011, the Fund declared a monthly dividend to common shareholders of $0.154 per common share. The dividend was payable on July 29, 2011, to shareholders of record on July 15, 2011.
 
 
 
 
32 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
 
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (formerly Claymore/Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund) (the Fund), including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2011, 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 three years in the period then ended and for the period from July 27, 2007 (commencement of investment operations) through May 31, 2008. 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund's 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 and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2011, by correspondence with the custodian, agent banks and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund at May 31, 2011, 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 three years in the period then ended and for the period from July 27, 2007 (commencement of investment operations) through May 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
 
 
Chicago, Illinois
July 27, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 33
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Supplemental Information | (unaudited)
 
Federal Income Tax Information
 
Qualified dividend income of as much as $456,028 was received by the Fund through May 31, 2011. The Fund intends to designate the maximum amount of dividends that qualify for the reduced tax rate pursuance to the Jobs and Growth Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
 
For corporate shareholders, $188,215 of investment income qualifies for the dividends-received deduction.
 
In January 2012, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the federal tax status of the distributions received by you in the calendar year 2011.
 
Result of Shareholder Votes
 
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund was held on March 7, 2011. Common shareholders voted on the election of Trustees.
 
With regards to the election of the following Trustees by common shareholders of the Fund: 
   
 
# of Shares 
# of Shares 
 
In Favor 
Withheld 
Roman Friedrich III 
8,004,288 
175,242 
Robert B. Karn III 
8,023,016 
156,514 
Ronald A. Nyberg 
8,029,573 
149,957 
Ronald E. Toupin, Jr. 
8,015,251 
164,279 
 
The other Trustees of the Fund whose term did not expire in 2011 are Randall C. Barnes and Kevin M. Robinson.
 
Trustees
 
The Trustees of the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund and their principal occupations during the past five years:
 
         
Name, Address*, Year
Term of Office**
Principal Occupations during 
Number of Portfolios
 
of Birth and Position(s)
and Length of 
the Past Five Years and 
in the Fund Complex***
Other Directorships 
Held with Registrant
Time Served 
Other Affiliations 
Overseen by Trustee
Held by Trustee 
Independent Trustees: 
       
Randall C. Barnes
Year of Birth: 1951
Trustee
Since 2007
Private Investor (2001-present). Formerly, Senior Vice President & Treasurer,
PepsiCo., Inc. (1993-1997), President, Pizza Hut International (1991-1993)
and Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and New Business
Development (1987-1990) of PepsiCo, Inc. (1987-1997).
54 
None. 
Roman Friedrich III
Year of birth: 1946
Trustee
Since 2010
Senior Managing Director of McNicoll, Lewis & Vlak, an investment bank
and institutional broker-dealer specializing in capital intensive industries
such as energy, metals and mining (2010-present). Founder and President
of Roman Friedrich & Company, Ltd. a mining and
48 
Director, Axiom Gold
and Silver Corp. (2011
 present), Windstorm
Resources, Inc. (2011
  present) and Zincore
Metals, Inc. (2009 –
present).
Robert B. Karn III
Year of birth: 1942
Trustee
Since 2010
Consultant (1998-present). Previously, Managing Partner, Financial and
Economic Consulting, St. Louis office of Arthur Andersen, LLP.
48 
Director of Peabody
Energy Company (2003
– present) and GP
Natural Resource 
Partners LLC (2002 –
present).
Ronald A. Nyberg
Year of birth: 1953
Trustee
Since 2007
Partner of Nyberg & Cassioppi, LLC, a law firm specializing in corporate law,
estate planning and business transactions (2000-present). Formerly,
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Van
Kampen Investments (1982-1999). 
56 
None.
Ronald E. Toupin, Jr.
Year of birth: 1958
Trustee
Since 2007
Portfolio Consultant (2010-present). Formerly, Vice President, Manager and
Portfolio Manager of Nuveen Asset Management (1998-1999), Vice
President of Nuveen Investment Advisory Corp. (1992-1999), Vice President
and Manager of Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts (1991-1999), and Assistant
Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts
(1988-1999), each of John Nuveen & Co., Inc. (1982-1999). 
53 
Trustee, Bennett Group
of Funds (2011-present).
 
