N-CSR

 

 

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: 811-21547

 

EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER:         Calamos Global Total Return Fund

ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:

  

2020 Calamos Court, Naperville,

Illinois 60563-2787

NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE:

  

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (630) 245-7200

DATE OF FISCAL YEAR END: October 31, 2014

DATE OF REPORTING PERIOD: November 1, 2013 through October 31, 2014

 

 

 


Item 1. Report to Shareholders

LOGO


LOGO

Experience and Foresight

About Calamos Investments

For over 35 years, we have helped investors like you manage and build wealth to meet their long-term individual objectives by working to capitalize on the opportunities of the evolving global marketplace. We launched our first mutual fund in 1985 and our first closed-end fund in 2002. Today, we manage five closed-end funds. Three are enhanced fixed income offerings, which pursue high current income from income and capital gains. Two are income-oriented total return offerings, which seek current income, with increased emphasis on capital gains potential. Calamos Global Total Return Fund (CGO), falls into this latter category. Please see page 5 for a more detailed overview of our closed-end offerings.

We are dedicated to helping our clients build and protect wealth. We understand when you entrust us with your assets, you also entrust us with your achievements, goals and aspirations. We believe we best honor this trust by making investment decisions guided by integrity, by discipline, and by our conscientious research.

We believe an active, risk-conscious approach is essential for wealth creation. In the 1970s, we pioneered strategies that seek to participate in equity market upside and mitigate some of the potential risks of equity market volatility. Our investment process seeks to manage risk at multiple levels and draws upon our experience investing through multiple market cycles.

We have a global perspective. We believe globalization offers tremendous opportunities for countries and companies all over the world. In our view, this creates significant opportunities for investors. In our U.S., global and international portfolios, we are seeking to capitalize on the potential growth of the global economy.

We believe there are opportunities in all markets. Our history traces back to the 1970s, a period of significant volatility and economic concerns. We have invested through multiple market cycles, each with its own challenges. Out of this experience comes our belief that the flipside of volatility is opportunity.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

        

Letter to Shareholders

     1   

The Calamos Closed-End Funds:
An Overview

     5   

Investment Team Discussion

     6   

Schedule of Investments

     9   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     13   

Statement of Operations

     14   

Statements of Changes In Net Assets

     15   

Statement of Cash Flows

     16   

Notes to Financial Statements

     17   

Financial Highlights

     25   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     26   

Trustee Approval of
Management Agreement

     27   

Tax Information

     29   

Trustees and Officers

     30   

About Closed-End Funds

     32   

Level Rate Distribution Policy

     33   

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

     33   
  
 


 

Letter to Shareholders

 

 

LOGO

 

JOHN P. CALAMOS, SR.

CEO and Global Co-CIO

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

Welcome to your annual report for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2014. In this report, you will find commentary from the management team, as well as a listing of portfolio holdings, financial statements and highlights, and detailed information about the Fund’s performance and positioning. I invite you to review not only the commentary for this Fund, but also to discuss with your financial advisor if there are other Calamos Funds that could be suitable for your asset allocation.

Calamos Global Total Return Fund (CGO) is an income-oriented total return fund. This means we are focused not only on delivering a competitive stream of distributions, but also on total return. We utilize dynamic asset allocation to pursue high current income with a less rate-sensitive approach, while also maintaining a focus on capital gains.

Steady and Competitive Distributions

During the period, CGO provided a steady monthly distribution. We believe the Fund’s current annualized distribution rate, which was 8.84%* on a market price basis as of October 31, 2014, was very competitive, given the low interest rates in many segments of the bond market. In our view, the Fund’s distributions illustrate the benefits of a global multi-asset class approach and flexible allocation strategy.

We understand that many closed-end fund investors seek steady, predictable distributions instead of distributions that fluctuate. Therefore, this Fund has a level rate distribution policy. As part of this policy, we aim to keep distributions consistent from month to month, and at a level that we believe can be sustained over the long term. In setting the Fund’s distribution rate, the investment management team and the Fund’s Board of Trustees consider the interest rate, market and economic environments. We also factor in our assessment of individual securities and asset classes. (For additional information on our level rate distribution policy, please see “The Calamos Closed-End Funds: An Overview” on page 5 and “Level Rate Distribution Policy” on page 33.)

 

* Current Annualized Distribution Rate is the Fund’s most recent distribution, expressed as an annualized percentage of the Fund’s current market price per share. The Fund’s 10/15/14 distribution was $0.1000 per share. Based on our current estimates, we anticipate that approximately $0.1000 is paid from ordinary income and that approximately $0.0000 represents a return of capital. Estimates are calculated on a tax basis rather than on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, but should not be used for tax reporting purposes. Distributions are subject to re-characterization for tax purposes after the end of the fiscal year. This information is not legal or tax advice. Consult a professional regarding your specific legal or tax matters. Under the Fund’s level rate distribution policy, distributions paid to common shareholders may include net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains and return of capital. When the net investment income and net realized short-term capital gains are not sufficient, a portion of the level rate distribution will be a return of capital. In addition, a limited number of distributions per calendar year may include net realized long-term capital gains. Distribution rate may vary.
 

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     1   


 

Letter to Shareholders

 

 

Market Environment

During the reporting period, global equities advanced, although there was a wide variation in the performance of individual markets. The MSCI World Index, a measure of developed market equities, earned 9.25%, while the MSCI Emerging Markets Index posted a return of 0.98%. Emerging markets were hindered by concerns of higher U.S. interest rates and weaker economic data in some countries. U.S. stocks drove gains in the developed global markets, with the S&P 500 Index returning 17.27%. The U.S. convertible market captured a large measure of the U.S. stock market’s gains, with the BofA Merrill Lynch All U.S. Convertibles Index earning 13.48%.

Fixed income markets also gained, but at a more measured pace. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index returned 4.14% for the 12-month period, with stronger performance toward the end of the period as apprehensive investors sought haven in fixed income securities. The Credit Suisse High Yield Index performed more strongly, gaining 5.54%, as investors sought yield in a low interest-rate environment.

Our Use of Leverage**

We have the flexibility to utilize leverage in this Fund. Over the long term, we believe that the judicious use of leverage provides us with opportunities to enhance total return and support the Fund’s distribution rate. Leverage strategies typically entail borrowing at short-term interest rates and investing the proceeds at higher rates of return. During the reporting period, we believed the prudent use of leverage would be advantageous given the economic environment, and more specifically, the low borrowing costs we were able to secure. Overall, the use of leverage contributed favorably to the returns of the Fund, as the performance of the Fund’s holdings exceeded the cost of borrowing.

Consistent with our focus on risk management, we have employed techniques to hedge against a rise in interest rates. We have used interest rate swaps to manage the borrowing costs associated with the Fund’s use of leverage. Interest rate swaps allow us to “lock down” an interest rate we believe to be attractive. Although rates are at historically low levels across much of the fixed income market, history has taught us that rates can rise quickly—in some cases, in a matter of months. We believe the Fund’s use of interest rate swaps is beneficial because it provides a degree of protection should a rise in rates occur. However, we will continue to assess the costs versus benefits of employing swaps as part of our leverage strategy.

Long-Term Focus

An important take-away from the past year is the benefit of maintaining a long-term focus in regard to asset allocation. Although the U.S. and global stock markets advanced overall, the period was characterized by surges in volatility and changes in market leadership. Investors who tried to time these ups and downs could well have been whipsawed—missing the upside but capturing the downside. For example, during the period,

 

** Leverage creates risks that may adversely affect return, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of common shares, and fluctuations in the variable rates of the leverage financing.
 

 

2   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Letter to Shareholders

 

 

there were several sell-offs in growth sectors, as investors allowed anxiety about economic growth to overshadow fundamentals. Yet during the 12-month period, U.S. growth stocks outperformed their value counterparts, with the Russell 3000 Growth Index gaining 16.39% versus the Russell 3000 Value Index, up 15.76%.

Also, we saw lackluster performance during the reporting period in some areas of the market that we believe offer compelling long-term potential. Emerging market equities, for example, posted only small gains over the year, despite the strong demographic trends that we believe will support multi-decade investment opportunity—most notably, the rise of a global middle class.

In our view, stocks are attractively valued and have more room to advance, particularly the stocks of growth companies. By a number of our favored measures, the prices of many stocks are compelling relative to bonds and inflation. Although we expect the pace of economic growth will vary considerably from country to country, we believe stocks can benefit from moderate global economic expansion supported by highly accommodative global monetary policy. We are particularly constructive on the U.S. economy, which looks to be in the middle innings of recovery with steady GDP growth and declining unemployment. While the intentions of the Federal Reserve roiled the markets at points over the reporting period, we believe the Federal Reserve will continue to take a flexible approach, adapting its policy decisions to conditions not just in the U.S. but also in the global economy. Also, we believe that merger-and-acquisition activity and share buybacks can provide continued support to the equity market.

We believe that investors should work with their advisors to prepare for an eventual rise in interest rates. U.S. and global interest rates have stayed low for longer than many anticipated due to a variety of factors, including accommodative policy and investors’ desire for allocations with a higher degree of perceived safety.

Convertible securities are well suited to this environment. Although we expect markets to advance and the global economy to expand, we believe volatility will likely persist due to a range of factors. Actively managed allocations that include convertibles may prove especially beneficial, because convertibles combine attributes of stocks and bonds. As a result, convertible securities have the potential to provide participation in stock market upside with potential protection if stocks experience periods of downside volatility. Convertibles also have tended to be more resilient to rising interest rates than traditional fixed income securities—a key consideration for investors who seek to position their asset allocations ahead of a possible rising interest rate environment. We are also encouraged by issuance trends, as economic growth has historically provided a catalyst for convertible issuance.

 

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     3   


 

Letter to Shareholders

 

 

In closing, we are honored to serve you. We recognize the trust you have in placed in us to help you achieve your financial goals. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit us at www.calamos.com or contact us at 800.582.6959.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

John P. Calamos, Sr.

CEO and Global Co-CIO,

Calamos Advisors LLC

 

 

Before investing, carefully consider a fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Please see the prospectus containing this and other information or call 800.582.6959. Please read the prospectus carefully. Performance data represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The BofA Merrill Lynch All U.S. Convertibles Index represents the U.S. convertible securities market. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is considered generally representative of the investment-grade bond market. The Credit Suisse High Yield Index is an unmanaged index of approximately 1,600 issues with an average maturity range of seven to ten years with a minimum capitalization of $75 million. The index is considered generally representative of the U.S. market for high yield bonds. The Russell 3000 Growth Index measures the performance of the broad growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 3000 Value Index measures the performance of the broad value segment of the U.S. equity universe. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index represents equities of emerging and developing countries. The MSCI World Index is a market capitalization weighted index composed of companies representative of the market structure of developed market countries in North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific region. Source: Lipper

Unmanaged index returns assume reinvestment of any and all distributions and, unlike fund returns, do not reflect fees, expenses or sales charges. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Investments in overseas markets pose special risks, including currency fluctuation and political risks. These risks are generally intensified for investments in emerging markets. Countries, regions, and sectors mentioned are presented to illustrate countries, regions, and sectors in which a fund may invest. Fund holdings are subject to change daily. The Fund is actively managed. The information contained herein is based on internal research derived from various sources and does not purport to be statements of all material facts relating to the securities mentioned. The information contained herein, while not guaranteed as to the accuracy or completeness, has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. There are certain risks involved with investing in convertible securities in addition to market risk, such as call risk, dividend risk, liquidity risk and default risk, that should be carefully considered prior to investing. This information is being provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or an offer to buy or sell any security in the portfolio.

 

 

4   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

The Calamos Closed-End Funds: An Overview

 

 

In our closed-end funds, we draw upon decades of investment experience, including a long history of opportunistically blending asset classes in an attempt to capture upside potential while seeking to manage downside risk. We launched our first closed-end fund in 2002.

Closed-end funds are long-term investments. Most focus on providing monthly distributions, but there are important differences among individual closed-end funds. Calamos closed-end funds can be grouped into multiple categories that seek to produce income while offering exposure to various asset classes and sectors.

 

Portfolios Positioned to Pursue High Current Income from Income and Capital Gains    Portfolios Positioned to Seek Current Income, with Increased Emphasis on Capital Gains Potential
OBJECTIVE: U.S. ENHANCED FIXED INCOME    OBJECTIVE: GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN

Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund

(Ticker: CHI)

  

Calamos Global Total Return Fund

(Ticker: CGO)

Invests in high yield and convertible securities, primarily in U.S. markets    Invests in equities and higher-yielding convertible securities and corporate bonds, in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets
     OBJECTIVE: U.S. TOTAL RETURN

Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund

(Ticker: CHY)

Invests in high yield and convertible securities, primarily in U.S. markets

  

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund

(Ticker: CSQ)

Invests in equities and higher-yielding convertible securities and corporate bonds, primarily in U.S. markets

OBJECTIVE: GLOBAL ENHANCED FIXED INCOME     

Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund

(Ticker: CHW)

  

Invests in global fixed income securities, alternative

investments and equities

  

Our Level Rate Distribution Policy

Closed-end fund investors often look for a steady stream of income. Recognizing this, Calamos closed-end funds have a level rate distribution policy in which we aim to keep monthly income consistent through the disbursement of net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains and, if necessary, return of capital. We set distributions at levels that we believe are sustainable for the long term. Our team is focused on delivering an attractive monthly distribution, while maintaining a long-term focus on risk management. The level of the funds’ distributions can be greatly influenced by market conditions, including the interest rate environment. The funds’ distributions will depend on the individual performance of positions the funds hold, our view of the benefits of retaining leverage, fund tax considerations, and maintaining regulatory requirements.

