E) DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS The Fund declares and pays dividends on a monthly basis and records them on ex-date. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. However, to the extent that a net realized capital gain can be reduced by a capital loss carryforward, such gain will not be distributed. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
The Fund's dividend policy is to distribute substantially all of its net investment income to its shareholders on a monthly basis. However, in order to provide shareholders with a more consistent yield to the current trading price of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund, the Fund may at times pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular month and may at times in any month pay out such accumulated but undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in that month. As a result, the dividends paid by the Fund for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such month.
F) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision is made for federal taxes as it is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies ("RIC") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and to make the requisite distributions to its shareholders, which will be sufficient to relieve it from federal income and excise taxes.
In order to qualify as a RIC under the Code, the Fund must meet certain requirements regarding the source of its income, the diversification of its assets and the distribution of its income. One of these requirements is that the Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies or net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships ("Qualifying Income").
The Fund adopted the authoritative guidance for uncertainty in income taxes and recognizes a tax benefit or liability from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable based solely on its technical merits and consideration of the relevant taxing authority's widely understood administrative practices and procedures. The Fund has reviewed its current tax positions and has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
G) USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
H) SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS The Fund, together with other funds/portfolios advised by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC ("Credit Suisse"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Credit Suisse Group AG, pools available cash into a short-term variable rate time deposit issued by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"), the Fund's custodian. The short-term time deposit issued by SSB is a variable rate account classified as a short-term investment.
I) CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash, as used in the Statement of Cash Flows, is the amount reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, including domestic and foreign currencies. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, if any (which are either paid in cash or reinvested at the discretion of shareholders). These activities are reported in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. Information on cash payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. Accounting practices that do
In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and changes can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices of lower-rated debt securities and the Fund's net asset value.
M) NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The amendments in the ASU enhance disclosures about offsetting of financial assets and liabilities to enable investors to understand the effect of these arrangements on a fund's financial position. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Fund believes the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements.
N) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In preparing the financial statements as of April 30, 2013, management considered the impact of subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure in these financial statements through the date of release of this report. No such events requiring recognition or disclosure were identified through the date of the release of this report.
Note 3. Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with Credit Suisse. The Advisory Agreement provides for a fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the first $250 million of the average weekly value of the Fund's total assets minus the sum of liabilities (other than aggregate indebtedness constituting leverage) and 0.75% of the average weekly value of the Fund's total assets minus the sum of liabilities (other than aggregate indebtedness constituting leverage) greater than $250 million. Effective January 1, 2011, Credit Suisse has agreed to waive 0.15% of the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement up to $200 million and 0.25% of the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement on the next $50 million. For the six months ended April 30, 2013, investment advisory fees earned and voluntarily waived were $1,791,258 and $210,753, respectively. Fee waivers and expense reimbursements are voluntary and may be discontinued by Credit Suisse at any time.
SSB serves as Accounting and Administrative Agent to the Fund. For its administrative services, SSB receives a fee, exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses, calculated in total for all the Credit Suisse funds/portfolios co-administered by SSB and allocated based upon the relative average net assets of each fund/portfolio, subject to an annual minimum fee. For the six months ended April 30, 2013, administrative services fees earned by SSB (including out-of-pocket expenses) with respect to the Fund were $35,365.
The Independent Trustees receive fifty percent (50%) of their annual retainer in the form of shares. Since 2008, the Independent Trustees have been able to elect to receive up to 100% of their annual retainer in shares of the Fund. During the six months ended April 30, 2013, 9,032 shares were issued through the trustees compensation plan. Trustees as a group own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
Merrill Corporation ("Merrill"), an affiliate of Credit Suisse, has been engaged by the Fund to provide certain financial printing services. For the six months ended April 30, 2013, Merrill was paid $38,778 for its services by the Fund.
