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

811-22455

 

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred And Income Fund, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

280 Park Avenue, New York, NY

 

10017

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Francis C. Poli

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(212) 832-3232

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31

 

 

Date of reporting period:

June 30, 2017

 

 



 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

To Our Shareholders:

We would like to share with you our report for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The net asset value (NAV) at that date was $27.87 per common share. The Fund's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and its share price can differ from its NAV; at period end, the Fund's market price was $28.40.

The total returns for the Fund and its comparative benchmarks were:

    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 
Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund at NAVa    

11.57

%

 
Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund at Market Valuea    

12.82

%

 
BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed-Rate Preferred Securities Indexb    

8.73

%

 
Blended Benchmark—60% BofA Merrill Lynch US IG Institutional
Capital Securities Index/30% BofA Merrill Lynch Core Fixed-Rate
Preferred Securities Index/10% Bloomberg Barclays Developed
Market USD Contingent Capital Indexb
   

8.08

%

 
Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Indexb    

2.27

%

 

The performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance results reflect the effects of leverage, resulting from borrowings under a credit agreement. Current total returns of the Fund can be obtained by visiting our website at cohenandsteers.com. The Fund's returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. Index performance does not reflect the deduction of any fees, taxes or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year are not annualized.

Managed Distribution Policy

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund), acting in accordance with an exemptive order received from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and with approval of its

a  As a closed-end investment company, the price of the Fund's exchange-traded shares will be set by market forces and can deviate from the NAV per share of the Fund.

b  The BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed-Rate Preferred Securities Index tracks the performance of fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities issued in the U.S. domestic market. The BofA Merrill Lynch US IG Institutional Capital Securities Index is a subset of the BofA Merrill Lynch US Corporate Index including all fixed-to-floating rate, perpetual callable and capital securities. The BofA Merrill Lynch Core Fixed-Rate Preferred Securities Index tracks the performance of fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities issued in the U.S. domestic market. The Bloomberg Barclays Developed Market USD Contingent Capital Index includes hybrid capital securities in developed markets with explicit equity conversion or write down loss absorption mechanisms that are based on an issuer's regulatory capital ratio or other explicit solvency-based triggers. The Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-market measure of the U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index includes Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Prior to January 1, 2017, the Fund's Blended Benchmark consisted of 50% BofA Merrill Lynch US Capital Securities Index and 50% BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed-Rate Preferred Securities Index. Benchmark returns are shown for comparative purposes only and may not be representative of the Fund's portfolio.


1



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Board of Directors (the Board), adopted a managed distribution policy under which the Fund intends to include long-term capital gains, where applicable, as part of the regular monthly cash distributions to its shareholders (the Plan). The Plan gives the Fund greater flexibility to realize long-term capital gains and to distribute those gains on a regular monthly basis. In accordance with the Plan, the Fund currently distributes $0.172 per share on a monthly basis.

The Fund may pay distributions in excess of the Fund's investment company taxable income and net realized gains. This excess would be a return of capital distributed from the Fund's assets. Distributions of capital decrease the Fund's total assets and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Fund's expense ratio. In addition, in order to make these distributions, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities at a less than opportune time.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms of the Fund's Plan. The Fund's total return based on NAV is presented in the table above as well as in the Financial Highlights table.

The Plan provides that the Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time without prior notice to Fund shareholders; however, at this time, there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that might cause the termination. The termination of the Plan could have the effect of creating a trading discount (if the Fund's stock is trading at or above NAV) or widening an existing trading discount.

Market Review

Preferred securities produced a positive total return for the six months ended June 30, 2017, outperforming many other fixed income categories amid improving global economic growth, low inflation and reduced political concerns in Europe.

Longer-term U.S. bond yields declined modestly in the early part of 2017 as U.S. economic momentum slowed. Bond prices advanced as a lack of progress in Congress on key initiatives led investors to question the prospects for President Trump's pro-growth agenda of tax reforms, deregulation and infrastructure spending, which was expected to spur economic activity and place upward pressure on interest rates. Although growth picked up in the second quarter, inflation remained subdued, tempered in part by a decline in crude oil prices. As well, wage gains remained in check despite low and falling unemployment.

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates in quarter-point increments in March and June in response to low unemployment. However, the lack of inflationary pressures lowered expectations for future Fed hikes. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield ended the period at 2.3%, down from 2.5% at the start of the year.

In Europe, sovereign yields rose sharply in January on concerns of growing nationalist sentiment but declined through the remainder of the first quarter as polls showed waning support for anti-EU candidates ahead of Dutch and French elections. Growth in Europe continued to strengthen in the second quarter and interest rates declined further as inflation remained well below target and as political uncertainty on the continent eased considerably with the victory of pro-EU candidates.

Yields in Eurozone countries continued to trend lower and credit spreads narrowed until late June when a reversal was sparked by comments from European Central Bank President Mario Draghi


2



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

on the strengthening and broadening recovery in the euro area. This raised concerns that policymakers would begin tapering their asset purchases before the end of the year. However, later official statements suggested that quantitative easing measures would likely remain in place for the foreseeable future.

The European contingent capital (CoCo) securities market successfully weathered the first test of meaningful losses within its ranks. The ailing Spain-based Banco Popular was put into resolution by regulators after suffering a run on deposits following several quarters of concerns about the bank's asset quality and overall level of capital. Prior to being acquired out of resolution by Banco Santander for €1, Banco Popular's capital securities—both CoCos and subordinated debt—were written down to zero. Days later, Germany's Bremer Landesbank announced that it would not pay the next coupon on €150 million in CoCos.

While the issues of these companies declined in value, prices of CoCos from other issuers were minimally affected and soon recovered. We view this as a testament to the increasing maturity of the CoCos market and its ability to distinguish between banks that are systemically important and those that are not.

In the U.S., the Federal Reserve announced the results of its annual supervisory bank stress tests near the end of June. For the first time, all 34 participating U.S. bank holding companies passed, maintaining adequate common equity Tier 1 capital ratios in the most severe hypothetical stress scenario. Passing the test provided banks with more leeway to return capital to shareholders in the form of increased dividend payouts and share buybacks after years of building capital well in excess of requirements. Somewhat less stringent regulation was widely viewed as a positive for bank fundamentals, signaling positive earnings growth potential.

Fund Performance

The Fund had a positive total return in the six months ended June 30, 2017 and outperformed its blended benchmark on both a NAV and market price basis. In general, the portfolio benefited from owning issues with call protection in what was both an interest rate and credit rally. Favorable security selection in the banking sector contributed to relative performance. In addition to healthy gains from French bank CoCos held in the portfolio, including out-of-benchmark issues from Spain's Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and Banco Santander and the Netherland's Rabobank contributed to performance as credit spreads narrowed. The Fund did not own securities of either Banco Popular or Bremer Landesbank. The positive contribution from CoCos was only marginally reduced by put options on the euro employed to hedge against potential asymmetrical risk ahead of the French election.

Favorable security selection in the insurance sector was another important contributor to relative performance, where we held high-coupon, longer-duration securities that enjoyed strong gains, including issues from Liberty Mutual and W.R. Berkley. Some holdings were also positively affected by company-specific credit events. For example, MetLife securities rose in anticipation of the company paying a consent fee to subordinated debtholders as part of its plan to spin off Brighthouse Financial, its U.S. retail business. As well, a high-coupon issue of U.K. mortgage bank Nationwide Building Society had strong performance due to its lack of an issuer call feature amid high demand for income.

From a broad security features perspective, a lower-than-index weight in low-coupon, longer-duration securities detracted from performance, as did a more general underweight in the


3



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

exchange-traded preferreds market, which tends to be more interest-rate sensitive. Exchange-traded preferreds outperformed over-the-counter issues during the period as investor inflows into preferred exchange-traded funds (ETFs) resulted in indiscriminant buying in certain securities. The benchmark-following ETFs were forced to purchase securities that included some trading at substantial premiums to par value, even though in many cases the securities may be called at any time at par. Prudent active management limited the Fund's exposure to this type of investment risk.

Not owning certain longer-duration insurance hybrids additionally detracted. Security selection in the utilities sector further hindered relative performance as the Fund did not own issues from Électricité de France, which rallied on the results of the French elections.

Impact of Leverage on Fund Performance

The Fund employs leverage as part of a yield-enhancement strategy. Leverage, which can increase total return in rising markets (just as it can have the opposite effect in declining markets), significantly contributed to the Fund's performance during the six-month period ended June 30, 2017.

Impact of Derivatives on Fund Performance

In connection with its use of leverage, the Fund pays interest on borrowings based on a floating rate under the terms of its credit agreement. To reduce the impact that an increase in interest rates could have on the performance of the Fund with respect to these borrowings, the Fund used interest rate swaps to exchange a significant portion of the floating rate for a fixed rate. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, the Fund's use of swaps did not have a material impact on the Fund's performance.

The Fund also used derivatives in the form of currency options for hedging purposes, as well as forward foreign currency exchange contracts for managing currency risk on certain Fund positions denominated in foreign currencies. The currency exchange contracts detracted from the Fund's total return for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, while the options did not have a material effect.

Sincerely,

       

 

 
       

WILLIAM F. SCAPELL

 

ELAINE ZAHARIS-NIKAS

 
       

Portfolio Manager

 

Portfolio Manager

 


4



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

The views and opinions in the preceding commentary are subject to change without notice and are as of the date of the report. There is no guarantee that any market forecast set forth in the commentary will be realized. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time, should not be relied upon as investment advice and is not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment.

Visit Cohen & Steers online at cohenandsteers.com

For more information about the Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds, visit cohenandsteers.com. Here you will find fund net asset values, fund fact sheets and portfolio highlights, as well as educational resources and timely market updates.

Our website also provides comprehensive information about Cohen & Steers, including our most recent press releases, profiles of our senior investment professionals and their investment approach to each asset class. The Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds invests in major real asset categories including real estate securities, listed infrastructure, commodities and natural resource equities, as well as preferred securities and other income solutions.


5



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Our Leverage Strategy
(Unaudited)

Our current leverage strategy utilizes borrowings up to the maximum permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 to provide additional capital for the Fund, with an objective of increasing the net income available for shareholders. As of June 30, 2017, leverage represented 28% of the Fund's managed assets.

