The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.

 

 

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:   811-05296
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter:   The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.
Address of principal executive offices:   Gateway Center 3,
  100 Mulberry Street,
  Newark, New Jersey 07102
Name and address of agent for service:   Deborah A. Docs
  Gateway Center 3,
  100 Mulberry Street,
  Newark, New Jersey 07102
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   973-367-7521
Date of fiscal year end:   8/31/2008
Date of reporting period:   8/31/2008

 

 

 


Item 1     Reports to Stockholders


ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2008

 

 

THE HIGH YIELD INCOME FUND, INC.

This report is for stockholder information. This is not a prospectus intended for use in the purchase or sale of fund shares.

The views expressed in this report and information about the Fund’s holdings are for the period covered by this report and are subject to change thereafter.


Your Fund’s Performance

 

 

Fund objectives

The primary investment objective of The High Yield Income Fund, Inc. is to maximize current income to shareholders. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation, but only when consistent with its primary objective. The Fund will seek to achieve its objectives by investing primarily in corporate bonds rated below investment grade by independent rating agencies. Bonds rated below investment grade are commonly known as “junk” bonds and are subject to greater risk of default and higher volatility than investment grade bonds. Furthermore, these bonds tend to be less liquid than higher-quality bonds. The Fund is diversified, and we carefully research companies to find those with attractive yields and improving credit quality. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

 

Performance as of 8/31/08                
     Total Return
12 Months
    NAV
8/31/08
   Market Price
8/31/08

The High Yield Income Fund1

   1.50 %   $ 4.93    $ 4.31

Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield 1% Issuer Capped Index2

   –0.44       N/A      N/A

Prior Index3

   –0.66       N/A      N/A

Lipper Closed-End High Current Yield Funds (Leveraged) Avg.4

   –14.03       N/A      N/A

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the past performance data quoted. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For the most recent month-end performance, call (800) 451-6788. There are no sales charges.

 

1Source: Prudential Investments LLC. Total return of the Fund represents the change in net asset value from the beginning of the period (9/1/07) through the end (8/31/08) and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Shares of the Fund are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. using the symbol HYI. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

2Source: Lehman Brothers. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield 1% Issuer Capped Index (1% Issuer Capped Index) covers the universe of U.S. dollar denominated, non-convertible, fixed rate, noninvestment grade debt. Issuers are capped at 1% of the Index. Index holdings must have at least one year to final maturity, at least $150 million par amount outstanding, and be publicly issued with a rating of Ba1 or lower. Index returns do not include the effect of any sales charges, mutual fund operating expenses or taxes.

3Source: Lehman Brothers. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the Prior Index) is an unmanaged index of fixed-rate, noninvestment grade debt securities with at least one year remaining to maturity. However, the representation of any single bond issuer is restricted to a maximum of 2% of the total index.

4Source: Lipper Inc. These are the average returns of 31 funds in the Closed-End High Current Yield Funds (Leveraged) category for 12 months.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   1


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

 

Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Yield and Dividend as of 8/31/08    
Total Monthly Dividends
Paid per Share
12 Months
  Yield at Market Price5

$0.4575

  10.61%

 

5Yield at market price is determined by dividing total monthly dividends paid per share during the 12 months ended August 31, 2008 by the market price per share as of August 31, 2008.

 

2  


Strategy and Performance Overview

 

 

How did the Fund perform?

The Fund returned 1.50% for its 12-month reporting period ended August 31, 2008, outperforming the 0.44% decline of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield 1% Issuer Capped Index (the Index) and significantly beating the 14.03% decline of the Lipper Closed-End High Current Yield Funds (Leveraged) Average.

 

What were conditions like in the U.S. high yield market?

Early in the reporting period, the Federal Reserve (the Fed) tried to prevent a rising tide of delinquencies and foreclosures on subprime mortgages from engulfing the broader U.S. economy. The Fed cut its target for the federal funds rate charged on overnight loans between banks to 4.75% from 5.25% in September 2007. It hoped that lower borrowing costs would encourage companies to continue expanding their businesses and consumers to spend freely for goods and services. Initially, the rate cut buoyed financial markets, and high yield bond prices gained in September and October 2007, only to turn sharply lower as the reporting period continued.

 

It became increasingly clear that more aggressive, inventive measures were needed to support the economy and ease stresses in the credit markets. Wall Street investment banks and commercial banks were forced to write down billions of dollars of debt securities linked to the risky mortgages. Commercial banks grew reluctant to lend money to each other, businesses, and consumers. The U.S. economy shed thousands of jobs, housing prices continued to fall, and the inventory of houses for sale climbed.

 

A concerned Fed acted decisively. It repeatedly eased monetary policy, pushing down its target for the federal funds rate to 2.00%. In addition, the Fed allowed Wall Street investment banks to borrow money from its discount window on much the same terms as commercial banks. It also helped facilitate JP Morgan Chase & Co.’s hurried acquisition of Bear Stearns Cos. at a deep discount before the latter slid into bankruptcy. The Fed’s decision to help initially cheered financial markets, helping high yield bond prices soar in April 2008. But the downturn in the high yield market soon resumed.

 

As the credit crisis worsened, investors grew more risk averse. Many continued to seek safe haven in U.S. Treasury securities, which are rated AAA because the federal government backs their interest and principal. Meanwhile, prices of riskier assets, including high yield bonds, repeatedly came under pressure, causing their yields to climb, as yields rise when bond prices fall. Consequently, the difference between yields on high yield bonds and 10-year U.S. Treasury notes ballooned, indicating that investors required significantly more compensation to invest in bonds rated below investment grade. Defaults on high yield bonds also edged higher as more companies failed to pay interest and/or principal on their debt securities.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   3


Strategy and Performance Overview (continued)

 

Within the high yield market, the performance was mixed for the 12-month reporting period. The positive total return posted by bonds in the Ba rating category was wiped out by the sharp declines posted by bonds in the lower rating categories. Some market sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and aerospace/defense finished in positive territory. In contrast, the airlines and automotive sectors, hard hit by soaring energy prices, as well as the building materials and financial institutions sectors, which were deeply affected by the credit crisis, ended the period with double-digit losses.

 

How was the Fund positioned during the reporting period?

Under the difficult market conditions, the Fund continued to favor shorter-term investments, whether high yield bonds or leveraged bank loans. The latter are loans made to below-investment-grade companies that have borrowed heavily to finance their businesses. Of the two, leveraged bank loans are the more conservative because, in most cases, they get paid off before high yield bonds when a company declares bankruptcy.

 

Commercial banks sell leveraged loans to mutual funds and other institutional investors to remove them from their balance sheets, thereby reducing the risk associated with lending. Wall Street firms also set up legal entities that purchase groups of loans and package them as collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) that are sold to institutional investors. Because there was a large amount of bank loans available and few newly issued CLOs, the Fund was able to increase its holdings of leveraged bank loans on very attractive terms.

 

The Fund also benefited from Prudential Fixed Income Management’s sector allocation strategy that favored so-called defensive industries, that is those that tend to hold up well even when the broader economy weakens in the United States. Most notably, the Fund had a substantially larger exposure than the Index to the healthcare sector, which performed well. At the same time, the Fund had significantly smaller positions than the Index in the troubled automotive, building materials, and financial institutions sectors. Thus, the sector allocation strategy helped the Fund outperform the Index for the reporting period.

 

What were some of the key holdings that aided the Fund’s return?

Two of the Fund’s positions in the healthcare sector—Accellent, Inc. and HCA, Inc.—made the largest positive contribution to its return. Accellent provides design, engineering, and manufacturing services to companies that produce medical devices. HCA, a provider of healthcare services in the United States and England, owns more than 160 hospitals and more than 100 outpatient centers.

 

4  


 

In the difficult investment environment, avoiding companies that defaulted on their bonds was just as important as selecting bonds of companies that performed well. For example, the Fund did not own bonds of SemGroup LP, an oil company included in the Index. SemGroup filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and defaulted on its bonds. Avoiding these debt securities helped the Fund outperform the Index.

 

What were some of the key holdings that hurt the Fund’s return?

The Fund had a limited exposure to bonds that were pressured most by the malaise in the housing market. Yet it continued to have a larger exposure than the Index to debt securities of Realogy Corp., a real estate management and services firm based in New Jersey. Realogy bonds were one of the largest detractors from the Fund’s return, but the Fund continues to hold them because Prudential Fixed Income Management still believes Realogy will gain market share as weaker competitors go out of business.

 

The Fund also owned bonds of Hawaiian Telecom Communications that tumbled in value, detracting from its return. The company suffered lingering systems problems that have weakened its competitive potential in the longer term.

 

How did Prudential Fixed Income Management employ leverage in the Fund?

Leverage refers to the practice of taking out a loan against a percentage of a portfolio’s assets and investing the money back into the high yield market. It can materially enhance a portfolio’s return when the underlying bonds gain in value, or it can detract from a portfolio’s return when the underlying bonds decline in value.

 

Shortly before the reporting period began, Prudential Fixed Income Management reduced the amount of leverage employed by the Fund because it believed valuations of high yield bonds did not accurately reflect the degree of risk in the market. However, the Fund increased borrowing during the reporting period to selectively take advantage of attractive investment opportunities created by the sell-off in the high yield market.

 

What is Prudential Fixed Income Management’s outlook for the market?

Prudential Fixed Income Management maintains its cautious outlook for the U.S. high yield bond and leveraged bank loan markets, given that weak economic conditions are having a negative impact on companies that borrow heavily to finance their businesses. As previously mentioned, defaults on high yield bonds have already begun to edge higher. Prudential Fixed Income Management expects the default rate to rise by the end of 2008 to nearly 4.00%, its long-term average.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   5


Strategy and Performance Overview (continued)

 

The high yield market is also expected to remain volatile well into 2009. That said, Prudential Fixed Income Management believes the downturn in the high yield market continues to create attractive investment opportunities. Even relatively minor disappointments in earnings have caused sharp sell-offs in the high yield bonds and bank loans of some generally solid companies. The Fund’s portfolio managers and credit research analysts are working diligently to identify high yield bonds and bank loans that have become oversold and therefore represent good value.

 

6  


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS    133.5%

       

BANK LOANS    12.4%

         

Cable    3.2%

                         

CSC Holdings, Bank Loan

  Ba1   3.464%(h)   2/24/12   $ 1,922 (f)   $ 1,827,896

Electric    1.6%

                         

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC,

         

Bank Loan

  Ba3   6.22(h)   10/10/14     224 (f)     208,884

Bank Loan

  Ba3   6.269(h)   10/10/14     746 (f)     694,004
             
            902,888

Health Care & Pharmaceutical    1.9%

                     

HCA, Inc., Bank Loan

  Ba3   5.306(h)   11/17/12     734 (f)     685,871

Royalty Pharma Financial Trust, Bank Loan

  Baa3   7.75   5/15/15     400 (f)     397,500
             
            1,083,371

Media & Entertainment    0.9%

                         

Idearc, Inc., Bank Loan

  Ba3   4.786(h)   11/17/14     746 (f)     522,348

Paper    1.2%

                         

Georgia-Pacific LLC, Bank Loan

  Ba2   4.466(h)   12/29/12     717 (f)     677,003

Technology    2.7%

                         

Flextronics Intl., Bank Loan

  Ba1   5.041(h)   10/01/12     995 (f)     910,725

Sensata Technologies, Bank Loan

  B1   4.543(h)   4/27/13     746 (f)     655,251
             
            1,565,976

Telecommunications    0.9%

                         

Alltel Communications, Inc., Bank Loan

  Ba3   5.314(h)   5/15/15     497 (f)     491,648
             

Total bank loans
(cost $7,167,672)

            7,071,130
             

CORPORATE BONDS    121.1%

         

Aerospace/Defense    4.5%

                         

BE Aerospace, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d Notes

  Ba3   8.50   7/01/18     300       312,750

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   7

 


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008 continued

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Aerospace/Defense (cont’d)

                         

DRS Technologies, Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B1   6.625%   2/01/16   $ 200     $ 206,000

Gtd. Notes

  B3   7.625   2/01/18     400       421,000

Esterline Technologies Corp.,
Sr. Sub. Notes

  B1   7.75   6/15/13     300       300,000

L-3 Communications Corp.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   7.625   6/15/12     400       407,000

Gtd. Notes, Ser. B

  Ba3   6.375   10/15/15     300       287,250

Moog, Inc.,

         

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Ba3   6.25   1/15/15     300       283,500

Sr. Sub. Notes, 144A

  Ba3   7.25   6/15/18     200       196,000

TransDigm, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  B3   7.75   7/15/14     150       145,875
             
            2,559,375

Airlines    0.2%

                         

AMR Corp., M.T.N., Notes, Ser. B

  CCC+(d)   10.40   3/10/11     100       72,000

Continental Airlines, Inc., Pass-Thru Certs., Ser. 1998-1, Class B (Sinkable, expected maturity 3/15/17)

  Ba2   6.748   3/15/17     55       44,484
             
            116,484

Automotive    2.4%

                         

