Nuveen Preferred and Income Securities Fund

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number 811-21137

Nuveen Preferred and Income Securities Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

    333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606    

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Gifford R. Zimmerman—Vice President and Secretary

    333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606    

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end:       July 31      

Date of reporting period:  October 31, 2017  

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

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 

 

 


Item 1. Schedule of Investments

 

 


JPS

 

Nuveen Preferred and Income Securities Fund

  

Portfolio of Investments

   October 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (2)      Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 146.1% (98.7% of Total Investments)

 

 

$25 PAR (OR SIMILAR) RETAIL PREFERRED – 16.7% (11.3% of Total Investments)

 

      Banks – 6.5%                           
  105,300    

AgriBank FCB, (3)

    6.875%           BBB+      $ 11,661,975  
  645,113    

Citigroup Inc.

    6.875%           BB+        18,637,315  
  47,500    

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, 144A, (3)

    6.250%           BBB+        5,106,250  
  53,000    

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (3)

    6.200%           BBB+        5,675,971  
  86,000    

Fifth Third Bancorp., (4)

    6.625%           Baa3        2,450,140  
  3,666    

HSBC Holdings PLC

    8.000%           BBB+        98,615  
  724,000    

KeyCorp Preferred Stock, (4)

    6.125%           Baa3        21,133,560  
  2,164,700    

PNC Financial Services

    6.125%           Baa2        61,087,834  
  249,285    

Wells Fargo & Company, (4)

    5.850%           BBB        6,790,523  
  182,000    

Wells Fargo & Company

    5.625%                 BBB        4,695,600  
 

Total Banks

                               137,337,783  
      Capital Markets – 1.4%                           
  369,239    

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    5.500%           Ba1        9,914,067  
  38,534    

Morgan Stanley, (4)

    7.125%           BB+        1,115,559  
  640,000    

Morgan Stanley, (4)

    5.850%           BB+        17,280,000  
  74,642    

State Street Corporation, (4)

    5.900%                 Baa1        2,068,330  
 

Total Capital Markets

                               30,377,956  
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.8%                           
  93,894    

Qwest Corporation, (5)

    7.500%           BBB–        2,429,038  
  554,889    

Qwest Corporation, (5)

    7.000%           BBB–        14,077,534  
  159,632    

Qwest Corporation, (4), (5)

    7.000%           BBB–        4,046,671  
  315,756    

Qwest Corporation, (4), (5)

    6.875%           BBB–        8,118,087  
  159,600    

Qwest Corporation, (5)

    6.625%           BBB–        4,092,144  
  248,301    

Qwest Corporation, (5)

    6.125%                 BBB–        6,301,879  
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                               39,065,353  
      Electric Utilities – 1.1%                           
  160,000    

Alabama Power Company

    6.450%           A3        4,084,800  
  299,756    

Integrys Energy Group Inc., (3), (5)

    6.000%           Baa1        8,468,107  
  88,577    

Interstate Power and Light Company, (4)

    5.100%           BBB        2,269,343  
  130,000    

SCE Trust VI

    5.000%           Baa1        3,276,000  
  160,407    

SCE Trust V

    5.450%                 Baa1        4,399,964  
 

Total Electric Utilities

                               22,498,214  
      Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts – 0.6%                           
  76,450    

DDR Corporation, (5)

    6.250%           Baa3        1,923,482  
  152,294    

Digital Realty Trust Inc., (5)

    7.375%           Baa3        4,064,727  
  18,139    

Kimco Realty Corporation, (5)

    5.625%           Baa2        458,191  
  82,301    

Prologis Inc., (3)

    8.540%           BBB        5,770,946  
  12,199    

Ventas Realty LP, (5)

    5.450%                 BBB+        308,513  
 

Total Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts

                               12,525,859  
      Food Products – 0.6%                           
  91,900    

Dairy Farmers of America Inc., 144A, (3)

    7.875%           Baa3        9,761,508  
  32,500    

Dairy Farmers of America Inc., 144A, (3)

    7.875%                 Baa3        3,705,000  
 

Total Food Products

                               13,466,508  
      Insurance – 3.7%                           
  444,129    

Aegon N.V

    6.375%           Baa1        11,502,941  
  18,102    

Aflac Inc.

