UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-21471

 

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

   333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606   

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Kevin J. McCarthy—Vice President and Secretary
   333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606   

 

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

312-917-7700

 

Date of fiscal year end:

12/31

 

Date of reporting period:

3/31/2012

 

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 



 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

 


 


 

 

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund  (JTA)

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

Common Stocks – 102.6% (71.9% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aerospace & Defense – 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

80,000

 

Raytheon Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$       4,222,400

 

 

 

Automobiles – 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

138,400

 

General Motors Company, (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,549,960

 

 

 

Capital Markets – 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,100

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,753,617

 

 

 

Chemicals – 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,000

 

Mosaic Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,713,990

 

 

 

Commercial Banks – 3.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

150,900

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,151,726

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

146,000

 

Pitney Bowes Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,566,680

 

 

 

Communications Equipment – 3.2%

 

 

 

 

 

257,500

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,446,125

 

 

 

Computers & Peripherals – 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,000

 

Hewlett-Packard Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,073,210

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services – 6.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

179,600

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,564,380

 

102,000

 

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,689,960

 

 

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,254,340

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

369,000

 

Frontier Communications Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,538,730

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing – 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

78,000

 

CVS Caremark Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,494,400

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates – 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

87,600

 

General Electric Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,758,132

 

 

 

Insurance – 14.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

365,900

 

Genworth Financial Inc., Class A, (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,044,288

 

234,000

 

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,932,720

 

94,900

 

Lincoln National Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,501,564

 

44,000

 

Loews Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,754,280

 

135,900

 

MetLife, Inc., (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,075,865

 

177,444

 

Symetra Financial Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,045,929

 

211,700

 

Unum Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,182,416

 

 

 

Total Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,537,062

 

 

 

Machinery – 3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75,000

 

Ingersoll Rand Company Limited, Class A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,101,250

 

68,000

 

PACCAR Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,184,440

 

 

 

Total Machinery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,285,690

 

 

 

Media – 9.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

286,000

 

Interpublic Group Companies, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,263,260

 

16,393

 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, (2), (7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

423,759

 

265,000

 

National CineMedia, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,054,500

 

140,400

 

Time Warner Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,300,100

 

68,000

 

Viacom Inc., Class B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,227,280

 

 

 

Total Media

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,268,899

 

 

 

Metals & Mining – 6.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

112,300

 

AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Sponsored ADR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,146,116

 

97,200

 

Barrick Gold Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,226,256

 

39,500

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,502,580

 

27,500

 

Newmont Mining Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,409,925

 

 

 

Total Metals & Mining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,284,877

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 10.7%

 

 

 

 

 

37,000

 

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,227,660

 

32,400

 

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,085,452

 

73,000

 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,119,490

 

426,000

 

Talisman Energy Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,367,600

 

63,500

 

Total S.A., Sponsored ADR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,246,120

 

 

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,046,322

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 17.7%

 

 

 

 

 

112,200

 

GlaxoSmithKline PLC, ADR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,038,902

 

134,700

 

Merck & Company Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,172,480

 

410,000

 

Pfizer Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,290,600

 

181,000

 

Sanofi-Aventis, ADR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,013,750

 

78,200

 

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Sponsored ADR

 

 

 

 

 

3,523,692

 

 

 

Total Pharmaceuticals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,039,424

 

 

 

Software – 8.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

346,000

 

CA Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,535,760

 

163,000

 

Microsoft Corporation, (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,256,750

 

 

 

Total Software

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,792,510

 

 

 

Tobacco – 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,600

 

Philip Morris International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,331,736

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 2.8%

 

 

 

 

 

170,000

 

Vodafone Group PLC, Sponsored ADR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,703,900

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (cost $155,629,723)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

173,813,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

 

 

Ratings (4)

 

Value

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Securities – 0.5% (0.3% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks – 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

700

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

7.500%

 

 

 

BBB+

 

$          781,690

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Securities (cost $635,761)

 

 

 

 

 

781,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

 

 

Ratings (4)

 

Value

 

 

 

$25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities – 7.5% (5.3% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks – 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

500

 

HSBC Holdings PLC

 

8.000%

 

 

 

A3 

 

$            13,655

 

12,796

 

Santander Holdings USA

 

7.300%

 

 

 

BBB 

 

320,796

 

30,400

 

U.S. Bancorp., (2)

 

6.500%

 

 

 

A3 

 

826,576

 

 

 

Total Commercial Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,161,027

 

 

 

Consumer Finance – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,500

 

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

6.360%

 

 

 

 

707,940

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services – 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,613

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

6.500%

 

 

 

BB 

 

80,650

 

 

 

