nbb.htm
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 811-22391

Nuveen Build America Bond Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Kevin J. McCarthy
Nuveen Investments
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 917-7700

Date of fiscal year end: March 31

Date of reporting period: September 30, 2011

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.


 
 

 


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
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Table of Contents
 
Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders 
4 
   
Portfolio Manager’s Comments 
5 
   
Dividend and Share Price Information 
10 
   
Performance Overviews 
11 
   
Shareholder Meeting Report 
13 
   
Portfolios of Investments 
14 
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 
24 
   
Statement of Operations 
25 
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets 
26 
   
Statement of Cash Flows 
27 
   
Financial Highlights 
28 
   
Notes to Financial Statements 
30 
   
Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process 
39 
   
Reinvest Automatically, Easily and Conveniently 
47 
   
Glossary of Terms Used in this Report 
49 
   
Other Useful Information 
51 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Chairman’s
Letter to Shareholders
 
 
Dear Shareholders,
 
The global economy continues to be weighed down by an unusual combination of pressures facing the larger developed economies. Japanese leaders continue to work through the economic aftereffects of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Political leaders in Europe and the U.S. have resolved some of the near term fiscal problems, but the financial markets are not convinced that these leaders are able to address more complex longer term fiscal issues. Despite improved earnings and capital increases, the largest banks in these countries continue to be vulnerable to deteriorating mortgage portfolios and sovereign credit exposure, adding another source of uncertainty to the global financial system.
 
In the U.S., recent economic statistics indicate that the economic recovery may be losing momentum. Consumption, which represents about 70% of the gross domestic product, faces an array of challenges from seemingly intractable declines in housing values, increased energy costs and limited growth in the job market. The failure of Congress and the administration to agree on the debt ceiling increase on a timely basis and the deep divisions between the political parties over fashioning a balanced program to address growing fiscal imbalances that led to the recent S&P ratings downgrade add considerable uncertainty to the domestic economic picture.
 
On a more positive note, corporate earnings continue to hold up well and the municipal bond market is recovering from recent weakness as states and municipalities implement various programs to reduce their budgetary deficits. In addition, the Federal Reserve has made it clear that it stands ready to take additional steps should the economic recovery falter. However, there are concerns that the Fed is approaching the limits of its resources to intervene in the economy.
 
These perplexing times highlight the importance of professional investment management. Your Nuveen investment team is working hard to develop an appropriate response to increased risk, and they continue to seek out opportunities created by stressful markets using proven investment disciplines designed to help your Fund achieve its investment objectives. On your behalf, we monitor their activities to assure that they maintain their investment disciplines.
 
As always, I encourage you to contact your financial consultant if you have any questions about your investment in a Nuveen Fund. On behalf of the other members of your Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Robert P. Bremner
Chairman of the Board
November 21, 2011
 
4 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
 
Portfolio Manager’s Comments
 
 
Nuveen Build America Bond Fund (NBB)
Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund (NBD)
 
 
Portfolio manager Daniel Close reviews key investment strategies and the performance of the Nuveen Build America Bond Fund (NBB) and the Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund (NBD). Dan, who joined Nuveen in 2000, has managed NBB since its inception in April 2010 and NBD since its inception in November 2010.
 
What key strategies were used to manage NBB and NBD during the six-month reporting period ended September 30, 2011?
 
NBB and NBD are designed to invest primarily in Build America Bonds (BABs) and other taxable municipal bonds. The primary investment objective of these two Funds is to provide current income through investments in taxable municipal securities. Their secondary objective is to seek enhanced portfolio value and total return. The Funds offer strategic portfolio diversification opportunities for traditional municipal bond investors, while providing investment options to investors who have not traditionally purchased municipal bonds, including public and corporate retirement plans, endowments, life insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds. For these investors, these Funds can offer investment-grade municipal credit, current income and strong call protection.
 
With the end of the BAB new issuance program on December 31, 2010, our focus during this period was taking advantage of opportunities to add value and improve the liquidity of both NBB and NBD. We continued to carefully monitor the secondary market, which remained active, and we took a bottom-up approach to discovering undervalued credits with the potential to perform well. During this period, we found value in general obligation, tollway and sales tax bonds for both NBB and NBD. NBB also purchased electric utilities bonds and bonds backed by hotel occupancy taxes, while NBD added a water and sewer credit.
 
We also sought to enhance the liquidity profiles of the Funds by purchasing additional benchmark BAB issues, especially in NBB. Benchmark issues, which typically offer more liquidity than their non-benchmark counterparts, are BAB bonds over $250 million in size and therefore eligible for inclusion in the Barclays Capital BAB Index. Non-benchmark BAB issues generally are smaller issues that can offer the same credit quality as benchmark issues, but may require a more detailed credit review before purchase. During NBB’s initial investment phase, fewer benchmark, or index-eligible, BABs were available in the market, and we therefore purchased a greater mix of benchmark and
 
 
 
 
Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio manager as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. The Funds disclaim any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.
 
Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below-investment grade ratings. Bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are given an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by a national rating agency.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 5
 
 
 

 
 
non-benchmark BAB issues. In NBD, the heavy supply of new BABs during the last part of 2010 enabled us to complete the invest-up of this Fund with an emphasis on benchmark BAB issues.
 
NBB generated cash for purchases by generally selling non-benchmark BAB bonds from a variety of sectors, including tax increment financing districts, redevelopment agencies and appropriation bonds. NBD also sold a non-index eligible BAB during the period. On the whole, selling was relatively minimal in NBD, which had been more heavily invested in benchmark BAB bonds since inception.
 
As part of their investment strategies, NBB and NBD use an integrated leverage and hedging strategy to seek to enhance current income and total return, while working to maintain a level of interest rate risk similar to that of the Barclays Capital BAB Index. To implement leverage, NBB used both bank borrowings and inverse floating rate securities, while NBD used inverse floating rate securities only. As mentioned in the last shareholder report, by the end of the last fiscal period, the majority of NBB’s leverage was funded by inverse floating rate securities. Both Funds also used interest rate and forward interest rate swap contracts to reduce their leverage-adjusted portfolio duration to a level close to that of the index. In addition, the Funds’ partially fixed the interest cost of leverage. The integrated leverage and hedging strategy is discussed in more detail later in this report.
 
Because the BAB program was not renewed at the end of December 2010, shareholders should note that both NBB and NBD have contingent term provisions stating that if there is no new issuance of BABs or similarly U.S. Treasury-subsidized taxable municipal bonds for any 24-month period ending on or before December 31, 2014, NBB and NBD will terminate on or around June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
 
How did NBB and NBD perform over this period?
 
Results for NBB and NBD, as well as relevant index information, are presented in the accompanying table.
 
Average Annual Total Returns on Net Asset Value*
For periods ended 9/30/11
 
Fund 
6-Month 
1-Year 
NBB 
18.18% 
15.40% 
NBD 
20.71% 
N/A    
Barclays Capital Build America Bond (BAB) Index** 
19.60% 
15.21% 
 
For the six months ended September 30, 2011, NBB’s cumulative return on net asset value (NAV) underperformed the return for the Barclays Capital Build America Bond Index, while the return for NBD exceeded the index.
 
 
 
 
 
Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares.
 
 
For additional information, see the Performance Overview pages for NBB and NBD in this report.
 
*     
Six-month returns are cumulative; all other returns are annualized.
 
**     
Refer to Glossary of Terms used in this Report for definition.
 
6 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
Key management factors that influenced the Funds’ returns during this period included duration and yield curve positioning, the use of swap contracts, credit exposure and sector allocation. The Funds’ use of leverage also was an important positive factor affecting the Funds’ performance for this period. The impact of leverage is discussed in more detail later in this report.
 
During this period, as interest rates declined across the yield curve, bonds with longer maturities generally outperformed other maturity categories. Overall, duration was a positive contributor to NBD’s performance and a negative factor in NBB. This difference can be attributed to NBD’s overweighting of the longest segment of the yield curve that performed well and NBB’s modest underweighting of the longer parts of the curve.
 
As previously mentioned, both NBB and NBD used interest rate and forward interest rate swap contracts to shorten their durations and bring them more in line with the duration of the Barclays Capital BAB Index. Because the Funds were shorting long interest rates at a time when rates were falling and bond prices were rising, the use of these swaps had a negative impact on the Funds’ total return performance for the period.
 
Both NBB and NBD were similarly weighted among the credit quality sectors, with their largest allocation in bonds rated AA, followed by A and AAA. This credit rating exposure was positive for performance during this period, as bonds rated AA outperformed the other credit quality sectors.
 
The overall impact of sector exposure was positive in NBD and modestly negative in NBB. Both NBB and NBD were helped by their underexposure to state general obligation (GO) bonds, as state GOs—especially those from larger issuers such as California and Illinois—underperformed the market. On the other hand, both Funds were hurt by being underweighted in education, which outperformed for the period. NBD’s holdings in the utilities sector made a positive contribution to this Fund’s return, whereas NBB’s utilities holdings detracted from its performance. NBD also benefited from the fact that it held more benchmark, or index-eligible, BABs than NBB, as benchmark BABs outperformed the general BAB market for the period.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 7
 
 
 

 

 
IMPACT OF THE FUNDS’ LEVERAGE STRATEGIES ON PERFORMANCE
 
One important factor impacting the returns of all these Funds relative to the comparative indexes was the Funds’ use of leverage. The Funds use leverage because their managers believe that, over time, leveraging provides opportunities for additional income and total return for shareholders. However, use of leverage also can expose shareholders to additional volatility. For example, as the prices of securities held by a Fund decline, the negative impact of these valuation changes on net asset value and total return is magnified by the use of leverage. Conversely, leverage may enhance share returns during periods when the prices of securities held by a Fund generally are rising. Leverage made a positive contribution to the performance of these Funds over this reporting period.
 
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
 
Fund shares are not guaranteed or endorsed by any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Fund common shares are subject to a variety of risks, including:
 
Investment Risk. The possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
 
Build America Bonds Risk. BABs are a new form of municipal financing, and the market is smaller, less diverse, and potentially less liquid than other types of municipal securities. In addition, bonds issued after 12/31/2010 will not qualify as BABs unless the relevant section of the program is extended. Consequently, if the program is not extended, BABs may be less actively traded which may negatively affect the value of BABs held by the fund.
 
Leverage Risk. The fund’s use of leverage creates the possibility of higher volatility for the fund’s per share NAV, market price, distributions and returns.. There is no assurance that a fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful.
 
Price Risk. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value (NAV). Your common shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
 
Tax Risk. The tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by new IRS interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code and future changes in tax laws and regulations.
 
Issuer Credit Risk. This is the risk that a security in a Fund’s portfolio will fail to make dividend or interest payments when due.
 
 
8 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
 
Derivatives Strategy Risk. Derivative securities, such as calls, puts, warrants, swaps and forwards, carry risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with the underlying investments.
 
Interest Rate Risk. Fixed-income securities such as bonds, preferred, convertible and other debt securities will decline in value if market interest rates rise.
 
Reinvestment Risk. If market interest rates decline, income earned from a Fund’s portfolio may be reinvested at rates below that of the original bond that generated the income.
 
Call Risk or Prepayment Risk. Issuers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing a Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 9
 
 
 

 
 
Dividend and Share Price Information
 
 
 
The monthly dividends of NBB and NBD remained stable throughout the six-month reporting period ended September 30, 2011.
 
NBB and NBD seek to pay stable dividends at rates that reflect the Funds’ past results and projected future performance. During certain periods, the Funds may pay dividends at a rate that may be more or less than the amount of net investment income actually earned by the Funds during the period. If a Fund has cumulatively earned more than it has paid in dividends, it holds the excess in reserve as undistributed net investment income (UNII) as part of the Fund’s NAV. Conversely, if a Fund has cumulatively paid dividends in excess of its earnings, the excess constitutes negative UNII that is likewise reflected in the Fund’s NAV. The Funds will, over time, pay all of their net investment income as dividends to shareholders. As of September 30, 2011, NBB and NBD had a positive UNII balance, based upon our best estimate, for tax purposes and a positive UNII balance for financial reporting purposes.
 
SHARE REPURCHASES AND PRICE INFORMATION
 
Since the inception of NBB’s repurchase program, NBB has not repurchased any of its outstanding shares. As of September 30, 2011, NBD is not authorized to repurchase any of its outstanding shares.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Funds’ share prices were trading at (-) discounts to their NAVs as shown in the accompanying table.
 
 
9/30/11 
Six-Month Average 
Fund 
(-)Discount 
(-)Discount 
NBB 
(-)7.34% 
(-)4.89% 
NBD 
(-)6.58% 
(-)5.68% 
 
 
10 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 

   
NBB
Nuveen Build
America Bond
Performance
Fund
OVERVIEW 
 
 
as of September 30, 2011 
 
 
 
     
Fund Snapshot 
   
Share Price 
 
$19.95 
Net Asset Value (NAV) 
 
$21.53 
Premium/Discount to NAV 
 
-7.34% 
Market Yield 
 
7.04% 
Net Assets ($000) 
 
$569,756 
     
Leverage 
   
Structural Leverage 
 
7.17% 
Effective Leverage 
 
21.93% 
     
Average Annual Total Return 
   
(Inception 4/27/10) 
   
 
On Share Price 
On NAV 
6-Month (Cumulative) 
14.62% 
18.18% 
1-Year 
4.75% 
15.40% 
Since Inception 
6.92% 
16.21% 
     
States2 
   
(as a % of total municipal bonds) 
   
California 
 
17.1% 
Illinois 
 
13.7% 
New York 
 
11.5% 
Texas 
 
7.2% 
Georgia 
 
4.0% 
Ohio 
 
4.0% 
Washington 
 
4.0% 
Louisiana 
 
3.4% 
South Carolina 
 
3.2% 
Michigan 
 
3.1% 
Tennessee 
 
2.8% 
New Jersey 
 
2.6% 
Oregon 
 
2.6% 
Virginia 
 
2.3% 
Indiana 
 
2.2% 
Nevada 
 
2.2% 
Other 
 
14.1% 
     
Portfolio Composition2,3 
   
(as a % of total investments) 
   
Tax Obligation/Limited 
 
24.6% 
Utilities 
 
21.4% 
Tax Obligation/General 
 
21.3% 
Transportation 
 
13.9% 
Water and Sewer 
 
13.0% 
Education and Civic Organizations 
 
4.8% 
Short-Term Investments 
 
0.1% 
Other 
 
0.9% 
   
Build America Bond Allocation2 
 
(as a % of total municipal bonds) 
   
Build America Bonds 
 
94.5% 
Non-Build America Bonds 
 
5.5% 
 
  Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this Fund’s Performance Overview page.
   
1     
Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A, and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below-investment grade ratings. Bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are given an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by a national rating agency.
   
2     
Holdings are subject to change.
 
3     
Excluding investments in derivatives.

Nuveen Investments 11
 
 
 

 

 
   
NBD 
Nuveen Build 
Performance 
America Bond 
OVERVIEW 
Opportunity Fund 
   
 
as of September 30, 2011 
 
 
     
Fund Snapshot 
   
Share Price 
 
$21.14 
Net Asset Value (NAV) 
 
$22.63 
Premium/Discount to NAV 
 
-6.58% 
Market Yield 
 
7.15% 
Net Assets ($000) 
 
$163,030 
     
Cumulative Total Return 
   
(Inception 11/23/10) 
   
 
On Share Price 
On NAV 
6-Month Cumulative 
17.86% 
20.71% 
Since Inception 
12.00% 
25.21% 
     
States2 
   
(as a % of total municipal bonds) 
   
California 
 
15.2% 
Illinois 
 
13.2% 
New York 
 
11.8% 
South Carolina 
 
6.8% 
Texas 
 
6.7% 
New Jersey 
 
5.0% 
Michigan 
 
4.3% 
Colorado 
 
4.2% 
Pennsylvania 
 
3.7% 
Ohio 
 
3.0% 
Georgia 
 
2.9% 
Missouri 
 
2.6% 
District of Colombia 
 
2.5% 
Massachusetts 
 
2.5% 
Nevada 
 
2.3% 
Other 
 
13.3% 
     
Portfolio Composition2 
   
(as a % of total municipal bonds) 
   
Tax Obligation/Limited 
 
30.2% 
Tax Obligation/General 
 
17.6% 
Utilities 
 
16.6% 
Water and Sewer 
 
15.0% 
Transportation 
 
11.0% 
Education and Civic Organizations 
 
5.8% 
Health Care 
 
1.9% 
Consumer Staples 
 
1.9% 
   
Build America Bond Allocation2 
 
(as a % of total municipal bonds) 
   
Build America Bonds 
 
97.5% 
Non-Build America Bonds 
 
2.5% 
 
 
  Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this Fund’s Performance Overview page.
   
