Lazard Asset Management LLC
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LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT | ||
Lazard Global Total
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This report is intended only for the information of stockholders or those who have received the current prospectus covering shares of Common Stock of Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc. which contains information about management fees and other costs. | |||
We are pleased to present the Third Quarter Report for Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc. (LGI or the Fund), for the period ended September 30, 2006. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 28, 2004. Its ticker symbol is LGI.
The Fund has been in operation for nearly two and a half years, and we are very pleased with LGIs performance thus far in 2006, and since the Funds inception. We believe that the Fund has provided investors with an attractive yield and diversification, backed by the extensive experience, commitment, and professional management of Lazard Asset Management LLC (the Investment Manager or Lazard).
Portfolio Update (as of September 30, 2006)
For the third quarter of 2006, the Funds Net Asset Value per share (NAV) performance increased 6.0%, comfortably outperforming the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI®) World® Index, which returned 4.5% . Similarly, the year-to-date and one year NAV returns of 14.7% and 17.0% respectively, are well ahead of the benchmark returns of 10.8% and 14.2%, respectively. Since inception, the Funds annualized NAV return of 14.6%, compares favorably to the benchmarks return of 13.1% . Shares of LGI ended the third quarter of 2006 with a market price of $21.13, representing an 8.7% discount to the Funds NAV of $23.14. The Funds net assets were $222.3 million as of September 30, 2006, with total leveraged assets of $311.0 million, representing 28.5% leverage.
We believe that LGIs investment thesis remains sound, as demonstrated by the Funds favorable NAV performance this year and since inception. Third quarter performance was affected primarily by stock selection in financials. In addition, returns for the smaller, short-duration1 currency and debt portion of the Fund were up moderately over the third quarter, and have been a positive contributor to performance in 2006 and since inception.
As of September 30, 2006, 66.0% of the Funds total leveraged assets consisted of global equities and 33.0% consisted of emerging markets currency and debt instruments, while the remaining 1.0% consisted of cash and other assets.
Declaration of Dividends
Pursuant to LGIs managed distribution policy, the Funds Board of Directors has declared a monthly dividend distribution of $0.1042 per share on the Funds outstanding stock each month since inception. The first dividend was paid on July 23, 2004. However, in September 2006, the Fund distributed $0.1637 per share (57% higher than the usual declared monthly distribution), representing payment of the Funds 2005 spillback distribution (pursuant to Section 855 of the Internal Revenue Code). The payment was in lieu of the regular monthly dividend, and constituted long-term capital gains realized between November 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005. Inclusive of the September distribution, dividends paid by the Fund in the last 12 monthly periods represent an annualized market yield of 6.2% based on the share price of $21.13 at the close of NYSE trading on September 30, 2006.
Additional Information
Please note that available on www.LazardNet.com, are frequent updates on the Funds performance, press releases, and a monthly fact sheet that provides information about the Funds major holdings, sector weightings, regional exposures, and other characteristics. You may also reach Lazard by phone at 1-800-828-5548.
On behalf of Lazard, we thank you for your investment in Lazard Global Total Return & Income Fund, Inc. and look forward to continuing to serve your investment needs in the future.
Global Equity Portfolio
(66.0%
of total leveraged assets)
The Funds equity portfolio is invested primarily in equity securities of large, well-known global companies with strong financial productivity at attractive valuations. Examples include GlaxoSmithKline, a global, research-based pharmaceutical company based in the United Kingdom; Bank of America, a holding company that provides banking and non-banking financial services and products in the U.S. and internationally; Nokia Corp., the Finnish manufacturer of mobile telephones, enhanced communicators, entertainment and gaming devices, and media and imaging telephones; and Total SA, the French-based energy supplier that explores for, produces, refines, transports, and markets oil and natural gas.
Companies held in the global equity portfolio are all based in developed-market regions around the world. As of September 30, 48.5% of these stocks were based in North America, 22.9% were from Continental Europe (not including the U.K.), 18.5% were from the U.K., and 10.1% were from Japan. The global equity portfolio is similarly well diversified across a number of industry sectors. The top two sectors, by weight, at September 30, were financials (31.2%), which includes banks, insurance companies, and financial services companies, and information technology (19.8%), a sector that encompasses industries involved in the design, development, installation, and implementation of information systems and applications, including hardware, software, IT services, and media-related companies. Other sectors in the portfolio include consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, health care, industrials, and telecommunications services. The average dividend yield on the global equity portfolio was approximately 2.2% at September 30.
Global Equity Market Review
Markets posted solid gains during the third quarter of 2006, after a sharp decline in May and early June over concerns about accelerating inflation and fears that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would continue its course of tight monetary policy. The third quarter rebound was spurred by the Feds decision to again leave the benchmark Fed Funds rate unchanged, at 5.25% . It was the second consecutive no-change after 17 consecutive increases. The Fed cited moderating growth and a cooling housing market as factors contributing to its decision to leave rates unchanged. Investors also cheered the recent 20% retracement in energy prices, from record levels, as the geopolitical landscape in the worlds major oil-producing region improved, and supply concerns waned, boosting consumer confidence. Although the market did rise, overall, during the quarter, it wasnt without a few pullbacks, as investors wavered on the outlook for inflation and Fed actions. Yet, in general, it appears that economic growth remains healthy, albeit slowing, as inflation seems to be contained, and lower energy costs and a slowing housing market should help keep inflation in check. From a sector perspective, defensive groups such as telecom services, health care, consumer staples, and utilities outperformed. Technology stocks also significantly outperformed, following an extended period of lagging the broad market. Financials also performed well, particularly the large financial stocks with exposure to capital markets, as they continue to benefit from robust activity in mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and securities trading. Conversely, industrial and materials stocks lagged, as these more cyclical sectors were hurt by fears of slowing growth, particularly in housing, and a decline in commodity prices. Energy stocks also declined, as the price of oil made a considerable pullback from record levels in July. From a regional perspective, U.S. stocks outperformed modestly, helped by the strength in technology, while European markets continued their solid performance. Japanese stocks lagged materially, as recent economic reports have been weaker than expected, calling into question the sustainability of the long-awaited economic recovery. In addition, the election of a new prime minister created uncertainty about the future pace of economic reform.
