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: 811-07154
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Francis C. Poli
Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.
280 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (212) 832-3232
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2017
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
To Our Shareholders:
We would like to share with you our report for the year ended December 31, 2017. The total returns for the Fund and its comparative benchmarks were:
Six Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
Year Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||||
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund at Net Asset Valuea |
3.15 | % | 8.33 | % | ||||
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund at Market Valuea |
5.41 | % | 13.82 | % | ||||
FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Indexb |
2.46 | % | 5.23 | % | ||||
Blended Benchmark80% FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index/20% ICE BofAML REIT Preferred Securities Indexb |
2.45 | % | 6.84 | % | ||||
S&P 500 Indexb |
11.42 | % | 21.83 | % |
The performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current total returns of the Fund can be obtained by visiting our website at cohenandsteers.com. The Funds returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at prices obtained under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Index performance does not reflect the deduction of any fees, taxes or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year are not annualized.
Managed Distribution Policy
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (the Fund), acting in accordance with an exemptive order received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and with approval of its Board of Directors (the Board), adopted a managed distribution policy under which the Fund intends to include long-term capital gains, where applicable, as part of the regular monthly cash distributions to its shareholders (the Plan). The Plan gives the Fund greater flexibility to realize long-term capital gains and to distribute those gains on a regular monthly basis. In accordance with the Plan, the Fund currently distributes $0.08 per share on a monthly basis.
a | As a closed-end investment company, the price of the Funds exchange-traded shares will be set by market forces and can deviate from the net asset value (NAV) per share of the Fund. |
b | The FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index contains all tax-qualified real estate investment trusts (REITs) except timber and infrastructure REITs with more than 50% of total assets in qualifying real estate assets other than mortgages secured by real property that also meet minimum size and liquidity criteria. The ICE BofAML REIT Preferred Securities Index tracks the performance of fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities issued in the U.S. domestic market including all REITs. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 large-capitalization stocks that is frequently used as a general measure of U.S. stock market performance. |
1
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
The Fund may pay distributions in excess of the Funds investment company taxable income and net realized gains. This excess would be a return of capital distributed from the Funds assets. Distributions of capital decrease the Funds total assets and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Funds expense ratio. In addition, in order to make these distributions, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities at a less than opportune time.
Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms of the Funds Plan. The Funds total return based on NAV is presented in the table above as well as in the Financial Highlights table.
The Plan provides that the Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time without prior notice to Fund shareholders; however, at this time, there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that might cause the termination. The termination of the Plan could have the effect of creating a trading discount (if the Funds stock is trading at or above NAV) or widening an existing trading discount.
Market Review
U.S. real estate benefited from an improving economy in 2017, which drove demand for nearly all types of property and pushed occupancy rates in many markets to near-record levels. REIT balance sheets were generally in strong shape and companies continued to access capital at historically attractive levels. And although new supply became a greater factor in some sectors, it generally remained consistent with long-term averages.
Despite these strong fundamental conditions, REITs trailed the broader stock market by a wide margin amid concerns over rising interest rates and the growing challenges facing retail landlords. The disparity in returns resulted in a widening gap in REIT valuations relative to equities: REIT earnings multiples remained relatively stable, ending 2017 at the low end of their five-year range, while those of the broader equity market expanded materially, climbing to a five-year high.
Toward the end of the year, investors turned their focus to sweeping tax cuts, signed into law on December 22, 2017, adding fuel to an already healthy U.S. economy. Because REITs pay little to no taxes, they are expected to see little direct benefit from a lower corporate tax rate. However, we believe REITs held outside of U.S. open-end funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and unit investment trusts gained added investor appeal due to a new 20% deduction on pass-through income, reducing the effective tax rate on REIT income distributions. Additionally, lower taxes offered the prospect of a stronger business environment and increased consumer spending that could benefit overall demand for real estate.
REIT preferred securities outpaced real estate common shares and most classes of fixed income in the period, rising 13.4% as measured by the ICE BofAML REIT Preferred Securities Index. Supported by economic growth, REIT credit fundamentals generally improved amid strong demand and relatively limited new supply across most property types.
Fund Performance
The Fund had a positive total return for the year and outperformed its blended benchmark on both a NAV and market price basis. Performance during the year varied significantly among different property sectors, with e-commerce trends having a major influence on REIT returns, weighing on retail sectors while lifting REITs that provide infrastructure for the digital ecosystem.
Data centers were among the strongest performers, as the continued adoption of cloud computing and rising digital media consumption increased the need for data storage and computing power. Our overweight and favorable stock selection in data centers was an important contributor to the Funds
2
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
relative performance. The Fund also had an out-of-index allocation to cell tower REITs, which enjoyed substantial gains due to demand for faster mobile networks and more bandwidth. Late in the period, tower companies were aided by news that Sprint would not seek to merge with T-Mobile, positioning it to become a stronger standalone entity that will need to spend more to build out its network.
Industrial warehouse companies also benefited from e-commerce growth, which has prompted the need for better logistics capabilities close to population centers that enable rapid and cheap delivery of goods to stores and consumers. However, the Fund was underweight the sector based on our view that its growth story was well known and near-term valuations had become stretched.
Regional malls struggled amid soft year-over-year sales comparisons for major brick-and-mortar retailers, department store closings and tenant bankruptcies. The Funds favorable stock selection and underweight allocation in the sector aided relative performance. The Funds exposure was concentrated in owners of high-quality regional malls that ended the year largely unchanged. The stocks recovered from earlier losses as bids for GGP and Australias Westfield, both of which own Class A malls in the U.S., boosted expectations that activist investors could target other higher-quality companies in the sector. We chose not to own lower-tier mall companies, which lagged far behind on continuing concerns about future occupancy rates and capital expenditure requirements.
Shopping centers also declined on tenant bankruptcies, increasing vacancies and downward pressure on rents. Investors were also concerned that grocery store anchor tenants may face competition from Amazons entry into the space. Our underweight and stock selection in the sector contributed to relative performance, as we largely avoided the weakest stocks in the sector.
Hotels, which are levered to business travel and spending, rose on the improving economic outlook. The Fund held overweight positions in several companies, including Pebblebrook Hotel Trust and Host Hotels & Resorts, both of which outperformed on healthy fundamentals.
Among residential sectors, manufactured homes and single family homes for rent benefited from the improving job market and favorable supply-demand trends. Essentially no new supply has been created in either sector in recent years, while demand has been increasing. Our stock selection and overweight in single family homes contributed to relative performance, including an overweight position in Starwood Waypoint Homes, which rose on its merger with Invitation Homes, creating a combined company with 82,000 homes in its rental portfolio. The Funds overweight in manufactured homes also contributed to relative performance.
Apartments also generally benefited from an improving job market and expensive coastal housing markets. However, our stock selection and overweight in the sector detracted from relative performance, due primarily to our overweight in student housing landlord American Campus Communities, which reported underwhelming results.
Office owners displayed a broad dispersion in returns: West Coast office companies produced solid gains, while New York-focused REITs underperformed amid more challenging conditions related to increased supply, continued space densification and reduced demand from banks and financial service companies, their primary tenants. Beneficial stock selection in offices contributed relative performance, although this was partially offset by our overweight in the sector.
The self storage sector trailed the benchmark as growth continued to decelerate after peaking in 2016 amid rising supply. Demand picked up in hurricane-affected areas in Texas and Florida in the fall, however. Favorable stock selection in the sector aided the Funds relative performance, including an overweight in Extra Space Storage, although this was partially offset by our underweight in the sector.
Health care underperformed due to concerns about skilled nursing government reimbursement and supply in the area of senior housing. Medical office building and life-science-focused companies
3
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
generally performed well amid steady fundamentals. Our underweight and security selection in health care positively impacted relative performance.
In the specialty sector, which comprises companies engaged in a wide variety of businesses, our underweight allocation and stock selection detracted from relative performance. We chose not to own document storage company Iron Mountain. Viewed as a defensive company, Iron Mountain rallied on efficiency gains and from an earlier announced acquisition. The timing of our allocations to CoreCivic, which operates detention facilities, also hampered relative performance.
The Funds security selection in REIT preferreds detracted from relative performance, including not owning several issues from self storage company Public Storage, that outperformed the benchmark.
Sincerely,
|
| |
THOMAS N. BOHJALIAN | WILLIAM F. SCAPELL | |
Portfolio Manager | Portfolio Manager |
JASON YABLON
Portfolio Manager
The views and opinions in the preceding commentary are subject to change without notice and are as of the date of the report. There is no guarantee that any market forecast set forth in the commentary will be realized. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time, should not be relied upon as investment advice and is not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment.
Visit Cohen & Steers online at cohenandsteers.com
For more information about the Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds, visit cohenandsteers.com. Here you will find fund net asset values, fund fact sheets and portfolio highlights, as well as educational resources and timely market updates.
Our website also provides comprehensive information about Cohen & Steers, including our most recent press releases, profiles of our senior investment professionals and their investment approach to each asset class. The Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds invests in major real asset categories including real estate securities, listed infrastructure, commodities and natural resource equities, as well as preferred securities and other income solutions.