Ford Motor Credit Co.,

         

Notes

  B1   7.875   6/15/10     430       370,672

Sr. Unsec’d Notes

  B1   7.25   10/25/11     350       268,114

General Motors Corp.,

         

Notes

  Caa2   7.20   1/15/11     415       266,638

Sr. Notes

  Caa2   7.125   7/15/13     50       27,000

Lear Corp., Gtd. Notes, Ser. B

  B3   8.75   12/01/16     125       94,063

TRW Automotive, Inc., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  Ba3   7.25   3/15/17     300       258,000

Visteon Corp., Sr. Notes

  Caa2   7.00   3/10/14     135       66,825
             
            1,351,312

Banking    0.7%

                         

Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan),

         

Notes, 144A

  Baa3   8.125   10/07/09     100 (c)     101,000

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8  

 


 

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Banking (cont’d)

                         

Kazkommerts International BV (Netherlands),

         

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  Ba1   7.00%   11/03/09   $ 105 (c)   $ 99,750

Gtd. Notes 144A

  Ba1   8.50   4/16/13     205 (c)     172,200
             
            372,950

Building Materials & Construction    1.8%

             

Beazer Homes USA, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  B2   8.625   5/15/11     110       86,900

D.R. Horton, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   8.00   2/01/09     750       750,000

KB Home, Notes

  Ba2   6.375   8/15/11     150       138,000

Nortek, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa1   8.50   9/01/14     100       61,000
             
            1,035,900

Cable    5.1%

                         

Charter Communications Holdings I LLC,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Caa3   10.00   5/15/14     99       49,005

Gtd. Notes

  Caa3   11.125   1/15/14     198       99,000

Gtd. Notes

  Caa3   11.75   5/15/14     500       267,500

Gtd. Notes

  NR   11.00   10/01/15     4       3,050

Sec’d. Notes

  Caa3   11.00   10/01/15     300       230,250

CSC Holdings, Inc.,

         

Debentures

  B1   7.625   7/15/18     100       93,000

Debentures

  B1   7.875   2/15/18     50       47,000

Sr. Notes, Ser. B

  B1   7.625   4/01/11     25       25,125

Mediacom Broadband LLC, Sr. Notes

  B3   8.50   10/15/15     125       114,063

Mediacom LLC., Sr. Notes

  B3   9.50   1/15/13     80       77,400

NTL Cable PLC (United Kingdom),
Sr. Notes

  B2   9.125   8/15/16     300 (c)     285,750

Shaw Communications, Inc. (Canada),

         

Sr. Notes

  Ba1   7.20   12/15/11     300 (c)     303,375

Sr. Notes

  Ba1   8.25   4/11/10     600 (c)     615,749

Videotron Ltee, (Canada),

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   6.375   12/15/15     100 (c)     93,375

Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   6.875   1/15/14     208 (c)     202,020

Sr. Notes, 144A

  Ba2   9.125   4/15/18     375 (c)     394,219
             
            2,899,881

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   9

 


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008 continued

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Capital Goods    12.3%

                         

Actuant Corp., Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   6.875%   6/15/17   $ 125     $ 122,500

ALH Finance LLC, Sr. Sub. Notes

  B3   8.50   1/15/13     250       233,125

Allied Waste North America, Inc.,

         

Sec’d. Notes, Ser. B

  B1   5.75   2/15/11     450       446,624

Sr. Notes

  B1   7.25   3/15/15     95       96,188

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  B1   6.125   2/15/14     150       145,875

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  B1   6.375   4/15/11     250       250,625

Ashtead Capital, Inc., Notes, 144A

  B1   9.00   8/15/16     475       427,500

Ashtead Holdings PLC (United Kingdom), Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  B1   8.625   8/01/15     150 (c)     133,500

Baldor Electric Co., Gtd. Notes

  B3   8.625   2/15/17     360       364,500

Blount, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes

  B2   8.875   8/01/12     425       433,500

Columbus McKinnon Corp., Sr. Sub. Notes

  B1   8.875   11/01/13     300       309,000

Ucar Finance, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   10.25   2/15/12     98       100,940

Hertz Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B1   8.875   1/01/14     820       767,724

JohnsonDiversey Holdings, Inc., Discount Notes

  Caa1   10.67   5/15/13     310       311,550

JohnsonDiversey, Inc., Gtd. Notes, Ser. B

  B2   9.625   5/15/12     75       76,313

Lender Processing Services, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d Notes, 144A

  Ba2   8.125   7/01/16     375       381,094

Mobile Mini, Inc., Sr. Notes

  B2   6.875   5/01/15     295       251,488

RBS Global, Inc. & Rexnord Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B3   9.50   8/01/14     345       336,375

Rental Service Corp., Bonds

  Caa1   9.50   12/01/14     320       256,000

SPX Corp., Sr. Notes, 144A

  Ba2   7.625   12/15/14     225       231,188

Stena AB (Sweden),

         

Sr. Notes

  Ba2   7.00   12/01/16     100 (c)     94,500

Sr. Notes

  Ba2   7.50   11/01/13     275 (c)     268,125

Terex Corp.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   7.375   1/15/14     275       270,875

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Ba3   8.00   11/15/17     100       98,750

United Rentals North America, Inc.,

         

Sr. Sub. Notes

  B2   7.75   11/15/13     400       316,000

Valmont Industries, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   6.875   5/01/14     350       339,500
             
            7,063,359

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10  

 


 

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
  Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Chemicals    5.7%

                       

Hercules, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   6.75%   10/15/29   $ 175   $ 175,875

Huntsman LLC, Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   11.625   10/15/10     1,111     1,149,884

Koppers, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   9.875   10/15/13     805     845,250

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., Gtd Notes

  B3   9.75   12/01/14     300     270,750

Mosaic Co. (The),

         

Sr. Notes, 144A

  Baa3   7.375   12/01/14     125     129,267

Sr. Notes, 144A

  Baa3   7.625   12/01/16     125     131,454

Nalco Co., Sr. Notes

  B1   7.75   11/15/11     575     582,188
             
            3,284,668

Consumer    2.6%

                       

Mac-Gray Corp., Sr. Notes

  B3   7.625   8/15/15     150     142,875

Realogy Corp., Gtd. Notes, PIK

  Caa2   11.00   4/15/14     850     399,500

Service Corp. International,

         

Sr. Notes

  B1   6.75   4/01/16     175     161,000

Sr. Notes

  B1   7.375   10/01/14     450     438,750

Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   6.25   2/15/13     200     193,000

Ticketmaster, Sr. Notes, 144A

  Ba3   10.75   8/01/16     125     128,125
             
            1,463,250

Electric    7.7%

                       

AES Corp.,

         

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  Ba3   8.75   5/15/13     47     48,645

Sr. Unsec’d Notes

  B1   7.75   10/15/15     150     148,500

Sr. Unsec’d Notes

  B1   8.00   10/15/17     500     492,500

AES Eastern Energy LP,

         

Pass-Through Cert.,

         

Ser. 1999-A

  Ba1   9.00   1/02/17     184     196,629

CMS Energy Corp., Sr. Notes

  Ba1   8.50   4/15/11     135     141,967

Dynegy Roseton/Danskammer,

         

Pass-Through Trust,

         

Series B

  Ba3   7.67   11/08/16     550     538,314

Edison Mission Energy, Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  B1   7.75   6/15/16     225     225,000

Energy Future Holdings Corp., Gtd. Notes, PIK, 144A

  B3   11.25   11/01/17     200     197,500

Midwest Generation LLC, Pass-Thru Certs., Ser. A

  Baa3   8.30   7/02/09     70     70,645

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   11

 


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008 continued

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Electric (cont’d)

                         

Mirant Corp., 144A

  NR   7.40%   7/15/49   $ 75 (a)(f)   $ 75

Mirant Mid Atlantic LLC, Pass-Through Cert., Ser. B,

  Ba1   9.125   6/30/17     335       363,122

Mirant North America LLC, Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.375   12/31/13     100       99,250

NRG Energy, Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.25   2/01/14     400       394,500

Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.375   2/01/16     280       276,500

Orion Power Holdings, Inc., Sr. Notes

  Ba3   12.00   5/01/10     370       399,600

Sierra Pacific Resources, Inc., Sr. Notes

  Ba3   8.625   3/15/14     199       208,134

Tenaska Alabama Partners LP,

         

Sec’d Notes, 144A

  Ba2   7.00   6/30/21     136       127,842

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, Gtd. Notes, 144A

  B3   10.25   11/01/15     475       473,813
             
            4,402,536

Energy—Other    7.9%

                         

Compagnie Generale de Geophysique-Veritas (France), Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   7.50   5/15/15     110 (c)     109,450

Forest Oil Corp., Sr. Notes

  B1   8.00   12/15/11     170       173,825

McMoRan Exploration Co., Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   11.875   11/15/14     275       283,250

Newfield Exploration Co.,

         

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Ba3   6.625   9/01/14     25       23,531

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Ba3   6.625   4/15/16     400       372,499

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Ba3   7.125   5/15/18     150       141,375

Opti Canada, Inc., (Canada), Sr. Sec’d Notes

  B1   7.875   12/15/14     350 (c)     346,063

Parker Drilling Co., Sr. Notes

  B2   9.625   10/01/13     270       282,150

PetroHawk Energy Corp.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B3   9.125   7/15/13     250       248,750

Sr. Notes, 144A

  B3   7.875   6/01/15     275       256,438

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12  

 


 

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Energy—Other (cont’d)

                         

Petroplus Finance Ltd. (Bermuda),

         

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  B1   6.75%   5/01/14   $ 400 (c)   $ 361,999

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  B1   7.00   5/01/17     225 (c)     199,688

Pioneer Natural Resource Co.,

         

Sr. Notes

  Ba1   5.875   7/15/16     50       43,843

Sr. Unsec’d Notes

  Ba1   6.65   3/15/17     365       332,544

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  Ba1   6.875   5/01/18     150       136,298

Plains Exploration & Production Co.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.00   3/15/17     460       413,999

Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.625   6/01/18     25       23,563

Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.75   6/15/15     50       47,625

Sandridge Energy, Inc., Sr. Notes, 144A

  B3   8.00   6/01/18     375       351,563

Swift Energy Co., Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.125   6/01/17     130       116,675

Tesoro Corp

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   6.25   11/01/12     90       81,000

Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   6.50   6/01/17     175       146,563

Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   6.625   11/01/15     50       43,375
             
            4,536,066

Foods    3.0%

                         

Ahold Finance USA Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Baa3   6.875   5/01/29     75       75,048

Notes

  Baa3   8.25   7/15/10     75       78,407

Alberton’s, Inc., Debentures

  B1   8.70   5/01/30     70       73,521

Aramark Corp.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B3   6.301(h)   2/01/15     200       186,000

Gtd. Notes

  B3   8.50   2/01/15     250       251,875

Carrols Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B3   9.00   1/15/13     175       147,875

Del Monte Corp., Sr. Sub. Notes

  B2   8.625   12/15/12     100       101,000

Dole Food Co., Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   7.25   6/15/10     150       138,750

National Beef Packing Co. LLC, Sr. Notes

  Caa1   10.50   8/01/11     150       150,000

Smithfield Foods, Inc., Sr. Notes

  Ba3   7.00   8/01/11     200       190,000

Stater Brothers Holdings,

         

Sr. Notes

  B2   7.75   4/15/15     225       217,125

Sr. Notes

  B2   8.125   6/15/12     100       99,500
             
            1,709,101

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   13

 


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008 continued

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
  Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Gaming    5.9%

                       

Park Place Entertainment, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa2   8.125%   5/15/11   $ 135   $ 94,500

CCM Merger, Inc., Notes, 144A

  Caa1   8.00   8/01/13     550     442,750

Fountainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC, Mortgage Backed, 144A

  Caa1   10.25   6/15/15     275     129,938

Harrah’s Operating Co. Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Caa2   5.50   7/01/10     150     126,000

Gtd. Notes

  Caa2   5.625   6/01/15     175     68,688

Gtd. Notes, 144A

  Caa1   10.75   2/01/16     800     538,000

Notes

  Caa2   6.50   6/01/16     25     10,000

Mandalay Resort Group, Sr. Sub. Notes

  B1   9.375   2/15/10     100     98,000

MGM Mirage, Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   6.00   10/01/09     150     147,000

Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   6.875   4/01/16     225     178,313

Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   7.50   6/01/16     200     163,000

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority,

         

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Ba3   8.00   4/01/12     175     148,750

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Ba3   8.375   7/01/11     850     832,999

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  Ba1   6.125   2/15/13     25     21,000

Shingle Springs Tribal Gaming Authority, Sr. Notes, 144A

  B3   9.375   6/15/15     150     121,875

Station Casinos, Inc.,

         

Sr. Notes

  B3   6.00   4/01/12     100     69,750

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa2   6.50   2/01/14     275     123,750

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa2   6.625   3/15/18     75     31,125

Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa2   6.875   3/01/16     65     28,275
             
            3,373,713

Health Care & Pharmaceutical    13.8%

           

Accellent, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Caa3   10.50   12/01/13     475     446,500

Biomet, Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   11.625   10/15/17     530     557,163

Gtd. Notes, PIK

  B3   10.375   10/15/17     200     210,000

Bio-Rad Labortories, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes

  Ba3   7.50   8/15/13     125     125,000

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14  

 


 

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Health Care & Pharmaceutical (cont’d)

             

Boston Scientific Corp.,

         

Sr. Unsec’d Notes

  Ba2   5.45%   6/15/14   $ 200     $ 187,000

Sr. Unsec’d Notes

  Ba2   6.25   11/15/15     250       236,250

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   9.50   4/15/15     325       271,375

Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., M.T.N.