 
 
34 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Supplemental Information (unaudited) continued
 
Name, Address*, Year 
Term of Office**
Principal Occupations during 
Number of Portfolios
 
of Birth and Position(s) 
and Length of 
the Past Five Years and 
in the Fund Complex***
Other Directorships 
Held with Registrant 
Time Served 
Other Affiliations 
Overseen by Trustee
Held by Trustee 
Interested Trustees: 
       
Kevin M. Robinson†
Year of Birth: 1959
Trustee, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Legal
Officer
Since 2009
Senior Managing Director and General Counsel of Guggenheim Funds
Investment Advisors, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Services Group, Inc.
(2007-present). Formerly, Associate General Counsel and Assistant
Corporate Secretary of NYSE Euronext, Inc. (2000-2007).
2
None. 
 
*
Address for all Trustees unless otherwise noted: 2455 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
**
After a Trustee’s initial term, each Trustee is expected to serve a two-year term concurrent with the class of Trustees for which he serves:
 
—Messrs. Barnes, Friedrich and Robinson, as Class I Trustees, are expected to stand for re-election at the Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012.
—Messrs. Karn, Nyberg and Toupin, as Class II Trustees, are expected to stand for re-election at the Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013.
***
The Guggenheim Funds Fund Complex consists of U.S. registered investment companies advised or serviced by Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC and/or Guggenheim Funds Distributors, Inc. The Guggenheim Funds Fund Complex is overseen by multiple Boards of Trustees.
Mr. Robinson is an “interested person” (as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Fund because of his position as an officer of Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s Adviser.
 
 
Executive Officers
 
The executive officers of the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund and their principal occupations during the past five years:
 
     
Name, Address*, Year 
Term of Office** 
 
of Birth and Position(s) 
and Length of 
Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years 
Held with Registrant 
Time Served 
and Other Affiliations 
Kevin M. Robinson 
Since 2010 
Senior Managing Director and General Counsel of Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, Inc.,  
Year of Birth: 1959 
 
and Guggenheim Funds Services Group, Inc. (2007-present). Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer of certain other funds in  
Chief Executive Officer 
 
the Fund Complex. Formerly, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary of NYSE Euronext, Inc. (2000-2007). 
and Chief Legal Officer 
   
John Sullivan 
Since 2011 
Senior Managing Director of Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Distributors, Inc. Chief Accounting
Year of Birth: 1955 
 
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain other funds in the Fund Complex. Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, Van
Chief Accounting Officer, 
 
Kampen Funds (2004–2010). Head of Fund Accounting, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2002–2004). Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Financial Officer 
 
Treasurer, Van Kampen Funds (1996-2004). 
and Treasurer 
   
Mark E. Mathiasen 
Since 2008 
Vice President; Assistant General Counsel of Guggenheim Funds Services Group, Inc. (2007-present). Secretary of certain other
Year of birth: 1978 
 
funds in the Fund Complex. Formerly, Law Clerk, Idaho State Courts (2003-2006). 
Secretary 
   
Bruce Saxon 
Since 2007 
Vice President, Fund Compliance Officer of Guggenheim Funds Services Group, Inc. (2006-present) Chief Compliance Officer of
Year of birth: 1957 
 
certain other funds in. the Fund Complex. Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer/Assistant Secretary of Harris. Investment Management,
Chief Compliance Officer 
 
Inc. (2003-2006). Director-Compliance of Harrisdirect LLC (1999-2003) 
 
*
Address for all Officers: 2455 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
**
Officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.
 
 
 
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 35
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
 
Unless the registered owner of common shares elects to receive cash by contacting The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on common shares of the Fund will be automatically reinvested by Plan Administrator, Administrator for shareholders in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional common shares of the Fund. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on your behalf and may re-invest that cash in additional common shares of the Fund for you. If you wish for all dividends declared on your common shares of the Fund to be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan, please contact your broker.
 
The Plan Administrator will open an account for each common shareholder under the Plan in the same name in which such common shareholder’s common shares are registered. Whenever the Fund declares a dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”) payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in common shares. The common shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized common shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated brokerage commission per common share is equal to or greater than the net asset value per common share, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the net asset value per common share on the payment date; provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal to 95% of the closing market value on the payment date, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per common share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the net asset value per common share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commission, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in common shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.
 
