nvcsrs
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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: 811-21484
EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER: Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
     
ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:   2020 Calamos Court, Naperville,
    Illinois 60563-2787
 
NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE:   John P. Calamos, Sr., President
    Calamos Advisors LLC
    2020 Calamos Court
    Naperville, Illinois
    60563-2787
REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (630) 245-7200
DATE OF FISCAL YEAR END: October 31, 2008
DATE OF REPORTING PERIOD: November 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008
 
 

 


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Include a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to
Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1).
(GRAPHICS)

 


 

Managing Your Calamos Funds Investments
Calamos Investments offers several convenient means to monitor, manage and feel confident about your Calamos investment choice.
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 Certification
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Table of Contents

Letter to Shareholders
(PHOTO OF JOHN P. CALAMOS)
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
Enclosed is your semiannual report for the six-month period ended April 30, 2008. We appreciate the opportunity to correspond with you and encourage you to carefully review this report, which includes market and fund commentary from our investment team, a listing of portfolio holdings, financial data and highlights, as well as detailed information regarding performance and allocations of Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ).
CSQ seeks total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income. In pursuit of this goal, our investment management team dynamically blends equities, convertible securities and below-investment-grade (high-yield) fixed-income securities. We believe this approach provides us with enhanced opportunities to pursue income and returns, and manage risk over full market cycles.
During the period, market volatility and economic uncertainty created considerable turbulence across the markets. Nonetheless, the Fund provided common shareholders with an increasing monthly distribution. In December of 2007, CSQ raised its monthly distribution to $0.1025 per share from $0.0975. We were able to raise the distribution of the Fund because of our strong past performance as well as our investment managers’ expectations about the prospects of the securities within CSQ’s portfolio.
As the broad market struggled, closed-end funds faced added challenges due to the conditions in the credit markets, specifically the auction rate preferred securities (ARPS) market. Like many other closed-end funds, CSQ uses ARPS as a way to leverage portfolios and potentially increase returns for common shareholders. During the period, the credit crunch that originated in the subprime mortgage sector cascaded across other areas of the credit market, including the ARPS market. However, unlike many other segments of the credit market, the problems in the closed-end fund ARPS market were liquidity-based, and not driven by problematic credit quality or fundamentals.
As liquidity in the ARPS market deteriorated, Calamos Investments worked diligently to protect the interests of all of the Fund’s shareholders—both the investors who entrusted us with funds through the ARPS market (investors in the “preferred” share class) and the common shareholders who account for the majority of fund assets. As we discuss in this report, we have made considerable strides in this regard, and have secured refinancing for the majority of ARPS financing in the Fund. We remain dedicated to securing financing for all outstanding ARPS, in a manner which considers the best interest of all Fund shareholders.
We recognize that periods such as these can unsettle even seasoned investors. However, our experience in the markets has taught us that investment success is best measured over full market cycles rather than quarters, months or a year. Moreover, short-term market volatility can create considerable opportunities for investors with long-term perspective. For example, we believe anxious investors sold many fundamentally strong investments during the reporting period, providing buying opportunities for our discipline.
             
 
  Strategic Total Return Fund
Letter to Shareholders     SEMIANNUAL REPORT
    1  

 


Table of Contents

Letter to Shareholders
Should you have any questions about your portfolio, please contact your financial advisor. Or, you can contact us at 800.582.6959, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Central Time. We invite you to visit our website at www.calamos.com on an ongoing basis, where you can sign up for e-delivery of reports and view market commentary and additional information about the Fund and our investment process. Our website also includes a section dedicated to the auction rate preferred securities market and our refinancing efforts.
Thank you for the trust you have placed in Calamos Investments. We are honored that you have chosen us to help you meet your long-term investment goals.
Sincerely,
-s- JHON P. CALAMOS
John P. Calamos, Sr.
Chairman, CEO and Co-CIO
Calamos Advisors LLC
This report is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.
     
2
       Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT     Letter to Shareholders

 


Table of Contents

Economic and Market Review
For the latest market and economic outlook, please visit our website at www.calamos.com and select the “Fund Investors” link.
During the semiannual period, the global credit crisis cast a shadow over the markets as investors weighed the probability of recession in the United States and the potential implications to the global economy. Access to credit remained tight as the subprime mortgage market collapse that began in the summer of 2007 continued to reverberate. Banking and financial institutions were among those that suffered most. One of Wall Street’s leading institutions, Bear Stearns, faced a near-certain demise if not for a bailout orchestrated by JP Morgan Chase and the Federal Reserve in March. Commodity prices soared to new heights, inflationary pressures increased, the housing market floundered, and the U.S. dollar weakened.
Yet, even as uncertainty prevailed, the U.S. economy persevered. First quarter GDP growth continued on a slow-yet-positive pace, as it did in the fourth quarter of 2007. Throughout the period, the Federal Reserve responded aggressively to support the economy and to shore up investor confidence. Most notably, the central bank cut the federal funds target rate five times during the six months ended April 30, from 4.5% to 2.0%.
Against this backdrop, markets retreated sharply for the six-month period ended April 30, 2008. Economic concerns weighed most heavily on stocks, which returned -9.64%, as measured by the S&P 500 Index1. Convertible securities once again illustrated the benefits of their hybrid characteristics, and returned -5.86% (as measured by the Value Line Convertible Index2)—a considerably less severe drop than the broad equity market. (Convertibles are hybrid securities in that they combine the opportunity for upside equity market participation with the potential downside protection of fixed-income securities.) Issuance trends remained favorable, as companies in the troubled financial sector turned to the convertible market for capital. Additionally, convertibles benefited from surging volatility in the equity markets. (Volatility increases the value of the conversion feature of a convertible bond.)
High-yield corporate bonds also struggled. The CS High Yield Index3 returned -0.90% as tight credit conditions, recessionary fears, increased volatility and stagnant supply weighed on investor sentiment. Although default and bankruptcy rates remain near historical lows, there was evidence of those rates rising in March and April. Spooked by the credit crisis, investors favored high-quality issues over the riskier, more speculative lower-grade tiers during the early portion of the reporting period. Credit spreads widened to levels not seen in years, although they did come down late in the period as investors became more willing to take on increased risk. (Credit spreads measure the yields between bonds with different levels of credit quality risk. When spreads widen, investors receive more compensation for taking on risk.)
Despite the uncertainty and volatility, investor sentiment brightened toward the end of the reporting period. The bailout of Bear Stearns, ongoing action from the Fed and strong earnings reports for the broad market (excluding the financial sector) boosted investor confidence. Stock and bond markets rallied briskly during the final weeks of the reporting period.
         
 
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Economic and Market Review     SEMIANNUAL REPORT
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Table of Contents

Economic and Market Review
As always, we encourage investors to stay focused on the long term. While the near-term outlook for the U.S. and global economy remains more clouded than in years past, periods of slower growth and contraction are a normal part of the economic cycle. Having invested through many different market cycles, we continue to have conviction in the Fund’s portfolio and investment discipline. We believe the Fund is well positioned to provide income and total return through full market cycles.
 
1   S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the U.S. stock market. Source: Lipper, Inc.
 
2   Value Line Convertible Index is an equally-weighted index of the larger convertibles, representing 90% of the U.S. convertible securities market.
 
3   CS High Yield Index is an unmanaged index of high yield debt securities.
This report is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.
     
4
       Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT     Economic and Market Review

 


Table of Contents

Investment Team Interview
The Calamos Investment Management Team, led by Co-Chief Investment Officers John P. Calamos, Sr. and Nick P. Calamos, CFA, discusses the Fund’s performance, strategy and positioning during the six-month period ended April 30, 2008.
TOTAL RETURN*
Common Shares — Inception 3/26/04
                     
    6 MONTHS   1 YEAR   SINCE INCEPTION **
On Market Price
  -9.00 %   -10.09 %     3.54 %
On NAV
  -12.37     -7.01       7.37  
 
*   Total return measures net investment income and capital gain or loss from portfolio investments, assuming reinvestment of income and capital gains distributions.
 
**   Annualized since inception.
DISTRIBUTION HISTORY
(LATEST 12 MONTHS)
         
Date Paid   Per share
April 2008
  $ 0.1025  
March 2008
    0.1025  
February 2008
    0.1025  
January 2008
    0.1423  
December 2007
    0.1025  
November 2007
    0.0975  
October 2007
    0.0975  
September 2007
    0.0975  
August 2007
    0.0975  
July 2007
    0.0975  
June 2007
    0.0975  
May 2007
    0.0975  
Monthly distributions are from net investment income, short-term capital gains and/or long-term capital gains. For more details please go to the Tax Center located at www.calamos.com.
Q. How did the Fund perform during the period?
A. The underlying portfolio (as represented by net asset value, or NAV) of Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund returned -12.37% for the six-month period while the S&P 500 Index1 returned -9.64%. On a market price basis, the Fund returned -9.00% assuming reinvestment of distributions.
Q. Did the Fund provide steady distributions throughout the period?
A. Throughout the period, the Fund provided common shareholders with a steady distribution stream, and in fact raised its monthly payout in December from $0.0975 to $0.1025 per share. The Fund’s current annualized distribution rate was 9.66%, based on its closing market price of $12.73 as of April 30, 2008.
SINCE INCEPTION MARKET PRICE AND NAV HISTORY
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
Q. What’s the difference between market return and NAV return?
A. Closed-end funds trade on exchanges, where the price of a share may be driven by factors other than the value of the underlying securities. The price of a share in the market is called the market value. The market value may be influenced by factors that are unrelated to the performance of the Fund’s holdings. The Fund’s NAV return measures the return of the individual securities within the portfolio less Fund expenses, but more importantly, it is a measure of how well the manager is able to avoid or capitalize on market disruptions or opportunities. The higher the return, the more value the Fund’s management team added through its security selection decisions.
Typically, the market price will trade at a premium or discount to NAV. It is our practice to monitor excessive premiums and discounts in order to serve the interests of the shareholders.
         
