THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number: 811-05128

The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

7 Bryant Park

                         New York, NY 10018                            

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Carin F. Muhlbaum

Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.

7 Bryant Park

                             New York, NY 10018                        

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-800-730-2932

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: July 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018


Item 1. Schedule of Investments.


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Common Stock — 135.55%

 

       
Automobiles & Components — 0.48%

 

       
5,350   Autoneum Holding AG   $ 1,084,460       0.48
    Supplies automotive components. The company offers solutions for noise reduction and heat management to increase vehicle comfort, supplies its products to major automotive original equipment manufacturers worldwide.
(Cost $1,357,254)
               
       


 


      1,084,460       0.48
Banks — 14.48%

 

       
43,000   Cembra Money Bank AG     3,909,091       1.74
    Provides financial services. The company’s services include personal loans, vehicle financing, credit cards and savings and insurance services.
(Cost $2,577,751)
               
431,317   Credit Suisse Group AG1         6,513,028       2.90
    A global diversified financial services company with significant activity in private banking, investment banking and asset management.
(Cost $5,265,034)
               

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
           
Banks — (continued)

 

       
108,000   Julius Baer Group Ltd.1
  $ 5,429,852       2.42
    Provides private banking services. The company advises on wealth management, financial planning and investments; offers mortgage and other lending, foreign exchange, securities trading, custody and execution services.
(Cost $5,083,039)
               
1,050,000   UBS Group AG1     16,661,548       7.42
    Provides retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, wealth management, asset management and investment banking.
(Cost $15,289,484)
               
       


 


        32,513,519       14.48
Biotechnology — 2.74%

 

       
91,450   Kuros Biosciences AG1     524,283       0.23
    Develops and produces biopharmaceuticals. The company produces vaccines that immunize the patient against disease related proteins.
(Cost $904,831)
               
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

1


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Common Stock — (continued)

 

       
Biotechnology — (continued)

 

       
3,250   Lonza Group AG1   $ 1,114,609       0.50
    Produces organic fine chemicals, biocides, active ingredients, and biotechnology products. The company operates production sites in China, Europe and the United States.
(Cost $211,379)
               
6,191   NovImmune SA1,2,3     4,510,975       2.01
    Discovers and develops therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to treat patients suffering from immune-related disorders.
(Cost $3,613,416)
               
       


 


          6,149,867       2.74
Chemicals — 1.21%

 

       
1,100   Givaudan SA     2,717,342       1.21
    Manufactures and markets fragrances and flavors from natural and synthetic ingredients. The company sells its products to manufacturers of perfumes, beverages, prepared foods, and consumer goods. The company operates worldwide.
(Cost $2,522,372)
               
       


 


      2,717,342       1.21

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
           
Construction & Materials — 5.55%

 

       
1,100   Belimo Holding AG   $ 5,287,162       2.36
    Market leader in damper and volume control actuators for ventilation and air-conditioning equipment.
(Cost $1,822,224)
               
950   Forbo Holding AG     1,530,815       0.68
    Produces floor coverings, adhesives and belts for conveying and power transmission.
(Cost $1,195,794)
               
5,700   Geberit AG         2,656,265       1.18
   

Manufactures and supplies water supply pipes and fittings, installation, drainage and flushing systems such as visible cisterns other sanitary systems for the commercial and residential construction markets. The company sells its products in Germany,

Italy, Switzerland, Austria,

the Netherlands, France,

and Belgium.
(Cost $2,563,619)

               
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

2


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Common Stock — (continued)

 

       
Construction & Materials — (continued)

 

       
47,000   Implenia AG   $     2,990,428       1.33
    Provides construction, civil and underground engineering services. The company’s projects include residential and industrial buildings, tunnels, bridges and roads. The company also provides real estate and facilities management and marketing services.
(Cost $2,556,877)
               
       


 


        12,464,670       5.55
Electric Utilities — 0.28%

 

       
10,000   BKW AG     636,773       0.28
    Provides energy supply services. The company focuses on the production, transportation, trading and sale of energy. In addition to energy supply, the company also develops, implements and operates energy solutions for its clients.
(Cost $583,760)
               
       


 


      636,773       0.28

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
           
Financial Services — 1.90%

 

       
14,300   VZ Holding AG   $ 4,274,775       1.90
    Provides independent financial advice to private individuals and companies. The company consults on investment, tax and inheritance planning and provides advice regarding insurance products and coverage.
(Cost $2,480,272)
               
       


 


      4,274,775       1.90
Food & Beverage — 27.10%4

 

       
203,074   Aryzta AG1         1,941,760       0.87
    Produces and retails specialty bakery products. The Company produces French breads, pastries, continental breads, confections, artisan breads, homestyle lunches, viennoiserie, patisserie, cookies, pizza, appetizers, and sweet baked goods.
(Cost $6,421,694)
               