It has been our philosophy to utilize interest rate swap transactions to seek to reduce the interest rate risk inherent in our utilization of leverage. Considering that the Fund's borrowings have variable interest rate payments, we seek to lock in those rates on a significant portion of this additional capital through interest rate swap agreements (where we effectively convert our variable rate obligations to fixed-rate obligations for the term of the swap agreements). Locking in a significant portion of our leveraging costs is designed to protect the dividend-paying ability of the Fund. The use of leverage increases the volatility of the Fund's net asset value in both up and down markets. However, we believe that locking in a portion of the Fund's leveraging costs for the term of the swap agreements partially protects the Fund's expenses from an increase in short-term interest rates.

Leverage Factsa,b

Leverage (as a % of managed assets)    

28

%

 
% Fixed Rate    

88

%

 
% Variable Rate    

12

%

 
Weighted Average Rate on Swaps—Floating Rate (Receiver)    

1.29

%

 

Weighted Average Rate on Swaps—Fixed Rate (Payer)

   

1.21

%

 
Weighted Average Term on Swaps     5.4 years    
Current Rate on Debt    

2.0

%

 

The Fund seeks to enhance its dividend yield through leverage. The use of leverage is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs associated with leverage. The net asset value of the Fund's shares may be reduced by the issuance and ongoing costs of leverage. So long as the Fund is able to invest in securities that produce an investment yield that is greater than the total cost of leverage, the leverage strategy will produce higher current net investment income for shareholders. On the other hand, to the extent that the total cost of leverage exceeds the incremental income gained from employing such leverage, shareholders would realize lower net investment income. In addition to the impact on net income, the use of leverage will have an effect of magnifying capital appreciation or depreciation for shareholders. Specifically, in an up market, leverage will typically generate greater capital appreciation than if the Fund were not employing leverage. Conversely, in down markets, the use of leverage will generally result in greater capital depreciation than if the Fund had been unlevered. To the extent that the Fund is required or elects to reduce its leverage, the Fund may need to liquidate investments, including under adverse economic conditions which may result in capital losses potentially reducing returns to shareholders. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.

a  Data as of June 30, 2017. Information is subject to change.

b  See Note 7 in Notes to Financial Statements.


6



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

June 30, 2017

Top Ten Holdingsa
(Unaudited)

Security  

Value

  % of
Managed
Assets
 

Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 10.00%, 144A, Series I

 

$

12,296,875

     

2.7

   

HSBC Capital Funding LP, 10.176%, 144A (United Kingdom)

   

12,211,055

     

2.6

   

General Electric Co., 5.00%, Series D

   

11,360,791

     

2.5

   

Rabobank Nederland, 11.00%, 144A (Netherlands)

   

10,603,775

     

2.3

   

Emera, 6.75%, due 6/15/76, Series 16-A (Canada)

   

8,739,500

     

1.9

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.75%, Series S

   

8,616,562

     

1.9

   

MetLife, 9.25%, due 4/8/38, 144A

   

8,356,507

     

1.8

   

Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co., 5.20%, due 10/20/45, 144A (Japan)

   

7,417,500

     

1.6

   

MetLife Capital Trust IV, 7.875%, due 12/15/37, 144A

   

7,385,295

     

1.6

   

Prudential Financial, 5.625%, due 6/15/43

   

7,330,400

     

1.6

   

a  Top ten holdings are determined on the basis of the value of individual securities held. The Fund may also hold positions in other types of securities issued by the companies listed above. See the Schedule of Investments for additional details on such other positions.

Sector Breakdown

(Based on Managed Assets)
(Unaudited)


7




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

PREFERRED SECURITIES—$25 PAR VALUE

 

34.1%

                 

BANKS

 

10.4%

                 

Bank of America Corp., 6.20%, Series CCa

       

79,557

   

$

2,132,923

   

Bank of America Corp., 6.00%, Series EEa

       

79,820

     

2,131,194

   

Bank of America Corp., 6.50%, Series Ya

       

129,755

     

3,493,005

   

Capital One Financial Corp., 5.20%, Series Ga

       

99,000

     

2,393,820

   

Citigroup, 7.125%, Series Ja

       

39,953

     

1,194,595

   

Citigroup, 6.875%, Series Ka

       

83,175

     

2,461,148

   

Citigroup, 6.30%, Series Sa

       

90,602

     

2,419,073

   

Huntington Bancshares, 6.25%, Series Da

       

147,804

     

4,060,176

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.125%, Series Ya

       

55,000

     

1,482,250

   

New York Community Bancorp, 6.375%, Series Aa

       

100,000

     

2,860,000

   

PNC Financial Services Group, 6.125%, Series Pa

       

60,316

     

1,785,354

   

PrivateBancorp, 7.125%, due 10/30/42

       

35,623

     

913,954

   

Regions Financial Corp., 6.375%, Series Ba

       

73,000

     

2,125,760

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 6.625%a

       

40,564

     

1,226,250

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 5.50%, Series Xa

       

63,000

     

1,609,020

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 5.625%, Series Ya

       

89,875

     

2,310,686

   
     

     

34,599,208

   

BANKS—FOREIGN

 

0.9%

                 
National Westminster Bank PLC, 7.763%,
Series C (United Kingdom)a
       

45,255

     

1,187,944

   
Stichting AK Rabobank Certificaten, 6.50%
(EUR) (Netherlands)a
       

1,300,000

     

1,762,109

   
             

2,950,053

   

ELECTRIC

 

2.4%

                 

INTEGRATED ELECTRIC

 

1.1%

                 

DTE Energy Co., 5.375%, due 6/1/76, Series B

       

51,859

     

1,312,551

   

Integrys Holdings, 6.00%, due 8/1/73

       

87,832

     

2,372,562

   
             

3,685,113

   

REGULATED ELECTRIC

 

1.3%

                 

Southern Co./The, 6.25%, due 10/15/75

       

159,308

     

4,358,667

   

TOTAL ELECTRIC

           

8,043,780

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

FINANCIAL

 

5.3%

                 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES

 

1.8%

                 

KKR & Co. LP, 6.75%, Series Aa

       

88,000

   

$

2,401,520

   

State Street Corp., 5.35%, Series Ga

       

92,375

     

2,533,847

   

Stifel Financial Corp., 6.25%, Series Aa

       

42,325

     

1,127,961

   
             

6,063,328

   

INVESTMENT BANKER/BROKER

 

3.5%

                 

Charles Schwab Corp./The, 5.95%, Series Da

       

82,895

     

2,260,547

   

Morgan Stanley, 6.875%a

       

123,526

     

3,618,076

   

Morgan Stanley, 6.375%, Series Ia

       

115,000

     

3,282,100

   

Morgan Stanley, 5.85%, Series Ka

       

91,075

     

2,488,169

   
             

11,648,892

   

TOTAL FINANCIAL

           

17,712,220

   

INDUSTRIALS—CHEMICALS

 

2.2%

                 

CHS, 6.75%a

       

72,040

     

2,037,291

   

CHS, 7.50%, Series 4a

       

31,846

     

920,031

   

CHS, 7.10%, Series IIa

       

152,085

     

4,474,341

   
             

7,431,663

   

INSURANCE

 

5.6%

                 

MULTI-LINE

 

0.7%

                 

WR Berkley Corp., 5.75%, due 6/1/56

       

89,350

     

2,349,012

   

MULTI-LINE—FOREIGN

 

0.6%

                 

PartnerRe Ltd., 6.50%, Series G (Bermuda)a

       

76,959

     

2,096,363

   

PROPERTY CASUALTY—FOREIGN

 

2.0%

                 
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd., 5.50%, Series E
(Bermuda)a
       

100,000

     

2,491,000

   

Validus Holdings Ltd., 5.80% (Bermuda)a

       

68,145

     

1,726,794

   

Validus Holdings Ltd., 5.875%, Series A (Bermuda)a

       

87,000

     

2,224,590

   

TOTAL PROPERTY CASUALTY—FOREIGN

           

6,442,384

   

REINSURANCE

 

0.6%

                 

Reinsurance Group of America, 5.75%, due 6/15/56

       

68,000

     

1,974,720

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

REINSURANCE—FOREIGN

 

1.7%

                 

Arch Capital Group Ltd., 5.25%, Series E (Bermuda)a

       

75,000

   

$

1,827,750

   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd., 5.625% (Bermuda)a

       

33,858

     

875,229

   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd., 5.95% (Bermuda)a

       

50,000

     

1,405,000

   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd., 7.25% (Bermuda)a

       

65,892

     

1,647,300

   
             

5,755,279

   

TOTAL INSURANCE

           

18,617,758

   

PIPELINES

 

0.5%

                 

NuStar Energy LP, 7.625%, Series Ba

       

72,001

     

1,810,825

   

REAL ESTATE

 

3.4%

                 

DIVERSIFIED

 

2.0%

         

Retail Properties of America, 7.00%a

       

79,500

     

2,032,020

   

VEREIT, 6.70%, Series Fa

       

170,372

     

4,530,192

   
             

6,562,212

   

HOTEL

 

0.5%

                 

Chesapeake Lodging Trust, 7.75%, Series Aa

       

75,000

     

1,873,875

   

OFFICE

 

0.2%

                 

Vornado Realty Trust, 6.625%, Series Ia

       

21,156

     

547,940

   

RESIDENTIAL—MANUFACTURED HOME

 

0.7%

                 

Equity Lifestyle Properties, 6.75%, Series Ca

       

47,378

     

1,205,770

   

UMH Properties, 8.25%, Series Aa

       

50,000

     

1,301,000

   
             

2,506,770

   

TOTAL REAL ESTATE

           

11,490,797

   

TECHNOLOGY—SOFTWARE

 

0.5%

                 

eBay, 6.00%, due 2/1/56

       

58,356

     

1,597,204

   

UTILITIES

 

2.9%

                 

Dominion Resources, 5.25%, due 7/30/76, Series A

       

71,500

     

1,799,655

   
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, 5.25%,
due 6/1/76, Series K
       

63,861

     

1,617,599

   

SCE Trust III, 5.75%a

       

41,100

     

1,154,088

   

SCE Trust IV, 5.375%, Series Ja

       

69,052

     

1,950,719

   

SCE Trust V, 5.45%, Series Ka

       

44,600

     

1,288,940

   

SCE Trust VI, 5.00%a

       

72,600

     

1,804,836

   
             

9,615,837

   
TOTAL PREFERRED SECURITIES—$25 PAR VALUE
(Identified cost—$104,540,443)
     

   

113,869,345

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

        Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

PREFERRED SECURITIES—CAPITAL SECURITIES

 

100.1%

                 

BANKS

 

23.9%

                 

AgriBank FCB, 6.875%a

       

26,000

 

$

2,841,314

   

Bank of America Corp., 6.30%, Series DDa

     

$

1,900,000

     