For more information about any of these funds, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor or Calamos Investments at 800.582.6959 (Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Central Time). You can also visit us at www.calamos.com.

For more information on our level rate distribution policy, please see page 33.

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     5   


 

Investment Team Discussion

 

 

 

TOTAL RETURN* AS OF 10/31/14  

Common Shares – Inception 10/27/05

  

     1 Year     Since
Inception**
 

On Market Price

    5.54%        7.54%   

On NAV

    6.19%        8.64%   

*Total return measures net investment income and net realized gain or loss from Fund investments, and change in net unrealized appreciation and depreciation, assuming reinvestment of income and net realized gains distributions.

**Annualized since inception.

       

  

 

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS AS OF 10/31/14  

Information Technology

    24.1

Consumer Discretionary

    17.1   

Financials

    13.2   

Industrials

    10.6   

Energy

    8.4   

Consumer Staples

    8.1   

Health Care

    7.9   

Materials

    2.9   

Telecommunication Services

    1.2   

Utilities

    0.9   

Sector Weightings are based on managed assets and may vary over time. Sector Weightings exclude any government/sovereign bonds or options on broad market indexes the Fund may hold.

 

GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND (CGO)

INVESTMENT TEAM DISCUSSION

Please discuss the Fund’s strategy and portfolio allocation.

Calamos Global Total Return Fund (CGO) is a global total return oriented offering that seeks to provide an attractive monthly distribution. We invest in a diversified portfolio of global equities, convertible securities and high-yield securities. The allocation to each asset class is dynamic and reflects our view of the economic landscape as well as the potential of individual securities. By combining these asset classes, we believe that the Fund is well positioned to generate capital gains as well as income. This broader range of security types also provides us with added opportunities to manage the risk and reward characteristics of the portfolio over full market cycles. Through this approach, we seek to offer investors an attractive monthly distribution as well as equity participation.

How did the Fund perform over the reporting period?

The Fund gained 6.19% on a net asset value (NAV) basis for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2014. On a market price basis, the Fund returned 5.54%. In comparison, the broad global equity market was up 9.25% for the same period, as measured by the MSCI World Index. The S&P 500 Index gained 17.27% during the period.

At the end of the reporting period, the Fund’s shares traded at a 4.50% discount to net asset value, versus a 3.91% discount at the beginning of the period.

 

 

 

SINCE INCEPTION MARKET PRICE AND NAV HISTORY THROUGH 10/31/14

 

 

LOGO

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns at NAV reflect the deduction of the Fund’s management fee, debt leverage costs and all other applicable fees and expenses. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by visiting www.calamos.com.

How do NAV and market price return differ?

Closed-end funds trade on exchanges, where the price of shares may be driven by factors other than the value of the underlying securities. The price of a share in the market is called market value. Market price may be influenced by factors unrelated to the performance of the Fund’s holdings, such as general market sentiment or future expectation. A fund’s NAV return measures the actual return of the individual securities in the portfolio, less fund expenses. It also measures how well a manager capitalized on market opportunities. Because we believe closed-end funds are best utilized as a long-term holding within asset allocations, we believe that NAV return is the better measure

 

 

6   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Investment Team Discussion

 

 

of a fund’s performance. However, when managing the Fund, we strongly consider actions and policies that we believe will optimize its overall price performance and returns based on market value.

Please discuss the Fund’s distributions during the annual period.

We employ a level rate distribution policy within this Fund with the goal of providing shareholders with a consistent distribution stream. The Fund provided a steady distribution stream of $0.10 per share a month during the period. The Fund’s annual distribution rate was 8.84% of market price as of October 31, 2014.

We believe that both the Fund’s distribution rate and level remained attractive and competitive, as low interest rates limited yield opportunities in much of the marketplace. For example, as of October 31, 2014, the dividend yield of S&P 500 Index stocks averaged 2.0%. Yields also remained low within the U.S. government bond market, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury and the 30-year U.S. Treasury yielding 2.35% and 3.07%, respectively.

What factors influenced performance over the reporting period?

The Fund produced a positive return during the period, utilizing wide-ranging parameters which, we believe allow us to take advantage of investment opportunities around the world through many types of investment vehicles. Given this flexibility, we increased our exposure to the strong-performing equity markets by increasing holdings in convertibles. Both convertibles and bonds provided income to the portfolio for the year, while convertibles and equities provided solid capital appreciation and boosted NAV.

In terms of sector performance, the Fund’s overweight to information technology (technology hardware, storage and peripherals) and selection in, and an underweight to, telecommunication services (wireless telecom services) enhanced the returns of the portfolio relative to the MSCI World Index. Conversely, both selection in consumer staples (packaged foods and meats) and selection in industrials (industrial conglomerates) impeded performance relative to the Index.

How is the Fund positioned?

Our heaviest weights went to the information technology, consumer discretionary, and financials sectors. The lightest weights went to telecommunication services and utilities. Given the challenges we see in the global economy, we currently favor companies with higher-quality balance sheets, strong brands and experienced management. We continue to favor businesses with compelling growth opportunities and global revenue drivers. For example, we seek to invest in businesses poised to benefit from increased capital spending in technologies, the global infrastructure build-out, and the rise of emerging market consumers.

We also believe that businesses and individuals will remain focused on productivity enhancements, stimulating demand for technology and services. As a consequence, we maintain a heavy overweight position in technology relative to the MSCI World Index. Conversely, our holdings in utilities is notably below the Index weighting, as we do not see this sector realizing optimal growth.

Because convertibles offer both income and appreciation in a rising equity market, we have slightly increased our position. A recent rise in convertible issuance has the

 

ASSET ALLOCATION AS OF 10/31/14

LOGO

Fund asset allocations are based on total investments and may vary over time.

 

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     7   


 

Investment Team Discussion

 

 

potential to present future opportunities, as we have seen healthy sector breadth and regional diversification in this new issuance.

Our credit process tends to guide us away from the most speculative corporate securities in the high-yield market. We currently view the lowest credit tiers of the market as less attractive based on their pricing and our outlook for a slower-growth global economy. None of the Fund’s holdings were in the lowest credit tier (CCC credit rating and below) as of period end. We view the mid-grade credit space as particularly well-priced, offering both attractive levels of income with less exposure to potential inflation and higher interest rates. In addition, the mid-grade credit space also offers far healthier companies than are available in the most-speculative credit tiers. While the lowest-quality securities can offer higher yields, we find the healthier companies with improving credit profiles to be more suitable investments amid the current economic environment.

The Fund was leveraged 27% as of the end of the period, which we believe is a moderate amount. We borrow through floating rate bank debt and, given recent low borrowing rates, this has been beneficial to the performance of the Fund. In addition, approximately 25% of our floating rate debt is hedged through interest rate swaps. This is a defensive strategy that we believe mitigates the Fund’s overall exposure to a quick rise in short-term interest rates.

What are your closing thoughts for Fund shareholders?

We expect modest global economic expansion as global monetary conditions remain accommodative, with inflation declining in some countries and non-existent in others. We believe that the U.S. recovery is firmly on track, and we have likely only reached the mid-cycle point. Our outlook for global growth equities remains favorable, and we have positioned the Fund accordingly. In our view, equities continue to offer compelling risk-reward characteristics, and we are finding companies with attractively valued fundamentals in many industries. As mentioned, the increase in convertible issuance presents additional investment opportunities that may allow us to generate income and participate in appreciation of the equity markets.

We also have seen an increase in issuance in the global convertible market, which is presenting additional investment opportunities that may allow us to generate income while participating in improvements in the equity markets. We believe this dynamic has the potential to offer our shareholders the income they seek in a closed-end fund, in addition to the opportunity for capital appreciation.

 

8   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Schedule of Investments    October 31, 2014

 

 

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

              VALUE  
  CORPORATE BONDS (12.4%)   
    Consumer Discretionary (6.2%)   
  1,175,000        Chrysler Group, LLCm
8.250%, 06/15/21
  $ 1,313,062   
  1,225,000        Dana Holding Corp.m
6.500%, 02/15/19
    1,274,766   
    Icahn Enterprises, LPm   
  860,000        4.875%, 03/15/19     879,350   
  825,000        5.875%, 02/01/22~     855,938   
  1,160,000        Jaguar Land Rover Automotive, PLC*
8.125%, 05/15/21
    1,276,725   
  815,000        L Brands, Inc.m
5.625%, 02/15/22
    875,106   
  900,000        Service Corp. Internationalm
7.500%, 04/01/27
    995,062   
     

 

 

 
    7,470,009   
     

 

 

 
    Consumer Staples (1.1%)   
  8,700,000      NOK   Nestlé Holdings, Inc.m
3.375%, 02/08/16
    1,321,501   
     

 

 

 
    Energy (2.8%)   
  1,225,000        Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.m^
8.625%, 10/15/18
    1,281,656   
    Cimarex Energy Companym   
  945,000        4.375%, 06/01/24     962,719   
  345,000        5.875%, 05/01/22     373,031   
  362,000        Petroleum Geo-Services, ASAm*
7.375%, 12/15/18
    353,403   
  383,000        Trinidad Drilling, Ltd.m*
7.875%, 01/15/19
    394,011   
     

 

 

 
    3,364,820   
     

 

 

 
    Financials (0.6%)   
  712,000        Leucadia National Corp.m
8.125%, 09/15/15
    755,165   
     

 

 

 
    Materials (1.7%)   
  1,200,000        FMG Resources*^
8.250%, 11/01/19
    1,251,000   
  800,000        New Gold, Inc.m*
6.250%, 11/15/22
    785,000   
     

 

 

 
    2,036,000   
     

 

 

 
    TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $15,118,016)
    14,947,495   
     

 

 

 
     
  CONVERTIBLE BONDS (48.4%)  
    Consumer Discretionary (6.5%)  
  600,000      EUR   FF Group Finance Luxembourgm
1.750%, 07/03/19
    708,923   
    Priceline Group, Inc.m   
  2,280,000        0.900%, 09/15/21*     2,188,846   
  865,000        1.000%, 03/15/18     1,200,001   
  550,000      EUR   Steinhoff Finance Holding, GmbHm
4.500%, 03/31/18
    945,746   

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

              VALUE  
  1,550,000        Toll Brothers Finance Corp.m^
0.500%, 09/15/32
  $ 1,561,532   
  600,000      GBP   TUI Travel, PLCm
4.900%, 04/27/17
    1,151,083   
     

 

 

 
    7,756,131   
     

 

 

 
    Consumer Staples (1.3%)  
  14,000,000      HKD   Biostime International Holdings, Ltd.m
0.000%, 02/20/19
    1,599,947   
     

 

 

 
    Energy (2.6%)  
  800,000      AUD   Beach Energy, Ltd.m
3.950%, 04/03/17
    701,895   
  800,000        SEACOR Holdings, Inc.m^
2.500%, 12/15/27
    904,052   
  1,400,000      EUR   Technip, SAm
0.500%, 01/01/16
    1,470,226   
     

 

 

 
    3,076,173   
     

 

 

 
    Financials (7.0%)  
  896,000        Ares Capital Corp.m
4.750%, 01/15/18~
    933,072   
  675,000        5.750%, 02/01/16^     702,310   
  1,650,000        AYC Finance, Ltd.m
0.500%, 05/02/19
    1,769,213   
  2,200,000      EUR   Azimut Holding, S.p.A.m
2.125%, 11/25/20
    3,016,698   
  1,100,000      EUR   Industrivarden, ABm
1.875%, 02/27/17
    1,456,445   
  439,000        Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.m
3.000%, 08/01/20
    528,205   
     

 

 

 
    8,405,943   
     

 

 

 
    Health Care (3.9%)  
  910,000        Cepheidm*^
1.250%, 02/01/21
    997,942   
    Illumina, Inc.*   
  440,000        0.500%, 06/15/21m^     511,663   
  430,000        0.000%, 06/15/19     477,029   
  600,000        Medidata Solutions, Inc.m
1.000%, 08/01/18
    649,380   
    Molina Healthcare, Inc.m   
  394,000        1.625%, 08/15/44*     418,625   
  354,000        1.125%, 01/15/20     460,701   
  700,000        WellPoint, Inc.m
2.750%, 10/15/42
    1,221,112   
     

 

 

 
    4,736,452   
     

 

 

 
    Industrials (7.3%)  
  1,100,000      EUR   International Consolidated Airlines Group, SAm
1.750%, 05/31/18
    1,885,058   
  1,600,000        MISUMI Group, Inc.m
0.000%, 10/22/18
    1,701,290   
  220,000,000      JPY   Nidec Corp.m
0.000%, 09/18/15
    2,763,668   
 

