UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-21471

 

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

   333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606   

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Kevin J. McCarthy—Vice President and Secretary
   333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606   

 

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

312-917-7700

 

Date of fiscal year end:

12/31

 

Date of reporting period:

3/31/2014

 

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q 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 the 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. § 3507.

 

 

 



 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

 



 

 

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund  (JTA)

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Value

 

 

 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 137.7% (95.9% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS - 103.0% (71.8% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

Automobiles - 3.9%

 

 

 

175,300

 

Ford Motor Company

 

$        2,734,680

 

153,000

 

General Motors Company

 

5,266,260

 

 

 

Total Automobiles

 

8,000,940

 

 

 

Capital Markets - 4.0%

 

 

 

127,000

 

Ares Capital Corporation

 

2,237,740

 

107,000

 

Bank of New York Company, Inc.

 

3,776,030

 

160,000

 

Medley Capital Corporation

 

2,177,600

 

 

 

Total Capital Markets

 

8,191,370

 

 

 

Chemicals - 1.1%

 

 

 

22,300

 

Agrium Inc.

 

2,174,696

 

 

 

Commercial Banks - 10.8%

 

 

 

125,000

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

5,950,000

 

131,000

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

7,953,010

 

161,500

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

8,033,010

 

 

 

Total Commercial Banks

 

21,936,020

 

 

 

Communications Equipment - 4.4%

 

 

 

200,000

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.

 

4,482,000

 

339,600

 

Ericsson LM Telefonaktiebolaget

 

4,526,868

 

 

 

Total Communications Equipment

 

9,008,868

 

 

 

Consumer Finance - 2.2%

 

 

 

58,000

 

Capital One Financial Corporation

 

4,475,280

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging - 1.1%

 

 

 

43,000

 

Avery Dennison Corporation

 

2,178,810

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services - 2.2%

 

 

 

140,000

 

Deutsche Boerse AG, Unsponsored ADR, (3)

 

1,111,600

 

240,000

 

ING Groep N.V, (2), Sponsored ADR

 

3,420,000

 

 

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

4,531,600

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services - 1.9%

 

 

 

29,400

 

CenturyLink Inc.

 

965,496

 

103,000

 

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, ADR

 

2,805,720

 

 

 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

 

3,771,216

 

 

 

Electric Utilities - 1.0%

 

 

 

52,700

 

NRG Yield Inc., Class A Shares

 

2,083,231

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing - 4.4%

 

 

 

163,000

 

Carrefour SA, Sponsored ADR, (3)

 

1,255,100

 

89,500

 

CVS Caremark Corporation

 

6,699,970

 

119,000

 

Metro AG, Unsponsored ADR, (3)

 

971,766

 

 

 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

 

8,926,836

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.3%

 

 

 

82,700

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited, (2)

 

2,668,729

 

 

 

Household Products - 1.1%

 

 

 

27,000

 

Procter & Gamble Company

 

2,176,200

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates - 2.0%

 

 

 

93,500

 

General Electric Company

 

2,420,715

 

45,000

 

Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV

 

1,582,200

 

 

 

Total Industrial Conglomerates

 

4,002,915

 

 

 

Insurance - 9.5%

 

 

 

164,000

 

American International Group, Inc.

 

8,201,640

 

165,100

 

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

 

5,823,077

 

19,700

 

Swiss Re AG, Sponsored ADR, (3)

 

1,827,604

 

97,250

 

Unum Group

 

3,433,898

 

 

 

Total Insurance

 

19,286,219

 

 

 

Machinery - 2.0%

 

 

 

32,500

 

Ingersoll Rand Company Limited, Class A

 

1,860,300

 

33,000

 

PACCAR Inc.

 

2,225,520

 

 

 

Total Machinery

 

4,085,820

 

 

 

Media - 12.1%

 

 

 

327,600

 

Interpublic Group Companies, Inc.

 

5,615,064

 

12,436

 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, (2)

 

938,918

 

119,691

 

National CineMedia, Inc.