2
The portfolio benefited from an overweight position and solid stock selection in the technology sector, after shares of Cisco, a large networking company, rose sharply. The company reported earnings that exceeded analysts expectations, due to broad-based strength across its business lines. Also within technology, shares of one of the portfolios largest positions, Microsoft, rallied after the companys tender offer received fewer shares than had been anticipated, suggesting that investors may be ascribing a higher valuation to the company. Stock selection in energy also boosted returns, as more diversified holdings defended well in the weakness versus companies more leveraged to oil prices. Stock selection in financials hurt returns, as shares of Nomura Holdings, Inc. declined, based on concerns that earnings may be hurt by a slowing global and domestic economy. Part of our thesis for owning this Japanese bank is the beneficial leverage the banks will obtain from rising interest rates in Japan. However, the slower-than-expected rises in interest rates has lead to a fall in the share prices of banks in Japan.
Emerging Market Currency and Debt Portfolio
(33.0% of total leveraged assets)
The Fund also seeks enhanced income through investing in high-yielding, short-duration (typically, under one-year) emerging market forward currency contracts and local currency debt instruments. As of September 30, this portfolio consisted primarily of forward currency contracts (85.1%), and a smaller allocation to sovereign debt obligations (10.1%) and structured notes (4.8%) . The average duration of the emerging market currency and debt portfolio was approximately 4.4 months, as of September 30, with an average yield of 8.7% .2
At September 30, the Funds emerging market currency and debt holdings were highly diversified across 30 countries within Asia (26.5%), Latin America (22.0%), Africa (19.7%), Eastern Europe (16.0%), the Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic countries (8.8%), and the Middle East (7.0%) .
Emerging Market Currency and Debt Market Review
In the third quarter of 2006, some of the themes affecting performance with emerging market currencies included U.S. growth and inflation data, the sustainability of Chinas investment-led growth and its foreign exchange policy, global liquidity conditions, the direction of commodity price movements, and International Monetary Funds and the G7 countries views on global imbalances. Countries characterized by uncertain domestic policy or shaky macroeconomic fundamentals (such as large current account deficits) saw currencies become increasingly sensitive to global investor sentiment.
While emerging market central banks are in different stages of their monetary policy cycles, most are on hold or tightening (though exceptions do exist such as Brazil and Indonesia which are easing). The sustainability of each countrys balance of payments is an important indicator for future directional money market pressure and the potential for heightened volatility. The investment team is closely monitoring the effect that changes in foreign-investor risk appetite may have on specific local markets, and seeking to adjust exposure in the Funds emerging markets currency and debt portfolio accordingly. The reliance of a country on foreign portfolio capital inflows is an important factor. Large current account deficits can often create vulnerabilities for the local currency, with some countries particularly dependent on whimsical foreign financing sources, as opposed to more stable foreign direct investment or overseas worker remittance inflows.
What Helped and Hurt LGI
Money market returns (in U.S. dollar terms) were positive across all emerging market regions, except for Africa, during the third quarter of 2006. The third quarters top performing local markets were those most negatively impacted during the second quarters equity-driven capital outflow. Specifically, robust gains were reaped from recoveries in Turkey, the Philippines, and Colombian local markets, all of which suffered materially in the second quarter.
3
Please consider the Funds investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For more complete information about the Fund, you may obtain the prospectus by calling 800-828-5548. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. The prospectus contains investment objective, risks, charges, expenses and other information about the Fund, which may not be detailed in this report.
1 | A measure of the average cash weighted term-to-maturity of the investment holdings. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a bond to interest rate movements. Duration for a forward currency contract is equal to its term-to-maturity. |
2 | The quoted yield does not account for the implicit cost of borrowing on the forward currency contracts, which would reduce the yield shown. |
All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. Past performance is not indicative, nor a guarantee, of future results.
The performance data of the index and other market data have been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.
The views of the Funds management and the portfolio holdings described in this report are as of September 30, 2006; these views and portfolio holdings may have changed subsequent to this date. Nothing herein should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold a particular investment. There is no assurance that the portfolio holdings discussed herein will remain in the Fund at the time you receive this report, or that portfolio holdings sold will have not been repurchased. The specific portfolio holdings discussed may in aggregate represent only a small percentage of the Funds holdings. It should not be assumed that investments identified and discussed were, or will be, profitable, or that the investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable, or equal the performance of the investments discussed herein.
The views and opinions expressed are provided for general information only, and do not constitute specific tax, legal, or investment advice to, or recommendations for, any person. There can be no guarantee as to the accuracy of the outlooks for markets, sectors and securities as discussed herein. You should read the Funds prospectus for a more detailed discussion of the Funds investment objective, strategies, risks and fees.
