gug63504-ncsr.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM N-CSR
 
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 
Investment Company Act file number 811-21982
 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
227 W. Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
 
Amy J. Lee
227 W. Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606
(Name and address of agent for service)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 827-0100
 
Date of fiscal year end:  May 31
 
Date of reporting period: June 1, 2015 - November 30, 2015

 
 
 

 
 
Item 1.  Reports to Stockholders.
 
The registrant's semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), is as follows:
 
 
 
 

 
 
GUGGENHEIMINVESTMENTS.COM/GOF
 
... YOUR WINDOW TO THE LATEST, MOST UP-TO-DATE
INFORMATION ABOUT GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC
OPPORTUNITIES FUND
 
The shareholder report you are reading right now is just the beginning of the story.
Online at guggenheiminvestments.com/gof, you will find:
 
·
Daily, weekly and monthly data on share prices, net asset values, distributions and more
 
·
Portfolio overviews and performance analyses
 
·
Announcements, press releases and special notices
 
·
Fund and adviser contact information
 
Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC are continually updating and expanding shareholder information services on the Fund’s website in an ongoing effort to provide you with the most current information about how your Fund’s assets are managed and the results of our efforts. It is just one more small way we are working to keep you better informed about your investment in the Fund.
 
 
 

 
   
(Unaudited) 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
DEAR SHAREHOLDER
 
We thank you for your investment in the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”). This report covers the Fund’s performance for the six-month period ended November 30, 2015.
 
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund pursues a relative value-based investment philosophy, which utilizes quantitative and qualitative analysis to seek to identify securities or spreads between securities that deviate from their perceived fair value and/or historical norms. There is no guarantee that the perceived fair value will be achieved. The Fund’s sub-adviser seeks to combine a credit-managed fixed-income portfolio with access to a diversified pool of alternative investments and equity strategies.
 
All Fund returns cited—whether based on net asset value (“NAV”) or market price—assume the reinvestment of all distributions. For the six-month period ended November 30, 2015, the Fund provided a total return based on market price of -11.52% and a total return based on NAV of -2.27%. NAV return includes the deduction of management fees, operating expenses, and all other Fund expenses.
 
As of November 30, 2015, the Fund’s market price of $17.69 represented a discount of 2.16% to its NAV of $18.08. The market value of the Fund’s shares fluctuates from time to time and may be higher or lower than the Fund’s NAV. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
 
From June 2015 through November 2015, the Fund paid a monthly distribution of $0.1821. The November distribution represents an annualized distribution rate of 12.35% based on the Fund’s closing market price of $17.69 on November 30, 2015. The Fund’s distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change based on the performance of the Fund. Please see Note 2(h) on page 49 for more information on distributions for the period.
 
Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM” or the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment sub-adviser and is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio of investments. Each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser is an affiliate of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), a global diversified financial services firm.
 
We encourage shareholders to consider the opportunity to reinvest their distributions from the Fund through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”), which is described in detail on page 67 of this report. When shares trade at a discount to NAV, the DRIP takes advantage of the discount by reinvesting the monthly dividend distribution in common shares of the Fund purchased in the market at a price less than NAV. Conversely, when the market price of the Fund’s common shares is at a premium above NAV, the DRIP reinvests participants’ dividends in newly-issued common shares at the greater of NAV per share or 95% of the market price per share. The DRIP provides a cost-effective means to accumulate additional shares and enjoy the benefits of compounding returns over time. Since the Fund endeavors to maintain a stable monthly distribution, the DRIP effectively provides an income averaging technique, which causes shareholders to accumulate a larger number of Fund shares when the market price is depressed than when the price is higher.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 3
 
 
 

 
   
(Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
To learn more about the Fund’s performance and investment strategy, we encourage you to read the Questions & Answers section of this report, which begins on page 5. You’ll find information on GPIM’s investment philosophy, views on the economy and market environment, and detailed information about the factors that impacted the Fund’s performance.
 
We appreciate your investment and look forward to serving your investment needs in the future. For the most up-to-date information on your investment, please visit the Fund’s website at guggenheiminvestments.com/gof.
 
Sincerely,
Donald C. Cacciapaglia
President and Chief Executive Officer
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
December 31, 2015
 

4 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (“Fund”) is managed by a team of seasoned professionals at Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM”). This team includes B. Scott Minerd, Chairman of Guggenheim Investments and Global Chief Investment Officer; Anne B. Walsh, CFA, JD, Senior Managing Director and Assistant Chief Investment Officer; and James W. Michal, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager. In the following interview, the investment team discusses the market environment and the Fund’s performance for the six-month period ended November 30, 2015.
 
What is the Fund’s investment objective and how is it pursued?
 
The Fund seeks to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund pursues a relative value-based investment philosophy, which utilizes quantitative and qualitative analysis to seek to identify securities or spreads between securities that deviate from their perceived fair value and/or historical norms. There is no guarantee that the perceived fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments will be achieved.
 
GPIM seeks to combine a credit-managed fixed-income portfolio with access to a diversified pool of alternative investments and equity strategies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a wide range of fixed-income and other debt and senior-equity securities (“Income Securities”) selected from a variety of credit qualities and sectors, including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, loans and loan participations, structured finance investments, U.S. government and agency securities, mezzanine and preferred securities and convertible securities, and in common stocks, limited liability company interests, trust certificates, and other equity investments (“Common Equity Securities,” exposure to which is obtained primarily by investing in exchange-traded funds, or ETFs) that GPIM believes offer attractive yield and/or capital appreciation potential, including employing a strategy of writing (selling) covered call and put options on such equities. GPIM believes the volatility of the Fund can be reduced by diversifying across a large number of sectors and securities, many of which historically have not been highly correlated to one another.
 
Under normal market conditions:
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 5
 
 
 

 
   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
GPIM’s investment process is a collaborative effort between its Portfolio Construction Group, which utilizes tools such as a proprietary risk optimization model to determine allocation of assets among a variety of sectors, and its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for security selection within these sectors and for implementing securities transactions.
 
The Fund uses financial leverage (borrowing) to finance the purchase of additional securities. Although financial leverage may create an opportunity for increased return for shareholders, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. There is no assurance that the strategy will be successful. If income and gains earned on securities purchased with the financial leverage proceeds are greater than the cost of the financial leverage, common shareholders’ return will be greater than if financial leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income or gains from the securities purchased with the proceeds of financial leverage are less than the cost of the financial leverage, common shareholders’ return will be less than if financial leverage had not been used.
 
Describe changes to certain nonfundamental investment policies that were approved during the period.
 
During the period, the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) approved modifications to certain nonfundamental investment policies, which will become effective as of February 9, 2016.
 
The Fund will continue to pursue its investment objective to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. In addition, the Fund will continue to seek to achieve its investment objective by investing among a wide variety of Income Securities and Common Equity Securities.
 
As an alternative to investing in Common Equity Securities directly, the Fund may seek to obtain exposure to Common Equity Securities through investments in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) or other investment funds that track equity market indices and/or through derivative instruments that replicate the economic characteristics of exposure to Common Equity Securities. To the extent that the Fund seeks exposure to Common Equity Securities through derivative instruments, the Fund currently expects to obtain such exposure primarily through futures contracts and total return swaps on equity indices.
 
The Fund currently employs a strategy of writing (selling) covered call and put options on Common Equity Securities held by the Fund. Pursuant to its current covered call option strategy, the Fund does not write “naked” or uncovered call options. However, in connection with seeking exposure to Common Equity Securities through derivative instruments, the Fund will modify its option strategy. Pursuant to this option strategy, the Fund may write (sell) covered call options on individual Common Equity Securities or ETFs held by the Fund or on indices tracked by ETFs held by the Fund.
 
The Fund may also write call options on securities that are not directly held by the Fund or on indices, or ETFs that track indices, that do not directly correspond to securities held by the Fund, but which GPIM expects to have returns and economic characteristics that are closely correlated with certain of the Fund’s holdings or the securities or indices to which the Fund has otherwise obtained investment exposure. In addition, the Fund may, from time to time, buy or sell put options on individual Common Equity Securities and, to a lesser extent, on indices of securities and sectors of securities.
 

6 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
To the extent the Fund seeks to obtain equity exposure primarily through derivative instruments that replicate the economic characteristics of exposure to Common Equity Securities, the Fund expects to implement its option strategy primarily by writing call options on the securities or indices to which the Fund has obtained investment exposure or on securities or indices that GPIM expects to have returns and economic characteristics that are closely correlated with certain of the Fund’s holdings or the securities or indices to which the Fund has obtained investment exposure. While there are special risks associated with uncovered option writing, because the Fund intends to write options on the securities or indices to which the Fund has obtained investment exposure or on securities or indices that GPIM expects to have returns and economic characteristics that are closely correlated to such securities or indices, such positions are expected to economically offset some or all of the risk associated with the written option.
 