4
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
December 31, 2017
Top Ten Holdingsa
(Unaudited)
Security |
Value | % of Net Assets |
||||||
Simon Property Group |
$ | 17,292,501 | 4.9 | |||||
Equinix |
15,893,972 | 4.5 | ||||||
Prologis |
15,783,533 | 4.5 | ||||||
UDR |
15,274,682 | 4.4 | ||||||
Equity Residential |
11,930,857 | 3.4 | ||||||
Essex Property Trust |
9,874,447 | 2.8 | ||||||
Host Hotels & Resorts |
9,534,491 | 2.7 | ||||||
Extra Space Storage |
8,603,156 | 2.5 | ||||||
Healthcare Trust of America, Class A |
8,535,055 | 2.4 | ||||||
Crown Castle International Corp. |
8,505,253 | 2.4 |
a | Top ten holdings are determined on the basis of the value of individual securities held. The Fund may also hold positions in other types of securities issued by the companies listed above. See the Schedule of Investments for additional details on such other positions. |
Sector Breakdown
(Based on Net Assets)
(Unaudited)
5
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2017
Number of Shares |
Value | |||||||||||
COMMON STOCK |
80.3% | |||||||||||
COMMUNICATIONSTOWERS |
2.4% | |||||||||||
Crown Castle International Corp. |
|
76,617 | $ | 8,505,253 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
REAL ESTATE |
77.9% | |||||||||||
DATA CENTERS |
8.6% | |||||||||||
CyrusOne |
|
141,157 | 8,403,076 | |||||||||
Digital Realty Trust |
|
52,402 | 5,968,588 | |||||||||
Equinix |
|
35,069 | 15,893,972 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
30,265,636 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
HEALTH CARE |
6.7% | |||||||||||
HCP |
|
237,265 | 6,187,871 | |||||||||
Healthcare Trust of America, Class A |
|
284,123 | 8,535,055 | |||||||||
National Health Investors |
|
35,987 | 2,712,700 | |||||||||
Physicians Realty Trust |
|
331,237 | 5,958,954 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
23,394,580 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
HOTEL |
5.0% | |||||||||||
Host Hotels & Resorts |
|
480,327 | 9,534,491 | |||||||||
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust |
|
84,536 | 3,142,203 | |||||||||
Sunstone Hotel Investors |
|
299,729 | 4,954,520 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
17,631,214 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
INDUSTRIALS |
4.5% | |||||||||||
Prologis |
|
244,668 | 15,783,533 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
NET LEASE |
4.5% | |||||||||||
Agree Realty Corp. |
|
76,356 | 3,927,753 | |||||||||
Four Corners Property Trust |
|
154,071 | 3,959,625 | |||||||||
Gaming and Leisure Properties |
|
113,375 | 4,194,875 | |||||||||
Gramercy Property Trust |
|
132,158 | 3,523,332 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
15,605,585 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
OFFICE |
11.4% | |||||||||||
Alexandria Real Estate Equities |
|
44,658 | 5,831,888 | |||||||||
Boston Properties |
|
31,645 | 4,114,799 | |||||||||
Douglas Emmett |
|
153,826 | 6,316,096 | |||||||||
Empire State Realty Trust, Class A |
|
140,822 | 2,891,076 | |||||||||
Highwoods Properties |
|
86,742 | 4,416,035 | |||||||||
Hudson Pacific Properties |
|
58,219 | 1,994,001 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(Continued)
December 31, 2017
Number of Shares |
Value | |||||||||||
Kilroy Realty Corp. |
|
106,807 | $ | 7,973,143 | ||||||||
SL Green Realty Corp. |
|
44,042 | 4,445,159 | |||||||||
Vornado Realty Trust |
|
26,086 | 2,039,403 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
40,021,600 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
RESIDENTIAL |
19.5% | |||||||||||
APARTMENT |
12.8% | |||||||||||
Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A |
|
70,063 | 3,062,454 | |||||||||
AvalonBay Communities |
|
10,178 | 1,815,857 | |||||||||
Equity Residential |
|
187,092 | 11,930,857 | |||||||||
Essex Property Trust |
|
40,910 | 9,874,447 | |||||||||
Mid-America Apartment Communities |
|
28,291 | 2,844,943 | |||||||||
UDR |
|
396,539 | 15,274,682 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
44,803,240 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
MANUFACTURED HOME |
2.7% | |||||||||||
Equity Lifestyle Properties |
|
57,861 | 5,150,786 | |||||||||
Sun Communities |
|
45,334 | 4,206,089 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
9,356,875 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
SINGLE FAMILY |
2.1% | |||||||||||
Invitation Homes |
|
307,999 | 7,259,536 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
STUDENT HOUSING |
1.9% | |||||||||||
American Campus Communities |
|
166,508 | 6,831,823 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL RESIDENTIAL |
|
68,251,474 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
SELF STORAGE |
5.0% | |||||||||||
Extra Space Storage |
|
98,378 | 8,603,156 | |||||||||
Life Storage |
|
48,115 | 4,285,603 | |||||||||
Public Storage |
|
21,575 | 4,509,175 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
17,397,934 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
SHOPPING CENTERS |
10.0% | |||||||||||
COMMUNITY CENTER |
8.5% | |||||||||||
Brixmor Property Group |
|
97,975 | 1,828,214 | |||||||||
Regency Centers Corp. |
|
86,645 | 5,994,101 | |||||||||
Simon Property Group |
|
100,690 | 17,292,501 | |||||||||
Weingarten Realty Investors |
|
140,982 | 4,634,078 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
29,748,894 | ||||||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(Continued)
December 31, 2017
Number of Shares |
Value | |||||||||||
REGIONAL MALL |
1.5% | |||||||||||
GGP |
|
232,549 | $ | 5,439,321 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL SHOPPING CENTERS |
|
35,188,215 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
SPECIALTY |
2.7% | |||||||||||
CoreCivic |
|
103,627 | 2,331,607 | |||||||||
Lamar Advertising Co., Class A |
|
45,470 | 3,375,693 | |||||||||
QTS Realty Trust, Class A |
|
68,845 | 3,728,645 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
9,435,945 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL REAL ESTATE |
|
272,975,716 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL COMMON
STOCK |
|
281,480,969 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
PREFERRED SECURITIES$25 PAR VALUE |
15.0% | |||||||||||
BANKS |
0.4% | |||||||||||
GMAC Capital Trust I, 7.201%, due 2/15/40, Series 2 (TruPS) (FRN) (3 Month US LIBOR + 5.785%)a |
|
35,000 | 908,250 | |||||||||
Regions Financial Corp., 6.375% to 9/15/24, Series Bb,c |
|
20,000 | 568,600 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
1,476,850 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
FINANCIALINVESTMENT BANKER/BROKER |
0.3% | |||||||||||
Morgan Stanley, 6.375% to 10/15/24, Series Ib,c |
|
40,000 | 1,114,000 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
INDUSTRIALSCHEMICALS |
0.3% | |||||||||||
CHS, 6.75% to 9/30/24b,c |
|
30,000 | 794,100 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
REAL ESTATE |
14.0% | |||||||||||
DIVERSIFIED |
3.0% | |||||||||||
Colony NorthStar, 8.50%, Series Db |
|
48,850 | 1,248,606 | |||||||||
Colony NorthStar, 8.75%, Series Eb |
|
59,180 | 1,572,413 | |||||||||
Colony NorthStar, 7.15%, Series Ib |
|
21,000 | 528,780 | |||||||||
EPR Properties, 5.75%, Series Gb |
|
30,000 | 750,900 | |||||||||
Investors Real Estate Trust, 6.625%, Series Cb |
|
19,695 | 512,562 | |||||||||
Lexington Realty Trust, 6.50%, Series C ($50 Par Value)b |
|
11,300 | 579,972 | |||||||||
National Retail Properties, 5.70%, Series Eb |
|
24,000 | 613,440 | |||||||||
VEREIT, 6.70%, Series Fb |
|
152,647 | 3,903,184 | |||||||||
Wells Fargo Real Estate Investment Corp., 6.375%, Series Ab |
|
35,135 | 930,726 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
10,640,583 | ||||||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(Continued)
December 31, 2017
Number of Shares |
Value | |||||||||||
FINANCE |
0.2% | |||||||||||
Ventas Realty LP/Ventas Capital Corp., 5.45%, due 3/15/43 |
|
24,978 | $ | 628,322 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
HOTEL |
2.2% | |||||||||||
Ashford Hospitality Trust, 7.375%, Series Fb |
|
43,000 | 1,092,200 | |||||||||
Ashford Hospitality Trust, 7.375%, Series Gb |
|
24,463 | 614,511 | |||||||||
Ashford Hospitality Trust, 7.50%, Series Hb |
|
20,000 | 508,200 | |||||||||
Ashford Hospitality Trust, 7.50%, Series Ib |
|
30,000 | 753,300 | |||||||||
Hersha Hospitality Trust, 6.50%, Series Db |
|
23,937 | 590,286 | |||||||||
Hersha Hospitality Trust, 6.50%, Series Eb |
|
10,348 | 256,009 | |||||||||
LaSalle Hotel Properties, 6.30%, Series Jb |
|
38,944 | 1,002,419 | |||||||||
Summit Hotel Properties, 6.45%, Series Db |
|
26,000 | 663,000 | |||||||||
Summit Hotel Properties, 6.25%, Series Eb |
|
27,475 | 705,283 | |||||||||
Sunstone Hotel Investors, 6.95%, Series Eb |
|
35,000 | 916,650 | |||||||||
Sunstone Hotel Investors, 6.45%, Series Fb |
|
26,825 | 683,769 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
7,785,627 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
INDUSTRIALS |
1.5% | |||||||||||
Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp., |
|
35,000 | 876,400 | |||||||||
PS Business Parks, 5.75%, Series Ub |
|
57,260 | 1,445,815 | |||||||||
PS Business Parks, 5.70%, Series Vb |
|
35,000 | 885,500 | |||||||||
PS Business Parks, 5.20%, Series Wb |
|
15,643 | 394,986 | |||||||||
Rexford Industrial Realty, 5.875%, Series Ab |
|
41,973 | 1,068,213 | |||||||||
STAG Industrial, 6.875%, Series Cb |
|
28,000 | 733,040 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
5,403,954 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
MORTGAGE |
0.2% | |||||||||||
Annaly Capital Management, 6.95% to 9/30/22, Series Fb,c |
|
20,000 | 516,400 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
NET LEASE |
0.2% | |||||||||||
Spirit Realty Capital, 6.00%, Series Ab |
|
29,667 | 736,928 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
OFFICE |
1.0% | |||||||||||
Equity Commonwealth, 6.50%, Series Db |
|
37,000 | 986,235 | |||||||||
SL Green Realty Corp., 6.50%, Series Ib |
|
47,492 | 1,191,099 | |||||||||
Vornado Realty Trust, 6.625%, Series Gb |
|
27,000 | 675,540 | |||||||||
Vornado Realty Trust, 6.625%, Series Ib |
|
30,796 | 772,980 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
3,625,854 | ||||||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(Continued)
December 31, 2017
Number of Shares |
Value | |||||||||||
RESIDENTIAL |
1.4% | |||||||||||
APARTMENT |
0.4% | |||||||||||
Apartment Investment & Management Co., 6.875%b |
|
23,456 | $ | 642,694 | ||||||||
Blue Rock Residential Growth REIT, 8.25%, Series Ab |
|
34,725 | 915,959 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
1,558,653 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
MANUFACTURED HOME |
0.2% | |||||||||||
UMH Properties, 8.00%, Series Bb |
|
20,000 | 545,600 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
SINGLE FAMILY |
0.8% | |||||||||||
American Homes 4 Rent, 5.50%, Series Cb |
|
30,000 | 853,500 | |||||||||
American Homes 4 Rent, 6.50%, Series Db |
|
36,825 | 1,008,269 | |||||||||
American Homes 4 Rent, 6.35%, Series Eb |
|
31,927 | 855,324 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
2,717,093 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL RESIDENTIAL |
|
4,821,346 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
SELF STORAGE |
0.2% | |||||||||||
National Storage Affiliates Trust, 6.00% to 10/11/22, Series Ab |
|
25,000 | 651,000 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
SHOPPING CENTERS |
3.5% | |||||||||||
COMMUNITY CENTER |
1.9% | |||||||||||
Cedar Realty Trust, 7.25%, Series Bb |
|
17,281 | 436,518 | |||||||||
DDR Corp., 6.375%, Series Ab |
|
34,952 | 919,238 | |||||||||
DDR Corp., 6.50%, Series Jb |
|
80,000 | 2,008,000 | |||||||||
DDR Corp., 6.25%, Series Kb |
|
102,362 | 2,627,632 | |||||||||
Kimco Realty Corp., 5.125%, Series Lb |
|
15,000 | 371,100 | |||||||||
Washington Prime Group, 7.50%, Series Hb |
|
19,000 | 467,400 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
6,829,888 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
REGIONAL MALL |
1.6% | |||||||||||
GGP, 6.375%, Series Ab |
|
65,740 | 1,659,278 | |||||||||
Pennsylvania REIT, 7.20%, Series Cb |
|
30,050 | 778,295 | |||||||||
Pennsylvania REIT, 6.875%, Series Db |
|
20,000 | 502,200 | |||||||||
Taubman Centers, 6.50%, Series Jb |
|
33,470 | 840,766 | |||||||||
Taubman Centers, 6.25%, Series Kb |
|
71,351 | 1,800,186 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
5,580,725 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL SHOPPING CENTERS |
|
12,410,613 | ||||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(Continued)
December 31, 2017
Number of Shares |
Value | |||||||||||
SPECIALTY |
0.6% | |||||||||||
Digital Realty Trust, 6.625%, Series Cb |
|
20,000 | $ | 551,800 | ||||||||
Digital Realty Trust, 6.35%, Series Ib |
|
50,000 | 1,375,500 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
1,927,300 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL REAL ESTATE |
|
49,147,927 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL PREFERRED
SECURITIES$25 PAR VALUE |
|
52,532,877 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Principal Amount |
||||||||||||
PREFERRED SECURITIESCAPITAL SECURITIES |
3.0% | |||||||||||
BANKS |
0.9% | |||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., 6.30% to 3/10/26, Series DDb,c |
|
$ | 1,340,000 | 1,517,550 | ||||||||
Bank of America Corp., 6.50% to 10/23/24, Series Zb,c |
|
1,000,000 | 1,137,500 | |||||||||
Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 10.00%, 144A, Series Ib,d |
|
500 | | 597,500 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
3,252,550 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
BANKSFOREIGN |
0.8% | |||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA, 7.625% to 3/30/21, 144A (France)b,c,d |
|
400,000 | 441,000 | |||||||||
Credit Suisse Group AG, 7.50% to 12/11/23, 144A (Switzerland)b,c,d |
|
700,000 | 801,465 | |||||||||
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 8.625% to 8/15/21 (United Kingdom)b,c |
|
900,000 | 1,015,875 | |||||||||
UBS Group AG, 6.875% to 3/22/21 (Switzerland)b,c |
|
600,000 | 644,550 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
2,902,890 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
COMMUNICATIONSTOWERS |
0.4% | |||||||||||
Crown Castle International Corp., 6.875%, due 8/1/20, Series A (Convertible) |
|
1,300 | | 1,469,878 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
INSURANCEPROPERTY CASUALTYFOREIGN |
0.2% | |||||||||||
QBE Insurance Group Ltd., 6.75% to 12/2/24, |
|
606,000 | 689,325 | |||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(Continued)
December 31, 2017
Principal Amount |
Value | |||||||||||
REAL ESTATE |
0.7% | |||||||||||
FINANCE |
0.5% | |||||||||||
AT Securities BV, 5.25% to 7/21/23 (Netherlands)b,c |
|
$ | 750,000 | $ | 761,332 | |||||||
CyrusOne LP/CyrusOne Finance Corp., 5.375%, |
|
1,000,000 | 1,052,500 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
1,813,832 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
SPECIALTY |
0.2% | |||||||||||
Equinix, 5.375%, due 5/15/27 |
|
500,000 | 536,250 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL REAL ESTATE |
|
2,350,082 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL PREFERRED
SECURITIESCAPITAL SECURITIES |
|
10,664,725 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Number of Shares |
||||||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS |
1.2% | |||||||||||
MONEY MARKET FUNDS |
||||||||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, |
|
4,086,697 | 4,086,697 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS |
|
4,086,697 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN
SECURITIES |
99.5 | % | 348,765,268 | |||||||||
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES |
0.5 | 1,788,510 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
NET ASSETS (Equivalent to $13.41 per share based on 26,135,469 shares of common stock outstanding) |
100.0 | % | $ | 350,553,778 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS(Continued)
December 31, 2017
Glossary of Portfolio Abbreviations
FRN |
Floating Rate Note | |
LIBOR |
London Interbank Offered Rate | |
REIT |
Real Estate Investment Trust | |
TruPS |
Trust Preferred Securities |
Note: Percentages indicated are based on the net assets of the Fund.