4
Average Annual Total Returns* | ||||||
Periods Ended September 30, 2006 | ||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||
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Market Price | 17.66 | % | 8.85 | % | ||
Net Asset Value | 17.03 | 14.57 | ||||
MSCI World Index | 14.18 | 13.10 |
* | All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, nor a guarantee, of future results; the investment return, market price and net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate, so that an investors shares in the Fund, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a stockholder would pay on the Funds distributions or on the sale of Fund shares. |
The performance data of the index has been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to its accuracy. The MSCI World Index represents market value-weighted aver- age returns of selected securities listed on the stock exchanges of Europe, Australasia and Far East, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment. | |
** | The Funds inception date was April 28, 2004. |
5
Ten Largest Equity Holdings | ||||||
September 30, 2006 (unaudited) | ||||||
Percentage of | ||||||
Security |
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Net Assets | ||||
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Microsoft Corp. | $ | 8,920,512 | 4.01 | % | ||
Oracle Corp. | 8,461,980 | 3.81 | ||||
Bank of America Corp. | 7,403,374 | 3.33 | ||||
Diageo PLC Sponsored ADR | 7,182,144 | 3.23 | ||||
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 7,052,210 | 3.17 | ||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 6,992,156 | 3.15 | ||||
HSBC Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR | 6,983,739 | 3.14 | ||||
Citigroup, Inc. | 6,899,163 | 3.10 | ||||
Johnson & Johnson | 6,773,242 | 3.05 | ||||
The Home Depot, Inc. | 6,002,685 | 2.70 |
6
Description |
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|
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|
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Common Stocks92.4% | ||||||
Finland1.7% | ||||||
Nokia Oyj Sponsored ADR (c) | 192,800 |
$
|
3,796,232
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France2.9% | ||||||
Societe Generale Sponsored ADR | 72,000 |
2,292,480
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Total SA Sponsored ADR (c) | 64,000 |
4,220,160
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Total France |
6,512,640
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Germany2.0% | ||||||
Siemens AG Sponsored ADR | 50,600 |
4,407,260
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Italy2.0% | ||||||
Eni SpA Sponsored ADR (c) | 72,850 |
4,335,303
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Japan9.3% | ||||||
Canon, Inc. Sponsored ADR | 44,700 |
2,337,363
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||||
Hoya Corp. Sponsored ADR (d) | 54,300 |
2,049,825
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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial | ||||||
Group, Inc. ADR (c) | 323,100 |
4,138,911
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Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance | ||||||
Co., Ltd. ADR (d) | 17,600 |
2,201,771
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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | ||||||
Sponsored ADR (d) | 87,600 |
1,967,496
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Nomura Holdings, Inc. ADR | 332,600 |
5,847,108
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Sumitomo Mitsui Financial | ||||||
Group, Inc. ADR (d) | 209,100 |
2,216,460
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Total Japan |
20,758,934
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Netherlands2.3% | ||||||
Heineken NV ADR (d) | 225,600 |
5,136,912
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Sweden1.0% | ||||||
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson | ||||||
Sponsored ADR | 61,900 |
2,132,455
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Switzerland9.3% | ||||||
Credit Suisse Group Sponsored | ||||||
ADR | 73,400 |
4,253,530
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||||
Nestle SA Sponsored ADR | 57,400 |
5,002,984
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Novartis AG ADR | 39,600 |
2,314,224
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Swiss Re Sponsored ADR | 55,200 |
4,223,904
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UBS AG | 42,800 |
2,538,468
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Zurich Financial Services AG ADR | . | 92,500 |
2,257,000
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Total Switzerland |
20,590,110
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United Kingdom17.1% | ||||||
Barclays PLC Sponsored ADR (c), (d) | 67,800 |
$
|
3,442,206 | |||
BP PLC Sponsored ADR | 69,600 | 4,564,368 | ||||
Cadbury Schweppes PLC | ||||||
Sponsored ADR (c) | 112,700 | 4,820,179 | ||||
Diageo PLC Sponsored ADR | 101,100 | 7,182,144 | ||||
GlaxoSmithKline PLC ADR (c) | 80,200 | 4,269,046 | ||||
HSBC Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR (d) | 76,300 | 6,983,739 | ||||
Tesco PLC Sponsored ADR | 119,000 | 2,400,670 | ||||
Vodafone Group PLC Sponsored ADR | 191,712 | 4,382,537 | ||||
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Total United Kingdom | 38,044,889 | |||||
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United States44.8% | ||||||
Bank of America Corp. (c) | 138,200 | 7,403,374 | ||||
Chevron Corp. | 73,400 | 4,760,724 | ||||
Cisco Systems, Inc. (a) | 220,400 | 5,069,200 | ||||
Citigroup, Inc. (c) | 138,900 | 6,899,163 | ||||
ConocoPhillips | 32,900 | 1,958,537 | ||||
Dell, Inc. (a) | 92,900 | 2,121,836 | ||||
Exxon Mobil Corp. (c) | 105,100 | 7,052,210 | ||||
First Data Corp. (c) | 84,300 | 3,540,600 | ||||
General Electric Co. | 116,300 | 4,105,390 | ||||
Honeywell International, Inc. | 55,000 | 2,249,500 | ||||
International Business Machines Corp. | 53,100 | 4,351,014 | ||||
Johnson & Johnson (c) | 104,300 | 6,773,242 | ||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (c) | 148,896 | 6,992,156 | ||||
Mellon Financial Corp. | 60,400 | 2,361,640 | ||||
Microsoft Corp. (c) | 326,400 | 8,920,512 | ||||
Oracle Corp. (a), (c) | 477,000 | 8,461,980 | ||||
Pfizer, Inc. | 103,500 | 2,935,260 | ||||
The Coca-Cola Co. (c) | 74,200 | 3,315,256 | ||||
The Home Depot, Inc. | 165,500 | 6,002,685 | ||||
United Technologies Corp. | 68,900 | 4,364,815 | ||||
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Total United States | 99,639,094 | |||||
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Total Common Stocks | ||||||
(Identified cost $175,796,818) | 205,353,829 | |||||
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See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.
