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THE GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST
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of the story.
• Daily, weekly and monthly data on share prices, net asset
values, distributions and more
Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC and Guggenheim Funds
Investment Advisors, LLC are continually updating and expanding shareholder information services on the Trust’s website in an ongoing
effort to provide you with the most current information about how your Trust’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 Trust.
We thank you for your investment in the Guggenheim Municipal Bond
& Investment Grade Debt Trust (the “Trust”). This report covers the Trust’s performance for the six-month period
ended November 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”).
In December 2022, Guggenheim Partners announced the untimely and
unexpected death of Scott Minerd, one of Guggenheim’s Managing Partners and its Global Chief Investment Officer. He joined Guggenheim
as a Managing Partner shortly after the firm was formed. He was a frequent commentator on markets and investments, both on television
and via social media. He also was one of the designers of the organization, systems and procedures that make Guggenheim Investments a
strong, robust and scalable leader in the asset management business.
Guggenheim has implemented its succession plan, which is designed
to deal with unexpected events. There will be no disruption of service to our clients, no change in the daily management of client portfolios
and no change in the process of selecting investment assets, all of which are handled by longstanding committees and by long-tenured investment
professionals who, every day, implement our investment process.
Guggenheim Investments continues to be led by its Co-Presidents,
Dina DiLorenzo and David Rone, and by Anne B. Walsh, a Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Guggenheim Partners Investment
Management. She will continue her current role leading the team managing client investments and will assume many of Mr. Minerd’s
responsibilities on an interim basis.
To learn more about the Trust’s performance and investment
strategy, we encourage you to read the Economic and Market Overview and the Management’s Discussion of Trust Performance sections
of this report, which begin on page 5. There, you will find information on Guggenheim’s investment philosophy, views on the economy
and market environment, and detailed information about the factors that impacted the Trust’s performance.
The Trust’s primary investment objective is to provide current
income with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation.
All Trust returns cited—whether based on net asset value
(“NAV”) or market price—assume the reinvestment of all distributions. For the Reporting Period, the Trust provided a
total return based on market price of -9.39% and a total return based on NAV of -7.11%. At the end of the Reporting Period, the Trust’s
market price of $16.85 per share represented a premium of 3.44% to its NAV of $16.29 per share.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. All NAV
returns include the deduction of management fees, operating expenses, and all other Trust expenses. The market price of the Trust’s
shares fluctuates from time to time, and may be higher or lower than the Trust’s NAV.
During the Reporting Period, the Trust paid a monthly distribution
of $0.12573 per share. The most recent distribution represents an annualized distribution rate of 8.95% based on the Trust’s closing
market price of $16.85 per share at the end of the Reporting Period.
The Trust’s distribution rate is not constant and the amount
of distributions, when declared by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, is subject to change. There is no guarantee of any future distribution
or that the current returns and distribution rate will be maintained. Please see the Distributions to Shareholders & Annualized Distribution
Rate on page 23, and Note 2(g) on page 57 for more information on distributions for the period.
We encourage shareholders to consider the opportunity to reinvest
their distributions from the Trust through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”), which is described in detail on page 79
of this report. When shares trade at a discount to NAV, the DRIP takes advantage of the discount by reinvesting the monthly distribution
in common shares of the Trust purchased in the market at a price less than NAV. Conversely, when the market price of the Trust’s
common shares is at a premium above NAV, the DRIP reinvests participants’ distributions in newly-issued common shares at the greater
of NAV per share or 95% of 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. The DRIP effectively provides an income averaging technique, which causes shareholders
to accumulate a larger number of Trust shares when the share price is lower than when the price is higher.
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 Trust’s website at guggenheiminvestments.com/gbab.
Month-over-month price increases in the October and November 2022
Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) reports finally cooled, offering some evidence that the Federal Reserve’s (the “Fed”)
efforts to tighten policy and get inflation under control are starting to work. The headline CPI slowed from an 11% annualized three-month
growth rate in June 2022 to 3.7% by November 2022. The three-month annualized change in core CPI softened from a recent peak of 7.9% to
4.2%, and trimmed measures of inflation (measures that remove the highest and lowest outliers) also declined. While these figures are
still well above the Fed’s 2% core inflation target, it is encouraging to see them moving in the right direction.
The inflation categories that remain high are mostly in services.
The November CPI report showed that core goods prices fell by 0.5% on the month, led by a 2.9% drop in used car prices. More declines
in goods prices appear likely as supply chains rapidly improve and retailers step up their efforts to clear an inventory overhang through
deeper discounting. However, housing and broader services inflation measures remain well above pre-COVID levels. Housing inflation will
likely take time to come down in the official statistics due to the lagging nature of lease renewals, but more timely indicators show
inflation for new rentals is falling fast. The Fed has now become more concerned with core services inflation excluding housing and how
a tight labor market and high wage growth could impact this category.
The December Summary of Economic Projections, which provides the
Fed’s median forecasts for a variety of data including the unemployment rate, inflation, and their policy rate, confirmed that the
Fed is far from convinced that inflation is heading back to target and expects more tightening will be needed to achieve their inflation
target. The median 2023 forecasts for U.S. real gross domestic product growth fell to 0.5%, the federal funds rate increased to 5.1%,
and the unemployment rate increased to 4.6%. At the same time, the Fed’s projection for the year-over-year increase in the core
personal consumption expenditures price index—its preferred inflation measure—increased to 3.5% by year-end. Taken together,
these projections suggest that even with a higher terminal rate, weaker growth, and a higher unemployment rate, the Fed expects to be
further away from its inflation goal in 2023 than it projected in recent months.
Our research indicates that the unemployment rate could increase
to 6%, higher than the Fed’s median projection, as Fed efforts to slow the already weak economy may end up overshooting. This could
trigger a more serious recession than the consensus expectation and likely bring about a decline in risk assets.
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. All NAV returns include the deduction
of management fees, operating expenses and all other Trust expenses. The deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Trust distributions
or the sale of Trust shares is not reflected in the total returns. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit guggenheiminvestments.com/gbab.
The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and other factors so that
an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The referenced index is an unmanaged index and not available for
direct investment. Index performance does not reflect transaction costs, fees or expenses.
“Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash
or derivative investments.
Portfolio breakdown and holdings are subject to change daily.
For more information, please visit guggenheiminvestments.com/gbab. The above summaries are provided for informational purposes only and
should not be viewed as recommendations. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
See Sector Classification in Other Information section.
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Trust’s
investments at November 30, 2022 (See Note 6 in the Notes to Financial Statements):
The Trust may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair
value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of the period end, reverse repurchase agreements of $134,762,475
are categorized as Level 2 within the disclosure hierarchy — See Note 7.
The following is a summary of significant unobservable inputs
used in the fair valuation of assets and liabilities categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending Balance at |
Valuation |
Unobservable |
Input |
Weighted |
Category |
November 30, 2022 |
Technique |
Inputs |
Range |
Average* |
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities |
|
$ 6,244,926 |
Yield Analysis |
Yield |
6.0%-6.9% |
6.2% |
Common Stocks |
|
13,203 |
Enterprise Value |
Valuation Multiple |
2.6x-9.5x |
4.6x |
Common Stocks |
|
7,996 |
Model Price |
Purchase Price |
— |
— |
Common Stocks |
|
4 |
Model Price |
Liquidation Value |
— |
— |
Corporate Bonds |
|
4,046,165 |
Third Party Pricing |
Vendor Price |
— |
— |
Corporate Bonds |
|
2,820,800 |
Option adjusted spread |
Broker Quote |
— |
— |
off prior month end |
|
|
|
broker quote |
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds |
|
1,926 |
Third Party Pricing |
Broker Quote |
— |
— |
Senior Floating Rate Interests |
8,046,491 |
Third Party Pricing |
Broker Quote |
— |
— |
Senior Floating Rate Interests |
6,563,202 |
Yield Analysis |
Yield |
8.7%-13.3% |
10.6% |
Senior Floating Rate Interests |
1,890,643 |
Model Price |
Purchase Price |
— |
— |
Warrants |
|
2 |
Model Price |
Liquidation Value |
— |
— |
Total Assets |
|
$ 29,635,358 |
|
|
|
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unfunded Loan Commitments |
$ 109,296 |
Model Price |
Purchase Price |
— |
— |
* Inputs are weighted by the fair value of the instruments. |
|
|
|
Significant changes in a quote, yield, liquidation value or valuation
multiple would generally result in significant changes in the fair value of the security.
