<![CDATA[Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated]]>

FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE PREFERRED SECURITIES INCOME FUND

To the Shareholders of Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund:

Total return on net asset value (“NAV”)1 was -4.7% during the third fiscal quarter2, reducing total return on NAV fiscal year-to-date to +3.0%. In addition, during the quarter the Fund, like many other closed-end income-oriented funds, saw the relationship between its market price and NAV swing from a premium to a discount, resulting in total return on market value of -3.2%. Clearly, this represented a setback in what had been a sustained period of positive returns in both the Fund’s NAV and market valuation. During the quarter, prices of all fixed-income securities, including preferred securities, declined and yields increased as markets reacted swiftly to expectations that the Federal Reserve might taper its quantitative easing earlier than anticipated.

Virtually all sectors of the fixed-income market turned in negative results during the quarter. U.S. Treasury 10-year notes and 30-year bonds experienced the largest declines with total returns of -4.6% and -6.5%, as their yields increased by 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively. Long-term corporate bonds performed moderately better than long-term U.S. Treasuries, with a total return of -4.7% for the Barclays Long U.S. Corporate Bond Index. Even including the impact of expenses and leverage, the Fund’s NAV performed as well as unlevered total returns on those other long-term segments of fixed-income markets.

The quarter began with the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) having just indicated that it might begin tapering the pace of its program of securities purchases sooner than the market was expecting. Longer-term interest rates moved higher with a fair amount of consistency throughout the quarter, as markets digested the news and adjusted expectations for future monetary policy actions. Markets are driven by expectations more than actual results, and while we believe the market priced in more risk than was justified based on the outlook for growth in the U.S. economy, uncertainty surrounding a potential change in policy outlook led investors to reduce portfolio duration substantially. At its September meeting, the FOMC surprised the market yet again by continuing its program of securities purchases without tapering its pace. Since then, we have seen some recovery in fixed-income markets. Although we do not expect long-term Treasury rates to decline significantly, interest-rate risk premiums still appear high, providing investors with some protection against eventual removal of highly accommodative monetary policy.

The preferred securities market was not immune to the change in outlook for interest rates and a desire by many investors to reduce duration in their portfolios. In many cases, spreads on preferred securities widened relative to Treasuries, adding to price declines already associated with higher rates. Retail preferred securities were particularly weak as we witnessed meaningful reductions in the sizes of preferred-securities exchange-traded funds—which had grown in size to represent about 9% of the retail market at the beginning of this quarter. Preferred securities issued in the early part of the year, most with very low coupons, were among the worst performers. Fortunately, we weren’t tempted by many of those new issues—much preferring the higher coupons available in the secondary market. Institutional preferred securities fared much better, and as they have a larger allocation in the portfolio they were partially responsible for limiting negative returns during the quarter.

 

 

 

1

Following the methodology required by the SEC, total return assumes dividend reinvestment and includes income and principal change, plus the impact of the Fund’s leverage and expenses.

2 

June 1st—August 31st.

 


Creditworthiness of most preferred-securities issuers continues to improve. Corporate earnings are growing at a moderate pace and corporate leverage remains low. Banks’ problem loans are declining, capital levels are healthy (especially in the U.S.) and new lending is slowly picking up. Rising home prices are bolstering consumer balance sheets and trimming foreclosure losses. These favorable credit developments should continue to benefit preferred securities.

While prices have fallen, market conditions for preferred securities remain healthy. Higher interest rates and wider spreads have resulted in a material slowdown in issuer redemptions. For the year, redemptions are still running ahead of new supply, with the preferred-securities market shrinking more than $10 billion, but the pace of redemptions slowed significantly this past quarter—with the Fund seeing approximately 90% of its redemptions this fiscal year occurring during the first half. This recent slowdown in issuer redemptions has been welcome news on the income side of the equation, as the Fund is able to keep more of the higher-coupon preferred securities longer than we expected earlier in the year.

After a long wait, we now have largely final rules on the regulatory treatment of preferred securities issued by banks, foreign and domestic. Crafted in response to the financial crisis, new legislation and regulations shift loss burdens towards investors and away from taxpayers (government support). Under the new rules, banks will have an incentive to replace “debt-like” preferred securities with ones that have more characteristics of equity (deeper subordination, non-cumulative dividends, and no maturity date). The new rules include various implementation schedules, depending on the jurisdiction, with most being fully implemented within the next 3-8 years.

