Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund
Table of Contents

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: 811-22473

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, CO 80203

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Adam J. Shapiro, Esq.

c/o Stone Harbor Investment Partners LP

31 West 52nd Street, 16th Floor

New York, NY 10019

(Name and address of agent for service)

With copies To:

Michael G. Doherty, Esq.

Ropes & Gray LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 623-2577

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: December 1, 2013 – November 30, 2014


Table of Contents

Item 1. Report to Stockholders.


Table of Contents

 

LOGO


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Distribution Policy

November 30, 2014

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund (the “Fund”), acting pursuant to a Securities and Exchange Commission exemptive order and with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), has adopted a plan, consistent with its investment objectives and policies to support a level distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital (the “Plan”). In accordance with the Plan, the Fund currently distributes $0.18 per share on a monthly basis.

The fixed amount distributed per share is subject to change at the discretion of the Fund’s Board. Under the Plan, the Fund will typically distribute most or all of its available investment income to its shareholders, consistent with its primary investment objectives and as required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund may also distribute long term capital gains and short term capital gains and return capital to shareholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each monthly distribution to shareholders is expected to be at the fixed amount established by the Board, except for extraordinary distributions and potential distribution rate increases or decreases to enable the Fund to comply with the distribution requirements imposed by the Code.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms of the Plan. The Fund’s total return performance on net asset value is presented in its financial highlights table. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Fund’s Plan without prior notice if it deems such action to be in the best interest of the Fund or its shareholders. The suspension or termination of the Plan could have the effect of creating a trading discount (if the Fund’s stock is trading at or above net asset value) or widening an existing trading discount. The Fund is subject to risks that could have an adverse impact on its ability to maintain level distributions. Examples of potential risks include, but are not limited to, economic downturns impacting the markets, investments in foreign securities, foreign currency fluctuations and changes in the Code. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for a more complete description of its risks.


Table of Contents

 

  Table of Contents

 

 

Shareholder Letter

 

    

 

2

 

  

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings

 

    

 

4

 

  

 

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

    

 

5

 

  

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

    

 

6

 

  

 

Statement of Investments

 

    

 

7

 

  

 

Statement of Assets & Liabilities

 

    

 

16

 

  

 

Statement of Operations

 

    

 

17

 

  

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    

 

18

 

  

 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

    

 

19

 

  

 

Financial Highlights

 

    

 

20

 

  

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

    

 

21

 

  

 

Summary of Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

    

 

31

 

  

 

Additional Information

 

    

 

32

 

  

 

Trustees & Officers

 

    

 

34

 

  

 

Benchmark Descriptions

 

    

 

38

 

  

 


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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Shareholder Letter
   November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

Dear Investor,

The Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund (“EDF” or “Fund”) seeks to maximize total return, which consists of income on its investments and capital appreciation. The Fund invests in fixed income securities and related instruments that are economically tied to emerging markets (EM) countries, including sovereign external debt, local currency debt (non-U.S. dollar), and corporate debt from EM issuers.

Our investment thesis is straightforward - despite significant recent market volatility, we believe EM debt markets continue to offer attractive Investment opportunities for total return investors. In contrast with many advanced economies, most EM countries maintain prudent debt levels and substantially lower fiscal deficits, in our opinion. Furthermore, inflation in EM countries has fallen substantially and remains subdued, particularly in comparison to the hyperinflationary periods of the 1990s. In addition, EM debt still offers higher yields than advanced economy debt, even though EMs have better relative fundamentals in most cases, based on our analysis.

We believe that a key advantage we have in managing EDF is the latitude to adjust the risk in the portfolio based on our fundamental economic and credit views, as well as our assessment of the macroeconomic environment. Our investment process focuses on allocating to three distinct sectors of EM debt - hard currency sovereigns, local currency sovereigns and corporates - each of which tend to behave differently in various macroeconomic environments.

In addition, we can vary the amount of leverage used by the Fund depending on our confidence in our return expectations. In general, we employ leverage to seek higher returns. However, when uncertainty rises, and with it greater perceived risks, we can also reduce leverage so that the Fund has less exposure to EM debt.

Performance Review

The total return on net asset value (NAV) of EDF for the 12 months ending November 30, 2014 was 6.03% (net of expenses). For the same period, the Fund maintained an average discount to its NAV of 3.52%(1). Market tracking indices for the three sectors of EM debt — external sovereign debt, local currency debt and corporate debt — delivered total returns of 10.53%, -0.33% and 7.20%, respectively, during the reporting period. The first two months of the period generated mixed results as investor concerns about the macroeconomic environment lingered into the new calendar year. By the end of January, investors developed greater clarity on macroeconomic factors and returned their focus to the very compelling valuations in emerging markets debt that followed the relatively poor performance during the previous annual period. The focus on EM fundamentals continued until September, when investors were again influenced by concerns about the level of global growth.

In the Fund’s exposure to sovereign debt, our holdings in U.S. dollar-denominated debt of Venezuela had a negative impact on returns. We invested in Venezuela based on our assessment of the country’s ability and willingness to repay debt from U.S. dollar cash flows generated from oil exports. We also believe that Venezuela’s government has strong incentives to prioritize oil export cash flows for debt service. Venezuela’s political situation has been quite chaotic during the administration of President Maduro. This political volatility combined with falling oil prices put downward pressure on Venezuelan debt prices. We continue to believe that our investment in Venezuela should contribute to strong total returns for the portfolio. Offsetting weakness in Venezuela, our security selection decisions in the U.S. dollar-denominated sector of the portfolio were an important source of total return throughout the period.

As we mentioned, asset allocation is an important decision in the management of the Fund. Our allocation to local currency denominated sovereign debt ranged between 22% and 40% during the period with our average monthly allocation approximately 30%. This allocation is substantially below our long term allocation to local currency debt. We continue to believe that local currency sovereign debt should provide the highest risk-adjusted total returns in the EM universe. Those returns will, however, likely be accompanied by the highest level of volatility. Local currency returns are particularly sensitive to assumptions about economic growth, in our opinion. When we have greater visibility of accelerating growth in EM countries, we currently expect that we will increase our allocation to local currency sovereign debt.

Throughout the reporting period, leverage consisted primarily of short-term reverse repurchase agreements through which the Fund borrowed funds by selling securities under the obligation to repurchase them at a later date at a fixed price. The implied borrowing costs of the repurchase agreements averaged approximately 0.52% per annum. The level of gross leverage reached a maximum of 33.3% of total assets on January 23, 2014 and a minimum of 22.6% on January 16, 2014. By the end of the reporting period, leverage was 31.9%. Net leverage (gross leverage less cash held) remained lower than gross leverage throughout the period. The Fund’s management team varied borrowing levels to reflect the team’s outlook on EM debt, increasing borrowings when it felt opportunities had improved and reducing borrowings when, in the team’s judgment, macroeconomic risks had risen.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Shareholder Letter
   November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

Market Review and Outlook

In our view, the total returns for EM indices for the reporting period were driven by a combination of events in developed markets, country-specific news in some emerging markets and valuations.

Macroeconomic developments in advanced economies are important inputs into our assessment of the outlook for EM debt returns. The impact of developments outside the emerging markets on emerging market valuations has been a critical variable in the performance of emerging market assets since the end of the 2008 financial crisis. These factors, including weaker-than-expected economic growth, a strong US dollar and falling oil prices weighed on the Fund’s performance in recent months. The Fund’s investments in local currency denominated sovereign debt were the segment most negatively impacted by these factors.

Despite these influences from advanced economies, our fundamental views on emerging markets are unchanged. We continue to forecast that many EM country growth rates should improve in the next 12 to 18 months. In our view, expectations for improved U.S. growth, together with recent depreciation of emerging market currencies and prior monetary easing by EM central banks, will support EM growth in the months ahead. But we believe this process will take time. Government deficits in most EM countries remain at healthy levels, particularly compared to the U.S., Japan and many developed European countries. We believe investors will again focus on the relative strengths of EM fundamentals.

In the past, we have detailed some of the key risks to our constructive outlook for emerging market debt. Today, those risks seem to emanate from both developed and emerging market countries. The possibility of rising U.S. interest rates, the ongoing political and religious strife in the Middle East, weak growth in Europe and the potential for China’s growth rate to fall short of expectations are all potential risks. However, our base case return scenarios for EM debt over the coming year remain positive. Our view derives from a disciplined investment process in which we review the ability and willingness of borrowers to repay their debts. We also assess whether current prices of bonds reflect adequate compensation for risk within the current macroeconomic environment. Based on this process, we continue to believe that EM debt will generate the highest returns in the fixed income universe.

Other general risks of the Fund relate to our use of leverage and also to the longer-term prospects for a rise in global interest rates. Stone Harbor attempts to mitigate the risk of loss of principal due to the possibility of a general rise in global interest rates through our investment processes that determine sector and country allocations, as well as security selection. We seek to reduce interest rate sensitivity during periods of rising interest rates. Notwithstanding these efforts, rising interest rates would increase the Fund’s cost of leverage and could also decrease the value of its portfolio securities, adversely affecting Fund performance.

We continue to believe that investing in EDF may offer an attractive means of capitalizing on further improvements in credit quality in EM. We thank you for your confidence in our ability to invest in these volatile markets and look forward to reporting on EDF in six months.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Thomas K. Flanagan

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

 

(1)

Performance on a market value basis, or at market price, will differ from its results at NAV. Although market price returns typically reflect investment results overtime, during shorter periods, returns at market price can also be influenced by factors such as changing views about the Fund, market conditions, supply and demand for the Fund’s shares, or changes in Fund dividends.

 

Annual Report | November 30, 2014   3


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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

  Summary of Portfolio Holdings
 

November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Details        

Market Price

     $17.80   

Net Asset Value (NAV)

     $18.56   

Premium/(Discount)

     (4.09%)   

Current Distribution Rate(1)

     12.13%   

Net Assets (in millions)

     $293   

Country Allocation

(as a % of total net assets)
Country Breakdown

   % of TNA  

Venezuela

     19.17%   

Brazil

     18.44%   

Argentina

     17.49%   

Mexico

     12.92%   

South Africa

     9.53%   

Indonesia

     8.10%   

Turkey

     7.52%   

Dominican Republic

     5.61%   

Ivory Coast

     5.00%   

El Salvador

     4.39%   

Russia

     3.59%   

Iraq

     2.87%   

Peru

     2.78%   

China

     2.28%   

Kenya

     2.26%   

India

     1.76%   

Ukraine

     1.73%   

Colombia

     1.60%   

Nigeria

     1.46%   

Kazakhstan

     1.40%   

Chile

     1.26%   

Angola

     1.16%   

Ghana

     1.14%   

Jamaica

     1.09%   

Israel

     0.93%   

Guatemala

     0.73%   

Ecuador

     0.60%   

Honduras

     0.54%   

Costa Rica

     0.53%   

Trinidad

     0.24%   

Panama

     0.20%   

Macau

     0.17%   

Total

     138.49%   

Short Term Security

     1.67%   

Other Liabilities in Excess of Assets

     -40.16%   

Total Net Assets

     100.00%   
   

Security Type Allocation(2)

 

LOGO

Sector Allocation(2)   
  Sovereign Local      32.2%   
  Sovereign External      44.4%   
  Corporate      19.1%   
  Cash &
    Equivalents/U.S.
    Treasuries
     4.3%   
 

 

Regional Breakdown(2)

  

  Latin America      60.4%   
  Africa      14.4%   
  Europe      9.8%   
  Asia      8.5%   
  Middle East      2.6%   
 

Cash &
    Equivalents/U.S.