The Trust’s fair valuation leveling guidelines classify
a single daily broker quote, or a vendor price based on a single daily or monthly broker quote, as Level 3, if such a quote or price cannot
be supported with other available market information.
Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 may occur as markets fluctuate
and/or the availability of data used in an investment’s valuation changes. For the period ended November 30, 2022, the Trust had
securities with a total value of $8.373,523 transfer into Level 3 from Level 2 due to a lack of observable inputs and had securities with
a total value of $3,639,476 transfer out of Level 3 into Level 2 due to the availability of current and reliable market-based data provided
by a third-party pricing service which utilizes significant observable inputs.
See notes to financial statements.
44 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
Summary of Fair Value Level 3 Activity
Following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant
unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value for the period ended November 30, 2022:
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
Asset- |
|
Senior |
|
|
|
Unfunded |
|
|
Backed |
Corporate |
Floating Rate |
|
Common |
Total |
Loan |
|
|
Securities |
Bonds |
Interests |
Warrants |
Stocks |
Assets |
Commitments |
Beginning Balance |
$ 3,513,081 |
$ 2,047,784 |
$ 16,636,064 |
$ — |
$ 60,406 |
$ 22,257,335 |
$ (180,973) |
Purchases/(Receipts) |
|
3,214,640 |
1,000,000 |
2,427,005 |
— |
14,936 |
6,656,581 |
(101,826) |
(Sales, maturities and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
paydowns)/Fundings |
(4,123) |
— |
(2,792,259) |
— |
(47,965) |
(2,844,347) |
169,965 |
Amortization of premiums/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
discounts |
|
— |
— |
48,190 |
— |
— |
48,190 |
— |
Total realized gains (losses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
included in earnings |
|
— |
— |
(34,177) |
— |
39,960 |
5,783 |
22,900 |
Total change in unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
appreciation (depreciation) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
included in earnings |
|
(478,672) |
(226,984) |
(470,441) |
— |
(46,134) |
(1,222,231) |
(19,362) |
Transfers into Level 3 |
|
— |
4,048,091 |
4,325,430 |
2 |
— |
8,373,523 |
— |
Transfers out of Level 3 |
|
— |
— |
(3,639,476) |
— |
— |
(3,639,476) |
— |
Ending Balance |
$ 6,244,926 |
$ 6,868,891 |
$ 16,500,336 |
$ 2 |
$ 21,203 |
$ 29,635,358 |
$ (109,296) |
Net change in unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
appreciation (depreciation) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for investments in Level 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
securities still held at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30, 2022 |
$ (478,672) |
$ (226,984) |
$ (272,783) |
$ — |
$ (9,039) |
$ (987,478) |
$ (13,265) |
Step Coupon Bonds
The following table discloses additional information related to
step coupon bonds held by the Trust. Certain securities are subject to multiple rate changes prior to maturity. For those securities,
a range of rates and corresponding dates have been provided. Rates for all step coupon bonds held by the Trust are scheduled to increase,
except GAIA Aviation Ltd. which is scheduled to decrease.
|
Coupon Rate |
|
|
at Next |
Next Rate |
Name |
Reset Date |
Reset Date |
GAIA Aviation Ltd. 2019-1, 3.97% due 12/15/44 |
2.00% |
11/15/26 |
GCAT Trust 2022-NQM5, 5.71% due 08/25/67 |
6.71% |
10/01/26 |
OBX Trust 2022-NQM8, 6.10% due 09/25/62 |
7.10% |
10/01/26 |
Affiliated Transactions
Investments representing 5% or more of the outstanding voting
shares of a company, or control of or by, or common control under Guggenheim Investments, result in that company being considered an affiliated
issuer, as defined in the 1940 Act.
Transactions
during the period ended November 30, 2022, in which the company is an affiliated issuer, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized |
Unrealized |
|
|
|
Value |
|
|
Gain |
Appreciation |
Value |
Shares |
Security Name |
05/31/22 |
Additions |
Reductions |
(Loss) |
(Depreciation) |
11/30/22 |
11/30/22 |
Common Stocks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BP Holdco LLC* |
$ 11,011 |
$ — |
$ — |
$ — |
$ (1,540) |
$ 9,471 |
15,619 |
Targus Group International |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity, Inc.* |
45,100 |
— |
(47,965) |
39,960 |
(37,095) |
— |
— |
|
$ 56,111 |
$ — |
$(47,965) |
$39,960 |
$ (38,635) |
$ 9,471 |
|
* Non-income producing security. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 45
|
|
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2022 |
|
ASSETS: |
|
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $562,326,522) |
$ 494,301,696 |
Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $5,515) |
9,471 |
Foreign currency, at value |
90,744 |
Cash |
142,260 |
Prepaid expenses |
17,698 |
Receivables: |
|
Interest |
6,029,422 |
Investments sold |
4,209,533 |
Fund shares sold |
216,505 |
Dividends |
95,308 |
Tax reclaims |
7,842 |
Total assets |
505,120,479 |
LIABILITIES: |
|
Reverse repurchase agreements (Note 7) |
134,762,475 |
Borrowings (Note 8) |
1,000,000 |
Unfunded loan commitments, at value (Note 11) |
|
(commitment fees received $152,314) |
109,296 |
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts |
225,472 |
Interest due on borrowings |
63,435 |
Segregated cash due to broker |
568,000 |
Payable for: |
|
Investments purchased |
2,878,618 |
Options written, at value (premiums received $6,332) |
—** |
Investment advisory fees |
241,560 |
Offering costs |
222,235 |
Professional fees |
127,555 |
Trustees' fees and expenses* |
21,119 |
Other liabilities |
101,394 |
Total liabilities |
140,321,159 |
NET ASSETS |
$ 364,799,320 |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: |
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; unlimited number of shares |
|
authorized, 22,388,905 shares issued and outstanding |
$ 223,889 |
Additional paid-in capital |
440,188,473 |
Total distributable earnings (loss) |
(75,613,042) |
NET ASSETS |
$ 364,799,320 |
Shares outstanding ($0.01 par value with unlimited amount authorized) |
22,388,905 |
Net asset value |
$ 16.29 |
* | | Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. |
** | | Security has a market value of $0. |
See notes to financial statements.
46 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2022 |
For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2022 |
|
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
|
Interest from securities of unaffiliated issuers |
|
(net of foreign withholdings tax $1,428) |
$ 13,367,878 |
Dividends from securities of unaffiliated issuers |
2,031,399 |
Total investment income |
15,399,277 |
EXPENSES: |
|
Interest expense |
2,226,778 |
Investment advisory fees |
1,555,814 |
Professional fees |
220,698 |
Fund accounting fees |
63,776 |
Administration fees |
58,790 |
Printing fees |
37,332 |
Trustees' fees and expenses* |
36,234 |
Custodian fees |
20,025 |
Insurance |
13,806 |
Registration and filing fees |
11,895 |
Transfer agent fees |
10,431 |
Miscellaneous |
8,369 |
Total expenses |
4,263,948 |
Net investment income |
11,135,329 |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS): |
|
Net realized gain (loss) on: |
|
Investments in unaffiliated issuers |
(2,574,836) |
Investments in affiliated issuers |
39,960 |
Options purchased |
57,796 |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts |
455,126 |
Foreign currency transactions |
(11,253) |
Net realized loss |
(2,033,207) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: |
|
Investments in unaffiliated issuers |
(37,829,107) |
Investments in affiliated issuers |
(38,635) |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts |
(29,490) |
Foreign currency translations |
(4,892) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(37,902,124) |
Net realized and unrealized loss |
(39,935,331) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
$ (28,800,002) |
* Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons”
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
See notes to financial statements.