1     
Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A, and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below-investment grade ratings. Bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are given an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by a national rating agency.
   
2     
Holdings are subject to change.

 
12 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 

 
NBB
NBD     Shareholder Meeting Report
 
The annual meeting of shareholders was held on July 25, 2011 in the Lobby Conference Room, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606; at this meeting the shareholders were asked to vote on the election of Board Members.
 
   
 
NBB 
Approval of the Board Members was reached as follows: 
 
John P. Amboian 
 
For 
19,182,298 
Withhold 
284,349 
Total 
19,466,647 
David J. Kundert 
 
For 
19,182,072 
Withhold 
284,575 
Total 
19,466,647 
Terence J. Toth 
 
For 
19,178,036 
Withhold 
288,611 
Total 
19,466,647 
 
 
Nuveen Investments 13
 
 
 

 

   
 
Nuveen Build America Bond Fund 
NBB 
Portfolio of Investments 
 
September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) 
 
           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
Municipal Bonds 
     
   
Arizona – 2.5% (2.1% of Total Investments) 
     
$ 3,000 
 
Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona, System Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable 
8/20 at 100.00 
AA– 
$ 3,376,950 
   
Bonds, Series 2010A, 6.423%, 8/01/35 
     
10,000 
 
Mesa, Arizona, Utility System Revenue Bonds, Series 2010, 6.100%, 7/01/34 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
10,683,500 
13,000 
 
Total Arizona 
   
14,060,450 
   
California – 19.8% (17.1% of Total Investments) 
     
500 
 
California Infrastructure Economic Development Bond Bank, Revenue Bonds, University of 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
586,335 
   
California San Francisco Neurosciences Building, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 
     
   
6.486%, 5/15/49 
     
3,000 
 
California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Various Capital Projects, Build 
No Opt. Call 
A2 
3,707,610 
   
America Taxable Bond Series 2009G-2, 8.361%, 10/01/34 
     
4,000 
 
California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Various Capital Projects, Build 
3/20 at 100.00 
A2 
4,314,960 
   
America Taxable Bond Series 2010A-2, 8.000%, 3/01/35 
     
7,000 
 
California State University, Systemwide Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
8,239,280 
   
2010B, 6.484%, 11/01/41 
     
4,500 
 
California State, General Obligation Bonds, Various Purpose Build America Taxable Bond Series 
3/20 at 100.00 
A1 
5,124,105 
   
2010, 7.950%, 3/01/36 
     
5,500 
 
City and County of San Francisco Redevelopment Financing Authority, California, Taxable Tax 
No Opt. Call 
A1 
6,435,000 
   
Allocation Revenue Bonds, San Francisco Redevelopment Projects, Series 2009F, 8.406%, 8/01/39 
     
5,000 
 
Hayward Unified School District, Alameda County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Build 
8/20 at 100.00 
AA+ 
5,637,750 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B, 7.350%, 8/01/43 – AGM Insured 
     
950 
 
Los Alamitos Unified School District, Orange County, California, General Obligation Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
1,063,934 
   
School Facilities Improvement, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010C, 6.210%, 8/01/35 
     
15,000 
 
Los Angeles Community College District, California, General Obligation Bonds, Build America 
No Opt. Call 
Aa1 
19,916,100 
   
Taxable Bonds, Series 2010, 6.600%, 8/01/42 
     
10,000 
 
Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles County, California, General Obligation 
No Opt. Call 
Aa1 
13,277,400 
   
Bonds, Series 2010, 6.600%, 8/01/42 (UB) (4) 
     
   
Los Angeles County Public Works Financing Authority, California, Lease Revenue Bonds, Multiple 
     
   
Capital Projects I, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B: 
     
500 
 
7.488%, 8/01/33 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
623,920 
11,225 
 
7.618%, 8/01/40 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
14,291,895 
2,000 
 
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California, Water System Revenue Bonds, Tender 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
5,617,600 
   
Option Bond Trust T0003, 29.487%, 7/01/42 (IF) 
     
3,000 
 
Oakland Redevelopment Agency, California, Subordinated Housing Set Aside Revenue Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
A 
3,326,010 
   
Federally Taxable Series 2011A-T, 7.500%, 9/01/19 
     
5,000 
 
Orange County Sanitation District, California, Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
5,727,800 
   
Bond Series 2010A, 5.580%, 2/01/40 
     
2,355 
 
San Bernardino Community College District, California, General Obligation Bonds, Election of 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
2,967,512 
   
2008, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2009C, 7.630%, 8/01/44 
     
4,000 
 
San Francisco City and County, California, Certificates of Participation, 525 Golden Gate 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
6,189,000 
   
Avenue, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Office Project, Tender Option Bond Trust 
     
   
B001, 29.117%, 11/01/30 (IF) 
     
1,000 
 
Santa Barbara County, California, Certificates of Participation, Recovery Zone Economic 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
1,095,860 
   
Development Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A-2, 6.250%, 12/01/40 
     
   
Stanton Redevelopment Agency, California, Consolidated Project Tax Allocation Bonds, 
     
   
Series 2011A: 
     
275 
 
6.500%, 12/01/17 
No Opt. Call 
A– 
289,740 
295 
 
6.750%, 12/01/18 
No Opt. Call 
A– 
310,777 
1,500 
 
Walnut Energy Center Authority, California, Electric Revenue Bonds, Turlock Irrigation 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
1,732,290 
   
District, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B, 6.230%, 1/01/29 
     
 
 
14 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 

 
           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
California (continued) 
     
$ 2,000 
 
West Kern Water District, California, Certificates of Participation, Land Acquisition Project, 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
$ 2,513,620 
   
Build America Bonds, Series 10B, 6.720%, 6/01/40 
     
88,600 
 
Total California 
   
112,988,498 
   
Colorado – 2.0% (1.7% of Total Investments) 
     
1,000 
 
East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District, Arapahoe County, Colorado, Water 
11/20 at 100.00 
A+ 
1,038,340 
   
Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 5.820%, 11/15/40 
     
3,000 
 
Mesa State College, Colorado, Auxiliary Facilities Enterprise Revenue Bonds, Build America 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
3,755,970 
   
Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 6.746%, 5/15/42 
     
1,000 
 
Metropolitan State College of Denver, Colorado, Institutional Enterprise Revenue Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
1,147,480 
   
Federally Taxable Build America Bonds, Recovery Zone Economic Development Project, 
     
   
Series 2010, 6.000%, 12/01/40 
     
5,000 
 
St. Vrain Valley School District RE-1J, Boulder, Larimer and Weld Counties, Colorado, General 
12/20 at 100.00 
Aa2 
5,353,750 
   
Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 5.790%, 12/15/33 
     
10,000 
 
Total Colorado 
   
11,295,540 
   
Connecticut – 1.2% (1.0% of Total Investments) 
     
6,000 
 
Harbor Point Infrastructure Improvement District, Connecticut, Special Obligation Revenue 
4/20 at 100.00 
N/R 
6,707,040 
   
Bonds, Harbor Point Project, Federally Taxable – Issuer Subsidy – Recovery Zone Economic 
     
   
Development Bond Series 2010B, 12.500%, 4/01/39 
     
   
Florida – 2.3% (2.0% of Total Investments) 
     
5,000 
 
Florida Governmental Utilities Authority, North Fort Myers Utility Revenue Bonds, Federally 
10/20 at 100.00 
A2 
5,811,000 
   
Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010B, 7.084%, 10/01/40 
     
6,195 
 
Florida State Board of Education, Public Education Capital Outlay Bonds, Build America Taxable 
6/19 at 100.00 
AAA 
6,692,149 
   
Bonds, Series 2010G, 5.750%, 6/01/35 (4) 
     
500 
 
Lake City, Florida, Utility System Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds Series 2010B, 
7/20 at 100.00 
AA+ 
554,275 
   
6.175%, 7/01/35 – AGC Insured 
     
11,695 
 
Total Florida 
   
13,057,424 
   
Georgia – 4.7% (4.0% of Total Investments) 
     
10,000 
 
Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 Project J Bonds, Taxable Build 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
10,909,100 
   
America Bonds Series 2010A, 6.637%, 4/01/57 
     
15,000 
 
Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 Project P Bonds, Refunding 
No Opt. Call 
A– 
15,704,100 
   
Taxable Build America Bonds Series 2010A, 7.055%, 4/01/57 
     
25,000 
 
Total Georgia 
   
26,613,200 
   
Illinois – 15.9% (13.7% of Total Investments) 
     
5,000 
 
Chicago Transit Authority, Illinois, Sales and Transfer Tax Receipts Revenue Bonds, Pension 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
5,985,150 
   
Funding Taxable Series 2008A, 6.899%, 12/01/40 
     
1,800 
 
Chicago Transit Authority, Illinois, Sales Tax Receipts Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Build 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
2,090,808 
   
America Bonds, Series 2010B, 6.200%, 12/01/40 
     
10,000 
 
Chicago, Illinois, General Airport Revenue Bonds, O’Hare International Airport, Third Lien, 
1/20 at 100.00 
A1 
11,291,800 
   
Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 6.845%, 1/01/38 
     
10,000 
 
Chicago, Illinois, Wastewater Transmission Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 
No Opt. Call 
Aa3 
13,362,200 
   
2010B, 6.900%, 1/01/40 
     
10,000 
 
Chicago, Illinois, Water Revenue Bonds, Taxable Second Lien Series 2010B, 6.742%, 11/01/40 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
13,161,100 
5,225 
 
Cook County, Illinois, General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
5,950,021 
   
6.360%, 11/15/33 
     
15,855 
 
Cook County, Illinois, General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010D, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
18,652,456 
   
6.229%, 11/15/34 
     
500 
 
Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Illinois Institute of Technology, Refunding Series 
10/11 at 100.00 
Baa3 
467,575 
   
2006A, 6.100%, 4/01/15 
     
13,875 
 
Illinois State, General Obligation Bonds, Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010-3, 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
14,787,975 
   
6.725%, 4/01/35 
     
 
 
Nuveen Investments 15
 
 
 

 
 
Nuveen Build America Bond Fund (continued)
NBB Portfolio of Investments September 30, 2011 (Unaudited)
 
 
           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
Illinois (continued) 
     
$ 4,100 
 
Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Toll Highway Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
$ 4,820,493 
   
Senior Lien Series 2009A, 6.184%, 1/01/34 
     
76,355 
 
Total Illinois 
   
90,569,578 
   
Indiana – 2.5% (2.2% of Total Investments) 
     
   
Evansville Redevelopment Authority, Indiana, Lease Rental Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable 
     
   
Bond Series 2010B: 
     
1,250 
 
6.960%, 2/01/34 
8/20 at 100.00 
Aa3 
1,405,100 
6,620 
 
7.210%, 2/01/39 
8/20 at 100.00 
Aa3 
7,417,975 
5,000 
 
Indiana University, Consolidated Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B, 
6/20 at 100.00 
Aaa 
5,398,100 
   
5.636%, 6/01/35 (4) 
     
12,870 
 
Total Indiana 
   
14,221,175 
   
Kentucky – 1.3% (1.2% of Total Investments) 
     
5,000 
 
Kentucky Municipal Power Agency, Power Supply System Revenue Bonds, Prairie State Project, 
9/20 at 100.00 
AA+ 
7,577,250 
   
Tender Option Bond Trust B002, 29.298%, 9/01/37 – AGM Insured (IF) 
     
   
Louisiana – 3.9% (3.4% of Total Investments) 
     
20,350 
 
East Baton Rouge Sewage Commission, Louisiana, Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, 
2/20 at 100.00 
AA– 
22,365,057 
   
Series 2010B, 6.087%, 2/01/45 
     
   
Massachusetts – 0.8% (0.7% of Total Investments) 
     
2,000 
 
Massachusetts, Transportation Fund Revenue Bonds, Accelerated Bridge Program, Tender Option 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
4,635,600 
   
Bond Trust T0004, 25.290%, 6/01/40 (IF) (4) 
     
   
Michigan – 3.5% (3.1% of Total Investments) 
     
14,650 
 
Detroit City School District, Wayne County, Michigan, General Obligation Bonds, Build America 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
18,383,699 
   
Taxable Bond Series 2009B, 7.747%, 5/01/39 
     
985 
 
Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Revenue Bonds, 
6/22 at 100.00 
BB+ 
693,864 
   
Taxable Turbo Series 2006A, 7.309%, 6/01/34 
     
950 
 
Monroe, Michigan, Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, Taxable Recovery Zone Economic 
5/20 at 100.00 
A+ 
1,051,299 
   
Development Bonds, Series 2010, 6.650%, 5/01/27 
     
16,585 
 
Total Michigan 
   
20,128,862 
   
Missouri – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments) 
     
1,900 
 
Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission, Prairie State Power Project Revenue 
1/19 at 100.00 
A3 
2,279,563 
   
Bond, Federally Taxable Build America Bonds – Direct Pay, Series 2009A, 6.890%, 1/01/42 
     
   
Nevada – 2.5% (2.2% of Total Investments) 
     
6,125 
 
Clark County, Nevada, Airport Revenue Bonds, Senior Lien Series 2009B, 6.881%, 7/01/42 
7/19 at 100.00 
Aa2 
6,753,915 
1,030 
 
Clark County, Nevada, Airport System Revenue, Taxable Direct Payment Build America Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
1,309,800 
   
Senior Series 2010C, 6.820%, 7/01/45 
     
1,315 
 
Las Vegas, Nevada, Certificates of Participation, City Hall Project, Build America Federally 
9/19 at 100.00 
AA– 
1,549,136 
   
Taxable Bonds, Series 2009B, 7.800%, 9/01/39 
     
4,000 
 
North Las Vegas, Nevada, General Obligation Water and Wastewater Improvement Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
4,634,560 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A, 6.572%, 6/01/40 
     
12,470 
 
Total Nevada 
   
14,247,411 
   
New Jersey – 3.0% (2.6% of Total Investments) 
     
12,500 
 
New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A, 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
17,120,500 
   
7.102%, 1/01/41 
     
   
New York – 13.3% (11.5% of Total Investments) 
     
25,000 
 
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
30,636,250 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010D, 5.600%, 3/15/40 (UB) (4) 
     
10,000 
 
Long Island Power Authority, New York, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable 
No Opt. Call 
A– 
11,645,900 
   
Bond Series 2010B, 5.850%, 5/01/41 
     
 
 
16 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
 
           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
New York (continued) 
     
$ 4,750 
 
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Revenue Bonds, Build America 
No Opt. Call 
A 
$ 5,301,190 
   
Taxable Bonds, Series 2009A-1, 5.871%, 11/15/39 
     
2,595 
 
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New York, Water and Sewer System 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
3,300,788 
   
Revenue Bonds, Second Generation Resolution, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010DD, 
     
   
5.952%, 6/15/42 
     
2,025 
 
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New York, Water and Sewer System Revenue 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
2,575,760 
   
Bonds, Second Generation Resolution, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010DD, 
     
   
5.952%, 6/15/42 (UB) 
     
1,595 
 
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New York, Water and Sewer System Revenue 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
3,649,918 
   
Bonds, Second Generation Resolution, Taxable Tender Option Bonds Trust T30001-2, 
     
   
26.248%, 6/15/44 (IF) 
     