    Treasuries

     4.3%   
 

 

Sovereign Local

Currency

Breakdown(2)

  

  

  

  Brazilian Real      10.5%   
  Colombian Peso      0.3%   
  Indonesian Rupiah      3.5%   
  Mexican Peso      6.3%   
  Turkish New Lira      4.9%   
  South African
    Rand
     6.7%   
  Total      32.2%   

 

(1) 

Current Distribution Rate is based on the Fund’s current annualized monthly distribution divided by the Fund’s current market price. The Fund’s monthly distributions to its shareholders may be comprised of ordinary income, net realized capital gains and return of capital in order to maintain a level distribution.

 

(2) 

Based on managed assets and investment manager’s sector classifications including derivative exposure. For purposes of this example, managed assets include total net assets plus any borrowings attributed to the use of reverse repurchase agreements and the notional values of credit default swaps as described on pages 14 and 15.

 

 

      
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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Growth of $10,000 Investment
   November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund and the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Indices: EMBI Global Diversified, CEMBI Broad Diversified, and GBI-EM Global Diversified (Please refer to page 37 for detailed benchmark descriptions).

 

LOGO

Total Returns as of November 30, 2014 (Commencement of Operations December 22, 2010)

 

                       Since Inception      
      One Year        Three Year        (Annualized)      

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund – NAV

     6.03%               4.59%               3.34%               

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund – Market Price

     7.45%               2.59%               1.07%               

J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified

     7.20%               7.25%               5.92%               

J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Diversified

     10.53%               7.36%               7.25%               

J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified

     -0.33%               1.62%               1.61%               

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance shown. Total return is calculated by determining the percentage change in NAV or market price (as applicable) in the specified period. The calculation assumes that all income dividends, capital gain and return of capital distributions, if any, have been reinvested and includes all fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or broker commissions or sales charges in connection with the purchase or sale of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value will vary, and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized. Index returns do not include the effects of sales charges or management fees. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Performance at market price will differ from its results at NAV. Although market price returns typically reflect investment results over time, during shorter periods returns at market price can also be influenced by factors such as changing views about the Fund, market conditions, supply and demand for the Fund’s shares, or changes in Fund dividends.

An investment in the Fund involves risk, including the loss of principal. Total return, market price, market price yield and NAV will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. This data is provided for information purposes only and is not intended for trading purposes. Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a onetime public offering and once issued, shares of closed-end funds are traded in the open market through a stock exchange. NAV is equal to total assets attributable to common shareholders less total liabilities divided by the number of common shares outstanding. Holdings are subject to change daily.

 

Annual Report | November 30, 2014   5


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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund   

Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund (the “Fund”), including the statement of investments, as of November 30, 2014, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the period December 22, 2010 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2011. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund as of November 30, 2014, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the period December 22, 2010 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Denver, Colorado

January 29, 2015

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Investments
   November 30, 2014

 

 

                Maturity      Principal      Market Value  
    

Currency

  

Rate

   

Date

    

Amount*

    

(Expressed in U.S. $)

 

SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS - 83.78%

             

Argentina - 16.85%

             

Republic of Argentina:

             
   USD      7.000     10/03/2015         36,547,209         $ 35,419,322(1)      
   USD      7.000     04/17/2017         11,954,459         11,068,168(1)      
   USD      6.000     03/31/2023         2,500,000         2,887,500(2)      
             

 

 

 
                49,374,990         
             

 

 

 

Brazil - 14.84%

             

Nota Do Tesouro Nacional:

             
   BRL      10.000     01/01/2017         29,120,000         10,885,510         
   BRL      10.000     01/01/2021         44,260,000         15,913,971         
   BRL      10.000     01/01/2023         47,030,000         16,696,154         
             

 

 

 
                43,495,635         
             

 

 

 

Costa Rica - 0.53%

             

Republic of Costa Rica:

             
   USD      4.250     01/26/2023         690,000         655,069(3)      
   USD      4.375     04/30/2025         500,000         464,063(4)      
   USD      7.000     04/04/2044         431,000         442,044(4)      
             

 

 

 
                1,561,176         
             

 

 

 

Dominican Republic - 5.61%

             

Dominican Republic:

             
   USD      7.500     05/06/2021         7,379,000         8,356,717(1)(3)   
   USD      5.875     04/18/2024         7,695,000         8,079,750(1)(4)   
             

 

 

 
                16,436,467         
             

 

 

 

El Salvador - 4.39%

             

Republic of El Salvador:

             
   USD      7.750     01/24/2023         829,000         945,578(3)     
   USD      8.250     04/10/2032         5,000,000         5,900,000(1)(3)   
   USD      7.650     06/15/2035         3,000,000         3,320,625(1)(3)   
   USD      7.625     02/01/2041         2,450,000         2,681,219(1)(3)   
             

 

 

 
                12,847,422         
             

 

 

 

Ghana - 0.44%

             

Republic of Ghana:

             
   USD      7.875     08/07/2023         1,000,000         995,000(3)     
   USD      8.125     01/18/2026         302,000         301,245(4)     
             

 

 

 
                1,296,245        
             

 

 

 

Honduras - 0.54%

             

Republic of Honduras

   USD      8.750     12/16/2020         1,379,000         1,572,060(3)      
             

 

 

 

Indonesia - 3.38%

             

Inter-American Development Bank

   IDR      0.000     08/20/2015         62,090,000,000         4,866,362(5)      

Republic of Indonesia:

             
   USD      6.625     02/17/2037         2,000,000         2,385,000(1)(3)   
   USD      7.750     01/17/2038         2,000,000         2,665,000(1)(3)   
             

 

 

 
                9,916,362         
             

 

 

 

Iraq - 0.19%

             

Republic of Iraq

   USD      5.800     01/15/2028         648,000         568,620(3)      
             

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 
Annual Report | November 30, 2014   7


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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Investments
   November 30, 2014

 

    

Currency

  

Rate

   

Maturity

Date

    

Principal
Amount*

    

Market Value
(Expressed in U.S. $)

 

Ivory Coast - 5.00%

             

Ivory Coast Government:

             
   USD      5.375     07/23/2024         467,000         $ 452,990(4)     
   USD      7.774     12/31/2032         14,604,000         14,202,390(1)(3)(6)   
             

 

 

 
                14,655,380        
             

 

 

 

Jamaica - 0.98%

             

Jamaican Government

   USD      7.625     07/09/2025         2,676,000         2,876,700(1)     
             

 

 

 

Kenya - 2.26%

             

Republic of Kenya

   USD      6.875     06/24/2024         6,174,000         6,629,332(1)(4)   
             

 

 

 

Mexico - 6.93%

             

Mexican Bonos:

             
   MXN      9.500     12/18/2014         9,731,000         701,357        
   MXN      6.250     06/16/2016         3,209,000         240,510        
   MXN      8.000     06/11/2020         81,030,000         6,647,127        
   MXN      6.500     06/10/2021         140,040,000         10,688,142        
   MXN      10.000     12/05/2024         21,200,000         2,013,710        
             

 

 

 
                20,290,846        
             

 

 

 

Nigeria - 0.66%

             

Republic of Nigeria

   USD      6.375     07/12/2023         1,859,000         1,938,008(1)(4)   
             

 

 

 

Panama - 0.20%

             

Republic of Panama

   USD      8.125     04/28/2034         424,000         585,120         
             

 

 

 

South Africa - 9.53%

             

Republic of South Africa:

             
   ZAR      13.500     09/15/2015         8,690,000         828,652        
   ZAR      13.500     09/15/2016         8,690,000         879,401        
   ZAR      8.000     12/21/2018         83,340,000         7,867,371        
   ZAR      7.250     01/15/2020         192,550,000         17,624,243        
   ZAR      6.750     03/31/2021         7,380,000         654,263        
   ZAR      7.000     02/28/2031         920,000         74,896        
             

 

 

 
                27,928,826        
             

 

 

 

Turkey - 7.52%

             

Republic of Turkey:

             
   TRY      6.500     01/07/2015         2,560,000         1,152,007        
   TRY      8.300     06/20/2018         6,410,000         2,952,467        
   TRY      10.500     01/15/2020         15,700,000         7,953,649        
   TRY      7.100     03/08/2023         19,770,000         8,575,709        
   USD      5.750     03/22/2024         209,000         236,170        
   USD      7.375     02/05/2025         574,000         723,240        
   USD      6.875     03/17/2036         129,000         162,701        
   USD      6.625     02/17/2045         227,000         283,466        
             

 

 

 
                22,039,409        
             

 

 

 

Ukraine - 1.73%

             

Ukraine Government:

             
   USD      6.875     09/23/2015         2,000,000         1,690,000(1)(4)   
   USD      6.250     06/17/2016         1,298,000         1,025,420(3)      
   USD      6.580     11/21/2016         3,020,000         2,340,500(1)(3)   
             

 

 

 
                5,055,920         
             

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Investments
   November 30, 2014

 

                Maturity      Principal      Market Value  
    

Currency

  

Rate

   

Date

    

Amount*

    

(Expressed in U.S. $)

 

Venezuela - 2.20%

             

Republic of Venezuela:

             
   EUR      7.000     03/16/2015         1,606,000         $ 1,897,141        
   USD      13.625     08/15/2018         518,000         392,359(3)     
   USD      7.750     10/13/2019         975,100         546,056(3)     
   USD      9.000     05/07/2023         3,689,100         2,010,560(1)(3)   
   USD      9.250     05/07/2028         3,000,000         1,605,000(3)     
             

 

 

 
                6,451,116        
             

 

 

 

TOTAL SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS

(Cost $269,599,124)

                245,519,634        
             

 

 

 

BANK LOANS - 0.26%(7)

             

Indonesia - 0.26%

             

PT Bakrie & Brothers TBK

   USD      6.151     11/25/2014         2,515,676         754,703(2)     
             

 

 

 

TOTAL BANK LOANS

(Cost $1,006,270)

                754,703        
             

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 46.56%

             

Angola - 1.16%

             

Puma International Financing SA

   USD      6.750     02/01/2021         3,393,000         3,409,965(4)     
             

 

 

 

Argentina - 0.64%

             

YPF SA

   USD      8.750     04/04/2024         1,803,000         1,884,135(4)     
             

 

 

 

Brazil - 3.60%

             

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA

   USD      5.750     10/27/2021         1,700,000         1,674,500(3)     

CIMPOR Financial Operations BV

   USD      5.750     07/17/2024         1,500,000         1,406,250(4)     

ESAL GmbH

   USD      6.250     02/05/2023         3,001,000         3,057,269(1)(4)   

GTL Trade Finance Inc.

   USD      7.250     04/16/2044         1,000,000         1,021,300(4)     

Minerva Luxembourg SA

   USD      7.750     01/31/2023         505,000         522,675(4)     

Odebrecht Offshore Drilling Finance Ltd.

