UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-23699
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
(Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP code)
Christopher J. Kelley, Amundi Asset Management, Inc.,
60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 742-7825
Date of fiscal year end: April 30, 2023
Date of reporting period: May 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports
with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to
stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information
provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR,
and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained
in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct
comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information
under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Semiannual Report | October 31, 2022
Ticker Symbol: MIO
visit us: www.amundi.com/us
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 1
Table of Contents
President’s
Letter
Dear Shareholders,
The last few years have seen investors face some unprecedented
challenges, from a global pandemic that shuttered much of the world’s economy for months, to geopolitical strife, to rising inflation
that has reached levels not seen in decades.
While economies in most of the world have reopened as COVID-19
has begun slowly transitioning to an “endemic” disease, the pandemic’s effects are still with us. The easier monetary
and fiscal policies enacted to provide stimulus as economies struggled through COVID-19-related restrictions and lockdowns, and ongoing
supply chain issues, which were, at least in part, an outgrowth of the same virus-containment measures, were among the numerous factors
that combined to begin driving inflation levels higher as the 2022 calendar year got underway.
With rising inflation already a concern, investor sentiment sharply
deteriorated in the first quarter of this year, with the negativity driven largely by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February as
well as signs that inflation was more entrenched than transitory in many regions of the world. The war and the resulting economic sanctions
placed on Russia by the US and European governments also contributed to a spike in energy prices, given that Russia is a major exporter
of natural gas as well as other resources, particularly to Europe.
The persistently high inflation readouts led key central banks,
including the US Federal Reserve (Fed), to signal a tightening of monetary policy. The Fed had already announced that it would taper its
bond purchases and eventually end its pandemic-era quantitative easing program by the spring of 2022; and, with US inflation hitting 40-year
highs, the Fed began aggressively raising its benchmark federal funds rate target range, while indicating that more rate hikes were likely.
The magnitude of the rate increases heightened investors’ concerns about the ability of the Fed and other central banks to cool
inflation without triggering a recession.
Due to what has been, so far, a tumultuous 2022 calendar year for
investors, the performance of most asset classes, especially riskier assets such as equities and corporate bonds, has turned negative,
as market participants have tried to ascertain the direction and progression of Fed policy, economic growth, the war in Ukraine, and other
factors. In fact, the third quarter of 2022 marked the first time since 1976 that both equities and bonds had posted three consecutive
quarters of negative returns. The 2022 US mid-term election results, which created a power shift in the US House
2 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
of Representatives, are another development that will garner investors'
attention as we move into 2023, as changing political conditions have often contributed to increased market volatility.
In times like these, we at Amundi US believe our approach to investing
is more appropriate than ever. Since 1928, Amundi US’s investment process has been built on a foundation of fundamental research
and active management, principles which have guided our investment decisions for more than 90 years. We believe active management –
that is, making active investment decisions – can help mitigate the risks during periods of market volatility.
At Amundi US, active management begins with our own fundamental,
bottom-up research process. Our team of dedicated research analysts and portfolio managers analyzes each security under consideration,
communicating frequently with the management teams of the companies and other entities issuing the securities, and working together to
identify those securities that we believe best meet our investment criteria for our family of funds. Our risk management approach begins
with each security under consideration, as we strive to develop a deep understanding of the potential opportunity, while considering any
potential risk factors.
Today, as shareholders, we have many options. It is our view that
active management can serve shareholders well, not only when markets are thriving, but also during periods of market stress. As you consider
your long-term investment goals, we encourage you to work with your financial professional to develop an investment plan that paves the
way for you to pursue both your short-term and long-term goals.
We greatly appreciate the trust you have placed in us and look
forward to continuing to serve you in the future.
Lisa M. Jones
Head of the Americas, President and CEO of US
Amundi Asset Management US, Inc.
December 2022
Any information in this shareowner report regarding market or economic
trends or the factors influencing the Fund’s historical or future performance are statements of opinion as of the date of this report.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 3
Portfolio Management Discussion
| 10/31/22
In the following interview, Jonathan Chirunga and David Eurkus
discuss the investment environment in the municipal bond market, and the factors that influenced the performance of Pioneer Municipal
High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. during the six-month period ended October 31, 2022. Mr. Chirunga, Managing Director, Director of
High-Yield Municipals, and a portfolio manager at Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. (Amundi US), and Mr. Eurkus, Managing Director, Director
of Municipals, and a portfolio manager at Amundi US, are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Q | | How did the Fund perform during the six-month period ended October 31, 2022? |
A | | Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities
Fund, Inc. returned -20.86% at net asset value (NAV) and -22.21% at market price during the six-month period ended October 31, 2022.
During the same six-month period, the Fund’s benchmarks, the Bloomberg US Municipal High Yield Bond Index and the Bloomberg Municipal
Bond Index, returned -8.76% and -4.43% at NAV, respectively. The Bloomberg US Municipal High Yield Bond Index (the high-yield municipal
index) is an unmanaged measure of the performance of lower-rated municipal bonds, while the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged
measure of the performance of investment-grade municipal bonds. Unlike the Fund, the indices do not use leverage. While the use of leverage
increases investment opportunity, it also increases investment risk. |
During the same six-month period, the average return at NAV of
the 45 closed end funds in Morningstar’s Closed End Municipal National Long Funds category (which may or may not be leveraged) was
-21.16%, and the average return at market price of the closed-end funds within the same Morningstar category was -12.37%.
The shares of the Fund were selling at a -14.87% discount to NAV
on October 31, 2022. Comparatively, the shares of the Fund were selling at a -13.39% discount to NAV on April 30, 2022.
On October 31, 2022, the standardized 30-day SEC yield of the Fund’s
shares was 5.55%*.
* The 30-day SEC yield is a standardized formula that is based on
the hypothetical annualized earning power (investment income only) of the Fund’s portfolio securities during the period indicated.
4 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Q | | How would you describe the investment environment in the municipal bond market during
the six-month period ended October 31, 2022? |
A | | Consistent with the negative returns
experienced in the broader fixed-income market, municipal bonds generated poor performance over the six-month period. Two factors played
a role in the market’s sizable downturn. |
First, in March 2022, prior to the start of the six-month period,
the US Federal Reserve System (Fed) had sought to combat high levels of inflation by ending its pandemic-era quantitative easing program
and beginning to raise interest rates. The Fed had increased the target range of the federal funds rate by 25 basis points (bps), or one-quarter
of one percentage point, at its March meeting, then followed up with an increase of 50 bps in May and three increases of 75 bps each in
June, July, and September, respectively. As of October 31, 2022, investors were anticipating additional rate increases before the Fed
reached the point where it could pause its policy tightening. The Fed’s actions contributed to an across-the-board rise in government
bond yields over the six-month period. The 10-year US Treasury note, which came into the period with a yield of 2.89%, rose to 4.10% by
the final day of October. (Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.)
The second key factor affecting the market was that, along with
the rise in prevailing yields, came an accompanying increase in yield spreads for municipal bonds relative to US Treasuries. (Yield, or
credit spreads, are commonly defined as the differences in yield between Treasuries and other types of fixed-income securities with similar
maturities.) The combination of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ongoing supply-chain disruptions, and questions about the direction
of the economy led to underperformance for the bond market’s “spread sectors” in relation to Treasuries. In combination,
those developments led to substantial outflows from the municipal bond market during the period, which further weighed on bond prices.
(Spread sectors are nongovernmental fixed-income market sectors that offer higher yields, at greater risk, than governmental investments.)
High-yield municipals lagged their investment-grade counterparts
during the period, due in part to negative performance from credit-sensitive sectors, including housing bonds, pollution control revenue
(PCR) bonds, industrial development revenue (IDR) bonds, and bonds issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 5
Although performance for the asset class was poor, fundamentals
within the municipal bond market have remained firm. The gradual reopening of the economy, substantial federal aid through government-stimulus
packages in 2020-2021, and rising tax receipts have all contributed to a steady improvement in the financial health of municipal issuers.
The default rate within the municipal bond market also has remained very low, helping to illustrate the gap between price performance
and underlying issuer strength.
Q | | What factors affected the Fund’s performance relative to the Bloomberg municipal
bond indices during the six-month period ended October 31, 2022? |
A | | The Fund underperformed the overall
municipal bond market during the period, with exposures to PCR and IDR bonds - that is, tax-exempt debt issued by municipal entities
to finance projects used by private corporations - a key detractor from benchmark-relative returns, as both sectors struggled during
the six-month period. |
At the individual security level, the portfolio’s exposures
to Buckeye (Ohio) Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority (Master Settlement Agreement, or MSA) bonds, and Oroville (California) Hospital
revenue bonds were the largest detractors from the Fund’s relative returns during the period.
On the positive side, at the sector level, the Fund’s relative
performance benefited from an underweight to special-tax revenue bonds. A large portion of the sector consists of real estate development
deals, which underperformed during the period given that rising mortgage rates weighed on the outlook for the property sector. Selection
results among the portfolio’s holdings in the hospitals sector were a further plus for the Fund’s relative returns.
From a ratings perspective, the Fund’s allocation to non-rated
municipal bonds was a key positive contributor to benchmark-relative performance for the six-month period. Each non-rated municipal bond
is subject to our in-depth credit analysis process before we consider adding it to the portfolio, and our team of analysts assigns every
non-rated bond an internal rating. In addition, we review all obligors of the non-rated bonds held in the portfolio, and seek to make
once-per-year site visits to help assure, in our view, that the ability of the non-rated issuers to maintain their coupon payments is
not at risk.
6 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
The Fund’s underweight allocation to bonds issued by the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico also aided relative performance, as the Commonwealth’s debt lagged the broader municipal bond market
for the six-month period. The decision to carry a portfolio underweight to Puerto Rico's bonds was a function of our continued selectivity
with regard to investing in bonds that have gone through restructuring in federal courts, or that we believe could face restructuring
in the future.
Individual holdings in the portfolio that aided the Fund’s
relative results for the six-month period included California State MSA bonds and Suffolk (NY) Tobacco Securitization Corp. MSA bonds.
Q | | Did the Fund’s distributions** to shareholders change during the six-month period
ended October 31, 2022? |
A | | Yes, the Fund’s monthly distribution
rate increased once during the period. An increase from $0.0600 per share/per month to $0.0630 per share/per month was announced on August
4, 2022, and paid on August 31, 2022. The monthly distribution rate then remained unchanged, at $0.0630 per share/per month, for the
rest of the six-month period. The amount of distributions made to shareowners during the period was in excess of the Fund’s net
investment income. |
Q | | Did the level of leverage in the Fund change during the six-month period ended October
31, 2022? |
A | | The Fund has entered into a credit
agreement to employ leverage. (See Note 6 in the Notes to Financial Statements.) On October 31, 2022, 32.8% of the Fund’s total
managed assets were financed by leverage obtained through the credit agreement, compared with 36.2% of the Fund’s total managed
assets financed by leverage at the start of the six-month period on May 1, 2022. During the six-month period, the Fund decreased the
absolute amount of funds borrowed by a total of $47 million, to $92 million as of October 31, 2022. The change in the percentage of the
Fund’s total managed assets financed by leverage during the six-month period also was the result of a decrease in the value of
the Fund’s total managed assets. |
Q | | Did the Fund have any exposure to derivative securities during the six-month period ended
October 31, 2022? |
A | | No, the Fund’s portfolio had
no exposure to derivative securities during the period. |
** | | Distributions are not guaranteed. |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 7
Q | | What is your investment outlook? |
A | | We see the potential for further
market volatility given the broad uncertainty surrounding inflation, Fed monetary policies, and developments on the geopolitical front.