2,135,125

   

Bank of America Corp., 6.50%, Series Za

       

5,314,000

     

5,915,439

   

Citigroup, 6.125%, Series Ra

       

2,026,000

     

2,180,483

   

Citigroup, 6.25%, Series Ta

       

3,070,000

     

3,409,619

   

Citigroup Capital III, 7.625%, due 12/1/36

       

4,115,000

     

5,231,618

   

CoBank ACB, 6.25%, 144A, Series Fa,b

       

25,000

   

2,610,937

   

CoBank ACB, 6.125%, Series Ga

       

25,000

   

2,504,688

   

CoBank ACB, 6.25%, Series Ia

       

2,734,000

     

3,014,314

   

Countrywide Capital III, 8.05%, due 6/15/27, Series B

       

1,815,000

     

2,325,079

   

Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 6.75%, 144Aa,b

       

40,000

   

4,370,000

   

Farm Credit Bank of Texas, 10.00%, 144A, Series Ia,b

       

10,000

   

12,296,875

   

Goldman Sachs Capital I, 6.345%, due 2/15/34

       

1,258,000

     

1,548,174

   
Huntington Bancshares, 8.50%,
Series A (Convertible)a
       

1,234

   

1,781,896

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 7.90%, Series Ia

       

3,230,000

     

3,361,622

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.75%, Series Sa

       

7,575,000

     

8,616,562

   

PNC Financial Services Group, 6.75%a

       

4,500,000

     

5,079,375

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 7.98%, Series Ka

       

3,150,000

     

3,276,000

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 5.875%, Series Ua

       

4,250,000

     

4,688,685

   

Wells Fargo Capital X, 5.95%, due 12/15/36 (TruPS)

       

2,325,000

     

2,635,387

   
     

     

79,823,192

   

BANKS—FOREIGN

 

39.3%

                 
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd./
United Kingdom, 6.75%, 144A (Australia)a,b
       

2,600,000

     

2,877,841

   
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA,
8.875% (EUR) (Spain)a
       

3,600,000

     

4,719,380

   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, 9.00% (Spain)a

       

1,600,000

     

1,675,990

   

Banco Santander SA, 6.75% (EUR) (Spain)a

       

2,400,000

     

2,950,940

   

Barclays PLC, 7.875% (United Kingdom)a

       

2,800,000

     

3,019,492

   

Barclays PLC, 8.25% (United Kingdom)a

       

1,993,000

     

2,117,563

   

BNP Paribas, 7.195%, 144A (France)a,b

       

2,775,000

     

3,194,719

   

BNP Paribas SA, 7.375%, 144A (France)a,b

       

2,600,000

     

2,895,750

   

BNP Paribas SA, 7.625%, 144A (France)a,b

       

2,600,000

     

2,866,500

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

    Principal
Amount
 

Value

 
Cooperatieve Rabobank UA,
6.625% (EUR) (Netherlands)a
 

$

800,000

   

$

1,018,099

   

Credit Agricole SA, 7.875%, 144A (France)a,b

   

1,200,000

     

1,322,952

   

Credit Agricole SA, 8.125%, 144A (France)a,b

   

3,650,000

     

4,253,071

   

Credit Suisse Group AG, 7.125% (Switzerland)a

   

4,100,000

     

4,414,675

   

Credit Suisse Group AG, 6.25%, 144A (Switzerland)a,b

   

800,000

     

851,912

   

Credit Suisse Group AG, 7.50%, 144A (Switzerland)a,b

   

1,087,000

     

1,221,533

   

Danske Bank A/S, 6.125% (Denmark)a

   

2,200,000

     

2,304,720

   

DNB Bank ASA, 6.50% (Norway)a

   

3,000,000

     

3,214,860

   
Dresdner Funding Trust I, 8.151%, due 6/30/31,
144A (Germany)b
   

2,307,869

     

2,908,944

   
HSBC Capital Funding LP, 10.176%,
144A (United Kingdom)a,b
   

7,750,000

     

12,211,055

   

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.00% (United Kingdom)a

   

2,300,000

     

2,383,950

   

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.375% (United Kingdom)a

   

3,000,000

     

3,199,500

   

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.875% (United Kingdom)a

   

2,600,000

     

2,814,500

   
HSBC Holdings PLC,
4.75%, Series EMTN (EUR) (United Kingdom)a
   

1,200,000

     

1,374,705

   

ING Groep N.V., 6.50% (Netherlands)a

   

600,000

     

631,980

   

ING Groep N.V., 6.875% (Netherlands)a

   

2,800,000

     

2,997,523

   
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA,
7.00%, Series EMTN (EUR) (Italy)a
   

1,600,000

     

1,928,570

   
Lloyds Banking Group PLC,
7.50% (United Kingdom)a
   

2,037,000

     

2,252,158

   
Lloyds Banking Group PLC,
6.657%, 144A (United Kingdom)a,b
   

1,350,000

     

1,533,938

   
Macquarie Bank Ltd./London,
6.125%, 144A (Australia)a,b
   

1,400,000

     

1,435,000

   
Nationwide Building Society,
10.25% (GBP) (United Kingdom)a
   

2,460,000

     

4,838,079

   
Rabobank Nederland,
11.00%, 144A (Netherlands)a,b
   

9,100,000

     

10,603,775

   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC,
7.50% (United Kingdom)a
   

800,000

     

827,600

   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC,
7.648% (United Kingdom)a
   

2,277,000

     

2,817,788

   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC,
8.00% (United Kingdom)a
   

1,000,000

     

1,088,180

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

        Principal
Amount
 

Value

 
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC,
8.625% (United Kingdom)a
     

$

5,400,000

   

$

5,899,500

   
Santander UK Group Holdings PLC,
6.75% (GBP) (United Kingdom)a
       

800,000

     

1,087,921

   
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB,
5.75%, Series EMTN (Sweden)a
       

600,000

     

616,875

   

Societe Generale SA, 7.375%, 144A (France)a,b

       

2,200,000

     

2,370,500

   

Societe Generale SA, 7.875%, 144A (France)a,b

       

2,800,000

     

3,087,000

   

Societe Generale SA, 8.00%, 144A (France)a,b

       

400,000

     

454,500

   

Societe Generale SA, 8.25%, Series EMTN (France)a

       

600,000

     

637,977

   
Standard Chartered PLC,
7.50%, 144A (United Kingdom)a,b
       

1,800,000

     

1,930,500

   
Standard Chartered PLC,
7.75%, 144A (United Kingdom)a,b
       

1,950,000

     

2,098,688

   

Swedbank AB, 6.00% (Sweden)a

       

3,000,000

     

3,161,082

   

UBS Group AG, 6.875% (Switzerland)a

       

2,200,000

     

2,378,233

   

UBS Group AG, 6.875% (Switzerland)a

       

1,200,000

     

1,281,007

   

UBS Group AG, 7.00% (Switzerland)a

       

1,000,000

     

1,109,367

   

UBS Group AG, 7.125% (Switzerland)a

       

1,100,000

     

1,167,374

   

UBS Group AG, 7.125% (Switzerland)a

       

1,800,000

     

1,948,050

   

UniCredit SpA, 6.75%, Series EMTN (EUR) (Italy)a

       

1,200,000

     

1,384,178

   
             

131,379,994

   

FOOD

 

1.4%

                 

Land O' Lakes, 7.25%, 144Aa,b

       

4,250,000

     

4,552,813

   

INDUSTRIALS—DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING

 

3.4%

                 

General Electric Co., 5.00%, Series Da

       

10,691,000

     

11,360,791

   

INSURANCE

 

21.4%

                 

LIFE/HEALTH INSURANCE

 

7.9%

                 

MetLife, 9.25%, due 4/8/38, 144Ab

       

5,599,000

     

8,356,507

   

MetLife, 5.25%, Series Ca

       

2,123,000

     

2,209,449

   

MetLife Capital Trust IV, 7.875%, due 12/15/37, 144Ab

       

5,450,000

     

7,385,295

   

Prudential Financial, 5.20%, due 3/15/44

       

1,075,000

     

1,140,844

   

Prudential Financial, 5.625%, due 6/15/43

       

6,664,000

     

7,330,400

   
             

26,422,495

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

        Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

LIFE/HEALTH INSURANCE—FOREIGN

 

9.0%

                 
Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. Ltd., 4.00%,
144A (Japan)a,b
     

$

4,400,000

   

$

4,371,400

   

Demeter BV (Swiss Re Ltd.), 4.625% (Netherlands)a

       

800,000

     

804,000

   
Demeter BV (Swiss Re Ltd.),
5.75%, due 8/15/50 (Netherlands)
       

1,100,000

     

1,191,499

   

La Mondiale Vie, 7.625% (France)a

       

3,100,000

     

3,328,721

   
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co.,
5.20%, due 10/20/45, 144A (Japan)b
       

6,900,000

     

7,417,500

   
Nippon Life Insurance Co.,
4.70%, due 1/20/46, 144A (Japan)b
       

6,200,000

     

6,502,250

   
Nippon Life Insurance Co.,
5.10%, due 10/16/44, 144A (Japan)b
       

1,000,000

     

1,067,500

   
Phoenix Group Holdings, 5.375%, due
7/6/27, Series EMTN (Cayman Islands)
       

1,400,000

     

1,407,000

   

Prudential PLC, 7.75% (United Kingdom)a

       

1,650,000

     

1,715,291

   
Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.,
6.50%, due 9/20/73, 144A (Japan)b
       

2,000,000

     

2,306,800

   
             

30,111,961

   

MULTI-LINE—FOREIGN

 

0.7%

                 

AXA SA, 6.463%, 144A (France)a,b

       

2,250,000

     

2,324,520

   

PROPERTY CASUALTY

 

1.3%

                 

Liberty Mutual Group, 7.80%, due 3/7/37, 144Ab

       

3,600,000

     

4,493,268

   

PROPERTY CASUALTY—FOREIGN

 

1.4%

                 
QBE Insurance Group Ltd.,
6.75%, due 12/2/44 (Australia)
       

2,751,000

     

3,072,179

   
QBE Insurance Group Ltd.,
5.875%, due 6/17/46, Series EMTN (Australia)
       

1,600,000

     

1,708,651

   
             

4,780,830

   

REINSURANCE—FOREIGN

 

1.1%

                 
Aquarius + Investments PLC,
6.375%, due 9/1/24 (Ireland)
       

800,000

     

853,727

   

Aquarius + Investments PLC, 8.25% (Ireland)a

       

2,510,000

     

2,668,073

   
             

3,521,800

   