What were the significant events affecting the economy and market environment over the past six months?
 
At the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (the Fed FOMC) meeting on December 16, after the period ended, the Fed raised their target Fed Funds rate by 25 bps. This decision to tighten monetary policy was in recognition that growth in the U.S. economy is sufficient to meet expectations in the current recovery. Historically, the period when the Fed begins to tighten leads to an initial sell-off in the bond market, as investors brace themselves for the ill-effects of restrictive monetary policy on the economy. Then, as investors realize the Fed is raising rates because the economy is strong, the fear of defaults diminishes and credit spreads tighten again.
 
Turning to equities in the U.S., valuations are approaching highs not seen since the internet bubble, based on the historical relationship of total market cap to gross domestic product (GDP) relative to interest rates. However, valuation is a poor timing tool—just because as things get expensive doesn’t mean they won’t get more expensive. Meanwhile, equity valuations in Europe look reasonable, and valuations in certain emerging markets look downright cheap.
 
At the end of the period, U.S. investors could draw optimism from the fundamental strength of the U.S. economy, seasonal factors that continue to kick in support for equity prices, and expectations that the holiday retail season would be a good one. Abroad, investors need to have more faith in the willingness and ability of central bankers to print money. In Europe and Japan, bad news is good news, and with any real signs of weakness, the policymakers should respond with further accommodation.
 
Among positives for the U.S. economy, the consumer price index rose by 0.2% in October after two months of declines, and has begun to accelerate in year-over-year terms due to positive base effects. The Empire State Manufacturing Survey posted its strongest growth since July, and September job openings of 5.52 million beat expectations. Although October retail sales growth of just 0.1% was disappointing, consumer sentiment rebounded in October and November, and the outlook for consumer spending is bright. Another positive could be El Niño, the massive weather pattern that, as it gains strength, should actually become a boon to the U.S. economy, potentially adding 1.5% to GDP in the first quarter.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 7
 
 
 

 
   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
With the Fed’s first rate hike in seven years now decided, the tailwinds of positive economic data, accommodative global central banks, and positive seasonal forces are bolstering market resilience and reaffirming a positive environment backdrop for risk assets.
 
For the six months ended November 30, 2015, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index returned -0.21%; the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index returned -0.12%; the Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index returned -5.84%; and the Barclays 1–3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index returned 0.01%. All returns are total return.
 
How did the Fund perform for the six months ended November 30, 2015?
 
All Fund returns cited—whether based on net asset value (“NAV”) or market price—assume the reinvestment of all distributions. For the six-month period ended November 30, 2015, the Fund provided a total return based on market price of -11.52% and a total return based on NAV of -2.27%. NAV return includes the deduction of management fees, operating expenses, and all other Fund expenses.
 
As of November 30, 2015, the Fund’s market price of $17.69 represented a discount of 2.16% to its NAV of $18.08. As of May 31, 2015, the Fund’s market price of $21.21 represented a premium of 8.16% to its NAV of $19.61. The market value of the Fund’s shares fluctuates from time to time and may be higher or lower than the Fund’s NAV. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
 
From June 2015 through November 2015, the Fund paid a monthly distribution of $0.1821. The November distribution represents an annualized distribution rate of 12.35% based on the Fund’s closing market price of $17.69 on November 30, 2015. The Fund’s distribution rate is not constant and the amount of distributions, when declared by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, is subject to change based on the performance of the Fund. Please see Note 2(h) on page 49 for more information on distributions for the period.
 
Why did the Fund accrue excise tax during the period?
 
As a registered investment company, the Fund is subject to a 4% excise tax that is imposed if the Fund does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the fund’s fiscal year). The Fund generally intends to distribute income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize (but not necessarily eliminate) the imposition of such excise tax. While the Fund’s income and capital gains can vary significantly from year to year, the Fund seeks to maintain more stable monthly distributions over time. The Fund may retain income or capital gains and pay excise tax when it is determined that doing so is in the best interest of shareholders. Management, in consultation with the Board of Trustees, evaluates the costs of the excise tax relative to the benefits of retaining income and capital gains, including that such undistributed amounts (net of the excise tax paid) remain available for investment by the Fund and are available to supplement future distributions, which may facilitate the payment of more stable monthly distributions year over year.
 

8 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
What influenced performance over the period?
 
The world kept a watchful eye on the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) this summer as headlines moved from Greece to China. Weak economic growth prompted several rate cuts by the People’s Bank of China, and despite efforts by the Chinese authorities to support the market, the leverage-fueled boom in China’s stock market unraveled, with the Shanghai Composite falling 32% in the 3.5 weeks following its June 12 peak. Left with few other meaningful alternatives, China devalued the yuan by 1.9% in August, the first devaluation of its currency in 20 years. Inevitably, markets drew parallels to the 1997 Asian financial crisis. As China’s move sent shockwaves through global financial markets, the Fed opted to keep overnight rates zero-bound at its September meeting, citing concerns about potential downside risks to the U.S. outlook posed by recent global market volatility. The Fed then raised the overnight rate by 25 basis points at its December meeting, which occurred after the period ended.
 
During the period, the Fund saw negative returns largely attributable to widening credit spreads. Negative spread returns have predominantly been driven by the Fund’s investments in high yield corporate debt, bank loans and collateralized loan obligations. However, negative aggregate returns were somewhat mitigated by return attributable to carry. The Fund continues to maintain low interest rate duration, particularly at the front end of the yield curve, and thus has largely avoided losses due to a flattening curve. It also maintains an overweight position to floating rate securities.
 
The Fund continued to find attractive relative value by tactically rotating among sectors, with a focus on securities that are overlooked by the broader market participants. Low long-term rates have been an increasing support to the residential real estate market and homebuilders, for example. The Fund had also reduced energy sector exposure to address the potential for lower energy prices, but valuations at the end of the period were presenting an attractive entry point for select energy credits. High-yield bonds and leveraged loans continue to experience spread widening, and the Fund continues to use periods of weakness to add to attractive assets.
 
What is the Fund’s view of the market at the end of the period?
 
The watchword across risk assets over the past few months has been caution. Partial evidence lies in fixed-income mutual fund flows, as skeptical and risk-averse investors have pulled billions of dollars from high-yield bond mutual funds and bank loan mutual funds. Notably, the withdrawal of assets from bank loan funds has not materially affected the loan market due to anemic supply and a robust collateralized loan obligation (CLO) market.
 
Even after the Fed raised overnight interest rates in December, long-term rates are unlikely to increase dramatically. We believe the yield curve is likely to flatten and that the highest point for the Fed Funds rate is probably not more than 2.5-3%, which will likely take two to three years to achieve. In the near term, credit markets had already priced in a Fed rate hike and, with the strength of underlying economy as well as seasonal market dynamics, this may be an opportune time to increase risk in portfolios.
 
A risk to the U.S. economy, however, is an overly strong dollar. This has already had some effect on U.S. manufacturing and is clearly a concern for the Federal Reserve. In addition, continued low oil prices are exerting pressure on the large energy industry in the U.S. and bear watching.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 9
 
 
 

 
   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Discuss the Fund’s approach to duration.
 
Although the Fund has no set policy regarding portfolio duration or maturity, the Fund currently maintains a low-duration target, but adds opportunistically to attractive long duration assets when it can take advantage of short-term fluctuations in interest rates.
 
What is the overall credit quality of the portfolio?
 
The Fund has the ability to invest up to 60% of its total assets in below-investment grade securities of any rating (including securities rated below “CCC” by Moody’s or “Caa2” by S&P or that, at the time of purchase, are in default).
 
As of the end of the period, approximately 59% of the Fund’s total investments were invested in below-investment grade securities.
 
The Fund’s flexibility to invest in equity securities and income securities across the credit rating spectrum gives the Fund the ability to more effectively pursue its strategy.
 
What is the Fund’s leverage strategy?
 
Since leverage adds to performance when the cost of leverage is less than the total return generated by investments, the use of leverage detracted from the Fund’s total return during this period. The purpose of leverage (borrowing) is to fund the purchase of additional securities that provide increased income and potentially greater appreciation to common shareholders than could be achieved from an unlevered portfolio. Leverage results in greater NAV volatility and entails more downside risk than an unleveraged portfolio.
 
As of November 30, 2015, the amount of leverage was approximately 32% of total managed assets. GPIM employs leverage through two vehicles: reverse repurchase agreements, under which the Fund temporarily transfers possession of portfolio securities and receives cash which can be used for additional investments, and a committed financing facility through a leading financial institution. There is no guarantee that the Fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. The Fund’s use of leverage may cause the Fund’s NAV and market price of common shares to be more volatile and can magnify the effect of any losses.
 
Index Definitions
 
Indices are unmanaged and reflect no expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
 
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks. The index is designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.
 