However, credit conditions have remained stable across the municipal bond space, and we foresee low odds of a wholesale rise in default
risk. In fact, many issuing states have reported record tax payments and/or budget surpluses. We would also note that, while corporate
and government debt levels have risen significantly since the financial crisis of 2008, the municipal market has continued to hover at
around $4 trillion in outstanding debt. We believe this provides a positive underpinning for the market and indicates improving financial
discipline among municipal issuers. In our view, those factors indicate that the weakness in prices has not been accompanied by a meaningful
decline in underlying fundamentals in the municipal market. |
Additionally, the recent market downturn has caused the ratio of
tax-exempt yields to US Treasury yields to rise (the Municipal-to-Treasury ratio), which has often been an indication of improving value
in the market, given that the higher the Municipal-to-Treasury ratio, the more attractive municipals are relative to Treasuries. We believe
the attractive yields offered by municipal bonds may help drive rising demand, which would be a positive, especially since there are expectations
for lighter supply in the municipal market through year-end.
As is typically the case, headline news events have had a minimal
effect on our day-to-day approach to managing the portfolio. Our goal is to invest the Fund in what we believe are fundamentally sound
credits with attractive yields, while maintaining an appropriate level of portfolio diversification***. We also seek to avoid experiencing
defaults in the portfolio through our emphasis on fundamental research. That approach was successful over the past six months, as the
Fund did not have any exposure to bonds that defaulted. We believe this steady, long-term approach remains the most effective way to identify
opportunities and to help minimize the risk associated with investing in the high-yield municipal market.
*** Diversification does not assure a profit nor protect against
loss.
8 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments on pages 15–21
for a full listing of Fund securities.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. is a recently
organized, diversified, closed-end fund. The Fund's primary investment objective is to provide holders with a high level of current income
exempt from regular federal income tax. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund may seek capital appreciation to the extent consistent
with its primary investment objective. The Fund invests in a professionally managed portfolio of municipal securities from across the
United States.
All investments are subject to risk, including the possible loss
of principal. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility and heightened uncertainty. The market
prices of securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived
adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity
in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia's military invasion
of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, or adverse investor sentiment.
These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.
Investments in high-yield or lower-rated securities are subject
to greater-than-average risk.
The Fund may invest in securities of issuers that are in default.
A portion of income may be subject to state, federal, and/or
alternative minimum tax.
Capital gains, if any, are subject to a capital gains tax.
When interest rates rise, the prices of fixed-income securities
held by the Fund will generally fall. Conversely, when interest rates fall, the prices of fixed-income securities held by the Fund will
generally rise.
The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by
changes in financial condition of municipal issuers, lower revenues, and regulatory and political developments. By concentrating in municipal
securities, the Fund is more susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory developments than is a portfolio that invests more
broadly.
Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the
financial failure of the issuers of the underlying securities and the issuers’ inability to meet their debt obligations.
The Fund may invest in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities
may be difficult to dispose of at a price reflective of their value at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so and the
market price of illiquid securities is generally more volatile than that of more liquid securities. Illiquid securities also are more
difficult to value, and investment of the Fund’s assets in illiquid securities may restrict the Fund’s ability to take advantage
of market opportunities.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 9
The Fund uses leverage, which entails specific risks, to seek
a higher return. The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods, including through a credit agreement. Leverage generally magnifies
the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s underlying assets and creates investment risk with respect to
a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have, potentially resulting in the loss of all assets. Leverage creates significant
risks, including the risk that the Fund’s incremental income or capital appreciation for investments purchased with the proceeds
of leverage will not be sufficient to cover the cost of the leverage, which may adversely affect the return for the holders of common
shares.
The Fund is required to maintain certain regulatory and other
asset coverage requirements in connection with the use of leverage. In order to maintain required asset coverage levels, the Fund may
be required to reduce the amount of leverage employed, alter the composition of the Fund’s investment portfolio or take other actions
at what might be inopportune times in the market. Such actions could reduce the net earnings or returns to shareowners over time, which
is likely to result in a decrease in the market value of the Fund’s shares.
Prepayment risk is the chance that an issuer may exercise its
right to prepay its security, if falling interest rates prompt the issuer to do so. Forced to reinvest the unanticipated proceeds at lower
interest rates, the Fund would experience a decline in income and lose the opportunity for additional price appreciation.
In accordance with the Fund's charter, the Fund intends to terminate
on the close of business on August 31, 2033 (the “Termination Date”). In addition, as of a date within twelve months preceding
the Termination Date, the Board of the Fund may (but is not required to) cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer to all common shareholders.
In connection with the tender offer and/or termination as described in the Fund’s prospectus, the Fund will incur transaction costs
in connection with dispositions of portfolio securities. The Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise would
not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause the Fund to lose money. In connection with the tender
offer and/or termination as described in the Fund's prospectus, the Fund may begin liquidating all or a portion of its portfolio, and
may deviate from its investment policies and may not achieve its investment objective.
These risks may increase share price volatility.
Any information in this shareholder report regarding market or
economic trends or the factors influencing the Fund’s historical or future performance are statements of opinion as of the date
of this report. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
10 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Portfolio Summary |
10/31/22
Portfolio Diversification
(As a percentage of total investments)*
State
Diversification
(As a percentage of total investments)*
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 11
Portfolio Summary |
10/31/22 (continued)
Portfolio Maturity
(As a percentage of total investments)*
|
|
|
10 Largest Holdings |
|
(As a percentage of total investments)* |
|
1. |
City of Houston Airport System Revenue, 4.00%, 7/15/41 |
5.02% |
2. |
Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, Hunt Refining |
|
|
Project, Series A, 5.25%, 5/1/44 (144A) |
4.81 |
3. |
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Senior Class 2, |
|
|
Series B2, 5.00%, 6/1/55 |
4.50 |
4. |
California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Loma Linda |
|
|
University Medical Center, Series A, 5.25%, 12/1/56 (144A) |
4.30 |
5. |
City of Oroville, Oroville Hospital, 5.25%, 4/1/49 |
4.24 |
6. |
Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp., Series A1, 4.214%, 6/1/50 |
4.09 |
7. |
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Restructured |
|
|
Series A1, 5.00%, 7/1/58 |
3.12 |
8. |
Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Big River Steel Project, |
|
|
4.75%, 9/1/49 (144A) |
2.81 |
9. |
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, McCormick Place Expansion, |
|
|
4.00%, 6/15/50 |
2.59 |
10. |
Hoover Industrial Development Board, 5.75%, 10/1/49 |
2.56 |
* | | Excludes short-term investments and all derivative contracts except for options purchased.
The Fund is actively managed, and current holdings may be different. The holdings listed should not be considered recommendations to
buy or sell any securities |
12 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Prices and Distributions |
10/31/22
Market Value per Share^
|
|
|
|
10/31/22 |
4/30/22 |
Market Value |
$9.50 |
$12.61 |
Discount |
(14.87)% |
(13.39)% |
Net Asset Value per Share^
|
|
|
|
10/31/22 |
4/30/22 |
Net Asset Value |
$11.16 |
$14.56 |
Distributions per Share*
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
|
Investment |
Short-Term |
Long-Term |
|
Income |
Capital Gains |
Capital Gains |
5/1/22 – 10/31/22 |
$0.3690 |
$ — |
$ — |
Yields
|
|
|
|
10/31/22 |
4/30/22 |
30-Day SEC Yield |
5.93% |
4.91% |
The data shown above represents past performance, which is no guarantee
of future results.
^ | | Net asset value and market value are published in Barron’s on Saturday, The
Wall Street Journal on Monday and The New York Times on Monday and Saturday. Net asset value and market value are published
daily on the Fund's website at www.amundi.com/us. |
* | | The amount of distributions made to shareowners during the period was in excess of the Fund’s
net investment income. A decrease in distributions may have a negative effect on the market value of the Fund's shares. |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 13
Performance Update |
10/31/22
Investment Returns
The mountain chart on the right shows the change in market value,
including reinvestment of dividends and distributions, of a $10,000 investment made in common shares of Pioneer Municipal High Income
Opportunities Fund, Inc. during the periods shown, compared to that of the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index and Bloomberg U.S. Municipal
High Yield Bond Index. (Growth of $10,000 comparisons for the Fund begin on August 6, 2021. Growth of $10,000 comparisons for the
Bloomberg indices begin on August 31, 2021.)
Average Annual Total Returns
(As of October 31, 2022)
|
|
|
|
Bloom- |
|
|
|
|
berg US |
|
|
|
Bloom- |
Municipal |
|
Net |
|
berg |
High |
|
Asset |
|
Municipal |
Yield |
|
Value |
Market |
Bond |
Bond |
Period |
(NAV) |
Price |
Index |
Index |
Life of Fund |
|
|
|
|
(8/5/21)* |
-34.80% |
-42.75% |
-10.83% |
-14.42% |
1 year |
-39.47 |
-47.69 |
-11.98 |
-16.45 |
Call 1-800-710-0935 or visit www.amundi.com/us for the most recent
month-end performance results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.
Performance data shown represents past performance. Past performance
is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and market price will fluctuate, and your shares may trade below NAV due to such
factors as interest rate changes and the perceived credit quality of borrowers.
Total investment return does not reflect broker sales charges or
commissions. All performance is for common shares of the Fund.
Shares of closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously
offered. There is a one-time public offering and, once issued, shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the open market through
a stock exchange and frequently trade at prices lower than their NAV. NAV per common share is total assets less total liabilities, which
include preferred shares or borrowings, as applicable, divided by the number of common shares outstanding.
When NAV is lower than market price, dividends are assumed to be
reinvested at the greater of NAV or 95% of the market price. When NAV is higher, dividends are assumed to be reinvested at prices obtained
through open-market purchases under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.
The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of
fees and taxes that a shareowner would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares. Had these fees and taxes been reflected,
performance would have been lower.
The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged, broad measure
of the municipal bond market. The Bloomberg U.S. Municipal High Yield Bond Index is unmanaged, totals over $26 billion in market value
and maintains over 1,300 securities. Municipal bonds in this index have the following requirements: maturities of one year or greater,
sub investment grade (below Baa or non-rated), fixed coupon rate, issue date later than 12/31/90, deal size over $20 million, and maturity
size of at least $3 million. Indices are unmanaged and their returns assume reinvestment of dividends and do not reflect any fees
or expenses associated with a closed-end fund. The indices do not use leverage. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
* Date of the Fund's inception and initial public offering. The
Fund commenced operations on August 6, 2021.