    5.500%           Baa1        457,257  
  608,741    

Allstate Corporation, (5)

    5.100%           Baa1        16,241,210  

 

NUVEEN     1  


JPS    Nuveen Preferred and Income Securities Fund
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

Shares     Description (1)   Coupon              Ratings (2)      Value  
      Insurance (continued)                           
  54,297    

American Financial Group, (5)

    6.250%           Baa2      $ 1,425,296  
  101,697    

Arch Capital Group Limited, (4)

    6.750%           BBB        2,579,036  
  33,829    

Arch Capital Group Limited

    5.250%           BBB        842,680  
  187,550    

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, (4)

    5.950%           BBB–        5,052,597  
  131,293    

Axis Capital Holdings Limited

    5.500%           BBB        3,309,897  
  307,730    

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., (4), (5)

    7.875%           BBB–        9,210,359  
  524,885    

Prudential PLC

    6.750%           A–        13,909,452  
  416,100    

Reinsurance Group of America Inc., (5)

    6.200%           BBB        11,671,605  
  127,798    

Torchmark Corporation, (5)

    5.875%           BBB+        3,249,903  
  10,000    

W.R. Berkley Corporation, (5)

    5.625%                 BBB–        249,800  
 

Total Insurance

                               79,702,033  
      U.S. Agency – 0.7%                           
  132,750    

Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 144A, (3), (5)

    6.750%                 Baa1        14,602,500  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.3%                           
  90,850    

Telephone and Data Systems Inc., (5)

    7.000%           BB+        2,303,956  
  131,990    

Telephone and Data Systems Inc., (5)

    6.875%           BB+        3,382,904  
  11,826    

United States Cellular Corporation, (5)

    7.250%           Ba1        317,055  
  10,591    

United States Cellular Corporation, (5)

    6.950%                 Ba1        268,800  
 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                               6,272,715  
 

Total $25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities (cost $326,227,820)

                               355,848,921  
Shares     Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES – 0.7% (0.4% of Total Investments)

 

      Banks – 0.7%                           
  10,632    

Wells Fargo & Company, (4)

    7.500%        N/A (6)        BBB      $ 13,927,920  
 

Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $12,541,444)

                               13,927,920  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

CORPORATE BONDS – 0.8% (0.5% of Total Investments)

          
      Insurance – 0.7%                           
$ 5,000    

AIG Life Holdings Inc., 144A

    8.125%        3/15/46        Baa2      $ 7,025,000  
  6,150    

Liberty Mutual Group Inc., 144A

    7.697%        10/15/97        BBB+        8,763,720  
  11,150    

Total Insurance

                               15,788,720  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.1%                           
  1,600    

Koninklijke KPN NV, 144A, (5)

    7.000%        3/28/73        BB+        1,817,920  
$ 12,750    

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $14,942,534)

                               17,606,640  
Principal
Amount (000)/
Shares
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

$1,000 PAR (OR SIMILAR) INSTITUTIONAL PREFERRED – 70.7% (47.8% of Total Investments)

 

      Automobiles – 0.1%                           
$ 1,000    

General Motors Financial Company Inc.

    5.750%        N/A (6)        BB+      $ 1,043,750  
      Banks – 29.3%                           
  20,394    

Bank of America Corporation

    8.000%        N/A (6)        BB+        20,675,437  
  14,300    

Bank of America Corporation

    6.500%        N/A (6)        BB+        16,355,625  
  12,800    

Bank of America Corporation

    6.300%        N/A (6)        BB+        14,582,784  
  12,300    

Bank of America Corporation

    6.100%        N/A (6)        BB+        13,729,875  
  3,600    

Bank One Capital III, (5)

    8.750%        9/01/30        Baa2        5,320,670  
  10,000    

Citigroup Inc.

    8.400%        N/A (6)        BB+        10,337,500  

 

  2     NUVEEN


Principal
Amount (000)/
Shares
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Banks (continued)                           
  7,000    

Citigroup Inc.

    6.250%        N/A (6)        BB+      $ 7,971,250  
  43,000    

Citigroup Inc., (5)

    6.125%        N/A (6)        BB+        46,117,500  
  9,250    

Citigroup Inc.

