The Fund offers a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”) to its common stockholders. By participating in the Plan, dividends and distributions will be promptly paid to stockholders in additional shares of common stock of the Fund. The number of shares to be issued will be determined by dividing the total amount of the distribution payable by the greater of (i) the net asset value per share (“NAV”) of the Fund’s common stock on the payment date, or (ii) 95% of the market price per share of the Fund’s common stock on the payment date. If the NAV of the Fund’s common stock is greater than the market price (plus estimated brokerage commissions) on the payment date, Computershare (or a broker-dealer selected by Computershare) shall endeavor to apply the amount of such distribution to purchase shares of Fund common stock in the open market.
The Fund has one class of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share; one hundred million shares are authorized. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest of the Fund were as follows:
Costs incurred by the Fund in connection with its shelf registration statement and prospectus supplement are recorded as a prepaid expense and recognized as “Deferred offering costs” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These costs will be amortized pro rata as common shares are sold and will be recognized as a component of proceeds from the shelf offering on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. Any deferred offering costs remaining after the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement will be expensed. Costs incurred by the Fund to keep the shelf registration current are expensed as incurred and recognized as a component of “Miscellaneous expense” on the Statement of Operations. Deferred offering costs amortized during the year ended December 31, 2022 were $2,407.
Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
The tax character of dividends paid by the Fund during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, was as follows:
The tax basis components of distributable earnings differ from book basis by temporary book/tax differences. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of wash sales, forward contracts marked to market, defaulted bond income accruals, and premium amortization accruals. At December 31, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
At December 31, 2022, the Fund had $878,758 of unlimited short-term capital loss carryforwards and $14,341,435 of unlimited long-term capital loss carryforwards available to offset possible future capital gains.
At December 31, 2022, the cost and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and derivatives for income tax purposes were as follows:
To adjust for current period permanent book/tax differences which arose principally from differing book/tax treatment of foreign currency gain (loss), defaulted bonds, premium amortization adjustments, adjustments to the prior period accumulated balance, and return of capital distributions, paid-in capital was charged $1,928,830 and distributable earnings/loss was credited $1,928,830. Net assets were not affected by this reclassification.
In the normal course of business, the Fund may provide general indemnifications pursuant to certain contracts and organizational documents. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of loss from such claims is considered remote.
In preparing the financial statements as of December 31, 2022, management considered the impact of subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure in these financial statements through the date of release of this report. No such events requiring recognition or disclosure were identified through the date of the release of this report.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2022, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2022, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022 and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 14, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, agent banks and brokers; when replies were not received from agent banks and brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/S/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 14, 2023
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC investment complex since 2020.
38
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Board Approval of Investment Management Agreement (unaudited)
In approving the renewal of the current advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) for the Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”), including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Directors”), at a special Zoom meeting held on November 9, 2022 where the Board discussed information and materials previously provided to them in connection with the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, and at an
in-person
meeting held on November 14 and 15, 2022, considered the following factors:
Investment Advisory Fee Rates and Expenses
The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate of 0.50% (the “Contractual Advisory Fee”) for the Fund in light of the extent and quality of the advisory services provided by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC (“Credit Suisse”), the Fund’s investment adviser. The Board noted that Credit Suisse had contractually agreed to base its current investment advisory fee on an average weekly base amount which, with respect to each quarter, is the average of the lower of (i) the stock price (market value) of the Fund’s outstanding shares and (ii) the Fund’s net assets, in each case determined as of the last trading day for each week during that quarter. The Board also noted that the Fund does not pay Credit Suisse an advisory fee on the Fund’s leveraged assets.
Additionally, the Board received and considered information comparing the Fund’s Contractual Advisory Fee and the Fund’s overall expenses with those of funds in both the relevant expense group (“Expense Group”) and universe of funds (“Expense Universe”) provided by Broadridge, an independent provider of investment company data. The Board noted that the Fund’s advisory fees and overall expenses were lower than its peers, as presented in the Broadridge report. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology used to arrive at the funds included in the Expense Group and the Expense Universe.