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 47
|
|
|
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS |
|
November 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
November 30, 2022 |
Year Ended |
|
(Unaudited) |
May 31, 2022 |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS: |
|
|
Net investment income |
$ 11,135,329 |
$ 26,054,915 |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments |
(2,033,207) |
2,972,237 |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
|
|
on investments |
(37,902,124) |
(94,707,260) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
(28,800,002) |
(65,680,108) |
DISTRIBUTIONS: |
|
|
Distributions to shareholders |
(16,692,548) |
(28,838,807) |
Return of capital |
—* |
(3,529,266) |
Total distributions |
(16,692,548) |
(32,368,073) |
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTIONS: |
|
|
Net proceeds from shares issued through at-the-market offering |
8,454,731 |
24,312,345 |
Capital contribution from adviser |
29,557 |
— |
Reinvestments of distributions |
736,743 |
2,049,662 |
Common shares offering cost charged to paid-in-capital |
(51,501) |
117,807 |
Net increase in net assets resulting from shareholder transactions |
9,169,530 |
26,479,814 |
Net decrease in net assets |
(36,323,020) |
(71,568,367) |
NET ASSETS: |
|
|
Beginning of period |
401,122,340 |
472,690,707 |
End of period |
$ 364,799,320 |
$ 401,122,340 |
* A portion of the distributions to shareholders may be deemed
a return of capital at fiscal year-end.
See notes to financial statements.
48 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2022 |
|
For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2022 |
|
|
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
$ (28,800,002) |
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations to |
|
Net Cash Provided by Operating and Investing Activities: |
|
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments |
37,867,742 |
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on forward |
|
foreign currency exchange contracts |
29,490 |
Net realized loss on investments |
2,534,876 |
Net realized gain on options purchased |
(57,796) |
Purchase of long-term investments |
(37,943,184) |
Proceeds from sale of long-term investments |
70,948,715 |
Net purchases of short-term investments |
(6,660,504) |
Net accretion of discount and amortization of premium |
(161,837) |
Commitment fees received and repayments of unfunded commitments |
(58,024) |
Decrease in interest receivable |
363,630 |
Decrease in dividends receivable |
20,859 |
Increase investments sold receivable |
(2,339,568) |
Decrease in due from adviser |
1,654 |
Increase in prepaid expenses |
(15,540) |
Increase in tax reclaims receivable |
(4,350) |
Increase in investments purchased payable |
2,329,993 |
Increase in interest due on borrowings |
63,435 |
Decrease in professional fees payable |
(148,481) |
Increase in segregated cash due to broker |
568,000 |
Decrease in investment advisory fees payable |
(55,528) |
Increase in trustees’ fees and expenses payable* |
189 |
Increase in other liabilities |
34,849 |
Net Cash Provided by Operating and Investing Activities |
$ 38,518,618 |
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: |
|
Distributions to common shareholders |
(15,955,805) |
Proceeds from the issuance of common shares |
9,116,895 |
Proceeds from borrowings |
1,000,000 |
Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements |
189,324,405 |
Payments made on reverse repurchase agreements |
(222,337,620) |
Capital contribution from adviser |
29,557 |
Offering costs in connection with the issuance of common shares |
(111) |
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities |
$ (38,822,679) |
Net decrease in cash |
(304,061) |
Cash at Beginning of Period (including foreign currency)** |
537,065 |
Cash at End of Period (including foreign currency)*** |
$ 233,004 |
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: |
|
Cash paid during the year for interest |
$ 1,660,496 |
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Financing Activity: Dividend reinvestment |
$ 736,743 |
* | | Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. |
** | | Includes $272,465 of foreign currency. |
*** | | Includes $90,744 of foreign currency. |
See notes to financial statements.
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 49
|
|
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
November 30, 2022 |
The information in this table for the fiscal years ended 2022,
2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 is derived from the Trust’s financial statements and has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm for the Trust. The Trust’s audited financial statements appearing in the Trust’s annual
report to shareholders for the year ended May 31, 2022, including the report of Ernst & Young LLP thereon, including accompanying
notes thereto, are incorporated by reference in this report.
|
Six
Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November
30, 2022 |
Year
Ended |
Year
Ended |
Year
Ended |
Year
Ended |
Year
Ended |
|
(Unaudited) |
May
31, 2022 |
May
31, 2021 |
May
31, 2020 |
May
31, 2019 |
May
31, 2018 |
Per
Share Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, beginning of period |
$
18.35 |
$
22.80 |
$
22.09 |
$
22.71 |
$
22.69 |
$
23.30 |
Income
from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income(a) |
0.50 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.19 |
1.27 |
1.30 |
1.48 |
Net
gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized) |
(1.81) |
|
(4.15) |
|
1.03 |
(0.38) |
0.23 |
(0.58) |
Total
from investment operations |
(1.31) |
|
(2.94) |
|
2.22 |
0.89 |
1.53 |
0.90 |
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
(0.75) |
|
(1.32) |
|
(1.38) |
(1.51) |
(1.43) |
(1.35) |
Capital
gains |
— |
|
(0.03) |
|
(0.13) |
— |
(0.08) |
(0.16) |
Return
of capital |
— |
|
(0.16) |
|
(0.00)* |
— |
— |
— |
Total
distributions to shareholders |
(0.75) |
|
(1.51) |
|
(1.51) |
(1.51) |
(1.51) |
(1.51) |
Net
asset value, end of period |
$
16.29 |
$
18.35 |
$
22.80 |
$
22.09 |
$
22.71 |
$
22.69 |
Market
value, end of period |
$
16.85 |
$
19.45 |
$
24.22 |
$
23.20 |
$
23.38 |
$
21.44 |
Total
Return(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value |
(7.11%)(h) |
(13.81%)(g) |
10.30% |
3.86% |
7.11% |
3.93% |
Market
value |
(9.39%) |
|
(13.96%) |
|
11.43% |
6.03% |
16.81% |
(1.23%) |
Ratios/Supplemental
Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets, end of period (in thousands) |
$
364,799 |
$
401,122 |
$
472,691 |
$
414,168 |
$
395,716 |
$
395,221 |
Ratio
to average net assets of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
expenses, including interest expense(c),(e) |
2.27%(f) |
1.34% |
|
1.27% |
1.65% |
1.68% |
1.65% |
Net
investment income, including interest expense |
5.92%(f) |
5.52% |
|
5.22% |
5.61% |
5.82% |
6.42% |
Portfolio
turnover rate |
8% |
|
36% |
|
33% |
25% |
6% |
8% |
Borrowings
– committed facility agreement (in thousands) |
$
1,000 |
$
— |
$
97,360 |
$
10,510 |
$
44,510 |
$
44,510 |
Asset
Coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness(d) |
$
365,799 |
$
— |
$
5,855 |
$
40,409 |
$
9,891 |
$
9,879 |
See notes to financial statements.
50 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM
TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued |
November 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
|
May 31, 2017 |
May 31, 2016 |
May 31, 2015 |
May 31, 2014 |
May 31, 2013 |
Per Share Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ 23.30 |
$ 23.35 |
$ 23.26 |
$ 23.61 |
$ 23.49 |
Income from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a) |
1.59 |
1.48 |
1.48 |
1.63 |
1.65 |
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized) |
(0.04) |
0.13 |
0.27 |
(0.32) |
0.07 |
Total from investment operations |
1.55 |
1.61 |
1.75 |
1.31 |
1.72 |
Less distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
(1.55) |
(1.64) |
(1.48) |
(1.60) |
(1.60) |
Capital gains |
— |
(0.02) |
(0.18) |
(0.06) |
— |
Return of capital |
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to shareholders |
(1.55) |
(1.66) |
(1.66) |
(1.66) |
(1.60) |
Net asset value, end of period |
$ 23.30 |
$ 23.30 |
$ 23.35 |
$ 23.26 |
$ 23.61 |
Market value, end of period |
$ 23.23 |
$ 22.28 |
$ 21.64 |
$ 21.69 |
$ 22.70 |
Total Return(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value |
6.81% |
7.25% |
7.64% |
6.15% |
7.48% |
Market value |
11.62% |
10.95% |
7.52% |
3.54% |
8.27% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) |
$ 405,780 |
$ 405,820 |
$ 406,668 |
$ 405,039 |
$ 411,135 |
Ratio to average net assets of: |
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses, including interest expense(c),(e) |
1.54% |
1.38% |
1.32% |
1.35% |
1.38% |
Net investment income, including interest expense |
6.80% |
6.47% |
6.26% |
7.37% |
6.99% |
Portfolio turnover rate |
6% |
7% |
11% |
10% |
12% |
Borrowings - committed facility agreement (in thousands) |
$ 47,509 |
$ 61,710 |
$ 35,510 |
$ 30,964 |
$ 44,214 |
Asset coverage per $1,000 of borrowings(d) |
9,541 |
7,576 |
12,452 |
14,081 |
10,299 |
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Total 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
Trust’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan for market value returns. Total return does not reflect brokerage commissions. A return calculated
for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 51
|
|
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued |
November 30, 2022 |
(c) Excluding interest expense, the operating expense ratios for
the period ended November 30, 2022 and the years ended May 31, would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)(f) |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
1.08% |
1.04% |
1.01% |
0.96% |
0.95% |
0.99% |
1.00% |
0.99% |
1.02% |
1.02% |
1.02% |
(d) | | Calculated by subtracting the Trust’s total liabilities (not including the borrowings)
from the Trust’s total assets and dividing by the borrowings. |
(e) | | The ratios of total expenses to average net assets applicable to common shares do not reflect
fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Trust 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 0.27%, 0.20%, 0.26%, 0.32%, 0.00%, 0.00%, 0.00%, 0.00%, 0.00%,
0.00%, and 0.00% for the period ended November 30, 2022 and the years ended May 31, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
and 2013 respectively. |
(g) | | The Net increase from payments by affiliates totaling $383,226 relating to an operational
issue contributed 0.08% to total return at net asset value for the year ended May 31, 2022. |
(h) | | The net increase from the payment by the Adviser totaling $29,557 relating to an operational
issue contributed 0.01% to total return at net asset value for the period ended November 30, 2022. |
See notes to financial statements.
