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  

811-23195

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

 

(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)

Mark L. Winget

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (312) 917-7700                    

Date of fiscal year end:   December 31                       

Date of reporting period:   June 30, 2021                    

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 policy making 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.


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


LOGO

 

Closed-End Funds

 

30 June 2021

 

Nuveen Closed-End Funds

 

JCO    Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

 

As permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will not be sent to you by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.nuveen.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting the financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) through which you hold your Fund shares or, if you are a direct investor, by enrolling at www.nuveen.com/e-reports.

You may elect to receive all future shareholder reports in paper free of charge at any time by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-257-8787 and selecting option #2 or (ii) by logging into your Investor Center account at www.computershare.com/investor and clicking on “Communication Preferences”. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all your directly held Nuveen Funds and any other directly held funds within the same group of related investment companies.

 

Semiannual Report


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If you receive your Nuveen Fund distributions and statements from your financial professional or brokerage account.

or

www.nuveen.com/client-access

If you receive your Nuveen Fund distributions and statements directly from Nuveen.

NOT FDIC INSURED  MAY LOSE VALUE  NO BANK GUARANTEE

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

 

Chair’s Letter to Shareholders

     4  

Important Semiannual Shareholder Report Notice

     5  

Fund Leverage

     6  

Common Share Information

     8  

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries

     10  

Shareholder Meeting Report

     12  

Portfolio of Investments

     13  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     17  

Statement of Operations

     18  

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

     19  

Statement of Cash Flows

     20  

Financial Highlights

     22  

Notes to Financial Statements

     24  

Risk Considerations

     31  

Additional Fund Information

     32  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     33  

Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process

     34  

 

3


Chair’s Letter to Shareholders

 

LOGO

Dear Shareholders,

More than a year has passed since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March 2020, resulting in a year marked by a global economic downturn, financial market turbulence and some immeasurable losses of life. Although the health crisis persists, with the widespread distribution of vaccines in the U.S. and extraordinary economic interventions by governments and central banks around the world, we collectively look forward to what our “new normal” might be.

Global economic activity has continued to rebound, driving both gross domestic product growth and inflation higher, especially in the U.S. Vaccinations have enabled a further reopening of economies while governments and central banks have taken extraordinary measures to support the recoveries. To extend relief programs enacted earlier in the crisis, the U.S. government passed $900 billion in aid to individuals and businesses in late December 2020. Another $1.9 trillion relief package was signed into law in March 2021, providing extended unemployment benefits, direct payments to individuals and families, assistance to state and local municipalities, grants to education and public health, and other support. Currently, Congress is working on an infrastructure spending plan, although its final shape and whether it passes remains to be seen. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and other central banks around the world have upgraded their economic forecasts but remain committed to sustaining the recovery by maintaining accommodative monetary conditions. However, as economies have reopened, the surge in consumer demand has outpaced supply chain capacity, resulting in a jump in inflation indicators in recent months. Whether inflation persists is a subject of debate by economists and some market observers, while the Fed and other central banks believe it to be more transitory.

While the markets’ longer-term outlook has brightened, we expect intermittent bouts of volatility to continue. Markets are closely monitoring central bank signals, particularly if inflation remains elevated, as a sooner-than-expected shift to monetary tightening could slow the economic recovery. Additionally, COVID-19 cases are rising again, as more virulent strains such as the delta variant have spread, both case counts and hospitalizations are rising, and vaccination rollouts have been uneven around the country and around the world. The recovery hinges on controlling the virus, and estimates vary considerably on when economic activity might be fully restored and what level of public inoculation would be sufficient to contain the spread of the virus, particularly in light of new variants. On the political front, the Biden administration’s full policy agenda and the potential for Congressional gridlock remain to be seen, either of which could cause investment outlooks to shift. Short-term market fluctuations can provide your Fund opportunities to invest in new ideas as well as upgrade existing positioning while providing long-term value for shareholders. For more than 120 years, the careful consideration of risk and reward has guided Nuveen’s focus on delivering long-term results to our shareholders.

If you have concerns about what’s coming next, it may be an opportune time to assess your portfolio. We encourage you to review your time horizon, risk tolerance and investment goals with your financial professional.

On behalf of the other members of the Nuveen Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Terence J. Toth

Chair of the Board

August 23, 2021

 

 

4


Important Semiannual Shareholder Report Notice

 

For Shareholders of

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund (JCO)

Semiannual Shareholder Report for the period ending June 30, 2021

Beginning with this semiannual shareholder report, the Fund will only include portfolio manager commentaries in its annual shareholder reports. For the Fund’s most recent annual portfolio manager discussion, please refer to the Portfolio Managers’ Comments section of the Fund’s December 31, 2020 annual shareholder report.

For current information on the Fund’s investment objectives, portfolio management team and average annual total returns please refer to the Fund’s website at www.nuveen.com.

For changes that occurred to your Fund both during and subsequent to this reporting period, please refer to the Notes to Financial Statements section of this report.

For average annual total returns as of the end of this reporting period, please refer to the Performance Overview and Holding Summaries section within this report.

 

5


Fund Leverage

 

IMPACT OF THE FUND’S LEVERAGE STRATEGY ON PERFORMANCE

One important factor impacting the returns of the Fund’s common shares relative to its comparative benchmarks was the Fund’s use of leverage through reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund uses leverage because our research has shown that, over time, leveraging provides opportunities for additional income. The opportunity arises when short-term rates that the Fund pays on its leveraging instruments are lower than the interest the Fund earns on its portfolio securities that it has bought with the proceeds of that leverage. This has been particularly true in the recent market environment where short-term rates have been low by historical standards.

However, use of leverage can expose Fund common shares to additional price volatility. When the Fund uses leverage, the Fund’s common shares will experience a greater increase in their net asset value if the securities acquired through the use of leverage increase in value, but will also experience a correspondingly larger decline in their net asset value if the securities acquired through leverage decline in value. All this will make the shares’ total return performance more variable over time.

In addition, common share income in levered funds will typically decrease in comparison to unlevered funds when short-term interest rates increase and increase when short-term interest rates decrease. In recent quarters, fund leverage expenses have generally tracked the overall movement of short-term interest rates. While fund leverage expenses are somewhat higher than their recent lows, leverage nevertheless continues to provide the opportunity for incremental common share income, particularly over longer-term periods.

The use of leverage had a positive impact on the total return performance of the Fund over the reporting period.

As of June 30, 2021, the Fund’s percentages of leverage are as shown in the accompanying table.

 

     JCO  

Effective Leverage*

    23.72

Regulatory Leverage*

    0.00
*

Effective leverage is the Fund’s effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage and the leverage effects of reverse repurchase agreements, certain derivative and other investments in the Fund’s portfolio that increase the Fund’s investment exposure. Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued or borrowings of the Fund. Both of these are part of the Fund’s capital structure. The Fund, however, may from time to time borrow on a typically transient basis in connection with its day-to-day operations, primarily in connection with the need to settle portfolio trades. Such incidental borrowings are excluded from the calculation of the Fund’s effective leverage ratio. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

6


 

THE FUND’S LEVERAGE

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

As noted previously, the Fund used reverse repurchase agreements, in which the Fund sells to a counterparty a security that it holds with a contemporaneous agreement to repurchase the same security at an agreed-upon price and date.

The Fund’s transactions in reverse repurchase agreements are as shown in the accompanying table.

 

Current Reporting Period           Subsequent to the Close of
the Reporting Period
 
Outstanding
Balance as of
January 1, 2021
    Sales     Purchases     Outstanding
Balance as of
June 30, 2021
    Average Balance
Outstanding
           Sales     Purchases     Outstanding
Balance as of
August 26, 2021
 
  $84,000,000       $27,500,000       $(39,730,000)       $71,770,000       $79,595,912               $26,079,467       $    —       $45,690,533  

Refer to Notes to Financial Statements, Note 8 – Fund Leverage for further details.

 

7


Common Share Information

 

COMMON SHARE DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

The following information regarding the Fund’s distributions is current as of June 30, 2021. The Fund’s distribution levels may vary over time based on the Fund’s investment activity and portfolio investment value changes.

During the current reporting period, the Fund’s distributions to common shareholders were as shown in the accompanying table.

 

Monthly Distributions (Ex-Dividend Date)   Per
Common
Share
Amounts
 

January 2021

  $ 0.0470  

February

    0.0470  

March

    0.0470  

April

    0.0470  

May

    0.0470  

June 2021

    0.0340  

Total Distribution from Net Investment Income

  $ 0.2690  

Current Distribution Rate*

    4.91
*

Current distribution rate is based on the Fund’s current annualized monthly distribution divided by the Fund’s current market price. The Fund’s monthly distributions to its shareholders may be comprised of ordinary income, net realized capital gains and, if at the end of the fiscal year the Fund’s cumulative net ordinary income and net realized gains are less than the amount of the Fund’s distributions, a return of capital for tax purposes.

The Fund seeks to pay regular monthly dividends out of its net investment income at a rate that reflects its past and projected net income performance. To permit the Fund to maintain a more stable monthly dividend, the Fund may pay dividends at a rate that may be more or less than the amount of net income actually earned by the Fund during the period. Distributions to common shareholders are determined on a tax basis, which may differ from amounts recorded in the accounting records. In instances where the monthly dividend exceeds the earned net investment income, the Fund would report a negative undistributed net ordinary income. Refer to Note 6 – Income Tax Information for additional information regarding the amounts of undistributed net ordinary income and undistributed net long-term capital gains and the character of the actual distributions paid by the Fund during the period.

All monthly dividends paid by the Fund during the current reporting period were paid from net investment income. If a portion of the Fund’s monthly distributions is sourced from or comprised of elements other than net investment income, including capital gains and/or a return of capital, shareholders will be notified of those sources. For financial reporting purposes, per share amounts of the Fund’s distributions for the reporting period are presented in this report’s Financial Highlights. For income tax purposes, distribution information for the Fund as of its most recent tax year end is presented in Note 6 – Income Tax Information within the Notes to Financial Statements of this report.

 

8


 

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUND DISTRIBUTION AMOUNTS

The Nuveen Closed-End Funds’ monthly and quarterly periodic distributions to shareholders are posted on www.nuveen.com and can be found on Nuveen’s enhanced closed-end fund resource page, which is at https://www.nuveen.com/resource-center-closed-end-funds, along with other Nuveen closed-end fund product updates. To ensure timely access to the latest information, shareholders may use a subscribe function, which can be activated at this web page (https://www.nuveen.com/subscriptions).

COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES

During August 2021 (Subsequent to the close of the reporting period), the Fund’s Board of Trustees reauthorized an open-market share repurchase program, allowing the Fund to repurchase an aggregate of up to approximately 10% of its outstanding shares.

As of June 30, 2021, and since the inception of the Fund’s repurchase program, the Fund has cumulatively repurchased and retired its outstanding common shares as shown in the accompanying table.

 

     JCO  

Common shares cumulatively repurchased and retired

    0  

Common shares authorized for repurchase

    2,775,000  

During the current reporting period, the Fund did not repurchase any of its outstanding common shares.