7
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Description |
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Foreign Government | ||||||
Obligations4.4% | ||||||
Egypt3.6% | ||||||
Egypt Treasury Bills: | ||||||
0.00%, 10/17/06 |
6,800
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$
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1,179,505
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0.00%, 11/07/06 |
2,725
|
470,219
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0.00%, 01/02/07 |
7,500
|
1,276,633
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0.00%, 01/16/07 |
3,875
|
657,365
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0.00%, 01/30/07 |
7,400
|
1,250,921
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0.00%, 02/27/07 |
11,700
|
1,964,497
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0.00%, 03/13/07 |
3,950
|
661,005
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0.00%, 03/20/07 |
3,250
|
542,953
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Total Egypt |
8,003,098
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Mexico0.3% | ||||||
Mexico Government Bond, | ||||||
9.00%, 12/20/12 |
6,050
|
571,790
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Turkey0.5% | ||||||
Turkey Government Bond, | ||||||
15.00%, 02/10/10 |
2,033
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1,198,966
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Total Foreign Government | ||||||
Obligations | ||||||
(Identified cost $9,899,563) |
9,773,854
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Structured Notes2.2% | ||||||
Brazil1.3% | ||||||
Citibank Brazil Inflation-Linked | ||||||
Bond NTN-B: | ||||||
9.55%, 05/18/09 (f) |
927
|
943,211
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9.55%, 08/17/10 (f) |
1,029
|
1,013,583
|
||||
9.10%, 05/18/15 (f) |
989
|
936,845
|
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|
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Total Brazil |
2,893,639
|
|||||
|
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Colombia0.2% | ||||||
Citibank Colombia TES Linked Deposit, | ||||||
9.61%, 04/26/12 (f) |
397
|
$
|
439,646
|
|||
|
|
|
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Costa Rica0.7% | ||||||
Citibank CRC Linked Deposit, | ||||||
12.06%, 10/11/06 (f) |
1,511
|
1,581,648
|
||||
|
|
|
||||
Total Structured Notes | ||||||
(Identified cost $4,829,132) |
4,914,933
|
|||||
|
|
|
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Short-Term Investments8.0% | ||||||
Repurchase Agreement0.6% | ||||||
State Street Bank and Trust Co., | ||||||
4.50%, 10/02/06 | ||||||
(Dated 09/29/06, collateralized by | ||||||
$1,010,000 United States Treasury | ||||||
Bond, 7.125%, 02/15/23, with a | ||||||
value of $1,276,508) | ||||||
Proceeds of $1,251,469 (c) | $ |
1,251
|
1,251,000
|
|||
|
|
|
||||
Description |
Shares
|
Value
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
Collateral for Securities | ||||||
on Loan7.4% | ||||||
State Street Navigator Securities | ||||||
Lending Prime Portfolio, | ||||||
5.28% (g), (h) |
16,527,295
|
16,527,295
|
||||
|
|
|
||||
Total Short-Term Investments | ||||||
(Identified cost $17,778,295) |
17,778,295
|
|||||
|
|
|
||||
Total Investments107.0% | ||||||
(Identified cost $208,303,808) (b) |
$
|
237,820,911
|
||||
Liabilities in Excess of Cash | ||||||
and Other Assets(7.0)% |
(15,544,272
|
) | ||||
|
|
|
||||
Net Assets100.0% |
$
|
222,276,639
|
||||
|
|
|
See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.