52 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM
TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2022 |
Note 1 – Organization
Guggenheim Taxable Municipal Bond & Investment Grade Debt Trust
(the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 30, 2010. The Trust is registered as a diversified, closed-end
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
The Trust’s primary investment objective is to provide current
income with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Trust will achieve its investment
objectives. The Trust’s investment objectives are considered fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval.
Note 2 – Significant Accounting Policies
The Trust operates as an investment company and, accordingly, follows
the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards
Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.
The following significant accounting policies are in conformity
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and are consistently followed by the Trust. This requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from these estimates. All time references are based on Eastern Time.
(a) Valuation of Investments
The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) adopted
policies and procedures for the valuation of the Trust’s investments (the “Valuation Procedures”). The U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 2a-5”) which establishes requirements
for determining fair value in good faith and became effective September 8, 2022. Rule 2a-5 also defines “readily available market
quotations” for purposes of the 1940 Act and establishes requirements for determining whether a fund must fair value a security
in good faith.
Pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Board has designated Guggenheim Funds
Investment Advisors, LLC (“GFIA” or the “Adviser”) as the valuation designee to perform fair valuation determinations
for the Trust with respect to all Trust investments and/or other assets. As the Trust’s valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5,
the Adviser has adopted separate procedures (the “Valuation Designee Procedures”) reasonably designed to prevent violations
of the requirements of Rule 2a-5 and Rule 31a-4. The Adviser, in its role as valuation designee, utilizes the assistance of
a valuation committee, consisting of representatives from Guggenheim’s investment management, fund administration, legal and compliance
departments (the “Valuation Committee”), in determining the fair value of the Trust’s securities and/or other assets.
Valuations of the Trust’s securities and other assets are
supplied primarily by pricing services appointed pursuant to the processes set forth in the Valuation Procedures. The Adviser, with the
assistance of the Valuation Committee, convenes monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review the valuation of all assets which have
been fair valued for reasonableness. The Adviser, consistent with the monitoring and review responsibilities set forth in the Valuation
Designee Procedures,
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 53
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
regularly reviews the appropriateness of the inputs, methods, models
and assumptions employed by the pricing services.
If the pricing service cannot or does not provide a valuation for
a particular investment or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is fair valued by the Adviser.
Equity securities listed or traded on a recognized U.S. securities
exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (“NASDAQ”) National Market System shall generally
be valued on the basis of the last sale price on the primary U.S. exchange or market on which the security is listed or traded; provided,
however, that securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the NASDAQ official closing price, which may not necessarily represent the
last sale price.
Open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value
(“NAV”) as of the close of business, on the valuation date. Exchange-traded funds and closed-end investment companies are
generally valued at the last quoted sale price.
Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is substantially
completed each day at various times prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). The values of foreign securities
are determined as of the close of such foreign markets or the close of the NYSE, if earlier. All investments quoted in foreign currencies
are valued in U.S. dollars on the basis of the foreign currency exchange rates prevailing at the close of U.S. business at 4:00 p.m. Investments
in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. The Adviser will determine the current value of such foreign
securities by taking into consideration certain factors which may include those discussed above, as well as the following factors, among
others: the value of the securities traded on other foreign markets, ADR trading, closed-end fund trading, foreign currency exchange activity,
and the trading prices of financial products that are tied to foreign securities. In addition, under the Valuation Designee Procedures,
the Adviser is authorized to use prices and other information supplied by a third party pricing vendor in valuing foreign securities.
U.S. Government securities are valued by independent pricing services,
the last traded fill price, or at the reported bid price at the close of business.
Commercial paper and discount notes with a maturity of greater
than 60 days at acquisition are valued at prices that reflect broker-dealer supplied valuations or are obtained from independent pricing
services, which may consider the trade activity, treasury spreads, yields or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and
type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Commercial paper and discount notes with a maturity of
60 days or less at acquisition are valued at amortized cost, unless the Adviser concludes that amortized cost does not represent the fair
value of the applicable asset in which case it will be valued using an independent pricing services.
Typically, loans are valued using information provided by an independent
third party pricing service which uses broker quotes, among other inputs. If the pricing service cannot or does not provide a valuation
for a particular loan, or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is valued based on a quote from a broker-dealer or is fair
valued by the Adviser.
Repurchase agreements are valued at amortized cost, provided such
amounts approximate market value.
54 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the bid and ask
prices on the principal exchange on which they are traded.
The value of futures contracts are valued on the basis of the last
sale price at the 4:00 p.m. price on the valuation date. In the event that the exchange for a specific futures contract closes earlier
than 4:00 p.m., the futures contract is valued at the official settlement price of the exchange. However, the underlying securities from
which the futures contract value is derived are monitored until 4:00 p.m. to determine if fair valuation would provide a more accurate
valuation.
The value of interest rate swap agreements entered into by the
Trust is valued on the basis of the last sale price on the primary exchange on which the swap is traded. The values of other swap agreements
entered into by the Trust are generally valued using an evaluated price provided by a third party pricing vendor.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued daily based
on the applicable exchange rate of the underlying currency.
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available
are fair-valued as determined in good faith by the Adviser. Valuations in accordance with these methods are intended to reflect each security’s
(or asset’s or liability’s) “fair value". Each such determination is 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 market prices;
sale prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over U.S.
Treasury securities, and other information analysis.
(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. Dividend income is recorded net of applicable withholding
taxes on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts or premiums on debt securities purchased
are accreted or amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. Interest income also includes paydown gains and losses
on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, and senior and subordinated loans. Amendment fees are earned as compensation for evaluating
and accepting changes to the original loan agreement.
The Trust may receive other income from investments in senior loan
interests, including amendment fees, consent fees and commitment fees. For funded loans, these fees are recorded as income when received
by the Trust and included in interest income on the Statement of Operations. For unfunded loans, commitment fees are included in realized
gain on investments on the Statement of Operations at the end of the commitment period.
Income from residual collateralized loan obligations is recognized
using the effective interest method. At the time of purchase, management estimates the future expected cash flows and determines the effective
yield and estimated maturity date based on the estimated cash flows. Subsequent to the purchase, the estimated cash flows are updated
periodically and a revised yield is calculated prospectively.
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 55
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
(c) Senior Floating Rate Interests and Loan Investments
Senior floating rate interests in which the Trust invests generally
pay interest rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term floating rate, plus a premium. These base lending
rates are generally (i) the lending rate offered by one or more major European banks, such as the one-month or three-month London Inter-Bank
Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks, or (iii) the bank’s certificate
of deposit rate. Senior floating rate interests often require prepayments from excess cash flows or permit the borrower to repay at its
election. The rate at which the borrower repays cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual remaining maturity may be substantially
less than the stated maturities disclosed in the Trust’s Schedule of Investments.
The Trust invests in loans and other similar debt obligations (“obligations”).