105   Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG     8,653,256       3.85
    Major manufacturer of premium Swiss chocolates.
(Cost $366,545)
               
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

3


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Common Stock — (continued)

 

       
Food & Beverage — (continued)

 

       
600,000   Nestlé SA   $   50,257,985       22.38
    One of the world’s largest food and beverage processing companies.
(Cost $14,672,028)
               
       


 


      60,853,001       27.10
Industrial Engineering — 0.62%

 

       
5,600   Schindler Holding AG     1,402,293       0.62
    Manufactures and installs elevators, escalators, and moving walkways internationally. The company’s products are used in airports, subway stations, railroad terminals, shopping centers, cruise ships, hotels, and office buildings. The company also offers maintenance services.
(Cost $1,185,236)
               
       


 


      1,402,293       0.62
Industrial Goods & Services — 10.09%

 

       
257,000   ABB Ltd.     6,101,382       2.72
    Provides power and automation technologies. The company operates under segments that include power products, power systems, automation products, process automation, and robotics.
(Cost $6,379,912)
               

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
           
Industrial Goods & Services — (continued)

 

       
50,000   Adecco Group AG   $ 2,638,207       1.18
    Provides personnel and temporary help, and offers permanent placement services internationally for professionals and specialists in a range of occupations.
(Cost $2,854,564)
               
10,500   Burckhardt Compression Holding AG         3,669,840       1.63
    Produces compressors for oil refining and the chemical and petrochemical industries, industrial gases and gas transport and storage.
(Cost $2,716,267)
               
54,006   DKSH Holding AG     3,693,285       1.64
    An international marketing and services group. The company offers a comprehensive package of services that includes organizing and running the entire value chain for any product.
(Cost $3,470,894)
               
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

4


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Common Stock — (continued)

 

       
Industrial Goods & Services — (continued)

 

       
33,300   Feintool International Holding AG1   $ 3,818,182       1.70
    Manufactures integrated systems for fineblanking and forming technologies. The company produces presses and special tooling capable of manufacturing precision parts, automation systems, riveting machines and extruded plastic and metal components.
(Cost $3,028,046)
               
23,000   Sensirion Holding AG1         1,565,827       0.70
   

The company, through its subsidiaries, manufactures gas and liquid flow sensors for the measurement of humidity and temperature, volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide. The company serves

automotive, industrial,

medical, and consumer

goods sectors worldwide.
(Cost $907,986)

               

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
           
Industrial Goods & Services — (continued)

 

       
10,000   SFS Group AG1   $ 1,165,029       0.52
    Provides automotive products, building and electronic components, flat roofing and solar fastening systems. The company operates production facilities in Asia, Europe and North America.
(Cost $636,134)
               
       


 


        22,651,752       10.09
Industrial Transportation — 0.77%

 

       
90,000   Ceva Logistics AG1     1,722,973       0.77
    Provides logistics services. The Company offers freight forwarding, cargo transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, ground transport fleet, and distribution management services. The company serves automotive, consumer and retail, energy, health care, industrial and aerospace, and technology sectors worldwide.
(Cost $2,472,157)
               
       


 


      1,722,973       0.77
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

5


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Common Stock — (continued)

 

       
Insurance — 9.93%

 

       
38,000   Baloise Holding AG   $ 5,823,710       2.60
    Offers group and individual life, health, accident, liability property, and transportation insurance to customers in Europe. The Company also offers private banking and asset management services.
(Cost $5,756,222)
               
24,892   Swiss Life Holding AG1     9,479,754       4.22
    Provides life insurance and institutional investment management.
(Cost $6,169,196)
               
22,000   Zurich Insurance Group AG1     6,986,487       3.11
    Provides insurance-based financial services. The company offers general and life insurance products and services for individuals, small businesses, commercial enterprises, mid-sized and large corporations, and multinational companies.
(Cost $7,001,449)
               
       


 


        22,289,951       9.93

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
           
Machinery — 1.65%

 

       
293,492   SIG Combibloc Group AG1   $ 3,695,692       1.65
    The company, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and produces bottling machines and systems for the food and beverage industries. The company serves customers worldwide.
(Cost $3,380,206)
               
       


 


          3,695,692       1.65
Medical Equipment — 7.00%

 

       
33,760   Sonova Holding AG     6,749,926       3.01
    Designs and produces wireless analog and digital in-the-ear and behind-the-ear hearing aids and miniaturized voice communications systems.
(Cost $5,244,528)
               