8
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Forward Currency |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Purchase Contracts |
|
|
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ARS | 10/27/06 | 1,981,070 |
$
|
637,000 |
$
|
636,052 |
$
|
|
$
|
948 | |||||||
ARS | 11/06/06 | 5,836,931 | 1,881,000 | 1,871,861 | | 9,139 | |||||||||||
ARS | 11/13/06 | 1,917,300 | 616,000 | 614,404 | | 1,596 | |||||||||||
BRL | 10/06/06 | 1,704,484 | 764,000 | 784,136 | 20,136 | | |||||||||||
BRL | 12/20/06 | 1,672,163 | 645,000 | 758,258 | 113,258 | | |||||||||||
BRL | 12/28/06 | 6,908,000 | 2,823,626 | 3,129,679 | 306,053 | | |||||||||||
BRL | 01/31/07 | 1,874,000 | 773,421 | 843,665 | 70,244 | | |||||||||||
BWP | 10/11/06 | 3,821,000 | 651,870 | 594,773 | | 57,097 | |||||||||||
BWP | 11/06/06 | 4,582,208 | 749,000 | 710,112 | | 38,888 | |||||||||||
BWP | 11/20/06 | 3,795,483 | 605,000 | 586,982 | | 18,018 | |||||||||||
BWP | 12/21/06 | 2,080,969 | 332,000 | 320,386 | | 11,614 | |||||||||||
BWP | 02/22/07 | 2,826,000 | 445,060 | 431,417 | | 13,643 | |||||||||||
BWP | 03/21/07 | 3,044,586 | 478,000 | 463,132 | | 14,868 | |||||||||||
CLP | 10/13/06 | 326,884,800 | 604,000 | 608,143 | 4,143 | | |||||||||||
CLP | 10/16/06 | 264,913,550 | 493,000 | 492,837 | | 163 | |||||||||||
COP | 10/10/06 | 1,395,221,500 | 601,000 | 582,254 | | 18,746 | |||||||||||
COP | 10/10/06 | 919,525,550 | 383,000 | 383,737 | 737 | | |||||||||||
COP | 10/10/06 | 321,381,000 | 135,000 | 134,119 | | 881 | |||||||||||
COP | 10/23/06 | 360,262,500 | 150,000 | 150,187 | 187 | | |||||||||||
COP | 10/25/06 | 360,262,500 | 150,000 | 150,163 | 163 | | |||||||||||
COP | 10/26/06 | 2,026,843,250 | 823,000 | 844,751 | 21,751 | | |||||||||||
COP | 11/17/06 | 759,720,000 | 312,000 | 316,099 | 4,099 | | |||||||||||
COP | 11/17/06 | 708,235,800 | 291,000 | 294,678 | 3,678 | | |||||||||||
COP | 12/29/06 | 5,317,340,000 | 1,999,000 | 2,205,068 | 206,068 | | |||||||||||
GHC | 10/13/06 | 1,667,326,000 | 178,000 | 180,223 | 2,223 | | |||||||||||
GHC | 12/18/06 | 2,076,144,000 | 222,000 | 221,589 | | 411 | |||||||||||
GHC | 01/24/07 | 5,039,700,000 | 535,000 | 534,144 | | 856 | |||||||||||
GHC | 02/28/07 | 9,296,280,000 | 980,000 | 978,952 | | 1,048 | |||||||||||
IDR | 10/16/06 | 24,879,080,000 | 2,722,000 | 2,696,919 | | 25,081 | |||||||||||
IDR | 10/30/06 | 4,771,840,000 | 512,000 | 517,273 | 5,273 | | |||||||||||
IDR | 11/13/06 | 4,817,605,000 | 541,000 | 522,234 | | 18,766 | |||||||||||
IDR | 12/20/06 | 5,430,180,000 | 588,000 | 588,637 | 637 | | |||||||||||
IDR | 03/20/07 | 5,480,160,000 | 588,000 | 594,055 | 6,055 | | |||||||||||
ILS | 11/20/06 | 3,594,962 | 820,000 | 834,789 | 14,789 | | |||||||||||
INR | 10/05/06 | 88,092,900 | 1,890,000 | 1,917,803 | 27,803 | | |||||||||||
INR | 11/07/06 | 24,714,880 | 529,000 | 537,362 | 8,362 | | |||||||||||
INR | 11/17/06 | 18,388,470 | 393,000 | 399,680 | 6,680 | | |||||||||||
INR | 12/22/06 | 45,073,160 | 979,000 | 978,530 | | 470 | |||||||||||
ISK | 10/11/06 | 41,197,452 | 582,000 | 586,681 | 4,681 | | |||||||||||
ISK | 11/06/06 | 35,790,440 | 511,000 | 506,732 | | 4,268 | |||||||||||
KRW | 10/10/06 | 1,173,640,000 | 1,220,000 | 1,240,306 | 20,306 | | |||||||||||
KRW | 10/25/06 | 451,390,800 | 476,000 | 477,220 | 1,220 | | |||||||||||
KRW | 10/27/06 | 451,390,800 | 476,000 | 477,245 | 1,245 | |
See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.
9
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|||||
Forward Currency |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Purchase Contracts |
|
|
|
|
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|
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||||||
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|
|||||||
KZT | 11/15/06 | 35,893,000 |
$
|
285,818 |
$
|
282,626 |
$
|
|
$
|
3,192 | |||||||
KZT | 12/15/06 | 35,366,800 | 297,500 | 278,601 | | 18,899 | |||||||||||
KZT | 09/08/07 | 68,641,200 | 552,000 | 540,271 | | 11,729 | |||||||||||
MXN | 11/16/06 | 4,670,058 | 430,000 | 423,570 | | 6,430 | |||||||||||
MXN | 11/24/06 | 11,942,705 | 1,053,000 | 1,082,725 | 29,725 | | |||||||||||
MXN | 01/08/07 | 5,795,933 | 519,000 | 524,104 | 5,104 | | |||||||||||
MXN | 03/30/07 | 6,290,201 | 557,000 | 566,058 | 9,058 | | |||||||||||
MYR | 10/10/06 | 2,403,306 | 657,000 | 651,964 | | 5,036 | |||||||||||
MYR | 10/12/06 | 3,226,311 | 891,000 | 875,309 | | 15,691 | |||||||||||
MYR | 10/16/06 | 2,713,580 | 740,000 | 736,343 | | 3,657 | |||||||||||
MYR | 10/18/06 | 2,713,358 | 740,000 | 736,352 | | 3,648 | |||||||||||
MYR | 11/10/06 | 1,911,360 | 543,000 | 519,281 | | 23,719 | |||||||||||
MYR | 11/13/06 | 2,908,000 | 790,432 | 790,166 | | 266 | |||||||||||
NGN | 10/05/06 | 148,162,900 | 1,135,000 | 1,153,622 | 18,622 | | |||||||||||