5,500 
 
New York City Transitional Finance Authority, New York, Building Aid Revenue Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
7,361,805 
   
America Taxable Bond Fiscal 2011 Series 2010S-1B, 6.828%, 7/15/40 
     
10,000 
 
New York City Transitional Finance Authority, New York, Future Tax Secured Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
11,204,100 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010G-1, 5.467%, 5/01/40 (4) 
     
61,465 
 
Total New York 
   
75,675,711 
   
Ohio – 4.6% (4.0% of Total Investments) 
     
500 
 
American Municipal Power Inc., Ohio, Combined Hydroelectric Projects Revenue Bonds, Federally 
No Opt. Call 
A 
585,770 
   
Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2009B, 6.424%, 2/15/32 
     
10,000 
 
American Municipal Power Inc., Ohio, Combined Hydroelectric Projects Revenue Bonds, Federally 
No Opt. Call 
A 
13,795,400 
   
Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010B, 7.834%, 2/15/41 
     
3,000 
 
Circleville City School District, Pickaway County, Ohio, General Obligation School Facilities 
5/20 at 100.00 
Aa2 
3,304,590 
   
Construction and Improvement Bonds, Build America Taxable Series 2010C, 6.300%, 11/01/40 
     
1,070 
 
Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, Ohio, Lease Revenue Anticipation Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
1,230,222 
   
Federally Taxable Direct Payment Build America Bonds, Series 2010, 6.540%, 12/01/36 
     
5,000 
 
Lucas County, Ohio, General Obligation Bonds, Taxable Arena Improvement Series 2010, 
10/20 at 100.00 
Aa2 
5,378,950 
   
6.150%, 10/01/40 
     
1,760 
 
Madison Local School District, Lake & Geauga Counties, Ohio, General Obligation Bonds, Build 
9/20 at 100.00 
Aa2 
1,872,974 
   
America Taxable Bond Series 2010C, 6.050%, 4/01/42 
     
21,330 
 
Total Ohio 
   
26,167,906 
   
Oregon – 3.0% (2.6% of Total Investments) 
     
4,000 
 
Oregon Department of Administrative Services, Certificates of Participation, Federally Taxable 
5/20 at 100.00 
AA 
5,717,400 
   
Build America Bonds, Tender Option Bond Trust TN-011, 26.404%, 5/01/35 (IF) (4) 
     
9,950 
 
Warm Springs Reservation Confederated Tribes, Oregon, Tribal Economic Development Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
A3 
11,547,572 
   
Hydroelectric Revenue Bonds, Pelton Round Butte Project, Refunding Series 2009A, 8.250%, 11/01/19 
     
13,950 
 
Total Oregon 
   
17,264,972 
   
Pennsylvania – 0.3% (0.3% of Total Investments) 
     
1,500 
 
New Castle Sanitation Authority, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Sewer Revenue Bonds, Build 
6/20 at 100.00 
AA+ 
1,693,230 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A, 6.506%, 6/01/41 – AGM Insured 
     
   
South Carolina – 3.7% (3.2% of Total Investments) 
     
6,285 
 
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Santee Cooper, 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
8,401,160 
   
Federally Taxable Build America Series 2010C, 6.454%, 1/01/50 
     
205 
 
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Santee Cooper, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
550,118 
   
Federally Taxable Build America Tender Bond Trust T30002, 28.931%, 1/01/50 (IF) 
     
8,985 
 
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Santee Cooper, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
12,010,250 
   
Federally Taxable Build America Series 2010C, 6.454%, 1/01/50 (UB) 
     
15,475 
 
Total South Carolina 
   
20,961,528 
   
Tennessee – 3.3% (2.8% of Total Investments) 
     
15,000 
 
Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Convention Center Authority, Tennessee, 
No Opt. Call 
A1 
18,606,750 
   
Tourism Tax Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A-2, 7.431%, 7/01/43 
     
 
 
Nuveen Investments 17
 
 
 

 
 
Nuveen Build America Bond Fund (continued)
NBB Portfolio of Investments September 30, 2011 (Unaudited)
 
           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
Texas – 8.4% (7.2% of Total Investments) 
     
$ 9,915 
 
Dallas Convention Center Hotel Development Corporation, Texas, Hotel Revenue Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
$ 11,192,846 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 09B, 7.088%, 1/01/42 (WI/DD, Settling 10/07/11) 
     
10,000 
 
North Texas Tollway Authority, System Revenue Bonds, Subordinate Lien Taxable Revenue Bonds, 
2/20 at 100.00 
Baa3 
11,579,701 
   
Federally Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010-B2, 8.910%, 2/01/30 
     
15,000 
 
North Texas Tollway Authority, System Revenue Bonds, Taxable Build America Bond Series 2009B, 
No Opt. Call 
A2 
19,241,251 
   
6.718%, 1/01/49 
     
5,000 
 
San Antonio, Texas, General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B, 
8/20 at 100.00 
AAA 
5,780,101 
   
6.038%, 8/01/40 
     
39,915 
 
Total Texas 
   
47,793,899 
   
Utah – 1.9% (1.7% of Total Investments) 
     
5,000 
 
Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Utah, Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Build America 
4/20 at 100.00 
AA+ 
5,187,451 
   
Bonds, Series 2010A, 5.700%, 10/01/40 
     
5,415 
 
Midvale Redevelopment Agency, Utah, Tax Increment and Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Federally 
5/20 at 100.00 
AA+ 
5,788,961 
   
Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010, 6.250%, 5/01/34 – AGM Insured 
     
10,415 
 
Total Utah 
   
10,976,412 
   
Vermont – 1.1% (0.9% of Total Investments) 
     
5,000 
 
University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, Revenue Bonds, Build America Bonds 
No Opt. Call 
Aa3 
6,263,001 
   
Series 2010, 6.428%, 10/01/44 
     
   
Virgin Islands – 2.1% (1.8% of Total Investments) 
     
10,000 
 
Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
11,913,101 
   
Bonds Series 2010C, 6.850%, 7/01/35 – AGM Insured 
     
   
Virginia – 2.6% (2.3% of Total Investments) 
     
10,000 
 
Metropolitan Washington DC Airports Authority, Virginia, Dulles Toll Road Revenue Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
BBB 
11,186,101 
   
Dulles Metrorail Capital Improvement Project, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010D, 
     
   
8.000%, 10/01/47 
     
2,410 
 
Metropolitan Washington DC Airports Authority, Virginia, Dulles Toll Road Revenue Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
BBB+ 
2,812,664 
   
Series 2009D, 7.462%, 10/01/46 – AGC Insured 
     
1,705 
 
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation of Virginia, Tobacco Settlement Asset Backed Bonds, 
6/12 at 100.00 
BB 
1,064,688 
   
Refunding Senior Lien Series 2007A1, 6.706%, 6/01/46 
     
14,115 
 
Total Virginia 
   
15,063,453 
   
Washington – 4.7% (4.0% of Total Investments) 
     
5,000 
 
Grays Harbor County Public Utility District 1, Washington, Electric System Revenue Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
A1 
5,978,901 
   
Taxable Build America Bonds – Direct Payment, Series 2010A, 6.707%, 7/01/40 
     
5,000 
 
King County Public Hospital District 1, Washington, Hospital Facilities Revenue Bonds, Valley 
6/20 at 100.00 
BBB+ 
5,398,901 
   
Medical Center, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B, 8.000%, 6/15/40 
     
5,000 
 
Mason County Public Utility District 3, Washington, Electric Revenue Bonds, Build America 
6/20 at 100.00 
Aa3 
5,363,251 
   
Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B, 6.347%, 12/01/40 
     
2,505 
 
Okanogan County Public Utility District 1, Washington, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
A1 
2,858,331 
   
America Taxable Bonds – Direct Payment, Series 2010B, 6.046%, 12/01/40 
     
4,000 
 
Seattle, Washington, Municipal Light and Power Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Build America 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
6,949,201 
   
Bonds, Tender Option Bond Trust T0001, 24.169%, 2/01/40 (IF) (4) 
     
21,505 
 
Total Washington 
   
26,548,585 
   
Wyoming – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments) 
     
2,000 
 
University of Wyoming, Facilities Improvement Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 
6/20 at 100.00 
Aa2 
2,156,341 
   
2010C, 5.800%, 6/01/30 
     
$ 545,995 
 
Total Municipal Bonds (cost $561,314,059) 
   
$ 658,952,037 
 
 
18 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
 
           
Principal 
         
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Coupon 
Maturity 
Value 
   
Short-Term Investments – 0.1% (0.1% of Total Investments) 
     
$ 654 
 
Repurchase Agreement with State Street Bank, dated 9/30/11, repurchase price $653,608, 
0.010% 
10/03/11 
$       653,607 
   
   collateralized by $675,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.375%, due 9/30/18, value 670,781.25 
     
   
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $653,607) 
   
653,607 
   
Total Investments (cost $561,967,666) – 115.8% 
   
659,605,644 
   
Borrowings – (7.7)% (5) 
   
(44,000,000) 
   
Floating Rate Obligations – (4.4)% 
   
(24,810,000) 
   
Other Assets Less Liabilities – (3.7)% (6) 
   
(21,039,528) 
   
Net Assets – 100% 
   
$ 569,756,116 
 
 
Investment in Derivatives at September 30, 2011:
Swaps outstanding:
 
                 
   
Fund 
   
Fixed Rate 
   
Unrealized 
 
Notional 
Pay/Receive 
Floating Rate 
Fixed Rate 
Payment 
Effective 
Termination 
Appreciation 
Counterparty 
Amount 
Floating Rate 
Index 
(Annualized) 
Frequency 
Date (7) 
Date 
(Depreciation) 
Barclays Bank PLC 
$94,000,000 
Receive 
3-Month USD-LIBOR 
3.778% 
Semi-Annually 
2/17/12 
2/17/40 
$(19,635,832) 
JP Morgan 
19,200,000 
Receive 
1-Month USD-LIBOR 
0.360 
Monthly 
3/21/11 
3/21/12 
(3,142) 
JP Morgan 
19,200,000 
Receive 
1-Month USD-LIBOR 
1.193
Monthly 
3/21/11 
3/21/14 
(321,715) 
Morgan Stanley 
19,200,000 
Receive 
1-Month USD-LIBOR 
2.064
Monthly 
3/21/11 
3/21/16 
(879,176) 
Morgan Stanley 
26,000,000 
Receive 
3-Month USD-LIBOR 
4.435
Semi-Annually 
2/24/12 
2/24/40 
(8,821,738) 
               
$(29,661,603) 
 
     
(1) 
 
All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets unless otherwise noted. 
(2) 
 
Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. There may be other call provisions at varying prices 
   
at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be subject to periodic principal paydowns. 
(3) 
 
Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. 
   
Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not 
   
rated by any of these national rating agencies. 
(4) 
 
Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives and/or inverse floating 
   
rate transactions. 
(5) 
 
Borrowings as a percentage of Total Investments is 6.7%. 
(6) 
 
Other Assets Less Liabilities includes the Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of derivative instruments as listed within Investment in Derivatives at 
   
September 30, 2011. 
(7) 
 
Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and Counterparty commence interest payment accruals on each forward swap contract. 
N/R 
 
Not rated. 
WI/DD 
 
Purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. 
(IF) 
 
Inverse floating rate investment. 
(UB) 
 
Underlying bond of an inverse floating rate trust reflected as a financing transaction. See Notes to Financial Statements, Footnote 1 – General Information 
   
and Significant Accounting Policies, Inverse Floating Rate Securities for more information. 
USD-LIBOR 
 
United States Dollar-London Inter-Bank Offered Rate. 
 
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
Nuveen Investments 19
 
 
 

 

 
   
 
Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund 
NBD 
Portfolio of Investments 
 
September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) 
 
           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
California – 17.3% (15.2% of Total Investments) 
     
$ 1,030 
 
Bay Area Toll Authority, California, Revenue Bonds, San Francisco Bay Area Toll Bridge, 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
$ 1,396,979 
   
Subordinate Lien, Build America Federally Taxable Bond Series 2010S-1, 7.043%, 4/01/50 
     
1,500 
 
California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Various Capital Projects, Build 
No Opt. Call 
A2 
1,853,805 
   
America Taxable Bond Series 2009G-2, 8.361%, 10/01/34 
     
2,000 
 
Hayward Unified School District, Alameda County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Build 
8/20 at 100.00 
AA+ 
2,255,100 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010B, 7.350%, 8/01/43 – AGM Insured (4) 
     
2,000 
 
Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles County, California, General Obligation 
No Opt. Call 
Aa1 
5,776,900 
   
Bonds, Tender Option Bond Trust TN027, 29.642%, 8/01/49 (IF) (4) 
     
1,000 
 
Los Angeles County Public Works Financing Authority, California, Lease Revenue Bonds, Multiple 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
1,273,220 
   
Capital Projects I, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 7.618%, 8/01/40 
     
2,000 
 
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California, Water System Revenue Bonds, Tender 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
5,617,600 
   
Option Bond Trust T0003, 29.487%, 7/01/42 (IF) (4) 
     
1,000 
 
Oakland Redevelopment Agency, California, Subordinated Housing Set Aside Revenue Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
1,108,670 
   
Federally Taxable Series 2011A-T, 7.500%, 9/01/19 
     
1,500 
 
San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission, California, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
1,848,705 
   
Build America Taxable Bonds Series 2010A, 5.911%, 4/01/48 (4) 
     
2,000 
 
San Francisco City and County, California, Certificates of Participation, 525 Golden Gate 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
3,094,500 
   
Avenue, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Office Project, Tender Option Bond Trust 
     
   
B001, 29.117%, 11/01/41 (IF) 
     
315 
 
Stanton Redevelopment Agency, California, Consolidated Project Tax Allocation Bonds, Series 
No Opt. Call 
A– 
333,613 
   
2011A, 7.000%, 12/01/19 
     
3,000 
 
The Regents of the University of California, Medical Center Pooled Revenue Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
3,612,270 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010H, 6.548%, 5/15/48 
     
17,345 
 
Total California 
   
28,171,362 
   
Colorado – 4.8% (4.2% of Total Investments) 
     
4,000 
 
Colorado State Bridge Enterprise Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Build America Series 2010A, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
5,167,520 
   
6.078%, 12/01/40 
     
2,000 
 
Regional Transportation District, Colorado, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, FasTracks Project, Build 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
2,600,400 
   
America Series 2010B, 5.844%, 11/01/50 
     
6,000 
 
Total Colorado 
   
7,767,920 
   
Connecticut – 1.0% (0.9% of Total Investments) 
     
1,500 
 
Harbor Point Infrastructure Improvement District, Connecticut, Special Obligation Revenue 
4/20 at 100.00 
N/R 
1,676,760 
   
Bonds, Harbor Point Project, Federally Taxable – Issuer Subsidy – Recovery Zone Economic 
     
   
Development Bond Series 2010B, 12.500%, 4/01/39 
     
   
District of Columbia – 2.9% (2.5% of Total Investments) 
     
800 
 
District of Columbia, Income Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
975,904 
   
2009E, 5.591%, 12/01/34 (4) 
     
3,000 
 
District of Columbia, Income Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
3,757,740 
   
2010F, 5.582%, 12/01/35 (4) 
     
3,800 
 
Total District of Columbia 
   
4,733,644 
   
Georgia – 3.3% (2.9% of Total Investments) 
     
2,000 
 
Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 Project J Bonds, Taxable Build 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
2,181,820 
   
America Bonds Series 2010A, 6.637%, 4/01/57 
     
3,000 
 
Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 Project P Bonds, Refunding 
No Opt. Call 
A– 
3,140,820 
   
Taxable Build America Bonds Series 2010A, 7.055%, 4/01/57 
     
5,000 
 
Total Georgia 
   
5,322,640 
   
Illinois – 15.1% (13.2% of Total Investments) 
     
3,575 
 
Chicago Transit Authority, Illinois, Sales Tax Receipts Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Build 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
4,152,577 
   