14 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Schedule of Investments |
10/31/22
(unaudited)
|
|
|
Principal |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
USD ($) |
|
Value |
|
UNAFFILIATED ISSUERS — 146.6% |
|
|
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED |
|
|
SECURITY — 0.4% of Net Assets |
|
1,500,000 |
Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery |
|
|
County, Series A, 2.10%, 7/1/52 |
$ 834,915 |
|
TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED |
|
|
SECURITY (Cost $1,237,292) |
$ 834,915 |
|
MUNICIPAL BONDS — 146.2% of Net Assets(a) |
|
|
Alabama — 10.8% |
|
7,025,000 |
Hoover Industrial Development Board, 5.75%, 10/1/49 |
$ 7,061,038 |
16,265,000 |
Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, Hunt |
|
|
Refining Project, Series A, 5.25%, 5/1/44 (144A) |
13,280,373 |
|
Total Alabama |
$ 20,341,411 |
|
Arizona — 4.3% |
|
265,000 |
Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Series A, 4.00%, |
|
|
7/15/41 (144A) |
$ 206,833 |
1,500,000 |
Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Series A, 4.00%, |
|
|
7/15/51 (144A) |
1,047,825 |
1,425,000 |
Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Series A, 4.00%, |
|
|
7/15/56 (144A) |
950,774 |
1,675,000 |
Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Doral Academy |
|
|
Nevada Fire Mesa, Series A, 5.00%, 7/15/49 (144A) |
1,466,881 |
6,000,000 |
Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, |
|
|
Commercial Metals Company, 4.00%, 10/15/47 (144A) |
4,444,860 |
|
Total Arizona |
$ 8,117,173 |
|
Arkansas — 4.1% |
|
9,500,000 |
Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Big River Steel |
|
|
Project, 4.75%, 9/1/49 (144A) |
$ 7,762,355 |
|
Total Arkansas |
$ 7,762,355 |
|
California — 21.0% |
|
1,000,000 |
California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, |
|
|
Golden Gate Tobacco Settlement, Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/47 |
$ 822,350 |
1,500,000 |
California Statewide Communities Development |
|
|
Authority, Loma Linda University Medical Center, |
|
Series A, 5.00%, 12/1/46 (144A) |
1,293,465 |
13,315,000 |
California Statewide Communities Development |
|
|
Authority, Loma Linda University Medical Center, |
|
Series A, 5.25%, 12/1/56 (144A) |
11,889,896 |
750,000 |
City of Oroville, Oroville Hospital, 5.25%, 4/1/39 |
705,015 |
13,200,000 |
City of Oroville, Oroville Hospital, 5.25%, 4/1/49 |
11,721,600 |
2,050,000 |
City of Oroville, Oroville Hospital, 5.25%, 4/1/54 |
1,767,120 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 15
Schedule of Investments |
10/31/22
(unaudited) (continued)
|
|
|
Principal |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
USD ($) |
|
Value |
|
California — (continued) |
|
17,000,000 |
Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp., Series A1, |
|
|
4.214%, 6/1/50 |
$ 11,307,720 |
|
Total California |
$ 39,507,166 |
|
Colorado — 6.3% |
|
2,000,000 |
Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority, 4.375%, |
|
|
12/1/52 |
$ 1,461,520 |
2,000,000 |
City & County of Denver, United Airlines, Inc. Project, |
|
|
5.00%, 10/1/32 |
1,878,560 |
1,900,000(b) |
Cottonwood Highlands Metropolitan District No. 1, |
|
|
Series A, 5.00%, 12/1/49 |
1,550,286 |
7,000,000 |
Dominion Water & Sanitation District, 5.875%, 12/1/52 |
6,436,500 |
1,000,000 |
Rampart Range Metropolitan District No 5, 4.00%, 12/1/51 |
633,800 |
|
Total Colorado |
$ 11,960,666 |
|
Connecticut — 1.4% |
|
400,000 |
Steel Point Infrastructure Improvement District, Steelpointe |
|
|
Harbor Project, 4.00%, 4/1/31 (144A) |
$ 366,084 |
605,000 |
Steel Point Infrastructure Improvement District, Steelpointe |
|
|
Harbor Project, 4.00%, 4/1/36 (144A) |
526,997 |
660,000 |
Steel Point Infrastructure Improvement District, Steelpointe |
|
|
Harbor Project, 4.00%, 4/1/41 (144A) |
540,085 |
1,660,000 |
Steel Point Infrastructure Improvement District, Steelpointe |
|
|
Harbor Project, 4.00%, 4/1/51 (144A) |
1,243,904 |
|
Total Connecticut |
$ 2,677,070 |
|
Delaware — 2.3% |
|
450,000 |
Delaware State Economic Development Authority, |
|
|
Aspira of Delaware Charter, 3.00%, 6/1/32 |
$ 387,248 |
700,000 |
Delaware State Economic Development Authority, |
|
|
Aspira of Delaware Charter, 4.00%, 6/1/42 |
598,297 |
2,250,000 |
Delaware State Economic Development Authority, |
|
|
Aspira of Delaware Charter, 4.00%, 6/1/52 |
1,674,000 |
2,395,000 |
Delaware State Economic Development Authority, |
|
|
Aspira of Delaware Charter, 4.00%, 6/1/57 |
1,714,676 |
|
Total Delaware |
$ 4,374,221 |
|
District of Columbia — 2.3% |
|
7,040,000 |
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Dulles |
|
|
Toll Road Revenue, 3.00%, 10/1/53 (AGM Insured) |
$ 4,267,718 |
|
Total District of Columbia |
$ 4,267,718 |
|
Florida — 6.4% |
|
1,000,000 |
Charlotte County Industrial Development Authority, |
|
|
Town & Country Utilities, 4.00%, 10/1/51 (144A) |
$ 657,480 |
2,000,000 |
Charlotte County Industrial Development Authority, |
|
|
Town & Country Utilities, Series B, 5.00%, 10/1/36 (144A) |
1,661,300 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
16 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
|
|
|
Principal |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
USD ($) |
|
Value |
|
Florida — (continued) |
|
275,000 |
County of Lake, Imagine South Lake, 5.00%, |
|
|
1/15/29 (144A) |
$ 272,421 |
550,000 |
County of Lake, Imagine South Lake, 5.00%, |
|
|
1/15/39 (144A) |
501,798 |
825,000 |
County of Lake, Imagine South Lake, 5.00%, |
|
|
1/15/49 (144A) |
700,846 |
2,425,000 |
Florida Development Finance Corp., Glenridge On Palmer |
|
|
Ranch Project, 5.00%, 6/1/51 |
1,858,981 |
2,450,000 |
South Broward Hospital District, Series A, 2.375%, 5/1/45 |
1,447,729 |
2,455,000 |
South Broward Hospital District, Series A, 2.50%, 5/1/47 |
1,479,751 |
2,000,000 |
South Broward Hospital District, Series A, 3.00%, 5/1/51 |
1,298,660 |
3,700,000 |
State of Florida Department of Transportation Turnpike |
|
|
System Revenue, Series B, 2.125%, 7/1/46 |
2,091,832 |
|
Total Florida |
$ 11,970,798 |
|
Georgia — 2.2% |
|
8,440,000(c) |
Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates, |
|
|
Series 2021 2.498%, 7/15/50 (ST GTD) (144A) |
$ 4,066,875 |
|
Total Georgia |
$ 4,066,875 |
|
Illinois — 11.9% |
|
2,000,000(b) |
Chicago Board of Education, Series A, 4.00%, 12/1/43 |
$ 1,550,960 |
9,000,000(b) |
Chicago Board of Education, Series A, 4.00%, 12/1/47 |
6,624,540 |
5,000,000(b) |
Chicago Board of Education, Series B, 4.00%, 12/1/41 |
3,920,450 |
2,255,000(b) |
City of Chicago, Series A, 5.50%, 1/1/33 |
2,219,461 |
1,000,000(b) |
City of Chicago, Series A, 5.50%, 1/1/49 |
968,860 |
9,500,000 |
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, McCormick Place |
|
|
Expansion, 4.00%, 6/15/50 |
7,158,535 |
|
Total Illinois |
$ 22,442,806 |
|
Iowa — 0.5% |
|
1,000,000 |
Iowa Finance Authority, Alcoa Inc. Projects, 4.75%, 8/1/42 |
$ 867,840 |
|
Total Iowa |
$ 867,840 |
|
Minnesota — 0.7% |
|
1,430,000 |
City of Rochester, Rochester Math & Science Academy, |
|
|
Series A, 5.125%, 9/1/38 |
$ 1,279,764 |
|
Total Minnesota |
$ 1,279,764 |
|
New Jersey — 2.0% |
|
1,715,000 |
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, |
|
|
Atlanticare Health System, 3.00%, 7/1/51 |
$ 1,104,529 |
3,000,000 |
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Series B, |
|
|
5.00%, 6/1/46 |
2,754,720 |
|
Total New Jersey |
$ 3,859,249 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 17
Schedule of Investments |
10/31/22
(unaudited) (continued)
|
|
|
Principal |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
USD ($) |
|
Value |
|
New York — 21.8% |
|
4,300,000 |
Chautauqua Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., |
|
|
5.00%, 6/1/48 |
$ 3,997,452 |
4,385,000 |
Erie Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Asset- Backed, |
|
|
Series A, 5.00%, 6/1/45 |
4,317,822 |
3,505,000 |
Nassau County Tobacco Settlement Corp., Asset-Backed, |
|
|
Series A3, 5.00%, 6/1/35 |
3,300,588 |
2,895,000 |
Nassau County Tobacco Settlement Corp., Asset-Backed, |
|
|
Series A3, 5.125%, 6/1/46 |
2,516,189 |
7,030,000 |
New York Counties Tobacco Trust IV, Series A, |
|
|
5.00%, 6/1/42 |
6,394,347 |
7,915,000 |
New York Counties Tobacco Trust IV, Series A, |
|
|
5.00%, 6/1/45 |
6,446,530 |
2,500,000 |
New York Counties Tobacco Trust VI, Series 2B, |
|
|
5.00%, 6/1/51 |
2,004,750 |
8,275,000 |
TSASC, Inc., Series B, 5.00%, 6/1/48 |
7,055,762 |
3,000,000 |
Westchester County Local Development Corp., Purchase |
|
|
Senior Learning Community, 5.00%, 7/1/36 (144A) |
2,548,680 |
3,000,000 |
Westchester County Local Development Corp., Purchase |
|
|
Senior Learning Community, 5.00%, 7/1/41 (144A) |
2,415,690 |
|
Total New York |
$ 40,997,810 |
|
North Carolina — 1.4% |
|
5,000,000 |
County of Johnston NC Water & Sewer System Revenue, |
|
|
2.25%, 4/1/51 |
$ 2,579,450 |
|
Total North Carolina |
$ 2,579,450 |
|
Ohio — 6.6% |
|
14,670,000 |
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Senior |
|
|
Class 2, Series B2, 5.00%, 6/1/55 |
$ 12,442,361 |
|
Total Ohio |
$ 12,442,361 |
|
Pennsylvania — 2.3% |
|
1,750,000 |
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, |
|
|
UPMC, Series A, 4.00%, 10/15/51 |
$ 1,418,673 |
3,240,000 |
Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, |
|
|
Universal Arts, 5.00%, 3/15/45 (144A) |
2,899,087 |
|
Total Pennsylvania |
$ 4,317,760 |
|
Puerto Rico — 18.2% |
|
7,955,000(b) |
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Restructured Series A1, |
|
|
4.00%, 7/1/37 |
$ 6,327,089 |
7,000,000(b) |
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Restructured Series A1, |
|
|
4.00%, 7/1/41 |
5,322,590 |
3,220,000 |
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority, |
|
|
Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/37 (144A) |
2,901,606 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
18 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Principal |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
USD ($) |
|
Value |
|
Puerto Rico — (continued) |
|
7,500,000 |
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority, |
|
|
Series A, 5.00%, 7/1/47 (144A) |
$ 6,402,375 |
2,720,000 |
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Series Class V, |
|
|
5.25%, 7/1/27 (AGM Insured) |
2,776,984 |
10,067,000 |
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, |
|
|
Restructured Series A1, 5.00%, 7/1/58 |
8,618,057 |
2,537,000 |
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, |
|
|
Restructured Series A2, 4.536%, 7/1/53 |
2,021,761 |
|
Total Puerto Rico |
$ 34,370,462 |
|
Texas — 7.4% |
|
18,130,000 |
City of Houston Airport System Revenue, 4.00%, 7/15/41 |
$ 13,871,444 |
|
Total Texas |
$ 13,871,444 |
|
Virginia — 6.7% |
|
7,480,000 |
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Series A1, |
|
|
6.706%, 6/1/46 |
$ 6,691,608 |
6,875,000 |
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Series B1, |
|
|
5.00%, 6/1/47 |
5,980,837 |
|
Total Virginia |
$ 12,672,445 |
|
Wisconsin — 5.6% |
|
2,500,000 |
Public Finance Authority, American Prep Academy, |
|
|
Series A, 5.125%, 7/15/37 (144A) |
$ 2,551,900 |
8,000,000 |
Public Finance Authority, SearStone CCRC Project, |
|
|
Series A, 4.00%, 6/1/56 (144A) |
4,880,320 |
5,000,000 |
Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, |
|
|
3.00%, 8/15/51 |
3,216,850 |
|
Total Wisconsin |
$ 10,649,070 |
|
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS |
|
|
(Cost $342,373,544) |
$275,395,914 |
|
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN UNAFFILIATED ISSUERS — 146.6% |
|
|
(Cost $343,610,836) |
$276,230,829 |
|
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (46.6)% |
$ (87,853,208) |
|
NET ASSETS — 100.0% |
$188,377,621 |
AGM | | Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. |
ST GTD State Guaranteed.