| Represents shares. |
a | Variable rate. Rate shown is in effect at December 31, 2017. |
b | Perpetual security. Perpetual securities have no stated maturity date, but they may be called/redeemed by the issuer. The date indicated, if any, represents the next call date. |
c | Security converts to floating rate after the indicated fixed-rate coupon period. |
d | Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors. Aggregate holdings amounted to $2,892,465 or 0.8% of the net assets of the Fund, of which 0.0% are illiquid. |
e | Rate quoted represents the annualized seven-day yield of the fund. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2017
ASSETS: |
||||
Investments in securities, at value (Identified cost$258,413,355) |
$ | 348,765,268 | ||
Foreign currency, at value (Identified cost$608) |
685 | |||
Receivable for: |
||||
Dividends and interest |
1,776,869 | |||
Investment securities sold |
407,419 | |||
Other assets |
6,445 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Assets |
350,956,686 | |||
|
|
|||
LIABILITIES: |
||||
Payable for: |
||||
Investment advisory fees |
208,360 | |||
Dividends and distributions declared |
77,871 | |||
Administration fees |
11,906 | |||
Directors fees |
285 | |||
Other liabilities |
104,486 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Liabilities |
402,908 | |||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS |
$ | 350,553,778 | ||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS consist of: |
||||
Paid-in capital |
$ | 260,488,170 | ||
Accumulated undistributed net investment income |
961,223 | |||
Accumulated net realized loss |
(1,247,605 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation |
90,351,990 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 350,553,778 | |||
|
|
|||
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE: |
||||
($350,553,778 ÷ 26,135,469 shares outstanding) |
$ | 13.41 | ||
|
|
|||
MARKET PRICE PER SHARE |
$ | 12.77 | ||
|
|
|||
MARKET PRICE PREMIUM (DISCOUNT) TO NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE |
(4.77 | )% | ||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
14
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
Investment Income: |
||||
Dividend income |
$ | 10,323,616 | ||
Interest income |
616,197 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Investment Income |
10,939,813 | |||
|
|
|||
Expenses: |
||||
Investment advisory fees |
2,458,322 | |||
Shareholder reporting expenses |
202,858 | |||
Administration fees |
189,782 | |||
Professional fees |
84,005 | |||
Transfer agent fees and expenses |
31,362 | |||
Directors fees and expenses |
26,950 | |||
Custodian fees and expenses |
14,330 | |||
Miscellaneous |
57,301 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Expenses |
3,064,910 | |||
|
|
|||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
7,874,903 | |||
|
|
|||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss): |
||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: |
||||
Investments in securities |
13,798,193 | |||
Foreign currency transactions |
4,707 | |||
|
|
|||
Net realized gain (loss) |
13,802,900 | |||
|
|
|||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: |
||||
Investments in securities |
5,069,595 | |||
Foreign currency translations |
267 | |||
|
|
|||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
5,069,862 | |||
|
|
|||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
18,872,762 | |||
|
|
|||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations |
$ | 26,747,665 | ||
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
15
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 |
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 |
|||||||
Change in Net Assets: |
||||||||
From Operations: |
||||||||
Net investment income (loss) |
$ | 7,874,903 | $ | 8,593,316 | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
13,802,900 | 16,471,811 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
5,069,862 | (6,618,742 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
26,747,665 | 18,446,385 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from: |
||||||||
Net investment income |
(8,083,470 | ) | (8,524,021 | ) | ||||
Net realized gain |
(16,408,272 | ) | (16,566,029 | ) | ||||
Return of capital |
(598,308 | ) | | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders |
(25,090,050 | ) | (25,090,050 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets |
1,657,615 | (6,643,665 | ) | |||||
Net Assets: |
||||||||
Beginning of year |
348,896,163 | 355,539,828 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
End of yeara |
$ | 350,553,778 | $ | 348,896,163 | ||||
|
|
|
|
a | Includes accumulated undistributed net investment income of $961,223 and $1,037,603, respectively. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
16
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table includes selected data for a share outstanding throughout each year and other
performance information derived from the financial statements. It should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto.
For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: |
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year |
$ | 13.35 | $ | 13.60 | $ | 14.15 | $ | 12.23 | $ | 12.98 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)a |
0.30 | 0.33 | 0.28 | 0.28 | 0.28 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.72 | 0.38 | 0.48 | 2.94 | 0.12 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total from investment operations |
1.02 | 0.71 | 0.76 | 3.22 | 0.40 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Less dividends and distributions to shareholders from: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
(0.31 | ) | (0.33 | ) | (0.28 | ) | (0.25 | ) | (0.28 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized gain |
(0.63 | ) | (0.63 | ) | (1.03 | ) | (1.05 | ) | (0.87 | ) | ||||||||||
Return of capital |
(0.02 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders |
(0.96 | ) | (0.96 | ) | (1.31 | ) | (1.30 | ) | (1.15 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Anti-dilutive effect from the issuance of reinvested shares |
| | | | 0.00 | b | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value |
0.06 | (0.25 | ) | (0.55 | ) | 1.92 | (0.75 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year |
$ | 13.41 | $ | 13.35 | $ | 13.60 | $ | 14.15 | $ | 12.23 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Market value, end of year |
$ | 12.77 | $ | 12.10 | $ | 12.60 | $ | 13.20 | $ | 11.99 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total net asset value returnc |
8.33 | % | 5.61 | % | 6.55 | % | 27.90 | % | 3.00 | %d | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total market value returnc |
13.82 | % | 3.32 | % | 5.82 | % | 21.70 | % | 11.03 | % | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
17
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS(Continued)
For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data: |
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of year (in millions) |
$ | 350.6 | $ | 348.9 | $ | 355.5 | $ | 369.8 | $ | 117.3 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average daily net assets |
0.87 | % | 0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 0.94 | %e | 0.94 | % | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average daily net assets |
2.24 | % | 2.39 | % | 2.04 | % | 2.05 | %e | 2.06 | % | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
29 | % | 36 | % | 14 | % | 41 | % | 53 | % | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a | Calculation based on average shares outstanding. |
b | Amount is less than $0.005. |
c | Total net asset value return measures the change in net asset value per share over the period indicated. Total market value return is computed based upon the Funds market price per share and excludes the effects of brokerage commissions. Dividends and distributions are assumed, for purposes of these calculations, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. |
d | Does not reflect adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values differ from the net asset value and returns reported on December 31, 2012. |
e | Includes non-recurring merger related expenses. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to average daily net assets would have been 0.88% and the ratio of net investment income to average daily net assets would have been 2.11%. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
18
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on September 4, 1992 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Funds investment objective is high total return.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The Fund is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946Investment Companies. The accounting policies of the Fund are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Portfolio Valuation: Investments in securities that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected at the close of the NYSE on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask prices on such day or, if no ask price is available, at the bid price. Exchange-traded options are valued at their last sale price as of the close of options trading on applicable exchanges on the valuation date. In the absence of a last sale price on such day, options are valued at the average of the quoted bid and ask prices as of the close of business. Over-the-counter (OTC) options are valued based upon prices provided by a third-party pricing service or counterparty.
Securities not listed on the NYSE but listed on other domestic or foreign securities exchanges (including NASDAQ) are valued in a similar manner. Securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price reflected at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If after the close of a foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued, market conditions change significantly, certain non-U.S. equity holdings may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board of Directors.
Readily marketable securities traded in the OTC market, including listed securities whose primary market is believed by Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the investment advisor) to be OTC, are valued on the basis of prices provided by a third-party pricing service or third-party broker-dealers when such prices are believed by the investment advisor, pursuant to delegation by the Board of Directors, to reflect the fair value of such securities.
Fixed-income securities are valued on the basis of prices provided by a third-party pricing service or third-party broker-dealers when such prices are believed by the investment advisor, pursuant to delegation by the Board of Directors, to reflect the fair value of such securities. The pricing services or broker-dealers use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services or broker-dealers may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient
19
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services or broker-dealers also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market transactions in comparable securities and the various relationships between securities in determining fair value and/or characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features which are then used to calculate the fair values.
Short-term debt securities with a maturity date of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing net asset value (NAV).
The policies and procedures approved by the Funds Board of Directors delegate authority to make fair value determinations to the investment advisor, subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. The investment advisor has established a valuation committee (Valuation Committee) to administer, implement and oversee the fair valuation process according to the policies and procedures approved annually by the Board of Directors. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.
Securities for which market prices are unavailable, or securities for which the investment advisor determines that the bid and/or ask price or a counterparty valuation does not reflect market value, will be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee, pursuant to procedures approved by the Funds Board of Directors. Circumstances in which market prices may be unavailable include, but are not limited to, when trading in a security is suspended, the exchange on which the security is traded is subject to an unscheduled close or disruption or material events occur after the close of the exchange on which the security is principally traded. In these circumstances, the Fund determines fair value in a manner that fairly reflects the market value of the security on the valuation date based on consideration of any information or factors it deems appropriate. These may include, but are not limited to, recent transactions in comparable securities, information relating to the specific security and developments in the markets.
The Funds use of fair value pricing may cause the NAV of Fund shares to differ from the NAV that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security.
Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would expect to receive upon the sale of an investment or expect to pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. The hierarchy of inputs that are used in determining the fair value of the Funds investments is summarized below.
| Level 1quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| Level 2other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, credit risk, etc.) |
| Level 3significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
20
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments may or may not be an indication of the risk associated with those investments.
For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing the transfer at the end of the period in which the underlying event causing the movement occurred. Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. As of December 31, 2017, there were $683,769 in transfers from Level 1 to Level 2 due to using a mean of the bid and ask prices on one security.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2017 in valuing the Funds investments carried at value:
Total | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Investments (Level 1) |
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
|||||||||||||
Common Stock |
$ | 281,480,969 | $ | 281,480,969 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Preferred Securities |
||||||||||||||||
$25 Par Value: |
||||||||||||||||
Real EstateHotel |
7,785,627 | 7,101,858 | 683,769 | | ||||||||||||
Real EstateOffice |
3,625,854 | 2,639,619 | 986,235 | | ||||||||||||
Other Industries |
41,121,396 | 41,121,396 | | | ||||||||||||
Preferred Securities |
||||||||||||||||
Capital Securities: |
||||||||||||||||
CommunicationsTowers |
1,469,878 | 1,469,878 | | | ||||||||||||
Other Industries |
9,194,847 | | 9,194,847 | | ||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments |
4,086,697 | | 4,086,697 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Investments in Securitiesa |
$ | 348,765,268 | $ | 333,813,720 | $ | 14,951,548 | $ | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a | Portfolio holdings are disclosed individually on the Schedule of Investments. |
Security Transactions and Investment Income: Security transactions are recorded on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income, which includes the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends on foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Distributions from REITs are recorded as ordinary income, net realized capital gain or return of capital based on information reported by the REITs and managements estimates of such amounts based on historical information. These estimates are adjusted when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the REITs and actual amounts may differ from the estimated amounts.
21
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates. Pursuant to U.S. federal income tax regulations, certain foreign currency gains/losses included in realized and unrealized gains/losses are included in or are a reduction of ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
Options: The Fund may purchase and write exchange-listed and OTC put or call options on securities, stock indices and other financial instruments to enhance portfolio returns and reduce overall volatility.
When the Fund writes (sells) an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option written. When an option expires, the Fund realizes a gain on the option to the extent of the premium received. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. If a put option on a security is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the security purchased by the Fund. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds of the security sold to determine the realized gain or loss. The Fund, as writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the underlying investment. Other risks include the possibility of an illiquid options market or the inability of the counterparties to fulfill their obligations under the contracts.
Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expire are treated as realized losses. Premiums paid for purchasing options which are exercised or closed are added to the amounts paid or offset against the proceeds on the underlying investment transaction to determine the realized gain or loss when the underlying transaction is executed. The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract.
At December 31, 2017, the Fund did not have any option contracts outstanding.
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders: Dividends from net investment income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may
22
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
differ from GAAP. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared quarterly and paid monthly. Net realized capital gains, unless offset by any available capital loss carryforward, are typically distributed to shareholders at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Fund in accordance with the Funds Reinvestment Plan, unless the shareholder has elected to have them paid in cash.