America Bonds, Series 2010B, 6.200%, 12/01/40 
     
5,050 
 
Chicago, Illinois, Wastewater Transmission Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 
No Opt. Call 
Aa3 
6,747,911 
   
2010B, 6.900%, 1/01/40 
     
 
 
20 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
Illinois (continued) 
     
$ 1,000 
 
Cook County, Illinois, General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010D, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
$ 1,176,440 
   
6.229%, 11/15/34 
     
500 
 
Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Illinois Institute of Technology, Refunding Series 
4/12 at 100.00 
Baa3 
467,575 
   
2006A, 6.100%, 4/01/15 
     
2,000 
 
Illinois State, General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010-5, 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
2,286,420 
   
7.350%, 7/01/35 
     
3,500 
 
Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Toll Highway Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
4,115,055 
   
Senior Lien Series 2009A, 6.184%, 1/01/34 
     
2,500 
 
Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency, Power Project Revenue Bonds, Prairie State Project, 
No Opt. Call 
A2 
3,213,600 
   
Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010A, 7.820%, 1/01/40 
     
2,000 
 
The Board of Trustee of Northern Illinois University, Auxiliary Facilities System Revenue 
4/20 at 100.00 
Aa3 
2,414,060 
   
Bonds Federally Taxable Build America Series 2010, 7.947%, 4/01/35 – AGM Insured 
     
20,125 
 
Total Illinois 
   
24,573,638 
   
Indiana – 2.0% (1.7% of Total Investments) 
     
2,500 
 
Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, Indiana, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
3,199,825 
   
2010B-2, 6.116%, 1/15/40 
     
   
Kentucky – 2.3% (2.0% of Total Investments) 
     
3,000 
 
Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky, Sewer and Drainage 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
3,749,850 
   
System Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds Series 2010A, 6.250%, 5/15/43 
     
   
Massachusetts – 2.8% (2.5% of Total Investments) 
     
2,000 
 
Massachusetts, Transportation Fund Revenue Bonds, Accelerated Bridge Program, Tender Option 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
4,635,600 
   
Bond Trust T0004, 25.290%, 6/01/40 (IF) (4) 
     
   
Michigan – 4.9% (4.3% of Total Investments) 
     
3,000 
 
Detroit City School District, Wayne County, Michigan, General Obligation Bonds, Build America 
5/20 at 100.00 
Aa2 
3,188,640 
   
Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 6.845%, 5/01/40 
     
1,000 
 
Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sanitary Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
1,225,340 
   
2010A, 6.720%, 1/01/41 
     
1,970 
 
Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Revenue Bonds, 
6/22 at 100.00 
BB+ 
1,387,727 
   
Taxable Turbo Series 2006A, 7.309%, 6/01/34 
     
2,000 
 
Wayne County Building Authority, Michigan, General Obligation Bonds, Jail Facilities, 
12/20 at 100.00 
A3 
2,228,460 
   
Federally Taxable Recovery Zone Economic Development Series 2010, 10.000%, 12/01/40 
     
7,970 
 
Total Michigan 
   
8,030,167 
   
Minnesota – 1.9% (1.7% of Total Investments) 
     
2,500 
 
Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Power Supply Revenue Bonds, Build America 
No Opt. Call 
A1 
3,096,650 
   
Taxable Bond Series 2010C, 6.770%, 1/01/46 
     
   
Mississippi – 1.7% (1.5% of Total Investments) 
     
2,500 
 
Mississippi State, General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010F, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
2,808,125 
   
5.245%, 11/01/34 (4) 
     
   
Missouri – 2.9% (2.6% of Total Investments) 
     
1,150 
 
Curators of the University of Missouri, System Facilities Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
1,438,029 
   
Bonds, Series 2010, 5.792%, 11/01/41 
     
2,500 
 
Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission, Prairie State Power Project Revenue 
No Opt. Call 
A3 
3,322,250 
   
Bond, Federally Taxable Build America Bonds – Direct Pay, Series 2010A, 7.897%, 1/01/42 
     
3,650 
 
Total Missouri 
   
4,760,279 
   
Nevada – 2.6% (2.3% of Total Investments) 
     
1,950 
 
Clark County, Nevada, Airport Revenue Bonds, Senior Lien Series 2009B, 6.881%, 7/01/42 
7/19 at 100.00 
Aa2 
2,150,226 
500 
 
Clark County, Nevada, Airport System Revenue, Taxable Direct Payment Build America Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
635,825 
   
Senior Series 2010C, 6.820%, 7/01/45 
     
1,000 
 
Washoe County, Nevada, Highway Revenue, Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Bonds, Federally Taxable Direct 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
1,395,120 
   
Pay Build America Bonds, Series 2010E, 7.969%, 2/01/40 
     
3,450 
 
Total Nevada 
   
4,181,171 
 
 
Nuveen Investments 21
 
 
 

 
 
Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund (continued)
NBD Portfolio of Investments September 30, 2011 (Unaudited)
 
           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
New Jersey – 5.7% (5.0% of Total Investments) 
     
$ 3,000 
 
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Transportation System Bonds, Build America 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
$ 3,351,540 
   
Bonds Issuer Subsidy Program, Series 2010C, 5.754%, 12/15/28 
     
2,500 
 
New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 2010A, 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
3,424,100 
   
7.102%, 1/01/41 
     
2,050 
 
Rutgers State University, New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010H, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
2,473,612 
   
5.665%, 5/01/40 
     
7,550 
 
Total New Jersey 
   
9,249,252 
   
New York – 13.4% (11.8% of Total Investments) 
     
2,000 
 
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds, Tender 
No Opt. Call 
AAA 
4,254,500 
   
Option Bond Trust B004, 24.845%, 3/15/40 (IF) 
     
2,000 
 
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Revenue Bonds, Federally 
No Opt. Call 
A 
2,507,800 
   
Taxable Issuer Subsidy Build America Bonds, Series 2010A, 6.668%, 11/15/39 
     
3,000 
 
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New York, Water and Sewer System Revenue 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
3,588,750 
   
Bonds, Second Generation Resolution, Build America Taxable Bonds, Fiscal 2011 Series 2010AA, 
     
   
5.440%, 6/15/43 (4) 
     
2,000 
 
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New York, Water and Sewer System 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
4,576,700 
   
Revenue Bonds, Second Generation Resolution, Taxable Tender Option Bonds Trust T30001-2, 
     
   
26.248%, 6/15/44 (IF) 
     
3,005 
 
New York City Transitional Finance Authority, New York, Building Aid Revenue Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
4,022,223 
   
America Taxable Bond Fiscal 2011 Series 2010S-1B, 6.828%, 7/15/40 (4) 
     
2,500 
 
New York City, New York, General Obligation Bonds, Federally Taxable Build America Bonds, 
12/20 at 100.00 
AA 
2,946,600 
   
Series 2010-F1, 6.646%, 12/01/31 
     
14,505 
 
Total New York 
   
21,896,573 
   
North Carolina – 1.0% (0.9% of Total Investments) 
     
1,400 
 
North Carolina Turnpike Authority, Triangle Expressway System State Annual Appropriation 
1/19 at 100.00 
AA 
1,605,464 
   
Revenue Bonds, Federally Taxable Issuer Subsidy Build America Bonds, Series 2009B, 
     
   
6.700%, 1/01/39 
     
   
Ohio – 3.4% (3.0% of Total Investments) 
     
2,500 
 
American Municipal Power Inc., Ohio, Meldahl Hydroelectric Projects Revenue Bonds, Federally 
No Opt. Call 
A 
3,370,000 
   
Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010B, 7.499%, 2/15/50 
     
2,000 
 
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Wastewater Improvement Revenue Bonds, Build America 
11/20 at 100.00 
AA+ 
2,239,120 
   
Taxable Bonds, Series 2010, 6.038%, 11/15/40 
     
4,500 
 
Total Ohio 
   
5,609,120 
   
Pennsylvania – 4.2% (3.7% of Total Investments) 
     
1,000 
 
Kiski Area School District, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, General Obligation Bonds, Build 
9/20 at 100.00 
Aa3 
1,161,910 
   
America Taxable Bond Series 2010, 6.626%, 9/01/35 – AGM Insured 
     
2,500 
 
Pennsylvania State, General Obligation Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Third Series 2010B, 
7/20 at 100.00 
Aa1 
2,750,450 
   
5.850%, 7/15/30 (4) 
     
2,500 
 
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Turnpike Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Series 
No Opt. Call 
Aa3 
2,899,850 
   
2010B, 5.511%, 12/01/45 
     
6,000 
 
Total Pennsylvania 
   
6,812,210 
   
South Carolina – 7.7% (6.8% of Total Investments) 
     
205 
 
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Santee Cooper, 
No Opt. Call 
AA 
550,118 
   
Federally Taxable Build America Tender Bond Trust T30002, 28.931%, 1/01/50 (IF) 
     
8,985 
 
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Santee Cooper, 
No Opt. Call 
AA– 
12,010,250 
   
Federally Taxable Build America Series 2010C, 6.454%, 1/01/50 (UB) 
     
9,190 
 
Total South Carolina 
   
12,560,368 
   
Tennessee – 2.2% (1.9% of Total Investments) 
     
3,000 
 
Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Convention Center Authority, Tennessee, 
No Opt. Call 
Aa2 
3,530,340 
   
Tourism Tax Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable Bonds, Subordinate Lien Series 2010B, 
     
   
6.731%, 7/01/43 
     
   
Texas – 7.7% (6.7% of Total Investments) 
     
1,810 
 
Board of Regents, University of Texas System, Financing System Revenue Bonds, Build America 
8/19 at 100.00 
AAA 
2,057,029 
   
Taxable Bonds, Series 2009B, 6.276%, 8/15/41 (4) 
     
 
22 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 

           
Principal 
   
Optional Call 
   
Amount (000) 
 
Description (1) 
Provisions (2) 
Ratings (3) 
Value 
   
Texas (continued) 
     
$ 2,705 
 
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Texas, Senior Lien Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Build America Taxable 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
$    3,507,168 
   
Bonds, Series 2009B, 5.999%, 12/01/44 
     
2,000 
 
Dallas Convention Center Hotel Development Corporation, Texas, Hotel Revenue Bonds, Build 
No Opt. Call 
A+ 
2,257,760 
   
America Taxable Bonds, Series 09B, 7.088%, 1/01/42 
     
2,500 
 
Dallas Independent School District, Dallas County, Texas, General Obligation Bonds, School 
2/21 at 100.00 
AAA 
2,968,325 
   
Building, Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010C, 6.450%, 2/15/35 (4) 
     
1,500 
 
North Texas Tollway Authority, System Revenue Bonds, Subordinate Lien Taxable Revenue Bonds, 
2/20 at 100.00 
Baa3 
1,736,955 
   
Federally Taxable Build America Bonds, Series 2010-B2, 8.910%, 2/01/30 
     
10,515 
 
Total Texas 
   
12,527,237 
   
Virginia – 1.1% (1.0% of Total Investments) 
     
3,000 
 
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation of Virginia, Tobacco Settlement Asset Backed Bonds, 
6/12 at 100.00 
BB 
1,873,350 
   
Refunding Senior Lien Series 2007A1, 6.706%, 6/01/46 
     
   
Washington – 1.9% (1.7% of Total Investments) 
     
1,000 
 
Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District, Lodging Tax Revenue Bonds, 
No Opt. Call 
Aa3 
1,241,019 
   
Build America Taxable Bond Series 2010B, 6.790%, 7/01/40 
     
1,500 
 
Washington State Economic Development Finance Authority, Biomedical Research Properties Lease 
No Opt. Call 
AA+ 
1,925,894 
   
Revenue Bonds, Build America Series 2010, 6.516%, 7/01/42 
     
2,500 
 
Total Washington 
   
3,166,913 
$ 143,500 
 
Total Investments (cost $141,901,797) – 113.8% 
   
185,538,458 
   
Floating Rate Obligations – (4.4)% 
   
(7,190,000) 
   
Other Assets Less Liabilities – (9.4)% (5) 
   
(15,318,093) 
   
Net Assets – 100% 
   
$ 163,030,365 
 
 
Investment in Derivatives at September 30, 2011:
Swaps outstanding:
 
                             
       
Fund 
       
Fixed Rate 
     
Unrealized
 
   
Notional
 
Pay/Receive 
Floating Rate 
 
Fixed Rate
 
Payment 
Effective 
Termination 
 
Appreciation
 
Counterparty 
 
Amount
 
Floating Rate 
Index 
 
(Annualized)
 
Frequency 
Date (6) 
Date 
 
(Depreciation)
 
Barclays Bank PLC 
  $ 11,200,000  
Receive 
1-Month USD-LIBOR 
    2.240 % 
Monthly 
12/17/10 
12/17/15 
  $ (601,565 ) 
Morgan Stanley 
    11,200,000  
Receive 
1-Month USD-LIBOR 
    0.496  
Monthly 
12/17/10 
12/17/11 
    (5,682 ) 
Morgan Stanley 
    11,200,000  
Receive 
1-Month USD-LIBOR 
    1.295  
Monthly 
12/17/10 
12/17/13 
    (205,009 ) 
Morgan Stanley 
    20,000,000  
Receive 
3-Month USD-LIBOR 
    4.334  
Semi-Annually 
1/12/12 
1/12/40 
    (6,458,266 ) 
Morgan Stanley 
    17,000,000  
Receive 
3-Month USD-LIBOR 
    4.600  
Semi-Annually 
1/27/12 
1/27/40 
    (6,370,310 ) 
Morgan Stanley 
    12,000,000  
Receive 
3-Month USD-LIBOR 
    4.435  
Semi-Annually 
2/24/12 
2/24/40 
    (4,071,571 ) 
                              $ (17,712,404 ) 
 
   
(1) 
All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets. 
(2) 
Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. There may be other call provisions at varying prices 
 
at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be subject to periodic principal paydowns. 
(3) 
Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. 
 
Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not 
 
rated by any of these national rating agencies. 
(4) 
Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralized the net payment obligations for investments in derivatives and/or inverse floating 
 
rated transactions. 
(5) 
Other Assets Less Liabilities includes the Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of derivative instruments as listed within Investments in Derivatives at 
 
September 30, 2011. 
(6) 
Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and Counterparty commence interest payment accruals on each forward swap contract. 
N/R 
Not rated. 
(IF) 
Inverse floating rate investment. 
(UB) 
Underlying bond of an inverse floating rate trust reflected as a financing transaction. See Notes to Financial Statements, Footnote 1 – General Information 
 
and Significant Accounting Policies, Inverse Floating Rate Securities for more information. 
USD-LIBOR 
United States Dollar-London Inter-Bank Offered Rate. 
 