The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index represents securities that are U.S. domestic, taxable, and dollar denominated. The index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.
 

10 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
The Barclays 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of U.S. Treasury bills with a remaining maturity of one to three months. U.S. Treasury bills, which are short-term loans to the U.S. government, are full faith-and-credit obligations of the U.S. Treasury and are generally regarded as being free of any risk of default.
 
The Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index measures the market of U.S. dollar-denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate funds.
 
Risks and Other Considerations
 
The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio managers only through the report period as stated on the cover. These views are subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions and should not be construed as a recommendation of any kind. The material may also include forward looking statements that involve risk and uncertainty, and there is no guarantee that any predictions will come to pass. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The value of the Fund will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. Historically, closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value.
 
Please see guggenheiminvestments.com/gof for a detailed discussion of the Fund’s risks and considerations.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 11
 
 
 

 
   
FUND SUMMARY (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2015 
 
   
Fund Statistics 
 
Share Price 
$17.69 
Net Asset Value 
$18.08 
Discount to NAV 
-2.16% 
Net Assets ($000) 
$319,245 
 
           
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE 
     
PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2015 
     
 
Six 
     
Since 
 
Month 
One 
Three 
Five 
Inception 
 
(non-annualized) 
Year 
Year 
Year 
(07/26/07) 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund 
       
NAV 
-2.27% 
1.75% 
7.60% 
9.56% 
10.60% 
Market 
-11.52% 
-9.53% 
5.63% 
7.95% 
9.87% 
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. All NAV returns include the deduction of management fees, operating expenses, and all other Fund expenses. The deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares is not reflected in the total returns. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit guggenheiminvestments.com/gof. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and other factors so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
   
Ten Largest Holdings 
 
(% of Total Net Assets) 
 
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust 
14.4% 
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust 
2.4% 
Motel 6 Trust 2015-MTL6, 5.27% due 02/05/30 
1.8% 
Fortress Credit Opportunities 2005 — Class A1, 0.61% due 07/15/19 
1.4% 
Gramercy Real Estate CDO 2007-1 Ltd. — Class 1A, 0.64% due 08/15/56 
1.3% 
Muir Grove CLO Ltd. 2007-1A, 5.32% due 03/25/20 
1.3% 
Kenya Government International Bond 
1.2% 
Airplanes Pass Through Trust 2001-1A, 0.74% due 03/15/19 
1.2% 
AASET 2014-1, 7.38% due 12/15/29 
1.2% 
Morgan Stanley 
1.1% 
Top Ten Total 
27.3% 
“Ten Largest Holdings” exclude any temporary cash or derivative investments.
 

12 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
FUND SUMMARY (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
 
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 13
 
 
 

 
   
FUND SUMMARY (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
   
Holdings Diversification 
 
(Market Exposure as a % of Net Assets) 
 
Investments: 
 
Asset Backed Securities 
41.5% 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
40.1% 
Corporate Bonds 
33.8% 
Exchange Traded Funds 
19.2% 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
4.4% 
Municipal Bonds 
3.0% 
Preferred Stocks 
2.8% 
Foreign Government Bonds 
2.3% 
Money Market Fund 
2.1% 
Common Stocks 
0.1% 
Total Investments 
149.3% 
Call Options Written 
-0.2% 
Other Assets & Liabilities, net 
-49.1% 
Net Assets 
100.0% 
 
Holdings diversification and holdings are subject to change daily. For more information, please visit guggenheiminvestments.com/gof. The above summaries are provided for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as recommendations. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 

14 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
FUND SUMMARY (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
         
Portfolio Composition by Quality Rating*
       
   
     
% of Total
 
Rating
   
Investments
 
Fixed Income Instruments
       
AAA
    1.2 % 
AA
    2.7 % 
A     3.8 % 
BBB
    16.6 % 
BB
    15.7 % 
B     25.4 % 
CCC
    6.5 % 
CC
    0.3 % 
C     0.0 %*** 
D     0.0 %*** 
NR**
    11.6 % 
Other Instruments
       
Other
    14.8 % 
Short Term Investments
    1.4 % 
Total Investments
    100.0 % 
   
*
Source: BlackRock Solutions. Credit quality ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). All securities except for those labeled “NR” have been rated by Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), or Fitch, which are all a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”). For purposes of this presentation, when ratings are available from more than one agency, the highest rating is used. Guggenheim Investments has converted Moody’s and Fitch ratings to the equivalent S&P rating. Security ratings are determined at the time of purchase and may change thereafter. 
   
** 
NR securities do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. 
   
*** Less than 0.1%.
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 15
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Shares 
 
Value 
COMMON STOCKS– 0.1% 
     
Technology – 0.1% 
     
Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.*, †† 
11,126 
$
 260,070 
Basic Materials – 0.0%** 
     
Mirabela Nickel Ltd.*,†††,1 
5,244,841 
 
379 
Consumer, Cyclical – 0.0%** 
     
Deb Stores Holding LLC*,†††,1 
9,389 
 
Total Common Stocks 
     
(Cost $2,144,013) 
   
260,449 
PREFERRED STOCKS– 2.8% 
     
Financial – 2.0% 
     
Morgan Stanley, 6.38%2,3 
133,000 
 
3,509,870 
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd., 5.95%2,3 
58,689 
 
1,495,337 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 5.50%2,3 
43,500 
 
1,096,635 
AgriBank FCB, 6.88%2,3 
4,000 
 
423,375 
Total Financial 
   
6,525,217 
Industrial – 0.8% 
     
Seaspan Corp., 6.38% 
98,000 
 
2,401,000 
Total Industrial 
   
2,401,000 
Total Preferred Stocks 
     
(Cost $8,772,035) 
   
8,926,217 
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS– 19.2% 
     
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust4 
219,800 
 
45,870,063 
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust4 
42,900 
 
7,603,167 
iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF4 
26,300 
 
3,132,067 
SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust4 
5,800 
 
1,544,076 
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund4 
9,500 
 
767,410 
Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund4 
16,700 
 
763,691 
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund4 
11,200 
 
761,824 
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund4 
13,800 
 
755,412 
Total Exchange-Traded Funds 
     
(Cost $60,714,436) 
   
61,197,710 
MONEY MARKET FUND– 2.1% 
     
Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Institutional Shares, 0.00%14 
     
 
6,607,587 
 
6,607,587 
Total Money Market Fund 
     
(Cost $6,607,587) 
   
6,607,587 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

16 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES†† – 41.5% 
     
Collateralized Loan Obligations – 29.4% 
     
Fortress Credit Opportunities 
     
2005-1A, 0.61% due 07/15/192,3,5 
4,840,874 
$
 4,512,359 
Muir Grove CLO Ltd. 
     
2007-1A, 5.32% due 03/25/202,3,5 
4,000,000 
 
4,008,101 
Garrison Funding 2015-1 Ltd. 
     
2015-1A, 4.53% due 05/25/272,3,5 
3,500,000 
 
3,310,056 
KKR Financial CLO Ltd. 
     
2007-1A, 5.36% due 05/15/212,3,5 
2,000,000 
 
2,013,397 
2007-1X, 5.36% due 05/15/212 
1,000,000 
 
1,006,699 
Flatiron CLO 2013-1 Ltd. 
     
2013-1A, 3.91% due 01/17/262,3,5 
3,300,000 
 
2,999,913 
Fortress Credit Funding V, LP 
     
2015-5A, 5.67% due 08/15/222,3,5 
3,000,000 
 
2,860,492 
Newstar Trust 
     
2012-2I, 6.99% due 01/20/233 
3,000,000 
 
2,793,664 
TCW Global Project Fund II Ltd. 
     
2004-1A, 2.27% due 06/24/162,3,5 
2,886,487 
 
2,394,341 
JFIN CLO 2007 Ltd. 
     
2007-1A, 3.11% due 07/20/213,5 
2,500,000 
 
2,351,663 
Avery 
     
2013-3X, due 01/18/256 
2,399,940 
 
2,011,630 
FDF I Ltd. 
     
2015-1A, 6.88% due 11/12/305 
2,000,000 
 
1,973,300 
Jamestown CLO III Ltd. 
     
2013-3A, 3.62% due 01/15/262,3,5 
2,250,000 
 
1,961,938 
Dryden Senior Loan Fund 
     
3.82% due 10/20/20 
2,000,000 
 
1,949,574 
Fortress Credit Opportunities VI CLO Ltd. 
     
2015-6A, 5.27% due 03/31/272,3,5 
2,000,000 
 
1,921,885 
OHA Credit Partners VI Ltd. 
     
2015-6A, 6.76% due 05/15/232,3,5 
2,000,000 
 
1,897,805 
Golub Capital Partners CLO 24M Ltd. 
     
2015-24A, 4.57% due 02/05/2723,,5 
2,000,000 
 
1,845,482 
Voya CLO 2013-1 Ltd. 
     