OTHER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION

As of June 30, 2021, the Fund’s common share price was trading at a premium/(discount) to NAV and trading at an average premium/(discount) to NAV during the current reporting period, as follows:

 

     JCO  

Common share NAV

    $8.31  

Common share price

    $8.31  

Premium/(Discount) to NAV

    0.00

Average premium/(discount) to NAV

    1.05

The Fund has an investment objective to return $9.85 (the original net asset value following the Fund’s initial public offering (the “Original NAV”)) to common shareholders on or about the end of the Fund’s term. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to return the Original NAV to common shareholders, and such return is not backed or otherwise guaranteed by the Fund’s investment adviser, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), or any other entity.

In connection with the objective of returning Original NAV, the Fund currently intends to set aside and retain in its net assets a portion of its net investment income and possibly all or a portion of its gains. This will reduce the amounts otherwise available for distribution prior to the liquidation of the Fund, and the Fund may incur taxes on such retained amount, which will reduce the overall amounts that the Fund would have otherwise been able to distribute. Such retained income or gains, net of any taxes, would constitute a portion of the liquidating distribution returned to investors at the end of the Fund’s term. In addition, the Fund’s investment in shorter term and lower yielding securities, especially as the Fund nears the end of its term, may reduce investment income and, therefore, the monthly dividends during the period prior to termination. Investors that purchase shares in the secondary market (particularly if their purchase price differs meaningfully from the Original NAV) may receive more or less than their original investment.

The Fund’s ability to return Original NAV to common shareholders on or about the termination date will depend on market conditions and the success of various portfolio and cash flow management techniques. Recent market conditions have materially increased the risk associated with achieving the Fund’s objective to return Original NAV. This objective is not a guarantee and is dependent on a number of factors including the extent of market recovery and the cumulative level of income retained in relation to cumulative portfolio gains net of losses.

 

9


JCO     

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of June 30, 2021

 

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

Average Annual Total Returns as of June 30, 2021

 

    Cumulative        Average Annual  
     6-Month        1-Year        Since
Inception
 
JCO at Common Share NAV     3.40%          12.99%          2.02%  
JCO at Common Share Price     6.75%          4.43%          1.73%  
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. High Yield 1-5 Year Cash Pay 2% Issuer Capped Index     4.60%          15.47%          5.48%  
JCO Custom Blended Fund Benchmark1     4.32%          14.53%          5.28%  

Since inception returns are from 3/28/17. Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund’s shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Daily Common Share NAV and Share Price

 

LOGO

 

1

The JCO Custom Blended Fund Benchmark consists of: 1) 75% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. High Yield 1-5 Year Cash Pay 2% Issue Capped Index, 2) 25% Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index.

 

10


 

This data relates to the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as Fund investment policies. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below-investment grade ratings. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Corporate Bonds     118.1%  
Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests     5.8%  
Common Stocks     1.4%  
Convertible Bonds     0.9%  
Investment Companies     3.5%  
Other Assets Less Liabilities     1.4%  

Net Assets Plus Reverse Repurchase Agreements

    131.1%  
Reverse Repurchase Agreements     (31.1)%  

Net Assets

    100%  

Portfolio Composition

(% of total investments)

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels     16.4%  
Media     10.5%  
Wireless Telecommunication Services     9.0%  
Consumer Finance     7.8%  
Commercial Services & Supplies     7.2%  
Diversified Telecommunication Services     4.7%  
Health Care Providers & Services     4.2%  
Automobiles     4.0%  
Auto Components     3.5%  
Pharmaceuticals     3.5%  
Containers & Packaging     3.3%  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust     3.0%  
Software     2.7%  
Other1     17.5%  
Investment Companies     2.7%  

Total

    100%  

Portfolio Credit Quality

(% of total long-term investments)

 

BBB     11.2%  
BB or Lower     85.9%  
N/R (not rated)     1.8%  
N/A (not applicable)     1.1%  

Total

    100%  

Top Five Issuers

(% of total investments)

 

ADT Security Corp/The     4.9%  
DISH DBS Corp     4.5%  
CSC Holdings LLC     4.5%  
Sprint Communications Inc     4.4%  
Molina Healthcare Inc     4.2%  
 

 

1

See Portfolio of Investment for details on “other” Portfolio Composition.

 

11


Shareholder Meeting Report

 

The annual meeting of shareholders was held on April 6, 2021 for JCO. The meeting was held virtually due to public health concerns regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; at this meeting the shareholders were asked to elect Board members.

 

      JCO  
      Common
Shares
 

Approval of the Board Members was reached as follows:

  

Jack B. Evans

  

For

     12,431,495  

Withhold

     11,785,184  

Total

     24,216,679  

Albin F. Moschner

  

For

     12,678,080  

Withhold

     11,538,599  

Total

     24,216,679  

Matthew Thornton III

  

For

     23,724,186  

Withhold

     492,493  

Total

     24,216,679  

 

12


JCO   

Nuveen Credit Opportunities
2022 Target Term Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021

     (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)                   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 126.2% (97.3% of Total Investments)

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS – 118.1% (91.0% of Total Investments)

 

      Airlines – 3.1%  
$ 7,000    

Delta Air Lines Inc, (3)

                      3.625%        3/15/22        Baa3      $ 7,098,527  
      Auto Components – 4.5%  
  10,249    

ZF North America Capital Inc, 144A

                      4.500%        4/29/22        BB+        10,479,603  
      Automobiles – 5.3%  
  9,000    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC, (3)

          3.813%        10/12/21        BB+        9,067,500  
  3,000    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC

                      5.596%        1/07/22        BB+        3,061,560  
  12,000    

Total Automobiles

 

     12,129,060  
      Beverages – 0.9%                
  2,000    

Anadolu Efes Biracilik Ve Malt Sanayii AS, 144A

                      3.375%        11/01/22        BBB–        2,040,000  
      Building Products – 1.8%                
  4,150    

Hillman Group Inc/The, 144A

                      6.375%        7/15/22        CCC        4,155,810  
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 9.3%                
  14,433    

ADT Security Corp/The, (3)

          3.500%        7/15/22        BB–        14,703,619  
  6,759    

APX Group Inc, (3)

                      7.875%        12/01/22        B2        6,784,346  
  21,192    

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

 

     21,487,965  
      Consumer Finance – 10.2%                
  2,695    

DAE Funding LLC, 144A

          4.500%        8/01/22        Baa3        2,699,043  
  3,000    

Ford Motor Credit Co LLC

          4.250%        9/20/22        BB+        3,097,710  
  2,000    

Navient Corp

          7.250%        1/25/22        Ba3        2,074,400  
  9,000    

Navient Corp

          6.500%        6/15/22        Ba3        9,384,300  
  6,000    

OneMain Finance Corp

 

     6.125%        5/15/22        BB–        6,232,500  
  22,695    

Total Consumer Finance

 

                                23,487,953  
      Containers & Packaging – 4.3%  
  3,600    

Ball Corp

          5.000%        3/15/22        BB+        3,690,000  
  6,000    

Sealed Air Corp, 144A

                      4.875%        12/01/22        BB+        6,240,000  
  9,600    

Total Containers & Packaging

 

     9,930,000  
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 6.1%                
  5,719    

Cogent Communications Group Inc, 144A

          5.375%        3/01/22        BB        5,817,481  
  8,000    

Lumen Technologies Inc

 

     5.800%        3/15/22        BB        8,232,720  
  13,719    

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

 

                                14,050,201  
      Electrical Equipment – 1.8%  
  4,000    

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd, 144A

                      5.250%        8/15/22        BBB–        4,185,650  
      Health Care Providers & Services – 5.4%                
  12,000    

Molina Healthcare Inc, (3)

                      5.375%        11/15/22        BB–        12,555,000  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.3%                
  2,750    

MGM Resorts International, (3)

                      7.750%        3/15/22        BB        2,874,300  
      Household Durables – 2.9%                
  1,500    

KB Home

          7.500%        9/15/22        BB        1,605,000  
  5,000    

Toll Brothers Finance Corp

 

     5.875%        2/15/22        BBB–        5,100,550  
  6,500    

Total Household Durables

 

                                6,705,550  

 

13


JCO    Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund (continued)
   Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021
   (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)                   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Media – 13.6%  
$ 12,787    

CSC Holdings LLC

          5.875%        9/15/22        B+      $ 13,416,120  
  13,000    

DISH DBS Corp, (3)

          5.875%        7/15/22        B2        13,561,600  
  4,500    

Sirius XM Radio Inc, 144A

 

     3.875%        8/01/22        BB        4,508,100  
  30,287    

Total Media

 

                                31,485,820  
      Metals & Mining – 3.0%  
  3,688    

AngloGold Ashanti Holdings PLC

          5.125%        8/01/22        Baa3        3,844,740  
  3,000    

Freeport-McMoRan Inc

 

     3.550%        3/01/22        BB+        3,026,250  
  6,688    

Total Metals & Mining

 

                                6,870,990  
      Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust – 3.9%  
  9,000    

Starwood Property Trust Inc, (3)

                      5.000%        12/15/21        BB+        9,045,000  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 18.4%                
  2,827    

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP / Calumet Finance Corp

          7.625%        1/15/22        B–        2,819,933  
  5,000    

Cenovus Energy Inc

          3.000%        8/15/22        BBB–        5,101,720  
  5,000    

Occidental Petroleum Corp, (3)

          3.125%        2/15/22        Ba2        5,025,000  
  3,000    

Occidental Petroleum Corp

          2.700%        8/15/22        Ba2        3,060,000  
  6,500    

Occidental Petroleum Corp, (3-Month LIBOR reference rate + 1.450% spread), (3), (4)

          1.606%        8/15/22        Ba2        6,467,735  
  2,000    

Ovintiv Inc

          3.900%        11/15/21        BBB–        2,004,783  
  4,000    

Sasol Financing International Ltd

          4.500%        11/14/22        BB        4,098,000  
  5,000    

Southwestern Energy Co

          4.100%        3/15/22        BB        5,037,500  
  8,737    

Western Midstream Operating LP

 

     4.000%        7/01/22        BB        8,878,976  
  42,064    

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

                                42,493,647  
      Pharmaceuticals – 4.5%  
  2,000    

Elanco Animal Health Inc

          4.912%        8/27/21        Ba2        2,007,750  
  4,321    

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co BV

          3.650%        11/10/21        Ba2        4,331,802  
  4,058    

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance IV BV

 

     3.650%        11/10/21        Ba2        4,088,638  
  10,379    

Total Pharmaceuticals

 

                                10,428,190  
      Road & Rail – 2.0%  
  600    

DAE Funding LLC, 144A

          5.250%        11/15/21        Baa3        603,864  
  4,000    

Transnet SOC Ltd, 144A

                      4.000%        7/26/22        Ba2        4,074,768  
  4,600    

Total Road & Rail

 

     4,678,632  
      Software – 1.8%  
  4,000    

NortonLifeLock Inc

                      3.950%        6/15/22        BB+        4,065,200  
      Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 2.3%  
  5,298    

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP / Ladder Capital Finance Corp, 144A

                      5.250%        3/15/22        BB+        5,324,490  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 11.7%  
  4,100    

MTN Mauritius Investments Ltd, 144A

          5.373%        2/13/22        Ba2        4,187,330  
  12,500    

Sprint Communications Inc, (3)

          6.000%        11/15/22        BB+        13,234,375  
  9,500    

T-Mobile USA Inc, (3)

                      4.000%        4/15/22        BB+        9,669,812  
  26,100    

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

 

                       27,091,517  
$ 266,271    

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $269,714,016)