  Caa1   8.70   2/10/10     500       505,026

Columbia/HCA, Inc., Debentures

  Caa1   7.50   11/15/95     100       70,615

Community Health Systems, Inc.,
Sr. Notes

  B3   8.875   7/15/15     750       757,499

Elan Finance PLC (Ireland),

         

Gtd. Notes

  B3   6.804(h)   11/15/11     103 (c)     95,018

Gtd. Notes

  B3   7.75   11/15/11     80 (c)     74,000

FMC Finance, S.A., (Luxembourg), Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   6.875   7/15/17     75 (c)     72,000

HCA, Inc., Sr. Sec’d. Notes

  B2   9.125   11/15/14     725       744,937

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   7.00   4/01/14     300       287,250

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   7.00   1/15/16     170       158,525

Res-Care, Inc., Sr. Notes

  B1   7.75   10/15/13     325       307,938

Select Medical Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B3   7.625   2/01/15     45       38,700

Senior Housing Properties Trust, Sr. Notes

  Ba1   8.625   1/15/12     618       630,359

Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa1   11.00   1/15/14     328       346,040

Sun Healthcare Group, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes

  B3   9.125   4/15/15     300       300,000

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes, 144A (original cost $191,884; purchased 6/21/07 - 1/4/08)

  Caa1   10.00   7/15/17     200 (g)     150,000

Vanguard Health Holdings Co. II LLC, Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa1   9.00   10/01/14     375       368,438

Ventas Realty LP,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   8.75   5/01/09     300       306,000

Sr. Notes

  Ba1   9.00   5/01/12     175       184,625

Viant Holdings, Inc.,
Gtd. Notes, 144A

  Caa1   10.125   7/15/17     555 (f)     468,975
             
            7,899,233

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   15

 


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008 continued

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
  Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Lodging    1.6%

                       

Felcor Lodging LP, Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   8.50%   6/01/11   $ 225   $ 217,125

Host Marriott LP,

         

Sr. Notes

  Ba1   7.125   11/01/13     525     494,813

Sr. Notes, Ser. M

  Ba1   7.00   8/15/12     200     187,000
             
            898,938

Media & Entertainment    6.6%

                       

AMC Entertainment, Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B2   11.00   2/01/16     50     50,750

Sr. Sub. Notes

  B2   8.00   3/01/14     100     90,250

Cinemark, Inc., Sr. Disc. Notes

  B3   9.223(i)   3/15/14     90     86,850

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.,

         

Debentures

  Caa1   6.875   6/15/18     25     11,750

Sr. Notes

  Caa1   5.75   1/15/13     250     142,500

Sr. Notes

  Caa1   5.50   9/15/14     150     73,125

CMP Susquehanna Corp., Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   9.875   5/15/14     50     31,250

Dex Media West LLC,

         

Sr. Sub. Notes, Ser. B

  B1   9.875   8/15/13     415     319,550

Notes

  B2   8.00   11/15/13     165     97,350

DirecTV Holdings LLC,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   6.375   6/15/15     25     23,563

Sr. Notes

  Ba3   8.375   3/15/13     275     284,625

Echostar DBS Corp.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   6.375   10/01/11     75     73,313

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   6.625   10/01/14     75     69,000

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   7.00   10/01/13     75     71,250

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   7.125   2/01/16     375     345,000

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   7.75   5/31/15     175     167,125

Idearc, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  B3   8.00   11/15/16     350     158,375

LIN Television Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B1   6.50   5/15/13     300     246,000

Medianews Group, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa2   6.875   10/01/13     125     43,281

Morris Publishing Group LLC, Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   7.00   8/01/13     65     31,200

Radio One, Inc., Gtd. Notes, Ser. B

  B3   8.875   7/01/11     200     170,500

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16  

 


 

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Media & Entertainment (cont’d)

                         

Rainbow National Services LLC, 144A

         

Sr. Notes

  B1   8.75%   9/01/12   $ 125     $ 127,500

Sr. Sub. Debentures

  B2   10.375   9/01/14     20       21,275

RH Donnelley Corp.,

         

Sr. Notes, Ser. A-3

  B3   8.875   1/15/16     225       118,125

Sr. Unsec’d Notes

  B3   8.875   10/15/17     150       77,250

Sun Media Corp. (Canada), Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   7.625   2/15/13     400 (c)     378,999

Universal City Florida Holdings Co., Sr. Notes

  B3   7.551(h)   5/01/10     250       241,875

Univision Communications, Inc.,

         

Sr. Notes, PIK, 144A

  Caa1   9.75   3/15/15     350       250,250
             
            3,801,881

Metal    7.7%

                         

AK Steel Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.75   6/15/12     200       204,500

Aleris International, Inc.,
Sr. Notes, PIK

  B3   9.00   12/15/14     150       117,000

Century Aluminum Co., Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.50   8/15/14     155       150,350

FMG Finance Pty Ltd. (Australia), 144A

         

Sec’d. Notes

  B1   10.00   9/01/13     140 (c)     149,800

Sec’d. Notes

  B1   10.625   9/01/16     475 (c)     532,000

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  Ba2   8.375   4/01/17     540       572,400

Gerdau AmeriSteel Corp. (Canada), Sr. Notes

  Ba1   10.375   7/15/11     1,000 (c)     1,037,499

Ispat Inland ULC (Canada),
Sec’d. Notes

  Baa2   9.75   4/01/14     940 (c)     1,004,660

Metals USA, Inc., Sec’d. Notes

  B3   11.125   12/01/15     222       231,990

Novelis, Inc. (Canada), Gtd. Notes

  B3   7.25   2/15/15     115 (c)     106,663

Russel Metals, Inc. (Canada), Sr. Notes

  Ba2   6.375   3/01/14     150 (c)     141,000

Ryerson, Inc., Sec’d Notes, 144A (original cost $250,000; purchased 10/03/07)

  B2   12.00   11/01/15     170 (g)     166,600
             
            4,414,462

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   17

 


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008 continued

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Non-Captive Finance    1.0%

                         

General Motors Acceptance Corp.,

         

Notes

  B3   6.875%   8/28/12   $ 530     $ 310,922

Notes

  B3   6.75   12/01/14     85       46,152

GMAC LLC, Unsub. Notes

  B3   6.625   5/15/12     75       43,799

Residential Capital LLC, Sec’d. Notes, 144A

  Caa3   9.625   5/15/15     464       153,120
             
            553,993

Packaging    5.1%

                         

Ball Corp., Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   6.625   3/15/18     525       514,499

Berry Plastics Holding Corp.,

         

Sec’d. Notes

  Caa1   6.651(h)   9/15/14     225       168,750

Sec’d. Notes

  Caa1   8.875   9/15/14     175       145,250

BWAY Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B3   10.00   10/15/10     150       149,250

Crown Americas LLC,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.625   11/15/13     300       305,250

Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.75   11/15/15     250       256,250

Exopack Holding Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B3   11.25   2/01/14     225       197,438

Graham Packaging Co., Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   8.50   10/15/12     100       94,250

Sub. Notes

  Caa1   9.875   10/15/14     75       65,813

Greif, Inc., Sr. Notes

  Ba2   6.75   2/01/17     415       402,550

Owens Brockway Glass Container, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   8.25   5/15/13     450       463,500

Silgan Holdings, Inc., Sr. Sub. Notes

  B1   6.75   11/15/13     175       164,500
             
            2,927,300

Paper    2.3%

                         

Cascades, Inc. (Canada), Sr. Notes

  Ba3   7.25   2/15/13     185 (c)     156,325

Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc., Sec’d. Notes

  B2   9.75   3/15/10     75       69,563

Domtar Corp.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba3   5.375   12/01/13     175       154,000

Notes

  Ba3   7.875   10/15/11     100       102,750

Georgia-Pacific Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A (original cost $275,000; purchased 12/13/06)

  Ba3   7.125   1/15/17     275 (g)     255,063

Graphic Packaging International Corp., Sr. Notes

  B3   8.50   8/15/11     275       270,875

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18  

 


 

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Paper (cont’d)

                         

Norampac, Inc. (Canada), Sr. Notes

  Ba3   6.75%   6/01/13   $ 60 (c)   $ 49,350

Verso Paper Holdings LLC, Gtd. Notes, Ser. B

  B3   11.375   8/01/16     335       284,749
             
            1,342,675

Pipelines & Other    3.7%

                         

AmeriGas Partners LP, Sr. Notes

  Ba3   7.125   5/20/16     175       162,750

Copano Energy LLC, Sr. Notes, 144A

  B1   7.75   6/01/18     225       209,250

El Paso Corp., Sr. Notes, M.T.N.

  Ba3   7.75   1/15/32     110       108,030

Ferrellgas Partners LP, Sr. Notes

  Ba3   6.75   5/01/14     50       43,500

Inergy LP,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B1   8.25   3/01/16     50       47,000

Sr. Notes

  B1   6.875   12/15/14     100       90,000

MarkWest Energy Partners LP, Sr. Notes, 144A

  B2   8.75   4/15/18     170       169,150

Targa Resources, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  B3   8.50   11/01/13     400       380,000

Williams Cos., Inc. (The), Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

  Baa3   8.125   3/15/12     475       504,687

Williams Partners LP, Gtd. Notes

  Ba2   7.25   2/01/17     375       375,938
             
            2,090,305

Retailers    1.4%

                         

GSC Holdings Corp., Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   8.00   10/01/12     165       172,838

Neiman-Marcus Group, Inc., Gtd. Notes, PIK

  B2   9.00   10/15/15     255       247,987

Pantry, Inc. (The), Sr. Sub. Notes

  Caa1   7.75   2/15/14     165       137,775

Saks, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  B2   9.875   10/01/11     58       58,145

Susser Holdings LLC, Gtd. Notes

  B3   10.625   12/15/13     204       205,020
             
            821,765

Technology    9.5%

                         

Affiliated Computer Services, Inc.

  Ba2   4.70   6/01/10     1,100       1,039,500

Avago Technologies Finance Wireless (Singapore),

         

Gtd. Notes

  B1   10.125   12/01/13     205 (c)     220,631

Gtd. Notes

  B3   11.875   12/01/15     125 (c)     135,625

First Data Corp., Gtd. Notes, 144A

  B3   9.875   9/24/15     350       301,875

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.,

         

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, PIK

  B2   9.125   12/15/14     455       354,900

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   19

 


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008 continued

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Technology (cont’d)

                         

Iron Mountain, Inc.,

         

Gtd. Notes

  B2   7.75%   1/15/15   $ 250     $ 250,000

Gtd. Notes

  B2   8.00   6/15/20     50       48,625

Gtd. Notes

  B2   8.625   4/01/13     175       175,875

Nortel Networks Ltd. (Canada), Gtd. Notes

  B3   10.125   7/15/13     200 (c)     186,000

NXP BV/ NXP Funding LLC (Netherlands),

         

Gtd. Notes, Series WI

  Caa2   9.50   10/15/15     300 (c)     203,250

Sec’d.Notes, Series WI

  B3   7.875   10/15/14     200 (c)     164,000

Open Solutions, Inc., Sr. Sub.
Notes, 144A

  Caa1   9.75   2/01/15     100       71,000

Seagate Technology HDD Holdings (Cayman Islands), Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   6.375   10/01/11     674 (c)     664,733

Sensata Technologies BV (Netherlands), Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   8.00   5/01/14     350 (c)     297,500

Serena Software, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   10.375   3/15/16     300       276,750

STATS ChipPAC Ltd. (Singapore),

         

Gtd. Notes

  Ba1   6.75   11/15/11     250 (c)     252,500

Sr. Notes

  Ba1   7.50   7/19/10     150 (c)     153,750

SunGard Data Systems, Inc.,

         

Bonds,

  B3   4.875   1/15/14     485       426,194

Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   9.125   8/15/13     200       203,000
             
            5,425,708

Telecommunications    8.6%

                         

American Tower Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Notes

  Ba1   7.125   10/15/12     750       765,000

Centennial Communications Corp., Gtd. Notes

  B2   10.125   6/15/13     175       182,438

Citizens Communications Co.,

         

Notes

  Ba2   9.25   5/15/11     205       212,175

Sr. Notes

  Ba2   9.00   8/15/31     150       130,125

Cricket Communications, Inc., Sr. Unsec’d Notes, 144A

  B3   10.00   7/15/15     175       175,875

Fairpoint Communications, Inc., Sr. Notes, 144A

  B3   13.125   4/01/18     250       247,500

Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., Gtd. Notes, Ser. B

  Caa3   12.50   5/01/15     225       39,375

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20  

 


 

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
    Value (Note 1)
         

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

         

Telecommunications (cont’d)

                         

Level 3 Financing, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  Caa1   12.25%   3/15/13   $ 425     $ 433,500

Qwest Capital Funding, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  B1   7.00   8/03/09     1,000       998,749

Qwest Communications International, Inc., Gtd. Notes, Ser. B

  Ba3   7.50   2/15/14     205       186,550

Qwest Corp., Sr. Notes

  Ba1   7.50   10/01/14     275       255,063

Rural Cellular Corp., Sr. Notes

  A3   9.875   2/01/10     135       138,375

Sprint Capital Corp.