3,731   Spineart SA1,2,3     1,378,919       0.61
    Designs and markets an innovative full range of spine products, including fusion and motion preservation devices, focusing on easy to implant high-end products to simplify the surgical act.
(Cost $2,623,328)
               
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

6


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Common Stock — (continued)

 

       
Medical Equipment — (continued)

 

       
31,888   Tecan Group AG
  $ 7,580,256       3.38
    Manufactures and distributes laboratory automation components and systems. The products are mainly used by research and diagnostic laboratories.
(Cost $2,916,296)
               
       


 


        15,709,101       7.00
Personal & Household Goods — 9.48%

 

       
146,000   Cie Financiere Richemont SA     11,957,412       5.32
    Manufactures and retails luxury goods. Produces jewelry, watches, leather goods, writing instruments and men’s and women’s wear.
(Cost $9,722,331)
               
119,158   Swatch Group AG - Registered shares     9,332,092       4.16
    Manufactures finished watches, movements and components. Produces components necessary to its various watch brand companies. The company also operates retail boutiques.
(Cost $10,317,182)
               
       


 


      21,289,504       9.48

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
           
Pharmaceuticals — 37.03%4

 

       
547,000   Novartis AG   $   47,263,309       21.04
    One of the leading manufacturers of branded and generic pharmaceutical products.
(Cost $13,646,864)
               
147,500   Roche Holding AG     35,901,029       15.99
    Develops and manufactures pharmaceutical and diagnostic products. Produces prescription drugs to treat cardiovascular, infectious and autoimmune diseases and for other areas including dermatology and oncology.
(Cost $10,300,686)
               
       


 


          83,164,338       37.03
Technology — 3.91%

 

       
113,000   Airopack Technology Group AG1     1,006,450       0.45
    Develops and patents packaging solutions. The company has developed a technology for filling liquids, powders, gases and products of average-to-high viscosity (such as gels, creams or foam) into recyclable plastic packaging.
(Cost $1,191,827)
               
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

7


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Common Stock — (continued)

 

       
Technology — (continued)

 

       
173,000   Logitech International SA   $ 7,767,997       3.46
    Engages in the development and marketing of hardware and software products that enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking and audio and video communication.
(Cost $2,265,362)
               
       


 


      8,774,447       3.91
Telecommunications — 1.33%

 

       
32,945   Sunrise Communications Group AG1     2,996,686       1.33
    Provides a broad range of telecommunications services and equipment. The company offers mobile and wired phone services, broadband internet, cable television services, mobile
phones, tablet computers and related equipment.
(Cost $2,207,194)
               
       


 


      2,996,686       1.33
    Total Common Stock (Cost $175,881,240)     304,391,144       135.55

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Preferred Stock — 0.13%

 

       
Biotechnology — 0.02%

 

       
8,400   Ixodes AG, Series B1,2,3,5   $ 49,103       0.02
    Develops and produces a topical product for the treatment of borreliosis infection and the prevention of Lyme disease from a tick bite.
(Cost $2,252,142)
               
       


 


      49,103       0.02
Industrial Goods & Services — 0.09%

 

       
500,863   SelFrag AG Class A1,2,3     189,721       0.09
    Designs, manufactures and sells industrial machines and processes using selective fragmentation technology.
(Cost $1,932,198)
               
       


 


      189,721       0.09
Medical Equipment — 0.02%

 

       
83,611   EyeSense AG, Series A Preferred1,2,3     43,654       0.02
    A spin-out from Ciba Vision AG. Develops novel ophthalmic self-diagnostic systems for glucose monitoring of diabetes patients.
(Cost $3,007,048)
               
       


 


      43,654       0.02
    Total Preferred Stock (Cost $7,191,388)     282,478       0.13
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

8


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 

No. of

Shares

  Security   Fair
Value
    Percent
of Net
Assets
 
Limited Partnership — 0.45%

 

       
Biotechnology — 0.45%

 

       
    Aravis Biotech II, Limited Partnership1,2,3,5                
    (Cost $1,810,184)   $ 1,010,440       0.45
       


 


   

Total Investments*

(Cost $184,882,812)

    305,684,062       136.13
    Other Assets Less Liabilities#     (81,123,244     (36.13 %) 
       


 


    Net Assets   $ 224,560,818       100.00
       


 


Net Asset Value Per Share:

 

       
    ($224,560,818 ÷ 25,313,872 shares outstanding, $0.001 par value: 50 million shares authorized)           $ 8.87  

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

9


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (continued)   September 30, 2018

 


1   

Non-income producing security.

2   

Value determined using significant unobservable inputs.