   USD      6.750     10/01/2022         1,853,993         1,835,453(4)     

Votorantim Cimentos SA

   USD      7.250     04/05/2041         1,000,000         1,032,500(4)     
             

 

 

 
                10,549,947        
             

 

 

 

Chile - 1.26%

             

GeoPark Latin America Ltd. Agencia en Chile

   USD      7.500     02/11/2020         950,000         969,000(4)     

VTR Finance BV

   USD      6.875     01/15/2024         2,600,000         2,714,530(4)     
             

 

 

 
                3,683,530        
             

 

 

 

China - 2.28%

             

CITIC Ltd.:

             
   USD      7.875     Perpetual         1,850,000         1,951,750(8)     
   USD      8.625     Perpetual         450,000         517,500(3)(8)   

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.:

             
   USD      11.125     02/23/2018         750,000         801,000(4)     
   USD      11.125     02/23/2018         1,177,000         1,257,036(3)     

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.:

             
   USD      8.875     03/19/2018         1,000,000         1,017,500(4)     
   USD      10.250     01/08/2020         1,095,000         1,148,381(3)     
             

 

 

 
                6,693,167        
             

 

 

 

Colombia - 1.60%

             

Emgesa SA ESP

   COP      8.750     01/25/2021         911,000,000         445,608(4)     

Empresas Publicas de Medellin ESP:

             
   COP      8.375     02/01/2021         500,000,000         239,891(3)     

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 
Annual Report | November 30, 2014   9


Table of Contents
Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Investments
   November 30, 2014

 

                Maturity      Principal      Market Value  
    

Currency

  

Rate

   

Date

    

Amount*

    

(Expressed in U.S. $)

 

Colombia (continued)

             

Empresas Publicas de Medellin ESP: (continued)

             
   COP      8.375     02/01/2021         1,030,000,000         $ 494,177(4)     

Millicom International Cellular SA

   USD      6.625     10/15/2021         1,458,000         1,534,545(4)     

Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp.

   USD      5.125     03/28/2023         2,127,000         1,988,745(4)     
             

 

 

 
                4,702,966        
             

 

 

 

Ecuador - 0.60%

             

EP PetroEcuador via Noble Sovereign Funding I Ltd.

   USD      5.866     09/24/2019         1,773,000         1,744,189(3)     
             

 

 

 

Ghana - 0.70%

             

Tullow Oil PLC

   USD      6.000     11/01/2020         2,388,000         2,053,680(4)     
             

 

 

 

Guatemala - 0.73%

             

Comcel Trust

   USD      6.875     02/06/2024         2,000,000         2,140,000(4)     
             

 

 

 

India - 1.76%

             

Bharti Airtel International Netherlands BV

   USD      5.125     03/11/2023         1,300,000         1,397,176(4)     

ICICI Bank Ltd.

   USD      6.375     04/30/2022         1,500,000         1,560,000(3)(8)   

Vedanta Resources PLC:

             
   USD      6.000     01/31/2019         1,000,000         967,500(4)     
   USD      8.250     06/07/2021         738,000         745,380(4)     
   USD      7.125     05/31/2023         500,000         482,500(4)     
             

 

 

 
                5,152,556        
             

 

 

 

Indonesia - 0.99%

             

Listrindo Capital BV

   USD      6.950     02/21/2019         1,000,000         1,067,800(4)     

Pertamina Persero PT

   USD      4.300     05/20/2023         1,857,000         1,833,323(1)(4)   
             

 

 

 
                2,901,123         
             

 

 

 

Israel - 0.93%

             

B Communications Ltd.

   USD      7.375     02/15/2021         2,539,000         2,735,772(4)     
             

 

 

 

Jamaica - 0.11%

             

Digicel Group Ltd.

   USD      8.250     09/30/2020         312,000         321,360(4)     
             

 

 

 

Kazakhstan - 1.40%

             

KazMunayGas National Co. JSC

   USD      5.750     04/30/2043         584,000         548,399(4)     

Zhaikmunai LP

   USD      7.125     11/13/2019         3,700,000         3,542,750(1)(4)   
             

 

 

 
                4,091,149         
             

 

 

 

Macau - 0.17%

             

MCE Finance Ltd.

   USD      5.000     02/15/2021         500,000         486,250(4)     
             

 

 

 

Mexico - 5.99%

             

America Movil SAB de CV

   MXN      6.000     06/09/2019         85,000,000         6,227,173        

Cemex Finance LLC

   USD      9.375     10/12/2022         2,000,000         2,300,000(4)     

Cemex SAB de CV

   USD      9.500     06/15/2018         2,000,000         2,227,500(4)     

Metalsa SAB de CV

   USD      4.900     04/24/2023         2,268,000         2,109,240(4)     

Mexichem SAB de CV:

             
   USD      6.750     09/19/2042         2,250,000         2,413,125(4)     
   USD      5.875     09/17/2044         1,000,000         977,500(4)     

Sixsigma Networks Mexico SA de CV

   USD      8.250     11/07/2021         1,250,000         1,300,000(4)     
             

 

 

 
                17,554,538        
             

 

 

 

Nigeria - 0.80%

             

Afren PLC

   USD      10.250     04/08/2019         2,559,000         2,342,253(4)     
             

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund Statement of Investments
November 30, 2014

 

          Maturity   Principal   Market Value  
 

Counterparty

Currency

Rate

 

Date

 

Amount*

 

(Expressed in U.S. $)

 

Peru - 2.78%

Cia Minera Ares SAC

USD   7.750   01/23/2021      2,000,000      $ 2,105,000(4)      

Inkia Energy Ltd.

USD   8.375   04/04/2021      3,000,000      3,187,500(1)(4)   

Southern Copper Corp.

USD   6.750   04/16/2040      2,500,000      2,704,250         

Volcan Cia Minera SAA

USD   5.375   02/02/2022      157,000      155,430(4)      
                

 

 

 
  8,152,180         
                

 

 

 

Russia - 3.59%

Alfa Bank OJSC Via Alfa Bond Issuance PLC

USD   7.500   09/26/2019      2,750,000      2,578,469(1)(4)   

Evraz Group SA

USD   6.750   04/27/2018      2,000,000      1,780,000(4)      

Severstal OAO Via Steel Capital SA

USD   5.900   10/17/2022      1,955,000      1,818,150(4)      

Vimpel Communications Holdings BV:

USD   5.200   02/13/2019      900,000      830,250(4)      
USD   7.504   03/01/2022      1,701,000      1,584,056(3)      

Vimpel Communications Via VIP Finance Ireland Ltd. OJSC

USD   7.748   02/02/2021      2,000,000      1,915,000(3)      
                

 

 

 
  10,505,925         
                

 

 

 

Trinidad - 0.24%

Columbus International Inc.

USD   7.375   03/30/2021      656,000      708,480(4)      
                

 

 

 

Venezuela - 15.23%

Petroleos de Venezuela SA:

USD   5.250   04/12/2017      18,974,000      11,858,750(1)(3)   
USD   8.500   11/02/2017      15,180,300      11,062,644(1)(3)   
USD   9.000   11/17/2021      790,000      434,500(3)      
USD   6.000   05/16/2024      45,396,062      20,825,443(1)(3)   
USD   6.000   11/15/2026      1,054,759      442,999(3)      
                

 

 

 
  44,624,336         
                

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS

(Cost $151,923,059)

  136,437,501         
                

 

 

 

CREDIT LINKED NOTES - 7.89%

Indonesia - 3.47%

Republic of Indonesia:

Deutsche Bank AG
    London
IDR   7.000   05/15/2022      86,600,000,000      6,831,423         
Deutsche Bank AG
    London
IDR   5.625   05/17/2023      46,600,000,000      3,340,201         
                

 

 

 
  10,171,624         
                

 

 

 

Iraq - 2.68%

Republic of Iraq

Bank of America - Merrill
    Lynch
JPY   2.765   01/01/2028      1,332,720,773      7,858,355(8)      
                

 

 

 

Venezuela - 1.74%

Petroleos De Venezuela

Credit Suisse First
    Boston
USD   5.233   12/20/2016      8,700,000      5,081,448         
                

 

 

 

TOTAL CREDIT LINKED NOTES

(Cost $31,083,629)

  23,111,427         
                

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Annual Report | November 30, 2014 11


Table of Contents
Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Investments
   November 30, 2014

 

              Maturity           Market Value  
    

Currency

  

Rate

 

Date

  

Shares*

    

(Expressed in U.S. $)

 

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.67%

             

Money Market Mutual Funds - 1.67%

             

Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Advantage Fund - Institutional Advantage Shares (7-Day Yield)

   USD    0.00004%   N/A      4,894,885         $ 4,894,885       
             

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS

(Cost $4,894,885)

                4,894,885       
             

 

 

 

Total Investments - 140.16%

(Cost $458,506,967)

                410,718,150       

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (40.16)%

                (117,688,988)       
             

 

 

 

Net Assets - 100.00%

                $ 293,029,162       
             

 

 

 

 

*

The principal amount/shares of each security is stated in the currency in which the security is denominated.

 

Currency Abbreviations:

  

BRL

   -    Brazilian Real   

COP

   -    Colombian Peso   

EUR

   -    Euro   

IDR

   -    Indonesian Rupiah   

JPY

   -    Japanese Yen   

MXN

   -    Mexican Peso   

TRY

   -    New Turkish Lira   

USD

   -    United States Dollar   

ZAR

   -    South African Rand   

 

(1)

On November 30, 2014, securities valued at $164,404,324 were pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements.

(2)

Security is in default and therefore is non-income producing.

(3)

Securities were originally issued pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of those securities was $108,432,062, which represents approximately 37.00% of net assets.

(4)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may normally be sold to qualified institutional buyers in transactions exempt from registration. Total market value of Rule 144A securities amounts to $89,286,871, which represents approximately 30.47% of net assets as of November 30, 2014.

(5)

Issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount.

(6)

Step bond. Coupon changes periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect as of November 30, 2014.

(7) 

Bank loans generally pay interest at rates which are periodically determined by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium. All loans carry a variable rate of interest. These base lending rates are generally (i) the Prime Rate offered by one or more major United States banks, (ii) the lending rate offered by one or more European banks such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or (iii) the Certificate of Deposit rate. Bank loans, while exempt from registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. Floating rate bank loans often require prepayments from excess cash flow or permit the borrower to repay at its election. The degree to which borrowers repay, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, cannot be predicted with accuracy. The loan matured on November 25, 2014, but due to a default, final payments were not received. The security is shown to represent future expected payments.

(8)

Floating or variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect as of November 30, 2014.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Investments
   November 30, 2014

 

Common Abbreviations:

BV

   -    Besloten Vennootschap is the Dutch term for private limited liability company.

ESP

   -    Empresa de Servicios Publicos is the Colombian term for Public Service Company.

GmbH

   -    Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung is the German term for a company with limited liability.

JSC

   -    Joint Stock Company.

LLC

   -    Limited Liability Company.

LP

   -    Limited Partnership.

Ltd.

   -    Limited.

OAO

   -    Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo is the Russian term for Open Joint Stock Company.

OJSC

   -    Open Joint Stock Company.

PLC

   -    Public Limited Company.

PT

   -    Perseroan terbuka is an Indonesian term for limited liability company.

SA

   -    Generally designates corporations in various countries, mostly those employing the civil law.

SA de CV

   -    A variable capital company.

SAA

   -    Sociedad Anonima Abierta is the Peruvian term used for companies with 20 or more shareholders.

SAB de CV

   -    A variable capital company.

SAC

   -    Sociedad Anonima Abierta is the Peruvian term used for a publicly traded corporation.