2013-1A, 3.82% due 04/15/242,3,5 
2,000,000 
 
1,835,454 
Treman Park CLO Ltd. 
     
2015-1A, due 04/20/275,6 
2,000,000 
 
1,816,470 
OHA Credit Partners IX Ltd. 
     
2013-9A, due 10/20/255,6 
2,000,000 
 
1,752,687 
ARES XXVI CLO Ltd. 
     
2013-1A, due 04/15/255,6 
3,700,000 
 
1,705,061 
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO 2012-3 Ltd. 
     
2012-3A, due 10/04/245,6 
2,600,000 
 
1,703,399 
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 17
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES†† – 41.5% (continued) 
     
Collateralized Loan Obligations – 29.4% (continued) 
     
Monroe Capital CLO 2014-1 Ltd. 
     
2014-1A, 5.05% due 10/22/263,5 
1,750,000 
$
 1,658,642 
Finn Square CLO Ltd. 
     
2012-1A, due 12/24/235,6 
2,500,000 
 
1,550,342 
Mountain Hawk II CLO Ltd. 
     
2013-2A, 3.44% due 07/22/242,3,5 
1,750,000 
 
1,484,142 
Atlas Senior Loan Fund II Ltd. 
     
2012-2A, due 01/30/242,5,6 
2,600,000 
 
1,482,271 
Great Lakes CLO 2015-1 Ltd. 
     
2015-1A, 4.07% due 07/15/263,5 
1,500,000 
 
1,479,144 
Race Point VII CLO Ltd. 
     
2012-7A, 4.59% due 11/08/242,3,5 
1,500,000 
 
1,469,466 
GoldenTree Loan Opportunities III Ltd. 
     
2007-3A, 3.52% due 05/01/222,3,5 
1,500,000 
 
1,453,719 
Great Lakes CLO 2012-1 Ltd. 
     
2012-1A, due 01/15/232,5,6 
2,500,000 
 
1,441,664 
Fortress Credit Opportunities V CLO Ltd. 
     
2014-5A, 5.22% due 10/15/262,3,5 
1,500,000 
 
1,435,651 
ALM XIV Ltd. 
     
2014-14A, 3.77% due 07/28/262,3,5 
1,500,000 
 
1,376,270 
Madison Park Funding VIII Ltd. 
     
2014-8A, 4.17% due 04/22/222,3,5 
1,300,000 
 
1,278,305 
Cerberus Onshore II CLO LLC 
     
2014-1A, 4.32% due 10/15/232,3,5 
1,250,000 
 
1,201,219 
NewStar Arlington Senior Loan Program LLC 
     
2014-1A, 4.56% due 07/25/253,5 
750,000 
 
696,270 
2014-1A, 5.97% due 07/25/255 
500,000 
 
504,685 
Babson CLO Limited 2012-II 
     
2012-2A, due 05/15/235,6 
2,000,000 
 
1,199,316 
Neuberger Berman CLO Ltd. 
     
2012-12A, due 07/25/235,6 
2,500,000 
 
1,151,727 
KVK CLO Ltd. 
     
2013-1A, due 04/14/252,5,6 
2,300,000 
 
1,131,532 
MCF CLO I LLC 
     
2013-1A, 6.07% due 04/20/233,5 
1,250,000 
 
1,114,850 
Churchill Financial Cayman Ltd. 
     
2007-1A, 8.37% due 07/10/192,5 
1,000,000 
 
1,005,670 
Sound Point CLO I Ltd. 
     
2012-1A, 4.89% due 10/20/235 
1,000,000 
 
995,281 
Cent CLO 16, LP 
     
2014-16A, 4.58% due 08/01/242,3,5 
1,000,000 
 
989,232 
TCW Global Project Fund III Ltd. 
     
2005-1A, 5.79% due 09/01/172,5 
1,000,000 
 
987,400 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

18 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES†† – 41.5% (continued) 
     
Collateralized Loan Obligations – 29.4% (continued) 
     
Golub Capital Partners CLO 25M Ltd. 
     
2015-25A, 3.94% due 08/05/273,5 
1,000,000 
$
 980,800 
Fortress Credit Opportunities III CLO, LP 
     
2014-3A, 3.57% due 04/28/262,3,5 
1,000,000 
 
970,302 
Cerberus Onshore II CLO-2 LLC 
     
2014-1A, 4.43% due 10/15/232,3,5 
1,000,000 
 
970,114 
Voya CLO Ltd. 
     
2015-3A, 4.27% due 10/15/222,3,5 
1,000,000 
 
966,893 
Sound Point CLO III Ltd. 
     
2013-2A, 4.22% due 07/15/252,3,5 
1,000,000 
 
947,161 
VENTURE XIII CLO Ltd. 
     
2013-13A, due 06/10/255,6 
1,500,000 
 
946,516 
Kingsland VI Ltd. 
     
2013-6A, 3.97% due 10/28/242,3,5 
1,000,000 
 
912,461 
Atlas Senior Loan Fund IV Ltd. 
     
2014-2A, 3.81% due 02/17/262,3,5 
1,000,000 
 
899,179 
Keuka Park CLO Ltd. 
     
2013-1A, due 10/21/245,6 
1,500,000 
 
890,165 
Marathon CLO Ltd. 
     
due 02/21/256 
1,300,000 
 
834,194 
Ares XXV CLO Ltd. 
     
2013-3A, due 01/17/245,6 
1,750,000 
 
801,103 
Dryden 37 Senior Loan Fund 
     
2015-37A, due 04/15/275,6 
1,050,000 
 
777,185 
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd. 
     
2014-2A, 4.21% due 07/20/232,3,5 
750,000 
 
739,406 
Newstar Commercial Loan Funding LLC 
     
2014-1A, 5.06% due 04/20/253,5 
500,000 
 
476,535 
2013-1A, 5.65% due 09/20/232,3,5 
250,000 
 
245,183 
COA Summit CLO Limited 2014-1 
     
2014-1A, 4.14% due 04/20/232,3,5 
500,000 
 
493,773 
NXT Capital CLO 2013-1 LLC 
     
2013-1A, 4.47% due 04/25/242,3,5 
500,000 
 
486,062 
NewStar Commercial Loan Trust 
     
2007-1A, 2.71% due 09/30/223,5 
500,000 
 
468,403 
Great Lakes CLO Ltd. 
     
2014-1A, 4.52% due 04/15/252,3,5 
500,000 
 
467,747 
Connecticut Valley Structured Credit CDO III Ltd. 
     
2006-3A, 6.67% due 03/23/232,5 
441,767 
 
440,955 
MCF CLO IV LLC 
     
2014-1A, 6.20% due 10/15/253,5 
500,000 
 
428,067 
West CLO Ltd. 
     
2013-1A, due 11/07/255,6 
1,350,000 
 
425,245 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 19
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES†† – 41.5% (continued) 
     
Collateralized Loan Obligations – 29.4% (continued) 
     
Airlie CLO 
     
2006-2A, 1.07% due 12/20/202,3,5 
400,000 
$
 385,185 
Golub Capital Partners CLO 18 Ltd. 
     
2014-18A, 4.31% due 04/25/262,5 
300,000 
 
278,720 
Marathon CLO II Ltd. 
     
2005-2A, due 12/20/193,5,6 
3,000,000 
 
107,048 
Total Collateralized Loan Obligation 
   
94,050,570 
Collateralized Debt Obligation – 4.3% 
     
Gramercy Real Estate CDO 2007-1 Ltd. 
     
2007-1A, 0.64% due 08/15/562,3,5 
4,569,719 
 
4,254,963 
Anchorage Credit Funding 1 Ltd. 
     
2015-1A, 6.30% due 07/28/302,7 
3,000,000 
 
3,004,982 
RAIT CRE CDO I Ltd. 
     
2006-1X, 0.52% due 11/20/462 
2,402,136 
 
2,254,487 
Highland Park CDO I Ltd. 
     
2006-1A, 0.79% due 11/25/512,3,5 
1,500,000 
 
1,076,188 
2006-1A, 0.72% due 11/25/513,5 
1,082,897 
 
1,050,023 
N-Star REL CDO VIII Ltd. 
     
2006-8A, 0.55% due 02/01/413,5 
1,750,000 
 
1,618,926 
Putnam Structured Product CDO Ltd. 
     
2002-1A, 0.87% due 01/10/382,3,5 
740,086 
 
700,570 
Total Collateralized Debt Obligations 
   
13,960,139 
Transportation – 3.2% 
     
Airplanes Pass Through Trust 
     
2001-1A, 0.74% due 03/15/192,3,7 
12,068,641 
 
3,741,278 
ECAF I Ltd. 
     
