10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 07:45
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: 811-23696
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)
Popular Center North Building, Second Level (Fine Arts),
209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue,
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: +1 (787) 754-4488
Manuel Rodríguez Boissén
Secretary
Popular Center North Building, Second Level (Fine Arts),
209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue,
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Date of fiscal year end: June 30
Date of reporting period: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Explanatory Note
The Registrant is filing this amendment (the "Amendment") to its Form N-CSR for the period ended June 30, 2024, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 2024 (Accession Number 0001398344-24-015908) (the "Original Filing"), to amend Item 7, to modify footnotes (a) and (d) to the Financial Highlights for Class C Shares, which referenced the incorrect number of daily average outstanding common shares and incorrect number of daily average net assets attributable to common shares, respectively.
Items 1 through 6, Items 8 through 18, Item 19(a)(1), and Item 19(a)(2) are incorporated by reference from the Original Filing.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 7 - Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies | 1 |
Schedule of Investments | 2 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 7 |
Statement of Operations | 8 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 9 |
Statement of Cash Flows | 10 |
Financial Highlights | 11 |
Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights | 13 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 27 |
Other Information | 28 |
Item 8 - Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies | 29 |
Item 9 - Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies | 30 |
Item 10 - Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies | 31 |
Item 11 - Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract | 32 |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc.
ITEM 7 - Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for
Open-End Management Investment Companies
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 1 |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Schedule of Investments |
June 30, 2024 |
Principal Amount/Description | Rate | Maturity | Value | |||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Government General Obligations (7.02%) | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 42,507 | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - General Obligation Unlimited Bonds (Series 2022 A-1)(a) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/24 | $ | 42,507 | |||||||||
336,273 | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - General Obligation Unlimited Bonds (Series 2022 A-1)(a) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/33 | 224,382 | |||||||||||
201,586 | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - General Obligation Unlimited Bonds (Series 2022 A-1) | 4.000 | % | 07/01/37 | 194,054 | |||||||||||
291,019 | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - General Obligation Unlimited Bonds (Series 2022 A-1) | 5.375 | % | 07/01/25 | 293,454 | |||||||||||
288,383 | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - General Obligation Unlimited Bonds (Series 2022 A-1) | 5.625 | % | 07/01/27 | 300,878 | |||||||||||
283,706 | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - General Obligation Unlimited Bonds (Series 2022 A-1) | 5.625 | % | 07/01/29 | 304,279 | |||||||||||
275,559 | Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - General Obligation Unlimited Bonds (Series 2022 A-1) | 5.750 | % | 07/01/31 | 305,991 | |||||||||||
Total Puerto Rico Government General Obligations (Cost $1,585,083) |
$ | 1,665,545 |
Principal Amount/Description | Rate | Maturity | Value | |||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Government Instrumentalities Tax Exempt Notes (19.30%) | ||||||||||||||||
30,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Capital Appreciation Restructured Series A-1)(a)(b)(c) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/24 | 30,000 | |||||||||||
138,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Capital Appreciation Restructured Series A-1)(a)(b)(c) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/27 | 123,010 | |||||||||||
134,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Capital Appreciation Restructured Series A-1)(a)(b)(c) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/29 | 110,575 | |||||||||||
172,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Capital Appreciation Restructured Series A-1)(a)(b)(c) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/31 | 130,562 |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
2 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Schedule of Investments |
June 30, 2024 |
Principal Amount/Description | Rate | Maturity | Value | |||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Government Instrumentalities Tax Exempt Notes (continued) | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 194,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Capital Appreciation Restructured Series A-1)(a)(b)(c) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/33 | $ | 134,876 | |||||||||
1,850,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Capital Appreciation Restructured Series A-1)(a)(b)(c) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/46 | 594,931 | |||||||||||
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Capital Appreciation | ||||||||||||||||
1,508,000 | Restructured Series A-1)(a)(b)(c) | 0.000 | % | 07/01/51 | 352,855 | |||||||||||
732,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Restructured Series A-2)(b)(c) | 4.329 | % | 07/01/40 | 722,186 | |||||||||||
142,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Restructured Series A-1)(b)(c) | 4.500 | % | 07/01/34 | 142,206 | |||||||||||
22,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Restructured Series A-2)(b)(c) | 4.536 | % | 07/01/53 | 20,950 | |||||||||||
72,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Restructured Series A-1)(b)(c) | 4.550 | % | 07/01/40 | 72,269 | |||||||||||
528,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Restructured Series A-1)(b)(c) | 4.750 | % | 07/01/53 | 520,311 | |||||||||||
294,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Restructured Series A-2)(b)(c) | 4.784 | % | 07/01/58 | 289,339 | |||||||||||
1,338,000 | Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue - Revenue Bonds (Series Restructured Series A-1)(b)(c) | 5.000 | % | 07/01/58 | 1,332,791 | |||||||||||
Total Puerto Rico Government Instrumentalities Tax Exempt Notes | $ | 4,576,861 | ||||||||||||||
(Cost $4,529,159) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 3 |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Schedule of Investments |
June 30, 2024
Principal Amount/Description | Rate | Maturity | Value | |||||||||||||
Puerto Rico GNMA Bonds (52.98%)(d) | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 168,977 | GNMA Pool 670407 | 5.000 | % | 03/15/38 | $ | 165,796 | |||||||||
574,341 | GNMA Pool 609094 | 5.000 | % | 06/15/38 | 566,049 | |||||||||||
722,969 | GNMA Pool 609096 | 5.000 | % | 06/15/38 | 712,643 | |||||||||||
1,106,396 | GNMA Pool 702983 | 5.000 | % | 02/15/39 | 1,125,074 | |||||||||||
2,162,289 | GNMA Pool 711437(e) | 5.000 | % | 07/15/39 | 2,198,788 | |||||||||||
3,384,325 | GNMA Pool 711455(e) | 5.000 | % | 09/15/39 | 3,441,559 | |||||||||||
2,484,321 | GNMA Pool 711498(e) | 5.000 | % | 03/15/40 | 2,526,337 | |||||||||||
435,331 | GNMA Pool 723741 | 5.000 | % | 04/15/40 | 442,679 | |||||||||||
198,344 | GNMA Pool 572047 | 5.500 | % | 06/15/33 | 197,175 | |||||||||||
980,064 | GNMA Pool 694133(e) | 5.500 | % | 09/15/38 | 1,017,143 | |||||||||||
172,698 | GNMA Pool 528139 | 6.000 | % | 11/15/32 | 173,363 | |||||||||||
Total Puerto Rico GNMA Bonds | $ | 12,566,606 | ||||||||||||||
(Cost $12,390,840) |
Principal Amount/Description | Rate | Maturity | Value | |||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Fannie Mae Bonds (39.29%)(f) | ||||||||||||||||
920,336 | FNMA Pool 695403 | 5.000 | % | 06/01/33 | 907,830 | |||||||||||
1,310,021 | FNMA Pool 758527(e) | 5.000 | % | 03/01/34 | 1,281,202 | |||||||||||
1,907,076 | FNMA Pool 849999 | 5.000 | % | 01/01/36 | 1,881,131 | |||||||||||
724,986 | FNMA Pool 993991 | 5.000 | % | 07/01/39 | 716,894 | |||||||||||
1,924,924 | FNMA Pool 994004 | 5.000 | % | 08/01/39 | 1,903,438 | |||||||||||
110,057 | FNMA Pool 932695 | 5.000 | % | 03/01/40 | 108,749 | |||||||||||
293,610 | FNMA Pool AC0850 | 5.000 | % | 03/01/40 | 290,182 | |||||||||||
384,433 | FNMA Pool 909106 | 5.500 | % | 10/01/37 | 385,845 | |||||||||||
363,961 | FNMA Pool 953110 | 5.500 | % | 06/01/38 | 365,299 | |||||||||||
348,866 | FNMA Pool 909239 | 5.500 | % | 10/01/38 | 351,867 | |||||||||||
86,560 | FNMA Pool 909107 | 6.000 | % | 10/01/37 | 87,492 | |||||||||||
772,350 | FNMA Pool 909109 | 6.000 | % | 10/01/37 | 791,151 | |||||||||||
246,107 | FNMA Pool 953093 | 6.000 | % | 12/01/37 | 249,200 | |||||||||||