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Advisory Agreement
The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Credit Suisse under the Advisory Agreement. The Board also noted information received at regular meetings throughout the year related to the services rendered by Credit Suisse which, in addition to portfolio management and investment advisory services set forth in the Advisory Agreement, included credit analysis and research, supervising the
operations of the Fund’s
non-advisory
functions which include accounting, administration, custody, transfer agent and other applicable third party service providers, overseeing and facilitating audits, overseeing the Fund’s credit facility and supervising and/or preparing applicable Fund filings, disclosures and shareholder reports. The Board also considered Credit Suisse’s compliance program with respect to the Fund. The Board noted that Credit Suisse reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis. The Board reviewed background information about Credit Suisse including its Form ADV Part 2 – Disclosure Brochure and Brochure Supplement. The Board considered the background and experience of Credit Suisse’s senior management and the expertise of, and the amount of attention given to the Fund by, senior personnel of Credit Suisse. In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the
portfolio management of the Fund and the extent of the resources devoted to research and analysis of actual and potential investments, as well as the resources provided to them. The Board evaluated the ability of Credit Suisse, based on its resources, reputation and other attributes, to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory, and supervisory personnel. The Board also received and considered information about the nature, extent and quality of services and fee rates offered to other Credit Suisse clients for comparable services. The Board acknowledged Credit Suisse’s representation that the services provided to the Fund are more extensive
39
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Board Approval of Investment Management Agreement (unaudited) (continued)
than the services provided in connection with other types of accounts, such as separate accounts, offered by Credit Suisse and the services are also more extensive from those offered and provided to a
sub-advised
fund. The Board also considered that the services provided by Credit Suisse have expanded over time as a result of regulatory and other developments.
The Board received and considered performance results of the Fund over the previous year as well as over longer time periods, along with comparisons both to the relevant performance group (“Performance Group”) and universe of funds (“Performance Universe”) for the Fund provided in the Broadridge materials. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology used to arrive at the funds included in the Performance Group and the Performance Universe. The Board noted that the Fund outperformed its Performance Universe for the
one-year
period reported, and either outperformed or performed in line with its Performance Universe over various longer investment periods reported. The Board considered that the Fund has continued to trade relatively well at a small discount to net asset value. The Board also considered the investment performance of the Fund over various investment periods relative to its stated objectives.
Credit Suisse Profitability
The Board received and considered a profitability analysis of Credit Suisse based on the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, as well as other relationships between the Fund on the one hand and Credit Suisse affiliates on the other. The Board deliberations also reflected, in the context of Credit Suisse’s profitability, Credit Suisse’s methodology for allocating costs to the Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective. The Board also received net profitability information for the other funds in the Credit Suisse family of funds, which include both
open-end
and
closed-end
funds. The Board also reviewed Credit Suisse’s profit margin as reflected in the profitability analysis, as well as reviewing profitability in light of appropriate court cases and the services rendered to the Fund.
The Board considered information regarding whether there have been economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund, whether the Fund has appropriately benefited from any economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board noted the current advisory fee structure and the fact that the Fund does not pay advisory fees on the Fund’s leveraged assets. Additionally, the Board noted the Fund’s current
offering, which permits the Fund to issue additional shares when the Fund’s shares are trading at a premium to its net asset value, and that between November 17, 2021 and September 30, 2022, the Fund sold and issued approximately 277,489 new shares for a net increase in assets of approximately $823,639. The Board received information regarding Credit Suisse’s profitability in connection with providing advisory services to the Fund, including Credit Suisse’s costs in providing the services.
Other Benefits to Credit Suisse
The Board considered other benefits received by Credit Suisse and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. Such benefits include, among others, benefits potentially derived from an increase in Credit Suisse’s businesses and its reputation as a result of its relationship with the Fund (such as the ability to market its advisory services to other clients and investors including separate account or third party
sub-advised
mandates or other financial products offered by Credit Suisse and its affiliates).