 

See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     9   


 

Schedule of Investments    October 31, 2014

 

 

PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT

              VALUE  
  2,250,000        Siemens, AGm
1.050%, 08/16/17
  $ 2,448,951   
     

 

 

 
    8,798,967   
     

 

 

 
    Information Technology (18.1%)  
  800,000        Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.m
0.000%, 09/05/18
    963,324   
  40,000,000      JPY   Alps Electric Company, Ltd.
0.000%, 03/25/19
    429,594   
  800,000        AOL, Inc.m*^
0.750%, 09/01/19
    828,116   
  800,000        Electronic Arts, Inc.m^
0.750%, 07/15/16
    1,088,060   
  2,200,000        Epistar Corp.m
0.000%, 08/07/18
    2,370,285   
  755,000        Euronet Worldwide, Inc.*
1.500%, 10/01/44
    766,325   
  1,250,000        InvenSense, Inc.m*^
1.750%, 11/01/18
    1,202,556   
  875,000        NetSuite, Inc.m^
0.250%, 06/01/18
    990,220   
  1,550,000        NVIDIA Corp.m*^
1.000%, 12/01/18
    1,760,010   
  750,000        ON Semiconductor Corp.^
2.625%, 12/15/26
    830,711   
  885,000        Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*
0.000%, 07/01/19
    1,039,897   
  820,000        Red Hat, Inc.m*
0.250%, 10/01/19
    884,637   
  1,600,000        Salesforce.com, Inc.m^
0.250%, 04/01/18
    1,893,664   
  1,400,000        SanDisk Corp.
0.500%, 10/15/20
    1,655,500   
  1,553,000        ServiceNow, Inc.m*^
0.000%, 11/01/18
    1,765,575   
  550,000        Workday, Inc.m^
0.750%, 07/15/18
    726,118   
  820,000        Yahoo!, Inc.*
0.000%, 12/01/18
    886,728   
  140,000,000      JPY   Yaskawa Electric Corp.
0.000%, 03/16/17
    1,702,444   
     

 

 

 
    21,783,764   
     

 

 

 
    Materials (1.7%)  
  1,510,000        Cemex, SAB de CVm
3.250%, 03/15/16
    2,008,753   
     

 

 

 
  TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS
(Cost $58,060,527)
    58,166,130   
     

 

 

 
     
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITY (0.2%)   
  200,000        United States Treasury Note~
0.375%, 06/30/15
(Cost $200,342)
    200,391   
     

 

 

 
     
NUMBER OF
SHARES
              VALUE  
  CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (5.7%)   
    Energy (1.8%)  
  1,943        Chesapeake Energy Corp.m*^
5.750%
  $ 2,129,331   
     

 

 

 
    Financials (0.8%)  
  8,500        American Tower Corp.
5.250%
    924,715   
     

 

 

 
    Industrials (1.9%)  
  39,305        United Technologies Corp.^
7.500%
    2,294,233   
     

 

 

 
    Utilities (1.2%)  
  23,250        NextEra Energy, Inc.
5.599%
    1,525,316   
     

 

 

 
  TOTAL CONVERTIBLE
PREFERRED STOCKS

(Cost $7,160,750)
    6,873,595   
     

 

 

 
     
  COMMON STOCKS (65.3%)  
    Consumer Discretionary (11.4%)  
  13,500      CHF   Compagnie Financière Richemont, SAm     1,138,236   
  9,700        Home Depot, Inc.m^     945,944   
  13,000        Las Vegas Sands Corp.     809,380   
  29,400      ZAR   Naspers, Ltd. - Class Nm     3,667,037   
  9,500        Nike, Inc. - Class Bm     883,215   
  20,000      DKK   Pandora, A/Sm     1,686,231   
  11,000        Starbucks Corp.m     831,160   
  20,000      JPY   Toyota Motor Corp.     1,203,544   
  25,000        Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.m     862,000   
  9,600        Walt Disney Company^     877,248   
  41,500      GBP   WPP, PLCm     810,605   
     

 

 

 
    13,714,600   
     

 

 

 
    Consumer Staples (9.0%)  
  15,750      EUR   Anheuser-Busch InBev, NVm     1,746,587   
  14,800      GBP   British American Tobacco, PLC     838,829   
  18,454        Coca-Cola Companym     772,854   
  17,000      CAD   Loblaw Companies, Ltd.     885,710   
  23,000      CHF   Nestlé, SAm     1,686,685   
  7,400      EUR   Pernod Ricard, SA     842,948   
  17,100        Philip Morris International, Inc.m     1,522,071   
  43,000      JPY   Seven & I Holdings Company, Ltd.m     1,679,413   
  14,000        Walgreen Companym     899,080   
     

 

 

 
    10,874,177   
     

 

 

 
     
    Energy (4.7%)  
  15,250        Anadarko Petroleum Corp.m     1,399,645   
  10,300      CAD   Canadian Natural Resources, Ltd.     359,433   
  22,700        Schlumberger, Ltd.m     2,239,582   
  12,500      EUR   TOTAL, SAm     746,291   
 

 

10   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT   See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments


 

Schedule of Investments    October 31, 2014

 

 

NUMBER OF
SHARES
              VALUE  
  25,700      CAD   Tourmaline Oil Corp.m#   $ 921,921   
     

 

 

 
    5,666,872   
     

 

 

 
    Financials (10.2%)  
  269,008      HKD   AIA Group, Ltd.m     1,501,179   
  19,500        Arthur J. Gallagher & Companym     930,150   
  51,600        Citigroup, Inc.m^     2,762,148   
  105,000      JPY   Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.m     829,811   
  57,000      EUR   Deutsche Annington Immobilien, SE     1,649,973   
  162,500      GBP   HSBC Holdings, PLCm     1,656,747   
  12,500        State Street Corp.m     943,250   
  37,000        Wells Fargo & Companym     1,964,330   
     

 

 

 
    12,237,588   
     

 

 

 
    Health Care (6.8%)  
  33,900        Johnson & Johnsonm     3,653,742   
  32,650      DKK   Novo Nordisk, A/S - Class B     1,475,869   
  24,000      EUR   Sanofi     2,177,762   
  10,000        Stryker Corp.     875,300   
     

 

 

 
    8,182,673   
     

 

 

 
    Industrials (5.6%)  
  14,000        Eaton Corp., PLCm^     957,460   
  10,000      JPY   FANUC Corp.     1,762,358   
  75,000      HKD   Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd.m     951,042   
  79,000      EUR   Koninklijke Philips, NVm     2,208,673   
  8,200        United Parcel Service, Inc. - Class B     860,262   
     

 

 

 
    6,739,795   
     

 

 

 
    Information Technology (15.1%)  
  11,000        Accenture, PLC - Class Am     892,320   
  60,418        Apple, Inc.m     6,525,144   
  20,500        Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. - Class Am#     1,001,425   
  4,600        Google, Inc. - Class Am#     2,612,202   
  93,000      TWD   MediaTek, Inc.m     1,328,315   
  29,000        Microsoft Corp.m     1,361,550   
  11,400        QUALCOMM, Inc.m^     895,014   
  406,000      TWD   Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.     1,759,958   
  110,000      HKD   Tencent Holdings, Ltd.     1,767,950   
     

 

 

 
    18,143,878   
     

 

 

 
    Materials (0.7%)  
  161,000      GBP   Glencore, PLC#     826,032   
     

 

 

 
     
    Telecommunication Services (1.8%)  
  5,100      KRW   SK Telecom Company, Ltd.m     1,278,055   
  11,500      JPY   SoftBank Corp.m     837,193   
     

 

 

 
    2,115,248   
     

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $72,654,584)
    78,500,863   
     

 

 

 
     
NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
              VALUE  
  PURCHASED OPTIONS (1.3%) #  
    Consumer Discretionary (0.1%)  
  60        Amazon.com, Inc.
Call, 01/17/15, Strike $350.00
  $ 10,620   
  275       

Melco Crown Entertainment, Ltd

Call, 01/15/16, Strike $36.66

    50,187   
     

 

 

 
    60,807   
     

 

 

 
    Financials (0.0%)  
  650      CHF   Credit Suisse Group, AG
Call, 06/19/15, Strike 28.00
    43,912   
     

 

 

 
    Health Care (0.4%)  
  90        Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Call, 01/17/15, Strike $95.00
    169,650   
  25        Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Call, 01/17/15, Strike $270.00
    311,875   
     

 

 

 
    481,525   
     

 

 

 
    Industrials (0.1%)  
    Airbus Group, NV  
  260      EUR   Call, 06/19/15, Strike 60.00     13,847   
  215      EUR   Call, 06/19/15, Strike 52.00     49,171   
     

 

 

 
    63,018   
     

 

 

 
    Information Technology (0.7%)  
  250        Facebook, Inc.
Call, 06/19/15, Strike $80.00
    152,500   
  25        Google, Inc.
Call, 01/17/15, Strike $920.00
    525,500   
  200        NXP Semiconductors, NV
Call, 01/17/15, Strike $60.00
    209,000   
  170        VMware, Inc. - Class A
Call, 04/17/15, Strike $105.00
    17,000   
     

 

 

 
    904,000   
     

 

 

 
    TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS
(Cost $2,113,665)
    1,553,262   
     

 

 

 
     
NUMBER OF
SHARES
              VALUE  
  SHORT TERM INVESTMENT (11.8%)  
  14,234,864        Fidelity Prime Money Market Fund - Institutional Class
(Cost $14,234,864)
    14,234,864   
     

 

 

 

 
 

      TOTAL INVESTMENTS (145.1%)
(Cost $169,542,748)

    174,476,600   
     

 

 

 
  LIABILITIES, LESS OTHER ASSETS (-45.1%)     (54,199,219
     

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS (100.0%)   $ 120,277,381   
     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     11   


 

Schedule of Investments    October 31, 2014

 

 

NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

m Security, or portion of security, is held in a segregated account as collateral for note payable aggregating a total value of $100,956,968. $14,675,050 of the collateral has been re-registered by one of the counterparties, BNP (see Note 7 - Borrowings).

 

~ Security, or portion of security, is segregated as collateral (or potential collateral for future transactions) for swaps. The aggregate value of such securities is $884,170.

 

* Securities issued and sold pursuant to a Rule 144A transaction are excepted from the registration requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may only be sold to qualified institutional buyers (“QIBs”), such as the Fund. Any resale of these securities must generally be effected through a sale that is registered under the Act or otherwise exempted from such registration requirements.

 

^ Security, or portion of security, is on loan.

 

# Non-income producing security.

FOREIGN CURRENCY ABBREVIATIONS

AUD    Australian Dollar
CAD    Canadian Dollar
CHF    Swiss Franc
DKK    Danish Krone
EUR    European Monetary Unit
GBP    British Pound Sterling
HKD    Hong Kong Dollar
JPY    Japanese Yen
KRW    South Korean Won
NOK    Norwegian Krone
TWD    New Taiwan Dollar
ZAR    South African Rand
 

 

Note: Value for securities denominated in foreign currencies is shown in U.S. dollars. The principal amount for such securities is shown in the respective foreign currency. The date on options represents the expiration date of the option contract. The option contract may be exercised at any date on or before the date shown.

 

CURRENCY EXPOSURE

OCTOBER 31, 2014

 

     VALUE      % OF TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
 
US Dollar   $ 114,992,055         65.9%   
European Monetary Unit     18,918,348         10.9%   
Japanese Yen     11,208,025         6.4%   
Hong Kong Dollar     5,820,118         3.3%   
British Pound Sterling     5,283,296         3.0%   
South African Rand     3,667,037         2.1%   
Danish Krone     3,162,100         1.8%   
New Taiwan Dollar     3,088,273         1.8%   
Swiss Franc     2,868,833         1.7%   
Canadian Dollar     2,167,064         1.2%   
Norwegian Krone     1,321,501         0.8%   
South Korean Won     1,278,055         0.7%   
Australian Dollar     701,895         0.4%   
Total Investments   $ 174,476,600         100.0%   

Currency exposure may vary over time.