Total Puerto Rico Fannie Mae Bonds | $ | 9,320,280 | ||||||||||||||
(Cost $9,393,287) |
Principal Amount/Description | Rate | Maturity | Value | |||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Freddie Mac Bonds (8.18%)(g) | ||||||||||||||||
322,888 | FGLMC Pool B70769 | 5.000 | % | 02/01/39 | 318,004 | |||||||||||
1,226,696 | FGLMC Pool G05744(e) | 5.500 | % | 01/01/36 | 1,232,771 | |||||||||||
382,439 | FGLMC Pool A55971 | 5.500 | % | 11/01/36 | 388,497 | |||||||||||
Total Puerto Rico Freddie Mac Bonds | $ | 1,939,272 | ||||||||||||||
(Cost $1,932,023) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
4 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Schedule of Investments |
June 30, 2024
Principal Amount/Description | Rate | Maturity | Value | ||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds (14.54%) | |||||||||||||||
500,000 | Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.900 | % | 02/20/28 | 482,824 | ||||||||||
$ | 500,000 | Citigroup, Inc.(h) | 3.887 | % | 01/10/28 | $ | 482,642 | ||||||||
1,000,000 | Constellation Energy Generation LLC | 6.250 | % | 10/01/39 | 1,032,868 | ||||||||||
500,000 | Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.(h) | 4.223 | % | 05/01/29 | 481,312 | ||||||||||
1,000,000 | Lloyds Banking Group PLC | 4.375 | % | 03/22/28 | 968,747 | ||||||||||
Total Corporate Bonds | $ | 3,448,393 | |||||||||||||
(Cost $3,484,227) | |||||||||||||||
Total Investments (141.31%) | |||||||||||||||
(Cost $33,314,619) | $ | 33,516,957 | |||||||||||||
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (-41.31%) | (9,798,897) | ||||||||||||||
NET ASSETS (100.00%) | $ | 23,718,060 |
(a) | Issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount. |
(b) | Revenue Bonds - issued by agencies and payable from revenues and other sources of income of the agency as specified in the applicable prospectus. These bonds are not an obligation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. |
(c) | These securities are the exchanged bonds under the COFINA's Third Amended Plan of Adjustment (the "Plan"). |
(d) | Puerto Rico GNMA - Represents mortgage-backed obligations guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association. They are subject to principal paydowns as a result of prepayments or refinancing of the underlying mortgage instruments. As a result, the average life may be substantially less than the original maturity. |
(e) | A portion or all of the security has been pledged as collateral for securities sold under agreements to repurchase. |
(f) | Puerto Rico Fannie Mae Taxable - Represents mortgage-backed obligations guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association. They are subject to principal paydowns as a result of prepayments or refinancing of the underlying mortgage instruments. As a result, the average life may be substantially less than the original maturity. |
(g) | Puerto Rico Freddie Mac - Represents mortgage-backed obligations guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. They are subject to principal paydowns as a result of prepayments or refinancing of the underlying mortgage instruments. As a result, the average life may be substantially less than the original maturity. |
(h) | Variable rate investment. Interest rates reset periodically. Interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at June 30, 2024. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 5 |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Schedule of Investments |
June 30, 2024 |
Reverse Repo Agreements
Counterparty | Interest Rate | Acquisition Date | Maturity Date | Amount | ||||||||
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (a) | 5.67% | 06/26/2024 | 07/15/2024 | $ | (3,275,000 | ) | ||||||
Goldman Sachs(b) | 5.75% | 06/26/2024 | 07/26/2024 | (3,094,000 | ) | |||||||
Santander(c) | 5.75% | 06/26/2024 | 07/10/2024 | (2,894,000 | ) | |||||||
South Street Securities(d) | 6.00% | 06/28/2024 | 07/01/2024 | (666,000 | ) | |||||||
$ | (9,929,000 | ) |
All agreements can be terminated by either party on demand at value plus accrued interest.
(a) | Collateralized by $3,464,447 par amount of GNMA, 5.00% to 5.50%, due 9/15/38 to 3/15/40; Total Fair Value $3,543,480 |
(b) | Collateralized by $3,415,263 par amount of FNMA and GNMA, 5.00%, due 3/1/34 to 7/15/39; Total Fair Value $3,422,022 |
(c) | Collateralized by $3,155,005 par amount of GNMA, 5.00%, due 9/15/39; Total Fair Value $3,208,325 |
(d) | Collateralized by $702,123 of FGLMC, 5.50%, due 1/1/36; Total Fair Value $705,634 |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
6 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
June 30, 2024 |
ASSETS: | ||||
Securities pledged as collateral under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value (cost $9,929,000) | $ | 10,879,461 | ||
Investments in securities, at fair value (cost $23,385,619) | 22,637,496 | |||
33,516,957 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 73,083 | |||
Interest receivable | 258,917 | |||
Prepaid and other assets | 58,652 | |||
Total Assets | 33,907,609 | |||
LIABILITIES: | ||||
Payable for reverse repurchase agreements (Cost $9,929,000) | $ | 9,929,000 | ||
Interest payable on reverse repurchase agreements | 7,694 | |||
Payable for distributions to shareholders | 26,093 | |||
Payable for shareholder servicing | 18,980 | |||
Payable to Adviser | 14,192 | |||
Payable to fund accounting and administration | 32,055 | |||
Payable for Transfer Agency fees | 6,399 | |||
Payable to Directors | 5,865 | |||
Payable for Legal fees | 50,726 | |||
Payable for Compliance fees | 4,933 | |||
Payable for Custodian fees | 2,341 | |||
Payable for Audit fees | 46,563 | |||
Other payables | 44,708 | |||
Total Liabilities | 10,189,549 | |||
Net Assets | $ | 23,718,060 | ||
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | ||||
Paid-in capital - $0.01 par value, 2,000,000,020 shares authorized, 7,173,678 issued and outstanding | $ | 175,449,025 | ||
Accumulated deficit | (151,730,965 | ) | ||
Net Assets | $ | 23,718,060 | ||
PRICING OF SHARES: | ||||
Class A Shares | ||||
Net Assets | $ | 12,985,886 | ||
Shares outstanding | 3,922,329 | |||
Net asset value per share | $ | 3.31 | ||
Class C Shares | ||||
Net Assets | 10,732,174 | |||
Shares outstanding | 3,251,349 | |||
Net asset value per share | $ | 3.30 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 7 |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Statement of Operations |
For the year ended June 30, 2024 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | ||||
Interest | $ | 1,894,916 | ||
Total Investment Income | 1,894,916 | |||
EXPENSES: | ||||
Investment Adviser fees | $ | 188,459 | ||
Distribution Fees | ||||
Class A | 33,821 | |||
Class C | 123,879 | |||
Accounting and Administration fees | 68,023 | |||
Compliance fees | 18,054 | |||
Transfer agent fees | 49,262 | |||
Interest on reverse repurchase agreements | 665,699 | |||
Audit fees | 53,308 | |||
Legal fees | 126,467 | |||
Custodian fees | 25,411 | |||
Director fees | 22,628 | |||
Registration fees | 9,376 | |||
Printing fees | 12,521 | |||
Insurance fees | 61,883 | |||
Other fees | 35,661 | |||
Total expenses before waiver | 1,494,452 | |||
Total Expenses | 1,494,452 | |||
Net Investment Income | 400,464 | |||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments: | ||||
Net realized loss on: | ||||
Investments | (572,592 | ) | ||
Net realized loss | (572,592 | ) | ||
Net change in unrealized appreciation on: | ||||
Investments | 672,582 | |||
Net change in unrealized appreciation | 672,582 | |||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments | 99,990 | |||
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | $ | 500,454 |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
8 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2024 |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2023 |
|||||||
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS: | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 400,464 | $ | 834,268 | ||||
Net realized loss | (572,592 | ) | (108,301 | ) | ||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | 672,582 | (1,599,429 | ) | |||||
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | 500,454 | (873,462 | ) | |||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS: | ||||||||
Class A dividends | (273,820 | ) | (499,407 | ) | ||||
Class C dividends | (158,124 | ) | (354,424 | ) | ||||
Net decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders | (431,944 | ) | (853,831 | ) | ||||
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | ||||||||
Class A Common Shares: | ||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 526 | 14,382 | ||||||
Reinvestment of dividends | 27,312 | 35,698 | ||||||
Cost of shares redeemed | (1,826,961 | ) | (2,382,881 | ) | ||||
Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions | (1,799,123 | ) | (2,332,801 | ) | ||||
Class C Common Shares: | ||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 3,704 | - | ||||||
Reinvestment of dividends | 14,102 | 27,302 | ||||||
Cost of shares redeemed | (3,462,210 | ) | (2,102,328 | ) | ||||
Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions | (3,444,404 | ) | (2,075,026 | ) | ||||
Net Decrease in Net Assets | (5,175,017 | ) | (6,135,120 | ) | ||||