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 23
 
 
 

 

           
Statement of 
         
Assets & Liabilities 
         
 
September 30, 2011 (Unaudited)
 
     
 
Build America
   
Build America
 
 
Bond
   
Bond Opportunity
 
 
(NBB)
   
(NBD)
 
Assets 
         
Investments, at value (cost $561,967,666 and $141,901,797, respectively) 
$ 659,605,644     $ 185,538,458  
Receivables: 
             
Interest 
  12,224,213       3,515,211  
Investments sold 
  10,772,346        
Other assets 
  94,603       2,424  
      Total assets 
  682,696,806       189,056,093  
Liabilities 
             
Borrowings 
  44,000,000        
Cash overdraft 
        140,794  
Floating rate obligations 
  24,810,000       7,190,000  
Unrealized depreciation on swaps 
  29,661,603       17,712,404  
Payables: 
             
Dividends 
  2,802,772       727,267  
Investments purchased 
  11,072,415       60,949  
Accrued expenses: 
             
Interest on borrowings 
  33,670        
Management fees 
  357,340       110,163  
Other 
  202,890       84,151  
      Total liabilities 
  112,940,690       26,025,728  
Net assets 
$ 569,756,116     $ 163,030,365  
Shares outstanding 
  26,461,985       7,205,250  
Net asset value per share outstanding 
$ 21.53     $ 22.63  
Net assets consist of: 
             
Shares, $.01 par value per share 
$ 264,620     $ 72,053  
Paid-in surplus 
  504,137,904       137,235,389  
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income 
  40,651       446,824  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) 
  (2,663,434 )      (648,158 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 
  67,976,375       25,924,257  
Net assets 
$ 569,756,116     $ 163,030,365  
Authorized shares 
Unlimited
   
Unlimited
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
 
24 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
 
           
Statement of 
         
Operations 
         
   
Six Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
     
 
Build America
   
Build America
 
 
Bond
   
Bond Opportunity
 
 
(NBB)
   
(NBD)
 
Investment Income 
$ 20,835,583     $ 6,085,494  
Expenses 
             
Management fees 
  2,091,180       642,537  
Shareholders’ servicing agent fees and expenses 
        6,689  
Interest expense 
  468,629       22,936  
Custodian’s fees and expenses 
  46,383       15,114  
Trustees’ fees and expenses 
  7,028        
Professional fees 
  54,478       21,224  
Shareholders’ reports – printing and mailing expenses 
  56,952       15,933  
Stock Exchange listing fees 
  14,410       7,194  
Investor relations expense 
  18,946       5,598  
Other expenses 
  7,954        
Total expenses before custodian fee credit 
  2,765,960       737,225  
Custodian fee credit 
  (12 )      (116 ) 
Net expenses 
  2,765,948       737,109  
Net investment income (loss) 
  18,069,635       5,348,385  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) 
             
Net realized gain (loss) from: 
             
Investments 
  726,808       231,383  
Swaps 
  (285,987 )      (192,084 ) 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: 
             
Investments 
  111,820,661       40,982,835  
Swaps 
  (41,018,656 )      (17,865,321 ) 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
  71,242,826       23,156,813  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations 
$ 89,312,461     $ 28,505,198  
 
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 25
 
 
 

 
 
 
                       
Statement of 
                     
Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)
       
 
Build America
   
Build America
 
 
Bond (NBB)
   
Bond Opportunity (NBD)
 
 
Six Months
   
Year
   
Six Months
   
Year
 
 
Ended
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
Ended
 
 
9/30/11
   
3/31/11*
   
9/30/11
   
3/31/11**
 
Operations 
                     
Net investment income (loss) 
$ 18,069,635     $ 31,317,016     $ 5,348,385     $ 3,359,794  
Net realized gain (loss) from: 
                             
Investments 
  726,808       8,023,380       231,383       (712,015 ) 
Swaps 
  (285,987 )      (11,126,000 )      (192,084 )      (90,877 ) 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: 
                             
Investments 
  111,820,661       (14,182,683 )      40,982,835       2,653,826  
Swaps 
  (41,018,656 )      11,357,053       (17,865,321 )      152,917  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations 
  89,312,461       25,388,766       28,505,198       5,363,645  
Distributions to Shareholders 
                             
From net investment income 
  (18,576,313 )      (30,794,510 )      (5,447,169 )      (2,723,584 ) 
Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders 
  (18,576,313 )      (30,794,510 )      (5,447,169 )      (2,723,584 ) 
Capital Share Transactions 
                             
Proceeds from sale of shares, net of offering costs 
        502,469,250             137,232,000  
Net proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment 
                             
of distributions 
        1,856,187              
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to shares from capital 
                             
share transactions 
        504,325,437             137,232,000  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets 
  70,736,148       498,919,693       23,058,029       139,872,061  
Net assets at the beginning of period 
  499,019,968       100,275       139,972,336       100,275  
Net assets at the end of period 
$ 569,756,116     $ 499,019,968     $ 163,030,365     $ 139,972,336  
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period 
$ 40,651     $ 547,329     $ 446,824     $ 545,608  
 
*     
For the period April 27, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011.
**     
For the period November 23, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011.
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
 
26 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 

     
Statement of 
   
Cash Flows 
   
  Six Months Ended September 30, 2011
  (Unaudited)  
     
 
Build America
 
 
Bond
 
 
(NBB)
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: 
   
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations 
$ 89,312,461  
Adjustments to reconcile the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations to net cash 
     
provided by (used in) operating activities: 
     
Purchases of investments 
  (42,981,967 ) 
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments 
  43,237,517  
Proceeds from (Purchases of) short-term investments, net 
  (108,277 ) 
Proceeds from (Payments for) swap contracts, net 
  (285,987 ) 
Amortization (Accretion) of premiums and discounts, net 
  97,965  
(Increase) Decrease in: 
     
Receivable for interest 
  213,041  
Receivable for investments sold 
  (10,772,346 ) 
Other assets 
  (61,820 ) 
Increase (Decrease) in: 
     
Payable for investments purchased 
  11,072,415  
Accrued interest on borrowings 
  (12,502 ) 
Accrued management fees 
  15,988  
Accrued other expenses 
  35,576  
Net realized (gain) loss from: 
     
Investments 
  (726,808 ) 
Swaps 
  285,987  
Change in net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of: 
     
Investments 
  (111,820,661 ) 
Swaps 
  41,018,656  
Taxes paid on undistributed capital gains 
  (23,188 ) 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 
  18,496,050  
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: 
     
Cash distributions paid to shareholders 
  (18,496,050 ) 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 
  (18,496,050 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash 
   
Cash at the beginning of period 
   
Cash at the End of Period 
$  
       
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information 
     
Cash paid for interest was $314,857. 
     
 
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
Nuveen Investments 27
 
 
 

 

 
                                                           
Financial                                                  
Highlights(Unaudited)
 
 
                               
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:                          
                           
       
Investment Operations
    Less Distributions                    
       
Net
   
Net
                                           
 
Beginning
   
Investment
   
Realized/
         
Net
                     
Ending
   
Ending
 
 
Net Asset
   
Income
   
Unrealized
         
Investment
   
Capital
         
Offering
   
Net Asset
   
Market
 
 
Value
    (Loss)(a)    
Gain (Loss)
   
Total
   
Income
   
Gains
   
Total
   
Costs
   
Value
   
Value
 
Build America Bond (NBB)
                                                       
Year Ended 3/31: 
                                                         
2012(h) 
$ 18.86     $ .68     $ 2.69     $ 3.37     $ (.70 )    $     $ (.70 )    $     $ 21.53     $ 19.95  
2011(f) 
  19.10       1.19       (.22 )      .97       (1.17 )            (1.17 )      (0.04 )      18.86       18.06  
                                                                   
Build America Bond Opportunity (NBD)
                                                                 
Year Ended 3/31: 
                                                                             
2012(h) 
  19.43       .74       3.22       3.96       (.76 )            (.76 )            22.63       21.14  
2011(g) 
  19.10       .47       .28       .75       (.38 )            (.38 )      (0.04 )      19.43       18.63  
 
   
 
Borrowings at End of Period 
 
Aggregate 
 
 
Amount 
Asset 
 
Outstanding 
Coverage 
 
(000) 
Per $1,000 
Build America Bond (NBB) 
   
Year Ended 3/31: 
   
2012(h) 
$44,000 
$13,949 
2011(f) 
44,000 
12,341 
     
Build America Bond Opportunity (NBD) 
 
Year Ended 3/31: 
   
2012(h) 
 
 
2011(g) 
 
 
 
 
28 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 

                               
          Ratios/Supplemental Data  
               
Ratios to Average
       
Total Returns
         
Net Assets(c)(d)
       
               
Expenses
             
Based on
 
Based on
   
Ending
   
Including
   
Net
   
Portfolio
 
Market
 
Net Asset
   
Net Assets
   
Costs of
   
Investment
   
Turnover
 
Value(b)
 
Value(b)
      (000 )   
Leverage(e)
   
Income (Loss)
   
Rate
 
                                 
                                 
  14.62 %    18.18 %    $ 569,756       1.04 %*      6.82 %*      7 % 
  (3.99 )    4.90       499,020       1.11 *      6.70 *      100  
                                           
                                           
                                           
  17.86     20.71       163,030       .98 *      7.11 *      1  
  (4.96 )    3.73       139,972       .87 *      6.90 *      77  
 
(a)     
Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.
(b)     
Total Return Based on Market Value is the combination of changes in the market price per share and the effect of reinvested dividend income and reinvested capital gains distributions, if any, at the average price paid per share at the time of reinvestment. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending market price. The actual reinvestment for the last dividend declared in the period may take place over several days, and in some instances may not be based on the market price, so the actual reinvestment price may be different from the price used in the calculation.
 
Total returns are not annualized.
   
 
Total Return Based on Net Asset Value is the combination of changes in net asset value, reinvested dividend income at net asset value and reinvested capital gains distributions at net asset value, if any. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending net asset value. The actual reinvest price for the last dividend declared in the period may often be based on the Fund’s market price (and not its net asset value), and therefore may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.
(c)     
Ratios do not reflect the effect of custodian fee credits earned on the Fund’s net cash on deposit with the custodian bank, where applicable.
(d)     
Each ratio includes the effect of the interest expense and fees paid on borrowings, where applicable, as described in Footnote 8 – Borrowing Arrangements, as follows:

   
 
Ratios of Borrowings Interest Expense and Fees to 
 
Average Net Assets 
Build America Bond (NBB) 
 
Year Ended 3/31: 
 
2012(h) 
.17%* 
2011(f) 
.24%* 
 
(e)     
The expense ratios reflect, among other things, interest expense deemed to have been paid by the Fund on the floating rate certificates issued by the special purpose trusts for the self-deposited inverse floaters held by the Fund, where applicable, as described in Footnote 1 – General Information and Significant Accounting Policies Inverse Floating Rate Securities.
(f)     
For the period April 27, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011.
(g)     
For the period November 23, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011.
(h)     
For six months ended September 30, 2011.
*     
Annualized.
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
Nuveen Investments 29
 
 
 

 
 
Notes to
Financial Statements(Unaudited)
 
 
1. General Information and Significant Accounting Policies
 
General Information
 
The funds covered in this report and their corresponding New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) symbols are Nuveen Build America Bond Fund (NBB) and Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund (NBD) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Funds are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as closed-end, registered investment companies.
 
Prior to the commencement of operations, the Funds had no operations other than those related to organizational matters, the initial capital contribution of $100,275 to each Fund by Nuveen Fund Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen”), and the recording of the organization expense ($11,000 per Fund) and their reimbursement by the Adviser.
 
Each Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income through investments in taxable municipal securities. Each Fund’s secondary investment objective is to seek enhanced portfolio value and total return. The Funds seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of taxable municipal securities known as Build America Bonds (or “BABs”), which make up 80% of their managed assets (as defined in Footnote 7 – Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates). BABs are taxable municipal securities that include bonds issued by state and local governments to finance capital projects such as public schools, roads, transportation infrastructure, bridges, ports and public buildings, among others, pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which offer municipal issuers a federal subsidy equal to 35% of a bond’s interest payments. Under normal circumstances, the Funds may invest 20% of their managed assets in securities other than BABs, including taxable and tax-exempt municipal securities, U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities. At least 80% of each Fund’s managed assets will be invested in securities that are investment grade quality at the time of purchase, as rated by at least one independent rating agency or judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. In addition, each Fund will use an integrated leverage and hedging strategy that the Fund has the potential to enhance income and risk-adjusted total return over time. Each Fund may employ leverage instruments such as borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions, and portfolio investments that have the economic effect of leverage, including investments in inverse floating rate securities. Each Fund’s overall goal is to outperform over time the Barclays Capital Build America Bond Index, an unleveraged index representing the BABs market, while maintaining a comparable overall level of interest rate risk.
 
The BAB program expired on December 31, 2010, and was not renewed. Build America Bond (NBB) and Build American Bond Opportunity (NBD) each have contingent term provisions stating that if there are no new issuances of BABs or similarly U.S. Treasury-subsidized taxable municipal bonds for any twenty-four month period ending on or before December 31, 2014, Build America Bond (NBB) and Build American Bond Opportunity (NBD) will terminate on or around June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
 
Significant Accounting Policies
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
 
Investment Valuation
 
Prices of municipal bonds and swap contracts are provided by a pricing service approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 for fair value measurement purposes. When price quotes are not readily available (which is usually the case for municipal bonds) the pricing service establishes a security’s fair value using methods that may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing service may consider information about a security, its issuer, or market activity provided by the Adviser. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.
 
Repurchase agreements are valued at contract amount plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.
 
Certain securities may not be able to be priced by the pre-established pricing methods as described above. Such securities may be valued by the Funds’ Board of Trustees or its designee at fair value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which
 
 
30 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; debt securities that have gone into default and for which there is no current market quotation; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund’s net asset value (as may be the case in non-U.S. markets on which the security is primarily traded) or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, is not deemed to reflect the security’s fair value. As a general principle, the fair value of a security would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for it in a current sale. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, which may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs. Regardless of the method employed to value a particular security, all valuations are subject to review by the Funds’ Board of Trustees or its designee.
 
Refer to Footnote 2 – Fair Value Measurements for further details on the leveling of securities held by the Funds as of the end of the reporting period.
 
Investment Transactions
 
Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from transactions are determined on the specific identification method, which is the same basis used for federal income tax purposes. Investments purchased on a when-issued/delayed delivery basis may have extended settlement periods. Any investments so purchased are subject to market fluctuation during this period. The Funds have instructed the custodian to segregate assets with a current value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments. At September 30, 2011, Build America Bond Fund (NBB) had when-issued/delay delivery purchase commitments of $10,801,323. There were no such outstanding purchase commitments in Build America Bond Opportunity Fund (NBD).
 
Investment Income
 
Investment income, which reflects the amortization of premiums and includes accretion of discounts for financial reporting purposes, is recorded on an accrual basis. Investment income also reflects paydown gains and losses, if any.
 
Income Taxes
 
Each Fund is a separate taxpayer for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders and to otherwise comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
 
For all open tax years and all major taxing jurisdictions, management of the Funds has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e., generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Funds is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
 
Dividends to shareholders are declared monthly. Net realized capital gains from investment transactions, if any, are distributed to shareholders at least annually. Furthermore, capital gains are distributed only to the extent they exceed available capital loss carryforwards.
 
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.
 
Inverse Floating Rate Securities
 
Each Fund is authorized to invest in inverse floating rate securities. An inverse floating rate security is created by depositing a municipal bond, typically with a fixed interest rate, into a special purpose trust created by a broker-dealer. In turn, this trust (a) issues floating rate certificates, in face amounts equal to some fraction of the deposited bond’s par amount or market value, that typically pay short-term tax-exempt interest rates to third parties, and (b) issues to a long-term investor (such as one of the Funds) an inverse floating rate certificate (sometimes referred to as an “inverse floater”) that represents all remaining or residual interest in the trust. The income received by the inverse floater holder varies inversely with the short-term rate paid to the floating rate certificates’ holders, and in most circumstances the inverse floater holder bears substantially all of the underlying bond’s downside investment risk and also benefits disproportionately from any potential appreciation of the underlying bond’s value. The price of an inverse floating rate security will be more volatile than that of the underlying bond because the interest rate is dependent on not only the fixed coupon rate of the underlying bond but also on the short-term interest paid on the floating rate certificates, and because the inverse floating rate security essentially bears the risk of loss of the greater face value of the underlying bond.
 
A Fund may purchase an inverse floating rate security in a secondary market transaction without first owning the underlying bond (referred to as an “externally-deposited inverse floater”), or instead by first selling a fixed-rate bond to a broker-dealer for deposit into the special purpose trust and receiving in turn the residual interest in the trust (referred to as a “self-deposited inverse floater”). The inverse floater held by a Fund gives the Fund
 
 
Nuveen Investments 31
 
 
 

 
 
Notes to
Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
 
the right (a) to cause the holders of the floating rate certificates to tender their notes at par, and (b) to have the broker transfer the fixed-rate bond held by the trust to the Fund, thereby collapsing the trust. An investment in an externally-deposited inverse floater is identified in the Portfolio of Investments as “(IF) – Inverse floating rate investment.” An investment in a self-deposited inverse floater is accounted for as a financing transaction. In such instances, a fixed-rate bond deposited into a special purpose trust is identified in the Portfolio of Investments as “(UB) – Underlying bond of an inverse floating rate trust reflected as a financing transaction,” with the Fund accounting for the short-term floating rate certificates issued by the trust as “Floating rate obligations” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In addition, the Fund reflects in “Investment Income” the entire earnings of the underlying bond and the related interest paid to the holders of the short-term floating rate certificates as a component of “Interest expense” on the Statement of Operations.
 