         

Gtd. Notes

  Baa3   6.375   5/01/09     250       251,875

Gtd. Notes

  Baa3   8.75   3/15/32     250       243,125

Time Warner Telecom Holdings, Inc., Gtd. Notes

  B3   9.25   2/15/14     100       101,375

Windstream Corp.,

         

Sr. Notes

  Ba3   7.00   3/15/19     300       262,500

Sr. Notes

  Ba3   8.625   8/01/16     300       297,000
             
            4,920,600
             

Total corporate bonds
(cost $74,551,343)

            69,265,455
             
               

Shares

     

COMMON STOCK

         

Electric

                         

Mirant Corp.
(cost $1,623)

          92       2,721
             
               

Units

     

WARRANTS(b)

                         

Sirius XM Radio, Inc., 144A Expiring 3/15/10

          150       0

Viasystems Group, Inc., Expiring 1/10/31

          10,871 (f)     1
             

Total warrants
(cost $219,817)

            1
             

Total long-term investments
(cost $81,940,455)

            76,339,307
             

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   21

 


Portfolio of Investments

 

as of August 31, 2008 continued

 

    Moody’s
Rating†
  Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount (000)
  Value (Note 1)  
         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT    5.1%

         

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY SECURITY

                     

Federal Home Loan Bank, Discount Note
(cost $2,914,840)

  NR   2.033%(i)   9/02/08   $ 2,915   $ 2,914,681  
               

Total short-term investments
(cost $2,914,840)

            2,914,681  
               

Total Investments(e)    138.6%
(cost $84,855,295; Note 4)

            79,253,988  

Liabilities in excess of other assets    (38.6)%

            (22,070,259 )
               

Net Assets    100.0%

          $ 57,183,729  
               

 

The ratings reflected are as of August 31, 2008. Ratings of certain bonds may have changed subsequent to that date.

M.T.N.—Medium Term Note

NR—Not rated by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s

PIK— Payment in Kind

144A—Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institution buyers. Unless other wise noted, 144A securities are deemed to be liquid.

(a) Represents issuer in default on interest payment; non-income producing security.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) US$ denominated foreign securities.
(d) Standard & Poor’s Rating.
(e) As of August 31, 2008, two securities representing $76 and 0.0% of net assets were fair valued in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board of Directors.
(f) Indicates a security that has been deemed illiquid.
(g) Indicates a restricted security; the aggregate original cost of such securities is $716,884. The aggregate value of $571,663 is approximately 1.0% of net assets.
(h) Indicates a variable rate security. The interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at August 31, 2008.
(i) Represents zero coupon or step bond. Rate shown reflects the effective yield at the time of purchase.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22  

 


 

 

The industry classification of portfolio holdings and liabilities in excess of other assets shown as a percentage of net assets as of August 31, 2008 were as follows:

 

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical

   15.7 %

Capital Goods

   12.3  

Technology

   12.2  

Telecommunications

   9.5  

Electric

   9.3  

Cable

   8.3  

Energy—Other

   7.9  

Metals

   7.7  

Media & Entertainment

   7.5  

Gaming

   5.9  

Chemicals

   5.7  

Packaging

   5.1  

U.S. Government Agency Security

   5.1  

Aerospace/Defense

   4.5  

Pipelines & Other

   3.7  

Paper

   3.5  

Foods

   3.0  

Consumer

   2.6  

Automotive

   2.4  

Building Materials & Construction

   1.8  

Lodging

   1.6  

Retailers

   1.4  

Non-Captive Finance

   1.0  

Banking

   0.7  

Airlines

   0.2  
      
   138.6  

Liabilities in excess of other assets

   (38.6 )
      
   100.0 %
      

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   23

 


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

as of August 31, 2008

 

Assets

        

Investments, at value (cost $84,855,295)

   $ 79,253,988  

Cash

     147  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $66,160)

     66,659  

Interest

     1,648,036  
        

Total assets

     80,968,830  
        

Liabilities

        

Loan payable (Note 5)

     23,500,000  

Accrued expenses

     120,955  

Loan interest payable

     61,360  

Deferred directors’ fees

     51,305  

Management fee payable

     33,891  

Dividends payable

     17,590  
        

Total liabilities

     23,785,101  
        

Net Assets

   $ 57,183,729  
        
          

Net assets were comprised of:

  

Common stock, at par

   $ 116,005  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     83,296,005  
        
     83,412,010  

Undistributed net investment income

     557,934  

Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (21,185,407 )

Net unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

     (5,600,808 )
        

Net assets, August 31, 2008

   $ 57,183,729  
        

Net asset value per share
($57,183,729 ÷ 11,600,472 shares of common stock issued and outstanding)

     $4.93  
        

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24  

 


Statement of Operations

 

Year Ended August 31, 2008

 

Net Investment Income

        

Income

  

Interest

   $ 6,946,855  
        

Expenses

  

Management fee

     420,374  

Loan interest expense (Note 5)

     876,313  

Custodian’s fees and expenses

     65,000  

Legal fees and expenses

     30,000  

Audit fee

     28,000  

Registration fees

     24,000  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

     23,000  

Reports to shareholders

     18,000  

Directors’ fees and expenses

     11,000  

Miscellaneous

     10,624  
        

Total expenses

     1,506,311  
        

Net investment income

     5,440,544  
        

Realized And Unrealized Loss On Investments And Foreign Currency Transactions

        

Net realized loss on investments

     (1,138,794 )
        

Net change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:

  

Investments

     (4,012,232 )

Foreign currencies

     (7,058 )
        
     (4,019,290 )
        

Net loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (5,158,084 )
        

Net Increase In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

   $ 282,460  
        

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   25


Statement of Cash Flows

 

Year Ended August 31, 2008

 

Increase (Decrease) In Cash

        

Cash flows provided from (used in) operating activities:

  

Interest received (excluding discount and premium amortization of $186,658)

   $ 6,845,563  
        

Operating expenses paid

     (698,909 )

Loan interest paid

     (910,578 )

Maturities of short-term portfolio investments, net

     (2,268,849 )

Purchases of long-term portfolio investments

     (64,290,968 )

Proceeds from disposition of long-term portfolio investments

     62,128,267  

Prepaid expenses

     1,255  
        

Net cash provided from operating activities

     805,781  
        

Cash flows provided from (used in) financing activities:

  

Cash dividends paid

     (5,311,766 )

Increase in borrowing

     4,500,000  
        

Net cash used in financing activities

     (811,766 )
        

Net decrease in cash

     (5,985 )

Cash at beginning of year

     72,791  
        

Cash at end of year

   $ 66,806  
        

Reconciliation of Net Increase in Net Assets to Net Cash Provided from (used in) Operating Activities

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 282,460  
        

Increase in investments

     (4,501,544 )

Net realized loss on investment transactions

     1,138,794  

Increase in net unrealized depreciation on investments

     4,019,290  

Decrease in interest receivable

     85,366  

Decrease in receivable for investments sold

     18,957  

Decrease in prepaid expenses

     1,255  

Decrease in payable for investments purchased

     (153,211 )

Decrease in loan interest payable

     (34,265 )

Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     (51,321 )
        

Total adjustments

     523,321  
        

Net cash provided from operating activities

   $ 805,781  
        

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26  


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2008      2007  

Decrease In Net Assets

                 

Operations

     

Net investment income

   $ 5,440,544      $ 4,886,621  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     (1,138,794 )      1,244,579  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currencies

     (4,019,290 )      (2,174,339 )
                 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     282,460        3,956,861  

Dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income

     (5,307,215 )      (5,162,210 )
                 

Total decrease

     (5,024,755 )      (1,205,349 )

Net Assets

                 

Beginning of year

     62,208,484        63,413,833  
                 

End of year(a)

   $ 57,183,729      $ 62,208,484  
                 

(a) Includes undistributed net investment income of

   $ 557,934      $ 213,388  
                 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   27


Notes to Financial Statements

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) was organized in Maryland on August 21, 1987 as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to maximize current income to shareholders through investment in a diversified portfolio of high-yield, fixed-income securities rated in the medium to lower categories by recognized rating services, or non-rated securities of comparable quality. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation, but only when consistent with its primary objective. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Fund to meet their obligations may be affected by economic or political developments in a specific industry or region.

 

Note 1. Accounting Policies

 

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

 

Securities Valuation: Securities for which market quotations are readily available—including securities listed on national securities exchanges and those traded over-the-counter are valued at the last quoted sales price on the valuation date on which the security is traded. If such securities were not traded on the valuation date, but market quotations are readily available, they are valued at the most recently quoted bid price provided by an independent pricing service or by a principal market maker. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the pricing agent or market maker does not provide a valuation or methodology, or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of the adviser, does not represent fair value, are valued by a Valuation Committee appointed by the Board of Directors, in consultation with the adviser. When determining the fair valuation of securities some of the factors influencing the valuation include, the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity of the securities; the issuer’s financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the investment adviser regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates. Using fair value to price securities may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the price used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

 

28  

 


Short-term debt securities, which mature in sixty days or less, are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of the difference between the principal amount due at maturity and cost. Short-term debt securities, which mature in more than sixty days, are valued at current market quotations.

 

In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements with U.S. financial institutions, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or designated subcustodians, as the case may be under tri-party repurchase agreements, take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction including accrued interest. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. The Fund’s custodian will maintain, in a segregated account of the Fund, cash, U.S. Government securities, equity securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets marked to market daily, having a value equal to or greater than the Fund’s purchase commitments with respect to certain investments.

 

Restricted Securities: The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities, which are not readily marketable, including those which are restricted as to disposition under securities law (“restricted securities”).

 

Cash Flow Information: The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income, which are paid in cash or are reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.

 

Accounting practices that do not affect reporting activities on a cash basis include carrying investments at value, accruing income on PIK (payment-in-kind) securities and accreting discounts and amortizing premiums on debt obligations.

 

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

 

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities—at the current rates of exchange.

 

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses—at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   29

 


Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities held at the end of the period. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term debt securities sold during the period. Accordingly, such realized foreign currency gains or losses are included in the reported net realized gains or losses on investment transactions.

 

Net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains or losses from sales and maturities of short-term securities and forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, discount and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net currency gains or losses resulting from the valuing of foreign currency denominated assets (excluding investments) and liabilities at period-end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and foreign currencies.

 

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. companies as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of political or economic instability and the level of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets.

 

Security Transactions and Investment Income: Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized and unrealized gains or losses from securities transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income, which is comprised of stated coupon rate, original issue discount, market discount and premium, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund amortizes premium and accretes discounts on debt securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis.

 

Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, it is the Fund’s policy to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable net income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

30  

 


Withholding taxes on foreign dividends are recorded net of reclaimable amounts at the time the related income is earned.

 

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund expects to pay dividends of net investment income monthly and make distributions of net realized capital and currency gains, if any, annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gains are reclassified amongst undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized gain or loss and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

 

Estimates: The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Note 2. Agreements

 

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Investments LLC (“PI”). Pursuant to this agreement, PI has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadviser’s performance of such services. PI has entered into a subadvisory agreement with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“PIM”). PIM furnishes investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund. PI pays for the services of PIM, the compensation of officers and employees of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.

 

The management fee paid to PI is computed weekly and payable monthly, at an annual rate of .70 of 1% of the average weekly net assets of the Fund.

 

PI and PIM are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

 

Note 3. Portfolio Securities

 

Purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments, for the year ended August 31, 2008, aggregated $64,136,419 and $62,044,841, respectively.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   31

 


Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

Note 4. Distributions and Tax Information

 

In order to present undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions and paid-in capital in excess of par on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that more closely represent their tax character, certain adjustments have been made to undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions and paid-in capital in excess of par. For the year ended August 31, 2008, the adjustments were to increase undistributed net investment income by $211,217, decrease accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions by $3,038,023 and decrease paid-in capital in excess of par by $3,249,240 primarily due to the difference in the treatment of accreting market discount and premium amortization between financial and tax reporting, paydown gains (losses) and expiration of capital loss carryforwards. Net investment income, net realized loss on investments and net assets were not affected by this change.

 

For the years ended August 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, the tax character of total dividends paid, as reflected on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets, of $5,307,215 and $5,162,210, respectively, was from ordinary income.