 

INTEREST RATE SWAP

 

COUNTERPARTY      FIXED RATE
(FUND PAYS)
     FLOATING RATE
(FUND RECEIVES)
     TERMINATION
DATE
     NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
       UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION/
(DEPRECIATION)
 
BNP Paribas, SA      1.140% quarterly      3 month LIBOR      03/14/17      $ 12,000,000         $ (98,638
                        

 

 

 
     $ (98,638
                        

 

 

 

 

12   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT   See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities    October 31, 2014

 

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in securities, at value (cost $169,542,748)

  $ 174,476,600   

Receivables:

 

Accrued interest and dividends

    705,930   

Investments sold

    500,122   

Prepaid expenses

    2,776   

Other assets

    80,730   

Total assets

    175,766,158   

LIABILITIES

 

Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps

    98,638   

Payables:

 

Notes payable

    49,000,000   

Investments purchased

    6,104,084   

Affiliates:

 

Investment advisory fees

    140,625   

Deferred compensation to trustees

    80,730   

Financial accounting fees

    1,608   

Trustees’ fees and officer compensation

    2,839   

Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    60,253   

Total liabilities

    55,488,777   

NET ASSETS

  $ 120,277,381   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Common stock, no par value, unlimited shares authorized 8,465,001 shares issued and outstanding

  $ 115,167,405   

Undistributed net investment income (loss)

    (197,731

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency transactions and interest rate swaps

    478,362   

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, foreign currency translations and interest rate swaps

    4,829,345   

NET ASSETS

  $ 120,277,381   

Net asset value per common shares based upon 8,465,001 shares issued and outstanding

  $ 14.21   

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     13   


 

Statement of Operations    Year Ended October 31, 2014

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Interest

  $ 2,346,883   

Dividends

    2,320,648   

Securities lending income

    7,809   

Dividend taxes withheld

    (111,792

Total investment income

    4,563,548   

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    1,724,295   

Interest expense and related fees

    410,448   

Printing and mailing fees

    44,075   

Custodian fees

    36,379   

Transfer agent fees

    24,225   

Audit fees

    21,722   

Financial accounting fees

    19,789   

Accounting fees

    18,510   

Trustees’ fees and officer compensation

    18,507   

Legal fees

    13,855   

Registration fees

    1,652   

Other

    38,234   

Total expenses

    2,371,691   

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    2,191,857   

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments, excluding purchased options

    5,913,199   

Purchased options

    710,628   

Foreign currency transactions

    (13,769

Interest rate swaps

    (247,782

Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

 

Investments, excluding purchased options

    (383,142

Purchased options

    (1,198,551

Foreign currency translations

    (7,626

Interest rate swaps

    188,853   

NET GAIN (LOSS)

    4,961,810   

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 7,153,667   

 

14   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT   See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,  
     2014      2013  

OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 2,191,857       $ 2,003,408   

Net realized gain (loss)

    6,362,276         7,018,067   

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

    (1,400,466      6,033,257   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to shareholders resulting from operations

    7,153,667         15,054,732   

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM

    

Net investment income

    (7,209,125      (6,913,262

Net realized gains

    (1,563,481      (1,685,978

Return of capital

    (1,379,813      (1,483,169

Net decrease in net assets from distributions

    (10,152,419      (10,082,409

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS

    

Proceeds from shares sold

            1,243,556   

Offering costs on shares

            (50,401

Reinvestment of distributions resulting in the issuance of stock

    134,753         242,933   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions

    134,753         1,436,088   

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    (2,863,999      6,408,411   

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of year

  $ 123,141,380       $ 116,732,969   

End of year

    120,277,381         123,141,380   

Undistributed net investment income (loss)

  $ (197,731    $ (159,647

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     15   


 

Statement of Cash Flows    Year Ended October 31, 2014

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations

  $ 7,153,667   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

Purchase of investment securities, including purchased options

    (156,279,220

Net purchases of short term investments

    (10,370,105

Proceeds from disposition of investment securities, including purchased options

    175,462,934   

Amortization and accretion of fixed-income securities

    (741,311

Net realized gains/losses from investments, excluding purchased options

    (5,913,199

Net realized gains/losses from purchased options

    (710,628

Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments, excluding purchased options

    383,142   

Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on purchased options

    1,198,551   

Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on interest rate swaps

    (188,853

Net change in assets and liabilities:

 

(Increase)/decrease in assets:

 

Accrued interest and dividends receivable

    24,342   

Prepaid expenses

    (154

Other assets

    (8,840

Increase/(decrease) in liabilities:

 

Payables to affiliates

    3,738   

Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    (6,454

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

  $ 10,007,610   

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

Distributions to shareholders

    (10,017,666

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

  $ (10,017,666

Net increase/(decrease) in cash

  $ (10,056

Cash at beginning of year

  $ 10,056   

Cash at end of year

  $   

Supplemental disclosure

 

Cash paid for interest and related fees

  $ 408,752   

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consists of reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

  $ 134,753   

 

16   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT   See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

Note 1 – Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization.  Calamos Global Total Return (the “Fund”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 30, 2004 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund commenced operations on October 27, 2005. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income.

Fund Valuation.  The valuation of the Fund’s investments is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by and under the ultimate supervision of the board of trustees.

Fund securities that are traded on U.S. securities exchanges, except option securities, are valued at the official closing price, which is the last current reported sales price on its principal exchange at the time each Fund determines its net asset value (“NAV”). Securities traded in the over-the-counter market and quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price, as determined by NASDAQ, or lacking a NASDAQ Official Closing Price, the last current reported sale price on NASDAQ at the time a Fund determines its NAV. When a last sale or closing price is not available, equity securities, other than option securities, that are traded on a U.S. securities exchange and other equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on its principal exchange in accordance with guidelines adopted by the board of trustees. Each option security traded on a U.S. securities exchange is valued at the mid-point of the consolidated bid/ask quote for the option security, also in accordance with guidelines adopted by the board of trustees. Each over-the-counter option that is not traded through the Options Clearing Corporation is valued based on a quotation provided by the counterparty to such option under the ultimate supervision of the board of trustees.

Fixed income securities, certain convertible preferred securities, and non-exchange traded derivatives are normally valued by independent pricing services or by dealers or brokers who make markets in such securities. Valuations of such fixed income securities, certain convertible preferred securities, and non-exchange traded derivatives consider yield or price of equivalent securities of comparable quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data and do not rely exclusively upon exchange or over-the-counter prices.

Trading on European and Far Eastern exchanges and over-the-counter markets is typically completed at various times before the close of business on each day on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open. Each security trading on these exchanges or over-the-counter markets may be valued utilizing a systematic fair valuation model provided by an independent pricing service approved by the board of trustees. The valuation of each security that meets certain criteria in relation to the valuation model is systematically adjusted to reflect the impact of movement in the U.S. market after the foreign markets close. Securities that do not meet the criteria, or that are principally traded in other foreign markets, are valued as of the last reported sale price at the time the Fund determines its NAV, or when reliable market prices or quotations are not readily available, at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations as of the close of the appropriate exchange or other designated time. Trading of foreign securities may not take place on every NYSE business day. In addition, trading may take place in various foreign markets on Saturdays or on other days when the NYSE is not open and on which the Fund’s NAV is not calculated.

If the pricing committee determines that the valuation of a security in accordance with the methods described above is not reflective of a fair value for such security, the security is valued at a fair value by the pricing committee, under the ultimate supervision of the board of trustees, following the guidelines and/or procedures adopted by the board of trustees.

The Fund also may use fair value pricing, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the board of trustees and under the ultimate supervision of the board of trustees, if trading in the security is halted or if the value of a security it holds is materially affected by events occurring before the Fund’s pricing time but after the close of the primary market or exchange on which the security is listed. Those procedures may utilize valuations furnished by pricing services approved by the board of trustees, which may be based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships between securities that are generally recognized by institutional traders, a computerized matrix system, or appraisals derived from information concerning the securities or similar securities received from recognized dealers in those securities.

When fair value pricing of securities is employed, the prices of securities used by a Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from market quotations or official closing prices. In light of the judgment involved in fair valuations, there can be no assurance that a fair value assigned to a particular security is accurate.

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     17   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

Investment Transactions.  Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis as of October 31, 2014. Net realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest income is recognized using the accrual method and includes accretion of original issue and market discount and amortization of premium. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information becomes available after the ex-dividend date.

Foreign Currency Translation.  Values of investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using a rate quoted by a major bank or dealer in the particular currency market, as reported by a recognized quotation dissemination service.

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.

Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from disposition of foreign currency, the difference in the foreign exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the ex-date or accrual date and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes (due to the changes in the exchange rate) in the value of foreign currency and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies held at year end.

Allocation of Expenses Among Funds.  Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund; certain other common expenses of Calamos Advisors Trust, Calamos Investment Trust, Calamos ETF Trust, Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund, Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund, Calamos Global Total Return Fund and Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund are allocated proportionately among each Fund to which the expenses relate in relation to the net assets of each Fund or on another reasonable basis.

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes.  No provision has been made for U.S. income taxes because the Fund’s policy is to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and distribute to shareholders substantially all of the Fund’s taxable income and net realized gains.

Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these “book/tax” differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for foreign currency transactions, contingent payment debt instruments and methods of amortizing and accreting for fixed income securities. The financial statements are not adjusted for temporary differences.

The Fund recognized no liability for uncertain tax positions. A reconciliation is not provided as the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized benefits are zero, with no interim additions, reductions or settlements. Tax years 2010 – 2013 remain subject to examination by the U.S. and the State of Illinois tax jurisdictions.

Indemnifications.  Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the Fund is obligated to indemnify its officers and trustees against certain liabilities incurred by them by reason of having been an officer or trustee of the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Fund’s management expects the risk of material loss in connection to a potential claim to be remote.

Note 2 – Investment Adviser and Transactions With Affiliates Or Certain Other Parties

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with Calamos Advisors LLC (“Calamos Advisors”), the Fund pays an annual fee, payable monthly, equal to 1.00% based on the average weekly managed assets. “Managed assets” means a fund’s total assets

 

18   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

(including any assets attributable to any leverage that may be outstanding) minus total liabilities (other than debt representing financial leverage).

Pursuant to a financial accounting services agreement, during the period the Fund paid Calamos Advisors a fee for financial accounting services payable monthly at the annual rate of 0.0175% on the first $1 billion of combined assets, 0.0150% on the next $1 billion of combined assets and 0.0110% on combined assets above $2 billion (for purposes of this calculation “combined assets” means the sum of the total average daily net assets of Calamos Advisors Trust, Calamos Investment Trust, Calamos ETF Trust and the total average weekly managed assets of Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund, Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund, Calamos Global Total Return Fund and Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund). Financial accounting services include, but are not limited to, the following: managing expenses and expense payment processing; monitoring the calculation of expense accrual amounts; calculating, tracking and reporting tax adjustments on all assets; and monitoring trustee deferred compensation plan accruals and valuations. The Fund pays its pro rata share of the financial accounting services fee payable to Calamos Advisors based on its relative portion of combined assets used in calculating the fee.

The Fund reimburses Calamos Advisors for a portion of compensation paid to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. This compensation is reported as part of the “Trustees’ fees and officer compensation” expense on the Statement of Operations.

A trustee and certain officers of the Fund are also officers and directors of Calamos Advisors. Such trustee and officers serve without direct compensation from the Fund.

The Fund has adopted a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, a trustee who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) and has elected to participate in the Plan (a “participating trustee”) may defer receipt of all or a portion of their compensation from the Fund. The deferred compensation payable to the participating trustee is credited to the trustee’s deferral account as of the business day such compensation would have been paid to the participating trustee. The value of amounts deferred for a participating trustee is determined by reference to the change in value of Class I shares of one or more funds of Calamos Investment Trust designated by the participant. The value of the account increases with contributions to the account or with increases in the value of the measuring shares, and the value of the account decreases with withdrawals from the account or with declines in the value of the measuring shares. Deferred compensation of $80,730 is included in “Other assets” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 2014. The Fund’s obligation to make payments under the Plan is a general obligation of the Fund and is included in “Payable for deferred compensation to trustees” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 2014.

Note 3 – Investments

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sale of long-term investments for the year ended October 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Cost of purchases    $ 157,732,808   
Proceeds from sales      171,287,556   

The following information is presented on a federal income tax basis as of October 31, 2014. Differences between the cost basis under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to temporary differences.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes at October 31, 2014 was as follows:

 

Cost basis of investments    $ 169,195,607   
  

 

 

 
Gross unrealized appreciation      12,472,492   
Gross unrealized depreciation      (7,191,499
  

 

 

 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    $ 5,280,993   
  

 

 

 

Note 4 – Income Taxes

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the Fund recorded the following permanent reclassifications to reflect tax character. The results of operations and net assets were not affected by these reclassifications.

 

Paid-in capital    $ (1,379,813
Undistributed net investment income/(loss)      7,922,478   
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) on investments      (6,542,665

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     19   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

The Fund intends to make monthly distributions from its income available for distribution, which consists of the Fund’s dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, and net realized gains on stock investments. At least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains, if any. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distinguishes between distributions on a tax basis and a financial reporting basis. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits be reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in-capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income. Distributions in any year may include a return of capital component.

Distributions were characterized for federal income tax purposes as follows:

 

      YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 2014
       YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 2013
 
Distributions paid from:        
Ordinary income    $ 7,209,125         $ 6,913,262   
Long-term capital gains      1,563,481           1,685,978   
Return of capital      1,379,813           1,483,169   

As of October 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings/(loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income    $   
Undistributed capital gains        
  

 

 

 
Total undistributed earnings        
Accumulated capital and other losses        
Net unrealized gains/(losses)      5,176,486   
  

 

 

 
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)      5,176,486   
Other      (66,510
Paid-in capital      115,167,405   
  

 

 

 
Net assets applicable to common shareholders    $ 120,277,381   
  

 

 

 

The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) modernized various tax rules for regulated investment companies, and was effective for taxable years beginning after the enactment date of December 22, 2010. One significant change is to the treatment of capital loss carryforwards. Now, any capital losses recognized will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses, will be utilized before the pre-Act capital loss carryforwards, and will be carried forward indefinitely, until applied in offsetting future capital gains.