TOTAL INSURANCE

           

71,654,874

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
14



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

        Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

 

1.2%

                 
Centaur Funding Corp.,
9.08%, due 4/21/20, 144A (Cayman Islands)b
       

3,500

 

$

4,067,656

   

MATERIAL—METALS & MINING

 

1.9%

                 
BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd.,
6.75%, due 10/19/75, 144A (Australia)b
     

$

5,400,000

     

6,183,486

   

MEDIA

 

0.3%

                 

Viacom, 6.25%, due 2/28/57

       

1,100,000

     

1,146,169

   

PIPELINES

 

2.5%

                 

Transcanada Trust, 5.30%, due 3/15/77 (Canada)

       

2,275,000

     

2,342,965

   

Transcanada Trust, 5.625%, due 5/20/75 (Canada)

       

1,290,000

     

1,365,865

   
Transcanada Trust, 5.875%, due 8/15/76,
Series 16-A (Canada)
       

4,337,000

     

4,717,355

   
             

8,426,185

   

UTILITIES

 

4.8%

                 

ELECTRIC UTILITIES

 

0.2%

                 
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings,
7.30%, due 9/1/67, Series D
       

632,000

     

637,543

   

ELECTRIC UTILITIES—FOREIGN

 

4.6%

                 

Emera, 6.75%, due 6/15/76, Series 16-A (Canada)

       

7,700,000

     

8,739,500

   

Enel SpA, 8.75%, due 9/24/73, 144A (Italy)b

       

5,447,000

     

6,495,547

   
             

15,235,047

   

TOTAL UTILITIES

           

15,872,590

   
TOTAL PREFERRED SECURITIES—CAPITAL SECURITIES
(Identified cost—$302,911,887)
     

   

334,467,750

   

CORPORATE BONDS—INSURANCE-PROPERTY CASUALTY

 

2.0%

                 
Liberty Mutual Insurance, 7.697%,
due 10/15/97, 144Ab
       

4,829,000

     

6,839,240

   
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Identified cost—$4,343,417)
           

6,839,240

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
15



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

        Number
of Shares
 

Value

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

   

1.3%

                   

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

                         
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market
Fund, Premier Class, 0.83%c
       

4,400,000

   

$

4,400,000

   
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Identified cost—$4,400,000)
           

4,400,000

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTSd (Identified cost—$416,195,747)

   

137.5

%

           

459,576,335

   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

   

(37.5

)

           

(125,341,062

)

 
NET ASSETS (Equivalent to $27.87 per share based
on 11,994,571 shares of common stock outstanding)
   

100.0

%

         

$

334,235,273

   

Note: Percentages indicated are based on the net assets of the Fund.

  Represents shares.

a  Perpetual security. Perpetual securities pay an indefinite stream of interest, but they may be called earlier by the issuer.

b  Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors. Aggregate holdings amounting to $149,759,772 or 44.8% of the net assets of the Fund, of which 0.0% are illiquid.

c  Rate quoted represents the seven-day yield of the Fund.

d  Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to the lender, to the extent of the borrowing outstanding in connection with the Fund's revolving credit agreement.

Interest rate swap contracts outstanding at June 30, 2017 were as follows:

Counterparty

  Notional
Amount
  Fixed
Rate
Payable
  Floating Rate
(resets monthly)
Receivablea
  Termination
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

CME Group, Inc.

 

$

25,000,000

     

1.117

%

   

1.209

%

 

October 19, 2021

 

$

679,960

   

CME Group, Inc.

   

35,000,000

     

1.203

%

   

1.209

%

 

October 19, 2022

   

1,188,314

   

CME Group, Inc.

   

13,000,000

     

1.848

%

   

1.209

%

 

October 19, 2022

   

244

   

CME Group, Inc.

   

40,000,000

     

1.288

%

   

1.209

%

 

October 19, 2023

   

1,604,141

   
   

$

3,472,659

   

a  Based on LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate). Represents rates in effect at June 30, 2017.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
16



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at June 30, 2017 were as follows:

Counterparty

  Contracts to
Deliver
  In Exchange
For
  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

12,097,026

   

USD

13,629,199

   

7/5/17

 

$

(187,415

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

1,546,155

   

USD

1,741,986

   

7/5/17

   

(23,954

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

1,052,732

   

USD

1,186,124

   

7/5/17

   

(16,254

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

GBP

3,695,879

   

USD

4,775,039

   

7/5/17

   

(38,658

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

GBP

1,267,350

   

USD

1,637,404

   

7/5/17

   

(13,256

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

1,763,823

   

EUR

1,546,155

   

7/5/17

   

2,118

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

1,085,056

   

GBP

835,166

   

7/5/17

   

2,706

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

455,550

   

EUR

406,099

   

7/5/17

   

8,276

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

764,887

   

EUR

677,203

   

7/5/17

   

8,580

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

398,255

   

EUR

357,061

   

7/5/17

   

9,562

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

488,797

   

EUR

436,414

   

7/5/17

   

9,653

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

552,880

   

GBP

432,184

   

7/5/17

   

10,018

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

651,972

   

EUR

580,992

   

7/5/17

   

11,608

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

4,801,723

   

GBP

3,695,879

   

7/5/17

   

11,973

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

USD

12,197,207

   

EUR

10,691,989

   

7/5/17

   

14,644

   

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

10,685,462

   

USD

12,206,591

   

8/2/17

   

(15,302

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

1,544,400

   

USD

1,764,253

   

8/2/17

   

(2,212

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

EUR

1,043,895

   

USD

1,193,924

   

8/2/17

   

(70

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

GBP

3,719,815

   

USD

4,836,875

   

8/2/17

   

(12,296

)

 

Brown Brothers Harriman

 

GBP

837,160

   

USD

1,088,559

   

8/2/17

   

(2,767

)

 
   

$

(223,046

)

 

The amount of all interest rate swap contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts as presented in the tables above are representative of the volume of activity for these derivative types during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Glossary of Portfolio Abbreviations

CME  Chicago Mercantile Exchange
EUR  Euro Currency
GBP  Great British Pound
LIBOR  London Interbank Offered Rate
TruPS  Trust Preferred Securities
USD  United States Dollar

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
17




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

ASSETS:

 

Investments in securities, at value (Identified cost—$416,195,747)

 

$

459,576,335

   

Cash

   

4,065,205

   

Cash collateral pledged for interest rate swap contracts

   

1,949,394

   

Foreign currency, at value (Identified cost—$54,207)

   

54,395

   

Receivable for:

 

Dividends and interest

   

4,255,283

   

Variation margin on interest rate swap contracts

   

225,141

   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

89,138

   

Other assets

   

15,698

   

Total Assets

   

470,230,589

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

312,184

   

Payable for:

 

Credit agreement

   

129,000,000

   

Investment securities purchased

   

6,085,601

   

Investment management fees

   

265,384

   

Interest expense

   

211,639

   

Administration fees

   

18,956

   

Directors' fees

   

252

   

Other liabilities

   

101,300

   

Total Liabilities

   

135,995,316

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

334,235,273

   

NET ASSETS consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

287,375,401

   
Dividends in excess of net investment income    

(2,302,559

)

 
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain    

2,530,192

   

Net unrealized appreciation

   

46,632,239

   
   

$

334,235,273

   

NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE:

 

($334,235,273 ÷ 11,994,571 shares outstanding)

 

$

27.87

   

MARKET PRICE PER SHARE

 

$

28.40

   

MARKET PRICE PREMIUM (DISCOUNT) TO NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

   

1.90

%

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
18



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

Investment Income:

 

Interest income

 

$

9,032,009

   

Dividend income

   

4,440,953

   

Total Investment Income

   

13,472,962

   

Expenses:

 

Investment management fees

   

1,568,917

   

Interest expense

   

1,130,032

   

Administration fees

   

150,873

   

Shareholder reporting expenses

   

97,641

   

Professional fees

   

43,749

   

Custodian fees and expenses

   

18,050

   

Directors' fees and expenses

   

13,018

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   

10,166

   

Miscellaneous

   

24,133

   

Total Expenses

   

3,056,579

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

10,416,383

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

2,856,141

   

Written option contracts

   

91,676

   

Interest rate swap contracts

   

(191,122

)

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

(709,596

)

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

(2,874

)

 

Net realized gain (loss)

   

2,044,225

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

23,699,477

   

Interest rate swap contracts

   

(470,134

)

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

(329,781

)

 

Foreign currency translations

   

2,935

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

22,902,497

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

24,946,722

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

35,363,105

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
19



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (Unaudited)

    For the
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

Change in Net Assets:

 

From Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

10,416,383

   

$

21,772,573

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

2,044,225

     

8,635,768

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation)
   

22,902,497

     

(10,585,215

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations
   

35,363,105

     

19,823,126

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

   

(12,377,548

)

   

(20,860,887

)

 
Net realized gain    

     

(8,468,152

)

 
Total dividends and distributions to
shareholders
   

(12,377,548

)

   

(29,329,039

)

 

Capital Stock Transactions:

 
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Fund share transactions
   

65,499

     

74,751

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

   

23,051,056

     

(9,431,162

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

311,184,217

     

320,615,379

   

End of perioda

 

$

334,235,273

   

$

311,184,217

   

a  Includes dividends in excess of net investment income of $2,302,559 and $341,394, respectively.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
20



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

Increase (Decrease) in Cash:

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

35,363,105

   
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

Purchases of long-term investments

   

(94,150,192

)

 
Proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term investments    

97,266,386

   

Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments

   

1,180,670

   

Net amortization of premium on investments

   

573,770

   

Net decrease in dividends and interest receivable and other assets

   

900,784

   
Net decrease in cash collateral pledged for centrally cleared interest rate
swap contracts
   

668,281

   
Net increase in interest expense payable, accrued expenses and
other liabilities
   

24,334

   
Net decrease in payable for variation margin on centrally cleared
interest rate swap contracts
   

(373,206

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

   

(23,699,477

)

 
Net change in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency
exchange contracts
   

329,781

   

Net realized gain on investments

   

(2,856,141

)

 

Cash provided by operating activities

   

15,228,095

   

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

Dividends and distributions paid

   

(16,892,886

)

 

Increase (decrease) in cash

   

(1,664,791

)

 

Cash at beginning of period (including foreign currency)

   

5,784,391

   

Cash at end of period (including foreign currency)

 

$

4,119,600

   

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activities:

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, interest paid was $1,086,744.

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, as part of an exchange offer from one of the Fund's investments, the Fund received shares of a new security valued at $6,504,853.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
21




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)

The following table includes selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and other performance information derived from the financial statements. It should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto.