Note 4. Line of Credit
The Fund has a line of credit provided by SSB primarily to leverage its investment portfolio (the "SSB Agreement"). Effective December 7, 2012, the Fund may borrow the least of: a) $170,000,000; b) an amount that is no greater than 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets minus the sum of liabilities (other than aggregate indebtedness constituting leverage); and c) the Borrowing Base as defined in the SSB Agreement. At April 30, 2013, the Fund
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
April 30, 2013 (unaudited)
had loans outstanding under the Agreement of $116,000,000. During the six months ended April 30, 2013, the Fund had borrowings under the Agreement as follows:
Average Daily
Loan Balance
|
|
Weighted Average
Interest Rate %
|
|
Maximum Daily
Loan Outstanding
|
|
$
|
107,243,094
|
|
|
|
1.092
|
%
|
|
$
|
116,000,000
|
|
|
The use of leverage by the Fund creates an opportunity for increased net income and capital appreciation for the Fund, but, at the same time, creates special risks, and there can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. The Fund intends to utilize leverage to provide shareholders with a potentially higher return. Leverage creates risks for shareholders including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the Fund's shares and the risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings and short-term debt may affect the return to shareholders. To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived from securities purchased with funds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Fund's return will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income or capital appreciation from the securities purchased with such funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the return to the Fund will be less than if leverage had not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to shareholders as dividends and other distributions will be reduced. In the latter case, Credit Suisse in its best judgment nevertheless may determine to maintain the Fund's leveraged position if it deems such action to be appropriate under the circumstances. During periods in which the Fund is utilizing leverage, the management fee will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize a leveraged capital structure because the fee is calculated as a percentage of the managed assets including those purchased with leverage.
Certain types of borrowings by the Fund may result in the Fund's being subject to covenants in credit agreements, including those relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition requirements. The Fund's lenders may establish guidelines for borrowing which may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. There is no guarantee that the Fund's borrowing arrangements or other arrangements for obtaining leverage will continue to be available, or if available, will be available on terms and conditions acceptable to the Fund. Expiration or termination of available financing for leveraged positions can result in adverse effects to its access to liquidity and its ability to maintain leverage positions, and may cause the Fund to incur losses. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase funding costs, limit access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to the Fund. In addition, a decline in market value of the Fund's assets may have particular adverse consequences in instances where the Fund has borrowed money based on the market value of those assets. A decrease in market value of those assets may result in the lender requiring the Fund to sell assets at a time when it may not be in the Fund's best interest to do so.
Note 5. Purchases and Sales of Securities
For the six months ended April 30, 2013, purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) were $155,821,488 and $143,141,237, respectively.
At April 30, 2013, the cost of investments (excluding foreign currency related transactions) and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:
Cost of Investments
|
|
$
|
406,920,234
|
|
|
Unrealized appreciation
|
|
$
|
25,612,104
|
|
|
Unrealized depreciation
|
|
|
(13,267,676
|
)
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
|
$
|
12,344,428
|
|
|
24
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
April 30, 2013 (unaudited)
Note 6. Fund Shares
The Fund has one class of shares of beneficial interest, par value $.001 per share; an unlimited number of shares are authorized. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest of the Fund were as follows:
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
April 30, 2013 (unaudited)
|
|
For the Year Ended
October 31, 2012
|
|
Shares issued through the trustees compensation plan
|
|
|
9,032
|
|
|
|
18,468
|
|
|
Shares issued through at-the-market offerings
|
|
|
5,422,876
|
|
|
|
16,058,741
|
|
|
Shares issued through reinvestment of dividends
|
|
|
141,340
|
|
|
|
274,683
|
|
|
Net increase
|
|
|
5,573,248
|
|
|
|
16,351,892
|
|
|
Note 7. Shelf Offering
On September 14, 2012, the Fund filed a "shelf" registration statement with the SEC, which permits the Fund to issue up to $93,778,401 in shares of beneficial interest through one or more public offerings. Under the shelf registration statement and a previously effective shelf registration statement, the Fund sold and may sell the Fund's shares of beneficial interest in one or more at-the-market offerings when market conditions are considered favorable. Such shares were and would only be issued when the premium to net asset value is greater than the costs associated with the transaction. Any proceeds raised are used for investment purposes. As of April 30, 2013, the Fund had offered and sold 5,422,876 shares of beneficial interest in at-the-market offerings pursuant to sales agreements, resulting in proceeds (net of all fees and commissions) of $17,463,270.
Note 8. Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Fund may provide general indemnifications pursuant to certain contracts and organizational documents. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of loss from such claims is considered remote.
25
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Results of Annual Meeting of Shareholders (unaudited)
On February 12, 2013, the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund was held. Robert Wilson, in his capacity as Inspector, reported that, with respect to the proposal relating to the election of two Class II Trustees, the following number of Shares were voted:
Nominee
|
|
"For" Nominee
|
|
Withheld
|
|
Lawrence Fox
|
|
|
60,995,473
|
|
|
|
1,665,378
|
|
|
John Popp
|
|
|
60,944,979
|
|
|
|
1,715,872
|
|
|
In addition to the Trustees elected at the meeting, Steve Rappaport, Enrique Arzac, Terry Bovarnick and James Cattano continue to serve as Trustees of the Fund.