Note 5 – Common Shares

There are unlimited common shares of beneficial interest authorized and 8,465,001 shares outstanding at October 31, 2014. Calamos Advisors owned 14,868 of the outstanding shares at October 31, 2014. Transactions in common shares were as follows:

 

      YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 2014
       YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 2013
 
Beginning shares      8,455,662           8,353,136   
Shares sold                85,669   
Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions      9,339           16,857   
  

 

 

 
Ending shares      8,465,001           8,455,662   
  

 

 

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act that the Fund may from time to time purchase its shares of common stock in the open market.

The Fund also may offer and sell common shares from time to time at an offering price equal to or in excess of the net asset value per share of the Fund’s common shares at the time such common shares are initially sold.

 

20   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

Note 6 – Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Risk.  The Fund may engage in portfolio hedging with respect to changes in currency exchange rates by entering into forward foreign currency contracts to purchase or sell currencies. A forward foreign currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. Risks associated with such contracts include, among other things, movement in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar and the ability of the counterparty to perform. To mitigate the counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that governs over-the-counter derivatives and foreign exchange contracts and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out netting), including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Generally, collateral is exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty and the amount of collateral due from the Fund or to a counterparty has to exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer has to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s net counterparty exposure is reflected in the counterparty table below. The net unrealized gain, if any, represents the credit risk to the Fund on a forward foreign currency contract. The contracts are valued daily at forward foreign exchange rates. The Fund realizes a gain or loss when a position is closed or upon settlement of the contracts. There were no open forward foreign currency contracts at October 31, 2014.

Equity Risk.  The Fund may engage in option transactions and in doing so achieves similar objectives to what it would achieve through the sale or purchase of individual securities. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security, index or other instrument at the exercise price. A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the seller the obligation to buy, the underlying security, index, or other instrument at the exercise price.

To seek to offset some of the risk of a potential decline in value of certain long positions, the Fund may also purchase put options on individual securities, broad-based securities indexes or certain exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The Fund may also seek to generate income from option premiums by writing (selling) options on a portion of the equity securities (including securities that are convertible into equity securities) in the Fund’s portfolio, on broad-based securities indexes, or certain ETFs.

When the Fund purchases an option, it pays a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as an asset. When the Fund writes an option, it receives a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as a liability. The asset or liability is adjusted daily to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain or loss to the extent of the premium received or paid. If an option is exercised, the premium received or paid is recorded as an adjustment to the proceeds from the sale or the cost basis of the purchase. The difference between the premium and the amount received or paid on a closing purchase or sale transaction is also treated as a realized gain or loss. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid. Gain or loss on written options and purchased options is presented separately as net realized gain or loss on written options and net realized gain or loss on purchased options, respectively.

Options written by the Fund do not typically give rise to counterparty credit risk since options written obligate the Fund and not the counterparty to perform. Exchange traded purchased options have minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default.

As of October 31, 2014, the Fund had outstanding purchased options as listed on the Schedule of Investments.

Interest Rate Risk.  The Fund may engage in interest rate swaps primarily to hedge the interest rate risk on the Fund’s borrowings (see Note 7 – Borrowings). An interest rate swap is a contract that involves the exchange of one type of interest rate for another type of interest rate. If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value; if interest rates fall, the Fund would likely lose money

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     21   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

on the swap transaction. Unrealized gains are reported as an asset, and unrealized losses are reported as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in value of swaps, including accruals of periodic amounts of interest to be paid or received on swaps, is reported as change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on interest rate swaps in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded in net realized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps in the Statement of Operations upon payment or receipt of a periodic payment or termination of the swap agreements. Swap agreements are stated at fair value. Notional principal amounts are used to express the extent of involvement in these transactions, but the amounts potentially subject to credit risk are much smaller. In connection with these contracts, securities may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the respective swap contracts in the event of default or bankruptcy of the Fund.

Premiums paid to or by the Fund are accrued daily and included in realized gain (loss) when paid on swaps in the accompanying Statement of Operations. The contracts are marked-to-market daily based upon third party vendor valuations and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Gains or losses are realized upon early termination of the contract. Risks may exceed amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts’ terms, a counterparty’s creditworthiness, and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the contracts.

As of October 31, 2014, the Fund had outstanding interest rate swap agreements as listed on the Schedule of Investments.

As of October 31, 2014, the Fund had outstanding derivative contracts which are reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

      ASSET
DERIVATIVES
       LIABILITY
DERIVATIVES
 
Gross amounts at fair value:        
Interest rate swaps(1)    $         $ 98,638   
Options purchased(2)      1,553,262             
  

 

 

 
   $ 1,553,262         $ 98,638   
  

 

 

 

The following table presents the outstanding derivative contracts, organized by counterparty, that are subject to enforceable master netting agreements as of October 31, 2014:

 

              GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET
IN THE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
              GROSS AMOUNTS PRESENTED
IN THE STATEMENT OF ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES
       COLLATERAL
PLEDGED
       NET AMOUNT
RECEIVABLE IN
THE EVENT  OF
DEFAULT
       NET AMOUNT
PAYABLE IN THE
EVENT  OF
DEFAULT
 
Counterparty              ASSETS        LIABILITIES                 
BNP Paribas, SA      ISDA         $        —         $ 98,638         $ 98,638         $        —         $        —   
       

 

 

 
        $         $ 98,638         $ 98,638         $         $   
       

 

 

 

 

(1) Generally, the Statement of Assets and Liabilities location for “Interest rate swaps” is “Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on interest rate swaps.”

 

(2) Generally, the Statement of Assets and Liabilities location for “Options purchased” is “Investments in securities.”

For the year ended October 31, 2014, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund is reflected below:*

 

      DERIVATIVE TYPE  
Options purchased      4,463   

 

* Activity during the period is measured by opened number of contracts for options purchased.

 

22   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

Note 7 – Borrowings

The Fund, with the approval of its board of trustees, including its independent trustees, has entered into a financing package that includes a Committed Facility Agreement (the “BNP Agreement”) with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd. (“BNP”) that allows the Fund to borrow up to $30.0 million and a lending agreement (“Lending Agreement”), as defined below. In addition, the financing package also includes a Credit Agreement (the “SSB Agreement”, together with the BNP Agreement, “Agreements”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”) that allows the Fund to borrow up to a limit of $30.0 million, and a related securities lending authorization agreement (“Authorized Agreement”). Borrowings under the BNP Agreement and the SSB Agreement are secured by assets of the Fund that are held with the Fund’s custodian in a separate account (the “pledged collateral”). BNP and SSB share an equal claim on the pledged collateral, subject to any adjustment that may be agreed upon between the lenders. Interest on the BNP Agreement is charged at the three month LIBOR (London Inter-bank Offered Rate) plus .65% on the amount borrowed and .55% on the undrawn balance. Interest on the SSB Agreement is charged on the drawn amount at the rate of Overnight LIBOR plus .80% and .10% on the undrawn balance (if the undrawn amount is more than 75% of the borrowing limit, the commitment fee is .20%). For the year ended October 31, 2014, the average borrowings under the Agreements were $49.0 million. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the average interest rate was 0.73%. As of October 31, 2014, the amount of total outstanding borrowings was $49.0 million ($24.5 million under the BNP Agreement and $24.5 under the SSB Agreement), which approximates fair value. The interest rate applicable to the borrowings on October 31, 2014 was 0.84%.

The Lending Agreement with BNP is a separate side-agreement between the Fund and BNP pursuant to which BNP may borrow a portion of the pledged collateral (the “Lent Securities”) in an amount not to exceed the outstanding borrowings owed by the Fund to BNP under the BNP Agreement. The Lending Agreement is intended to permit the Fund to significantly reduce the cost of its borrowings under the BNP Agreement. BNP may re-register the Lent Securities in its own name or in another name other than the Fund, and may pledge, re-pledge, sell, lend or otherwise transfer or use the Lent Securities with all attendant rights of ownership. (It is the Fund’s understanding that BNP will perform due diligence to determine the creditworthiness of any party that borrows Lent Securities from BNP.) The Fund may designate any security within the pledged collateral as ineligible to be a Lent Security, provided there are eligible securities within the pledged collateral in an amount equal to the outstanding borrowing owed by the Fund. During the period in which the Lent Securities are outstanding, BNP must remit payment to the Fund equal to the amount of all dividends, interest or other distributions earned or made by the Lent Securities.

Under the terms of the Lending Agreement with BNP, the Lent Securities are marked to market daily, and if the value of the Lent Securities exceeds the value of the then-outstanding borrowings owed by the Fund to BNP under the Agreement (the “Current Borrowings”), BNP must, on that day, either (1) return Lent Securities to the Fund’s custodian in an amount sufficient to cause the value of the outstanding Lent Securities to equal the Current Borrowings; or (2) post cash collateral with the Fund’s custodian equal to the difference between the value of the Lent Securities and the value of the Current Borrowings. If BNP fails to perform either of these actions as required, the Fund will recall securities, as discussed below, in an amount sufficient to cause the value of the outstanding Lent Securities to equal the Current Borrowings. The Fund can recall any of the Lent Securities and BNP shall, to the extent commercially possible, return such security or equivalent security to the Fund’s custodian no later than three business days after such request. If the Fund recalls a Lent Security pursuant to the Lending Agreement, and BNP fails to return the Lent Securities or equivalent securities in a timely fashion, BNP shall remain liable to the Fund’s custodian for the ultimate delivery of such Lent Securities, or equivalent securities, and for any buy-in costs that the executing broker for the sales transaction may impose with respect to the failure to deliver. The Fund shall also have the right to apply and set-off an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the then-current fair market value of such Lent Securities against the Current Borrowings.

Under the terms of the Authorized Agreement with SSB, all securities lent through SSB must be secured continuously by collateral received in cash, cash equivalents, or U.S. Treasury bills and maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral held by SSB on behalf of the Fund may be credited against the amounts borrowed under the SSB Agreement. Any amounts credited against the SSB Agreement would count against the Fund’s leverage limitations under the 1940 Act, unless otherwise covered in accordance with SEC Release IC-10666. Under the terms of the Authorized Agreement with SSB, SSB will return the value of the collateral to the borrower upon the return of the lent securities, which will eliminate the credit against the SSB Agreement and will cause the amount drawn under the SSB Agreement to increase in an amount equal to the returned collateral. Under the terms of the Authorized Agreement with SSB, the Fund will make a variable “net income” payment related to any collateral credited against the SSB Agreement which will be paid to the securities borrower, less any

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     23   


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

payments due to the Fund or SSB under the terms of the Authorized Agreement. As of October 31, 2014, the Fund used approximately $5.4 million of its cash collateral to offset the SSB Agreement, representing 3.2% of managed assets, and was required to pay a “net income” payment equal to an annualized interest rate of 0.44%, which can fluctuate depending on interest rates.

Note 8 – Fair Value Measurement

Various inputs are used to determine the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are categorized into three broad levels as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Prices are determined using inputs from unadjusted quoted prices from active markets (including securities actively traded on a securities exchange) for identical assets.

 

   

Level 2 – Prices are determined using significant observable market inputs other than unadjusted quoted prices, including quoted prices of similar securities, fair value adjustments to quoted foreign securities, interest rates, credit risk, prepayment speeds, and other relevant data.

 

   

Level 3 – Prices reflect unobservable market inputs (including the Fund’s own judgments about assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value) when observable inputs are unavailable.

Debt securities are valued based upon evaluated prices received from an independent pricing service or from a dealer or broker who makes markets in such securities. Pricing services utilize various observable market data and as such, debt securities are generally categorized as Level 2. The levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Transfers between the levels for investment securities or other financial instruments are measured at the end of the reporting period.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s holdings at fair value:

 

      LEVEL 1      LEVEL 2      LEVEL 3      TOTAL  
Assets:            

Corporate Bonds

   $       $ 14,947,495       $                     —       $ 14,947,495   

Convertible Bonds

             58,166,130                 58,166,130   

U.S. Government and Agency Security

             200,391                 200,391   

Convertible Preferred Stocks

     3,218,948         3,654,647                 6,873,595   

Common Stocks U.S.