 

1,795,365

 

22,400

 

ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, Unsponsored ADR, (3)

 

2,051,181

 

98,800

 

Time Warner Inc.

 

6,454,604

 

3,958

 

Tribune Company, (2)

 

315,255

 

3,185

 

Tribune Company, (4)

 

 

61,100

 

Twenty First Century Fox Inc., Class A Shares

 

1,953,367

 

65,500

 

Viacom Inc., Class B

 

5,566,845

 

 

 

Total Media

 

24,690,599

 

 

 

Metals & Mining - 1.7%

 

 

 

60,100

 

AngloGold Ashanti Limited, (2), Sponsored ADR

 

1,026,508

 

298,900

 

AuRico Gold Inc.

 

1,300,215

 

64,000

 

Barrick Gold Corporation

 

1,141,120

 

 

 

Total Metals & Mining

 

3,467,843

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 6.5%

 

 

 

33,000

 

Phillips 66

 

2,542,980

 

58,200

 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

 

4,252,092

 

65,000

 

Suncor Energy, Inc.

 

2,272,400

 

63,700

 

Total SA, Sponsored ADR

 

4,178,720

 

 

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

13,246,192

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals - 17.3%

 

 

 

57,400

 

AstraZeneca PLC, Sponsored ADR

 

3,724,112

 

100,000

 

GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Sponsored ADR

 

5,343,000

 

61,200

 

Merck & Company Inc.

 

3,474,324

 

307,600

 

Pfizer Inc.

 

9,880,112

 

67,000

 

Roche Holdings AG, Sponsored ADR, (3)

 

2,527,240

 

101,900

 

Sanofi-Aventis

 

5,327,332

 

94,800

 

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Sponsored ADR

 

5,009,232

 

 

 

Total Pharmaceuticals

 

35,285,352

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Equipment - 3.3%

 

 

 

60,000

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

 

3,188,400

 

73,500

 

Microchip Technology Incorporated

 

3,510,360

 

 

 

Total Semiconductors & Equipment

 

6,698,760

 

 

 

Software - 6.3%

 

 

 

131,500

 

CA Technologies

 

4,072,555

 

146,000

 

Microsoft Corporation, (5)

 

5,984,540

 

65,500

 

Oracle Corporation

 

2,679,605

 

 

 

Total Software

 

12,736,700

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance - 1.0%

 

 

 

117,500

 

PennyMac Financial Services Inc., (2)

 

1,955,200

 

 

 

Tobacco - 1.3%

 

 

 

33,200

 

Philip Morris International

 

2,718,084

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.6%

 

 

 

32,836

 

Vodafone Group PLC, Sponsored ADR

 

1,208,693

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (cost $154,737,301)

 

209,506,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

 

 

Ratings (6)

 

Value

 

 

 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES – 1.0% (0.7% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,000

 

IntelSat SA

 

5.750%

 

 

 

N/R

 

$       2,092,350

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $2,100,906)

 

 

 

 

 

2,092,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

 

 

Ratings (6)

 

Value

 

 

 

$25 PAR (OR SIMILAR) RETAIL STRUCTURES – 9.4%  (6.5% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks - 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,800

 

Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc.

 

6.950%

 

 

 

N/R

 

$          321,540

 

26,000

 

City National Corporation

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

720,460

 

5,000

 

Cullen-Frost Bankers Inc.

 

5.375%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

113,800

 

17,300

 

Fifth Third Bancorp.

 

6.625%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

458,623

 

10,000

 

First Republic Bank of San Francisco

 

7.000%

 

 

 

BBB

 

262,000

 

10,000

 

First Republic Bank of San Francisco

 

6.700%

 

 

 

BBB

 

254,100

 

25,000

 

First Republic Bank of San Francisco

 

6.200%

 

 

 

BBB

 

616,250

 

25,000

 

Morgan Stanley

 

7.125%

 

 

 

BB+

 

663,250

 

9,200

 

PNC Financial Services

 

6.125%

 

 

 

BBB

 

245,732

 

6,700

 

Taylor Capital Group

 

8.000%

 

 

 

N/R

 

179,225

 

25,000

 

U.S. Bancorp.