Electric Utilities – 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,150

 

Alabama Power Company, (8)

 

6.500%

 

 

 

A- 

 

513,306

 

10,000

 

Alabama Power Company, (8)

 

6.450%

 

 

 

A- 

 

283,125

 

12,000

 

Connecticut Power & Light Company, (8)

 

4.960%

 

 

 

Baa3 

 

559,126

 

5,000

 

Georgia Power Company, (8)

 

6.500%

 

 

 

A- 

 

539,375

 

5,000

 

Gulf Power Company, (8)

 

6.450%

 

 

 

BBB+ 

 

543,177

 

30,000

 

PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, (2), (8)

 

6.250%

 

 

 

BBB- 

 

753,750

 

5,000

 

Southern California Edison Company, (8)

 

6.500%

 

 

 

Baa2 

 

517,969

 

5,000

 

Southern California Edison Company, (8)

 

6.125%

 

 

 

BBB+ 

 

499,219

 

 

 

Total Electric Utilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,209,047

 

 

 

Insurance – 3.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

Arch Capital Group Limited, (8) WI/DD

 

6.750%

 

 

 

BBB 

 

633,595

 

25,000

 

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, (2)

 

7.401%

 

 

 

BBB- 

 

644,250

 

25,000

 

Axis Capital Holdings Limited

 

7.250%

 

 

 

BBB 

 

628,000

 

25,000

 

Axis Capital Holdings Limited

 

6.875%

 

 

 

BBB 

 

650,000

 

25,000

 

Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited

 

7.750%

 

 

 

BBB- 

 

655,750

 

3,500

 

Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited, (2)

 

7.500%

 

 

 

BBB- 

 

90,370

 

25,000

 

MetLife Inc., Series B

 

6.500%

 

 

 

Baa2 

 

632,750

 

25,000

 

PartnerRe Limited

 

7.250%

 

 

 

BBB+ 

 

652,500

 

25,000

 

Principal Financial Group

 

6.518%

 

 

 

BBB 

 

639,750

 

28,500

 

Prudential PLC

 

6.750%

 

 

 

A- 

 

728,174

 

 

 

Total Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,955,139

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

Kayne Anderson MLP Trust, (3)

 

4.950%

 

 

 

AA 

 

635,000

 

 

 

Total $25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities (cost $12,085,061)

 

 

 

 

 

12,748,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity (5)

 

Ratings (4)

 

Value

 

 

 

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests – 29.0% (20.3% of Total Investments) (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto Components – 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

$       1,311

 

Federal-Mogul Corporation, Tranche B, Term Loan

2.178%

 

12/29/14

 

Ba3 

 

$       1,262,761

 

669

 

Federal-Mogul Corporation, Tranche C, Term Loan

2.178%

 

12/28/15

 

Ba3 

 

644,266

 

1,980

 

Total Auto Components

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,907,027

 

 

 

Biotechnology – 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

893

 

Grifols, Inc., Term Loan

 

6.000%

 

6/01/17

 

BB 

 

892,882

 

 

 

Building Products – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

931

 

Goodman Global Inc., Term Loan

 

5.750%

 

10/28/16

 

B+ 

 

937,648

 

 

 

Chemicals – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

988

 

Univar, Inc., Term Loan

 

5.000%

 

6/30/17

 

B+ 

 

990,895

 

 

 

Communications Equipment – 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

860

 

Intelsat, Term Loan

 

5.250%

 

4/02/18

 

BB- 

 

865,697

 

984

 

Avaya, Inc., Term Loan

 

3.241%

 

10/27/14

 

B1 

 

955,515

 

1,844

 

Total Communications Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,821,212

 

 

 

Consumer Finance – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

750

 

Springleaf Financial Funding Company, Term Loan

5.500%

 

5/10/17

 

B2 

 

692,344

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging – 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

853

 

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., Add on Term Loan

6.500%

 

8/09/18

 

BB- 

 

864,941

 

1,053

 

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., US Term Loan

 

6.500%

 

2/09/18

 

BB 

 

1,067,838

 

462

 

Sealed Air Corporation, Term Loan

 

4.750%

 

10/03/18

 

Ba1 

 

467,550

 

2,368

 

Total Containers & Packaging

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,400,329

 

 

 

Electric Utilities – 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

1,860

 

TXU Corporation, 2014 Term Loan

 

3.743%

 

10/10/14

 

B2 

 

1,143,301

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

984

 

U.S. Foodservice, Inc., Term Loan

 

2.740%

 

7/03/14

 

 

951,972

 

 

 

Food Products – 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

993

 

JBS USA LLC, Term Loan

 

4.250%

 

