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 811-21982
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Amy J. Lee
 
227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 827-0100
Date of fiscal year end: May 31
Date of reporting period:  June 1, 2018 – November 30, 2018


Item 1.  Reports to Stockholders.
The registrant’s semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), is as follows:


 

GUGGENHEIMINVESTMENTS.COM/GOF
... YOUR WINDOW TO THE LATEST, MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND
The shareholder report you are reading right now is just the beginning of the story.
Online at guggenheiminvestments.com/gof, you will find:
·
Daily, weekly and monthly data on share prices, net asset values, distributions and more
 
·
Portfolio overviews and performance analyses
 
·
Announcements, press releases and special notices
 
·
Fund and adviser contact information
Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC are continually updating and expanding shareholder information services on the Fund’s website in an ongoing effort to provide you with the most current information about how your Fund’s assets are managed and the results of our efforts. It is just one more small way we are working to keep you better informed about your investment in the Fund.

 

   
(Unaudited) 
November 30, 2018 
 
DEAR SHAREHOLDER
We thank you for your investment in the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”). This report covers the Fund’s performance for the six-month period ended November 30, 2018.
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund pursues a relative value-based investment philosophy. The Fund’s sub-adviser seeks to combine a credit-managed fixed-income portfolio with access to a diversified pool of alternative investments and equity strategies.
All Fund returns cited—whether based on net asset value (“NAV”) or market price—assume the reinvestment of all distributions. For the six-month period ended November 30, 2018, the Fund provided a total return based on market price of -0.75% and a total return based on NAV of 2.33%. As of November 30, 2018, the Fund’s market price of $20.01 represented a premium of 8.34% to its NAV of $18.47. NAV return includes the deduction of management fees, operating expenses, and all other Fund expenses.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. All NAV returns include the deduction of management fees, operating expenses, and all other Fund expenses. The market price of the Fund’s shares fluctuates from time to time, and it may be higher or lower than the Fund’s NAV.
From June 2018 through November 2018, the Fund paid a monthly distribution of $0.1821 per share. The latest distribution represents an annualized distribution rate of 10.92% based on the Fund’s closing market price of $20.01 on November 30, 2018. The Fund’s distribution rate is not constant and the amount of distributions, when declared by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, is subject to change based on the performance of the Fund. Please see Note 2(f) on page 54 for more information on distributions for the period.
Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM” or the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment sub-adviser and is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio of investments. Each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser is an affiliate of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), a global diversified financial services firm.
We encourage shareholders to consider the opportunity to reinvest their distributions from the Fund through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”), which is described in detail on page 79 of this report. When shares trade at a discount to NAV, the DRIP takes advantage of the discount by reinvesting the monthly dividend distribution in common shares of the Fund purchased in the market at a price less than NAV. Conversely, when the market price of the Fund’s common shares is at a premium above NAV, the DRIP reinvests participants’ dividends in newly-issued common shares at the greater of NAV per share or 95% of the market price per share. The DRIP provides a cost-effective means to accumulate additional shares and enjoy the benefits of compounding returns over time. Since the Fund endeavors to maintain a stable monthly distribution, the DRIP effectively provides an income averaging technique

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 3

 

   
DEAR SHAREHOLDER (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
which causes shareholders to accumulate a larger number of Fund shares when the market price is depressed than when the price is higher.
To learn more about the Fund’s performance and investment strategy, we encourage you to read the Questions & Answers section of this report, which begins on page 5. You’ll find information on Guggenheim’s investment philosophy, views on the economy and market environment, and detailed information about the factors that impacted the Fund’s performance.
We appreciate your investment and look forward to serving your investment needs in the future. For the most up-to-date information on your investment, please visit the Fund’s website at guggenheiminvestments.com/gof.
Sincerely,
Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
December 31, 2018

4 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2018 
 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (“Fund”) is managed by a team of seasoned professionals at Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM”). This team includes B. Scott Minerd, Chairman of Guggenheim Investments and Global Chief Investment Officer; Anne B. Walsh, CFA, JD, Senior Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income; Steven H. Brown, CFA, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager; and Adam Bloch, Director and Portfolio Manager. In the following interview, the investment team discusses the market environment and the Fund’s performance for the six-month period ended November 30, 2018.
What is the Fund’s investment objective and how is it pursued?
The Fund seeks to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund pursues a relative value-based investment philosophy, which utilizes quantitative and qualitative analysis.
The Fund seeks to combine a credit-managed fixed-income portfolio with access to a diversified pool of alternative investments and equity strategies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a wide range of fixed-income and other debt and senior-equity securities (“Income Securities”) selected from a variety of credit qualities and sectors, including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, loans and loan participations, structured finance investments, U.S. government and agency securities, mezzanine and preferred securities and convertible securities, and in common stocks, limited liability company interests, trust certificates, and other equity investments (“Common Equity Securities”), exposure to which is obtained primarily by investing in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that Guggenheim believes offer attractive yield and/or capital appreciation potential, including employing a strategy of writing (selling) covered call and put options on such equities. Guggenheim believes the volatility of the Fund can be reduced by diversifying across a large number of sectors and securities, some of which historically have not been highly correlated to one another.
Under normal market conditions:
•  The Fund may invest without limitation in fixed-income securities rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”); the Fund may invest in below-investment grade income securities of any rating;
•  The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated fixed-income securities of corporate and governmental issuers located outside the U.S., including up to 10% of total assets in fixed-income securities of issuers located in emerging markets;

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 5

 

   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
·
The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in common equity securities, and the Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds or other investment funds that track equity market indices and/or through derivative instruments that replicate the economic characteristics of exposure to Common Equity Securities; and
 
·
The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in investment funds that primarily hold (directly or indirectly) investments in which the Fund may invest directly, of which amount up to 30% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in investment funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) to the extent permitted by applicable law and related interpretations of the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Guggenheim’s process for determining whether to buy a security is a collaborative effort between various groups including: (i) economic research, which focus on key economic themes and trends, regional and country-specific analysis, and assessments of event-risk and policy impacts on asset prices, (ii) the Portfolio Construction Group, which utilize proprietary portfolio construction and risk modeling tools to determine allocation of assets among a variety of sectors, (iii) its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for identifying investment opportunities in particular securities within these sectors, including the structuring of certain securities directly with the issuers or with investment banks and dealers involved in the origination of such securities, and (iv) portfolio managers, who determine which securities best fit the Fund based on the Fund’s investment objective and top-down sector allocations. In managing the Fund, Guggenheim uses a process for selecting securities for purchase and sale that is based on intensive credit research and involves extensive due diligence on each issuer, region and sector. Guggenheim also considers macroeconomic outlook and geopolitical issues.
The Fund may use financial leverage to finance the purchase of additional securities. Although financial leverage may create an opportunity for increased return for shareholders, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. There is no assurance that the strategy will be successful. If income and gains earned on securities purchased with the financial leverage proceeds are greater than the cost of the financial leverage, common shareholders’ return will be greater than if financial leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income or gains from the securities purchased with the proceeds of financial leverage are less than the cost of the financial leverage, common shareholders’ return will be less than if financial leverage had not been used.

6 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
What were the significant events over the six-month period ended November 30, 2018 affecting Guggenheim’s view of the economy and market environment?
The market volatility seen in the final months of 2018 laid bare the tension that we expect to drive markets in the coming year. As we have highlighted previously, U.S. Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) growth has been unsustainably strong, and the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) had no choice but to signal its intent to slow growth down in an effort to reduce inflationary pressures and stabilize the labor market. At the same time, risky asset valuations reflected market expectations that strong growth would continue well into the future.
The U.S. economy expanded at a rate of about 3% in 2018, which GPIM finds to be roughly twice the pace needed to limit further tightening of the labor market. Tepid supply-side growth means the economy’s longer-run “speed limit” is lower than most people think at around 1.5%, with corresponding equilibrium payroll gains in the neighborhood of just 95,000 per month. This implies that a big growth slowdown will be needed for the Fed to fulfill its “maximum sustainable employment” objective. Like most forecasters, we envision a slowdown in 2019, but we expect growth to remain above potential for most of the year, resulting in further tightening of the labor market.
With growth set to slow, the prospects for further rate increases have become more uncertain, particularly in light of recent market volatility. As the Fed enters a more data-dependent phase, GPIM has changed its call for increases in the federal funds rate in 2019 from four to two. A key element of the change in our forecast is that tighter financial conditions take some pressure off the Fed to raise the federal funds rate. Essentially, the markets have done some tightening for the Fed, which limits the need for the Fed to hike rates as much. Our expectation for two rate hikes in 2019 is also based on the Fed continuing along its pre-set course for balance sheet runoff. Our work shows that balance sheet runoff equates to at least an extra 25 basis point hike in both 2018 and 2019.
Yields on U.S. Treasury securities have fallen in recent months, but we expect higher yields in 2019 as the Fed delivers more rate hikes than the market is pricing in. As with the last hiking cycle, we believe the market is underestimating the terminal rate, which argues for maintaining an underweight duration stance.
In the six months ending November 30, 2018, the U.S. Treasury curve continued its bear-flattening trend, as the yield on the two-year Treasury rose 36 basis points, from 2.43% to 2.79% and the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose just 13 basis points, from 2.86% to 2.99%. The difference between the two-year Treasury and 10-year Treasury narrowed from 43 basis points to 20 basis points. At its December meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) raised the federal funds rate as expected to a

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 7

 

   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
target range of 2.25-2.50% and added language around the future course of policy. The adjusted language suggests the Fed will be more data dependent going forward, saying that it will “continue to monitor global economic and financial developments and assess their implications for the economic outlook.”
The weak link in the U.S. economy is corporate balance sheets that are burdened with too much debt. One aspect of this story that is underappreciated by markets is the deterioration in working capital management relative to the past cycle. Our analysis shows that corporations’ short-term liabilities are rising as they take longer to pay their suppliers. This trend increases the interconnectedness of U.S. companies and could worsen the next downturn.
Market sentiment is dependent on the continuation of above potential growth, an outcome the Fed cannot tolerate indefinitely, and economic history tells us we should not expect. With this in mind, we continue to reduce credit exposure in the portfolio.
How did the Fund perform for the six months ended November 30, 2018?
All Fund returns cited—whether based on net asset value (“NAV”) or market price—assume the reinvestment of all distributions. For the six-month period ended November 30, 2018, the Fund provided a total return based on market price of -0.75% and a total return based on NAV of 2.33%. As of November 30, 2018, the Fund’s market price of $20.01 represented a premium of 8.34% to its NAV of $18.47. NAV return includes the deduction of management fees, operating expenses, and all other Fund expenses. As of May 31, 2018, the Fund’s market price of $21.29 represented a premium of 11.35% to its NAV of $19.12. The market value of the Fund’s shares fluctuates from time to time and may be higher or lower than the Fund’s NAV. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
What were the Fund’s distributions?
From June 2018 through November 2018, the Fund paid a monthly distribution of $0.1821 per share. The latest distribution represents an annualized distribution rate of 10.92% based on the Fund’s closing market price of $20.01 on November 30, 2018. The Fund’s distribution rate is not constant and the amount of distributions, when declared by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, is subject to change based on the performance of the Fund. Please see Note 2(f) on page 54 for more information on distributions for the period.

8 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
How did other markets perform in this environment for the six-month period ended November 30, 2018?
Index 
Total Return 
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 
-0.30% 
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond 1-3 Year Index 
0.75% 
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index 
0.30% 
Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index 
1.21% 
ICE BofA/ML ABS Master BBB-AA Index 
1.33% 
S&P 500 Index 
3.02% 
 
Discuss performance over the period.
During the period, the Fund saw positive performance primarily attributable to the portfolio’s carry. Carry refers to the income received from portfolio investments over a defined period. Carry from bank loans, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), and aircraft asset-backed securities (“ABS”) were the largest drivers of return.
As we approach a potential turn in the credit cycle, the Fund pared back its allocation to bank loans, high yield and investment grade corporate bonds over the period.
Bank loans performed well, buoyed by Fed rate increases and a benign default environment. We reduced our exposure, however, as uncertainty in later stages of the credit cycle has been accompanied by higher volatility in lower-quality assets. The Fund’s investments focused on companies with strong cash flows, recurring revenue streams, and high-quality margins.
CLO debt continued to add to the Fund’s return. Credit performance in underlying bank loans remains strong, though cyclical and idiosyncratic risk concerns are increasing. We are cognizant of the growing risk of negative credit events related to the turn in the credit cycle. We remain focused on limiting spread duration in order to protect against price volatility.
Aircraft ABS remained stable and performed well during the period. Aircraft ABS gained significant investor sponsorship in 2018, as aircraft traffic growth and aircraft collateral continued to demonstrate strong credit fundamentals.
The Fund increased its allocation to non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities. We hold a constructive view on the sector as healthy housing fundamentals and improving borrower performance support the sector. Strong demand and muted new home construction have pushed inventories to historically low levels, in turn boosting home values. Against this backdrop, ongoing credit curing of legacy mortgage-backed securities borrowers should result in improved prepayments and loss rates on bonds and has already emboldened greater risk-taking by lenders and investors.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 9

 

   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
With approximately 68% of the Fund’s managed assets invested in floating rate investments at period’s end, we believe the Fund is positioned for additional interest rate increases.
What was the impact of derivatives on Fund performance?
The Fund uses derivatives for its covered call strategy and for various hedging purposes, such as currency forward contracts to hedge exchange rate risk in the purchase of government securities of foreign countries.
The covered call strategy added to performance during the period.
Over the last six months, the U.S. dollar appreciated versus foreign currencies, a positive impact on the forward contracts, adding to performance, but offset by depreciation of the foreign-denominated assets in U.S. dollar terms.
The Fund also purchased a credit hedge via credit default swaps in November to reduce portfolio spread duration. As spreads widened the credit hedge added to performance.
Discuss the Fund’s approach to duration.
Although the Fund has no set policy regarding portfolio duration or maturity, the Fund maintained a low-duration target at period’s end.
Discuss the Fund’s use of leverage.
The Fund employed no leverage at period’s end and approximately 0.30% of managed assets (including the proceeds of leverage) at May 31, 2018. The minimal use of leverage during this period had a negligible impact on the Fund’s return. The purpose of leverage (borrowing and reverse repurchase agreements) is to fund the purchase of additional securities that may provide increased income and potentially greater appreciation to common shareholders than could be achieved from an unlevered portfolio. Leverage results in greater NAV volatility and entails more downside risk than an unleveraged portfolio.
Guggenheim employs leverage through two vehicles: reverse repurchase agreements, under which the Fund temporarily transfers possession of portfolio securities and receives cash which can be used for additional investments, and a committed financing facility through a leading financial institution. There is no guarantee that the Fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. The Fund’s use of leverage may cause the Fund’s NAV and market price of common shares to be more volatile and can magnify the effect of any losses.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Index Definitions
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities or “MBS” (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage, or “ARM”, pass-throughs), asset-backed securities (“ABS”), and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) (agency and non-agency).
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond 1-3 Year Index measures the performance of publicly issued investment grade corporate, U.S. Treasury and government agency securities with remaining maturities of one to three years.
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index measures the U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield, fixed-rate corporate bond market. Securities are classified as high yield if the middle rating of Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P is Ba1/BB +/BB + or below.
The Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index is an index designed to mirror the investable universe of the U.S.-dollar-denominated leveraged loan market.
The ICE BofA/ML ABS Master BBB-AA Index is a subset of The ICE BofA/ML U.S. Fixed Rate Asset Backed Securities Index including all securities rated AA1 through BBB3, inclusive.
The Standard & Poor’s (“S&P 500”) Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure the performance of the broad economy, representing all major industries and is considered a representation of the U.S. stock market.
Risks and Other Considerations
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal and fluctuation of value. The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio managers only through the report period as stated on the cover. These views are expressed for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions, and may not come to pass. These views may differ from views of other investment professionals at Guggenheim and should not be construed as research, investment advice or a recommendation of any kind regarding the fund or any issuer or security, do not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell any security and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice. The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific investor.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
The views expressed in this report may also include forward looking statements that involve risk and uncertainty, and there is no guarantee that any predictions will come to pass. Actual results or events may differ materially from those projected, estimated, assumed or anticipated in any such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could result in such differences, in addition to the other factors noted with such forward-looking statements, include general economic conditions such as inflation, recession and interest rates.
There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives or that any investment strategies or techniques discussed herein will be effective. The value of the Fund will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. Historically, closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value.
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown.
Please see guggenheiminvestments.com/gof for a detailed discussion of the Fund’s risks and considerations.
This material is not intended as a recommendation or as investment advice of any kind, including in connection with rollovers, transfers, and distributions. Such material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. All content has been provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

12 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
FUND SUMMARY (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2018 
 
Fund Statistics 
 
Share Price 
$20.01 
Net Asset Value 
$18.47 
Premium to NAV 
8.34% 
Net Assets ($000) 
$590,711 
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE 
 
 
 
PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Six Month 
 
 
 
 
 
(non- 
One 
Three 
Five 
Ten 
 
annualized) 
Year 
Year 
Year 
Year 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund 
 
 
 
 
NAV 
2.33% 
4.94% 
13.06% 
9.89% 
16.51% 
Market 
(0.75%) 
3.32% 
16.76% 
10.33% 
19.51% 
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. All NAV returns include the deduction of management fees, operating expenses and all other Fund expenses. The deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares is not reflected in the total returns. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit guggenheiminvestments.com/gof. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and other factors so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Ten Largest Holdings 
(% of Total Net Assets) 
LSTAR Securities Investment Limited, 4.30% 
0.9% 
Lehman XS Trust Series, 2.49% 
0.9% 
TSGE, 6.25% 
0.9% 
GAHR Commercial Mortgage Trust, 3.49% 
0.9% 
Golub Capital Partners CLO Ltd., 4.68% 
0.8% 
OZLM XII Ltd., 4.57% 
0.7% 
Fortress Credit Opportunities IX CLO Ltd., 5.27% 
0.7% 
Encore Capital Group, Inc., 5.63% 
0.7% 
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Asset Corp., 6.36% 
0.6% 
Apollo Aviation Securitization Equity Trust, 5.93% 
0.6% 
Top Ten Total 
7.7% 
“Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash or derivative investments. 
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 13

 

   
FUND SUMMARY (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 

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FUND SUMMARY (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
Portfolio Breakdown 
% of Net Assets 
Investments: 
 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
32.2% 
Asset-Backed Securities 
22.6% 
Corporate Bonds 
18.3% 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
13.3% 
U.S. Treasury Bills 
6.4% 
Money Market Fund 
2.6% 
Foreign Government Bonds 
1.6% 
Preferred Stocks 
0.5% 
Other 
0.7% 
Total Investments: 
98.2% 
Corporate Bonds Sold Short 
-0.2% 
Call Options Written 
-0.4% 
Other Assets & Liabilities, net 
2.4% 
Net Assets 
100.0% 
Holdings diversification and holdings are subject to change daily. For more information, please visit guggenheiminvestments.com/gof. The above summaries are provided for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as recommendations. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 15

 

   
FUND SUMMARY (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Portfolio Composition by Quality Rating* 
 
 
 
% of Total 
Rating 
Investments 
Fixed Income Instruments 
 
AAA 
6.8% 
AA 
1.0% 
A 
11.1% 
BBB 
10.5% 
BB 
6.5% 
B 
29.7% 
CCC 
5.7% 
CC 
7.2% 
C 
1.1% 
D 
0.2% 
NR** 
20.0% 
Other Instruments 
 
Other 
0.2% 
Total Investments 
100.0% 
 
*     
Source: BlackRock Solutions. Credit quality ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). All rated securities have been rated by Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), or Fitch, which are all a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”). For purposes of this presentation, when ratings are available from more than one agency, the highest rating is used. Guggenheim Investments has converted Moody’s and Fitch ratings to the equivalent S&P rating. Security ratings are determined at the time of purchase and may change thereafter.
**     
NR securities do not necessarily indicate low credit quality.