During the six months ended September 30, 2011, each Fund invested in externally-deposited inverse floaters and/or self-deposited inverse floaters.
 
Each Fund may also enter into shortfall and forbearance agreements (sometimes referred to as a “recourse trust” or “credit recovery swap”) (such agreements referred to herein as “Recourse Trusts”) with a broker-dealer by which a Fund agrees to reimburse the broker-dealer, in certain circumstances, for the difference between the liquidation value of the fixed-rate bond held by the trust and the liquidation value of the floating rate certificates issued by the trust plus any shortfalls in interest cash flows. Under these agreements, a Fund’s potential exposure to losses related to or on inverse floaters may increase beyond the value of a Fund’s inverse floater investments as a Fund may potentially be liable to fulfill all amounts owed to holders of the floating rate certificates. At period end, any such shortfall is recognized as “Unrealized depreciation on Recourse Trusts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
At September 30, 2011, each Fund’s maximum exposure to externally-deposited Recourse Trusts, was as follows: 
   
 
Build 
Build America 
 
America 
Bond 
 
Bond 
Opportunity 
 
(NBB) 
(NBD) 
Maximum exposure to Recourse Trusts 
$91,190,000 
$40,810,000 
 
 
The average floating rate obligations outstanding and average annual interest rate and fees related to self-deposited inverse floaters for the Funds during the six months ended September 30, 2011, were as follows:
 
 
Build 
Build America 
 
America 
Bond 
 
Bond 
Opportunity 
 
(NBB) 
(NBD) 
Average floating rate obligations outstanding 
$24,810,000 
$7,190,000 
Average annual interest rate and fees 
0.65% 
0.64% 
 
Swap Contracts
 
Each Fund is authorized to enter into interest rate swap and forward interest rate swap contracts consistent with their investment objectives and policies to reduce, increase or otherwise alter its risk profile or to alter its portfolio characteristics (i.e. duration, yield curve positioning and credit quality), and is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Each Fund’s use of interest rate swap and forward interest rate swap transactions is intended to help the Fund manage the duration of its portfolio, its interest cost of leverage and its overall interest rate sensitivity, either shorter or longer, generally to more closely align the Fund’s interest rate sensitivity with that of the broader market.
 
Interest rate swap contracts involve each Fund’s agreement with the counterparty to pay or receive a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty receiving or paying a variable rate payment. Forward interest rate swap transactions involve a Fund’s agreement with a counterparty to pay, in the future, a fixed or variable rate payment in exchange for the counterparty paying a Fund a variable or fixed rate payment, the accruals for which would begin at a specified date in the future (the “effective date”). The amount of the payment obligation on a swap contract is based on the notional amount and the termination date of the swap (which is akin to a bond’s maturity). The value of a Fund’s swap commitment will increase or decrease based primarily on the extent to which long-term interest rates for bonds having a maturity of the swap’s termination date increase or decrease. Interest rate swap and forward interest rate swap contracts are valued daily. Upon entering into an interest rate swap (and beginning on the effective date for a forward interest rate swap), each Fund accrues the fixed rate payment expected to be paid or received and the variable rate payment expected to be received or paid on a daily basis, and recognizes the daily change in the market value of the Fund’s contractual rights and obligations under the contracts. The net amount recorded on these transactions, for each counterparty is recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a component of “Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on swaps” with the change during the fiscal period recognized on the Statement of Operations as a component of “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swaps.”
 
When an interest rate swap or forward interest rate swap contract is terminated, it ordinarily does not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal, but rather is settled in cash on a net basis. Once periodic payments are settled in cash, they are combined with the net realized gain or loss recorded upon the termination of the swap contracts. For tax purposes, periodic payments are treated as ordinary income or
 
 
32 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
expense. Net realized gains and losses on swap contracts during the fiscal period are recognized on the Statement of Operations as a component of “Net realized gain (loss) from swaps.”
 
Each Fund entered into interest rate and forward interest rate swap transactions to reduce the duration of its portfolio as well as to fix its interest cost of leverage. The average notional amount of swap contracts outstanding during the six months ended September 30, 2011, was as follows:
 
 
Build 
Build America 
 
America 
Bond 
 
Bond 
Opportunity 
 
(NBB) 
(NBD) 
Average notional amount of swap contracts outstanding* 
$177,600,000 
$82,600,000 
 
*     
Includes both interest rate and forward interest rate swap contracts. The average notional amount is calculated based on the outstanding notional at the beginning of the fiscal year and at the end of each fiscal quarter within the current fiscal year.
 
Refer to Footnote 3 – Derivative instruments and Hedging Activities for further details on swap contract activity.
 
Market and Counterparty Credit Risk
 
In the normal course of business each Fund may invest in financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to the transaction to perform (counterparty credit risk). The potential loss could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded on the financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose each Fund to counterparty credit risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties on forward, option and swap transactions, when applicable. The extent of each Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk in respect to these financial assets approximates their carrying value as recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts, when applicable, expose a Fund to minimal counterparty credit risk as they are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, which is counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.
 
Each Fund helps manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties. Additionally, counterparties may be required to pledge collateral daily (based on the daily valuation of the financial asset) on behalf of each Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain above a pre-determined threshold. Reciprocally, when each Fund has an unrealized loss, the Funds have instructed the custodian to pledge assets of the Funds as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss above a pre-determined threshold. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the valuations fluctuate, either up or down, by at least the predetermined threshold amount.
 
Zero Coupon Securities
 
Each Fund is authorized to invest in zero coupon securities. A zero coupon security does not pay a regular interest coupon to its holders during the life of the security. Tax-exempt income to the holder of the security comes from accretion of the difference between the original purchase price of the security at issuance and the par value of the security at maturity and is effectively paid at maturity. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, it is each Fund’s policy that its custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the fair value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest, at all times. If the counterparty defaults, and the fair value of the collateral declines, realization of the collateral may be delayed or limited.
 
Organization Expenses and Offering Costs
 
The Adviser has agreed to reimburse all organization expenses ($11,000 for each Fund) and pay all offering costs (other than the sales load) that exceed $.04 per share for each Fund. Each Fund’s share of offering costs ($1,054,500 and $288,000, for Build America Bond (NBB) and Build America Bond Opportunity (NBD), respectively) were recorded as a reduction of the proceeds from the sale of shares.
 
Custodian Fee Credit
 
Each Fund has an arrangement with the custodian bank whereby certain custodian fees and expenses are reduced by net credits earned on each Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank. Such deposit arrangements are an alternative to overnight investments. Credits for cash balances may be offset by charges for any days on which a Fund overdraws its account at the custodian bank.
 
Indemnifications
 
Under the Funds’ organizational documents, their officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expect the risk of loss to be remote.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 33
 
 
 

 
 
 
Notes to
Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
 
2. Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair value is defined as the price that the Funds would receive upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
 
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of each Fund’s fair value measurements as of September 30, 2011:
 
Build America Bond (NBB) 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Investments: 
                     
Municipal Bonds 
$     $ 658,952,037     $     $ 658,952,037  
Short-Term Investments 
        653,607             653,607  
Derivatives: 
                             
Forward Swaps* 
        (29,661,603 )            (29,661,603 ) 
Total 
$     $ 629,944,041     $     $ 629,944,041  
                               
Build America Bond Opportunity (NBD) 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Investments: 
                             
Municipal Bonds 
$     $ 185,538,458     $     $ 185,538,458  
Derivatives: 
                             
Forward Swaps* 
        (17,712,404 )            (17,712,404 ) 
Total 
$     $ 167,826,054     $     $ 167,826,054  
 
* Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.
 
During the six months ended September 30, 2011, the Funds recognized no significant transfers to or from Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.
 
3. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
 
The Funds record derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Funds’ investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes. For additional information on the derivative instruments in which each Fund was invested during and at the end of the reporting period, refer to the Portfolios of Investments, Financial Statements and Footnote 1 – General Information and Significant Accounting Policies.
 
The following tables present the fair value of all derivative instruments held by the Funds as of September 30, 2011, the location of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, and the primary underlying risk exposure.
 
Build America Bond (NBB) 
 
Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
   
Asset Derivatives 
 
Liability Derivatives
 
Underlying 
Derivative 
             
Risk Exposure 
Instrument 
Location 
Value
 
Location 
 
Value
 
Interest Rate 
Swaps 
Unrealized appreciation on swaps* 
$  
Unrealized depreciation on swaps* 
  $ 29,661,603  
 
 
34 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
Build America Bond Opportunity (NBD) 
Location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
   
Asset Derivatives 
   
Liability Derivatives
 
Underlying 
Derivative 
             
Risk Exposure 
Instrument 
Location 
Value
 
Location 
 
Value
 
Interest Rate 
Swaps 
Unrealized appreciation on swaps* 
$  
Unrealized depreciation on swaps* 
  $ 17,712,404  
* Value represents cumulative gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swap contracts as reported in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.
       
 
The following tables present the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (deprecation) recognized for the six months ended September 30, 2011, on derivative instruments, as well as the primary risk exposure associated with each.
 
 
Build 
Build America 
 
America 
Bond 
 
Bond 
Opportunity 
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from Swaps 
(NBB) 
(NBD) 
Risk Exposure 
   
Interest Rate 
$(285,987) 
$(192,084) 
     
 
Build 
Build America 
 
America 
Bond 
 
Bond 
Opportunity 
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Swaps 
(NBB) 
(NBD) 
Risk Exposure 
   
Interest Rate 
$(41,018,656) 
$(17,865,321) 
 
4. Fund Shares
 
Since the inception of Build America Bond’s (NBB) repurchase program, the Fund has not repurchased any of its outstanding shares. As of September 30, 2011, Build America Bond Opportunity (NBD) is not authorized to repurchase its outstanding shares.
 
Transactions in shares were as follows: 
       
      Build 
Build America 
   
America 
  Bond 
      Bond 
Opportunity 
      (NBB)    (NBD) 
   
Six Months 
Year 
Six Months 
Year    
   
Ended 
Ended 
Ended 
Ended    
   
9/30/11 
3/31/11* 
9/30/11 
3/31/11** 
Shares sold 
 
26,362,500 
 
7,200,000 
Shares issued to shareholders 
       
 
due to reinvestment of distributions 
 
94,235 
 
 
           
* 
For the period April 27, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011. 
       
** 
For the period November 23, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011. 
       
 
5. Investment Transactions
 
Purchases and sales (including maturities but excluding short-term investments and derivative transactions, where applicable) during the six months ended September 30, 2011, were as follows:
 
 
Build 
Build America 
 
America 
Bond 
 
Bond 
Opportunity 
 
(NBB) 
(NBD) 
Purchases 
$42,981,967 
$2,977,385 
Sales and maturities 
43,237,517 
2,281,920 
 
 
Nuveen Investments 35
 
 
 

 
 
Notes to
Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
 
6. Income Tax Information
 
The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions and the treatment of investments in inverse floating rate securities reflected as financing transactions, if any. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts as detailed below. Temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset values of the Funds.
 
At September 30, 2011, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments (excluding investments in derivatives), as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:
 
 
Build
   
Build America
 
 
America
   
Bond
 
 
Bond
   
Opportunity
 
 
(NBB)
   
(NBD)
 
Cost of investments: 
$ 537,827,972     $ 134,720,021  
Gross unrealized: 
             
    Appreciation 
$ 97,565,904     $ 43,669,278  
    Depreciation 
  (601,600 )      (44,208 ) 
Net unrealized (depreciation) of investments 
$ 96,964,304     $ 43,625,070  
 
Permanent differences, primarily due to federal taxes paid and notional principal contracts reclassifications, resulted in reclassifications among the Funds’ components of net assets at March 31, 2011, the Funds’ last tax year end, as follows:
 
 
Build
   
Build America
 
 
America
   
Bond
 
 
Bond
   
Opportunity
 
 
(NBB)
   
(NBD)
 
Paid-in surplus 
$     $  
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income 
  24,823       (90,602 ) 
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) 
  (24,823 )      90,602  
 
The tax components of undistributed net ordinary income and net long-term capital gains at March 31, 2011, the Funds’ last tax year end, were as follows:
 
 
Build
   
Build America
 
 
America
   
Bond
 
 
Bond
   
Opportunity
 
 
(NBB)
   
(NBD)
 
Undistributed net ordinary income* 
$ 3,801,173     $ 1,443,627  
Undistributed net long-term capital gains 
         
 
*     
Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains, if any. Undistributed net ordinary income (on a tax basis) has not been reduced for the dividend declared on March 1, 2011, and paid on April 1, 2011.
 
The tax character of distributions paid during the period from each Fund’s commencement of operations through March 31, 2011, the Funds’ last tax year end, was designated for purposes of the dividends paid deduction as follows:
 
           
 
Build
   
Build America
 
 
America
   
Bond
 
 
Bond
   
Opportunity
 
 
(NBB)**
   
(NBD)***
 
Distributions from net ordinary income* 
$ 27,698,457     $ 1,815,723  
Distributions from net long-term capital gains 
         
 
*     
Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains, if any.
**     
For the period April 27, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011.
***     
For the period November 23, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011.
 
36 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
At March 31, 2011, the Funds’ last tax year end, the following Fund had unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any. If not applied, the carryforwards will expire as follows:
 
     
 
Build
America
Bond
(NBB)
 
Expiration: 
   
March 31, 2019 
$ 294,209  
 
The Funds have elected to defer net realized losses from investments incurred from November 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011, the Funds’ last tax year end, (“post-October losses”) in accordance with federal income tax regulations. Post-October losses are treated as having arisen on the first day of the current fiscal year. The Funds have elected to defer post-October losses as follows:
 
 
Build
   
Build America
 
 
America
   
Bond
 
 
Bond
   
Opportunity
 
 
(NBB)
   
(NBD)
 
Post-October capital losses 
$ 2,435,461     $ 712,290  
 
7. Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
 
Each Fund’s management fee consists of two components – a fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets managed by the Adviser. This pricing structure enables Fund shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within their Fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by the Adviser.
 
The annual fund-level fee for each Fund, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule: 
   
Average Daily Managed Assets* 
Fund-Level Fee Rate
 
For the first $125 million 
  .4500 % 
For the next $125 million 
  .4375  
For the next $250 million 
  .4250  
For the next $500 million 
  .4125  
For the next $1 billion 
  .4000  
For managed assets over $2 billion 
  .3875  
       
The annual complex-level fee for each Fund, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule: 
     
       
Complex-Level Managed Asset Breakpoint Level* 
Effective Rate at Breakpoint Level
 
$55 billion 
  .2000 % 
$56 billion 
  .1996  
$57 billion 
  .1989  
$60 billion 
  .1961  
$63 billion 
  .1931  
$66 billion 
  .1900  
$71 billion 
  .1851  
$76 billion 
  .1806  
$80 billion 
  .1773  
$91 billion 
  .1691  
$125 billion 
  .1599  
$200 billion 
  .1505  
$250 billion 
  .1469  
$300 billion 
  .1445  
 
*
For the fund-level and complex-level fees, managed assets include closed-end fund assets managed by the Adviser that are attributable to financial leverage. For these purposes, financial leverage includes the funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by a TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by the Adviser as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining managed assets in certain circumstances. The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily managed assets of all Nuveen Funds that constitute “eligible assets.” Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen Funds or assets in excess of $2 billion added to the Nuveen Fund complex in connection with the Adviser’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, the complex-level fee rate for each of these Funds was .1785%.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 37
 
 
 

 
 
Notes to
Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
 
The management fee compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services and general office facilities. The Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements with the Sub-Adviser, under which the Sub-Adviser manages the investment portfolios of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser is compensated for its services to the Funds from the management fees paid to the Adviser.
 