    5.950%        N/A (6)        BB+        10,089,437  
  24,389    

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

    5.500%        N/A (6)        BB+        25,547,478  
  18,000    

Cobank Agricultural Credit Bank, (4)

    6.250%        N/A (6)        BBB+        19,772,316  
  10,000    

Cooperatieve Rabobank U.A. of Netherlands, Reg S

    11.000%        N/A (6)        Baa2        11,350,000  
  1,250    

Den Norske Bank

    1.750%        N/A (6)        Baa2        1,012,378  
  1,250    

Den Norske Bank

    1.573%        N/A (6)        Baa2        1,009,500  
  17,900    

Dresdner Funding Trust I, Reg S

    8.151%        6/30/31        BB+        23,315,180  
  4,500    

Dresdner Funding Trust, 144A

    8.151%        6/30/31        BB+        5,857,596  
  25,580    

First Union Capital Trust II, Series A, (4), (5)

    7.950%        11/15/29        Baa1        33,655,130  
  30,000    

HSBC Capital Funding LP, Debt, 144A

    10.176%        N/A (6)        BBB+        47,943,600  
  27,300    

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    7.900%        N/A (6)        BBB–        27,996,150  
  54,000    

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.750%        N/A (6)        BBB–        61,897,500  
  11,000    

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    6.000%        N/A (6)        BBB–        12,127,500  
  4,900    

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    5.300%        N/A (6)        BBB–        5,151,860  
  3,500    

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    5.150%        N/A (6)        BBB–        3,682,875  
  8,000    

KeyCorp Capital III, (4)

    7.750%        7/15/29        Baa2        10,120,000  
  12,000    

Lloyds Bank PLC, 144A, (5)

    12.000%        N/A (6)        BBB–        16,215,492  
  20,900    

Lloyds Bank PLC, Reg S

    12.000%        N/A (6)        BBB–        28,244,009  
  9,850    

Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 144A

    6.657%        N/A (6)        Baa3        11,426,000  
  4,800    

Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 144A

    6.413%        N/A (6)        Baa3        5,496,000  
  9,100    

M&T Bank Corporation, (5)

    6.375%        N/A (6)        Baa1        9,373,000  
  29,100    

PNC Financial Services Inc.

    6.750%        N/A (6)        Baa2        32,737,500  
  4,000    

RBS Capital Trust B, Reg S

    6.800%        N/A (6)        Ba3        4,026,800  
  9,546    

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

    7.648%        N/A (6)        Ba2        12,196,924  
  32,000    

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A

    7.014%        N/A (6)        Ba1        37,568,000  
  31,278    

Wells Fargo & Company

    7.980%        N/A (6)        BBB        31,920,763  
 

Total Banks

                               624,823,629  
      Capital Markets – 2.1%                           
  12,100    

Bank of New York Mellon, (4)

    4.950%        N/A (6)        Baa1        12,644,500  
  18,700    

Charles Schwab Corporation, (4)

    7.000%        N/A (6)        BBB        21,528,375  
  3,500    

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

    5.700%        N/A (6)        Ba1        3,613,750  
  6,150    

Morgan Stanley

    5.550%        N/A (6)        BB+        6,457,500  
 

Total Capital Markets

                               44,244,125  
      Consumer Finance – 0.4%                           
  8,000    

Capital One Financial Corporation

    5.550%        N/A (6)        Baa3        8,390,000  
      Diversified Financial Services – 2.0%                           
  2,861    

Countrywide Capital Trust III, Series B, (4)

    8.050%        6/15/27        BBB–        3,664,985  
  17,557    

Rabobank Nederland, 144A

    11.000%        N/A (6)        Baa2        19,927,195  
  17,705    

Voya Financial Inc., (4), (5)

    5.650%        5/15/53        Baa3        18,692,939  
 

Total Diversified Financial Services

                               42,285,119  
      Electric Utilities – 2.7%                           
  18,600    

Emera, Inc., (4), (5)

    6.750%        6/15/76        BBB–        21,273,750  
  1,000    

FPL Group Capital Inc., (LIBOR reference rate + 2.068%
spread), (5), (14)

    3.401%        10/01/66        BBB        935,000  
  11,450    

FPL Group Capital Inc., (LIBOR reference rate + 2.125%
spread), (4), (14)

    3.392%        6/15/67        BBB        10,791,625  
  1,600    

NextEra Energy Inc.