 

                       272,663,105  

 

14


  
  
  

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon (5)      Reference
Rate (5)
     Spread (5)      Maturity (6)      Ratings (2)      Value  
      VARIABLE RATE SENIOR LOAN INTERESTS – 5.8% (4.5% of Total Investments) (5)                
      Banks – 0.3%                              
$ 691    

iQor US Inc, Exit Priority Term Loan

    8.500%        1-Month LIBOR        7.500%        9/15/27        N/R      $ 708,913  
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.1%                
  1,434    

Ditech Holding Corporation., Term Loan B, First Lien, (7)

    0.000%        N/A        N/A        6/30/22        N/R        291,255  
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.6%                
  1,495    

Petroleum GEO-Services ASA/PGS Finance, Inc., Term Loan B

    7.703%        3-Month LIBOR        7.500%        3/19/24        N/R        1,399,598  
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 2.1%                
  4,764    

Greatbatch Ltd., New Term Loan B

    3.500%        1-Month LIBOR        2.500%        10/27/22        B+        4,777,376  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 1.2%                
  663    

Fieldwood Energy LLC, DIP Delayed Draw Term Loan, (7), (8)

    9.750%        1-Month LIBOR        8.750%        8/05/21        N/R        690,037  
  4,000    

Fieldwood Energy LLC, Exit Term Loan, First Lien, (7)

    0.000%        N/A        N/A        4/11/22        N/R        2,160,000  
  4,663    

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

     2,850,037  
      Software – 1.5%                
  1,909    

iQor US, Inc., Second Out Term Loan

    8.500%        1-Month LIBOR        7.500%        11/19/25        CCC+        1,886,526  
  71    

Skillsoft, First-Out Rolled Up ExitTerm Loan

    8.500%        3-Month LIBOR        7.500%        12/27/24        B+        71,465  
  1,458    

Skillsoft, Takeback Second-Out Term Loan

    8.500%        3-Month LIBOR        7.500%        4/27/25        B–        1,461,322  
  3,438    

Total Software

 

                       3,419,313  
$ 16,485    

Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (cost $16,481,295)

 

                       13,446,492  
Shares     Description (1)                                           Value  
      COMMON STOCKS – 1.4% (1.1% of Total Investments)  
      Banks – 0.4%                              
  63,918    

iQor US Inc, (9), (10)

                                               $ 857,332  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.7%                
  30,780    

Whiting Petroleum Corp, (10)

                                                 1,679,049  
      Software – 0.3%                
  85,543    

Skillsoft Corp, (10), (11)

                                                 654,186  
 

Total Common Stocks (cost $4,508,476)

 

              3,190,567  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)                   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 0.9% (0.7% of Total Investments)  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.9%                              
$ 2,000    

SM Energy Co

                      1.500%        7/01/21        BB–      $ 2,000,000  
  2,000    

Total Convertible Bonds (cost $2,000,000)

 

                       2,000,000  
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $292,703,787)

 

                       291,300,164  
Shares     Description (1)                   Coupon                      Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 3.5% (2.7% of Total Investments)

 

           
      INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 3.5% (2.7% of Total Investments)                              
  8,120,176    

BlackRock Liquidity Funds T-Fund

 

              0.005% (12)                        $ 8,120,176  
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $8,120,176)

 

                                         8,120,176  
 

Total Investments (cost $300,823,963) – 129.7%

 

                                         299,420,340  
 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements, including accrued interest – (31.1)% (13)

 

                       (71,776,080
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 1.4%

 

                                         3,186,695  
 

Net Assets Applicable to Common shares – 100%

 

                                       $ 230,830,955  

 

15


JCO    Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund (continued)
   Portfolio of Investments    June 30, 2021
   (Unaudited)

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1)

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to common shares unless otherwise noted.

 

(2)

For financial reporting purposes, the ratings disclosed are the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. This treatment of split-rated securities may differ from that used for other purposes, such as for Fund investment policies. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any of these national rating agencies.

 

(3)

Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in reverse repurchase agreements. As of the end of the reporting period, investments with a value of $86,826,199 have been pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements.

 

(4)

Variable rate security. The rate shown is the coupon as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(5)

Senior loans generally pay interest at rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term, floating lending rate (Reference Rate) plus an assigned fixed rate (Spread). These floating lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate referenced by the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks. Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan. The rate shown is the coupon as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(6)

Senior Loans generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment. Because of these mandatory prepayment conditions and because there may be significant economic incentives for a borrower to prepay, prepayments of senior loans may occur. As a result, the actual remaining maturity of senior loans held may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown.

 

(7)

Defaulted security. A security whose issuer has failed to fully pay principal and/or interest when due, or is under the protection of bankruptcy.

 

(8)

Investment, or portion of investment, represents an outstanding unfunded senior loan commitment.

 

(9)

For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 2.

 

(10)

Non-income producing; issuer has not declared an ex-dividend date within the past twelve months.

 

(11)

Investment valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by, or at the discretion of, the Board. For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, investment classified as Level 3.

 

(12)

The rate shown is the seven-day subsidized yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(13)

Reverse Repurchase Agreements as a percentage of Total Investments is 24.0%.

 

144A

Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

 

LIBOR

London Inter-Bank Offered Rate

 

N/A

Not applicable

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

16


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

  

Long-term investments, at value (cost $292,703,787)

   $  291,300,164  

Short-term investments, at value (cost approximates value)

     8,120,176  

Cash

     2,213  

Receivables for:

  

Interest

     3,641,386  

Investments sold

     2,567,580  

Other assets

     11,495  

Total assets

     305,643,014  

Liabilities

  

Reverse repurchase agreements, including accrued interest

     71,776,080  

Payables for:

  

Dividends

     915,928  

Investments purchased – regular settlement

     760,855  

Unfunded senior loans

     597,148  

Accrued expenses:

  

Management fees

     162,438  

Trustees fees

     14,707  

Other

     584,903  

Total liabilities

     74,812,059  

Net assets applicable to common shares

   $  230,830,955  

Common shares outstanding

     27,764,218  

Net asset value (“NAV”) per common share outstanding

   $ 8.31  

Net assets applicable to common shares consist of:

        

Common shares, $0.01 par value per share

   $ 277,642  

Paid-in-surplus

     271,101,386  

Total distributable earnings

     (40,548,073

Net assets applicable to common shares

   $ 230,830,955  

Authorized common shares

     Unlimited  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

17


Statement of Operations

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Investment Income

   $  6,369,716  

Expenses

  

Management fees

     1,001,688  

Interest expense

     275,545  

Custodian fees

     26,378  

Trustees fees

     3,778  

Professional fees

     26,995  

Shareholder reporting expenses

     23,361  

Shareholder servicing agent fees

     922  

Stock exchange listing fees

     3,789  

Investor relations expenses

     7,245  

Other

     8,194  

Total expenses

     1,377,895  

Net investment income (loss)

     4,991,821  

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

  

Net realized gain (loss) from Investments

     (776,072

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of Investments

     3,598,546  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     2,822,474  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations

   $ 7,814,295  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

18


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

     

Six Months

Ended

6/30/21

(Unaudited)

   

Year
Ended
12/31/20

 

Operations

    

Net investment income (loss)

   $  4,991,821     $ 18,353,214  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments

     (776,072     (39,722,253

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     3,598,546       615,685  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations

     7,814,295       (20,753,354

Distributions to Common Shareholders

    

Dividends

     (7,465,988     (15,644,915

Decrease in net assets applicable to common shares from distributions to common shareholders

     (7,465,988     (15,644,915

Capital Share Transactions

    

Net proceeds from common shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     114,248       303,754  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from capital share transactions

     114,248       303,754  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares

     462,555       (36,094,515

Net assets applicable to common shares at the beginning of period

     230,368,400       266,462,915  

Net assets applicable to common shares at the end of period

   $  230,830,955     $ 230,368,400  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

19


Statement of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations

   $ 7,814,295  

Adjustments to reconcile the net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shares from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

  

Purchases of investments

     (164,705,925

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

     178,176,222  

Proceeds from (Purchases of) short-term investments, net

     3,361,560  

Taxes paid

     (427,703

Amortization (Accretion) of premiums and discounts, net

     929,835  

(Increase) Decrease in:

  

Receivable for interest

     (187,711

Receivable for investments sold

     2,652,368  

Other assets

     (2,500

Increase (Decrease) in:

  

Payable for investments purchased – regular settlement

     760,855  

Payable for investments purchased – when-issued/delayed-delivery settlement

     (13,044,934

Payable for unfunded senior loans

  

Accrued interest on borrowings

     (132

Accrued management fees

     (11,970

Accrued Trustees fees

     3,748  

Accrued other expenses

     68,580  

Net realized (gain) loss from investments

     776,072  

Change in net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of investments

     (3,598,546

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     12,564,114  

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

  

Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements

     27,500,000  

(Repayments of) reverse repurchase agreements

     (39,730,000

Cash distributions paid to common shareholders

     (6,435,812

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (18,665,812

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

     (6,101,698

Cash at the beginning of period

     6,103,911  

Cash at the end of period

   $ 2,213  
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information        

Cash paid for interest (excluding costs)

   $ 275,677  

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consists of reinvestment of common share distributions

     114,248  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

20


THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

21


Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

           Investment Operations      Less Distributions to
Common Shareholders
     Common Share  
     Beginning
Common
Share
NAV
     Net
Investment
Income (Loss)(a)
     Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
     Total      From
Net
Investment
Income
     From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
     Total      Offering
Costs
     Ending
NAV
     Ending
Share
Price
 

Year Ended 12/31:

 

2021(f)

  $ 8.30      $ 0.18      $ 0.10      $ 0.28      $ (0.27    $     —      $ (0.27    $      $ 8.31      $ 8.31  

2020

    9.61        0.66        (1.41      (0.75      (0.56             (0.56             8.30        8.04  

2019

    9.06        0.66        0.45        1.11        (0.56             (0.56             9.61        10.03  

2018

    9.93        0.66        (0.97      (0.31      (0.56             (0.56             9.06        8.46  

2017(b)

    9.85        0.46        0.02        0.48        (0.38             (0.38      (0.02      9.93        9.49  

 

    Borrowings at the End of Period  
    

Aggregate
Amount

Outstanding
(000)

      

Asset

Coverage

Per $1,000

 

Year Ended 12/31:

      

2021(f)

  $        $  

2020

              

2019

    110,000          3,422  

2018

    110,000          3,281  

2017(b)

    91,400          4,008  

 

22


 

 

            Common Share Supplemental Data/
Ratios Applicable to Common Shares
 
Common Share
Total Returns
          Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)        
Based
on
NAV(c)
    Based
on
Share
Price(c)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
    Expenses     Net
Investment
Income (Loss)
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)
 
         
  3.40     6.75   $ 230,831       1.20 %*      4.36 %*      55
  (7.48 )%      (14.12 )%      230,368       1.59     7.99     92
  12.47       25.70       266,463       2.29       6.90       66  
  (3.33     (5.33     250,950       2.11       6.80       42  
  4.69       (1.42     274,948       1.62     6.14     35  

 

(a)

Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)

For the period March 28, 2017 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2017.

(c)

Total Return Based on Common Share NAV is the combination of changes in common share NAV, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending NAV. The actual reinvest price for the last dividend declared in the period may often be based on the Fund’s market price (and not its NAV), and therefore may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.