   

For the Six

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 
   

Months Ended

     

Per Share Operating Performance:

 

June 30, 2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

25.95

   

$

26.74

   

$

27.16

   

$

26.21

   

$

27.11

   

$

22.60

   
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
 
Net investment income
(loss)a
   

0.87

     

1.82

     

1.96

     

2.07

     

2.05

     

2.08

   
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss)
   

2.08

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.19

)

   

1.44

     

(0.68

)

   

4.73

   
Total from investment
operations
   

2.95

     

1.65

     

1.77

     

3.51

     

1.37

     

6.81

   
Less dividends and distributions
to shareholders from:
 

Net investment income

   

(1.03

)

   

(1.73

)

   

(1.74

)

   

(1.99

)

   

(1.89

)

   

(2.10

)

 

Net realized gain

   

     

(0.71

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.20

)

 
Total dividends and
distributions to
shareholders
   

(1.03

)

   

(2.44

)

   

(2.19

)

   

(2.56

)

   

(2.28

)

   

(2.30

)

 
Anti-dilutive effect from the
issuance of reinvested shares
   

0.00

b

   

0.00

b

   

     

     

0.00

b

   

0.00

b

 
Anti-dilutive effect from the
repurchase of shares
   

     

     

     

     

0.01

     

   
Net increase (decrease) in net
asset value
   

1.92

     

(0.79

)

   

(0.42

)

   

0.95

     

(0.90

)

   

4.51

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

27.87

   

$

25.95

   

$

26.74

   

$

27.16

   

$

26.21

   

$

27.11

   

Market value, end of period

 

$

28.40

   

$

26.15

   

$

24.90

   

$

25.70

   

$

24.69

   

$

26.76

   

Total net asset value returnc

   

11.57

%d

   

6.47

%

   

7.40

%

   

14.43

%

   

5.66

%

   

31.17

%

 

Total market value returnc

   

12.82

%d

   

15.22

%

   

5.69

%

   

14.94

%

   

0.83

%

   

34.97

%

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
22



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

   

For the Six

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 
   

Months Ended

     

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

June 30, 2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 
Net assets, end of period
(in millions)
 

$

334.2

   

$

311.2

   

$

320.6

   

$

325.6

   

$

314.2

   

$

325.7

   
Ratio of expenses to average
daily net assets
   

1.91

%e

   

1.69

%

   

1.60

%

   

1.57

%

   

1.60

%

   

1.71

%

 
Ratio of expenses to average
daily net assets (excluding
interest expense)
   

1.20

%e

   

1.16

%

   

1.19

%

   

1.16

%

   

1.17

%

   

1.22

%

 
Ratio of net investment income
(loss) to average daily
net assets
   

6.50

%e

   

6.82

%

   

7.22

%

   

7.50

%

   

7.56

%

   

8.19

%

 
Ratio of expenses to average
daily managed assetsf
   

1.36

%e

   

1.20

%

   

1.14

%

   

1.13

%

   

1.14

%

   

1.20

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

   

22

%d

   

51

%

   

31

%

   

28

%

   

41

%

   

42

%

 

Revolving Credit Agreement

 
Asset coverage ratio for revolving
credit agreement
   

359

%

   

341

%

   

349

%

   

352

%

   

344

%

   

353

%

 
Asset coverage per $1,000 for
revolving credit agreement
 

$

3,591

   

$

3,412

   

$

3,485

   

$

3,524

   

$

3,436

   

$

3,525

   

a  Calculation based on average shares outstanding.

b  Amount is less than $0.005.

c  Total net asset value return measures the change in net asset value per share over the period indicated. Total market value return is computed based upon the Fund's market price per share and excludes the effects of brokerage commissions. Dividends and distributions are assumed, for purposes of these calculations, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

d  Not annualized.

e  Annualized.

f  Average daily managed assets represent net assets plus the outstanding balance of the revolving credit agreement.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
23




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Note 1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on August 16, 2010 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is high current income.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The Fund is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946—Investment Companies. The accounting policies of the Fund are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Portfolio Valuation: Investments in securities that are listed on the NYSE are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected at the close of the NYSE on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask prices on such day or, if no ask price is available, at the bid price. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued daily at the prevailing forward exchange rate. Centrally cleared interest rate swaps are valued at the price determined by the relevant exchange or clearinghouse. Over-the-counter (OTC) interest rate swaps are valued utilizing quotes received from a third-party pricing service. OTC options are valued based upon prices provided by a third-party pricing source or counterparty.

Securities not listed on the NYSE but listed on other domestic or foreign securities exchanges (including NASDAQ) are valued in a similar manner. Securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price reflected at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If after the close of a foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued, market conditions change significantly, certain non-U.S. equity holdings may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board of Directors.

Readily marketable securities traded in the OTC market, including listed securities whose primary market is believed by Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the investment manager) to be OTC, are valued on the basis of prices provided by a third-party pricing service or third-party broker-dealers when such prices are believed by the investment manager, pursuant to delegation by the Board of Directors, to reflect the fair value of such securities.

Fixed-income securities are valued on the basis of prices provided by a third-party pricing service or third-party broker-dealers when such prices are believed by the investment manager, pursuant to delegation by the Board of Directors, to reflect the fair value of such securities. The pricing services or broker-dealers use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services or broker-dealers may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient


24



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services or broker-dealers also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market transactions in comparable securities and the various relationships between securities in determining fair value and/or characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features which are then used to calculate the fair values.

Short-term debt securities with a maturity date of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing net asset value.

The policies and procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Directors delegate authority to make fair value determinations to the investment manager, subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. The investment manager has established a valuation committee (Valuation Committee) to administer, implement and oversee the fair valuation process according to the policies and procedures approved annually by the Board of Directors. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

Securities for which market prices are unavailable, or securities for which the investment manager determines that the bid and/or ask price or a counterparty valuation does not reflect market value, will be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee, pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Directors. Circumstances in which market prices may be unavailable include, but are not limited to, when trading in a security is suspended, the exchange on which the security is traded is subject to an unscheduled close or disruption or material events occur after the close of the exchange on which the security is principally traded. In these circumstances, the Fund determines fair value in a manner that fairly reflects the market value of the security on the valuation date based on consideration of any information or factors it deems appropriate. These may include, but are not limited to, recent transactions in comparable securities, information relating to the specific security and developments in the markets.

The Fund's use of fair value pricing may cause the net asset value of Fund shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security.

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would expect to receive upon the sale of an investment or expect to 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. The hierarchy of inputs that are used in determining the fair value of the Fund's investments is summarized below.

•  Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may or may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.


25



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing the transfer at the end of the period in which the underlying event causing the movement occurred. Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 investments as of June 30, 2017.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2017 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at value:

  Total   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Investments
(Level 1)
  Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Preferred Securities—
$25 Par Value:
 

Banks

 

$

34,599,208

   

$

33,685,254

   

$

913,954

   

$

   

Banks—Foreign

   

2,950,053

     

1,187,944

     

1,762,109

     

   
Electric—Integrated
Electric
   

3,685,113

     

1,312,551

     

2,372,562

     

   

Other Industries

   

72,634,971

     

72,634,971

     

     

   
Preferred Securities—
Capital Securities:
 
Banks    

79,823,192

     

1,781,896

     

78,041,296

     

   

Other Industries

   

254,644,558

     

     

254,644,558

     

   

Corporate Bonds

   

6,839,240

     

     

6,839,240

     

   

Short-Term Investments

   

4,400,000

     

     

4,400,000

     

   

Total Investmentsa

 

$

459,576,335

   

$

110,602,616

   

$

348,973,719

   

$

   

Interest rate swap contracts

 

$

3,472,659

   

$

   

$

3,472,659

   

$

   
Forward foreign currency
exchange contracts
   

89,138

     

     

89,138

     

   
Total Unrealized
Appreciation in
Other Financial
Instrumentsa
 

$

3,561,797

   

$

   

$

3,561,797

   

$

   
Forward foreign currency
exchange contracts
 

$

(312,184

)

 

$

   

$

(312,184

)

 

$

   
Total Unrealized
Depreciation in
Other Financial
Instrumentsa
 

$

(312,184

)

 

$

   

$

(312,184

)

 

$

   

a  Portfolio holdings are disclosed individually on the Schedule of Investments.


26



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

Following is a reconciliation of investments for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

  Preferred
Securities—
Capital
Securities—
Banks
 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

 

$

1,917,375

   
Sales    

(1,863,750

)

 
Realized gain (loss)    

48,750

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

(102,375

)

 

Balance as of June 30, 2017

 

$

   

Security Transactions and Investment Income: Security transactions are recorded on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends on foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Distributions from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are recorded as ordinary income, net realized capital gains or return of capital based on information reported by the REITs and management's estimates of such amounts based on historical information. These estimates are adjusted when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the REITs and actual amounts may differ from the estimated amounts.

Options: The Fund may purchase and write exchange-listed and OTC put or call options on securities, stock indices, currencies and other financial instruments for hedging purposes, to enhance portfolio returns and reduce overall volatility.

When the Fund writes (sells) an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option written. When an option expires, the Fund realizes a gain on the option to the extent of the premium received. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. If a put option on a security is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the security purchased by the Fund. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds of the security sold to determine the realized gain or loss. The Fund, as writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the underlying investment. Other risks include the possibility of an illiquid options market or the inability of the counterparties to fulfill their obligations under the contracts.

Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expire are treated as realized losses. Premiums paid for purchasing options which are exercised or closed are added to the amounts paid or offset against the


27



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

proceeds on the underlying investment transaction to determine the realized gain or loss when the underlying transaction is executed. The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract.

At June 30, 2017, the Fund did not have any option contracts outstanding.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates. Pursuant to U.S. federal income tax regulations, certain foreign currency gains/losses included in realized and unrealized gains/losses are included in or are a reduction of ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The Fund enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge the currency exposure associated with certain of its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a commitment between two parties to purchase or sell foreign currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of a forward foreign currency exchange contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These contracts are marked to market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation on foreign currency translations. Realized gains or losses 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 are included in net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund has made an election to treat gains and losses from forward foreign currency exchange contracts as capital gains and losses.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the contract. Risks may also arise upon entering these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. In connection with these contracts, securities may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the respective contracts.