5/25/18

 

BB 

 

995,130

 

1,324

 

Michael Foods Group, Inc., Term Loan

 

4.253%

 

2/25/18

 

B+ 

 

1,326,106

 

2,317

 

Total Food Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,321,236

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

1,496

 

Chiron Merger Sub, Inc., Term Loan

 

7.000%

 

5/04/18

 

Ba2 

 

1,528,162

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services – 3.4%

 

 

 

 

 

1,027

 

Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan

 

2.628%

 

7/25/14

 

BB 

 

1,014,792

 

992

 

Golden Living, Term Loan

 

5.000%

 

5/04/18

 

B+ 

 

940,224

 

76

 

HCA, Inc., Tranche B2, Term Loan

 

3.720%

 

3/31/17

 

BB 

 

74,657

 

910

 

Kindred Healthcare, Term Loan

 

5.250%

 

6/01/18

 

Ba3 

 

875,675

 

997

 

Select Medical Corporation, Term Loan

 

5.500%

 

6/01/18

 

BB- 

 

975,044

 

1,810

 

Universal Health Services, Inc., Term Loan B

 

3.754%

 

11/15/16

 

BB+ 

 

1,810,863

 

5,812

 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,691,255

 

 

 

Health Care Technology – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

998

 

Emdeon Business Services LLC, Term Loan

 

6.750%

 

11/02/18

 

BB- 

 

1,013,335

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 3.3%

 

 

 

 

 

1,965

 

24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Inc., New Term Loan

 

7.500%

 

4/22/16

 

Ba3 

 

1,967,456

 

2,047

 

Seaworld Parks and Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B

 

4.000%

 

8/17/17

 

BB 

 

2,047,172

 

1,500

 

Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc.,  Term Loan B

 

4.250%

 

12/20/18

 

BB+ 

 

1,500,516

 

5,512

 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,515,144

 

 

 

Household Products – 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

158

 

Visant Corporation, Term Loan

 

5.250%

 

12/22/16

 

BB- 

 

154,236

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

630

 

Go Daddy Operating Co., LLC, Term Loan, Tranche B1

 

5.500%

 

12/17/18

 

Ba3 

 

632,530

 

 

 

IT Services – 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

1,247

 

First Data Corporation, Extended Term Loan B

 

5.242%

 

3/23/17

 

B+ 

 

1,196,230

 

662

 

Frac Tech International LLC, Term Loan

 

6.250%

 

5/06/16

 

B+ 

 

660,440

 

744

 

Infor Global Solutions Intermediate Holdings, Ltd., Term Loan B2

 

7.250%

 

7/28/15

 

B+ 

 

743,444

 

490

 

SunGard Data Systems, Inc., Term Loan B

 

1.993%

 

2/28/14

 

BB 

 

489,671

 

3,143

 

Total IT Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,089,785

 

 

 

Media – 5.6%

 

 

 

 

 

617

 

Bresnan Broadband Holdings LLC, Term Loan B

 

4.500%

 

12/14/17

 

BB+ 

 

617,316

 

500

 

Cequel Communications LLC, Term Loan

 

4.000%

 

2/14/19

 

Ba2 

 

496,094

 

997

 

Cumulus Media, Inc., Term Loan, First Lien

 

5.750%

 

9/17/18

 

Ba2 

 

1,001,717

 

750

 

Cumulus Media, Inc., Term Loan, Second Lien

 

7.500%

 

3/18/19

 

CCC+

 

762,427

 

1,246

 

Interactive Data Corporation, Term Loan B

 

4.500%

 

2/11/18

 

Ba3 

 

1,249,841

 

1,000

 

Kabel Deutschland GmbH, Term Loan F

 

4.250%

 

1/20/19

 

Ba2 

 

999,583

 

1,965

 

Mediacom Broadband LLC, Tranche F, Term Loan

4.500%

 

10/23/17

 

BB- 

 

1,963,772

 

265

 

Nielsen Finance LLC, Term Loan C

 

3.493%

 

5/02/16

 

Ba2  

 

264,951

 

617

 

SuperMedia, Term Loan

 

11.000%

 

12/31/15

 

Caa3 

 

337,972

 

1,956

 

Univision Communications, Inc., Term Loan

 

4.491%

 

3/31/17

 

B+ 

 

1,817,680

 

9,913

 

Total Media

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,511,353

 

 

 

Multiline Retail – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

993

 

Bass Pro Group LLC, Term Loan B

 

5.317%

 

6/13/17

 

BB- 

 

994,981

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

860

 

Energy Transfer Equity LP, Term Loan B

 

3.750%

 

3/21/17

 