 

6.500%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

710,000

 

 

 

Total Commercial Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,544,980

 

 

 

Consumer Finance - 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,000

 

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

6.360%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

753,000

 

2,445

 

SLM Corporation, Series A

 

6.970%

 

 

 

BB

 

119,194

 

 

 

Total Consumer Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

872,194

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,062

 

Gabelli Equity Trust

 

5.000%

 

 

 

A1

 

234,243

 

 

 

Electric Utilities - 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,150

 

Alabama Power Company, (7)

 

6.500%

 

 

 

A3

 

483,244

 

10,000

 

Alabama Power Company, (7)

 

6.450%

 

 

 

A3

 

262,500

 

8,260

 

Connecticut Power & Light Company, (7)

 

4.960%

 

 

 

BBB

 

405,773

 

5,000

 

Georgia Power Company, (7)

 

6.500%

 

 

 

A-

 

525,938

 

5,000

 

Gulf Power Company, (7)

 

6.450%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

495,549

 

 

 

Total Electric Utilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,173,004

 

 

 

Food Products - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,700

 

CHS Inc., (2)

 

7.100%

 

 

 

N/R

 

473,829

 

 

 

Insurance - 3.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

Allstate Corporation

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

632,750

 

30,424

 

Arch Capital Group Limited

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BBB

 

764,251

 

10,400

 

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited

 

7.401%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

268,944

 

25,410

 

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited

 

7.250%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

663,709

 

25,798

 

Axis Capital Holdings Limited

 

6.875%

 

 

 

BBB

 

650,110

 

25,000

 

Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited

 

7.750%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

655,500

 

15,000

 

Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited

 

7.500%

 

 

 

BBB-

 

392,550

 

35,000

 

MetLife Inc.

 

6.500%

 

 

 

Baa2

 

880,250

 

35,000

 

PartnerRe Limited

 

7.250%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

927,850

 

30,000

 

Principal Financial Group

 

6.518%

 

 

 

BBB

 

746,400

 

8,496

 

RenaissanceRe Holdings Limited

 

6.080%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

208,492

 

 

 

Total Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,790,806

 

 

 

Marine - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Costamare Inc., (2)

 

8.500%

 

 

 

N/R

 

251,200

 

600

 

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., (2)

 

8.750%

 

 

 

N/R

 

15,000

 

8,900

 

Seaspan Corporation

 

8.250%

 

 

 

N/R

 

227,128

 

 

 

Total Marine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

493,328

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,400

 

Callon Petroleum Company

 

10.000%

 

 

 

N/R

 

224,400

 

20,000

 

Kayne Anderson MLP Trust

 

4.600%

 

 

 

AA

 

504,800

 

4,500

 

Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation

 

8.000%

 

 

 

N/R

 

220,770

 

15,000

 

Teekay Offshore Partners LP

 

7.250%

 

 

 

N/R

 

381,600

 

 

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,331,570

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance - 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,575

 

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

 

5.875%

 

 

 

N/R

 

1,175,051

 

 

 

U.S. Agency - 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,525

 

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, 144A (7)

 

6.250%

 

 

 

A-

 

660,248

 

3,250

 

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, 144A (7)

 

6.125%

 

 

 

A-

 

275,335

 

 

 

Total U.S. Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

935,583

 

 

 

Total $25 Par (or similar) Retail Structures (cost $18,321,905)

 

 

 

 

 

19,024,588

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity (8)

 

Ratings (6)

 

Value

 

 

 

VARIABLE RATE SENIOR LOAN INTERESTS – 22.9% (15.9% of Total Investments) (9)

 

 

 

 

 

Aerospace & Defense - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$           425

 

Hamilton Sundstrand, Term Loan, First Lien

 

4.000%

 

12/13/19

 

B+

 

$         425,785

 