    4.800%        12/01/77        BBB        1,600,000  
  23,482    

PPL Capital Funding Inc., (LIBOR reference rate + 2.665%
spread), (5), (14)

    3.998%        3/30/67        BBB        23,169,689  
 

Total Electric Utilities

                               57,770,064  
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.7%                           
  14,530    

Transcanada Trust, (5)

    5.875%        8/15/76        BBB        15,874,025  

 

NUVEEN     3  


JPS    Nuveen Preferred and Income Securities Fund
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)/
Shares
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Food Products – 0.2%                           
  4,500    

Dairy Farmers of America Inc., 144A, (5)

    7.125%        N/A (6)        Baa3      $ 5,023,125  
      Industrial Conglomerates – 3.4%                           
  68,637    

General Electric Capital Corporation, (5)

    5.000%        N/A (6)        A        71,446,312  
      Insurance – 22.4%                           
  3,598    

Ace Capital Trust II, (4)

    9.700%        4/01/30        BBB+        5,432,980  
  9,800    

AIG Life Holdings Inc.

    8.500%        7/01/30        Baa2        13,279,000  
  1,200    

Allstate Corporation, (4)

    6.500%        5/15/67        Baa1        1,434,000  
  4,400    

Allstate Corporation, (5)

    5.750%        8/15/53        Baa1        4,807,000  
  13,605    

American International Group, Inc., (5)

    8.175%        5/15/58        Baa2        18,570,825  
  2,299    

AON Corporation

    8.205%        1/08/27        BBB        3,015,139  
  2,700    

Aviva PLC, Reg S

    8.250%        N/A (6)        Baa1        2,693,250  
  16,550    

AXA SA, (5)

    8.600%        12/15/30        A3        23,832,000  
  17,819    

AXA SA, 144A

    6.380%        N/A (6)        Baa1        20,580,945  
  900    

AXA, Reg S

    5.500%        N/A (6)        A3        928,904  
  32,854    

Catlin Insurance Company Limited, 144A, (LIBOR reference rate + 2.975% spread), (14)

    4.332%        N/A (6)        BBB+        31,129,165  
  1,200    

Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc., (LIBOR reference rate + 2.385% spread), (5), (14)

    3.700%        5/01/67        BBB        1,134,000  
  8,100    

Great West Life & Annuity Capital I, 144A, (4)

    6.625%        11/15/34        A–        9,690,986  
  12,250    

Great West Life & Annuity Insurance Capital LP II, 144A, (LIBOR reference rate + 2.538% spread), (5), (14)

    3.852%        5/16/46        A–        12,106,062  
  16,150    

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., 144A, (LIBOR reference rate + 2.125% spread), (5), (14)

    3.439%        8/15/67        BBB–        15,463,625  
  11,688    

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., (4)

    8.125%        6/15/68        BBB–        12,097,080  
  5,500    

Legal & General Group PLC, Reg S

    5.250%        3/21/47        BBB+        5,858,490  
  25,841    

Liberty Mutual Group, 144A, (5)

    7.800%        3/07/87        Baa3        32,753,468  
  20,369    

Liberty Mutual Group, 144A, (LIBOR reference rate + 2.905% spread), (14)

    4.225%        3/15/37        Baa3        19,961,620  
  3,277    

Lincoln National Corporation, (LIBOR reference rate + 2.358% spread), (5), (14)

    3.672%        5/17/66        BBB        3,084,476  
  11,390    

Lincoln National Corporation, (LIBOR reference rate + 2.040% spread), (5), (14)

    3.403%        4/20/67        BBB        10,353,510  
  26,100    

MetLife Capital Trust IV, 144A, (4)

    7.875%        12/15/67        BBB        35,169,750  
  3,000    

MetLife Inc., (5)

    10.750%        8/01/69        BBB        5,010,000  
  36,531    

MetLife Inc., 144A, (4)

    9.250%        4/08/38        BBB        54,294,199  
  41,904    

Nationwide Financial Services Inc., (4)

    6.750%        5/15/67        Baa2        47,037,240  
  6,243    

Oil Insurance Limited, 144A, (LIBOR reference rate + 2.982% spread), (14)

    4.317%        N/A (6)        Baa1        5,946,458  
  10,750    

Provident Financing Trust I, (4), (5)

    7.405%        3/15/38        Baa3        12,308,750  
  305    

Prudential Financial Inc., (5)

    8.875%        6/15/68        BBB+        316,502  
  6,225    

Prudential Financial Inc., (5)

    5.875%        9/15/42        BBB+        6,866,175  
  27,180    

Prudential Financial Inc., (5)

    5.625%        6/15/43        BBB+        29,531,070  
  1,300    

Prudential PLC, Reg S

    7.750%        N/A (6)        A–        1,340,625  
  5,405    

XL Capital Ltd

    3.811%        N/A (6)        BBB        4,871,256  
  28,700    

XLIT Limited, (LIBOR reference rate + 2.458% spread), (14)