This Fund has a managed distribution policy in accordance with exemptive relief issued by the SEC. The Plan gives the Fund greater flexibility to realize long-term capital gains throughout the year and to distribute those gains on a more regular basis to shareholders. Therefore, regular monthly distributions throughout the year may include a portion of estimated realized long-term capital gains, along with net investment income, short-term capital gains and return of capital, which is not taxable. In accordance with the Plan, the Fund is required to adhere to certain conditions in order to distribute long-term capital gains during the year. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Fund paid distributions from net investment income, net realized gain and return of capital.
Income Taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC), if such qualification is in the best interest of the shareholders, by complying with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs, and by distributing substantially all of its taxable earnings to its shareholders. Also, in order to avoid the payment of any federal excise taxes, the Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized gains on a calendar year basis. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary. Dividend and interest income from holdings in non-U.S. securities is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken on federal and applicable state income tax returns as well as its tax positions in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which it trades for all open tax years and has concluded that as of December 31, 2017, no additional provisions for income tax are required in the Funds financial statements. The Funds tax positions for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, state departments of revenue and by foreign tax authorities.
Note 2. Investment Advisory Fees, Administration Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Investment Advisory Fees: Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. serves as the Funds investment advisor pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the investment advisory agreement). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the investment advisor provides the Fund with day-to-day investment decisions and generally manages the Funds investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors.
For the services provided to the Fund, the investment advisor receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.70% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Administration Fees: The Fund has entered into an administration agreement with the investment advisor under which the investment advisor performs certain administrative functions for the Fund and receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.04% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Fund incurred $140,476 in fees under
23
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
this administration agreement. Additionally, the Fund pays State Street Bank and Trust Company as co-administrator under a fund accounting and administration agreement.
Directors and Officers Fees: Certain directors and officers of the Fund are also directors, officers, and/or employees of the investment advisor. The Fund does not pay compensation to directors and officers affiliated with the investment advisor except for the Chief Compliance Officer, who received compensation from the investment advisor, which was reimbursed by the Fund, in the amount of $3,996 for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Note 3. Purchases and Sales of Securities
Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, for the year ended December 31, 2017, totaled $99,282,565 and $107,942,341, respectively.
Note 4. Income Tax Information
The tax character of dividends and distributions paid was as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Ordinary income |
$ | 8,083,470 | $ | 10,053,399 | ||||
Long-term capital gain |
16,408,272 | 15,036,651 | ||||||
Return of capital |
598,308 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total dividends and distributions |
$ | 25,090,050 | $ | 25,090,050 | ||||
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2017, the tax-basis components of accumulated earnings, the federal tax cost and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in value of investments held were as follows:
Cost of investments in securities for federal income tax purposes |
$ | 259,549,535 | ||
|
|
|||
Gross unrealized appreciation on investments |
$ | 91,955,253 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation on investments |
(2,739,443 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments |
$ | 89,215,810 | ||
|
|
As of December 31, 2017, the Fund incurred short-term capital losses of $111,425 after October 31, 2017, that it has elected to treat as arising in the following fiscal year.
As of December 31, 2017, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to wash sales on portfolio securities and certain REIT dividends, and permanent book/tax differences primarily attributable to prior year REIT adjustments and certain fixed income securities. To reflect reclassifications arising from the permanent differences, paid-in capital was credited $24,697, accumulated net realized loss was charged $156,884 and accumulated undistributed net investment income was credited $132,187. Net assets were not affected by this reclassification.
24
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Note 5. Capital Stock
The Fund is authorized to issue 100 million shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share.
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Fund did not issue shares of common stock for the reinvestment of dividends.
On December 5, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the continuation of the delegation of its authority to management to effect repurchases, pursuant to managements discretion and subject to market conditions and investment considerations, of up to 10% of the Funds common shares outstanding from January 1, 2018, through the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Fund did not effect any repurchases.
Note 6. Other Risks
Common Stock Risk: While common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long-term, common stock has also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns, although under certain market conditions, fixed-income investments may have comparable or greater price volatility. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of common stock held by the Fund. Also, the price of common stock is sensitive to general movements in the stock market. A drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stock held by the Fund.
Real Estate Market Risk: Since the Fund concentrates its assets in companies engaged in the real estate industry, an investment in the Fund will be closely linked to the performance of the real estate markets. Risks of investing in real estate securities include falling property values due to increasing vacancies, declining rents resulting from economic, legal, tax, political or technological developments, lack of liquidity, limited diversification, and sensitivity to certain economic factors such as interest-rate changes and market recessions. Real estate company prices also may drop because of the failure of borrowers to pay their loans and poor management, and residential developers, in particular, could be negatively impacted by falling home prices, slower mortgage origination and rising construction costs. The risks of investing in REITs are similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate securities.
REIT Risk: In addition to the risks of securities linked to the real estate industry, REITs are subject to certain other risks related to their structure and focus. REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, REITs could possibly fail to (i) qualify for pass-through of income under applicable tax law, or (ii) maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrowers or a lessees ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.
25
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Small- and Medium-Sized Companies Risk: Real estate companies in the industry tend to be small-to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole. There may be less trading in a smaller companys stock, which means that buy and sell transactions in that stock could have a larger impact on the stocks price than is the case with larger company stocks. Smaller companies also may have fewer lines of business so that changes in any one line of business may have a greater impact on a smaller companys stock price than is the case for a larger company. Further, smaller company stocks may perform differently in different cycles than larger company stocks. Accordingly, real estate company shares can, and at times will, perform differently than large company stocks.
Preferred Securities Risk: Preferred securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that a security will decline in price, or the issuer of the security will fail to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due, because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status. Preferred securities are also subject to interest rate risk and may decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates than would normally be the case in an environment of low interest rates and the effect of potential government fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives. In addition, an issuer may be permitted to defer or omit distributions. Preferred securities are also generally subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a companys capital structure. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer may be able to exercise an option to redeem (call) its issue at par earlier than scheduled, and the Fund may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Certain preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks. Generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless certain events occur. Certain preferred securities may give the issuers special redemption rights allowing the securities to be redeemed prior to a specified date if certain events occur, such as changes to tax or securities laws.
Options Risk: Gains on options transactions depend on the investment advisors ability to predict correctly the direction of stock prices, indexes, interest rates, and other economic factors, and unanticipated changes may cause poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in such transactions. A rise in the value of the security or index underlying a call option written by the Fund exposes the Fund to possible loss or loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the value of any portfolio securities underlying or otherwise related to the call option. By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk of a decline in the underlying security or index. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position, and for certain options not traded on an exchange no market usually exists. Trading could be interrupted, for example, because of supply and demand imbalances arising from a lack of either buyers or sellers, or an options exchange could suspend trading after the price has risen or fallen more than the maximum specified by the exchange.
Although the Fund may be able to offset to some extent any adverse effects of being unable to liquidate an option position, that Fund may experience losses in some cases as a result of such inability, may not be able to close its position and, in such an event would be unable to control its losses.
Regulatory Risk: The U.S. government has proposed and adopted multiple regulations that could have a long-lasting impact on the Fund and on the mutual fund industry in general. The Department of Labors (DOL) final rule on conflicts of interest on fiduciary investment advice, as well as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) final rules and amendments to modernize reporting and
26
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
disclosure could, among other things, restrict and/or increase the cost of the Funds ability to engage in transactions and/or increase overall expenses of the Fund. In addition, Congress, various exchanges and regulatory and self-regulatory authorities, both domestic and foreign, have undertaken reviews of options and futures trading in light of market volatility. Among the actions that have been taken or proposed to be taken are new limits and reporting requirements for speculative positions, new or more stringent daily price fluctuation limits for futures and options transactions, and increased margin requirements for various types of futures transactions. While the full extent of all of these regulations is still unclear, these regulations and actions may adversely affect the instruments in which the Fund invests and its ability to execute its investment strategy.
Qualified REIT Dividends Paid by the Fund Ineligible for Pass-Through Deduction: Starting in 2018, non-corporate taxpayers are permitted to deduct a portion of any amounts received from a REIT that are qualified REIT dividends. This deduction is currently not available in respect of such amounts paid by a REIT to the Fund, and distributed by the Fund to its shareholders. As a result, a non-corporate shareholder will generally be subject to a higher effective tax rate on any such amounts received from the Fund compared to the effective rate applicable to any qualified REIT dividends a shareholder would receive if the shareholder invested directly in a REIT.
Note 7. Other
In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Note 8. New Accounting Guidance
In October 2016, the SEC adopted new rules and amended existing rules (together, the final rules) intended to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. In part, the final rules amend Regulation S-X and require standardized, enhanced disclosure about derivatives in investment company financial statements, as well as other amendments. The compliance date for the amendments to Regulation S-X was for periods ending after August 1, 2017. The adoption of these amendments, effective with these financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, required amended and additional disclosures reflected herein, but had no effect on the Funds net assets or results of operations.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, ReceivablesNonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in the ASU shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities, held at a premium, to be amortized to the earliest call date. The ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption will have no effect on the Funds net assets or results of operations.
27
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Note 9. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions occurring after December 31, 2017 through the date that the financial statements were issued, and has determined that no additional disclosure in the financial statements is required.
28
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (the Fund) as of December 31, 2017, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2017 (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, 2017, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds 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, 2017 by correspondence with the custodian and transfer agent. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2018
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds since 1991.
29
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
(Periods ended December 31, 2017) (Unaudited)
Based on Net Asset Value | Based on Market Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Since Inception (9/27/93) |
One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Since Inception (9/27/93) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8.33% | 9.94% | 9.00% | 10.06% | 13.82% | 6.15% | 9.05% | 9.51% |
The performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return will vary and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current total returns of the Fund can be obtained by visiting our website at cohenandsteers.com. The Funds returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at prices obtained under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan.
TAX INFORMATION2017 (Unaudited)
Pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, the Fund designates qualified dividend income of $941,197. Additionally, 4.70% of the ordinary dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. Also, the Fund designates a long-term capital gain distribution of $16,408,272 at the 20% maximum rate.
REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Fund has a dividend reinvestment plan commonly referred to as an opt-out plan (the Plan). Each common shareholder who participates in the Plan will have all distributions of dividends and capital gains (Dividends) automatically reinvested in additional common shares by Computershare as agent (the Plan Agent). Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all Dividends in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Plan Agent, as dividend disbursing agent. Shareholders whose common shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the plan.
The Plan Agent serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Plan. After the Fund declares a Dividend, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the shareholders, either: (i) receive the cash payment and use it to buy common shares in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants accounts or (ii) distribute newly issued common shares of the Fund on behalf of the participants.
The Plan Agent will receive cash from the Fund with which to buy common shares in the open market if, on the Dividend payment date, the NAV per share exceeds the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions on that date. The Plan Agent will receive the Dividend in newly issued common shares of the Fund if, on the Dividend payment date, the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions equals or exceeds the NAV per share of the Fund on that date. The number of shares to be issued will be computed at a per share rate equal to the greater of (i) the NAV or (ii) 95% of the closing market price per share on the payment date.
If the market price per share is less than the NAV on a Dividend payment date, the Plan Agent will have until the last business day before the next ex-dividend date for the common stock, but in no event
30
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
more than 30 days after the Dividend payment date (as the case may be, the Purchase Period), to invest the Dividend amount in shares acquired in open market purchases. If at the close of business on any day during the Purchase Period on which NAV is calculated the NAV equals or is less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Agent will cease making open market purchases and the uninvested portion of such Dividends shall be filled through the issuance of new shares of common stock from the Fund at the price set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan upon notice to the Plan Agent. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if received not less than ten days prior to a Dividend record date; otherwise, it will be effective for all subsequent Dividends. If any participant elects to have the Plan Agent sell all or part of his or her shares and remit the proceeds, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct a $15.00 fee plus $0.10 per share brokerage commissions.
The Plan Agents fees for the handling of reinvestments of Dividends will be paid by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agents open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of Dividends. The automatic reinvestments of Dividends will not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable or required to be withheld on such Dividends.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at 800-432-8224.
OTHER INFORMATION
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348, (ii) on our website at cohenandsteers.com or (iii) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Funds proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of each year (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348 or (ii) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds Forms N-Q are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348 or (ii) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
Please note that distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes and are taxable up to the amount of the Funds investment company taxable income and net realized gains. Distributions in excess of the Funds investment company taxable income and net realized gains are a return of capital distributed from the Funds assets. To the extent this occurs, the Funds shareholders of record will be notified of the estimated amount of capital returned to shareholders for each such distribution and this information will also be available at cohenandsteers.com. The final tax treatment of all distributions is reported to shareholders on their 1099-DIV forms, which are mailed after the close of each calendar year. Distributions of capital decrease the Funds total assets and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Funds expense ratio. In addition, in order to make these distributions, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities at a less than opportune time.
31
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock in the open market.