TBK

   -    Terbuka is the Indonesian term for limited liability company.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 
Annual Report | November 30, 2014   13


Table of Contents
Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Investments
   November 30, 2014

 

OUTSTANDING FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS

 

Counterparty    Foreign
Currency
   Contracted
Amount**
   Purchase/Sale
Contract
   Settlement
Date
  

Current

Value

     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets

   BRL    88,520,140    Sale    12/02/2014    $ 34,353,121           $ 2,107,930       

Citigroup Global Markets

   BRL    17,063,866    Purchase    12/02/2014      6,622,188         7,518       

Citigroup Global Markets

   BRL    54,906,542    Sale    01/05/2015      21,093,076         626,714       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   EUR    1,553,600    Sale    01/08/2015      1,932,392         11,519       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   JPY    943,259,000    Sale    01/08/2015      7,950,195         141,469       
                 

 

 

 
                      $ 2,895,150       
                 

 

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets

   BRL    71,456,274    Purchase    12/02/2014    $     27,730,932           $ (668,174)       
                 

 

 

 
                      $   (668,174)       
                 

 

 

 

 

**

The contracted amount is stated in the currency in which the contract is denominated.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

 

Counterparty    Interest Rate   Acquisition Date    Value  

 

 

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.750%   05/16/2013      $ 5,167,854       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.750%   06/06/2013      3,644,843       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.750%   07/18/2013      3,985,500       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.250%   01/08/2014      1,734,800       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.750%   01/22/2014      6,853,052       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.500%   02/10/2014      1,912,600       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.350%   02/10/2014      1,776,800       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.750%   02/19/2014      1,680,725       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.500%   09/17/2014      8,580,000       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.850%   09/22/2014      8,390,000       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.850%   10/09/2014      4,730,000       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.750%   10/17/2014      2,495,370       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.850%   10/17/2014      1,462,175       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   (0.250)%   11/05/2014      2,202,000       

Credit Suisse First Boston

   0.750%   11/06/2014      1,772,485       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.350%   06/25/2014      2,714,794       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.650%   06/25/2014      3,867,184       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.750%   06/25/2014      17,687,038       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.500%   06/25/2014      2,117,780       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.000%   08/07/2014      4,878,150       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.250%   08/08/2014      6,487,200       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.250%   09/08/2014      5,674,812       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.950%   09/10/2014      4,488,891       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.850%   09/25/2014      9,156,000       

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   0.750%   09/25/2014      6,720,000       

Nomura Securities

   0.250%   07/28/2014      443,625       

Nomura Securities

   0.150%   08/21/2014      1,417,500       

Nomura Securities

   0.150%   08/22/2014      1,466,400       

Nomura Securities

   0.250%   08/26/2014      2,047,500       

Nomura Securities

   0.650%   09/10/2014      10,631,250       

Nomura Securities

   0.250%   11/05/2014      1,020,708       
       

 

 

 
          $         137,207,036       
       

 

 

 

All agreements can be terminated by either party on demand at value plus accrued interest.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Investments
   November 30, 2014

 

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP CONTRACTS ON SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS ISSUE - SELL PROTECTION(9)

 

Reference Entity   Counterparty     Fixed Deal
Receive Rate
    Maturity Date    

Implied Credit

Spread at
November 30,
2014(10)

    Notional
Amount(11)
   

Market

Value

    Upfront
Premiums
Received
    Unrealized
Depreciation
 

 

 

Petroleos de Venezuela

   

 

Credit Suisse

First Boston

 

  

    5.000     06/20/2016        33.960   $   3,847,000       $   1,262,405      $ 1,163,717      $   (98,688)       
           

 

 

 
             $   1,262,405      $ 1,163,717      $   (98,688)       
           

 

 

 

 

(9)

If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

(10)

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on sovereign issues of an emerging country as of period end serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

(11)

The maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 
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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Assets & Liabilities
   November 30, 2014

 

ASSETS:

  

Investments, at value(1)

   $ 410,718,150       

Cash

     1,421,512       

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     2,895,150       

Receivable for investments sold

     4,189,100       

Deposits with brokers for credit default swap contracts

     1,310,000       

Deposits with brokers for reverse repurchase agreements

     4,906,000       

Receivable on swap contracts

     37,401       

Dividends and interest receivable

     10,159,368       

Prepaid and other assets

     23,418       

Total Assets

     435,660,099       

LIABILITIES:

  

Payable for reverse repurchase agreements

     137,207,036       

Interest payable on reverse repurchase agreements

     378,300       

Payable due to brokers for forward foreign currency contracts

     2,450,000       

Swap premium received

     1,163,717       

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     668,174       

Unrealized depreciation on credit default swap contracts

     98,688       

Payable to adviser

     355,050       

Payable to administrator

     112,465       

Other payables

     197,507       

Total Liabilities

     142,630,937       

Net Assets

   $ 293,029,162       
   

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 371,789,473       

Distribution in excess of net investment income

     (2,270,673)       

Accumulated net realized loss on investments, credit default swap contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency transactions

     (30,507,126)       

Net unrealized depreciation on investments, credit default swap contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (45,982,512)       

Net Assets

   $ 293,029,162       
   

PRICING OF SHARES:

  

Net Assets

   $ 293,029,162       

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares, par value of $0.001 per share authorized)

     15,791,688       

Net assets value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 18.56       
   

(1)  Cost of Investments

   $     458,506,967       

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Operations
   For the Year Ended November 30, 2014

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

  

Interest

   $ 38,696,006        

Dividends

     67,395        

Total Investment Income

     38,763,401        

EXPENSES:

  

Investment advisory fees

     4,465,158        

Administration fees

     681,080        

Interest on reverse repurchase agreements

     716,515        

Custodian fees

     253,007        

Professional fees

     104,110        

Printing fees

     90,749        

Trustee fees

     30,000        

Transfer agent fees

     19,763        

Insurance fees

     20,453        

Other

     39,820        

Total Expenses

     6,420,655        

Net Investment Income

     32,342,746        

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:

  

Net realized gain/(loss) on:

  

Investments

     (8,156,982)        

Credit default swap contracts

     (860,356)        

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (4,153,980)        

Foreign currency transactions

     (2,082,262)        

Net realized loss

     (15,253,580)        

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     (3,395,739)        

Credit default swap contracts

     2,120,142        

Forward foreign currency contracts

     2,035,614        

Translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (206,319)        

Net change in unrealized appreciation

     553,698        

Net Realized and Unrealized Loss on Investments

       (14,699,882)        

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 17,642,864        
   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 
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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   For the
Year Ended
November 30, 2014
  For the
Year Ended
November 30, 2013
 

OPERATIONS:

Net investment income

$ 32,342,746      $ 26,266,623       

Net realized loss on investments, credit default swap contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, and foreign currency transactions

  (15,253,580)        (17,105,639)       

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, credit default swap contracts and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

  553,698        (38,503,627)       

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  17,642,864        (29,342,643)       

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

From net investment income

  (29,928,098)        (29,960,507)       

From net realized gains

  –        (4,061,325)       

From tax return of capital

  (4,169,364)        –       

Net decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

  (34,097,462)        (34,021,832)       

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

Net asset value of common shares issued to stockholders from reinvestment of dividends

  209,227        1,778,364       

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

  209,227        1,778,364       

Net Decrease in Net Assets

  (16,245,371)        (61,586,111)       

NET ASSETS:

Beginning of period

  309,274,533        370,860,644       

End of period (including undistributed/(overdistributed) net investment income of
$(2,270,673) and $864,307)

$ 293,029,162      $ 309,274,533       

OTHER INFORMATION:

Share Transactions:

Beginning shares

  15,781,701        15,704,477       

Shares issued as reinvestment of dividends

  9,987        77,224       

Shares outstanding - end of period

  15,791,688        15,781,701       
   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Statement of Cash Flows
   For the Year Ended November 30, 2014

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 17,642,864         

Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

  

Purchase of investment securities

     (420,101,816)         

Proceeds from disposition of investment securities

     424,357,373         

Net purchase of short-term investment securities

     (4,894,885)         

Net payments on credit default swap contracts

     (1,096,800)         

Net amortization of discounts and accretion of premiums

     (3,116,448)         

Net realized loss on:

  

Investments

     8,156,982         

Credit default swaps contracts

     860,356         

Net change in unrealized (appreciation)/depreciation on:

  

Investments

     3,395,739         

Credit default swap contracts

     (2,120,142)         

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (2,035,614)         

Translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     206,319         

Decrease in deposits with brokers for credit default swap contracts, reverse repurchase
    agreements, and forward foreign currency contracts

     2,820,000         

Increase in dividends and interest receivable

     (309,101)         

Decrease in receivable on swap contracts

     152,599         

Increase in prepaid and other assets

     (20,535)         

Decrease in bank overdraft

     (7,925,783)         

Increase in payable due to brokers for credit default swap contracts, reverse repurchase
    agreements, and forward foreign currency contracts

     2,200,000         

Decrease in payable to adviser

     (5,816)         

Increase in payable to administrator

     54,392         

Increase in other payables

     22,545         

Increase in interest due on reverse repurchase agreements

     153,309         

Net cash provided by operating activities

     18,395,538         

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  

Cash provided by reverse repurchase agreements

     17,120,528         

Cash distributions paid

     (33,888,235)         

Net cash used in financing activities

                 (16,767,707)         

Effect of exchange rates on Cash

     (206,319)         

Net increase in cash

     1,421,512         

Cash, beginning balance

     –         

Cash, ending balance

   $ 1,421,512         
   

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

  

Cash paid during the period for interest on reverse repurchase agreements:

   $ 563,206         

Noncash financing activities not included herein consist of reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions of:

   $ 209,227         

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 
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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Financial Highlights
   For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented.

 

For the Year Ended November 30    2014      2013      2012      2011(1)  

Net asset value - beginning of period

   $ 19.60       $ 23.61       $ 22.03       $ 23.88         

Income/(loss) from investment operations:

           

Net investment income(2)

     2.05         1.67         2.20         1.99         

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (0.93)         (3.52)         1.54         (1.99)         

Total income/(loss) from investment operations

     1.12         (1.85)         3.74         –         

Less distributions to common shareholders:

           

From net investment income

     (1.90)         (1.90)         (2.16)         (1.80)         

From net realized gains

             (0.26)                 –         

From tax return of capital

     (0.26)                         –         

Total distributions

     (2.16)         (2.16)         (2.16)         (1.80)         

Capital share transactions:

           

Common share offering costs charged to paid-in capital

                             (0.05)         

Total capital share transactions

                             (0.05)         

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Asset Value

     (1.04)         (4.01)         1.58         (1.85)         

Net asset value - end of period

   $ 18.56       $ 19.60       $ 23.61       $ 22.03         
   

Market price - end of period

   $ 17.80       $ 18.55       $ 24.70       $ 22.38         
   

Total Return - Net Asset Value(3)(4)

     6.03%         (8.37%)         17.71%         (0.47%)         

Total Return - Market Price(3)(4)

     7.45%             (17.10%)             21.22%             (3.41%)         

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period (in millions)

   $ 293       $ 309       $ 371       $ 343         

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     2.07%         1.88%         1.83%         1.76%(5)      

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

         10.42%         7.43%         9.59%         8.90%(5)      

Ratio of expenses to average managed assets(6)

     1.44%         1.42%         1.40%         1.45%(5)      

Portfolio turnover rate

     97%         157%         122%         157%         

Borrowings at End of Period

           

Aggregate Amount Outstanding (in millions)

   $ 137       $ 120       $ 134       $ 93         

Asset Coverage Per $1,000 (in millions)

   $ 3       $ 4       $ 4       $ 5         

 

(1)

The Fund commenced operations on December 22, 2010.

(2)

Calculated using average shares throughout the period.