3   

Illiquid. There is not a public market for these securities in the United States or in any foreign jurisdiction, including Switzerland. Securities are priced at Fair Value in accordance with the Fund’s valuation policy and procedures. At the end of the period, the aggregate Fair Value of these securities amounted to $7,182,812 or 3.20% of the Fund’s net assets. Additional information on these securities is as follows:

 

Security


 

Acquisition Date


  

Cost


 
Aravis Biotech II, Limited Partnership   July 31, 2007 – May 29, 2018    $ 1,810,184  
EyeSense AG – Preferred Shares A   July 22, 2010 – October 3, 2011      3,007,048  
Ixodes AG – Preferred Shares B   April 7, 2011 – June 1, 2012      2,252,142  
NovImmune SA – Common Shares   October 7, 2009 – December 11, 2009      3,613,416  
SelFrag AG – Class A – Preferred Shares   December 15, 2011 – January 28, 2014      1,932,198  
Spineart SA – Common Shares   December 22, 2010      2,623,328  
        


         $ 15,238,316  
        


4    

As of September 30, 2018, the Fund had more than 25% of its total assets invested in Food & Beverage and the Pharmaceuticals industries as a result of the appreciation of its existing investments and due to the decrease in the Fund’s assets resulting from its distribution payable October 19, 2018. Due to regulatory restrictions that apply to the Fund’s investments in a particular industry, the Fund will not make any additional investments until such time the percentage of the Fund’s total assets invested in that industry is below 25%.

5   

Affiliated Company. An affiliated company is a company in which the Fund has ownership of at least 5% of the company’s outstanding voting securities or an equivalent interest in the company. Details related to affiliated company holdings are as follows:

 

Name of Issuer


 

Fair Value
as of
12/31/17


   

Gross
Additions


   

Gross
Reductions


   

Realized
Gain/(Loss)


   

Change in
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)


   

Interest
Income


   

Fair Value
as of
09/30/18


 

Aravis Biotech II, Limited Partnership

  $ 1,591,513     $ 81,343     $ (1,081,211   $ 61,007     $ 357,788     $     $ 1,010,440  

Ixodes AG – Preferred Shares B

    68,268                         (19,165           49,103  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


    $ 1,659,781     $ 81,343     $ (1,081,211   $ 61,007     $ 338,623     $     $ 1,059,543  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


*   Cost for Federal income tax purposes is $184,973,618 and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) consists of:

 

Gross Unrealized Appreciation

   $ 137,236,033  

Gross Unrealized Depreciation

     (16,525,589
    


Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   $ 120,710,444  
    


#   Includes value of distribution paid of $124,291,111 on October 19, 2018.

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

10


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


Schedule of Investments by Industry (Unaudited) (concluded)   September 30, 2018

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

        

% of Net Assets as of September 30, 2018

 

Pharmaceuticals

     37.03

Food & Beverage

     27.10

Banks

     14.48

Industrial Goods & Services

     10.18

Insurance

     9.93

Personal & Household Goods

     9.48

Medical Equipment

     7.02

Construction & Materials

     5.55

Technology

     3.91

Biotechnology

     3.21

Financial Services

     1.90

Machinery

     1.65

Telecommunications

     1.33

Chemicals

     1.21

Industrial Transportation

     0.77

Industrial Engineering

     0.62

Automobiles & Components

     0.48

Electric Utilities

     0.28

Other Assets Less Liabilities

     (36.13 %) 
    


       100.00
    


          

TOP 10 PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

% of Net Assets as of September 30, 2018

        

Nestlé SA

     22.38

Novartis AG

     21.04

Roche Holding AG

     15.99

UBS Group AG

     7.42

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

     5.32

Swiss Life Holding AG

     4.22

Swatch Group AG – Registered shares

     4.16

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG

     3.85

Logitech International SA

     3.46

Tecan Group AG

     3.38
 

 


See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

11


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)

 

Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

 

A. Organization

The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund is organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term growth of capital through investment in equity and equity-linked securities of Swiss companies. The Fund may also acquire and hold equity and equity-linked securities of non-Swiss companies in limited instances.

 

B. Securities Valuation

The Fund values its investments at fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

 

When valuing listed equity securities, the Fund uses the last sale price on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities primarily are traded (the “Primary Market”) prior to the calculation of the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). When valuing equity securities that are not listed (except privately-held companies and private equity limited partnerships) or that are listed but have not traded on a day on which the Fund calculates its NAV, the Fund uses the mean between the bid and asked prices for that day. If there are no asked quotations for such a security, the value of such security will be the most recent bid quotation on the Primary Market on that day. On any day when a security’s Primary Market is closed because of a local holiday or other scheduled closure, but the New York Stock Exchange is open, the Fund may use the prior day’s closing prices to value such security regardless of the length of the scheduled closing.