A portion of the Trust’s investments in these obligations is sometimes referred to as “covenant lite” loans or obligations
(“covenant lite obligations”), which are obligations that lack covenants or possess fewer or less restrictive covenants or
constraints on borrowers than certain other types of obligations. The Trust may also obtain exposure to covenant lite obligations through
investment in securitization vehicles and other structured products. In recent market conditions, many new or reissued obligations have
not featured traditional covenants, which are intended to protect lenders and investors by (i) imposing certain restrictions or other
limitations on a borrower’s operations or assets or (ii) providing certain rights to lenders. The Trust may have fewer rights with
respect to covenant lite obligations, including fewer protections against the possibility of default and fewer remedies in the event of
default. As a result, investments in (or exposure to) covenant lite obligations are subject to more risk than investments in (or exposure
to) certain other types of obligations. The Trust is subject to other risks associated with investments in (or exposure to) obligations,
including that obligations may not be considered “securities” and, as a result, the Trust may not be entitled to rely on the
anti-fraud protections under the federal securities laws and instead may have to resort to state law and direct claims.
(d) Interest on When-Issued Securities
The Trust may purchase and sell interests in securities on a when-issued
and delayed delivery basis, with payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. No income accrues to the Trust on such interests or
securities in connection with such transactions prior to the date the Trust actually takes delivery of such interests or securities. These
transactions are subject to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery may be more or less than the trade
date purchase price. Although the Trust will generally purchase these securities with the intention of acquiring such securities, it may
sell such securities before the settlement date.
(e) Currency Translations
The accounting records of the Trust are maintained in U.S. dollars.
All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates. Purchases
and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, and certain expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing
on the respective dates of such transactions. Changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly
affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Trust. Foreign investments may also subject the Trust to foreign government exchange
restrictions, expropriation, taxation, or other political, social or economic developments, all of which could affect the market and/or
credit risk of the investments.
56 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
The Trust does not isolate that portion of the results of operations
resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of
securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized gain or loss and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments.
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from
sales of foreign currencies and currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions. Net
unrealized appreciation and depreciation arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities
at the fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
(f) Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are agreements between
two parties to buy and sell currencies at a set price on a future date. Fluctuations in the value of open forward foreign currency exchange
contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation by the Trust until the contracts are
closed. When the contracts are closed, realized gains and losses are recorded, and included on the Statement of Operations in forward
foreign currency exchange contracts.
(g) Distributions to Shareholders
The Trust declares and pays monthly distributions to common shareholders.
These distributions consist of investment company taxable income, which generally includes qualified dividend income, ordinary income
and short-term capital gains. Any net realized long-term capital gains are distributed annually to common shareholders. To the extent
distributions exceed taxable income, the excess will be deemed a return of capital. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces
the shareholder’s basis in its shares, which reduces the loss (or increase the gain) on a subsequent taxable disposition by such
shareholder of the shares, until such shareholder’s basis reaches zero at which point subsequent return of capital distributions
will constitute taxable capital gain to such shareholder.
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S.
GAAP.
(h) Options
Upon the purchase of an option, the premium paid is recorded as
an investment, the value of which is marked-to-market daily. If a purchased option expires, the Trust realizes a loss in the amount of
the cost of the option. When the Trust enters into a closing sale transaction, it realizes a gain or loss depending on whether the proceeds
from the closing sale transaction are greater or less than the cost of the option. If the Trust exercises a put option, it realizes a
gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds from such sale will be decreased by the premium originally paid.
When the Trust exercises a call option, the cost of the security purchased by the Trust upon exercise increases by the premium originally
paid.
When the Trust writes (sells) an option, an amount equal to the
premium received is entered in that Trust’s accounting records as an asset and equivalent liability. The amount of the liability
is
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 57
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the
option written. When a written option expires, or if the Trust enters into a closing purchase transaction, it realizes a gain (or loss
if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold).
(i) Indemnifications
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees
and Officers are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, throughout
the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide
general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims
that may be made against the Trust and/or its affiliates that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Trust expects the
risk of loss to be remote.
(j) Special Purpose Acquisition Companies
The Trust may acquire an interest in a special purpose acquisition
company (“SPAC”) in an initial public offering or a secondary market transaction. SPAC investments carry many of the same
risks as investments in initial public offering securities, such as erratic price movements, greater risk of loss, lack of information
about the issuer, limited operating and little public or no trading history, and higher transaction costs. An investment in a SPAC is
typically subject to a higher risk of dilution by additional later offerings of interests in the SPAC or by other investors exercising
existing rights to purchase shares of the SPAC and interests in SPACs may be illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on resale. A SPAC
is a publicly traded company that raises investment capital for the purpose of acquiring the equity securities of one or more existing
companies (or interests therein) via merger, combination, acquisition or other similar transactions. Unless and until an acquisition is
completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets (less a portion retained to cover expenses) in U.S. government securities, money market
securities and cash and does not typically pay dividends in respect of its common stock. SPAC investments are also subject to the risk
that a significant portion of the funds raised by the SPAC may be expended during the search for a target acquisition or merger and that
the SPAC may have limited time in which to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets. Because SPACs are in essence
blank check companies without operating history or ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions, the value of their securities is
particularly dependent on the ability of the entity’s management to identify and complete a profitable acquisition. Among other
conflicts of interest, the economic interests of the management, directors, officers and related parties of a SPAC can differ from the
economic interests of public shareholders, which may lead to conflicts as they evaluate, negotiate and recommend business combination
transactions to shareholders. This risk may become more acute as the deadline for the completion of a business combination nears. There
is no guarantee that the SPACs in which the Trust invests will complete an acquisition or that any acquisitions that are completed will
be profitable.
Note 3 – Derivatives
As part of its investment strategy, the Trust utilizes a variety
of derivative instruments. These investments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and risks in excess of amounts recognized
on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Valuation and accounting treatment of these
58 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
instruments can be found under Significant Accounting Policies
in Note 2 of these Notes to Financial Statements.
Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived
from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more other assets, such as securities, currencies, commodities or indices. Derivative instruments
may be used to increase investment flexibility (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining exposure to certain other assets),
for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. Derivative
instruments may also be used to mitigate certain investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and
credit risk. U.S. GAAP requires disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Trust uses derivative instruments,
how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Trust’s financial position and results of operations.
The Trust utilized derivatives for the following purposes:
Hedge: an investment made in order to reduce the risk of
adverse price movements in a security, by taking an offsetting position to protect against broad market moves.
Income: the use of any instrument that distributes cash
flows typically based upon some rate of interest.
Options Purchased and Written
A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the
right to buy, and the writer of a call option the obligation to sell, the underlying security. The purchaser of a put option has the right
to sell, and the writer of the put option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. The risk
associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally paid.
The risk in writing a call option is that the Trust may incur a
loss if the market price of the underlying security increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that the
Trust may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security decreases and the option is exercised. In addition, there may be
an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the underlying securities where the Trust may not be able to enter
into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market; or, for OTC options, the Trust may be at risk because of the counterparty’s
inability to perform.
The
following table represents the Trust’s use and volume of call/put options written on a monthly basis:
|
|
Average Notional Amount |
|
Use |
Call |
|
Put |
Income |
$5,470 |
$ – |
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 59
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
The following table represents the Trust’s use and volume
of call/put options purchased on a monthly basis:
|
Average Notional Amount |
Use |
Call |
Put |
Hedge |
$ – |
$478,083 |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between
two parties to exchange two designated currencies at a specific time in the future. Certain types of contracts may be cash settled, in
an amount equal to the change in exchange rates during the term of the contract. The contracts can be used to hedge or manage exposure
to foreign currency risks with portfolio investments or to gain exposure to foreign currencies.
The market value of a forward foreign currency exchange contract
changes with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Furthermore, the Trust may be exposed to risk if the counterparties cannot
meet the contract terms or if the currency value changes unfavorably as compared to the U.S. dollar.