To conform to the new rules, we estimate U.S. banks will need to issue an additional $60 billion or more of new preferred stock. That is certainly a big number compared to $73 billion of currently outstanding bank preferred stock. While we think issuance will be manageable and spread out over several years, it will influence preferred securities’ prices when it happens. We are also likely to see more contingent capital issued in the coming years, as issuers look to fill different buckets of loss-absorbing capital required under the new rules. This market has so far been limited in size and breadth, but it is likely to grow and is part of the ongoing evolution of the broader subordinated capital market.

Looking ahead, moderate economic growth should provide a constructive environment for preferred-securities investors. We anticipate that economic growth will be fast enough to facilitate continued improvement in corporate and household balance sheets and better loan performance, while being slow enough to restrain inflation and keep monetary policy accommodative for some time. Spreads on preferred securities should recover as fears of further rapid increases in long-term interest rates recede and investors refocus on steadily improving credit conditions. Volatility is likely to remain elevated over the coming months, but we believe the preferred-securities market has priced in a good amount of risk related to the end of quantitative easing.

As always, we encourage you to visit the Fund’s website www.preferredincome.com.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO   LOGO

Donald F. Crumrine

Chairman

 

Robert M. Ettinger

President

September 30, 2013  

 

2


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Statistics       
Net Asset Value   $ 18.21   
Market Price   $ 17.85   

Discount

    1.98
Yield on Market Price     9.14
Common Stock Shares Outstanding     43,463,040   

 

Moody’s Ratings   % of Net Assets†  
A     2.3%   
BBB     60.6%   
BB     30.7%   
Below “BB”     0.7%   
Not Rated*     4.1%   
Below Investment Grade**     19.2%   

 

* Does not include net other assets and liabilities of 1.6%.
** Below investment grade by all of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch.
Industry Categories   % of Net Assets†

 

LOGO

 

Top 10 Holdings by Issuer   % of Net Assets†  
Liberty Mutual Group     5.5%   
Banco Santander, S.A.     4.5%   
MetLife     4.2%   
HSBC PLC     4.1%   
JPMorgan Chase     3.4%   
Goldman Sachs Group     3.2%   
Barclays Bank PLC     3.2%   
Wells Fargo & Company     3.0%   
XL Group PLC     2.9%   
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd     2.7%   
 

% of Net Assets***†

 
Holdings Generating Qualified Dividend Income (QDI) for Individuals     43%   
Holdings Generating Income Eligible for the Corporate Dividend Received Deduction (DRD)     24%   

 

*** This does not reflect year-end results or actual tax categorization of Fund distributions. These percentages can, and do, change, perhaps significantly, depending on market conditions. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding their personal situation.
Net Assets includes assets attributable to the use of leverage.

 

3


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Shares/$ Par        

    Value    

     

 

Preferred Securities — 91.1%

   
       

Banking — 34.9%

           
  4,500     

Astoria Financial Corp., 6.50% Pfd., Series C

  $ 105,176  
 

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.:

   
$ 8,490,000     

BBVA International Preferred, 5.919%

    7,598,550 **(1)(3)   
 

Banco Santander, S.A.:

   
  2,046,320     

Banco Santander, 10.50% Pfd., Series 10

    55,092,050 **(1)(3)   
 

Bank of America:

  

 
  15,000     

Countrywide Capital IV, 6.75% Pfd. 04/01/33

    375,937     
  129,025     

Countrywide Capital V, 7.00% Pfd. 11/01/36

    3,238,850     
 

Barclays Bank PLC:

  

 
$ 14,750,000     

Barclays Bank PLC, 6.278%

    13,388,177 **(1)(2)(3)   
  390,600     

Barclays Bank PLC, 7.10% Pfd.

    9,718,128 **(3)   
  23,000     

Barclays Bank PLC, 7.75% Pfd., Series 4

    577,300 **(3)   
  600,000     

Barclays Bank PLC, 8.125% Pfd., Series 5

    15,150,000 **(1)(3)   
  28,000     

BB&T Corporation, 5.625% Pfd., Series E

    601,720 *(1)   
$ 13,600,000     

BNP Paribas, 7.195%, 144A****

    13,498,000 **(1)(2)(3)   
 

Citigroup:

  

 
$ 500,000     

Citigroup, Inc., 5.95% Pfd.

    475,625  
  334,100     

Citigroup Capital XIII, 7.875% Pfd.