 

When valuing fixed-income securities, if any, the Fund uses the last bid price prior to the calculation of the Fund’s NAV. If there is no current bid price for a fixed-income security, the value of such security will be the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices on that day. Overnight and certain other short-term fixed-income securities with maturities of less than 60 days will be valued by the amortized cost method, unless it is determined that the amortized cost method would not represent the fair value of such security.

 

It is the responsibility of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) to establish procedures to provide for the valuation of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. When valuing securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or for which the market quotations that are available are considered unreliable, the Fund determines a fair value in good faith in accordance with these procedures (a “Fair Value”). The Fund may use these procedures to establish the Fair Value of securities when, for example, a significant event occurs between the time the market closes and the time the Fund values its investments. After consideration of various factors, the Fund may value the securities at their last reported price or at some other value.

 

Swiss exchange-listed options, if any, including Eurex-listed options, are valued at their most recent sale price (latest bid for long options and the latest ask for short options) on the Primary Market, or if there are no such sales, at the average of the most recent bid and asked quotations on such Primary Market, or if such quotations are not available, at the last bid quotation (in the case of purchased options) or the last asked quotation (in the case of written options). If, however, there

 

12


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (continued)

 

are no such quotations, such options will be valued using the implied volatilities observed for similar options or from aggregated data as an input to a model. Options traded in the over-the-counter market, if any, are valued at the price communicated by the counterparty to the option, which typically is the price at which the counterparty would close out the transaction. Option contracts, if any, that are neither exchange-listed nor traded in the over-the-counter market, and where no broker can provide a quote or approved pricing vendor a price, may be valued using the implied volatilities observed for similar instruments or from aggregated market data received from services (e.g., Bloomberg) as an input to a widely accepted model.

 

The Fund is permitted to invest in investments that do not have readily available market quotations. For such investments, the Act requires the Board to determine their Fair Value. The aggregate value of these investments amounted to $7,182,812, or 3.20% of the Fund’s net assets at September 30, 2018, and are listed in Note 2 to the Schedule of Investments.

 

Various inputs are used to determine the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

Level 1—unadjusted

quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

Level 2—other

significant observable inputs (including quoted prices of similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

Level 3—significant

unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

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

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2018:

 

     Level 1
Quoted Prices


     Level 2
Other Significant
Observable Inputs


     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable Inputs


     Investments
Valued at
NAV**


     Total

 

Investments in Securities*

 

                 

Common Stock

   $ 298,501,250      $      $ 5,889,894      $      $ 304,391,144  

Preferred Stock

                   282,478               282,478  

Limited Partnership

                          1,010,440        1,010,440  
    


  


  


  


  


Total Investments in Securities

   $ 298,501,250      $      $ 6,172,372      $ 1,010,440      $ 305,684,062  
    


  


  


  


  


 

*

Please see the Schedule of Investments for industry classifications.

 

**

As of September 30, 2018 certain of the Fund’s investments were valued using net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient for fair value and have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASU 2015-07. The fair value amount presented in this table is intended to permit reconciliation of the amounts presented in the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of assets and liabilities.

 

The Fund values its investment in a private equity limited partnership in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 820-10-35, “Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share (Or its Equivalent)” (“ASC 820-10-35”). ASC 820-10-35 permits a reporting entity to measure the fair value of an investment that does not have a readily determinable fair

 

13


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (continued)

 

value, based on the NAV of the investment as a practical expedient, without further adjustment, unless it is probable that the investment will be sold at a value significantly different than the NAV. If the NAV of the investment is not as of the Fund’s measurement date, then the NAV should be adjusted to reflect any significant events that may change the valuation. Inputs and valuation techniques for these adjustments may include fair valuations of the partnership and its portfolio holdings provided by the partnership’s general partner or manager, other available information about the partnership’s portfolio holdings, values obtained on redemption from other limited partners, discussions with the partnership’s general partner or manager and/or other limited partners and comparisons of previously-obtained estimates to the partnership’s audited financial statements. In using the unadjusted NAV as a practical expedient, certain attributes of the investment that may impact its fair value are not considered. Attributes of those investments include the investment strategies of the privately held companies and may also include, but are not limited to, restrictions on the investor’s ability to redeem its investments at the measurement date and any unfunded commitments.

 

Level 3 securities, which are listed in Note 3 to the Schedule of Investments, consist of the Fund’s investments in privately-held companies.

 

Inputs and valuation techniques used by the Fund to value its Level 3 investments in privately-held companies may include the following: acquisition cost; fundamental analytical data; discounted cash flow analysis; nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the investment; public trading of similar securities of similar issuers; economic outlook and condition of the industry in which the issuer participates; financial condition of the issuer; and the issuer’s prospects, including any recent or potential management or capital structure changes. Although these valuation inputs may be observable in the marketplace as is characteristic of Level 2 investments, the privately-held companies, categorized as Level 3 investments, generally are highly illiquid in terms of resale.