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Contracts: The Fund uses interest rate swaps in connection with borrowing under its revolving credit agreement. The interest rate swaps are intended to reduce


28



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

interest rate risk by countering the effect that an increase in short-term interest rates could have on the performance of the Fund's shares as a result of the floating rate structure of interest owed pursuant to the revolving credit agreement. When entering into interest rate swaps, the Fund agrees to pay the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the counterparty) a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty's agreement to pay the Fund a variable rate payment that was intended to approximate the Fund's variable rate payment obligation on the revolving credit agreement. The payment obligation is based on the notional amount of the swap. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the use of interest rate swaps could enhance or harm the overall performance of the Fund. Swaps are marked-to-market daily and changes in the value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

Immediately following execution of the swap agreement, the swap agreement is novated to a central counterparty (the CCP) and the Fund's counterparty on the swap agreement becomes the CCP. The Fund is required to interface with the CCP through a broker. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on the size and risk profile of the particular swap. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated on the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited is recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps. The daily change in valuation of centrally cleared swaps is recorded as a receivable or payable for variation margin in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from or paid to the counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as realized gain (loss) in the Statement of Operations.

Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk, and exposure to loss in excess of the related amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders: Dividends from net investment income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared quarterly and paid monthly. Net realized capital gains, unless offset by any available capital loss carryforward, are typically distributed to shareholders at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Fund in accordance with the Fund's Reinvestment Plan, unless the shareholder has elected to have them paid in cash.

The Fund has a managed distribution policy in accordance with exemptive relief issued by the SEC. The Plan gives the Fund greater flexibility to realize long-term capital gains throughout the year and to distribute those gains on a more regular basis to shareholders. Therefore, regular monthly distributions throughout the year may include a portion of estimated realized long-term capital gains, along with net investment income, short-term capital gains and return of capital, which is not taxable. In accordance with the Plan, the Fund is required to adhere to certain conditions in order to distribute long-term capital gains during the year.


29



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

Dividends from net investment income are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes. Based upon the results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017, the investment manager considers it likely that a portion of the dividends will be reclassified to distributions from net realized gain upon the final determination of the Fund's taxable income after December 31, 2017, the Fund's fiscal year end.

Income Taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interest of the shareholders, by complying with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies, and by distributing substantially all of its taxable earnings to its shareholders. Also, in order to avoid the payment of any federal excise taxes, the Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized gains on a calendar year basis. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary. Dividend and interest income from holdings in non-U.S. securities is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. Management has analyzed the Fund's tax positions taken on federal and applicable state income tax returns as well as its tax positions in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which it trades for all open tax years and has concluded that as of June 30, 2017, no additional provisions for income tax are required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's tax positions for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, state departments of revenue and by foreign tax authorities.

Note 2. Investment Management Fees, Administration Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Investment Management Fees: The investment manager serves as the Fund's investment manager pursuant to an investment management agreement (the investment management agreement). Under the terms of the investment management agreement, the investment manager provides the Fund with day-to-day investment decisions and generally manages the Fund's investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors.

For the services provided to the Fund, the investment manager receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.70% of the average daily managed assets of the Fund. Managed assets are equal to the net assets plus the amount of any borrowings, used for leverage, outstanding.

Administration Fees: The Fund has entered into an administration agreement with the investment manager under which the investment manager performs certain administrative functions for the Fund and receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily managed assets of the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Fund incurred $112,066 in fees under this administration agreement. On June 13, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved an amendment to the Fund's administration agreement with the investment manager, effective October 1, 2017, increasing the administration fee to an annual rate of 0.06% of the average daily managed assets of the Fund. Additionally, the Fund pays State Street Bank and Trust Company as co-administrator under a fund accounting and administration agreement.

Directors' and Officers' Fees: Certain directors and officers of the Fund are also directors, officers and/or employees of the investment manager. The Fund does not pay compensation to directors and officers affiliated with the investment manager except for the Chief Compliance Officer, who received


30



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

compensation from the investment manager, which was reimbursed by the Fund, in the amount of $2,674 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Note 3. Purchases and Sales of Securities

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, totaled $100,235,793 and $97,257,947, respectively.

Transactions in written option contracts during the six months ended June 30, 2017, were as follows:

    Number
of Contracts
 

Premiums

 

Written option contracts outstanding at December 31, 2016

   

   

$

   
Option contracts written    

27

     

91,676

   
Option contracts expired    

(27

)

   

(91,676

)

 

Written option contracts outstanding at June 30, 2017

   

   

$

   

Note 4. Derivative Investments

The following tables present the value of derivatives held at June 30, 2017 and the effect of derivatives held during the six months ended June 30, 2017, along with the respective location in the financial statements. The volume of activity for written option contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2017 is summarized in Note 3.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
   

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

Derivatives

 

Location

 

Fair Value

 

Location

 

Fair Value

 

Interest Rate Risk:

 
Interest rate
swap contracts
 
  Receivable for variation
margin on interest rate
swap contracts
 

$

3,472,659

a

   

   

$

   

Foreign Exchange Risk:

 
Forward foreign
currency exchange
contractsb
  Unrealized appreciation    

89,138

    Unrealized depreciation    

312,184

   

a  Amount represents the cumulative appreciation/depreciation on interest rate swap contracts as reported on the Schedule of Investments. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities only reflects the current day variation margin receivable from the broker.

b  Forward foreign currency exchange contracts executed with Brown Brothers Harriman are not subject to a master netting arrangement or another similar agreement.


31



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

Statement of Operations

 

Derivatives

 

Location

  Realized
Gain (Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Interest Rate Risk:

 
Interest rate
swap contracts
 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 

$

(191,122

)

 

$

(470,134

)

 

Foreign Exchange Risk:

 
Forward foreign
currency
exchange
contracts
 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(709,596

)

   

(329,781

)

 
Written option
contracts
 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

91,676

     

   

Note 5. Income Tax Information

As of June 30, 2017, the federal tax cost and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in value of securities held were as follows:

Cost for federal income tax purposes

 

$

416,195,747

   

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

43,429,226

   
Gross unrealized depreciation    

(48,638

)

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

$

43,380,588

   

Note 6. Capital Stock

The Fund is authorized to issue 250 million shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share.

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Fund issued 2,438 shares of common stock at $65,499 for the reinvestment of dividends. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Fund issued 2,772 shares of common stock at $74,751 for the reinvestment of dividends.

On December 6, 2016, the Board of Directors approved the continuation of the delegation of its authority to management to effect repurchases, pursuant to management's discretion and subject to market conditions and investment considerations, of up to 10% of the Fund's common shares outstanding (Shares Repurchase Program) from January 1, 2017, through the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.


32



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016, the Fund did not effect any repurchases.

Note 7. Borrowings

The Fund has entered into a $129,000,000 revolving credit agreement (the credit agreement) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street). The Fund pays a monthly financing charge which is calculated based on the used portion of the credit agreement and a LIBOR-based rate. The Fund also pays a fee of 0.20% per annum on any unused portion of the credit agreement. The credit agreement has a 360-day evergreen provision whereby State Street may terminate this agreement upon 360 days' notice, but the Fund may terminate on 30 days' notice to State Street. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to State Street, to the extent of the borrowing outstanding in connection with the Fund's revolving credit agreement. If the Fund fails to meet certain requirements, or maintain other financial covenants required under the credit agreement, the Fund may be required to repay immediately, in part or in full, the loan balance outstanding under the credit agreement, necessitating the sale of portfolio securities at potentially inopportune times.

As of June 30, 2017, the Fund had outstanding borrowings of $129,000,000 at a current rate of 2.0%. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Fund borrowed an average daily balance of $129,000,000 at a weighted average borrowing cost of 1.7%.

Note 8. Other Risks

Preferred Securities Risk: Preferred securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that a security will decline in price, or the issuer of the security will fail to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due, because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status. Preferred securities are also subject to interest rate risk and may decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates than would normally be the case in an environment of low interest rates and the effect of potential government fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives. In addition, an issuer may be permitted to defer or omit distributions. Preferred securities are also generally subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company's capital structure. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer may be able to exercise an option to redeem (call) its issue at par earlier than scheduled, and the Fund may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Certain preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks. Generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless certain events occur. Certain preferred securities may give the issuers special redemption rights allowing the securities to be redeemed prior to a specified date if certain events occur, such as changes to tax or securities laws.

Concentration Risk: Because the Fund invests at least 25% of its net assets in the financials sector, it will be more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting this sector, such as changes in interest rates, loan concentration and competition. In addition, the Fund will also be subject to the risks of investing in the individual industries and securities that comprise the financials sector,


33



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

including the bank, diversified financials, real estate (including REITs) and insurance industries. To the extent that the Fund focuses its investments in other sectors or industries, such as (but not limited to) energy, industrials, utilities, pipelines, health care and telecommunications, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with these particular sectors and industries. These sectors and industries may be adversely affected by, among others, changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions.

Credit and Below-Investment-Grade Securities Risk: Preferred securities may be rated below investment grade or may be unrated. Below-investment-grade securities, or equivalent unrated securities, which are commonly known as "high-yield bonds" or "junk bonds," generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of loss of income and principal, and may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher grade securities. It is reasonable to expect that any adverse economic conditions could disrupt the market for lower-rated securities, have an adverse impact on the value of those securities and adversely affect the ability of the issuers of those securities to repay principal and interest on those securities.

Contingent Capital Securities Risk: Contingent capital securities (sometimes referred to as "CoCos") are debt or preferred securities with loss absorption characteristics built into the terms of the security, for example a mandatory conversion into common stock of the issuer under certain circumstances, such as the issuer's capital ratio falling below a certain level. Since the common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in these instruments could experience a reduced income rate, potentially to zero, and conversion would deepen the subordination of the investor, hence worsening the investor's standing in a bankruptcy. Some CoCos provide for a reduction in the value or principal amount of the security under such circumstances. In addition, most CoCos are considered to be high yield or "junk" securities and are therefore subject to the risks of investing in below investment-grade securities.

Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk is the risk that particular investments of the Fund may become difficult to sell or purchase. The market for certain investments may become less liquid or illiquid due to adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer or due to adverse market or economic conditions. In addition, dealer inventories of certain securities, which provide an indication of the ability of dealers to engage in "market making," are at, or near, historic lows in relation to market size, which has the potential to increase price volatility in the fixed income markets in which the Fund invests. Federal banking regulations may also cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of certain securities, which may further decrease the Fund's ability to buy or sell such securities. As a result of this decreased liquidity, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on performance. Further, transactions in less liquid or illiquid securities may entail transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk: The Fund directly purchases securities of foreign issuers. Risks of investing in foreign securities, include currency risks, future political and economic developments and possible imposition of foreign withholding taxes on income or proceeds payable on the securities. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a domestic issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial


34



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

recordkeeping standards and requirements as domestic issuers. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

Foreign Currency Risk: Although the Fund will report its NAV and pay dividends in U.S. dollars, foreign securities often are purchased with and make any dividend and interest payments in foreign currencies. Therefore, the Fund's investments in foreign securities will be subject to foreign currency risk, which means that the Fund's NAV could decline solely as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal, dividends and interest to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. The Fund may, but is not required to, engage in various investments that are designed to hedge the Fund's foreign currency risks, and such investments are subject to the risks described under "Derivatives and Hedging Transactions Risk" below.