The following table represents the Trust’s use and volume
of forward foreign currency exchange contracts on a monthly basis:
|
Average
Value |
Use |
Purchased |
Sold |
Hedge |
$52,689 |
$7,011,158 |
Derivative Investment Holdings Categorized by Risk Exposure
The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments
on the Trust’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of November 30, 2022:
|
|
|
Derivative Investment Type |
Asset Derivatives |
Liability Derivatives |
Equity option contracts |
– |
Options written, at value |
|
|
Unrealized depreciation on forward |
Currency forward contracts |
– |
foreign currency exchange contracts |
The following table sets forth the fair value of the Trust’s
derivative investments categorized by primary risk exposure at November 30, 2022:
|
Forward |
|
|
|
Foreign Currency |
Options Written |
Total Value at |
|
Exchange Risk |
Equity Risk* |
November 30, 2022 |
Liability Derivative Investments Value |
$225,472 |
$–* |
$225,472 |
* Security has a market value of $0. |
|
|
|
60 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments
on the Trust’s Statement of Operations for the period ended November 30, 2022:
Derivative Investment Type |
Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives |
Equity option contracts |
Net realized gain (loss) on options purchased |
Currency
forward contracts |
Net
realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign
currency exchange contracts |
The following is a summary of the Trust’s realized gain (loss)
and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivative investments recognized on the Statement of Operations categorized by
primary risk exposure for the period ended November 30, 2022:
|
|
|
|
Realized Gain(Loss) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Statement of Operations |
Options |
Forward |
|
|
Purchased Equity |
Foreign Currency |
|
|
Contracts |
Exchange Risk |
|
Total |
$ 57,796 |
$ 455,126 |
$ 512,922 |
Change in Unrealized
Appreciation(Depreciation) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Statement of Operations |
Forward |
|
Foreign Currency |
|
Exchange Risk |
Total |
$ (29,490) |
$ (29,490) |
In conjunction with the use of derivative instruments, the Trust
is required to maintain collateral in various forms. Depending on the financial instrument utilized and the broker involved, the Trust
uses margin deposits at the broker, cash and/or securities segregated at the custodian bank, discount notes or repurchase agreements allocated
to the Trust as collateral.
The Trust has established counterparty credit guidelines and enters
into transactions only with financial institutions of investment grade or better. The Trust monitors the counterparty credit risk.
Foreign Investments
There are several risks associated with exposure to foreign currencies,
foreign issuers and emerging markets. The Trust’s indirect and direct exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Trust to the risk
that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or in the case of short positions, that the U.S. dollar will
decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods
of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates and the imposition of currency controls or other political developments
in the U.S. or abroad. In addition, the Trust may incur transaction costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The
Trust may, but is not obligated to, engage in currency hedging transactions, which generally involve buying currency forward, options
or futures contracts. However, not all currency risks may be effectively hedged, and in some cases the costs of hedging techniques may
outweigh expected benefits. In such instances, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies can change significantly when
foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar.
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 61
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
The Trust may invest in securities of foreign companies directly,
or in financial instruments, such as ADRs and exchange-traded funds, which are indirectly linked to the performance of foreign issuers.
Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or
economic developments and can perform differently from the U.S. market. Investing in securities of foreign companies directly, or in financial
instruments that are indirectly linked to the performance of foreign issuers, may involve risks not typically associated with investing
in U.S. issuers. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly
when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume
and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and prices in some foreign markets may fluctuate more than those of securities traded on U.S. markets.
Many foreign countries lack accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those that apply to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult
to obtain reliable information regarding a foreign issuer’s financial condition and operations. Transaction costs and costs associated
with custody services are generally higher for foreign securities than they are for U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding
taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries portions of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion
will reduce the income received by the Trust.
Note 4 –Offsetting
In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into transactions
subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or other similar arrangements. Generally, the right to offset in those agreements allows
the Trust to counteract the exposure to a specific counterparty with collateral received from or delivered to that counterparty based
on the terms of the arrangements. These arrangements provide for the right to liquidate upon the occurrence of an event of default, credit
event upon merger or additional termination event.
In order to better define its contractual rights and to secure
rights that will help the Trust mitigate its counterparty risk, the Trust may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association,
Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA
Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives, including foreign exchange contracts,
and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination
event. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of a default (close-out netting)
or similar event, including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty.
For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral
requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that
amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Trust and the counterparty. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral
that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Trust and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, are reported separately
on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as segregated cash with broker/receivable for variation margin, or payable for swap settlement/variation
margin. Cash and/or securities pledged or received as collateral by the Trust in connection with an OTC derivative subject to an ISDA
Master Agreement generally may not be invested, sold or rehypothecated by the counterparty or the Trust, as applicable, absent an event
of default under such agreement, in which case such collateral generally
62 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
may be applied towards obligations due to and payable by such counterparty
or the Trust, as applicable. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty must exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold
(e.g., $300,000) before a transfer is required to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Trust from its counterparties are not fully
collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Trust bears the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. The Trust attempts to mitigate
counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that it believes to be of good standing and by monitoring the financial
stability of those counterparties.
For financial reporting purposes, the Trust does not offset derivative
assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The following tables present derivative financial instruments and
secured financing transactions that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Amount |
Gross Amounts Not |
|
|
|
Gross Amounts |
of Liabilities |
Offset in the Statement |
|
|
Gross |
Offset in the |
Presented on |
of Assets and Liabilities |
|
|
Amounts of |
Statement of |
the Statement |
|
Cash |
|
|
Recognized |
Assets and |
of Assets and |
Financial |
Collateral |
Net |
Instrument |
Liabilities1 |
Liabilities |
Liabilities |
Instruments |
Pledged |
Amount |
Forward foreign |
|
|
|
|
|
|
currency |
|
|
|
|
|
|
exchange |
|
|
|
|
|
|
contracts |
$225,472 |
$ — |
$225,472 |
$ — |
$ — |
$225,472 |
Reverse |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agreements |
134,762,475 |
— |
134,762,475 |
(134,762,475) |
— |
— |
1 | | Exchange-traded
or centrally-cleared derivatives are excluded from these reported amounts. |
The Trust has the right to offset deposits against any related
derivative liabilities outstanding with each counterparty with the exception of exchange-traded or centrally-cleared derivatives.
The following table presents deposits held by others in connection
with derivative investments as of November 30, 2022.
|
|
|
|
Counterparty |
Asset Type |
Cash Pledged |
Cash Received |
BNP Paribas |
Reverse repurchase agreements |
$ — |
$ 568,000 |
Note 5 –Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust
and the Adviser, the Adviser furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment, provides administrative services, oversees the activities
of Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM” or the “Sub-Adviser”). The Adviser provides all services
through the medium of any directors, officers or employees of the Adviser or its affiliates as the Adviser deems appropriate in order
to fulfill its obligations. As compensation for these services, the Trust pays the Adviser a fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal
to 0.60% of the Trust’s average daily Managed Assets (as defined in this report).
Pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Trust,
the Adviser and GPIM, GPIM, under the oversight and supervision of the Board and the Adviser, manages the investment of the assets of
the Trust in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, places orders to
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 63
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Trust, and, at the
request of the Adviser, consults with the Adviser as to the overall management of the assets of the Trust and its investment policies
and practices. As compensation for its services, the Adviser pays GPIM a fee, payable monthly, in an annual amount equal to 0.30% of the
Trust’s average daily Managed Assets.
Pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Trust,
the Adviser and Guggenheim Partners Advisors, LLC (“GPA”) that was in effect during the Reporting Period, GPA, under the oversight
supervision of the Board and the Adviser, assisted GPIM in the supervision and direction of the investment strategy of the Trust in accordance
with its investment policies. As compensation for its services, the Adviser paid GPA a fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 0.005%
of the Trust’s average daily Managed Assets. The Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Trust, the Adviser and GPA was terminated
effective December 22, 2022.
For purposes of calculating the fees payable under the foregoing
agreements, “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Trust, including the assets attributable to the proceeds from financial
leverage, including the issuance of senior securities represented by indebtedness (including through borrowing from financial institutions
or issuance of debt securities, including notes or commercial paper), the issuance of preferred shares, the effective leverage of certain
portfolio transactions such as reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls and inverse floating rate securities, or any other form of
financial leverage, minus liabilities, other than liabilities related to any financial leverage.
For purposes of calculating the fees payable under the foregoing
agreements, average daily managed assets means the average daily value of the Trust’s total assets minus the sum of its accrued
liabilities, other than liabilities related to any financial leverage.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust may also be officers,
directors and/or employees of the Adviser or GPIM. The Trust does not compensate its officers who are officers, directors and/or employees
of the aforementioned firms.
GFIA pays operating expenses on behalf of the Trust, such as audit
and accounting related services, legal services, custody, printing and mailing, among others, on a pass-through basis.