    9,177,326 (1)(2)   
 

CoBank ACB:

  

 
  36,200     

CoBank ACB, 6.125% Pfd., Series G, 144A****

    3,412,983  
  60,000     

CoBank ACB, 6.25% Pfd., 144A****

    6,133,128  
$ 35,100,000     

Colonial BancGroup, 7.114%, 144A****

    52,650 (4)(5)††   
  38,100     

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc., 5.375% Pfd., Series A

    836,352  
 

Fifth Third Bancorp:

   
$ 8,785,000     

Fifth Third Capital Trust IV, 6.50% 04/15/37

    8,752,056 (1)(2)   
 

First Horizon:

  

 
  3,730     

First Tennessee Bank, Adj. Rate Pfd., 3.75%(6), 144A****

    2,747,378  
  8     

FT Real Estate Securities Company, 9.50% Pfd., 144A****

    8,805,000     
  642,800     

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., 8.625% Pfd.

    17,897,995 *(1)   
  99,000     

First Republic Bank, 6.70% Pfd.

    2,417,828  
 

Goldman Sachs Group:

   
$ 11,295,000     

Goldman Sachs, Capital I, 6.345% 02/15/34

    10,839,427 (1)   
 

HSBC PLC:

  

 
$ 8,000,000     

HSBC Capital Funding LP, 10.176%, 144A****

    11,330,000 (1)(2)(3)   
  714,400     

HSBC Holdings PLC, 8.00% Pfd., Series 2

    19,400,461 **(1)(3)   
$ 850,000     

HSBC USA Capital Trust I, 7.808% 12/15/26, 144A****

    867,000     
$ 580,000     

HSBC USA Capital Trust II, 8.38% 05/15/27, 144A****

    589,415 (1)   
  436,426     

HSBC USA, Inc., 6.50% Pfd., Series H

    10,869,757 *(1)   

 

4


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Shares/$ Par        

    Value    

     

 

Preferred Securities — (Continued)

   
       

Banking — (Continued)

           
 

ING Groep NV:

  

 
  355,000     

ING Groep NV, 6.375% Pfd.

  $ 8,133,050 **(3)   
  125,000     

ING Groep NV, 7.05% Pfd.

    3,084,063 **(3)   
  116,054     

ING Groep NV, 7.20% Pfd.

    2,890,035 **(3)   
  230,000     

ING Groep NV, 7.375% Pfd.

    5,814,400 **(1)(3)   
  91,328     

ING Groep NV, 8.50% Pfd.

    2,330,691 **(3)   
 

JPMorgan Chase:

  

 
  56,600     

JPMorgan Chase & Company, 5.50% Pfd.

    1,266,142  
$ 5,450,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Company, 6.00%, Series R

    5,204,750 *(1)   
$ 32,000,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Company, 7.90%, Series I

    35,314,560 *(1)   
  4,000     

KeyCorp, 7.75% Pfd., Series A

    503,500  
$ 17,800,000     

Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 6.657%, 144A****

    16,287,000 **(1)(2)(3)   
$ 11,000,000     

M&T Bank Corporation, 6.875%, 144A****

    11,168,883 *(1)   
 

Morgan Stanley:

   
  35,927     

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VI, 6.60% Pfd. 02/01/46

    893,684     
  460,000     

PNC Financial Services, 6.125% Pfd., Series P

    11,721,950 *(1)   
$ 7,885,000     

RaboBank Nederland, 11.00%, 144A****

    10,266,522 (1)(3)   
 

Royal Bank of Scotland:

  

 
  12,500     

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 6.40%, Pfd., Series M

    254,500 **(3)   
  25,000     

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 6.60%, Pfd., Series S

    520,750 **(3)   
 

Sovereign Bancorp:

  

 
$ 1,000,000     

Sovereign Capital Trust VI, 7.908% 06/13/36

    1,055,000     
  8,641     

Sovereign REIT, 12.00% Pfd., Series A, 144A****

    11,194,761     
  107,166     

SunTrust Banks, Inc., 5.875% Pfd.

    2,350,418  
  86,000     

US Bancorp, 6.50%, Pfd.

    2,249,442  
 

Wells Fargo:

  

 
  15,518     

Wells Fargo & Company, 7.50% Pfd., Series L

    17,578,015 *(1)   
  646,500     

Wells Fargo & Company, 8.00% Pfd., Series J

    18,387,430 *(1)   
 

Zions Bancorporation:

  

 
$ 8,000,000     

Zions Bancorporation, 7.20%, Series J

    7,980,000 *(1)   
  519,842     

Zions Bancorporation, 7.90% Pfd., Series F

    14,433,413 *(1)   

 

 

   
      424,831,228     
   

 

 

   
       

Financial Services — 2.1%

           
$ 250,000     

Ameriprise Financial, Inc., 7.518% 06/01/66

    277,812 (1)   
 

Credit Suisse Group:

   
$ 8,274,000     

Claudius, Ltd. – Credit Suisse AG, 7.875%, Series B, 144A****

    8,842,837 (3)   