16 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Shares 
Value 
     
COMMON STOCKS– 0.2% 
 
 
Utilities – 0.1% 
 
 
TexGen Power LLC*,†† 
22,219 
$ 881,361 
 
Energy – 0.1% 
 
 
SandRidge Energy, Inc.* 
39,565 
387,737 
Approach Resources, Inc.* 
57,880 
76,401 
Titan Energy LLC* 
9,603 
3,841 
Comstock Resources, Inc.* 
1 
8 
Total Energy 
 
467,987 
 
Communications – 0.0% 
 
 
Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.*,†† 
11,126 
62,117 
 
Technology – 0.0% 
 
 
Qlik Technologies, Inc. – Class A*,†††,1 
56 
57,049 
Qlik Technologies, Inc.*,††† 
3,600 
 
Qlik Technologies, Inc. – Class B*,†††,1 
13,812 
 
Aspect Software, Inc.*,†††,1,2 
156 
 
Total Technology 
 
57,049 
 
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 0.0% 
 
 
Targus Group International Equity, Inc.*,†††,1,2 
12,989 
33,661 
 
Industrial 0.0% 
 
 
Carey International, Inc.*,†††,1 
6 
 
Total Common Stocks 
 
 
(Cost $3,450,544) 
 
1,502,175 
 
PREFERRED STOCKS†† – 0.5% 
 
 
Industrial – 0.3% 
 
 
Seaspan Corp. 6.38% due 04/30/19 
45,300 
1,143,825 
Lytx Holdings, LLC 11.50%*,†††,1,3 
521 
520,857 
Total Industrial 
 
1,664,682 
 
Financial – 0.2% 
 
 
Public Storage 5.40%3 
41,000 
937,260 
AgriBank FCB 6.88%3,5 
4,000 
422,000 
Total Financial 
 
1,359,260 
Total Preferred Stocks 
 
 
(Cost $2,996,362) 
 
3,023,942 
 
WARRANTS††† – 0.0% 
 
 
Lytx, Inc.*,1 
26 
131 
Aspect Software, Inc.*,1,2 
134,686 
 
Total Warrants 
 
 
(Cost $–) 
 
131 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 17

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares 
Value 
 
MONEY MARKET FUND– 2.6% 
 
 
Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management – Institutional Shares 2.08%8 
15,641,005 
$ 15,641,005 
Total Money Market Fund 
 
 
(Cost $15,641,005) 
 
15,641,005 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,4 – 32.2% 
 
 
Consumer, Cyclical – 6.7% 
 
 
Accuride Corp. 
 
 
7.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.25%, Rate Floor: 6.25%) due 11/17/23 
3,411,424 
$ 3,292,024 
EG Finco Ltd. 
 
 
6.39% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 02/07/25 
2,786,000 
2,751,174 
8.75% (3 Month EURIBOR + 7.75%, Rate Floor: 8.75%) due 04/20/26 
EUR 400,000 
450,309 
Big Jack Holdings LP 
 
 
5.60% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 04/05/24 
2,136,965 
2,094,225 
K & N Parent, Inc. 
 
 
7.14% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 10/20/23 
1,952,226 
1,942,464 
Blue Nile, Inc. 
 
 
8.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.50%, Rate Floor: 7.50%) due 02/17/23 
1,875,000 
1,856,250 
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. 
 
 
6.89% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 06/29/21 
1,765,000 
1,729,700 
Midas Intermediate Holdco II LLC 
 
 
5.14% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.75%, Rate Floor: 3.75%) due 08/18/21 
1,792,149 
1,722,703 
Touchtunes Interactive Network 
 
 
7.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 05/28/21 
1,569,910 
1,569,910 
Lands’ End, Inc. 
 
 
5.60% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 04/02/21 
1,638,566 
1,562,094 
EnTrans International, LLC 
 
 
8.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.00%, Rate Floor: 6.00%) due 11/01/24 
1,500,000 
1,485,000 
SHO Holding I Corp. 
 
 
7.53% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.00%, Rate Floor: 6.00%) due 10/27/22 
1,208,756 
1,136,231 
6.28% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 10/27/21†††,1 
354,000 
329,765 
Comet Bidco Ltd. 
 
 
7.70% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 5.00%, Rate Floor: 6.00%) due 09/30/24 
1,492,500 
1,464,516 
Zephyr Bidco Ltd. 
 
 
8.24% (1 Month GBP LIBOR + 7.50%, Rate Floor: 7.50%) due 07/23/26 
GBP 1,100,000 
1,387,445 
CPI Acquisition, Inc. 
 
 
7.02% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 6.50%) due 08/17/22 
2,021,782 
1,307,668 
BBB Industries, LLC 
 
 
6.81% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 08/01/25 
1,250,000 
1,248,438 
Alexander Mann 
 
 
7.80% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 5.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 08/11/25 
1,300,000 
1,248,000 
Apro LLC 
 
 
6.34% (2 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 08/08/24 
1,166,000 
1,157,255 
AT Home Holding III 
 
 
6.03% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 06/03/22 
1,110,000 
1,098,900 
 
See notes to financial statements.

18 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,4 – 32.2% (continued) 
 
 
Consumer, Cyclical – 6.7% (continued) 
 
 
WESCO 
 
 
6.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 06/14/24†††,1 
997,500 
$ 992,913 
SMG US Midco 2, Inc. 
 
 
5.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.00%, Rate Floor: 3.00%) due 01/23/25 
995,000 
983,189 
IBC Capital Ltd. 
 
 
6.09% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 3.75%) due 09/11/23 
995,000 
980,075 
Galls LLC 
 
 
8.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.25%, Rate Floor: 7.25%) due 01/31/25†††,1 
919,242 
910,126 
8.83% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.25%, Rate Floor: 7.25%) due 01/31/24†††,1 
59,211 
52,569 
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. 
 
 
6.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 04/25/24 
1,013,120 
893,238 
Truck Hero, Inc. 
 
 
6.07% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 3.75%) due 04/22/24 
845,718 
829,649 
NES Global Talent 
 
 
8.03% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.50%, Rate Floor: 6.50%) due 05/11/23 
638,329 
638,329 
Belk, Inc. 
 
 
7.36% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 12/12/22 
787,073 
627,203 
ABRA Auto Body 
 
 
9.58% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 7.25%, Rate Floor: 8.25%) due 09/19/22 
500,000 
498,750 
Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc. 
 
 
5.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 3.50%) due 08/16/23 
465,974 
459,217 
Acosta, Inc. 
 
 
5.79% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 2.25%, Rate Floor: 1.50%) due 09/26/19 
415,556 
287,490 
4.59% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%, Rate Floor: 3.25%) due 09/26/19 
244,444 
169,112 
Nellson Nutraceutical (US) 
 
 
6.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 12/23/21 
266,166 
264,835 
American Tire Distributors, Inc. 
 
 
11.25% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 8.75%, Rate Floor: 9.75%) due 10/05/19 
208,720 
207,676 
CH Holding Corp. 
 
 
9.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 7.25%, Rate Floor: 8.25%) due 02/03/25 
200,000 
199,500 
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. 
 
 
5.78% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 01/26/23 
99,488 
74,326 
Total Consumer, Cyclical 
 
39,902,268 
 
Industrial – 6.7% 
 
 
Alion Science & Technology Corp. 
 
 
6.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 08/19/21 
3,341,940 
3,347,153 
Tronair Parent, Inc. 
 
 
7.56% (12 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 09/08/23 
3,151,960 
3,088,920 
Capstone Logistics 
 
 
6.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 10/07/21 
2,675,509 
2,663,255 
American Bath Group LLC 
 
 
6.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 09/30/23 
2,708,257 
2,654,092 
ILPEA Parent, Inc. 
 
 
7.10% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 03/02/23 
2,592,462 
2,598,943 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 19

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,4 – 32.2% (continued) 
 
 
Industrial – 6.7% (continued) 
 
 
WP CPP Holdings LLC 
 
 
6.28% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 04/30/25 
2,380,000 
$ 2,359,175 
Transcendia Holdings, Inc. 
 
 
5.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 05/30/24 
1,980,038 
1,961,881 
Bioplan / Arcade 
 
 
7.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 09/23/21 
1,872,634 
1,774,321 
Foundation Building Materials Holding Company LLC 
 
 
5.56% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%, Rate Floor: 3.25%) due 08/13/25 
1,750,000 
1,710,625 
STS Operating, Inc. (SunSource) 
 
 
6.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 12/11/24 
1,496,482 
1,485,259 
National Technical 
 
 
8.55% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.25%, Rate Floor: 7.25%) due 06/12/21†††,1 
1,387,882 
1,353,185 
Savage Enterprises LLC 
 
 
6.82% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 08/01/25 
1,266,023 
1,266,023 
Endries Acquisition Holdings, Inc. 
 
 
7.06% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 06/01/23†††,1 
1,234,375 
1,225,113 
PT Intermediate Holdings III LLC 
 
 
6.39% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 12/09/24 
791,315 
785,380 
10.39% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 8.00%, Rate Floor: 9.00%) due 12/08/25 
400,000 
399,000 
ProAmpac PG Borrower LLC 
 
 
11.14% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 8.50%, Rate Floor: 9.50%) due 11/18/24 
1,000,000 
1,000,630 
Diversitech Holdings, Inc. 
 
 
9.89% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 7.50%, Rate Floor: 8.50%) due 06/02/25 
1,000,000 
995,000 
Bhi Investments LLC 
 
 
11.25% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 8.75%, Rate Floor: 9.75%) due 02/28/25†††,1 
1,000,000 
990,000 
Pelican Products, Inc. 
 
 
5.81% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 05/01/25 
997,500 
986,278 
DAE Aviation 
 
 
6.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 07/07/22 
989,796 
986,262 
Arctic Long Carriers 
 
 
6.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 05/18/23 
987,500 
974,337 
Hillman Group, Inc. 
 
 
6.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 05/30/25 
1,000,000 
964,380 
YAK MAT (YAK ACCESS LLC) 
 
 
12.32% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 10.00%, Rate Floor: 10.00%) due 07/10/26 
1,000,000 
900,000 
Fortis Solutions Group LLC 
 
 
6.81% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 12/15/23†††,1 
588,863 
588,863 
6.80% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 12/15/23†††,1 
242,257 
242,257 
SLR Consulting Ltd. 
 
 
6.50% (6 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 05/23/25†††,1 
793,980 
773,782 
Dimora Brands, Inc. 
 
 
5.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 08/24/24 
495,000 
487,575 
Duran, Inc. 
 
 
6.41% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 03/29/24 
501,648 
486,599 
 
See notes to financial statements.

20 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,4 – 32.2% (continued) 
 
 
Industrial – 6.7% (continued) 
 
 
Advanced Integration Technology LP 
 
 
7.46% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 04/03/23 
351,049 
$ 349,294 
Carey International, Inc. 
 
 
9.00% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 9.00%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 05/23/20†††,1 
53,419 
5,342 
Total Industrial 
 
39,402,924 
 
Technology – 6.4% 
 
 
Planview, Inc. 
 
 
7.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 5.25%, Rate Floor: 6.25%) due 01/27/23†††,1 
1,975,000 
1,975,000 
12.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 9.75%, Rate Floor: 10.75%) due 07/27/23†††,1 
900,000 
890,361 
Nimbus Acquisitions Bidco Ltd. 
 
 
8.25% (3 Month GBP LIBOR + 6.25%, Rate Floor: 7.25%) due 07/15/21†††,1 
GBP 1,660,282 
2,100,539 
4.78% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 6.25%, Rate Floor: 7.25%) due 07/15/21†††,1 
420,000 
410,374 
TIBCO Software, Inc. 
 
 
5.85% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 12/04/20 
2,360,082 
2,357,722 
Datix Bidco Ltd. 
 
 
7.28% (6 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 04/28/25†††,1 
2,001,644 
1,983,396 
10.53% (6 Month USD LIBOR + 7.75%, Rate Floor: 7.75%) due 09/24/26†††,1 
300,111 
297,177 
LANDesk Group, Inc. 
 
 
6.55% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 01/20/24 
2,237,816 
2,210,537 
Ministry Brands LLC 
 
 
6.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 12/02/22 
2,109,992 
2,099,443 
6.33% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 12/02/22 
52,201 
51,939 
Bullhorn, Inc. 
 
 
9.40% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 6.75%, Rate Floor: 7.75%) due 11/21/22†††,1 
2,022,118 
2,012,126 
9.23% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 6.75%, Rate Floor: 7.75%) due 11/21/22†††,1 
52,230 
47,041 
Cvent, Inc. 
 
 
6.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 11/29/24 
1,990,000 
1,977,562 
Brave Parent Holdings, Inc. 
 
 
6.39% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 04/18/25 
1,895,250 
1,886,968 
EIG Investors Corp. 
 
 
6.43% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 02/09/23 
1,841,617 
1,829,812 
Park Place Technologies LLC 
 
 
6.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 03/29/25 
1,082,336 
1,078,277 
10.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 8.00%, Rate Floor: 9.00%) due 03/29/26 
680,723 
673,916 
24-7 Intouch, Inc. 
 
 
6.57% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 08/25/25 
1,500,000 
1,447,500 
Refinitiv (Financial & Risk Us Holdings, Inc.) 
 
 
6.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 3.75%) due 10/01/25 
1,400,000 
1,362,256 
Advanced Computer Software 
 
 
7.07% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 05/31/24 
1,326,105 
1,326,105 
MRI Software LLC 
 
 
7.89% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.50%, Rate Floor: 6.50%) due 06/30/23 
1,236,528 
1,224,163 
7.93% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.50%, Rate Floor: 6.50%) due 06/30/23 
90,111 
89,210 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 21

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,4 – 32.2% (continued) 
 
 
Technology – 6.4% (continued) 
 
 
Aspect Software, Inc. 
 
 
13.39% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 11.00%, Rate Floor: 12.00%) due 05/25/202 
889,153 
$ 740,540 
6.48% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 05/25/202 
613,762 
511,178 
Optiv, Inc. 
 
 
5.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 02/01/24 
1,268,353 
1,208,106 
Lytx, Inc. 
 
 
9.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.75%, Rate Floor: 7.75%) due 08/31/23†††,1 
1,148,169 
1,125,692 
Project Accelerate Parent, LLC 
 
 
6.57% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 01/02/25 
995,000 
995,000 
Greenway Health LLC 
 
 
6.14% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 02/16/24 
994,962 
988,744 
VT Topco, Inc. 
 
 
6.05% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 3.75%) due 08/01/25 
800,000 
804,000 
6.08% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 3.75%) due 08/01/25 
97,333 
97,820 
Cologix Holdings, Inc. 
 
 
9.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 7.00%, Rate Floor: 8.00%) due 03/20/25 
750,000 
746,250 
Ping Identity Corp. 
 
 
6.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 01/24/25 
498,750 
500,620 
Jaggaer 
 
 
6.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 12/28/24 
249,372 
248,748 
Peak 10 Holding Corp. 
 
 
5.89% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 3.50%) due 08/01/24 
248,744 
240,194 
Solera LLC 
 
 
5.09% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 3.50%) due 03/03/21†††,1,7 
33,883 
31,733 
Targus Group International, Inc. 
 
 
due 05/24/16†††,1,2,13 
155,450 
 
Total Technology 
 
37,570,049 
 
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 5.0% 
 
 
WIRB – Copernicus Group, Inc. 
 
 
6.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 08/15/22 
3,137,225 
3,129,382 
Springs Window Fashions 
 
 
6.55% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 06/15/25 
1,346,625 
1,324,742 
10.80% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 8.50%, Rate Floor: 8.50%) due 06/15/26 
1,350,000 
1,269,000 
Immucor, Inc. 
 
 
7.39% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.00%, Rate Floor: 6.00%) due 06/15/21 
1,975,000 
1,979,938 
Endo Luxembourg Finance Co. 
 
 
6.63% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 04/29/24 
1,877,242 
1,866,298 
MDVIP LLC 
 
 
6.56% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 11/14/24 
1,488,750 
1,477,584 
Hearthside Group Holdings LLC 
 
 
6.32% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 05/23/25 
1,450,000 
1,431,875 
ScribeAmerica Intermediate Holdco LLC (Healthchannels) 
 
 
6.81% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 04/03/25 
1,443,750 
1,431,117 
 
See notes to financial statements.

22 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,4 – 32.2% (continued) 
 
 
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 5.0% (continued) 
 
 
BCPE Eagle Buyer LLC 
 
 
6.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 03/18/24 
1,478,985 
$ 1,430,918 
Sierra Acquisition, Inc. 
 
 
5.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 11/11/24 
1,371,254 
1,371,254 
CTI Foods Holding Co. LLC 
 
 
6.10% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 06/29/20 
1,325,000 
1,089,150 
9.85% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 7.25%, Rate Floor: 8.25%) due 06/28/21 
1,105,000 
246,780 
Avantor, Inc. 
 
 
6.07% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 11/21/24 
1,242,500 
1,240,425 
Arctic Glacier Group Holdings, Inc. 
 
 
5.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 03/20/24 
1,232,558 
1,217,151 
IHC Holding Corp. 
 
 
9.14% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 6.75%, Rate Floor: 7.75%) due 04/30/21†††,1 
924,480 
918,897 
9.09% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 6.75%, Rate Floor: 7.75%) due 04/30/21†††,1 
177,467 
176,396 
California Cryobank 
 
 
6.39% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 08/06/25 
1,000,000 
1,000,000 
Tecbid US, Inc. 
 
 
6.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 07/25/24 
988,890 
986,418 
Affordable Care Holding 
 
 
7.25% (2 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 10/24/22 
972,500 
970,069 
Chobani LLC 
 
 
5.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 10/10/23 
1,019,864 
958,040 
Give and Go Prepared Foods Corp. 
 
 
6.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 07/29/23 
831,600 
738,735 
CPI Holdco LLC 
 
 
5.89% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 03/21/24 
698,228 
692,991 
Certara, Inc. 
 
 
5.89% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 3.50%) due 08/15/24 
619,260 
615,005 
Duran, Inc. 
 
 
6.34% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 12/20/24 
550,000 
533,500 
Packaging Coordinators Midco, Inc. 
 
 
6.39% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 06/30/23 
510,190 
507,639 
Hoffmaster Group, Inc. 
 
 
6.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 11/21/23 
443,286 
443,287 
Kar Nut Products Company 
 
 
6.85% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 03/31/23†††,1 
376,791 
374,070 
Examworks Group, Inc. 
 
 
5.55% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%, Rate Floor: 3.75%) due 07/27/21†††,1 
200,000 
187,403 
Nellson Nutraceutical (CAD) 
 
 
6.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 12/23/21 
109,422 
108,875 
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical 
 
29,716,939 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 23

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,4 – 32.2% (continued) 
 
 
Basic Materials – 2.9% 
 
 
A-Gas Ltd. 
 
 
7.14% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 08/11/24†††,1 
2,421,997 
$ 2,382,605 
4.75% (3 Month EURIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 07/25/24†††,1 
EUR 1,250,000 
1,409,145 
ICP Industrial, Inc. 
 
 
6.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 11/03/23 
2,276,100 
2,264,719 
PetroChoice Holdings 
 
 
7.53% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.00%, Rate Floor: 6.00%) due 08/19/22 
2,045,373 
2,042,816 
American Rock Salt Company LLC 
 
 
6.09% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 03/21/25 
1,990,000 
1,975,075 
GrafTech Finance, Inc. 
 
 
5.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 02/12/25 
1,787,375 
1,762,799 
Niacet Corp. 
 
 
6.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 02/01/24 
1,652,088 
1,643,827 
LTI Holdings, Inc. 
 
 
5.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 3.50%) due 09/06/25 
1,000,000 
983,750 
Niacet B.V. 
 
 
5.50% (1 Month EURIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 02/01/24 
EUR 777,453 
875,966 
Big River Steel LLC 
 
 
7.39% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.00%, Rate Floor: 6.00%) due 08/23/23 
495,000 
492,525 
Pregis Holding I Corp. 
 
 
5.89% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 05/20/21 
473,722 
460,694 
Ranpak 
 
 
9.56% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 7.25%, Rate Floor: 8.25%) due 10/03/22 
417,407 
414,277 
PMHC II, Inc. (Prince) 
 
 
6.15% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.50%) due 03/29/25 
199,000 
188,055 
Noranda Aluminum Acquisition Corp. 
 