Total Return Based on Common Share Price is the combination of changes in the market price per share and the effect of reinvested dividend income and reinvested capital gains distributions, if any, at the average price paid per share at the time of reinvestment. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending market price. The actual reinvestment for the last dividend declared in the period may take place over several days, and in some instances may not be based on the market price, so the actual reinvestment price may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.

(d)     Net Investment Income (Loss) ratios reflect income earned and expenses incurred on assets attributable to reverse repurchase agreements and/or borrowings (as described in Note 8 – Fund Leverage).
    Each ratio includes the effect of all interest expense paid and other costs related to reverse repurchase agreements and/or borrowings, where applicable, as follows:

 

Ratios of Interest Expense
to Average Net Assets
Applicable to Common Shares
 

Year Ended 12/31:

 

2021(f)

    0.24 %* 

2020

    0.57  

2019

    1.27  

2018

    1.10  

2017(b)

    0.64
 

 

(e)

Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 4 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.

(f)

Unaudited. For the six months ended June 30, 2021.

*

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

23


Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1. General Information

Fund Information

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended, as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and trade under the ticker symbol “JCO.” The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on September 28, 2016.

The Fund seeks to return its original $9.85 net asset value (“NAV”) per common share on or about June 1, 2022 (the “Termination Date”).

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is June 30, 2021, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended June 30, 2021 (the “current fiscal period”).

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

The Fund’s investment adviser is Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC (“Nuveen”). Nuveen is the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA). The Adviser has overall responsibility for management of the Fund, oversees the management of the Fund’s portfolio, manages the Fund’s business affairs and provides certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services, and, if necessary, asset allocation decisions. The Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements with Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, (the “Sub-Adviser”), a subsidiary of the Adviser, under which the Sub-Adviser manages the investment portfolios of the fund.

Other Matters

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and subsequent global pandemic began significantly impacting the U.S. and global financial markets and economies during the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2020. The worldwide spread of COVID-19 has created significant uncertainty in the global economy. The duration and extent of COVID-19 over the long term cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 and the extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Fund’s normal course of business, results of operations, investments, and cash flows will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and difficult to predict. Management continues to monitor and evaluate this situation.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require the use of estimates made by management and the evaluation of subsequent events. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The Fund is an investment company and follows the accounting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. The NAV for financial reporting purposes may differ from the NAV for processing security and common share transactions. The NAV for financial reporting purposes includes security and common share transactions through the date of the report. Total return is computed based on the NAV used for processing security and common share transactions. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund.

Compensation

The Fund pays no compensation directly to those of its trustees who are affiliated with the Adviser or to its officers, all of whom receive renumeration for their services to the Fund from the Adviser or its affiliates. The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has adopted a deferred compensation plan for independent trustees that enables trustees to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to receive from certain Nuveen-advised funds. Under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar amounts had been invested in shares of select Nuveen-advised funds.

Distributions to Common Shareholders

Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount, character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

In seeking to achieve its investment objectives, the Fund currently intends to set aside and retain in its net assets (and therefore its NAV) a portion of its net investment income, and possibly all or a portion of its gains. This will reduce the amounts otherwise available for distribution prior to the liquidation of the Fund, and the Fund may incur taxes on such retained amount. Such retained income or gains, net of any taxes, would constitute a portion of the liquidating distribution returned to investors on or about the Termination Date.

 

24


 

Indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Investments and Investment Income

Securities transactions are accounted for as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the “primary market” is considered the date on which the loan allocations are determined. Trade date for senior and subordinated loans purchased in the “secondary market” is the date on which the transaction is entered into. Realized gains and losses on securities transactions are based upon the specific identification method. Investment income is comprised of interest income, which is recorded on an accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and the amortization of premium for financial reporting purposes. Investment income also reflects payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, paydown gains and losses and fee income, if any. PIK interest represents income received in the form of securities in lieu of cash. Fee income consists primarily of amendment fees, when applicable. Amendment fees are earned as compensation for evaluating and accepting changes to an original senior loan agreement and are recognized when received.

Netting Agreements

In the ordinary course of business, the Fund may enter into transactions subject to enforceable master repurchase agreements, International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) master agreements or other similar arrangements (“netting agreements”). Generally, the right to offset in netting agreements allows the Fund to offset certain securities and derivatives with a specific counterparty, when applicable, as well as any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. Generally, the Fund manages its cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis.

The Fund’s investments subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, if any, are further described in Note 4 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives.

New Accounting Pronouncements and Rule Issuances

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The main objective of the new guidance is to provide relief to companies that will be impacted by the expected change in benchmark interest rates at the end of 2021, when participating banks will no longer be required to submit London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) quotes by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The new guidance allows companies to, provided the only changes to existing contracts are a change to an approved benchmark interest rate, account for modifications as a continuance of the existing contract without additional analysis. For new and existing contracts, the Fund may elect to apply the amendments as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has not yet elected to apply the amendments, is continuously evaluating the potential effect a discontinuation of LIBOR could have on the Fund’s investments and has currently determined that it is unlikely the ASU’s adoption will have a significant impact on the Fund’s financial statements and various filings.

Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Adopts New Rules to Modernize Fund Valuation Framework

In December 2020, the SEC voted to adopt a new rule governing fund valuation practices. New Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. Rule 2a-5 will permit fund boards to designate certain parties to perform fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain other conditions. Rule 2a-5 also defines when market quotations are “readily available” for purposes of Section 2(a)(41) of the 1940 Act, which requires a fund to fair value a security when market quotations are not readily available. The SEC also adopted new Rule 31a-4 under the 1940 Act, which sets forth the recordkeeping requirements associated with fair value determinations. Finally, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues, including the role of a board in determining fair value and the accounting and auditing of fund investments. Rule 2a-5 and Rule 31a-4 became effective on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. A fund may voluntarily comply with the rules after the effective date, and in advance of the compliance date, under certain conditions. Management is currently assessing the impact of these provisions on the Fund’s financial statements.

3. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The Fund’s investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value utilizing valuation methods approved by the Board. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. U.S. GAAP establishes the three-tier hierarchy which is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs

 

25


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect management’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following is a summary of the three-tiered hierarchy of valuation input levels.

 

Level 1 –   Inputs are unadjusted and prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 –   Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, credit spreads, etc.).
Level 3 –   Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Fund’s major classifications of assets and liabilities measured at fair value follows:

Equity securities and exchange-traded funds listed or traded on a national market or exchange are valued based on their sale price at the official close of business of such market or exchange on the valuation date. Foreign equity securities and registered investment companies that trade on a foreign exchange are valued at the last sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange where traded and converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange on the date of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and that valuation adjustments are not applied, they are generally classified as Level 1. If there is no official close of business, then the latest available sale price is utilized. If no sales are reported, then the mean of the latest available bid and ask prices is utilized and these securities are generally classified as Level 2.

Prices of fixed-income securities are generally provided by an independent pricing service (“pricing service”) approved by the Board. The pricing service establishes a security’s fair value using methods that may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing service may consider information about a security, its issuer or market activity provided by the Adviser. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.

Investments in investment companies are valued at their respective NAVs on the valuation date and are generally classified as Level 1.

Any portfolio security or derivative for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued at fair value, as determined in good faith using procedures approved by the Board. As a general principle, the fair value of a security would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for it in a current sale. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, which may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. To the extent the inputs are observable and timely, the values would be classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; otherwise they would be classified as Level 3.

The following table summarizes the market value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period, based on the inputs used to value them:

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Long-Term Investments*:

           

Corporate Bonds

   $      $ 272,663,105      $      $ 272,663,105  

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

            13,446,492               13,446,492  

Convertible Bonds

            2,000,000               2,000,000  

Common Stocks**

     1,679,049        857,332        654,186        3,190,567  

Short-Term Investments:

           

Investment Companies

     8,120,176                      8,120,176  

Total

   $ 9,799,225      $ 288,966,929      $ 654,186      $ 299,420,340  
*

Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for industry classifications.

**

Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for securities classified as Level 2 and/or Level 3, when applicable.

4. Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives

Portfolio Securities

Unfunded Commitments

Pursuant to the terms of certain of the variable rate senior loan agreements, the Fund may have unfunded senior loan commitments. The Fund will maintain with its custodian, cash, liquid securities and/or liquid senior loans having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of unfunded senior loan commitments. As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund had $597,148 in outstanding unfunded senior loan commitments.

 

26


 

Participation Commitments

With respect to the senior loans held in the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund may: 1) invest in assignments; 2) act as a participant in primary lending syndicates; or 3) invest in participations. If the Fund purchases a participation of a senior loan interest, the Fund would typically enter into a contractual agreement with the lender or other third party selling the participation, rather than directly with the borrower. As such, the Fund not only assumes the credit risk of the borrower, but also that of the selling participant or other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund had no such outstanding participation commitments.

Zero Coupon Securities

A zero coupon security does not pay a regular interest coupon to its holders during the life of the security. Income to the holder of the security comes from accretion of the difference between the original purchase price of the security at issuance and the par value of the security at maturity and is effectively paid at maturity. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

Investment Transactions

Long-term purchases and sales (including maturities) during the current fiscal period aggregated $164,705,925 and $178,176,222, respectively.

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may have extended settlement periods; interest income is not accrued until settlement date. Any securities so purchased are subject to market fluctuation during this period. The Fund has earmarked securities in its portfolio with a current value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued/delayed-delivery purchase commitments. If the Fund has outstanding when-issued/delayed-delivery purchases commitments as of the end of the reporting period, such amounts are recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Investments in Derivatives

The Fund is authorized to invest in certain derivative instruments such as futures, options and swap contracts. The Fund limits its investments in futures, options on futures and swap contracts to the extent necessary for the Adviser to claim the exclusion from registration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund. The Fund records derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Fund’s investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes.

Although the Fund is authorized to invest in derivative instruments, and may do so in the future, it did not make any such investments during the current fiscal period.

Market and Counterparty Credit Risk

In the normal course of business the Fund may invest in financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to the transaction to perform (counterparty credit risk). The potential loss could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded on the financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to counterparty credit risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties on forward, option and swap transactions, when applicable. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk in respect to these financial assets approximates their carrying value as recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund helps manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties. Additionally, counterparties may be required to pledge collateral daily (based on the daily valuation of the financial asset) on behalf of the Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain above a pre-determined threshold. Reciprocally, when the Fund has an unrealized loss, the Fund has instructed the custodian to pledge assets of the Fund as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss above a pre-determined threshold. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the valuations fluctuate, either up or down, by at least the pre-determined threshold amount.

5. Fund Shares

Common Share Transactions

Transactions in common shares during the Fund’s current and prior fiscal period were as follows:

 

        Six Months
Ended
6/30/21
       Year
Ended
12/31/20
 

Common shares:

         

Issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

       13,726          36,367  

 

27


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

6. Income Tax Information

The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income to shareholders and to otherwise comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. In any year when the Fund realizes net capital gains, the Fund may choose to distribute all or a portion of its net capital gains to shareholders, or alternatively, to retain all or a portion of its net capital gains and pay federal corporate income taxes on such retained gains.

For all open tax years and all major taxing jurisdictions, management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e., generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Fund is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to the recognition of premium amortization and timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts as detailed below. Temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the NAV of the Fund.