 

5


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Shares/$ Par        

    Value    

     

 

Preferred Securities — (Continued)

   
       

Financial Services — (Continued)

           
$ 7,900,000     

General Electric Capital Corp., 7.125%, Series A

  $ 8,723,867 *(1)   
 

HSBC PLC:

   
  305,000     

HSBC Finance Corporation, 6.36% Pfd., Series B

    7,165,213 *(1)   

 

 

   
      25,009,729     
   

 

 

   
       

Insurance — 28.4%

           
 

Ace Ltd.:

   
$ 4,566,000     

Ace Capital Trust II, 9.70% 04/01/30

    6,426,645 (1)(2)(3)   
$ 1,053,000     

Aon Corporation, 8.205% 01/01/27

    1,293,343     
  600,000     

Arch Capital Group, Ltd., 6.75% Pfd., Series C

    14,531,280 **(1)(3)   
  71,206     

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd., 5.95%, Pfd.

    1,721,405 **(3)   
 

AXA SA:

  

 
$ 7,005,000     

AXA SA, 6.379%, 144A****

    6,864,900 **(1)(2)(3)   
$ 2,750,000     

AXA SA, 8.60% 12/15/30

    3,265,625 (3)   
  1,364,142     

Axis Capital Holdings, 6.875% Pfd., Series C

    33,080,443 **(1)(3)   
  560,250     

Delphi Financial Group, 7.376% Pfd. 05/15/37

    14,023,786 (1)(2)   
  95,902     

Endurance Specialty Holdings, 7.50% Pfd.

    2,400,571 **(3)   
$ 22,619,000     

Everest Re Holdings, 6.60% 05/15/37

    22,562,452 (1)(2)   
 

GWL&A Financial:

   
$ 3,000,000     

Great West Life & Annuity Insurance, 7.153% 05/16/46, 144A****

    3,097,500 (1)(2)   
$ 35,418,000     

Liberty Mutual Group, 10.75% 06/15/58, 144A****

    52,595,730 (1)(2)   
$ 4,065,000     

Lincoln National Corporation, 7.00% 05/17/66

    4,146,300 (1)   
 

MetLife:

  

 
$ 16,312,000     

MetLife, Inc., 10.75% 08/01/39

    24,223,320 (1)(2)   
$ 3,472,000     

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

    3,958,080 (1)(2)   
$ 17,240,000     

MetLife Capital Trust X, 9.25% 04/08/38, 144A****

    22,412,000 (1)(2)   
  150,299     

PartnerRe Ltd., 7.250% Pfd., Series E

    3,802,565 **(1)(3)   
  500,000     

Principal Financial Group, 6.518% Pfd., Series B

    12,536,250 *(1)   
 

Prudential Financial:

  

 
$ 6,100,000     

Prudential Financial, Inc., 5.625% 06/15/43

    5,734,000 (1)(2)   
$ 3,900,000     

Prudential Financial, Inc., 5.875% 09/15/42

    3,822,000 (1)   
 

QBE Insurance:

   
$ 11,340,000     

QBE Capital Funding III Ltd., 7.25% 05/24/41, 144A****

    11,981,402 (1)(3)   
$ 13,326,000     

StanCorp Financial Group, 6.90% 06/01/67

    13,359,315 (1)(2)   
 

The Travelers Companies:

  

 
$ 6,727,500     

USF&G Capital, 8.312% 07/01/46, 144A****

    8,399,412 (1)(2)   
$ 13,000,000     

USF&G Capital I, 8.50% 12/15/45, 144A****

    16,543,657 (1)(2)   
 

Unum Group:

   
$ 15,240,000     

Provident Financing Trust I, 7.405% 03/15/38

    16,907,500 (1)(2)   
 

XL Group PLC:

   
$ 36,150,000     

XL Capital Ltd., 6.50%, Series E

    35,155,875 (1)(2)(3)   

 

 

   
      344,845,356     
   

 

 

   

 

6


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Shares/$ Par        

    Value    

     

 

Preferred Securities — (Continued)

   
       

Utilities — 16.2%

           
  56,025     

Alabama Power Company, 6.45% Pfd.

  $ 1,456,650 *(1)   
 

Baltimore Gas & Electric:

  

 
  10,000     

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, 6.70% Pfd., Series 1993

    1,021,563 *(1)   
  15,000     

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, 7.125% Pfd., Series 1993

    1,522,969  
 

Commonwealth Edison:

   
$ 15,828,000     

COMED Financing III, 6.35% 03/15/33

    15,036,600 (1)(2)   
$ 15,262,000     

Dominion Resources, Inc., 7.50% 06/30/66

    16,493,460 (1)(2)   
  294,975     

Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 6.45% Pfd.