 
8.00% (Commercial Prime Lending Rate + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 02/28/1913 
517,932 
1,295 
Total Basic Materials 
 
16,897,548 
 
Communications – 2.2% 
 
 
Dominion Web Solutions LLC 
 
 
8.85% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.50%, Rate Floor: 7.50%) due 06/15/24†††,1 
2,738,858 
2,701,250 
Market Track LLC 
 
 
6.64% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 06/05/24 
2,123,125 
2,080,663 
Imagine Print Solutions LLC 
 
 
7.10% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%, Rate Floor: 5.75%) due 06/21/22 
1,970,000 
1,881,350 
Houghton Mifflin Co. 
 
 
5.35% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.00%, Rate Floor: 4.00%) due 05/28/21 
2,021,510 
1,861,810 
Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. 
 
 
6.56% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 06/07/23 
1,685,939 
1,502,896 
Resource Label Group LLC 
 
 
6.90% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 05/26/23 
1,336,439 
1,309,711 
Flight Bidco, Inc. 
 
 
9.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 7.50%, Rate Floor: 7.50%) due 07/23/26 
1,300,000 
1,287,000 
 
See notes to financial statements.

24 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,4 – 32.2% (continued) 
 
 
Communications – 2.2% (continued) 
 
 
Mcgraw-Hill Global Education Holdings LLC 
 
 
6.34% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 05/04/22 
492,403 
$ 453,627 
Total Communications 
 
13,078,307 
 
Financial – 1.2% 
 
 
PSS Companies 
 
 
6.84% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 01/28/20 
1,818,950 
1,800,761 
Advisor Group, Inc. 
 
 
6.05% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 3.75%) due 08/15/25 
1,500,000 
1,497,495 
StepStone Group LP 
 
 
6.35% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%, Rate Floor: 5.00%) due 03/27/25 
1,492,500 
1,485,037 
Aretec Group, Inc. 
 
 
6.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 10/01/25 
1,450,000 
1,440,938 
Northstar Financial Services LLC 
 
 
5.80% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%, Rate Floor: 4.25%) due 05/25/25 
498,750 
495,009 
Institutional Shareholder Services 
 
 
6.14% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 10/16/24 
454,896 
449,210 
6.08% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%, Rate Floor: 4.75%) due 10/16/24 
41,458 
40,940 
Total Financial 
 
7,209,390 
 
Energy – 0.7% 
 
 
Permian Production Partners 
 
 
8.31% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.00%, Rate Floor: 7.00%) due 05/20/24 
1,876,250 
1,852,797 
SeaPort Financing LLC 
 
 
7.85% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 5.50%, Rate Floor: 5.50%) due 10/31/25 
1,500,000 
1,492,500 
Gavilan Resources LLC 
 
 
8.31% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 6.00%, Rate Floor: 7.00%) due 03/01/24 
990,000 
838,203 
Total Energy 
 
4,183,500 
 
Utilities – 0.4% 
 
 
Panda Power 
 
 
8.89% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 6.50%, Rate Floor: 7.50%) due 08/21/20 
1,470,367 
1,335,093 
EIF Channelview Cogeneration LLC 
 
 
6.60% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%, Rate Floor: 5.25%) due 05/03/25 
943,149 
949,336 
Total Utilities 
 
2,284,429 
Total Senior Floating Rate Interests 
 
 
(Cost $194,718,243) 
 
190,245,354 
 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES†† – 22.6% 
 
 
Collateralized Loan Obligations – 15.1% 
 
 
Golub Capital Partners CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2018-36A, 4.68% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.10%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 02/05/314,9 
5,000,000 
4,833,330 
2018-39A, 4.66% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.20%, Rate Floor: 2.20%) due 10/20/284,9 
2,500,000 
2,496,486 
2018-25A, 4.48% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 1.90%, Rate Floor: 1.90%) due 05/05/304,9 
2,500,000 
2,472,198 
2017-16A, 5.36% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.00%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 07/25/294,9 
1,500,000 
1,501,547 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 25

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES†† – 22.6% (continued) 
 
 
Collateralized Loan Obligations – 15.1% (continued) 
 
 
Diamond CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2018-1A, 6.13% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.70%, Rate Floor: 3.70%) due 07/22/304,9 
3,000,000 
$ 2,999,738 
2018-1A, 5.03% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.60%, Rate Floor: 2.60%) due 07/22/304,9 
2,500,000 
2,499,836 
Mountain Hawk II CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2018-2A, 4.82% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.35%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 07/20/244,9 
3,000,000 
3,000,273 
2013-2A, 5.62% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.15%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 07/22/244,9 
1,750,000 
1,748,162 
OZLM XII Ltd. 
 
 
2018-12A, 4.57% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.05%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 04/30/274,9 
4,000,000 
4,003,105 
Fortress Credit Opportunities IX CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2017-9A, 5.27% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.65%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 11/15/294,9 
4,000,000 
3,944,108 
BDS Ltd. 
 
 
2018-FL2, 4.85% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 2.55%, Rate Floor: 2.55%) due 08/15/354,9 
3,000,000 
3,002,200 
FDF I Ltd. 
 
 
2015-1A, 6.88% due 11/12/309 
2,000,000 
1,997,670 
2015-1A, 7.50% due 11/12/309 
1,000,000 
1,000,180 
Marathon CRE Ltd. 
 
 
2018-FL1, 5.31% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.00%, Rate Floor: 3.00%) due 06/15/284,9 
3,000,000 
2,984,341 
FDF II Ltd. 
 
 
2016-2A, 7.70% due 05/12/319 
3,000,000 
2,970,675 
Dryden 50 Senior Loan Fund 
 
 
2017-50A, due 07/15/309,10 
3,555,000 
2,835,091 
Denali Capital CLO XI Ltd. 
 
 
2018-1A, 4.62% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.15%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 10/20/284,9 
2,400,000 
2,400,947 
Dryden 37 Senior Loan Fund 
 
 
2015-37X, due 01/15/3110 
2,998,799 
2,294,081 
Newstar Commercial Loan Funding LLC 
 
 
2017-1A, 7.44% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 5.10%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 03/20/274,9 
2,000,000 
2,025,831 
Avery Point VI CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2018-6A, 4.58% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.00%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 08/05/274,9 
2,000,000 
2,000,345 
MP CLO VIII Ltd. 
 
 
2018-2A, 4.41% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 1.90%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 10/28/274,9 
2,000,000 
1,988,792 
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2012-3A, due 10/14/289,10 
2,600,000 
1,946,285 
Avery Point II CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2013-3X COM, due 01/18/2510 
2,399,940 
1,885,773 
TPG Real Estate Finance Issuer Ltd. 
 
 
2018-FL1, 5.00% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 2.70%, Rate Floor: 2.70%) due 02/15/354,9 
1,800,000 
1,815,100 
Exantas Capital Corporation Ltd. 
 
 
2018-RSO6, 4.80% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 2.50%, Rate Floor: 2.50%) due 06/15/354,9 
1,800,000 
1,792,534 
Hunt CRE Ltd. 
 
 
2017-FL1, 5.61% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.30%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 08/15/344,9 
1,800,000 
1,779,249 
Monroe Capital CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2017-1A, 6.07% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.60%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 10/22/264,9 
1,750,000 
1,751,802 
Cent CLO 19 Ltd. 
 
 
2013-19A, 5.81% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.30%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 10/29/254,9 
1,750,000 
1,751,794 
 
See notes to financial statements.

26 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES†† – 22.6% (continued) 
 
 
Collateralized Loan Obligations – 15.1% (continued) 
 
 
Voya CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2013-1A, due 10/15/309,10 
3,000,000 
$ 1,740,036 
OHA Credit Partners IX Ltd. 
 
 
2013-9A, due 10/20/259,10 
2,000,000 
1,729,754 
Treman Park CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2015-1A, due 10/20/289,10 
2,000,000 
1,649,820 
Marathon CLO V Ltd. 
 
 
2013-5A, due 11/21/279,10 
3,566,667 
1,465,280 
Babson CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2014-IA, due 07/20/259,10 
3,000,000 
1,343,247 
2012-2A, due 05/15/239,10 
2,000,000 
107,216 
Atlas Senior Loan Fund IX Ltd. 
 
 
2018-9A, due 04/20/289,10 
2,600,000 
1,446,471 
Ladder Capital Commercial Mortgage Trust 
 
 
2017-FL1, 5.90% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.60%, Rate Floor: 3.60%) due 09/15/344,9 
1,350,000 
1,342,619 
Fortress Credit Opportunities VII CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2016-7A, 5.28% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.95%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 12/15/284,9 
1,250,000 
1,250,135 
KVK CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2013-1A, due 01/14/289,10 
2,300,000 
1,062,200 
NewStar Clarendon Fund CLO LLC 
 
 
2015-1A, 6.84% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.35%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 01/25/274,9 
1,000,000 
1,002,254 
Atlas Senior Loan Fund IV Ltd. 
 
 
2018-2A, 5.22% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 2.60%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 02/17/264,9 
1,000,000 
1,000,180 
ALM XII Ltd. 
 
 
2018-12A, 4.09% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 1.65%, Rate Floor: 1.65%) due 04/16/274,9 
1,000,000 
992,853 
Jackson Mill CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2018-1A, 4.29% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 1.85%, Rate Floor: 1.85%) due 04/15/274,9 
1,000,000 
991,950 
Dryden 41 Senior Loan Fund 
 
 
2015-41A, due 04/15/319,10 
1,250,000 
931,449 
Venture XIII CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2013-13A, due 09/10/299,10 
1,500,000 
922,749 
Great Lakes CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2014-1A, due 10/15/299,10 
1,153,846 
826,514 
Dryden 37 Senior Loan Fund 
 
 
2015-37A, due 01/15/319,10 
1,050,000 
803,250 
West CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2013-1A, due 11/07/259,10 
1,350,000 
516,078 
Finn Square CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2012-1A, due 12/24/239,10 
2,500,000 
93,145 
Ares XXVI CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2013-1A, due 04/15/259,10 
3,700,000 
29,911 
Keuka Park CLO Ltd. 
 
 
2013-1A, due 10/21/249,10 
1,500,000 
698 
Total Collateralized Loan Obligations 
 
88,969,282 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 27

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES†† – 22.6% (continued) 
 
 
Transport-Aircraft – 4.1% 
 
 
Apollo Aviation Securitization Equity Trust 
 
 
2017-1A, 5.93% due 05/16/429 
3,483,950 
$ 3,574,721 
2018-2A, 5.43% due 11/16/389 
3,000,000 
3,021,756 
2018-1A, 5.44% due 01/16/389 
2,400,672 
2,427,423 
2016-2, 7.87% due 11/15/41 
1,642,750 
1,640,306 
2016-1A, 6.50% due 03/17/369,11 
871,354 
876,200 
2016-2, 5.93% due 11/15/41 
832,200 
834,461 
2016-1A, 9.20% due 03/17/369,11 
234,174 
234,074 
Rise Ltd. 
 
 
2014-1B, 6.50% due 02/12/39 
1,359,515 
1,333,603 
2014-1A, 4.75% due 02/12/39 
1,032,393 
1,012,076 
Willis Engine Securitization Trust II 
 
 
2012-A, 5.50% due 09/15/379,11 
2,242,836 
2,200,200 
KDAC Aviation Finance Ltd. 
 
 
2017-1A, 4.21% due 12/15/429 
1,763,370 
1,762,582 
Falcon Aerospace Limited 
 
 
2017-1, 6.30% due 02/15/429 
1,714,262 
1,739,691 
Stripes Aircraft Ltd. 
 
 
2013-1 A1, 5.80% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%) due 03/20/23†††,4 
1,259,719 
1,240,614 
Castlelake Aircraft Securitization Trust 
 
 
2014-1C, due 01/15/23†††,1,7 
3,054,105 
1,050,611 
AIM Aviation Finance Ltd. 
 
 
2015-1A, 5.07% due 02/15/409 
787,710 
780,455 
Turbine Engines Securitization Ltd. 
 
 
2013-1A, 6.38% due 12/13/4812 
482,310 
396,971 
Airplanes Pass Through Trust 
 
 
2001-1A, 2.71% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.55%, Rate Floor: 0.55%) due 03/15/194,12,13 
6,677,317 
166,399 
Total Transport-Aircraft 
 
24,292,143 
 
Whole Business – 1.0% 
 
 
TSGE 
 
 
2017-1, 6.25% due 09/25/31†††,1 
5,000,000 
5,014,906 
Wingstop Funding LLC 
 
 
2018-1, 4.97% due 12/05/489 
1,000,000 
1,009,453 
Total Whole Business 
 
6,024,359 
 
Collateralized Debt Obligations – 0.7% 
 
 
Anchorage Credit Funding 1 Ltd. 
 
 
2015-1A, 6.30% due 07/28/309 
3,000,000 
3,020,521 
Anchorage Credit Funding 4 Ltd. 
 
 
2016-4A, 5.50% due 02/15/359 
1,000,000 
1,007,688 
Highland Park CDO I Ltd. 
 
 
2006-1A, 3.09% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 0.40%, Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 11/25/514,12 
329,047 
321,643 
Total Collateralized Debt Obligations 
 
4,349,852 
 
See notes to financial statements.

28 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES†† – 22.6% (continued) 
 
 
Insurance – 0.4% 
 
 
LTCG Securitization Issuer LLC 
 
 
2018-A, 4.59% due 06/15/489 
2,304,391 
$ 2,330,540 
 
Transport-Rail – 0.4% 
 
 
Trinity Rail Leasing, LP 
 
 
2009-1A, 6.66% due 11/16/399 
2,022,549 
2,201,108 
 
Infrastructure – 0.3% 
 
 
Secured Tenant Site Contract Revenue Notes Series 
 
 
2018-1A, 5.92% due 06/15/4812 
1,991,666 
1,984,145 
 
Financial – 0.2% 
 
 
NCBJ 
 
 
2015-1A, 5.88% due 07/08/22†††,1 
1,164,959 
1,167,417 
 
Diversified Payment Rights – 0.2% 
 
 
Bib Merchant Voucher Receivables Ltd. 
 
 
4.18% due 04/07/28†††,1 
1,100,000 
1,090,779 
 
Transport-Container – 0.2% 
 
 
Global SC Finance II SRL 
 
 
2013-1A, 2.98% due 04/17/289 
883,333 
864,513 
Total Asset-Backed Securities 
 
 
(Cost $138,235,553) 
 
133,274,138 
 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 18.3% 
 
 
Financial – 6.5% 
 
 
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. 
 
 
7.50% (USD 10 Year Swap Rate + 6.03%) due 11/24/434,9 
3,000,000 
3,232,500 
Bank of America Corp. 
 
 
6.50%3,5 
2,000,000 
2,090,000 
6.30%3,5 
1,000,000 
1,042,500 
BBC Military Housing-Navy Northeast LLC 
 
 
6.30% due 10/15/49 
2,900,000 
2,890,857 
Customers Bank 
 
 
6.13% due 06/26/295,12 
2,500,000 
2,557,062 
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. 
 
 
5.50%3,5 
2,500,000 
2,484,375 
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. 
 
 
5.00% due 06/15/27 
2,350,000 
2,293,064 
Jefferies Finance LLC / JFIN Company-Issuer Corp. 
 
 
7.38% due 04/01/209 
1,075,000 
1,079,031 
7.25% due 08/15/249 
1,000,000 
962,500 
6.88% due 04/15/229 
200,000 
199,560 
CNB Financial Corp. 
 
 
5.75% due 10/15/265,12 
2,000,000 
2,013,902 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 29

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 18.3% (continued) 
 
 
Financial – 6.5% (continued) 
 
 
Atlas Mara Ltd. 
 
 
8.00% due 12/31/20 
2,200,000 
$ 1,980,000 
Macquarie Group Ltd. 
 
 
5.03% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 1.75%) due 01/15/304,9 
2,000,000 
1,975,055 
Assurant, Inc. 
 
 
4.90% due 03/27/28 
1,950,000 
1,956,149 
Fort Knox Military Housing Privatization Project 
 
 
5.82% due 02/15/5212 
1,937,525 
1,901,434 
Newmark Group, Inc. 
 
 
6.13% due 11/15/239 
1,450,000 
1,424,882 
Springleaf Finance Corp. 
 
 
7.13% due 03/15/26 
1,450,000 
1,363,000 
Senior Housing Properties Trust 
 
 
4.75% due 02/15/28 
1,350,000 
1,279,215 
Hunt Companies, Inc. 
 
 
6.25% due 02/15/269 
1,300,000 
1,173,250 
Lincoln Finance Ltd. 
 
 
7.38% due 04/15/219 
1,000,000 
1,022,500 
LoanCore Capital Markets LLC / JLC Finance Corp. 
 
 
6.88% due 06/01/209 
1,000,000 
1,002,500 
Pacific Beacon LLC 
 
 
5.63% due 07/15/5112 
697,568 
656,967 
GEO Group, Inc. 
 
 
5.88% due 10/15/24 
600,000 
540,000 
Atlantic Marine Corporations Communities LLC 
 
 
5.38% due 02/15/48 
539,352 
487,823 
Icahn Enterprises LP / Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp. 
 
 
6.00% due 08/01/20 
300,000 
302,250 
Hospitality Properties Trust 
 
 
5.25% due 02/15/26 
158,000 
158,312 
Total Financial 
 
38,068,688 
 
Industrial – 2.2% 
 
 
Encore Capital Group, Inc. 
 
 
5.63% due 08/11/24††† 
4,000,000 
3,839,742 
Dynagas LNG Partners LP / Dynagas Finance, Inc. 
 
 
6.25% due 10/30/19 
1,800,000 
1,784,250 
Intertape Polymer Group, Inc. 
 
 
7.00% due 10/15/269 
1,450,000 
1,453,625 
Summit Materials LLC / Summit Materials Finance Corp. 
 
 
8.50% due 04/15/22 
1,357,000 
1,429,939 
Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V. 
 
 
5.50% due 12/20/2712 
1,595,756 
1,429,558 
Grinding Media Inc. / MC Grinding Media Canada Inc. 
 
 
7.38% due 12/15/239 
1,347,000 
1,350,367 
 
See notes to financial statements.

30 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 18.3% (continued) 
 
 
Industrial – 2.2% (continued) 
 
 
Cleaver-Brooks, Inc. 
 
 
7.88% due 03/01/239 
1,200,000 
$ 1,188,000 
Reynolds Group Issuer Inc. / Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group 
 
 
Issuer Lu 5.94% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%) due 07/15/214,9 
650,000 
654,810 
Total Industrial 
 
13,130,291 
 
Consumer, Cyclical – 2.2% 
 
 
Exide Technologies 
 
 
11.00% due 04/30/229 
2,419,405 
2,201,659 
Ferrellgas LP / Ferrellgas Finance Corp. 
 
 
6.75% due 06/15/23 
2,135,000 
1,793,400 
6.50% due 05/01/21 
429,000 
365,723 
HP Communities LLC 
 
 
6.16% due 09/15/5312 
1,000,000 
1,075,615 
6.82% due 09/15/5312 
963,768 
1,009,727 
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. 
 
 
8.00% due 05/01/22 
1,406,000 
1,442,907 
Titan International, Inc. 
 
 
6.50% due 11/30/23 
1,550,000 
1,429,875 
TVL Finance PLC 
 
 
8.50% due 05/15/23 
GBP 1,040,000 
1,380,437 
Williams Scotsman International, Inc. 
 
 
7.88% due 12/15/229 
1,300,000 
1,313,000 
Pinnacle Bidco plc 
 
 
6.38% due 02/15/25 
GBP 550,000 
704,454 
American Tire Distributors, Inc. 
 
 
10.25% due 03/01/229,13 
1,500,000 
262,500 
Total Consumer, Cyclical 
 
12,979,297 
 
Communications – 1.9% 
 
 
MDC Partners, Inc. 
 
 
6.50% due 05/01/249 
2,900,000 
2,465,000 
Altice France S.A. 
 
 
7.38% due 05/01/269 
2,225,000 
2,136,000 
DISH DBS Corp. 
 
 
7.75% due 07/01/26 
2,150,000 
1,902,750 
McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings LLC / McGraw-Hill Global Education Finance 
 
 
7.88% due 05/15/249 
2,150,000 
1,757,625 
Cengage Learning, Inc. 
 
