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 811-05150

Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
48 Wall Street, New York, NY
10005
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)

Frank J. Maresca

AST Fund Solutions, LLC, 48 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (866) 668-6558

Date of fiscal year end:
December 31, 2016
 

Date of reporting period:
June 30, 2016
 
 

ITEM 1.
REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
 


 
Cornerstone Strategic
Value Fund, Inc.
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2016
(unaudited)
 


 

CONTENTS

 

Portfolio Summary

1

   

Schedule of Investments

2

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

8

   

Statement of Operations

9

   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

10

   

Financial Highlights

11

   

Notes to Financial Statements

12

   

Results of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

17

   

Investment Management Agreement Approval Disclosure

18

   

Description of Dividend Reinvestment Plan

20

   

Proxy Voting and Portfolio Holdings Information

22

   

Summary of General Information

22

   

Stockholder Information

22

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Portfolio Summary – as of June 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector

Percent of
Net Assets

Closed-End Funds

53.4

Information Technology

8.4

Health Care

7.1

Financials

6.5

Consumer Discretionary

6.0

Consumer Staples

5.0

Industrials

4.6

Energy

2.8

Utilities

1.6

Telecommunication Services

1.4

Materials

1.3

Exchange-Traded Funds

1.0

Other

0.9

 

TOP TEN HOLDINGS, BY ISSUER

 

 

Holding

Sector

Percent of

Net Assets

1.

Alphabet Inc.

Information Technology

4.1%

2.

Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities and Income Fund, Inc.

Closed-End Funds

3.8%

3.

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust

Closed-End Funds

3.5%

4.

CBRE Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund

Closed-End Funds

3.0%

5.

Alpine Global Total Dynamic Dividend Fund

Closed-End Funds

2.6%

6.

Amazon.com, Inc.

Information Technology

2.5%

7.

Johnson & Johnson

Health Care

2.1%

8.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Class B

Financials

2.1%

9.

Royce Value Trust

Closed-End Funds

2.0%

10.

Alpine Global Premier Properties Fund

Closed-End Funds

2.0%

 


 

1

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments – June 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

Description

 

No. of
Shares

   

Value

 

EQUITY SECURITIES — 99.14%

       

CLOSED-END FUNDS — 53.43%

       
         

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES — 0.40%

 

Advent Claymore Convertible Securities and Income Fund

   

38,562

   

$

537,940

 

AllianzGI Convertible & Income Fund II

   

109,127

     

579,464

 

Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund Inc. (The)

   

20,625

     

95,906

 
             

1,213,310

 

CORE — 8.68%

 

Adams Express Company (The)

   

329,240

     

4,171,471

 

General American Investors Company, Inc.

   

188,421

     

5,807,135

 

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund

   

1,159,059

     

5,818,476

 

Royce Micro-Cap Trust, Inc.

   

327,675

     

2,405,135

 

Royce Value Trust

   

525,377

     

6,183,687

 

Sprott Focus Trust, Inc.

   

93,627

     

601,085

 

Tri-Continental Corporation

   

70,067

     

1,439,176

 
             

26,426,165

 

CORPORATE DEBT INVESTMENT GRADE-RATED — 0.17%

 

BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust

   

39,429

     

513,366

 

Cutwater Select Income Fund

   

1

     

27

 
             

513,393

 

CORPORATE DEBT INVESTMENT
GRADE-RATED (LEVERAGED) — 0.18%

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

   

31,664

     

351,787

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Securities & Income Fund

   

18,326

   

 

210,382

 
             

562,169

 

DEVELOPED MARKET — 1.24%

 

Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc.

   

351,399

     

1,981,890

 

Aberdeen Japan Equity Fund, Inc.

   

9,320

     

71,484

 

Aberdeen Singapore Fund, Inc.

   

45,433

     

410,714

 

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc.

   

50,392

     

492,834

 

Morgan Stanley Asia-Pacific Fund, Inc.

   

2,200

     

30,360

 

New Ireland Fund, Inc. (The)

   

20,360

     

241,062

 

Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc. (The)

   

53,565

     

554,398

 
             

3,782,742

 

EMERGING MARKETS — 3.42%

 

Aberdeen Chile Fund, Inc.

   

128,566

     

803,538

 

Aberdeen Indonesia Fund, Inc.

   

17,537

     

107,502

 

Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.

   

2,475

     

49,797

 

China Fund, Inc. (The)

   

14,224

     

205,679

 

First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund

   

15,365

     

226,173

 

Mexico Fund, Inc. (The)

   

1,900

     

31,787

 

Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund, Inc.

   

277,893

     

4,963,169

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

   

2,425

     

32,204

 

Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc.

   

19,452

     

518,785

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

2

 

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments – June 30, 2016 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Description

 

No. of
Shares

   

Value

 

EMERGING MARKETS (Continued)

 

Templeton Dragon Fund, Inc.

   

73,200

   

$

1,267,824

 

Turkish Investment Fund, Inc. (The)

   

34,322

     

293,796

 

Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund

   

259,777

     

1,909,361

 
             

10,409,615

 

ENERGY MLP — 0.68%

 

Cohen & Steers MLP Income and Energy Opportunity Fund, Inc.

   

201,675

     

2,055,068

 
                 

GENERAL & INSURED LEVERAGED — 0.50%

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond and Option Strategies Fund

   

39,457

     

481,770

 

Invesco Value Municipal Income Trust

   

1

     

15

 

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

   

10,300

     

154,500

 

Nuveen Municipal Market Opportunity Fund, Inc.

   

12,864

     

193,989

 

Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc.