NGN | 01/10/07 | 128,760,000 | 990,005 | 989,706 | | 299 | |||||||||||
PEN | 11/15/06 | 1,737,470 | 538,500 | 535,125 | | 3,375 | |||||||||||
PEN | 02/15/07 | 1,738,547 | 538,500 | 535,517 | | 2,983 | |||||||||||
PHP | 11/13/06 | 56,437,200 | 1,098,000 | 1,121,460 | 23,460 | | |||||||||||
PHP | 12/18/06 | 33,201,950 | 655,000 | 658,645 | 3,645 | | |||||||||||
PHP | 01/31/07 | 132,810,580 | 2,557,000 | 2,630,222 | 73,222 | | |||||||||||
PHP | 06/26/07 | 81,843,980 | 1,502,000 | 1,610,827 | 108,827 | | |||||||||||
PLN | 10/16/06 | 3,033,055 | 991,000 | 967,852 | | 23,148 | |||||||||||
PLN | 10/17/06 | 8,637,650 | 2,761,000 | 2,756,382 | | 4,618 | |||||||||||
PLN | 11/20/06 | 5,363,871 | 1,723,000 | 1,713,712 | | 9,288 | |||||||||||
RON | 10/10/06 | 2,115,000 | 767,779 | 756,717 | | 11,062 | |||||||||||
RON | 10/23/06 | 770,000 | 280,010 | 275,192 | | 4,818 | |||||||||||
RON | 10/25/06 | 8,618,000 | 3,100,446 | 3,079,486 | | 20,960 | |||||||||||
RON | 10/31/06 | 2,968,000 | 1,074,389 | 1,060,023 | | 14,366 | |||||||||||
RON | 10/31/06 | 1,655,570 | 593,735 | 591,288 | | 2,447 | |||||||||||
RON | 11/14/06 | 1,845,000 | 664,841 | 658,269 | | 6,572 | |||||||||||
RON | 11/21/06 | 1,965,588 | 703,000 | 700,935 | | 2,065 | |||||||||||
RUB | 10/06/06 | 14,598,120 | 509,000 | 544,847 | 35,847 | | |||||||||||
RUB | 10/06/06 | 26,374,080 | 993,000 | 984,361 | | 8,639 | |||||||||||
RUB | 02/01/07 | 4,929,750 | 175,000 | 184,836 | 9,836 | | |||||||||||
RUB | 02/26/07 | 42,336,000 | 1,470,000 | 1,588,587 | 118,587 | | |||||||||||
RUB | 02/26/07 | 7,284,020 | 251,000 | 273,320 | 22,320 | | |||||||||||
RUB | 02/26/07 | 6,131,270 | 227,000 | 230,066 | 3,066 | | |||||||||||
RUB | 05/24/07 | 106,389,050 | 3,826,944 | 3,996,193 | 169,249 | | |||||||||||
RUB | 09/19/08 | 21,264,250 | 725,000 | 790,737 | 65,737 | | |||||||||||
SGD | 10/06/06 | 1,187,874 | 753,500 | 749,010 | | 4,490 | |||||||||||
SGD | 10/10/06 | 1,187,825 | 753,500 | 749,128 | | 4,372 | |||||||||||
SGD | 10/12/06 | 1,067,116 | 679,000 | 673,068 | | 5,932 | |||||||||||
SGD | 10/13/06 | 2,227,539 | 1,389,000 | 1,405,057 | 16,057 | | |||||||||||
SGD | 10/23/06 | 2,230,585 | 1,422,000 | 1,407,680 | | 14,320 | |||||||||||
SGD | 10/30/06 | 1,643,569 | 1,038,000 | 1,037,588 | | 412 |
See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Forward Currency |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Purchase Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
SIT | 10/18/06 | 206,775,360 |
$
|
1,098,000 |
$
|
1,094,166 |
$
|
|
$
|
3,834 | |||||||
SKK | 10/25/06 | 24,330,560 | 828,500 | 825,065 | | 3,435 | |||||||||||
SKK | 11/27/06 | 24,324,760 | 828,500 | 825,328 | | 3,172 | |||||||||||
THB | 11/10/06 | 60,777,500 | 1,610,000 | 1,609,005 | | 995 | |||||||||||
TRY | 10/20/06 | 1,324,766 | 893,000 | 869,142 | | 23,858 | |||||||||||
TRY | 10/20/06 | 1,682,579 | 1,097,000 | 1,103,893 | 6,893 | | |||||||||||
TRY | 11/01/06 | 213,013 | 143,000 | 139,106 | | 3,894 | |||||||||||
TRY | 02/09/07 | 1,428,000 | 869,406 | 897,217 | 27,811 | | |||||||||||
TRY | 05/31/07 | 746,493 | 459,352 | 449,993 | | 9,359 | |||||||||||
TRY | 06/27/07 | 4,353,244 | 2,699,686 | 2,597,945 | | 101,741 | |||||||||||
TZS | 10/05/06 | 140,859,000 | 111,000 | 109,201 | | 1,799 | |||||||||||
TZS | 10/12/06 | 271,637,300 | 209,000 | 210,132 | 1,132 | | |||||||||||
TZS | 10/13/06 | 758,249,000 | 617,040 | 586,381 | | 30,659 | |||||||||||
TZS | 10/26/06 | 447,902,000 | 364,000 | 344,991 | | 19,009 | |||||||||||
TZS | 10/26/06 | 473,088,000 | 384,000 | 364,390 | | 19,610 | |||||||||||
TZS | 11/09/06 | 583,200,000 | 450,000 | 447,022 | | 2,978 | |||||||||||
TZS | 11/16/06 | 275,920,200 | 213,000 | 210,964 | | 2,036 | |||||||||||
TZS | 12/05/06 | 782,207,000 | 615,766 | 594,036 | | 21,730 | |||||||||||
TZS | 12/15/06 | 442,737,000 | 346,880 | 335,043 | | 11,837 | |||||||||||
TZS | 12/20/06 | 695,237,000 | 547,000 | 525,196 | | 21,804 | |||||||||||
TZS | 05/08/07 | 520,053,000 | 396,684 | 376,964 | | 19,720 | |||||||||||
UAH | 10/11/06 | 1,497,000 | 296,847 | 296,455 | | 392 | |||||||||||
ZAR | 10/23/06 | 7,708,676 | 1,047,303 | 990,424 | | 56,879 | |||||||||||
ZMK | 10/13/06 | 1,432,822,000 | 346,737 | 343,076 | | 3,661 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Total Forward Currency Purchase Contracts |
$ |
92,496,577 |
$ |
93,259,230 |
$ |
1,597,989 |
$ |
835,336 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Forward Currency |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Sale Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
BRL | 12/28/06 | 1,643,477 |
$
|
711,000 |
$
|
744,579 |
$
|
|
$
|
33,579 | |||||||
COP | 10/10/06 | 1,395,221,500 | 539,529 | 582,254 | | 42,725 | |||||||||||