     38,276,476                         38,276,476   

Common Stocks Foreign

     2,167,064         38,057,323                 40,224,387   

Purchased Options

     1,553,262                         1,553,262   

Short Term Investment

     14,234,864                         14,234,864   
  

 

 

 
Total    $ 59,450,614       $ 115,025,986       $       $ 174,476,600   
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:            

Interest Rate Swaps

   $       $ 98,638       $       $ 98,638   
  

 

 

 
Total    $       $ 98,638       $       $ 98,638   
  

 

 

 

 

24   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Financial Highlights

 

 

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each year were as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $14.56        $13.97        $14.56        $14.60        $13.97   

Income from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss)*

    0.26        0.24        0.29        0.31        0.46   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.59        1.56        0.33        0.87        1.38   

Total from investment operations

    0.85        1.80        0.62        1.18        1.84   

Less distributions to common shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.85     (0.82     (0.83     (1.00     (1.20

Net realized gains

    (0.19     (0.20     (0.17     (0.21       

Return of capital

    (0.16     (0.18     (0.20              

Total distributions

    (1.20     (1.20     (1.20     (1.21     (1.20

Capital charge resulting from issuance of common and preferred shares and related offering costs

           (0.01     (0.01     (0.01     (0.01

Premiums from shares sold in at the market offerings

           (a)      (a)      (a)      (a) 

Net asset value, end of year

    $14.21        $14.56        $13.97        $14.56        $14.60   

Market value, end of year

    $13.57        $13.99        $13.52        $14.69        $14.60   

Total investment return based on:(b)

         

Net asset value

    6.19%        13.56%        4.55%        8.15%        13.76%   

Market value

    5.54%        12.74%        0.29%        9.11%        19.49%   

Net assets, end of year (000)

    $120,277        $123,141        $116,733        $119,604        $117,731   

Ratios to average net assets applicable to common shareholders:

         

Net expenses

    1.92%        1.93%        2.07%        1.90%        2.06%   

Gross expenses prior to expense reductions and earnings credits

    1.92%        1.93%        2.07%        1.90%        2.06%   

Net expenses, excluding interest expense

    1.59%        1.57%        1.58%        1.46%        1.49%   

Net investment income (loss)

    1.78%        1.68%        2.04%        2.07%        3.28%   

Portfolio turnover rate

    95%        73%        47%        89%        86%   

Average commission rate paid

    $0.0253        $0.0170        $0.0119        $0.0101        $0.0117   

Asset coverage per $1,000 of loan outstanding(c)

    $3,455        $3,513        $3,847        $3,917        $4,924   

 

* Net investment income allocated based on average shares method.

 

(a) Amount equated to less than $0.005 per common share.

 

(b) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the opening of the first day and a sale on the closing of the last day of the period reported. Dividends and distributions are assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year. Brokerage commissions are not reflected. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share market price is the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the Fund at a given time. Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors, including supply and demand and market conditions.

 

(c) Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including Notes payable) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing this by the amount of notes payable outstanding, and by multiplying the result by 1,000.

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     25   


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Calamos Global Total Return Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Calamos Global Total Return Fund (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2014, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Calamos Global Total Return Fund as of October 31, 2014, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

LOGO

Chicago, Illinois

December 17, 2014

 

26   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Trustee Approval of the Management Agreement    (Unaudited)

 

 

The Board of Trustees of the Fund oversees the management of the Fund, and, as required by law, determines annually whether to continue the Fund’s management agreement with Calamos Advisors (the “Adviser”) pursuant to which the Adviser serves as the investment manager and administrator for the Fund. The “Independent Trustees,” who comprise more than 80% of the Board, have never been affiliated with the Adviser.

In connection with their most recent consideration regarding the continuation of the management agreement, the Trustees received and reviewed a substantial amount of information provided by the Adviser in response to detailed requests of the Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel. In the course of their consideration of the agreement, the Independent Trustees were advised by their counsel and, in addition to meeting with management of the Adviser, they met separately in executive session with their counsel.

At a meeting held on June 26, 2014, based on their evaluation of the information referred to above and other information, the Trustees determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser were fair and reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and its affiliates, the fees charged for those services and other matters that the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. At that meeting, the Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the continuation of the management agreement through July 31, 2015, subject to possible earlier termination as provided in the agreement.

In connection with its consideration of the management agreement, the Board considered, among other things: (i) the nature, extent and quality of the Adviser’s services, (ii) the investment performance of the Fund as well as performance information for comparable funds and other comparable clients of the Adviser, (iii) the fees and other expenses paid by the Fund as well as expense information for comparable funds and for other, comparable clients of the Adviser, (iv) the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund, (v) the extent to which economies of scale may apply, and (vi) other benefits to the Adviser from its relationship with the Fund. In the Board’s deliberations, no single factor was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve continuation of the management agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services.  The Board’s consideration of the nature, extent and quality of the Adviser’s services to the Fund took into account the knowledge gained from the Board’s meetings with the Adviser throughout the years. In addition, the Board considered: the Adviser’s long-term history of managing the Fund; the consistency of investment approach; the background and experience of the Adviser’s investment personnel responsible for managing the Fund; and the Adviser’s performance as administrator of the Fund, including, among other things, in the areas of brokerage selection, trade execution, compliance and shareholder communications. The Board also reviewed the Adviser’s resources and key personnel involved in providing investment management services to the Fund. The Board noted the personal investments that the Adviser’s key investment personnel have made in the Fund, which further aligns the interests of the Adviser and its personnel with those of the Fund’s shareholders. In addition, the Board considered compliance reports about the Adviser from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund were appropriate and consistent with the management agreements and that the Fund was likely to continue to benefit from services provided under its management agreement with the Adviser.

Investment Performance of the Fund.  The Board considered the Fund’s investment performance over various time periods, including how the Fund performed compared to the median performance of a group of comparable funds (the Fund’s “Category”) selected by Morningstar, an independent third party service provider (“Morningstar”). The performance periods considered by the Board generally ended on March 31, 2014, except for the since-inception period, which ended on April 30, 2014. The Board considered one-year, three-year, five-year, and since-inception performance periods.

The Board considered that, while the Fund underperformed its Category median for the one-, three-, and five-year periods, the Fund ranked in the 1st percentile of its Category for the since-inception period ended April 30, 2014.

For the reasons noted above, the Board concluded that continuation of the management agreement for the Fund was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

Costs of Services Provided and Profits Realized by the Adviser.  Using information provided by Morningstar, the Board evaluated the Fund’s actual management fee rate compared to the median management fee rate for other mutual funds similar in size, character and investment strategy (the Fund’s “Expense Group”), and the Fund’s total expense ratio compared to the median total expense ratio of the Fund’s Expense Group.

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     27   


 

Trustee Approval of the Management Agreement    (Unaudited)

 

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s management fee rate and total expense ratio, which reflects the total fees paid by an investor, are both higher than the respective medians of the Fund’s Expense Group. The Board, in its consideration of expenses, also took into account its review of the Fund’s longer-term performance.

The Board also reviewed the Adviser’s management fee rates for its institutional separate accounts and for its sub-advised funds (for which the Adviser provides portfolio management services only). The Board took into account the Adviser’s assertion that although, generally, the rates of fees paid by institutional clients were lower than the rates of fees paid by the Fund, the differences reflected the Adviser’s greater level of responsibilities and significantly broader scope of services regarding the Fund, the more extensive regulatory obligations and risks associated with managing the Fund, and other financial considerations with respect to the Fund.

The Board also considered the Adviser’s costs in serving as the Fund’s investment adviser and manager, including costs associated with technology, infrastructure and compliance necessary to manage the Fund. The Board reviewed the Adviser’s methodology for allocating costs among the Adviser’s lines of business. The Board also considered information regarding the structure of the Adviser’s compensation program for portfolio managers, analysts and certain other employees and the relationship of such compensation to the attraction and retention of quality personnel. Finally, the Board reviewed information on the profitability of the Adviser in serving as the Fund’s investment manager and of the Adviser and its affiliates in all of their relationships with the Fund, as well as an explanation of the methodology utilized in allocating various expenses among the Fund and the Adviser’s other business units. Data was provided to the Board with respect to profitability, both on a pre- and post-marketing cost basis. The Board also reviewed the annual report of the Adviser’s parent company and discussed its corporate structure.

After its review of all the matters addressed, including those outlined above, the Board concluded that the rate of management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser, in light of the nature and quality of the services provided, was reasonable and in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

Economies of Scale and Fee Levels Reflecting Those Economies.  In reviewing the Fund’s fees and expenses, the Trustees examined the potential benefits of economies of scale and whether any economies of scale should be reflected in the Fund’s fee structure. They noted that the Fund is a closed-end fund, and has therefore had a relatively stable asset base since commencement of operations, and that there do not appear to have been any significant economies of scale realized since that time.

Other Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund.  The Board considered other benefits that accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund. The Board also considered the Adviser’s use of a portion of the commissions paid by the Fund on its portfolio brokerage transactions to obtain research products and services benefiting the Fund and/or other clients of the Adviser.

After full consideration of the above factors as well as other factors that were instructive in their consideration, the Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, concluded that the continuation of the management agreement with the Adviser was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

28   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Tax Information    (Unaudited)

 

 

We are providing this information as required by the Internal Revenue Code (Code). The amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in this report due to differences between tax and financial reporting requirements. In February 2015, shareholders will receive Form 1099-DIV which will include their share of qualified dividends and capital gains distributed during the calendar year 2014. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisors for information on the treatment of these amounts on their individual income tax returns.

Under Section 852(b)(3)(C) of the Code, the Fund hereby designates $1,563,481 as capital gain dividends for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.

Under Section 854(b)(2) of the Code, the Fund hereby designates $1,399,134 or the maximum amount allowable under the Code, as qualified dividends for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.

Under Section 854(b)(2) of the Code, the Fund hereby designates 9.67% of the ordinary income dividends as income qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     29   


 

Trustees and Officers    (Unaudited)

 

 

The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the investment management agreement between the Fund and Calamos Advisors, is the responsibility of its board of trustees. Each trustee elected will hold office for the terms noted below or until such trustee’s earlier resignation, death or removal; however, each trustee who is not an interested person of the Fund shall retire as a trustee at the end of the calendar year in which the trustee attains the age of 75 years.

The following table sets forth each trustee’s name, age at October 31, 2014, position(s) with the Fund, number of portfolios in the Calamos Fund Complex overseen, principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other directorships held, and date first elected or appointed.

 

NAME AND AGE    POSITION(S) WITH FUND    PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX^
OVERSEEN
  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS

AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

Trustees who are interested persons of the Fund:
John P. Calamos, Sr., 74*   

Trustee and President (since 1988)

Term Expires 2017

   25    Chairman, CEO, and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer, Calamos Asset Management, Inc. (“CAM”), Calamos Investments LLC (“CILLC”), Calamos Advisors LLC and its predecessor (“Calamos Advisors”) and Calamos Wealth Management LLC (“CWM”), and previously Chief Executive Officer, Calamos Financial Services LLC and its predecessor (“CFS”) (until 2013); Director, CAM
Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund:
Weston W. Marsh, 64   

Trustee (since 2002)

Term Expires 2016

   25    Of Counsel and, until December 31, 2005, Partner, Freeborn & Peters LLP (law firm)
John E. Neal, 64   

Trustee (since 2001)

Term Expires 2015

   25    Private investor; Director, Equity Residential Trust (publicly-owned REIT) and Creation Investment (private international microfinance company); Partner, Linden LLC (health care private equity)
William R. Rybak, 63   

Trustee (since 2002)

Term Expires 2017

   25    Private investor; Director, Christian Brothers Investment Services Inc. (since February 2010); Director, Private Bancorp (since December 2003); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Van Kampen Investments, Inc. and subsidiaries (investment manager); Director, Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett (until March 2011); Trustee, JNL Series Trust, JNL Investors Series Trust and JNL Variable Fund LLC**; Trustee, Lewis University (since October 2012)
Stephen B. Timbers, 70   

Trustee (since 2004); Lead Independent Trustee (since 2005)

Term Expires 2016

   25    Private investor
David D. Tripple, 70   

Trustee (since 2006)

Term Expires 2015

   25    Private investor; Trustee, Century Growth Opportunities Fund (since 2010), Century Shares Trust and Century Small Cap Select Fund (since January 2004)***

 

* Mr. Calamos is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act because he is an officer of the Fund and an affiliate of Calamos Advisors and CFS.

 

** Overseeing 104 portfolios in fund complex.

 

*** Overseeing three portfolios in fund complex.

 

^ The Fund Complex consists of CALAMOS Investment Trust, CALAMOS Advisors Trust, CALAMOS ETF Trust, CALAMOS Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund, CALAMOS Convertible and High Income Fund, CALAMOS Strategic Total Return Fund, CALAMOS Global Total Return Fund CALAMOS Global Dynamic Income Fund and CALAMOS Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund.

The address of each trustee is 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563.

 

30   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Trustees and Officers    (Unaudited)

 

 

Officers.  The preceding table gives information about John P. Calamos, Sr., who is President and CEO of the Fund. The following table sets forth each other officer’s name, age at October 31, 2014, position with the Fund and date first appointed to that position, and principal occupation(s) during the past five years. Each officer serves until his or her successor is chosen and qualified or until his or her resignation or removal by the board of trustees.