   

45,687

     

704,950

 
             

1,535,224

 

GLOBAL — 11.25%

 

Alpine Global Dynamic Dividend Fund

   

220,945

     

1,869,195

 

Alpine Global Total Dynamic Dividend Fund

   

1,091,449

     

7,923,920

 

Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund

   

306,471

     

2,151,426

 

Calamos Global Total Return Fund

   

36,870

     

405,570

 

Clough Global Allocation Fund

   

94,468

     

1,105,276

 

Clough Global Equity Fund

   

198,255

     

2,123,311

 

Clough Global Opportunities Fund

   

413,972

   

 

3,862,359

 

Delaware Enhanced Global Dividend and Income Fund

   

316,484

     

3,047,741

 

Gabelli Global Small and Mid Cap Value Trust (The) *

   

16,379

     

170,833

 

Gabelli Multimedia Trust Inc. (The)

   

156,733

     

1,104,968

 

GDL Fund (The)

   

216,072

     

2,145,595

 

Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc.

   

79,547

     

1,040,475

 

Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc.

   

92,813

     

838,101

 

Royce Global Value Trust, Inc.

   

116,882

     

889,472

 

Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund

   

203,041

     

2,509,587

 

Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

   

512,313

     

3,058,509

 
             

34,246,338

 

GLOBAL INCOME — 0.91%

 

Legg Mason BW Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.

   

213,016

     

2,760,687

 
                 

HIGH CURRENT YIELD (LEVERAGED) — 0.87%

 

Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund

   

106,290

     

1,273,354

 

Cohen & Steers Global Income Builder, Inc.

   

158,042

     

1,378,126

 
             

2,651,480

 

INCOME & PREFERRED STOCK — 2.46%

 

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund

   

471,702

     

4,660,416

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 

3

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments – June 30, 2016 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Description

 

No. of
Shares

   

Value

 

INCOME & PREFERRED STOCK (Continued)

 

LMP Capital and Income Fund Inc.

   

214,854

   

$

2,821,033

 
             

7,481,449

 

LOAN PARTICIPATION — 1.19%

 

Apollo Senior Floating Rate Fund Inc.

   

57,221

     

904,092

 

Blackstone / GSO Long-Short Credit Income Fund

   

10,578

     

152,852

 

Blackstone / GSO Strategic Credit Fund

   

8,200

     

117,998

 

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

   

302,177

     

2,441,590

 
             

3,616,532

 

NATURAL RESOURCES — 4.36%

 

Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.

   

79,056

     

1,589,816

 

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust

   

1,369,242

     

10,543,163

 

Voya Natural Resources Equity Income Fund

   

178,529

     

1,128,303

 
             

13,261,282

 

OPTION ARBITRAGE/OPTIONS STRATEGIES — 2.20%

 

AllianzGI NFJ Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund

   

480,372

     

5,922,987

 

First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund

   

25,708

     

448,605

 

Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund

   

47,807

     

331,303

 
             

6,702,895

 

PACIFIC EX JAPAN — 0.18%

 

Aberdeen Greater China Fund, Inc.

   

50,582

     

422,360

 

Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (The)

   

4,776

     

46,566

 

Thai Fund, Inc. (The)

   

11,167

   

 

88,331

 
             

557,257

 

REAL ESTATE — 10.24%

 

Alpine Global Premier Properties Fund

   

1,096,063

     

6,017,386

 

CBRE Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund

   

1,126,090

     

9,267,721

 

Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities and Income Fund, Inc.

   

568,735

     

11,681,817

 

Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc.

   

259,776

     

1,475,528

 

RMR Real Estate Income Fund

   

127,145

     

2,703,101

 
             

31,145,553

 

SECTOR EQUITY — 0.94%

 

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

   

169,000

     

2,856,100

 
                 

UTILITY — 3.56%

 

Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

   

196,806

     

4,215,584

 

Duff & Phelps Global Utility Income Fund Inc.

   

119,359

     

2,048,200

 

Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (The)

   

60,473

     

1,124,193

 

Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund Inc.

   

160,342

     

3,431,319

 
             

10,819,296

 

TOTAL CLOSED-END FUNDS

     

162,596,555

 
                 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 6.04%

 

Amazon.com, Inc. *

   

10,500

     

7,514,010

 

Charter Communications, Inc. *

   

1,956

     

447,295

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

4

 

 

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments – June 30, 2016 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Description

 

No. of
Shares

   

Value

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY (Continued)

 

Comcast Corporation - Class A

   

38,013

   

$

2,478,067

 

Dollar General Corporation

   

2,300

     

216,200

 

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

   

19,600

     

2,502,724

 

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

   

8,000

     

633,360

 

Ross Stores, Inc.

   

3,000

     

170,070

 

Starbucks Corporation

   

15,000

     

856,800

 

Target Corporation

   

8,300

     

579,506

 

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.

   

5,000

     

136,250

 

Walt Disney Company (The)

   

29,200

     

2,856,344

 
             

18,390,626

 

CONSUMER STAPLES — 4.95%

 

Altria Group, Inc.

   

14,000

     

965,440

 

Clorox Company (The)

   

1,000

     

138,390

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

   

7,500

     

358,575

 

Constellation Brands, Inc.

   

3,000

     

496,200

 

Costco Wholesale Corporation

   

9,000

     

1,413,360

 

CVS Caremark Corporation

   

18,430

     

1,764,488

 

General Mills, Inc.

   

3,900

     

278,148

 

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

   

7,300

     

1,003,604

 

Kraft Heinz Company (The)

   

4,000

     

353,920

 

Kroger Co. (The)

   

30,000

     

1,103,700

 

Mondelēz International, Inc. - Class A

   

12,000

     

546,120

 

Monster Beverage Corporation *

   

4,000

     

642,840

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

   

6,900

     

730,986

 

Reynolds American Inc.

   

22,000

     

1,186,460

 

Sysco Corporation

   

4,300

     

218,182

 

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

   

15,000

     

1,249,050

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

   

35,900

   

 

2,621,418

 
             

15,070,881

 

ENERGY — 2.83%

               

Chevron Corporation

   

28,200

     

2,956,206

 

Concho Resources Inc. *

   

2,500

     

298,175

 

Exxon Mobil Corporation

   

39,936

     

3,743,601

 

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

   

6,000

     

453,360

 

ONEOK, Inc.