 

 

Airlines - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

495

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Term Loan B1

 

3.500%

 

10/18/18

 

Ba1

 

494,676

 

 

 

Auto Components - 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,116

 

Federal-Mogul Corporation, Tranche B, Term Loan

 

2.098%

 

12/29/14

 

B1

 

1,112,374

 

655

 

Federal-Mogul Corporation, Tranche C, Term Loan

 

2.098%

 

12/28/15

 

B1

 

652,883

 

1,771

 

Total Auto Components

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,765,257

 

 

 

Automobiles - 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

997

 

Chrysler Group LLC, Term Loan B

 

3.500%

 

5/24/17

 

BB+

 

999,306

 

 

 

Capital Markets - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

498

 

Guggenheim Partners LLC, Initial Term Loan

 

4.250%

 

7/22/20

 

N/R

 

501,076

 

 

 

Chemicals - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

968

 

Univar, Inc., Term Loan

 

5.000%

 

6/30/17

 

B+

 

966,139

 

993

 

US Coatings Acquisition, Term Loan B

 

4.000%

 

2/01/20

 

B+

 

995,159

 

1,961

 

Total Chemicals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,961,298

 

 

 

Computers & Peripherals - 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

998

 

Dell, Inc., Term Loan B

 

4.500%

 

4/29/20

 

BB+

 

992,014

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services - 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

763

 

Hilton Hotels Corporation, Term Loan B2

 

3.750%

 

10/26/20

 

BB

 

765,447

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

433

 

WideOpenWest Finance LLC, Term Loan B

 

4.750%

 

4/01/19

 

Ba3

 

435,125

 

 

 

Diversified Other - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

498

 

Rexnord LLC, Term Loan B

 

4.000%

 

8/21/20

 

BB-

 

498,976

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

821

 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings, S.A., Tranche B2, Term Loan

 

3.750%

 

6/30/19

 

BB-

 

823,754

 

 

 

Food Products - 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,390

 

H.J Heinz Company, Term Loan B2

 

3.500%

 

6/05/20

 

BB

 

1,398,967

 

1,204

 

Michael Foods Group, Inc., Term Loan

 

4.250%

 

2/25/18

 

Ba3

 

1,208,887

 

966

 

US Foods, Inc., Incremental Term Loan

 

4.500%

 

3/31/19

 

B2

 

972,617

 

3,560

 

Total Food Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,580,471

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,466

 

Kinetic Concepts, Inc., Term Loan D1

 

4.000%

 

5/04/18

 

BB-

 

1,472,645

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services - 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

748

 

Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan D

 

4.250%

 

1/27/21

 

BB

 

755,370

 

988

 

DaVita, Inc., New Term Loan B2

 

4.000%

 

11/01/19

 

Ba2

 

994,729

 

958

 

Golden Living, Term Loan

 

5.000%

 

5/04/18

 

B

 

948,943

 

995

 

HCA, Inc., Tranche B4, Term Loan

 

2.984%

 

5/01/18

 

BB

 

996,244

 

76

 

HCA, Inc., Tranche B5, Term Loan

 

2.903%

 

3/31/17

 

BB

 

75,610

 

896

 

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., Term Loan B1

 

4.250%

 

6/01/18

 

Ba3

 

898,363

 

4,661

 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,669,259

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

943

 

24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Inc., Term Loan B

 

5.248%

 

4/22/16

 

Ba3

 

953,196

 

989

 

MGM Resorts International, Term Loan B

 

3.500%

 

12/20/19

 

BB

 

988,532

 

1,200

 

Seaworld Parks and Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B2

 

3.000%

 

5/14/20

 

BB+

 

1,184,153

 

3,132

 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,125,881

 

 

 

Household Durables - 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

995

 

Jarden Corporation, Term Loan B1

 

2.903%

 

9/30/20

 

BBB-

 

996,758

 

1,579

 

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., Incremental US Term Loan, First Lien

 

4.000%

 

12/01/18

 

B+

 