On November 11, 2022, the Trust booked a receivable from the Adviser
for a one-time payment to the Trust for $29,557 relating to an operational issue. This amount is included in Capital contribution from
adviser on the Statement(s) of Changes in Net Assets and the impact of this amount to total return at NAV is included within the Financial
Highlights.
MUFG Investor Services (US), LLC (“MUIS”) acts as the
Trust’s administrator and accounting agent. As administrator and accounting agent, MUIS maintains the books and records of the Trust’s
securities and cash. The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (“BNY”) acts as the Trust’s custodian. As custodian, BNY is responsible
for the custody of the Trust’s assets. For providing the aforementioned services, MUIS and BNY are entitled to receive a monthly
fee equal to an annual percentage of the Trust’s average daily Managed Assets subject to certain minimum monthly fees and out of
pocket expenses.
64 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
Note 6 – Fair Value Measurement
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price
that the Trust would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants
at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the types of inputs used to value assets and
liabilities and requires corresponding disclosure. The hierarchy and the corresponding inputs are summarized below:
Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — significant other observable inputs (for example
quoted prices for securities that are similar based on characteristics such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs based on the best
information available under the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, which may include assumptions.
Rule 2a-5 sets forth a definition of “readily available market
quotations,” which is consistent with the definition of a Level 1 input under U.S. GAAP. Rule 2a-5 provides that “a market
quotation is readily available only when that quotation is a quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments that
the Trust can access at the measurement date, provided that a quotation will not be readily available if it is not reliable.”
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available
must be valued at fair value as determined in good faith. Accordingly, any security priced using inputs other than Level 1 inputs will
be subject to fair value requirements. The types of inputs available depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of security and
the characteristics of the markets in which it trades, if any. Fair valuation determinations that rely on fewer or no observable inputs
require greater judgment. Accordingly, fair value determinations for Level 3 securities require the greatest amount of judgment.
Independent pricing services are used to value a majority of the
Trust’s investments. When values are not available from a pricing service, they will be determined using a variety of sources and
techniques, including: market prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices based on inputs such as prices of securities with
comparable maturities and characteristics or based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over U.S. Treasury securities,
and other information and analysis. A significant portion of the Trust’s assets and liabilities are categorized as Level 2, as indicated
in this report.
Quotes from broker-dealers, adjusted for fluctuations in criteria
such as credit spreads and interest rates, may also be used to value the Trust’s assets and liabilities, i.e. prices provided by
a broker-dealer or other market participant who has not committed to trade at that price. Although quotes are typically received from
established market participants, the Trust may not have the transparency to view the underlying inputs which support the market quotations.
Significant changes in a quote would generally result in significant changes in the fair value of the security.
Certain fixed income securities are valued by obtaining a monthly
quote from a broker-dealer, adjusted for fluctuations in criteria such as credit spreads and interest rates.
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 65
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
Certain loans and other securities are valued using a single daily
broker quote or a price from a third party vendor based on a single daily or monthly broker quote.
The inputs or methodologies selected and applied for valuing securities
are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The suitability, appropriateness and accuracy
of the techniques, methodologies and sources employed to determine fair valuation are periodically reviewed and subject to change.
Note 7 –Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements as part
of its financial leverage strategy. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Trust 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 Trust agrees to repurchase the instrument
at an agreed upon time and price, which reflects an interest payment. Such agreements have the economic effect of borrowings. The Trust
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 Trust 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
Trust’s assets. As a result, such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Trust’s assets. For the
period ended November 30, 2022, the average daily balance for which reverse repurchase agreements were outstanding amounted to $140,436,581.
The weighted average interest rate was 2.88%. As of November 30, 2022 there was $134,762,475 (inclusive of interest payable) in reverse
repurchase agreements outstanding.
As of November 30, 2022, the Trust had outstanding reverse repurchase
agreements with various counterparties. Details of the reverse repurchase agreements by counterparty are as follows:
|
|
|
|
Counterparty |
Interest Rate(s) |
Maturity Date(s) |
Face Value |
Barclays Capital, Inc. |
4.10% - 4.35%* |
Open Maturity |
$ 21,530,623 |
Barclays Capital, Inc. |
4.60% |
01/17/23 |
14,387,486 |
BMO Capital Markets Corp. |
4.08% - 4.23%* |
Open Maturity |
3,326,994 |
BMO Capital Markets Corp. |
4.63% |
01/17/23 |
864,758 |
BNP Paribas |
4.28% - 4.54% |
01/17/23 |
14,081,358 |
BofA Securities, Inc. |
4.00% - 4.05%* |
Open Maturity |
4,333,692 |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. |
4.35%* |
Open Maturity |
3,544,740 |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
3.95% - 4.05%* |
Open Maturity |
1,082,052 |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
4.50% - 4.80% |
01/17/23 |
11,341,543 |
RBC Capital Markets LLC |
3.60% - 4.35%* |
Open Maturity |
50,612,183 |
RBC Capital Markets LLC |
4.24% - 4.64% |
01/17/23 |
9,657,046 |
Total |
|
|
$ 134,762,475 |
* The rate is adjusted periodically by the counterparty, subject
to approval by the Adviser, and is not based upon a set of reference rate and spread. Rate indicated is the rate effective at November
30, 2022.
66 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
The following is a summary of the remaining contractual maturities
of the reverse repurchase agreements outstanding as of November 30, 2022, aggregated by asset class of the related collateral pledged
by the Trust:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to |
|
Greater than |
Overnight and |
|
|
30 days |
31-90 days |
90 days |
Continuous |
Total |
Corporate Bonds |
$ — |
$35,944,705 |
$ — |
$9,987,973 |
$45,932,678 |
Municipal Bonds |
— |
14,387,486 |
— |
74,442,311 |
88,829,797 |
Total reverse repurchase agreements |
$ — |
$50,332,191 |
$ — |
84,430,284 |
$134,762,475 |
Gross amount of recognized |
|
|
|
|
|
liabilities for reverse repurchase |
|
|
|
|
|
agreements |
$ — |
$50,332,191 |
$ — |
$84,430,284 |
$134,762,475 |
Note 8 – Borrowings
On February 27, 2015, the Trust entered into a $125,000,000 credit
facility agreement with an approved lender. Effective September 1, 2020, the credit facility was amended to $100,000,000. Under the most
recent amended terms, the interest rate on the amount borrowed is based on SOFR plus 95 basis points, and an unused commitment fee of
30 basis points is charged on the difference between the amount available to borrow under the credit agreement and the actual amount borrowed.
As of November 30, 2022, there was $1,000,000 outstanding in connection with the Trust’s credit facility. The $1,000,000 was outstanding
for one day during the period and had a related interest rate of 4.70%. As of November 30, 2022, the total value of securities segregated
and pledged as collateral in connection with borrowings was $10,167,936.
The credit facility agreement governing the loan facility includes
usual and customary covenants. These covenants impose on the Trust asset coverage requirements, collateral requirements, investment strategy
requirements, and certain financial obligations. These covenants place limits or restrictions on the Trust’s ability to (i) enter
into additional indebtedness with a party other than the counterparty, (ii) change its fundamental investment policy, or (iii) pledge
to any other party, other than to the counterparty, securities owned or held by the Trust over which the counterparty has a lien. In addition,
the Trust is required to deliver financial information to the counterparty 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 shares are listed,
and maintain its classification as a “closed-end management investment company” as defined in the 1940 Act.
There is no guarantee that the Trust’s leverage strategy
will be successful. The Trust’s use of leverage may cause the Trust’s NAV and market price of common shares to be more volatile
and can magnify the effect of any losses.
Note 9 – Federal Income Tax Information
The Trust intends to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M
of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and will distribute substantially all taxable net investment
income and capital gains sufficient to relieve the Trust from all, or substantially all, federal income, excise and state income taxes.
Therefore, no provision for federal or state income tax or federal excise tax is required.
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 67
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing
the Trust’s tax returns are evaluated to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained
by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit
or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Trust’s tax positions taken, or to be taken, on U.S. federal income
tax returns for all open tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Trust’s financial statements.
The Trust’s U.S. federal income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for a
period of three years after they are filed.