   

1,400

     

66,430

 

Phillips 66

   

7,987

     

633,689

 

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

   

3,000

     

453,630

 
             

8,605,091

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 1.04%

 

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

   

15,000

     

3,160,500

 
                 

FINANCIALS — 6.53%

 

Aflac Incorporated

   

6,000

     

432,960

 

Allstate Corporation (The)

   

4,000

     

279,800

 

American Tower Corporation

   

4,000

     

454,440

 

Aon plc

   

8,500

     

928,455

 

Assurant, Inc.

   

1,100

     

94,941

 

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Class B *

   

44,000

     

6,370,760

 

Chubb Limited

   

6,000

     

784,260

 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation

   

1,800

     

134,802

 

CME Group Inc.

   

6,000

     

584,400

 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

2,500

     

639,900

 

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

   

8,500

     

581,910

 

Moody’s Corporation

   

3,000

     

281,130

 

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

   

8,000

     

651,120

 

Progressive Corporation (The)

   

4,100

     

137,350

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 

5

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments – June 30, 2016 (unaudited) (continued)

 

Description

 

No. of
Shares

   

Value

 

FINANCIALS (Continued)

 

S&P Global, Inc.

   

2,000

   

$

214,520

 

Torchmark Corporation

   

1,600

     

98,912

 

Travelers Companies, Inc. (The)

   

6,000

     

714,240

 

U.S. Bancorp

   

10,100

     

407,333

 

Unum Group

   

2,700

     

85,833

 

Wells Fargo & Company

   

126,800

     

6,001,444

 
             

19,878,510

 

HEALTH CARE — 7.06%

 

Abbott Laboratories

   

26,200

     

1,029,922

 

AbbVie Inc.

   

11,200

     

693,392

 

Aetna Inc.

   

11,000

     

1,343,430

 

Amgen Inc.

   

14,800

     

2,251,820

 

Anthem, Inc.

   

4,000

     

525,360

 

Becton, Dickinson and Company

   

1,800

     

305,262

 

Boston Scientific Corporation *

   

2,000

     

46,740

 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

   

8,000

     

588,400

 

Cardinal Health, Inc.

   

6,000

     

468,060

 

Cigna Corporation

   

5,000

     

639,950

 

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

   

2,000

     

199,460

 

Johnson & Johnson

   

53,700

     

6,513,810

 

McKesson Corporation

   

3,000

     

559,950

 

Merck & Company, Inc.

   

35,267

     

2,031,732

 

Stryker Corporation

   

8,000

     

958,640

 

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

   

10,000

     

1,477,600

 

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

   

12,000

     

1,694,400

 

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

   

1,300

     

156,494

 
             

21,484,422

 

INDUSTRIALS — 4.54%

 

3M Company

   

5,000

     

875,600

 

Danaher Corporation

   

13,000

     

1,313,000

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

   

18,000

   

 

655,740

 

FedEx Corporation

   

6,000

     

910,680

 

General Dynamics Corporation

   

6,000

     

835,440

 

General Electric Company

   

74,000

     

2,329,520

 

Honeywell International Inc.

   

22,400

     

2,605,568

 

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

   

8,000

     

833,280

 

Lockheed Martin Corporation

   

4,000

     

992,680

 

Northrop Grumman Corporations

   

5,000

     

1,111,400

 

Raytheon Company

   

5,000

     

679,750

 

Southwest Airlines Co.

   

12,000

     

470,520

 

Waste Management, Inc.

   

3,100

     

205,437

 
             

13,818,615

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 8.44%

 

Accenture plc - Class A

   

6,400

     

725,056

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

   

5,400

     

214,002

 

Adobe Systems Incorporated *

   

3,500

     

335,265

 

Alphabet Inc. - Class A *

   

2,000

     

1,407,060

 

Alphabet Inc. - Class C *

   

16,005

     

11,077,061

 

Applied Materials, Inc.

   

8,000

     

191,760

 

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

   

7,000

     

643,090

 

Broadcom Limited

   

1,900

     

295,260

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.

   

35,000

     

1,004,150

 

Facebook, Inc. *

   

21,000

     

2,399,880

 

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

   

2,600

     

191,568

 

Fiserv, Inc. *

   

4,000

     

434,920

 

Intel Corporation

   

26,000

     

852,800

 

MasterCard Incorporated

   

7,000

     

616,420

 

Microsoft Corporation

   

62,000

     

3,172,540

 

Nvidia Corporation

   

4,200

     

197,442

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

6

 

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments – June 30, 2016 (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Description

 

No. of
Shares

   

Value

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (Continued)

 

Oracle Corporation

   

17,272

   

$

706,943

 

salesforce.com, inc. *

   

4,800

     

381,168

 

Texas Instruments Incorporated

   

7,300

     

457,345

 

Visa Inc.

   

5,000

     

370,850

 
             

25,674,580

 

MATERIALS — 1.30%

 

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

   

5,000

     

710,200

 

Dow Chemical Company (The)

   

29,500

     

1,466,445

 

Ecolab Inc.

   

5,500

     

652,300

 

PPG Industries, Inc.

   

8,000

     

833,200

 

Sherwin-Williams Company (The)

   

1,000

     

293,670

 
             

3,955,815

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 1.41%

 

AT&T, Inc.

   

47,568

     

2,055,413

 

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

40,000

     

2,233,600

 
             

4,289,013

 

UTILITIES — 1.57%

 

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

   

4,200

     

294,378

 

American Water Works Company, Inc.

   

1,400

     

118,314

 

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

   

2,800

     

67,200

 

CMS Energy Corporation

   

2,000

     

91,720

 

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

   

2,100

     

168,924

 

Dominion Resources, Inc.