40
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Board Approval of Investment Management Agreement (unaudited) (continued)
The Board considered the standards Credit Suisse applied in seeking best execution and Credit Suisse’s policies and practices regarding soft dollars and reviewed Credit Suisse’s method for allocating portfolio investment opportunities among its advisory clients.
Other Factors and Broader Review
As discussed above, the Board reviewed detailed materials received from Credit Suisse as part of the annual approval process. The Board also reviews and assesses the quality of the services that the Fund receives throughout the year. In this regard, the Board reviews reports of Credit Suisse at least quarterly, which include, among other things, detailed portfolio and market reviews, detailed fund performance reports, and Credit Suisse’s compliance procedures.
In selecting Credit Suisse, and approving the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the investment advisory fee under such agreement, the Board concluded that:
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• |
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The Contractual Advisory Fee, reviewed along with information provided by Broadridge for the funds in the Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe, was reasonable in relation to the services provided by Credit Suisse. |
|
• |
|
The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment advisory services provided to the Fund by Credit Suisse and that, based on dialogue with management and counsel, the services provided by Credit Suisse under the Advisory Agreement are typical of, and consistent with, those provided to similar mutual funds by other investment advisers. |
|
• |
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In light of the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund and Credit Suisse’s ongoing commitment to the Fund and willingness to base the fee on an average weekly base amount which, with respect to each quarter, is the average of the lower of (i) the stock price (market value) of the Fund’s outstanding shares and (ii) the Fund’s net assets, in each case determined as of the last trading day for each week during that quarter, Credit Suisse’s net profitability based on fees payable under the Advisory Agreement, as well as other ancillary benefits that Credit Suisse and its affiliates received, were considered reasonable. |
|
• |
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In light of the information received and considered by the Board, the Fund’s current fee structure was considered reasonable. |
No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process.
41
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
December 31, 2022
The following information is a summary of certain changes since December 31, 2021. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased the Fund.
During the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, there were no material changes in the Fund’s investment objective or policies that have not been approved by shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Fund.
Investment Objective and Policies
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide current income consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment portfolio will not be managed for capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is a fundamental policy and cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. As used herein, a “majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objectives.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 75% of its total assets in fixed income securities, such as bonds, convertible securities and preferred stocks. The Fund’s investments in fixed income securities are not subject to any rating quality limitation. The Fund primarily invests in high yield fixed income securities that are in the lower rating categories of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), a division of S&P Global Inc., or another nationally recognized ratings service (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). Lower-rated securities generally provide yields superior to those of more highly-rated securities, but involve greater risks and are speculative in nature. See “Risk Factors — Lower-Rated Securities.” The Fund may also invest in securities rated single A or higher by Moody’s or S&P and unrated corporate fixed income securities.
Differing yields on fixed income securities of the same maturity are a function of several factors. Higher yields are generally available from securities in the lower rating categories of recognized rating agencies, i.e., Baa or lower by Moody’s or BBB or lower by S&P. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial information and the rating agencies’ investment analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition, which may be better or worse than the rating would indicate. Although Credit Suisse considers security ratings when making investment decisions for high yield securities, it performs its own investment analysis and does not rely principally on the ratings assigned by the rating services. Credit Suisse’s analysis may include consideration of the issuer’s experience and managerial strength, changing financial condition, borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, and its responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. It also considers relative values based on anticipated cash flow, interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage and earnings prospects.
Credit Suisse bases its investment decisions in high yield securities on the results of issuer and security-specific credit analysis. Credit Suisse evaluates each issuer’s rating, cash flow, financial structure and business risk. Credit Suisse takes into account, among other things, the issuer’s financial resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, its operating history, the quality of the issuer’s management and regulatory matters. Credit Suisse evaluates the covenants of each security and pursues a strategy of broad issuer and industry diversification.