 
9.50% due 06/15/249 
2,275,000 
1,711,937 
EIG Investors Corp. 
 
 
10.88% due 02/01/24 
900,000 
965,250 
CSC Holdings LLC 
 
 
6.75% due 11/15/21 
500,000 
523,750 
Total Communications 
 
11,462,312 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 31

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 18.3% (continued) 
 
 
Energy – 1.9% 
 
 
Hess Corp. 
 
 
5.60% due 02/15/41 
1,550,000 
$ 1,356,197 
6.00% due 01/15/40 
1,000,000 
925,066 
7.13% due 03/15/33 
500,000 
534,830 
Husky Energy, Inc. 
 
 
4.00% due 04/15/24 
900,000 
878,555 
3.95% due 04/15/22 
600,000 
599,527 
Bruin E&P Partners LLC 
 
 
8.88% due 08/01/239 
1,450,000 
1,348,500 
Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations, LP 
 
 
4.25% due 04/01/24 
1,000,000 
978,581 
American Midstream Partners LP / American Midstream Finance Corp. 
 
 
9.50% due 12/15/219 
895,000 
865,913 
EQT Corp. 
 
 
8.13% due 06/01/19 
800,000 
818,745 
Buckeye Partners, LP 
 
 
4.35% due 10/15/24 
750,000 
734,611 
Indigo Natural Resources LLC 
 
 
6.88% due 02/15/269 
650,000 
604,500 
Basic Energy Services, Inc. 
 
 
10.75% due 10/15/239 
500,000 
473,750 
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP / Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp. 
 
 
6.25% due 04/01/23 
400,000 
397,000 
QEP Resources, Inc. 
 
 
6.88% due 03/01/21 
350,000 
367,063 
Schahin II Finance Co. SPV Ltd. 
 
 
5.88% due 09/25/2212,13 
1,216,133 
121,613 
Total Energy 
 
11,004,451 
 
Basic Materials – 1.3% 
 
 
BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd. 
 
 
6.75% (USD 5 Year Swap Rate + 5.09%) due 10/19/754,9 
2,450,000 
2,597,000 
Yamana Gold, Inc. 
 
 
4.95% due 07/15/24 
2,560,000 
2,484,455 
Eldorado Gold Corp. 
 
 
6.13% due 12/15/209 
2,400,000 
2,214,000 
Mirabela Nickel Ltd. 
 
 
9.50% due 06/24/1913 
1,388,176 
426,864 
Total Basic Materials 
 
7,722,319 
 
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 1.3% 
 
 
Albertsons Companies LLC / Safeway Inc. / New Albertson’s Inc / Albertson’s LLC 
 
 
6.63% due 06/15/24 
1,515,000 
1,460,081 
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. 
 
 
8.00% due 05/15/22 
1,350,000 
1,380,645 
 
See notes to financial statements.

32 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 18.3% (continued) 
 
 
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 1.3% (continued) 
 
 
Endo Finance LLC / Endo Finco, Inc. 
 
 
7.25% due 01/15/229 
800,000 
$ 748,000 
5.38% due 01/15/239 
500,000 
411,250 
Midas Intermediate Holdco II LLC / Midas Intermediate Holdco II Finance, Inc. 
 
 
7.88% due 10/01/229 
1,300,000 
1,150,500 
Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc. 
 
 
10.00% due 02/15/239 
1,133,000 
931,893 
KeHE Distributors LLC / KeHE Finance Corp. 
 
 
7.63% due 08/15/2112 
550,000 
511,500 
Beverages & More, Inc. 
 
 
11.50% due 06/15/229 
650,000 
497,250 
FAGE International S.A. / FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc. 
 
 
5.63% due 08/15/269 
504,000 
437,220 
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical 
 
7,528,339 
 
Utilities – 0.7% 
 
 
Superior Plus LP / Superior General Partner, Inc. 
 
 
7.00% due 07/15/269 
1,350,000 
1,329,750 
LBC Tank Terminals Holding Netherlands BV 
 
 
6.88% due 05/15/2312 
1,425,000 
1,318,125 
Terraform Global Operating LLC 
 
 
6.13% due 03/01/269 
1,300,000 
1,226,056 
Total Utilities 
 
3,873,931 
 
Technology – 0.2% 
 
 
TIBCO Software, Inc. 
 
 
11.38% due 12/01/219 
750,000 
794,062 
First Data Corp. 
 
 
7.00% due 12/01/239 
500,000 
517,500 
TeamSystem SpA 
 
 
4.00% due 04/15/23 
EUR 200,000 
225,415 
Total Technology 
 
1,536,977 
 
Oil & Gas – 0.1% 
 
 
Glenn Pool Oil & Gas Trust 
 
 
6.00% due 08/02/21††† 
565,935 
558,132 
Total Corporate Bonds 
 
 
(Cost $113,340,891) 
 
107,864,737 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 33

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS†† – 13.3% 
 
 
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities – 11.5% 
 
 
Lehman XS Trust Series 
 
 
2006-18N, 2.49% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.18%, Rate Floor: 0.18%) due 12/25/364 
5,862,644 
$ 5,453,995 
2006-16N, 2.52% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.21%, Rate Floor: 0.21%) due 11/25/464 
2,272,073 
2,172,859 
WaMu Asset-Backed Certificates WaMu Series 
 
 
2007-HE4, 2.48% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.17%, Rate Floor: 0.17%) due 07/25/474 
2,401,859 
1,868,744 
2007-HE2, 2.56% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.25%, Rate Floor: 0.25%) due 04/25/374 
3,436,120 
1,782,648 
2007-HE2, 2.67% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.36%, Rate Floor: 0.36%) due 04/25/374 
2,199,117 
1,151,550 
2007-HE4, 2.56% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.25%, Rate Floor: 0.25%) due 07/25/474 
1,392,856 
992,253 
2007-HE2, 2.50% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.19%, Rate Floor: 0.19%) due 04/25/374 
1,786,783 
921,712 
LSTAR Securities Investment Limited 
 
 
4.30% due 04/01/21 
5,461,066 
5,461,927 
ACE Securities Corporation Home Equity Loan Trust Series 
 
 
2007-HE1, 2.46% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.15%, Rate Floor: 0.15%) due 01/25/374 
3,097,405 
2,046,205 
2005-HE2, 3.33% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 1.02%, Rate Floor: 0.68%) due 04/25/354 
2,000,000 
1,981,400 
2007-ASP1, 2.51% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.20%, Rate Floor: 0.20%) due 03/25/374 
1,695,706 
979,270 
GSAA Home Equity Trust 
 
 
2006-16, 2.48% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.17%, Rate Floor: 0.17%) due 10/25/364 
5,292,349 
2,516,844 
2006-12, 2.46% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.15%, Rate Floor: 0.15%) due 08/25/364 
3,897,116 
2,419,759 
Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Incorporated Trust 
 
 
2006-HE8, 2.53% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.22%, Rate Floor: 0.22%) due 10/25/364 
3,638,075 
2,220,264 
2007-HE4, 2.54% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.23%, Rate Floor: 0.23%) due 02/25/374 
3,811,700 
1,723,055 
2007-HE1, 2.54% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.23%, Rate Floor: 0.23%) due 11/25/364 
1,374,412 
944,558 
Ameriquest Mortgage Securities Trust 
 
 
2006-M3, 2.49% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.18%, Rate Floor: 0.18%) due 10/25/364 
4,778,778 
3,066,394 
2006-M3, 2.41% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.10%, Rate Floor: 0.10%) due 10/25/364 
2,349,868 
992,992 
RALI Series Trust 
 
 
2006-QO6, 2.49% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.18%, Rate Floor: 0.18%) due 06/25/464 
6,929,447 
2,808,803 
2006-QO6, 2.54% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.23%, Rate Floor: 0.23%) due 06/25/464 
2,192,354 
908,430 
Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust 
 
 
2006-8, 2.40% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.09%, Rate Floor: 0.09%) due 09/25/364 
4,826,861 
1,881,175 
2006-1, 2.50% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.19%, Rate Floor: 0.19%) due 02/25/364 
1,466,911 
1,205,803 
Morgan Stanley IXIS Real Estate Capital Trust 
 
 
2006-2, 2.53% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.22%, Rate Floor: 0.22%) due 11/25/364 
3,362,642 
1,641,077 
2006-2, 2.46% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.15%, Rate Floor: 0.15%) due 11/25/364 
2,219,344 
1,077,016 
Home Equity Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Trust Series INABS 
 
 
2006-E, 2.52% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.21%, Rate Floor: 0.21%) due 04/25/374 
3,497,021 
2,612,286 
American Home Mortgage Assets Trust 
 
 
2006-6, 2.52% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.21%, Rate Floor: 0.21%) due 12/25/464 
2,898,081 
2,460,174 
JP Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Trust 
 
 
2006-WMC3, 2.55% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.24%, Rate Floor: 0.24%) due 08/25/364 
2,965,772 
2,242,493 
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. 
 
 
2007-AMC3, 2.66% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.35%, Rate Floor: 0.35%) due 03/25/374 
2,546,836 
2,155,699 
Master Asset Backed Securities Trust 
 
 
2006-WMC3, 2.47% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.16%, Rate Floor: 0.16%) due 08/25/364 
3,897,382 
1,953,148 
 
See notes to financial statements.

34 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS†† – 13.3% (continued) 
 
 
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities – 11.5% (continued) 
 
 
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust 
 
 
2006-9AR, 2.46% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.15%, Rate Floor: 0.15%) due 08/25/364 
4,053,171 
$ 1,937,171 
IXIS Real Estate Capital Trust 
 
 
2007-HE1, 2.37% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.06%, Rate Floor: 0.06%) due 05/25/374 
2,622,232 
874,573 
2007-HE1, 2.42% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.11%, Rate Floor: 0.11%) due 05/25/374 
2,606,931 
873,397 
CitiMortgage Alternative Loan Trust Series 
 
 
2007-A7, 2.71% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.40%, Rate Cap/Floor: 7.50%/0.40%) 
 
 
due 07/25/374 
1,146,593 
961,892 
First NLC Trust 
 
 
2007-1, 2.59% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.28%, Rate Floor: 0.28%) due 08/25/374,9 
1,595,734 
961,077 
Luminent Mortgage Trust 
 
 
2006-2, 2.51% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.20%, Rate Floor: 0.20%) due 02/25/464 
1,036,187 
945,714 
GSAA Trust 
 
 
2007-3, 2.48% (1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.17%, Rate Floor: 0.17%) due 03/25/474 
1,970,591 
927,318 
TBW Mortgage Backed Pass-Through Certificates 
 
 
2006-6, 6.04% due 01/25/37 
1,262,677 
545,655 
2006-6, 5.75% due 01/25/37 
520,310 
237,477 
Total Residential Mortgage Backed Securities 
 
67,906,807 
 
Military Housing – 1.0% 
 
 
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Asset Corp. 
 
 
2004-POKA, 6.36% due 09/10/4412 
3,500,000 
3,610,852 
Capmark Military Housing Trust 
 
 
2007-AETC, 5.75% due 02/10/5212 
1,886,483 
1,819,132 
2007-AET2, 6.06% due 10/10/5212 
479,199 
490,267 
Total Military Housing 
 
5,920,251 
 
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities – 0.8% 
 
 
GAHR Commercial Mortgage Trust 
 
 
2015-NRF, 3.49% (WAC) due 12/15/344,9 
5,000,000 
4,882,227 
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
 
 
(Cost $82,766,748) 
 
78,709,285 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 35

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
U.S. TREASURY BILLS†† – 6.4% 
 
 
U.S. Treasury Bills 
 
 
2.23% due 01/10/1914 
5,500,000 
$ 5,487,046 
2.29% due 01/22/196,14 
5,500,000 
5,482,526 
2.15% due 12/27/186,14 
4,000,000 
3,994,120 
2.15% due 12/20/1814 
3,500,000 
3,496,444 
2.25% due 01/24/196,14 
3,500,000 
3,488,486 
2.27% due 01/15/196,14 
2,800,000 
2,792,433 
2.09% due 12/06/186,14 
2,500,000 
2,499,558 
2.23% due 01/03/196,14 
2,500,000 
2,495,180 
2.17% due 01/10/1914 
2,500,000 
2,494,112 
2.08% due 12/13/186,14 
2,000,000 
1,998,806 
2.31% due 02/07/1914 
2,000,000 
1,991,567 
2.25% due 01/17/196,14 
1,500,000 
1,495,732 
Total U.S. Treasury Bills 
 
 
(Cost $37,711,873) 
 
37,716,010 
 
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS†† – 1.6% 
 
 
Government of Japan 
 
 
due 01/10/197 
JPY 619,500,000 
5,459,373 
due 02/12/197 
JPY 154,500,000 
1,361,918 
Government of United Kingdom 
 
 
due 01/14/197 
GBP 1,300,000 
1,655,551 
Senegal Government International Bond 
 
 
6.75% due 03/13/489 
1,000,000 
823,750 
Total Foreign Government Bonds 
 
 
(Cost $9,537,713) 
 
9,300,592 
 
SENIOR FIXED RATE INTERESTS†† – 0.1% 
 
 
Communications – 0.1% 
 
 
MHGE Parent LLC 
 
 
11.00% due 04/20/22†††,1 
900,000 
834,840 
Total Senior Fixed Rate Interests 
 
 
(Cost $880,921) 
 
834,840 
 
MUNICIPAL BONDS†† – 0.1% 
 
 
Oklahoma – 0.1% 
 
 
Oklahoma Development Finance Authority Revenue Bonds 
 
 
5.45% due 08/15/28 
400,000 
418,772 
Total Municipal Bonds 
 
 
(Cost $400,000) 
 
418,772 
 
See notes to financial statements.

36 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

     
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS††,15 – 0.2% 
 
 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch 
 
 
issued 11/21/18 at 1.95% open maturity16 
484,063 
$ 484,063 
issued 11/27/18 at 1.95% open maturity16 
244,400 
244,400 
issued 11/29/18 at 1.95% open maturity16 
193,500 
193,500 
issued 11/28/18 at 1.95% open maturity16 
68,250 
68,250 
Citigroup Global Markets 
 
 
issued 11/29/18 at 1.85%, open maturity4,17 
95,000 
95,000 
Total Repurchase Agreements 
 
 
(Cost $1,085,213) 
 
1,085,213 
 
 
Contracts 
Value 
 
CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED– 0.1% 
 
 
Call options on: 
 
 
BofA Merrill Lynch S&P 500 Index Expiring January 2019 with 
 
 
strike price of $2,850.00 (Notional Value $59,895,689) 
217 
$ 549,010 
BofA Merrill Lynch S&P 500 Index Expiring January 2019 with 
 
 
strike price of $3,000.00 (Notional Value $37,538,312) 
136 
28,220 
BofA Merrill Lynch iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Expiring 
 
 
January 2019 with strike price of $55.00 (Notional Value $25,633,920) 
6,240 
6,240 
Total Call Options Purchased 
 
 
(Cost $2,431,534) 
 
583,470 
Total Investments – 98.2% 
 
 
(Cost $603,196,600) 
 
$ 580,199,664 
 
 
Face 
 
 
Amount~ 
Value 
 
CORPORATE BONDS SOLD SHORT†† – (0.2%) 
 
 
Harley-Davidson, Inc. 
 
 
3.50% due 07/28/25 
(100,000) 
$ (94,976) 
Flex Ltd. 
 
 
4.75% due 06/15/25 
(170,000) 
(164,478) 
Dollar Tree, Inc. 
 
 
4.00% due 05/15/25 
(250,000) 
(237,193) 
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. 
 
 
4.60% due 06/15/28 
(250,000) 
(238,628) 
Mylan N.V. 
 
 
3.95% due 06/15/26 
(360,000) 
(330,490) 
Total Corporate Bonds Sold Short 
 
 
(Cost $1,070,747) 
 
(1,065,765) 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 37

 

   
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
     
 
Contracts 
Value 
 
CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN– (0.4)% 
 
 
Call options on: 
 
 
S&P 500 Index 
 
 
Expiring December 2018 with strike price of $2,725.00 
 
 
(Notional Value $93,845,780) 
340 
$ (2,397,000) 
Total Call Options Written 
 
 
(Premiums received $2,039,279) 
 
(2,397,000) 
Other Assets & Liabilities, net – 2.4% 
 
13,974,584 
Total Net Assets – 100.0% 
 
$ 590,711,483 
 
         
FUTURES CONTRACTS†,* 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Value and 
 
Number of 
 
Notional 
Unrealized 
Description 
Contracts 
Expiration Date 
Amount 
Depreciation** 
 
EQUITY FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED 
 
 
 
 
S&P 500 Index Mini Futures Contracts 
680 
Dec 2018 
$93,712,500 
$(5,176,563) 
 
             
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS†† 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Value at 
 
 
Contracts to 
 
Settlement 
Settlement 
November 30, 
Net Unrealized 
Counterparty 
Sell 
Currency 
Date 
Value 
2018 
Appreciation 
Goldman Sachs 
4,485,000 
GBP 
12/12/18 
$5,877,511 
$5,719,005 
$158,506 
Citigroup 
619,500,000 
JPY 
01/10/19 
5,562,115 
5,479,510 
82,605 
BofA Merrill Lynch 
154,500,000 
JPY 
02/12/19 
1,412,752 
1,370,153 
42,599 
Goldman Sachs 
2,634,000 
EUR 
12/12/18 
3,008,408 
2,985,241 
23,167 
Citigroup 
1,300,000 
GBP 
01/14/19 
1,663,368 
1,661,047 
2,321 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$309,198 
 
             
 
 
 
 
 
Value at 
 
 
Contracts to 
 
Settlement 
Settlement 
November 30, 
Net Unrealized 
Counterparty 
Buy 
Currency 
Date 
Value 
2018 
Depreciation 
J.P. Morgan 
44,000 
GBP 
12/12/18 
$56,480 
$56,107 
$(373) 
 
See notes to financial statements.

38 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
                 
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AGREEMENTS PROTECTION PURCHASED†† 
 
 
 
 
 
Protection 
 
 
 
Market 
Upfront
  Unrealized 
 
 
 
Premium 
Payment 
Maturity 
Notional 
Value 
Premiums
 Appreciation 
Counterparty 
Exchange 
Index 
Rate 
Frequency 
Date 
Amount 
Paid 
(Received)
 (Depreciation)** 
Bank of America, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N.A. 
ICE 
CDX IG31 
1.00% 
Quarterly 
12/20/23 
$103,990,000
  $(1,169,691)  $(1,242,542)   $72,851 
 
OTC CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AGREEMENTS PROTECTION PURCHASED†† 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upfront 
 
 
Protection 
 
 
 
 
Premiums 
Unrealized 
 
 
Premium 
Payment 
Maturity 
Notional 
Market 
Paid 
Appreciation 
Counterparty 
Index 
Rate 
Frequency 
Date 
Amount 
Value 
(Received)
 (Depreciation)** 
Goldman Sachs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International 
CDX IG31 
1.00% 
Quarterly 
12/20/23 
$5,540,000 
$(17,264) 
$(30,577) 
$13,313 
Goldman Sachs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International 
CDX IG31 
1.00% 
Quarterly 
12/20/23 
3,330,000 
(10,380) 
(6,589) 
(3,791) 
Goldman Sachs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International 
LBrands, Inc. 
1.00% 
Quarterly 
12/20/23 
30,000 
2,342 
2,586 
(244) 
Morgan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stanley Capital 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services LLC 
CDX IG31 
1.00% 
Quarterly 
12/20/23 
950,000 
(2,960) 
(5,325) 
2,365 
Morgan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stanley Capital 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services LLC 
CDX IG31 
1.00% 
Quarterly 
12/20/23 
1,060,000 
(3,304) 
612 
(3,916) 
Morgan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stanley Capital 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services LLC 
CDX IG31 
1.00% 
Quarterly 
12/20/23 
2,170,000 
(6,766) 
(132) 
(6,634) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$(38,332) 
$(39,425) 
$ 1,093 
 
~     
The face amount is denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
*     
Non-income producing security.
**     
Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation). Variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
     
Value determined based on Level 1 inputs, unless otherwise noted — See Note 6.
††     
Value determined based on Level 2 inputs, unless otherwise noted — See Note 6.
†††     
Value determined based on Level 3 inputs — See Note 6.
1     
Security was fair valued by the Valuation Committee at November 30, 2018. The total market value of fair valued securities amounts to $36,257,371, (cost $38,558,658) or 6.1% of total net assets.
2     
Affiliated issuer.
3     
Perpetual maturity.
4     
Variable rate security. Rate indicated is the rate effective at November 30, 2018. In some instances, the effective rate is limited by a minimum rate floor or a maximum rate cap established by the issuer. The settlement status of a position may also impact the effective rate indicated. In some cases, a position may be unsettled at period end and may not have a stated effective rate. In instances where multiple underlying reference rates and spread amounts are shown, the effective rate is based on a weighted average.
5     
Security has a fixed rate coupon which will convert to a floating or variable rate coupon on a future date.
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 39

 

   
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
6     
All or a portion of these securities have been physically segregated in connection with futures contracts and unfunded loan commitments. As of November 30, 2018, the total value of segregated securities was $16,447,137.
7     
Zero coupon rate security.
8     
Rate indicated is the 7-day yield as of November 30, 2018.
9     
Security is a 144A or Section 4(a)(2) security. These securities have been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. The total market value of 144A or Section 4(a)(2) liquid securities is $163,220,852 (cost $165,523,471), or 27.6% of total net assets.
10     
Security has no stated coupon. However, it is expected to receive residual cash flow payments on defined deal dates.
11     
Security is a step up/down bond. The coupon increases or decreases at regular intervals until the bond reaches full maturity. Rate indicated is the rate at November 30, 2018. See table below for additional step information for each security.
12     
Security is a 144A or Section 4(a)(2) security. These securities have been determined to be illiquid and restricted under guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. The total market value of 144A or Section 4(a)(2) illiquid and restricted securities is $21,384,912 (cost $28,097,938), or 3.6% of total net assets — See Note 12.
13     
Security is in default of interest and/or principal obligations.
14     
Rate indicated is the effective yield at the time of purchase.
15     
Repurchase Agreements — See additional disclosure in the repurchase agreements table below for more information on repurchase agreements.
16     
The rate is adjusted periodically by the counterparty, subject to approval by the Adviser, and is not based upon a set reference rate and spread. Rate indicated is the rate effective at November 30, 2018.
 