 

As of August 31, 2008, the distributable earnings on a tax basis were $626,829 (includes a timing difference of $17,590 for dividends payable) of ordinary income.

 

The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized depreciation as of August 31, 2008, were as follows:

 

Tax Basis of
Investments

 

Appreciation

 

Depreciation

 

Net
Unrealized
Depreciation

$85,299,199   $526,228   $(6,571,439)   $(6,045,211)

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis was attributed to deferred losses on wash sales and differences in the treatment of accreting market discount and premium amortization for book and tax purposes.

 

The adjusted net unrealized depreciation on a tax basis was $6,044,712, which includes other cost basis adjustments of $499 due to appreciation of foreign currencies.

 

32  

 


For federal income tax purposes, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of August 31, 2008 of approximately $19,388,700 of which $5,010,500 expires in 2009, $6,960,200 expires in 2010, $7,076,300 expires in 2011, $282,300 expires in 2014 and $59,400 expires in 2016. Accordingly, no capital gains distribution is expected to be paid to shareholders until net realized gains have been realized in excess of such amounts. It is unlikely the Fund will be able to realize the full benefit of the remaining carryforwards prior to the expiration date. Approximately $3,249,200 of its capital loss carryforward expired unused in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008. The Fund elected to treat post-October capital losses of approximately $1,344,400 as having been incurred in the following fiscal year (August 31, 2009).

 

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of August 31, 2008, no provision for income tax would be required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

 

Note 5. Borrowings

 

The Fund has a credit agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. The maximum commitment under this agreement is $30,000,000. Interest on any such borrowings outstanding fluctuates daily at .50 of 1% over the Federal Funds rate and is payable monthly. The Fund may utilize these borrowings (leverage) in order to increase the potential for gain on amounts invested. There can be no guarantee that these gains will be realized. There are increased risks associated with the use of leverage. The expiration of the credit agreement was June 2, 2008, which was subsequently extended thru June 29, 2008. Effective June 30, 2008, the Fund renewed the credit agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. The maximum commitment under this renewed agreement is $30,000,000. Interest on any such borrowings outstanding fluctuates daily at .85 of 1% over the Federal Funds rate and is payable monthly. The expiration of the renewed credit agreement is June 29, 2009. The average daily balance outstanding during the year ended August 31, 2008, was $22,695,355 at a weighted average interest rate of 3.83%. The maximum face amount of borrowings outstanding at any month-end during the year ended August 31, 2008 was $26,000,000.

 

The Fund pays commitment fees at an annual rate of .08 of 1% on any unused portion of the credit agreement. The commitment fee is accrued daily and paid quarterly. Effective June 30, 2008, as part of the renewed the credit agreement with

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   33

 


Notes to Financial Statements

 

continued

 

State Street Bank & Trust Co., the Fund pays commitment fees at an annual rate of .15 of 1% of the maximum commitment under the credit agreement, regardless of usage. Commitment fees are included in “Loan interest expense” as reported on the Statement of Operations.

 

Note 6. Capital

 

There are 200 million shares of $.01 par value common stock authorized. Prudential owned 11,000 shares of common stock as of August 31, 2008.

 

During the years ended August 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007 the Fund did not issue shares in connection with the reinvestment of dividends.

 

Note 7. Subsequent Events

 

On September 2, 2008 and October 1, 2008 the Board of Directors of the Fund declared dividends of $.040 per share payable on September 30, 2008 and October 31, 2008, respectively, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2008 and October 15, 2008, respectively.

 

Note 8. New Accounting Pronouncements

 

On September 20, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact, if any, in the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

In March 2008, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 161 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

34  

 


 

 

Financial Highlights

 

AUGUST 31, 2008   ANNUAL REPORT

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.


Financial Highlights

 

 

      Year Ended
August 31, 2008
 

Per Share Operating Performance:

  

Net Asset Value, Beginning Of Year(a)

   $ 5.36  
        

Net investment income

     .47  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (.44 )
        

Total from investment operations

     .03  

Dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income

     (.46 )
        

Net asset value, at end of year(a)

   $ 4.93  
        

Market price per share, end of year(a)

   $ 4.31  
        

Total Investment Return(b)

     (3.14 )%

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

  

Net assets, end of year (000)

   $ 57,184  

Average net assets (000)

   $ 60,040  

Ratios to average net assets:

  

Expenses, before loan interest

     1.05 %

Total expenses

     2.51 %

Net investment income

     9.06 %

Portfolio turnover rate

     78 %

Asset coverage

     343 %

Total debt outstanding at year-end (000)

   $ 23,500  

 

(a) NAV and market value are published in The Wall Street Journal each Monday.
(b) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at the current market price on the first day and a sale at the closing market price on the last day of each period reported. Dividends are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtainable under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. This amount does not reflect brokerage commissions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36  

 


Year Ended August 31,  
2007     2006     2005     2004  
     
$ 5.47     $ 5.61     $ 5.57     $ 5.25  
                             
  .42       .43       .45       .50  
  (.08 )     (.14 )     .09       .39  
                             
  .34       .29       .54       .89  
  (.45 )     (.43 )     (.50 )     (.57 )
                             
$ 5.36     $ 5.47     $ 5.61     $ 5.57  
                             
$ 4.91     $ 4.89     $ 5.43     $ 5.93  
                             
  9.29 %     (1.87 )%     (.04 )%     25.47 %
     
$ 62,208     $ 63,414     $ 65,047     $ 64,471  
$ 64,798     $ 63,605     $ 65,406     $ 63,724  
     
  1.12 %     1.16 %     1.36 %     1.48 %
  3.17 %     3.12 %     2.71 %     2.31 %
  7.54 %     7.85 %     7.91 %     9.05 %
  66 %     58 %     75 %     98 %
  427 %     376 %     383 %     358 %
$ 19,000     $ 23,000     $ 23,000     $ 25,000  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   37

 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The High Yield Income Fund, Inc. (hereafter referred to as the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of August 31, 2008, and the related statement of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the The High Yield Income Fund, Inc. as of August 31, 2008, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

New York, New York

October 27, 2008

 

38  

 


Tax Information

 

(Unaudited)

 

We are required by the Internal Revenue Code to advise you within 60 days of the Fund’s fiscal year end (August 31, 2008) as to the federal tax status of dividends paid by the Fund during such fiscal year.

 

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008, the Fund paid dividends of $0.458 per share which is taxable as ordinary income.

 

The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income dividends as interest related dividends under The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

 

For the purpose of preparing your 2008 annual federal income tax return, however, you should report the amounts as reflected on the appropriate Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099-DIV which will be mailed to you in January 2009.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.   39

 


MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

(Unaudited)

Information about Fund Directors/Trustees (referred to herein as “Board Members”) and Fund Officers is set forth below. Board Members who are not deemed to be “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Board Members.” Board Members who are deemed to be “interested persons” are referred to as “Interested Board Members.” The Board Members are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors or trustees of investment companies by the 1940 Act.

 

Independent Board Members          
     
Name, Address, Age    Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five    Other Directorships Held
Position(s)    Years     
Portfolios Overseen (1)          
     
Kevin J. Bannon (56)    Managing Director (since April 2008) of    None.
Board Member    Highmount Capital LLC (registered     
Portfolios Overseen: 63    investment adviser); formerly Executive     
     Vice President and Chief Investment     
     Officer (January 2003-August 2007) of     
     Bank of New York Company; President     
     (May 2003-May 2007) of BNY Hamilton     
     Family of Mutual Funds.     
     
Linda W. Bynoe (56)   

President and Chief Executive Officer

(since March 1995) of Telemat Ltd.

(management consulting); formerly Vice

President at Morgan Stanley Co. (broker-

dealer).

  

Director of Simon Property Group, Inc.

(real estate investment trust) (since May 2003); Anixter International

(communication products distributor)

(since January 2006); Director of

Northern Trust Corporation (banking)

(since April 2006).

Board Member      
Portfolios Overseen: 63      
       
       
         
         
     
David E.A. Carson (74)   

Director (since May 2008) of Liberty

Bank; Director (since October 2007) of

ICI Mutual Insurance Company; formerly

President, Chairman and Chief Executive

Officer of People's Bank (1987 – 2000).

   None.
Board Member        
Portfolios Overseen: 63        
         
         
     

Michael S. Hyland, CFA (62)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 63

  

Independent Consultant (since February

2005); formerly Senior Managing Director

(July 2001-February 2005) of Bear

Stearns Co., Inc.

   None.
     
Robert E. La Blanc (74)    President (since 1981) of Robert E. La    Director of CA, Inc. (since 2002)
Board Member    Blanc Associates, Inc.    (software company); FiberNet Telecom
Portfolios Overseen: 63    (telecommunications).    Group, Inc. (since 2003) (telecom
          company).


Douglas H. McCorkindale (69)

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 63

  

Formerly Chairman (February 2001-June

2006), Chief Executive Officer (June

2000-July 2005), President (September

1997-July 2005) and Vice Chairman

(March 1984-May 2000) of Gannett Co.

Inc. (publishing and media).

  

Director of Continental Airlines, Inc.

(since May 1993); Director of Lockheed

Martin Corp. (aerospace and defense)

(since May 2001).

     
     
     
     
     
     
Stephen P. Munn (66)    Lead Director (since 2007) and formerly    None.
Board Member    Chairman (1993-2007) of Carlisle     
Portfolios Overseen: 63    Companies Incorporated (manufacturer     
     of industrial products).     
     
Richard A. Redeker (65)    Retired Mutual Fund Executive (36    None.
Board Member    years); Management Consultant; Director     
Portfolios Overseen: 63    of Penn Tank Lines, Inc. (since 1999).     
     
Robin B. Smith (68)    Chairman of the Board (since January    Formerly Director of BellSouth
Board Member &    2003) of Publishers Clearing House    Corporation (telecommunications)
Independent Chair    (direct marketing); formerly Chairman    (1992-2006).
Portfolios Overseen: 63    and Chief Executive Officer (August     
     1996-January 2003) of Publishers     
     Clearing House.     
     
Stephen G. Stoneburn (65)    President and Chief Executive Officer    None.
Board Member    (since June 1996) of Quadrant Media     
Portfolios Overseen: 63    Corp. (publishing company); formerly     
     President (June 1995-June 1996) of     
     Argus Integrated Media, Inc.; Senior Vice     
     President and Managing Director     
     (January 1993-1995) of Cowles Business     
     Media; Senior Vice President of Fairchild     
     Publications, Inc (1975-1989).     
     

Interested Board Members

         
     
Judy A. Rice (60)    President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief    None.
Board Member & President    Operating Officer and Officer-In-Charge     
Portfolios Overseen: 63    (since February 2003) of Prudential     
     Investments LLC; President, Chief Executive     
     Officer and Officer-In-Charge (since April     
     2003) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services     
     LLC; formerly Vice President (February     
     1999-April 2006) of Prudential Investment     
     Management Services LLC; formerly     
     President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief     
     Operating Officer and Officer-In-Charge     
     (May 2003-June 2005) and Director (May     
     2003-March 2006) and Executive Vice     
     President (June 2005-March 2006) of AST     
     Investment Services, Inc.; Member of Board     
     of Governors of the Investment Company     
     Institute.     

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.


Robert F. Gunia (61)    Chief Administrative Officer (since    Director (since May 1989) of The Asia
Board Member & Vice    September 1999) and Executive Vice    Pacific Fund, Inc. and Vice President
President    President (since December 1996) of    (since January 2007) of The Greater
Portfolios Overseen: 147    Prudential Investments LLC; President    China Fund, Inc.
     (since April 1999) of Prudential     
     Investment Management Services LLC;     
     Executive Vice President (since March     
     1999) and Treasurer (since May 2000) of     
     Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC;     
     Chief Administrative Officer, Executive     
     Vice President and Director (since May     
     2003) of AST Investment Services, Inc.     

 

1

The year that each Board Member joined the Fund's Board is as follows: Kevin J. Bannon, 2008; Linda W. Bynoe, 2005; David E. A. Carson, 2003; Michael S. Hyland, 2008; Robert E. LaBlanc, 2003; Douglas H. McCorkindale, 2003; Stephen P. Munn, 2008; Richard A. Redeker, 1993; Robin B. Smith, 2003; Stephen G. Stoneburn, 2003; Judy A. Rice, Board Member and President since 2003; Robert F. Gunia, Board Member and Vice President since 1999.


Fund Officers (a)(1)

    
   

Name, Address and Age

Position with Fund

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

   

Deborah A. Docs (50)

Secretary and

Chief Legal Officer

  

Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2001) of Prudential; Vice President

(since December 1996) and Assistant Secretary (since March 1999) of PI; formerly Vice

President and Assistant Secretary (May 2003-June 2005) of AST Investment Services,

Inc.

   

Jonathan D. Shain (50)

Assistant Secretary

  

Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since August 1998) of Prudential; Vice President

and Assistant Secretary (since May 2001) of PI; Vice President and Assistant Secretary

(since February 2001) of PMFS; formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary (May

2003-June 2005) of AST Investment Services, Inc.