RUB | 05/24/07 | 23,963,580 | 892,000 | 900,122 | | 8,122 | |||||||||||
THB | 11/10/06 | 60,777,500 | 1,598,567 | 1,609,005 | | 10,438 | |||||||||||
TRY | 02/09/07 | 1,428,000 | 994,637 | 897,217 | 97,420 | | |||||||||||
TZS | 05/08/07 | 520,053,000 | 392,197 | 376,964 | 15,233 | | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Total Forward Currency Sale Contracts |
$
|
5,127,930 |
$
|
5,110,141 | 112,653 | 94,864 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation on Forward Currency Contracts |
$
|
1,710,642 |
$
|
930,200 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
11
(a) | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost was $208,303,808, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation was $34,130,265, aggregate gross unrealized depreciation was $4,613,162 and the net unrealized appreciation was $29,517,103. |
(c) | Segregated security for forward currency contracts. |
(d) | Security or portion thereof is out on loan. |
(e) | Principal amount denominated in respective countrys currency unless otherwise specified. |
(f) | Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, these securities may only be traded among qualified institutional buyers. Principal amount denominated in U.S. dollar. Interest rate shown reflects current yield as of September 30, 2006. |
(g) | Rate shown reflects 7 day yield as of September 30, 2006. |
(h) | Represents security purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan. |
Currency Abbreviations: | |||||
ARS | | Argentine Peso | NGN | Nigerian Naira | |
BRL | | Brazilian Real | PEN | Peruvian New Sol | |
BWP | | Botswanian Pula | PHP | Philippine Peso | |
CLP | | Chilean Peso | PLN | Polish Zloty | |
COP | | Colombian Peso | RON | Romanian Leu | |
CRC | | Costa Rican Colon | RUB | Russian Ruble | |
GHC | | Ghanaian Cedi | SGD | Singapore Dollar | |
IDR | | Indonesian Rupiah | SIT | Slovenian Tolar | |
ILS | | Israeli Shekel | SKK | Slovenska Koruna | |
INR | | Indian Rupee | THB | Thai Baht | |
ISK | | Iceland Krona | TRY | New Turkish Lira | |
KRW | | South Korean Won | TZS | Tanzanian Shilling | |
KZT | | Kazakhstanian Tenge | UAH | Ukranian Hryvnia | |
MXN | | Mexican Peso | ZAR | South African Rand | |
MYR | | Malaysian Ringgit | ZMK | Zambian Kwacha |
12
Portfolio holdings by industry (as percentage of net assets):
_____________________________________________________
Industry | |||
Alcohol & Tobacco | 5.5 | % | |
Automotive. | 0.9 | ||
Banking | 13.8 | ||
Commercial Services | 1.6 | ||
Computer Software | 7.8 | ||
Drugs | 4.3 | ||
Energy Integrated | 12.1 | ||
Financial Services | 11.1 | ||
Food & Beverages | 5.9 | ||
Insurance | 3.9 | ||
Manufacturing | 6.8 | ||
Medical Products | 3.0 | ||
Retail | 3.8 | ||
Semiconductors & Components | 2.0 | ||
Technology. | 2.0 | ||
Technology Hardware | 5.9 | ||
Telecommunications | 2.0 | ||
|
|
||
Subtotal. | 92.4 | ||
Foreign Government Obligations | 4.4 | ||
Structured Notes. | 2.2 | ||
Repurchase Agreement. | 0.6 | ||
Collateral for Securities on Loan. | 7.4 | ||
|
|
||
Total Investments | 107.0 | % | |
|
|
13
Under the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined on the dividend or distribution payment date, as follows:
(1) | If the Common Stock is trading at or above net asset value at the time of valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at a price equal to the greater of (i) net asset value per Common Share on that date or (ii) 95% of the Common Stocks market price on that date. |
(2) | If the Common Stock is trading below net asset value at the time of valuation, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will purchase Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants accounts. It is possible that the market price for the Common Stock may increase before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases. Therefore, the average purchase price per share paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the market price at the time of valuation, resulting in the purchase of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in Common Stock issued by the Fund. The Plan Agent will use all dividends and distributions received in cash to purchase Common Stock in the open market within 30 days of the valuation date. Interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash payments. |
You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Plan Agent. If you withdraw or the Plan is terminated, you will receive whole shares in your account under the Plan and you will receive a cash payment for any fraction of a share in your account. If you wish, the Plan Agent will sell your shares and send you the proceeds, minus an initial $15 service fee plus $0.12 per share being liquidated (for processing and brokerage expenses).