BofA 
— Bank of America 
EUR 
— Euro 
EURIBOR 
— European Interbank Offered Rate 
GBP 
— British Pound 
ICE 
— Intercontinental Exchange 
JPY 
— Japanese Yen 
LIBOR 
— London Interbank Offered Rate 
plc 
— Public Limited Company 
USD 
— United States Dollar 
WAC 
— Weighted Average Coupon 
 
See Sector Classification in Other Information section.
 
See notes to financial statements.

40 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
Country Diversification
 
% of Long-Term 
Country 
Investments 
United States 
86.6% 
Cayman Islands 
6.4% 
Canada 
2.5% 
United Kingdom 
1.3% 
Australia 
1.0% 
Marshall Islands 
0.6% 
Netherlands 
0.4% 
Other 
1.2% 
Total Long-Term Investments 
100.0% 
 
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at November 30, 2018 (See Note 6 in the Notes to Financial Statements):
 
       
Level 2
   
Level 3
       
 
       
Significant
   
Significant
       
Investments in 
 
Level 1
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
       
Securities (Assets) 
 
Quoted Prices
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Total
 
Common Stocks 
 
$
467,987
   
$
943,478
   
$
90,710
*
 
$
1,502,175
 
Preferred Stocks 
   
     
2,503,085
     
520,857
     
3,023,942
 
Warrants 
   
     
     
131
*
   
131
 
Money Market Fund 
   
15,641,005
     
     
     
15,641,005
 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
   
     
163,758,234
     
26,487,120
     
190,245,354
 
Asset-Backed Securities 
   
     
123,709,811
     
9,564,327
     
133,274,138
 
Corporate Bonds 
   
     
103,466,863
     
4,397,874
     
107,864,737
 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
   
     
78,709,285
     
     
78,709,285
 
U.S. Treasury Bills 
   
     
37,716,010
     
     
37,716,010
 
Foreign Government Bonds 
   
     
9,300,592
     
     
9,300,592
 
Senior Fixed Rate Interests 
   
     
     
834,840
     
834,840
 
Municipal Bonds 
   
     
418,772
     
     
418,772
 
Repurchase Agreements 
   
     
1,085,213
     
     
1,085,213
 
Call Options Purchased 
   
583,470
     
     
     
583,470
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts** 
   
     
309,198
     
     
309,198
 
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreements 
   
     
72,851
     
     
72,851
 
OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements** 
   
     
15,678
     
     
15,678
 
Total Assets 
 
$
16,692,462
   
$
522,009,070
   
$
41,895,859
   
$
580,597,391
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 41

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
       
Level 2
   
Level 3
       
 
       
Significant
   
Significant
       
Investments in 
 
Level 1
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
       
Securities (Liabilities) 
 
Quoted Prices
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Total
 
Corporate Bonds Sold Short 
 
$
   
$
1,065,765
   
$
   
$
1,065,765
 
Call Options Written 
   
2,397,000
     
     
     
2,397,000
 
Equity Futures Contracts** 
   
5,176,563
     
     
     
5,176,563
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts** 
   
     
373
     
     
373
 
OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements** 
   
     
14,585
     
     
14,585
 
Unfunded Loan Commitments (Note 11) 
   
     
138,596
*
   
731,184
     
869,780
 
Total Liabilities 
 
$
7,573,563
   
$
1,219,319
   
$
731,184
   
$
9,524,066
 
 
* 
Includes securities with a market value of $0. 
 
 
** 
This derivative is reported as unrealized appreciation/depreciation at period end. 
 
Please refer to the detailed Schedule of Investments for a breakdown of investment type by industry category.
The following is a summary of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair valuation of assets and liabilities categorized within the Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
Ending Balance at 
 
Valuation 
Unobservable 
Input 
Weighted 
Category 
November 30, 2018 
 
Technique 
  Inputs 
Range 
Average 
Assets: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-Backed Securities 
 
$ 5,014,906 
 
Model Price 
Market Comparable Yield 
6.4% 
 
Asset-Backed Securities 
 
3,308,807 
 
Yield Analysis 
Yield 
4.6%-13.0% 
7.9% 
Asset-Backed Securities 
 
1,240,614 
 
Option Adjusted 
Indicative Quote 
 
 
       
Spread off the prior
     
 
 
 
 
month end broker 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
mark over the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 month LIBOR 
 
 
 
Common Stocks 
 
90,710 
 
Enterprise Value 
Valuation Multiple 
5.4x-9.1x 
7.7x 
Corporate Bonds 
 
4,397,874 
 
Option Adjusted 
Indicative Quote 
 
 
       
Spread off the prior
     
 
 
 
 
month end broker 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
mark over the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 month LIBOR 
 
 
 
Preferred Stocks 
 
520,857 
 
Model Price 
Purchase Price 
 
 
Senior Fixed Rate Interests 
834,840 
 
Yield Analysis 
Yield 
13.7% 
 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
22,658,962 
 
Yield Analysis 
Yield 
4.8%-12.1% 
8.4% 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
1,826,462 
 
Enterprise Value 
Valuation Multiple 
6.4x-10.9x 
9.9x 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
1,353,185 
 
Model Price 
Market Comparable Yields 
6.7% 
 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
648,511 
 
Model Price 
Purchase Price 
 
 
Warrants 
 
131 
 
Enterprise Value 
  Valuation Multiple 
16.6x 
 
Total Assets 
 
$ 41,895,859 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unfunded Loan Commitments 
$ 731,184 
 
Model Price 
  Purchase Price 
 
 
 
Any remaining Level 3 securities held by the Fund and excluded from the tables above, were not considered material to the Fund.
See notes to financial statements.

42 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Significant changes in an indicative quote, market comparable yield or valuation multiple would generally result in significant changes in the fair value of the security.
Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment’s valuation changes. Transfers between valuation levels, if any, are in comparison to the valuation levels at the end of the previous fiscal year, and are effective using the fair value as of the end of the current fiscal period.
As of November 30, 2018, the Fund had securities with a total value of $8,362,541 transfer from Level 3 to Level 2 due to availability of market price information at period end and had securities with a total value of $1,824,840 transfer from Level 2 to Level 3 due to lack of observable inputs. There were no other securities that transferred between levels.
Summary of Fair Value Level 3 Activity
Following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value for the period ended November 30, 2018:
 
Assets 
 
Liabilities 
 
 
 
Senior 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating 
 
 
 
Senior 
 
Unfunded 
 Asset-Backed   Corporate 
Rate 
 
Common 
Preferred 
Fixed Rate 
Total 
Loan 
 
Securities 
Bonds 
Interests 
Warrants 
Stocks 
Stocks 
Interests 
Assets 
Commitments  
Beginning Balance 
$11,860,166 
$10,036,584 
$27,159,336 
 
$ – 
$ 228,184 
$ 485,000 
$ – 
$49,769,270 
$ (610,438) 
Purchases/(Receipts) 
 
21,203 
6,962,987 
 
 
35,857 
 
7,020,047 
(511,654) 
Sales, maturities and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(paydowns)/ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fundings 
(260,395) 
(1,548,963) 
(5,851,926) 
 
 
 
 
(7,661,284) 
181,459 
Amortization of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
discount/premiums 
129,320 
4,874 
96,222 
 
 
 
 
230,416 
 
Total realized gains 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(losses) included in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
earnings 
 
167,382 
(4,414) 
 
(214) 
 
 
162,754 
93,369 
Total change in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
unrealized 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
appreciation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(depreciation) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
included in earnings 
(9,573) 
(316,734) 
(624,207) 
131 
(137,260) 
 
 
(1,087,643) 
116,080 
Transfers into Level 3 
 
 
990,000 
 
 
 
834,840 
1,824,840 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 
 (2,155,191) 
(3,966,472) 
(2,240,878) 
 
 
 
 
(8,362,541) 
 
Ending Balance 
$ 9,564,327 
$ 4,397,874 
$26,487,120 
$ 131 
$ 90,710 
$ 520,857 
$ 834,840 
$41,895,859 
$ (731,184) 
Net change in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
unrealized appreciation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(depreciation) for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
investments in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 3 securities 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
still held at 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 30, 2018  
$ 7,179 
$ (81,711) 
 $ (528,898)
$131 
$(136,999)
 $  
$ (45,440)
 $ (785,738) 
$ 147,118 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 43

 

   
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Step Coupon Bonds
The following table discloses additional information related to step coupon bonds held by the Fund. Certain securities are subject to multiple rate changes prior to maturity. Rates for all step coupon bonds held by the Fund are scheduled to increase, none are scheduled to decrease.
   Coupon rate       
 
at next step 
Date of next 
Final 
Final future 
Name 
up date 
rate change 
future rate 
step up date 
Apollo Aviation Securitization Equity Trust 
 
 
 
 
2016-1A, 6.50% due 03/17/36 
8.50% 
03/15/23 
8.50% 
03/15/23 
Apollo Aviation Securitization Equity Trust 
 
 
 
 
2016-1A, 9.20% due 03/17/36 
11.75% 
03/15/23 
11.75% 
03/15/23 
Willis Engine Securitization Trust II 
 
 
 
 
2012-A, 5.50% due 09/15/37 
8.50% 
09/15/20 
8.50% 
09/15/20 
 
Repurchase Agreements
In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian takes possession of the underlying collateral. For the following repurchase agreements, the collateral is in the possession of the Fund’s custodian and is evaluated to ensure that its market value exceeds, at a minimum, 102% of the original face amount of the repurchase agreements, with the exception of where securities are being sold short. The interest rate on repurchase agreements is market driven based on the underlying collateral obtained.
Counterparty and 
 
   Repurchase 
 
 
 
Terms of Agreement 
Face Value 
     Price 
Collateral 
Par Value 
Fair Value 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch 
 
 
Mylan NV 
 
 
1.95% 
 
 
3.95% 
 
 
Open Maturity* 
$990,213 
     $990,213 
06/15/26 
$   360,000 
$  330,480 
 
 
 
Spirit AeroSystems Inc. 
 
 
 
 
 
4.60% 
 
 
 
 
 
06/15/28 
250,000 
238,625 
 
 
 
Dollar Tree Inc. 
 
 
 
 
 
4.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
05/15/25 
250,000 
237,200 
 
 
 
Flex Ltd. 
 
 
 
 
 
4.75% 
 
 
 
 
 
06/15/25 
170,000 
164,475 
 
 
 
 
1,030,000 
970,780 
Citigroup Global Markets 
 
 
Harley-Davidson Inc. 
 
 
1.85% 
 
 
3.50% 
 
 
Open Maturity* 
95,000 
      95,000 
07/28/25 
100,000 
94,980 
 
*     
The rate is adjusted periodically by the counterparty, subject to approval by the Adviser, and is not based upon a set reference rate and spread. Rate indicated is the rate effective at November 30, 2018.
In the event of counterparty default, the Fund has the right to collect the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is potential loss to the Fund in the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the Fund seeks to assert its rights. The Fund’s investment adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate potential risks.
See notes to financial statements.

44 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Affiliated Transactions
Investments representing 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a company, or control of or by, or common control under the Guggenheim Investments (“GI”), result in that company being considered an affiliated issuer, as defined in the 1940 Act.
Transactions during the period ended November 30, 2018, in which the company is an “affiliated person”, were as follows:
 
                         
Change in
         
Shares/
       
 
                   
Realized
   
Unrealized
         
Face
       
 
 
Value
               
Gain
   
Appreciation
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Investment
 
Security Name 
 
05/31/18
   
Additions
   
Reductions
   
(Loss)
    (Depreciation)    
11/30/18
   
11/30/18
   
Income
 
Common Stocks 
                                               
Aspect Software Parent, Inc.*,1 
 
$
137,213
   
$
   
$
   
$
(214
)
 
$
(136,999
)
 
$
**
   
156
   
$
 
Targus Group International 
                                                               
Equity, Inc.*,1 
   
33,921
     
     
     
     
(260
)
   
33,661
     
12,989
     
 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
                                                               
Aspect Software, Inc. 6.48% 
                                                               
(3 Month USD LIBOR + 4.00% 
                                                               
Rate Floor: 5.00%) 
                                                               
due 05/25/202 
   
609,375
     
198,151
     
(193,764
)
   
     
(102,584
)
   
511,178
     
613,762
     
35,514
 
Aspect Software, Inc. 13.39% 
                                                               
(1 Month USD LIBOR + 
                                                               
11.00%, Rate Floor: 12.00%) 
                                                               
due 05/25/202 
   
843,851
     
17,548
     
(19,948
)
   
8,774
     
(109,685
)
   
740,540
     
889,153
     
75,092
 
Targus Group International, 
                                                               
Inc. 
                                                               
due 05/24/161,2,3 
   
     
     
     
     
     
**
   
155,450
     
 
Warrants 
                                                               
Aspect Software, Inc.*,1 
   
     
     
     
     
     
**
   
134,686
     
 
  $ 1,624,360    
$
215,699
   
$
(213,712
)
 
$
8,560
   
$
(349,528
)
 
$
1,285,379
           
$
110,606
 
 
*     
Non-income producing security.
**     
Market value is less than $1.
1     
Security was fair valued by the Valuation Committee at November 30, 2018. The total market value of affiliated and fair valued securities amounts to $33,661, (cost $1,619,040) or less than 0.1% of total net assets.
2     
Variable rate security. Rate indicated is the rate effective at November 30, 2018. In some instances, the effective rate is limited by a minimum rate floor or a maximum rate cap established by the issuer. The settlement status of a position may also impact the effective rate indicated. In some cases, a position may be unsettled at period end and may not have a stated effective rate. In instances where multiple underlying reference rates and spread amounts are shown, the effective rate is based on a weighted average.
3     
Security is in default of interest and/or principal obligations.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 45

 

   
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
ASSETS: 
     
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $598,990,486) 
 
$
577,829,072
 
Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $3,120,901) 
   
1,285,379
 
Repurchase agreements, at value (cost $1,085,213) 
   
1,085,213
 
Foreign currency, at value (cost $36,924) 
   
36,924
 
Cash 
   
1,246,577
 
Segregated cash with broker 
   
3,019,950
 
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts 
   
309,198
 
Unrealized appreciation on credit default swap agreements 
   
88,529
 
Unamortized upfront premiums paid on credit default swap agreements 
   
3,198
 
Prepaid expenses 
   
7,421
 
Receivables: 
       
Investments sold 
   
8,635,524
 
Interest 
   
3,561,766
 
Fund shares sold 
   
2,739,415
 
Variation margin on futures contracts 
   
409,700
 
Tax reclaims 
   
3,895
 
Dividends 
   
1,962
 
Other assets 
   
8,861
 
Total assets 
   
600,272,584
 
LIABILITIES: 
       
Unfunded loan commitments, at value (Note 11) (Commitment fees received $1,301,113) 
   
869,780
 
Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $1,070,747) 
   
1,065,765
 
Options written, at value (proceeds $2,039,279) 
   
2,397,000
 
Unamortized upfront premiums received on credit default swap agreements 
   
1,285,165
 
Unrealized depreciation on credit default swap agreements 
   
14,585
 
Interest payable on borrowings 
   
1,102
 
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts 
   
373
 
Payable for: 
       
Investments purchased 
   
2,391,927
 
Offering costs 
   
515,222
 
Investment advisory fees 
   
501,100
 
Swap settlement 
   
229,539
 
Professional fees 
   
121,250
 
Trustees’ fees and expenses* 
   
23,573
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 
   
144,720
 
Total liabilities 
   
9,561,101
 
NET ASSETS 
 
$
590,711,483
 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: 
       
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; unlimited number of shares authorized, 
       
31,977,280 shares issued and outstanding 
 
$
319,773
 
Additional paid-in capital 
   
634,080,801
 
Total distributable earnings (loss) 
   
(43,689,091
)
NET ASSETS 
 
$
590,711,483
 
Shares outstanding ($0.01 par value with unlimited amount authorized) 
   
31,977,280
 
Net asset value 
 
$
18.47
 
 
* Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
See notes to financial statements.

46 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
November 30, 2018 
For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2018 (Unaudited) 
 
 
 
INVESTMENT INCOME: 
     
Interest from securities of unaffiliated issuers 
 
$
17,464,753
 
Interest from securities of affiliated issuers 
   
110,606
 
Dividends from securities of unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign tax withholding $6,618) 
   
117,524
 
Miscellaneous income 
   
4,893
 
Total investment income 
   
17,697,776
 
EXPENSES: 
       
Investment advisory fees 
   
2,822,596
 
Professional fees 
   
126,133
 
Fund accounting fees 
   
64,122
 
Administration fees 
   
62,394
 
Trustees’ fees and expenses* 
   
56,913
 
Printing fees 
   
40,942
 
Custodian fees 
   
31,182
 
Registration and filing fees 
   
22,046
 
Interest expense 
   
16,249
 
Transfer agent fees 
   
9,043
 
Insurance 
   
5,642
 
Miscellaneous 
   
1,739
 
Total expenses 
   
3,259,001
 
Net investment income 
   
14,438,775
 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS): 
       
Net realized gain (loss) on: 
       
Investments in unaffiliated issuers 
   
1,486,203
 
Investments in affiliated issuers 
   
8,560
 
Foreign currency transactions 
   
(355,973
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts 
   
861,671
 
Options written 
   
(732,752
)
Options purchased 
   
13
 
Credit default swap agreements 
   
(16,385
)
 Futures contracts 
   
4,422,861
 
Net realized gain 
   
5,674,198
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: 
       
Investments in unaffiliated issuers 
   
(10,428,677
)
Investments in affiliated issuers 
   
(349,528
)
Foreign currency translations 
   
197,281
 
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts 
   
69,691
 
Options written 
   
(687,298
)
Options purchased 
   
(383,225
)
Credit default swap agreements 
   
73,944
 
Futures contracts 
   
(3,218,694
)
 Securities sold short 
   
4,982
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 
   
(14,721,524
)
Net realized and unrealized loss 
   
(9,047,326
)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 
 
$
5,391,449
 
* Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 47

 

     
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 
 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
Period Ended
       
 
 
November 30, 2018
   
Year Ended
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
   
May 31, 2018
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS: 
           
Net investment income 
 
$
14,438,775
   
$
29,337,514
 
Net realized gain on investments 
   
5,674,198
     
14,433,404
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 
               
on investments 
   
(14,721,524
)
   
(15,534,898
)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 
   
5,391,449
     
28,236,020
 
                 
Distributions to shareholders 
   
(32,467,045
)
   
(52,217,970
)1
                 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTIONS: 
               
Proceeds from shares issued through at-the-market offering 
   
84,550,746
     
139,346,041
 
Reinvestments 
   
3,113,543
     
4,683,097
 
Common share offering costs charged to paid-in-capital 
   
(127,631
)
   
(261,469
)
Net increase in net assets resulting from shareholder transactions 
   
87,536,658
     
143,767,669
 
Net increase in net assets 
   
60,461,062
     
119,785,719
 
NET ASSETS: 
               
Beginning of period 
   
530,250,421
     
410,464,702
 
End of period 
 
$
590,711,483
   
$
530,250,421
 
 
   
1  For the year ended May 31, 2018, the distributions from net investment income and net realized gains were 
as follows (see Note 15): 
 
Net investment income 
$              (47,817,793) 
Capital gains 
(4,400,177) 
 
See notes to financial statements.