NET ASSETS: | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 28,893,077 | 35,028,197 | ||||||
End of period | $ | 23,718,060 | $ | 28,893,077 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 9 |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Statement of Cash Flows |
For the year ended June 30, 2024 |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 500,454 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets from operations to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||
Proceeds from disposition of investment securities | 8,171,124 | |||
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments, net | (99,317 | ) | ||
Net realized (gain)/loss on: | ||||
Investments | 572,592 | |||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on: | ||||
Investments | (672,582 | ) | ||
(Increase)/Decrease in assets: | ||||
Interest receivable | 88,330 | |||
Prepaid and other assets | 3,848 | |||
Increase/(Decrease) in liabilities: | ||||
Payable for shareholder servicing | (3,992 | ) | ||
Payable for interest expense | (22,518 | ) | ||
Payable to Transfer agency | 4,888 | |||
Payable to Adviser | (3,107 | ) | ||
Payable to fund accounting and administration fees | 12,846 | |||
Payable to Directors and Officers | (135 | ) | ||
Payable for Audit fees | (54,812 | ) | ||
Payable for Compliance fees | 4,933 | |||
Payable for Custodian fees | (2,673 | ) | ||
Payable for Legal fees | 16,727 | |||
Other payables | 21,343 | |||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 8,537,949 | ||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||
Net cash receipts from reverse repurchase agreements | $ | 783,037,000 | ||
Net cash paydowns for reverse repurchase agreements | (785,752,000 | ) | ||
Shares redeemed | (5,289,171 | ) | ||
Proceeds from sale of capital shares | (77,796 | ) | ||
Cash distributions paid to common shareholders - net of distributions reinvested | (417,704 | ) | ||
Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (8,499,671 | ) | |
Net increase in cash and restricted cash | $ | 38,278 | ||
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year | $ | 34,805 | ||
Cash and restricted cash, end of year | $ | 73,083 | ||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||||
Cash paid during the period for interest expense on reverse repurchase agreements | $ | 688,217 | ||
Reinvestment of distributions | $ | 41,414 |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
10 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Financial Highlights |
Class A | For a share outstanding during the period presented |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2024 |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2023 |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2022 |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2021 |
|||||||||||||
Net asset value - beginning of period | $ | 3.30 | $ | 3.46 | $ | 3.99 | $ | 3.87 | ||||||||
Income/(loss) from investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | 0.07 | 0.11 | 0.13 | 0.12 | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | 0.01 | (0.17 | ) | (0.54 | ) | 0.12 | ||||||||||
Total income/(loss) from investment operations | 0.08 | (0.06 | ) | (0.41 | ) | 0.24 | ||||||||||
Less distributions: | ||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (0.07 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.12 | ) | (0.12 | ) | ||||||||
Total distributions | (0.07 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.12 | ) | (0.12 | ) | ||||||||
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value | 0.01 | (0.16 | ) | (0.53 | ) | 0.12 | ||||||||||
Net asset value - end of period | $ | 3.31 | $ | 3.30 | $ | 3.46 | $ | 3.99 | ||||||||
Total Return(b)(c) | 2.36 | % | (1.76 | %) | (10.51 | %) | 6.28 | % | ||||||||
Supplemental Data: | ||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 12,986 | $ | 14,770 | $ | 17,937 | $ | 22,677 | ||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | ||||||||||||||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets(e) | 5.43 | % | 4.36 | % | 2.33 | % | 2.24 | % | ||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(e) | 5.43 | % | 3.67 | % | 2.32 | % | 2.16 | % | ||||||||
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets(f) | 2.86 | % | 2.71 | % | 2.18 | % | 2.13 | % | ||||||||
Interest and leverage related to expenses to average net assets | 2.57 | % | 1.65 | % | 0.15 | % | 0.11 | % | ||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(f) | 1.99 | % | 3.22 | % | 3.30 | % | 3.18 | % | ||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
(a) | Based on daily average outstanding common shares of 4,118,151 for the year ended June 30, 2024, 5,014,090 for the year ended June 30, 2023, 5,418,724 for the year ended June 30, 2022, and 5,983,775 for the year ended June 30, 2021. |
(b) | Dividends are assumed to be reinvested at the per share net asset value on the date dividends are paid. |
(c) | Total return excludes the effect of initial and contingent deferred sales charges. |
(d) | Based on daily average net assets attributable to common shares of $13,524,847 for the year ended June 30, 2024, $16,712,345 for the year ended June 30, 2023, $20,755,538 for the year ended June 30, 2022, and $23,586,328 for the year ended June 30, 2021. |
(e) | Expenses include both operating and interest expenses. However, expenses do not include operating expenses of any underlying investment fund in which the Fund invests. |
(f) | Operating expenses represent total expenses excluding interest and leverage related expenses. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 11 |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Financial Highlights |
Class C | For a share outstanding during the period presented |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2024 |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2023 |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2022 |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2021 |
|||||||||||||
Net asset value - beginning of period | $ | 3.29 | $ | 3.48 | $ | 4.01 | $ | 3.92 | ||||||||
Income/(loss) from investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.12 | 0.09 | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | 0.02 | (0.17 | ) | (0.54 | ) | 0.11 | ||||||||||
Total income/(loss) from investment operations | 0.05 | (0.11 | ) | (0.42 | ) | 0.20 | ||||||||||
Less distributions: | ||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (0.04 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.11 | ) | ||||||||
Total distributions | (0.04 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.11 | ) | ||||||||
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value | 0.01 | (0.19 | ) | (0.53 | ) | 0.09 | ||||||||||
Net asset value - end of period | $ | 3.30 | $ | 3.29 | $ | 3.48 | $ | 4.01 | ||||||||
Total Return(b)(c) | 1.59 | % | (3.27 | %) | (10.56 | %) | 5.29 | % | ||||||||
Supplemental Data: | ||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 10,732 | $ | 14,123 | $ | 17,091 | $ | 21,298 | ||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | ||||||||||||||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets(e) | 6.14 | % | 5.12 | % | 2.75 | % | 3.40 | % | ||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(e) | 6.14 | % | 5.12 | % | 2.75 | % | 2.96 | % | ||||||||
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets(f) | 3.57 | % | 3.47 | % | 2.54 | % | 2.93 | % | ||||||||
Interest and leverage related to expenses to average net assets | 2.57 | % | 1.65 | % | 0.51 | % | 0.11 | % | ||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(f) | 1.06 | % | 1.77 | % | 3.23 | % | 2.38 | % | ||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
(a) | Based on daily average outstanding common shares of 3,786,380 for the year ended June 30, 2024, 4,521,432 for the year ended June 30, 2023, 5,083,614 for the year ended June 30, 2022, and 5,775,817 for the year ended June 30, 2021. |
(b) | Dividends are assumed to be reinvested at the per share net asset value on the date dividends are paid. |
(c) | Total return excludes the effect of initial and contingent deferred sales charges. |
(d) | Based on daily average net assets attributable to common shares of $12,379,584 for the year ended June 30, 2024, $15,148,411 for the year ended June 30, 2023, $19,511,492 for the year ended June 30, 2022, and $22,966,082 for the year ended June 30, 2021. |
(e) | Expenses include both operating and interest expenses. However, expenses do not include operating expenses of any underlying investment fund in which the Fund invests. |
(f) | Operating expenses represent total expenses excluding interest and leverage related expenses. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | |
12 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024
NOTE 1. REPORTING ENTITY AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a non-diversified, open-end investment company. The Fund is a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and is registered as an investment company under the Investment Company of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") since May 27, 2021 as a result of the repeal of its exemption from registration thereunder. The Fund was incorporated on May 21, 2007 and started operations on June 27, 2007.