Leverage Risk: The use of leverage is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs associated with leverage. The net asset value of the Fund's shares may be reduced by the issuance and ongoing costs of leverage. So long as the Fund is able to invest in securities that produce an investment yield that is greater than the total cost of leverage, the leverage strategy will produce higher current net investment income for the shareholders. On the other hand, to the extent that the total cost of leverage exceeds the incremental income gained from employing such leverage, shareholders would realize lower net investment income. In addition to the impact on net income, the use of leverage will have an effect of magnifying capital appreciation or depreciation for shareholders. Specifically, in an up market, leverage will typically generate greater capital appreciation than if the Fund were not employing leverage. Conversely, in down markets, the use of leverage will generally result in greater capital depreciation than if the Fund had been unlevered. To the extent that the Fund is required or elects to reduce its leverage, the Fund may need to liquidate investments, including under adverse economic conditions which may result in capital losses potentially reducing returns to shareholders. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.

Derivatives and Hedging Transactions Risk: The Fund's use of derivatives, including for the purpose of hedging interest rate or foreign currency risks, presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. Among the risks presented are counterparty risk, financial leverage risk, liquidity risk, OTC trading risk and tracking risk. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the underlying asset, index or rate, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives.

Options Risk: Gains on options transactions depend on the manager's ability to predict correctly the direction of stock prices, indexes, interest rates, and other economic factors, and unanticipated changes may cause poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in such transactions. A rise in the value of the security or index underlying a call option written by the Fund exposes the Fund to possible loss or loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the value of any


35



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

portfolio securities underlying or otherwise related to the call option. By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk of a decline in the underlying security or index. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position, and for certain options not traded on an exchange no market usually exists. Trading could be interrupted, for example, because of supply and demand imbalances arising from a lack of either buyers or sellers, or an options exchange could suspend trading after the price has risen or fallen more than the maximum specified by the exchange.

Although the Fund may be able to offset to some extent any adverse effects of being unable to liquidate an option position, that Fund may experience losses in some cases as a result of such inability, may not be able to close its position and, in such an event would be unable to control its losses.

Geopolitical Risk: Occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as war, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, country instability, infectious disease epidemics, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers and other governmental trade or market control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union and related geopolitical events, may result in market volatility and may have long-lasting impacts on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Additionally, those events, as well as other changes in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions, could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the Fund's investments. The decision of the United Kingdom (UK) to exit from the European Union following the June 2016 vote on the matter (referred to as Brexit) may cause uncertainty and thus adversely impact financial results of the Fund and the global financial markets. Growing tensions between the United States and other foreign powers, or among foreign powers, and possible diplomatic, trade or other sanctions could adversely impact the markets and the Fund. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies may, among other things, adversely affect the Fund's investments denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have, and the duration of those effects.

Regulatory Risk: The U.S. government has proposed and adopted multiple regulations that could have a long-lasting impact on the Fund and on the mutual fund industry in general. The SEC proposed rules governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, the Department of Labor's (DOL) final rule on conflicts of interest on fiduciary investment advice, as well as the SEC's final rules and amendments to modernize the reporting and disclosure (Modernization) could, among other things, restrict and/or increase the cost of the Fund's ability to engage in transactions and/or increase overall expenses of the Fund. In addition, Congress, various exchanges and regulatory and self-regulatory authorities, both domestic and foreign, have undertaken reviews of options and futures trading in light of market volatility. Among the actions that have been taken or proposed to be taken are new limits and reporting requirements for speculative positions, new or more stringent daily price fluctuation limits for futures and options transactions, and increased margin requirements for various types of futures transactions. While the full extent of all of these regulations is still unclear, these regulations and actions may adversely affect the instruments in which the Fund invests and its ability to execute its investment strategy.


36



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)—(Continued)

Note 9. Other

In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 10. New Accounting Guidance

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a new Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), a consensus of the FASB's Emerging Issues Task Force" (ASU 2016-15). ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The issues addressed in ASU 2016-15 are: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investments, beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and, separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. ASU 2016-15 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Fund does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material effect on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash, a consensus of the FASB's Emerging Issues Task Force" (ASU 2016-18). ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in ASU 2016-18 do not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. ASU 2016-18 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Fund does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material effect on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In October 2016, the SEC adopted new rules and amended existing rules (together, the "final rules") intended to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. In part, the final rules amend Regulation S-X and require standardized, enhanced disclosure about derivatives in investment company financial statements, as well as other amendments. The compliance date for the amendments to Regulation S-X is for periods ending after August 1, 2017. The adoption will have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

Note 11. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions occurring after June 30, 2017 through the date that the financial statements were issued, and has determined that no additional disclosure in the financial statements is required.


37




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

PROXY RESULTS (Unaudited)

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. shareholders voted on the following proposals at the annual meeting held on April 27, 2017. The description of each proposal and number of shares voted are as follows:

Common Shares

  Shares Voted
For
  Authority
Withheld
 

To elect Directors:

 

Michael G. Clark

   

10,229,062.382

     

136,784.215

   

Bonnie Cohen

   

10,209,782.694

     

156,063.903

   

Dean Junkans

   

10,229,577.167

     

136,269.430

   

Richard E. Kroon

   

10,194,428.365

     

171,418.232

   


38



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

(Periods ended June 30, 2017) (Unaudited)

Based on Net Asset Value

 

Based on Market Value

 
One Year   Five
Years
  Since Inception
(11/24/10)
 

One Year

  Five
Years
  Since Inception
(11/24/10)
 
  14.54

%

   

12.06

%

   

11.83

%

   

15.89

%

   

12.39

%

   

11.37

%

 

The performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return will vary and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance results reflect the effect of leverage from utilization of borrowings under a revolving credit agreement. Current total returns of the Fund can be obtained by visiting our website at cohenandsteers.com. The Fund's returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

REINVESTMENT PLAN

We urge shareholders who want to take advantage of this plan and whose shares are held in 'Street Name' to consult your broker as soon as possible to determine if you must change registration into your own name to participate.

OTHER INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348, (ii) on our website at cohenandsteers.com or (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's (the SEC) website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of each year (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348 or (ii) on the SEC's website at http://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 Forms N-Q are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348 or (ii) on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Forms N-Q may be reviewed 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.

Please note that distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes and are taxable up to the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable income and net realized gains. Distributions in excess of the Fund's investment company taxable income and net realized gains are a return of capital distributed from the Fund's assets. To the extent this occurs, the Fund's shareholders of record will be notified of the estimated amount of capital returned to shareholders for each such distribution and this information will also be available at cohenandsteers.com. The final tax treatment of all distributions is reported to shareholders on their 1099-DIV forms, which are mailed after the close of each calendar year. Distributions of capital decrease the Fund's total assets and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Fund's expense ratio. In addition, in order to make these distributions, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities at a less than opportune time.


39



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock in the open market.

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

The Board of Directors of the Fund, including a majority of the directors who are not parties to the Fund's investment management agreement (the Management Agreement), or interested persons of any such party (Independent Directors), has the responsibility under the 1940 Act to approve the Fund's Management Agreement for its initial two year term and its continuation annually thereafter at a meeting of the Board of Directors called for the purpose of voting on the approval or continuation. At a telephonic meeting of the Independent Directors held on June 6, 2017 and at a meeting of the full Board of Directors held in person on June 13, 2017, the Management Agreement was discussed and was unanimously continued for a term ending June 30, 2018 by the Fund's Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors. The Independent Directors were represented by independent counsel who assisted them in their deliberations during the meetings and executive sessions.

In considering whether to continue the Management Agreement, the Board of Directors reviewed materials provided by an independent data provider which included, among other things, fee, expense and performance information compared to peer funds (Peer Funds) and performance comparisons to a larger category universe; summary information prepared by the Fund's investment manager (the Investment Manager); and a memorandum from Fund counsel outlining the legal duties of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors also spoke directly with representatives of the independent data provider and met with investment management personnel. In addition, the Board of Directors considered information provided from time to time by the Investment Manager throughout the year at meetings of the Board of Directors, including presentations by portfolio managers relating to the investment performance of the Fund and the investment strategies used in pursuing the Fund's objective. In particular, the Board of Directors considered the following:

(i) The nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by the Investment Manager: The Board of Directors reviewed the services that the Investment Manager provides to the Fund, including, but not limited to, making the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund, and generally managing the Fund's investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund. The Board of Directors also discussed with officers and portfolio managers of the Fund the types of transactions that were being done on behalf of the Fund. Additionally, the Board of Directors took into account the services provided by the Investment Manager to its other funds and accounts, including those that have investment objectives and strategies similar to that of the Fund. The Board of Directors also considered the education, background and experience of the Investment Manager's personnel, particularly noting the potential benefit that the portfolio managers' work experience and favorable reputation can have on the Fund. The Board of Directors further noted the Investment Manager's ability to attract qualified and experienced personnel. The Board of Directors also considered the administrative services provided by the Investment Manager, including compliance and accounting services. After consideration of the above factors, among others, the Board of Directors concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Investment Manager are satisfactory and appropriate.

(ii) Investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Manager: The Board of Directors considered the investment performance of the Fund compared to Peer Funds and compared to a


40



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

broad-based benchmark and a relevant blended benchmark. The Board of Directors noted that the Fund outperformed the Peer Funds' medians for the three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2017, ranking the Fund in the second quintile for each, and underperformed the Peer Funds' median for the one-year period, ended March 31, 2017, ranking in the third quintile. The Fund outperformed both benchmarks for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2017. The Board of Directors engaged in discussions with the Investment Manager regarding the contributors to and detractors from the Fund's performance during the period, as well as the impact of leverage on the Fund's performance. The Board of Directors also considered supplemental information provided by the Investment Manager, including a narrative summary of various factors affecting performance and the Investment Manager's performance in managing other funds and products investing in preferred securities. The Board of Directors determined that Fund performance, in light of all the considerations noted above, supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.