42
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2022
The Fund currently utilizes and in the future expects to continue to utilize leverage through borrowings, including the issuance of debt securities, or through other transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, which have the effect of leverage. The Fund currently is leveraged through borrowings from a credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust Company. The Fund may use leverage up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount obtained through leverage). There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to accurately predict when the use of leverage will be beneficial. Use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income and capital appreciation for shareholders but, at the same time, creates special risks, and there can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.
The Fund may also invest in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or by agencies or instrumentalities established or sponsored by the U.S. government, including mortgage-backed securities. Depending on market conditions, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities are collateralized by mortgages or interests in mortgages and may be issued by government or
non-government
entities. Mortgage-backed securities issued by government entities typically provide a monthly payment consisting of interest and principal payments, and additional payments will be made out of unscheduled payments of principal.
Non-government
issued mortgage-backed securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but may be subject to greater price fluctuations. To the extent that the Fund invests in the mortgage market, Credit Suisse will evaluate relevant economic, environmental and security-specific variables such as housing starts, coupon and age trends.
The Fund may invest in loans and loan participations (collectively, “Loans”), including senior secured floating Loans (“Senior Loans”), “second lien” secured floating rate Loans (“Second Lien Loans”), and other types of secured Loans with fixed and variable interest rates.
Credit Suisse may take full advantage of the entire range of maturities of fixed income securities and may adjust the average maturity of the investments held in the Fund’s portfolio from time to time, depending on its assessment of relative yields of securities of different maturities and its expectations of future changes in interest rates. It is expected that the average weighted maturity of the Fund’s investment portfolio will be 4 to 10 years.
The Fund invests in debt obligations and other fixed income securities denominated in U.S. dollars,
non-U.S.
currencies or composite currencies, including:
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• |
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debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities; |
|
• |
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debt obligations of supranational entities; |
|
• |
|
debt obligations of the U.S. government issued in non-dollar denominated securities; and |
|
• |
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dollar and non-dollar denominated debt obligations and other fixed income securities of foreign and U.S. corporate issuers. |
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets. The Fund has a fundamental policy not to invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.
In making investments in foreign and emerging market securities, Credit Suisse considers the relative growth and inflation rates of different countries. Credit Suisse considers expected changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including the prospects for central bank intervention, in determining the anticipated returns of securities
43
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2022
denominated in foreign currencies. Credit Suisse further evaluates, among other things, foreign yield curves and regulatory and political factors, including the fiscal and monetary policies of such countries.
In the past, during periods of falling U.S. exchange rates, yields available from securities denominated in foreign currencies have often been higher, in U.S. dollar terms, than those of securities denominated in U.S. dollars. Credit Suisse considers expected changes in foreign currency exchange rates in determining the anticipated returns of securities denominated in foreign currencies. The obligations of foreign governmental entities, including supranational issuers, have various kinds of government support. Obligations of foreign governmental entities include obligations issued or guaranteed by national, provincial, state or other governments with taxing power or by their agencies. These obligations may or may not be supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign government.
The Fund may invest in credit default swap agreements. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements either as a buyer or a seller. The Fund may buy a credit default swap to attempt to mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in one or more individual holdings or in a segment of the fixed income securities market. The Fund may sell a credit default swap in an attempt to gain exposure to an underlying issuer’s credit quality characteristics without investing directly in that issuer. The “buyer” in a credit default swap is obligated to pay the “seller” an upfront payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement, provided that no credit event on an underlying reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation. As a result of counterparty risk, certain credit default swap agreements may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. There is no limit on the Fund’s ability to enter into credit default swap agreements.
This section contains a discussion of the general risks of investing in the Fund. The net asset value and market price of, and dividends paid on, the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) will fluctuate with and be affected by, among other things, the risks more fully described below. As with any fund, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective or that the Fund’s performance will be positive for any period of time.
Investment and Market Risk.
An investment in the Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund.