The table below presents the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the Fund’s investment portfolio, as determined on a federal income tax basis as of June 30, 2021.

 

Tax cost of investments

     $ 301,035,996  

Gross unrealized:

    

Appreciation

     $ 3,305,494  

Depreciation

       (4,921,150

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     $ (1,615,656
Permanent differences, primarily due to federal taxes paid and bond premium amortization adjustments, resulted in reclassifications among the Fund’s components of common share net assets as of December 31, 2020, the Fund’s last tax year end.

 

The tax components of undistributed net ordinary income and net long-term capital gains as of December 31, 2020, the Fund’s last tax year end, were as follows:

 

 

Undistributed net ordinary income1

     $ 11,062,409  

Undistributed net long-term capital gains

        

1  Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains, if any.

   

The tax character of distributions paid during the Fund’s last tax year ended December 31, 2020 was designated for purposes of the dividends paid deduction as follows:

 

 

            

Distributions from net ordinary income1

     $ 15,644,915  

Distributions from net long-term capital gains

        

1  Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains, if any.

   

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund’s last tax year end, the Fund had unused capital losses carrying forward available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any. The capital losses are not subject to expiration.

 

Not subject to expiration:

    

Short-term

     $ 17,865,928  

Long-term

       29,350,757  

Total

     $ 47,216,685  

7. Management Fees

The Fund’s management fee compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services and general office facilities. The Sub-Adviser is compensated for its services to the Fund from the management fees paid to the Adviser.

The Fund’s management fee consists of two components – a fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets managed by the Adviser. This pricing structure enables Fund shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within the Fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by the Adviser.

 

28


 

The annual fund-level fee, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Managed Assets*      Fund-Level Fee Rate  

For the first $500 million

       0.5000

For the next $250 million

       0.4875  

For managed assets over $750 million

       0.4750  

The annual complex-level fee, payable monthly, is calculated by multiplying the current complex-wide fee rate, determined according to the following schedule by the Fund’s daily managed assets:

 

Complex-Level Eligible Asset Breakpoint Level*      Effective Complex-Level Fee Rate at Breakpoint Level  

$55 billion

       0.2000

$56 billion

       0.1996  

$57 billion

       0.1989  

$60 billion

       0.1961  

$63 billion

       0.1931  

$66 billion

       0.1900  

$71 billion

       0.1851  

$76 billion

       0.1806  

$80 billion

       0.1773  

$91 billion

       0.1691  

$125 billion

       0.1599  

$200 billion

       0.1505  

$250 billion

       0.1469  

$300 billion

       0.1445  
*

For the complex-level fees, managed assets include closed-end fund assets managed by the Adviser that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by a TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by the Adviser as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining managed assets in certain circumstances. The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily managed assets of all Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds that constitute “eligible assets.” Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of a determined amount (originally $2 billion) added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with the Adviser’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011, but do not included certain assets of certain Nuveen funds that were reorganized into funds advised by an affiliate of the Adviser during the 2019 calendar year. As of June 30, 2021, the complex-level fee for the Fund was 0.1539%.

8. Fund Leverage

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

During the current fiscal period, the Fund entered into reverse repurchase agreements as a means of leverage.

The Fund may enter into a reverse repurchase agreement with brokers, dealers, banks or other financial institutions that have been determined by the Adviser to be creditworthy. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells to the counterparty a security that it holds with a contemporaneous agreement to repurchase the same security at an agreed-upon price and date, reflecting the interest rate effective for the term of the agreement. It may also be viewed as the borrowing of money by the Fund. Cash received in exchange for securities delivered, plus accrued interest payments to be made by the Fund to a counterparty, are reflected as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest payments made by the Fund to counterparties are recognized as a component of “Interest expense” on the Statement of Operations.

In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund retains the risk of loss associated with the sold security. In order to minimize risk, the Fund identifies for coverage securities and cash as collateral with a fair value at least equal to its purchase obligations under these agreements (including accrued interest). Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that the purchaser fails to return the securities as agreed upon, files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent. Upon a bankruptcy or insolvency of a counterparty, the Fund is considered to be an unsecured creditor with respect to excess collateral and as such the return of excess collateral may be delayed. The Fund will identify assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser to cover its obligations under reverse repurchase agreements.

 

29


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund’s outstanding balances on its reverse repurchase agreements were as follows:

 

Counterparty   Interest
Rate
       Principal
Amount
       Maturity        Value        Value and
Accrued Interest
 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    0.384      $ (25,000,000        7/28/21        $ (25,000,000      $ (25,000,800

TD Securities (USA) LLC

    0.640        (30,400,000        7/23/21          (30,400,000        (30,403,243

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    0.640        (16,370,000        7/26/21          (16,370,000        (16,372,037
               $ (71,770,000                 $ (71,770,000      $ (71,776,080

During the current fiscal period, the average daily balance outstanding (which was for the entire current reporting period) and average interest rate on the Fund’s reverse repurchase agreements were as follows:

 

Average daily balance outstanding

       $79,595,912  

Average annual interest rate

       0.69%  

The following table presents the reverse repurchase agreements subject to netting agreements and the collateral delivered related to those reverse repurchase agreements.

 

Counterparty    Reverse Repurchase
Agreements*
       Collateral
Pledged to
Counterparty
 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

   $ (25,000,800      $ 30,795,155  

TD Securities (USA) LLC

     (30,403,243        34,971,781  

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

     (16,372,037        21,059,263  
     $ (71,776,080      $ 86,826,199  
*

Represents gross value and accrued interest for the counterparty as reported in the preceding table.

Inter-Fund Borrowing and Lending

The SEC has granted an exemptive order permitting registered open-end and closed-end Nuveen funds to participate in an inter-fund lending facility whereby the Nuveen funds may directly lend to and borrow money from each other for temporary purposes (e.g., to satisfy redemption requests or when a sale of securities “fails,” resulting in an unanticipated cash shortfall) (the “Inter-Fund Program”). The closed-end Nuveen funds, including the Fund covered by this shareholder report, will participate only as lenders, and not as borrowers, in the Inter-Fund Program because such closed-end funds rarely, if ever, need to borrow cash to meet redemptions. The Inter-Fund Program is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, the requirements that (1) no fund may borrow or lend money through the Inter-Fund Program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than is typically available from a bank or other financial institution for a comparable transaction; (2) no fund may borrow on an unsecured basis through the Inter-Fund Program unless the fund’s outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the inter-fund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided that if the borrowing fund has a secured borrowing outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another fund, the inter-fund loan must be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value; (3) if a fund’s total outstanding borrowings immediately after an inter-fund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the fund may borrow through the inter-fund loan on a secured basis only; (4) no fund may lend money if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the Inter-Fund Program to exceed 15% of its net assets at the time of the loan; (5) a fund’s inter-fund loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending fund’s net assets; (6) the duration of inter-fund loans will be limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven days; and (7) each inter-fund loan may be called on one business day’s notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund. In addition, a Nuveen fund may participate in the Inter-Fund Program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the fund’s investment objective and investment policies. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Inter-Fund Program.

The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting the Inter-Fund Program are designed to minimize the risks associated with Inter-Fund Program for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a fund borrows money from another fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher rate or take other actions to payoff such loan if an inter-fund loan is not available from another fund. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.

During the current reporting period, the Fund did not enter into any inter-fund loan activity.

 

30


Risk

Considerations (Unaudited)

 

Fund shares are not guaranteed or endorsed by any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund (JCO)

Investing in closed-end funds involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Closed-end fund shares may frequently trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Lower credit debt securities may be more likely to fail to make timely interest or principal payments. Adjustable Rate Senior Loans may not be fully secured by collateral, generally do not trade on exchanges, and are typically issued by unrated or below-investment grade companies, and therefore are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk. Leverage increases return volatility and magnifies the Fund’s potential return and its risks; there is no guarantee a fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. These and other risk considerations such as limited term, interest rate risk and concentration risk are described in more detail on the Fund’s web page at www.nuveen.com/JCO.

 

31


Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

Board of Trustees          
Jack B. Evans   William C. Hunter  

Amy B.R. Lancellotta

 

Joanne T. Medero

 

Albin F. Moschner

  J0hn K. Nelson

Judith M. Stockdale

 

Carole E. Stone

 

Matthew Thornton III

 

Terence J. Toth

 

Margaret L. Wolff

  Robert L. Young

 

         

Investment Adviser

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Custodian

State Street Bank
& Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

 

Legal Counsel

Chapman and Cutler LLP

Chicago, IL 60603

 

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP

200 East Randolph Street

Chicago, IL 60601

 

Transfer Agent and
Shareholder Services

Computershare Trust

Company, N.A.

150 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

(800) 257-8787

 

 

Portfolio of Investments Information

The Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. You may obtain this information directly from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

Nuveen Funds’ Proxy Voting Information

You may obtain (i) information regarding how each fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen toll-free at (800) 257-8787 or on Nuveen’s website at www.nuveen.com and (ii) a description of the policies and procedures that each fund used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen toll free at (800) 257-8787. You may also obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

CEO Certification Disclosure

The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the annual CEO certification as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The Fund has filed with the SEC the certification of its CEO and Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

 

Common Share Repurchases

The Fund intends to repurchase, through its open-market share repurchase program, shares of its own common stock at such times and in such amounts as is deemed advisable. During the period covered by this report, the Fund repurchased shares of its common stock, as shown in the accompanying table. Any future repurchases will be reported to shareholders in the next annual or semi-annual report.

 

     JCO  

Common shares repurchased

    0  

FINRA BrokerCheck

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides information regarding the disciplinary history of FINRA member firms and associated investment professionals. This information as well as an investor brochure describing FINRA BrokerCheck is available to the public by calling the FINRA BrokerCheck Hotline number at (800) 289-9999 or by visiting www.FINRA.org.

 

 

 

32


Glossary of Terms

Used in this Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

Average Annual Total Return: This is a commonly used method to express an investment’s performance over a particular, usually multi-year time period. It expresses the return that would have been necessary each year to equal the investment’s actual cumulative performance (including change in NAV or market price and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, if any) over the time period being considered.

 

 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. High Yield 1-5 Year Cash Pay 2% Issuer Capped Index: An index that tracks the performance of U.S. non-investment grade bonds with maturities of one to 4.99 years and limits each issue to 2% of the index. Benchmark returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

 

 

Effective Leverage: Effective leverage is a fund’s effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage (see below) and the leverage effects of certain derivative investments in the fund’s portfolio.

 

 

JCO Custom Blended Fund Benchmark: A blended return comprised of: 1) 75% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. High Yield 1-5 Year Cash Pay 2% Issue Capped Index, which tracks the performance of U.S. non-investment grade bonds with maturities of one to 4.99 years and limits each issue to 2% of the index and, 2) 25% Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index, which consists of approximately $150 billion of tradable term loans with at least one year to maturity and rated BBB or lower. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

 

 

Leverage: Leverage is created whenever a fund has investment exposure (both reward and/or risk) equivalent to more than 100% of the investment capital.

 

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share: A fund’s Net Assets is equal to its total assets (securities, cash, accrued earnings and receivables) less its total liabilities. NAV per share is equal to the fund’s Net Assets divided by its number of shares outstanding.