Ba1

 

844,771

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals – 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

416

 

Warner Chilcott Corporation, Term Loan B1

 

4.250%

 

3/17/18

 

BBB- 

 

415,955

 

208

 

Warner Chilcott Corporation, Term Loan B2

 

4.250%

 

3/17/18

 

BBB- 

 

207,977

 

286

 

Warner Chilcott Corporation, Term Loan B3

 

4.250%

 

3/17/18

 

BBB- 

 

285,969

 

910

 

Total Pharmaceuticals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

909,901

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trust – 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

581

 

iStar Financial, Inc., Term Loan, Tranche A1

 

5.000%

 

6/28/13

 

BB- 

 

581,288

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development – 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

405

 

LNR Property Corporation, Term Loan

 

4.750%

 

4/29/16

 

BB+ 

 

405,699

 

 

 

Road & Rail – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

664

 

Swift Transportation Company, Inc., Term Loan, Tranche B2

 

5.000%

 

12/15/17

 

BB 

 

669,188

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Equipment – 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

990

 

NXP Semiconductor LLC, Term Loan

 

4.500%

 

3/03/17

 

B- 

 

971,850

 

 

 

Software – 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

902

 

Datatel Parent Corp, Term Loan B

 

6.250%

 

7/19/18

 

B+ 

 

917,781

 

875

 

Infor Enterprise Applications, Term Loan WI/DD

 

TBD

 

TBD

 

Ba3 

 

866,250

 

1,777

 

Total Software

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,784,031

 

 

 

Specialty Retail – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

718

 

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, Term Loan B

 

6.250%

 

2/23/17

 

B- 

 

722,129

 

$     50,475

 

Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (cost $49,953,470)

 

 

 

 

 

49,078,484

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

Ratings (4)

 

Value

 

 

 

Capital Preferred Securities – 1.0% (0.7% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks – 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

500

 

PNC Financial Services Inc., (9)

 

6.750%

 

8/01/21

 

BBB 

 

$          527,160

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Pitney Bowes Interntational Holdings, 144A, (9)

 

6.125%

 

4/15/50

 

Baa1 

 

702,891

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services – 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

500

 

JPMorgan Chase & Company, (9)

 

7.900%

 

4/30/18

 

Baa1 

 

547,760

 

 

 

Total Capital Preferred Securities (cost $1,670,269)

 

 

 

 

 

1,777,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount (000)

 

Description (1)

 

Coupon

 

Maturity

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 2.1% (1.5% of Total Investments)

 

 

 

 

 

$       3,589

 

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 3/30/12, repurchase price $3,589,029, collateralized by $3,380,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.625%, due 4/30/16, value $3,663,075.

 

0.010%

 

4/02/12

 

 

 

$       3,589,026

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $3,589,026)

 

 

 

 

 

3,589,026

 

 

 

Total Investments (cost $223,563,310) – 142.7%

 

 

 

 

 

$   241,789,544

 

 

 

Borrowings – (40.1)% (10), (11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(67,900,000)

 

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (2.6)% (12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,488,192)

 

 

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%

 

 

 

 

 

$   169,401,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Derivatives at March 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call Options Written outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Notional

 

Expiration

 

Strike

 

 

 

Contracts

 

Type

 

Amount (13)

 

Date

 

Price

 

Value

 

(290)

 

Barrick Gold Corporation

 

$   (1,522,500

)

4/21/12

 

52.5

 

$    (1,015

)

(591)

 

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

 

(1,418,400

)

5/19/12

 

24.0

 

(14,775

)

(949)

 

Lincoln National Corporation

 

(1,898,000

)

4/21/12

 

20.0

 

(578,890

)

(750)

 

Ingersoll Rand Company Limited, Class A

 

(3,000,000

)

6/16/12

 

40.0

 

(210,000

)

(1,300)

 

Interpublic Group Companies, Inc.

 

(1,560,000

)

7/21/12

 

12.0

 

(68,250

)

(436)

 

MetLife, Inc.

 

(1,744,000

)

6/16/12

 

40.0

 

(37,932

)

(310)

 

Mosaic Company

 

(1,782,500

)

6/16/12

 

57.5

 

(68,510

)

(4,626)

 

Total Call Options Written (premiums received $734,974)

 

$ (12,925,400

)

 

 

 

 

$ (979,372

)

 

Interest Rate Swaps outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Fund

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Rate

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Notional

 

Pay/Receive

 

Floating Rate

 

 

 

Payment

 

 

 

Termination

 

Appreciation

 

Counterparty

 

Amount

 

Floating Rate

 

Index

 

Fixed Rate*

 

Frequency

 

 

 

Date

 

(Depreciation)

 

JPMorgan

 

$13,975,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR

 

1.412%

 

Monthly

 

 

 

3/29/14

 

$

(276,408

)

Morgan Stanley

 

13,975,000

 

Receive

 

1-Month USD-LIBOR

 

2.323   

 

Monthly

 

 

 

3/29/16

 

 

(800,536

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,076,944

)

 

* Annualized.