 
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Investment Team Interview     SEMIANNUAL REPORT
       5

 


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Investment Team Interview
(PIE CHART)
SECTOR ALLOCATION
         
Financials
    17.4 %
Health Care
    13.4  
Information Technology
    12.5  
Industrials
    11.8  
Consumer Discretionary
    11.5  
Energy
    10.3  
Telecommunication Services
    8.4  
Consumer Staples
    7.5  
Materials
    5.1  
Utilities
    0.8  
Treasurys
    0.8  
Sector allocations are based on managed assets and may vary over time.
Q. What factors influenced performance?
A. As we discuss in the Economic and Market Review, the six-month period was very volatile across the markets, due to concerns about global credit conditions and the potential for a U.S. recession. These conditions created an inhospitable climate, and the Fund declined against this backdrop. That said, we continue to have a high degree of conviction in the Fund, and encourage investors to maintain long-term perspective.
More specifically, our security selection within the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors enhanced performance, while an underweight position and selection in the more-cyclical energy sector hindered performance. Although we have found some securities that meet our investment criteria, the Fund’s underweighted position to the energy sector reflects our continued concerns about the sustainability of earnings growth and security valuations of many companies.
Q. Broadly speaking, did you make any changes to the portfolio during the period?
A. Our risk-conscious investment criteria led us to selectively increase holdings in the energy, materials and industrial sectors. Within industrials, our additions favored companies involved in infrastructure rebuilding. Our view is that infrastructure rebuilding is a dire need (both in the United States and globally), and will provide a tailwind to companies involved in repairing public structures, such as dams and highways. We have reduced positions in consumer names and health care companies.
Q. How is the Fund positioned?
A. We continue to favor traditional growth sectors, with information technology and consumer discretionary among the largest sectors in the Fund. Convertibles continue to be a very important component of the Fund and account for approximately 24% of the portfolio. The use of convertibles helps us not only in managing volatility, but also provides our clients with another source of value-added return. (Convertible securities combine characteristics of stocks and fixed-income securities. Like stocks, convertibles provide the opportunity for participation in equity market upside. Like fixed-income securities, convertibles provide coupon income and potential downside protection in falling markets.) In our view, from a risk/reward perspective, convertibles look particularly attractive versus stocks in areas such as energy and materials, along with some industries within consumer discretionary and financials.
Q. Please explain how the Fund employs leverage.
A. Leverage strategies continued to contribute favorably to returns earned by the Fund’s common shareholders, despite turmoil in the credit markets. Leverage strategies typically entail borrowing at short-term interest rates and investing the proceeds at higher rates of return. Traditionally, closed-end funds, including CSQ, have leveraged with auction rate preferred securities (ARPS), which are long-term, high-quality equity securities in which the interest rates are adjusted every seven or 28 days through an auction process.
     
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       Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT     Investment Team Interview

 


Table of Contents

Investment Team Interview
QUALITY ALLOCATION
Weighted Average Credit Quality
         
AAA
    2.5 %
AA
    0.0  
A
    14.5  
BBB
    13.5  
BB
    26.8  
B
    19.8  
CCC or below
    3.4  
Not Rated
    19.5  
Data is based on portfolio holdings. Credit quality shown reflects the higher of the ratings of Standard & Poor’s Corporation or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. Ratings are relative, subjective and not absolute standards of quality. Excludes equity securities, options, cash and short-term investments.
Q. Haven’t some of these auctions been failing?
A. Yes. Many auctions, including those of CSQ, failed early this year because of a confluence of events. In simple terms, a failed auction results when there are not enough buyers entering the market to purchase the shares available for sale. When an auction fails, the pre-auction preferred holders keep the securities and are paid a maximum dividend from a calculation based on other, more liquid short-term rates such as commercial paper or LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate). As the ARPS auctions began to falter, limited trading initially occurred, but eventually shares stopped changing hands due to an absence of buyers. Potential sellers were not able to liquidate their positions.
This is a problem that has affected the entire ARPS market and is not particular to CSQ. These failed auctions are liquidity events and are not related to the underlying ability of the Fund to pay dividends on the ARPS. While rating agencies are monitoring the situation, a liquidity issue does not trigger a downgrade. Rating agency guidelines are driven by the ratings or valuations of the underlying fund portfolio. Net asset values of many funds in the final days of the period moved higher as the broad markets rebounded. The ARPS in CSQ have continued to maintain their AAA/Aaa credit ratings.
Q. Have the higher dividend rates being paid on ARPS hurt common shareholders of the Fund?
A. Overall, common shareholders benefitted from the Fund’s use of ARPS, although not to the same degree as one might expect during more typical environments. The maximum rates of the Fund’s ARPS dividends historically tracked short-term benchmarks (such as LIBOR and commercial paper), which in turn, are closely correlated with the Federal funds target rate. During the period, the Federal Reserve slashed the target rate dramatically, which drove short-term rates lower and reduced the maximum ARPS distribution rates. So, while the auction failures caused the rates of ARPS to rise above the short-term benchmarks, the cost of leverage actually came down during the reporting period significantly (in the neighborhood of 200 to 300 basis points).
Q. What kind of solutions have you sought for ARPS holders?
A. We recognize that the lack of liquidity has created both uncertainty and frustration for our preferred shareholders. On April 23, Calamos announced a plan to redeem 81.5%, or $880 million, of the Fund’s outstanding ARPS under a refinancing program. Our ability to refinance all preferred shares with debt was constrained by regulations that require total assets in closed-end funds to be at least three times the amount of debt leverage, which is higher than the asset-coverage the Fund must maintain when utilizing equity leverage such as preferred shares.
We remain committed to obtaining permanent financing solutions and to do so in a manner consistent with the best interests of all shareholders.
         
 
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Investment Team Interview     SEMIANNUAL REPORT
       7

 


Table of Contents

Investment Team Interview
Q. Given recent events, how do you view leverage?
A. Our decision to refinance reflects our belief that leverage continues to contribute favorably to returns and to be in the best interests of the common shareholders. As our efforts in respect to refinancing continue, we intend to maintain this emphasis.
Q. Do you have any closing thoughts for investors?
A. We encourage investors to keep a long-term view of their investment plans, investment goals and measurement of success. Having invested through many market and economic environments, we remain confident in our investment philosophy, and believe the Fund is well positioned to pursue income and total return through its dynamically allocated portfolio.
Moreover, our extensive experience in the markets affirms our belief that volatility can create opportunity, particularly for long-term investors such as us. We believe the current market has provided us with significant opportunity to own solid businesses at attractive prices. We continue to find securities that we believe offer the opportunity for participation in upward moving markets and for greater resilience in downward moving markets.
 
1   S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the U.S. stock market.
     
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       Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT     Investment Team Interview

 


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments
APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
                 
PRINCIPAL            
AMOUNT         VALUE  
 
CORPORATE BONDS (33.2%)        
       
Consumer Discretionary (9.7%)
       
  4,477,000    
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
8.000%, 03/15/14
  $ 4,074,070  
  4,477,000    
Boyd Gaming Corp.
7.750%, 12/15/12
    4,202,784  
  2,686,000    
D.R. Horton, Inc.
8.000%, 02/01/09
    2,686,000  
  1,791,000    
9.750%, 09/15/10
    1,795,478  
  8,283,000    
DIRECTV Financing Company, Inc.
8.375%, 03/15/13
    8,552,198  
  13,880,000    
EchoStar DBS Corp.
7.125%, 02/01/16
    13,706,500  
  18,805,000    
Expedia, Inc.
7.456%, 08/15/18
    20,104,425  
  38,506,000    
Ford Motor Company
9.875%, 08/10/11
    37,284,397  
  13,432,000    
General Motors Corp.^
7.200%, 01/15/11
    11,920,900  
  15,223,000    
Hanesbrands, Inc.‡
8.204%, 12/15/14
    14,423,792  
  3,761,000    
Jarden Corp.
7.500%, 05/01/17
    3,478,925  
  2,904,000    
Kellwood Company
7.625%, 10/15/17
    1,902,120  
  4,477,000    
Liberty Media Corp.^
8.250%, 02/01/30
    3,994,630  
  5,821,000    
Mandalay Resort Group
7.625%, 07/15/13
    5,268,005  
  14,328,000    
McDonald’s Corp.
5.350%, 03/01/18
    14,562,134  
  4,375,000    
MGM Mirage
7.500%, 06/01/16
    3,981,250  
  7,164,000    
Pulte Homes, Inc.
8.125%, 03/01/11
    7,092,360  
  11,641,000    
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.
7.500%, 10/15/27
    9,953,055  
  17,014,000    
Service Corp. International
6.750%, 04/01/16
    16,886,395  
  16,119,000    
Target Corp.
6.000%, 01/15/18
    16,772,174  
  5,821,000    
Toll Brothers, Inc.
8.250%, 12/01/11
    5,588,160  
  2,239,000 GBP      
Warner Music Group
8.125%, 04/15/14
    3,516,926  
       
 
     
       
 
    211,746,678  
       
 
     
 
       
Consumer Staples (2.8%)
       
  13,209,000    
Chiquita Brands International, Inc.^
7.500%, 11/01/14
    11,987,167  
  10,298,000    
Del Monte Foods Company
8.625%, 12/15/12
    10,709,920  
  9,850,000    
NBTY, Inc.
7.125%, 10/01/15
    9,505,250  
  10,746,000    
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.
8.375%, 05/01/17^
    9,617,670  
  5,373,000    
7.625%, 05/01/15
    5,131,215  
  13,432,000    
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
7.750%, 07/01/17
    13,398,420  
       
 
     
       
 
    60,349,642  
       
 
     
 
       
Energy (3.7%)
       
  10,746,000    
Arch Western Finance, LLC
6.750%, 07/01/13
    10,987,785  
  6,268,000    
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
6.875%, 01/15/16
    6,362,020  
  3,582,000    
7.500%, 06/15/14
    3,734,235  
  1,791,000    
Dresser-Rand Group, Inc.
7.375%, 11/01/14
    1,799,955  
  2,686,000    
GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
7.750%, 07/15/14
    2,793,440  
  6,268,000    
Mariner Energy, Inc.
8.000%, 05/15/17
    6,189,650  
  4,477,000    
Petrohawk Energy Corp.
7.125%, 04/01/12
    4,365,075  
  9,403,000    
Petróleo Brasileiro, SA
8.375%, 12/10/18
    11,142,555  
  1,791,000    
Premcor Refining Group, Inc.
7.500%, 06/15/15
    1,867,667  
  1,970,000    
Southwestern Energy Company*
7.500%, 02/01/18
    2,098,048  
  4,477,000    
Superior Energy Services, Inc.
6.875%, 06/01/14
    4,409,845  
  5,803,000    
Whiting Petroleum Corp.
7.250%, 05/01/12
    5,846,523  
  17,910,000    
Williams Companies, Inc.
7.750%, 06/15/31
    19,432,350  
       
 
     
       
 
    81,029,148  
       
 
     
 
       
Financials (2.3%)
       
  14,901,000    
Leucadia National Corp.
8.125%, 09/15/15
    15,273,525  
  9,850,000    
7.000%, 08/15/13
    9,800,750  
  16,119,000    
Nuveen Investments, Inc.*
10.500%, 11/15/15
    15,595,132  
  9,403,000    
Senior Housing Properties Trust
8.625%, 01/15/12
    9,802,628  
       
 
     
       
 
    50,472,035  
       
 
     
 
       
Health Care (2.1%)
       
  4,477,000    
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
7.500%, 08/15/13
    4,510,578  
  11,641,000    
Community Health Systems, Inc.
8.875%, 07/15/15
    12,164,845  
  1,970,000    
DaVita, Inc.
7.250%, 03/15/15
    1,984,775  
See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments
             