    3.687%        N/A (6)        BBB–        27,318,812  
 

Total Insurance

                               478,217,362  
      Machinery – 0.3%                           
  6,000    

Stanley Black & Decker Inc., (5)

    5.750%        12/15/53        BBB+        6,177,000  
      Metals & Mining – 0.7%                           
  13,000    

BHP Billiton Finance USA Limited, 144A, (5)

    6.750%        10/19/75        A–        15,307,500  
      Multi-Utilities – 0.1%                           
  3,000    

WEC Energy Group, Inc., (LIBOR reference rate + 2.113%
spread), (5), (14)

    3.294%        5/15/67        Baa1        2,888,100  

 

  4     NUVEEN


Principal
Amount (000)/
Shares
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 1.7%                           
  32,624    

Enterprise Products Operating LP, (4), (5)

    7.034%        1/15/68        Baa2      $ 32,624,000  
  3,000    

Enterprise Products Operating LLP, (5)

    5.250%        8/16/77        Baa2        3,082,500  
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                               35,706,500  
      Road & Rail – 1.4%                           
  25,485    

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Funding Trust I, (4)

    6.613%        12/15/55        A–        29,453,015  
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 3.2%                           
  59,738    

Centaur Funding Corporation, Series B, 144A

    9.080%        4/21/20        BBB–        67,805,679  
 

Total $1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred (cost $1,353,044,251)

 

                       1,506,455,305  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
 

CONTINGENT CAPITAL SECURITIES – 56.0% (37.9% of Total Investments) (7)

 

     
      Banks – 41.7%                           
$ 27,800    

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited of the United Kingdom, 144A

    6.750%        N/A (6)        Baa2      $ 31,939,420  
  47,000    

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A, Reg S

    9.000%        N/A (6)        BB        48,603,640  
  22,600    

Banco Santander SA, Reg S

    6.375%        N/A (6)        Ba1        23,504,000  
  26,400    

Barclays Bank PLC

    7.750%        4/10/23        BBB–        26,961,000  
  7,000    

Barclays Bank PLC, (5)

    7.625%        11/21/22        BBB–        8,041,250  
  45,290    

Barclays PLC

    8.250%        N/A (6)        BB+        48,139,647  
  36,416    

Barclays PLC

    7.434%        N/A (6)        BB+        38,054,720  
  50,400    

Credit Agricole SA, 144A

    8.125%        N/A (6)        BBB–        60,665,170  
  10,000    

Credit Agricole SA, Reg S

    8.125%        N/A (6)        BBB–        12,036,740  
  13,653    

Credit Agricole SA, 144A

    7.875%        N/A (6)        BBB–        15,547,354  
  13,000    

Credit Agricole, S.A, Reg S

    7.875%        N/A (6)        BBB–        14,803,750  
  1,000    

Credit Agricole, S.A, 144A

    6.625%        N/A (6)        BBB–        1,051,250  
  17,200    

DNB Bank ASA, Reg S

    6.500%        N/A (6)        BBB        18,748,000  
  11,000    

DNB Bank ASA, Reg S

    5.750%        N/A (6)        BBB        11,467,500  
  66,505    

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6.875%        N/A (6)        BBB        73,238,631  
  5,000    

ING Groep N.V., Reg S

    6.875%        N/A (6)        BBB–        5,572,160  
  16,000    

ING Groep N.V.

    6.500%        N/A (6)        BBB–        17,561,600  
  70,529    

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    7.500%        N/A (6)        BB+        80,491,221  
  35,090    

Nordea Bank AB, 144A

    6.125%        N/A (6)        BBB        38,291,962  
  5,000    

Nordea Bank AB, Reg S

    6.125%        N/A (6)        BBB        5,456,250  
  13,225    

Nordea Bank AB, 144A

    5.500%        N/A (6)        BBB        13,720,938  
  12,330    

Nordea Bank AB, Reg S

    5.250%        N/A (6)        BBB        12,852,052  
  25,375    

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

    8.000%        N/A (6)        Ba3        29,008,700  
  63,786    

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

    7.500%        N/A (6)        Ba3        68,346,699  
  12,210    

Skandinaviska Enskilda Bankenn AB, Reg S

    5.750%        N/A (6)        BBB        12,759,523  
  15,000    

Societe Generale, Reg S

    8.250%        N/A (6)        BB+        15,881,610  
  9,000    

Societe Generale, Reg S

    7.875%        N/A (6)        BB+        10,203,750  
  59,900    

Societe Generale, 144A

    8.000%        N/A (6)        BB+        69,933,250  
  13,000    

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A

    6.379%        N/A (6)        Ba1        14,415,700  
  7,000    

Standard Chartered PLC, 144A, (4)