(3)

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common share at the opening on the first day and a sale at closing on the last day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment returns do not reflect brokerage commissions, if any, and are not annualized.

(4)

Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Average managed assets represent net assets applicable to common shares plus average amount of borrowings during the period.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the “Declaration of Trust”). The Fund commenced operations on December 22, 2010. Prior to that, the Fund had no operations other than matters relating to its organization and the sale and issuance of 4,188 shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”) in the Fund to the Stone Harbor Investment Partners LP (the “Adviser” or “Stone Harbor”) at a price of $23.88 per share. The Fund’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) and trade under the ticker symbol “EDF.”

The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return, which consists of income on its investments and capital appreciation. The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings made for investment purposes) in emerging markets securities. Emerging markets securities include fixed income securities and other instruments (including derivatives) that are economically tied to emerging market countries, which are denominated in the predominant currency of the local market of an emerging market country or whose performance is linked to those countries’ markets, currencies, economies or ability to repay loans. A security or instrument is economically tied to an emerging market country if it is principally traded on the country’s securities markets or if the issuer is organized or principally operates in the country, derives a majority of its income from its operations within the country or has a majority of its assets within the country.

The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. As a result, it can invest a greater portion of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies 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.

Investment Valuation: Debt securities, including bank loans and linked notes, are generally valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices provided by independent pricing services or brokers that are based on transactions in debt obligations, quotations from dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. Credit default swaps are priced by an independent pricing service based off of the underlying terms of the swap. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are generally valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Publicly traded foreign government debt securities are typically traded internationally in the over-the-counter market and are valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices as of the close of business of that market. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Money market mutual funds are valued at their net asset value. Foreign currency positions including forward currency contracts are priced at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.

A three-tier hierarchy has been established to measure fair value based on the extent of use of “observable inputs” as compared to “unobservable inputs” for disclosure purposes and requires additional disclosures about these valuations measurements. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing a security. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the security developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the security developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

The three-tier hierarchy is summarized as follows:

 

Level 1

 

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2

 

Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3

 

Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability and would be based on the best information available.

The following is a summary of the Fund’s investment and financial instruments based on the three-tier hierarchy as of November 30, 2014:

 

Investments in Securities at Value*    Level 1 - Quoted
and Unadjusted
Prices
     Level 2 - Other
Significant
Observable Inputs
     Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     Total  

Sovereign Debt Obligations

   $       $ 245,519,634         $ –         $ 245,519,634       

Bank Loans

             –           754,703           754,703       

Corporate Bonds

             136,437,501           –           136,437,501       

Credit Linked Notes

           

Iraq

             –           7,858,355           7,858,355       

Other

             15,253,072           –           15,253,072       

Short Term Investments

     4,894,885         –           –           4,894,885       

Total

   $ 4,894,885       $ 397,210,207         $ 8,613,058         $     410,718,150       
   

Other Financial Instruments**

                                   

Assets

           

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

   $       $ 2,895,150         $ –         $ 2,895,150       

Liabilities

           

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

             (668,174)           –           (668,174)       

Credit Default Swap Contracts

             (98,688)           –           (98,688)       

Total

   $       $ 2,128,289         $ –         $ 2,128,289       
   

 

*

For detailed Country descriptions, see accompanying Statement of Investments.

**

Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Statement of Investments. The derivatives shown in this table are reported at their unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) at measurement date, which represents the change in the contract’s value from trade date.

There were no transfers in or out of Levels 1 and 2 during the year ended November 30, 2014. It is the Fund’s policy to recognize transfers into and out of all levels at the end of the reporting period.

The following is a reconciliation of assets in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

Investments
in Securities
   Balance as
of November
30, 2013
     Accrued
discount/
premium
     Realized
Gain/(Loss)*
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation*
     Purchases      Sales
Proceeds
     Balance as
of November
30, 2014
    

Net change in unrealized

appreciation/(depreciation)

included in the Statements
of Operations attributable
to Level 3 investments
held at November 30, 2014

 

Bank Loans

   $ 1,672,087       $       $ (1,411,885)       $ 2,256,552       $ 1,006,270       $ (2,768,321)       $ 754,703       $ (251,568)             

Credit Linked Notes

     8,133,311         160,272         62,978         505,492                 (1,003,698)         7,858,355         505,492             

Total

   $ 9,805,398       $ 160,272       $ (1,348,907)       $ 2,762,044       $ 1,006,270       $ (3,772,019)       $ 8,613,058       $ 253,924             
   

 

*

Realized gain/(loss) and change in unrealized appreciation are included in the related amounts on the investment in the Statement of Operations.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

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

In the event a Board approved independent pricing service is unable to provide an evaluated price for a security or the Adviser believes the price provided is not reliable, securities of the Fund may be valued at fair value as described above. In these instances the Adviser may seek to find an alternative independent source, such as a broker/dealer to provide a price quote, or by using evaluated pricing models similar to the techniques and models used by the independent pricing service. These fair value measurement techniques may utilize unobservable inputs (Level 3).

On at least a quarterly basis, the Adviser presents the factors considered in determining the fair value measurements and presents that information to the Board which meets at least quarterly.

The table below provides additional information about the Level 3 Fair Value Measurements as of November 30, 2014:

 

Investments in Securities    Fair Value at
November 30, 2014
     Valuation Methodology        Unobservable Inputs    

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

        

Bank Loans

   $ 754,703         Broker Quote    Broker Quote

Credit Linked Notes

     7,858,355         Broker Quote    Broker Quote

Total

   $ 8,613,058           
 

Security Transactions and Investment Income: Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practical after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. If applicable, any foreign capital gains taxes are accrued, net of unrealized gains, and are payable upon the sale of such investments. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults on an expected interest payment, the Fund’s policy is to generally halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Prevailing foreign exchange rates may generally be obtained at the close of the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).

The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.

Foreign Securities: The Fund may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves special risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. The risks include possible revaluation of currencies, the ability to repatriate funds, less complete financial information about companies and possible future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

Credit Linked Notes: The Fund may invest in credit linked notes to obtain economic exposure to high yield, emerging markets or other securities. Investments in a credit linked note typically provide the holder with a return based on the return of an underlying reference instrument, such as an emerging market bond. Like an investment in a bond, investments in credit linked securities represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the security. In addition to the risks associated with the underlying reference instrument, an investment in a credit linked note is also subject to the risk that the counterparty will be unwilling or unable to meet its obligations under the note.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases in which the 1940 Act and the interpretive positions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) require that the Fund either delivers collateral or segregate assets in connection with certain investments (e.g., foreign currency exchange contracts, securities with extended settlement periods, and swaps) or certain borrowings (e.g., reverse repurchase agreements), the Fund will segregate collateral or designate on its books and records cash or other liquid securities having a value at least equal to the amount that is required to be physically segregated for the benefit of the counterparty. Furthermore, based on requirements and agreements with certain exchanges and third party broker-dealers, each party has requirements to deliver/deposit cash or securities as collateral for certain investments. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “Deposits with brokers” or “Payable due to brokers”, respectively. Securities collateral pledged for the same purpose is noted on the Statement of Investments.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

Leverage: The Fund may borrow from banks and other financial institutions and may also borrow additional funds by entering into reverse repurchase agreements or the issuance of debt securities (collectively, “Borrowings”) in an amount that does not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Total Assets (defined in Note 4) immediately after such transactions. It is possible that following such Borrowings, the assets of the Fund will decline due to market conditions such that this 33 1/3% limit will be exceeded. In that case, the leverage risk to Common Shareholders will increase.

In a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund delivers a security in exchange for cash to a financial institution, the counterparty, with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the same or substantially the same security at an agreed upon price and date. The Fund is entitled to receive principal and interest payments, if any, made on the security delivered to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. Cash received in exchange for securities delivered plus accrued interest payments to be made by the Fund to counterparties are reflected as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest payments made by a Fund to counterparties are recorded as a component of interest expense on the Statement of Operations. In periods of increased demand for the security, the Fund may receive a fee for use of the security by the counterparty, which may result in interest income to the Fund. A Fund will segregate assets determined to be liquid to cover its obligations under reverse repurchase agreements. As all agreements can be terminated by either party on demand, face value approximates fair value at November 30, 2014. This fair value is based on Level 2 inputs under the three-tier fair valuation hierarchy described above. For the year ended November 30, 2014, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $136,617,356, at a weighted average interest rate of 0.52%.

Loan Participations and Assignments: The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation between one or more financial institutions. The Fund’s investment in any such loan may be in the form of a participation in or an assignment of the loan. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, or any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation.

The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the lender that is selling the participation and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower.

Leverage Risk: Leverage creates risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV per share and market price of, and dividends paid on, the Common Shares. There is a risk that fluctuations in the interest rates on any Borrowings held by the Fund may adversely affect the return to the Common Shareholders. If the income from the securities purchased with the proceeds of leverage is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the return on the Fund will be less than if leverage had not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to the Common Shareholders as dividends and other distributions will be reduced.

The Fund may choose not to use leverage at all times. The amount and composition of leverage used may vary depending upon a number of factors, including economic and market conditions in the relevant emerging market countries, the availability of relatively attractive investment opportunities not requiring leverage and the costs and risks that the Fund would incur as a result of leverage.

Credit and Market Risk: The Fund invests in high yield and emerging market instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high yield and emerging market debt obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Fund’s investment in securities rated below investment grade typically involves risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading. The consequences of political, social, economic or diplomatic changes may have disruptive effects on the market prices of investments held by the Fund. The Fund’s investment in non-dollar denominated securities may also result in foreign currency losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations. Investments in derivatives are also subject to credit and market risks.

Distributions to Shareholders: The Fund intends to make a level dividend distribution each month to Common Shareholders. The level dividend rate may be modified by the Board of Trustees from time to time. Any net capital gains earned by the Fund are distributed at least annually. Income and long-term capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Fund on the ex-dividend date.

Federal and Other Taxes: No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies.

The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have more than a 50 percent likelihood of being sustained by

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2014, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return for federal purposes and four years for most state returns. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

2. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

Risk Exposure and the Use of Derivative Instruments: The Fund’s investment objectives not only permit the Fund to purchase investment securities, they also allow the Fund to enter in various types of derivatives contracts. In doing so, the Fund will employ strategies in differing combinations to permit it to increase, decrease or change the level or types of exposure to market factors. Central to those strategies are features inherent to derivatives that may make them more attractive for this purpose than equity or debt securities: they require little or no initial cash investment; they can focus exposure on only certain selected risk factors; and they may not require the ultimate receipt or delivery of the underlying security (or securities) to the contract. This may allow the Fund to pursue its objectives more quickly and efficiently than if the Fund were to make direct purchases or sales of securities capable of effecting a similar response to market factors.

Market Risk Factors: In pursuit of its investment objectives, the Fund may seek to use derivatives to increase or decrease its exposure to the following market risk factors, among others:

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk refers to the fluctuations in value of fixed-income securities resulting from the inverse relationship between price and yield. For example, an increase in general interest rates will tend to reduce the value of already issued fixed-income investments, and a decline in general interest rates will tend to increase their value. In addition, debt securities with longer maturities that tend to have higher yields are subject to potentially greater fluctuations in value from changes in interest rates than obligations with shorter maturities.