    7,319,067 *(1)   
  108,000     

Entergy Louisiana, Inc., 6.95% Pfd.

    10,843,880 *(1)   
  164,400     

Georgia Power Company, 6.50% Pfd., Series 2007A

    16,799,625 *(1)   
  98,800     

Indianapolis Power & Light Company, 5.65% Pfd.

    10,031,292  
  225,000     

Integrys Energy Group, Inc., 6.00% Pfd.

    5,526,563     
 

Nextera Energy:

  

 
$ 16,970,000     

FPL Group Capital, Inc., 6.65% 06/15/67

    17,875,808 (1)(2)   
$ 4,000,000     

FPL Group Capital, Inc., 7.30% 09/01/67, Series D

    4,403,828 (1)(2)   
 

PECO Energy:

  

 
$ 2,386,000     

PECO Energy Capital Trust III, 7.38% 04/06/28, Series D

    2,365,977 (1)(2)   
$ 22,900,000     

PECO Energy Capital Trust IV, 5.75% 06/15/33

    21,120,304 (1)(2)   
 

PPL Corp:

   
$ 17,680,000     

PPL Capital Funding, Inc., 6.70% 03/30/67, Series A

    18,313,227 (1)(2)   
$ 23,500,000     

Puget Sound Energy, Inc., 6.974% 06/01/67

    24,832,943 (1)(2)   
  204,350     

Southern California Edison, 6.50% Pfd., Series D

    21,622,784 *(1)   

 

 

   
      196,586,540     
   

 

 

   
       

Energy — 4.7%

           
$ 2,000,000     

DCP Midstream LLC, 5.85% 05/21/2043, 144A****

    1,865,000     
$ 28,500,000     

Enbridge Energy Partners LP, 8.05% 10/01/37

    31,926,270 (1)(2)   
$ 21,396,000     

Enterprise Products Partners, 8.375% 08/01/66, Series A

    23,818,541 (1)(2)   

 

 

   
      57,609,811     
   

 

 

   
       

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) — 3.0%

           
  27,745     

CommonWealth REIT, 7.25% Pfd., Series E

    642,472     
 

Duke Realty Corp.:

  

 
  87,533     

Duke Realty Corp, 6.50% Pfd., Series K

    2,062,496     
  99,063     

Duke Realty Corp, 6.60% Pfd., Series L

    2,352,746     
  75,000     

Kimco Realty Corporation, 6.90% Pfd., Series H

    1,896,750     

 

7


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Shares/$ Par        

    Value    

     

 

Preferred Securities — (Continued)

   
       

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) — (Continued)

           
 

National Retail Properties:

  

 
  230,000     

National Retail Properties, Inc., 5.70% Pfd.

  $ 4,703,845     
  26,918     

National Retail Properties, Inc., 6.625% Pfd.

    632,909     
 

PS Business Parks:

  

 
  22,647     

PS Business Parks, Inc., 6.00% Pfd., Series T

    488,043     
  241,391     

PS Business Parks, Inc., 6.45% Pfd., Series S

    5,624,772 (1)(2)   
  105,000     

PS Business Parks, Inc., 6.875% Pfd., Series R

    2,594,550 (1)   
  600,000     

Realty Income Corp, 6.625% Pfd., Series F

    14,484,000 (1)(2)   
  28,057     

Regency Centers Corporation, 6.625% Pfd.

    663,029     
  33,506     

Weingarten Realty Investors, 6.50% Pfd., Series F

    832,416     

 

 

   
      36,978,028     
   

 

 

   
       

Miscellaneous Industries — 1.8%

           
  105,400     

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., 6.25% Pfd., 144A****

    9,426,713  
  80,000     

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., 5.75% Pfd. 07/25/52

    1,835,000 (1)   
$ 11,700,000     

Textron Financial Corporation, 6.00% 02/15/67, 144A****

    10,442,250     

 

 

   
      21,703,963     
   

 

 

   
 

Total Preferred Securities
(Cost $1,070,909,606)

    1,107,564,655     
   

 

 

   

 

Corporate Debt Securities — 7.3%

   
       

Banking — 3.9%

           
$ 1,200,000     

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., 7.25% 12/15/21, Sub Notes

    1,380,704     
$ 27,500,000     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 6.75% 10/01/37, Sub Notes