(144A) | | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such
securities may be resold normally to qualified institutional buyers in a transaction exempt from registration. At October 31, 2022, the
value of these securities amounted to $77,480,710, or 41.1% of net assets. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 19
Schedule of Investments |
10/31/22
(unaudited) (continued)
(a) | | Consists of Revenue Bonds unless otherwise indicated. |
(b) | | Represents a General Obligation Bond. |
(c) | | The interest rate is subject to change periodically. The interest rate and/or reference index
and spread shown at October 31, 2022. |
The concentration of investments as a percentage of total investments
by type of obligation/market sector is as follows:
|
|
Revenue Bonds: |
|
Tobacco Revenue |
27.5% |
Development Revenue |
22.3 |
Health Revenue |
17.6 |
Education Revenue |
8.4 |
Water Revenue |
6.6 |
Other Revenue |
6.5 |
Transportation Revenue |
2.8 |
Power Revenue |
1.0 |
General Revenue |
1.0 |
|
93.7% |
General Obligation Bonds: |
6.3% |
|
100.0% |
Purchases and sales of securities (excluding short-term investments)
for the six months ended October 31, 2022, aggregated $145,078,157 and $193,006,349, respectively.
At October 31, 2022, the net unrealized depreciation on investments
based on cost for federal tax purposes of $344,299,202 was as follows:
|
|
Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which |
|
there is an excess of value over tax cost |
$ — |
Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which |
|
there is an excess of tax cost over value |
(68,068,373) |
Net unrealized depreciation |
$(68,068,373) |
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s
investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels below.
Level | | 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. |
Level | | 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities,
interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.). See Notes to Financial Statements —Note 1A. |
Level | | 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Adviser’s own assumptions
in determining fair value of investments). See Notes to Financial Statements — Note 1A. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
20 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31,
2022, in valuing the Fund’s investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security |
$ — |
$ 834,915 |
$ — |
$ 834,915 |
Municipal Bonds |
— |
275,395,914 |
— |
275,395,914 |
Total Investments in Securities |
$ — |
$276,230,829 |
$ — |
$ 276,230,829 |
Other Financial Instruments |
|
|
|
|
Credit Agreement(a) |
$ — |
$ (92,000,000) |
$ — |
$ (92,000,000) |
Total Other Financial Instruments |
$ — |
$ (92,000,000) |
$ — |
$ (92,000,000) |
(a) The Fund may hold liabilities in which the fair value
approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes.
During the six months ended October 31, 2022, there were no transfers
in or out of Level 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 21
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| 10/31/22
(unaudited)
|
|
ASSETS: |
|
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $343,610,836) |
$ 276,230,829 |
Cash |
135,282 |
Receivables — |
|
Investment securities sold |
890,912 |
Interest |
5,179,763 |
Total assets |
$ 282,436,786 |
LIABILITIES: |
|
Payables — |
|
Credit agreement |
$ 92,000,000 |
Investment securities purchased |
1,614,691 |
Directors’ fees |
1,098 |
Interest expense |
314,323 |
Due to affiliates |
39,178 |
Accrued expenses |
89,875 |
Total liabilities |
$ 94,059,165 |
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREOWNERS: |
|
Paid-in capital |
$ 336,374,929 |
Distributable earnings (loss) |
(147,997,308) |
Net assets |
$ 188,377,621 |
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE: |
|
No par value |
|
Based on $188,377,621/16,885,273 common shares |
$ 11.16 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
22 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Statement of Operations (unaudited)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 10/31/22
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
|
|
Interest from unaffiliated issuers |
$7,142,025 |
|
Total Investment Income |
|
$ 7,142,025 |
EXPENSES: |
|
|
Management fees |
$1,344,927 |
|
Administrative expenses |
33,247 |
|
Transfer agent fees |
6,283 |
|
Shareowner communications expense |
26,323 |
|
Custodian fees |
1,829 |
|
Professional fees |
102,964 |
|
Printing expense |
6,877 |
|
Directors’ fees |
7,388 |
|
Interest expense |
1,524,895 |
|
Miscellaneous |
33,224 |
|
Total expenses |
|
$ 3,087,957 |
Less fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser |
|
(305,875) |
Net expenses |
|
$ 2,782,082 |
Net investment income |
|
$ 4,359,943 |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) |
|
|
ON INVESTMENTS: |
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on: |
|
|
Investments in unaffiliated issuers |
|
$ (52,552,409) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: |
|
|
Investments in unaffiliated issuers |
|
$ (3,006,948) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
$ (55,559,357) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
|
$ (51,199,414) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 23
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
|
Six Months |
Period |
|
Ended |
From |
|
10/31/22 |
8/6/21* to |
|
(unaudited) |
4/30/22 |
FROM OPERATIONS: |
|
|
Net investment income (loss) |
$ 4,359,943 |
$ 4,617,624 |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments |
(52,552,409) |
(26,232,478) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
|
|
on investments |
(3,006,948) |
(64,373,059) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
$ (51,199,414) |
$ (85,987,913) |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREOWNERS: |
|
|
($0.37 and $0.27 per share, respectively) |
$ (6,230,666) |
$ (4,579,315) |
Tax return of capital |
|
|
($0.00 and $0.08 per share, respectively) |
— |
(1,330,531) |
Total distributions to shareowners |
$ (6,230,666) |
$ (5,909,846) |
FROM FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS: |
|
|
Net proceeds from sales of shares |
$ — |
$337,605,460 |
Net increase in net assets resulting from Fund |
|
|
share transactions |
$ — |
$337,605,460 |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets |
$ (57,430,080) |
$245,707,701 |
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE |
|
|
TO COMMON SHAREOWNERS: |
|
|
Beginning of period |
$245,807,701 |
$ 100,000 |
End of period |
$188,377,621 |
$245,807,701 |
* The Fund commenced operations on August 6, 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months |
Six Months |
Period |
Period |
|
Ended |
Ended |
From |
From |
|
10/31/22 |
10/31/22 |
8/6/21* to |
8/6/21* to |
|
Shares |
Amount |
4/30/22 |
4/30/22 |
|
(unaudited) |
(unaudited) |
Shares |
Amount |
FUND SHARE |
|
|
|
|
TRANSACTIONS |
|
|
|
|
Initial |
|
|
|
|
Capitalization |
— |
$ — |
5,000 |
$ 100,000 |
Shares sold |
— |
— |
16,880,273 |
337,605,460 |
Net increase |
— |
$ — |
16,885,273 |
$337,705,460 |
* The Fund commenced operations on August 6, 2021.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
24 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 10/31/22
Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
|
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations: |
$ (51,199,414) |
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from |
|
operations to net cash: |
|
Purchases of investment securities |
(147,436,664) |
Proceeds from disposition and maturity of investment securities |
196,786,520 |
Net accretion and amortization of discount/premium on investment securities |
945,935 |
Net realized loss on investments in unaffiliated issuers |
52,552,409 |
Change in unrealized depreciation on investments in unaffiliated issuers |
3,006,948 |
Decrease in interest receivable |
(50,211) |
Decrease in directors’ fees payable |
(439) |
Decrease in due to affiliates |
(10,904) |
Increase in accrued expenses payable |
8,341 |
Net cash from operating activities |
$ 54,602,521 |
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities: |
|
Decrease in due to custodian |
(946,260) |
Borrowings repaid |
(47,455,000) |
Increase in interest expense payable |
164,687 |
Distributions to shareowners |
(6,230,666) |
Net cash flows used in financing activities |
$ (54,467,239) |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH |
$ 135,282 |
Cash: |
|
Beginning of period* |
$ — |
End of period |
$ 135,282 |
Cash Flow Information: |
|
Cash paid for interest |
$ 1,360,208 |
* The Fund commenced operations on August 6, 2021.