 

 

Regulatory Leverage: Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued by or borrowings of a fund. Both of these are part of a fund’s capital structure. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

33


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process

(Unaudited)

 

At a meeting held on May 25-27, 2021 (the “May Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board” and each Trustee, a “Board Member”) of the Fund, which is comprised entirely of Board Members who are not “interested persons” (as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) (the “Independent Board Members”), approved the renewal of the management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) pursuant to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser serves as the sub-adviser to the Fund. Although the 1940 Act requires that continuances of the Advisory Agreements (as defined below) be approved by the in-person vote of a majority of the Independent Board Members, the May Meeting was held virtually through the internet in view of the health risks associated with holding an in-person meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental restrictions on gatherings. The May Meeting was held virtually in reliance on certain exemptive relief the Securities and Exchange Commission provided to registered investment companies providing temporary relief from the in-person voting requirements of the 1940 Act with respect to the approval of a fund’s advisory agreement in light of these challenges.

Following up to an initial two-year period, the Board considers the renewal of the Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement on an annual basis. The Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements” and the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are collectively, the “Fund Advisers” and each, a “Fund Adviser.” Throughout the year, the Board and its committees meet regularly and, at these meetings, receive regular and/or special reports that cover an extensive array of topics and information that are relevant to its annual consideration of the renewal of the advisory agreements for the Nuveen funds. Such information may address, among other things, fund performance and risk information; the Adviser’s strategic plans; product initiatives for various funds; the review of the funds and investment teams; compliance, regulatory and risk management matters; the trading practices of the various sub-advisers to the funds; valuation of securities; fund expenses; securities lending; liquidity management; overall market and regulatory developments; and with respect to closed-end funds, capital management initiatives, institutional ownership, management of leverage financing and the secondary market trading of the closed-end funds and any actions to address discounts. The Board also seeks to meet periodically with the Nuveen funds’ sub-advisers and portfolio teams, when feasible.

In addition, in connection with the annual consideration of the advisory agreements for the Nuveen funds, the Board, through its independent legal counsel, requested and received extensive materials and information prepared specifically for its annual consideration of the renewal of such advisory agreements by the Adviser and by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data. The materials cover a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, a description of the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Fund Advisers; a review of product actions taken during 2020 (such as mergers, liquidations, fund launches, changes to investment teams, and changes to investment policies); a review of each sub-adviser to the Nuveen funds and the applicable investment teams; an analysis of fund performance in absolute terms and as compared to the performance of certain peer funds and benchmarks with a focus on any performance outliers; an analysis of the fees and expense ratios of the Nuveen funds in absolute terms and as compared to those of certain peer funds with a focus on any expense outliers; a review of management fee schedules; a description of portfolio manager compensation; an overview of the secondary market trading of shares of the Nuveen closed-end funds (including, among other things, an analysis of performance, distribution and valuation and capital-raising trends in the broader closed-end fund market and with respect to Nuveen closed-end funds and a review of the leverage management actions taken on behalf of the closed-end funds particularly during the periods of market volatility generally caused by the COVID-19 pandemic); a review of the performance of various service providers; a description of various initiatives Nuveen had undertaken or continued during the year for the benefit of particular fund(s) and/or the complex; a description of the profitability or financial data of Nuveen and the sub-advisers to the Nuveen funds; and a description of indirect benefits received by the Adviser and the sub-advisers as a result of their relationships with the Nuveen funds. The information prepared specifically for the annual review supplemented the information provided to the Board and its committees and the evaluations of the Nuveen funds by the Board and its committees during the year.

In continuing its practice, the Board met prior to the May Meeting to begin its considerations of the renewal of the Advisory Agreements. Accordingly, on April 21-22, 2021 (the “April Meeting”), the Board met to review and discuss, in part, the

 

34


 

performance of the Nuveen funds and the Adviser’s evaluation of each sub-adviser to the Nuveen funds. At the April Meeting, the Board Members asked questions and requested additional information that was provided for the May Meeting. The Board reviewed fund performance throughout the year and in its review, the Board recognized the volatile market conditions that occurred in early 2020 arising, in part, from the public health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and the resulting impact on a fund’s performance for 2020 and thereafter. Accordingly, the Board considered performance data measured over various periods of time as summarized in more detail below.

The Independent Board Members considered the review of the advisory agreements for the Nuveen funds to be an ongoing process and employed the accumulated information, knowledge and experience the Board Members had gained during their tenure on the boards governing the Nuveen funds and working with the Adviser and sub-advisers in their review of the advisory agreements. The contractual arrangements are a result of multiple years of review, negotiation and information provided in connection with the boards’ annual review of the Nuveen funds’ advisory arrangements and oversight of the Nuveen funds.

The Independent Board Members were advised by independent legal counsel during the annual review process as well as throughout the year, including meeting in executive sessions with such counsel at which no representatives from the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser were present. In connection with their annual review, the Independent Board Members also received a memorandum from independent legal counsel outlining their fiduciary duties and legal standards in reviewing the Advisory Agreements.

The Board’s decision to renew the Advisory Agreements was not based on a single identified factor, but rather the decision reflected the comprehensive consideration of all the information provided throughout the year and at the April and May Meetings, and each Board Member may have attributed different levels of importance to the various factors and information considered in connection with the approval process. The following summarizes the principal factors and information, but not all the factors, the Board considered in deciding to renew the Advisory Agreements as well as the Board’s conclusions.

 

A.   Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In evaluating the renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of the applicable Fund Adviser’s services provided to the Fund with particular focus on the services and enhancements to such services provided during the last year. The Independent Board Members considered the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement separately in the course of their review. With this approach, they considered the respective roles of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser in providing services to the Fund.

The Board recognized that the Nuveen funds operate in a highly regulated industry and, therefore, the Adviser has provided a wide array of management, oversight and administrative services to manage and operate the funds, and the scope and complexity of these services have expanded over time as a result of, among other things, regulatory and other developments. The Board accordingly considered the extensive resources, tools and capabilities available to the Adviser to operate and manage the Nuveen funds. With respect to the Adviser, as a general matter, some of these services it and its affiliates provide to the Nuveen funds include, but are not limited to: product management (such as setting dividends, analyzing fund expenses, providing competitive analysis, and providing due diligence support); investment oversight, risk management and securities valuation services (such as overseeing and reviewing the various sub-advisers to the Nuveen funds and their investment teams; analyzing fund performance and risk data; overseeing operational and risk management; participating in financial statement, marketing and risk disclosures; providing daily valuation services and developing related valuation policies, procedures and methodologies; periodic testing of audit and regulatory requirements; participating in product development and management processes; participating in leverage management, liquidity monitoring and counterparty credit oversight; providing due diligence and overseeing fund accounting and custody providers; overseeing third party pricing services and periodically assessing investment and liquidity risks); fund administration (such as preparing fund tax returns and other tax compliance services; preparing regulatory filings; overseeing the funds’ independent public accountants and other service providers; analyzing products and enhancements; and managing fund budgets and expenses); oversight of shareholder services and transfer agency functions (such as overseeing transfer agent service providers which include registered shareholder customer service and transaction processing; overseeing proxy solicitation and tabulation services; and overseeing the production and distribution of financial reports by service providers); Board relations services (such as organizing and administering Board and committee meetings, preparing various reports to the Board and committees and

 

35


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

providing other support services); compliance and regulatory oversight services (such as managing compliance policies; monitoring compliance with applicable fund policies and laws and regulations; devising internal compliance programs and a framework to review and assess compliance programs; evaluating the compliance programs of the various sub-advisers to the Nuveen funds and certain other service providers; responding to regulatory requests; and preparing compliance training materials); legal support and oversight of outside law firms (such as helping to prepare and file registration statements and proxy statements; overseeing fund activities and providing legal interpretations regarding such activities; maintaining regulatory registrations and negotiating agreements with other fund service providers; and monitoring changes in regulatory requirements and commenting on rule proposals impacting investment companies); and with respect to closed-end funds, managing leverage, monitoring asset coverage and promoting an orderly secondary market.

In evaluating services, the Board reviewed various highlights of the initiatives the Adviser and its affiliates have undertaken or continued in 2020 to benefit the Nuveen complex and/or particular Nuveen funds and meet the requirements of an increasingly complex regulatory environment including, but not limited to:

 

   

Centralization of Functions – ongoing initiatives to centralize investment leadership, market approach and shared support functions within Nuveen and its affiliates in seeking to operate more effectively the business and enhance the services to the Nuveen funds;

 

   

Fund Improvements and Product Management Initiatives – continuing to proactively manage the Nuveen fund complex as a whole and at the individual fund level with an aim to continually improve product platforms and investment strategies to better serve shareholders through, among other things, rationalizing the product line and gaining efficiencies through mergers, repositionings and liquidations; launching new funds; reviewing and updating investment policies and benchmarks; and modifying portfolio management teams for various funds;

 

   

Investment Team Integrations – continuing to integrate and adjust the members of certain investment teams, in part, to allow greater access to tools and resources within the Nuveen organization and its affiliates;

 

   

Capital Initiatives – continuing to invest capital to support new Nuveen funds with initial capital as well as to support existing funds and facilitate regulatory or logistical changes;

 

   

Compliance Program Initiatives – continuing efforts to mitigate compliance risk, increase operating efficiencies, implement enhancements to strengthen key compliance program elements and support international business growth and other corporate objectives;

 

   

Investment Oversight – preparing reports to the Board addressing, among other things, fund performance; market conditions; investment teams; new products; changes to mandates, policies and benchmarks; and other management proposals;

 

   

Risk Management and Valuation Services – continuing to oversee and manage risk including, among other things, conducting daily calculations and monitoring of risk measures across the Nuveen funds, instituting appropriate investment risk controls, providing risk reporting throughout the firm, participating in internal oversight committees, and continuing to implement an operational risk framework that seeks to provide greater transparency of operational risk matters across the complex as well as provide multiple other risk programs that seek to provide a more disciplined and consistent approach to identifying and mitigating Nuveen’s operational risks. Further, the securities valuation team continues, among other things, to oversee the daily valuation process of the portfolio securities of the funds, maintains the valuation policies and procedures, facilitates valuation committee meetings, manages relationships with pricing vendors, and prepares relevant valuation reports and designs methods to simplify and enhance valuation workflow within the organization;

 

   

Regulatory Matters – continuing efforts to monitor regulatory trends and advocate on behalf of Nuveen and/or the Nuveen funds, to implement and comply with new or revised rules and mandates and to respond to regulatory inquiries and exams;

 

36


 

   

Government Relations – continuing efforts of various Nuveen teams and Nuveen’s affiliates to develop policy positions on a broad range of issues that may impact the Nuveen funds, advocate and communicate these positions to lawmakers and other regulatory authorities and work with trade associations to ensure these positions are represented;

 

   

Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Information Security – continuing efforts of Nuveen to periodically test and update business continuity and disaster recovery plans and, together with its affiliates, to maintain an information security program designed to identify and manage information security risks, and provide reports to the Board, at least annually, addressing, among other things, management’s security risk assessment, cyber risk profile, potential impact of new or revised laws and regulations, incident tracking and other relevant information technology risk-related reports;

 

   

Dividend Management Services – continuing to manage the dividends among the varying types of Nuveen funds within the Nuveen complex to be consistent with the respective fund’s product design and positioning in striving to deliver those earnings to shareholders in a relatively consistent manner over time as well as assisting in the development of new products or the restructuring of existing funds; and

 

   

with respect specifically to closed-end funds, such continuing services also included:

 

 

Leverage Management Services – continuing to actively manage the various forms of leverage utilized across the complex, including through committing resources and focusing on sourcing/structure development and bank provider management, which was key to navigating the respective funds through the COVID-related market volatility in 2020;

 

 

Capital Management, Market Intelligence and Secondary Market Services – ongoing capital management efforts through shelf offerings, share repurchases, tender offers and capital return programs as well as providing market data analysis to help understand closed-end fund ownership cycles and their impact on secondary market trading as well as to improve proxy solicitation efforts; and

 

 

Closed-end Fund Investor Relations Program – maintaining the closed-end fund investor relations program which, among other things, raises awareness, provides educational materials and cultivates advocacy for closed-end funds and the Nuveen closed-end fund product line.