 

14


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (continued)

 

When valuing Level 3 investments, management also may consider potential events that could have a material impact on the operations of a privately-held company. Not all of these factors may be considered or available, and other relevant factors may be considered on an investment-by-investment basis. The table below summarizes the techniques and unobservable inputs for the valuation of Level 3 investments.

 

Quantitative Information about certain Level 3 Fair Value Measurements


    Fair Value
at September 30, 2018
    Valuation Technique   Unobservable inputs    Range1

Biotechnology

                    

NovImmune SACommon Shares

    $4,510,975     Market approach   Recent round of financing    N/A
                     95%

Ixodes AG—Preferred Shares

    49,103     Discounted cash flow   Discount rate    19%
                Probability of success rate on research and development    10%

Industrial Goods & Services

                    

SelFrag AG—Preferred Shares

    189,721     Market approach   Recent round of financing    N/A

Medical Equipment

                    

EyeSense AG—Preferred Shares

    43,654     Market approach   Recent round of financing    N/A

Spineart SA—Common Shares

    1,378,919     Market approach   Recent round of financing    N/A

Total

    $6,172,372               

 

1 

Significant changes in any of these ranges would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the probability of success rate on research and development is accompanied by a directionally similar change in fair value. Conversely, a change in the discount rate is accompanied by a directionally opposite change in fair value.

 

The Fund’s policy is to disclose transfers between Levels based on their market prices as of the beginning of the period.

 

15


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (continued)

 

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

     Common
Stock


     Preferred
Stock


    Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2017

   $ 4,941,039      $ 328,792     $ 5,269,831  

Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation (a)

     948,855        (46,314     902,541  

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

                   

Gross Purchases

                   

Gross Sales

                   

Transfer out of Level 3

                   
    


  


 


Balance as of September 30, 2018

   $ 5,889,894      $ 282,478     $ 6,172,372  
    


  


 


 

(a)

The noted amounts of change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation relate to the fair value of Level 3 assets held on September 30, 2018.

 

C. Foreign Currency Translation

The Fund maintains its accounting records in U.S. dollars. The Fund’s assets are invested primarily in Swiss equities. In addition, the Fund can make its temporary investments in Swiss franc-denominated bank deposits, short-term debt securities and money market instruments. Substantially all income received by the Fund is in Swiss francs. The Fund’s NAV, however, is reported, and distributions from the Fund are made, in U.S. dollars, resulting in gain or loss from currency conversions in the ordinary course of business. Historically, the Fund has not entered into transactions designed to reduce currency risk and does not intend to do so in the future. The cost basis of foreign denominated assets and liabilities is determined on the date that they are first recorded within the Fund and translated to U.S. dollars. These assets and liabilities are subsequently valued each day at prevailing exchange rates. The difference between the original cost and current value denominated in U.S. dollars is recorded as unrealized foreign currency gain/loss. In valuing securities transactions, the receipt of income and the payment of expenses, the Fund uses the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date.

 

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency shown in the Fund’s financial statements result from the sale of foreign currencies, from currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates of securities transactions, and from the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid.

 

When calculating realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, the Fund does not separate the gain or loss attributable to changes in the foreign currency price of the security from the gain or loss attributable to the change in the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency. Other foreign currency translations resulting in realized and unrealized gain or loss are disclosed separately.

 

D. Concentration of Market Risk

The Fund primarily invests in securities of Swiss issuers. Such investments may carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include future

 

16


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (concluded)

 

political and economic developments, unfavorable movements in the Swiss franc relative to the U.S. dollar, and the possible imposition of exchange controls and changes in governmental law and restrictions. In addition, concentrations of investments in securities of issuers located in a specific region expose the Fund to the economic and government policies of that region and may increase risk compared to a fund whose investments are more diversified.

 

Note 2—Capital Commitments

As of September 30, 2018, the Fund maintains an illiquid investment in one private equity limited partnership. This investment appears in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The Fund’s capital commitment for this partnership is shown in the table below:

 

Investments


  

Original Capital
Commitment*


    

Unfunded
Commitment*


 

Private Equity Limited Partnership—International (a)

                 

Aravis Biotech II, Limited Partnership

   $ 3,327,191      $  

 

*

The original capital commitment represents 3,250,000 Swiss francs, which has been fully funded as at September 30, 2018. The Swiss franc/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2018 was used for conversion and equaled 0.9768 as of such date.