    28,465,580 (1)(2)   
$ 13,952,000     

Regions Financial Corporation, 7.375% 12/10/37, Sub Notes

    15,106,793 (1)(2)   
  123,500     

Texas Capital Bancshares Inc., 6.50% 09/21/42, Sub Notes

    2,782,616     

 

 

   
      47,735,693     
   

 

 

   
       

Financial Services — 0.4%

           
  115,875     

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., 6.375% 08/15/42

    2,725,554 (1)(2)   
$ 4,726,012     

Lehman Brothers, Guaranteed Note, Variable Rate, 5.843% 12/16/16, 144A****

    599,731 (4)(5)††   
  35,750     

Raymond James Financial, 6.90% 03/15/42

    918,149 (1)(2)   

 

 

   
      4,243,434     
   

 

 

   
       

Insurance — 1.4%

           
$ 13,500,000     

Liberty Mutual Insurance, 7.697% 10/15/97, 144A****

    14,259,699 (1)(2)   
 

Unum Group:

   
$ 2,500,000     

UnumProvident Corporation, 7.25% 03/15/28

    2,846,175 (1)(2)   

 

 

   
      17,105,874     
   

 

 

   

 

8


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Shares/$ Par        

    Value    

     

 

Corporate Debt Securities — (Continued)

   
       

Energy — 1.1%

           
$ 10,812,000     

Energy Transfer Partners LP, 8.25%, 11/15/2029, 144A****

  $ 13,260,583 (1)(2)   

 

 

   
      13,260,583     
   

 

 

   
       

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) — 0.1%

           
  40,000     

CommonWealth REIT, 7.50% 11/15/19

    834,460     

 

 

   
      834,460     
   

 

 

   
       

Miscellaneous Industries — 0.4%

           
 

Pulte Group Inc.:

  

 
  58,240     

Pulte Homes, Inc., 7.375% 06/01/46

    1,467,735 (1)(2)   
$ 3,550,000     

Pulte Homes, Inc., 7.875% 06/15/32

    3,656,500 (1)(2)   

 

 

   
      5,124,235     
   

 

 

   
 

Total Corporate Debt Securities
(Cost $80,380,683)

    88,304,279     
   

 

 

   

 

Common Stock — 0.3%

   
       

Banking — 0.2%

           
  54,740     

CIT Group, Inc.

    2,620,404 *†   

 

 

   
      2,620,404     
   

 

 

   
       

Insurance — 0.0%

           
  240,577     

WMI Holdings Corporation, 144A****

    245,389 *†   

 

 

   
      245,389     
   

 

 

   
       

Utilities — 0.1%

           
  44,930     

Exelon Corporation

    1,369,916  

 

 

   
      1,369,916     
   

 

 

   
 

Total Common Stock
(Cost $24,935,332)

    4,235,709     
   

 

 

   

 

 

Money Market Fund — 0.1%

         
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds:

   
  1,484,554     

T-Fund

    1,484,554     

 

 

   
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $1,484,554)

    1,484,554     
   

 

 

   

 

9


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

          

    Value    

      

Total Investments (Cost $1,177,710,175***)

     98.8%      $ 1,201,589,197     

Other Assets And Liabilities (Net)

     1.2%        14,041,101     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total Managed Assets

     100.0% ‡    $ 1,215,630,298     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Loan Principal Balance

  

    (424,175,000  
    

 

 

   

Total Net Assets Available To Common Stock

  

  $ 791,455,298     
    

 

 

   

 

 

* Securities eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction and distributing Qualified Dividend Income.
** Securities distributing Qualified Dividend Income only.
*** Aggregate cost of securities held.
**** Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional buyers. At August 31, 2013, these securities amounted to $281,147,603 or 23.1% of total managed assets.
(1)

All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral for the Fund’s loan. The total value of such securities was $738,828,682 at August 31, 2013.

(2)

All or a portion of this security has been rehypothecated. The total value of such securities was $400,616,610 at August 31, 2013.

(3)

Foreign Issuer.

(4)

Illiquid.

(5)

Valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors as of August 31, 2013.

(6)

Represents the rate in effect as of the reporting date.

Non-income producing.
†† The issuer has filed for bankruptcy protection. As a result, the Fund may not be able to recover the principal invested and also does not expect to receive income on this security going forward.
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of that category as a percentage of total managed assets.

 

    ABBREVIATIONS:

Pfd.