The Fund's investment objective is to seek to provide a high level of current income that is consistent with the tax advantages offered by Puerto Rico investment companies. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objectives.
Accounting Policies:
The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies ("ASC 946"). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), which requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent 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.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements:
(a) | Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents consist of all demand deposits and funds invested in short-term investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. As of June 30, 2024, cash and cash equivalents of the Fund consisted of a time deposit open account amounting to $73,083 with J.P. Morgan Chase N.A. |
(b) | Valuation of Investments - All securities are presented at fair value, which is determined by the Fund's administrator, ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (the "Fund Administrator"), with the assistance of the Fund's investment adviser, Popular Asset Management LLC (the "Investment Adviser") (refer to Note 3 for details on investment agreements), on the basis of valuations provided by dealers or by pricing services approved by the Fund's management and Board of Directors. See Note 2 for further discussions regarding fair value disclosures. |
(c) | Taxation - The Fund has elected to be treated as a registered investment company under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 2011, as amended, and the regulations and administrative pronouncements promulgated thereunder. As a registered investment company, the Fund will not be subject to Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Puerto Rico") income tax for any taxable year if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable net investment income for such year, as determined for these purposes. Accordingly, as the Fund intends to meet this distribution requirement, the income earned by the Fund is not subject to Puerto Rico income tax at the Fund level. The Fund has never been subject to taxation. |
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 13 |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024
In addition, the fixed income and equity investments of the Fund are exempt from Puerto Rico personal property taxes. The Fund is exempt from U.S. income taxes, except for dividends received from U.S. sources, which are subject to a 10% U.S. withholding tax, if certain requirements are met. Dividend income is recorded net of taxes. In the opinion of the Fund's legal counsel, the Fund is not required to file a U.S. Federal income tax return.
GAAP requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund's tax return to determine whether the tax positions are "more-likely-than-not" of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the "more-likely-than-not" threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Fund's tax positions taken on its Puerto Rico income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and prior three tax years). Management concluded that no liability should be recorded as the Fund has not taken any uncertain tax positions on returns filed for open tax years.
The balance of undistributed net investment income and of accumulated net realized gain on investments reflect the reclassification of permanent differences and of temporary differences between book and tax balances that become permanent (See Note 10).
(d) | Statement of Cash Flows ̶ The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income, which are paid in cash or reinvested at the discretion of common stockholders. Additional information on cash receipts and payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. |
(e) | Share subscriptions and redemptions - The Fund offers two classes of Common Stock: Class A shares and Class C shares. Class A and Class C shares are sold at their Net Asset Value (NAV), which is determined daily, plus an initial sales charge of up to 2.50% for Class A shares. There is no initial sales charge for Class C shares. Investors in any class of shares may open an account by making an initial investment of at least $3,000 for each account. Subsequent investments of at least $50 may be made for each Class. |
Shares in each Class may be redeemed on each day of the week on which the NYSE is open for trading and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and banks in Puerto Rico are open for business at a price per share equal to the NAV per share of such Class determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE on the date of receipt of the request for redemption. Investors in Class C shares will pay a contingent deferred sales charge equal to 1.00% on redemptions made within 12 months of purchase.
Shareholders have the ability to redeem shares of an open-end fund and simultaneously purchase shares of another open-end fund within the same family of investment companies, often at no or reduced fees. Refer to Note 4 - Capital Share Transactions.
(f) | Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders - Dividends from net investment income are typically declared and paid monthly. The Fund may at times pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular six months and may at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income earned in other six months in order to permit a more stable level of distribution. The Fund does not expect to make distributions of net realized capital gains, although the Fund's Board of Directors reserves the right to do so in its sole discretion. The Fund records dividends to its shareholders on the ex-dividend date. |
14 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024
(g) | Futures Contracts - Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified security at a specified future time and at a specific price. Stock index futures contracts are based on indices that reflect the market value of common stock of the firms included in the indices. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, or other assets, equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount (initial margin deposit). Subsequent payments, known as "variation margin", are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the fair value of the underlying security. The Fund recognizes an unrealized gain or loss equal to the daily variation margin until the contract is closed out, at which time the Fund realizes a gain or loss. Positions in futures contracts may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade that furnishes a secondary market for such contracts. While the Fund plans to utilize futures contracts only if an active market exists for such contracts, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for the contracts at a specified time. Risks exceed related amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund's management enters into these transactions to simulate full investments of a portion of the Fund's assets in one or more market indices, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs, and to seek higher investment returns. |
Most U.S. futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of futures contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit on several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses. During the year ended on June 30, 2024, the Fund did not invest in futures contracts.
(h) | Reverse Repurchase Agreements - Under these agreements, the Fund sells securities, receives cash in exchange, and agrees to repurchase the securities at a mutually agreed date and price. Ordinarily, those counterparties with which the Fund enters into these agreements require delivery of collateral and are able to sell or repledge the collateral; however, the Fund retains effective control over such collateral through the agreement to repurchase the collateral on or by the maturity of the repurchase agreement. These transactions are treated as financings and recorded as liabilities. Therefore, no gain or loss is recognized on the transaction and the securities pledged as collateral remain recorded as assets of the Fund. These agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities purchased with the proceeds from the sale of securities received by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities that the Fund is obligated to repurchase and that the value of the collateral posted by the Fund increases in value and the counterparty does not return it. Because the Fund borrows under repurchase agreements based on the estimated fair value of the pledged assets, the Fund's ongoing ability to borrow under its repurchase facilities may be limited and its lenders may initiate margin calls in the event of adverse changes in the market. A decrease in market value of the pledged assets may require the Fund to post additional collateral or otherwise sell assets at a time when it may not be in the best interest of the Fund to do so (See Note 6). |
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 15 |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
(i) | Paydowns - Realized gains and losses on mortgage-backed securities paydowns are recorded as an adjustment to interest income as required by GAAP. For the year ended on June 30, 2024, the Fund reduced interest income in the amount of $31,858 related to realized gains on mortgage-backed securities paydowns. However, for purpose of dividend distributions, net investment income excludes the effect of mortgage-backed securities paydowns gains and losses (See Note 10). |
(j) | Allocation of Income, Fund-level Expenses, and Realized and Unrealized Gains or Losses - The Fund uses the fair value of shares outstanding method for allocating income, fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains or losses. Under this method, each class of shares participates based on the total net asset value of its shares in proportion to the total net assets of the Fund. This method is the primary method used to allocate income, fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains and losses for calculating the net asset value of a nondaily dividend fund. Class-level expenses are charged directly to the individual classes to which they relate. |
(k) | Other - Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (the date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Premiums and discounts on securities purchased are amortized over the life or the expected life of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Interest and dividend income on preferred equity securities are accrued daily except when collection is not expected. For other equity securities, dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Certain dividends from U.S. sources are subject to a 10% U.S. income tax withholding. Such income is reflected in the Statement of Operations net of the applicable withholdings. |
NOTE 2. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Under GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.
GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels in order to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and disclosures. The classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to the valuation methodology used for the fair value measurement are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund's estimates about assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available.