1,588,649

 

791

 

Tempur-Pedic International, Inc., New Term Loan B

 

3.500%

 

3/18/20

 

BB

 

791,108

 

3,365

 

Total Household Durables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,376,515

 

 

 

Household Products - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

385

 

Spectrum Brands, Inc., Term Loan A

 

3.000%

 

9/04/17

 

BB

 

385,961

 

 

 

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders - 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

998

 

Calpine Corporation, Delayed Term Loan

 

4.000%

 

10/31/20

 

BB-

 

1,001,864

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

626

 

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Term Loan B2

 

4.250%

 

2/23/17

 

BB-

 

629,695

 

 

 

Machinery - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

269

 

Gardner Denver, Inc., Term Loan

 

4.250%

 

7/30/20

 

B1

 

268,868

 

 

 

Media - 3.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

247

 

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Tranche D, Term Loan

 

6.903%

 

1/30/19

 

CCC+

 

242,520

 

92

 

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.,Term Loan E

 

7.653%

 

7/30/19

 

CCC+

 

92,168

 

997

 

Cumulus Media, Inc., Term Loan B

 

4.250%

 

12/23/20

 

B+

 

1,006,204

 

1,216

 

Interactive Data Corporation, Term Loan

 

3.750%

 

1/31/18

 

Ba3

 

1,218,252

 

480

 

Media General, Inc., Delayed Draw, Term Loan

 

4.250%

 

7/31/20

 

BB-

 

485,025

 

260

 

Nielsen Finance LLC, Term Loan E

 

2.904%

 

5/01/16

 

BBB-

 

260,279

 

498

 

Springer Science & Business Media, Inc., Term Loan

 

5.000%

 

8/14/20

 

B

 

498,744

 

1,340

 

Tribune Company, Term Loan B

 

4.000%

 

12/27/20

 

BB-

 

1,342,276

 

1,548

 

Univision Communications, Inc., Replacement Term Loan, First Lien

 

4.000%

 

3/01/20

 

B+

 

1,549,545

 

6,678

 

Total Media

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,695,013

 

 

 

Multiline Retail - 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

694

 

Hudson’s Bay Company, Term Loan B, First Lien

 

4.750%

 

11/04/20

 

BB

 

704,460

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

249

 

Drill Rigs Holdings, Inc., Tranche B1, Term Loan

 

6.000%

 

3/31/21

 

B+

 

254,399

 

1,500

 

Energy Transfer Equity L.P.,Term Loan, First Lien

 

3.250%

 

12/02/19

 

BB

 

1,498,636

 

645

 

Fieldwood Energy LLC, Term Loan, First Lien

 

3.875%

 

9/28/18

 

Ba2

 

646,612

 

127

 

Frac Tech International LLC, Term Loan

 

8.500%

 

5/06/16

 

B2

 

129,246

 

2,521

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,528,893

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals - 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

Grifols, Inc., Term Loan, WI/DD

 

TBD

 

TBD

 

Ba1

 

1,000,625

 

735

 

Quintiles Transnational Corp., Term Loan B3

 

3.750%

 

6/08/18

 

BB

 

736,708

 

1,148

 

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Term Loan E

 

3.750%

 

8/05/20

 

Ba1

 

1,155,184

 

2,883

 

Total Pharmaceuticals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,892,517

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trust - 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

733

 

iStar Financial, Inc., Term Loan

 

4.500%

 

10/15/17

 

BB-

 

736,629

 

 

 

Road & Rail - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

394

 

Swift Transportation Company, Inc., Term Loan B2

 

4.000%

 

12/21/17

 

Ba1

 

398,203

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Equipment - 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

736

 

NXP Semiconductor LLC, Term Loan D

 

3.750%

 

1/11/20

 

BB+

 

734,360

 

 

 

Software - 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

424

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc., Term Loan B

 

3.250%

 

10/12/20

 

BBB

 

424,345

 

967

 

Emdeon Business Services LLC, Term Loan B2

 

3.750%

 