|
Six |
|
|
Months |
Year |
|
Ended |
Ended |
|
10/31/22 |
4/30/22 |
Cash |
$135,282 |
$ — |
Total cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows |
$135,282 |
$ — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 25
Financial Highlights
|
Six Months |
|
|
Ended |
Period From |
|
10/31/22 |
8/6/21* to |
|
(unaudited) |
4/30/22 |
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ 14.56 |
$ 20.00 |
Increase (decrease) from investment operations: |
|
|
Net investment income (loss)(a) |
$ 0.26 |
$ 0.28 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
(3.29) |
(5.37) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
$ (3.03) |
$ (5.09) |
Distributions to common shareowners: |
|
|
Net investment income |
$ (0.37)** |
$ (0.27) |
Tax return of capital |
— |
(0.08) |
Total distributions |
$ (0.37) |
$ (0.35) |
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value |
$ (3.40) |
$ (5.44) |
Net asset value, end of period |
$ 11.16 |
$ 14.56 |
Market value end of period |
$ 9.50 |
$ 12.61 |
Total return at net asset value(b) |
(20.86)%(c) |
(25.60)%(c) |
Total return at market value(b) |
(22.21)%(c) |
(35.56)%(c) |
Ratios to average net assets of shareowners: |
|
|
Total expenses plus interest expense(d) |
2.45%(e) |
1.30%(e) |
Net investment income available to shareowners |
3.84%(e) |
2.03%(e) |
Portfolio turnover rate |
44%(c) |
95%(c) |
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) |
$188,378 |
$245,808 |
Ratios with no waiver of fees and assumption of expenses |
|
|
by the Adviser and no reduction for fees paid indirectly: |
|
|
Total expenses to average net assets |
2.72%(e) |
1.49%(e) |
Net investment income (loss) to average net assets |
3.57%(e) |
1.84%(e) |
Total amount of debt outstanding (in thousands) |
$ 92,000 |
$139,455 |
Asset coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness |
$ 3,048 |
$ 2,763 |
* | | The Fund commenced operations on August 6, 2021. |
** | | The amount of distributions made to shareowners during the period was in excess of the Fund’s
net investment income earned by the Fund during the period. A decrease in distributions may have a negative effect on the market value
of the Fund’s shares. |
(a) | | The per-share data presented above is based on the average common shares outstanding for
the period presented. |
(b) | | Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common shares at the current
net asset value or market value on the first day and a sale at the current net asset value or market value on the last day of the periods
reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under
the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions. Past performance is not
a guarantee of future results. |
(d) | | Includes interest expense of 1.34% and 0.31%, respectively. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
26 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Notes to Financial Statements |
10/31/22
(unaudited)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)
is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund is organized as a Maryland corporation. Prior to
commencing operations on August 6, 2021, the Fund had no operations other than matters related to its organization and registration under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund issued 5,000 common shares on June 15, 2021, 15,000,000
common shares on August 5, 2021*, 1,000,000 shares on September 14, 2021, and 880,273 shares on September 21, 2021. The Fund’s primary
investment objective is to provide holders of the Fund’s common stock (“Common Shares”) with a high level of current
income exempt from regular federal income tax. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund may seek capital appreciation to the extent
consistent with its primary investment objective. Distributions from sources other than interest income from the Fund’s portfolio
of municipal securities, including capital gain distributions, are not exempt from regular federal income tax. There can be no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
Amundi Asset Management US, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary
of Amundi and Amundi’s wholly owned subsidiary, Amundi USA, Inc., serves as the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”).
In March 2020, FASB issued an Accounting Standard Update, ASU 2020-04,
Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) — Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”),
which provides optional, temporary relief with respect to the financial reporting of contracts subject to certain types of modifications
due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other LIBOR-based reference rates at
the end of 2021. The temporary relief provided by ASU 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that
occur during the period from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2023. Management is evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-04 on the Fund's
investments, derivatives, debt and other contracts, if applicable, that will undergo reference rate-related modifications as a result
of the reference rate reform.
Effective August 19, 2022, the Fund is required to comply with
Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which governs the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 permits funds to enter
into derivatives
* | | Date of the Fund’s inception and initial public offering. The Fund commenced operations
on August 6, 2021. |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 27
transactions (as defined in Rule 18f-4) and certain other transactions
notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of “senior securities” under Section 18 of the 1940 Act. Rule 18f-4 requires
a fund to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program, appoint a derivatives risk manager and comply with
a relative or absolute limit on fund leverage risk calculated based on value-at-risk (“VaR”), unless the fund uses derivatives
in only a limited manner.
The Fund is an investment company and follows investment company
accounting and reporting guidance under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). U.S. GAAP requires the
management of the Fund to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income, expenses and gain or loss
on investments during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed
by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements:
The net asset value of the Fund is computed once daily, on each
day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE.
Fixed-income securities are valued by using prices supplied by
independent pricing services, which consider such factors as market prices, market events, quotations from one or more brokers, Treasury
spreads, yields, maturities and ratings, or may use a pricing matrix or other fair value methods or techniques to provide an estimated
value of the security or instrument. A pricing matrix is a means of valuing a debt security on the basis of current market prices for
other debt securities, historical trading patterns in the market for fixed-income securities and/or other factors. Non-U.S. debt securities
that are listed on an exchange will be valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third party pricing service. When independent
third party pricing services are unable to supply prices, or when prices or market quotations are considered to be unreliable, the value
of that security may be determined using quotations from one or more broker-dealers.
Securities for which independent pricing services or broker-dealers
are unable to supply prices or for which market prices and/or quotations are not readily available or are considered to be unreliable
are valued by a fair valuation team comprised of certain personnel of the Adviser. Effective September 8, 2022, the Adviser is designated
as the valuation designee for
28 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
the Fund pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The Adviser’s
fair valuation team is responsible for monitoring developments that may impact fair valued securities.
Inputs used when applying fair value methods to value a security
may include credit ratings, the financial condition of the company, current market conditions and comparable securities. The Adviser may
use fair value methods if it is determined that a significant event has occurred after the close of the exchange or market on which the
security trades and prior to the determination of the Fund’s net asset value. Examples of a significant event might include political
or economic news, corporate restructurings, natural disasters, terrorist activity or trading halts. Thus, the valuation of the Fund’s
securities may differ significantly from exchange prices, and such differences could be material.
B. | | Investment Income and Transactions |
Interest income, including interest on income-bearing cash accounts,
is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend and interest income are reported net of unrecoverable foreign taxes withheld at the applicable
country rates and net of income accrued on defaulted securities.
Discounts and premiums on purchase prices of debt securities are
accreted or amortized, respectively, daily, into interest income on an effective yield to maturity basis with a corresponding increase
or decrease in the cost basis of the security. Premiums and discounts related to certain mortgage-backed securities are amortized or accreted
in proportion to the monthly paydowns.
Interest and dividend income payable by delivery of additional
shares is reclassified as PIK (payment-in-kind) income upon receipt and is included in interest and dividend income, respectively.
Security transactions are recorded as of trade date. Gains and
losses on sales of investments are calculated on the identified cost method for both financial reporting and federal income tax purposes.
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net taxable income and net realized capital
gains, if any, to its shareowners. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. As of April 30, 2022, the Fund did not
accrue any interest or penalties with respect to uncertain tax positions, which, if applicable,
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 29
would be recorded as an income tax expense on the Statement of
Operations. Tax returns filed within the prior three years remain subject to examination by federal and state tax authorities.
The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions
to shareowners are determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Distributions in excess of
net investment income or net realized gains are temporary over distributions for financial statement purposes resulting from differences
in the recognition or classification of income or distributions for financial statement and tax purposes. Capital accounts within the
financial statements are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character, but are not adjusted for temporary differences.
The tax character of current year distributions payable will be
determined at the end of the current taxable year. The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended April 30, 2022 was as
follows:
|
|
|
2022 |
Distributions paid from: |
|
Tax-exempt income |
$4,579,042 |
Ordinary income |
273 |
Tax return of capital |
1,330,531 |
Total |
$5,909,846 |
The following shows the components of distributable earnings (losses)
on a federal income tax basis at April 30, 2022:
|
|
|
2022 |
Distributable earnings/(losses): |
|
Capital loss carryforward |
$(25,505,803) |
Net unrealized depreciation |
(65,061,425) |
Total |
$(90,567,228) |
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized
depreciation are attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
D. | | Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
All shareowners whose shares are registered in their own names
automatically participate in the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), under which participants receive all dividends
and capital gain distributions (collectively, dividends) in full and fractional shares of the Fund in lieu of cash. Shareowners may elect
not to participate in the Plan. Shareowners not participating in the Plan receive all dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.
Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty
30 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
by notifying American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the agent
for shareowners in administering the Plan (the “Plan Agent”), in writing prior to any dividend record date; otherwise such
termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution.
If a shareowner’s shares are held in the name of a brokerage
firm, bank or other nominee, the shareowner can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on the shareowner’s behalf. If
the firm or nominee does not offer the Plan, dividends will be paid in cash to the shareowner of record. A firm or nominee may reinvest
a shareowner’s cash dividends in shares of the Fund on terms that differ from the terms of the Plan.
Whenever the Fund declares a dividend on shares payable in cash,
participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares acquired by the Plan Agent either (i) through receipt of additional unissued
but authorized shares from the Fund or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If, on the
payment date for any dividend, the net asset value per share is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage
trading fees (market premium), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares. The number of newly issued shares
to be credited o each account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per share on the
date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum discount from the then current market price per share on the date of issuance does
not exceed 5%. If, on the payment date for any dividend, the net asset value per share is greater than the market value (market discount),
the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired in open-market purchases. There are no brokerage charges with respect
to newly issued shares. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage trading fees incurred with respect to the Plan
Agent’s open-market purchases. Participating in the Plan does not relieve shareowners from any federal, state or local taxes which
may be due on dividends paid in any taxable year. Shareowners holding Plan shares in a brokerage account may be able to transfer the shares
to another broker and continue to participate in the Plan.
The value of securities held by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes
rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions,
recessions, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, inflation, changes in interest rates, armed conflict including
Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 31
or companies and possible countermeasures, lack of liquidity in
the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed
valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. In recent years, interest
rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows. The U.S. Federal Reserve has raised certain interest rates, and interest
rates may continue to go up. A general rise in interest rates could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed-income securities.
Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation
decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s
distributions.
The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease
designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial
markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many
instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly
large losses. These circumstances may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could
be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions.
Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve,
have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have
resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact
on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.
At times, the Fund’s investments may represent industries
or industry sectors that are interrelated or have common risks, making the Fund more susceptible to any economic, political, or regulatory
developments or other risks affecting those industries and sectors.
Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24,
2022. In response to the military action by Russia, various countries, including the U.S., the United Kingdom, and European Union issued
broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia and Belarus and certain companies and individuals. Since then, Russian securities have
lost all, or nearly all, their market value, and many other issuers, securities and markets have been
32 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
adversely affected. The United States and other countries may impose
sanctions on other countries, companies and individuals in light of Russia’s military invasion. The extent and duration of the military
action or future escalation of such hostilities, the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility,
and the result of any diplomatic negotiations cannot be predicted. These and any related events could have a significant impact on the
value and liquidity of certain Fund investments, on Fund performance and the value of an investment in the Fund, particularly with respect
to securities and commodities, such as oil, natural gas and food commodities, as well as other sectors with exposure to Russian issuers
or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion, and are likely to have collateral impacts on market sectors globally.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest substantially
all of its assets in municipal securities. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated
and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal
issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal
programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities
can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Issuers often depend on revenues from
these projects to make principal and interest payments. The value of municipal securities can also be adversely affected by changes in
the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory and political developments,
tax law changes or other legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. Municipal
securities may be more susceptible to down-grades or defaults during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties
of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of political, economic or market turmoil or a recession. To
the extent the Fund invests significantly in a single state (including New York and California), city, territory (including Puerto Rico),
or region, or in securities the payments on which are dependent upon a single project or source of revenues, or that relate to a sector
or industry, including tobacco settlement bond revenues, industrial development revenues, health care facilities, education, transportation,
special revenues and pollution control, the Fund will be more susceptible to associated risks and developments.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 33
The Fund invests primarily in below investment grade (high yield)
municipal securities. Debt securities, loans rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are
considered speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal. These securities involve greater risk
of loss, are subject to greater price volatility, and may be less liquid and more difficult to value, especially during periods of economic
uncertainty or change, than higher rated debt securities.