If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per common share exceeds the net asset value per common share, the average per common share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the net asset value of the common shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer common shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator 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 Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at net asset value per common share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per common share; the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date.
 
The Plan Administrator maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instruction of the participants.
 
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commission incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any Federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends.
 
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.
 
All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 358015, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8015, Phone Number: (866) 488-3559.
 
 
 
36 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l
 
Board Considerations Regarding Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment
Sub-Advisory Agreement Contract Re-approval
 
On March 7, 2011, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), including those trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), on the recommendation of the Nominating & Governance Committee (referred to as the “Committee” and consisting solely of the Independent Trustees) of the Board of the Fund, renewed: (1) the investment advisory agreement (“Investment Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (“Adviser”) and (2) the investment sub-advisory agreement (“Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement”) among the Adviser, the Fund and Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC (“Sub-Adviser”). The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement are together referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.” As part of its review process, the Committee was represented by independent legal counsel. The Board and Committee reviewed materials received from the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and independent legal counsel. The Board and Committee had previously received, throughout the year, Board meeting information regarding performance and operating results of the Fund.
 
In preparation for its review, the Committee communicated with independent legal counsel regarding the nature of information to be requested, and independent legal counsel, on behalf of the Committee, sent a formal request for information to the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser provided extensive information in response to the request and to follow-up requests for information. Among other information, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser provided general information to assist the Committee in assessing the nature and quality of services provided by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, information comparing the investment performance, advisory fees and total expenses of the Fund to other funds, information about the profitability from the Advisory Agreements to each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and the compliance program of the Adviser and of the Sub-Adviser.
 
Based upon its review, the Board and the Committee concluded that it was in the best interests of the Fund to renew each of the Advisory Agreements. In reaching this conclusion for the Fund, no single factor was determinative in the Board’s analysis, but rather the Board considered a variety of factors.
 
Investment Advisory Agreement
 
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser, the Board noted that the Adviser had delegated responsibility for the investment and reinvestment of the Fund’s assets to the Sub-Adviser. The Board considered the Adviser’s responsibility to oversee the Sub-Adviser and that the Adviser has similar oversight responsibilities for other registered funds for which it serves as investment adviser. The Board considered the Adviser’s representation that there have not been any material adverse changes to its or its parent’s financial condition since the last time such financial information was provided and considered the parent company’s guaranty of the Adviser’s obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board also considered the secondary market support provided by the Adviser to the Fund. The Board considered the Adviser’s continuing integration into the Guggenheim organization and the experience and qualifications of the Adviser’s personnel, including those personnel providing compliance oversight and oversight of the Sub-Adviser’s investment activities. Specifically, the Board noted the ongoing oversight activities performed by the Adviser, including on-site compliance reviews and monitoring of compliance with policies and procedures and with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. After considering these factors, the Board concluded that the Adviser and its personnel were qualified to serve the Fund in such capacity.
 
The Board considered the Fund’s investment performance by reviewing the Fund’s total return on a net asset value and market price basis for the three month, six month, one year, three year and since inception periods ended December 31, 2010. The Board compared the Fund’s performance to the performance of a peer group of closed-end funds provided by the Adviser (“peer group of funds”) for the same time periods. The peer group of funds included other leveraged closed-end funds that generally invest a majority of their assets in investment-grade fixed income securities but excluded funds with a majority of their assets in one asset class, sector or country. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment results were consistent with Fund’s stated goal of providing equity-like returns with a level of volatility that is closer to that of fixed income assets. The Board also considered that the Adviser does not directly manage the investment portfolio but had delegated such duties to the Sub-Adviser. The Board also considered the Fund’s use of leverage and the positive impact of the leverage on the Fund’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Board concluded that the Adviser had reviewed and monitored the Sub-Adviser’s investment performance.
 