Election of Additional Director
Effective September 12, 2017, the Board of Directors voted to increase the number of directors on the Funds Board of Directors from twelve to thirteen and elected Daphne L. Richards as a Director of the Fund.
In addition to her tenure as a Director of various Cohen & Steers Funds, Ms. Richards has served as an Independent Director of Cartica Management, LLC since 2015. She has also been a Member of the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation since 2015, a Member of the Advisory Board of Northeast Dutchess Fund since 2016, a Member of the 100 Women in Finance Global Association Board and Chair of its Advisory Council since 2012, and has been the President and CIO of Ledge Harbor Management since 2016. Previously, Ms. Richards worked at Bessemer Trust Company from 1999 to 2014. Prior thereto, Ms. Richards held investment positions at Frank Russell Company from 1996 to 1999, Union Bank of Switzerland from 1993 to 1996, Credit Suisse from 1990 to 1993, and Hambros International Venture Capital Fund from 1988 to 1989.
Changes to the Board of Directors
On December 5, 2017, the Board of Directors voted to decrease the number of directors on the Funds Board of Directors from thirteen to ten, effective January 1, 2018. Directors Bonnie Cohen and Richard E. Kroon retired from the Board of Directors on December 31, 2017 pursuant to the Funds mandatory retirement policy. Director Richard J. Norman resigned from the Board of Directors effective December 31, 2017.
Implementation of Asset Allocation Strategy Group
The Asset Allocation Strategy Group (ASG) aggregates economic outlook, risk and relative value to develop views across asset classes and makes recommendations on allocations among the asset classes. The portfolio managers of the Fund oversee the implementation of the ASGs asset allocation recommendations to the best degree possible. In consideration of the portfolio objectives and constraints, the portfolio managers have discretion to adjust the ASGs recommended allocations. Each portfolio manager on the team then directs and supervises allocation decisions for their respective asset class, and leads and guides the other members of their investment team.
32
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approves all significant agreements between the Fund and persons or companies furnishing services to it, including the Funds agreements with its investment advisor, administrator, co-administrator, custodian and transfer agent. The management of the Funds day-to-day operations is delegated to its officers, the investment advisor, administrator and co-administrator, subject always to the investment objective and policies of the Fund and to the general supervision of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations during at least the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (SAI) includes additional information about fund directors and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800-330-7348.
Name, Address and Year of Birth1 |
Position(s) Held With Fund |
Term of Office2 |
Principal Occupation During At Least The Past 5 Years (Including Other Directorships Held) |
Number of Funds Within Fund Complex Overseen by Director (Including the Fund) |
Length of Time Served3 | |||||||
Interested Directors4 | ||||||||||||
Robert H. Steers Year of Birth: 1953 |
Director, Chairman | Until Next Election of Directors | Chief Executive Officer of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (CSCM or the Advisor) and its parent, Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) since 2014. Prior to that, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Advisor since 2003 and CNS since 2004. Prior to that, Chairman of the Advisor; Vice President of Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC. |
22 | Since 1991 | |||||||
Joseph M. Harvey Year of Birth: 1963 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | President and Chief Investment Officer of the Advisor (since 2003) and President of CNS (since 2004). Prior to that, Senior Vice President and Director of Investment Research of CSCM. |
22 | Since 2014 |
(table continued on next page)
33
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
(table continued from previous page)
Name, Address and Year of Birth1 |
Position(s) Held With Fund |
Term of Office2 |
Principal Occupation During At Least The Past 5 Years (Including Other Directorships Held) |
Number of Funds Within Fund Complex Overseen by Director (Including the Fund) |
Length of Time Served3 | |||||||
Disinterested Directors | ||||||||||||
Michael G. Clark Year of Birth: 1965 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | From 2006 to 2011, President and Chief Executive Officer of DWS Funds and Managing Director of Deutsche Asset Management. | 22 | Since 2011 | |||||||
Bonnie Cohen Year of Birth: 1942 |
Director | 5 | Consultant. Board Member, DC Public Library Foundation since 2012, President since 2014; Board member, Telluride Mountain Film Festival since 2010; Trustee, H. Rubenstein Foundation since 1996; Trustee, District of Columbia Public Libraries from 2004 to 2014. | 22 | Since 2001 | |||||||
George Grossman Year of Birth: 1953 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | Attorney-at-law. | 22 | Since 1993 |
(table continued on next page)
34
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
(table continued from previous page)
Name, Address and Year of Birth1 |
Position(s) Held With Fund |
Term of Office2 |
Principal Occupation During At Least The Past 5 Years (Including Other Directorships Held) |
Number of Funds Within Fund Complex Overseen by Director (Including the Fund) |
Length of Time Served3 | |||||
Dean Junkans Year of Birth: 1959 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | C.F.A.; Adjunct Professor and Executive -In -Residence, Bethel University since 2015; Chief Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Private Bank from 2004 to 2014 and Chief Investment Officer of the Wealth, Brokerage and Retirement group at Wells Fargo & Company from 2011 to 2014; Former member and Chair, Claritas Advisory Committee at the CFA Institute from 2013 to 2015; Board Member and Investment Committee member, Bethel University Foundation since 2010; formerly Corporate Executive Board Member of the National Chief Investment Officers Circle, 2010 to 2015; formerly, Member of the Board of Governors of the University of Wisconsin Foundation, River Falls, 1996 to 2004; U.S. Army Veteran, Gulf War. |
22 | Since 2015 |
(table continued on next page)
35
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
(table continued from previous page)
Name, Address and Year of Birth1 |
Position(s) Held With Fund |
Term of Office2 |
Principal Occupation During At Least The Past 5 Years (Including Other Directorships Held) |
Number of Funds Within Fund Complex Overseen by Director (Including the Fund) |
Length of Time Served3 | |||||
Richard E. Kroon Year of Birth: 1942 |
Director | 5 | Former member of Investment Committee, Monmouth University from 2004 to 2016; Former Director, Retired Chairman and Managing Partner of Sprout Group venture capital funds, then an affiliate of Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette Securities Corporation from 1981 to 2001. Former Director of the National Venture Capital Association from 1997 to 2000, and Chairman for the year 2000. | 22 | Since 2004 | |||||
Gerald J. Maginnis Year of Birth: 1955 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | Philadelphia Office Managing Partner, KPMG LLP from 2006 to 2015; Partner in Charge, KPMG Pennsylvania Audit Practice from 2002 to 2008; President, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) from 2014 to 2015; member, PICPA Board of Directors from 2012 to 2016; member, Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) from 2014 to 2017; member, Board of Trustees of AICPA Foundation since 2015. | 22 | Since 2015 |
(table continued on next page)
36
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
(table continued from previous page)
Name, Address and Year of Birth1 |
Position(s) Held With Fund |
Term of Office2 |
Principal Occupation During At Least The Past 5 Years (Including Other Directorships Held) |
Number of Funds Within Fund Complex Overseen by Director (Including the Fund) |
Length of Time Served3 | |||||
Jane F. Magpiong Year of Birth: 1960 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | President, Untap Potential since 2013; Board Member, Crespi High School, from 2014 to 2017; Senior Managing Director, TIAA-CREF, from 2011 to 2013; National Head of Wealth Management, TIAA-CREF, from 2008 to 2011; and prior to that, President, Bank of America Private Bank from 2005 to 2008. | 22 | Since 2015 | |||||
Richard J. Norman Year of Birth: 1943 |
Director | 5 | Private Investor. Member, Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Corrections Volunteer Corps. since 2010; Liaison for Business Leadership, Salvation Army World Service Organization (SAWSO) since 2010; Advisory Board Member, The Salvation Army since 1985; Prior thereto, Investment Representative of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter from 1966 to 2000. | 22 | Since 2001 |
(table continued on next page)
37
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
(table continued from previous page)
Name, Address and Year of Birth1 |
Position(s) Held With Fund |
Term of Office2 |
Principal Occupation During At Least The Past 5 Years (Including Other Directorships Held) |
Number of Funds Within Fund Complex Overseen by Director (Including the Fund) |
Length of Time Served3 | |||||
Daphne L. Richards Year of Birth: 1966 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | Independent Director of Cartica Management, LLC since 2015; Member of the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation since 2015; Member of the Advisory Board of Northeast Dutchess Fund since 2016; Member of the 100 Women in Finance Global Association Board and Chair of its Advisory Council since 2012; President and CIO of Ledge Harbor Management since 2016; Previously, worked at Bessemer Trust Company from 1999 to 2014; Prior thereto, Ms. Richards held investment positions at Frank Russell Company from 1996 to 1999, Union Bank of Switzerland from 1993 to 1996; Credit Suisse from 1990 to 1993; and Hambros International Venture Capital Fund from 1988 to 1989. | 22 | Since September 2017 |
(table continued on next page)
38
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
(table continued from previous page)
Name, Address and Year of Birth1 |
Position(s) Held With Fund |
Term of Office2 |
Principal Occupation During At Least The Past 5 Years (Including Other Directorships Held) |
Number of Funds Within Fund Complex Overseen by Director (Including the Fund) |
Length of Time Served3 | |||||
Frank K. Ross Year of Birth: 1943 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | Visiting Professor of Accounting and Director of the Center for Accounting Education at Howard University School of Business since 2004; Board member and member of Audit Committee (Chairman from 2007 to 2012) and Human Resources and Compensation Committee Member, Pepco Holdings, Inc. (electric utility) from 2004 to 2014; Formerly, Mid-Atlantic Area Managing Partner for Assurance Services at KPMG LLP and Managing Partner of its Washington, DC offices from 1995 to 2003. | 22 | Since 2004 | |||||
C. Edward Ward, Jr. Year of Birth: 1946 |
Director | Until Next Election of Directors | Member of The Board of Trustees of Manhattan College, Riverdale, New York from 2004 to 2014. Formerly, Director of closed-end fund management for the NYSE where he worked from 1979 to 2004. | 22 | Since 2004 |
1 | The address for each director is 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. |
2 | On March 12, 2008, the Board of Directors adopted a mandatory retirement policy stating a Director must retire from the Board on December 31st of the year in which he or she turns 75 years of age. |
3 | The length of time served represents the year in which the Director was first elected or appointed to any fund in the Cohen & Steers fund complex. |
4 | Interested person as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund because of affiliation with CSCM (Interested Directors). |
5 | Bonnie Cohen and Richard E. Kroon retired from the Board of Directors on December 31, 2017 pursuant to the Funds mandatory retirement policy. Richard J. Norman resigned from the Board of Directors effective December 31, 2017. |
39
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
The officers of the Fund (other than Messrs. Steers and Harvey, whose biographies are provided above), their address, their year of birth and their principal occupations for at least the past five years are set forth below.
Name, Address and Year of Birth1 |
Position(s) Held With Fund |
Principal Occupation During At Least the Past 5 Years |
Length of Time Served2 | |||
Adam M. Derechin 1964 |
President and Chief Executive Officer | Chief Operating Officer of CSCM since 2003 and CNS since 2004. | Since 2005 | |||
Thomas N. Bohjalian 1965 |
Vice President | Executive Vice President since 2012. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of the CSCM since 2006. | Since 2006 | |||
William F. Scapell 1968 |
Vice President | Executive Vice President of CSCM since 2012. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2003. | Since 2003 | |||
Jason Yablon 1979 |
Vice President | Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2014. Prior to that, Vice President of CSCM since 2008. | Since 2008 | |||
Yigal D. Jhirad 1964 |
Vice President | Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2007. | Since 2007 | |||
Francis C. Poli 1962 |
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of CSCM and CNS since March 2007. | Since 2007 | |||
James Giallanza 1966 |
Chief Financial Officer | Executive Vice President of CSCM since 2014. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2006. | Since 2006 | |||
Albert Laskaj 1977 |
Treasurer | Vice President of CSCM since 2015. Prior to that, Director of Legg Mason & Co. since 2013. Vice President of Legg Mason from 2008 to 2013 and Treasurer of certain mutual funds since 2010. | Since 2015 | |||
Lisa D. Phelan 1968 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Executive Vice President of CSCM since 2015. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2008. Chief Compliance Officer of CSCM, the Cohen & Steers funds, Cohen & Steers Asia Limited and CSSL since 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. | Since 2006 |
1 | The address of each officer is 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. |
2 | Officers serve one-year terms. The length of time served represents the year in which the officer was first elected as an officer of any fund in the Cohen & Steers fund complex. All of the officers listed above are officers of one or more of the other funds in the complex. |
40
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
Cohen & Steers Privacy Policy
Facts | What Does Cohen & Steers Do With Your Personal Information? | |
Why? | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. | |
What? | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
Social Security number and account balances
Transaction history and account transactions
Purchase history and wire transfer instructions | |
How? | All financial companies need to share customers personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers personal information; the reasons Cohen & Steers chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
Reasons we can share your personal information | Does Cohen & Steers share? |
Can you limit this sharing? | ||
For our everyday business purposes such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or reports to credit bureaus |
Yes | No | ||
For our marketing purposes to offer our products and services to you |
Yes | No | ||
For joint marketing with other financial companies | No | We dont share | ||
For our affiliates everyday business purposes information about your transactions and experiences |
No | We dont share | ||
For our affiliates everyday business purposes information about your creditworthiness |
No | We dont share | ||
For our affiliates to market to you | No | We dont share | ||
For non-affiliates to market to you | No | We dont share | ||
Questions? Call 800.330.7348 |
41
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
Cohen & Steers Privacy Policy(Continued)
Who we are | ||
Who is providing this notice? | Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Cohen & Steers Asia Limited, Cohen & Steers Japan, LLC, Cohen & Steers UK Limited, Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC, Cohen & Steers Private Funds and Cohen & Steers Open and Closed-End Funds (collectively, Cohen & Steers). | |
What we do | ||
How does Cohen & Steers protect my personal information? | To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We restrict access to your information to those employees who need it to perform their jobs, and also require companies that provide services on our behalf to protect your information. | |
How does Cohen & Steers collect my personal information? | We collect your personal information, for example, when you:
Open an account or buy securities from us
Provide account information or give us your contact information
Make deposits or withdrawals from your account
We also collect your personal information from other companies. | |
Why cant I limit all sharing? | Federal law gives you the right to limit only:
sharing for affiliates everyday business purposesinformation about your creditworthiness
affiliates from using your information to market to you
sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State law and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. | |
Definitions | ||
Affiliates | Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
Cohen & Steers does not share with affiliates. | |
Non-affiliates | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
Cohen & Steers does not share with non-affiliates. | |
Joint marketing | A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
Cohen & Steers does not jointly market. |
42
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
Cohen & Steers Investment Solutions
Distributed by Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC.
Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of any Cohen & Steers U.S. registered open-end fund carefully before investing. A summary prospectus and prospectus containing this and other information can be obtained by calling 800-330-7348 or by visiting cohenandsteers.com. Please read the summary prospectus and prospectus carefully before investing.
43
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
44
COHEN & STEERS
TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND
280 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10017
eDelivery AVAILABLE
Stop traditional mail delivery;
receive your shareholder reports
and prospectus online.
Sign up at cohenandsteers.com
Annual Report December 31, 2017
Cohen & Steers
Total Return
Realty Fund
RFIAR
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
The Registrant has adopted an Amended and Restated Code of Ethics that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. The Code of Ethics was in effect during the reporting period. The Registrant has not amended the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the reporting period. The Registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the reporting period. A current copy of the Code of Ethics is available on the Registrants website at https://www.cohenandsteers.com/assets/content/uploads/Code_of_Ethics_for_Principal_Executive_and_Principal_Financial_Officers_of_the_Funds.pdf. Upon request, a copy of the Code of Ethics can be obtained free of charge by calling 800-330-7348 or writing to the Secretary of the Registrant, 280 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10017.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The registrants board has determined that Gerald J. Maginnis and Frank K. Ross qualify as audit committee financial experts based on their years of experience in the public accounting profession. The registrants board has determined that Michael G. Clark qualifies as an audit committee financial expert based on his years of experience in the public accounting profession and the investment management and financial services industry. Each of Messrs. Clark, Maginnis and Ross is a member of the boards audit committee, and each is independent as such term is defined in Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) (d) Aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 for professional services rendered by the registrants principal accountant were as follows:
2017 | 2016 | |||
Audit Fees |
$38,390 | $46,200 | ||
Audit-Related Fees |
$0 | $0 | ||
Tax Fees |
$5,550 | $6,380 | ||
All Other Fees |
$0 | $0 |
Tax fees were billed in connection with tax compliance services, including the preparation and review of federal and state tax returns and the computation of corporate and franchise tax amounts.
(e)(1) The audit committee is required to pre-approve audit and non-audit services performed for the registrant by the principal accountant. The audit committee also is required to pre-approve non-audit services performed by the registrants principal accountant for the registrants investment advisor and any sub-advisor (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and/or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrants
investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement for services relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.
The audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members who are independent members of the board of directors of the registrant. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. The audit committee may not delegate its responsibility to pre-approve services to be performed by the registrants principal accountant to the investment advisor.
(e)(2) No services included in (b) (d) above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraphs (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the aggregate fees billed by the registrants principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant and for non-audit services rendered to the registrants investment advisor (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and/or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrants investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant were:
2017 | 2016 | | ||||
Registrant |
$5,550 | $6,380 | ||||
Investment Advisor |
$0 | $0 |
(h) The registrants audit committee considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrants investment advisor (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and/or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrants investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not required to be pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X was compatible with maintaining the principal accountants independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the committee are Frank K. Ross (chairman), Bonnie Cohen, Michael G. Clark, George Grossman and Gerald J. Maginnis. Director Bonnie Cohen retired from the Board of Directors on December 31, 2017 pursuant to the Funds mandatory retirement policy.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
Included in Item 1 above.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
The registrant has delegated voting of proxies in respect of portfolio holdings to Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth below.
COHEN & STEERS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
STATEMENT OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE VOTING OF
SECURITIES
This statement sets forth the policies and procedures that Cohen & Steers, Inc. and its affiliated advisors (Cohen & Steers, we or us) follow in exercising voting rights with respect to securities held in its client portfolios. All proxy-voting rights that are exercised by Cohen & Steers shall be subject to this Statement of Policy and Procedures.
A. | General Proxy Voting Guidelines |
Objectives
Voting rights are an important component of corporate governance. Cohen & Steers has three overall objectives in exercising voting rights:
● | Responsibility. Cohen & Steers shall seek to ensure that there is an effective means in place to hold companies accountable for their actions. While management must be accountable to its board, the board must be accountable to a companys shareholders. Although accountability can be promoted in a variety of ways, protecting shareholder voting rights may be among our most important tools. |
● | Rationalizing Management and Shareholder Concerns. Cohen & Steers seeks to ensure that the interests of a companys management and board are aligned with those of the companys shareholders. In this respect, compensation must be structured to reward the creation of shareholder value. |
● | Shareholder Communication. Since companies are owned by their shareholders, Cohen & Steers seeks to ensure that management effectively communicates with its owners about the companys business operations and financial performance. It is only with effective communication that shareholders will be able to assess the performance of management and to make informed decisions on when to buy, sell or hold a companys securities. |
General Principles
In exercising voting rights, Cohen & Steers shall conduct itself in accordance with the general principles set forth below.
● | The ability to exercise a voting right with respect to a security is a valuable right and, therefore, must be viewed as part of the asset itself. |
● | In exercising voting rights, Cohen & Steers shall engage in a careful evaluation of issues that may materially affect the rights of shareholders and the value of the security. |
● | Consistent with general fiduciary principles, the exercise of voting rights shall always be conducted with reasonable care, prudence and diligence. |
● | In exercising voting rights on behalf of clients, Cohen & Steers shall conduct itself in the same manner as if Cohen & Steers were the constructive owner of the securities. |
● | To the extent reasonably possible, Cohen & Steers shall participate in each shareholder voting opportunity. |
● | Voting rights shall not automatically be exercised in favor of management-supported proposals. |
● | Cohen & Steers, and its officers and employees, shall never accept any item of value in consideration of a favorable proxy voting decision. |
General Guidelines
Set forth below are general guidelines that Cohen & Steers shall follow in exercising proxy voting rights:
● | Prudence. In making a proxy voting decision, Cohen & Steers shall give appropriate consideration to all relevant facts and circumstances, including the value of the securities to be voted and the likely effect any vote may have on that value. Since voting rights must be exercised on the basis of an informed judgment, investigation shall be a critical initial step. |
● | Third Party Views. While Cohen & Steers may consider the views of third parties, Cohen & Steers shall never base a proxy voting decision solely on the opinion of a third party. Rather, decisions shall be based on a reasonable and good faith determination as to how best to maximize shareholder value. |
● | Shareholder Value. Just as the decision whether to purchase or sell a security is a matter of judgment, determining whether a specific proxy resolution will increase the market value of a security is a matter of judgment as to which informed parties may differ. In determining how a proxy vote may affect the economic value of a security, Cohen & Steers shall consider both short-term and long-term views about a companys business and prospects, especially in light of our projected holding period on the stock (e.g., Cohen & Steers may discount long-term views on a short-term holding). |
Specific Guidelines
Uncontested Director Elections
Votes on director nominees should be made on a case-by-case basis using a mosaic approach, where all factors are considered in director elections and where no single issue is deemed to be determinative. For example, a nominees experience and business judgment may be critical to the long-term success of the portfolio company, notwithstanding the fact that he or she may serve on the board of more than four public companies. In evaluating nominees, we consider the following factors:
● | Whether the nominee attended less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse for the absences; |
● | Whether the nominee is an inside or affiliated outside director and sits on the audit, compensation, or nominating committees; |
● | Whether the board ignored a significant shareholder proposal that was approved by a majority of the votes cast in the previous year; |
● | Whether the board, without shareholder approval, to our knowledge instituted a new poison pill plan, extended an existing plan, or adopted a new plan upon the expiration of an existing plan during the past year; |
● | Whether the nominee is an insider or affiliated outside director and the full board serves as the audit, compensation, or nominating committee or the company does not have one of these committees; |
● | Whether the nominee is an insider or affiliated outsider on boards that are not at least majority independent; |
● | Whether the nominee is the CEO of a publicly-traded company who serves on more than two public boards; |
● | Whether the nominee is the chairperson of a publicly-traded company who serves on more than two public boards; |
● | Whether the nominee serves on more than four public company boards; |
● | Whether the nominee serves on the audit committee where there is evidence (such as audit reports or reports mandated under the Sarbanes Oxley Act) that there exists material weaknesses in the companys internal controls; |
● | Whether the nominee serves on the compensation committee if that director was present at the time of the grant of backdated options or options the pricing or the timing of which we believe may have been manipulated to provide additional benefits to executives; |
● | Whether the nominee has a material related party transaction or is believed by us to have a material conflict of interest with the portfolio company; |
● | Whether the nominee (or the overall board) in our view has a record of making poor corporate or strategic decisions or has demonstrated an overall lack of good business judgment, including, among other things, whether the companys total shareholder return is in the bottom 25% of its peer group over the prior five years; |
● | Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight1, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company; |
● | Failure to replace management as appropriate; and |
● | Egregious actions related to a directors service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company. |
Proxy Access
We recognize the importance of shareholder access to the ballot process as a means to ensure that boards do not become self-perpetuating and self-serving. However, we are also aware that some proposals may promote certain interest groups and could be disruptive to the nomination process. We vote on a case-by-case basis considering the proxy access terms in light of a companys specific circumstances and we may support proxy access proposals when management and boards have displayed a lack of shareholder accountability. Director candidates nominated pursuant to proxy access will be considered in accordance with the contested election guidelines below.
Proxy Contests
Director Nominees in a Contested Election
By definition, this type of board candidate or slate runs for the purpose of seeking a significant change in corporate policy or control. Therefore, the economic impact of the vote in favor of or in opposition to that director or slate must be analyzed using a higher standard such as is normally applied to changes in control. Criteria for evaluating director nominees as a group or individually should also include: the underlying reason why the new slate (or individual director) is being proposed; performance; compensation; corporate governance provisions and takeover activity; criminal activity; attendance at meetings; investment in the company; interlocking directorships; inside, outside and independent directors; number of other board seats; and other experience. It is impossible to have a general policy regarding director nominees in a contested election.
Reimbursement of Proxy Solicitation Expenses
Decisions to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest should be made on a case-by-case basis. In the absence of compelling reasons, Cohen & Steers will generally not support such proposals.
Ratification of Auditors
We vote for proposals to ratify auditors, auditor remuneration and/or proposals authorizing the board to fix audit fees, unless:
● | an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; |
1 Examples of failure of risk oversight include, but are not limited to: bribery; large or serial fines from regulatory bodies; significant adverse legal judgments or settlements; hedging of company stock by the employees or directors of a company; or significant pledging of company stock in the aggregate by the officers and directors of a company.
● | there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the companys financial position; |
● | the name of the proposed auditor and/or fees paid to the audit firm are not disclosed by the company in a timely manner prior to the meeting; |
● | the auditors are being changed without explanation; or |
● | fees paid for non-audit related services are excessive and/or exceed limits set in local best practice recommendations or law. |
In circumstances where fees for non-audit services include fees related to significant one-time capital structure events; initial public offerings; bankruptcy emergence, and spinoffs; and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining whether non-audit related fees are excessive.
We vote on a case-by-case basis on auditor rotation proposals. Criteria for evaluating the rotation proposal include, but are not limited to: tenure of the audit firm; establishment and disclosure of a renewal process whereby the auditor is regularly evaluated for both audit quality and competitive price; length of the rotation period advocated in the proposal; and any significant audit related issues.