The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, and these fluctuations are likely to have a greater impact on the value of the Shares during periods in which the Fund utilizes a leveraged capital structure. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests will affect the value of the Shares. Your Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Lower-Rated Securities Risk.
At any time, all or substantially all of the Fund’s portfolio may be invested in medium-grade or below investment grade fixed income securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) as determined by a nationally recognized rating service and in unrated securities of comparable quality. Lower-rated securities are regarded as being predominantly speculative as to the issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and interest. Investment in such securities involves substantial risk. Issuers of lower-rated securities may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore,
44
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2022
the risks associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally are greater than is the case with higher-rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, issuers of lower-rated securities may be more likely to experience financial stress, especially if such issuers are highly leveraged. During periods of economic downturn, such issuers may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer’s ability to service its debt obligations also may be adversely affected by specific issuer developments, the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss due to default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of lower-rated securities because such securities may be unsecured and may be subordinate to other creditors of the issuer.
Credit risk is the risk that one or more of the Fund’s investments in debt securities or other instruments will decline in price, or fail to pay interest, liquidation value or principal when due, because the issuer of the obligation or the issuer of a reference security experiences an actual or perceived decline in its financial status. In addition to the credit risks associated with high yield securities, the Fund could also lose money if the issuer of other debt obligations, or the counterparty to a derivatives contract, repurchase agreement, loan of portfolio securities or other obligation, is, or is perceived to be, unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The downgrade of a security may further decrease its value.
Generally, when market interest rates rise, the prices of debt obligations fall, and vice versa. Interest rate risk is the risk that debt obligations and other instruments in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the recent period of historically low rates. The Federal Reserve has recently begun to raise the federal funds rate as part of its efforts to address rising inflation. The prices of long-term debt obligations generally fluctuate more than prices of short-term debt obligations as interest rates change. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended due to slower than expected payments. This may lock in a below market yield, increase the security’s duration and reduce the security’s value. The Fund’s use of leverage will tend to increase interest rate risk.
Investments in floating rate debt instruments, although generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than longer duration fixed rate instruments, may nevertheless decline in value in response to rising interest rates if, for example, the rates at which they pay interest do not rise as much, or as quickly, as market interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate instruments will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Inverse floating rate debt securities also may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate debt obligation with similar credit quality. To the extent the Fund holds floating rate instruments, a decrease (or, in the case of inverse floating rate securities, an increase) in market interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities and the net asset value of the Fund’s common shares.
. The Fund currently leverages through borrowings from a credit facility. The use of leverage, which can be described as exposure to changes in price at a ratio greater than the amount of equity invested, through borrowings or other forms of market exposure, magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by the Fund. Insofar as the Fund continues to employ leverage in its investment operations, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss than if it had not employed leverage.
Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s investment portfolio declines, any leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to common shareholders than if the Fund were not leveraged. Such greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares.
45
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2022
The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and the rules thereunder. Further, if at any time while the Fund has leverage outstanding it does not meet applicable asset coverage requirements, it may be required to suspend distributions to common shareholders until the requisite asset coverage is restored. Any such suspension might impair the ability of the Fund to meet the regulated investment company distribution requirements and to avoid Fund-level U.S. federal income and/or excise taxes.
Under Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act, among other things, the Fund must either use derivatives in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk.
The Fund may invest in debt securities of
non-governmental
issuers. Like all debt securities, corporate debt securities generally represent an issuer’s obligation to repay to the investor (or lender) the amount borrowed plus interest over a specified time period. A typical corporate bond specifies a fixed date when the amount borrowed (principal) is due in full, known as the maturity date, and specifies dates when periodic interest (coupon) payments will be made over the life of the security.
Prices of corporate debt securities fluctuate and, in particular, are subject to several key risks including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk and prepayment risk. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporation’s performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument.