2015-1A, 5.80% due 07/15/402,5 
2,750,000 
 
2,731,846 
Stripes 
     
2013-1 A1, 3.70% due 03/20/23††† 
1,939,226 
 
1,909,459 
Turbine Engines Securitization Ltd. 
     
2013-1A, 6.37% due 12/13/485 
789,097 
 
783,652 
Rise Ltd. 
     
2014-1AB, 6.50% due 02/12/39††† 
445,312 
 
443,086 
BBAM Acquisition Finance 
     
5.38% due 09/17/18††† 
432,986 
 
432,986 
Bush Truck Leasing LLC 
     
2011-AA, 5.00% due 09/25/182,7 
21,607 
 
20,842 
Total Transportation 
   
10,063,149 
Aircraft – 2.9% 
     
AASET 
     
2014-1, 7.38% due 12/15/293 
3,717,949 
 
3,674,077 
2014-1, 5.13% due 12/15/293 
1,858,974 
 
1,816,218 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

20 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES†† – 41.5% (continued) 
     
Aircraft – 2.9% (continued) 
     
Castlelake Aircraft Securitization Trust 2014-1 
     
2014-1, 7.50% due 02/15/295 
2,160,564 
$
 2,133,557 
2014-1, 5.25% due 02/15/295 
1,800,303 
 
1,771,678 
Total Aircraft 
   
9,395,530 
Other – 0.8% 
     
Emerald Aviation Finance Ltd. 
     
2013-1, 6.35% due 10/15/382,5,8 
1,478,646 
 
1,504,176 
Glenn Pool Oil & Gas Trust 
     
6.00% due 08/02/21††† 
1,178,565 
 
1,014,426 
Total Other 
   
2,518,602 
Financial – 0.5% 
     
NCBJ 2015-1 A 
     
5.88% due 07/08/22††† 
1,500,000 
 
1,506,060 
Insurance – 0.3% 
     
Northwind Holdings LLC 
     
2007-1A, 1.10% due 12/01/3723,,5 
734,563 
 
672,125 
Insurance Note Capital VII 
     
2005-1R1A, 0.48% due 06/09/332,3,5 
209,200 
 
190,665 
Total Insurance 
   
862,790 
Credit Cards – 0.1% 
     
Credit Card Pass-Through Trust 2012-BIZ 
     
2012-BIZ, 0.00%5,6,9 
444,254 
 
361,356 
Total Credit Cards 
   
361,356 
Total Asset Backed Securities 
     
(Cost $142,350,712) 
   
132,718,196 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,3 – 40.1% 
     
Industrial – 9.8% 
     
SRS Distribution, Inc. 
     
5.25% due 08/25/22 
2,500,000 
 
2,481,249 
Data Device Corp. 
     
7.00% due 07/15/20 
2,496,244 
 
2,477,522 
Alion Science & Technology Corp. 
     
5.50% due 08/19/21 
2,493,750 
 
2,467,266 
Quanex Building Products Corp. 
     
6.25% due 11/02/22 
2,000,000 
 
1,982,500 
Prolamina 
     
5.00% due 08/18/22 
2,000,000 
 
1,981,660 
National Technical 
     
7.00% due 06/12/21†††,1 
1,689,882 
 
1,673,271 
SIRVA Worldwide, Inc. 
     
7.50% due 03/27/19 
1,708,428 
 
1,644,362 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 21
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,3 – 40.1% (continued) 
     
Industrial – 9.8% (continued) 
     
CareCore National LLC 
     
5.50% due 03/05/21 
1,837,035 
$
 1,616,591 
CPM Acquisition, Inc. 
     
5.50% due 08/17/22 
1,482,759 
 
1,474,426 
HBC Hardware Holdings 
     
6.75% due 03/30/20††† 
1,485,000 
 
1,440,450 
LSFP Cypress (Foundation) 
     
7.25% due 10/09/22 
1,500,000 
 
1,432,500 
DAE Aviation Holdings, Inc. 
     
5.25% due 07/07/22 
1,000,000 
 
994,060 
PLZ Aeroscience 
     
5.25% due 07/31/22 
1,000,000 
 
992,500 
CPM Holdings 
     
6.00% due 04/11/22 
997,500 
 
985,031 
American Tire Distributors, Inc. 
     
5.25% due 09/01/21 
938,231 
 
937,837 
Bioplan / Arcade 
     
5.75% due 09/23/21 
898,000 
 
765,545 
Hunter Defense Technologies 
     
6.50% due 08/05/19†††,1 
760,000 
 
746,026 
Ranpak 
     
8.25% due 10/03/22 
700,000 
 
691,250 
Flakt Woods 
     
4.75% due 03/20/17†††,1 
656,929 EUR 
 
685,313 
Mitchell International, Inc. 
     
8.50% due 10/11/21 
700,000 
 
685,125 
AlliedBarton Security Services LLC 
     
8.00% due 08/13/21 
726,027 
 
684,281 
GYP Holdings III Corp. 
     
4.75% due 04/01/21 
673,291 
 
650,850 
Mast Global 
     
8.75% due 09/12/19†††,1 
549,737 
 
546,235 
NaNa Development Corp. 
     
8.00% due 03/15/18 
560,294 
 
535,081 
Knowledge Universe Education LLC 
     
6.00% due 08/12/22 
500,000 
 
489,375 
SI Organization 
     
5.75% due 11/22/19 
308,038 
 
306,113 
Doncasters Group Ltd. 
     
9.50% due 10/09/20 
101,379 
 
99,352 
Carey International, Inc. 
     
9.00% due 07/31/16†††,1 
42,224 
 
19,550 
Total Industrial 
   
31,485,321 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

22 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,3 – 40.1% (continued) 
     
Consumer, Cyclical – 6.8% 
     
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. 
     
5.50% due 06/29/21†††,1 
1,995,000 
$
 1,976,455 
Mavis Tire 
     
6.25% due 10/31/20†††,1 
1,995,000 
 
1,967,392 
Belk, Inc. 
     
5.75% due 11/18/22 
2,200,000 
 
1,956,636 
BIG JACK Holdings 
     
5.75% due 07/01/22 
2,000,000 
 
1,950,000 
Sears Holdings Corp. 
     
5.50% due 06/30/18†††,1 
1,983,933 
 
1,863,250 
Thame & London Ltd. 
     
6.00% due 06/19/17 
1,000,000 GBP 
 
1,499,970 
Navistar, Inc. 
     
6.50% due 08/07/20 
1,500,000 
 
1,366,875 
Fitness International LLC 
     
5.50% due 07/01/20 
1,308,438 
 
1,239,745 
National Vision, Inc. 
     
6.75% due 03/11/22 
1,200,000 
 
1,152,000 
Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. 
     
5.25% due 10/29/18 
1,102,665 
 
1,086,125 
Sky Bet Cyan Blue HoldCo 
     
6.50% due 02/25/22 
650,000 GBP 
 
980,590 
Med Finance Merge - MyEyeDr 
     
7.25% due 08/14/21†††,1 
804,878 
 
797,226 
5.69% due 08/14/21†††,1 
146,341 
 
144,950 
Eyemart Express 
     
5.00% due 12/17/21 
935,000 
 
923,313 
Transfirst 
     
9.00% due 11/11/22 
600,000 
 
589,998 
Talbots, Inc. 
     
5.50% due 03/19/20 
518,421 
 
498,115 
ABRA Auto Body 
     
8.25% due 09/19/22 
500,000 
 
480,000 
Ollies Bargain Outlet 
     
4.75% due 09/28/19 
477,807 
 
473,029 
Alexander Mann Solutions Ltd. 
     
5.75% due 12/20/19 
361,073 
 
357,462 
GCA Services Group, Inc. 
     
9.25% due 11/02/20 
320,000 
 
313,600 
Capital Automotive LP 
     
6.00% due 04/30/20 
210,000 
 
210,699 
Deb Stores Holding LLC 
     
1.50% due 10/11/16†††,1 
654,038 
 
1
Total Consumer, Cyclical 
   
21,827,431 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 23
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,3 – 40.1% (continued) 
     
Technology – 5.2% 
     
Insight Venture 
     
7.25% due 07/15/21†††,1 
1,650,000 GBP 
$
 2,446,516 
TIBCO Software, Inc. 
     
6.50% due 12/04/20 
2,432,869 
 
2,226,075 
Linxens MicroConnections 
     
5.00% due 10/16/22 
2,000,000 
 
1,968,760 
PowerSchool, Inc. 
     
5.50% due 07/29/21†††,1 
1,000,000 
 
990,557 
6.00% due 07/30/21 
588,000 
 
582,190 
Deltek, Inc. 
     
5.00% due 06/25/22 
1,388,813 
 
1,376,661 
Greenway Medical Technologies 
     
6.00% due 11/04/20 
1,080,750 
 
1,048,328 
Sparta Holding Corp. 
     