    7.500%        N/A (6)        Ba1        7,678,650  
  4,000    

Standard Chartered PLC, Reg S

    7.500%        N/A (6)        Ba1        4,387,800  
  32,786    

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Reg S

    5.250%        N/A (6)        BBB+        33,867,479  
  15,000    

Swedbank AB, Reg S

    6.000%        N/A (6)        BBB        16,162,500  
  809,495    

Total Banks

                               889,393,916  
      Capital Markets – 10.0%                           
  51,300    

Credit Suisse Group AG, 144A

    7.500%        N/A (6)        BB        59,636,250  
  22,000    

Credit Suisse Group AG, Reg S

    7.500%        N/A (6)        BB        25,575,000  
  11,000    

Credit Suisse Group AG, Reg S

    6.500%        8/08/23        BBB        12,457,500  
  8,200    

Credit Suisse Group AG, 144A

    6.250%        N/A (6)        BB        8,968,750  
  2,676    

UBS AG Stamford, (5)

    7.625%        8/17/22        A–        3,157,680  
  42,178    

UBS Group AG, Reg S

    7.125%        N/A (6)        BBB–        45,446,795  

 

NUVEEN     5  


JPS    Nuveen Preferred and Income Securities Fund
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity      Ratings (2)      Value  
      Capital Markets (continued)                           
$ 5,609    

UBS Group AG, Reg S

    7.000%        N/A (6)        BBB–      $ 6,426,153  
  39,800    

UBS Group AG, Reg S

    6.875%        N/A (6)        BBB–        44,680,674  
  6,000    

UBS Group AG, Reg S

    6.875%        N/A (6)        BBB–        6,540,000  
  188,763    

Total Capital Markets

                               212,888,802  
      Diversified Financial Services – 4.3%                           
  46,000    

BNP Paribas, 144A

    7.625%        N/A (6)        BBB–        51,577,500  
  29,185    

BNP Paribas, 144A

    7.375%        N/A (6)        BBB–        33,708,675  
  5,000    

BNP Paribas, Reg S

    7.375%        N/A (6)        BBB–        5,775,000  
  80,185    

Total Diversified Financial Services

                               91,061,175  
$ 1,078,443    

Total Contingent Capital Securities (cost $1,088,217,167)

                               1,193,343,893  
Shares     Description (1), (8)                           Value  
      INVESTMENT COMPANIES – 1.2% (0.8% of Total Investments)                
  966,571    

Blackrock Credit Allocation Income Trust IV

           $ 12,913,389  
  646,421    

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III

                               11,958,788  
 

Total Investment Companies (cost $34,130,200)

                               24,872,177  
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $2,829,103,416)

                               3,112,054,856  
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon      Maturity              Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 1.8% (1.3% of Total Investments)

 

     
      REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 1.8% (1.3% of Total Investments)                
$ 39,562    

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation dated 10/31/17, repurchase price $39,562,490,
collateralized by $40,345,000 U.S. Treasury Notes,
2.125%, due 5/15/25, value $40,357,426

    0.120%        11/01/17               $ 39,562,358  
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $39,562,358)

 

                       39,562,358  
 

Total Investments (cost $2,868,665,774) – 147.9%

 

                       3,151,617,214  
 

Borrowings – (39.7)% (9), (10)

                               (845,300,000
 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements – (9.4)% (11)

 

                       (200,000,000
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 1.2% (12)

                               24,012,809  
 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%

 

                     $ 2,130,330,023  

Investments in Derivatives as of October 31, 2017

Interest Rate Swaps – OTC Uncleared

 

Counterparty   Notional
Amount
    Fund Pay/
Receive
Floating
Rate
    Floating
Rate Index
    Fixed Rate
(Annualized)
    Fixed Rate
Payment
Frequency
    Effective
Date (13)
    Optional
Termination
Date
    Maturity
Date
    Value     Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

  $ 227,569,000       Receive       1-Month LIBOR       1.462     Monthly       12/01/17       12/01/18       12/01/20     $ 80,336     $ 3,195,850     $ (3,115,514

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

    521,000,000       Receive       1-Month LIBOR       1.994       Monthly       6/01/18       7/01/25       7/01/27       2,677,794             2,677,794  

Total

  $ 748,569,000                                                             $ 2,758,130     $ 3,195,850     $ (437,720

 

  6     NUVEEN


Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following is a summary of the three-tiered hierarchy of valuation input levels.