 
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Schedule of Investments     SEMIANNUAL REPORT
    9  

 


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments
APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
                 
PRINCIPAL            
AMOUNT         VALUE  
 
  4,477,000    
HCA, Inc.
9.125%, 11/15/14
  $ 4,756,813  
  9,850,000    
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.
7.750%, 07/15/15
    10,120,875  
  11,641,000    
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
7.000%, 12/15/11
    11,262,667  
       
 
     
       
 
    44,800,553  
       
 
     
 
       
Industrials (3.4%)
       
  2,015,000    
Belden CDT, Inc.
7.000%, 03/15/17
    2,007,444  
  1,791,000    
FTI Consulting, Inc.
7.625%, 06/15/13
    1,867,118  
  4,477,000    
Gardner Denver, Inc.
8.000%, 05/01/13
    4,532,962  
  14,328,000    
General Electric Company
5.250%, 12/06/17
    14,285,632  
  4,057,000    
H&E Equipment Service, Inc.
8.375%, 07/15/16
    3,549,875  
  14,328,000    
Honeywell International, Inc.
5.300%, 03/01/18
    14,618,242  
  3,098,000    
SPX Corp.*
7.625%, 12/15/14
    3,241,283  
  1,791,000    
Terex Corp.
8.000%, 11/15/17
    1,840,253  
  5,149,000    
Trinity Industries, Inc.
6.500%, 03/15/14
    5,136,127  
  14,328,000    
United Technologies Corp.
5.375%, 12/15/17
    14,646,741  
  4,477,000    
WESCO International, Inc.
7.500%, 10/15/17
    4,096,455  
  4,477,000    
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.
6.875%, 07/31/13
    4,443,422  
       
 
     
       
 
    74,265,554  
       
 
     
 
       
Information Technology (2.9%)
       
  15,468,000    
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
7.750%, 11/01/12
    12,645,090  
  8,059,000    
Amkor Tech, Inc.
9.250%, 06/01/16
    8,079,147  
  7,612,000    
Celestica, Inc.
7.875%, 07/01/11
    7,697,635  
  12,985,000    
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
8.875%, 12/15/14
    11,491,725  
  14,328,000    
Oracle Corp.
5.250%, 01/15/16
    14,416,762  
  9,403,000    
SunGard Data Systems, Inc.
9.125%, 08/15/13
    9,873,150  
       
 
     
       
 
    64,203,509  
       
 
     
 
       
Materials (2.0%)
       
  2,686,000    
Century Aluminum Company
7.500%, 08/15/14
    2,686,000  
  12,089,000  EUR  
Ineos Group Holdings, PLC*
7.875%, 02/15/16
    14,204,476  
  2,239,000    
8.500%, 02/15/16
    1,824,785  
  2,686,000    
P.H. Glatfelter Company
7.125%, 05/01/16
    2,659,140  
  9,806,000    
Union Carbide Corp.
7.875%, 04/01/23
    9,838,360  
  7,746,000    
7.500%, 06/01/25
    7,502,775  
  6,582,000    
Westlake Chemical Corp.
6.625%, 01/15/16
    5,825,070  
       
 
     
       
 
    44,540,606  
       
 
     
 
       
Telecommunication Services (3.7%)
       
  11,641,000    
Alamosa Holdings, Inc.
8.500%, 01/31/12
    10,798,809  
  15,850,000    
Citizens Communications Company
9.000%, 08/15/31
    14,700,875  
  8,059,000    
Leap Wireless International, Inc.
9.875%, 11/01/14‡*
    7,948,189  
  8,059,000    
9.375%, 11/01/14
    7,948,189  
  13,012,000    
Qwest Communications International, Inc.
7.750%, 02/15/31
    11,352,970  
  4,477,000    
Syniverse Technologies, Inc.
7.750%, 08/15/13
    4,281,131  
  14,328,000    
Verizon Communications, Inc.
5.500%, 04/01/17
    14,411,346  
  8,059,000    
Windstream Corp.
8.625%, 08/01/16
    8,482,097  
       
 
     
       
 
    79,923,606  
       
 
     
 
       
Utilities (0.6%)
       
  12,537,000    
TXU Corp.*
10.250%, 11/01/15
    13,132,508  
       
 
     
 
       
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $746,805,564)
    724,463,839  
       
 
     
       
 
       
CONVERTIBLE BONDS (16.8%)        
       
 
       
       
Consumer Discretionary (4.0%)
       
  16,000,000    
Amazon.com, Inc.
4.750%, 02/01/09
    17,540,000  
  40,000,000    
Ford Motor Company
4.250%, 12/15/36
    44,650,000  
  7,000,000    
General Motors Corp.
6.250% 07/15/33
    5,205,200  
  15,000,000    
Liberty Media Corp. (Time Warner)∞
3.125%, 03/30/23
    15,281,250  
  5,680,000    
Liberty Media Corp. (Viacom-B)∞
3.250%, 03/15/31
    3,976,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    86,652,450  
       
 
     
See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments
     
10
       Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT     Schedule of Investments

 


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments
APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
                 
PRINCIPAL            
AMOUNT         VALUE  
 
       
Energy (1.3%)
       
  17,000,000    
Penn Virginia Corp.
4.500%, 11/15/12
  $ 20,123,750  
  8,290,000    
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company^
3.500%, 04/01/27
    8,839,213  
       
 
     
       
 
    28,962,963  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Financials (0.6%)
       
  11,970,000    
Health Care REIT, Inc.
4.750%, 07/15/27
    13,167,000  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Health Care (1.4%)
       
  26,000,000    
Invitrogen Corp.
3.250%, 06/15/25
    29,997,500  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Industrials (3.5%)
       
  32,750,000    
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
3.000%, 08/01/35
    41,551,562  
  16,000,000    
Lockheed Martin Corp.‡
2.815%, 08/15/33
    23,376,000  
  7,500,000    
Quanta Services, Inc.
3.750%, 04/30/26
    10,228,125  
       
 
     
       
 
    75,155,687  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Information Technology (5.5%)
       
  16,000,000    
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.
3.500%, 10/15/25
    13,040,000  
  34,000,000    
Intel Corp.^
2.950%, 12/15/35
    33,915,000  
  33,900,000    
Linear Technology Corp.*
3.000%, 05/01/27
    33,688,125  
  32,000,000    
VeriSign, Inc.*
3.250%, 08/15/37
    40,000,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    120,643,125  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Utilities (0.5%)
       
  5,750,000  EUR  
International Power, PLC
3.250%, 07/20/13
    10,417,136  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS
(Cost $352,376,977)
    364,995,861  
       
 
     
       
 
       
SOVEREIGN BONDS (1.1%)        
       
Consumer Discretionary (1.1%)
       
  11,194,000  GBP  
United Kingdom Treasury
5.750%, 12/07/09
(Cost $22,721,350)
    22,740,752  
       
 
     
       
 
       
SYNTHETIC CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (4.7%)        
Corporate Bonds (3.8%)        
       
 
       
       
Consumer Discretionary (1.1%)
       
  523,000    
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
8.000%, 03/15/14
    475,930  
  523,000    
Boyd Gaming Corp.
7.750%, 12/15/12
    490,966  
       
D.R. Horton, Inc.
       
  314,000    
8.000%, 02/01/09
    314,000  
  209,000    
9.750%, 09/15/10
    209,523  
  967,000    
DIRECTV Financing Company, Inc.
8.375%, 03/15/13
    998,428  
  1,620,000    
EchoStar DBS Corp.
7.125%, 02/01/16
    1,599,750  
  2,195,000    
Expedia, Inc.
7.456%, 08/15/18
    2,346,674  
  4,494,000    
Ford Motor Company
9.875%, 08/10/11
    4,351,428  
  1,568,000    
General Motors Corp.^
7.200%, 01/15/11
    1,391,600  
  1,777,000    
Hanesbrands, Inc.‡
8.204%, 12/15/14
    1,683,707  
  439,000    
Jarden Corp.
7.500%, 05/01/17
    406,075  
  339,000    
Kellwood Company
7.625%, 10/15/17
    222,045  
  523,000    
Liberty Media Corp.^
8.250%, 02/01/30
    466,650  
  679,000    
Mandalay Resort Group
7.625%, 07/15/13
    614,495  
  1,672,000    
McDonald’s Corp.
5.350%, 03/01/18
    1,699,322  
  510,000    
MGM Mirage
7.500%, 06/01/16
    464,100  
  836,000    
Pulte Homes, Inc.
8.125%, 03/01/11
    827,640  
  1,359,000    
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.
7.500%, 10/15/27
    1,161,945  
  1,986,000    
Service Corp. International
6.750%, 04/01/16
    1,971,105  
  1,881,000    
Target Corp.
6.000%, 01/15/18
    1,957,222  
  679,000    
Toll Brothers, Inc.
8.250%, 12/01/11
    651,840  
  261,000  GBP  
Warner Music Group
8.125%, 04/15/14
    409,968  
       
 
     
       
 
    24,714,413  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Consumer Staples (0.3%)
       
  1,541,000    
Chiquita Brands International, Inc.^
7.500%, 11/01/14
    1,398,457  
  1,202,000    
Del Monte Foods Company
8.625%, 12/15/12
    1,250,080  
  1,150,000    
NBTY, Inc.
7.125%, 10/01/15
    1,109,750  
See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments
                     
 
          Strategic Total Return Fund     11  
 
  Schedule of Investments        SEMIANNUAL REPORT          

 


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments
APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
                 
PRINCIPAL            
AMOUNT         VALUE  
 
       
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.
       
  1,254,000    
8.375%, 05/01/17^
  $ 1,122,330  
  627,000    
7.625%, 05/01/15
    598,785  
  1,568,000    
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
7.750%, 07/01/17
    1,564,080  
       
 
     
       
 
    7,043,482  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Energy (0.4%)
       
  1,254,000    
Arch Western Finance, LLC
6.750%, 07/01/13
    1,282,215  
       
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
       
  732,000    
6.875%, 01/15/16
    742,980  
  418,000    
7.500%, 06/15/14
    435,765  
  209,000    
Dresser-Rand Group, Inc.
7.375%, 11/01/14
    210,045  
  314,000    
GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
7.750%, 07/15/14
    326,560  
  732,000    
Mariner Energy, Inc.
8.000%, 05/15/17
    722,850  
  523,000    
Petrohawk Energy Corp.
7.125%, 04/01/12
    509,925  
  1,097,000    
Petróleo Brasileiro, SA
8.375%, 12/10/18
    1,299,945  
  209,000    
Premcor Refining Group, Inc.
7.500%, 06/15/15
    217,947  
  230,000    
Southwestern Energy Company*
7.500%, 02/01/18
    244,950  
  523,000    
Superior Energy Services, Inc.
6.875%, 06/01/14
    515,155  
  677,000    
Whiting Petroleum Corp.
7.250%, 05/01/12
    682,077  
  2,090,000    
Williams Companies, Inc.
7.750%, 06/15/31
    2,267,650  
       
 
     
       
 
    9,458,064  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Financials (0.3%)
       
       
Leucadia National Corp.
       