   

Andrew R. French (45)

Assistant Secretary

  

Director and Corporate Counsel (since May 2006) of Prudential; Vice President and

Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of PI; Vice President and Assistant Secretary

(since January 2007) of PMFS; formerly Senior Legal Analyst of Prudential Mutual Fund

Law Department (1997-2006).

   

Timothy J. Knierim (49)

Chief Compliance Officer

  

Chief Compliance Officer of Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (since July 2007);

formerly Chief Risk Officer of PIM and PI (2002-2007) and formerly Chief Ethics Officer

of PIM and PI (2006-2007).

   

Valerie M. Simpson (50)

Deputy Chief Compliance

Officer

  

Chief Compliance Officer (since April 2007) of PI and AST Investment Services, Inc.;

formerly Vice President-Financial Reporting (June 1999-March 2006) for Prudential Life

and Annuities Finance.

   

Theresa C. Thompson (46)

Deputy Chief Compliance

Officer

  

Vice President, Mutual Fund Compliance, PI (since April 2004); and Director,

Compliance, PI (2001 - 2004).

   

Grace C. Torres (49)

Treasurer and Principal

Financial and Accounting

Officer

  

Assistant Treasurer (since March 1999) and Senior Vice President (since September

1999) of PI; Assistant Treasurer (since May 2003) and Vice President (since June 2005)

of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since

May 2003) of Prudential Annuities Advisory Services, Inc.; formerly Senior Vice President

(May 2003-June 2005) of AST Investment Services, Inc.

   

M. Sadiq Peshimam (44)

Assistant Treasurer

  

Vice President (since 2005) and Director (2000-2005) within Prudential Mutual Fund

Administration.

   

Peter Parrella (50)

Assistant Treasurer

  

Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2004-2007) within Prudential Mutual Fund

Administration; formerly Tax Manager at SSB Citi Fund Management LLC (1997-2004).

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.


 

(a) Excludes interested Board Members who also serve as President or Vice President.

 

1 The year that each individual became an Officer of the Fund is as follows:

Deborah A. Docs, 1997; Jonathan D. Shain, 2004; Andrew R. French, 2006; Timothy J. Knierim, 2007; Valerie M. Simpson, 2007; Theresa Thompson, 2008; Grace C. Torres, 1997; M. Sadiq Peshimam, 2006; Peter Parrella, 2007.

Explanatory Notes

 

 

Board Members are deemed to be “Interested,” as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their affiliation with Prudential Investments LLC and/or an affiliate of Prudential Investments LLC.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, the address of all Board Members and Officers is c/o Prudential Investments LLC, Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102.

 

 

There is no set term of office for Board Members or Officers. The Board Members have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for the retirement of Board Members on December 31st of the year in which they reach the age of 75.

 

 

“Other Directorships Held” includes only directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (that is, "public companies") or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

 

“Portfolios Overseen” includes all investment companies managed by Prudential Investments LLC. The investment companies for which PI serves as manager include the JennisonDryden Funds, Strategic Partners Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts, The Target Portfolio Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, The High Yield Income Fund, Inc., The High Yield Plus Fund, Inc., Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc., Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc. and the Advanced Series Trust.


Approval of Advisory Agreements

 

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The High Yield Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) oversees the management of the Fund, and, as required by law, determines annually whether to renew the Fund’s management agreement with Prudential Investments LLC (“PI”) and the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“PIM”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, met on June 3-5, 2008 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2009, after concluding that renewal of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

In advance of the meetings, the Board received materials relating to the agreements, and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with their consideration. Among other things, the Board considered comparisons with other mutual funds in relevant Peer Universes and Peer Groups. The mutual funds included in each Peer Universe or Peer Group were objectively determined solely by Lipper Inc., an independent provider of mutual fund data. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ending December 31, 2007, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the mutual funds (for performance, the best performing mutual funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost mutual funds).

 

In approving the agreements, the Board, including the Independent Directors advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors they deemed relevant, including the nature, quality and extent of services provided, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PI and its affiliates, expenses and fees, and the potential for economies of scale that may be shared with the Fund and its shareholders. In their deliberations, the Directors did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the agreements with respect to the Fund. In connection with their deliberations, the Board considered information provided by PI throughout the year at regular Board meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on June 3-5, 2008.

 

The Directors determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PI, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a management agreement, and between PI and PIM, which serves as the Fund’s subadviser pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PI, are fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, fees charged and such other matters as the Directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.  


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

 

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Directors’ reaching their determinations to approve the continuance of the agreements are separately discussed below.

 

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

 

The Board received and considered information regarding the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund by PI and PIM. The Board considered the services provided by PI, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadviser for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance, and other services to the Fund. With respect to PI’s oversight of the subadviser, the Board noted that PI’s Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PI, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PI’s senior management on the performance and operations of the subadviser. The Board also considered that PI pays the salaries of all of the officers and non-independent Directors of the Fund. The Board also considered the investment subadvisory services provided by PIM, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures. The Board considered PI’s evaluation of the subadviser, as well as PI’s recommendation, based on its review of the subadviser, to renew the subadvisory agreement.

 

The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PI’s senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund and PIM, and also reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PIM’s portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Board was provided with information pertaining to PI’s and PIM’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to both PI and PIM. The Board also noted that it received favorable compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) as to both PI and PIM. The Board noted that PIM is affiliated with PI.

 

The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PI and the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PIM, and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PI and PIM under the management and subadvisory agreements.

 

Performance of The High Yield Income Fund

 

The Board received and considered information about the Fund’s historical performance. The Board considered that the Fund’s gross performance in relation to its Peer Universe (the Lipper All Leveraged Closed-End High Current Yield Funds

 

 


 

Performance Universe) was in the first quartile over the one-, three, and ten-year periods, and in the third quartile over the five-year period. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark during all periods. The Board concluded that, in light of the Fund’s competitive performance against its benchmark, it would be in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders to renew the agreements.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s actual management fee (which reflects any subsidies, waivers or expense caps) ranked in the Expense Group’s first quartile, and that the Fund’s total expenses ranked in the Expense Group’s second quartile. The Board concluded that the management and subadvisory fees are reasonable in light of the services provided.

 

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PI

 

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PI and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PI the methodology utilized in assembling the information regarding profitability and considered its reasonableness. The Board recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund management contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocations and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. The Board did not separately consider the profitability of the subadviser, an affiliate of PI, as its profitability was reflected in the profitability report for PI. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PI and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

 

Economies of Scale

 

When reviewing and approving management and subadvisory agreements, boards of directors generally consider, among other factors, the extent to which economies of scale will be realized as the investment company grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. The Board noted, however, that because the Fund is a closed-end fund, its size would increase only as a result of any appreciation in its portfolio holdings or as a result of dividend reinvestments. The Board therefore determined that a consideration of economies of scale was not relevant to its evaluation of the agreements.

 

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.  


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

 

Other Benefits to PI and PIM

 

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PI and PIM and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PI included brokerage commissions received by affiliates of PI, transfer agency fees received by the Fund’s transfer agent (which is affiliated with PI), as well as benefits to the reputation or other intangible benefits resulting from PI’s association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by PIM included its ability to use soft dollar credits, brokerage commissions received by affiliates of PIM, as well as the potential benefits consistent with those generally resulting from an increase in assets under management, specifically, potential access to additional research resources and benefits to the reputation. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PI and PIM were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to mutual funds.

 

After full consideration of these factors, the Board concluded that the approval of the agreements was in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

 


Privacy Notice

 

 

This notice is being provided on behalf of the companies listed in this Notice. It describes how information about you is handled and the steps we take to protect your privacy. We call this information “customer data” or just “data.” If you have other Prudential products or relationships, you may receive a separate privacy notice describing the practices that apply to those products or relationships. If your relationship with us ends, we will continue to handle data about you the same way we handle customer data.

 

Protecting Customer Data

We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect customer data. The only persons who are authorized to have access to it are those who need access to do their jobs. We require them to keep the data secure and confidential.

 

Information We Collect

We collect data you give us and data about the products and relationships you have with us, so that we can serve you, including offering products and services to you. It includes, for example:

   

your name and address,

   

income and Social Security number.

 

We also collect data others give us about you, for example:

   

medical information for insurance applications,

   

consumer reports from consumer reporting agencies and

   

participant information from organizations that purchase products or services from us for the benefit of their members or employees, for example, group life insurance.

 

Sharing Data

We may share data with affiliated companies and with other companies so that they can perform services for us or on our behalf. We may, for example, disclose data to other companies for customer service or administrative purposes. We may disclose limited information such as:

   

your name,

   

address, and

   

the types of products you own

to service providers so they can provide marketing services to us.

 

LOGO

 

 

Prudential, Prudential Financial and the Prudential Financial logo are registered service marks of The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ and its affiliates. The Prudential Insurance Company of America, 751 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102-3777.

Your Financial Security, Your Satisfaction & Your Privacy

   Privacy 0019 Ed. 4/2008 NS


 

 

We may also disclose data as permitted or required by law, for example:

   

to law enforcement officials,

   

in response to subpoenas,

   

to regulators, or

   

to prevent fraud.

 

We do not disclose data to Prudential affiliates or other companies to allow them to market their products or services to you. We may tell you about a product or service that a Prudential company or other companies offer. If you respond, that company will know that you were in the group selected to receive the information.

 

Annual Notices

We will send notices at least once a year, as federal and state laws require. We reserve the right to modify this policy at any time.

 

If you have questions about Prudential’s Privacy Notice please call us. The toll-free number is (800) 236-6848.

 

Many Prudential Financial companies are required to send privacy notices to their customers. This notice is being provided to customers of the Prudential Financial companies listed below:

 

Insurance Companies and Separate Accounts

Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation

Pruco Life Insurance Company

Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey

Separate accounts of The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, and Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation

Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (PRIAC)

PRIAC Variable Contract Account A

Connecticut General Variable Annuity Contract I & II

 

Insurance Agencies

Prudential Insurance Agency, LLC

 

 


 

 

Broker-Dealers and Registered Investment Advisers

AST Investment Services, Inc.

Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc.

Global Portfolio Strategies, Inc.

Prudential Bache Securities, LLC

Pruco Securities, LLC

Prudential Investment Management, Inc.

Prudential Investment Management Services LLC

Prudential Investments LLC

 

Bank and Trust Companies

Prudential Bank & Trust, FSB

Prudential Trust Company

 

Investment Companies and Other Investment Vehicles

Asia Pacific Fund, Inc.,

The Cash Accumulation Trust

Greater China Fund, Inc., The

High Yield Income Fund, Inc., The

High Yield Plus Fund, Inc., The

JennisonDryden Mutual Funds

MoneyMart Assets, Inc.

Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.

Prudential Capital Partners, L.P.

Prudential Bache Commodities, LLC

Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.

Strategic Partners Mutual Funds

Target Asset Allocation Funds, Inc.

Target Portfolio Trust, The

PB Financial Services, Inc.

 

CGOV-D2385


n MAIL   n TELEPHONE   n WEBSITE

Gateway Center Three

100 Mulberry Street

Newark, NJ 07102-4077

  (800) 451-6788   www.prudential.com

 

DIRECTORS
Kevin J. Bannon Linda W. Bynoe David E. A. Carson Robert F. Gunia Michael S. Hyland Robert E. La Blanc Douglas H. McCorkindale Stephen P. Munn Richard A. Redeker Judy A. Rice Robin B. Smith Stephen G. Stoneburn

 

OFFICERS

Judy A. Rice, President Robert F. Gunia, Vice President Grace C. Torres, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Deborah A. Docs, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary 

Timothy J. Knierim, Chief Compliance Officer Valerie M. Simpson, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer  Theresa C. Thompson, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer Jonathan D. Shain, Assistant Secretary Andrew R. French, Assistant Secretary M. Sadiq Peshimam, Assistant Treasurer Peter Parrella, Assistant Treasurer

 

MANAGER   Prudential Investments LLC    Gateway Center Three

100 Mulberry Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER   Prudential Investment
Management, Inc.
   Gateway Center Two
100 Mulberry Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

CUSTODIAN   The Bank of New York Mellon    One Wall Street
New York, NY 10286

 

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR   Computershare Trust
Company, N.A.

c/o Computershare
Investor Services

   PO Box 43011
Providence, RI 02940

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   KPMG LLP    345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

 

FUND COUNSEL   Sullivan & Cromwell LLP    125 Broad Street

New York, NY 10004


PROXY VOTING
The Board of Directors of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s investment adviser the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Fund. A description of these proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 451-6788 or by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website and on the Commission’s website.

 

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing.

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Directors by writing to the Chair of the Board, The High Yield Income Fund, Inc., Prudential Investments, Attn: Board of Directors, 100 Mulberry Street, Gateway Center Three, Newark, NJ 07102. Shareholders can communicate directly with an individual Director by writing to that Director at the same address. Communications are not screened before being delivered to the addressee.

 

AVAILABILITY OF PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation and location of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330 (732-0330).