26
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
(unaudited)
In approving the renewal of the current Advisory Agreement, the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund (the "Fund"), including all of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Independent Trustees"), at a meeting held on November 12 and 13, 2012 considered the following factors:
Investment Advisory Fee Rates and Expenses
The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate of 1.00% of the average weekly value of the Fund's total assets minus the sum of accrued liabilities (other than aggregate indebtedness constituting leverage) (the "Managed Assets") less than or equal to $250 million and 0.75% of the Managed Assets greater than $250 million (the "Gross Advisory Fee") in light of the extent and quality of the advisory services provided by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LCC ("Credit Suisse"). The Board also reviewed and considered the voluntary fee waivers currently in place for the Fund and considered the actual fee rate of 0.90% paid by the Fund after taking waivers and breakpoints into account (the "Net Advisory Fee") as of September 30, 2012. The Board noted that Credit Suisse, at the Board's request, had revised the voluntary waiver as of January 1, 2011 so that it was voluntarily waiving 0.15% of the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement up to $200 million and 0.25% of the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement on the next $50 million. Although the voluntary fee waivers could be discontinued at any time, Credit Suisse advised the Board that it would not consider removing the waiver until the Board next considered the renewal of the Advisory Agreement.
Additionally, the Board received and considered information comparing the Gross Advisory Fee, the combined Gross Advisory Fee and gross administration fee (together, the "Gross Management Fee"), the Gross Management Fee less waivers and/or reimbursements (the "Net Management Fee"), and the Fund's net total expenses with those of funds in the relevant expense group ("Expense Group") provided by an independent provider of investment company data. The Board also received and considered information comparing the Fund's net total expenses and Net Management Fee to the funds in the relevant Morningstar category ("Morningstar Category"). The Board was provided with a description of the methodology used to arrive at the funds included in the Expense Group and the Morningstar Category.
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Advisory Agreement
The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Credit Suisse under the Advisory Agreement. The Board also noted information received at regular meetings throughout the year related to the services rendered by Credit Suisse. The Board reviewed background information about Credit Suisse, including its Form ADV. The Board considered the background and experience of Credit Suisse's senior management and the expertise of, and the amount of attention given to the Fund by, senior personnel of Credit Suisse. In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund and the extent of the resources devoted to research and analysis of actual and potential investments. The Board evaluated the ability of Credit Suisse, based on its resources, reputation and other attributes, to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory, and supervisory personnel. The Board also received and considered information about the nature, extent and quality of services and fee rates offered to other Credit Suisse clients for comparable services.
Fund Performance
The Board received and considered performance results of the Fund over time, along with comparisons both to the Expense Group and the Morningstar Category for the Fund.
27
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (unaudited) (continued)
Credit Suisse Profitability
The Board received and considered a profitability analysis of Credit Suisse based on the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, including any fee waivers, as well as other relationships between the Fund on the one hand and Credit Suisse affiliates on the other. The Board also considered Credit Suisse's methodology for allocating costs to the Fund, recognizing that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective.
Economies of Scale
The Board considered information regarding whether there have been economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund, whether the Fund has appropriately benefited from any economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. Accordingly, the Board considered whether the breakpoints in the Fund's advisory fee structure were appropriate and reasonable taking into consideration economies of scale or other efficiencies that might accrue from increases in the Fund's asset levels.
Other Benefits to Credit Suisse
The Board considered other benefits received by Credit Suisse and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. Such benefits include, among others, benefits potentially derived from an increase in Credit Suisse's businesses as a result of its relationship with the Fund (such as the ability to market to shareholders other financial products offered by Credit Suisse and its affiliates).
The Board considered the standards applied in seeking best execution and reviewed Credit Suisse's method for allocating portfolio investment opportunities among its advisory clients.
Other Factors and Broader Review
As discussed above, the Board reviews detailed materials received from Credit Suisse as part of the annual re-approval process. The Board also reviews and assesses the quality of the services that the Fund receives throughout the year. In this regard, the Board reviews reports of Credit Suisse at least quarterly, which include, among other things, detailed portfolio and market reviews, detailed fund performance reports and Credit Suisse's compliance procedures.
Conclusions
In selecting Credit Suisse, and approving the Advisory Agreement and the investment advisory fee under such agreement, the Board concluded that:
• Although the Gross Advisory Fee, Gross Management Fee and Net Management Fee were above the median of the Expense Group, the fees were reasonable, recognizing that the net total expenses were just above the median of the Expense Group. In addition, Credit Suisse noted that the recent decrease in other Fund expenses was expected to further lower the Fund's total expenses over the upcoming year.