Credit Risk. Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer to meet interest and principal payments, or both, as they come due. In general, lower-grade, higher-yield bonds are subject to credit risk to a greater extent than lower-yield, higher-grade bonds.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk. Foreign exchange rate risk relates to the change in the U.S. dollar value of a security held that is denominated in a foreign currency. The U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency denominated security will decrease as the dollar appreciates against the currency, while the U.S. dollar value will increase as the dollar depreciates against the currency.

Equity Risk. Equity risk relates to the change in value of equity securities as they relate to increases or decreases in the general market.

The Fund’s use of derivatives can result in losses due to unanticipated changes in these risk factors and the overall market. In instances where the Fund is using derivatives to decrease, or hedge, exposures to market risk factors for securities held by the Fund, there are also risks that those derivatives may not perform as expected resulting in losses for the combined or hedged positions.

Derivatives may have little or no initial cash investment relative to their market value exposure and therefore can produce significant gains or losses in excess of their cost. This use of embedded leverage allows the Fund to increase its market value exposure relative to its net assets and can substantially increase the volatility of the Fund’s performance.

Additional associated risks from investing in derivatives also exist and potentially could have significant effects on the valuation of the derivative and the Fund. Typically, the associated risks are not the risks that the Fund is attempting to increase or decrease exposure to, per its investment objectives, but are the additional risks from investing in derivatives.

Examples of these associated risks are liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell or close out the derivative in a timely manner, and counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Associated risks can be different for each type of derivative and are discussed by each derivative type below and in the notes that follow.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts: The Fund may engage in currency transactions with counterparties to hedge the value of portfolio securities denominated in particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value, to gain or reduce exposure to certain currencies or to generate income or gains. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily, and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency contract is extinguished, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Fund records a

 

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Table of Contents
Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it was extinguished.

Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets & Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

Credit Default Swap Contracts: The Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts for hedging purposes to gain market exposure or to add leverage to its portfolio. When used for hedging purposes, the Fund would be the buyer of a credit default swap contract. In that case, the Fund would be entitled to receive the par (or other agreed upon) value of a referenced debt obligation, index or other investment from the counterparty to the contract in the event of a default by a third party, such as a U.S. or foreign issuer, on the referenced debt obligation. In return, the Fund would pay to the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no event of default occurs, the Fund would have spent the stream of payments and received no benefit from the contract. When the Fund is the seller of a credit default swap contract, it receives the stream of payments but is obligated to pay upon default of the referenced debt obligation. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

The periodic swap payments received or made by the Fund are recorded in the Statements of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. Any upfront fees paid are recorded as assets and any upfront fees received are recorded as liabilities. Swaps are marked-to-market daily and changes in value, including the accrual of periodic amounts of interest, are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and shown on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. When the swap is terminated, the Fund will record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Fund’s basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contracts is the unamortized premium received or paid.

In addition to the risks applicable to derivatives generally, credit default swaps involve special risks because they may be difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk and generally pay a return to the counterparty only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation, as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty.

The tables below are a summary of the fair valuations of derivative instruments categorized by risk exposure.

Fair Values of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets & Liabilities as of November 30, 2014:

 

Risk Exposure   

Statement of Assets

and Liabilities

Location

   Fair Value     

Statement of Assets

and Liabilities

Location

   Fair Value  

 

 

Credit Risk

   Unrealized appreciation on
    credit default swap
    contracts
           Unrealized depreciation

    on credit default swap
    contracts

     (98,688)       

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

   Unrealized appreciation on
    forward foreign currency
    contracts
   $ 2,895,150       Unrealized depreciation
    on forward foreign
    currency contracts
   $ (668,174)       

 

 

Total

      $         2,895,150          $         (766,862)       

 

 

The number of forward foreign currency contracts and credit default swap contracts held at November 30, 2014 is representative of activity during the year ended November 30, 2014.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

For the year ended November 30, 2014 the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations were as follows:

 

Risk Exposure    Statement of Operations Location   

Realized Loss on

Derivatives

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)

on Derivatives Recognized in Income

 

Credit Risk

   Net realized loss on credit default swap

    contracts/Net change in unrealized

    appreciation on credit default swap contracts

   $ (860,356   $                    2,120,142

Forward Exchange

Rate Risk

   Net realized loss on forward foreign currency

    contracts/Net change in unrealized

    appreciation on forward foreign currency

    contracts

     (4,153,980                       2,035,614

 

Total

      $     (5,014,336   $                    4,155,756

 

Offsetting Arrangements: Certain derivative contracts and reverse repurchase agreements are executed under standardized netting agreements. A derivative netting arrangement creates an enforceable right of set-off that becomes effective, and affects the realization of settlement on individual assets, liabilities and collateral amounts, only following a specified event of default or early termination. Default events may include the failure to make payments or deliver securities timely, material adverse changes in financial condition or insolvency, the breach of minimum regulatory capital requirements, or loss of license, charter or other legal authorization necessary to perform under the contract. These agreements mitigate counterparty credit risk by providing for a single net settlement with a counterparty of all financial transactions covered by the agreement in an event of default as defined under such agreement.

The following table presents derivative financial instruments and reverse repurchase arrangements that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements, collateral arrangements or other similar agreements as of November 30, 2014.

 

Offsetting of Derivatives Assets

  

November 30, 2014

  

                          Gross Amounts
Not Offset in the
Statements of
Assets and
Liabilities
 
Description   

Gross Amounts of

Recognized

Assets

    

Gross Amounts

Offset in the

Statements of

Assets and

Liabilities

    

Net Amounts

Presented in the

Statements of

Assets and

Liabilities

    

Financial

Instruments

Available for

Offset(a)

   

Cash Collateral

Received(a)

    

Net Amount

Receivable

 

Forward foreign

currency contracts

   $ 2,895,150       $       $ 2,895,150       $ (668,174   $ (1,812,988)       $ 413,988       

Total

   $     2,895,150       $       $     2,895,150       $       (668,174   $     (1,812,988)       $       413,988       
   

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

Offsetting of Derivatives Liabilities

  

November 30, 2014

  

                          Gross Amounts
Not Offset in the
Statements of
Assets and
Liabilities
 
Description   

Gross Amounts of

Recognized

Liabilities

    

Gross Amounts

Offset in the

Statements of

Assets and

Liabilities

    

Net Amounts

Presented in the

Statements of

Assets and

Liabilities

    

Financial

Instruments

Available for

Offset(a)

   

Cash Collateral

Pledged(a)

    

Net Amount

Payable

 
Forward foreign currency contracts    $ 668,174       $       $ 668,174       $ (668,174   $       $ –       

Reverse repurchase agreements

     137,207,036                 137,207,036         (137,207,036             –       

Credit default swap contracts

     98,688                 98,688                (98,688)         –       

Total

   $ 137,973,898       $       $ 137,973,898       $   (137,875,210)      $ (98,688)       $           –       
   

 

(a) 

These amounts are limited to the derivatives asset/liability balance and, accordingly, do not include excess collateral received/pledged.

3. TAX BASIS INFORMATION

 

Tax Basis of Distributions to Shareholders: Net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes. The character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain was recorded by the Fund.

The tax character of the distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013 was as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended November 30,  
     2014      2013  
  

 

 

 

Ordinary Income

   $ 29,928,098       $ 34,021,832       

Return of Capital

     4,169,364         –       

Total

   $ 34,097,462       $ 34,021,832       
   

Components of Distributable Earnings on a Tax Basis: As of November 30, 2014, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated Capital Loss

   $ (30,386,407)       

Unrealized Depreciation

     (46,103,231)       

Cumulative Effect of Other Timing Difference*

     (2,270,673)       

Total

   $   (78,760,311)       
   
   

 

*

Other temporary differences primarily due to timing consist of mark-to-market on forward foreign currency contracts and amortization of credit default swap expenses

The tax components of distributable earnings are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from the composition of net assets reported under GAAP. Accordingly, for the period ended November 30, 2014, certain differences were reclassified. These differences were primarily due to the differing tax treatment of certain investments and the amounts reclassified did not affect net assets.

The reclassifications were as follows:

 

Fund    Paid-in Capital     

Accumulated Net

Investment Income/(Loss)

   

Accumulated Net Realized

Gain/(Loss) on Investments

 

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

   $                                          –       $ (5,549,628   $ 5,549,628       

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation on Investments: At November 30, 2014, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

  

Gross appreciation on investments (excess of value over tax cost)

   $ 6,906,852       

Gross depreciation on investments (excess of tax cost over value)

     (54,816,388)       

Net appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) of foreign currency and derivatives

     1,806,305       

Net unrealized depreciation

   $     (46,103,231)       
   
   

Cost of investments for income tax purposes

   $ 458,627,686       
   
   

Capital losses deferred to next tax year were as follows:

 

Fund    Short-Term      Long-Term  

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

   $                         9,371,822       $                         20,066,900       

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund has elected to defer to the period ending November 30, 2015 capital losses recognized during the period December 1, 2013 to November 30, 2014 in the amount of $947,685.

4. ADVISORY FEES, TRUSTEE FEES, ADMINISTRATION FEES, CUSTODY FEES AND TRANSFER AGENT FEES

 

The Adviser receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily value of the Fund’s total assets (including any assets attributable to any leverage used) minus the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for any leverage) (“Total Assets”).

ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) serves as administrator to the Fund. Under the administration agreement, ALPS is responsible for calculating the net asset value of the common shares and generally managing the administrative affairs of the Fund. ALPS receives a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.15% of the average daily value of the Fund’s Total Assets.

The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Fund’s custodian. Computershare, Inc. serves as the Fund’s transfer agent.

During the reporting period, the Fund paid each Trustee who is not a director, officer, employee or affiliate of Stone Harbor or ALPS, a fee of $2,500 per quarter and $250 for each additional meeting of the Board of Trustees in which that Trustee participated. The Fund will also reimburse independent Trustees for travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such meetings.

5. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term securities) during the year ended November 30, 2014, were as follows:

 

     Purchases    Sales      
  $        417,195,047    $        415,501,759   

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Fund engaged in cross trades with an affiliate of the Fund during the year ended November 30, 2014 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board of trustees previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Portfolios pursuant to Rule 17a-7. At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Trustees review such transactions as of the most current calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Fund’s procedures. The procedures require that the transactions be a purchase or sale for no consideration other than cash payment against prompt delivery of a security for which market quotations are readily available, and be consistent with the investment policies of each Portfolio. The Fund purchased securities from other funds for which the Adviser is the investment adviser in the amount of $2,606,458.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Notes to Financial Statements
   November 30, 2014

 

7. APPLICATION OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In June 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-08, “Financial Services-Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements.” The FASB standard identifies characteristics a company must assess to determine whether it is considered an investment company for financial reporting purposes. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. Management has determined that as an investment company regulated under the 1940 Act, the Fund qualifies as an investment company pursuant to the ASU and meets the reporting requirement under the new pronouncement.

8. INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that may contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On December 8, 2014 the Fund’s custodian was changed from the Bank of New York Mellon to State Street Bank and Trust Company.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund   

Summary of Dividend

Reinvestment Plan

   November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

Unless the registered owner of Common Shares elects to receive cash by contacting Computershare (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on Common Shares will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator for shareholders in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional Common Shares. Common Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and other distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the Common Shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by the Plan Administrator as dividend disbursing agent. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Such notice will be effective with respect to a particular dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”). Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on behalf of Common Shareholders and may re-invest that cash in additional Common Shares.