The Board compared the Fund’s advisory fee (which includes the sub-advisory fee paid to the Sub-Adviser) and expense ratio to the peer group of funds, to a group of covered call closed-end funds provided by the Adviser and to the advisory fees that the Adviser charges to other closed-end funds for which it serves as adviser. The Board also reviewed the mean advisory fees and expense ratios of the peer group of funds. The Board noted that the Fund’s advisory fee was above the mean of the peer group of funds and considered the Adviser’s view that the Fund implements a variety of strategies, including a covered call equities strategy and swap transactions, which are typically not employed by the peer group of funds. The Board also noted that the Fund’s advisory fee was within the range of advisory fees charged to the covered call closed-end fund group provided by the Adviser.
 
With respect to the costs of services provided and profits realized by the Adviser from its relationship with the Fund, the Board reviewed information regarding the estimated revenues the Adviser received under the Investment Advisory Agreement for a nine month period as well as the estimated allocated direct and indirect costs the Adviser incurred in providing the services to the Fund, including paying the sub-advisory fee to the Sub-Adviser.
 
The Board considered the extent to which economies of scale could be realized with respect to the management of the Fund as the Fund grows and whether fee levels reflected a reasonable sharing of such economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors. Given the size of the Fund and the relatively fixed nature of closed-end fund assets, the Board does not anticipate significant economies of scale.
 
The Board considered other benefits available to the Adviser because of its relationship with the Fund and noted that the administrative services fees received by the Adviser from serving as administrator provide it with additional revenue.
 
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement
 
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Sub-Adviser, the Board considered the qualifications, experience and skills of the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio management and other key personnel. The Board considered the Sub-Adviser’s representation that there have not been any material adverse changes to its financial condition since the last time its financial information was provided. The Board considered the Sub-Adviser’s efforts in pursuing the Fund’s investment objective. The Board concluded that the Sub-Adviser was qualified to provide the services under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 37
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund l Board Considerations continued
 
The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund and the peer group of funds over the three month, six month, one year, three year and since inception periods ended December 31, 2010. The Board considered that, during nearly all periods reviewed, the Fund, on a market and net asset value basis, outperformed the peer group of funds. The Board also compared the Fund’s investment performance on a net asset value basis to the S&P 500 Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index over relevant time periods. The Board noted that the Fund had outperformed the S&P 500 Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index over most of the periods reviewed.
 
The Board reviewed the sub-advisory fee paid by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser and compared it to the fees charged by the Sub-Adviser to clients for both fixed income and equity mandates. The Board noted that the Fund’s sub-advisory fee was representative of the Sub-Adviser’s standard client pricing, given the Fund’s exposure to both fixed income and equity securities.
 
With respect to the costs of services to be provided and profits realized by the Sub-Adviser from its relationship to the Fund, the Board considered the Sub-Adviser’s statement that the revenues received under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement and estimated allocated expenses in providing services under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement had not changed substantially since last reviewed by the Board.
 
The Board reviewed the extent to which economies of scale with respect to the sub-advisory services provided to the Fund would be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee levels reflect a reasonable sharing of such economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors. Given the size of the Fund and the relatively fixed nature of closed-end fund assets, the Board does not anticipate significant economies of scale.
 
The Board considered other benefits derived by the Sub-Adviser from its relationship to the Fund and noted the Sub-Adviser’s statement that the Sub-Adviser’s relationship with the Fund has provided new product development opportunities.
 
Overall Conclusions
 
Based upon all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the terms of each Advisory Agreement continue to be fair and reasonable and that the continuation of each Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund, taking into consideration such factors as it deemed appropriate in its business judgment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
38 l Annual Report l May 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
Fund Information |
 
     
Board of Trustees 
Officers 
Investment Adviser 
Randall C. Barnes
Kevin M. Robinson
and Administrator 
 
Chief Executive Officer and 
Guggenheim Funds Investment
Roman Friedrich III
Chief Legal Officer 
Advisors, LLC
   
Lisle, Illinois
Robert B. Karn III
John Sullivan
 
 
Chief Financial Officer, 
Investment Sub-Adviser 
Ronald A. Nyberg
Chief Accounting Officer, 
Guggenheim Partners Asset
Ronald E. Toupin, Jr., Chairman
and Treasurer 
Management, LLC
   