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to
conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. While the Fund’s Adviser has established
business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, limit or mitigate, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent
limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot
control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund such as the Fund’s custodian and accounting
agent, and the Fund's transfer agent. In addition, many beneficial owners of Fund shares hold them through accounts at broker-dealers,
retirement platforms and other financial market participants over which neither the Fund nor the Adviser exercises control. Each of these
may in turn rely on service providers to them, which are also subject to the risk of cyber-attacks. Cybersecurity failures or breaches
at the Adviser or the Fund’s service providers or intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations,
potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, impediments to
trading, the inability of Fund shareowners to effect share purchases or sales or receive distributions, loss of or unauthorized access
to private shareowner information and violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage,
or additional compliance costs. Such costs and losses may not be covered under any insurance. In addition, maintaining vigilance against
cyber-attacks may involve substantial costs over time, and system enhancements may themselves be subject to cyber-attacks.
F. | | Statement of Cash Flows |
Information on financial transactions which have been settled through
the receipt or disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. Cash as presented in the Fund's Statement of Assets and
Liabilities includes cash on hand at the Fund's custodian bank and does not include any short-term investments. For the six months
ended October 31, 2022, the Fund had no restricted cash presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
34 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
2. Management Agreement
The Adviser manages the Fund’s portfolio. Management fees
payable under the Fund’s Investment Management Agreement with the Adviser are calculated daily and paid monthly at the annual rate
of 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets. “Managed assets” means (a) the total assets of the Fund, including
any form of investment leverage, minus (b) all accrued liabilities incurred in the normal course of operations, which shall not include
any liabilities or obligations attributable to investment leverage obtained through (i) indebtedness of any type (including, without limitation,
borrowing through a credit facility or the issuance of debt securities), (ii) the issuance of preferred stock or other similar preference
securities, and/or (iii) any other means. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the effective management fee (excluding
waivers and/or assumption of expenses) was 0.80% (annualized) of the Fund’s average daily managed assets, which was equivalent to
1.19% (annualized) of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
During the six-months ended October 31, 2022, the Adviser voluntarily
waived a portion of the management fees. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will extend this voluntary waiver in the future. Fees
waived and expenses reimbursed during the six-months ended October 31, 2022 are reflected in the Statement of Operations.
In addition, under the management and administration agreements,
certain other services and costs, including accounting, regulatory reporting and insurance premiums, are paid by the Fund as administrative
reimbursements. Included in “Due to affiliates” reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is $39,178 in management
fees, administrative costs and certain other reimbursements payable to the Adviser at October 31, 2022.
3. Compensation of Directors and Officers
The Fund pays an annual fee to its Directors. The Adviser reimburses
the Fund for fees paid to the Interested Directors. The Fund does not pay any salary or other compensation to its officers. For the six
months ended October 31, 2022, the Fund paid $7,388 in Directors’ compensation, which is reflected on the Statement of Operations
as Directors’ fees. At October 31, 2022, the Fund had a payable for Directors’ fees on its Statement of Assets and Liabilities
of $1,098.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 35
4. Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“AST”)
serves as the transfer agent with respect to the Fund’s common shares. The Fund pays AST an annual fee as is agreed to from time
to time by the Fund and AST for providing such services
In addition, the Fund reimbursed the transfer agent for out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by the transfer agent related to shareowner communications activities such as proxy and statement mailings and outgoing
phone calls.
|
|
Shareowner Communications: |
|
Fund |
$26,323 |
Total |
$26,323 |
5. Fund Shares
There are 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock of the Fund (“common
shares”), $0.001 par value per share authorized. Transactions in common shares for the six months ended October 31, 2022 and period
ended April 30, 2022 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
10/31/22 |
4/30/22 |
Shares outstanding at beginning of period |
16,885,273 |
— |
Initial capitalization |
— |
5,000 |
Initial public offering shares |
— |
15,000,000 |
Shares outstanding at end of period |
16,885,273 |
16,885,273 |
6. Credit Agreement
The Fund has entered into a credit facility (the "Credit Agreement")
with The Bank of New York Mellon. There is a $150,000,000 borrowing limit under the Credit Agreement. The outstanding loans under the
Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 0.95% per annum.
At October 31, 2022, the Fund had a borrowing outstanding under
the credit agreement totaling $92,000,000. The interest rate charged at October 31, 2022 was 3.97%. During the period ended October 31,
2022, the average daily balance under the Credit Agreement was $108,368,859 at an average interest rate of 2.75%. Interest expense of
$1,524,895 in connection with the credit agreement is included on the Statement of Operations.
36 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are subject to certain limitations,
including (a) that the outstanding amount of the loans under the Credit Agreement cannot exceed the lesser of (i) $150,000,000 and (ii)
the sum of the collateral value of all “Eligible Securities” (which consist of nondistressed U.S. municipal bonds, with certain
concentration limits) over which The Bank of New York Mellon has a first lien, divided by the “Margin” (which ranges from
120% to 200% depending on the rating of the Eligible Security) and (b) any limitations imposed by applicable law, including the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The Credit Agreement renews on a daily basis in perpetuity. The
Bank of New York Mellon may, at any time, deliver to the Fund a termination notice, which becomes effective 180 days after its receipt
by the Fund.
7. Subsequent Events
A monthly distribution was declared on November 4, 2022 of $0.0630
per common share payable November 30, 2022, to common shareowners of record on November 16, 2022.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 37
Additional Information (unaudited)
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, its shares in the open market.
Results of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Pioneer Municipal High Income
Opportunities Fund, Inc. was held on September 15, 2022. Following is a description of the proposal considered at the Meeting and the
number of shares of Common Stock voted:
Proposal - To elect three Class I Directors of the Fund, each to
serve until the third annual meeting following his or her election and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies:
|
|
|
|
Nominee |
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Votes Abstained |
John E. Baumgardner, Jr. |
12,946,863.00 |
1,357,922.00 |
314,869.00 |
Lisa M. Jones |
13,010,663.00 |
1,314,560.00 |
294,431.00 |
Lorraine H. Monchak |
12,517,733.00 |
1,807,490.00 |
294,431.00 |
In addition to Mr. Baumgardner, Ms. Jones and Ms. Monchak, the
other Directors of the Fund at the time of the Annual Meeting, Diane Durnin, Benjamin M. Friedman, Craig C. MacKay, Thomas J. Perna, Marguerite
M. Piret, Fred J. Ricciardi and Kenneth J. Taubes, continue to serve as Directors of the Fund.
38 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
Approval of Renewal of Investment Management Agreement
Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. (“Amundi US”) serves
as the investment adviser to Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) pursuant to an investment
management agreement between Amundi US and the Fund. In order for Amundi US to remain the investment adviser of the Fund, the Directors
of the Fund, including a majority of the Fund’s Independent Directors, must determine annually whether to renew the investment management
agreement for the Fund.
The contract review process began in January 2022 as the Directors
of the Fund agreed on, among other things, an overall approach and timeline for the process. Contract review materials were provided to
the Directors in March 2022, July 2022 and September 2022. In addition, the Directors reviewed and discussed the Fund’s performance
at regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year, and took into account other information related to the Fund provided to the Directors
at regularly scheduled meetings, in connection with the review of the Fund’s investment management agreement.
In March 2022, the Directors, among other things, discussed the
memorandum provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Directors in
their deliberations regarding the renewal of the investment management agreement, and reviewed and discussed the qualifications of the
investment management teams for the Fund, as well as the level of investment by the Fund’s portfolio managers in the Fund. In July
2022, the Directors, among other things, reviewed the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratios, the financial statements
of Amundi US and its parent companies, profitability analyses provided by Amundi US, and analyses from Amundi US as to possible economies
of scale. The Directors also reviewed the profitability of the institutional business of Amundi US as compared to that of Amundi US’s
fund management business, and considered the differences between the fees and expenses of the Fund and the fees and expenses of Amundi
US’s institutional accounts, as well as the different services provided by Amundi US to the Fund and to the institutional accounts.
The Directors further considered contract review materials, including additional materials received in response to the Directors’
request, in September 2022.
At a meeting held on September 20, 2022, based on their evaluation
of the information provided by Amundi US and third parties, the Directors of the Fund, including the Independent Directors voting separately
advised by independent counsel, unanimously approved the renewal of the investment
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 39
management agreement for another year. In approving the renewal
of the investment management agreement, the Directors considered various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors
described below. The Directors did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in determining to approve the renewal of the
agreement.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
The Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the
services that had been provided by Amundi US to the Fund, taking into account the investment objective and strategy of the Fund. The Directors
also reviewed Amundi US’s investment approach for the Fund and its research process. The Directors considered the resources of Amundi
US and the personnel of Amundi US who provide investment management services to the Fund. They also reviewed the amount of non-Fund assets
managed by the portfolio managers of the Fund. They considered the non-investment resources and personnel of Amundi US that are involved
in Amundi US’s services to the Fund, including Amundi US’s compliance, risk management, and legal resources and personnel.
The Directors noted the substantial attention and high priority given by Amundi US’s senior management to the Pioneer Fund complex,
including with respect to the increasing regulation to which the Pioneer Funds are subject. The Directors considered the effectiveness
of Amundi US’s business continuity plan in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Directors considered that Amundi US supervises and monitors
the performance of the Fund’s service providers and provides the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources
that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations. The Directors also considered that, as administrator, Amundi
US is responsible for the administration of the Fund’s business and other affairs. The Directors considered that the Fund reimburses
Amundi US its pro rata share of Amundi US’s costs of providing administration services to the Pioneer Funds.
Based on these considerations, the Directors concluded that the
nature, extent and quality of services that had been provided by Amundi US to the Fund were satisfactory and consistent with the terms
of the investment management agreement.
Performance of the Fund
In considering the Fund’s performance, the Directors regularly
review and discuss throughout the year data prepared by Amundi US and information comparing the Fund’s performance with the performance
of its peer group of funds, as classified by Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar), and with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index.
The Directors also regularly
40 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
consider the Fund’s returns at market value relative to its
peers, as well as the discount at which the Fund’s shares may trade on the New York Stock Exchange compared to its net asset value
per share. They also discuss the Fund’s performance with Amundi US on a regular basis. The Directors’ regular reviews and
discussions were factored into the Directors’ deliberations concerning the renewal of the investment management agreement.
Management Fee and Expenses
The Directors considered information showing the fees and expenses
of the Fund in comparison to the management fees and expense ratios of a peer group of funds selected on the basis of criteria determined
by the Independent Directors for this purpose using data provided by Strategic Insight Mutual Fund Research and Consulting, LLC (Strategic
Insight), an independent third party. The peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents
one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareowners.