16 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
Level 1 - | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Valuation of these instruments does not need a significant degree of judgment since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily available in an active market. |
Level 2 - | Quoted prices other than those included in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. |
Level 3 - | Unobservable inputs are significant to the fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund's own assumptions about assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. |
The Fund maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices when available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, the Fund employs internally-developed models that primarily use market-based inputs including yield curves, interest rates, volatilities, and credit curves, among others. Valuation adjustments are limited to those necessary to ensure that the financial instrument's fair value is adequately representative of the price that would be received or paid in the marketplace. These adjustments include amounts that reflect counterparty credit quality, constraints on liquidity, and unobservable parameters that are applied consistently.
The estimated fair value may be subjective in nature and may involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment for certain financial instruments. Changes in the underlying assumptions used in calculating fair value could significantly affect the results. In addition, the fair value estimates are based on outstanding balances without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business. Therefore, the estimated fair value may materially differ from the value that could actually be realized in a sale.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 17 |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
On August 4, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Fund appointed the Investment Adviser as the Fund's Valuation Designee. The Valuation Designee is responsible for overseeing and implementing the procedures and functions related to the valuation of portfolio securities for the purpose of determining the Net Asset Value of the Fund. In addition, the Valuation Designee is responsible for determining:
● | The fair valuation of all securities for which no price or value is available at the time the Fund's Net Asset Value is calculated on a particular day. |
● | The fair valuation of portfolio instruments for which the prices or values available do not, in the judgement of the Investment Adviser, represent the fair valuation of such portfolio instruments. |
Below is a description of the Fund's valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value:
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities: Certain agency mortgage and other asset-backed securities ("MBS") are priced based on a bond's theoretical value derived from the prices of similar bonds; "similar" being defined by credit quality and market sector. Their fair value is obtained from third-party pricing services which incorporates an option adjusted spread. The agency MBS are classified as Level 2. The pricing models for these securities usually consider tranche-level attributes, current market data, estimated cash flows and market-based yield spreads for each tranche, and incorporate deal collateral performance, as available.
Obligations of Puerto Rico and political subdivisions: Fair value of Puerto Rico obligations and political subdivisions are obtained from third-party pricing service providers. They are segregated and the like characteristics divided into specific sectors. Market inputs used in the evaluation process include all or some of the following: trades, bid price or spread, quotes, benchmark curves including but not limited to Treasury benchmarks, swap curves, and discount and capital rates. These bonds are classified as Level 2.
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities: The fair value of Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities is obtained from third-party pricing service providers that use a pricing methodology based on an active exchange market and based on quoted market prices for similar securities. Agency structured notes are priced based on a bond's theoretical value from similar bonds defined by credit quality and market sector and for which the fair value incorporates an option adjusted spread in deriving their fair value. These securities are classified as Level 2.
U.S. Corporate Bonds: The fair value of corporate bonds is obtained from third-party pricing service providers that use a pricing methodology based on an active exchange market and based on quoted market prices for similar securities for which the fair value incorporates a credit spread in deriving their fair value. These securities are classified as Level 2.
Futures contracts: The fair value of futures contracts is based on quoted market prices obtained from an active exchange market. Futures contracts involve Ten Year U.S. Treasury Notes and are classified as Level 1.
18 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
The following is a summary of the levels within the fair value hierarchy in which the Fund invests based on inputs used to determine the fair value of such securities:
Investments in Securities at Value* |
Level 1 - Quoted Prices |
Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs |
Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs |
Total | ||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Government | ||||||||||||||||
General Obligations | $ | - | $ | 1,665,545 | $ | - | $ | 1,665,545 | ||||||||
Puerto Rico Government Instrumentalities Tax Exempt Notes | - | 4,576,861 | - | 4,576,861 | ||||||||||||
Puerto Rico GNMA Bonds | - | 12,566,606 | - | 12,566,606 | ||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Fannie Mae Bonds | - | 9,320,280 | - | 9,320,280 | ||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Freddie Mac Bonds | - | 1,939,272 | - | 1,939,272 | ||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds | - | 3,448,393 | - | 3,448,393 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | - | $ | 33,516,957 | $ | - | $ | 33,516,957 |
* | Refer to the Fund's Schedule of Investments for a listing of securities by type. |
There were no purchases, sales or transfers into or out of Level 3 securities during the year ended June 30, 2024.
Temporary cash investments, if any, are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. As of June 30, 2024, there were no temporary cash investments.
NOTE 3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY, ADMINISTRATIVE, CUSTODIAN, DISTRIBUTOR, TRANSFER AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS, AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund, Popular Asset Management LLC (the "Investment Adviser"), acts as the Investment Adviser of the Fund. The investment advisory fee is calculated at an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the year ended on June 30, 2024, investment advisory fees amounted to $188,459, of which $14,192 remain payable at six months-end.
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., together with certain affiliated entities, serve as the Fund's administrator and provide various administration, fund accounting, transfer agent and investor accounting services to the Fund. The fees related to this services are calculated at an annual rate of 0.06% of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the year ended on June 30, 2024, the administrative fees and transfer agent fees amounted to $68,023 and $49,262, respectively.
JPMorgan Chase provides custody services to the Fund. For the year ended on June 30, 2024, the custody fees amounted to $25,411.
Popular Securities LLC, an affiliate of the Fund, serves as the distributor (the "Distributor") of the shares of Common Stock of the Fund. Pursuant to a Distribution Plan, the Fund makes monthly payments to the Distributor for the distribution of the Fund's shares. The fees related to this service are calculated at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's daily average net assets. For the year ended on June 30, 2024, distribution fees amounted to $157,700.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 19 |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
The officers of the Fund are also officers and directors of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico ("BPPR") or its affiliates. The three current directors of the Fund's Board are independent and are paid based upon an agreed fee of $1,000 per meeting. The three independent directors of the Fund also serve on the Fund's audit committee and are paid based upon an agreed fee of $1,000 per committee meeting. For the year ended on June 30, 2024, the compensation expense for the three independent directors of the Fund was $22,628, of which $5,865 remain payable at year-end.
Certain restrictions are contained in the 1940 Act regarding, among other things, transactions between the Fund, BPPR, the Distributor, or their respective affiliates ("Affiliated Transactions"). In that regard, the Board of Directors of the Fund adopted a set of procedures ("Procedures") for Affiliated Transactions in an effort to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise.
Affiliates of the Fund may have lending, banking, brokerage, underwriting, or other business relationships with the issuers of the securities in which the Fund invests.
NOTE 4. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
The Fund is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000,020 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, consisting of 2,000,000,000 Class A shares, 2,000,000,000 Class C shares, 20 Class Q shares, and 1,000,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Neither Class Q shares nor preferred stock have been issued by the Fund as of June 30, 2024.
20 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
Capital share transactions for the year ended June 30, 2024 and the year ended June 30, 2023 were as follows:
Common shares: |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2024 |
For the Year Ended June 30, 2023 |
||||||
Class A: | ||||||||
Common shares outstanding - beginning of period | 4,475,234 | 5,183,237 | ||||||
Common shares issued | 156 | 4,122 | ||||||
Common shares issued as reinvestment of dividends | 8,336 | 10,718 | ||||||
Common shares redeemed | (561,397 | ) | (722,843 | ) | ||||
Common shares outstanding - end of period | 3,922,329 | 4,475,234 | ||||||
Class C: | ||||||||
Common shares outstanding - beginning of period | 4,291,514 | 4,910,815 | ||||||
Common shares issued | 1,118 | - | ||||||
Common shares issued as reinvestment of dividends | 4,322 | 8,151 | ||||||
Common shares redeemed | (1,045,605 | ) | (627,452 | ) | ||||
Common shares outstanding - end of period | 3,251,349 | 4,291,514 |
NOTE 5. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
The cost of securities purchased for the year ended June 30, 2024 were $0 and proceeds from sales, maturities, and paydowns of portfolio securities, excluding short-term transactions, for the year ended June 30, 2024 were $8,202,979. Investment transactions in long-term U.S. Government Obligations for the year ended June 30, 2024 were $0 for securities purchased and $0 for the proceeds from portfolio security calls.