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$173,389,971

 

$      423,759

 

$               –

 

$  173,813,730

 

 

Convertible Preferred Securities

 

781,690

 

 

 

781,690

 

 

$25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities

 

7,906,161

 

4,842,642

 

 

12,748,803

 

 

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

 

 

49,078,484

 

 

49,078,484

 

 

Capital Preferred Securities

 

 

1,777,811

 

 

1,777,811

 

 

Short-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreement

 

 

3,589,026

 

 

3,589,026

 

 

Derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps*

 

 

(1,076,944

)

 

(1,076,944

)

 

Call Options Written

 

(979,372

)

 

 

(979,372

)

 

Total

 

$181,098,450

 

$ 58,634,778

 

$              –

 

$  239,733,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

 

 

 

During the period ended March 31, 2012, the Fund recognized no transfers to or from Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.

 

 

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

 

 

The Fund records derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Fund’s investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes.

 

 

 

The following table presents the fair value of all derivative instruments held by the Fund as of March 31, 2012, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, and the primary underlying risk exposure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Underlying Risk

 

Derivative

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

Exposure

 

Instrument

 

Location

 

Value

 

Location

 

Value

 

 

Equity Price

 

Options

 

 

$

 

Call options written, at value

 

$

979,372

 

 

Interest Rate

 

Swaps

 

Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps, net*

 

 

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps, net*

 

1,076,944

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

2,056,316

 

 

 

 

Income Tax Information

 

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to the treatment of paydown gains and losses, recognition of premium amortization and timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset value of the Fund.

 

At March 31, 2012, the cost of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) was $226,129,437.

 

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments (excluding investments in derivatives) at March 31, 2012, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized:

 

 

 

 

Appreciation

 

$     28,407,492

 

 

Depreciation

 

(12,747,385

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

 

$     15,660,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

 

(1)

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to Common shares unless otherwise noted.

(2)

Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

(3)

Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives.

(4)

Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade.

(5)

Senior Loans generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment. Because of these mandatory prepayment conditions and because there may be significant economic incentives for a borrower to prepay, prepayments of Senior Loans may occur. As a result, the actual remaining maturity of Senior Loans held may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown.

(6)

Senior Loans generally pay interest at rates which are periodically adjusted by reference to a base short-term, floating lending rate plus an assigned fixed rate. These floating lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate referenced by the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks. Senior Loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the Agent Bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a Senior Loan.

(7)

For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, Common Stocks categorized as Level 2.

(8)

For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, $25 Par (or similar) Preferred Securities categorized as Level 2.

(9)

For fair value measurement disclosure purposes, Capital Preferred Securities categorized as Level 2.

(10)

Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 28.1%.

(11)

The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible investments in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for Borrowings. As of March 31, 2012, investments with a value of $147,588,114 have been pledged as collateral for Borrowings.

(12)

Other Assets Less Liabilities includes the Value and/or the Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of derivative instruments as noted within Investments in Derivatives at March 31, 2012.

(13)

For disclosure purposes, Notional Amount is calculated by multiplying the Number of Contracts by the Strike Price by 100.

WI/DD

Purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

144A

Investment is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These investments may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.

ADR

American Depositary Receipt.

TBD

Senior Loan purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. Certain details associated with this purchase are not known prior to the settlement date of the transaction. In addition, Senior Loans typically trade without accrued interest and therefore a weighted average coupon rate is not available prior to settlement. At settlement, if still unknown, the Borrower or counterparty will provide the Fund with the final weighted average coupon rate and maturity date.

USD-LIBOR

United States Dollar–London Inter-Bank Offered Rate.

 



 

Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

 

a.

 

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

 

 

b.

 

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 3. Exhibits.

 

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: EX-99 CERT Attached hereto.

 



 

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.

 

(Registrant) Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Kevin J. McCarthy

 

 

Kevin J. McCarthy

 

 

Vice President and Secretary

 

 

 

Date May 30, 2012

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman

 

 

Gifford R. Zimmerman

 

 

Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer)

 

 

 

Date May 30, 2012

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Stephen D. Foy

 

 

Stephen D. Foy

 

 

Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer)

 

 

 

Date May 30, 2012