The Directors considered that the Fund’s management fee (based
on managed assets) for the most recent fiscal year was in the fifth quintile relative to the management fees paid by other funds in its
Strategic Insight peer group for the comparable period. The Directors noted Amundi US’s explanation of the reasons that the Fund’s
management fee was in the fifth quintile relative to the management fees paid by other funds in its Strategic Insight peer group. The
Directors considered that the expense ratio (based on managed assets) of the Fund’s common shares for the most recent fiscal year
was in the third quintile (including investment-related expenses) and in the fifth quintile (excluding investment-related expenses), in
each case relative to its Strategic Insight peer group for the comparable period. The Directors noted Amundi US’s explanation of
the reasons that the expense ratio of the Fund’s common shares was in the fifth quintile (excluding investment-related expenses)
relative to its Strategic Insight peer group.
The Directors reviewed management fees charged by Amundi US to
institutional and other clients, including publicly offered European funds sponsored by Amundi US’s affiliates, unaffiliated U.S.
registered investment companies (in a sub-advisory capacity), and unaffiliated foreign and domestic separate accounts. The Directors also
considered Amundi US’s costs in providing services to the Fund and Amundi US’s costs in providing services to the other clients
and considered the differences in management fees and profit margins for fund and non-fund services. In evaluating the fees associated
with Amundi US’s client accounts, the Directors took into
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 41
account the respective demands, resources and complexity associated
with the Fund and other client accounts. The Directors noted that, in some instances, the fee rates for those clients were lower than
the management fee for the Fund and considered that, under the investment management and administration agreements with the Fund, Amundi
US performs additional services for the Fund that it does not provide to those other clients or services that are broader in scope, including
oversight of the Fund’s other service providers and activities related to compliance and the extensive regulatory and tax regimes
to which the Fund is subject. The Directors also considered the entrepreneurial risks associated with Amundi US’s management of
the Fund.
The Directors concluded that the management fee payable by the
Fund to Amundi US was reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by Amundi US.
Profitability
The Directors considered information provided by Amundi US regarding
the profitability of Amundi US with respect to the advisory services provided by Amundi US to the Fund, including the methodology used
by Amundi US in allocating certain of its costs to the management of the Fund. The Directors also considered Amundi US’s profit
margin in connection with the overall operation of the Fund. They further reviewed the financial results, including the profit margins,
realized by Amundi US from non-fund businesses. The Directors considered Amundi US’s profit margins in comparison to the limited
industry data available and noted that the profitability of any adviser was affected by numerous factors, including its organizational
structure and method for allocating expenses. The Directors concluded that Amundi US’s profitability with respect to the management
of the Fund was not unreasonable.
Economies of Scale
The Directors considered the extent to which Amundi US may realize
economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing and supporting the Fund. Since the Fund is a closed-end fund that has not raised
additional capital, the Directors concluded that economies of scale were not a relevant consideration in the renewal of the investment
advisory agreement.
Other Benefits
The Directors considered the other benefits that Amundi US enjoys
from its relationship with the Fund. The Directors considered the character and amount of fees paid or to be paid by the Fund, other than
under the
42 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
investment management agreement, for services provided by Amundi
US and its affiliates. The Directors further considered the revenues and profitability of Amundi US’s businesses other than the
Fund business. To the extent applicable, the Directors also considered the benefits to the Fund and to Amundi US and its affiliates from
the use of “soft” commission dollars generated by the Fund to pay for research and brokerage services.
The Directors considered that Amundi US is the principal U.S. asset
management business of Amundi, which is one of the largest asset managers globally. Amundi’s worldwide asset management business
manages over $2.2 trillion in assets (including the Pioneer Funds). The Directors considered that Amundi US’s relationship with
Amundi creates potential opportunities for Amundi US and Amundi that derive from Amundi US’s relationships with the Fund, including
Amundi’s ability to market the services of Amundi US globally. The Directors noted that Amundi US has access to additional research
and portfolio management capabilities as a result of its relationship with Amundi and Amundi’s enhanced global presence that may
contribute to an increase in the resources available to Amundi US. The Directors considered that Amundi US and the Fund receive reciprocal
intangible benefits from the relationship, including mutual brand recognition and, for the Fund, direct and indirect access to the resources
of a large global asset manager. The Directors concluded that any such benefits received by Amundi US as a result of its relationship
with the Fund were reasonable.
Conclusion
After consideration of the factors described above as well as other
factors, the Directors, including the Independent Directors, concluded that the investment management agreement for the Fund, including
the fees payable thereunder, was fair and reasonable and voted to approve the proposed renewal of the investment management agreement.
Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22 43
Directors, Officers and Service Providers
|
|
Directors |
Officers |
Thomas J. Perna, Chairman |
Lisa M. Jones, President and |
John E. Baumgardner, Jr. |
Chief Executive Officer |
Diane Durnin |
Anthony J. Koenig, Jr., Treasurer |
Benjamin M. Friedman |
and Chief Financial and |
Lisa M. Jones |
Accounting Officer |
Lorraine H. Monchak |
Christopher J. Kelley, Secretary and |
Craig C. MacKay |
Chief Legal Officer |
Marguerite A. Piret |
|
Fred J. Ricciardi |
|
Kenneth J. Taubes |
|
Investment Adviser and Administrator
Amundi Asset Management US, Inc.
Custodian and Sub-Administrator
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ernst & Young LLP
Legal Counsel
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Fund are available
without charge, upon request, by calling our toll free number (1-800-710-0935). Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating
to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is publicly available to shareowners at www.amundi.com/us.
This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov.
44 Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. | Semiannual
Report | 10/31/22
How to Contact Amundi
We are pleased to offer a variety of convenient ways for you
to contact us for assistance or information.
You can call American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (AST)
for:
Account Information |
1-800-710-0935 |
|
Or write to AST: |
|
For |
Write to |
|
General inquiries, lost dividend checks, |
American Stock |
change of address, lost stock certificates, |
Transfer & Trust |
stock transfer |
Operations Center |
|
6201 15th Ave. |
|
Brooklyn, NY 11219 |
|
Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) |
American Stock |
|
Transfer & Trust |
|
Wall Street Station |
|
P.O. Box 922 |
|
New York, NY 10269-0560 |
|
Website |
www.amstock.com |
For additional information, please contact your investment advisor
or visit our web site www.amundi.com/us.
The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT.
Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the Commission’s web site at https://www.sec.gov.
Amundi Asset Management US, Inc.
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
www.amundi.com/us
© 2022 Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. 32785-01-1222
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
(a) Disclose whether, as of the end of the period covered by the report,
the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed
by the registrant or a third party. If the registrant has not adopted such a code of ethics, explain why it has not done so.
The registrant has adopted, as of the end of the period covered by this
report, a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting
officer and controller.
(b) For purposes of this Item, the term “code of ethics” means
written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
(1) Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual
or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
(2) Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports
and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;
(3) Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;
(4) The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate
person or persons identified in the code; and
(5) Accountability for adherence to the code.
(c) The registrant must briefly describe the nature of any amendment, during
the period covered by the report, to a provision of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether
these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated
in paragraph (b) of this Item. The registrant must file a copy of any such amendment as an exhibit pursuant to Item 10(a), unless the
registrant has elected to satisfy paragraph (f) of this Item by posting its code of ethics on its website pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)
of this Item, or by undertaking to provide its code of ethics to any person without charge, upon request, pursuant to paragraph (f)(3)
of this Item.
The registrant has made no amendments to the code of ethics during the period
covered by this report.
(d) If the registrant has, during the period covered by the report, granted
a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics to the registrant’s principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether
these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b)
of this Item, the registrant must briefly describe the nature of the waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted, and
the date of the waiver.
Not applicable.
(e) If the registrant intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under
paragraph (c) or (d) of this Item regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s
principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions
and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition
enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item by posting such information
on its Internet website, disclose the registrant’s Internet address and such intention.
Not applicable.
(f) The registrant must:
(1) File with the Commission, pursuant to Item 12(a)(1), a copy of its code
of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer
or controller, or persons performing similar functions, as an exhibit to its annual report on this Form N-CSR (see attachment);
(2) Post the text of such code of ethics on its Internet website and disclose,
in its most recent report on this Form N-CSR, its Internet address and the fact that it has posted such code of ethics on its Internet
website; or
(3) Undertake in its most recent report on this Form N-CSR to provide to
any person without charge, upon request, a copy of such code of ethics and explain the manner in which such request may be made. See Item
10(2)
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
(a) (1) Disclose that the registrant’s Board of Directors has
determined that the registrant either:
(i) Has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its
audit committee; or
(ii) Does not have an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit
committee.
The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that the registrant
has at least one audit committee financial expert.
(2) If the registrant provides the disclosure required
by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this Item, it must disclose the name of the audit committee financial expert and whether that person is “independent.”
In order to be considered “independent” for purposes of this Item, a member of an audit committee may not, other than in his
or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the Board of Directors, or any other board committee:
(i) Accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other
compensatory fee from the issuer; or
(ii) Be an “interested person” of the investment company as
defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(19)).
Mr. Fred J. Ricciardi, an independent Director, is such an audit committee
financial expert.
(3) If the registrant provides the disclosure required
by paragraph (a)(1) (ii) of this Item, it must explain why it does not have an audit committee financial expert.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
(a) Disclose, under the caption AUDIT FEES, the aggregate fees billed for
each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s
annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings
or engagements for those fiscal years.
N/A
(b) Disclose, under the caption AUDIT-RELATED FEES, the aggregate fees billed
in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the
performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item. Registrants
shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
N/A
(c) Disclose, under the caption TAX FEES, the aggregate fees billed in each
of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.
Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
N/A
(d) Disclose, under the caption ALL OTHER FEES, the aggregate fees billed
in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported
in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item. Registrants shall describe the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under
this category.
N/A
(e) (1) Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures
described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
PIONEER FUNDS
APPROVAL OF AUDIT, AUDIT-RELATED, TAX AND OTHER SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
SECTION I - POLICY PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
The Pioneer Funds recognize the importance of maintaining the independence
of their outside auditors. Maintaining independence is a shared responsibility involving Amundi Asset Management US, Inc., the audit committee
and the independent auditors.
The Funds recognize that a Fund’s independent auditors: 1) possess
knowledge of the Funds, 2) are able to incorporate certain services into the scope of the audit, thereby avoiding redundant work, cost
and disruption of Fund personnel and processes, and 3) have expertise that has value to the Funds. As a result, there are situations where
it is desirable to use the Fund’s independent auditors for services in addition to the annual audit and where the potential for
conflicts of interests are minimal. Consequently, this policy, which is intended to comply with Rule 210.2-01(C)(7), sets forth guidelines
and procedures to be followed by the Funds when retaining the independent audit firm to perform audit, audit-related tax and other services
under those circumstances, while also maintaining independence.
Approval of a service in accordance with this policy for a Fund shall also
constitute approval for any other Fund whose pre-approval is required pursuant to Rule 210.2-01(c)(7)(ii).
In addition to the procedures set forth in this policy, any non-audit services
that may be provided consistently with Rule 210.2-01 may be approved by the Audit Committee itself and any pre-approval that may be waived
in accordance with Rule 210.2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) is hereby waived.