At November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of value over tax cost,
and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of tax cost over value, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Tax Unrealized |
|
Tax Unrealized |
Tax Unrealized |
Appreciation |
Tax Cost |
Appreciation |
Depreciation |
(Depreciation) |
$562,346,500 |
$12,392,613 |
$(80,653,418) |
$(68,260,805) |
As of May, 31, 2022, (the most recent fiscal year end for federal
income tax purposes) tax components of distributable earnings/(loss) were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed |
Undistributed |
Net Unrealized |
Accumulated |
|
Ordinary |
Long-Term |
Appreciation |
Capital and |
|
Income |
Capital Gain |
(Depreciation) |
Other Losses |
Total |
$0 |
$0 |
$(30,120,492) |
$ — |
$(30,120,492) |
For the year ended May 31, 2022, (the most fiscal year end for
federal income tax purposes) the tax character of distributions paid to shareholders as reflected in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets
was follows:
|
Long-Term |
|
|
Ordinary Income |
Capital Gain |
Return of Capital |
Total Distributions |
$28,198,869 |
$639,938 |
$3,529,266 |
$32,368,073 |
Note: For U.S. federal income tax purposes, short-term capital
gain distributions are treated as ordinary income distributions.
Note 10 – Securities Transactions
For the period ended November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and
proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and derivatives, were $37,943,184 and $70,948,715, respectively.
The Trust is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to
certain affiliated funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to
ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by the Trust from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate
by virtue of having a common investment adviser
68 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
(or affiliated investment advisers), common Trustees and/or common
officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current
market price to save costs, where permissible. For the period ended November 30, 2022, the Trust did not engage in purchases and sales
of securities, pursuant to Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.
Note 11 – Unfunded Loan Commitments
Pursuant to the terms of certain loan agreements, the Trust held
unfunded loan commitments as of November 30, 2022. The Trust is obligated to fund these loan commitments at the borrower’s discretion.
The Trust reserves against such contingent obligations by designating cash, liquid securities, illiquid securities, and liquid term loans
as a reserve. As of November 30, 2022, the total amount segregated in connection with unfunded loan commitments and reverse repurchase
agreements was $171,422,565.
The unfunded loan commitments as of November 30, 2022, were as
follows:
Borrower |
Maturity Date |
Face Amount* |
Value |
Lightning A |
03/01/37 |
$ 4,431,961 |
$ — |
Polaris Newco LLC |
06/04/26 |
|
502,900 |
44,134 |
The Facilities Group |
11/30/27 |
|
98,851 |
2,319 |
Thunderbird A |
03/01/37 |
|
4,373,399 |
— |
TK Elevator Midco GmbH |
01/29/27 |
EUR 784,401 |
62,843 |
|
|
|
|
$ 109,296 |
* The face amount is denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. |
|
|
|
Note 12– Restricted Securities
The securities below are considered illiquid and restricted under
guidelines established by the Board:
Restricted Securities |
Acquisition Date |
Cost |
Value |
Central Storage Safety Project Trust |
|
|
|
4.82% due 02/01/381 |
02/02/18 |
$ 7,594,112 |
$ 6,793,338 |
CFMT LLC |
|
|
|
2022-HB9 3.25% (WAC) due 09/25/372 |
09/23/22 |
427,839 |
421,983 |
Freddie Mac Military Housing Bonds |
|
|
|
Resecuritization Trust Certificates |
|
|
|
2015-R1 5.94% (WAC) due 11/25/522 |
09/10/19 |
86,938 |
73,717 |
Mirabela Nickel Ltd. |
|
|
|
due 06/24/193 |
12/31/13 |
87,217 |
1,926 |
|
|
$ 8,196,106 |
$ 7,290,964 |
1 | | All or a portion of these securities have been physically segregated in connection with borrowings,
unfunded loan commitments, and reverse repurchase agreements. |
2 | | Variable rate security. Rate indicated is the rate effective at November 30, 2022. In some
instances, the effective rate is limited by a minimum rate floor or a maximum rate cap established by the issuer. The settlement status
of a position may also impact the effective rate indicated. In some cases, a position may be unsettled at period end and may not have
a stated effective rate. In instances where multiple underlying reference rates and spread amounts are shown, the effective rate is based
on a weighted average. |
3 | | Security is in default of interest and/or principal obligations. |
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 69
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
Note
13 – Capital
Common Shares
The Trust has an unlimited amount of common shares, $0.01 par value,
authorized 22,388,905 shares issued and outstanding. Transactions in common shares were as follows:
|
|
|
|
Period Ended |
Year Ended |
|
November 30, 2022 |
May 31, 2022 |
Beginning shares |
21,864,166 |
20,730,781 |
Shares issues through at-the-market offering |
480,987 |
1,039,903 |
Shares issues through dividend reinvestment |
43,752 |
93,482 |
Ending shares |
22,388,905 |
21,864,166 |
On October 16, 2019, the Trust’s shelf registration allowing
for delayed or continuous offering of additional shares became effective. The shelf registration statement allows for the issuance of
up to $150,000,000 of common shares. On February 1, 2021, the Trust entered into an at-the-market sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald
& Co. to offer and sell up to 88,896,812 common shares, from time to time, through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as agent for the Trust.
As of November 30, 2022, up to $39,938,887 remained available under
the at-the-market sales agreement. For the period ended November 30, 2022, the Trust paid $111 for offering costs associated with the
at-the market offering, and will be responsible for additional offering costs in the future of up to 0.60% of the offering price of commons
shares sold pursuant to the shelf registration statement.
Note 14 - Market Risks
The value of, or income generated by, the investments held by the
Trust are subject to the possibility of rapid and unpredictable fluctuation, and loss that may result from various factors. These factors
include, among others, developments affecting individual companies, or from broader influences, including real or perceived changes in
prevailing interest rates (which have since risen and may continue to rise), changes in inflation rates or expectations about inflation
rates (which are currently elevated relative to normal conditions), adverse investor confidence or sentiment, changing economic, political
(including geopolitical), social or financial market conditions, increased instability or general uncertainty, environmental disasters,
governmental actions, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics and epidemics), debt crises, actual
or threatened wars or other armed conflicts (such as the current Russia-Ukraine conflict and its risk of expansion or collateral economic
and other effects) or ratings downgrades, and other similar events, each of which may be temporary or last for extended periods. Moreover,
changing economic, political, geopolitical, social, financial market or other conditions in one country or geographic region could adversely
affect the value, yield and return of the investments held by the Trust in a different country or geographic region, economy, and market
because of the increasingly interconnected global economies and financial markets. The duration and extent of the foregoing
70 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE
MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |
types of factors or conditions are highly uncertain and difficult
to predict and have in the past, and may in the future, cause volatility and distress in economies and financial markets or other adverse
circumstances, which may negatively affect the value of the Trust’s investments and performance of the Trust.
Note 15 – Subsequent Events
The Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Trust, the Adviser
and GPA was terminated effective December 22, 2022.
The Trust evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial
statements were available for issue and determined there were no additional material events that would require adjustment to or disclosure
in the Trust’s financial statements.
GBAB l GUGGENHEIM TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND
& INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 71
|
|
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2022 |
Federal Income Tax Information
This information is being provided as required by the Internal
Revenue Code. Amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in the report because of differences in tax and financial reporting practice.
In January 2023, shareholders will be advised on IRS Form 1099
DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the U.S. federal tax status of the distributions received by shareholders in the calendar year 2022.
Delaware Statutory Trust Act-Control Share Acquisition
Under Delaware law applicable to the Trust as of August 1, 2022,
if a shareholder acquires direct or indirect ownership or power to direct the voting of shares of the Trust in an amount that equals or
exceeds certain percentage thresholds specified under Delaware law (beginning at 10% or more of shares of the Trust), the shareholder’s
ability to vote certain of these shares may be limited.
Sector Classification
Information in the “Schedule of Investments” is categorized
by sectors using sector-level classifications used by Bloomberg Industry Classification System, a widely recognized industry classification
system provider. In the Trust’s registration statement, the Trust has investment policies relating to concentration in specific
industries. For purposes of these investment policies, the Trust usually classifies industries based on industry-level classifications
used by widely recognized industry classification system providers such as Bloomberg Industry Classification System, Global Industry Classification
Standards and Barclays Global Classification Scheme.
72 l GBAB l GUGGENHEIM
TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BOND & INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT TRUST SEMIANNUAL REPORT
|
|
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued |
November 30, 2022 |