The Funds pay no compensation directly to those of its trustees who are affiliated with the Adviser or to its officers, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to the Funds from the Adviser or its affiliates. The Board of Trustees has adopted a deferred compensation plan for independent trustees that enables trustees to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to receive from certain Nuveen-advised funds. Under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar amounts had been invested in shares of select Nuveen-advised funds.
 
8. Borrowing Arrangements
 
As part of its investment strategies, Build America Bond (NBB) uses borrowings to employ leverage.
 
During the period April 1, 2011, through May 24, 2011, the Fund was entered into a $125 million (maximum commitment amount) committed 364-day secured line of credit (“Committed Secured Line”) with its custodian bank. Interest charged on the borrowed amount of the Committed Secured Line was calculated at a rate per annum equal to the higher of the overnight Federal Funds rate or the overnight London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.00%. In addition, the Fund accrued a commitment fee of .15% per annum on the maximum commitment amount, and paid a .15% one-time closing fee on the maximum commitment amount of the Committed Secured Line, which was expensed during the prior reporting period.
 
On May 25, 2011, the Fund amended its $125 million (maximum commitment amount) Committed Secured Line. Interest charged on the borrowed amount of the Committee Secured Line is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the higher of the overnight Federal Funds rate or the overnight LIBOR plus .80%, and the Fund accrues a commitment fee of .15% per annum on the maximum commitment amount. The Fund also paid a .10% onetime closing fee on the maximum commitment amount of the Committed Secured Line, which was expensed during the current reporting period.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Fund’s outstanding balance on the Committed Secured Line was $44,000,000, which is recognized as “Borrowings” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest expense and commitment and closing fees incurred on the Committed Secured Line are recognized as a component of “Interest expense” on the Statement of Operations.
 
During the six months ended September 30, 2011, the Fund’s average daily balance outstanding and average annualized interest rate on the Committed Secured Line were $44,000,000 and 1.00%, respectively.
 
9. New Accounting Pronouncements
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements
 
On April 15, 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-03 (“ASU No. 2011-03”). The guidance in ASU No. 2011-03 is intended to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements and other similar agreements. Specifically, ASU No. 2011-03 modifies the criteria for determining when these transactions would be accounted for as financing transactions (secured borrowings/lending agreements) as opposed to sale (purchase) with commitments to repurchase (resell). The effective date of ASU No. 2011-03 is for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of this guidance and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts or footnote disclosures, if any.
 
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
 
On May 12, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 modifying Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. At the same time, the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued International Financial Reporting Standard (“IFRS”) 13, Fair Value Measurement. The objective of the FASB and IASB is convergence of their guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures. Specifically, ASU No. 2011-04 requires reporting entities to disclose i) the amounts of any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, the reasons for the transfers, ii) for Level 3 fair value measurements, a) quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used, b) a description of the valuation processes used by the reporting entity and c) a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs if a change in those inputs might result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The effective date of ASU No. 2011-04 is for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of this guidance and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and footnote disclosures, if any.
 
 
38 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
Annual Investment Management
Agreement Approval Process(Unaudited)
 
 
The Board of Trustees (the “Board,” and each Trustee, a “Board Member”) of the Nuveen Build America Bond Fund (the “Fund”), including the Board Members who are not parties to its advisory or sub-advisory agreements or “interested persons” of any such parties (the “Independent Board Members”), is responsible for approving the advisory agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) between the Fund and Nuveen Fund Advisors, Inc. (the “Advisor”) and the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between the Advisor and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”) (the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are referred to collectively as the “Advisory Agreements”) and their periodic continuation. Pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), after an initial term of up to two years, the Board is generally required to consider the continuation of advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements on an annual basis. Accordingly, at an in-person meeting held on May 23-25, 2011 (the “May Meeting”), the Board, including a majority of the Independent Board Members, considered and approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund for an additional one-year period.
 
The Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund (the “Build America Bond Opportunity Fund”) is a new fund and, therefore, its initial advisory agreements were not up for renewal at the May Meeting. The discussion of the approvals of the initial advisory agreements for the Build America Bond Opportunity Fund was included in its annual report for the period ending March 31, 2011, and the discussion below relates only to the renewal of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund.
 
In preparation for their considerations at the May Meeting, the Board requested and received extensive materials prepared in connection with the review of the Advisory Agreements of the Fund. The materials provided a broad range of information regarding the Fund, the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor (the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor are collectively, the “Fund Advisers” and each, a “Fund Adviser”). As described in more detail below, the information provided included, among other things, a review of Fund performance, including Fund investment performance assessments against peer groups and appropriate benchmarks, a comparison of Fund fees and expenses relative to peers, a description and assessment of shareholder service levels for the Fund, a summary of the performance of certain service providers, a review of product initiatives and shareholder communications and an analysis of the Advisor’s profitability with comparisons to comparable peers in the managed fund business. As part of their annual review, the Board also held a separate meeting on April 19-20, 2011, to review the Fund’s investment performance and consider an analysis provided by the Advisor of the
 
 
Nuveen Investments 39
 
 
 

 
 
Annual Investment Management Agreement
Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)
 
 
Sub-Advisor which generally evaluated the Sub-Advisor’s investment team, investment mandate, organizational structure and history, investment philosophy and process, performance of the Fund, and significant changes to the foregoing. As a result of their review of the materials and discussions, the Board presented the Advisor with questions and the Advisor responded.
 
The materials and information prepared in connection with the review of the Advisory Agreements at the May Meeting supplemented the information provided to the Board during the year. In this regard, throughout the year, the Board, acting directly or through its committees, regularly reviews the performance and various services provided by the Advisor and, since the internal restructuring described in Section A below, the Sub-Advisor. The Board meets at least quarterly as well as at other times as the need arises. At its quarterly meetings, the Board reviews reports by the Advisor which include, among other things, Fund performance, a review of the investment teams and compliance reports. The Board also meets with key investment personnel managing the Fund’s portfolio during the year. In addition, the Board continues its program of seeking to visit each sub-advisor to the Nuveen funds at least once over a multiple year rotation, meeting with key investment and business personnel. The Board also met with State Street Bank & Trust Company, the Fund’s accountant and custodian, in 2010. The Board considers factors and information that are relevant to its consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Agreements at these meetings held throughout the year. Accordingly, the Board considered the information provided and knowledge gained at these meetings when performing its review at the May Meeting of the Advisory Agreements. The Independent Board Members are assisted throughout the process by independent legal counsel who provided materials describing applicable law and the duties of directors or trustees in reviewing advisory contracts and met with the Independent Board Members in executive sessions without management present.
 
The Board considered all factors it believed relevant with respect to the Fund, including among other factors: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Fund Advisers, (b) the investment performance of the Fund and Fund Advisers, (c) the advisory fees and costs of the services to be provided to the Fund and the profitability of the Fund Advisers, (d) the extent of any economies of scale, (e) any benefits derived by the Fund Advisers from the relationship with the Fund and (f) other factors. Each Board Member may have accorded different weight to the various factors in reaching his or her conclusions with respect to the Fund’s Advisory Agreements. The Independent Board Members did not identify any single factor as all important or controlling. The Independent Board Members’ considerations were instead based on a comprehensive consideration of all the information presented. The principal factors considered by the Board and its conclusions are described below.
 
A. Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
 
In considering renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Independent Board Members considered the nature, extent and quality of the Fund Adviser’s services, including
 
 
40 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
advisory services and the resulting Fund performance and administrative services. The Independent Board Members reviewed materials outlining, among other things, the Fund Adviser’s organization and business; the types of services that the Fund Adviser or its affiliates provide to the Fund; the performance record of the Fund (as described in further detail below); and any initiatives Nuveen had taken for the applicable fund product line.
 
In considering advisory services, the Board recognized that the Advisor provides various oversight, administrative, compliance and other services for the Fund and the Sub-Advisor provides the portfolio investment management services to the Fund. The Board recognized that Nuveen engaged in an internal restructuring in 2010 pursuant to which portfolio management services the Advisor had provided directly to the Fund were transferred to the Sub-Advisor, a newly-organized, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Advisor consisting of largely the same investment personnel. Accordingly, in reviewing the portfolio management services provided to the Fund, the Board reviewed the materials provided by the Nuveen Investment Services Oversight Team analyzing, among other things, the Sub-Advisor’s investment team and changes thereto, organization and history, assets under management, Fund objectives and mandate, the investment team’s philosophy and strategies in managing the Fund, developments affecting the Sub-Advisor or Fund and Fund performance. The Independent Board Members also reviewed portfolio manager compensation arrangements to evaluate each Fund Adviser’s ability to attract and retain high quality investment personnel, preserve stability, and reward performance but not provide an incentive to take undue risks. In addition, the Board considered the Advisor’s execution of its oversight responsibilities over the Sub-Advisor. Given the importance of compliance, the Independent Board Members also considered Nuveen’s compliance program, including the report of the chief compliance officer regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures.
 
In addition to advisory services, the Board considered the quality and extent of administrative and other non-investment advisory services the Advisor and its affiliates provide to the Fund, including product management, investment services (such as oversight of investment policies and procedures, risk management, and pricing), fund administration, oversight of service providers, shareholder services, administration of Board relations, regulatory and portfolio compliance, legal support, managing leverage and promoting an orderly secondary market for common shares.
 
In reviewing the services provided, the Board also reviewed materials describing various notable initiatives and projects the Advisor performed in connection with the closed-end fund product line. These initiatives included continued activities to refinance auction rate preferred securities; ongoing services to manage leverage that has become increasingly complex; continued secondary market offerings and share repurchases for certain funds; and continued communications efforts with shareholders, fund analysts and financial advisers. With respect to the latter, the Independent Board Members noted Nuveen’s continued commitment to supporting the secondary market for the common shares of its closed-end funds through a comprehensive secondary market communica-
 
 
Nuveen Investments 41
 
 
 

 
 
Annual Investment Management Agreement
Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)
 
 
tion program designed to raise investor and analyst awareness and understanding of closed-end funds. Nuveen’s support services included, among other things: continuing communications in support of refinancing efforts related to auction rate preferred securities; participating in conferences; communicating continually with closed-end fund analysts covering the Nuveen funds; providing marketing for the closed-end funds; share purchases; and maintaining and enhancing a closed-end fund website.
 
Based on their review, the Independent Board Members found that, overall, the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under each Advisory Agreement were satisfactory.
 
B. The Investment Performance of the Fund and Fund Advisers
 
The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed and considered the performance history of the Fund over various time periods. The Board reviewed, among other things, the Fund’s historic investment performance as well as information comparing the Fund’s performance information with that of other funds (the “Performance Peer Group”) based on data provided by an independent provider of mutual fund data and with recognized and/or customized benchmarks.
 
The Board reviewed reports, including a comprehensive analysis of the Fund’s performance and the applicable investment team. In this regard, the Board reviewed the Fund’s total return information compared to its Performance Peer Group for the quarter period ending December 31, 2010 and for the same period ending March 31, 2011. In addition, the Board reviewed the Fund’s total return information compared to recognized and/or customized benchmarks for the quarter period ending December 31, 2010 and for the same period ending March 31, 2011. The Independent Board Members also reviewed historic premium and discount levels, including a summary of actions taken to address or discuss other developments affecting the secondary market discounts of various funds. This information supplemented the Fund performance information provided to the Board at each of its quarterly meetings.
 
In reviewing performance comparison information, the Independent Board Members recognized that the usefulness of the comparisons of the performance of certain funds with the performance of their respective Performance Peer Group may be limited because the Performance Peer Group may not adequately represent the objectives and strategies of the applicable funds or may be limited in size or number. In this regard, the Independent Board Members noted that the Performance Peer Group of the Fund was classified as having significant differences from the Fund based on various considerations such as special fund objectives, potential investable universe and the composition of the peer set (e.g., the number and size of competing funds and number of competing managers). The Independent Board Members also noted that the investment experience of a particular shareholder in the Nuveen funds will vary depending on when such shareholder invests in the applicable fund, the class held (if multiple classes are offered) and the performance of the fund (or respective class) during that shareholder’s investment period. With respect to any Nuveen funds that underperformed their peers and/or
 
 
42 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
benchmarks from time to time, the Board monitors such funds closely and considers any steps necessary or appropriate to address such issues.
 
As noted above, the Fund had significant differences with its Performance Peer Group; therefore the Independent Board Members considered the Fund’s performance compared to its benchmark. They noted, however, that the Fund was relatively new with a shorter performance history available, thereby limiting the ability to make a meaningful assessment of performance.
 
C. Fees, Expenses and Profitability
 
1. Fees and Expenses
 
The Board evaluated the management fees and expenses of the Fund reviewing, among other things, the Fund’s gross management fees, net management fees and net expense ratios in absolute terms as well as compared to the fee and expenses of a comparable universe of funds based on data provided by an independent fund data provider (the “Peer Universe”) and in certain cases, to a more focused subset of funds in the Peer Universe (the “Peer Group”) and any expense limitations.
 
The Independent Board Members further reviewed the methodology regarding the construction of the applicable Peer Universe and Peer Group (if any). In reviewing the comparisons of fee and expense information, the Independent Board Members took into account that in certain instances various factors such as: the asset level of a fund relative to peers; the limited size and particular composition of the Peer Universe or Peer Group; the investment objectives of the peers; expense anomalies; changes in the funds comprising the Peer Universe or Peer Group from year to year; levels of reimbursement; the timing of information used; and the differences in the type and use of leverage may impact the comparative data thereby limiting the ability to make a meaningful comparison with peers.
 
In reviewing the fee schedule for the Fund, the Independent Board Members also considered the fund-level and complex-wide breakpoint schedules (described in further detail below) and any fee waivers and reimbursements provided by Nuveen (applicable, in particular, for certain closed-end funds launched since 1999). In reviewing fees and expenses, the Board considered the expenses and fees to be higher if they were over 10 basis points higher, slightly higher if they were 6 to 10 basis points higher, in line if they were within 5 basis points higher than the peer average and below if they were below the peer average of the Peer Group (if available) or Peer Universe if there was no separate Peer Group.
 
The Independent Board Members observed that the Fund had a net management fee and a net expense ratio below its peer averages.
 
Based on their review of the fee and expense information provided, the Independent Board Members determined that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 43
 
 
 

 
 
Annual Investment Management Agreement
Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)
 
 
2. Comparisons with the Fees of Other Clients
 
The Independent Board Members further reviewed information regarding the nature of services and fee rates offered by the Advisor to other clients, including municipal separately managed accounts and passively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) sub-advised by the Advisor. In evaluating the comparisons of fees, the Independent Board Members noted that the fee rates charged to the Fund and other clients vary, among other things, because of the different services involved and the additional regulatory and compliance requirements associated with registered investment companies, such as the Fund. Accordingly, the Independent Board Members considered the differences in the product types, including, but not limited to, the services provided, the structure and operations, product distribution and costs thereof, portfolio investment policies, investor profiles, account sizes and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members noted, in particular, that the range of services provided to the Fund (as discussed above) is much more extensive than that provided to separately managed accounts. Given the inherent differences in the products, particularly the extensive services provided to the Fund, the Independent Board Members believe such facts justify the different levels of fees.
 
In considering the fees of the Sub-Advisor, the Independent Board Members also considered the pricing schedule or fees that the Sub-Advisor charges for similar investment management services for other Nuveen funds.
 