  1,739,000    
8.125%, 09/15/15
    1,782,475  
  1,150,000    
7.000%, 08/15/13
    1,144,250  
  1,881,000    
Nuveen Investments, Inc.*
10.500%, 11/15/15
    1,819,867  
  1,097,000    
Senior Housing Properties Trust
8.625%, 01/15/12
    1,143,623  
       
 
     
       
 
    5,890,215  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Health Care (0.2%)
       
  523,000    
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
7.500%, 08/15/13
    526,923  
  1,359,000    
Community Health Systems, Inc.
8.875%, 07/15/15
    1,420,155  
  230,000    
DaVita, Inc.
7.250%, 03/15/15
    231,725  
  523,000    
HCA, Inc.
9.125%, 11/15/14
    555,688  
  1,150,000    
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.
7.750%, 07/15/15
    1,181,625  
  1,359,000    
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
7.000%, 12/15/11
    1,314,832  
       
 
     
       
 
    5,230,948  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Industrials (0.4%)
       
  235,000    
Belden CDT, Inc.
7.000%, 03/15/17
    234,119  
  209,000    
FTI Consulting, Inc.
7.625%, 06/15/13
    217,883  
  523,000    
Gardner Denver, Inc.
8.000%, 05/01/13
    529,537  
  1,672,000    
General Electric Company
5.250%, 12/06/17
    1,667,056  
  473,000    
H&E Equipment Service, Inc.
8.375%, 07/15/16
    413,875  
  1,672,000    
Honeywell International, Inc.
5.300%, 03/01/18
    1,705,870  
  362,000    
SPX Corp.*
7.625%, 12/15/14
    378,743  
  209,000    
Terex Corp.
8.000%, 11/15/17
    214,748  
  601,000    
Trinity Industries, Inc.
6.500%, 03/15/14
    599,497  
  1,672,000    
United Technologies Corp.
5.375%, 12/15/17
    1,709,195  
  523,000    
WESCO International, Inc.
7.500%, 10/15/17
    478,545  
  523,000    
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.
6.875%, 07/31/13
    519,077  
       
 
     
       
 
    8,668,145  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Information Technology (0.4%)
       
  1,805,000    
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
7.750%, 11/01/12
    1,475,587  
  941,000    
Amkor Tech, Inc.
9.250%, 06/01/16
    943,353  
  888,000    
Celestica, Inc.
7.875%, 07/01/11
    897,990  
  1,515,000    
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
8.875%, 12/15/14
    1,340,775  
  1,672,000    
Oracle Corp.
5.250%, 01/15/16
    1,682,358  
  1,097,000    
SunGard Data Systems, Inc.
9.125%, 08/15/13
    1,151,850  
       
 
     
       
 
    7,491,913  
       
 
     
See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments
             
12
       Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
       Schedule of Investments    

 


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments
APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
                 
PRINCIPAL            
AMOUNT         VALUE  
 
       
Materials (0.2%)
       
  314,000    
Century Aluminum Company
7.500%, 08/15/14
  $ 314,000  
  1,411,000  EUR  
Ineos Group Holdings, PLC*
       
   
7.875%, 02/15/16
    1,657,914  
  261,000    
8.500%, 02/15/16
    212,715  
  314,000    
P.H. Glatfelter Company
7.125%, 05/01/16
    310,860  
       
Union Carbide Corp.
       
  1,144,000    
7.875%, 04/01/23
    1,147,775  
  904,000    
7.500%, 06/01/25
    875,614  
  768,000    
Westlake Chemical Corp.
6.625%, 01/15/16
    679,680  
       
 
     
       
 
    5,198,558  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Telecommunication Services (0.4%)
       
  1,359,000    
Alamosa Holdings, Inc.
8.500%, 01/31/12
    1,260,680  
  1,850,000    
Citizens Communications Company
9.000%, 08/15/31
    1,715,875  
       
Leap Wireless International, Inc.
       
  941,000    
9.875%, 11/01/14‡*
    928,061  
  941,000    
9.375%, 11/01/14
    928,061  
  1,518,000    
Qwest Communications International, Inc.
7.750%, 02/15/31
    1,324,455  
  523,000    
Syniverse Technologies, Inc.
7.750%, 08/15/13
    500,119  
  1,672,000    
Verizon Communications, Inc.
5.500%, 04/01/17
    1,681,726  
  941,000    
Windstream Corp.
8.625%, 08/01/16
    990,403  
       
 
     
       
 
    9,329,380  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Utilities (0.1%)
       
  1,463,000    
TXU Corp.*
10.250%, 11/01/15
    1,532,493  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
    84,557,611  
       
 
     
       
 
       
Sovereign Bonds (0.1%)        
       
Consumer Discretionary (0.1%)
       
  1,306,000  GBP  
United Kingdom Treasury
5.750%, 12/07/09
    2,653,155  
       
 
     
 
NUMBER OF            
CONTRACTS         VALUE  
 
Options (0.8%)        
       
Consumer Discretionary (0.1%)
       
  1,350    
Nike, Inc.#
Call, 01/16/10, Strike $70.00
  $ 1,248,750  
  2,200    
Omnicom Group, Inc.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $50.00
    660,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    1,908,750  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Energy (0.1%)
       
  780    
Schlumberger, Ltd.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $90.00
    1,411,800  
  500    
Transocean, Inc.#
Call, 01/16/10, Strike $160.00
    1,285,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    2,696,800  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Health Care (0.2%)
       
  800    
Alcon, Inc.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $140.00
    2,064,000  
  1,700    
Express Scripts, Inc.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $65.00
    1,912,500  
       
 
     
       
 
    3,976,500  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Industrials (0.1%)
       
  1,285    
General Dynamics Corp.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $90.00
    1,008,725  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Information Technology (0.3%)
       
  1,330    
Apple Computer, Inc.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $190.00
    2,643,375  
  2,650    
Cisco Systems, Inc.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $30.00
    304,750  
  150    
Google, Inc.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $710.00
    417,000  
  570    
Hewlett-Packard Company#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $45.00
    319,200  
  4,560    
Oracle Corp.#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $20.00
    1,368,000  
  2,000    
SAP, AG#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $55.00
    580,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    5,632,325  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Telecommunication Services (0.0%)
       
  275    
America Movil, SA de CV#
Call, 01/17/09, Strike $60.00
    165,000  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL OPTIONS
    15,388,100  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
TOTAL SYNTHETIC CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
(Cost $115,170,201)
    102,598,866  
       
 
     
                 
NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
 
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (14.4%)        
       
Consumer Discretionary (0.8%)
       
  20,000    
Stanley Works‡
5.125%
    17,455,000  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Consumer Staples (0.9%)
       
  18,000    
Bunge, Ltd.
5.125%
    19,008,000  
       
 
     
See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments
                 
 
 
Schedule of Investments
  Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
    13  

 


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments
APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
                 
NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
 
       
Financials (4.9%)
       
  38,540    
Bank of America Corp.
7.250%
  $ 40,322,475  
  542,900    
Citigroup, Inc.
6.500%
    28,196,869  
  925,000    
MetLife, Inc.
6.375%
    27,324,500  
  350,000    
Washington Mutual, Inc.
5.375%
    10,675,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    106,518,844  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Health Care (1.8%)
       
  220,000    
Schering-Plough Corp.
6.000%
    39,716,600  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Industrials (0.7%)
       
  320,000    
Avery Dennison Corp.
7.875%
    15,286,400  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Materials (5.3%)
       
400  EUR  
Bayer, AG
6.625%
    46,656,153  
  315,000    
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.
6.750%
    51,326,100  
2,000  CHF  
Givaudan, SA
5.375%
    18,009,243  
       
 
     
       
 
    115,991,496  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS
(Cost $337,258,139)
    313,976,340  
       
 
     
                 
NUMBER OF            
UNITS         VALUE  
 
STRUCTURED EQUITY-LINKED SECURITIES (7.5%)        
 
       
Consumer Discretionary (1.3%)
       
  205,200    
Deutsche Bank (Amazon.com, Inc.)*
15.000%, 07/18/08
  $ 16,574,004  
  213,000    
Deutsche Bank (Apollo Group, Inc.)*
12.000%, 07/15/08
    11,255,405  
       
 
     
       
 
    27,829,409  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Energy (0.9%)
       
  134,000    
Lehman Brothers Holding (Transocean, Inc.)*
12.000%, 07/25/08
    18,517,460  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Health Care (0.8%)
       
  300,000    
Wachovia Bank NA (Biogen Idec, Inc.)*
12.000%, 06/27/08
    18,043,440  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Industrials (0.7%)
       
  270,800    
Credit Suisse (CNH Global, NV)*
12.000%, 06/30/08
    15,523,610  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Information Technology (3.8%)
       
  314,000    
Deutsche Bank (Electronic Arts, Inc.)*
12.000%, 07/08/08
    16,470,870  
  487,000    
Deutsche Bank (Nokia Corp.)*
12.000%, 07/15/08
    14,751,230  
  879,800    
JPMorgan Chase & Company (Intel Corp.)*
12.000%, 07/25/08
    18,955,291  
  331,700    
Morgan Stanley (SAP, AG)*
12.000%, 06/27/08
    16,503,733  
  550,000    
Wachovia Bank NA (eBay, Inc.)*
12.000%, 07/14/08
    17,217,750  
       
 
     
       
 
    83,898,874  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
TOTAL STRUCTURED EQUITY-LINKED SECURITIES
(Cost $169,849,856)
    163,812,793  
       
 
     
                 
NUMBER OF        
SHARES       VALUE
 
COMMON STOCKS (71.1%)        
       
Consumer Discretionary (3.4%)
       
  800,000    
Carnival Corp.~
    32,136,000  
  300,000    
CBS Corp.~
    6,921,000  
  1,086,217    
Walt Disney Company~
    35,226,017  
       
 
       
       
 
    74,283,017  
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
Consumer Staples (7.2%)
       
  1,100,000    
Coca-Cola Company
    64,757,000  
  250,000    
Kimberly-Clark Corp.
    15,997,500  
  471,447    
Kraft Foods, Inc.
    14,911,869  
  320,000    
Philip Morris International, Inc.#
    16,329,600  
  840,000    
Reynolds American, Inc.
    45,234,000  
       
 
       
       
 
    157,229,969  
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
Energy (9.8%)
       