6.50% due 07/28/20†††,1 
990,000 
 
982,313 
Epicor Software 
     
4.75% due 06/01/22 
997,500 
 
978,089 
Touchtunes Interactive 
     
5.75% due 05/28/21 
897,750 
 
894,383 
MRI Software LLC 
     
5.25% due 06/23/21 
748,125 
 
741,579 
EIG Investors Corp. 
     
5.00% due 11/09/19 
724,506 
 
712,132 
Active Network, Inc. 
     
5.50% due 11/13/20 
590,981 
 
577,684 
Advanced Computer Software 
     
10.50% due 01/31/23 
500,000 
 
480,625 
Aspect Software, Inc. 
     
7.25% due 05/07/16 
467,141 
 
426,266 
GlobalLogic Holdings, Inc. 
     
6.25% due 05/31/19 
343,875 
 
336,998 
Total Technology 
   
16,769,156 
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 4.7% 
     
AT Home Holding III 
     
5.00% due 06/03/22 
1,990,000 
 
1,940,251 
American Seafoods Group LLC / American Seafoods Finance, Inc. 
     
6.00% due 08/19/21 
1,500,000 
 
1,473,750 
1.40% due 08/19/21 
66,667 
 
57,205 
Performance Food Group 
     
6.25% due 11/14/19 
1,299,196 
 
1,294,869 
Albertson’s (Safeway) Holdings LLC 
     
5.50% due 08/25/21 
1,141,579 
 
1,139,295 
AdvancePierre Foods, Inc. 
     
9.50% due 10/10/17 
1,131,000 
 
1,117,801 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

24 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,3 – 40.1% (continued) 
     
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 4.7% (continued) 
     
Sho Holding I Corp. 
     
6.00% due 10/27/22 
1,000,000 
$
 990,000 
Taxware Holdings 
     
7.50% due 04/01/22†††,1 
997,500 
 
988,455 
Americold Realty 
     
6.50% due 12/01/22 
1,000,000 
 
987,500 
IHC Holding Corp. 
     
7.00% due 04/30/21†††,1 
997,500 
 
983,992 
Affordable Care Holding 
     
5.75% due 10/24/22 
1,000,000 
 
980,000 
Arctic Glacier Holdings, Inc. 
     
6.00% due 05/10/19 
988,700 
 
934,321 
ABG Intermediate Holdings 2 LLC 
     
5.50% due 05/27/21 
853,705 
 
843,298 
Pelican Products, Inc. 
     
5.25% due 04/10/20 
394,000 
 
386,120 
CTI Foods Holding Co. LLC 
     
8.25% due 06/28/21 
380,000 
 
345,800 
NES Global Talent 
     
6.50% due 10/03/19 
340,900 
 
317,037 
Targus Group International, Inc. 
     
13.75% due 05/24/16†††,1 
228,929 
 
143,424 
Rite Aid Corp. 
     
5.75% due 08/21/20 
100,000 
 
100,292 
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical 
   
15,023,410 
Financial – 4.1% 
     
Acrisure LLC 
     
5.25% due 05/19/22 
2,295,239 
 
2,191,952 
Trademonster 
     
7.25% due 08/29/19†††,1 
1,485,000 
 
1,479,450 
American Stock Transfer & Trust 
     
5.75% due 06/26/20 
1,473,104 
 
1,443,641 
Expert Global Solutions, Inc. 
     
8.50% due 04/03/18 
952,000 
 
943,271 
12.50% due 10/03/18 
441,015 
 
438,810 
13.00% due 10/03/18 
8,985 
 
9,007 
Hyperion Insurance 
     
5.50% due 04/29/22 
1,297,744 
 
1,291,256 
Safe-Guard 
     
6.25% due 08/19/21 
1,259,333 
 
1,196,367 
Assured Partners, Inc. 
     
5.75% due 10/21/22 
1,000,000 
 
993,750 
Integro Parent, Inc. 
     
6.75% due 10/31/22 
1,000,000 
 
967,806 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 25
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,3 – 40.1% (continued) 
     
Financial – 4.1% (continued) 
     
Ryan LLC 
     
6.75% due 08/07/20 
987,500 
$
 962,813 
Magic Newco, LLC 
     
12.00% due 06/12/19 
750,000 
 
804,375 
HDV Holdings 
     
5.75% due 09/17/20 
179,100 
 
177,545 
Cunningham Lindsey U.S., Inc. 
     
9.25% due 06/10/20 
116,932 
 
75,421 
Total Financial 
   
12,975,464 
Communications – 4.0% 
     
Avaya, Inc. 
     
6.50% due 03/30/18 
1,677,965 
 
1,424,173 
6.25% due 05/29/20 
1,392,293 
 
1,053,353 
GOGO LLC 
     
11.25% due 03/21/18 
1,383,852 
 
1,383,852 
7.50% due 03/21/18 
858,289 
 
823,957 
Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. 
     
7.00% due 03/31/20 
2,188,851 
 
2,152,605 
Neptune Finco Corp. 
     
5.00% due 10/10/22 
2,000,000 
 
1,992,860 
Anaren, Inc. 
     
9.25% due 08/18/21 
1,000,000 
 
982,500 
5.50% due 02/18/21 
982,500 
 
953,025 
Asurion Corp. 
     
5.00% due 08/04/22 
1,885,275 
 
1,741,051 
5.00% due 05/24/19 
138,079 
 
129,967 
Total Communications 
   
12,637,343 
Basic Materials – 2.8% 
     
Zep, Inc. 
     
5.75% due 06/27/22 
1,995,000 
 
1,982,531 
Platform Specialty Products Corp. 
     
5.50% due 06/07/20 
2,000,000 
 
1,944,380 
PetroChoice Holdings 
     
6.00% due 08/19/22 
1,500,000 
 
1,462,500 
Atkore International, Inc. 
     
7.75% due 10/08/21 
1,350,000 
 
1,171,125 
4.50% due 04/09/21 
250,000 
 
230,625 
Noranda Aluminum Acquisition Corp. 
     
5.75% due 02/28/19 
2,364,590 
 
1,207,903 
Hoffmaster Group, Inc. 
     
5.25% due 05/08/20 
740,625 
 
731,834 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

26 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
SENIOR FLOATING RATE INTERESTS††,3 – 40.1% (continued) 
     
Basic Materials – 2.8% (continued) 
     
Ennis Flint Road Infrastructure 
     
7.75% due 09/30/21 
140,000 
$
 133,000 
Total Basic Materials 
   
8,863,898 
Energy – 1.2% 
     
PSS Companies 
     
5.50% due 01/28/20 
1,877,261 
 
1,501,809 
Invenergy Thermal 
     
6.50% due 10/19/22 
1,500,000 
 
1,462,500 
Cactus Wellhead 
     
7.00% due 07/31/20 
990,000 
 
767,250 
Total Energy 
   
3,731,559 
Utilities – 0.8% 
     
Panda Stonewall 
     
6.50% due 11/12/21 
1,875,000 
 
1,790,625 
ExGen Renewables I LLC 
     
5.25% due 02/08/21 
645,109 
 
643,497 
Total Utilities 
   
2,434,122 
Transportation – 0.7% 
     
Travelport Holdings LLC 
     
5.75% due 09/02/21 
847,859 
 
831,165 
OneSky 
     
15.00% due 06/03/19†††,1 
511,419 
 
526,762 
Ceva Group Plc (United Kingdom) 
     
6.50% due 03/19/21 
578,171 
 
498,193 
Ceva Logistics US Holdings 
     
6.50% due 03/19/21 
255,271 
 
219,959 
Ceva Logistics Holdings BV (Dutch) 
     
6.50% due 03/19/21 
185,071 
 
159,470 
Ceva Logistics Canada, ULC 
     
6.50% due 03/19/21 
31,909 
 
27,495 
Total Transportation 
   
2,263,044 
Total Senior Floating Rate Interests 
     
(Cost $132,963,497) 
   
128,010,748 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 33.8% 
     
Financial – 15.4% 
     
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 
     
5.00%2,9,10 
3,100,000 
 
2,975,999 
6.10%2,9,10 
1,000,000 
 
1,015,500 
6.00%2,9,10 
1,000,000 
 
1,003,720 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 27
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 33.8% (continued) 
     
Financial – 15.4% (continued) 
     
Citigroup, Inc. 
     
5.95%2,9,10 
3,000,000 
$
 2,875,949 
5.87%2,9,10 
1,000,000 
 
987,450 
Bank of America Corp. 
     
6.10%2,9,10 
1,750,000 
 
1,759,844 
6.50%2,9,10 
1,000,000 
 
1,056,250 
6.25%2,9,10 
900,000 
 
913,230 
Fifth Third Bancorp 
     
4.90%2,9,10 
3,000,000 
 
2,831,249 
5.10%2,9,10 
815,000 
 
734,519 
HSBC Holdings plc 
     
6.37%2,9,10 
3,000,000 
 
2,972,255 
Jefferies Finance LLC / JFIN Company-Issuer Corp. 
     