3. Profitability of Fund Advisers
 
In conjunction with its review of fees, the Independent Board Members also considered the profitability of Nuveen for its advisory activities (which incorporated Nuveen’s wholly-owned affiliated sub-advisers) and its financial condition. The Independent Board Members reviewed the revenues and expenses of Nuveen’s advisory activities for the last two years, the allocation methodology used in preparing the profitability data and an analysis of the key drivers behind the changes in revenues and expenses that impacted profitability in 2010. The Independent Board Members noted this information supplemented the profitability information requested and received during the year to help keep them apprised of developments affecting profitability (such as changes in fee waivers and expense reimbursement commitments). In this regard, the Independent Board Members noted that they have an Independent Board Member serve as a point person to review and keep them apprised of changes to the profitability analysis and/or methodologies during the year. The Independent Board Members also considered Nuveen’s revenues for advisory activities, expenses, and profit margin compared to that of various unaffiliated management firms with similar amounts of assets under management and relatively comparable asset composition prepared by Nuveen.
 
In reviewing profitability, the Independent Board Members recognized the subjective nature of determining profitability which may be affected by numerous factors including the allocation of expenses. Further, the Independent Board Members recognized the difficulties in making comparisons as the profitability of other advis-
 
 
44 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
ers generally is not publicly available and the profitability information that is available for certain advisers or management firms may not be representative of the industry and may be affected by, among other things, the adviser’s particular business mix, capital costs, types of funds managed and expense allocations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Independent Board Members reviewed Nuveen’s methodology and assumptions for allocating expenses across product lines to determine profitability. In reviewing profitability, the Independent Board Members recognized Nuveen’s investment in its fund business. Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that the Advisor’s level of profitability for its advisory activities was reasonable in light of the services provided.
 
In evaluating the reasonableness of the compensation, the Independent Board Members also considered other amounts paid to a Fund Adviser by the Fund as well as any indirect benefits (such as soft dollar arrangements, if any) the Fund Adviser and its affiliates receive, or are expected to receive, that are directly attributable to the management of the Fund, if any. See Section E below for additional information on indirect benefits a Fund Adviser may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. Based on their review of the overall fee arrangements of the Fund, the Independent Board Members determined that the advisory fees and expenses of the Fund were reasonable.
 
D. Economies of Scale and Whether Fee Levels Reflect These Economies of Scale
 
With respect to economies of scale, the Independent Board Members have recognized the potential benefits resulting from the costs of a fund being spread over a larger asset base, although economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, particularly on a fund-by-fund basis. One method to help ensure the shareholders share in these benefits is to include breakpoints in the advisory fee schedule. Generally, management fees for funds in the Nuveen complex are comprised of a fund-level component and a complex-level component, subject to certain exceptions. Accordingly, the Independent Board Members reviewed and considered the applicable fund-level breakpoints in the advisory fee schedules that reduce advisory fees as asset levels increase. Further, the Independent Board Members noted that although closed-end funds may from time-to-time make additional share offerings, the growth of their assets will occur primarily through the appreciation of such funds’ investment portfolio.
 
In addition to fund-level advisory fee breakpoints, the Board also considered the Fund’s complex-wide fee arrangement. Pursuant to the complex-wide fee arrangement, the fees of the funds in the Nuveen complex are generally reduced as the assets in the fund complex reach certain levels. The complex-wide fee arrangement seeks to provide the benefits of economies of scale to fund shareholders when total fund complex assets increase, even if assets of a particular fund are unchanged or have decreased. The approach reflects the notion that some of Nuveen’s costs are attributable to services provided to all its funds in the complex and therefore all funds benefit if these costs are spread over a larger asset base.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 45
 
 
 

 
 
Annual Investment Management Agreement
Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)
 
 
Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that the breakpoint schedules and complex-wide fee arrangement were acceptable and reflect economies of scale to be shared with shareholders when assets under management increase.
 
E. Indirect Benefits
 
In evaluating fees, the Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding potential “fall out” or ancillary benefits the respective Fund Adviser or its affiliates may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. In this regard, the Independent Board Members considered any revenues received by affiliates of the Advisor for serving as agent at Nuveen’s trading desk and as co-manager in initial public offerings of new closed-end funds.
 
In addition to the above, the Independent Board Members considered whether the Fund Advisers received any benefits from soft dollar arrangements whereby a portion of the commissions paid by the Fund for brokerage may be used to acquire research that may be useful to the Fund Adviser in managing the assets of the Fund and other clients. The Independent Board Members recognized that each Fund Adviser has the authority to pay a higher commission in return for brokerage and research services if it determines in good faith that the commission paid is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. Nevertheless, the Independent Board Members noted that commissions are generally not paid in connection with municipal securities transactions typically executed on a principal basis.
 
Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that any indirect benefits received by a Fund Adviser as a result of its relationship with the Fund were reasonable and within acceptable parameters.
 
F. Other Considerations
 
The Independent Board Members did not identify any single factor discussed previously as all-important or controlling. The Board Members, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously concluded that the terms of each Advisory Agreement are fair and reasonable, that the respective Fund Adviser’s fees are reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund and that the Advisory Agreements be renewed.
 
 
46 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
 
Reinvest Automatically, Easily and Conveniently
 
 
 
Nuveen makes reinvesting easy. A phone call is all it takes to set up your reinvestment account.
 
Nuveen Closed-End Funds Automatic Reinvestment Plan
 
Your Nuveen Closed-End Fund allows you to conveniently reinvest distributions in additional Fund shares.
 
By choosing to reinvest, you’ll be able to invest money regularly and automatically, and watch your investment grow through the power of compounding. Just like distributions in cash, there may be times when income or capital gains taxes may be payable on distributions that are reinvested.
 
It is important to note that an automatic reinvestment plan does not ensure a profit, nor does it protect you against loss in a declining market.
 
Easy and convenient
 
To make recordkeeping easy and convenient, each month you’ll receive a statement showing your total distributions, the date of investment, the shares acquired and the price per share, and the total number of shares you own.
 
How shares are purchased
 
The shares you acquire by reinvesting will either be purchased on the open market or newly issued by the Fund. If the shares are trading at or above net asset value at the time of valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at the greater of the net asset value or 95% of the then-current market price. If the shares are trading at less than net asset value, shares for your account will be purchased on the open market. If the Plan Agent begins purchasing Fund shares on the open market while shares are trading below net asset value, but the Fund’s shares subsequently trade at or above their net asset value before the Plan Agent is able to complete its purchases, the Plan Agent may cease open-market purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the distribution in newly-issued Fund shares at a price equal to the greater of the shares’ net asset value or 95% of the shares’ market value on the last business day immediately prior to the purchase date. Distributions received to purchase shares in the open market will normally be invested shortly after the distribution payment date. No interest will be paid on distributions awaiting reinvestment. Because the market price of the shares may increase before purchases are completed, the average purchase price per share may
 
 
Nuveen Investments 47
 
 
 

 
 
 
Reinvest Automatically,
Easily and Conveniently (continued)
 
 
exceed the market price at the time of valuation, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund. A pro rata portion of any applicable brokerage commissions on open market purchases will be paid by Plan participants. These commissions usually will be lower than those charged on individual transactions.
 
Flexible
 
You may change your distribution option or withdraw from the Plan at any time, should your needs or situation change.
 
You can reinvest whether your shares are registered in your name, or in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee. Ask your investment advisor if his or her firm will participate on your behalf. Participants whose shares are registered in the name of one firm may not be able to transfer the shares to another firm and continue to participate in the Plan.
 
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan at any time. Although the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants, there is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan at this time.
 
Call today to start reinvesting distributions
 
For more information on the Nuveen Automatic Reinvestment Plan or to enroll in or withdraw from the Plan, speak with your financial advisor or call us at (800) 257-8787.
 
 
48 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
Glossary of Terms
Used in this Report
 
 
Auction Rate Bond: An auction rate bond is a security whose interest payments are adjusted periodically through an auction process, which process typically also serves as a means for buying and selling the bond. Auctions that fail to attract enough buyers for all the shares offered for sale are deemed to have “failed,” with current holders receiving a formula-based interest rate until the next scheduled auction.
 
Average Annual Total Return: This is a commonly used method to express an investment’s performance over a particular, usually multi-year time period. It expresses the return that would have been necessary each year to equal the investment’s actual cumulative performance (including change in NAV or market price and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, if any) over the time period being considered.
 
Average Effective Maturity: The market-value-weighted average of the effective maturity dates of the individual securities including cash. In the case of a bond that has been advance-refunded to a call date, the effective maturity is the date on which the bond is scheduled to be redeemed using the proceeds of an escrow account. In most other cases the effective maturity is the stated maturity date of the security.
 
Barclays Capital Build America Bond (BAB) Index: is an unleveraged index that comprises all direct pay Build America Bonds that are SEC-regulated, taxable, dollar-denominated and have at least one year to final maturity, at least $250 million par amount outstanding, and are determined to be investment grade by Barclays Capital.
 
This index does not reflect any initial or ongoing expenses and is not available for direct investment.
 
Effective Leverage: Effective leverage is a Fund’s effective economic leverage, and includes both structural leverage and the leverage effects of certain derivative investments in the Fund’s portfolio. Currently, the leverage effects of Tender Option Bond (TOB) inverse floater holdings are included in effective leverage values, in addition to any structural leverage.
 
Inverse Floaters: Inverse floating rate securities, also known as inverse floaters, are created by depositing a municipal bond, typically with a fixed interest rate, into a special purpose trust created by a broker-dealer. This trust, in turn, (a) issues floating rate certificates typically paying short-term tax-exempt interest rates to third parties in amounts equal to some fraction of the deposited bond’s par amount or market value, and (b) issues an inverse floating rate certificate (sometimes referred to as an “inverse floater”) to an investor (such as a Fund) interested in gaining investment exposure to a long-term municipal bond. The income received by the holder of the inverse floater varies inversely with the short-term rate paid to the floating rate certificates’ holders, and in most circumstances the holder of the inverse floater bears substantially all of the underlying bond’s downside investment risk. The holder of the inverse floater typically
 
 
Nuveen Investments 49
 
 
 

 
 
Glossary of Terms
Used in this Report (continued)
 
 
also benefits disproportionately from any potential appreciation of the underlying bond’s value. Hence, an inverse floater essentially represents an investment in the underlying bond on a leveraged basis.
 
Leverage: Using borrowed money to invest in securities or other assets.
 
Leverage-Adjusted Duration: Duration is a measure of the expected period over which a bond’s principal and interest will be paid, and consequently is a measure of the sensitivity of a bond’s or bond Fund’s value to changes when market interest rates change. Generally, the longer a bond’s or Fund’s duration, the more the price of the bond or Fund will change as interest rates change. Leverage-adjusted duration takes into account the leveraging process for a Fund and therefore is longer than the duration of the Fund’s portfolio of bonds.
 
Market Yield (also known as Dividend Yield or Current Yield): An investment’s current annualized dividend divided by its current market price.
 
Net Asset Value (NAV): The net market value of all securities held in a portfolio.
 
Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share: The market value of one share of a mutual fund or closed-end fund. For a Fund, the NAV is calculated daily by taking the Fund’s total assets (securities, cash, and accrued earnings), subtracting the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares outstanding.
 
Pre-Refunding: Pre-Refunding, also known as advanced refundings or refinancings, is a procedure used by state and local governments to refinance municipal bonds to lower interest expenses. The issuer sells new bonds with a lower yield and uses the proceeds to buy U.S. Treasury securities, the interest from which is used to make payments on the higher-yielding bonds. Because of this collateral, pre-refunding generally raises a bond’s credit rating and thus its value.
 
Structural Leverage: Structural Leverage consists of preferred shares or debt issued by the Fund. Both of these are part of a Fund’s capital structure. Structural leverage is sometimes referred to as “’40 Act Leverage” and is subject to asset coverage limits set in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
Taxable-Equivalent Yield: The yield necessary from a fully taxable investment to equal, on an after-tax basis, the yield of a municipal bond investment.
 
Zero Coupon Bond: A zero coupon bond does not pay a regular interest coupon to its holders during the life of the bond. Tax-exempt income to the holder of the bond comes from accretion of the difference between the original purchase price of the bond at issuance and the par value of the bond at maturity and is effectively paid at maturity. The market prices of zero coupon bonds generally are more volatile than the market prices of bonds that pay interest periodically.
 
 
50 Nuveen Investments
 
 
 

 
 
Other Useful Information
 
 
 
 
Board of Trustees
John P. Amboian
Robert P. Bremner
Jack B. Evans
William C. Hunter
David J. Kundert
William J. Schneider
Judith M. Stockdale
Carole E. Stone
Virginia L. Stringer
Terence J. Toth
 
Fund Manager
Nuveen Fund Advisors, Inc.
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
 
Custodian
State Street Bank
& Trust Company
Boston, MA
 
Transfer Agent and
Shareholder Services
State Street Bank
& Trust Company
Nuveen Funds
P.O. Box 43071
Providence, RI 02940-3071
(800) 257-8787
 
Legal Counsel
Chapman and Cutler LLP
Chicago, IL
 
Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, IL
 
 
Quarterly Portfolio of Investments and Proxy Voting Information
 
You may obtain (i) each Fund’s quarterly portfolio of investments, (ii) information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, and (iii) a description of the policies and procedures that the Funds used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen Investments toll-free at (800) 257-8787 or on Nuveen’s website at www.nuveen.com.
 
You may also obtain this and other Fund information directly from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC may charge a copying fee for this information. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov or in person at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call the SEC at (202) 942-8090 for room hours and operation. You may also request Fund information by sending an e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC’s Public References Section at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549.
 
CEO Certification Disclosure
 
Each Fund’s Chief Executive Officer has submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the annual CEO certification as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
 
Each Fund has filed with the SEC the certification of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
 
Share Information
 
Each Fund intends to repurchase shares of its own common stock in the future at such times and in such amounts as is deemed advisable. During the period covered by this report, the Funds did not repurchase any of their common shares.
 
Any future repurchases will be reported to shareholders in the next annual or semi-annual report.
 
 
Nuveen Investments 51
 
 
 

 
 
Nuveen Investments:
Serving Investors for Generations
 
 
Since 1898, financial advisors and their clients have relied on Nuveen Investments to provide dependable investment solutions through continued adherence to proven, long-term investing principles. Today, we offer a range of high quality equity and fixed-income solutions designed to be integral components of a well-diversified core portfolio.
 
Focused on meeting investor needs.
 
Nuveen Investments is a global investment management firm that seeks to help secure the long-term goals of institutions and high net worth investors as well as the consultants and financial advisors who serve them. We market our growing range of specialized investment solutions under the high-quality brands of NWQ, Nuveen Asset Management, Santa Barbara, Symphony, Tradewinds and Winslow Capital. In total, Nuveen Investments managed approximately $198 billion of assets as of September 30, 2011.
 
Find out how we can help you.
 
To learn more about how the products and services of Nuveen Investments may be able to help you meet your financial goals, talk to your financial advisor, or call us at (800) 257-8787. Please read the information provided carefully before you invest. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment carefully. Where applicable, be sure to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other relevant information. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your securities representative or Nuveen Investments, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
 
Learn more about Nuveen Funds at: www.nuveen.com/cef
 
Distributed by
Nuveen Securities, LLC
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
www.nuveen.com
 
 
ESA-C-0911D
 
 
 

 
 
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable to this filing.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

(a) See Portfolio of Investments in Item 1.

(b) Not applicable.

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

Not applicable to this filing.

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

Not applicable to this filing.

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

Not applicable.

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

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's Board of Directors or Trustees implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this Item.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a)
The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")(17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

(b)
There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form.

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

(a)(2)
A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) in the exact form set forth below: See Ex-99.CERT attached hereto.

(a)(3)
Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the  report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable.

(b)
If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)); Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference: See Ex-99.906 CERT attached hereto.


 
 

 
 
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) Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Kevin J. McCarthy
Kevin J. McCarthy
(Vice President and Secretary)

Date: December 8, 2011

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/ Gifford R. Zimmerman
Gifford R. Zimmerman
Chief Administrative Officer
(principal executive officer)

Date: December 8, 2011

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Stephen D. Foy
Stephen D. Foy
Vice President and Controller
 (principal financial officer)

Date: December 8, 2011