 

(a)

This category consists of one private equity limited partnership that invests primarily in venture capital companies in the biotechnology and medical technology sectors. There is no redemption right for the interest in this limited partnership. Instead, the nature of investments in this category is that distributions are received through the realization of the underlying assets of the limited partnership.

 

Note 3—Subsequent Events

On November 20, 2018, pursuant to the Fund’s previously announced Tender Offer, the Fund accepted for cash purchase 24,638,918 shares of the Fund’s common stock at a price equal to $7.86 per share, which represents 98% of the Fund’s NAV per share of $8.02 as of the close of the regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange on November 19, 2018. As a result of the purchase of the 24,638,918 shares, the Fund has 13,267,110 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

The Fund has been informed that the Fund’s Executive Officers and other officers that are employees of Schroder Investment Management North America, Inc., Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd., or their respective affiliates will resign as officers of the Fund on or about December 31, 2018. The Board is evaluating its options but intends to identify appropriate replacements for required officers, which could result in additional cost to the Fund.

 

17


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Unaudited)

 

Terms and Conditions

Pursuant to this Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”) of The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), unless a holder (each, a “Shareholder”) of the Fund’s shares of common stock (the “Common Shares”) otherwise elects, all income dividends, capital gain distributions and returns of capital, if any (collectively referred to herein as “dividends”), on such Shareholder’s Common Shares will be automatically reinvested by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as agent for Shareholders in administering the Plan (the “Plan Administrator”), in additional Common Shares of the Fund. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends payable in cash directly to the Shareholder of record (or, if the Common Shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, as the Dividend Disbursing Agent. Shareholders may elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive all dividends in cash by contacting the Plan Administrator. Enrollment, purchase or sales of shares and other transactions or services offered by the Plan can be directed to the Plan Administrator through the following:

 

Telephone

Telephone the Plan Administrator: 1-888-556-0425.

 

In Writing

You may also write to the Plan Administrator at the following address: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, PO Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560. Be sure to include your name, address, daytime phone number, social security or tax I.D. number and a reference to The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc. on all correspondence.

Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated at any time without penalty by providing notice in writing to the Plan Administrator at least 3 business days prior to any dividend payment date for that dividend to be payable in cash. A request for termination that is received less than 3 business days prior to any dividend payment date will be processed by the Plan Administrator, but you will have that dividend reinvested in additional Common Shares. However, all subsequent dividends will be payable in cash unless and until you resume participation in the Plan. To resume participation in the Plan, your request to enroll in the Plan must be received by the record date for that dividend distribution. If received after the record date, your participation in the Plan will begin with the next dividend declaration.

 

Whenever the Fund declares a dividend, payable either in Common Shares or in cash, participants in the Plan will receive a number of Common Shares determined in accordance with the following provisions and non-participants in the Plan will receive cash. The Common Shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either: (i) through the receipt of additional unissued but authorized Common Shares from the Fund (“newly issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market (“open-market purchases”) on the New York Stock Exchange, the primary national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are traded, or elsewhere.

 

If, on the payment date for any dividend, the net asset value (“NAV”) per Common Share is equal to or less than the market price per Common Share (plus estimated brokerage

 

 

18


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Unaudited) (continued)

 

trading fees) (such condition being referred to herein as “market premium”), the Plan Administrator will invest the dividend amount in newly issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the NAV per Common Share on the date the Common Shares are issued, provided that, if the NAV per Common Share is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per Common Share on the date of issuance, the dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the date of issuance for purposes of determining the number of shares issuable under the Plan.

 

If, on the payment date for any dividend, the NAV per Common Share is greater than the market price of the Common Shares (plus estimated brokerage trading fees) (such condition being referred to herein as “market discount”), the Plan Administrator will invest the dividend amount in Common Shares acquired on behalf of the participants in open-market purchases.

 

In the event of a market discount on the payment date for any dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business day before the next date on which the Common Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or in no event more than 30 days after the record date for such dividend, whichever is sooner (the “last purchase date”), to invest the dividend amount in Common Shares acquired in open-market purchases. If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its open-market purchases, the market price of a Common Share exceeds the NAV per Common Share, the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may

exceed the NAV of the Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the dividend had been paid in newly issued Common Shares on the dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to open-market purchases, if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making open-market purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly issued Common Shares at the NAV per Common Share at the close of business on the last purchase date provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per Common Share, the dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the date of issuance for purposes of determining the number of Common Shares issuable under the Plan.

 

The Plan Administrator maintains all registered Shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by Shareholders for tax records. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant generally will be held by the Plan Administrator in non-certificated form in the name of the Plan participant, although the Plan Administrator will issue certificates for whole Common Shares upon your request. Certificates for fractional Common Shares will not be issued.