  325,000    
BP, PLC
    23,656,750  
  875,000    
Chevron Corp.~
    84,131,250  
  775,000    
ConocoPhillips~
    66,766,250  
  875,000    
Marathon Oil Corp.~
    39,873,750  
       
 
       
       
 
    214,428,000  
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
Financials (8.5%)
       
  500,000    
Bank of America Corp.~
    18,770,000  
  1,372,000    
Citigroup, Inc.~
    34,670,440  
  772,000    
Federal National Mortgage Association~
    21,847,600  
  1,050,000    
JPMorgan Chase & Company
    50,032,500  
  158,074    
Lincoln National Corp.
    8,498,058  
  500,000    
U.S. Bancorp
    16,945,000  
  360,000    
Wachovia Corp.
    10,494,000  
  2,000,000    
Washington Mutual, Inc.
    24,580,000  
       
 
       
       
 
    185,837,598  
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
Health Care (14.4%)
       
  525,000    
Abbott Laboratories~
    27,693,750  
  1,375,000    
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company~
    30,208,750  
See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments
             
14        Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
      
Schedule of Investments

   

 


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments
APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
                 
NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
 
  300,000    
Eli Lilly and Company
  $ 14,442,000  
  1,600,000    
Johnson & Johnson~
    107,344,000  
  1,755,000    
Merck & Company, Inc.~
    66,760,200  
  3,300,000    
Pfizer, Inc.
    66,363,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    312,811,700  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Industrials (9.6%)
       
  480,000    
Boeing Company
    40,732,800  
  2,425,000    
General Electric Company~
    79,297,500  
  480,000    
Honeywell International, Inc.~
    28,512,000  
  450,000    
Masco Corp.~
    8,194,500  
  435,000    
Raytheon Company
    27,826,950  
  335,000    
United Technologies Corp.
    24,277,450  
       
 
     
       
 
    208,841,200  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Information Technology (9.7%)
       
  600,000    
eBay, Inc.#~
    18,774,000  
  850,000    
Hewlett-Packard Company
    39,397,500  
  1,337,000    
Intel Corp.~
    29,761,620  
  1,325,000    
Microsoft Corp.~
    37,789,000  
  300,000    
Nintendo Company, Ltd.
    20,488,470  
  1,250,000    
Nokia Corp.~
    37,587,500  
  1,300,000    
Oracle Corp.#
    27,105,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    210,903,090  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
Telecommunication Services (8.5%)
       
  3,043,450    
AT&T, Inc.~
    117,811,950  
1,500,000   GBP  
BT Group, PLC
    6,602,959  
450,000   EUR  
France Telecom, AG
    14,080,916  
  1,239,000    
Verizon Communications, Inc.
    47,676,720  
       
 
     
       
 
    186,172,545  
       
 
     
       
 
       
       
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $1,589,382,024)
    1,550,507,119  
       
 
     
                 
NUMBER OF            
CONTRACTS       VALUE  
 
PUT OPTIONS (0.0%)
       
Financials (0.0%)
       
  7,200    
Federal National Mortgage Association#
Put, 06/21/08, Strike $20.00
(Cost $1,497,600)
    414,000  
       
 
   
                 
NUMBER OF            
SHARES         VALUE  
 
INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATED FUND (1.3%)        
$ 27,531,599    
Calamos Government Money Market Fund — Class I SharesW (Cost $27,531,599)
  $ 27,531,599  
       
 
     
INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN (1.4%)        
  1,184,000    
Bank of New York Institutional Cash Reserve Fund
    1,184,000  
  30,000,000    
JP Morgan US Government Money Market Fund
    30,000,000  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL INVESTMENT OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN
(Cost $31,184,000)
    31,184,000  
       
 
     
       
 
       
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (151.5%)
(Cost $3,393,777,310)
    3,302,225,169  
       
 
     
       
 
       
PAYABLE UPON RETURN OF SECURITIES ON LOAN (-1.4%)     (31,184,000 )
       
 
     
       
 
       
LIABILITIES, LESS OTHER ASSETS (-0.5%)     (10,165,041 )
       
 
     
       
 
       
PREFERRED SHARES AT REDEMPTION VALUE INCLUDING DIVIDENDS PAYABLE (-49.6%)     (1,081,015,571 )
       
 
     
       
 
       
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (100.0%)   $ 2,179,860,557  
       
 
     
                 
NUMBER OF            
CONTRACTS         VALUE  
 
WRITTEN OPTIONS (-1.1%)        
       
Financials (-1.1%)
       
  7,600    
Federal National Mortgage Association#
Call, 06/21/08, Strike $30.00
    (1,577,000 )
       
SPDR Trust Series 1#
       
  10,000    
Call, 06/21/08, Strike $141.00
    (2,785,000 )
  8,000    
Call, 06/21/08, Strike $142.00
    (1,868,000 )
  8,000    
Call, 06/21/08, Strike $131.00
    (7,500,000 )
  7,500    
Call, 07/19/08, Strike $142.00
    (2,437,500 )
  7,500    
Call, 09/20/08, Strike $142.00
    (3,956,250 )
  7,000    
Call, 06/21/08, Strike $140.00
    (2,310,000 )
  5,000    
Call, 06/21/08, Strike $143.00
    (965,000 )
       
 
     
       
TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS
(Premium $29,548,546)
    (23,398,750 )
       
 
     
See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments
                 
 
   
Schedule of Investments

  Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
    15  

 


Table of Contents

Schedule of Investments
APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
^   Security, or portion of security, is on loan.
 
  Variable rate or step bond security. The rate shown is the rate in effect at April 30, 2008.
 
*   Securities issued and sold pursuant to a Rule 144A transaction are excepted from the registration requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may only be sold to qualified institutional buyers (“QIBs”), such as the fund. Any resale of these securities must generally be effected through a sale that is registered under the Act or otherwise exempted or excepted from such registration requirements. At April 30, 2008, the value of 144A securities that could not be exchanged to the registered form is $228,631,956 or 10.5% of net assets applicable to common shareholders.
 
  Securities exchangeable or convertible into securities of one or more entities that are different than the issuer. Each entity is identified in the parenthetical.
 
#   Non-income producing security.
 
~   Security, or portion of security, is held in a segregated account as collateral for written options aggregating a total value of $702,001,553.
 
W   Investment in affiliated fund. During the period from November 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008, the fund had net redemptions of $58,243,842 and received $840,147 in dividend payments from the affiliated fund. As of October 31, 2007 the Fund had $85,775,441 of the affiliated fund.
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY ABBREVIATIONS
CHF   Swiss Franc
 
EUR   European Monetary Unit
 
GBP   British Pound Sterling
Note: Value for Securities denominated in foreign currencies are shown in U.S. dollars. The principal amount for such securities is shown in the respective foreign currency. The date shown on options represents the expiration date of the option contract. The option contract may be exercised at any date on or before the date shown.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
             
16
       Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
      
Schedule of Investments
   

 


Table of Contents

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
         
April 30, 2008 (unaudited)        
 
ASSETS
       
Investments, at value* (cost $3,366,245,711)
  $ 3,274,693,570  
Investments in affiliated fund (cost $27,531,599)
    27,531,599  
Cash with custodian (interest bearing)
    4,373  
Restricted cash for open options (interest bearing)
    150,000  
Receivable for investments sold
    84,634,342  
Accrued interest and dividends receivable
    30,132,854  
Prepaid expenses
    2,889,992  
Other assets
    92,258  
 
Total assets
    3,420,128,988  
 
LIABILITIES
       
Options written, at value (premium $29,548,546)
    23,398,750  
Cash collateral for securities on loan
    31,184,000  
Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps
    3,073,242  
Payables:
       
Investments purchased
    98,300,299  
Affiliates:
       
Investment advisory fees
    2,632,301  
Financial accounting fees
    30,040  
Deferred compensation to Trustees
    92,258  
Trustees’ fees and officer compensation
    7,753  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    534,217  
 
Total liabilities
    159,252,860  
 
PREFERRED SHARES
       
$25,000 liquidation value per share applicable to 43,200 shares, including dividends payable
    1,081,015,571  
 
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
  $ 2,179,860,557  
 
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
       
Common stock, no par value, unlimited shares authorized 154,514,000 shares issued and outstanding
  $ 2,200,733,859  
Undistributed net investment income (loss)
    (35,919,436 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments, written options, foreign currency transactions, and interest rate swaps
    103,425,893  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, written options, foreign currency translations, and interest rate swaps
    (88,379,759 )
 
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
  $ 2,179,860,557  
 
Net asset value per common share based on 154,514,000 shares issued and outstanding
  $ 14.11  
 
*   Including securities on loan with a value of $29,859,727.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
             
 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
  Strategic Total Return Fund
       SEMIANNUAL REPORT
       17

 


Table of Contents

Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited)
 
INVESTMENT INCOME        
Interest
  $ 44,163,197  
Dividends
    35,965,703  
Dividends from affiliates
    840,147  
Securities lending income
    529,839  
 
Total investment income
    81,498,886  
 
EXPENSES
       
Investment advisory fees
    16,636,501  
Financial accounting fees
    188,141  
Auction agent and rating agency fees
    1,380,656  
Audit and legal fees
    151,496  
Printing and mailing fees
    138,731  
Accounting fees
    90,400  
Registration fees
    68,373  
Trustees’ fees and officer compensation
    62,414  
Custodian fees
    22,317  
Transfer agent fees
    14,224  
Investor support services
    28,623  
Other
    75,321  
 
Total expenses
    18,857,197  
Less expense reduction
    (43,013 )
 
Net expenses
    18,814,184  
 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME(LOSS)
    62,684,702  
 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS, WRITTEN OPTIONS, FOREIGN CURRENCY AND INTEREST RATE SWAPS
       
Net realized gain (loss) from:
       
Investments
    84,866,895  
Written options
    12,061,737  
Foreign currency transactions
    609,656  
Interest rate swaps
    (14,724 )
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:
       
Investments
    (471,125,203 )
Written options
    6,149,796  
Foreign currency translations
    13,360  
Interest rate swaps
    (3,680,564 )
 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS, WRITTEN OPTIONS, FOREIGN CURRENCY AND INTEREST RATE SWAPS
    (371,119,047 )
 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
    (308,434,345 )
 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS FROM
       
Net investment income
    (14,267,220 )
Capital gains
    (12,046,709 )
 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
  $ (334,748,274 )
 
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
             
18
       Strategic Total Return Fund
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
     
Statement of Operations
   

 


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
                 
    Six Months Ended   Year Ended
    April 30, 2008   October 31,
    (unaudited)   2007
 