 

Mutual Funds:

ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY   MAY LOSE VALUE   ARE NOT A DEPOSIT OF OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR ANY BANK AFFILIATE


 

 

 

HYIA    429904105    IFS-A156665    Ed. 10/2008

 

 


Item 2     Code of Ethics — See Exhibit (a)

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies – Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers”) that applies to the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer; the registrant's Principal Financial Officer also serves as the Principal Accounting Officer.

The registrant hereby undertakes to provide any person, without charge, upon request, a copy of the code of ethics. To request a copy of the code of ethics, contact the registrant 973-367-7521, and ask for a copy of the Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers.

 

Item 3     Audit Committee Financial Expert –

The registrant’s Board has determined that Mr. David E. A. Carson, member of the Board’s Audit Committee is an "audit committee financial expert," and that he is "independent," for purposes of this Item.

 

Item 4     Principal Accountant Fees and Services –

(a) Audit Fees

For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), the Registrant’s principal accountant, billed the Registrant $27,617 and $26,281, respectively, for professional services rendered for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.

(b) Audit-Related Fees

None.

(c) Tax Fees

None.

(d) All Other Fees

None.

(e) (1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures


THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS

AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICY

on

Pre-Approval of Services Provided by the Independent Accountants

The Audit Committee of each Prudential Mutual Fund is charged with the responsibility to monitor the independence of the Fund’s independent accountants. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee must pre-approve any independent accounting firm’s engagement to render audit and/or permissible non-audit services, as required by law. In evaluating a proposed engagement of the independent accountants, the Audit Committee will assess the effect that the engagement might reasonably be expected to have on the accountant’s independence. The Committee’s evaluation will be based on:

 

   

a review of the nature of the professional services expected to be provided,

 

   

a review of the safeguards put into place by the accounting firm to safeguard independence, and

 

   

periodic meetings with the accounting firm.

Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services Provided to the Funds

On an annual basis, the scope of audits for each Fund, audit fees and expenses, and audit-related and non-audit services (and fees proposed in respect thereof) proposed to be performed by the Fund’s independent accountants will be presented by the Treasurer and the independent accountants to the Audit Committee for review and, as appropriate, approval prior to the initiation of such services. Such presentation shall be accompanied by confirmation by both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants. Proposed services shall be described in sufficient detail to enable the Audit Committee to assess the appropriateness of such services and fees, and the compatibility of the provision of such services with the auditor’s independence. The Committee shall receive periodic reports on the progress of the audit and other services which are approved by the Committee or by the Committee Chair pursuant to authority delegated in this Policy.

The categories of services enumerated under “Audit Services”, “Audit-related Services”, and “Tax Services” are intended to provide guidance to the Treasurer and the independent accountants as to those categories of services which the Committee believes are generally consistent with the independence of the independent accountants and which the Committee (or the Committee Chair) would expect upon the presentation of specific proposals to pre-approve. The enumerated categories are not intended as an exclusive list of audit, audit-related or tax services, which the Committee (or the Committee Chair) would consider for pre-approval.

Audit Services

The following categories of audit services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

   

Annual Fund financial statement audits

 

   

Seed audits (related to new product filings, as required)

 

   

SEC and regulatory filings and consents


Audit-related Services

The following categories of audit-related services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

   

Accounting consultations

 

   

Fund merger support services

 

   

Agreed Upon Procedure Reports

 

   

Attestation Reports

 

   

Other Internal Control Reports

Individual audit-related services that fall within one of these categories and are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated) so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $50,000.

Tax Services

The following categories of tax services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

   

Tax compliance services related to the filing or amendment of the following:

 

   

Federal, state and local income tax compliance; and,

 

   

Sales and use tax compliance

 

   

Timely RIC qualification reviews

 

   

Tax distribution analysis and planning

 

   

Tax authority examination services

 

   

Tax appeals support services

 

   

Accounting methods studies

 

   

Fund merger support services

 

   

Tax consulting services and related projects

Individual tax services that fall within one of these categories and are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated) so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $50,000.

Other Non-audit Services

Certain non-audit services that the independent accountants are legally permitted to render will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee or by one or more Committee members to whom the Committee has delegated this authority and who will report to the full Committee any pre-approval decisions made pursuant to this Policy. Non-audit services presented for pre-approval pursuant to this paragraph will be accompanied by a confirmation from both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants.


Proscribed Services

The Fund’s independent accountants will not render services in the following categories of non-audit services:

 

   

Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund

 

   

Financial information systems design and implementation

 

   

Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports

 

   

Actuarial services

 

   

Internal audit outsourcing services

 

   

Management functions or human resources

 

   

Broker or dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services

 

   

Legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit

 

   

Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval of Non-Audit Services Provided to Other Entities Within the Prudential Fund Complex

Certain non-audit services provided to Prudential Investments LLC or any of its affiliates that also provide ongoing services to the Prudential Mutual Funds will be subject to pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The only non-audit services provided to these entities that will require pre-approval are those related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds. Individual projects that are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated) so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $50,000. Services presented for pre-approval pursuant to this paragraph will be accompanied by a confirmation from both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants.

Although the Audit Committee will not pre-approve all services provided to Prudential Investments LLC and its affiliates, the Committee will receive an annual report from the Fund’s independent accounting firm showing the aggregate fees for all services provided to Prudential Investments and its affiliates.

(e) (2) Percentage of services referred to in 4(b)- (4)(d) that were approved by the audit committee

Not applicable.

(f) Percentage of hours expended attributable to work performed by other than full time employees of principal accountant if greater than 50%.

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was 0%.


(g) Non-Audit Fees

Not applicable to Registrant for the fiscal years 2008 and 2007. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by KPMG for services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal years 2008 and 2007 was $0 and $340,700, respectively.

(h) Principal Accountant’s Independence

Not applicable as KPMG has not provided non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X.

 

Item 5     Audit Committee of Listed Registrants –
    The registrant has a separately designated standing audit committee (the "Audit Committee") established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee are Kevin J. Bannon, Linda W. Bynoe, David E.A. Carson (chair), Robert E. La Blanc, Stephen P. Munn and Robin B. Smith (ex-officio).

 

 

Item 6     Schedule of Investments – The schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

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

Summary of Prudential Investment Management, Inc. Proxy Voting Policy

The overarching goal of each of the asset management units within Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“PIM”) is to vote proxies in the best interests of their respective clients based on the clients’ priorities. Client interests are placed ahead of any potential interest of PIM or its asset management units.

Because the various asset management units within PIM manage distinct classes of assets with differing management styles, some units will consider each proxy on its individual merits while other units may adopt a pre-determined set of voting guidelines. The specific voting approach of each unit is noted below.

A committee comprised of senior business representatives from each of the asset management units together with relevant regulatory personnel oversees the proxy voting process and monitors potential conflicts of interests. The committee is responsible for interpretation of the proxy voting policy and periodically assesses the policy’s effectiveness. In addition, should the need arise, the committee is authorized to address any proxy matter involving an actual or apparent conflict of interest that cannot be resolved at the level of an individual asset management business unit.


In all cases, clients may obtain the proxy voting policies and procedures of the various PIM asset management units, and information is available to each client concerning the voting of proxies with respect to the client’s securities, simply by contacting the client service representative of the respective unit.

Voting Approach of PIM Asset Management Units

Prudential Public Fixed Income

As this asset management unit invests primarily in public debt, there are few traditional proxies voted in this unit. Generally, when a proxy is received, this unit will vote with management on routine matters such as the appointment of accountants or the election of directors. With respect to non-routine matters such as proposed anti-takeover provisions or mergers the financial impact will be analyzed and the proxy will be voted on a case-by-case basis. Specifically, if a proxy involves:

 

   

a proposal regarding a merger, acquisition or reorganization,

 

   

a proposal that is not addressed in the unit’s detailed policy statement, or

 

   

circumstances that suggest a vote not in accordance with the detailed policy,

the proxy will be referred to the applicable portfolio manager(s) for individual consideration.

Prudential Real Estate Investors

As this asset management unit invests primarily in real estate and real estate-related interests, there are few traditional proxies voted in this unit. Generally, when a proxy is received, this unit will vote with management on routine matters such as the appointment of accountants or the election of directors. With respect to non-routine matters such as proposed anti-takeover provisions or mergers the financial impact will be analyzed and the proxy will be voted on a case-by-case basis. Specifically, if a proxy involves:

 

   

a proposal regarding a merger, acquisition or reorganization,

 

   

a proposal that is not addressed in the unit’s detailed policy statement, or

 

   

circumstances that suggest a vote not in accordance with the detailed policy,

the proxy will be referred to the relevant portfolio manager(s) for individual consideration.

Prudential Capital Group

As this asset management unit invests almost exclusively in privately placed debt, there are few, if any, traditional proxies voted in this unit. As a result, this unit evaluates


each proxy it receives and votes on a case-by-case basis. Considerations will include detailed knowledge of the issuer’s financial condition, long- and short-term economic outlook for the issuer, its capital structure and debt-service obligations, the issuer’s management team and capabilities, as well as other pertinent factors. In short, this unit attempts to vote all proxies in the best economic interest of its clients based on the clients’ expressed priorities, if any.

 

Item 8     Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Information pertaining to the portfolio managers of the registrant, as of October 31, 2008, is set forth below.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Paul Appleby, CFA, is Managing Director and Head of the Leveraged Finance Team, which includes the High Yield Sector Team and the Bank Loan Sector Team. In addition, Mr. Appleby is portfolio manager for institutional and retail high yield bond portfolios. Previously, he was Director of Credit Research and Chief Equity Strategist for Prudential Financial's proprietary portfolios. Mr. Appleby also was a high yield credit analyst and worked in Prudential Financial's private placement group. Before joining Prudential Financial in 1987, he was a strategic planner for Amerada Hess. Mr. Appleby received a BS in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Sloan School at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Sector Managers

Stephen Haeckel is Principal and high yield sector portfolio manager for the High Yield Team. Before assuming this role in 1999, he was a research analyst in the Credit Research Unit. Mr. Haeckel has also worked in Prudential Financial's Corporate Finance and Financial Restructuring groups, managing Prudential Financial's private investments. He served on the Board of Directors of three private companies in conjunction with the Financial Restructuring Group. Prior to joining Prudential Financial in 1990, Mr. Haeckel was an Investment Officer at MONY Capital Management. He received a BS in Psychology from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Robert Spano, CFA, CPA, is a Principal and high yield sector portfolio manager for the High Yield Bond Team. Previously, he was a high yield credit analyst for 10 years in the Credit Research Unit, covering the health, lodging, consumer, gaming, restaurant, and chemical industries. Earlier, Mr. Spano worked as an investment analyst in the Project Finance Unit of Prudential Financial's private placement group. He also held positions in the internal audit and risk management units of Prudential Securities. Mr. Spano received a BS in Accounting from the University of Delaware and an MBA from New York University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designations.

Terence Wheat, CFA, is Principal and high yield sector portfolio manager for the High Yield Team. Prior to assuming his current position in 2005, he spent 12 years as a credit analyst in the Credit Research Unit, where he was responsible for the consumer products, gaming and leisure, retail, supermarkets, and textile/apparel industries. Mr. Wheat covered


high yield bonds from 1998 to 2003, and investment grade issues from 1993 to 1998. Earlier, he worked for Prudential’s Financial Management Group and Individual Insurance Unit. Mr. Wheat joined Prudential Financial in 1988. He received a BS in Accounting and an MBA from Rider University. Mr. Wheat holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Michael J. Collins, CFA, is Principal for the High Yield Team, responsible for investment strategy and risk management. Prior to assuming his current role, Mr. Collins was Senior Investment Strategist, covering all fixed income sectors. Previously, Mr. Collins was a credit research analyst. He also developed proprietary quantitative international interest rate and currency valuation models for our global bond unit. Mr. Collins began his career at Prudential Financial in 1986 as a software applications designer. He received a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton and an MBA in Finance from New York University. Mr. Collins holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI).

Prudential Fixed Income

High Yield Portfolio Management and Research Teams

As of September 30, 2008

 

Name   

Title/

Responsibilities

  

Yrs    

Exp    

  

Yrs @    

Firm    

  

Degrees/    

Designations    

  

Sponsoring

Body/School

Portfolio Management Team

Paul Appleby

   Managing Director and Head of High Yield Team    22    21    MBA

CFA

  

Sloan School at Mass.

Inst. of Tech. (MIT)

Michael J. Collins

  

Principal, Sector Porfolio Manager,

Investment Strategist

   15    23    MBA

CFA

   New York University

Stephen Haeckel

   Principal, Sector Portfolio Manager    21    19    MBA   

J.L. Kellogg School of

Mgmt. at Northwestern

Robert Spano

   Principal, Sector Portfolio Manager    12    17    MBA

CFA, CPA

   New York University

Terence Wheat

   Principal, Sector Portfolio Manager    15    20    MBA

CFA

   Rider University

Additional Information About the Portfolio Managers — Other Accounts and Fund Ownership. The following table sets forth information about the indicated Fund(s) and accounts other than the Fund(s) for which the Fund(s’) Portfolio Managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management as of the Fund(s’) most recently completed fiscal year. The table shows, for each Portfolio Manager, the number of accounts managed and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts whose fees are based on performance is indicated in italics typeface. The table also sets forth the dollar range of equity securities of the Fund(s) beneficially owned by the Portfolio Managers as of the Fund(s’) most recently completed fiscal year. All reported numbers in the table below are rounded to the thousands.