48 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
Period Ended 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 30, 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
 
2018 
May 31, 
May 31, 
May 31, 
May 31, 
May 31, 
 
(Unaudited) 
2018 
2017 
2016 
2015 
2014 
 
Per Share Data: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value, beginning of period 
$ 19.12 
$ 19.78 
$ 17.50 
$ 19.61 
$ 20.56 
$ 20.95 
Income from investment operations: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income(a) 
0.49 
1.23 
1.61 
1.40 
1.28 
1.44 
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized) 
(0.05) 
0.30 
2.86 
(1.33) 
(0.05) 
0.35 
Total from investment operations 
0.44 
1.53 
4.47 
0.07 
1.23 
1.79 
Less distributions from: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income 
(1.09) 
(2.01) 
(2.18) 
(1.82) 
(1.42) 
(1.82) 
Capital gains 
 
(0.18) 
(0.01) 
(0.36) 
(0.76) 
(0.36) 
Total distributions to shareholders 
(1.09) 
(2.19) 
(2.19) 
(2.18) 
(2.18) 
(2.18) 
Net asset value, end of period 
$ 18.47 
$ 19.12 
$ 19.78 
$ 17.50 
$ 19.61 
$ 20.56 
Market value, end of period 
$ 20.01 
$ 21.29 
$ 20.94 
$ 17.61 
$ 21.21 
$ 21.83 
Total Return(b) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value 
2.33% 
8.02% 
26.76% 
0.80% 
6.39% 
9.20% 
Market value 
-0.75% 
13.31% 
33.33% 
-6.07% 
8.08% 
10.71% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) 
$ 590,711 
$ 530,250 
$ 410,465 
$ 310,246 
$ 342,988 
$ 318,001 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income, including interest expense 
5.12%(g) 
6.27% 
8.55% 
7.79% 
6.44% 
7.07% 
Total expenses, including interest expense(c)(d) 
1.16%(g) 
1.52% 
2.35% 
2.38% 
2.16% 
2.28% 
Portfolio turnover rate 
20% 
48% 
41% 
116% 
86% 
95% 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 49

 

   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
             
 
Period Ended 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 30, 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
Year Ended 
 
2018 
May 31, 
May 31, 
May 31, 
May 31, 
May 31, 
 
(Unaudited) 
2018 
2017 
2016 
2015 
2014 
 
Senior Indebtedness 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings-committed facility agreement (in thousands) 
$ – 
$ – 
$ 16,705 
$   9,355 
$ 45,489 
$ 60,789 
Asset coverage per $1,000 of borrowings(e) 
$ – 
$ – 
$ 25,571 
$ 34,164 
$   8,540 
$   6,231 
Supplemental asset coverage per $1,000 of borrowings(f) 
$ – 
$ – 
$ 31,044 
$ 48,121 
$ 11,063 
$   7,476 
 
(a)     
Based on average shares outstanding.
(b)     
Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a common share at the beginning of the period and a sale on the last day of the period reported either at net asset value (“NAV”) or market price per share. Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at NAV for NAV returns or the prices obtained under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan for market value returns. Total return does not reflect brokerage commissions. A return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)     
The ratios of total expenses to average net assets applicable to common shares do not reflect fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund as a result of its investment in shares of other investment companies. If these fees were included in the expense ratios, the expense ratios would increase by 0.00%*, 0.00%*, 0.00%*, 0.02%, 0.03% and 0.03% for period ended November 30, 2018 and for the years ended May 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(d)     
Excluding interest expense, the operating expense ratios for the period ended November 30, 2018 and the years ended May 31 was:
 
November 30, 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited) 
2018 
2017 
2016 
2015 
2014 
1.15% 
1.33% 
1.62% 
1.74% 
1.72% 
1.78% 
 
(e)     
Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the borrowings) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the borrowings.
(f)     
Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the borrowings or reverse repurchase agreements) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the borrowings.
(g)     
Annualized.
*     
Less than 0.01%
See notes to financial statements.

50 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2018 
 
Note 1 – Organization
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on November 13, 2006. The Fund is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation.
Note 2 – Significant Accounting Policies
The Fund operates as an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.
The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and are consistently followed by the Fund. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All time references are based on Eastern Time.
(a) Valuation of Investments
The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) has adopted policies and procedures for the valuation of the Fund’s investments (the “Valuation Procedures”). Pursuant to the Valuation Procedures, the Board has delegated to a valuation committee, consisting of representatives from Guggenheim’s investment management, fund administration, legal and compliance departments (the “Valuation Committee”), the day-to-day responsibility for implementing the Valuation Procedures, including, under most circumstances, the responsibility for determining the fair value of the Fund’s securities and/or other assets.
Valuations of the Fund’s securities are supplied primarily by pricing services appointed pursuant to the processes set forth in the Valuation Procedures. The Valuation Committee convenes monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review the valuation of all assets which have been fair valued for reasonableness. The Fund’s officers, through the Valuation Committee and consistent with the monitoring and review responsibilities set forth in the Valuation Procedures, regularly review procedures used and valuations provided by the pricing services.
If the pricing service cannot or does not provide a valuation for a particular investment or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is fair valued by the Valuation Committee.
Equity securities listed on an exchange (New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or American Stock Exchange) are valued at the last quoted sale price as of the close of business on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. on the valuation date. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ market system are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price on the valuation date, which may not necessarily represent the last sale price. If there has been no sale on such exchange or NASDAQ on a given day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 51

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value (“NAV”) as of the close of business, on the valuation date. Exchange-traded funds and closed-end investment companies are valued at the last quoted sale price.
Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of foreign securities are determined as of the close of such foreign markets or the close of the NYSE, if earlier. All investments quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars on the basis of the foreign currency exchange rates prevailing at the close of U.S. business at 4:00 p.m. Investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. The Valuation Committee will determine the current value of such foreign securities by taking into consideration certain factors which may include those discussed above, as well as the following factors, among others: the value of the securities traded on other foreign markets, ADR trading, closed-end fund trading, foreign currency exchange activity, and the trading prices of financial products that are tied to foreign securities. In addition, under the Valuation Procedures, the Valuation Committee and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (“GFIA” or the “Adviser”) are authorized to use prices and other information supplied by a third party pricing vendor in valuing foreign securities.
Debt securities with a maturity of greater than 60 days at acquisition are valued at prices that reflect broker-dealer supplied valuations or are obtained from independent pricing services, which may consider the trade activity, treasury spreads, yields or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Short-term debt securities with a maturity of 60 days or less at acquisition are valued at amortized cost, provided such amount approximates market value. Money market funds are valued at their NAV.
Repurchase agreements are valued at amortized cost, provided such amounts approximate market value.
Typically, loans are valued using information provided by an independent third party pricing service which uses broker quotes. If the pricing service cannot or does not provide a valuation for a particular investment or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is fair valued by the Valuation Committee.
Listed options are valued at the Official Settlement Price listed in by the exchange, usually as of 4:00 p.m. Long options are valued using the bid price and short options are valued using the ask price. In the event that a settlement price is not available, fair valuation is enacted. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued using the average bid price (for long options), or average ask price (for short options) obtained from one or more security dealers.
The value of futures contracts is accounted for using the unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the contracts that is determined by marking the contracts to their current settlement prices. Financial futures contracts are valued at 4:00 p.m. on the valuation date. In the event that the exchange for a specific futures contract closes earlier than 4:00 p.m., the futures contract is valued at the Official Settlement Price of the exchange. However, the underlying securities from which the

52 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
futures contract value is derived are monitored until 4:00 p.m. to determine if fair valuation would provide a more accurate valuation.
The values of credit default swap agreements entered into by the Fund are accounted for using the unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the agreements that are determined by marking the agreements to the last quoted value of the index that the swaps pertain to at the close of the NYSE. The value of corporate credit default swap agreements will be computed by an approved pricing vendor in accordance with the calculation methodology contained in the swap agreement.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued daily based on the applicable exchange rate of the underlying currency.
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are fair-valued as determined in good faith by GFIA, subject to review and approval by the Valuation Committee, pursuant to methods established or ratified by the Board. Valuations in accordance with these methods are intended to reflect each security’s (or asset’s or liability’s) “fair value”. Each such determination is based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to market prices; sale prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices based on inputs such as prices of securities with comparable maturities and characteristics, or based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over U.S. Treasury securities, and other information analysis.
(b) Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded net of applicable withholding taxes on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts or premiums on debt securities purchased are accreted or amortized to interest income over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage and asset-backed securities are treated as an adjustment to interest income.
Income from residual collateralized loan obligations is recognized using the effective interest method. At the time of purchase, management estimates the future expected cash flows and determines the effective yield and estimated maturity date based on the estimated cash flows. Subsequent to the purchase, the estimated cash flows are updated periodically and a revised yield is calculated prospectively.
(c) Senior Loans
Senior loans in which the Fund invests generally pay interest rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term floating rate, plus a premium. These base lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate offered by one or more major European banks, such as the one-month or three-month London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR), (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks, or (iii) the bank’s certificate of deposit rate. Senior floating rate interests often require repayments from excess cash flows or permit the borrower to repay at its election. The rate at

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 53

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
which the borrower repays cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual remaining maturity may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown on the Schedule of Investments.
(d) Currency Translation
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, and certain expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held. Any such fluctuations are included with the net realized gain or loss and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments.
Foreign exchange realized gain or loss resulting from holding of a foreign currency, expiration of a currency exchange contract, difference in exchange rates between the trade date and settlement date of an investment purchased or sold, and the difference between dividends or interest actually received compared to the amount shown in the Fund’s accounting records on the date of receipt, if any, is shown as net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
Foreign exchange unrealized appreciation or depreciation on assets and liabilities, other than investments, if any, is shown as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translation on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
(e) Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are agreements between two parties to buy and sell currencies at a set price on a future date. Fluctuations in the value of open forward foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation by the Fund until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, realized gains and losses are recorded, and included on the Statement of Operations in forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
(f) Distributions to Shareholders
The Fund declares and pays monthly distributions to common shareholders. These distributions consist of investment company taxable income, which generally includes qualified dividend income, ordinary income and short-term capital gains. Any net realized long-term capital gains are distributed annually to common shareholders. To the extent distributions exceed taxable income, the excess will be deemed a return of capital.
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

54 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
(g) U.S. Government Agency Obligations
Certain U.S. Government and Agency Obligations are traded on a discount basis; the interest rates shown on the Schedule of Investments reflect the effective rates paid at the time of purchase by the Fund. Other securities bear interest at the rates shown, payable at fixed dates through maturity.
(h) Swaps
A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. The Fund may enter into swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rates and/or credit risk to generate income. Swaps are valued daily at current market value and any appreciation or depreciation is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gain or loss is realized on the termination date of the swap and is equal to the difference between the Fund’s basis in the swap and the proceeds of the closing transaction, including any fees. Upon termination of a swap agreement, a payable to or receivable from swap counterparty is established on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to reflect the net gain/loss, including interest income/expense, on terminated swap positions. The line item is removed upon settlement according to the terms of the swap agreement.
Realized gain (loss) upon termination of swap contracts is recorded on the Statement of Operations. Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swap contracts. Net periodic payments received by the Fund are included as part of realized gain (loss) and, in the case of accruals for periodic payments, are included as part of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statement of Operations.
(i) Covered Call Options and Put Options
When an option is written, the premium received is recorded as an asset with an equal liability and is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market value of the option written. These liabilities are reflected as written options on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums received from writing options which expire unexercised are recorded on the expiration date as a realized gain. The difference between the premium received 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 transactions, as a realized loss. If an option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether there has been a realized gain or loss.
When a call option is purchased, the Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to buy the underlying instrument at the strike price at anytime during the option period. When a put option is purchased, the Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option’s underlying instrument at the strike price at anytime during the option period. When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is reflected as an asset and subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option purchased. Purchased options are included with Investments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 55

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
(j) Futures Contracts
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the transaction is affected. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract.
Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
(k) Short Sales
When the Fund engages in a short sale of a security, an amount equal to the proceeds is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the market value of the short sale. The Fund maintains a segregated account of cash and/or securities as collateral for short sales.
Fees, if any, paid to brokers to borrow securities in connection with short sales are recorded as interest expense. In addition, the Fund must pay out the dividend rate of the equity or coupon rate of the obligation to the lender and record this as an expense. Short dividend or interest expense is a cost associated with the investment objective of short sale transactions, rather than an operational cost associated with the day-to-day management of any mutual fund. The Fund may also receive rebate income from the broker resulting from the investment of the proceeds from securities sold short.
(l) Indemnifications
Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its Trustees and Officers are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, throughout the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund and/or its affiliates that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Note 3 – Financial Instruments and Derivatives
As part of its investment strategy, the Fund utilizes short sales and a variety of derivative instruments. These investments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Valuation and accounting treatment of these instruments can be found under Significant Accounting Policies in Note 2 of these Notes to Financial Statements.

56 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Short Sales
A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells a security it does not own. If the security sold short decreases in price between the time the Fund sells the security and closes its short position, the Fund will realize a gain on the transaction. Conversely, if the security increases in price during the period, the Fund will realize a loss on the transaction. The risk of such price increases is the principal risk of engaging in short sales.
Derivatives
Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more other assets, such as securities, currencies, commodities or indices. Derivative instruments may be used to increase investment flexibility (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining exposure to certain other assets), for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. Derivative instruments may also be used to mitigate certain investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. U.S. GAAP requires disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why a Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund’s financial position and results of operations.
The Fund may utilize derivatives for the following purposes:
Hedge: an investment made in order to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in a security, by taking an offsetting position to protect against broad market moves.
Income: the use of any instrument that distributes cash flows typically based upon some rate of interest.
Index Exposure: the use of an instrument to obtain exposure to a listed or other type of index.
Options Purchased and Written
A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of a call option the obligation to sell, the underlying security. The purchaser of a put option has the right to sell, and the writer of the put option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally paid.
The following table represents the Fund’s use and volume of call/put options purchased on a quarterly basis:
 
Average Number 
Average Notional 
Use 
of Contracts 
Amount 
Hedge 
6,485 
$94,740,065 
 
The risk in writing a call option is that a Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that a Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security decreases and the option is exercised. In

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 57

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
addition, there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the underlying securities where a Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market; or, for OTC options, a Fund may be at risk because of the counterparty’s inability to perform.
The following table represents the Fund’s use and volume of call/put options written on a quarterly basis:
 
Average Number 
Average Notional 
Use 
of Contracts 
Amount 
Hedge 
331 
$93,837,968 
 
Futures Contracts
A futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities or other instruments at a set price for delivery at a future date. There are significant risks associated with a Fund’s use of futures contracts, including (i) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the underlying asset and the prices of futures contracts; (ii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract; (iii) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (iv) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts. When investing in futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to a Fund because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. Cash deposits are shown as segregated cash with broker on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; securities held as collateral are noted on the Schedule of Investments.
The following table represents the Fund’s use and volume of futures on a quarterly basis:
 
Average Notional Amount 
Use 
Long 
Short 
Index Exposure 
$93,852,150 
$– 
 
Swap Agreements
A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. A Fund utilizing OTC swaps bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty or if the underlying asset declines in value. Certain standardized swaps are subject to mandatory central clearing and are executed on a multi-lateral or other trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange. There is limited counterparty credit risk with respect to centrally-cleared swaps as the transaction is facilitated through a central clearinghouse, much like exchange-traded futures contracts. Upon entering into certain centrally-cleared swap transactions, the Fund is required to deposit with its clearing broker an amount of cash or securities as an initial margin. Subsequent variation margin payments or receipts are made or received by the Fund, depending on Fluctuations in the fair value of the reference entity.

58 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Credit default swaps are instruments which allow for the full or partial transfer of third party credit risk, with respect to a particular entity or entities, from one counterparty to the other. In accordance with its principal investment strategy, the Fund enters into credit default swaps as a “seller” or “buyer” of protection primarily to gain or reduce exposure to the high yield bond market. A seller of credit default swaps is selling credit protection or assuming credit risk with respect to the underlying entity or entities. The buyer in a credit default swap is obligated to pay the seller a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default on an underlying reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the reference index. The Notional Amount reflects the maximum potential amount the seller of credit protection could be required to pay to the buyer if a credit event occurs. The seller of protection receives periodic premium payments from the buyer and may also receive or pay an upfront premium adjustment to the stated periodic payments.
The quoted market prices and resulting market values for credit default swap agreements on securities and credit indices serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood of an expected liability (or profit) for the credit derivative had the notional amount of the swap agreement been closed/sold as of the period end. Increasing market values, in absolute terms when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.
The following table represents the Fund’s use and volume of credit default swaps on a quarterly basis:
 
Average Notional Amount 
Use 
Long 
Short 
Hedge, Income 
$– 
$58,535,000 
 
A credit default swap enables a fund to buy or sell protection against a defined credit event of an issuer or a basket of securities. Generally, the seller of credit protection against an issuer or basket of securities receives a periodic payment from the buyer to compensate against potential default events. If a default event occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation. If no default occurs, the counterparty will pay the stream of payments and have no further obligations to the fund selling the credit protection. A fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty, or in the case of a credit default swap in which a fund is selling credit protection, the default of a third party issuer.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 59

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to exchange two designated currencies at a specific time in the future. Certain types of contracts may be cash settled, in an amount equal to the change in exchange rates during the term of the contract. The contracts can be used to hedge or manage exposure to foreign currency risks with portfolio investments or to gain exposure to foreign currencies.
The market value of a forward foreign currency exchange contract changes with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Furthermore, the Fund may be exposed to risk if the counterparties cannot meet the contract terms or if the currency value changes unfavorably as compared to the U.S. dollar.
The following table represents the Fund’s use, and volume of forward foreign currency exchange contracts on a quarterly basis:
 
Average Settlement 
Use 
Purchased 
Sold 
Hedge, Income 
$28,053 
$17,918,919 
 
Derivative Investment Holdings Categorized by Risk Exposure
The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of November 30, 2018:
Derivative Investment Type 
Asset Derivatives 
Liability Derivatives 
Currency contracts 
Unrealized appreciation on 
Unrealized depreciation on 
 
forward foreign currency 
forward foreign currency 
 
exchange contracts 
exchange contracts 
 
Credit contracts 
Unrealized appreciation on 
Unrealized depreciation on 
 
credit default swap agreements 
credit default swap 
 
 
agreements 
 
 
Unamortized upfront premiums 
Unamortized upfront 
 
paid on credit default 
premiums received on credit 
 
swap agreements 
default swap agreements 
 
Equity contracts 
Variation margin on futures contracts 
Options written, at value 
 
Investments in unaffiliated 
 
 
issuers, at value 
 
 

60 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund’s derivative investments categorized by primary risk exposure at November 30, 2018:
Asset Derivative Investments Value 
 
 
 