   

10,000

     

779,300

 

DTE Energy Company

   

1,400

     

138,768

 

Duke Energy Corporation

   

5,300

     

454,687

 

Edison International

   

2,500

     

194,175

 

Eversource Energy

   

2,200

     

131,780

 

FirstEnergy Corp.

   

2,900

     

101,239

 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

   

6,000

     

782,400

 

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

   

800

     

64,848

 

PPL Corporation

   

6,000

   

 

226,500

 

Public Service Enterprises Group, Inc.

   

6,500

     

302,965

 

Sempra Energy

   

2,000

     

228,040

 

Southern Company (The)

   

6,500

     

348,595

 

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

   

1,400

     

91,420

 

Xcel Energy Inc.

   

4,000

     

179,120

 
             

4,764,373

 

TOTAL EQUITY SECURITIES

 

(cost - $287,317,697)

           

301,688,981

 
                 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT — 1.07%

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 1.07%

 

Fidelity Institutional Money Market Government Portfolio - Class I, 0.26%^ (cost - $3,259,424)

   

3,259,424

     

3,259,424

 
                 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.21%

 

(cost - $290,577,121)

           

304,948,405

 
                 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (0.21)%

     

(646,126

)

                 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

   

$

304,302,279

 

 


*

Non-income producing security.

^

The rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of June 30, 2016.

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 

7

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities – June 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

ASSETS

     

Investments, at value (cost – $290,577,121) (Notes B and C)

 

$

304,948,405

 

Receivables:

       

Investments sold

   

2,303,883

 

Dividends

   

262,159

 

Prepaid expenses

   

23,589

 

Total Assets

   

307,538,036

 
         

LIABILITIES

       

Cash overdraft

   

9,291

 

Payables:

       

Investments purchased

   

2,826,556

 

Investment management fees (Note D)

   

279,898

 

Directors’ fees and expenses

   

44,732

 

Administration fees (Note D)

   

17,866

 

Other accrued expenses

   

57,414

 

Total Liabilities

   

3,235,757

 
         

NET ASSETS (applicable to 21,642,433 shares of common stock)

 

$

304,302,279

 
         

NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ($304,302,279 / 21,642,433)

 

$

14.06

 
         

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

       

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 21,642,433 shares issued and outstanding (100,000,000 shares authorized)

 

$

21,642

 

Paid-in Capital

   

295,746,255

 

Accumulated net realized loss on investments

   

(5,836,902

)

Net unrealized appreciation in value of investments

   

14,371,284

 

Net assets applicable to shares outstanding

 

$

304,302,279

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

8

 

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Statement of Operations – for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Income:

     

Dividends

 

$

8,253,809

 
         

Expenses:

       

Investment management fees (Note D)

   

1,495,584

 

Administration fees (Note D)

   

112,170

 

Directors’ fees and expenses

   

94,546

 

Legal and audit fees

   

36,943

 

Custodian fees

   

35,854

 

Accounting fees

   

29,956

 

Printing

   

21,574

 

Transfer agent fees

   

17,352

 

Insurance

   

9,502

 

Stock exchange listing fees

   

8,263

 

Miscellaneous

   

7,264

 

Total Expenses

   

1,869,008

 

Net Investment Income

   

6,384,801

 
         

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

       

Net realized loss from investments

   

(4,814,677

)

Capital gain distributions from regulated investment companies

   

13,401

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation in value of investments

   

12,546,973

 

Net realized and unrealized gain /(loss) on investments

   

7,745,697

 
         

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

14,130,498

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 

9

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

   

For the Years Ended December 31,
2015

 
             

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

           

Operations:

           

Net investment income

 

$

6,384,801

   

$

2,505,501

 

Net realized gain from investments

   

(4,801,276

)

   

6,115,216

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation in value of investments

   

12,546,973

     

(31,475,170

)

                 

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

   

14,130,498

     

(22,854,453

)

                 

Dividends and distributions to stockholders (Note B):

               

Net investment income

   

(6,384,801

)

   

(2,505,501

)

Net realized gains

   

     

(6,408,287

)

Return-of-capital

   

(30,201,260

)

   

(56,039,075

)

                 

Total dividends and distributions to stockholders

   

(36,586,061

)

   

(64,952,863

)

                 

Common stock transactions:

               

Issuance of 0 and 12,780,196 shares in connection with the merger of Cornerstone Progressive Return Fund

   

     

235,773,265

 

Proceeds from 235,019 and 432,511 shares newly issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions, respectively

   

3,280,638

     

7,223,924

 
                 

Net increase in net assets from common stock transactions

   

3,280,638

     

242,997,189

 
                 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

   

(19,174,925

)

   

155,189,873

 
                 

NET ASSETS

               

Beginning of period

   

323,477,204

     

168,287,331

 

End of period

 

$

304,302,279

   

$

323,477,204

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

10

 

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Financial Highlights

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share of common stock outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for each period indicated. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements and market price data for the Fund’s shares.


   
For the Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2016 (Unaudited)
   

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 
       

2015

     

2014*

 

   

2013*

 

   

2012*

 

   

2011*

 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

                                           

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

15.11

   

$

20.54

   

$

22.72

   

$

22.72

   

$

24.52

   

$

30.20

 

Net investment income #

   

0.30

     

0.17

     

0.32

     

0.40

     

0.44

     

0.28

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

   

0.35

     

(1.18

)

   

2.10

     

3.80

     

2.76

     

(0.16

)

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

   

0.65

     

(1.01

)

   

2.42

     

4.20

     

3.20

     

0.12

 
                                                 

Dividends and distributions to stockholders:

                                               

Net investment income

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.40

)

   

(1.48

)

   

(0.52

)

Net realized capital gains

   

     

(0.44

)

   

(1.52

)

   

(1.76

)

   

(0.76

)

   

 

Return-of-capital

   

(1.40

)

   

(3.81

)

   

(2.76

)

   

(2.76

)

   

(3.08

)

   

(5.60

)

Total dividends and distributions to stockholders

   

(1.70

)

   