Selection of a Fund’s independent auditors and their compensation
shall be determined by the Audit Committee and shall not be subject to this policy.
|
|
|
SECTION II - POLICY |
|
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE SUBCATEGORIES |
|
|
|
I. AUDIT SERVICES |
Services that are directly |
o Accounting research assistance |
|
related to performing the |
o SEC consultation, registration |
|
independent audit of the Funds |
statements, and reporting |
|
|
o Tax accrual related matters |
|
|
o Implementation of new accounting standards |
|
|
o Compliance letters (e.g. rating agency letters) |
|
|
o Regulatory reviews and assistance |
|
|
regarding financial matters |
|
|
o Semi-annual reviews (if requested) |
|
|
o Comfort letters for closed end offerings |
II. AUDIT-RELATED |
Services which are not |
o AICPA attest and agreed-upon procedures |
SERVICES |
prohibited under Rule |
o Technology control assessments |
|
210.2-01(C)(4) (the “Rule”) |
o Financial reporting control assessments |
|
and are related extensions of |
o Enterprise security architecture |
|
the audit services support the |
assessment |
|
audit, or use the knowledge/expertise |
|
|
gained from the audit procedures as a |
|
|
foundation to complete the project. |
|
|
In most cases, if the Audit-Related |
|
|
Services are not performed by the |
|
|
Audit firm, the scope of the Audit |
|
|
Services would likely increase. |
|
|
The Services are typically well-defined |
|
|
and governed by accounting |
|
|
professional standards (AICPA, |
|
|
SEC, etc.) |
|
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY |
o “One-time” pre-approval |
o A summary of all such |
for the audit period for all |
services and related fees |
pre-approved specific service |
reported at each regularly |
subcategories. Approval of the |
scheduled Audit Committee |
independent auditors as |
meeting. |
auditors for a Fund shall |
|
constitute pre approval for |
|
these services. |
|
|
o “One-time” pre-approval |
o A summary of all such |
for the fund fiscal year within |
services and related fees |
a specified dollar limit |
(including comparison to |
for all pre-approved |
specified dollar limits) |
specific service subcategories |
reported quarterly. |
|
o Specific approval is |
|
needed to exceed the |
|
pre-approved dollar limit for |
|
these services (see general |
|
Audit Committee approval policy |
|
below for details on obtaining |
|
specific approvals) |
|
|
o Specific approval is |
|
needed to use the Fund’s |
|
auditors for Audit-Related |
|
Services not denoted as |
|
“pre-approved”, or |
|
to add a specific service |
|
subcategory as “pre-approved” |
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
|
|
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE |
|
|
SUBCATEGORIES |
III. TAX SERVICES |
Services which are not |
o Tax planning and support |
|
prohibited by the Rule, |
o Tax controversy assistance |
|
if an officer of the Fund |
o Tax compliance, tax returns, excise |
|
determines that using the |
tax returns and support |
|
Fund’s auditor to provide |
o Tax opinions |
|
these services creates |
|
|
significant synergy in |
|
|
the form of efficiency, |
|
|
minimized disruption, or |
|
|
the ability to maintain a |
|
|
desired level of |
|
|
confidentiality. |
|
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY |
o “One-time” pre-approval |
o A summary of |
for the fund fiscal year |
all such services and |
within a specified dollar limit |
related fees |
|
(including comparison |
|
to specified dollar |
|
limits) reported |
|
quarterly. |
|
o Specific approval is |
|
needed to exceed the |
|
pre-approved dollar limits for |
|
these services (see general |
|
Audit Committee approval policy |
|
below for details on obtaining |
|
specific approvals) |
|
|
o Specific approval is |
|
needed to use the Fund’s |
|
auditors for tax services not |
|
denoted as pre-approved, or to |
|
add a specific service subcategory as |
|
“pre-approved” |
|
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
|
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PRE-APPROVED SERVICE |
|
|
SUBCATEGORIES |
IV. OTHER SERVICES |
Services which are not |
o Business Risk Management support |
|
prohibited by the Rule, |
o Other control and regulatory |
A. SYNERGISTIC, |
if an officer of the Fund |
compliance projects |
UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS |
determines that using the |
|
|
Fund’s auditor to provide |
|
|
these services creates |
|
|
significant synergy in |
|
|
the form of efficiency, |
|
|
minimized disruption, |
|
|
the ability to maintain a |
|
|
desired level of |
|
|
confidentiality, or where |
|
|
the Fund’s auditors |
|
|
posses unique or superior |
|
|
qualifications to provide |
|
|
these services, resulting |
|
|
in superior value and |
|
|
results for the Fund. |
|
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY |
o “One-time” pre-approval |
o A summary of |
for the fund fiscal year within |
all such services and |
a specified dollar limit |
related fees |
|
(including comparison |
|
to specified dollar |
|
limits) reported |
|
quarterly. |
o Specific approval is |
|
needed to exceed the |
|
pre-approved dollar limits for |
|
these services (see general |
|
Audit Committee approval policy |
|
below for details on obtaining |
|
specific approvals) |
|
|
o Specific approval is |
|
needed to use the Fund’s |
|
auditors for “Synergistic” or |
|
“Unique Qualifications” Other |
|
Services not denoted as |
|
pre-approved to the left, or to |
|
add a specific service |
|
subcategory as “pre-approved” |
|
SECTION III - POLICY DETAIL, CONTINUED
|
SERVICE CATEGORY |
SERVICE CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFIC PROHIBITED SERVICE |
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SUBCATEGORIES |
PROHIBITED SERVICES |
Services which result |
1. Bookkeeping or other services |
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in the auditors losing |
related to the accounting records or |
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independence status |
financial statements of the audit |
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under the Rule. |
client* |
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2. Financial information systems design |
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and implementation* |
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3. Appraisal or valuation services, |
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fairness* opinions, or |
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contribution-in-kind reports |
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4. Actuarial services (i.e., setting |
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actuarial reserves versus actuarial |
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audit work)* |
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5. Internal audit outsourcing services* |
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6. Management functions or human |
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resources |
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7. Broker or dealer, investment |
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advisor, or investment banking services |
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8. Legal services and expert services |
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unrelated to the audit |
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9. Any other service that the Public |
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Company Accounting Oversight Board |
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determines, by regulation, is |
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impermissible |
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AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTING POLICY |
o These services are not to be |
o A summary of all |
performed with the exception of the(*) |
services and related |
services that may be permitted |
fees reported at each |
if they would not be subject to audit |
regularly scheduled |
procedures at the audit client (as |
Audit Committee meeting |
defined in rule 2-01(f)(4)) level |
will serve as continual |
the firm providing the service. |
confirmation that has |
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not provided any |
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restricted services. |
GENERAL AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVAL POLICY:
o For all projects, the officers of the Funds and the Fund’s auditors
will each make an assessment to determine that any proposed projects will not impair independence.
o Potential services will be classified into the four non-restricted service
categories and the “Approval of Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other Services” Policy above will be applied. Any services outside
the specific pre-approved service subcategories set forth above must be specifically approved by the Audit Committee.
o At least quarterly, the Audit Committee shall review a report summarizing
the services by service category, including fees, provided by the Audit firm as set forth in the above policy.
(2) Disclose the percentage of services described in each of paragraphs
(b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
N/A
(f) If greater than 50 percent, disclose the percentage of hours expended
on the principal accountants engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were
attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.
N/A
(g) Disclose the aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrants accountant
for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrants investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role
is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of
the registrant.
N/A
(h) Disclose whether the registrants audit committee of the Board of Directors
has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrants investment adviser (not including any
subadviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any
entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant
that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal
accountant’s independence.
The Fund’s audit committee of the Board of Directors has considered
whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Affiliates (as defined) that were not pre- approved pursuant to
paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
(a) If the registrant is a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3), state whether or not the registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established
in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)). If the registrant has such a committee, however
designated, identify each committee member. If the entire Board of Directors is acting as the registrant’s audit committee as specified
in Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(B)), so state.
N/A
(b) If applicable, provide the disclosure required by Rule 10A-3(d) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3(d)) regarding an exemption from the listing standards for audit committees.
N/A
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
File Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of
the close of the reporting period as set forth in 210.1212 of Regulation S-X [17 CFR 210.12-12], unless the schedule is included as part
of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
Included in Item 1
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
A closed-end management investment company that is filing an annual report
on this Form N-CSR must, unless it invests exclusively in non-voting securities, describe the policies and procedures that it uses to
determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, including the procedures that the company uses when a vote presents a
conflict between the interests of its shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the company’s investment adviser; principal underwriter;
or any affiliated person (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a)(3)) and the rules thereunder)
of the company, its investment adviser, or its principal underwriter, on the other. Include any policies and procedures of the company’s
investment adviser, or any other third party, that the company uses, or that are used on the company’s behalf, to determine how
to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities.
N/A
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company that
is filing an annual report on this Form N-CSR, provide the following information:
(1) State the name, title, and length of service of the person or persons
employed by or associated with the registrant or an investment adviser of the registrant who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of the registrant’s portfolio (“Portfolio Manager”). Also state each Portfolio Manager’s business experience
during the past 5 years.
N/A
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, in
the following tabular format, provide the information specified in paragraph (b) of this Item with respect to any purchase made by or
on behalf of the registrant or any affiliated purchaser, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10b-18(a)(3)),
of shares or other units of any class of the registrant’s equity securities that is registered by the registrant pursuant to Section
12 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 781).
N/A
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Describe any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may
recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided
disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-R(17 CFR 229.407)(as required by Item 22(b)(15)) of Schedule
14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101), or this Item.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders
may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors since the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements
of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-R of Schedule 14(A) in its definitive proxy statement, or this item.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Disclose the conclusions of the registrant’s principal executive
and principal financials officers, or persons performing similar functions, regarding the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date
of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required
by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30(a)-3(b) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or
240.15d-15(b)).
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial
officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on the evaluation of these controls
and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
(b) Disclose any change in the registrant’s internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occured during the period covered by this report
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management
Investment Companies.
(a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, provide
the following dollar amounts of income and compensation related to the securities lending activities of the registrant during its most
recent fiscal year:
N/A
(1) Gross income from securities lending activities;
N/A
(2) All fees and/or compensation for each of the following securities lending
activities and related services: any share of revenue generated by the securities lending program paid to the securities lending agent(s)
(revenue split); fees paid for cash collateral management services (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment
vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split; administrative fees that are not included in the revenue split; fees for indemnification
that are not included in the revenue split; rebates paid to borrowers; and any other fees relating to the securities lending program that
are not included in the revenue split, including a description of those other fees;
N/A
(3) The aggregate fees/compensation disclosed pursuant to paragraph (2);
and
N/A
(4) Net income from securities lending activities (i.e., the dollar amount
in paragraph (1) minus the dollar amount in paragraph (3)).
If a fee for a service is included in the revenue split, state that the
fee is included in the revenue split.
N/A
(b) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, describe
the services provided to the registrant by the securities lending agent in the registrants most recent fiscal year.
N/A
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.
(a) File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number
the exhibits in the sequence indicated.
(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit.
(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) , exactly as set forth below:
Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
[See General Instruction F]
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
(Registrant) Pioneer Municipal High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Lisa M. Jones
Lisa M. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date January 4, 2023
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Lisa M. Jones
Lisa M. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date January 4, 2023
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Anthony J. Koenig, Jr.
Anthony J. Koenig, Jr., Managing Director, Chief Operations Officer &
Treasurer of the Funds
Date January 4, 2023
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.
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