 
Forward 
 
 
Swaps 
Options 
Options 
Foreign 
 
Futures 
Credit 
Written 
Purchased 
Currency 
Total Value at 
Equity 
Default 
Equity 
Equity 
Exchange 
November 30, 
Risk* 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
2018 
$ – 
$ 88,529 
$ – 
$ 583,470 
$ 309,198 
$ 981,197 
 
 
Liability Derivative Investments Value 
 
 
 
 
Forward 
 
 
Swaps 
Options 
Options 
Foreign 
 
Futures 
Credit 
Written 
Purchased 
Currency 
Total Value at 
Equity 
Default 
Equity 
Equity 
Exchange 
November 30, 
Risk* 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
2018 
$ 5,176,563 
$ 14,585 
$ 2,397,000 
$ – 
$ 373 
$ 7,588,521 
 
*     
Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts as reported on the Schedules of Investments. Variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the period ended November 30, 2018:
Derivative Investment Type 
Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives 
Credit contracts 
Net realized gain (loss) on credit default 
 
swap agreements 
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation 
 
(depreciation) on credit default 
 
swap agreements 
 
Equity contracts 
Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts 
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation 
 
(depreciation) on futures contracts 
 
Net realized gain (loss) on options purchased 
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation 
 
(depreciation) on options purchased 
 
Net realized gain (loss) on options written 
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation 
 
(depreciation) on options written 
 
Currency contracts 
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign 
 
currency exchange contracts 
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation 
 
(depreciation) on forward foreign currency 
 
exchange contracts 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 61

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
The following is a summary of the Fund’s realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivative investments recognized on the Statement of Operations categorized by primary risk exposure for the period ended November 30, 2018:
Realized Gain(Loss) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Statements of Operations
 
Swap 
 
 
Forward 
 
 
Agreements 
Options 
Options 
Foreign 
 
Futures 
Credit 
Written 
Purchased 
Currency 
 
Equity 
Default 
Equity 
Equity 
Exchange 
 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
Total 
$ 4,422,861 
$ (16,385) 
$ (732,752) 
$ 13 
$ 861,671 
$ 4,535,408 
 
Change in Unrealized Appreciation(Depreciation) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Statements of Operations 
 
Swap 
 
 
Forward 
 
 
Agreements 
Options 
Options 
Foreign 
 
Futures 
Credit 
Written 
Purchased 
Currency 
 
Equity 
Default 
Equity 
Equity 
Exchange 
 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
Risk 
Total 
$ (3,218,694) 
$ 73,944 
$ (687,298) 
$ (383,225) 
$ 69,691 
$ (4,145,582) 
 
In conjunction with the use short sales and of derivative instruments, the Fund is required to maintain collateral in various forms. The Fund uses, where appropriate, depending on the financial instrument utilized and the broker involved, margin deposits at the broker, cash and/or securities segregated at the custodian bank, discount notes or repurchase agreements allocated to the Fund.
The Fund has established counterparty credit guidelines and enters into transactions only with financial institutions of investment grade or better. The Fund monitors the counterparty credit risk.
Note 4 – Offsetting
In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into transactions subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or other similar arrangements. Generally, the right to offset in those agreements allows the Fund to counteract the exposure to a specific counterparty with collateral received from or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the arrangements. These arrangements provide for the right to liquidate upon the occurrence of an event of default, credit event upon merger or additional termination event.
In order to better define their contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives, including foreign exchange contracts, and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of a default (close-out netting) or similar event, including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty.

62 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Fund and the counterparty. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, are reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as segregated cash with broker/receivable for variation margin, or payable for swap settlement/variation margin. Cash and/or securities pledged or received as collateral by the Fund in connection with an OTC derivative subject to an ISDA Master Agreement generally may not be invested, sold or rehypothecated by the counterparty or the Fund, as applicable, absent an event of default under such agreement, in which case such collateral generally may be applied towards obligations due to and payable by such counterparty or the Fund, as applicable. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty must exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold (e.g., $300,000) before a transfer is required to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. The Fund attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that it believes to be of good standing and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The following tables present derivative financial instruments and secured financing transactions that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements and offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities in conformity with U.S. GAAP:
 
 
 
Net Amount 
Gross Amounts Not Offset 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts 
of Assets 
in the Statement of 
 
 
Gross 
Offset in the 
Presented on the 
Assets and Liabilities 
 
 
Amounts of 
Statement of 
Statement of 
 
Cash 
 
Investment 
Recognized 
Assets and 
Assets and 
Financial 
Collateral 
 
Type 
Assets1 
Liabilities 
Liabilities 
Instruments 
Received 
Net Amount 
Credit 
 
 
 
 
 
 
default swap 
 
 
 
 
 
 
agreements 
$ 15,678 
$ – 
$  15,678 
$ –
    $  
$ 15,678 
Forward foreign 
 
 
 
 
 
 
currency 
 
 
 
 
 
 
exchange 
 
 
 
 
 
 
contracts 
309,198 
 
309,198 
   – 
      – 
309,198 
Options purchased 
 
 
 
 
 
 
contracts 
583,470 
 
583,470 
   – 
      – 
583,470 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 63

 

             
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Amount 
Gross Amounts Not Offset 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts 
of Assets 
in the Statement of 
 
 
Gross 
Offset in the 
Presented on the 
Assets and Liabilities 
 
 
Amounts of 
Statement of 
Statement of 
 
Cash 
 
Investment 
Recognized 
Assets and 
Assets and 
Financial 
Collateral 
 
Type 
Liabilities1 
Liabilities 
Liabilities 
Instruments 
Pledged 
Net Amount 
Credit 
 
 
 
 
 
 
default swap 
 
 
 
 
 
 
agreements 
$ 14,585 
$ – 
$ 14,585 
$ –
$  
$ 14,585 
Forward foreign 
 
 
 
 
 
 
currency 
 
 
 
 
 
 
exchange 
 
 
 
 
 
 
contracts 
373 
 
373 
   – 
  – 
373 
 
1 Exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives are excluded from these reported amounts. 
 
 
 
The following table presents deposits held by others in connection with derivative investments as of November 30, 2018. The Fund has the right to offset these deposits against any related liabilities outstanding with each counterparty.
Counterparty 
Asset Type 
Cash Pledged 
Cash Received 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch 
Credit Default Swap Agreements 
$ 1,959,950 
$ – 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch 
Credit Default Swap Agreements 
1,060,000 
 
 
Note 5 – Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser, the Adviser furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment, provides administrative services, oversees the activities of Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM” or “Sub-Adviser”), provides personnel including certain officers required for the Fund’s administrative management and compensates the officers and trustees of the Fund who are affiliates of the Adviser. As compensation for these services, the Fund pays the Adviser a fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets.
Pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Fund, the Adviser and GPIM, GPIM under the supervision of the Fund’s Board and the Adviser, provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio; provides investment research; makes and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of securities; and provides certain facilities and personnel, including certain officers required for its administrative management and pays the compensation of all officers and trustees of the Fund who are GPIM’s affiliates. As compensation for its services, the Adviser pays GPIM a fee, payable monthly, in an annual amount equal to 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets.
For purposes of calculating the fees payable under the foregoing agreements, average daily managed assets means the average daily value of the Fund’s total assets minus the sum of its accrued liabilities. Total assets means all of the Fund’s assets and is not limited to its investment securities. Accrued liabilities means all of the Fund’s liabilities other than borrowings for investment purposes.
Certain officers of the Fund may also be officers, directors and/or employees of the Adviser or GPIM. The Fund does not compensate its officers who are officers, directors and/or employees of the aforementioned firms.

64 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
GFIA engages external service providers to perform other necessary services for the Fund, such as audit and accounting related services, legal services, custody, printing and mailing, among others, on a pass-through basis.
MUFG Investor Services (US), LLC (“MUIS”) acts as the Fund’s administrator and accounting agent. As administrator and accounting agent, MUIS is responsible for maintaining the books and records of the Fund’s securities and cash. The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (“BNY”) acts as the Fund’s custodian. As custodian, BNY is responsible for the custody of the Fund’s assets. For providing the aforementioned services, MUIS and BNY are entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage of the Fund’s average daily managed assets subject to certain minimum monthly fees and out of pocket expenses.
Note 6 – Fair Value Measurement
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the types of inputs used to value assets and liabilities and requires corresponding disclosure. The hierarchy and the corresponding inputs are summarized below:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — significant other observable inputs (for example quoted prices for securities that are similar based on characteristics such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs based on the best information available under the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, which may include assumptions.
The types of inputs available depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of security and the characteristics of the markets in which it trades, if any. Fair valuation determinations that rely on fewer or no observable inputs require greater judgment. Accordingly, fair value determinations for Level 3 securities require the greatest amount of judgment.
Independent pricing services are used to value a majority of the Fund’s investments. When values are not available from a pricing service, they may be computed by the Fund’s investment adviser or an affiliate. In any event, values may be determined using a variety of sources and techniques, including: market prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices based on inputs such as prices of securities with comparable maturities and characteristics or based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over Treasuries, and other information and analysis. A significant portion of the Fund’s assets and liabilities are categorized as Level 2, as indicated in this report.
Indicative quotes from broker-dealers, adjusted for fluctuations in criteria such as credit spreads and interest rates, may be also used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities, i.e. prices provided by a broker-dealer or other market participant who has not committed to trade at that price. Although indicative quotes are typically received from established market participants, the Fund may not have the

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 65

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
transparency to view the underlying inputs which support the market quotations. Significant changes in an indicative quote would generally result in significant changes in the fair value of the security.
Certain fixed income securities are valued by obtaining a monthly indicative quote from a broker-dealer, adjusted for fluctuations in criteria such as credit spreads and interest rates.
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The suitability of the techniques and sources employed to determine fair valuation are regularly monitored and subject to change.
Note 7 – Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements as part of its financial leverage strategy. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund temporarily transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase the instrument at an agreed upon time and price, which reflects an interest payment. Such agreements have the economic effect of borrowings. The Fund may enter into such agreements when it is able to invest the cash acquired at a rate higher than the cost of the agreement, which would increase earned income. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the instruments transferred to another party or the instruments in which the proceeds may be invested would affect the market value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s assets. For the period ended November 30, 2018, the average daily balance for which reverse repurchase agreements were outstanding amounted to $1,611,925. The weighted average interest rate was (0.14%). As of November 30, 2018, there were no reverse repurchase agreements outstanding.
Note 8 – Borrowings
The Fund has entered into a $80,000,000 credit facility agreement with an approved lender whereby the lender has agreed to provide secured financing to the Fund and the Fund will provide pledged collateral to the lender. Interest on the amount borrowed is based on the 3 month LIBOR plus 0.85%. As of November 30, 2018, there were no outstanding borrowings in connection with the Fund’s credit facility.
The credit facility agreement governing the loan facility includes usual and customary covenants. These covenants impose on the Fund asset coverage requirements, collateral requirements, investment strategy requirements, and certain financial obligations. These covenants place limits or restrictions on the Fund’s ability to (i) enter into additional indebtedness with a party other than the counterparty, (ii) change its fundamental investment policy, or (iii) pledge to any other party, other than to the counterparty, securities owned or held by the Fund over which the counterparty has a lien. In addition, the Fund is required to deliver financial information to the counterparty within established deadlines, maintain an asset coverage ratio (as defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act) greater than 300%, comply with the rules of the stock exchange on which its shares are listed, and maintain its classification as a “closed-end management investment company” as defined in the 1940 Act.

66 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
There is no guarantee that the Fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. The Fund’s use of leverage may cause the Fund’s NAV and market price of common shares to be more volatile and can magnify the effect of any losses.
Note 9 – Federal Income Tax Information
The Fund intends to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies.
The Fund is subject to an excise tax of 4% of the amount by which 98% of the Fund’s annual taxable income and 98.2% of net realized gains exceed the distributions from such taxable income and realized gains for the calendar year.
At November 30, 2018, the cost of securities for Federal income tax purposes, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities for which there was an excess of value over tax cost, and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities for which there was an excess of tax cost over value were as follows:
 
Tax Unrealized 
Tax Unrealized 
Net Unrealized 
Tax Cost 
Appreciation 
Depreciation 
Depreciation 
$600,113,682 
$16,661,381 
$(44,831,958) 
$(28,170,577) 
 
As of May 31, 2018, (the most recent fiscal year end for federal income tax purposes) tax components of accumulated earnings (excluding paid-in capital) were as follows:
 
Undistributed 
Net Unrealized 
Accumulated 
 
Undistributed 
Long-Term 
Appreciation 
Capital and 
 
Ordinary Income 
Capital Gain 
(Depreciation) 
Other Losses 
Total 
$3,627,936 
$2,339,604 
$(22,581,035) 
$— 
$(16,613,495) 
 
For the year ended May 31, 2018, (the most recent fiscal year end for federal income tax purposes) the tax character of distributions paid to shareholders as reflected in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets was as follows:
Distributions paid from: 
Total Distribution 
Ordinary Income 
$47,817,793 
Long-Term Capital Gain 
4,400,177 
 
$52,217,970 
 
Note 10 – Securities Transactions
For the period ended November 30, 2018, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding written options, swap agreements, futures contracts and short-term investments, were as follows:
Purchases 
Sales 
$146,968,975 
$100,134,827 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 67

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common Trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price to save costs, where permissible. For the period November 30, 2018, the Fund engaged in purchases and sales of securities, pursuant to Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act, as follows:
Purchases 
Sales 
Realized Gain 
$296,703 
$835,624 
$62,624 
 
Note 11 – Unfunded Loan Commitments
Pursuant to the terms of certain loan agreements, the Fund held unfunded loan commitments as of November 30, 2018. The Fund is obligated to fund these loan commitments at the borrower’s discretion. The Fund reserves against such contingent obligations by designating cash, liquid securities, illiquid securities, and liquid term loans as a reserve. As of November 30, 2018, the total amount segregated in connection with futures contracts and unfunded loan commitments was $16,447,137.
The unfunded loan commitments as of November 30, 2018, were as follows: 
 
 
Borrower 
Maturity Date 
Face Amount* 
Value 
Acosta, Inc. 
09/26/19 
 
440,000 
$ 135,599 
Alexander Mann 
08/09/24 
GBP 1,250,000 
211,339 
Bullhorn, Inc. 
11/21/22 
 
161,669 
3,736 
Cypress Intermediate Holdings III, Inc. 
04/27/22 
 
1,250,000 
105,380 
Dominion Web Solutions LLC 
06/15/23 
 
115,385 
 
Examworks Group, Inc. 
07/27/21 
 
1,300,000 
81,440 
Fortis Solutions Group LLC 
12/15/23 
 
165,720 
16,838 
Galls LLC 
01/31/24 
 
477,523 
12,809 
Hostess Brands LLC 
08/03/20 
 
500,000 
23,699 
ICP Industrial, Inc. 
11/03/23 
 
208,275 
1,041 
Lumentum Holdings, Inc. 
03/11/19 
 
200,000 
 
Lytx, Inc. 
08/31/22 
 
52,632 
4,936 
Ministry Brands LLC 
12/02/22 
 
128,050 
640 
MRI Software LLC 
06/30/23 
 
187,111 
5,865 
Nimbus Acquisition Topco Ltd. 
07/15/20 
GBP   500,000 
25,824 
Packaging Coordinators Midco, Inc. 
07/01/21 
 
1,500,000 
96,834 
SHO Holding I Corp. 
10/27/21 
 
146,000 
9,995 
SLR Consulting Ltd. 
05/14/25 
 
GBP   200,000 
3,537 
Solera LLC 
03/03/21 
 
1,999,117 
126,891 
VT Topco, Inc. 
08/17/25 
 
102,667 
 
WIRB - Copernicus Group, Inc. 
08/15/22 
 
798,186 
3,377 
 
 
 
 
$ 869,780 
* The face amount is denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. 
 
 
GBP – British Pound 
 
 
 
 
 

68 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Note 12 – Restricted Securities
The securities below are considered illiquid and restricted under guidelines established by the Board:
       
Restricted Securities 
Acquisition Date 
Cost 
Value 
Airplanes Pass Through Trust 2001-1A, 2.71% 
 
 
 
(1 Month USD LIBOR + 0.55%, Rate Floor: 0.55%) 
 
 
due 03/15/191,3 
10/14/09 
$ 5,384,675 
$ 166,399 
Capmark Military Housing Trust 
 
 
 
2007-AETC, 5.75% due 02/10/52 
09/18/14 
1,867,743 
1,819,132 
Capmark Military Housing Trust 
 
 
 
2007-AET2, 6.06% due 10/10/52 
04/23/15 
480,036 
490,267 
CNB Financial Corp. 
 
 
 
5.75% due 10/15/262 
09/14/16 
2,000,000 
2,013,902 
Customers Bank 
 
 
 
6.13% due 06/26/292 
06/24/14 
2,500,000 
2,557,062 
Fort Knox Military Housing Privatization Project 
 
 
 
5.82% due 02/15/52 
11/14/16 
1,935,624 
1,901,434 
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Asset Corp. 
 
 
 
2004-POKA, 6.36% due 09/10/44 
05/11/17 
3,907,749 
3,610,852 
Highland Park CDO I Ltd. 
 
 
 
2006-1A, 3.09% (3 Month USD LIBOR + 0.40%, 
 
 
 
Rate Floor: 0.00%) due 11/25/511 
04/14/15 
253,871 
321,643 
HP Communities LLC 
 
 
 
6.82% due 09/15/53 
06/09/14 
960,364 
1,009,727 
HP Communities LLC 
 
 
 
6.16% due 09/15/53 
07/21/15 
997,562 
1,075,615 
KeHE Distributors LLC / KeHE Finance Corp. 
 
 
 
7.63% due 08/15/21 
07/30/13 
549,545 
511,500 
LBC Tank Terminals Holding Netherlands BV 
 
 
 
6.88% due 05/15/23 
05/08/13 
1,449,530 
1,318,125 
Pacific Beacon LLC 
 
 
 
5.63% due 07/15/51 
01/15/14 
576,828 
656,967 
Princess Juliana International Airport 
 
 
 
Operating Company N.V. 
 
 
 
5.50% due 12/20/27 
12/17/12 
1,588,843 
1,429,558 
Schahin II Finance Co. SPV Ltd. 
 
 
 
5.88% due 09/25/223 
01/18/14 
1,178,716 
121,613 
Secured Tenant Site Contract Revenue Notes Series 
 
 
 
2018-1A, 5.92% due 06/15/48 
05/25/18 
1,991,166 
1,984,145 
Turbine Engines Securitization Ltd. 
 
 
 
 2013-1A, 6.38% due 12/13/48 
11/27/13 
475,686 
396,971 
 
 
$ 28,097,938 
$ 21,384,912 
 
1     
Variable rate security. Rate indicated is the rate effective at November 30, 2018. In some instances, the effective rate is lim- ited by a minimum rate floor or a maximum rate cap established by the issuer. The settlement status of a position may also impact the effective rate indicated. In some cases, a position may be unsettled at period end and may not have a stated ef- fective rate. In instances where multiple underlying reference rates and spread amounts are shown, the effective rate is based on a weighted average.
2     
Security has a fixed rate coupon which will convert to a floating or variable rate coupon on a future date.
3     
Security is in default of interest and/or principal obligations.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 69

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Note 13 – Capital
Common Shares
The Fund has an unlimited amount of common shares, $0.01 par value, authorized and 31,977,280 issued and outstanding.
Transactions in common shares were as follows: 
 
 
 
Period Ended 
Year Ended 
 
November 30, 2018 
May 31, 2018 
Beginning Shares 
27,733,512 
20,751,418 
Common shares issued through at-the-market offering 
4,087,579 
6,747,942 
Shares issued through dividend reinvestment 
156,189 
234,152 
Ending Shares 
31,977,280 
27,733,512 
 
On April 8, 2011, the Fund’s shelf registration allowing for delayed or continuous offering of additional shares became effective. The shelf registration statement allowed for the issuance of up to $100,000,000 of common shares. On December 16, 2011, the Fund entered into an at-the-market sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. to offer and sell up to 4,875,670 common shares, from time to time, through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as agent for the Fund.
On October 23, 2013, the Fund’s shelf registration allowing for delayed or continuous offering of additional shares became effective. The shelf registration statement allowed for the issuance of up to $150,000,000 of common shares. On November 1, 2013, the Fund amended its at-the-market sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. to offer and sell up to 3,977,022 common shares, from time to time, through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as agent for the Fund.
On November 14, 2016, the Fund’s shelf registration allowing for delayed or continuous offering of additional shares became effective. The shelf registration statement allowed for the issuance of up to $125,000,000 of common shares. On December 7, 2016, the Fund entered into an at-the-market sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. for the sale of up to an additional 3,900,000 shares. On September 11, 2017, the Fund amended its at-the-market sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. to offer and sell up to 7,013,325 common shares, from time to time, through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as agent for the Fund.
On January 12, 2018, the Fund’s shelf registration allowing for delayed or continuous offering of additional shares became effective. The shelf registration statement allows for the issuance of up to $250,000,000 of common shares. On January 16, 2018 the Fund entered into an at-the-market sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. to offer and sell up to 5,739,210 common shares, from time to time, through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as agent for the Fund. On September 10, 2018, the Fund amended its at-the-market sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. to offer and sell up to 14,138,865 common shares, from time to time, through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as agent for the Fund.