OPERATIONS
               
Net investment income (loss)
  $ 62,684,702     $ 132,982,192  
Net realized gain (loss) from investments, written options, foreign currency transactions and interest rate swaps
    97,523,564       133,314,423  
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, written options, foreign currency translations and interest rate swaps
    (468,642,611 )     159,342,156  
Distributions to preferred shareholders from:
               
Net investment income
    (14,267,220 )     (49,014,744 )
Capital gains
    (12,046,709 )     (8,462,889 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations
    (334,748,274 )     368,161,138  
 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM
               
Net investment income
    (78,415,858 )     (156,383,628 )
Capital gains
    (21,987,343 )     (24,397,762 )
 
Net decrease in net assets from distributions to common shareholders
    (100,403,201 )     (180,781,390 )
 
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
               
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions
           
 
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
    (435,151,475 )     187,379,748  
 
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
               
Beginning of period
  $ 2,615,012,032     $ 2,427,632,284  
 
End of period
    2,179,860,557       2,615,012,032  
 
Undistributed net investment income (loss)
  $ (35,919,436 )   $ (5,921,060 )
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
 
 
      Strategic Total Return Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets   SEMIANNUAL REPORT
    19  

 


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization. Calamos Strategic Total Return (the ‘’Fund’’) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on December 31, 2003 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund commenced operations on March 26, 2004.
The Fund’s investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest primarily in common and preferred stocks and income producing securities such as investment grade and below investment grade debt securities.
Portfolio Valuation. The valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by and under the ultimate supervision of the Board of Trustees.
Portfolio securities that are traded on U.S. securities exchanges, except option securities, are valued at the last current reported sales price at the time as of which a Fund determines its net asset value (“NAV”). Securities traded in the over-the-counter market and quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price, as determined by NASDAQ, or lacking a NASDAQ Official Closing Price, the last current reported sale price on NASDAQ at the time as of which a Fund determines its NAV.
When a most recent last sale or closing price is not available, portfolio securities, other than option securities, that are traded on a U.S. securities exchange and other securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees. Each option security traded on a U.S. securities exchange is valued at the mid-point of the consolidated bid/ask quote for the option security, also in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees. Each over-the-counter option that is not traded through the Options Clearing Corporation is valued based on a quotation provided by the counterparty to such option under the ultimate supervision of the Board of Trustees.
Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is typically completed at various times before the close of business on each day on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open. Each security trading on these exchanges or over-the-counter markets is evaluated utilizing a systematic fair valuation model provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees. The valuation of each security that meets certain criteria in relation to the valuation model is systematically adjusted to reflect the impact of movement in the U.S. market after the foreign markets close. Securities that do not meet the criteria, or that are principally traded in other foreign markets, are valued as of the last current sale price at the time as of which the Fund determines its NAV, or when reliable market prices or quotations are not readily available, at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations as of the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time, in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees. Trading of foreign securities may not take place on every NYSE business day. In addition, trading may take place in various foreign markets on Saturdays or on other days when the NYSE is not open and on which the Fund’s NAV is not calculated.
If the pricing committee determines that the valuation of a security in accordance with the methods described above is not reflective of a fair value for such security, the security, including any thinly-traded security, below investment grade bond or synthetic convertible instrument, is valued at a fair value by the pricing committee, under the ultimate supervision of the Board of Trustees, following the guidelines and/or procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.
The Fund also may use fair value pricing, under the ultimate supervision of the Board of Trustees, following the guidelines and/or procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees, if the value of a foreign security it holds is materially affected by events occurring before their valuation time but after the close of the primary market or exchange on which the security is traded. Those procedures may utilize valuations furnished by pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees, which may be based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships between securities that are generally recognized by institutional traders, a computerized matrix system, or appraisals derived from information concerning the securities or similar securities received from recognized dealers in those securities.
         
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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
When fair value pricing of securities is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from market quotations or official closing prices.
Investment Transactions. Short-term and long-term investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis as of April 30, 2008. Net realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest income is recognized using the accrual method and includes accretion of original issue and market discount and amortization of premium. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information becomes available.
Foreign Currency Translation. Values of investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using a rate quoted by a major bank or dealer in the particular currency market, as reported by a recognized quotation dissemination service.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
Recorded net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from disposition of foreign currency, the difference in the foreign exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the ex-date or accrual date and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes (due to the changes in the exchange rate) in the value of foreign currency and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies held at period end.
Option Transactions. For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund may purchase or write (sell) put and call options. One of the risks associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk of loss of premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.
When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from written options. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or, if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a written call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. If a written put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Fund. The Fund as writer of an option bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.
Allocation of Expenses Among Funds. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund; other expenses of Calamos Investment Trust, Calamos Advisors Trust, Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund, Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund, Calamos Global Total Return Fund and Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund are allocated proportionately among each fund in relation to the managed assets of each fund or on another reasonable basis.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
             
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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
Income Taxes. No provision has been made for U.S. income taxes because the Fund’s policy is to continue to qualify as regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and distribute to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains.
Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these “book/tax” differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for foreign currency transactions, contingent payment debt instruments and methods of amortizing and accreting on fixed income securities. The financial statements are not adjusted for temporary differences.
Indemnifications. Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the Fund is obligated to indemnify its officers and trustees against certain liabilities incurred by them by reason of having been an officer or trustee of the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Fund’s management expects the risk of material loss in connection to a potential claim to be remote.
New Accounting Pronouncements. The Fund has adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No.109. As a result, the Fund recognized no liability for unrecognized tax benefits in connection with the adoption of FIN 48. A reconciliation is not provided as the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized benefits are zero, with no interim additions, reductions or settlements. Tax years 2004 – 2007 remain subject to examination by the U.S. and the State of Illinois tax jurisdictions.
In addition, in September 2006, the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on the Fund’s financial statements and their disclosures, and its impact has not yet been determined.
In addition, in March 2008, the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 161), was issued and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 161 will have on the Fund’s financial statements and their disclosures, and its impact has not yet been determined.
NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT ADVISOR AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES OR CERTAIN OTHER PARTIES
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with Calamos Advisors LLC (“Calamos Advisors”), the Fund pays an annual fee, payable monthly, equal to 1.00% based on the average weekly managed assets. Calamos Advisors has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee charged to the Fund on the Fund’s investments in the Calamos Government Money Market Fund (“GMMF”, an affiliated fund and a series of Calamos Investments Trust), equal to the advisory fee attributable to the Fund’s investment in GMMF, based on daily net assets. For the period ended April 30, 2008, the total advisory fee waived pursuant to such agreement was $43,013 and is included in the Statement of Operations under the caption “Less expense reduction”.
Pursuant to a financial accounting services agreement, the Fund also pays Calamos Advisors a fee for financial accounting services payable monthly at the annual rate of 0.0175% on the first $1 billion of combined assets, 0.0150% on the next $1 billion of combined assets and 0.0110% on combined assets above $2 billion (for purposes of this calculation “combined assets” means the sum of the total average daily net assets of Calamos Investment Trust, Calamos Advisors Trust, and the total average weekly managed assets of Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund, Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund, Calamos Global Total Return Fund and Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund). “Managed assets”
         
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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
means the funds’ total assets (including any assets attributable to any outstanding borrowings) minus total liabilities (other than debt representing borrowings). Financial accounting services include, but are not limited to, the following: managing expenses and expense payment processing; monitoring the calculation of expense accrual amounts; calculating, tracking and reporting tax adjustments on all assets; and monitoring trustee deferred compensation plan accruals and valuations. The Funds pay their pro rata share of the financial accounting services fee to Calamos Advisors based on their respective assets used in calculating the fee.
The Fund reimburses Calamos Advisors for a portion of compensation paid to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. This compensation is reported as part of “Trustees’ fees and officer compensation” expenses on the Statement of Operations.
Certain officers and trustees of the Fund are also officers and directors of Calamos Financial Services LLC (“CFS”) and Calamos Advisors. All such officers and affiliated trustees serve without direct compensation from the Fund, except for the Chief Compliance Officer as described above.
The Fund has adopted a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan). Under the Plan, a trustee who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund and has elected to participate in the Plan (a “participating trustee”) may defer receipt of all or a portion of his compensation from the Fund. The deferred compensation payable to the participating trustee is credited to the trustee’s deferral account as of the business day such compensation would have been paid to the participating trustee. The value of amount deferred for a participating trustee is determined by reference to the change in value of Class I shares of one or more funds of Calamos Investment Trust designated by the participant. The value of the account increases with contributions to the account or with increases in the value of the measuring shares, and the value of the account decreases with withdrawals from the account or with declines in the value of the measuring shares. Deferred compensation investments of $92,258 is included in “Other assets” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 2008. The Fund’s obligation to make payments under the Plan is a general obligation of the Fund and is included in “Deferred compensation to Trustees” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 2008.
NOTE 3 – INVESTMENTS
Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term investments, for the April 30, 2008 were as follows:
         
Purchases
  $ 1,046,968,316  
Proceeds from sales
    1,196,628,318  
The following information is presented on a federal income tax basis as of April 30, 2008. Differences between the cost basis under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences.
The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes at April 30, 2008 was as follows:
         
Cost basis of investments
  $ 3,403,306,110  
 
     
Gross unrealized appreciation
    239,709,324  
Gross unrealized depreciation
    (340,790,265 )
 
     
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
  $ (101,080,941 )
 
     
NOTE 4 – INCOME TAXES
The Fund intends to make monthly distributions from its income available for distribution, which consists of the Fund’s dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, and net realized gains on stock investments. At least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains, if any. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distinguishes between distributions on a tax basis and a financial reporting basis. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits be reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income. Distributions in any year may
             
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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
include a return of capital component. The tax character of distributions for the period ended April 30, 2008 will be determined at the end of the Fund’s current fiscal year.
Distributions during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 were characterized for federal income tax purposes as follows:
         
Distributions paid from:
       
Ordinary income
  $ 205,423,749  
Long-term capital gains
    32,860,651  
As of October 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings/(loss) on a tax basis were as follows:
         
Undistributed ordinary income
  $ 845,208  
Undistributed capital gains
    34,032,862  
 
     
Total undistributed earnings
    34,878,070  
Accumulated capital and other losses
     
Net unrealized gains/(losses)
    380,328,231  
 
     
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)
    415,206,301  
Other
    (928,128 )
Paid-in capital
    2,200,733,859  
 
     
Net assets applicable to common shareholders
  $ 2,615,012,032  
 
     
NOTE 5 – COMMON SHARES
There are unlimited common shares of beneficial interest authorized and 154,514,000 shares outstanding at April 30, 2008. Calamos Advisors owned 19,021 of the outstanding shares at April 30, 2008. Transactions in common shares were as follows:
                 
    Six Months Ended   For the Year Ended
    April 30, 2008 (unaudited)   October 31, 2007
 
Beginning shares
    154,514,000       154,514,000  
Shares issued through reinvestment of distribution
           
     
Ending shares
    154,514,000       154,514,000  
     
NOTE 6 – FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The Fund may engage in portfolio hedging with respect to changes in currency exchange rates by entering into foreign currency contracts to purchase or sell currencies. A forward foreign currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. Risks associated with such contracts include, among other things, movement in the value of the foreign currency relative to U.S. dollar and the ability of the counterparty to perform. The net unrealized gain, if any, represents the credit risk to the Fund on a forward foreign currency contract. The contracts are valued daily at forward exchange rates and an unrealized gain or loss is recorded. The Fund realizes a gain or loss when a position is closed or upon settlement of the contracts. There were no open forward currency contracts at April 30, 2008.
NOTE 7 – PREFERRED SHARES
There are unlimited shares of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares (“Preferred Shares”) authorized. The Preferred Shares have rights as determined by the Board of Trustees. The 43,200 shares of Preferred Shares outstanding consist of seven series, 7,040 shares of M, 7,040 shares of TU, 7,040 shares of W, 7,040 shares of TH, 7,040 shares of F, 4,000 shares of A, and 4,000 shares of B. The Preferred Shares have a liquidation value of $25,000 per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends, whether or not declared.
         