The Plan Agent maintains all stockholders accounts in the Plan and gives written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information you may need for tax records. Shares of Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all Common Stock you have received under the Plan.
There is no brokerage charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in newly-issued shares of Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases.
Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions.
If you hold your Common Stock with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the Plan, you will not be able to participate in the Plan and any dividend reinvestment may be effected on different terms than those described above. Consult your financial advisor for more information.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan (other than the service charge when you direct the Plan Agent to sell your Common Stock held in a dividend reinvestment account); however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Additional information about the Plan may be obtained from the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43010, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3010.
14
Position(s) | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Name (Age) | with the Fund(1) | and Other Directorships Held | ||
|
|
|
||
Board of Directors: | ||||
Class I Directors with Term Expiring in 2009 | ||||
Independent Directors: | ||||
Leon Pollack (65) | Director | Director, Lazard Alternative Strategies Fund, LLC (Lazard | ||
Alternative); Former Managing Director, Donaldson, Lufkin & | ||||
Jenrette. | ||||
Robert M. Solmson (58) | Director | Director, Lazard Alternative; Director, Colonial Williamsburg Co.; | ||
Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, RFS Hotel | ||||
Investors, Inc.; Former Director, Morgan Keegan, Inc.; Former | ||||
Director, Independent Bank, Memphis. | ||||
Interested Director: | ||||
Charles Carroll (46) | Chief Executive Officer, | Deputy Chairman and Head of Global Marketing of the | ||
President and Director | Investment Manager. | |||
|
||||
Independent Directors: | ||||
Kenneth S. Davidson (61) | Director | President, Davidson Capital Management Corporation; President, | ||
Aquiline Advisors LLC; Director, Lazard Alternative; Trustee, The | ||||
Juilliard School; Chairman of the Board, Bridgehampton Chamber | ||||
Music Festival; Trustee, American Friends of the National | ||||
Gallery/London.
|
||||
Lester Z. Lieberman (76) | Director | Private Investor; Chairman, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey; | ||
Director, Cives Steel Co.; Director, Northside Power Transmission | ||||
Co.; Advisory Trustee, New Jersey Medical School; Director, Public | ||||
Health Research Institute; Trustee Emeritus, Clarkson University; | ||||
Council of Trustees, New Jersey Performing Arts Center. | ||||
Class III Directors with Term Expiring in 2008 | ||||
Independent Directors: | ||||
John J. Burke (78) | Director | Lawyer and Private Investor; Director, Lazard Alternative; | ||
Director, Pacific Steel & Recycling; Director, Sletten Construction | ||||
Company; Trustee Emeritus, The University of Montana Foundation. | ||||
Richard Reiss, Jr. (62) | Director | Chairman, Georgica Advisors LLC, an investment manager; Director, | ||
Lazard Alternative; Director, OCharleys, Inc., a restaurant chain. | ||||
Interested Director: | ||||
Ashish Bhutani (46) | Director | Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Manager; from 2001 to | ||
December 2002, Co-Chief Executive Officer North America of | ||||
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and member of its Global | ||||
Corporate and Markets Board and the Global Executive | ||||
Committee; from 1995 to 2001, Chief Executive Officer of | ||||
Wasserstein Perella Securities; and from 1989 to 2001, Deputy | ||||
Chairman of Wasserstein Perella Group. |
(1) | Each Director also serves as a Director for The Lazard Funds, Inc., Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. and Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc. (collectively, the Lazard Funds). |
15
Position(s) | ||||
Name (Age) | with the Fund(1) | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | ||
|
|
|
||
Officers: | ||||
Nathan A. Paul (33) | Vice President | Managing Director and General Counsel of the Investment | ||
and Secretary | Manager. | |||
Stephen St. Clair (48) |
Treasurer | Vice President of the Investment Manager. | ||
Brian Kawakami (56) |
Chief Compliance Officer | Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the | ||
Investment Manager; Chief Compliance Officer at INVESCO, | ||||
from July 2002 to April 2006; Chief Compliance Officer at Aeltus | ||||
Investment Management, from 1993 to July 2002. | ||||
Brian D. Simon (44) |
Assistant Secretary | Director of the Investment Manager; Vice President, Law & | ||
Regulations at J. & W. Seligman & Co., from July 1999 to | ||||
October 2002. | ||||
David A. Kurzweil (32) |
Assistant Secretary | Vice President of the Investment Manager; Associate at | ||
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, a law firm, from August 1999 to | ||||
January 2003. | ||||
Cesar A. Trelles (31) |
Assistant Treasurer | Fund Administration Manager of the Investment Manager; | ||
Manager for Mutual Fund Finance Group at UBS Global Asset | ||||
Management, from August 1998 to August 2004. |
(1) Each officer also serves as an officer for each of the Lazard Funds.
16
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