70 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
The Adviser has paid the costs associated with the at-the-market offering of shares and will be reimbursed by the Fund up to 60% of the offering price of common shares sold pursuant to the shelf registration statement, not to exceed the amount of actual offering costs incurred. For the period ended November 30, 2018, the Fund incurred $90,283 of expenses associated with the at-the-market offerings.
Note 14 – Recent Regulatory Reporting Updates
In August 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements under Regulation S-X to conform to U.S. GAAP, including: (i) an amendment to require presentation of the total, rather than the components, of distributable earnings on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities; and (ii) an amendment to require presentation of the total, rather than the components, of distributions to shareholders, except for tax return of capital distributions, on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.
As of November 30, 2018, management has implemented the amendments to Regulation S-X, which did not have a material impact on the Fund’s financial statements and related disclosures nor did it impact the Fund’s net assets or results of operations.
Note 15 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (the “2017 ASU”) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. The 2017 ASU does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The 2017 ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of these changes on the financial statements.
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (the “2018 ASU”) which adds, modifies and removes disclosure requirements related to certain aspects of fair value measurement. The 2018 ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of these changes on the financial Statements.
Note 16 – Subsequent Events
The Fund evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were available for issue and determined there were no additional material events that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 71

 

   
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2018 
 
Federal Income Tax Information
The Fund intends to designate the maximum amount of dividends that qualify for the reduced tax rate pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Relief and Reconciliation Act of 2003.
In January 2019, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the federal tax status of the distributions received by you in the calendar year 2018.
Sector Classification
Information in the “Schedule of Investments” is categorized by sectors using sector-level classifications used by Bloomberg Industry Classification System, a widely recognized industry classifica -tion system provider. In the Fund’s registration statement, the Fund has investment policies relating to concentration in specific industries. For purposes of these investment policies, the Fund usually classifies industries based on industry-level classifications used by widely recognized industry classification system providers such as Bloomberg Industry Classification System, Global Industry Classification Standards and Barclays Global Classification Scheme.

72 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Trustees
The Trustees of the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund and their principal business occupations during the past five years:
           
 
Position(s) 
Term of Office 
 
Number of 
 
 
Held 
and Length 
 
Portfolios in 
 
Name, Address* 
with 
of Time 
Principal Occupation(s) 
Fund Complex 
Other Directorships 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Served** 
During Past Five Years 
Overseen 
Held by Trustees 
Independent Trustees: 
 
 
 
 
Randall C. Barnes 
Trustee 
Since 2007 
Current: Private Investor (2001-present). 
49 
Current: Trustee, Purpose Investments 
(1951) 
 
 
 
 
Funds (2013-present). 
 
 
 
Former: Senior Vice President and Treasurer, PepsiCo, Inc. (1993-1997); 
 
 
 
 
 
President, Pizza Hut International (1991-1993); Senior Vice President, 
 
Former: Managed Duration Investment 
 
 
 
Strategic Planning and New Business Development, PepsiCo, Inc. (1987-1990). 
 
Grade Municipal Fund (2003-2016). 
Donald A. Chubb, Jr. Trustee and 
Since 2014 
Current: Retired. 
48 
Former: Midland Care, Inc. (2011-2016). 
(1946) 
Chairman of 
 
 
 
 
 
the Valuation 
 
Former: Business broker and manager of commercial real estate, Griffith & 
 
 
 
Oversight 
 
Blair, Inc. (1997-2017). 
 
 
 
Committee 
 
 
 
 
Jerry B. Farley 
Trustee and 
Since 2014 
Current: President, Washburn University (1997-present). 
48 
Current: CoreFirst Bank & Trust 
(1946) 
Chairman of 
 
 
 
(2000-present). 
 
the Audit 
 
 
 
 
 
Committee 
 
 
 
Former: Westar Energy, Inc. (2004-2018). 
Roman Friedrich III 
Trustee and 
Since 2010 
Current: Founder and Managing Partner, Roman Friedrich & Company 
48 
Current: Zincore Metals, Inc. 
(1946) 
Chairman of 
 
(1998-present). 
 
(2009-present). 
 
the Contracts 
 
 
 
 
 
Review 
 
 
 
 
 
Committee 
 
 
 
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 73

 

   
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
Position(s) 
Term of Office 
 
Number of 
 
 
Held 
and Length 
 
Portfolios in 
 
Name, Address* 
with 
of Time 
Principal Occupation(s) 
Fund Complex 
Other Directorships 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Served** 
During Past Five Years 
Overseen 
Held by Trustees 
Independent Trustees continued: 
 
 
 
 
Ronald A. Nyberg 
Trustee and 
Since 2007 
Current: Partner, Momkus LLC (2016-present). 
49 
Current: PPM Funds (February 2018- 
(1953) 
Chairman of 
 
 
 
present); Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare 
 
the Nominating 
 
Former: Partner, Nyberg & Cassioppi, LLC (2000-2016); Executive Vice 
 
System (2012-present); Western Asset 
 
and Governance 
 
President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Van Kampen Investments 
 
Inflation-Linked Opportunities & 
 
Committee 
 
(1982-1999). 
 
Income Fund (2004-present); Western 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund 
 
 
 
 
 
(2003-present). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: Managed Duration Investment 
 
 
 
 
 
Grade Municipal Fund (2003-20016). 
Maynard F. Oliverius
Trustee 
Since 2014 
Current: Retired. 
48 
Current: Defense Orientation 
(1943) 
 
 
 
 
Conference Association (January 2019- 
 
 
 
Former: President and CEO, Stormont-Vail HealthCare (1996-2012). 
 
present); Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics 
 
 
 
 
 
(2016-present); University of Minnesota 
 
 
 
 
 
MHA Alumni Philanthropy Committee 
 
 
 
 
 
(2009-present); Fort Hays State University 
 
 
 
 
 
Foundation (1999-present). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: Stormont-Vail Foundation 
 
 
 
 
 
(2013-2018); Topeka Community 
 
 
 
 
 
Foundation (2009-2014). 
Ronald E. Toupin, Jr. 
Trustee and 
Since 2007 
Current: Portfolio Consultant (2010-present); Member, Governing Council, 
48 
Current: Western Asset Inflation-Linked 
(1958) 
Chairman of 
 
Independent Directors Council (2013-present); Governor, Board of Governors, 
 
Opportunities & Income Fund 
 
the Board 
 
Investment Company Institute (2016-2018). 
 
(2004-present); Western Asset Inflation- 
 
 
 
 
 
Linked Income Fund (2003-present). 
 
 
 
Former: Member, Executive Committee, Independent Directors Council 
 
 
 
 
 
(2016-2018); Vice President, Manager and Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Asset 
 
Former: Managed Duration Investment 
 
 
 
Management (1998-1999); Vice President, Nuveen Investment Advisory Corp. 
 
Grade Municipal Fund (2003-20016); 
 
 
 
(1992-1999); Vice President and Manager, Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts 
 
Bennett Group of Funds (2011-2013). 
 
 
 
(1991-1999); and Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Unit 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Trusts (1988-1999), each of John Nuveen & Co., Inc. (1982-1999). 
 
 
 

74 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
           
 
Position(s) 
Term of Office 
 
Number of 
 
 
Held 
and Length 
 
Portfolios in 
 
Name, Address* 
with 
of Time 
Principal Occupation(s) 
Fund Complex 
Other Directorships 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Served** 
During Past Five Years 
Overseen 
Held by Trustees 
INTERESTED TRUSTEE: 
 
 
 
 
Amy J. Lee*** 
Trustee, 
Since 2018 
Current: Interested Trustee, certain other funds in the Fund Complex 
157 
None. 
(1961) 
Vice President 
(Trustee) 
(2018-present); President and Chief Executive Officer (2017-present) 
 
 
 
and Chief 
 
and Chief Legal Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex 
 
 
 
Legal Officer 
Since 2014 
(2014-present); Vice President, certain other funds in the Fund 
 
 
 
 
(Chief Legal 
Complex (2007-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim 
 
 
 
 
Officer) 
Investments (2012-present). 
 
 
 
 
 
Since 2013 
Former: President and Chief Executive Officer (2017-2018); Vice President, 
 
 
 
 
(Vice President) 
Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Security Benefit 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Insurance Company and Security Benefit Corporation (2004-2012). 
 
 
 
* 
The business address of each Trustee is c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606. 
** 
This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Fund. After a Trustee’s initial term, each Trustee is expected to serve a two-year term concurrent with the class of Trustees for which he or she serves. 
 
— Messrs. Farley, Nyberg, Oliverius and Toupin are Class II Trustees. Class II Trustees are expected to stand for re-election at the Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019. 
 
— Messrs. Barnes, Chubb, Friedrich and Ms. Lee are Class I Trustees. Class I Trustees are expected to stand for re-election at the Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. 
*** 
This Trustee is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Fund under the 1940 Act by reason of her position with the Fund’s Adviser and/or the parent of the Adviser. 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 75

 

   
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
OFFICERS
The Officers of the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund, who are not Trustees, and their principal occupations during the past five years:
 
Position(s) 
 
 
 
held 
Term of Office 
 
Name, Address* 
with the 
and Length of 
 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Time Served** 
Principal Occupations During Past Five Years 
Officers: 
 
 
 
Brian E. Binder 
President 
Since 
Current: President and Chief Executive Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (February 2018-present); President and Chief Executive 
(1972) 
and Chief 
February 2018 
Officer, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC and Security Investors, LLC (January 2018-present); Senior Managing Director and Chief 
 
Executive 
 
Administrative Officer, Guggenheim Investments (January 2018-present). 
 
Officer 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: Managing Director and President, Deutsche Funds, and Head of US Product, Trading and Fund Administration, Deutsche Asset 
 
 
 
Management (2013-January 2018); Managing Director, Head of Business Management and Consulting, Invesco Ltd. (2010-2012). 
Joanna M. Catalucci 
Chief 
Since 2012 
Current: Chief Compliance Officer, certain funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments 
(1966) 
Compliance 
 
(2012-present). 
 
Officer 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: AML Officer, certain funds in the Fund Complex (2016-2017); Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund 
 
 
 
Complex (2008-2012); Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and certain affiliates (2010-2012); Chief 
 
 
 
Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, Rydex Advisors, LLC and certain affiliates (2010-2011). 
James M. Howley 
Assistant 
Since 2006 
Current: Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2004-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex 
(1972) 
Treasurer 
 
(2006-present). 
 
 
 
 
Former: Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc. (1996-2004). 
Keith D. Kemp 
Assistant 
Since 2016 
Current: Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2010-present); Managing Director of Guggenheim 
(1960) 
Treasurer 
 
Investments (2015-present). 
 
 
 
 
Former: Chief Financial Officer, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC (2016-April 2018); Managing Director and Director, Transparent Value, 
 
 
 
LLC (2010-2015); Director, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (2010-2015); Chief Operating Officer, Macquarie Capital 
 
 
 
Investment Management (2007-2009). 
 

76 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
       
 
Position(s) 
 
 
 
held 
Term of Office 
 
Name, Address* 
with the 
and Length of 
 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Time Served** 
Principal Occupations During Past Five Years 
Officers continued: 
 
 
 
Mark E. Mathiasen 
Secretary 
Since 2008 
Current: Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2007-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2007-present). 
(1978) 
 
 
 
Glenn McWhinnie 
Assistant 
Since 2016 
Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2009-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2016-present). 
(1969) 
Treasurer 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: Tax Compliance Manager, Ernst & Young LLP (1990-2009). 
Michael P. Megaris 
Assistant 
Since 2014 
Current: Assistant Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present). 
(1984) 
Secretary 
 
 
Adam J. Nelson 
Assistant 
Since 2015 
Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2015-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2015-present). 
(1979) 
Treasurer 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: Assistant Vice President and Fund Administration Director, State Street Corporation (2013-2015); Fund Administration Assistant 
 
 
 
Director, State Street (2011-2013); Fund Administration Manager, State Street (2009-2011). 
Kimberly J. Scott 
Assistant 
Since 2012 
Current: Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present). 
(1974) 
Treasurer 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: Financial Reporting Manager, Invesco, Ltd. (2010-2011); Vice President/Assistant Treasurer of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen 
 
 
 
Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2009-2010); Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, 
 
 
 
Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2005-2009). 
Bryan Stone 
Vice 
Since 2014 
Current: Vice President, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2013-present). 
(1979) 
President 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman Group LLC (2009-2013); Vice President, Morgan Stanley (2002-2009). 
John L. Sullivan 
Chief Financial 
Since 2010 
Current: Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2010-present); Senior 
(1955) 
Officer, Chief 
 
Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2010-present). 
 
Accounting 
 
 
 
Officer and 
 
Former: Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer, each of the funds in the Van Kampen Investments fund complex (2004-2010); 
 
Treasurer 
 
Managing Director and Head of Fund Accounting and Administration, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2002-2004); Chief Financial 
 
 
 
Officer and Treasurer, Van Kampen Funds (1996-2004). 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 77

 

   
OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
Position(s) 
 
 
 
held 
Term of Office 
 
Name, Address* 
with the 
and Length of 
 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Time Served** 
Principal Occupations During Past Five Years 
Officers continued: 
 
 
 
Jon Szafran 
Assistant 
Since 2017 
Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2017-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2017-present). 
(1989) 
Treasurer 
 
 
 
 
 
Former: Assistant Treasurer of Henderson Global Funds and Manager of US Fund Administration, Henderson Global Investors (North America) 
 
 
 
Inc. (“HGINA”), (2017); Senior Analyst of US Fund Administration, HGINA (2014-2017); Senior Associate of Fund Administration, Cortland 
 
 
 
Capital Market Services, LLC (2013-2014); Experienced Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (2012-2013). 
 
*     
The business address of each officer is c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606.
**     
Each officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. The date reflects the commencement date upon which the officer held any officer position with the Fund.

78 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2018 
 
Unless the registered owner of common shares elects to receive cash by contacting Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on common shares of the Fund will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator for shareholders in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional common shares of the Fund. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on your behalf and may re-invest that cash in additional common shares of the Fund for you. If you wish for all dividends declared on your common shares of the Fund to be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan, please contact your broker.
The Plan Administrator will open an account for each common shareholder under the Plan in the same name in which such common shareholder’s common shares are registered. Whenever the Fund declares a dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”) payable in cash, nonparticipants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in common shares. The common shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized common shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated brokerage commission per common share is equal to or greater than the net asset value per common share, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the net asset value per common share on the payment date; provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal to 95% of the closing market value on the payment date, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per common share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the net asset value per common share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commission, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in common shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.
If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per common share exceeds the net asset value per common share, the average per common share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the net asset value of the common shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer common shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 79

 

   
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at net asset value per common share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per common share; the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date.
The Plan Administrator maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instruction of the participants.
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commission incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any Federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.
All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 30170 College Station, TX 77842-3170: Attention: Shareholder Services Department, Phone Number: (866) 488-3559 or online at www.computershare.com/investor.

80 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

   
FUND INFORMATION 
November 30, 2018 
 
 
Board of Trustees
Randall C. Barnes
Donald A. Chubb, Jr.
Jerry B. Farley
Roman Friedrich III
Amy J. Lee*
Ronald A. Nyberg
Maynard F. Oliverius
Ronald E. Toupin, Jr.,
Chairman
* Trustee is an “interested person” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) (“Interested Trustee”) of the Fund because of her position as President of the Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser.
Principal Executive Officers
Brian E. Binder
President and Chief Executive Officer
Joanna M. Catalucci
Chief Compliance Officer
Amy J. Lee
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
Mark E. Mathiasen
Secretary
John L. Sullivan
Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
Investment Adviser
Guggenheim Funds Investment
Advisors, LLC
Chicago, IL
Investment Sub-Adviser
Guggenheim Partners Investment
Management, LLC
Santa Monica, CA
Administrator and Accounting Agent
MUFG Investor Services (US), LLC
Rockville, MD
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
New York, NY
Legal Counsel
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom LLP
New York, NY
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ernst & Young LLP
Tysons, VA
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 81

 

   
FUND INFORMATION continued 
November 30, 2018 
 
Privacy Principles of the Fund
The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding its non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.
Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).
The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about the shareholders to Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC employees with a legitimate business need for the information. The Fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of its shareholders.
Questions concerning your shares of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund?
•  If your shares are held in a Brokerage Account, contact your Broker.
•  If you have physical possession of your shares in certificate form, contact the Fund’s Transfer Agent: Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 30170 College Station, TX 77842-3170; (866) 488-3559 or online at www.computershare.com/investor
This report is sent to shareholders of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund for their information. It is not a Prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or of any securities mentioned in this report.
A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at (888) 991-0091.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies for portfolio securities, if applicable, during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is also available, without charge and upon request by calling (888) 991-0091, by visiting the Fund’s website at guggenheiminvestments.com/gof or by accessing the Fund’s Form N-PX on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) website at www.sec.gov.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or at guggenheiminvestments.com/gof. The Fund’s Form N-Q may also be viewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
Notice to Shareholders
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund from time to time may purchase shares of its common stock in the open market or in private transactions.

82 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT

 

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ABOUT THE FUND MANAGERS
Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC
Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM”) is an indirect subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners, LLC, a diversified financial services firm. The firm provides capital markets services, portfolio and risk management expertise, wealth management, and investment advisory services. Clients of Guggenheim Partners, LLC subsidiaries are an elite mix of individuals, family offices, endowments, foundations, insurance companies and other institutions.
Investment Philosophy
GPIM’s investment philosophy is predicated upon the belief that thorough research and independent thought are rewarded with performance that has the potential to outperform benchmark indexes with both lower volatility and lower correlation of returns over time as compared to such benchmark indexes.
Investment Process
GPIM’s investment process is a collaborative effort between various groups including the Portfolio Construction Group, which utilize proprietary portfolio construction and risk modeling tools to determine allocation of assets among a variety of sectors, and its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for security selection within these sectors and for implementing securities transactions, including the structuring of certain securities directly with the issuers or with investment banks and dealers involved in the origination of such securities.
Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC
227 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60606
Member FINRA/SIPC
(01/19)
NOT FDIC-INSURED l NOT BANK-GUARANTEED l MAY LOSE VALUE
CEF-GOF-SAR-1118

 

Item 2.  Code of Ethics.
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
Item 5.  Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
Item 6.  Schedule of Investments.
The Schedule of Investments is included as part of Item 1.
Item 7.  Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
(a)     Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
(b)    There has been no change, as of the date of filing, in any of the Portfolio Managers identified in response to paragraph (a)(1) of this Item in the registrant’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR
Item 9.  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
None.
Item 10.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
The registrant has not made any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.
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 (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act) as of a date within 90 days of this filing and have concluded based on such

 
evaluation, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act, 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 within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
(b)      There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
(a) The registrant has not participated in securities lending activities during the period covered by this report.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 13.  Exhibits.
(a)(1)  Not applicable
(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act.
(a)(3)  Not applicable.
(b)      Certification of principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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.
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
By:       /s/ Brian Binder
Name:  Brian Binder
Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:    February 8, 2019
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.
By:       /s/ Brian Binder
Name:  Brian Binder
Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:    February 8, 2019
By:        /s/ John L. Sullivan
Name:  John L. Sullivan
Title:    Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
Date:    February 8, 2019