 

In the case of Shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold Common Shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares

 

 

19


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Unaudited) (concluded)

 

certified from time to time by the record Shareholder and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.

 

There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends payable either in Common Shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage trading fees incurred with respect to the Plan Administrator’s open-market purchases of Common Shares in connection with the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan.

 

Participants in the Plan may sell any or all of their Common Shares in their Plan accounts by contacting the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator currently charges $15.00 for the transaction, plus $0.10 per Common Share for this service. Participants also may withdraw their Common Shares from their Plan accounts and sell those Common Shares through their broker.

 

Neither the Fund nor the Plan Administrator will provide any advice, make any recommendations, or offer any opinion with respect to whether or not you should purchase or sell your Common Shares or otherwise participate in the Plan. You must make independent investment decisions based on your own judgment and research. The Common Shares held in Plan accounts are not subject to protection under the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970.

 

Neither the Fund nor the Plan Administrator will be liable for any good faith act or for any good faith omission to act, including, without limitation, any claim or liability arising out of failure to terminate a participant’s account upon the participant’s death, the

prices at which Common Shares are purchased or sold for a participant’s account, the times when purchases or sales of Common Shares are made, or fluctuations in the market value of Common Shares. However, nothing contained in this provision affects a Shareholder’s right to bring a cause of action based on alleged violations of the federal securities laws.

 

Voting

Each Shareholder proxy will include those Common Shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for Common Shares held pursuant to the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.

 

Taxation

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

 

Amendments to Plan

The Fund reserves the right to suspend, amend or terminate the Plan at any time. All Shareholders of record, both participants and non-participants in the Plan, will be notified of any suspension, termination or significant amendment of the Plan. If the Plan is terminated, Common Shares held in the participants’ accounts will be distributed to the participants. Any change in the source of purchase of Common Shares under the Plan from open market purchases or direct issuance by the Plan Administrator does not constitute an amendment to the Plan.

 

 

20


THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.


 

Directors and Officers

 

Andrew Dakos

Chairman (Non-executive)

Richard Dayan1

Director

Phillip Goldstein2

Director

Moritz Sell3

Director

Gerald Hellerman1,4

Director

Mark A. Hemenetz

President

Principal Executive

Officer

Shanak Patnaik

Chief Compliance Officer

  

Carin F. Muhlbaum

Vice President

William P. Sauer

Vice President

David J. Marshall

Treasurer

Principal Financial

Officer

Steven P. Zink

Assistant Treasurer

Reid B. Adams

Chief Legal Officer

Secretary

Angel Lanier

Assistant Secretary

1 Audit Committee Member

2 Governance/Nominating Committee Chair

3 Audit Committee Chair

  

4 Pricing Committee Chair

Investment Adviser

Schroder Investment Management North America, Inc.

7 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10018-3706

(800) 730-2932

 

Investment Sub-adviser

Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd.

1 London Wall Place

London, EC2Y 5AU United Kingdom

 

Administrator

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

Custodian

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

59 Maiden Lane

Plaza Level

New York, NY 10038

(888) 556-0425

 

Legal Counsel

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Tait, Weller & Baker LLP

The Investment Adviser

 

The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is managed by Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (“SIMNA Inc.”)

 

SIMNA Inc. is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). It provides asset management products and services to a broad range of clients including Schroder Series Trust and Schroder Global Series Trust, investment companies registered with the SEC. SIMNA Inc. is part of a global asset management firm with approximately $590.8 billion in assets under management and administration as of September 30, 2018.

 

Executive Offices

The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.

7 Bryant Park

New York, NY 10018-3706

(800) 730-2932

 

For inquiries and reports:

(800) 730-2932

email: swzintermediary@schroders.com

 

Website Address

www.swzfund.com

 

The Fund

 

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end investment company whose objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation through investment in equity and equity-linked securities of Swiss companies. The Fund also may acquire and hold equity and equity-linked securities of non-Swiss companies in limited instances.

 

The Fund is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SWZ”.

 

Net Asset Value is calculated daily by 6:15 P.M. (Eastern Time). The most recent calculation is available by accessing the Fund’s website www.swzfund.com. Net Asset Value is also published weekly in Barron’s, the Monday edition of The Wall Street Journal and the Sunday edition of The New York Times.

 

 

21


Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)

The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

(b)

There have not been any changes in Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the last 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.


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.

The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.

 

By: /s/ Mark A. Hemenetz

Mark A. Hemenetz
Principal Executive Officer
Date: November 28, 2018

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: /s/ Mark A. Hemenetz

Mark A. Hemenetz
Principal Executive Officer
Date: November 28, 2018

 

By: /s/ David Marshall

David Marshall
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
Date: November 28, 2018