Investing in securities of foreign entities and securities denominated in foreign currencies involves certain risks not involved in domestic investments, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, future foreign political and economic developments, different legal and accounting systems and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions. Securities prices in different countries are subject to different economic, financial, political and social factors. Since the Fund may invest in securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of securities in the Fund and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. Currencies of certain countries may be volatile and therefore may affect the value of securities denominated in such currencies. The Fund may, but is not obligated to, engage in certain transactions to hedge the currency-related risks of investing in
non-U.S.
dollar denominated securities. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment, economic, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Certain foreign investments also may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. These risks often are heightened for investments in smaller, emerging capital markets.
Emerging Market Securities Risk.
Investing in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets involves special considerations not typically associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and other developed market issuers, including heightened risks of expropriation and/or nationalization, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets and market illiquidity, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, differences in regulatory and financial recordkeeping standards, difficulties in dividend withholding reclaims procedures, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.
46
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2022
The economies of individual emerging market countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Governments of many developing and emerging market countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In some cases, the government owns or controls many companies, including some of the largest in the country.
Accordingly, government actions could have a significant effect on economic conditions in an emerging market country and on market conditions, prices and yields of securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Moreover, the economies of emerging market countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
Illiquid Securities Risk.
The Fund may invest in securities for which no readily available market exists or are otherwise considered illiquid. The Fund may not be able readily to dispose of such securities at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities if they were more widely traded and, as result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. There can be no assurance that a security or instrument that is deemed to be liquid when purchased will continue to be liquid for as long as it is held by the Fund. Regulatory changes have led to reduced liquidity in the marketplace, and the capacity of dealers to make markets in fixed income securities has been outpaced by the growth in the size of the fixed income markets. Liquidity risk may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or when investor redemptions from fixed income funds may be higher than normal, due to the increased supply in the market that would result from selling activity. Illiquid securities generally trade at a discount.
If interest rates fall, the principal on bonds and loans held by the Fund may be paid earlier than expected. If this happens, the proceeds from a prepaid security may be reinvested by the Fund in securities bearing lower interest rates, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund’s income and distributions to shareholders.
Preferred stocks are unique securities that combine some of the characteristics of both common stocks and bonds. Preferred stocks generally pay a fixed rate of return and are sold on the basis of current yield, like bonds. However, because they are equity securities, preferred stocks provide equity ownership of a company, and the income is paid in the form of dividends. Preferred stocks typically have a yield advantage over common stocks as well as comparably-rated fixed income investments. Preferred stocks are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk.
The Fund may invest a substantial portion of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities. The value of mortgage-backed securities is subject to change due to shifts in the market’s perception of issuers, and regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Foreclosures and prepayments, which occur when unscheduled or early payments are made on the underlying mortgages, may shorten the effective maturities on these securities. The Fund’s yield may be affected by reinvestment of prepayments at higher or lower rates than the original investment. Prepayments tend to increase
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Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2022
due to refinancing of mortgages as interest rates decline. In addition, like other debt securities, the values of mortgage-backed securities will generally fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates
The Fund’s investments in Senior Loans are expected to typically be below investment grade. These investments are considered speculative because of the credit risk of their issuers. Such companies are more likely to default on their payments of interest and principal owed to the Fund, and such defaults could reduce the Fund’s net asset value and income distributions. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher
non-payment
rate, and a debt obligation may lose significant value before a default occurs. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the loan’s value.
Like other debt instruments, Senior Loans are subject to the risk of
non-payment
of scheduled interest or principal. Such
non-payment
would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the investment and a potential decrease in the net asset value per share of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a loan would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of
non-payment
of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. This is particularly the case where a senior loan is not backed by collateral or sufficient collateral at the time such senior loan is issued. In the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a senior loan. The collateral securing a senior loan may lose all or substantially all of its value in the event of bankruptcy of a borrower. Some Senior Loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate such Senior Loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to the holders of Senior Loans including, in certain circumstances, invalidating such Senior Loans or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower. If interest were required to be refunded, it could negatively affect the Fund’s performance.