Santa Monica, California
Kevin M. Robinson*
Bruce Saxon
 
 
Chief Compliance Officer 
Accounting Agent, Custodian and 
* Trustee is an ‘interested person” of the Fund as defined
 
Transfer Agent 
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Mark E. Mathiasen
The Bank of New York Mellon
 
Secretary 
New York, New York
 
 
 
   
Legal Counsel 
   
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
   
Flom LLP
   
New York, New York
     
   
Independent Registered 
   
Public Accounting Firm 
   
Ernst & Young LLP
   
Chicago, Illinois
 
 
Privacy Principles of the Fund
 
The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how the Fund protects that information and why, in certain cases, the Fund may share information with select other parties.
 
Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).
 
The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about its shareholders to employees
 
of the Fund’s investment advisor and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. The Fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of its shareholders.
 
Questions concerning your shares of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund?
 
·  
If your shares are held in a Brokerage Account, contact your Broker.
 
·  
If you have physical possession of your shares in certificate form, contact the Fund’s Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent:
 
The Bank of New York Mellon, 101 Barclay 11E, New York, NY 10286; (866) 488-3559.
 
This report is sent to shareholders of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund for their information. It is not a Prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or of any securities mentioned in this report.
 
A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by call the Fund at (800)345-7999.
 
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies for portfolio securities, if applicable, during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is also available, without charge and upon request by calling (800)345-7999, by visiting the Fund’s website at www.guggenheimfunds.com/gof or by accessing the Fund’s Form N-PX on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) website at www.sec.gov.
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.guggenheimfunds.com/gof. The Fund’s Form N-Q may also be viewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330 or at www.sec.gov.
 
Notice to Shareholders
 
Notice is hereby give in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund from time to time may purchase shares of its common stock in the open market.
 
Annual Report l May 31, 2011 l 39
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
GOF l Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
About the Fund Manager |
 
Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC
 
Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC (“GPAM”) is an indirect subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners, LLC, a diversified financial services firm. The firm provides capital markets services, portfolio and risk management expertise, wealth management, and investment advisory services. Clients of Guggenheim Partners, LLC subsidiaries are an elite mix of individuals, family offices, endowments, foundations, insurance companies and other institutions.
 
Investment Philosophy
 
GPAM’s investment philosophy is predicated upon the belief that thorough research and independent thought are rewarded with performance that has the potential to outperform benchmark indexes with both lower volatility and lower correlation of returns over time as compared to such benchmark indexes.
 
Investment Process
 
GPAM’s investment process is a collaborative effort between various groups including the Portfolio Construction Group, which utilize proprietary portfolio construction and risk modeling tools to determine allocation of assets among a variety of sectors, and its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for security selection within these sectors and for implementing securities transactions, including the structuring of certain securities directly with the issuers or with investment banks and dealers involved in the origination of such securities.
 
 
 
 
Guggenheim Funds Distributors, Inc.
2455 Corporate West Drive
Lisle, IL 60532
Member FINRA/SIPC
(07/11)
 
 
CEF-GOF-AR-0511
 
 
 

 
 
Item 2.  Code of Ethics.
 
(a)           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 persons performing similar functions.
 
(b)           No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.
 
(c)           The registrant has not amended its Code of Ethics during the period covered by the report presented in Item 1 hereto.
 
(d)           The registrant has not granted a waiver or an implicit waiver to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions from a provision of its Code of Ethics during the period covered by this report.
 
(e)           Not applicable.
 
(f)           (1) The registrant's Code of Ethics is attached hereto as an exhibit.
 
(2) Not applicable.
 
(3) Not applicable.
 
Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.
 
The registrant's Board of Trustees has determined that it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee, Ronald E. Toupin, Jr.  Mr. Toupin is an “independent” Trustee as defined in this Item 3 of Form N-CSR.  Mr. Toupin qualifies as an audit committee financial expert by virtue of his experience obtained as a portfolio manager and research analyst, which included review and analysis of offering documents and audited and unaudited financial statements using generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) to show accounting estimates, accruals and reserves.
 
(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 amended, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert.  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 the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.  The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the audit committee or Board of Trustees.)
 
Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
 
(a) Audit Fees:  the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant 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 were $36,500 and $49,000 for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2011, and May 31, 2010, respectively.
 
(b) Audit-Related Fees: the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph 4(a), were $3,000 and $0 for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2011, and May 31, 2010, respectively.
 
The registrant’s principal accountant did not bill for non-audit services that required approval by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the registrant’s last two fiscal years.
 
(c) Tax Fees: the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, including federal, state and local income tax return preparation and related advice and determination of taxable income and miscellaneous tax advice were $5,000 and $10,250 for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2011, and May 31, 2010, respectively.
 
The registrant’s principal accountant did not bill for non-audit services that required approval by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the registrant’s last two fiscal years.
 
(d)  All Other Fees: the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 and $0 for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2011, and May 31, 2010, respectively.
 
The registrant’s principal accountant did not bill for non-audit services that required approval by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the registrant’s last two fiscal years.
 
 (e)  Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures.
 
 
(1) The registrant’s audit committee reviews, and in its sole discretion, pre-approves, pursuant to written pre-approval procedures (A) all engagements for audit and non-audit services to be provided by the principal accountant to the registrant and (B) all engagements for non-audit services to be provided by the principal accountant (1) to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including a sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted or overseen by another investment adviser) and (2) to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the
 
 
 
 

 

registrant; but in the case of the services described in subsection (B)(1) or (2), only if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant; provided that such pre-approval need not be obtained in circumstances in which the pre-approval requirement is waived under rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or New York Stock Exchange listing standards.  Sections IV.C.2 and IV.C.3 of the registrant’s audit committee’s revised Audit Committee Charter contain the Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures and such sections are included below.
 

IV.C.2.                                Pre-approve any engagement of the independent auditors to provide any non-prohibited services to the Fund, including the fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent auditors (unless an exception is available under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X).
 
(a)  
The categories of services to be reviewed and considered for pre-approval include the following:

                   Audit Services
 
·  
Annual financial statement audits
·  
Seed audits (related to new product filings, as required)
·  
SEC and regulatory filings and consents
 
 
   Audit-Related Services
 
·  
Accounting consultations
·  
Fund merger/reorganization support services
·  
Other accounting related matters
·  
Agreed upon procedures reports
·  
Attestation reports
·  
Other internal control reports
 
 
   Tax Services
 
·  
Tax compliance services related to the filing of amendments:
o  
Federal, state and local income tax compliance
o  
Sales and use tax compliance
·  
Timely RIC qualification reviews
·  
Tax distribution analysis and planning
·  
Tax authority examination services
·  
Tax appeals support services
·  
Accounting methods studies
·  
Fund merger support services
·  
Tax compliance, planning and advice services and related projects


 
 
 

 

 

 

 
(b)  
The Audit Committee has pre-approved those services, which fall into one of the categories of services listed under 2(a) above and for which the estimated fees are less than $25,000.

(c)  
For services with estimated fees of $25,000 or more, but less than $50,000, the Chairman is hereby authorized to pre-approve such services on behalf of the Audit Committee.

(d)  
For services with estimated fees of $50,000 or more, such services require pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
 
(e)  
The independent auditors or the Chief Accounting Officer of the Fund (or an officer of the Fund who reports to the Chief Accounting Officer) shall report to the Audit Committee at each of its regular quarterly meetings all audit, audit-related and permissible non-audit services initiated since the last such report (unless the services were contained in the initial audit plan, as previously presented to, and approved by, the Audit Committee).  The report shall include a general description of the services and projected fees, and the means by which such services were approved by the Audit Committee (including the particular category listed above under which pre-approval was obtained).

IV.C.3.                                Pre-approve any engagement of the independent auditors, including the fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent auditors, to provide any non-audit services to the Adviser (or any “control affiliate” of the Adviser providing ongoing services to the Fund), if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund (unless an exception is available under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X).
 
(a)  
The Chairman or any member of the Audit Committee may grant the pre-approval for non-audit services to the Adviser (or any “control affiliate” of the Adviser providing ongoing services to the Fund) relating directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund for which the estimated fees are less than $25,000. All such delegated pre-approvals shall be presented to the Audit Committee no later than the next Audit Committee meeting.