11/02/18

 

BB-

 

969,088

 

784

 

Infor Global Solutions Intermediate Holdings, Ltd., Term Loan B5

 

3.750%

 

6/03/20

 

Ba3

 

782,813

 

836

 

Sophia LP Term Loan B

 

4.000%

 

7/19/18

 

B+

 

837,456

 

3,011

 

Total Software

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,013,702

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

496

 

Charter Communications Operating Holdings LLC, Term Loan E

 

3.000%

 

7/01/20

 

Baa3

 

492,776

 

102

 

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Tranche B, Term Loan

 

3.803%

 

1/29/16

 

CCC+

 

100,976

 

598

 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

593,752

 

$       46,370

 

Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (cost $46,045,891)

 

 

 

 

 

46,471,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

Ratings (6)

 

Value

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 0.3% (0.2% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks - 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$            525

 

M&T Bank Corporation

 

6.450%

 

12/29/49

 

BBB

 

$          544,688

 

 

 

Media - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

133

 

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

 

9.000%

 

12/15/19

 

CCC+

 

139,650

 

$            658

 

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $637,042)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

684,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

Ratings (6)

 

Value

 

 

 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES – 1.1% (0.8% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks - 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

500

 

PNC Financial Services Inc.

 

6.750%

 

N/A (10)

 

BBB

 

$          545,000

 

25

 

Zions Bancorporation

 

7.200%

 

N/A (10)

 

BB

 

25,875

 

 

 

Total Commercial Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

570,875

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services - 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

600

 

General Electric Capital Corporation

 

7.125%

 

N/A (10)

 

AA-

 

684,000

 

400

 

JPMorgan Chase & Company

 

5.150%

 

N/A (10)

 

BBB

 

375,000

 

500

 

JPMorgan Chase & Company

 

7.900%

 

N/A (10)

 

BBB

 

565,000

 

 

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,624,000

 

 

 

Insurance - 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

Prudential PLC

 

7.750%

 

N/A (10)

 

A-

 

23,815

 

 

 

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Structures (cost $1,994,497)

 

 

 

2,218,690

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $223,837,542)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

279,997,541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 5.8% (4.1% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$          4,795

 

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 3/31/14, repurchase price $4,794,850, collateralized by $4,960,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.250%, due 11/30/18, value $4,891,800

 

0.000%

 

4/01/14

 

 

 

$       4,794,850

 

7,046

 

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 3/31/14, repurchase price $7,046,365, collateralized by $7,720,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.125%, due 2/15/42, value $7,189,250

 

0.000%

 

4/01/14

 

 

 

7,046,365

 

$        11,841

 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $11,841,215)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,841,215

 

 

 

Total Investments (cost $235,678,757) - 143.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

291,838,756

 

 

 

Borrowings – (41.8)% (11), (12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(85,000,000

)

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (1.7)% (13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,526,826

)

 

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares - 100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$   203,311,930

 

 

Investments in Derivatives as of March 31, 2014

 

Options Written outstanding:

 

Number of

 

 

 

Notional

 

Expiration

 

Strike

 

 

 

Contracts

 

Type

 

Amount (14)

 

Date

 

Price

 

Value (13)

 

(2,989

)

Aurico Gold Inc

 

$  (1,494,500

)

6/21/14

 

5.0

 

$   (52,308

)

(294

)

CenturyLink Inc.

 

(911,400

)

4/19/14

 

31.0

 

(58,065

)

(527

)

NRG Yield Inc.