 

NAME AND AGE    POSITION(S) WITH FUND    PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS
Gary D. Black, 54   

Vice President

(since September 2012)

   Executive Vice President, Global Co-Chief Investment Officer (since August 2012), CAM, CILLC, Calamos Advisors, and CWM; prior thereto CEO, Chief Investment Officer and Founding Member of Black Capital (2009-2012); prior thereto, CEO of Janus Capital Group (2006-2009)
Nimish S. Bhatt, 51    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since 2007)    Senior Vice President (since 2004), Chief Financial Officer (since May 2011), Head of Fund Administration (since November 2011), CAM, CILLC, Calamos Advisors, CWM; Director, Calamos Global Funds plc (since 2007); prior thereto Director of Operations (2004-2011)
Curtis Holloway, 47   

Treasurer (since 2010), Prior thereto Assistant Treasurer

(2007-2010)

   Vice President, Fund Administration, (since 2013) Calamos Advisors; Vice President, Financial Operation Principal and Head of Fund Administration (since 2013), CFS; Treasurer of Calamos Investment Trust, Calamos Advisors Trust, CHI, CHY, CSQ, CGO and CHW (since June 2010); prior thereto Assistant Treasurer (2007-2010)
Robert Behan, 49    Vice President (since September 2013)    Executive Vice President, Head of Global Distribution (since April 2013), CFS; prior thereto Senior Vice President (2009-2013), Head of Global Distribution (March 2013-April 2013); prior thereto Head of US Intermediary Distribution (2010-2013); prior thereto Head of Strategic Partners Team (2010-2010); prior thereto National Accounts/Retirement Services (2009-2010); prior thereto Vice President, Director of Retirement Services (2008-2009)
J. Christopher Jackson, 63   

Vice President and Secretary

(since 2010)

   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, CAM, CILLC, Calamos Advisors and CFS (since 2010); Director, Calamos Global Funds plc (since 2011); Director, Calamos Arista Strategic Master Fund Ltd. and Calamos Arista Strategic Fund Ltd. (since 2013); prior thereto Director, U.S. Head of Retail Legal and Co-Global Head of Retail Legal of Deutsche Bank AG (2006-2010);
Mark J. Mickey, 63   

Chief Compliance Officer

(since 2005)

   Chief Compliance Officer, Calamos Funds (since 2005)

The address of each officer is 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563.

Results of Annual Meeting

The Fund held its annual meeting of shareholders on June 25, 2014. The purpose of the annual meeting was to elect two trustees to the Fund’s board of trustees for a three-year term, or until the trustee’s successor is duly elected and qualified, and to conduct any other lawful business of the Fund. Mr. John P. Calamos, Sr. and Mr. William R. Rybak were nominated for reelection as trustees, and were elected as such by a plurality vote as follows:

 

TRUSTEE NOMINEE    VOTES
FOR
       VOTES WITHHELD        BROKER NON-
VOTES AND ABSTENTIONS
 

John P. Calamos, Sr.

     7,036,796           113,067           0   

William R. Rybak

     7,061,152           88,711           0   

Messrs. Marsh, Neal, Timbers and Tripple’s terms of office as trustees continued after the meeting.

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     31   


 

About Closed-End Funds

 

 

What is a Closed-End Fund?

A closed-end fund is a publicly traded investment company that raises its initial investment capital through the issuance of a fixed number of shares to investors in a public offering. Shares of a closed-end fund are listed on a stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market. Like all investment companies, a closed-end fund is professionally managed and offers investors a unique investment solution based on its investment objective approved by the fund’s Board of Directors.

Potential Advantages of Closed-End Fund Investing

 

Defined Asset Pool Allows Efficient Portfolio Management—Although closed-end fund shares trade actively on a securities exchange, this doesn’t affect the closed-end fund manager because there are no new investors buying into or selling out of the fund’s portfolio.

 

 

More Flexibility in the Timing and Price of Trades—Investors can purchase and sell shares of closed-end funds throughout the trading day, just like the shares of other publicly traded securities.

 

 

Lower Expense Ratios—The expense ratios of closed-end funds are oftentimes less than those of mutual funds. Over time, a lower expense ratio could enhance investment performance.

 

 

Closed-End Structure Makes Sense for Less-Liquid Asset Classes—A closed-end structure makes sense for investors considering less-liquid asset classes, such as high-yield bonds or micro-cap stocks.

 

 

Ability to Put Leverage to Work—Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (such as preferred shares or debentures) or borrow money to “leverage” their investment positions.

 

 

No Minimum Investment Requirements

OPEN-END MUTUAL FUNDS VERSUS CLOSED-END FUNDS

 

OPEN-END FUND    CLOSED-END FUND
Issues new shares on an ongoing basis    Generally issues a fixed number of shares
Issues common equity shares    Can issue common equity shares and senior securities such as preferred shares and bonds
Sold at NAV plus any sales charge    Price determined by the marketplace
Sold through the fund’s distributor    Traded in the secondary market
Fund redeems shares at NAV calculated at the close of business day    Fund does not redeem shares
      

You can purchase or sell common shares of closed-end funds daily. Like any other stock, market price will fluctuate with the market. Upon sale, your shares may have a market price that is above or below net asset value and may be worth more or less than your original investment. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount, which is a market price that is below their net asset value.

Leverage creates risks which may adversely affect return, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of common shares and fluctuations in the variable rates of the leverage financing.

Each open-end or closed-end fund should be evaluated individually. Before investing carefully consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses.

 

32   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


 

Level Rate Distribution Policy

 

 

Using a Level Rate Distribution Policy to Promote Dependable Income and Total Return

The goal of the level rate distribution policy is to provide investors a predictable, though not assured, level of cash flow, which can either serve as a stable income stream or, through reinvestment, may contribute significantly to long-term total return.

We understand the importance that investors place on the stability of dividends and their ability to contribute to long-term total return, which is why we have instituted a level rate distribution policy for the Fund. Under the policy, monthly distributions paid may include net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains and, if necessary, return of capital. In addition, a limited number of distributions per calendar year may include net realized long-term capital gains. There is no guarantee that the Fund will realize capital gains in any given year. Distributions are subject to re-characterization for tax purposes after the end of the fiscal year. All shareholders with taxable accounts will receive written notification regarding the components and tax treatment for distributions via Form 1099-DIV.

Distributions from the Fund are generally subject to Federal income taxes. For purposes of maintaining the level rate distribution policy, the Fund may realize short-term capital gains on securities that, if sold at a later date, would have resulted in long-term capital gains. Maintenance of a level rate distribution policy may increase transaction and tax costs associated with the Fund.

 

 

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

Maximizing Investment with an Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan offers a simple, cost-efficient and convenient way to reinvest your dividends and capital gains distributions in additional shares of the Fund, allowing you to increase your investment in the Fund.

Potential Benefits

 

Compounded Growth: By automatically reinvesting with the Plan, you gain the potential to allow your dividends and capital gains to compound over time.

 

 

Potential for Lower Commission Costs: Additional shares are purchased in large blocks, with brokerage commissions shared among all plan participants. There is no cost to enroll in the Plan.

 

 

Convenience: After enrollment, the Plan is automatic and includes detailed statements for participants. Participants can terminate their enrollment at any time.

Pursuant to the Plan, unless a shareholder is ineligible or elects otherwise, all dividend and capital gains on common shares distributions are automatically reinvested by Computershare, as agent for shareholders in administering the Plan (“Plan Agent”), in additional common shares of the Fund. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and distributions payable in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by Plan Agent, as dividend paying agent. Shareholders may elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive all dividends and distributions in cash by sending written instructions to the Plan Agent, as dividend paying agent, at: Dividend Reinvestment Department, P.O. Box 358016, Pittsburgh, PA 15252. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by giving notice in writing to the Plan Agent; such termination will be effective with respect to a particular dividend or distribution if notice is received prior to the record date for the applicable distribution.

The shares are acquired by the Plan Agent for the participant’s account either (i) through receipt of additional common shares from the Fund (“newly issued shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the

 

  CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT     33   


 

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

 

open market (“open-market purchases”) on the NASDAQ or elsewhere. If, on the payment date, the net asset value per share of the common shares is equal to or less than the market price per common share plus estimated brokerage commissions (a “market premium”), the Plan Agent will receive newly issued shares from the Fund for each participant’s account. The number of newly issued common shares to be credited to the participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend or distribution by the greater of (i) the net asset value per common share on the payment date, or (ii) 95% of the market price per common share on the payment date.

If, on the payment date, the net asset value per common share exceeds the market price plus estimated brokerage commissions (a “market discount”), the Plan Agent has a limited period of time to invest the dividend or distribution amount in shares acquired in open-market purchases. The weighted average price (including brokerage commissions) of all common shares purchased by the Plan Agent as Plan Agent will be the price per common share allocable to each participant. If the Plan Agent 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 Agent will cease making open-market purchases and will invest the uninvested portion of the dividend or distribution amount in newly issued shares at the close of business on the last purchase date.

The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends even though no cash is received by participants.

There are no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or distributions payable either in shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or distributions. If a participant elects to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of his or her common shares and remit the proceeds, such participant will be charged his or her pro rata share of brokerage commissions on the shares sold, plus a $15 transaction fee. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.

A participant may request the sale of all of the common shares held by the Plan Agent in his or her Plan account in order to terminate participation in the Plan. If such participant elects in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of his shares, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct from the proceeds a $15.00 fee plus the brokerage commissions incurred for the transaction. A participant may re-enroll in the Plan in limited circumstances.

The terms and conditions of the Plan may be amended by the Plan Agent or the Fund at any time upon notice as required by the Plan.

This discussion of the Plan is only summary, and is qualified in its entirety by the Terms and Conditions of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan filed as part of the Fund’s registration statement.

For additional information about the Plan, please contact the Plan Agent, Computershare, at 866.226.8016. If you wish to participate in the Plan and your shares are held in your own name, simply call the Plan Agent. If your shares are not held in your name, please contact your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee to request that they participate in the Plan on your behalf. If your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you may request that your shares be re-registered in your own name.

We’re pleased to provide our shareholders with the additional benefit of the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan and hope that it may serve your financial plan.

 

34   CALAMOS GLOBAL TOTAL RETURN FUND ANNUAL REPORT  


MANAGING YOUR CALAMOS FUNDS INVESTMENTS

Calamos Investments offers several convenient means to monitor, manage and feel confident about your Calamos investment choice.

 

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE: 800.582.6959

Dial this toll-free number to speak with a knowledgeable Client Services Representative who can help answer questions or address issues concerning your Calamos Fund.

 

YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR

We encourage you to talk to your financial advisor to determine how the Calamos Funds can benefit your investment portfolio based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs.

 

LOGO

 

STAY CONNECTED

www.calamos.com

Visit our Web site for timely fund performance, detailed fund profiles, fund news and insightful market commentary.

 

 


A description of the Calamos Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and the Fund’s proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, 2014, are available free of charge upon request by calling 800.582.6959, by visiting the Calamos Web site at www.calamos.com, by writing Calamos at: Calamos Investments, Attn: Client Services, 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, IL 60563. The Fund’s proxy voting record is also available free of charge by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov.

The Fund files its complete list of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Forms N-Q are available free of charge, upon request, by calling or writing Calamos Investments at the phone number or address provided above or by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. You may also review or, for a fee, copy the forms at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800.732.0330.

Fund’s report to the SEC on From N-CSR contains certifications by the fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act, relating to, among other things, the quality of the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.

FOR 24-HOUR AUTOMATED SHAREHOLDER ASSISTANCE: 866.226.8016

TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENTS: 800.582.6959

VISIT OUR WEB SITE: www.calamos.com

INVESTMENT ADVISER:

Calamos Advisors LLC

2020 Calamos Court

Naperville, IL 60563-2787

CUSTODIAN AND FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT:

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, MA

TRANSFER AGENT:

Computershare

P.O. Box 30170

College Station, TX 77842-3170

866.226.8016

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM:

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Chicago, IL

LEGAL COUNSEL:

K&L Gates LLP

Chicago, IL

Washington, DC

 

 

LOGO

2020 Calamos Court

Naperville, IL 60563-2787

800.582.6959

www.calamos.com

© 2014 Calamos Investments LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Calamos® and Calamos Investments® are registered

trademarks of Calamos Investments LLC.

CGOANR 2706 2014

 


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

(a) As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or person performing similar functions.

(b) No response required.

(c) The registrant has not amended its Code of Ethics as it relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item 2 during the period covered by this report.

(d) The registrant has not granted a waiver or an implicit waiver from its Code of Ethics during the period covered by this report.

(e) Not applicable.

(f) (1) The registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached as an Exhibit hereto.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that, for the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto, it has four audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee, each of whom is an independent Trustee for purpose of this N-CSR item: John E. Neal, William R. Rybak, Stephen B. Timbers and David D. Tripple. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item does not affect the duties, obligations, or liabilities of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

Fiscal Years Ended

   10/31/2013      10/31/2014  

Audit Fees(a)

   $ 22,177       $ 11,990   

Audit-Related Fees(b)

   $ 9,914       $ 9,683   

Tax Fees(c)

   $ —         $ —     

All Other Fees(d)

   $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 32,091       $ 21,673   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Audit Fees are the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

(b) Audit-Related Fees are the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4.


(c) Tax Fees are the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

(d) All Other Fees are the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant to the registrant, other than the services reported in paragraph (a)-(c) of this Item 4.

(e) (1) Registrant’s audit committee meets with the principal accountants and management to review and pre-approve all audit services to be provided by the principal accountants.