In its review, the Board recognized that Nuveen’s risk management, compliance, technology and operations capabilities are all integral to providing its investment management services to the Nuveen funds. Further, the Board noted the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Nuveen fund, as each Nuveen fund is a part of a large fund complex with a variety of investment disciplines, capabilities, expertise and resources available to navigate and support the funds including during stressed times as occurred in the market in the first half of 2020. The Board recognized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the year and the adaptations required by service providers to continue to deliver their services to the Nuveen funds, including working remotely. In this regard, the Board noted the ability of the Adviser and the various sub-advisers to the Nuveen funds to provide continuously their services notwithstanding the significant disruptions caused by the pandemic. In addition to the services provided by the Adviser, the Board also considered the risks borne by the Adviser and its affiliates in managing the Nuveen funds, including entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, regulatory and litigation risks.

The Board further considered the division of responsibilities between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and recognized that the Sub-Adviser and its investment personnel generally are responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio under the oversight of the Adviser and the Board. The Board considered an analysis of the Sub-Adviser provided by the Adviser which included, among other things, the assets under management of the applicable investment team and changes thereto, a summary of the applicable investment team and changes thereto, the investment process and philosophy of the applicable investment team, the performance of the Nuveen funds sub-advised by the Sub-Adviser over various periods of time and a summary of any significant policy and/or other changes to the Nuveen funds sub-advised by the Sub-Adviser. The Board further considered at the May Meeting or prior meetings evaluations of the Sub-Adviser’s compliance programs and trade execution. The Board also considered the structure of investment personnel compensation programs and whether this structure provides appropriate incentives to act in the best interests of the respective Nuveen funds. The Board noted that the Adviser recommended the renewal of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

37


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Based on its review, the Board determined, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under each applicable Advisory Agreement.

 

B.   The Investment Performance of the Fund and Fund Advisers

In evaluating the quality of the services provided by the Fund Advisers, the Board also received and considered a variety of investment performance data of the Nuveen funds they advise. In evaluating performance, the Board recognized that performance data may differ significantly depending on the ending date selected, particularly during periods of market volatility, and therefore considered performance over a variety of time periods that may include full market cycles. In this regard, the Board reviewed, among other things, Fund performance over the quarter, one- and three-year periods ending December 31, 2020 as well as performance data periods ending nearer to the May Meeting, including the quarter, one- and three-year periods ending March 31, 2021 and May 14, 2021. The performance data prepared for the annual review of the advisory agreements for the Nuveen funds supplemented the fund performance data that the Board received throughout the year at its meetings representing differing time periods. In its review, the Board took into account the discussions with representatives of the Adviser; the Adviser’s analysis regarding fund performance that occurred at these Board meetings with particular focus on funds that were considered performance outliers (both overperformance and underperformance); the factors contributing to the performance; and any recommendations or steps taken to address performance concerns. Regardless of the time period reviewed by the Board, the Board recognized that shareholders may evaluate performance based on their own holding periods which may differ from the periods reviewed by the Board and lead to differing results.

In its review, the Board reviewed both absolute and relative fund performance during the annual review over the various time periods. With respect to the latter, the Board considered fund performance in comparison to the performance of peer funds (the “Performance Peer Group”) and recognized and/or customized benchmarks (i.e., generally benchmarks derived from multiple recognized benchmarks). For Nuveen funds that had changes in portfolio managers since 2018 or significant changes, among other things, to their investment strategies or policies since 2019, the Board reviewed certain performance data comparing the performance of such funds before and after such changes. In considering performance data, the Board is aware of certain inherent limitations with such data, including that differences between the objective(s), strategies and other characteristics of the Nuveen funds compared to the respective Performance Peer Group and/or benchmark(s) (such as differences in the use of leverage) as well as differences in the composition of the Performance Peer Group over time will necessarily contribute to differences in performance results and limit the value of the comparative information. To assist the Board in its review of the comparability of the relative performance, the Adviser has ranked the relevancy of the peer group to the funds as low, medium or high.

The Board also evaluated performance in light of various relevant factors, including, among other things, general market conditions, issuer-specific information, asset class information, leverage and fund cash flows. In relation to general market conditions, the Board recognized the significant market decline in the early part of 2020 in connection with, among other things, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and that such a period of underperformance and market volatility may significantly weigh on the longer term performance results. Accordingly, depending on the facts and circumstances including any differences between the respective Nuveen fund and its benchmark and/or Performance Peer Group, the Board may be satisfied with a fund’s performance notwithstanding that its performance may be below that of its benchmark or peer group for certain periods. However, with respect to any Nuveen funds for which the Board had identified performance issues, the Board monitors such funds closely until performance improves, discusses with the Adviser the reasons for such results, considers whether any steps are necessary or appropriate to address such issues, and reviews the results of any steps undertaken.

The secondary market trading of shares of the Nuveen closed-end funds continues to be a priority for the Board given its importance to shareholders, and therefore data reflecting the premiums and discounts at which the shares of the closed-end funds trade are reviewed by the Board during its annual review and by the Board and/or its Closed-end Fund committee during its respective quarterly meetings throughout the year. The Board continuously reviews all closed-end fund discounts and the fund’s performance relative to both primary and secondary benchmarks and peers. In its review, the Board considers, among other things, changes to investment mandates and guidelines, enhanced and attractive distribution policies, leverage

 

38


 

levels and types, fund reorganizations, share repurchases and similar capital market actions and effective communications programs to build greater awareness and deepen understanding of closed-end funds.

The Board noted that each of the Nuveen target term funds (including the Fund) had investment objectives that seek to provide a high level of current income and to return its original net asset value per common share on or about its termination date. Given the heightened market volatility in early 2020 which continued to impact longer term performance and the investment objectives of these funds to seek the return of original net asset value, the Board will continue to monitor each of these funds. Further, the Board’s determinations with respect to the Fund are summarized below.

The Board recognized that the Fund’s performance was below the performance of its benchmark and the Fund ranked in the fourth quartile of its Performance Peer Group for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021. In addition, for periods ended May 14, 2021, although the Fund’s performance was below the performance of its benchmark for the three-year period and the Fund ranked in the fourth quartile of its Performance Peer Group for the one- and three-year periods, the Fund outperformed its benchmark for the one-year period. In its review, the Board recognized that the Performance Peer Group was classified as low for relevancy. The Board further recognized that recent market conditions have materially increased the risk associated with achieving the Fund’s objective to return original net asset value. The Board also noted the changes to the portfolio management team in 2020. The Board will continue to monitor the Fund.

 

C.   Fees, Expenses and Profitability
  1.   Fees and Expenses

As part of its annual review, the Board considered the contractual management fee and net management fee (the management fee after taking into consideration fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, if any) paid by a Nuveen fund to the Adviser in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided. The Board also considered the total operating expense ratio of each fund before and after any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. More specifically, the Independent Board Members reviewed, among other things, each fund’s gross and net management fee rates (i.e., before and after expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, if any) and net total expense ratio in relation to those of a comparable universe of funds (the “Peer Universe”) established by Broadridge. The Independent Board Members reviewed the methodology Broadridge employed to establish its Peer Universe and recognized that differences between the applicable fund and its respective Peer Universe as well as changes to the composition of the Peer Universe from year to year may limit some of the value of the comparative data. The Independent Board Members also considered a fund’s operating expense ratio as it more directly reflected the shareholder’s costs in investing in the respective fund.

In their review, the Independent Board Members considered, in particular, each fund with a net expense ratio (excluding investment-related costs of leverage) of six basis points or higher compared to that of its peer average (each, an “Expense Outlier Fund”) and an analysis as to the factors contributing to each such fund’s higher relative net expense ratio. In addition, although the Board reviewed a fund’s total net expenses both including and excluding investment-related expenses (i.e., leverage costs) and taxes for certain of the closed-end funds, the Board recognized that leverage expenses will vary across funds and in comparison to peers because of differences in the forms and terms of leverage employed by the respective fund. Accordingly, in reviewing the comparative data between a fund and its peers, the Board generally considered the fund’s net expense ratio and fees (excluding leverage costs and leveraged assets) to be higher if they were over 10 basis points higher, slightly higher if they were 6 to 10 basis points higher, in line if they were within approximately 5 basis points higher than the peer average and below if they were below the peer average of the Peer Universe. The Independent Board Members also considered, in relevant part, a fund’s net management fee and net total expense ratio in light of its performance history.

In their review of the fee arrangements for the Nuveen funds, the Independent Board Members considered the management fee schedules, including the complex-wide and fund-level breakpoint schedules. The Board noted that across the Nuveen fund complex, the complex-wide fee breakpoints reduced fees by approximately $58.4 million and fund-level breakpoints reduced fees by approximately $69.6 million in 2020.

With respect to the Sub-Adviser, the Board also considered the sub-advisory fee schedule paid to the Sub-Adviser in light of the sub-advisory services provided to the Fund, the breakpoint schedule and comparative data of the fees the Sub-Adviser

 

39


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

charges to other clients, if any. In its review, the Board recognized that the compensation paid to the Sub-Adviser is the responsibility of the Adviser, not the Fund.

The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund had a net management fee and a net expense ratio that were below the respective peer averages.

Based on its review of the information provided, the Board determined that the Fund’s management fees (as applicable) to a Fund Adviser were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.

 

  2.   Comparisons with the Fees of Other Clients

In determining the appropriateness of fees, the Board also considered information regarding the fee rates the respective Fund Advisers charged to certain other types of clients and the type of services provided to these other clients. With respect to the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser, such other clients may include retail and institutional managed accounts advised by the Sub-Adviser; hedge funds managed by the Sub-Adviser; investment companies offered outside the Nuveen family and sub-advised by the Sub-Adviser; foreign investment companies offered by Nuveen and sub-advised by the Sub-Adviser; and collective investment trusts sub-advised by the Sub-Adviser. The Board further noted that the Adviser also advised certain exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) sponsored by Nuveen.

The Board recognized that the Fund had an affiliated sub-adviser and, with respect to affiliated sub-advisers, reviewed, among other things, the range of fees assessed for managed accounts, hedge funds (along with their performance fee) and foreign investment companies offered by Nuveen. The Board also reviewed the fee range and average fee rate of certain selected investment strategies offered in retail and institutional managed accounts advised by the Sub-Adviser, the hedge funds advised by the Sub-Adviser (along with their performance fee) and non-Nuveen investment companies sub-advised by certain affiliated sub-advisers.