• The Fund's performance was below the median of the Expense Group for the five- and ten- year periods ended September 30, 2012, but was above the median for the year-to-date, one- and three-year periods. The Fund also outperformed its Morningstar Category average for the year-to-date, one-, and three- year periods ended September 30, 2012, but underperformed for the five- and ten-year periods ended September 30, 2012.
• The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment advisory services provided to the Fund by Credit Suisse and that, based on dialogue with management and counsel, the services provided
28
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (unaudited) (continued)
by Credit Suisse under the Advisory Agreement are typical of, and consistent with, those provided to similar mutual funds by other investment advisers.
• In light of the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund and Credit Suisse's ongoing commitment to the Fund and willingness to waive fees, Credit Suisse's profitability based on fees payable under the Advisory Agreement, as well as other ancillary benefits that Credit Suisse and its affiliates received, were considered reasonable.
• In light of the information received and considered by the Board, the Fund's current fee structure was considered reasonable.
No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve the Advisory Agreement. The Independent Trustees were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process.
29
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Notice of Privacy and Information Practices
At Credit Suisse, we know that you are concerned with how we protect and handle nonpublic personal information that identifies you. This notice is designed to help you understand what nonpublic personal information we collect from you and from other sources, and how we use that information in connection with your investments and investment choices that may be available to you. Except where otherwise noted, this notice is applicable only to consumers who are current or former investors, meaning individual persons whose investments are primarily for household, family or personal use ("individual investors"). Specified sections of this notice, however, also apply to other types of investors (called "institutional investors"). Where the notice applies to institutional investors, the notice expressly states so. This notice is being provided by Credit Suisse Funds and Credit Suisse Closed-End Funds. This notice applies solely to U.S. registered investment companies advised by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC.
Categories of information we may collect:
We may collect information about you, including nonpublic personal information, such as
• Information we receive from you on applications, forms, agreements, questionnaires, Credit Suisse websites and other websites that are part of our investment program, or in the course of establishing or maintaining a customer relationship, such as your name, address, e-mail address, Social Security number, assets, income, financial situation; and
• Information we obtain from your transactions and experiences with us, our affiliates, or others, such as your account balances or other investment information, assets purchased and sold, and other parties to a transaction, where applicable.
Categories of information we disclose and parties to whom we disclose it:
• We do not disclose nonpublic personal information about our individual investors, except as permitted or required by law or regulation. Whether you are an individual investor or institutional investor, we may share the information described above with our affiliates that perform services on our behalf, and with our asset management and private banking affiliates; as well as with unaffiliated third parties that perform services on our behalf, such as our accountants, auditors, attorneys, broker-dealers, fund administrators, and other service providers.
• We want our investors to be informed about additional products or services. We do not disclose nonpublic personal information relating to individual investors to our affiliates for marketing purposes, nor do we use such information received from our affiliates to solicit individual investors for such purposes. Whether you are an individual investor or an institutional investor, we may disclose information, including nonpublic personal information, regarding our transactions and experiences with you to our affiliates.
• In addition, whether you are an individual investor or an institutional investor, we reserve the right to disclose information, including nonpublic personal information, about you to any person or entity, including without limitation any governmental agency, regulatory authority or self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction over us or our affiliates, if (i) we determine in our discretion that such disclosure is necessary or advisable pursuant to or in connection with any United States federal, state or local, or non-U.S., court order (or other legal process), law, rule, regulation, or executive order or policy, including without limitation any anti-money laundering law or the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001; and (ii) such disclosure is not otherwise prohibited by law, rule, regulation, or executive order or policy.
30
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Notice of Privacy and Information Practices (continued)
Confidentiality and security
• To protect nonpublic personal information about individual investors, we restrict access to those employees and agents who need to know that information to provide products or services to us and to our investors. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect nonpublic personal information.
Other Disclosures
This notice is not intended to be incorporated in any offering materials, but is a statement of our current Notice of Privacy and Information Practices and may be amended from time to time. This notice is current as of April 30, 2013.
31
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Proxy Voting and Portfolio Holdings Information (unaudited)
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 month period ended June 30 of each year, as well as the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to its portfolio securities are available:
• By calling 1-800-293-1232
• On the Fund's website, www.credit-suisse.com/us/funds
• On the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, www.sec.gov.
The Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of its fiscal year with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Fund's Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-202-551-8090.