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Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
Dividends on the Preferred Shares are cumulative at a rate typically reset every seven days based on the results of an auction. Dividend rates ranged from 3.90% to 6.20% for the six months ended April 30, 2008. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on its common shares or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to the outstanding Preferred Shares would be less than 200%.
If all holders of Preferred Shares who want to sell their shares are unable to do so because there are insufficient bidders in the auction at rates below the maximum rate as prescribed by the terms of the security, a failed auction results. When an auction fails, all holders receive the maximum rate and may be unable to sell their shares at the next auction. The maximum applicable rate on preferred shares is 150% of the 7-Day LIBOR rate.
During the period February 13, 2008 to April 30, 2008, the auctions Preferred Shares of the Fund were not successful. As a result, the Preferred Share dividend rates were reset to the maximum applicable rate which is 150% of the 7-Day LIBOR rate. Failed auctions result not from an event of default or a credit issue but a liquidity event.
The Preferred Shares are redeemable at the Fund’s option, in whole or in part, on any dividend payment date at $25,000 per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. The Preferred Shares are also subject to mandatory redemption at $25,000 per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, if certain requirements relating to the composition of the assets and liabilities of the Fund as set forth in the Statement of Preferences are not satisfied.
The holders of Preferred Shares have voting rights equal to the holders of common shares (one vote per share) and will vote together with holders of common shares as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of Preferred Shares or only the holders of common shares, when the respective classes vote alone.
On April 23, 2008, the Fund’s Board approved the redemption of 35,200 of the 43,200 Preferred Shares outstanding. Subsequent to April 30, 2008, the shares were redeemed at a price of $25,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends (an aggregate price of $881,053,363). Such Preferred Shares were redeemed with proceeds obtained by the Fund through a margin loan provided by Bank of America N.A. The aggregate financing available under the margin loan is $1,080,000,000 at the overnight LIBOR (London Inter-bank Offered Rate) plus .70% on amounts borrowed under the margin loan and .60% on the undrawn balance under the margin loan. Prior to April 30, 2008, the Fund paid a one time arrangement fee of .25% on the margin loan.
NOTE 8 – INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may engage in swaps primarily to manage duration and yield curve risk, or as alternatives to direct investments. Unrealized gains are reported as an asset and unrealized losses are reported as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in value of swaps, including accruals of periodic amounts of interest to be paid or received on swaps, is reported as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon payment or receipt of a periodic payment or termination of the swap agreements. Swap agreements are stated at fair value. Notional principal amounts are used to express the extent of involvement in these transactions, but the amounts potentially subject to credit risk are much smaller.
Premiums paid to or by the Fund are accrued daily and included in realized gain (loss) when paid on swaps in the accompanying Statement of Operations. The contracts are marked-to-market daily based on dealer-supplied valuations and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Gains or losses are realized upon early termination of the contract. Risks may exceed amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts’ terms and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the contracts.
If the Fund is required to terminate any swap or cap early due to the Fund failing to maintain a required 200% asset coverage of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares or the Fund loses its credit rating on its Preferred Shares, then the Fund could be required to make a termination payment, in addition to redeeming all or some of the Preferred Shares.
             
Notes to Financial Statements     
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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
As of April 30, 2008, the Fund has an outstanding swap agreement as listed below.
                             
                        Unrealized
    Fixed Rate   Floating Rate   Termination   Notional   Appreciation/
Counterparty   (Fund Pays)   (Fund Receives)   Date   Amount   (Depreciation)
 
Citibank, N.A.
  4.34% monthly   1 month LIBOR   6/4/2009     200,000,000       $(3,073,242 )
NOTE 9 – WRITTEN OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may engage in option transactions and in doing so achieve the similar objectives to what it would achieve through the sale or purchase of individual securities. For the six months ended April 30, 2008, the Fund had the following transactions in options written:
                 
    Number of   Premiums
    Contracts   Received
 
Options outstanding at October 31, 2007
        $  
Options written
    155,211       53,491,908  
Options closed
    (94,611 )     (23,943,362 )
Options expired
           
Options exercised
           
     
Options outstanding at April 30, 2008
    60,600     $ 29,548,546  
     
NOTE 10 – SECURITIES LENDING
The Fund may loan one or more of their securities to broker-dealers and banks. Any such loan must be continuously secured by collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a current basis in an amount at least equal to the value of the securities loaned by the Fund. The Fund continues to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and also receive an additional return that may be in the form of a fixed fee or a percentage of the collateral. The Fund may pay reasonable fees to persons unaffiliated with the Fund for services in arranging these loans. The Fund has the right to call the loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice of not less than five business days. The Fund does not have the right to vote the securities during the existence of the loan but could call the loan in an attempt to permit voting of the securities in certain circumstances. Upon return of the securities loaned, the cash or cash equivalent collateral will be returned to the borrower. In the event of bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities and losses, including (a) possible decline in the value of the collateral or in the value of the securities loaned during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) possible subnormal levels of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (c) the expenses of enforcing their rights. In an effort to reduce these risks, the Fund’s security lending agent monitors and reports to Calamos Advisors on the creditworthiness of the firms to which a Fund lends securities. At April 30, 2008, the Fund had securities valued at $29,859,727 on loan to broker-dealers and banks and $31,184,000 in cash or cash equivalent collateral.
NOTE 11 – SYNTHETIC CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
The Fund may establish a ‘’synthetic’’ convertible instrument by combining separate securities that possess the economic characteristics similar to a convertible security, i.e., fixed-income securities (‘’fixed-income component’’, which may be a convertible or non-convertible security) and the right to acquire equity securities (‘’convertible component’’). The fixed-income component is achieved by investing in fixed income securities such as bonds, preferred stocks and money market instruments. The convertible component is achieved by investing in warrants or options to buy common stock at a certain exercise price, or options on a stock index. In establishing a synthetic instrument, the Fund may pool a basket of fixed-income securities and a basket of warrants or options that produce the economic characteristics similar to a convertible security. Within each basket of fixed-income securities and warrants or
         
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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
options, different companies may issue the fixed-income and convertible components, which may be purchased separately and at different times.
The Fund may also purchase synthetic securities created by other parties, typically investment banks, including convertible structured notes. Convertible structured notes are fixed-income debentures linked to equity. Convertible structured notes have the attributes of a convertible security; however, the investment bank that issued the convertible note assumes the credit risk associated with the investment, rather than the issuer of the underlying common stock into which the note is convertible. Purchasing synthetic convertible securities may offer more flexibility than purchasing a convertible security.
NOTE 12 – STRUCTURED EQUITY-LINKED SECURITIES
The Fund may also invest in structured equity-linked securities created by third parties, typically investment banks. Structured equity-linked securities created by such parties may be designed to simulate the characteristics of traditional convertible securities or may be designed to alter or emphasize a particular feature. Traditional convertible securities typically offer stable cash flows with the ability to participate in capital appreciation of the underlying common stock. Because traditional convertible securities are exercisable at the option of the holder, the holder is protected against downside risk. Structured equity-linked securities may alter these characteristics by offering enhanced yields in exchange for reduced capital appreciation or less downside protection, or any combination of these features. Structured equity-linked instruments may include structured notes, equity-linked notes, mandatory convertibles and combinations of securities and instruments, such as a debt instrument combined with a forward contract. Cash flows received from these securities are recorded as dividends on the Statement of Operations.
             
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Table of Contents

Financial Highlights
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period were as follows:
                                         
    Six Months                            
    Ended                           March 26, 2004*
    April 30,                           through
    (unaudited)   For the Year Ended October 31,   October 31,
     
    2008   2007   2006   2005   2004
Net asset value, beginnning of period
  $ 16.92     $ 15.71     $ 14.44     $ 14.23     $ 14.32 (a)
 
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income (loss)
    0.41 **     0.86 **     0.89       0.93       0.51  
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments, written options, foreign currency and interest rate swaps
    (2.40 )     1.89       1.86       0.48       (0.09 )
 
Distributions to preferred shareholders from:
                                       
Net investment income (common share equivalent basis)
    (0.09 )     (0.32 )     (0.33 )     (0.21 )     (0.06 )
 
Capital gains (common share equivalent basis)
    (0.08 )     (0.05 )                  
 
Total from investment operations
    (2.16 )     2.38       2.42       1.20       0.36  
 
Less distributions to common shareholders from:
                                       
Net investment income
    (0.51 )     (1.01 )     (0.77 )     (0.71 )     (0.37 )
 
Capital gains
    (0.14 )     (0.16 )     (0.38 )     (0.28 )      
 
Capital charge resulting from issuance of common and preferred shares
                            (0.08 )
 
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 14.11     $ 16.92     $ 15.71     $ 14.44     $ 14.23  
 
Market value, end of period
  $ 12.73     $ 14.70     $ 14.91     $ 13.71     $ 13.34  
 
Total investment return based on(b):
                                       
Net asset value
    (12.37 )%     16.33 %     18.03 %     8.95 %     2.10 %
 
Market value
    (9.00 )%     6.49 %     17.99 %     10.35 %     (8.59 )%
 
Ratios and supplemental data:
                                       
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (000’s omitted)
  $ 2,179,861     $ $2,615,012     $ 2,427,632     $ $2,231,348     $ 2,199,229  
 
Preferred shares, at redemption value ($25,000 per share liquidation preference) (000’s omitted)
  $ 1,080,000     $ $1,080,000     $ 1,080,000     $ $1,080,000     $ 1,080,000  
 
Ratios to average net assets applicable to common shareholders:
                                       
Net expenses(c)(d)
    1.67 %     1.61 %     1.66 %     1.67 %     1.61 %
 
Gross expenses(c)(d)
    1.68 %     1.62 %     1.66 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
 
Net investment income (loss)(c)(d)
    5.58 %     5.30 %     5.92 %     6.25 %     6.27 %
 
Preferred share distributions(c)
    1.27 %     1.95 %     2.18 %     1.40 %     0.67 %
 
Net investment income (loss), net of preferred share distributions(c)
    4.31 %     3.35 %     3.74 %     4.85 %     5.60 %
 
Portfolio turnover rate
    33 %     48 %     48 %     71 %     11 %
 
Average commission rate paid
  $ 0.0502     $ 0.0283     $ 0.0342     $ 0.0381     $ 0.0197  
 
Asset coverage per preferred share, at end of period(e)
  $ 75,483     $ 85,552     $ 81,216     $ 76,667     $ 75,916  
 
 
*   Commencement of operations.
 