(b)  
For non-audit services to the Adviser (or any “control affiliate” of the Adviser providing ongoing services to the Fund) relating directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund for which the estimated fees are $25,000 or more, such services require pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
 
(f)  Not applicable.
 
(g)           The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, the registrant’s investment adviser (not including a sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and/or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser
 
 
 
 

 

that provides ongoing services to the registrant that directly related to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant were $5,000 and $10,250 for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2011, and May 31, 2010, respectively.
 
(h)  Not applicable.
 
Item 5.  Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
 
(a)
The registrant has a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The audit committee of the registrant is composed of: Randall C. Barnes; Ronald A. Nyberg; Ronald E. Toupin, Jr.; Robert B. Karn III; and Roman Friedrich III.
 
(b) Not applicable.
 
Item 6.  Schedule of Investments.
 
The Schedule of Investments is included as part of Item 1.
 
Item 7.  Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
 
The registrant has delegated the voting of proxies relating to its voting securities to the registrant’s investment sub-adviser, Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC (“GPAM”).  GPAM’s proxy voting policies and procedures are included as an exhibit hereto.
 
Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
 
(a)(1)  GPAM serves as sub-adviser for the registrant and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the registrant’s portfolio. GPAM uses a team approach to manage client portfolios.  Day to day management of a client portfolio is conducted under the auspices of GPAM’s Portfolio Construction Group (“PCG”).  PCG’s members include the Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) and other key investment personnel.  The PCG, in consultation with the CIO, provides direction for overall investment strategy.  The PCG performs several duties as it relates to client portfolios including: determining both tactical and strategic asset allocations; and monitoring portfolio adherence to asset allocation targets; providing sector specialists with direction for overall investment strategy, which may include portfolio design and the rebalancing of portfolios; performing risk management oversight; assisting sector managers and research staff in determining the relative valuation of market sectors; and providing a forum for the regular discussion of the economy and the financial markets to enhance the robustness of GPAM’s strategic and tactical policy directives.

The following individuals at GPAM share primary responsibility for the management of the registrant’s portfolio and is provided as of May 31, 2011:

Name
 
Since
Professional Experience During the Last Five Years
Scott Minerd - CEO and CIO
2007
Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC.: CEO and CIO – 2005–Present; Guggenheim Partners, LLC: Managing Partner – Insurance Advisory – 1998–Present.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Anne Walsh, CFA, FLMI – Senior Managing Director
2007
Guggenheim Partners Asset Management, LLC.: Senior Managing Director – 2007–Present.  Former, Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.: Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – 2000–2007.

(a)(2)(i-iii) Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

The following tables summarize information regarding each of the other accounts managed by the GPAM portfolio managers as of May 31, 2011:

Scott Minerd:
 
Type of Account
Number of
Accounts
Total Assets in the
Accounts
Number of
Accounts In
Which the Advisory Fee
is Based on Performance
 
Total Assets
in the Accounts
In Which the Advisory
Fee is Based on Performance
Registered investment companies
 
3
$648,000,000
0
$0
Other pooled investment vehicles
 
4
$1,956,000,000
 
3
$1,902,000,000
 
 
Other accounts
 
43
$50,958,000,000
1
$292,000,000



Anne Walsh:
 
Type of Account
Number of
Accounts
Total Assets in the
Accounts
Number of
Accounts In
Which the Advisory Fee
 is Based on Performance
 
Total Assets
in the Accounts
In Which the Advisory
Fee is Based on Performance
Registered investment companies
 
2
$551,000,000
0
$0
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Other pooled investment vehicles
 
2
$1,903,000,000
2
$1,903,000,000
 
Other accounts
 
33
$48,328,000,000
 
1
$292,000,000

(a)(2)(iv) Potential Conflicts of Interest

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds and/or other accounts may be presented with one or more of the following potential conflicts.

The management of multiple funds and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each fund and/or other account. GPAM seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of a portfolio manager by having the portfolio manager focus on a particular investment discipline. Specifically, the ultimate decision maker for security selection for each client portfolio is the Sector Specialist Portfolio Manager.  They are responsible for analyzing and selecting specific securities that they believe best reflect the risk and return level as provided in each client’s investment guidelines.