    Preferred Securities

REIT

    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

10


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK(1)

For the period from December 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

     Value  

OPERATIONS:

  

Net investment income

   $ 54,293,878   

Net realized gain/(loss) on investments sold during the period

     (22,932,656

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (6,415,650
  

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     24,945,572   

DISTRIBUTIONS:

  

Dividends paid from net investment income to Common Stock Shareholders(2)

     (58,182,992
  

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Common Stock Shareholders

     (58,182,992

FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

  

Increase from shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment and
Cash Purchase Plan

     3,379,853   
  

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets available to Common Stock resulting from
Fund share transactions

     3,379,853   

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO

  

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK FOR THE PERIOD

   $ (29,857,567
  

 

 

 
          

NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK:

  

Beginning of period

   $ 821,312,865   

Net decrease in net assets during the period

     (29,857,567
  

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 791,455,298   
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

These tables summarize the nine months ended August 31, 2013 and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s audited financial statements, including footnotes, in its Annual Report dated November 30, 2012.

(2)

May include income earned, but not paid out, in prior fiscal year.

 

 

11


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS(1)

For the period from December 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

For a Common Stock share outstanding throughout the period

 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:

  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 18.97   
  

 

 

 

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

  

Net investment income

     1.25   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (0.67
  

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.58   
  

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS:

  

From net investment income

     (1.34
  

 

 

 

Total distributions to Common Stock Shareholders

     (1.34
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 18.21   
  

 

 

 

Market value, end of period

   $ 17.85   
  

 

 

 

Common Stock shares outstanding, end of period

     43,463,040   
  

 

 

 

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS:

  

Net investment income†

     8.71 %* 

Operating expenses including interest expense

     1.45 %* 

        Operating expenses excluding interest expense

     0.92 %*   

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:††

  

Portfolio turnover rate

     18 %** 

Total managed assets, end of period (in 000’s)

   $ 1,215,630   

Ratio of operating expenses including interest expense to total managed assets

     0.97 %* 

Ratio of operating expenses excluding interest expense to total managed assets

     0.61 %* 

 

 

(1) 

These tables summarize the nine months ended August 31, 2013 and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s audited financial statements, including footnotes, in its Annual Report dated November 30, 2012.

* Annualized.
** Not annualized.
The net investment income ratios reflect income net of operating expenses, including interest expense.
†† Information presented under heading Supplemental Data includes loan principal balance.

 

12


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

Per Share of Common Stock (Unaudited)

 

     Total
Dividends
Paid
     Net Asset
Value
     NYSE
Closing Price
     Dividend
Reinvestment
Price(1)
 

December 31, 2012

   $ 0.2530       $ 18.96       $ 19.55       $ 18.96   

January 31, 2013

     0.1360         19.24         20.37         19.35   

February 28, 2013

     0.1360         19.33         20.23         19.33   

March 28, 2013

     0.1360         19.39         20.45         19.43   

April 30, 2013

     0.1360         19.70         21.45         20.38   

May 31, 2013

     0.1360         19.54         18.86         18.38   

June 28, 2013

     0.1360         18.68         18.75         18.68   

July 31, 2013

     0.1360         18.61         18.73         18.61   

August 30, 2013

     0.1360         18.21         17.85         18.08   

 

(1) 

Whenever the net asset value per share of the Fund’s Common Stock is less than or equal to the market price per share on the reinvestment date, new shares issued will be valued at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the then current market price. Otherwise, the reinvestment shares of Common Stock will be purchased in the open market.

 

13


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

1. Aggregate Information for Federal Income Tax Purposes

At August 31, 2013, the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was $1,184,399,771, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost was $90,775,278 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value was $73,585,852.

 

2. Additional Accounting Standards

Fair Value Measurements: The Fund has performed an analysis of all existing investments and derivative instruments to determine the significance and character of all inputs to their fair value determination. The levels of fair value inputs used to measure the Fund’s investments are characterized into a fair value hierarchy. Where inputs for an asset or liability fall into more than one level in the fair value hierarchy, the investment is classified in its entirety based on the lowest level input that is significant to that investment’s valuation. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

   

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

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Transfers in and out of levels are recognized at market value at the end of the period. A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is as follows:

 

     Total
Value at
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Preferred Securities

           

Banking

   $ 424,831,228       $ 314,743,781       $ 110,034,797       $ 52,650   

Financial Services

     25,009,729         15,889,080         9,120,649           

Insurance

     344,845,356         220,119,819         124,725,537           

Utilities

     196,586,540         62,612,886         133,973,654           

Energy

     57,609,811         55,744,811         1,865,000           

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

     36,978,028         36,978,028                   

Miscellaneous Industries

     21,703,963         1,835,000         19,868,963           

Corporate Debt Securities

     88,304,279         37,194,094         50,510,454         599,731   

Common Stock

           

Banking

     2,620,404         2,620,404                   

Insurance

     245,389         245,389                   

Utilities

     1,369,916         1,369,916                   

Money Market Fund

     1,484,554         1,484,554                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,201,589,197       $ 750,837,762       $ 450,099,054       $ 652,381   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

14


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

During the reporting period, there were no transfers into Level 1 from Level 2. During the reporting period, securities with an aggregate market value of $19,631,128 were transferred into Level 2 from Level 1. The securities were transferred because of a reduction in the amount of observable market data, resulting from: a decrease in market activity for the securities, reduced availability of quoted prices for the securities, or de-listing of securities from a national securities exchange that resulted in a material decrease in activity.