All investment transactions were made with unaffiliated parties.
NOTE 6. REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Weighted average interest rate at end of the year | 5.74% |
Maximum aggregate balance outstanding at any time during the year | $13,631,000 |
Average balance outstanding during the year | $9,090,751 |
Average interest rate during the year | 5.39% |
As of June 30, 2024, interest rates on reverse repurchase agreements ranged from 5.67% to 6.00% with maturities up to July 26, 2024. Some of the outstanding agreements to repurchase as of period end may be called by the counterparty before its maturity date.
As of June 30, 2024, investment securities with fair values amounting to $10,879,461 are pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements. Interest rates on collateral ranged from 5.00% to 5.50% and maturity dates ranged from 3/1/34 to 3/15/40. The counterparties have the right to sell or repledge the assets during the term of the repurchase agreement with the Fund. Interest payable on reverse repurchase agreements amounted to $7,694 as of June 30, 2024.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 21 |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
As of June 30, 2024, the total value of reverse repurchase agreements were as follows:
Counterparty | Amount | % | |||||||
Unaffiliated | $ | 9,929,000 | 100 | % | |||||
Total | $ | 9,929,000 | 100 | % |
NOTE 7. SHORT TERM FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The fair market value of short-term financial instruments, which include $9,929,000 in reverse repurchase agreements, are substantially the same as the carrying amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as these are reasonable estimates of fair value, given the relatively short six months of time between origination of the instrument and their expected realization. There are no long-term financial debt instruments outstanding as of June 30, 2024.
NOTE 8. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Concentrations of credit risk (whether on or off balance sheet) that arise from financial instruments exist for groups of customers or counterparties when they have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. For this purpose, management of the Fund has determined to disclose any investment whose fair value is over 5% of Net Assets, both individually or in the aggregate. Moreover, collateralized investments have been excluded for this disclosure.
The major concentration of credit risk arises from the Fund's investment securities in relation to the location of issuers. For calculation of concentration, all fixed-income securities guaranteed by the U.S. Government are excluded. As of June 30, 2024, the Fund held Corporate Bonds with an aggregate market value of $3,448,393, representing 14.54% of the Fund's net assets. As of June 30, 2024, the Fund had the following investments in issuers located in Puerto Rico that are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government:
Issuer | Aggregate Market Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||
Puerto Rico Fannie Mae | $ | 9,320,280 | 39.45 | % | ||||
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Exempt Notes | 4,576,861 | 19.30 | % | |||||
Puerto Rico Freddie Mac | 1,939,272 | 8.18 | % | |||||
Puerto Rico Commonwealth | 1,665,545 | 7.02 | % |
As of June 30, 2024, the Fund had $73,083 on deposit with JPMorgan Chase, which represents approximately 0.31% of the net assets of the Fund.
As stated in the Fund's Prospectus, the Fund will ordinarily invest at least 20% of its total assets in Puerto Rico obligations (the "20% Investment Requirement"). Therefore, to the extent the securities are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its subdivisions, the Fund is more susceptible to factors affecting issuers of Puerto Rico obligations than an investment company that is not concentrated in Puerto Rico obligations to such degree.
22 | (787) 754-4488 | www.popularfunds.com |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
NOTE 9. RECONCILIATION BETWEEN NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND DISTRIBUTABLE NET INVESTMENT INCOME FOR TAX PURPOSES AND NET REALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS AND NET REALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS FOR TAX PURPOSES
As a result of certain reclassifications made for financial statement presentation, the Fund's net investment income and net realized gain on investments reflected in the financial statements differ from distributable net investment income and net realized gain on investments for tax purpose, respectively, as follows:
Net investment income | $ | 400,464 | ||
Reclassification of realized gain (loss) on securities' paydowns | (31,858 | ) | ||
Distributable net investment income for tax purposes | $ | 368,606 | ||
Net realized loss on investments | $ | (572,592 | ) | |
Reclassification of realized gain (loss) on securities' paydowns | 31,858 | |||
Net realized loss on investments, for tax purposes | $ | (540,734 | ) |
The amount of net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was as follows:
Cost of investment for tax purposes | $ | 33,314,619 | ||
Gross appreciation | 424,316 | |||
Gross depreciation | (221,978 | ) | ||
Net appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 202,338 |
For the year ended on June 30, 2024, the fund distributed $853,831 to shareholders. The undistributed net investment income and accumulated net realized gain on investments (for tax purposes) as of June 30, 2024 were as follows:
Undistributed net investment income, beginning of the year | $ | 3,057,822 | ||
Distributable net investment income for the year | 368,606 | |||
Dividends | (431,944 | ) | ||
Undistributed net investment income, end of the year | $ | 2,994,484 | ||
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, beginning of the year | $ | (154,387,053 | ) | |
Net realized loss on investments for the year | (540,734 | ) | ||
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, end of the year | $ | (154,927,787 | ) |
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 23 |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
NOTE 10. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES |
The Fund is exposed to various types of risks, such as geographic concentration, industry concentration, non-diversification, interest rate, and credit risks, among others. This list is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information provided in the prospectus for the securities issued by the Fund.
The Fund's assets are invested primarily in securities of Puerto Rico issuers. As a result, the Fund has greater exposure to adverse economic, political or regulatory changes in Puerto Rico than a more geographically diversified fund, particularly with regards to municipal bonds issued by Puerto Rico and its related instrumentalities, which are currently experiencing significant price volatility and low liquidity. Also, the Fund's net asset value and its yield may increase or decrease more than that of a more diversified investment company as a result of changes in the market's assessment of the financial condition and prospects of such Puerto Rico issuers.
Interest rate risk is the risk that interest rates will rise so that the value of the Fund's investments will fall. Also, the Fund's yield will tend to lag behind changes in short-term interest rates. In addition, during periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of the right of the issuer to defer payments or make slower than expected principal payments. This may lock-in a below market interest rate, increase the security's duration (the estimated six months until the security is paid in full), and reduce the value of the security. This is known as extension risk, which the Fund is also subject to. Conversely, during periods of declining interest rates, the issuer of a security may exercise its option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled in order to refinance at lower interest rates, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. This is known as prepayment risk, which the Fund is also subject to.
Credit risk is the risk that debt securities in the Fund's portfolio will decline in price or fail to make dividend or interest payments when due because the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. The risk is greater in the case of securities rated below investment grade or rated in the lowest investment grade category.
The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements, which are transactions in which the Fund sells a security to a counterparty and agrees to buy it back at a specified time and price in a specified currency. Repurchase agreements involve the risk that the buyer of the securities sold by the Fund might be unable to deliver the securities when the Fund seeks to repurchase them and may be unable to replace the securities or only at a higher cost.
Mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest have many of the risks of traditional debt securities but, in general, differ from investments in traditional debt securities in that, among other things, principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments by the obligors on the underlying obligations. As a result, the Fund may receive principal repayments on these securities earlier or later than anticipated by the Fund. In the event of prepayments that are received earlier than anticipated, the Fund may be required to reinvest such prepayments at rates that are lower than the anticipated yield of the prepaid obligation. The rate of prepayments is influenced by a variety of economic, geographic, demographic, and other factors, including, among others, prevailing mortgage interest rates, local and regional economic conditions, and home owner mobility. Since a substantial portion of the assets of the Fund may be invested in mortgage-backed securities at any time, the Fund may be subject to these risks and other risks related to such securities to a significant degree, which might cause the market value of the Fund's investments to fluctuate more than otherwise would be the case. Collateralized mortgage obligations or "CMOs" exhibit similar risks to those of mortgage-backed securities but also present certain special risks. CMO classes may be specially structured in a manner that provides a variety of investment characteristics, such as yield, effective maturity, and interest rate sensitivity. As market conditions change, however, particularly during six months of rapid or unanticipated changes in interest rates, the ability of a CMO class to provide the anticipated investment characteristics and performance may be significantly reduced. These changes may result in volatility in the market value, and in some instances, reduced liquidity of the CMO class.