 

(2,108,000

)

6/21/14

 

40.0

 

(90,907

)

(328

)

Vodafone Group PLC

 

(1,377,600

)

4/19/14

 

42.0

 

(1,968

)

(4,138

)

Total Options Written (premiums received $269,262)

 

$  (5,891,500

)

 

 

 

 

$ (203,248

)

 

Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Fund

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Rate

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Notional

 

Pay/Receive

 

 

 

Fixed Rate

 

Payment

 

Effective

 

Termination

 

Appreciation

 

Counterparty

 

Amount

 

Floating Rate

 

Floating Rate Index

 

(Annualized)

 

Frequency

 

Date (15)

 

Date

 

(Depreciation) (13)

 

JPMorgan

 

$  18,475,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR

 

1.255

%

Monthly

 

12/01/14

 

12/01/18

 

$   439,478

 

JPMorgan

 

18,475,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR

 

1.673

 

Monthly

 

12/01/14

 

12/01/20

 

805,892

 

Morgan Stanley

 

13,975,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR

 

2.323

 

Monthly

 

3/29/11

 

3/29/16

 

(517,844

)

 

 

$  50,925,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$   727,526

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive 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. A three-tier hierarchy 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 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 the reporting entity’s own 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, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3 - Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of the end of the reporting period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$ 199,761,682

 

$   9,744,491

 

$         —

**

$ 209,506,173

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Securities

 

2,092,350

 

 

 

2,092,350

 

 

 

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Structures

 

15,916,001

 

3,108,587

 

 

19,024,588

 

 

 

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

 

 

46,471,402

 

 

46,471,402

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

684,338

 

 

684,338

 

 

 

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Structures

 

 

2,218,690

 

 

2,218,690

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

 

11,841,215

 

 

11,841,215

 

 

 

Derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options Written

 

(203,248

)

 

 

(203,248

)

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps*

 

 

727,526

 

 

727,526

 

 

 

Total

 

$ 217,566,785

 

$ 74,796,249

 

$         —

**

$ 292,363,034

 

 

 

 

*   Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

 

**  Value equals zero as of the end of the reporting period.

 

 

 

Income Tax Information

 

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 on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset value of the Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2014, the cost of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) was $237,895,227.

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) as of March 31, 2014, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized:

 

 

 

 

 

Appreciation

 

$   60,187,280

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

(6,243,751

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

 

$   53,943,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

 

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

 

 

(3)

 

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

 

 

(4)

 

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

 

 

(5)

 

Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives.

 

 

(6)

 

Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. 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.

 

 

(7)

 

For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, $25 Par (or similar) Retail Structures classified as Level 2.

 

 

(8)

 

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.

 

 

(9)

 

Senior loans generally pay interest at rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term, floating lending rate plus an assigned fixed rate. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

 

(11)

 

Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 29.1%.

 

 

(12)

 

The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible investments in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for Borrowings. As of the end of the reporting period, investments with a value of $181,233,767 have been pledged as collateral for Borrowings.

 

 

(13)

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities includes the Value and the Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of derivative instruments as listed within Investments in Derivatives as of the end of the reporting period.

 

 

(14)

 

For disclosure purposes, Notional Amount is calculated by multiplying the Number of Contracts by the Strike Price by 100.

 

 

(15)

 

Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and Counterparty commence interest payment accruals on each contract.

 

 

N/A

 

Not applicable.

 

 

WI/DD

 

Purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis.

 

 

ADR

 

American Depositary Receipt.

 

 

TBD

 

Senior loan purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. Certain details associated with this purchase are not known prior to the settlement date of the transaction. In addition, senior loans typically trade without accrued interest and therefore a coupon rate is not available prior to settlement. At settlement, if still unknown, the borrower or counterparty will provide the Fund with the final coupon rate and maturity date.

 

 

USD-LIBOR

 

United States Dollar-London Inter-Bank Offered Rate.

 



 

Item 2. 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 Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (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 registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 3. Exhibits.

 

File as exhibits as part of this Form 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)), exactly as set forth below: EX-99 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 Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Kevin J. McCarthy

 

 

Kevin J. McCarthy

 

 

Vice President and Secretary

 

 

 

Date: May 30, 2014

 

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/ Gifford R. Zimmerman

 

 

Gifford R. Zimmerman

 

 

Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer)

 

 

 

Date: May 30, 2014

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Stephen D. Foy

 

 

Stephen D. Foy

 

 

Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer)

 

 

 

Date: May 30, 2014