(iii) Cost of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Investment Manager from the relationship with the Fund: The Board of Directors considered the actual management fees paid by the Fund as well as the total expense ratios. As part of its analysis, the Board of Directors gave consideration to the fee and expense analyses provided by the independent data provider. The Board of Directors considered that the Fund's actual management fee at managed asset levels was slightly higher (by less than 0.01%) than the Peer Funds' median, ranking in the third quintile. The Board of Directors also considered that the Fund's actual management fee at common asset levels was lower than the Peer Funds' median, ranking in the third quintile and the Fund's total expense ratio including investment-related expenses at managed asset levels ranked in the second quintile. The Board of Directors for the Fund considered that the total expense ratio including investment-related expenses at common asset levels was lower than the Peer Funds' median, ranking in the third quintile. The Board of Directors also noted that the Fund's total expense ratios excluding investment-related expenses at managed and common asset levels each ranked in the first quintile. The Board of Directors considered the impact of leverage levels on the Fund's fees and expenses at managed and common asset levels. The Board of Directors concluded that the Fund's current expense structure was satisfactory.

The Board of Directors also reviewed information regarding the profitability to the Investment Manager of its relationship with the Fund. The Board of Directors considered the level of the Investment Manager's profits and whether the profits were reasonable for the Investment Manager. The Board of Directors took into consideration other benefits to be derived by the Investment Manager in connection with the Management Agreement, noting particularly the research and related services, within the meaning of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that the Investment Manager receives by allocating the Fund's brokerage transactions. The Board of Directors further considered that the Investment Manager continues to reinvest profits back in the business, including upgrading and/or implementing new trading, compliance and accounting systems, and by adding investment personnel to the portfolio management teams. The Board of Directors also considered the administrative services provided by the Investment Manager and the associated administration fee paid to the Investment Manager for such services under the Administration Agreement. The Board of Directors determined that the services received under the Administration Agreement are beneficial to the Fund. Some of these services include compliance, accounting and operational services, oversight of third party service providers, supervising compliance by the Fund with regulatory


41



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

requirements, furnishing office space and facilities for the Fund, and providing persons satisfactory to the Board of Directors to serve as officers of the Fund. The Board of Directors then approved a 0.01% increase in the administration fee paid by the Fund. The Board of Directors concluded that the profits realized by the Investment Manager from its relationship with the Fund were reasonable and consistent with the Investment Manager's fiduciary duties.

(iv) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee levels would reflect such economies of scale: The Board of Directors noted that, as a closed-end fund, the Fund would not be expected to have inflows of capital that might produce increasing economies of scale. The Board of Directors determined that, given the Fund's closed-end structure, there were not significant economies of scale that were not being shared with shareholders. In considering economies of scale, the Board of Directors also noted, as discussed above in (iii), that the Investment Manager continues to reinvest profits back in the business.

(v) Comparison of services to be rendered and fees to be paid to those under other investment management contracts, such as contracts of the same and other investment advisors or other clients: As discussed above in (iii), the Board of Directors compared the fees paid under the Management Agreement to those under other investment management contracts of other investment advisors managing Peer Funds. The Board of Directors also compared the services rendered, fees paid and profitability under the Management Agreement to those under the Investment Manager's other fund management agreements and advisory contracts with institutional and other clients with similar investment mandates. The Board of Directors also considered the entrepreneurial risk and financial exposure assumed by the Investment Manager in developing and managing the Fund that the Investment Manager does not have with institutional and other clients and other differences in the management of registered investment companies and institutional accounts. The Board of Directors determined that on a comparative basis the fees under the Management Agreement were reasonable in relation to the services provided.

No single factor was cited as determinative to the decision of the Board of Directors. Rather, after weighing all of the considerations and conclusions discussed above, the Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors, unanimously approved the continuation of the Management Agreement.


42




COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Cohen & Steers Privacy Policy

Facts

 

What Does Cohen & Steers Do With Your Personal Information?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
• Social Security number and account balances
• Transaction history and account transactions
• Purchase history and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons Cohen & Steers chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

  Does Cohen & Steers
share?
  Can you limit this
sharing?
 
For our everyday business purposes—
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or reports to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes—
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies—

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes—
information about your transactions and experiences
 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes—
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you—

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you—

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call 800.330.7348


43



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Cohen & Steers Privacy Policy—(Continued)

Who we are

     

Who is providing this notice?

 

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Cohen & Steers Asia Limited, Cohen & Steers Japan, LLC, Cohen & Steers UK Limited, Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC, Cohen & Steers Private Funds and Cohen & Steers Open and Closed-End Funds (collectively, Cohen & Steers).

 

What we do

     

How does Cohen & Steers protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We restrict access to your information to those employees who need it to perform their jobs, and also require companies that provide services on our behalf to protect your information.

 

How does Cohen & Steers collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you:
• Open an account or buy securities from us
• Provide account information or give us your contact information
• Make deposits or withdrawals from your account
We also collect your personal information from other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only:
• sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness
• affiliates from using your information to market to you
• sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State law and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
 

Definitions

     

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
• Cohen & Steers does not share with affiliates.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
• Cohen & Steers does not share with non-affiliates.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
• Cohen & Steers does not jointly market.
 


44



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

Cohen & Steers Investment Solutions

COHEN & STEERS REAL ASSETS FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return and the maximization of real returns during inflationary environments by investing primarily in real assets

  •  Symbols: RAPAX, RAPCX, RAPIX, RAPRX, RAPZX

COHEN & STEERS
INSTITUTIONAL GLOBAL REALTY SHARES

  •  Designed for institutional investors seeking total return, investing primarily in global real estate securities

  •  Symbol: GRSIX

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in global real estate equity securities

  •  Symbols: CSFAX, CSFCX, CSSPX, GRSRX, CSFZX

COHEN & STEERS REALTY SHARES

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

  •  Symbol: CSRSX

COHEN & STEERS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

  •  Symbols: CSEIX, CSCIX, CREFX, CSDIX, CIRRX, CSZIX

COHEN & STEERS INSTITUTIONAL REALTY SHARES

  •  Designed for institutional investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

  •  Symbol: CSRIX

COHEN & STEERS INTERNATIONAL REALTY FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in international (non-U.S.) real estate securities

  •  Symbols: IRFAX, IRFCX, IRFIX, IRFRX, IRFZX

COHEN & STEERS
ACTIVE COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of exchange-traded commodity future contracts and other commodity-related derivative instruments

  •  Symbols: CDFAX, CDFCX, CDFIX, CDFRX, CDFZX

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in global infrastructure securities

  •  Symbols: CSUAX, CSUCX, CSUIX, CSURX, CSUZX

COHEN & STEERS
MLP & ENERGY OPPORTUNITY FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in midstream energy master limited partnership (MLP) units and related stocks

  •  Symbols: MLOAX, MLOCX, MLOIX, MLORX, MLOZX

COHEN & STEERS
LOW DURATION PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking high current income and capital preservation by investing in low-duration preferred and other income securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies

  •  Symbols: LPXAX, LPXCX, LPXIX, LPXRX, LPXZX

COHEN & STEERS
PREFERRED SECURITIES AND INCOME FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking total return (high current income and capital appreciation), investing primarily in preferred and debt securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies

  •  Symbols: CPXAX, CPXCX, CPXFX, CPXIX, CPRRX, CPXZX

COHEN & STEERS DIVIDEND VALUE FUND

  •  Designed for investors seeking long-term growth of income and capital appreciation, investing primarily in dividend paying common stocks and preferred stocks

  •  Symbols: DVFAX, DVFCX, DVFIX, DVFRX, DVFZX

Distributed by Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC.

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS ETF

  •  Designed for investors who seek a relatively low-cost passive approach for investing in a portfolio of global real estate equity securities of companies in a specified index

  •  Symbol: GRI

Distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.

ISHARES COHEN & STEERS
REALTY MAJORS INDEX FUND

  •  Designed for investors who seek a relatively low-cost passive approach for investing in a portfolio of U.S. real estate equity securities of companies in a specified index

  •  Symbol: ICF

Distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co.

Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of any Cohen & Steers U.S. registered open-end fund carefully before investing. A summary prospectus and prospectus containing this and other information can be obtained by calling 800-330-7348 or by visiting cohenandsteers.com. Please read the summary prospectus and prospectus carefully before investing.


45



COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Robert H. Steers
Director and Chairman

Joseph M. Harvey
Director and Vice President

Michael G. Clark
Director

Bonnie Cohen
Director

George Grossman
Director

Dean Junkans
Director

Richard E. Kroon
Director

Gerald J. Maginnis
Director

Jane F. Magpiong
Director

Richard J. Norman
Director

Frank K. Ross
Director

C. Edward Ward, Jr.
Director

Adam M. Derechin
President and Chief Executive Officer

William F. Scapell
Vice President

Elaine Zaharis-Nikas
Vice President

Francis C. Poli
Assistant Secretary

James Giallanza
Chief Financial Officer

Albert Laskaj
Treasurer

Lisa D. Phelan
Chief Compliance Officer

KEY INFORMATION

Investment Manager

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 832-3232

Co-administrator and Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

Computershare
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(866) 227-0757

Legal Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

New York Stock Exchange Symbol: PSF

Website: cohenandsteers.com

This report is for shareholder information. This is not a prospectus intended for use in the purchase or sale of Fund shares. Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and your investment may be worth more or less at the time you sell your shares.


46




COHEN & STEERS

SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND

280 PARK AVENUE

NEW YORK, NY 10017

eDelivery NOW AVAILABLE

Stop traditional mail delivery; receive your shareholder reports and prospectus online.

Sign up at cohenandsteers.com

PSFSAR

Semiannual Report June 30, 2017

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund




 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

 

Included in Item 1 above.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

None.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

None.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based upon their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that these disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by the registrant in the report it files or submits on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms

 



 

and that such material information is accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the 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. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) Not applicable.

 

(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(a)(3)  Not applicable.

 

(b) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a- 2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(c) Registrant’s notices to shareholders pursuant to Registrant’s exemptive order granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder regarding distributions pursuant to the Registrant’s Managed Distribution Plan.

 



 

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.

 

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/ Adam M. Derechin

 

 

Name: Adam M. Derechin

 

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Date:  September 7, 2017

 

 

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:

/s/ Adam M. Derechin

 

 

Name:

Adam M. Derechin

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

By:

/s/ James Giallanza

 

 

Name:

James Giallanza

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

Date:  September 7, 2017