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Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
The Fund may also invest in illiquid securities which are securities that cannot be disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the securities. There presently are a limited number of participants in the market for certain Puerto Rico securities or other securities or assets that the Fund may own. That and other factors may cause certain securities to have periods of illiquidity. Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments.
There may be few or no dealers making a market in certain securities owned by the Fund, particularly with respect to securities of Puerto Rico issuers including, but not limited to, investment companies. Dealers making a market in those securities may not be willing to provide quotations on a regular basis to the Investment Adviser. It may, therefore, be particularly difficult to value those securities.
In order to attempt to hedge various portfolio positions or to enhance its return, the Fund may invest a portion of its total assets in certain instruments which are or may be considered derivatives. Because of their increased volatility and potential leveraging effect (without being subject to the Fund's leverage limitations), derivative instruments may adversely affect the Fund. For example, investments in indexed securities, including, among other things, securities linked to an equities or commodities index and inverse floating rate securities, may subject the Fund to the risks associated with changes in the particular indices, which may include reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of invested principal. Such investments, in effect, may also be leveraged, thereby magnifying the risk of loss.
NOTE 11. DEBT RESTRUCTURING
On November 3, 2021, the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (the "Oversight Board") filed the Eighth Amended Title III Joint Plan of Adjustment for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the "Commonwealth"), the Commonwealth's Employees Retirement System and the Commonwealth's Public Buildings Authority (the "Plan of Adjustment"). On March 15, 2022, the Plan of Adjustment became effective. Pursuant to the Plan of Adjustment, holders of the Commonwealth's general obligation bonds, including the Fund, received a combination of cash, new general obligation bonds, and a new security designated as a "contingent value instrument" that becomes payable based on the outperformance of actual sales tax revenues over projected sales tax revenues. The Fund's pro rata share of the recovery consisted of $2,681,498 in cash, $2,981,217 in new general obligation bonds and contingent value instrument with a nominal amount of $748,371 for a total loss of $605,200.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 25 |
Popular Income | Notes to Financial Statements |
Plus Fund, Inc. | and Financial Highlights |
June 30, 2024 |
NOTE 12. INDEMNIFICATION |
In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown. However, the Fund has not paid prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of losses to be remote.
NOTE 13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On July 30, 2024, the Board of Directors declared an ordinary net investment income dividend of $0.00458 and $0.00250 per class A common share and class C common share, respectively, which was paid on August 15, 2024 to common shareholders of record as of July 31, 2024.
Management has evaluated all subsequent transactions and events through the date on which these financial statements were issued and had determined that no additional items require adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements.
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Popular Income | Report of Independent |
Plus Fund, Inc. | Registered Public Accounting Firm |
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), including the schedule of investments, as of June 30, 2024, and the related statements of operations, the statements of changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the year then ended and the related notes (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 on June 30, 2024, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The statement of changes in net assets for the year ended June 30, 2023, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose, report dated August 30, 2023, expressed and unqualified opinion on that statement of changes in net assets and those financial highlights.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audit. 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 audit 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. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit 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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June 30, 2024, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers, and others. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor for the Popular Family of Funds since 2023.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
August 29, 2024
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 27 |
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | Other Information |
June 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
Shareholder Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on October 26, 2023 (the "Annual Meeting"). The voting results for the proposals considered at the Annual Meeting are as follows:
1. | Election of Directors. The stockholders of the Fund elected Jorge I. Vallejo, Carlos A. Pérez and Enrique Vila del Corral to the Board of Directors to serve for a term from the time of their election until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death or removal. |
Name of Director | Votes cast "For" | Votes "Against/Withheld" |
Jorge I. Vallejo | 8,026,648 | 95,656 |
Carlos A. Pérez | 8,026,648 | 95,656 |
Enrique Vila del Corral | 8,026,648 | 95,656 |
2. | Independent Auditors. The stockholders of the Fund ratified the selection of Ernst & Young LLP, as the independent auditors of the Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. |
For | Against | Abstain |
8,108,885 | 13,420 | - |
Statement Regarding Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Fund is not required to submit Form N-PORT. After registration becomes effective, the Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund's Form N-PORT reports will be available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov. The quarterly schedule of portfolio holdings will be made available upon request by calling 787-754-4488.
Statement Regarding Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that are used by the Investment Adviser to vote proxies relating to the Fund's portfolio securities is available free of charge upon request, by calling 787-754-4488 and on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.
Statement Regarding Availability of Proxy Voting Record
Information regarding how the Investment Adviser voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the year ended June 30, 2024 is available free of charge upon request, by calling 787-754-4488 and on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.
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Item 8 - Changes in and Disagreements | |
Popular Income | with Accountants for Open-End |
Plus Fund, Inc. | Management Investment Companies |
June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
On May 31, 2023, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC ("PWC") was dismissed as the independent registered public accounting firm to the Popular Income Plus Fund. The Audit Committee of the Board participated in, and approved, the decision to change the independent registered public accounting firm on May 31, 2023.
PwC's reports on the Fund's financial statements for the two years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
During the two years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, and the subsequent interim period through August 30, 2023 (i) there were no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PwC, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with their reports on the Fund's financial statements for the two years, and (ii) there were no "reportable events" of the kind described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, except for the material weakness related to the lack of design and operating effectiveness controls to verify and review the Statement of Cash Flows ("SCF") included in the semi-annual Financial Statements for the semi-annual period ended December 31, 2021, which was subsequently remediated in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
The Fund requested that PwC furnish it with a letter addressed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") stating PwC agrees with the statements.
On May 31, 2023, the Audit Committee of the Board approved the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP ("EY") as the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. During the Fund's two years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, and the subsequent interim period through August 30, 2023, neither the Fund, nor anyone on its behalf, consulted with EY on items which: (1) concerned the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Fund's financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Fund that EY concluded was an important factor considered by the Fund in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (ii) concerned the subject of a disagreement (as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or reportable events (as described in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of said Item 304). The selection of EY does not reflect any disagreements with or dissatisfaction by the Fund or the Fund's Board of Directors with the performance of the Fund's prior independent auditors PwC for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022.
EY, with offices located at One Manhattan West, New York, NY 10001, has been selected by the Fund's Audit Committee, which selection has been ratified by a vote of the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, to serve as the Fund's independent auditors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. EY has advised the Fund of its independence with respect to the Fund, in accordance with the applicable requirements of the SEC.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 29 |
Popular Income | Item 9 - Proxy Disclosures for |
Plus Fund, Inc. | Open-End Management Investment Companies |
June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
Not applicable for this reporting period.
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Item 10 - Remuneration Paid to Directors, | |
Popular Income | Officers, and Others of Open-End |
Plus Fund, Inc. | Management Investment Companies |
June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
Included under Item 7 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 31 |
Popular Income | Item 11 - Statement Regarding Basis for |
Plus Fund, Inc. | Approval of Investment Advisory Contract |
June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") met on May 23, 2024 (the "Meeting") to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") by and between the Fund and Popular Asset Management LLC, the Fund's investment adviser (the "Investment Adviser"). At such meeting, the Board participated in comparative performance reviews with the portfolio managers of the Advisor, in conjunction with other Fund service providers, and considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing the Fund's investment objectives. The Board also evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance, and other issues with respect to the Fund and received and participated in reports and presentations provided by the Advisor with respect to such matters.
The independent members of the Board (collectively, the "Independent Directors") were assisted throughout the contract review process by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, as their independent legal counsel. The Board relied upon the advice of such counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the Advisory Agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to the Advisory Agreement were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each Director may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to the Advisory Agreement. In evaluating the Advisory Agreement, including the specific fee structures, and other terms of such agreement, the Board were informed by multiple years of analysis and discussion amongst themselves and the Advisor. The Board, including a majority of Independent Directors, concluded that the terms of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Advisor's fees were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. In evaluating the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, the nature, extent and quality of the Advisor's services to the Fund.