 

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

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

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Long-Term Investments:

           

$25 Par (or similar) Retail Preferred

   $ 291,096,664      $ 64,752,257      $      $ 355,848,921  

Convertible Preferred Securities

     13,927,920                      13,927,920  

Corporate Bonds

            17,606,640               17,606,640  

$1,000 Par (or similar) Institutional Preferred

            1,506,455,305               1,506,455,305  

Contingent Capital Securities

            1,193,343,893               1,193,343,893  

Investment Companies

     24,872,177                      24,872,177  

Short-Term Investments:

           

Repurchase Agreements

            39,562,358               39,562,358  

Investments in Derivatives:

           

Interest Rate Swaps*

            (437,720             (437,720

Total

   $ 329,896,761      $ 2,821,282,733      $     —      $ 3,151,179,494  
* Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

Income Tax Information

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to recognition of premium amortization, timing differences in the recognition of income on real estate investment trust (“REIT”) investments and timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset value of the Fund.

The tables below present below present the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the Fund’s investment portfolio, as determined on a federal income tax basis, as of October 31, 2017.

For purposes of this disclosure, derivative tax cost is generally the sum of any upfront fees or premiums exchanged and any amounts unrealized for income statement reporting but realized in income and/or capital gains for tax reporting. If a particular derivative category does not disclose any tax unrealized appreciation or depreciation, the change in value of those derivatives have generally been fully realized for tax purposes.

 

NUVEEN     7  


JPS    Nuveen Preferred and Income Securities Fund
   Portfolio of Investments (continued)    October 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Tax cost of investments

     $ 2,886,323,776  

Gross unrealized:

    

Appreciation

     $ 299,694,276  

Depreciation

       (34,400,838

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     $ 265,293,438  
    

Tax cost of swaps

     $ 3,195,850  

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swaps

     $ (437,720

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(4) Investment, or portion of investment, is hypothecated. The total value of investments hypothecated as of the end of the reporting period was $437,327,848.

 

(5) Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives and/or reverse repurchase agreements.

 

(6) Perpetual security. Maturity date is not applicable.

 

(7) Contingent Capital Securities (“CoCos”) are hybrid securities with loss absorption characteristics built into the terms of the security for the benefit of the issuer. For example, the terms may specify an automatic write-down of principal or a mandatory conversion into the issuer’s common stock under certain adverse circumstances, such as the issuer’s capital ratio falling below a specified level.

 

(8) A copy of the most recent financial statements for these investment companies can be obtained directly from the Securities and Exchange Commission on its website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

(9) The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible investments (excluding any investments separately pledged as collateral for specific investments in derivatives, when applicable) in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for borrowings. As of the end of the reporting period, investments with a value of $1,883,847,519 have been pledged as collateral for borrowings.

 

(10) Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 26.8%.

 

(11) Reverse Repurchase Agreements as a percentage of Total Investments is 6.3%.

 

(12) Other assets less liabilities includes the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of certain over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives as well as the OTC cleared and exchange-traded derivatives, when applicable.

 

(13) Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and counterparty commence interest payment accruals on each contract.

 

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

 

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

 

Reg S Regulation S allows U.S. companies to sell securities to persons or entities located outside of the United States without registering those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, Regulation S provides a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the offers and sales of securities by both foreign and domestic issuers that are made outside the United States.

 

LIBOR London Inter-Bank Offered Rate

 

  8     NUVEEN


Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

 

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

 

  b. There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: EX-99 CERT Attached hereto.

 

 


SIGNATURES

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

 

(Registrant)    Nuveen Preferred and Income Securities Fund   
By (Signature and Title)    /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman                                                        
   Gifford R. Zimmerman   
   Vice President and Secretary   

Date: December 29, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)    /s/ Cedric H. Antosiewicz                                                        
   Cedric H. Antosiewicz   
   Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer)   
Date: December 29, 2017      
By (Signature and Title)    /s/ Stephen D. Foy                                                                    
   Stephen D. Foy   
   Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer)   
Date: December 29, 2017