7.50% due 04/15/212,5 
2,150,000 
 
2,036,050 
7.37% due 04/01/202,5 
950,000 
 
920,313 
Wells Fargo & Co. 
     
5.90%2,9,10 
2,700,000 
 
2,750,625 
GMH Military Housing-Navy Northeast LLC 
     
6.30% due 10/15/49††† 
2,905,000 
 
2,712,602 
Customers Bank 
     
6.12% due 06/26/292,7,10 
2,500,000 
 
2,531,250 
Barclays plc 
     
6.63%2,9,10 
1,362,000 
 
1,342,105 
8.25%2,9,10 
950,000 
 
1,016,407 
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. 
     
6.12% due 08/15/232 
1,910,000 
 
2,001,220 
NewStar Financial, Inc. 
     
7.25% due 05/01/202 
1,950,000 
 
1,930,500 
National Financial Partners Corp. 
     
9.00% due 07/15/212,5 
1,850,000 
 
1,776,000 
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. 
     
5.50%2,5,9,10 
1,700,000 
 
1,674,500 
Cadence Bank North America 
     
6.24% due 06/28/292,7,10 
1,600,000 
 
1,604,000 
Garfunkelux Holding Co. 3 S.A. 
     
8.50% due 11/01/22 
1,000,000 GBP 
 
1,558,970 
Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC 
     
8.25% due 12/01/222,5 
1,100,000 
 
1,157,750 
Atlas Mara Ltd. 
     
8.00% due 12/31/20 
1,200,000 
 
992,400 
Corporation Financiera de Desarrollo S.A. 
     
5.24% due 07/15/292,5,10 
1,000,000 
 
990,000 
Kennedy-Wilson, Inc. 
     
5.87% due 04/01/242 
1,000,000 
 
987,500 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

28 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 33.8% (continued) 
     
Financial – 15.4% (continued) 
     
Pacific Beacon LLC 
     
5.63% due 07/15/515 
723,562 
$
 661,076 
Tri-Command Military Housing LLC 
     
5.38% due 02/15/485 
559,657 
 
533,443 
Jefferies LoanCore LLC / JLC Finance Corp. 
     
6.87% due 06/01/202,5 
400,000 
 
389,000 
Prosight Global Inc. 
     
7.50% due 11/26/20††† 
250,000 
 
258,915 
Credit Acceptance Corp. 
     
6.12% due 02/15/212 
60,000 
 
58,950 
Total Financial 
   
49,009,541 
Industrial – 4.2% 
     
Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V. 
     
5.50% due 12/20/27†††,2,5 
1,962,628 
 
1,952,815 
Dynagas LNG Partners Limited Partnership / Dynagas Finance, Inc. 
     
6.25% due 10/30/192 
1,800,000 
 
1,467,000 
Novelis, Inc. 
     
8.75% due 12/15/202 
1,200,000 
 
1,167,000 
8.37% due 12/15/17 
300,000 
 
297,000 
LMI Aerospace, Inc. 
     
7.37% due 07/15/192 
1,425,000 
 
1,396,500 
BMBG Bond Finance SCA 
     
4.95% due 10/15/203,5 
1,200,000 EUR 
 
1,275,130 
StandardAero Aviation Holdings, Inc. 
     
10.00% due 07/15/232,5 
1,200,000 
 
1,200,000 
Interoute Finco plc 
     
7.37% due 10/15/20 
1,000,000 EUR 
 
1,136,102 
Reliance Intermediate Holdings, LP 
     
6.50% due 04/01/232,5 
1,000,000 
 
1,037,500 
BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd. 
     
6.75% due 10/19/752,3,5 
1,000,000 
 
997,500 
First Data Corp. 
     
7.00% due 12/01/235 
500,000 
 
504,375 
Unifrax I LLC / Unifrax Holding Co. 
     
7.50% due 02/15/192,5 
500,000 
 
472,500 
CEVA Group plc 
     
7.00% due 03/01/212,5 
350,000 
 
302,750 
Total Industrial 
   
13,206,172 
Consumer, Cyclical – 3.6% 
     
HP Communities LLC 
     
6.82% due 09/15/532,5 
985,507 
 
1,044,381 
6.16% due 09/15/53†††,5 
1,000,000 
 
995,750 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 29
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 33.8% (continued) 
     
Consumer, Cyclical – 3.6% (continued) 
     
NPC International Inc / NPC Operating Co A Inc / NPC Operating Co B Inc 
     
10.50% due 01/15/202 
1,855,000 
$
 1,938,475 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 
     
10.00% due 03/15/202,5 
1,804,000 
 
1,894,200 
WMG Acquisition Corp. 
     
6.75% due 04/15/222,5 
2,130,000 
 
1,890,375 
PF Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. 
     
10.25% due 06/30/202,5 
1,255,000 
 
1,157,738 
Ferrellgas Limited Partnership / Ferrellgas Finance Corp. 
     
6.75% due 06/15/232,5 
1,150,000 
 
1,029,020 
Wynn Las Vegas LLC / Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp. 
     
5.50% due 03/01/252,5 
950,000 
 
850,250 
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. 
     
11.00% due 12/01/172,5 
600,000 
 
631,500 
Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment Inc / Seminole Hard Rock International LLC 
     
5.87% due 05/15/212,5 
150,000 
 
148,500 
Atlas Air 1999-1 Class A-1 Pass Through Trust 
     
7.20% due 07/02/202 
14,547 
 
14,784 
Total Consumer, Cyclical 
   
11,594,973 
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 2.7% 
     
Vector Group Ltd. 
     
7.75% due 02/15/212 
2,190,000 
 
2,326,875 
Bumble Bee Holdings, Inc. 
     
9.00% due 12/15/172,5 
2,082,000 
 
2,126,243 
Central Garden & Pet Co. 
     
8.25% due 03/01/182 
1,538,000 
 
1,570,913 
Midas Intermediate Holdco II LLC / Midas Intermediate Holdco II Finance, Inc. 
     
7.87% due 10/01/222,5 
1,475,000 
 
1,430,750 
Bumble Bee Holdco SCA 
     
9.63% due 03/15/185,13 
900,000 
 
911,250 
KeHE Distributors LLC / KeHE Finance Corp. 
     
7.62% due 08/15/212,5 
250,000 
 
261,093 
Jaguar Holding Company II / Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC 
     
6.37% due 08/01/232,5 
80,000 
 
76,800 
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical 
   
8,703,924 
Communications – 2.3% 
     
MDC Partners, Inc. 
     
6.75% due 04/01/202,5 
2,350,000 
 
2,404,344 
Sprint Communications, Inc. 
     
7.00% due 03/01/202,5 
1,800,000 
 
1,837,125 
Midcontinent Communications & Midcontinent Finance Corp. 
     
6.87% due 08/15/232,5 
1,300,000 
 
1,322,750 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

30 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 33.8% (continued) 
     
Communications – 2.3% (continued) 
     
McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings LLC / McGraw-Hill Global Education Finance 
     
9.75% due 04/01/212 
725,000 
$
 791,156 
CSC Holdings LLC 
     
6.75% due 11/15/212 
500,000 
 
472,500 
Avaya, Inc. 
     
7.00% due 04/01/192,5 
530,000 
 
417,375 
DISH DBS Corp. 
     
5.87% due 11/15/242 
250,000 
 
223,750 
Total Communications 
   
7,469,000 
Basic Materials – 1.9% 
     
Eldorado Gold Corp. 
     
6.12% due 12/15/202,5 
1,700,000 
 
1,566,125 
Newcrest Finance Pty Ltd. 
     
4.20% due 10/01/222,5 
1,750,000 
 
1,564,749 
Yamana Gold, Inc. 
     
4.95% due 07/15/242 
1,650,000 
 
1,466,327 
TPC Group, Inc. 
     
8.75% due 12/15/202,5 
1,710,000 
 
1,188,450 
Mirabela Nickel Ltd. 
     
9.50% due 06/24/19†††,1 
1,265,136 
 
392,192 
1.00% due 09/10/44†††,1 
27,743 
 
Total Basic Materials 
   
6,177,843 
Energy – 1.6% 
     
ContourGlobal Power Holdings S.A. 
     
7.12% due 06/01/192,5 
2,200,000 
 
2,189,000 
Keane Group Holdings LLC 
     
8.50% due 08/08/19†††,1 
1,950,000 
 
1,482,000 
Atlas Energy Holdings Operating Company LLC / Atlas Resource Finance Corp. 
     
7.75% due 01/15/212 
1,425,000 
 
484,500 
IronGate Energy Services LLC 
     
11.00% due 07/01/182,7 
600,000 
 
358,500 
Ultra Resources, Inc. 
     