The Plan Administrator will open an account for each Common Shareholder under the Plan in the same name in which such Common Shareholder’s Common Shares are registered. Whenever the Fund declares a Dividend payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common Shares. The Common Shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized Common Shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the NYSE or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated brokerage commissions per Common Share is equal to or greater than the NAV per Common Share, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the NAV per Common Share on the payment date; provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the closing market value on the payment date, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per Common Share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the NAV per Common Share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.

In the event of a market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business day before the next date on which the Common Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired in Open-Market Purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund will pay monthly income Dividends. If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per Common Share exceeds the NAV per Common Share, the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the NAV of the Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at the NAV per Common Share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per Common Share, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date for purposes of determining the number of shares issuable under the Plan.

The Plan Administrator maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.

In the case of Common Shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.

There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends. Participants that request a sale of Common Shares through the Plan Administrator are subject to brokerage commissions.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.

All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator at 1-866-390-3910.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund Additional Information
November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

FUND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available (1) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or (2) they may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington DC (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room).

PROXY VOTING

 

The policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held by the Fund are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-877-206-0791, or (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of each year (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-877-206-0791, or (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

SENIOR OFFICER CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Fund files a copy of its code of ethics that applies to the Fund’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, with the SEC as an exhibit to its annual report on Form N-CSR. This will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

PRIVACY POLICY

 

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund (the “Fund”) has adopted the following privacy policies in order to safeguard the personal information of the Fund’s customers and consumers in accordance with Regulation S-P as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fund officers are responsible for ensuring that the following policies and procedures are implemented:

 

  1.

The Fund is committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of the information they collect and will handle personal customer and consumer information only in accordance with Regulation S-P and any other applicable laws, rules and regulations(1). The Fund will ensure: (a) the security and confidentiality of customer records and information; (b) that customer records and information are protected from any anticipated threats and hazards; and (c) that customer records and information are protected from unauthorized access or use.

 

  2.

The Fund conducts its business affairs through its trustees, officers and third parties that provide services pursuant to agreements with the Fund. The Fund does not have any employees. It is anticipated that the trustees and officers of the Fund who are not employees of service providers will not have access to customer records and information in the performance of their normal responsibilities for the Fund.

 

  3.

The Fund may share customer information with its affiliates, subject to the customers’ right to prohibit such sharing.

 

  4.

The Fund may share customer information with unaffiliated third parties only in accordance with the requirements of Regulation S-P. Pursuant to this policy, the Fund will not share customer information with unaffiliated third parties other than as permitted by law, unless authorized to do so by the customer.

Consistent with these policies, the Fund adopts the following procedures:

 

  1.

The Fund will determine that the policies and procedures of its affiliates and Service Providers are reasonably designed to safeguard customer information and only permit appropriate and authorized access to and use of customer information through the application of appropriate administrative, technical and physical protections.

 

  2.

The Fund will direct each of its Service Providers to adhere to the privacy policy of the Fund and to their respective privacy policies with respect to the Fund’s customer information and to take all action reasonably necessary so that the Fund is in compliance with the provisions of Regulation S-P, including, as applicable, the development and delivery of privacy notices and the maintenance of appropriate and adequate records.

 

  3.

Each Service Provider is required to promptly report to the officers of the Fund any material changes to its privacy policy before, or promptly after, the adoption of such changes.

 

(1) 

Generally, the Fund has institutional clients which are not considered “customers” for purposes of Regulation S-P.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Additional Information
   November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

This report, including the financial information herein, is transmitted to the shareholders of Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund for their information. It is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase its common shares in the open market.

Information on the Fund is available at www.shiplpcef.com or by calling the Fund’s shareholder servicing agent at 1-866-390-3910.

 

Annual Report | November 30, 2014   33


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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Trustees & Officers
   November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of its Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves all significant agreements between the Fund and the persons or companies that furnish services to the Fund, including agreements with its distributor, investment adviser, administrator, custodian and transfer agent. The day to day operations of the Fund are delegated to the Fund’s Adviser and administrator.

The name, age and principal occupations for the past five years of the Trustees and officers of the Fund are listed below, along with the number of portfolios in the Fund complex overseen by and the other directorships held by each Trustee. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available without a charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-699-8158.

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

 

Name and Year
of Birth(1)
  Position(s)
Held with
the Fund
  Term of Office And
Length of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2)
  Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
  Experience,
Qualifications,
Attributes, Skills for
Board Membership

Alan Brott

1942

Class I

 

Chairman of

the Audit

Committee;

Trustee

 

Trustee:Since 2010

 

Term Expires:

2015

 

Columbia

University - Associate

Professor, 2000-Present; Consultant,1991-Present.

  10  

Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Stone Harbor Emerging Markets

Total Income Fund, Grosvenor

Registered Multi- Strategy Fund, Excelsior Multi- Strategy Hedge Fund of Funds,

Excelsior Private

Markets Fund II,

and Excelsior

Private Markets

Fund III.

 

Significant

experience on

Board of Trustees

of Stone Harbor

Investment Funds,

Stone Harbor

Emerging Markets

Total Income Fund

and/or other

business

organizations;

academic

experience;

significant public

accounting

experience,

including

significant

experience as a

partner at a public

accounting firm.

Heath B.

McLendon

1933

Class II

  Trustee  

Trustee: Since 2010

 

Term Expires:

2016

 

Retired: formerly

Citigroup —

Chairman of Equity Research

Oversight Committee (retired

December 31, 2006).

  10  

Stone Harbor

Investment Funds,

Stone Harbor

Emerging Markets

Total Income Fund.

 

Significant

experience on

Board of Trustees

Stone Harbor

Investment Funds,

Stone Harbor

Emerging Markets

Total Income Fund

and/or other

business

organizations;

executive

experience in the

mutual fund

industry.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund Trustees & Officers
November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

     

Name and Year

of Birth(1)

Position(s)

Held with

the Fund

Term of Office

And Length of

Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex

Overseen by

Trustee(2)

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee

Experience,

Qualifications,

Attributes, Skills for

Board Membership

Patrick Sheehan

1947

Class III

Trustee

Trustee: Since 2010

 

Term Expires: 2017

Retired; formerly, Citigroup Asset Management-Managing Director and Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, 1991-2002. 10 Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Total Income Fund. Significant experience on Board of Trustees of Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Total Income Fund and/or other business organizations; experience in the financial industry, including executive and portfolio management experience.

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

       

Name and Year

of Birth(1)

Position(s)

Held with
the Fund

Term of Office

And Length of

Time Served(1)

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Trustee(2)

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee

Experience,

Qualifications,

Attributes, Skills for

Board Membership

Thomas K. Flanagan(3) 1953

Class I

Chairman and Trustee

Trustee: Since 2012

 

Term Expires: 2015

Since April 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for emerging markets debt portfolios at Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.; joined Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. in 1991. 10 Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Stone Harbor Emerging Market Total Income Fund. Significant experience in the financial industry, including as a portfolio manager and member of an Investment Policy Committee; other financial and academic experience.

 

(1) 

The business address of each Trustee and Officer of the Fund is c/o Stone Harbor Investment Partners LP, 31 West 52nd Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10019.

(2)

The term “Fund Complex” as used herein includes the Fund and the following registered investment companies: Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Stone Harbor High Yield Bond Fund, Stone Harbor Local Markets Fund, Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund, Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Total Income Fund, Stone Harbor Investment Grade Fund, Stone Harbor Strategic Income Fund, Stone Harbor Debt Allocation Fund and Stone Harbor Debt Blend Fund.

(3)

Mr. Flanagan is an interested person of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) (an “Interested Trustee”) because of his position with Stone Harbor.

 

Annual Report | November 30, 2014 35


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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Trustees & Officers
   November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS

Name and Year

of Birth(1)

  Position(s) Held with the Fund   Term of Office And
Length of Time Served(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Peter J. Wilby

1958

  President and Chief Executive Officer   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since April 2006, Chief Investment Officer of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Chief Investment Officer – North American Fixed Income at Citigroup Asset Management; joined Citigroup or its predecessor firms in 1989.

Pablo Cisilino

1967

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since July 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; from June 2004 to July 2006, Executive Director for Sales and Trading in Emerging Markets at Morgan Stanley Inc.; prior to June 2004, Vice President for local markets and FX sales and trading, Goldman Sachs; joined Goldman Sachs in 1994.

James E. Craige

1967

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since April 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for emerging markets debt portfolios at Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.; joined Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. in 1992.

David Griffiths

1964

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since April 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Senior Portfolio Manager and economist responsible for market opportunity analysis, hedging and alternative asset allocation strategies; joined Salomon Brothers Asset Management Limited in 1993.

Angus Halkett

1977

  Executive Vice President   Since 2012   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since June 2011, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to joining Stone Harbor, Director at Deutsche Bank responsible for Central Europe rates trading and EMEA Local Markets Strategy; Assistant Fund Manager and Quantitative Analyst in Emerging Markets Fixed Income at F&C Asset Management.

David A. Oliver

1959

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since June 2008, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; from 1986 to June 2008, Managing Director in Emerging Market sales and trading at Citigroup.

William Perry

1962

  Executive Vice President   Since 2012   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since September 2012, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; from August 2010 to August 2012, Emerging Markets Corporate Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management; prior to 2010, Managing Director/Portfolio Manager in the Global Special Opportunities Group for Latin American Special Situations at J.P. Morgan/Chase.

David Scott

1961

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since April 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Managing Director and Head of Traditional Investment Group responsible for the global bond portfolios at Salomon Brothers Asset Management Limited; joined Salomon Brothers Asset Management Limited in 1983.

 

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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund    Trustees & Officers
   November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS (CONTINUED)

Name and Year

of Birth

   Position(s) Held with the Fund   

Term of Office And

Length of Time Served(1)

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Thomas Reynolds

1960

   Principal Financial and Accounting Officer    Since April 16, 2014    Since February 2008, Controller of Stone Harbor; from February 2006 to February 2008, Vice President of Portfolio Administration for Goldman Sachs Asset Management; from 1991 to 2006, Citigroup Asset Management.

Amanda Suss

1969

   Treasurer    Since April 16, 2014    Since July 2011, Senior Finance Associate of Stone Harbor; from May 2000 to July 2006, Director of Business Operations at Citigroup Asset Management; from April 1994 to April 2000, Mutual Fund Accounting Manager at Smith Barney Asset Management.

Adam J. Shapiro

1963

   Chief Legal Officer and Secretary    Since 2010    Since April 2006, General Counsel of Stone Harbor; from April 2004 to March 2006, General Counsel, North American Fixed Income, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.; from August 1999 to March 2004, Director of Product and Business Development, Citigroup Asset Management.

Jeffrey S. Scott

1959

   Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary    Since 2010    Since April 2006, Chief Compliance Officer of Stone Harbor; from October 2005 to March 2006, Director of Compliance, New York Life Investment Management LLC; from July 1998 to September 2005, Chief Compliance Officer, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.

JoEllen Legg

1961

   Assistant Secretary    Since 2010    Vice President, Assistant General Counsel of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Advisors Inc., ALPS Distributors Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.; Secretary of ALPS Series Trust; Assistant Secretary of the Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund, Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Total Income Fund, James Advantage Funds and WesMark Funds.

Gina Meyer

1980

   Assistant Treasurer    Since July 17, 2013    Since August 2013, Assistant Treasurer, RiverNorth Funds; since November 2012, Fund Controller for ALPS Fund Services, Inc.; from January 2011 to October 2012, Manager of Fund Accounting for Jackson National Asset Management; from August 2008 to January 2011, Supervisor of Fund Accounting for Jackson National Asset Management.