(4.42

)

   

(4.60

)

   

(4.92

)

   

(5.32

)

   

(6.12

)

                                                 

Common stock transactions:

                                               

Anti-dilutive effect due to shares issued:

                                               

Rights offering

   

     

     

     

0.72

     

0.32

     

0.20

 

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

0.00

+ 

   

0.00

+ 

   

0.00

+ 

   

0.00

+ 

   

0.00

+ 

   

0.12

 

Total common stock transactions

   

0.00

+ 

   

0.00

+ 

   

0.00

+ 

   

0.72

     

0.32

     

0.32

 
                                                 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

14.06

   

$

15.11

   

$

20.54

   

$

22.72

   

$

22.72

   

$

24.52

 

Market value, end of period

 

$

16.38

   

$

15.66

   

$

20.02

   

$

26.40

   

$

24.00

   

$

26.36

 

Total investment return (a)

   

18.09

%

   

0.21

%

   

(6.29

)%

   

36.67

%

   

13.33

%

   

(11.11

)%

                                                 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                                               

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

 

$

304,302

   

$

323,477

   

$

168,287

   

$

180,372

   

$

105,704

   

$

88,111

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets, net of fee waivers and fees paid indirectly, if any (b)

   

1.25

%(c)

   

1.31

%(e)

   

1.33

%

   

1.33

%

   

1.40

%

   

1.55

%

Ratio of expenses to average net assets, excluding fee waivers and fees paid indirectly, if any (b)

   

1.25

%(c)

   

1.31

%(e)

   

1.33

%

   

1.33

%

   

1.40

%

   

1.55

%

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (d)

   

4.27

%(c)

   

0.97

%(e)

   

1.47

%

   

1.69

%

   

1.83

%

   

0.98

%

Portfolio turnover rate

   

40

%(f)

   

88

%

   

51

%

   

48

%

   

41

%

   

38

%



*

Effective December 29, 2014, a reverse split of 1:4 occurred. All per share amounts have been restated according to the terms of the reverse split.

#

Based on average shares outstanding.

+

Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(a)

Total investment return at market value is based on the changes in market price of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any, at actual prices pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions.

(b)

Expenses do not include expenses of investments companies in which the Fund invests.

(c)

Annualized.

(d)

Recognition of net investment income by the Fund may be affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends, if any, by investment companies in which the Fund invests.

(e)

Includes reorganization costs. Without these costs, ratio of expenses to average net assets, net of fee waivers and fees paid indirectly, if any, ratio of expenses to average net assets, excluding fee waivers and fees paid indirectly, if any, and ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.22%, 1.22% and 1.06% for the year ended December 31, 2015, respectively.

(f)

Not annualized.

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 

11

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

NOTE A. ORGANIZATION

 

Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc. (the “Fund” or “CLM”) was incorporated in Maryland on May 1, 1987 and commenced investment operations on June 30, 1987. Its investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation through investment primarily in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end, diversified management investment company. As an investment company, the Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services –Investment Companies”.

 

Reorganization: Pursuant to a plan of merger approved by the stockholders of each of the Fund and Cornerstone Progressive Return Fund (“CFP”), the Fund acquired all of the net assets of CFP ($235,773,269) on June 26, 2015 and is the accounting survivor of the merger. A total of 16,689,008 shares of beneficial interest of CFP were exchanged for 12,780,186 shares of common stock of the Fund immediately after the closing date. The exchange ratio was 0.765785 shares of CLM for each share of CFP. This merger qualified as tax-free reorganizations under Section 368(a)(1) (C) of the Internal Revenue Code. CFP’s net assets included $5,253,546 of net unrealized appreciation on investments, $(23,450,547) of accumulated net investment loss, and $(3,391,585) of accumulated net realized loss on investments. The aggregate net assets of the Fund prior to the merger totaled $152,222,319 and following the merger the combined net assets of the Fund totaled $387,995,588.

 

Because the combined entities have been managed as a single integrated entity since the merger was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of CFP that have been included in the Fund’s Statement of Operations since June 26, 2015.

 

NOTE B. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Management Estimates: The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Subsequent Events: The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date its financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no additional disclosures or adjustments were required to such financial statements.

 

Portfolio Valuation: Investments are stated at value in the accompanying financial statements. Readily marketable portfolio securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the NYSE on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day or if market prices may be unreliable because of events occurring after the close of trading, then the security is valued by such method as the Board of Directors shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Readily marketable securities not listed on the NYSE but listed on other domestic or foreign securities exchanges are valued in a like manner. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined as reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the exchange representing the principal

 


12

 

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

market for such securities. Securities trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.

 

Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the counter market, including listed securities whose primary market is believed by Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Investment Manager” or “Cornerstone”) to be over-the-counter, are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the NASDAQ or, in the case of securities not reported by the NASDAQ or a comparable source, as the Board of Directors deem appropriate to reflect their fair market value. Where securities are traded on more than one exchange and also over-the-counter, the securities will generally be valued using the quotations the Board of Directors believes reflect most closely the value of such securities. At June 30, 2016, the Fund held no securities valued in good faith by the Board of Directors.

 

The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated weekly and on the last business day of the month with the exception of those days on which the NYSE is closed.

 

The Fund is exposed to financial market risks, including the valuations of its investment portfolio. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Fund did not invest in derivative instruments or engage in hedging activities.

 

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis; dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Risks Associated with Investments in Other Closed-end Funds: Closed-end investment companies are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of the closed-end investment company, will bear its pro rata portion of the closed-end investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund’s own operations.

 

Taxes: No provision is made for U.S. federal income or excise taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and to make the requisite distributions to its stockholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from all or substantially all U.S. federal income and excise taxes.