Portfolio Managers: Information About Other Accounts
Fund Name Subadviser    Portfolio Managers    Registered    
Investment    
Companies    
   Other Pooled    
Investment    
Vehicles    
   Other    
Accounts    
   Fund Ownership

High Yield Income Fund

   Paul Appleby, CFA    3/$1,350,158    17/$584,117;

5/$478,290

   16/$5,773,298    None
     Robert Spano, CFA    3/$1,350,158    13/$519,742;

5/$478,290

   14/$1,583,771    None
     Stephen Haeckel    3/$1,350,158    15/$568,033;

5/$478,290

   16/$5,868,778    None
     Michael J. Collins, CFA    10/$1,489,592    9/$445,153;

1/$390,294

   18/$6,574,427    None
     Terence Wheat, CFA    5/$1,432,292    18/$577,953;

5/$478,290

   16/$5,643,535    None

Compensation and Conflicts Disclosure:

Compensation

Prudential Investment Management, Inc.’s Fixed Income unit ("PIM Fixed Income") seeks to maintain a highly competitive compensation program designed to attract and retain outstanding investment professionals, which includes portfolio managers and research analysts, and to align the interests of its investment professionals with that of its clients and overall firm results. PIM Fixed Income’s investment professionals are compensated through a combination of base salary, a performance-based annual cash incentive bonus and a long-term incentive grant. The long-term incentive grant is generally divided between restricted stock of Prudential Financial, providing investment professionals with an ownership stake, and interests in a phantom stock plan pursuant to which investment professionals are compensated based upon the three-year growth of certain portions of PIM Fixed Income’s asset management business. Investment professionals are all covered by the same general compensation structure although they manage multiple accounts. All investment compensation is paid by the investment adviser and not from any assets of the investment company or other managed accounts.

The salary component is based on market data relative to similar positions within the industry as well as the past performance, experience and responsibility of the individual. Investment professionals’ annual cash bonus is paid from an annual incentive pool. The size of the annual incentive pool is determined quantitatively based on three factors:

1) Investment performance (pre-tax) of all portfolios managed by PIM Fixed Income, in the aggregate, which affect the size of the annual incentive pool. Performance of the portfolios is judged versus the benchmarks against which each of the portfolios is managed or versus the performance of appropriate market peer groups. These portfolios are managed utilizing a variety of strategies and against benchmarks appropriate for each portfolio, 2) PIM Fixed


Income’s business results as measured by financial indicators such as revenue growth, operating income growth and return on required equity, and 3) market-based data indicating trends and levels of overall compensation in the asset management industry in a given year.

A portfolio manager’s long-term incentive grant of phantom stock units and restricted Prudential Financial stock is based on market data relative to similar positions within the industry as well as the past performance, experience and responsibility of the individual. The value of the phantom stock units will reflect the three-year growth of certain portions of PIM Fixed Income’s asset management business but will exclude from this calculation the growth of PI-managed mutual funds.

PIM Fixed Income regularly benchmarks its compensation program against leading asset management firms in the industry to monitor competitiveness. Each investment professional’s incentive compensation payment, including the annual bonus and long-term incentive grant from the incentive pool, is primarily determined by how significantly he or she contributes to delivering investment performance to clients consistent with portfolio objectives, guidelines, and risk parameters, as well as the individual’s qualitative contributions to the organization. The performance of each Fund is judged against the applicable Lipper performance peer group/peer universe, as part of this process.

For example, the performance of the Dryden High Yield Fund was judged versus the Lipper FI High Current Yield Funds as part of this process.

Conflicts of Interest

PIM is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial. PIM is part of a full scale global financial services organization, affiliated with insurance companies, investment advisers and broker-dealers. PIM’s portfolio managers are often responsible for managing multiple accounts, including accounts of affiliates, institutional accounts, mutual funds, insurance company separate accounts and various pooled investment vehicles, such as commingled trust funds and unregistered funds. These affiliations and portfolio management responsibilities may cause potential and actual conflicts of interest. PIM aims to conduct itself in a manner it considers to be the most fair and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to all of its clients including the Fund.

A portion of PIM Fixed Income’s long-term incentive grant includes phantom stock units, the value of which reflects the three-year growth of certain portions of PIM Fixed Income’s asset management business. The calculation of growth does not include the growth of PI-managed mutual funds. A portfolio manager may face a conflict of interest given that a piece of his or her long-term compensation is not affected by the growth of PI-managed mutual funds, including this fund. A portfolio manager’s compensation may be affected as discussed above by the performance of the mutual funds he or she manages.

Management of multiple accounts and funds side-by-side may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities, the aggregation and allocation of trades and cross trading. PIM has developed policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts of interest.


There may be restrictions imposed by l regulation or contract regarding how much, if any, of a particular security PIM may purchase or sell on behalf of the Fund, and as to the timing of such purchase or sale. Such restrictions may come into play as a result of PIM’s relationship with Prudential Financial and its other affiliates. The Fund may be prohibited from engaging in transactions with its affiliates even when such transactions may be beneficial for the Fund. Certain affiliated transactions are permitted in accordance with procedures adopted by the Fund and reviewed by the independent directors of the Fund.

PIM may come into possession of material, non-public information with respect to a particular issuer and as a result be unable to execute purchase or sale transactions in securities of such issuer for the Fund. This can occur particularly with respect to fixed income investments because PIM has a bank loan unit that often invests in private loans that require the issuer to provide material, non-public information. PIM generally is able to avoid certain other potential conflicts due to the possession of material, non-public information by maintaining information barriers to prevent the transfer of this information between units of PIM as well as between affiliates and PIM. Additionally, in an effort to avoid potential conflicts of interest, PIM’s fixed income unit has procedures in place to carefully consider whether or not to accept material, non-public information with respect to certain issuers, where appropriate.

Certain affiliates of PIM develop and may publish credit research that is independent from the research developed within PIM. PIM may hold different opinions on the investment merits of a given security, issuer or industry such that PIM may be purchasing or holding a security for the Fund and an affiliated entity may be selling or recommending a sale of the same security or other securities of the issuer. Conversely, PIM may be selling a security for the Fund and an affiliated entity may be purchasing or recommending a buy of the same security or other securities of the same issuer. In addition, PIM’s affiliated broker-dealers or investment advisers may be executing transactions in the market in the same securities as the Fund at the same time.

PIM may cause securities transactions to be executed for the Fund concurrently with authorizations to purchase or sell the same securities for other accounts managed by PIM, including proprietary accounts or accounts of affiliates. In these instances, the executions of purchases or sales, where possible, are allocated equitably among the various accounts (including the Fund).

PIM may buy or sell, or may direct or recommend that one client buy or sell, securities of the same kind or class that are purchased or sold for the Fund, at prices which may be different. In addition, PIM may, at any time, execute trades of securities of the same kind or class in one direction for an account and trade in the opposite direction or not trade for any other account, including the Fund, due to differences in investment strategy or client direction.

The fees charged to advisory clients by PIM may differ depending upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, the unit providing the advisory services, the particular strategy, the size of a portfolio being managed, the relationship with the client, the origination and service requirements and the asset class involved. Fees may also differ based on account type


(e.g., commingled accounts, trust accounts, insurance company separate accounts, and corporate, bank or trust-owned life insurance products). Fees are negotiable so one client with similar investment objectives or goals may be paying a higher fee than another client. Fees paid by certain clients may also be higher due to performance-based fees which increase based on the performance of a portfolio above an established benchmark.

Large clients generate more revenue for PIM than do smaller accounts. A portfolio manager may be faced with a conflict of interest when allocating scarce investment opportunities given the benefit to PIM of favoring accounts that pay a higher fee or generate more income for PIM. To address this conflict of interest, PIM has adopted allocation policies as well as supervisory procedures that are intended to fairly allocate investment opportunities among competing client accounts.

PIM and its affiliates manage certain funds, including hedge funds, that are subject to incentive compensation on a side-by-side basis with other accounts including the Fund. PIM and/or certain of its affiliates may have an interest in such funds. PIM and its affiliates have implemented policies and procedures to address potential conflicts of interest arising out of such side-by-side management.

For example, the accounts may at times be precluded from taking positions over-weighted versus an index in securities and other instruments in which one or more of the funds hold short positions. Lending, borrowing and other financing opportunities with respect to securities for which the market is paying a premium rate over normal market rates and for which there maybe limited additional demand will be allocated to the accounts prior to allocating the opportunities to such funds.

Conflicts of interest may also arise regarding proxy voting. A committee of senior business representatives together with relevant regulatory personnel oversees the proxy voting process and monitors potential conflicts of interest relating to proxy voting.

Prudential Financial and the general account of The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“PICA”) may at times have various levels of financial or other interests in companies whose securities may be purchased or sold in PIM’s client accounts, including the Fund. These financial interests may at any time be in potential or actual conflict or may be inconsistent with positions held or actions taken by PIM on behalf of the Fund. These interests can include loan servicing, debt or equity financing, services related to advising on merger and acquisition issues, strategic corporate relationships or investments and the offering of investment advice in various forms. Thus PIM may invest Fund assets in the securities of companies with which PIM or an affiliate of PIM has a financial relationship, including investment in the securities of companies that are advisory clients of PIM.

It is anticipated that there will be situations in which the interests of the Fund in a portfolio company may conflict with the interests of one or more affiliated accounts of PIM or other client accounts managed by PIM or its affiliates. This may occur because PIM affiliated accounts hold public and private debt and equity securities of a large number of issuers and may invest in some of the same companies as the Fund, but at different levels in the capital structure. Investment by PIM affiliated accounts at different levels to that of the Fund in the capital structure of a portfolio company presents inherent conflicts of interest between the PIM affiliated accounts and the Fund.


For example, in the event of restructuring or insolvency, the holders of senior debt may exercise remedies and take other actions that are not in the interest of or are adverse to holders of junior debt. Similarly, a PIM affiliated account might hold secured debt of an issuer whose public unsecured debt is held by the Fund. Such conflicts may also exist among client accounts managed by PIM or its affiliates. While these conflicts cannot be eliminated, PIM has implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure that, notwithstanding these conflicts, investments of the Fund are originated and managed in its best interests.

In addition, portfolio managers may advise PIM affiliated accounts. PIM’s portfolio manager(s) may have a financial interest in the accounts they advise, either directly or indirectly. To address potential conflicts of interest, PIM has procedures designed to ensure that — including to the extent that client accounts are managed differently from PIM affiliated accounts— each of the client accounts and each affiliated account is managed in a manner that is consistent with its investment objectives, investment strategies and restrictions, as well as with PIM’s fiduciary obligations. These procedures include supervisory review procedures.

Potential conflicts of interest may exist where P IM or its affiliates determine that a specific transaction in a security is appropriate for a specific account based upon numerous factors (including, investment objectives, investment strategies or restrictions), while other accounts may take the opposite position in the security in accordance with that accounts’ investment objectives, investment strategies and restrictions. PIM periodically conducts reviews of these accounts and assesses the appropriateness of these differing positions.

Finally, because of the substantial size of PICA’s general account, trading by PICA’s general account in certain securities, particularly certain fixed income securities, may result in market changes in response to trades. Although PIM expects that PICA’s general account will execute transactions that will move a market in a security infrequently, and generally in response to unusual market or issuer events, the execution of these transactions could have an adverse effect on transactions for or positions held by other clients.

PIM follows Prudential Financial’s policies on business ethics, personal securities trading by investment personnel, and information barriers. PIM has adopted a code of ethics, allocation policies, supervisory procedures and conflicts of interest policies, which are designed to ensure that clients are not harmed by these potential or actual conflicts of interests. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will detect and ensure avoidance, disclosure or mitigation of each and every situation in which a conflict may arise.

 

Item 9     Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – There have been no purchases of equity securities by the registrant or any affiliated purchasers during the period covered by this report.

 

Item 10     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – Not applicable.


Item 11     Controls and Procedures

 

  (a) It is the conclusion of the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrant's current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commission's rules and forms and that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

  (b) There has been no significant change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12     Exhibits

 

  (a) (1) Code of Ethics – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.CODE-ETH

 

  (2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.CERT.

 

  (3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1. – Not applicable.

 

  (b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.906CERT.


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)   The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.
By (Signature and Title)*  

/s/Deborah A. Docs

  Deborah A. Docs
  Secretary
Date   October 24, 2008

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/Judy A. Rice

  Judy A. Rice
  President and Principal Executive Officer
Date   October 24, 2008
By (Signature and Title)*  

/s/Grace C. Torres

  Grace C. Torres
  Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
Date   October 24, 2008

 

*

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