 

(1) 

The business address of each Trustee and Officer of the Fund is c/o Stone Harbor Investment Partners LP, 31 West 52nd Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10019.

(2) 

Officers are typically elected every year, unless an officer earlier retires, resigns or is removed from office.

 

Annual Report | November 30, 2014   37


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Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund Benchmark Descriptions
November 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

Index Description
J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Diversified The J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Diversified (EMBI Global Diversified) tracks total returns for U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by emerging markets sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities: Brady bonds, loans, and Eurobonds. The index limits the weights of those index countries with larger debt stocks by only including specified portions of these countries’ eligible current face amounts outstanding. The countries covered in the EMBI Global Diversified are identical to those covered by the EMBI Global.
J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified The J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified tracks total returns of U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by corporate entities in emerging market countries and consists of an investable universe of corporate bonds. The CEMBI Broad Diversified limits the weights of those index countries with larger corporate debt stocks by only including a specified portion of these countries’ eligible current face amounts of debt outstanding.
J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified The J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified consists of regularly traded, liquid fixed-rate, domestic currency government bonds to which international investors can gain exposure. The weightings among the countries are more evenly distributed within this index.

 

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Page Intentionally Left Blank.


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LOGO

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Stone Harbor Investment Partners LP

31 W. 52nd Street 16th Floor

New York, New York 10019

ADMINISTRATOR & FUND ACCOUNTANT

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

TRANSFER AGENT

Computershare, Inc.

480 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, New York 10286

LEGAL COUNSEL

Ropes & Gray LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Deloitte & Touche LLP

555 17th Street, Suite 3600

Denver, Colorado 80202


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Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

  (a)

The Registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions on behalf of the Registrant.

 

  (b)

Not applicable.

 

  (c)

During the period covered by this Report, no amendments were made to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in Item 2(a) above.

 

  (d)

During the period covered by this Report, no implicit or explicit waivers to the provision of the code of ethics adopted in Item 2(a) above were granted.

 

  (e)

Not Applicable.

 

  (f)

The registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached as Exhibit 12(a)(1) hereto.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The Registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the Registrant has as least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. The Board of Trustees has designated Alan Brott as the Registrant’s “audit committee financial expert.” Mr. Brott is “independent” as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.

Mr. Brott has significant public accounting experience, including significant experience as a partner at a public accounting firm.

 

Item 4. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

  (a)

Audit Fees: The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2013 and November 30, 2014 professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $67,000 and $68,000, respectively.

 

  (b)

Audit-Related Fees: The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2013 and November 30, 2014 for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 and $0, respectively.


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  (c)

Tax Fees: The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2013 and November 30, 2014 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $4,890 and $5,040, respectively.

 

  (d)

All Other Fees: The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2013 and November 30, 2014 for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

  (e)(1)

All services to be performed by the Registrant’s principal auditors must be pre-approved by the Registrant’s audit committee.

 

  (e)(2)

No services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

  (f)

Not applicable.

 

  (g)

The aggregate non-audit fees billed for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2013 and November 30, 2014 by the Registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

  (h)

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a)

The Registrant has a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is comprised of the following members:

Alan Brott, Chairman

Heath McLendon

Patrick Sheehan

 

(b)

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

 

  (a)

Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

  (b)

Not applicable.


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

Attached as Exhibit 12(c), is a copy of the Registrant’s proxy voting policies and procedures.

 

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

(a)(1) As of: February 2, 2015

Name and Year of

Birth(1)

 

Position(s) Held with the

Fund

  Term of Office And Length of
Time Served(2)
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Peter J. Wilby

Birth Year: 1958

  President and Chief Executive Officer   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since April 2006, Chief Investment Officer of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Chief Investment Officer — North American Fixed Income at Citigroup Asset Management; joined Citigroup or its predecessor firms in 1989.

Pablo Cisilino

Birth Year: 1967

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since July 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; from June 2004 to July 2006, Executive Director for Sales and Trading in Emerging Markets at Morgan Stanley Inc.; prior to June 2004, Vice President for local markets and FX sales and trading, Goldman Sachs; joined Goldman Sachs in 1994.

James E. Craige

Birth Year: 1967

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since April 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for emerging markets debt portfolios at Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.; joined Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. in 1992.

David Griffiths

Birth Year: 1964

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since April 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Senior Portfolio Manager and economist responsible for market opportunity analysis, hedging and alternative asset allocation strategies; joined Salomon Brothers Asset Management Limited in 1993.


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Angus Halkett

Birth Year: 1977

  Executive Vice President   Since 2012   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since June 2011, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to joining Stone Harbor, Director at Deutsche Bank responsible for Central Europe rates trading and EMEA Local Markets Strategy; Assistant Fund Manager and Quantitative Analyst in Emerging Markets Fixed Income at F&C Asset Management.

David A. Oliver

Birth Year: 1959

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since June 2008, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; from 1986 to June 2008, Managing Director in Emerging Market sales and trading at Citigroup.

William Perry

Birth Year: 1962

  Executive Vice President   Since 2012   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since September 2012, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; from August 2010 to August 2012, Emerging Markets Corporate Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management; prior to 2010, Managing Director/Portfolio Manager in the Global Special Opportunities Group for Latin American Special Situations at JPMorgan/Chase.

David Scott

Birth Year: 1961

  Executive Vice President   Since 2010   Co-portfolio manager of the Fund; since April 2006, Portfolio Manager of Stone Harbor; prior to April 2006, Managing Director and Head of Traditional Investment Group responsible for the global bond portfolios at Salomon Brothers Asset Management Limited; joined Salomon Brothers Asset Management Limited in 1983.

(a)(2) As of November 30, 2014, the Portfolio Managers listed above are also responsible for the day-to-day management of the following:


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          Registered  Investment Companies            Other Pooled  Investment Vehicles        Other Accounts
Portfolio Manager    # of Accounts            Total Assets             # of Accounts         Total Assets        # of Accounts             Total  Assets    

Peter Wilby, CFA

   13    9,005,860,882        33 1    17,435,173,864        96 3    28,611,242,739    

Pablo Cisilino

   10    8,059,266,232        25 2    16,396,767,700        78 4    25,435,092,592    

James Craige, CFA

   10    8,059,266,232        25 2    16,396,767,700        78 4    25,435,092,592    

David Griffiths

   10    8,059,266,232        25 2    16,396,767,700        78 4    25,435,092,592    

David Oliver, CFA

   10    8,059,266,232        25 2    16,396,767,700        78 4    25,435,092,592    

Angus Halkett, CFA

   10    8,059,266,232        25 2    16,396,767,700        78 4    25,435,092,592    

William Perry

   10    8,059,266,232        25 2    16,396,767,700        78 4    25,435,092,592    

David Scott

   10    8,059,266,232        25 2    16,396,767,700        78 4    25,435,092,592    

# of Accounts does not include investors in Stone Harbor’s pooled vehicles.

1 Four accounts invested in Stone Harbor’s pooled investment vehicles of combined total market value $373,804,816 are subject to a performance-based advisory fee. Three segregated accounts of total market value $821,632,261 are also subject to a performance-based fee.

2 Two accounts invested in Stone Harbor’s pooled investment vehicles of combined market value $186,837,365 are subject to a performance-based advisory fee. Three segregated accounts of total market value $821,632,261 are also subject to a performance-based fee.

 

3 

Nine segregated accounts of total market value $5,003,553,488 are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

 

4 

Eight segregated accounts of total market value $4,704,367,311 are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Potential conflicts of interest may arise when one of the Fund’s portfolio managers has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other funds or other accounts, as is the case for the portfolio managers listed in the table above.

The Investment Manager and the Fund have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address various conflicts of interest that may arise for the Investment Manager and the individuals that it employs. For example, the Investment Manager seeks to minimize the effects of competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by assigning portfolio managers to manage funds and accounts that share a similar investment style. The Investment Manager has also adopted trade allocation procedures that are designed to facilitate the fair allocation of limited investment opportunities among similarly-managed funds and accounts. There is no guarantee, however, that the policies and procedures adopted by the Investment Manager and the Fund will be able to detect and/or prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may appear.

These potential conflicts include:

Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. As a result, the portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.

Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity.

Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for


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one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts.

Selection of Brokers/Dealers. Portfolio managers may be able to select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or account that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers provide portfolio managers with brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. Although the payment of brokerage commissions is subject to the requirement that the portfolio manager determine in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to the fund, a portfolio manager’s decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages.

Use of Leverage. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid to the Investment Manager, which may directly or indirectly affect the portfolio manager’s compensation, for investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Total Assets, including assets attributable to any Borrowings and/or to any Preferred Shares, which may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to leverage the Fund or to leverage using strategies that increase the Investment Manager’s fee.

Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the Investment Manager’s management fee and/or the portfolio manager’s compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. The portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the investment advisor and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain or raise assets under management or to enhance the portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager to lend preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.

Related Business Opportunities. The Investment Manager or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a portfolio manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of fund and/or accounts that provide greater overall returns to the Investment Manager and its affiliates.

(a)(3) Portfolio Manager Compensation as of November 30, 2014.

The Investment Manager is 100% employee owned, which gives its personnel a direct stake in the success of the firm. In addition to a share in firm ownership, this compensation program includes a salary commensurate with experience and a performance-based bonus.

The overall compensation structure for the Fund’s portfolio managers is based on three components: (a) base remuneration; (b) discretionary performance-based bonus; and (c) profit participation.

Portfolio managers are compensated on pre-tax investment performance versus both the applicable benchmark and peer group as measured on a one-, three- and five-year horizon equally weighted. For these purposes, the benchmark for the Fund is a blend of the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified Bond Index, the J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Diversified Bond Index and the J.P. Morgan Corporate Emerging Markets Bond Index. Analysts are compensated on credit performance versus the applicable benchmark for the same periods. All employees will also participate in firm profit-sharing.

(a)(4) Dollar Range of Securities Owned as of November 30, 2014. [SH to update]


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Portfolio Managers   

Dollar Range of the Registrant’s Securities

Owned by the Portfolio Managers

Peter J. Wilby, CFA

  

Over $1,000,000

Pablo Cisilino

  

$100,001 - $500,000

James E. Craige, CFA

  

$500,001 - $1,000,000

David Griffiths

  

$0

Angus Halkett

  

$0

David A. Oliver, CFA

  

$100,001 - $500,000

William Perry

  

$0

David Scott

  

$0

(b) Not applicable.

 

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

None.

 

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

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees, where those changes were implemented after the Registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2) of Regulation S-K, or this Item.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this Report based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Rule 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

  (b)

There was no change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this Report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

(a)(1) Registrant’s Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, which is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 of Form N-CSR, is attached hereto as Exhibit 12(a)(1).


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(a)(2) The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.Cert.

(a)(3) None.

(b) A certification for the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906Cert.

(c) The Registrant’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are attached hereto as Exhibit 99 Item 7.

(d) None.


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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.

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

 

By:

      /s/ Peter J. Wilby        
      Peter J. Wilby
      President and Chief Executive Officer/Principal Executive Officer

Date:

      February 6, 2015

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.

Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

 

By:

      /s/ Peter J. Wilby        
      Peter J. Wilby
      President and Chief Executive Officer/Principal Executive Officer

Date:

      February 6, 2015

By:

      /s/ Thomas M. Reynolds        
      Thomas M. Reynolds
      Principal Financial Officer/Principal Accounting Officer

Date:

      February 6, 2015