 

The Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax-return positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority and requires measurement of a tax position meeting the more-likely-than-not criterion, based on the largest benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized. The Fund’s policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with underpayment of federal and state income taxes, if any, as income tax expense on its Statement of Operations. As of June 30, 2016, the Fund does not have any interest or penalties associated with the under-payment of any income taxes. Management reviewed any uncertain tax positions for open tax years 2013 through 2015, and for the six months ended June 30, 2016. There was no material impact to the financial statements.

 

Distributions to Stockholders: Effective June 25, 2002, the Fund initiated a fixed, monthly distribution to stockholders. On November 29, 2006, this distribution policy was updated to provide for the annual resetting of the monthly distribution amount per share based on the Fund’s net asset value on the last business day in each October. The terms of the distribution policy will be reviewed and approved at least annually by the Fund’s Board of Directors and can be modified at their discretion. To the extent that these distributions exceed the current earnings of the Fund, the balance will be generated from sales of portfolio securities held by the Fund, which will either be short-term or long-term capital gains or a tax-free return-of-capital. To

 


 

13

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

the extent these distributions are not represented by net investment income and capital gains, they will not represent yield or investment return on the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Fund plans to maintain this distribution policy even if regulatory requirements would make part of a return-of-capital, necessary to maintain the distribution, taxable to stockholders and to disclose that portion of the distribution that is classified as ordinary income. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Board may terminate this distribution policy at any time and such termination may have an adverse effect on the market price for the Fund’s common shares. The Fund determines annually whether to distribute any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses, including capital loss carryovers, if any. To the extent that the Fund’s taxable income in any calendar year exceeds the aggregate amount distributed pursuant to this distribution policy, an additional distribution may be made to avoid the payment of a 4% U.S. federal excise tax, and to the extent that the aggregate amount distributed in any calendar year exceeds the Fund’s taxable income, the amount of that excess may constitute a return-of-capital for tax purposes. A return-of-capital distribution reduces the cost basis of an investor’s shares in the Fund. Dividends and distributions to stockholders are recorded by the Fund on the ex-dividend date.

 

Managed Distribution Risk: Under the managed distribution policy, the Fund makes monthly distributions to stockholders at a rate that may include periodic distributions of its net income and net capital gains (“Net Earnings”), or from return- of-capital. If, for any fiscal year where total cash distributions exceeded Net Earnings (the “Excess”), the Excess would decrease the Fund’s total assets and, as a result, would have the likely effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. There is a risk that the total Net Earnings from the Fund’s portfolio would not be great enough to offset the amount of cash distributions paid to Fund stockholders. If this were to be the case, the Fund’s assets would be depleted, and there is no guarantee that the Fund would be able to replace the assets. In addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action. Furthermore, such assets used to make distributions will not be available for investment pursuant to the Fund’s investment objective.

 

NOTE C. FAIR VALUE

 

As required by the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, the Fund has performed an analysis of all assets and liabilities measured at fair value to determine the significance and character of all inputs to their fair value determination.

 

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following three broad categories.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which the Fund has access at the date of measurement.

 

 

Level 2 – quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or instances where prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers.

 

 

Level 3 – model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Fund’s own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.

 


14

 

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2016 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value:

 

Valuation Inputs

 

Investments
in Securities

   

Other
Financial
Instruments*

 

Level 1 – Quoted Prices

           

Equity Investments

 

$

301,688,981

   

$

 

Short-Term Investments

   

3,259,424

     

 

Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs

   

     

 

Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs

   

     

 

Total

 

$

304,948,405

   

$

 

 


*

Other financial instruments include futures, forwards and swap contracts.

 

The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Fund did not have any transfers in and out of any Level.

 

The Fund did not have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at June 30, 2016.

 

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07 “Disclosure for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value (“NAV”) per Share (or Its Equivalent).” The amendments in ASU No. 2015-07 remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments measured using the NAV practical expedient. The ASU also removes certain disclosure requirements for investments that qualify, but do not utilize, the NAV practical expedient. The amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years.

 

It is the Fund’s policy to recognize transfers into and out of any Level at the end of the reporting period.

 

NOTE D. AGREEMENTS WITH AFFILIATES

 

At June 30, 2016, certain officers of the Fund are also officers of Cornerstone or AST Fund Solutions, LLC (“AFS”). Such officers are paid no fees by the Fund for serving as officers of the Fund.

 

Investment Management Agreement

 

Cornerstone serves as the Fund’s Investment Manager with respect to all investments. As compensation for its investment management services, Cornerstone receives from the Fund an annual fee, calculated weekly and paid monthly, equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, Cornerstone earned $1,495,584 for investment management services.

 

Administration Agreement

 

Under the terms of the administration agreement, AFS supplies executive, administrative and regulatory services for the Fund. AFS supervises the preparation of reports to shareholders for the Fund, reports to and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and materials for meetings of the Board of Directors. For these services, the Fund pays AFS a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.075% of its average daily net assets, subject to an annual minimum fee of $50,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, AFS earned $112,170 as administrator.

 

NOTE E. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments, were $120,355,611 and $144,925,156, respectively.

 


 

15

 


Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (concluded)

 

NOTE F. SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

The Fund has 100,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 21,642,433 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2016. Transactions in common stock for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were as follows:

 

Shares at beginning of period

   

21,407,414

 

Shares newly issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

235,019

 

Shares at end of period

   

21,642,433

 

 

NOTE G. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

 

Income and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of losses deferred due to wash sales.

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid to stockholders during the year ended December 31, 2015 for the Fund was ordinary income of $2,505,501, long-term capital gains of $6,408,287 and return of capital of $56,039,075.

 

GAAP requires that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified etween financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. Under current tax law, certain capital losses realized after October 31 within a taxable year may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following tax year (“Post-October losses”). The Fund incurred no such losses during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), net capital losses recognized after December 31, 2010 may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses. Under the law in effect prior to the Act, pre-enactment net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses. Therefore, there may be a greater likelihood that all or a portion of the Funds’ pre-enactment capital loss carryovers may expire without being utilized.