The fair values of the Fund’s investments are generally based on market information and quotes received from brokers or independent pricing services—approved by the Board and unaffiliated with the Adviser. To assess the continuing appropriateness of security valuations, management, in consultation with the Adviser, regularly compares current prices to prior prices, prices across comparable securities, actual sale prices for securities in the Fund’s portfolio, and market information obtained by the Adviser as a function of being an active participant in the markets.

Securities with quotes that are based on actual trades or actionable bids and offers with a sufficient level of activity on or near the measurement date are classified as Level 1. Securities that are priced using quotes derived from implied values, indicative bids and offers, or a limited number of actual trades—or the same information for securities that are similar in many respects to those being valued—are classified as Level 2. If market information is not available for securities being valued, or materially-comparable securities, then those securities are classified as Level 3. In considering market information, management evaluates changes in liquidity, willingness of a broker to execute at the quoted price, the depth and consistency of prices from pricing services, and the existence of observable trades in the market.

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:

 

   

Preferred Securities

 
     Total Investments     Banking     Financial
Services
    Corporate Debt
Securities
 

Balance as of 11/30/12

  $ 8,136,116      $ 67,050      $ 7,541,170      $ 527,896   

Accrued discounts/premiums

                           

Realized gain/(loss)

    (33,773,383     (28,731,250     (5,042,133       

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

    34,581,367        28,716,850        5,792,682        71,835   

Purchases

                           

Sales

    (8,291,719            (8,291,719       

Transfer in

                           

Transfer out

                           

Balance as of 8/31/13

  $ 652,381      $ 52,650      $      $ 599,731   

For the nine months ended August 31, 2013 total change in unrealized gain/(loss) on Level 3 securities still held at period-end and included in the change in net assets was $71,835.

 

15


 

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs developed to determine the fair value of Level 3 investments:

 

Category   Fair Value
at 8/31/13
    Valuation Technique   Unobservable Input   Input Range (Wgt Avg)  

Preferred Securities

       

Banking

  $ 52,650      Bankruptcy recovery   Credit/Structure-specific
recovery
    0.00% - 0.50% (0.15%)   

Corporate Debt

       

Securities

    599,731      Bankruptcy recovery   Credit/Structure-specific
recovery
    10% - 20% (13%)   

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement technique for bankruptcy recovery are based on recovery analysis that is specific to the security being valued, including the level of subordination and structural features of the security, and the current status of any bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings. Observable market trades in bankruptcy claims are utilized by management, when available, to assess the appropriateness of valuations, although the frequency of trading depends on the specific credit and seniority of the claim. Expected recoveries in bankruptcy by security type and industry do not tend to deviate much from historical recovery rates, which are very low (sometimes zero) for preferred securities and more moderate for senior debt. Significant changes in these inputs would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.

 

16


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Directors

Donald F. Crumrine, CFA

Chairman of the Board

David Gale

Morgan Gust

Karen H. Hogan

Robert F. Wulf, CFA

Officers

Donald F. Crumrine, CFA

Chief Executive Officer

Robert M. Ettinger, CFA

President

R. Eric Chadwick, CFA

Chief Financial Officer,

Vice President and Treasurer

Chad C. Conwell

Chief Compliance Officer,

Vice President and Secretary

Bradford S. Stone

Vice President and

Assistant Treasurer

Laurie C. Lodolo

Assistant Compliance Officer,

Assistant Treasurer and

Assistant Secretary

Linda M. Puchalski

Assistant Treasurer

Investment Adviser

Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated

e-mail: flaherty@pfdincome.com

Servicing Agent

Destra Capital Investments LLC

1-877-855-3434

Questions concerning your shares of Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund?

   

If your shares are held in a Brokerage Account, contact your Broker.

   

If you have physical possession of your shares in certificate form, contact the Fund’s Transfer Agent —

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 358035

Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8035

1-866-351-7446

This report is sent to shareholders of Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated for their information. It is not a Prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or of any securities mentioned in this report.

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Quarterly Report

 

August 31, 2013

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