The audit committee shall pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the principal accountants to the registrant, including the fees and other compensation to be paid to the principal accountants; provided that the pre-approval of non-audit services is waived if (i) the services were not recognized by management at the time of the engagement as non-audit services,(ii) the aggregate fees for all non-audit services provided to the registrant are less than 5% of the total fees paid by the registrant to its principal accountants during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided, and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the audit committee by management and the audit committee approves them prior to the completion of the audit.

The audit committee shall pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the principal accountants to the investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant if the engagement relates directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant, including the fees and other compensation to be paid to the principal accountants; provided that pre-approval of non-audit services to the adviser or an affiliate of the adviser is not required if (i) the services were not recognized by management at the time of the engagement as non-audit services, (ii) the aggregate fees for all non-audit services provided to the adviser and all entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser are less than 5% of the total fees for non-audit services requiring pre-approval under paragraph (e)(1)of this Item 4 paid by the registrant, the adviser or its affiliates to the registrant’s principal accountants during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided, and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the audit committee by management and the audit committee approves them prior to the completion of the audit.

(e)(2) No percentage of the principal accountant’s fees or services described in each of paragraphs (b)-(d) of this Item were approved pursuant to the waiver provision paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) No disclosures are required by this Item 4(f).


(g) The following table presents the aggregate non-audit fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant and the aggregate non-audit fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered by the principal accountant to the investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common

control of the adviser.

 

Fiscal Years Ended

   10/31/2013      10/31/2014  

Registrant

   $ —         $ —     

Investment Adviser

   $ —         $ —     

(h) No disclosures are required by this Item 4(h).

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee. The members of the registrant’s audit committee are Weston W. Marsh, John E. Neal, William R. Rybak, Stephen B. Timbers, and David D. Tripple.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

Included in the Report to Shareholders in Item 1.

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

The registrant has delegated authority to vote all proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities to the Fund’s investment advisor, Calamos Advisors LLC (“Calamos Advisors”). The Calamos Advisors Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are included as an Exhibit hereto.

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

(a)(1) As of the date of this filing, the registrant is led by a team of investment professionals. The Global Co-Chief Investment Officers and Co-Portfolio Managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of the registrant’s portfolio:

During the past five years, John P. Calamos, Sr. has been President and Trustee of the Trust and Chairman, CEO and Global Co-CIO of CALAMOS ADVISORS and its predecessor company. Gary D. Black became the Executive Vice President and Global Co-CIO of CALAMOS ADVISORS as of August 31, 2012. Mr. Black served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, and was a Founding Member of Black Capital LLC from July 2009 until August 2012. Nick Niziolek joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in March 2005 and has been a Co-Portfolio Manager, Co-Head of Research since August 2013. Between March 2013 and August 2013 he was a Co-Portfolio Manager. Between March 2005 and March 2013 he was a senior strategy analyst. Jon Vacko joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in 2000 and has been a Co-Portfolio Manager, Co-Head of Research since August 2013. Previously, he was a Co-Head of Research and Investments from July 2010 to August 2013, prior thereto he was a senior strategy analyst between July 2002 and July 2010. Dennis Cogan joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in March 2005 and since March 2013 is a Co-Portfolio Manager. Between March 2005 and March 2013 he was a senior strategy analyst. John Hillenbrand joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in 2002 and since March 2013 is a Co-Portfolio Manager. Between August 2002 and March 2013 he was a senior strategy analyst. Jeremy Hughes joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in June 2013 as a Co-Portfolio Manager. Prior thereto, Mr. Hughes was a Vice President and Senior High Yield Portfolio Manager at Aviva Investors since 2008. Steve Klouda joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in 1994 and has been a Co-Portfolio Manager since March 2013. Between July 2002 and March 2013 he was a senior strategy analyst. Christopher Langs joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in June 2013 as a Co-Portfolio Manager. Prior thereto, Mr. Langs was a Vice President and Senior High Yield Portfolio Manager at Aviva Investors since 2006. Eli Pars joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in May 2013 as a Co-Portfolio Manager. Previously, he was a Portfolio Manager at Chicago Fundamental Investment Partners from February 2009 until November 2012. Prior thereto, Mr. Pars was President at Mulligan Partners LLC from October 2006 until February 2009. David Kalis joined CALAMOS ADVISORS in February 2013 and has been a Co-Portfolio Manager since March 2013. Previously, he was a Managing Partner at Charis Capital Management LLC from 2010 until 2013. Prior thereto, Mr. Kalis was Senior Vice President, Institutional Asset Management Group at Northern Trust Global Investments from 2006 to 2009.

(a)(2) The portfolio managers also have responsibility for the day-to-day management of accounts other than the registrant. Information regarding these other accounts is set forth below.


Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type as of October 31, 2014

 

      Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 
     Accounts    Assets      Accounts    Assets      Accounts      Assets  

John P. Calamos Sr.

   26      21,500,507,441       8      697,392,373         1,746         2,207,575,261   

Gary D. Black

   26      21,500,507,441       9      728,094,597         1,746         2,207,575,261   

John Hillenbrand

   21      16,999,227,528       8      697,392,373         1,746         2,207,575,261   

Steve Klouda

   21      16,999,227,528       8      697,392,373         1,746         2,207,575,261   

Jon Vacko

   19      16,709,925,560       7      684,695,125         1,746         2,207,575,261   

Dennis Cogan

   19      16,709,925,560       7      684,695,125         1,746         2,207,575,261   

Nick Niziolek

   19      16,709,925,560       7      684,695,125         1,746         2,207,575,261   

Eli Pars

   14      16,453,644,150       3      303,584,261         1,746         2,207,575,261   

Jeremy Hughes

   7      6,649,027,027       1      12,697,248         0           

Christopher Langs

   7      6,649,027,027       1      12,697,248         0           

David Kalis

   7      9,891,776,096       0              1,746         2,207,575,261   

Number of Accounts and Assets for which Advisory Fee is Performance Based as of October 31, 2014

 

     Registered
Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
     Other
Accounts
 
     Accounts    Assets      Accounts    Assets      Accounts    Assets  

John P. Calamos Sr.

   2      969,388,148       0            0        

Gary D. Black

   2      969,388,148       1      30,702,224       0        

John Hillenbrand

   2      969,388,148       0            0        

Steve Klouda

   2      969,388,148       0            0        

Jon Vacko

   2      969,388,148       0            0        

Dennis Cogan

   2      969,388,148       0            0        

Nick Niziolek

   2      969,388,148       0            0        

Eli Pars

   0            0            0        

Jeremy Hughes

   0            0            0        

Christopher Langs

   0            0            0        

David Kalis

   0            0            0        


(a)(2) Other than potential conflicts between investment strategies, the side-by-side management of both the Funds and other accounts may raise potential conflicts of interest due to the interest held by Calamos Advisors in an account and certain trading practices used by the portfolio managers (e.g., cross trades between a Fund and another account and allocation of aggregated trades). Calamos Advisors has developed policies and procedures reasonably designed to mitigate those conflicts. For example, Calamos Advisors will only place cross-trades in securities held by the Funds in accordance with the rules promulgated under the 1940 Act and has adopted policies designed to ensure the fair allocation of securities purchased on an aggregated basis. The allocation methodology employed by Calamos Advisors varies depending on the type of securities sought to be bought or sold and the type of client or group of clients. Generally, however, orders are placed first for those clients that have given Calamos Advisors brokerage discretion (including the ability to step out a portion of trades), and then to clients that have directed Calamos Advisors to execute trades through a specific broker. However, if the directed broker allows Calamos Advisors to execute with other brokerage firms, which then book the transaction directly with the directed broker, the order will be placed as if the client had given Calamos Advisors full brokerage discretion. Calamos Advisors and its affiliates frequently use a “rotational” method of placing and aggregating client orders and will build and fill a position for a designated client or group of clients before placing orders for other clients.

A client account may not receive an allocation of an order if: (a) the client would receive an unmarketable amount of securities based on account size; (b) the client has precluded Calamos Advisors from using a particular broker; (c) the cash balance in the client account will be insufficient to pay for the securities allocated to it at settlement; (d) current portfolio attributes make an allocation inappropriate; and (e) account specific guidelines, objectives and other account specific factors make an allocation inappropriate. Allocation methodology may be modified when strict adherence to the usual allocation is impractical or leads to inefficient or undesirable results. Calamos Advisors’ head trader must approve each instance that the usual allocation methodology is not followed and provide a reasonable basis for such instances and all modifications must be reported in writing to the Calamos Advisors’ Chief Compliance Officer on a monthly basis.

Investment opportunities for which there is limited availability generally are allocated among participating client accounts pursuant to an objective methodology (i.e., either on a pro rata basis or using a rotational method, as described above). However, in some instances, Calamos Advisors may consider subjective elements in attempting to allocate a trade, in which case a Fund may not participate, or may participate to a lesser degree than other clients, in the allocation of an investment opportunity. In considering subjective criteria when allocating trades, Calamos Advisors is bound by its fiduciary duty to its clients to treat all client accounts fairly and equitably.

The Co-Portfolio Managers advise certain accounts under a performance fee arrangement. A performance fee arrangement may create an incentive for a Co-Portfolio Manager to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of performance fees. A performance fee arrangement may result in increased compensation to the Co-Portfolio Managers from such accounts due to unrealized appreciation as well as realized gains in the client’s account.

(a)(3) As of October 31, 2014, John P. Calamos, Sr. and Gary D. Black, our Global Co-CIOs, receive all of their compensation from Calamos Advisors. Each has entered into an employment agreement that provides for compensation in the form of an annual base salary and a target bonus, both components payable in cash. Their target bonus is set at a percentage of the respective base salary. Similarly, there is a target for Long-Term Incentive (“LTI”) awards and that target is also set at a percentage of the respective base salaries.

As of October 31, 2014, Jon Vacko, John Hillenbrand, Steve Klouda, Eli Pars, Jeremy Hughes, Christopher Langs, Dennis Cogan, David Kalis and Nick Niziolek receive all of their compensation from Calamos Advisors. They each receive compensation in the form of an annual base salary, a discretionary bonus (payable in cash) and LTI awards. Each of these individuals has a bonus range of opportunity which is expressed as a percentage of base salary. Each of these individuals is also eligible for discretionary LTI awards based on individual and collective performance, however these awards are not guaranteed from year to year. LTI awards consist of restricted stock units or a combination of restricted stock units and stock options.

The amounts paid to all portfolio managers and the criteria utilized to determine the amounts are benchmarked against industry specific data provided by third party analytical agencies. The portfolio managers’ compensation structure does not differentiate between the Funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and is determined on an overall basis, taking into consideration annually the performance of the various strategies managed by the portfolio managers. Portfolio performance, as measured by risk-adjusted portfolio performance, is utilized to determine the target bonus, as well as overall performance of Calamos Advisors. All portfolio managers are eligible to receive annual equity awards in shares of Calamos Asset Management, Inc. under an incentive compensation plan.

Historically, the annual equity awards granted under the incentive compensation plan have been comprised of stock options and restricted stock units which vest over periods of time. Unless terminated early, the stock options have a ten-year term. Grants of restricted stock units and stock options must generally be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Calamos Asset Management, Inc.

The compensation structure described above is also impacted by additional corporate objectives set by the Board of Directors of Calamos Asset Management, Inc., which for 2014 included investment performance, as measured annually by risk-adjusted performance of the investment strategies managed by Calamos Advisors over a blended short- and long-term measurement period; distribution effectiveness, as measured by redemption rates and net sales in products that are open to new investors; and financial performance, as measured by operating earnings and margin.


(a)(4) As of October 31, 2014, the end of the registrant’s most recently completed fiscal year, the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager in the registrant is shown below:

 

Portfolio Manager    Registrant

John P. Calamos Sr.

   Over $1,000,000

Gary Black

   None

Dave Kalis

   None

Dennis Cogan

   None

Nick Niziolek

   None

John Hillenbrand

   None

Jeremy Hughes

   $10,001-$50,000

Steve Klouda

   None

Eli Pars

   None

Chris Langs

   None

Jon Vacko

   None

(b) Not applicable.

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.

No material changes.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and timely reported.

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

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

(a)(1) Code of Ethics

(a)(2)(i) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.

(a)(2)(ii) Certification of Principal Financial Officer.

(a)(2)(iii) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.


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.

 

Calamos Global Total Return Fund
By:  /s/  John P. Calamos, Sr.        
Name:     John P. Calamos, Sr.

Title:

    Principal Executive Officer

Date:

    December 23, 2014
By:  /s/  Nimish S. Bhatt         
Name:     Nimish S. Bhatt

Title:

    Principal Financial Officer

Date:

    December 23, 2014

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

 

By:   /s/  John P. Calamos, Sr.         
Name:     John P. Calamos, Sr.

Title:

    Principal Executive Officer

Date:

    December 23, 2014
By:  /s/  Nimish S. Bhatt         
Name:     Nimish S. Bhatt

Title:

    Principal Financial Officer

Date:

    December 23, 2014