In considering the fee data of other clients, the Board recognized, among other things, the differences in the amount, type and level of services provided to the Nuveen funds relative to other clients as well as the differences in portfolio investment policies, investor profiles, account sizes and regulatory requirements, all of which contribute to the variations in the fee schedules. The Board recognized the breadth of services the Adviser had provided to the Nuveen funds compared to the other types of clients as the funds operate in a highly regulated industry with increasing regulatory requirements as well as the increased entrepreneurial, legal and regulatory risks that the Adviser incurs in sponsoring and managing the funds. Further, with respect to ETFs, the Board considered that Nuveen ETFs were passively managed compared to the active management of the other Nuveen funds which contributed to the differences in fee levels between the Nuveen ETFs and other Nuveen funds. In general, higher fee levels reflect higher levels of service provided by the Adviser, increased investment management complexity, greater product management requirements, and higher levels of business risk or some combination of these factors. The Board further considered that the Sub-Adviser’s fee is essentially for portfolio management services and therefore more comparable to the fees it receives for retail wrap accounts and other external sub-advisory mandates. The Board concluded the varying levels of fees were justified given, among other things, the inherent differences in the products and the level of services provided to the Nuveen funds versus other clients, the differing regulatory requirements and legal liabilities and the entrepreneurial, legal and regulatory risks incurred in sponsoring and advising a registered investment company.

 

  3.   Profitability of Fund Advisers

In their review, the Independent Board Members considered information regarding Nuveen’s level of profitability for its advisory services to the Nuveen funds for the calendar years 2020 and 2019. The Board reviewed, among other things, Nuveen’s net margins (pre-tax) (both including and excluding distribution expenses); gross and net revenue margins (pre- and post-tax and excluding distribution) from Nuveen funds only; revenues, expenses and net income (pre- and post-tax and before distribution expenses) of Nuveen for fund advisory services; and comparative profitability data comparing the operating margins of Nuveen compared to the adjusted operating margins of certain peers that had publicly available data and with the most comparable assets under management (based on asset size and asset composition) for each of the last two calendar years. In reviewing the peer comparison data, the Independent Board Members noted that Nuveen Investments, Inc.’s operating margins were on the low range compared to the total company adjusted operating margins of

 

40


 

the peers. The Board also reviewed the revenues and expenses the Adviser derived from its ETF product line for the 2019 and 2020 calendar years.

In reviewing the profitability data, the Independent Board Members recognized the subjective nature of calculating profitability as the information is not audited and is dependent on cost allocation methodologies to allocate corporate-wide expenses to the Nuveen complex and its affiliates and to further allocate such Nuveen complex expenses between the Nuveen fund and non-fund businesses. Generally, fund-specific expenses are allocated to the Nuveen funds and partial fund-related expenses and/or corporate overhead and shared costs (such as legal and compliance, accounting and finance, information technology and human resources and office services) are partially attributed to the funds pursuant to cost allocation methodologies. The Independent Board Members reviewed a description of the cost allocation methodologies employed to develop the financial information, a summary of the history of changes to the methodology over the years from 2010 to 2020, and the net revenue margins derived from the Nuveen funds (pre-tax and including and excluding distribution) and total company margins from Nuveen Investments, Inc. compared to the firm-wide adjusted margins of the peers for each calendar year from 2010 to 2020. The Board had also appointed three Independent Board Members to serve as the Board’s liaisons, with the assistance of independent counsel, to review the development of the profitability data and any proposed changes to the cost allocation methodology prior to incorporating any such changes and to report to the full Board. The Board recognized that other reasonable and valid allocation methodologies could be employed and could lead to significantly different results. The Independent Board Members also considered the key drivers behind the revenue and expense changes that impacted Nuveen’s net margins between 2019 and 2020. The Board also noted the reinvestments Nuveen and/or its parent made into its business through, among other things, the investment of seed capital in certain Nuveen funds and continued investments in enhancements to information technology, portfolio accounting systems and the global trading platform.

In reviewing the comparative peer data noted above, the Board considered that the operating margins of Nuveen Investments, Inc. were in the lower half of the peer group range; however, the Independent Board Members also recognized the limitations of the comparative data given that peer data is not generally public and the calculation of profitability is subjective and affected by numerous factors (such as types of funds a peer manages, its business mix, its cost of capital, the numerous assumptions underlying the methodology used to allocate expenses and other factors) that can have a significant impact on the results.

Aside from Nuveen’s profitability, the Board recognized that the Adviser is a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC, the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”). Accordingly, the Board also reviewed a balance sheet for TIAA reflecting its assets, liabilities and capital and contingency reserves for the 2020 and 2019 calendar years to consider the financial strength of TIAA. The Board recognized the benefit of an investment adviser and its parent with significant resources, particularly during periods of market volatility as experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to Nuveen, the Independent Board Members considered the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from its relationships with the Nuveen funds. In this regard, the Independent Board Members reviewed, among other things, the Sub-Adviser’s revenues, expenses and net revenue margins (pre- and post-tax) for its advisory activities for the calendar year ended December 31, 2020 as well as its pre- and post-tax net revenue margins for 2020 compared to such margins for 2019. The Independent Board Members also reviewed a profitability analysis reflecting the revenues, expenses and revenue margin (pre- and post-tax) by asset type for the Sub-Adviser for the calendar year ending December 31, 2020 and the pre- and post-tax revenue margins from 2020 and 2019.

In evaluating the reasonableness of the compensation, the Independent Board Members also considered any other ancillary benefits derived by the respective Fund Adviser from its relationship with the Nuveen funds as discussed in further detail below.

Based on a consideration of all the information provided, the Board noted that Nuveen’s and the Sub-Adviser’s level of profitability was acceptable and not unreasonable in light of the services provided.

 

41


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (continued)

(Unaudited)

 

D.   Economies of Scale and Whether Fee Levels Reflect These Economies of Scale

The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale with respect to the management of the Nuveen funds and whether these economies of scale have been appropriately shared with the funds. The Board recognized that although economies of scale are difficult to measure and certain expenses may not decline with a rise in assets, there are several methods to help share the benefits of economies of scale, including breakpoints in the management fee schedule, fee waivers and/or expense limitations, the pricing of Nuveen funds at scale at inception and investments in Nuveen’s business which can enhance the services provided to the funds for the fees paid. The Board noted that Nuveen generally has employed these various methods, and the Board considered the extent to which the Nuveen funds will benefit from economies of scale as their assets grow. In this regard, the Board noted that the management fee of the Adviser is generally comprised of a fund-level component and a complex-level component each with its own breakpoint schedule, subject to certain exceptions. The Board reviewed the fund-level and complex-level fee schedules. The Board considered that the fund-level breakpoint schedules are designed to share economies of scale with shareholders if the particular fund grows, and the complex-level breakpoint schedule is designed to deliver the benefits of economies of scale to shareholders when the eligible assets in the complex pass certain thresholds even if the assets of a particular fund are unchanged or have declined. With respect to the Nuveen closed-end funds, the Independent Board Members noted that, although such funds may from time to time make additional share offerings, the growth of their assets would occur primarily through the appreciation of such funds’ investment portfolios. Further, in the calculation of the complex-level component, the Board noted that it had approved the acquisition of several Nuveen funds by similar TIAA-CREF funds in 2019. However, to mitigate the loss of the assets of these Nuveen funds deemed eligible to be included in the calculation of the complex-wide fee when these Nuveen funds left the complex upon acquisition, Nuveen agreed to credit approximately $604.5 million to assets under management to the Nuveen complex in calculating the complex-wide component.

The Independent Board Members also recognized the Adviser’s continued reinvestment in its business through various initiatives including maintaining a seed account available for investments into Nuveen funds and investing in its internal infrastructure, information technology and other systems that will, among other things, consolidate and enhance accounting systems, integrate technology platforms to support growth and efficient data processing, and further develop its global trading platform to enhance the investment process for the investment teams.

Based on its review, the Board concluded that the current fee arrangements together with the Adviser’s reinvestment in its business appropriately shared any economies of scale with shareholders.

 

E.   Indirect Benefits

The Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding other benefits the respective Fund Adviser or its affiliates may receive as a result of their relationship with the Nuveen funds. The Board considered the compensation that an affiliate of the Adviser received for serving as co-manager in the initial public offerings of new closed-end funds and for serving as an underwriter on shelf offerings of existing closed-end funds. In addition, the Independent Board Members also noted that various sub-advisers (including the Sub-Adviser) may engage in soft dollar transactions pursuant to which they may receive the benefit of research products and other services provided by broker-dealers executing portfolio transactions on behalf of the applicable Nuveen funds. However, the Board noted that any benefits for the Sub-Adviser when transacting in fixed-income securities may be more limited as such securities generally trade on a principal basis and therefore do not generate brokerage commissions.

Based on its review, the Board concluded that any indirect benefits received by a Fund Adviser as a result of its relationship with the Fund were reasonable and within acceptable parameters.

 

F.   Other Considerations

The Board Members did not identify any single factor discussed previously as all-important or controlling. The Board Members, including the Independent Board Members, concluded that the terms of each Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable, that the respective Fund Adviser’s fees were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund and that the Advisory Agreements be renewed.

 

42


Notes

 

 

43


LOGO

 

Nuveen:

Serving Investors for Generations

Since 1898, financial professionals and their clients have relied on Nuveen to provide
dependable investment solutions through continued adherence to proven, long-term investing
principles. Today, we offer a range of high quality solutions designed to
be integral components of a well-diversified core portfolio.

Focused on meeting investor needs.

Nuveen is the investment manager of TIAA. We have grown into one of the world’s premier global asset managers, with specialist knowledge across all major asset classes and particular strength in solutions that provide income for investors and that draw on our expertise in alternatives and responsible investing. Nuveen is driven not only by the independent investment processes across the firm, but also the insights, risk management, analytics and other tools and resources that a truly world-class platform provides. As a global asset manager, our mission is to work in partnership with our clients to create solutions which help them secure their financial future.

Find out how we can help you.

To learn more about how the products and services of Nuveen may be able to help you meet your financial goals, talk to your financial professional, or call us at (800) 257-8787. Please read the information provided carefully before you invest. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment carefully. Where applicable, be sure to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other relevant information. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your securities representative or Nuveen, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Learn more about Nuveen Funds at: www.nuveen.com/closed-end-funds

 

Nuveen Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC  |  333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606  |  www.nuveen.com    
ESA-F-0621D         1739071-INV-B-08/22


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

(a) See Portfolio of Investments in Item 1.

(b) Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred 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.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits.

File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form.

(a)(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: Not applicable to this filing.

(a)(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 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) in the exact form set forth below: See EX-99.CERT attached hereto.

(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable.

(a)(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. Not applicable.

(b) If the report is filed under Section  13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2 (b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section  1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an Exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section  18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registration specifically incorporates it by reference: See EX-99.906 CERT attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant) Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

 

By (Signature and Title)   

/s/ Mark L. Winget

  
   Mark L. Winget   
   Vice President and Secretary   

Date: September 2, 2021

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/ David J. Lamb

  
   David J. Lamb   
   Chief Administrative Officer   
   (principal executive officer)   

Date: September 2, 2021

 

By (Signature and Title)   

/s/ E. Scott Wickerham

  
   E. Scott Wickerham   
   Vice President and Controller   
   (principal financial officer)   

Date: September 2, 2021

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