Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ)

Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) is a popular growth & income U.S. equity closed end fund. This fund objective is to provide current income and capital appreciation. It utilizes its assets to purchase common and preferred equity securities.

CSQ Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 03/26/2004
• Ticker Symbol: CSQ
• CUSIP: 128125101
• Rank in category (YTD): 25%
• Category: U.S Stock - Growth & Income
• Distribution Rate: 8.56%
• Effective Leverage: 26.84%
• Capital Gains: -
• Base Expense Ratio: 1.44%
• Net Assets: $ 2.62 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 279%

More: Calamos Growth & Income Fund

This closed end fund is incepted since 2004. It has a high dividend yield of 8.56%. This yield is paid monthly. The fund managers are Nick P Calamos and John P Calamos. This top closed end fund is sponsored by Calamos Advisors LLC. The current share price is $11.55.
This market price is trading 7.00% discount to its NAV (Net Asset Value). The total expense fee is 1.79% per year.

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund Returns

Morningstar has ranked this U.S. stock fund with 2 stars and neutral rating. In 2014, the year to date return is 17.34%. This closed end fund has returned 13.05% over the past 1 year, 20.60% over the past 3 years, and 11.55% over the past 5 years.

• Year 2013: 20.32%
• Year 2012: 28.04%
• Year 2011: -3.22%
• Year 2010: 13.66%

CSQ Holdings

This Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund has 252 holdings in its portfolio. Top 6 stocks in its holdings are Apple, Inc., General Electric Co, Wells Fargo & Co, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Citigroup Inc, and Microsoft Corporation. Top 4 asset allocations are general equity (53.80%), convertibles debt (20.76%), corporate bond (16.89%), and convertible preferreds (7.35%).

More: Best Performing Convertible Closed End Funds 2014

Pros:

• This Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund has a high yield of income for investors.
• The market price is trading at discount to its NAV.

Cons:

• The expense fee is a bit high.