Generally, we vote against auditor indemnification and limitation of liability; however we recognize there may be situations where indemnification and limitations on liability may be appropriate.
Takeover Defenses
While we recognize that a takeover attempt can be a significant distraction for the board and management to deal with, the simple fact is that the possibility of a corporate takeover keeps management focused on maximizing shareholder value. As a result, Cohen & Steers opposes measures that are designed to prevent or obstruct corporate takeovers because they can entrench current management. The following are our guidelines on change of control issues:
Shareholder Rights Plans
We acknowledge that there are arguments for and against shareholder rights plans, also known as poison pills. Companies should put their case for rights plans to shareholders.
We review on a case-by-case basis management proposals to ratify a poison pill. We generally look for shareholder friendly features including a two- to three-year sunset provision, a permitted bid provision and a 20 percent or higher flip-in provision.
Greenmail
We vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a companys ability to make greenmail payments.
Unequal Voting Rights
Generally, we vote against dual-class recapitalizations as they offer an effective way for a firm to thwart hostile takeovers by concentrating voting power in the hands of management or other insiders. We support the one-share, one-vote principle for voting.
Classified Boards
We generally vote in favor of shareholder proposals to declassify a board of directors, although we acknowledge that a classified board may be in the long-term best interests of the shareholders of a company in certain situations, such as continuity of a strong board and management team or for certain types of companies. In voting on shareholder proposals to declassify a board of directors, we evaluate all facts and circumstances surrounding such proposal, including whether: (i) the current management and board have a track record of making good corporate or strategic decisions, (ii) the shareholder proposing the de-classification has an agenda in making such proposal that may be at odds with the long-term best interests of the shareholders of the company, or (iii) it would be in the best interests of the company to thwart a shareholders attempt to control the board of directors.
Cumulative Voting
Having the ability to cumulate our votes for the election of directors that is, cast more than one vote for a director about whom they feel strongly generally increases shareholders rights to effect change in the management of a corporation. However, we acknowledge that cumulative voting promotes special candidates who may not represent the interests of all, or even a majority, of shareholders. In voting on proposals to institute cumulative voting, we therefore evaluate all facts and circumstances surrounding such proposal and we generally vote against cumulative voting where the company has good corporate governance practices in place, including majority voting for board elections and de-classified boards.
Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meeting
Cohen & Steers votes on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals requesting companies to amend their governance documents (bylaws and/or charter) in order to allow shareholders to call special meetings.
Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent
We generally vote against proposals to allow or facilitate shareholder action by written consent. The requirement that all shareholders be given notice of a shareholders meeting and matters to be discussed therein seems to provide a reasonable protection of minority shareholder rights.
Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board
We generally vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board and vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval. While we recognize the importance of such proposals, we are however also aware that these proposals are sometimes put forth in order to promote the agenda(s) of certain special interest groups and could be disruptive to the management of the company.
Miscellaneous Board Provisions
Board Committees
Boards should delegate key oversight functions, such as responsibility for audit, nominating and compensation issues, to independent committees. The chairman and members of any committee should be clearly identified in the annual report. Any committee should have the authority to engage independent advisors where appropriate at the companys expense.
Audit, nominating and compensation committees should consist solely of non-employee directors, who are independent of management.
Independent Chairman
We review on a case-by-case basis proposals requiring that the chairmans position be filled by an independent director, taking into consideration the companys current board leadership and governance structure; company performance, and any other factors that may be applicable.
Separate Chairman and CEO Role
We will generally vote for proposals looking to separate the CEO and Chairman roles. We do acknowledge, however, that under certain circumstances, it may be reasonable for the CEO and Chairman roles to be held by a single person.
Lead Directors and Executive Sessions
In cases where the CEO and Chairman roles are combined or the Chairman is not independent, we will vote for the appointment of a lead independent director and for regular executive sessions (board meetings taking place without the CEO/Chairman present).
Majority of Independent Directors
We vote for proposals that call for the board to be composed of a majority of independent directors. We believe that a majority of independent directors can be an important factor in facilitating objective decision making and enhancing accountability to shareholders.
Independent Committees
We vote for shareholder proposals requesting that the boards audit, compensation, and nominating committees consist exclusively of independent directors.
Stock Ownership Requirements
We support measures requiring senior executives to hold a minimum amount of stock in a company (often expressed as a percentage of annual compensation), which may include restricted stock or restricted stock units.
Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection
We generally support indemnification provisions that are consistent with the local jurisdiction in which the company has been formed. We vote in favor of proposals providing indemnification for directors and officers with respect to acts conducted in the normal course of business. We also vote in favor of proposals that expand coverage for directors and officers where, despite an unsuccessful legal defense, the director or officer acted in good faith and in the best interests of the company and the director or officers legal expenses are covered. We vote against proposals that would expand indemnification beyond coverage of legal expenses to coverage of acts, such as gross negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligations.
Board Size
We generally vote for proposals to limit the size of the board to 15 members or less.
Majority Vote Standard
We generally vote for proposals asking for the board to initiate the appropriate process to amend the companys governance documents (charter or bylaws) to provide that director nominees shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast at an annual meeting of shareholders.
Supermajority Vote Requirements
We generally support proposals that seek to lower super-majority voting requirements
Disclosure of Board Nominees
We generally vote against the election of directors at companies if the names of the director nominees are not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting. However, we recognize that companies in certain emerging markets may have a legitimate reason for not disclosing nominee names. In such a rare case, if a company discloses a legitimate reason why such nominee names should not be disclosed, we may vote for the nominees even if nominee names are not disclosed in a timely manner.
Disclosure of Board Compensation
We generally vote against the election of directors at companies if the compensation paid to such directors is not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting. However, we recognize that companies in certain emerging markets may have a legitimate reason for not disclosing such compensation information. In such a rare case, if a company discloses a legitimate reason why such compensation should not be disclosed, we may vote for the nominees even if compensation is not disclosed in a timely manner.
Miscellaneous Governance Provisions
Confidential Voting
We vote for shareholder proposals requesting that companies adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators, and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.
We also vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting.
Bundled Proposals
We review on a case-by-case basis bundled or conditioned proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, we examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances where the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders best interests, we vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, we support such proposals. In the case of bundled director proposals, we will vote for the entire slate only if we would have otherwise voted for each director on an individual basis.
Date/Location of Meeting
We vote against shareholder proposals to change the date or location of the shareholders meeting. No one site will meet the needs of all shareholders.
Adjourn Meeting if Votes are Insufficient.
Open-end requests for adjournment of a shareholder meeting generally will not be supported. However, where management specifically states the reason for requesting an adjournment and the requested adjournment is necessary to permit a proposal that would otherwise be supported under this policy to be carried out, the adjournment request will be supported.
Disclosure of Shareholder Proponents
We vote for shareholder proposals requesting that companies disclose the names of shareholder proponents. Shareholders may wish to contact the proponents of a shareholder proposal for additional information.
Other Business
Cohen & Steers will generally vote against proposals to approve other business where we cannot determine the exact nature of the proposal to be voted on.
Capital Structure
Increase Additional Common Stock
We generally vote for increases in authorized shares, provided that the increase is not greater than three times the number of shares outstanding and reserved for issuance (including shares reserved for stock-related plans and securities convertible into common stock, but not shares reserved for any poison pill plan).
Votes generally are cast in favor of proposals to authorize additional shares of stock except where the proposal:
● | creates a blank check preferred stock; or |
● | establishes classes of stock with superior voting rights. |
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Votes generally are cast in opposition to management proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecific voting, conversion, distribution and other rights, and management proposals to increase the number of authorized blank check preferred shares. We may vote in favor of this type of proposal when we receive assurances to our reasonable satisfaction that (i) the preferred stock was authorized by the board for the use of legitimate capital formation purposes and not for anti-takeover purposes, and (ii) no preferred stock will be issued with voting power that is disproportionate to the economic interests of the preferred stock. These representations should be made either in the proxy statement or in a separate letter from the company to Cohen & Steers.
Pre-emptive Rights
We believe that the governance and regulation of public equity markets allow for adequate shareholder protection against dilution. Further, we believe that companies should have more flexibility to issue shares without costly and time constraining rights offerings. As such, we do not believe that pre-emptive
rights are necessary and as such, we generally vote for the issuance of equity shares without pre-emptive rights. On a limited basis, we will vote for shareholder pre-emptive rights where such pre-emptive rights are necessary, taking into account the best interests of the companys shareholders.
We acknowledge that international local practices typically call for shareholder pre-emptive rights when a company seeks authority to issue shares (e.g., UK authority for the issuance of only up to 5% of outstanding shares without pre-emptive rights). While we would prefer that companies be permitted to issue shares without pre-emptive rights, in deference to international local practices, we will approve issuance requests with pre-emptive rights.
Dual Class Capitalizations
Because classes of common stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, we vote against adoption of a dual or multiple class capitalization structure.
Restructurings/Recapitalizations
We review proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan on a case-by-case basis. In voting, we consider the following issues:
● | dilutionhow much will ownership interest of existing shareholders be reduced, and how extreme will dilution to any future earnings be? |
● | change in controlwill the transaction result in a change in control of the company? |
● | bankruptcygenerally, approve proposals that facilitate debt restructurings unless there are clear signs of self-dealing or other abuses. |
Share Repurchase Programs
Boards may institute share repurchase or stock buy-back programs for a number of reasons. Cohen & Steers will generally vote in favor of such programs where the repurchase would be in the long-term best interests of shareholders, and where the company is not thought to be able to use the cash in a more useful way.
Targeted Share Placements
These shareholder proposals ask companies to seek stockholder approval before placing 10% or more of their voting stock with a single investor. The proposals are typically in reaction to the placement by various companies of a large block of their voting stock in an ESOP, parent capital fund or with a single friendly investor, with the aim of protecting themselves against a hostile tender offer. These proposals are voted on a case-by-case basis after reviewing the individual situation of the company receiving the proposal.
Executive and Director Compensation
Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)
Votes regarding shareholder say on pay are determined on a case-by-case basis. Generally, we believe that executive compensation should be tied to the long-term performance of the executive and the company both in absolute and relative to the peer group. We therefore monitor the compensation practices of portfolio companies to determine whether compensation to these executives is commensurate
to the companys total shareholder return (TSR) (i.e., we generally expect companies that pay their executives at the higher end of the pay range to also be performing commensurately well).
Further, pay elements that are not directly based on performance are generally evaluated on a case-by-case basis considering the context of a companys overall pay program and demonstrated pay-for-performance philosophy. The following list highlights certain negative pay practices that carry significant weight in this overall consideration and may result in adverse vote recommendations:
● | Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARS without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options); |
● | Excessive perquisites or tax gross-ups; |
● | New or extended agreements that provide for: |
O | Change in Control (CIC) payments exceeding 3 times base salary and bonus; |
O | CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties (single or modified single triggers); |
O | CIC payments with excise tax gross-ups (including modified gross-ups). |
Also, we generally vote for shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information.
Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say When on Pay)
We generally vote for annual advisory votes on compensation as we note that executive compensation is also evaluated on an annual basis by the companys compensation committee.
Stock-based Incentive Plans
Votes with respect to compensation plans should be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on a combination of certain plan features and equity grant practices, where positive factors may counterbalance negative factors, and vice versa, as evaluated in three pillars:
● | Plan Cost: The total estimated cost of the companys equity plans relative to industry/market cap peers, measured by the companys estimated Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) in relation to peers and considering both: |
O | SVT based on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants, plus outstanding unvested/unexercised grants; and |
O | SVT based only on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants. |
● | Plan Features: |
O | Automatic single-triggered award vesting upon CIC; |
O | Discretionary vesting authority; |
O | Liberal share recycling on various award types; |
O | Minimum vesting period for grants made under the plan. |
● | Grant Practices: |
O | The companys three year burn rate relative to its industry/market cap peers; |
O | Vesting requirements in most recent CEO equity grants (3-year look-back); |
O | The estimated duration of the plan based on the sum of shares remaining available and the new shares requested, divided by the average annual shares granted in the prior three years; |
O | The proportion of the CEOs most recent equity grants/awards subject to performance conditions; |
O | Whether the company maintains a claw-back policy; |
O | Whether the company has established post exercise/vesting share-holding requirements. |
We will generally vote against the plan proposal if the combination of factors indicates that the plan is not, overall, in the shareholders interest, or if any of the following apply:
● | Awards may vest in connection with a liberal CIC; |
● | The plan would permit repricing or cash buyout of underwater options without shareholder approval; |
● | The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices or a pay-for-performance disconnect; or |
● | Any other plan features that are determined to have a significant negative impact on shareholder interests. |
Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans
We vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from limits on deductibility under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Reload/Evergreen Features
We will generally vote against plans that enable the issuance of reload options and that provide an automatic share replenishment (evergreen) feature.