The Board considered the vast array of management, oversight, and administrative services the Advisor provides to manage and operate the Fund, and the increases of such services over time due to new or revised market, regulatory or other developments, such as liquidity management and cybersecurity programs, and the resources and capabilities necessary to provide these services. The Independent Directors recognized that the Advisor provides portfolio management services for the Fund. In addition to portfolio management, the Board considered the wide range of administrative or non advisory services the Advisor provides to manage and operate the Fund (in addition to those provided by other third parties). These services include, but are not limited to, administrative services (such as providing the employees and officers necessary for the Fund's operations); operational expertise (such as providing portfolio accounting and addressing complex pricing issues, corporate actions, foreign registrations and foreign filings, as may be necessary); oversight of third-party service providers (such as coordinating and evaluating the services of the Fund's custodian, transfer agent and other intermediaries); board support and administration (such as overseeing the organization of the Board and committee meetings and preparing or overseeing the timely preparation of various materials and/or presentations for such meetings); fund share transactions (monitoring daily purchases and redemptions), shareholder communications (such as overseeing the preparation of annual and semi-annual and other periodic shareholder reports); tax administration; and compliance services (such as helping to maintain and update the Fund's compliance program and related policies and procedures as necessary or appropriate to meet new or revised regulatory requirements and reviewing such program annually; overseeing the preparation of the Fund's registration statements and regulatory filings; overseeing the valuation of portfolio securities and daily pricing; helping to ensure the Fund complies with its portfolio limitations and restrictions; voting proxies on behalf of the Fund; monitoring the liquidity of the portfolios; providing compliance training for personnel; and evaluating the compliance programs of the Fund's service providers). In evaluating such services, the Board considered, among other things, whether the Fund has operated in accordance with its investment objective(s) and the Fund's record of compliance with its investment restrictions and regulatory requirements.
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Popular Income | Item 11 - Statement Regarding Basis for |
Plus Fund, Inc. | Approval of Investment Advisory Contract |
June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
In addition to the services provided by the Advisor, the Independent Directors also considered the risks borne by the Advisor in managing the Fund in a highly regulated industry, including various material entrepreneurial, reputational and regulatory risks. Based on their review, the Independent Directors found that, overall, the nature, extent and quality of services provided under the Advisory Agreement was satisfactory on behalf of the Fund.
Investment Performance of the Fund. In evaluating the quality of the services provided by the Advisor, the Board also received and considered the investment performance of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received and reviewed a report (the "Broadridge Report") prepared by Broadridge which generally provided the Fund's performance data for the one , three , five , and ten year periods ended December 31, 2023 (or for the periods available for the Fund that did not exist for part of the foregoing timeframe) on an absolute basis and as compared to the performance of unaffiliated comparable funds (a "Broadridge Peer Group"). The Board was provided with information describing the methodology Broadridge used to create the Broadridge Peer Group. The performance data prepared for the review of the Advisory Agreement supplements the performance data the Board received throughout the year as the Board regularly reviews and meets with portfolio manager(s) during the year to discuss, in relevant part, the performance of the Fund.
Fees and Expenses. As part of its review, the Board also considered, among other things, the contractual management fee rate and the net management fee rate (i.e., the management fee after taking into account expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, if any) paid by the Fund to the Advisor in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided. The Board also considered the net total expense ratio of the Fund in relation to those of a comparable group of funds. The Board considered the net total expense ratio of the Fund (expressed as a percentage of average net assets) as the expense ratio is more reflective of the shareholder's costs in investing in the Fund.
In evaluating the management fee rate, the Board considered the Advisor's rationale for proposing the management fee rate of the Fund which included its evaluation of, among other things, the value of the potential service being provided (e.g., the expertise of the Advisor with the proposed strategy), the competitive marketplace (i.e., the uniqueness of the Fund and the fees of competitor funds) and the economics to the Advisor (e.g., the costs of operating the Fund). The Board considered, among other things, the expense limitations and/or fee waivers proposed by the Adviser to keep expenses to certain levels and reviewed the amounts the Advisor had waived or reimbursed over the last fiscal years; and the costs incurred and resources necessary in effectively managing mutual funds, particularly given the costs in attracting and maintaining quality and experienced portfolio managers and research staff. The Board further considered a Fund's net management fee and net total expense ratio in light of its performance history.
Annual Report | June 30, 2024 | 33 |
Popular Income | Item 11 - Statement Regarding Basis for |
Plus Fund, Inc. | Approval of Investment Advisory Contract |
June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
Profitability. In conjunction with their review of fees, the Independent Directors reviewed information reflecting the Advisor's financial condition. The Independent Directors reviewed the consolidated financial statements of the Advisor for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Independent Directors also considered the overall financial condition of the Advisor and the Advisor's representations regarding the stability of the firm, its operating margins, and the manner in which it funds its future financial commitments, such as employee deferred compensation programs. The Independent Directors also reviewed the profitability information for the Advisor derived from its relationship with the Fund for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 on an actual and adjusted basis, as described below. The Independent Directors evaluated, among other things, the Advisor's revenues, expenses and net income (pre tax and after tax) and the net profit margins (pre tax and after tax). The Independent Directors also reviewed the level of profitability realized by the Advisor including and excluding distribution expenses incurred by the Advisor from its own resources.
Economies of Scale and Whether Fee Levels Reflect These Economies of Scale. In evaluating the reasonableness of the investment advisory fees, the Board considered the existence of any economies of scale in the provision of services by the Advisor and whether those economies are appropriately shared with the Fund. In its review, the Independent Directors recognized that economies of scale are difficult to assess or quantify, particularly on a Fund by Fund basis, and certain expenses may not decline with a rise in assets. The Independent Directors further considered that economies of scale may be shared in various ways including breakpoints in the management fee schedule, fee waivers and/or expense limitations, pricing of Fund at scale at inception or other means.
The Board considered that not all funds have breakpoints in their fee structures and that breakpoints are not the exclusive means of sharing potential economies of scale. The Board and the Independent Directors considered the Advisor's statement that it believes that breakpoints would not be appropriate for the Fund at this time given uncertainties regarding the direction of the economy, and growth or contraction in the Fund's assets, all of which could negatively impact the profitability of the Advisor. Considering the factors above, the Independent Directors concluded the absence of breakpoints in the management fee was acceptable and that any economies of scale that exist are adequately reflected in the Advisor's fee structure.
Indirect Benefits. The Independent Directors received and considered information regarding indirect benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. The Independent Directors further considered the reputational and/or marketing benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its association with the Fund. The Independent Directors took these indirect benefits into account when assessing the level of advisory fees paid to the Advisor and concluded that the indirect benefits received were reasonable.
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INVESTMENT ADVISER
Popular Asset Management LLC
209 Muñoz Rivera Avenue
Popular Center North Tower, 4th Floor
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
ADMINISTRATOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
1290 Broadway Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80203
CUSTODIAN
JPMorgan Chase
1111 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, OH 43240
LEGAL COUNSEL
Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvarez LLC
208 Ponce de León Avenue, Suite 1901
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
Ropes & Gray LLP
Prudential Tower
800 Boylston Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM
Parque las Americas 1
235 Calle Federico Costa, Suite 410
San Juan, Puerto Rico
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Enrique Vila del Corral
Chairman of the Board
Jorge I. Vallejo
Director
Carlos A. Pérez
Director
Angel Rivera Garcia
President
James A. Gallo
Treasurer
Manuel Rodríguez-Boissén
Secretary
Item 19. | Exhibits. |
(a)(3) | The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended, and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.Cert. |
(b) | The certifications by the Registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the 1940 Act, as amended, and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906Cert. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | |||
By: | /s/ Angel M. Rivera | ||
Angel M. Rivera | |||
Principal Executive Officer/President | |||
Date: | October 16, 2024 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act, this Report has been signed below on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Popular Income Plus Fund, Inc. | |||
By: | /s/ James A. Gallo | ||
James A. Gallo | |||
Principal Financial Officer/Treasurer | |||
Date: | October 16, 2024 |