Other Funds Managed by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC
CLOSED-END FUNDS
Fixed Income
Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE Amex: CIK)
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund (NYSE Amex: DHY)
Literature Request
Call today for free descriptive information on the closed-ended funds listed above at 1-800-293-1232 or visit our website at www.credit-suisse.com/us/funds.
OPEN-END FUNDS
Credit Suisse Commodity Return Strategy Fund
Credit Suisse Floating Rate High Income Fund
Credit Suisse Multialternative Strategy Fund
Credit Suisse Strategic Income Fund
Credit Suisse Commodity ACCESS Strategy Fund
Credit Suisse Managed Futures Strategy Fund
Fund shares are not deposits or other obligation of Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC or any affiliate, are not FDIC-insured and are not guaranteed by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC or any affiliate. Fund investments are subject to investment risks, including loss of your investment. There are special risk considerations associated with international, global, emerging-markets, small-company, private equity, high-yield debt, single-industry, single-country and other special, aggressive or concentrated investment strategies. Past performance cannot guarantee future results.
More complete information about a fund, including charges and expenses, is provided in the Prospectus, which should be read carefully before investing. You may obtain copies by calling Credit Suisse Funds at 1-877-870-2874. Performance information current to the most recent month-end is available at www.credit-suisse.com/us/funds.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Distributor.
32
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited)
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund (the "Fund") offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the "Plan") to its common stockholders. The Plan offers common stockholders a prompt and simple way to reinvest net investment income dividends and capital gains and other periodic distributions in shares of the Fund's common stock. Computershare Trust Company, N.A. ("Computershare") acts as Plan Agent for stockholders in administering the Plan.
If your shares of common stock of the Fund are registered in your own name, you will automatically participate in the Plan, unless you have indicated that you do not wish to participate and instead wish to receive dividends and capital gains distributions in cash. If you are a beneficial owner of the Fund having your shares registered in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you must first make arrangements with the organization in whose name your shares are registered to have the shares transferred into your own name. Registered shareholders can join the Plan via the Internet by going to www.computershare.com, authenticating your online account, agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of online "Account Access" and completing an online Plan Enrollment Form. Alternatively, you can complete the Plan Enrollment Form and return it to Computershare at the address below.
By participating in the Plan, your dividends and distributions will be promptly paid to you in additional shares of common stock of the Fund. The number of shares to be issued to you will be determined by dividing the total amount of the distribution payable to you by the greater of (i) the net asset value per share ("NAV") of the Fund's common stock on the payment date, or (ii) 95% of the market price per share of the Fund's common stock on the payment date. If the NAV of the Fund's common stock is greater than the market price (plus estimated brokerage commissions) on the payment date, then Computershare (or a broker-dealer selected by Computershare) shall endeavor to apply the amount of such distribution on your shares to purchase shares of Fund common stock in the open market.
You should be aware that all net investment income dividends and capital gain distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income and capital gain, respectively, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund's common stock.
The Plan also permits participants to purchase shares of the Fund through Computershare. You may invest $100 or more monthly, with a maximum of $100,000 in any annual period. Computershare will purchase shares for you on the open market on the 25th of each month or the next trading day if the 25th is not a trading day.
There is no service fee payable by Plan participants for dividend reinvestment. For voluntary cash payments, Plan participants must pay a service fee of $5.00 per transaction. Plan participants will also be charged a pro rata share of the brokerage commissions for all open market purchases ($0.03 per share as of October 2006). Participants will also be charged a service fee of $5.00 for each sale and brokerage commissions of $0.03 per share (as of October 2006).
You may terminate your participation in the Plan at any time by notifying Computershare or requesting a sale of your shares held in the Plan. Your withdrawal will be effective immediately if your notice is received by Computershare prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise, such termination will be effective only with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. Your dividend participation option will remain the same unless you withdraw all of your whole and fractional Plan shares, in which case your participation in the Plan will be terminated and you will receive subsequent dividends and capital gains distributions in cash instead of shares.
33
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited) (continued)
If you want further information about the Plan, including a brochure describing the Plan in greater detail, please contact Computershare as follows:
By Internet: www.computershare.com
By phone: (800) 730-6001 (U.S. and Canada)
(781) 575-3100 (Outside U.S. and Canada)
Customer service associates are available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday
By mail: Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund
c/o Computershare
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078
All notices, correspondence, questions or other communications sent by mail should be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.
The Plan may be terminated by the Fund or Computershare upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution.
34
This report, including the financial statements herein, is sent to the shareholders of the 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.