GPAM may have clients with similar investment strategies.  As a result, if an investment opportunity would be appropriate for more than one client, GPAM may be required to choose among those clients in allocating such opportunity, or to allocate less of such opportunity to a client than it would ideally allocate if it did not have to allocate to multiple clients.  In addition, GPAM may determine that an investment opportunity is appropriate for a particular account, but not for another.

Allocation decisions are made in accordance with the investment objectives, guidelines, and restrictions governing the respective clients and in a manner that will not unfairly favor one client over another. GPAM’s allocation policy provides that investment decisions must never be based upon account performance or fee structure.  Accordingly, GPAM’s allocation procedures are designed to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated equitably among different client accounts over time.  The procedures also seek to ensure reasonable efficiency in client transactions and to provide portfolio managers with flexibility to use allocation methodologies appropriate to GPAM’s investment disciplines and the specific goals and objectives of each client account.

In order to minimize execution costs and obtain best execution for clients, trades in the same security transacted on behalf of more than one client may be aggregated.  In the event trades are aggregated, GPAM’s policy and procedures provide as follows: (i) treat all participating client accounts fairly; (ii) continue to seek best execution; (iii) ensure that clients who participate in an
 
 
 
 

 
aggregated order will participate at the average share price with all transaction costs shared on a pro-rata basis based on each client’s participation in the transaction; (iv) disclose its aggregation policy to clients.

GPAM, as a fiduciary to its clients, considers numerous factors in arranging for the purchase and sale of clients’ portfolio securities in order to achieve best execution for its clients.  When selecting a broker, individuals making trades on behalf of GPAM clients consider the full range and quality of a broker’s services, including execution capability, commission rate, price, financial stability and reliability.  GPAM is not obliged to merely get the lowest price or commission but also must determine whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution for the account.

In the event that multiple broker/dealers make a market in a particular security, GPAM’s Portfolio Managers are responsible for selecting the broker-dealer to use with respect to executing the transaction.  The broker-dealer will be selected on the basis of how the transaction can be executed to achieve the most favorable execution for the client under the circumstances.  In many instances, there may only be one counter-party active in a particular security at a given time.  In such situations the Employee executing the trade will use his/her best effort to obtain the best execution from the counter-party.

GPAM and the registrant have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

(a)(3) Portfolio Manager Compensation

GPAM compensates Mr. Minerd and Ms. Walsh for their management of the registrant’s portfolio. Compensation is evaluated based on their contribution to investment performance relative to pertinent benchmarks and qualitatively based on factors such as teamwork and client service efforts.     GPAM’s staff incentives may include: a competitive base salary, bonus determined by individual and firm wide performance, equity participation, and participation opportunities in various GPAM investments.  All GPAM employees are also eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan to which GPAM may make a discretionary match after the completion of each plan year.

(a)(4) Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership

The following table discloses the dollar range of equity securities of the registrant beneficially owned by each GPAM portfolio manager as of May 31, 2011:
 
 

 
 
 

 
Name of Portfolio Manager
Dollar Amount of Equity
Securities in Fund
Scott Minerd
 
Anne Walsh
None
 
$50,001-$100,000


Item 9.  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
 
None.
 
Item 10.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
The registrant has not made any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.
 
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 (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act) as of a date within 90 days of this filing and have concluded based on such evaluation, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act, 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 reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
 
 (b)      There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 12.  Exhibits.
 
(a)(1)
Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers.
   
(a)(2)
Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act.
   
(a)(3)
Not applicable.
   
(b)
Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
(c)
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.
 
(Registrant) Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
By:              /s/ Kevin M. Robinson
 
Name:         Kevin M. Robinson
 
Title:           Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer
 
Date:           August 8, 2011
 
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/ Kevin M. Robinson
 
Name:         Kevin M. Robinson
 
Title:           Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer
 
Date:           August 8, 2011
 
By:              /s/ John Sullivan
 
Name:         John Sullivan
 
Title:           Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
 
Date:           August 8, 2011