 

The following information is computed on a tax basis for each item as of June 30, 2016:

 

Cost of portfolio investments

 

$

291,504,829

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

28,343,670

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

   

(14,900,094

)

Net unrealized appreciation

 

$

13,443,576

 

 


16

 

 


Results of Annual Meeting of Stockholders (unaudited)

 

On April 19, 2016, the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund was held and the following matter were voted upon based on 21,455,072 shares of common stock outstanding on the record date of February 22, 2016:

 

 

(1)

To approve the election of two directors to hold office until the year 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Name of Directors

 

For

 

Withhold

 

Broker Non-Votes

Andrew A. Strauss

 

16,599,804

 

1,206,993

 

334,617

Glenn W. Wilcox, Sr.

 

16,612,166

 

1,194,631

 

334,617

 


 

17

 


Investment Management Agreement Approval Disclosure (unaudited)

 

The Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors (the “Board”) of Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) considers the approval of the continuation of the Investment Management Agreement (the “Agreement”) between Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Investment Manager”) and the Fund on an annual basis. The most recent approval of the continuation of the Agreement occurred at an in person meeting of the Board held on February 12, 2016.

 

The Board requested and received extensive materials and information from the Investment Manager to assist them in considering the approval of the continuance of the Agreement. Based on the Board’s review of the materials and information as well as discussions with management of the Investment Manager, the Board determined that the approval of the continuation of the Agreement was consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. The Board decided that the continuation of the Agreement would enable the Fund to continue to receive high quality services at a cost that is appropriate, reasonable, and in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. The Board made these determinations on the basis of the following factors, among others: (1) the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Investment Manager; (2) the cost to the Investment Manager for providing such services, with special attention to the Investment Manager’s profitability (and whether the Investment Manager realizes any economies of scale); (3) the direct and indirect benefits received by the Investment Manager from its relationship with the Fund and the other investment companies advised by the Investment Manager; and (4) comparative information as to the management fees, expense ratios and performance of other similarly situated closed-end investment companies.

 

In response to a questionnaire distributed by Fund counsel to the Investment Manager in accordance with Section 15c of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Manager provided certain information to the independent members of the Board in advance of the meeting held on February 12, 2016. The materials provided by the Investment Manager described the services offered by the Investment Manager to the Fund and included an overview of the Investment Manager’s investment philosophy, management style and plan, including the Investment Manager’s extensive knowledge and experience in the closed-end fund industry. The Board noted that the Investment Manager provides quarterly reviews of the performance of the Fund and the Investment Manager’s services for the Fund. The Board also discussed the experience and knowledge of the Investment Manager with respect to managing the Fund’s monthly distribution policy and the extent to which such policy contributes to the market’s positive valuation of the Fund.

 

The Board also reviewed and discussed a comparison of the Fund’s performance with comparable closed-end funds and a comparison of the Fund’s expense ratios and management fees with those of comparable funds. Additionally, the Investment Manager presented an analysis of its profitability based on its contractual relationship with the Fund and the other investment companies advised by the Investment Manager.

 

The Board carefully evaluated this information, taking into consideration many factors including the overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies, and performance of the Investment Manager. The Board met in executive session to discuss the information provided and was advised by independent legal counsel with respect to its deliberations and its duties when considering the Agreement’s continuance. Based on its review of the information requested and provided, the Board determined that the management fees payable to the Investment Manager under the Agreement are fair and reasonable in light of the services to be provided, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of the Investment Manager’s relationship with the Fund, the comparability of the proposed fee to fees paid by closed-end funds in the Fund’s peer group, and the level of quality of the investment management personnel. The Board determined that the Agreement is consistent with the best interests

 


18

 

 


Investment Management Agreement Approval Disclosure (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Investment Management Agreement Approval Disclosure (unaudited) (concluded)

 

of the Fund and its stockholders, and enables the Fund to receive high quality services at a cost that is appropriate, reasonable, and in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. Accordingly, in light of the above considerations and such other factors and information it considered relevant, the Board by a unanimous vote (including a separate vote of all the independent Board members present in person at the meeting) approved the continuance of the Agreement with respect to the Fund.

 


 

19

 


Description of Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited)

 

Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), administered by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Agent”), pursuant to which the Fund’s income dividends or capital gains or other distributions (each, a “Distribution” and collectively, “Distributions”), net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, are reinvested in shares of the Fund.

 

Stockholders automatically participate in the Fund’s Plan, unless and until an election is made to withdraw from the Plan on behalf of such participating stockholder. Stockholders who do not wish to have Distributions automatically reinvested should so notify the Agent at P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, New York 10269-0560. Under the Plan, the Fund’s Distributions to stockholders are reinvested in full and fractional shares as described below.

 

When the Fund declares a Distribution the Agent, on the stockholder’s behalf, will (i) receive additional authorized shares from the Fund either newly issued or repurchased from stockholders by the Fund and held as treasury stock (“Newly Issued Shares”) or (ii) purchase outstanding shares on the open market, on the NYSE MKT or elsewhere, with cash allocated to it by the Fund (“Open Market Purchases”).

 

The method for determining the number of Newly Issued Shares received when Distributions are reinvested will be determined by dividing the amount of the Distribution either by the Fund’s last reported net asset value per share or by a price equal to the average closing price of the Fund over the five trading days preceding the payment date of the Distribution, whichever is lower. However, if the last reported net asset value of the Fund’s shares is higher than the average closing price of the Fund over the five trading days preceding the payment date of the Distribution (i.e., the Fund is selling at a discount), shares may be acquired by the Agent in Open Market Purchases and allocated to the reinvesting stockholders based on the average cost of such Open Market Purchases. Upon notice from the Fund, the Agent will receive the distribution in cash and will purchase shares of common stock in the open market, on the NYSE MKT or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts, except that the Agent will endeavor to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue the remaining shares if, following the commencement of the purchases, the market value of the shares, including brokerage commissions, exceeds the net asset value at the time of valuation. These remaining shares will be issued by the Fund at a price equal to the net asset value at the time of valuation.