Transactions in Senior Loans may settle on a delayed basis, resulting in the proceeds from the sale of Senior Loans not being readily available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s redemption obligations. To the extent the extended settlement process gives rise to short-term liquidity needs, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders.
Second Lien and Other Secured Loans Risk
. Second Lien Loans and other secured Loans are subject to the same risks associated with investment in Senior Loans and bonds rated below investment grade. However, because Second Lien Loans are second in right of payment to one or more Senior Loans of the related borrower, and other secured Loans rank lower in right of payment to Second Lien Loans, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and any property securing the Loan may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the more senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second Lien Loans and other secured Loans are also expected to have greater price volatility than Senior Loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in Second Lien Loans and other secured Loans, which would create greater credit risk exposure.
Conflict of Interest Risk.
Affiliates of Credit Suisse may act as underwriter, lead agent or administrative agent for loans and participate in the secondary market for loans. Because of limitations imposed by applicable law, the presence of Credit Suisse’s affiliates in the primary and secondary markets for loans may restrict the fund’s ability to acquire some loans or affect the timing or price of such acquisitions.
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Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2022
The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as credit default swap agreements and interest rate futures and related options. The primary risk of derivatives is the same as the risk of the underlying asset, namely that the value of the underlying asset may increase or decrease. Adverse movements in the value of the underlying asset can expose the Fund to losses. In addition, risks in the use of derivatives include:
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an imperfect correlation between the price of derivatives and the movement of the securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates being hedged or replicated; |
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• |
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the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular derivative at any time; |
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• |
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the potential loss if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised; |
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• |
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the possible need to defer closing out certain positions to avoid adverse tax consequences, as well as the possibility that derivative transactions may result in acceleration of gain, deferral of losses or a change in the character of gain realized; |
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• |
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the risk that the financial intermediary “manufacturing” the derivative, being the most active market maker and offering the best price for repurchase, will not continue to create a credible market in the derivative; |
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because certain derivatives are “manufactured” by financial institutions, the risk that the Fund may develop a substantial exposure to financial institution counterparties; and |
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the risk that a full and complete appreciation of the complexity of derivatives and how future value is affected by various factors including changing interest rates, exchange rates and credit quality is not attained. |
There is no guarantee that derivatives will provide successful results and any success in their use depends on a variety of factors including the ability of Credit Suisse to predict correctly the direction of interest rates, securities prices, currency exchange rates and other factors.
Credit Default Swap Risk.
Credit default swap contracts, a type of derivative instrument, involve special risks and may result in losses to the Fund. Credit default swaps may in some cases be illiquid, and they increase credit risk since the Fund has exposure to both the issuer of the referenced obligation and the counterparty to the credit default swap. Swaps may be difficult to unwind or terminate. The swap market could be disrupted or limited as a result of recent legislation, and these changes could adversely affect the Fund.
The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased or sold by the Fund. Recently, several broker-dealers and other financial institutions have experienced extreme financial difficulty, sometimes resulting in bankruptcy of the institution. Although the Investment Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of the Fund’s counterparties, there can be no assurance that the Fund’s counterparties will not experience similar difficulties, possibly resulting in losses to the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt, or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
Unlike publicly traded common stock which trades on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for bond trading. Bonds generally trade on an
market which may be anywhere in the world where buyer and seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and
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Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc.
Fund Summary (unaudited) (continued)
December 31, 2022
trading, the valuation of bonds may carry more risk than that of common stock. Uncertainties in the conditions of the financial market, unreliable reference data, lack of transparency and inconsistency of valuation models and processes may lead to inaccurate asset pricing. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the risk that when a security is sold in the market, the amount received by the Fund is less than the value of such security carried on the Fund’s books.
Market Price, Discount and Net Asset Value of Shares.
As with any stock, the price of the Fund’s Shares fluctuates with market conditions and other factors. Shares of the Fund, a
closed-end
investment company, may trade in the market at a discount from their net asset value.