**   Net investment income allocated based on average shares method.
 
(a)   Net of sales load of $0.675 on initial shares issued and beginning net asset value of $14.325.
 
(b)   Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common shares on the opening of the first day and a sale on the closing of the last day of the period reported. Dividends and distributions are assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year. Brokerage commissions are not reflected. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share market price is the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the Fund at a given time. Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors, including supply and demand and market conditions.
 
(c)   Annualized for periods less than one year.
 
(d)   Does not reflect the effect of dividend payments to Preferred Shares.
 
(e)   Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including Preferred Shares) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing this by the number of Preferred Shares outstanding.
         
28
  Strategic Total Return Fund    
  SEMIANNUAL REPORT   Financial Highlights

 


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
We have reviewed the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (the “Fund”) as of April 30, 2008, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the semi-annual period then ended, included in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These interim financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such interim financial statements and financial highlights for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the statement of changes in net assets of the Fund for the year ended October 31, 2007 and the financial highlights for each of the three years then ended and for the period from March 26, 2004 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2004; and in our report dated December 14, 2007, we expressed an unqualified opinion on such statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights.
-s- DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
June 18, 2008
             
 
  Strategic Total Return Fund        29  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     
  SEMIANNUAL REPORT      

 


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About Closed-End Funds
What is a Closed-End Fund?
A closed-end fund is a publicly traded investment company that raises its initial investment capital through the issuance of a fixed number of shares to investors in a public offering. Shares of a closed-end fund are listed on a stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market. Like all investment companies, a closed-end fund is professionally managed and offers investors a unique investment solution based on its investment objective approved by the fund’s Board of Directors.
Potential Advantages of Closed-End Fund Investing
  Defined Asset Pool Allows Efficient Portfolio Management—Although closed-end fund shares trade actively on a securities exchange, this doesn’t affect the closed-end fund manager because there are no new investors buying into or selling out of the fund’s portfolio.
  More Flexibility in the Timing and Price of Trades—Investors can purchase and sell shares of closed-end funds throughout the trading day, just like the shares of other publicly traded securities.
  Closed-End Structure Makes Sense for Less-Liquid Asset Classes—A closed-end structure makes sense for investors considering less-liquid asset classes, such as high-yield bonds or micro-cap stocks.
  Ability to Put Leverage to Work—Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (such as preferred shares or debentures) or borrow money to “leverage” their investment positions.
  No Minimum Investment Requirements
OPEN-END MUTUAL FUNDS VERSUS CLOSED-END FUNDS
     
Open-End Fund   Closed-End Fund
Issues new shares on an ongoing basis
  Issues a fixed number of shares
Issues equity shares
  Can issue senior securities such as preferred shares and bonds
Sold at NAV plus any sales charge
  Price determined by the marketplace
Sold through the fund’s distributor
  Traded in the secondary market
Fund redeems shares at NAV calculated at the close of business day
  Fund does not redeem common shares
         
30
  Strategic Total Return Fund    
  SEMIANNUAL REPORT   About Closed-End Funds

 


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Level Rate Distribution Policy
Using a Level Rate Distribution Policy to Promote Dependable Income and Total Return
The goal of the level rate distribution policy is to provide investors a predictable, though not assured, level of cash flow, which can either serve as a stable income stream or, through reinvestment, contribute significantly to long-term total return.
We understand the importance that investors place on the stability of dividends and their ability to contribute to long-term total return, which is why we have instituted a level rate distribution policy for the Fund. Under the policy, monthly distributions paid may include net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains and, if necessary, return of capital. In addition, a limited number of distributions per calendar year may include net realized long-term capital gains. There is no guarantee that the Fund will realize capital gains in any given year. Distributions are subject to re-characterization for tax purposes after the end of the fiscal year. All shareholders with taxable accounts will receive written notification regarding the components and tax treatment for distributions via Form 1099-DIV.
Distributions from the Fund are generally subject to Federal income taxes. For purposes of maintaining the level rate distribution policy, the Fund may realize short-term capital gains on securities that, if sold at a later date, would have resulted in long-term capital gains. Maintenance of a level rate distribution policy may increase transaction and tax costs associated with the Fund.
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Maximizing Investment with an Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan offers a simple, cost-efficient and convenient way to reinvest your dividends and capital gains distributions in additional shares of the Fund, allowing you to increase your investment in the Fund.
Potential Benefits
  Compounded Growth: By automatically reinvesting with the Plan, you gain the potential to allow your dividends and capital gains to compound over time.
  Potential for Lower Commission Costs: Additional shares are purchased in large blocks, with brokerage commissions shared among all plan participants. There is no cost to enroll in the Plan.
  Convenience: After enrollment, the Plan is automatic and includes detailed statements for participants. Participants can terminate their enrollment at any time.
For additional information about the Plan, please contact the Plan Agent, The Bank of New York, at 800.432.8224 or visit us on the web at www.calamos.com/csq.aspx. If you wish to participate in the Plan and your shares are held in your own name, simply call the Plan Agent. If your shares are not held in your name, please contact your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee to request that they participate in the Plan on your behalf. If your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you may request that your shares be re-registered in your own name.
We’re pleased to provide our shareholders with the additional benefit of the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan and hope that it may serve your financial plan.
             
 
  Strategic Total Return Fund          31  
Level Rate Distribution Policy and Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan  
  SEMIANNUAL REPORT      

 


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The Calamos Investments Advantage
Calamos’ history is one of performing well for our clients through nearly 30 years of advances and declines in the market. We use proprietary risk-management strategies designed to control volatility, and maintain a balance between risk and reward throughout a market cycle.
Disciplined Investment Philosophy and Process
Calamos Investments has developed a proprietary research and monitoring process that goes far beyond traditional security analysis. This process applies to each of our investment strategies, with emphasis varying by strategy. When combined with the company-specific research and industry insights of our investment team, the goal is nimble, dynamic management of a portfolio that allows us to anticipate and adapt to changing market conditions. In each of our investment strategies, from the most conservative to the most aggressive, our goals include maximizing return while controlling risk, protecting principal during volatile markets, avoiding short-term market timing, and maintaining a vigilant long-term outlook.
Comprehensive Risk Management
Our approach to risk management includes continual monitoring, adherence to our discipline, and a focus on assuring a consistent risk profile during all phases of the market cycle. Incorporating qualitative and quantitative factors as well as a strong sell discipline, this risk-control policy seeks to help preserve investors’ capital over the long term.
Proven Investment Management Team
The Calamos Family of Funds benefits from our team’s decades of experience in the investment industry. We follow a one-team, one-process approach that leverages the expertise of more than 50 investment professionals, led by Co-Chief Investment Officers John P. Calamos, Sr. and Nick P. Calamos, whose investment industry experience dates back to 1970 and 1983, respectively. Through the collective industry experience and educational achievements of our research and portfolio staff, we can respond to the challenges of the market with innovative and timely ideas.
Sound Proprietary Research
Over the years, we have invested significant time and resources in developing and refining sophisticated analytical models that are the foundation of the firm’s research capabilities, which we apply in conjunction with our assessment of broad themes. We believe evolving domestic policies, the growing global economy, and new technologies present long-term investment opportunities for those who can detect them.
         
32     
  Strategic Total Return Fund    
  SEMIANNUAL REPORT        The Calamos Investments Advantage

 


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Calamos Closed-End Funds
Intelligent Asset Allocation in Five Distinct Closed-End Funds
Depending on which Calamos closed-end fund you currently own, you may want to consider one or more of our other closed-end strategies to further diversify your investment portfolio.
Seek the advice of your financial advisor, who can help you determine your financial goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs. To learn more, you can also visit our website at www.calamos.com.
     
Fund Asset Allocation as of 4/30/08   Fund Profile
 
Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund (CHI)
   
 
(PIE CHART)
  Providing Enhanced Fixed Income Potential

Objective:
The Fund seeks total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of convertible securities and below investment-grade (high-yield) fixed-income securities.
 
   
Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund (CHY)
   
 
(PIE CHART)
  Providing Enhanced Fixed Income Potential

Objective:
The Fund seeks total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of convertible securities and below investment-grade (high-yield) fixed-income securities.
 
   
Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund (CHW)
   
 
(PIE CHART)
  Providing Global Enhanced Fixed Income Potential

Objective:
The Fund seeks to generate a high level of current income with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund has maximum flexibility to dynamically allocate among equities, fixed-income securities and alternative investments around the world.
 
   
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ)
   
 
(PIE CHART)
  Providing Defensive Equity

Objective:
The Fund seeks total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity, convertible and below investment-grade (high-yield) fixed-income securities.
 
   
Calamos Global Total Return Fund (CGO)
   
 
(PIE CHART)
  Providing Defensive Global Equity

Objective:
The Fund seeks total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of global equity, global convertible and below investment-grade (high-yield) fixed-income securities.
Fund asset allocations are based on total investments (excluding security lending collateral) and may vary over time.
             
 
  Strategic Total Return Fund     33  
Calamos Closed-End Funds
  SEMIANNUAL REPORT      

 


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(GRAPHICS)

 


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
Included in the Report to Shareholders in Item 1.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No material changes.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.
b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a)(2) Code of Ethics — Not applicable.
(a)(2)(i) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
(a)(2)(ii) Certification of Principal Financial Officer.


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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund    
 
       
By:
  /s/ John P. Calamos, Sr.
 
   
Name: John P. Calamos, Sr.    
Title: Principal Executive Officer    
Date: June 24, 2008    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Nimish S. Bhatt
 
   
Name: Nimish S. Bhatt    
Title: Principal Financial Officer    
Date: June 24, 2008    
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund    
 
       
By:
  /s/ John P. Calamos, Sr.
 
   
Name: John P. Calamos, Sr.    
Title: Principal Executive Officer    
Date: June 24, 2008    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Nimish S. Bhatt
 
   
Name: Nimish S. Bhatt    
Title: Principal Financial Officer    
Date: June 24, 2008