 

In a case where the Agent has terminated open market purchases and caused the issuance of remaining shares by the Fund, the number of shares received by the participant in respect of the cash dividend or distribution will be based on the weighted average of prices paid for shares purchased in the open market, including brokerage commissions, and the price at which the Fund issues the remaining shares. To the extent that the Agent is unable to terminate purchases in the open market before the Agent has completed its purchases, or remaining shares cannot be issued by the Fund because the Fund declared a dividend or distribution payable only in cash, and the market price exceeds the net asset value of the shares, the average share purchase price paid by the Agent may exceed the net asset value of the shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund.

 

Whenever the Fund declares a Distribution and the last reported net asset value of the Fund’s shares is higher than its market price, the Agent will apply the amount of such Distribution payable to Plan participants of the Fund in Fund shares (less such Plan participant’s pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to Open Market Purchases in connection with the reinvestment of such Distribution) to the purchase on the open market of Fund shares for such Plan participant’s account. Such purchases will be made on or after the payable date for such Distribution, and in no event more than 30 days after such date except

 


20

 

 


Description of Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited) (concluded)

 

where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchase is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities laws. The Agent may aggregate a Plan participant’s purchases with the purchases of other Plan participants, and the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all shares purchased by the Agent shall be the price per share allocable to each Plan participant.

 

Registered stockholders who do not wish to have their Distributions automatically reinvested should so notify the Fund in writing. If a stockholder has not elected to receive cash Distributions and the Agent does not receive notice of an election to receive cash Distributions prior to the record date of any Distribution, the stockholder will automatically receive such Distributions in additional shares.

 

Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan by providing written notice to the Agent at least 30 days prior to the applicable Distribution payment date. The Agent will maintain all stockholder accounts in the Plan and furnish written confirmations of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by stockholders for personal and tax records. The Agent will hold shares in the account of the Plan participant in non-certificated form in the name of the participant, and each stockholder’s proxy will include those shares purchased pursuant to the Plan. The Agent will distribute all proxy solicitation materials to participating stockholders.

 

In the case of stockholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, that hold shares for others who are beneficial owners participating in the Plan, the Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the record stockholder as representing the total amount of shares registered in the stockholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners participating in the Plan.

 

Neither the Agent nor the Fund shall have any responsibility or liability beyond the exercise of ordinary care for any action taken or omitted pursuant to the Plan, nor shall they have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities except such as expressly set forth herein. Neither shall they be liable hereunder for any act done in good faith or for any good faith omissions to act, including, without limitation, failure to terminate a participants account prior to receipt of written notice of his or her death or with respect to prices at which shares are purchased or sold for the participants account and the terms on which such purchases and sales are made, subject to applicable provisions of the federal securities laws.

 

The automatic reinvestment of Distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Distributions. 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.

 

Participants may at any time sell some or all of their shares though the Agent. Shares may be sold via the internet at www.amstock.com or through the toll free number. Participants can also use the tear off portion attached to the bottom of their statement and mail the request to American Stock Transfer and Trust Company LLC, P.O Box 922 Wall Street Station, New York, N.Y. 10269-0560. There is a fee of $15.00 per transaction and commission of $0.10 per share.

 

All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Agent at P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, New York 10269-0560. Certain transactions can be performed online at www.amstock.com or by calling the toll-free number (866) 668-6558.

 


 

21

 


Proxy Voting and Portfolio Holdings Information (unaudited)

 

The policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to its portfolio securities are available:

 

 

without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free (866) 668-6558; and

 

 

on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, http://www.sec.gov.

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent period ended June 30, 2016 is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free (866) 668-6558, and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or on the Fund’s website at www.cornerstonestrategicvaluefund.com (See Form N-PX).

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of its fiscal year with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

Summary of General Information (unaudited)

 

Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc. is a closed-end, diversified investment company whose shares trade on the NYSE MKT. Its investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation through investment in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies. The Fund is managed by Cornerstone Advisors, Inc.

 

Stockholder Information (unaudited)

 

The Fund is listed on the NYSE MKT (symbol “CLM”). The previous week’s net asset value per share, market price, and related premium or discount are available on the Fund’s website at www.cornerstonestrategicvaluefund.com.

 

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

 

This report, including the financial statements herein, is sent to the stockholders of the Fund for their information. The financial information included herein is taken from the records of the Fund without examination by the independent registered public accountants who do not express an opinion thereon. It is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or of any securities mentioned in the report.

 


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Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.

 


ITEM 2.
CODE OF ETHICS.

Not required

ITEM 3.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not required

ITEM 4.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not required

ITEM 5.
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not required

ITEM 6.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

(a) Not required

ITEM 7.
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not required

ITEM 8.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

(a)
Not required

(b)
There has not been a change in any of the Portfolio Managers identified in response to this Item in the registrant's most recent annual report on Form N-CSR.

ITEM 9.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

None

ITEM 10.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of directors that have been implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) or this Item.



ITEM 11.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Based on their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed and are operating effectively to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared, and that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12.
EXHIBITS.

File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated.

(a)(1) Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit: Not required

(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)): Attached hereto


(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable

(b) Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)): Attached hereto

Exhibit 99.CERT
Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act

Exhibit 99.906CERT
Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant) Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.

By (Signature and Title)*
/s/ Ralph W. Bradshaw
 
   
Ralph W. Bradshaw, Chairman and President
 
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
       
Date
September 1, 2016
   

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

By (Signature and Title)*
/s/ Ralph W. Bradshaw
 
   
Ralph W. Bradshaw, Chairman and President
 
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
       
Date
September 1, 2016
   
       
By (Signature and Title)*
/s/ Frank J. Maresca
 
   
Frank J. Maresca, Treasurer
 
   
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
       
Date
September 1, 2016
   

*
Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.