Golden Parachutes
In general, the guidelines call for voting against golden parachute plans because they impede potential takeovers that shareholders should be free to consider. In particular, we oppose the use of employment contracts that result in cash grants of greater than three times annual compensation (salary and bonus) and generally withhold our votes at the next shareholder meeting for directors who to our knowledge approved golden parachutes.
Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to approve the companys golden parachute compensation. Features that may lead to a vote against include:
● | Potentially excessive severance payments (cash grants of greater than three times annual compensation (salary and bonus)); |
● | Agreements that include excessive excise tax gross-up provisions; |
● | Single trigger payments that will happen immediately upon a change in control, including cash payment and such items as the acceleration of performance-based equity despite the failure to achieve performance measures; |
● | Single-trigger vesting of equity based on a definition of change in control that requires only shareholder approval of the transaction (rather than consummation); |
● | Recent amendments or other changes that may make packages so attractive as to influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders; |
● | In the case of a substantial gross-up from pre-existing/grandfathered contract: the element that triggered the gross-up (i.e., option mega-grants at low point in stock price, unusual or outsized payments in cash or equity made or negotiated prior to the merger); or |
● | The companys assertion that a proposed transaction is conditioned on shareholder approval of the golden parachute advisory vote. |
401(k) Employee Benefit Plans
We vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
We support employee stock purchase plans, although we generally believe the discounted purchase price should be at least 85% of the current market price.
Option Expensing
We vote for shareholder proposals to expense fixed-price options.
Vesting
We believe that restricted stock awards normally should vest over at least a two-year period.
Option Repricing
Stock options generally should not be re-priced, and never should be re-priced without shareholder approval. In addition, companies should not issue new options, with a lower strike price, to make up for previously issued options that are substantially underwater. Cohen & Steers will vote against the election of any slate of directors that, to its knowledge, has authorized a company to re-price or replace underwater options during the most recent year without shareholder approval.
Stock Holding Periods
Generally vote against all proposals requiring executives to hold the stock received upon option exercise for a specific period of time.
Transferable Stock Options
Review on a case-by-case basis proposals to grant transferable stock options or otherwise permit the transfer of outstanding stock options, including cost of proposal and alignment with shareholder interests.
Recoup Bonuses
We generally vote for shareholder proposals to recoup incentive bonuses or other incentive payments made to senior executives if it is later determined that fraud, misconduct, or negligence significantly contributed to a restatement of financial results that led to the awarding of incentive compensation.
Incorporation
Reincorporation Outside of the United States
Generally, we will vote against companies looking to reincorporate outside of the U.S.
Voting on State Takeover Statutes
We review on a case-by-case basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freezeout provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions). In voting on these shareholder proposals, we evaluate all facts and circumstances surrounding such proposal, including whether the shareholder proposing such measure has an agenda in making such proposal that may be at odds with the long-term best interests of the company or whether it would be in the best interests of the company to thwart a shareholders attempt to control the board of directors.
Voting on Reincorporation Proposals
Proposals to change a companys state of incorporation are examined on a case-by-case basis. In making our decision, we review managements rationale for the proposal, changes to the charter/bylaws, and differences in the state laws governing the companies.
Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
Mergers and Acquisitions
Votes on mergers and acquisitions should be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors including the following: anticipated financial and operating benefits; offer price (cost vs. premium); prospects of the combined companies; how the deal was negotiated; and changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.
We vote against proposals that require a super-majority of shareholders to approve a merger or other significant business combination.
Nonfinancial Effects of a Merger or Acquisition
Some companies have proposed a charter provision which specifies that the board of directors may examine the nonfinancial effect of a merger or acquisition on the company. This provision would allow the board to evaluate the impact a proposed change in control would have on employees, host communities, suppliers and/or others. We generally vote against proposals to adopt such charter provisions. We feel it is the directors fiduciary duty to base decisions solely on the financial interests of the shareholders.
Corporate Restructuring
Votes on corporate restructuring proposals, including minority squeeze outs, leveraged buyouts, going private proposals, spin-offs, liquidations, and asset sales, should be considered on a case-by-case basis In
evaluating these proposals and determining our votes, we are singularly focused on meeting our goal of maximizing long-term shareholder value.
Spin-offs
Votes on spin-offs should be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.
Asset Sales
Votes on asset sales should be made on a case-by-case basis after considering the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies.
Liquidations
Votes on liquidations should be made on a case-by-case basis after reviewing managements efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.
Appraisal Rights
We vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal. Rights of appraisal provide shareholders who are not satisfied with the terms of certain corporate transactions the right to demand a judicial review in order to determine a fair value for their shares.
Changing Corporate Name
We vote for changing the corporate name.
Shareholder Rights
Our position on the rights of shareholders is as follows:
● | Shareholders should be given the opportunity to exercise their rights. Notification of opportunities for the exercise of voting rights should be given in good time. |
● | Shareholders are entitled to submit questions to company management. |
● | Minority shareholders should be protected as far as possible from the exercise of voting rights by majority shareholders. |
● | Shareholders are entitled to hold company management as well as the legal person or legal entity accountable for any action caused by the company or company management for which the company, company management or legal entity should bear responsibility. |
Environmental and Social Issues
We recognize that the companies in which we invest can enhance shareholder value and long-term profitability by adopting policies and procedures that promote corporate social and environmental responsibility. Because of the diverse nature of environmental and social shareholder proposals and the myriad ways companies deal with them, these proposals should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All such proposals are scrutinized based on whether they contribute to the creation of shareholder value, are reasonable and relevant, and provide adequate disclosure of key issues to shareholders. When
evaluating social and environmental shareholder proposals, we consider the following factors (in the order of importance as set forth below):
● | The financial implications of the proposal, including whether adoption of the proposal is likely to have significant economic benefit for the company, such that shareholder value is enhanced or protected by the adoption of the proposal; |
● | Whether the issues presented are more appropriately/effectively dealt with through governmental or company-specific action, as many social and environmental issues are more properly the province of government and broad regulatory action; |
● | Whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board; |
● | Whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in the proposal; |
● | Whether the information requested concerns business issues that relate to a meaningful percentage of the companys business as measured by sales, assets, and earnings; |
● | The degree to which the companys stated position on the issues raised in the proposal could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to a boycott or selective purchasing; |
● | Whether implementation of the proposals request would achieve the proposals objectives; |
● | Whether the requested information is available to shareholders either from the company or from a publicly available source; and |
● | Whether providing this information would reveal proprietary or confidential information that would place the company at a competitive disadvantage. |
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies.
Information pertaining to the portfolio managers of the registrant, as of March 9, 2018, is set forth below.
Thomas N. Bohjalian
● Vice President
● Portfolio manager since 2006 |
Executive Vice President of C&S since 2012. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of C&S since 2006. | |
William F. Scapell
● Vice President
● Portfolio manager since 2005 |
Executive Vice President of C&S since 2014. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of C&S since 2003. | |
Jason A. Yablon
● Vice President
● Portfolio manager since 2012 |
Senior Vice President of C&S since 2014. Prior to that, Vice President of C&S since 2008. |
C&S utilizes a team-based approach in managing the registrant. Mr. Bohjalian and Mr. Yablon direct and supervise the execution of the registrants investment strategy, and lead and
guide the other members of the team. Mr. Scapell manages the registrants preferred securities investments.
Each portfolio manager listed above manages other investment companies and/or investment vehicles and accounts in addition to the registrant. The following tables show, as of December 31, 2017, the number of other accounts each portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets in the other accounts managed within each category.
Thomas Bohjalian | Number of accounts | Total assets | ||
● Registered investment companies |
6 | $15,707,159,604 | ||
● Other pooled investment vehicles |
7 | $11,007,886,765 | ||
● Other accounts |
17 | $2,927,584,680 | ||
William F. Scapell | Number of accounts | Total assets | ||
● Registered investment companies |
8 | $16,996,313,911 | ||
● Other pooled investment vehicles |
6 | $9,622,652,966 | ||
● Other accounts |
17 | $2,858,808,397 | ||
Jason A. Yablon | Number of accounts | Total assets | ||
● Registered investment companies |
7 | $16,024,241,843 | ||
● Other pooled investment vehicles |
1 | $137,901,760 | ||
● Other accounts |
5 | $2,665,092,055 |
Share Ownership. The following table indicates the dollar range of securities of the registrant owned by the registrants portfolio managers as of December 31, 2017:
Dollar Range of Securities Owned | ||
Thomas Bohjalian |
None | |
William F. Scapell |
$0 - $10,000 | |
Jason A. Yablon |
None |
Conflicts of Interest. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the portfolio managers management of the registrants investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts or vehicles for which the portfolio managers are responsible on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the registrant and the other accounts or vehicles he advises. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions among the registrant and the other accounts, a portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the registrant.
In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may provide more revenue to the Advisor. While this may appear to create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities, the Advisor strives to ensure that portfolio managers endeavor to exercise their discretion in a manner that is equitable to all interested persons. In this regard, in the absence of specific account-related impediments (such as client-imposed restrictions or lack of available cash), it is the policy of the Advisor to allocate investment ideas pro rata to all accounts with the same primary investment objective.
In addition, certain of the portfolio managers may from time to time manage one or more accounts on behalf of the Advisor and its affiliated companies (the CNS Accounts). Certain securities held and traded in the CNS Accounts also may be held and traded in one or more client accounts. It is the policy of the Advisor however not to put the interests of the CNS Accounts ahead of the interests of client accounts. The Advisor may aggregate orders of client accounts with those of the CNS Accounts; however, under no circumstances will preferential treatment be given to the CNS Accounts. For all orders involving the CNS Accounts, purchases or sales will be allocated prior to trade placement, and orders that are only partially filled will be allocated across all accounts in proportion to the shares each account, including the CNS Accounts, was designated to receive prior to trading. As a result, it is expected that the CNS Accounts will receive the same average price as other accounts included in the aggregated order. Shares will not be allocated or re-allocated to the CNS Accounts after trade execution or after the average price is known. In the event so few shares of an order are executed that a pro-rata allocation is not practical, a rotational system of allocation may be used; however, the CNS Accounts will never be part of that rotation or receive shares of a partially filled order other than on a pro-rata basis.
Because certain CNS Accounts are managed with a cash management objective, it is possible that a security will be sold out of the CNS Accounts but continue to be held for one or more client accounts. In situations when this occurs, such security will remain in a client account only if the portfolio manager, acting in its reasonable judgment and consistent with its fiduciary duties, believes this is appropriate for, and consistent with the objectives and profile of, the client account.
Advisor Compensation Structure. Compensation of the Advisors portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting generally of restricted stock units of the Advisors parent, CNS. The Advisors investment professionals, including the portfolio managers, also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available
to all of its employees. Compensation of the Advisors investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis.
Method to Determine Compensation. C&S compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of funds and accounts managed by the portfolio manager versus appropriate peer groups or benchmarks. C&S uses a variety of benchmarks to evaluate the portfolio managers performance for compensation purposes, including the FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index with respect to Messrs. Bohjalian and Yablon and the ICE BofAML REIT Preferred Index with respect to Mr. Scapell. In evaluating the performance of a portfolio manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on one- and three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer periods of time. Performance is evaluated on a pre-tax and pre-expense basis. In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to risk-adjusted performance. For funds and accounts with a primary investment objective of high current income, consideration will also be given to the funds and accounts success in achieving this objective. For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis. C&S has two funds or accounts with performance-based advisory fees. Portfolio managers are also evaluated on the basis of their success in managing their dedicated team of analysts. Base compensation for portfolio managers of C&S varies in line with the portfolio managers seniority and position with the firm.
Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of the Advisor and CNS. While the annual salaries of the Advisors portfolio managers are fixed, cash bonuses and stock based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
None.
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 registrants Board implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this Item.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms, based upon such officers evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
(b) There were no changes in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
(a) The Fund did not engage in any securities lending activity during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
(b) The Fund did not engage in any securities lending activity and did not engage a securities lending agent during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
Item 13. Exhibits.
(a)(1) Not applicable.
(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(c) Registrants notices to shareholders pursuant to Registrants exemptive order granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder regarding distributions pursuant to the Registrants Managed Distribution Plan.
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.
COHEN & STEERS TOTAL RETURN REALTY FUND, INC.
By: | /s/ Adam M. Derechin | |||
Name: Adam M. Derechin | ||||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Date: March 9, 2018 |
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: | /s/ Adam M. Derechin | |||
Name: Adam M. Derechin | ||||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
(Principal Executive Officer) |
By: | /s/ James Giallanza | |||
Name: James Giallanza | ||||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||||
(Principal Financial Officer) | ||||
Date: March 9, 2018 |