4.51% due 10/12/20††† 
500,000 
 
321,295 
Schahin II Finance Company SPV Ltd. 
     
5.87% due 09/25/222,7,11 
1,173,200 
 
299,166 
Total Energy 
   
5,134,461 
Technology – 0.9% 
     
Lock AS 
     
7.00% due 08/15/21 
1,200,000 EUR 
 
1,343,668 
Aspect Software, Inc. 
     
10.62% due 05/15/172 
1,065,000 
 
889,275 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 31
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
CORPORATE BONDS†† – 33.8% (continued) 
     
Technology – 0.9% (continued) 
     
Epicor Software 
     
9.24% due 06/21/23†††,1,2 
500,000 
$
 485,980 
Total Technology 
   
2,718,923 
Utilities – 0.6% 
     
LBC Tank Terminals Holding Netherlands BV 
     
6.87% due 05/15/232,5 
1,150,000 
 
1,164,375 
Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations, LP 
     
5.95% due 12/01/25 
850,000 
 
846,129 
Total Utilities 
   
2,010,504 
Diversified – 0.6% 
     
Opal Acquisition, Inc. 
     
8.87% due 12/15/212,5 
1,705,000 
 
1,470,563 
HRG Group, Inc. 
     
7.87% due 07/15/192 
300,000 
 
318,339 
Total Diversified 
   
1,788,902 
Total Corporate Bonds 
     
(Cost $113,341,995) 
   
107,814,243 
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS†† – 4.4% 
     
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities – 3.0% 
     
Motel 6 Trust 
     
2015-MTL6, 5.27% due 02/05/302,5 
6,000,000 
 
5,867,487 
Capmark Military Housing Trust 
     
2007-AETC, 5.74% due 02/10/52†††,2,5 
1,936,666 
 
1,880,813 
2007-AET2, 6.06% due 10/10/522,5 
490,440 
 
470,724 
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Asset Corp. 
     
2003-PRES, 6.24% due 10/10/41†††,2,5 
1,427,244 
 
1,447,267 
Total Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities 
   
9,666,291 
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities – 1.4% 
     
Nomura Resecuritization Trust 
     
2012-1R, 0.63% due 08/27/472,3,5 
2,986,063 
 
2,825,413 
TBW Mortgage Backed Pass-Through Certificates 
     
2006-6, 6.04% due 01/25/372,8 
1,593,458 
 
858,738 
2006-6, 5.75% due 01/25/372,8 
672,074 
 
389,061 
GSAA Home Equity Trust 
     
2007-7, 0.49% due 07/25/372,3 
559,050 
 
482,180 
New Century Home Equity Loan Trust 
     
2004-A, 4.57% due 08/25/343 
31,923 
 
31,537 
Total Residential Mortgage Backed Securities 
   
4,586,929 
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
     
(Cost $14,130,552) 
   
14,253,220 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

32 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Face 
   
 
Amount~ 
 
Value 
MUNICIPAL BONDS†† – 3.0% 
     
Illinois – 2.3% 
     
City of Chicago Illinois General Obligation Unlimited 
     
6.26% due 01/01/402 
2,350,000 
$
 2,145,644 
5.43% due 01/01/422 
1,750,000 
 
1,544,655 
6.05% due 01/01/292 
1,500,000 
 
1,440,870 
State of Illinois General Obligation Unlimited 
     
5.65% due 12/01/382 
1,250,000 
 
1,206,425 
6.90% due 03/01/352 
1,000,000 
 
1,050,730 
Total Illinois 
   
7,388,324 
Puerto Rico – 0.7% 
     
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Revenue Bonds 
     
0.00% due 08/01/4112 
6,000,000 
 
1,147,260 
Puerto Rico Highways & Transportation Authority Revenue Bonds 
     
5.25% due 07/01/352 
1,000,000 
 
941,640 
Total Puerto Rico 
   
2,088,900 
Total Municipal Bonds 
     
(Cost $9,515,632) 
   
9,477,224 
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS†† – 2.3% 
     
Kenya Government International Bond 
     
6.87% due 06/24/242,5 
4,250,000 
 
3,872,813 
Dominican Republic International Bond 
     
6.85% due 01/27/452,5 
3,450,000 
 
3,385,312 
Total Foreign Government Bonds 
     
(Cost $7,960,911) 
   
7,258,125 
Total Investments – 149.3% 
     
(Cost $498,501,370) 
  $
 476,523,719 
 
 
Contracts 
 
Value 
CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN†,* – (0.2)% 
     
Call options on: 
     
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund Expiring December 2015 with 
     
strike price of $83.00 
95 
$
 (2,470) 
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund Expiring December 2015 with strike price of $55.00 
139 
 
(7,645) 
SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust Expiring December 2015 with strike price of $270.00 
58 
 
(8,555) 
Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund Expiring December 2015 with strike price of $46.00 
167 
 
(8,684) 
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust Expiring December 2015 with strike 
     
price of $182.00 
430 
 
(13,760) 
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund Expiring December 2015 with strike price of $68.00 
113 
 
(18,363) 
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust Expiring December 2015 with strike price of $214.00 
732 
 
(30,012) 
iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF Expiring December 2015 with strike price of $120.00 
263 
 
(36,820) 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 33
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
 
Contracts 
 
Value 
CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN†,* – (0.2)% (continued) 
     
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust Expiring January 2016 with strike price of $209.00 
1,466 
$
 (527,760) 
Total Call Options Written 
     
(Premiums received $784,184) 
   
(654,069) 
Other Assets & Liabilities, net – (49.1)% 
   
(156,624,366) 
Total Net Assets – 100.0% 
  $
 319,245,284 
     
~
 
The face amount is denominated in U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise indicated. 
     
*
 
Non-income producing security. 
     
** 
 
Less than 0.1%. 
     
 
Value determined based on Level 1 inputs, unless otherwise noted — See Note 4. 
     
†† 
 
Value determined based on Level 2 inputs, unless otherwise noted — See Note 4. 
     
††† 
 
Value determined based on Level 3 inputs — See Note 4. 
     
1
 
Security was fair valued by the Valuation Committee as of November 30, 2015. The total market value of fair valued securities amounts to $22,827,749, (cost $27,088,921) or 7.2% of total net assets. 
     
2
 
All or a portion of these securities have been physically segregated in connection with borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements and unfunded loan commitments. As of November 30, 2015, the total market value of the segregated securities was $281,270,998. 
     
3
 
Variable rate security. Rate indicated is rate effective as of November 30, 2015. 
     
4
 
Security represents cover for outstanding written option. 
     
5
 
Security is a 144A or Section 4(a)(2) security. The total market value of 144A or Section 4(a)(2) securities is $171,507,771 (cost $185,868,655), or 53.7% of total net assets. These securities have been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. 
     
6
 
Security has no stated coupon. However, it is expected to receive residual cashflow payments on defined deal dates. 
     
7
 
Security is a 144A or Section 4(a)(2) security. These securities are illiquid and restricted under guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. The total market value of 144A or Section 4(a)(2) securities is $11,560,018 (cost $18,077,789), or 3.6% of total net assets - see Note 12. 
     
8
 
Security is a step up/step down bond. The coupon increases or decreases at regular intervals until the bond reaches full maturity. 
     
9
 
Perpetual maturity. 
     
10 
 
Security has a fixed rate coupon which will convert to a floating or variable rate coupon on a future date. 
     
11 
 
Security is in default. 
     
12 
 
Zero coupon rate security. 
     
13 
 
Security is a pay in-kind bond. 
     
14 
 
Rate indicated is the 7-day yield as of November 30, 2015. 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

34 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
     
BV 
 
Limited Liability Company 
CDO 
 
Collateralized Debt Obligation 
CLO 
 
Collateralized Loan Obligation 
EUR 
 
Euro 
FCB 
 
Farmers Credit Bureau 
GBP 
 
Great Britain Pound 
LLC 
 
Limited Liability Company 
LP 
 
Limited Partnership 
NV 
 
Publicly Traded Company 
plc 
 
Public Limited Company 
SA 
 
Corporation 
SCA 
 
Limited Partnership 
ULC 
 
Unlimited Liability Corporation 
 
 
See sector classification in Supplemental Information section.
     
Country Diversification
   
% of Long-Term 
Country 
 
Investments 
United States 
 
90.4% 
United Kingdom 
 
2.3% 
Canada 
 
1.7% 
Luxembourg 
 
1.3% 
Kenya 
 
0.8% 
Marshall Islands 
 
0.8% 
Dominican Republic 
 
0.7% 
Saint Maarten 
 
0.4% 
Australia 
 
0.3% 
Bermuda 
 
0.3% 
Ireland 
 
0.3% 
Netherlands 
 
0.3% 
Peru 
 
0.2% 
France 
 
0.1% 
Cayman Islands 
 
0.1% 
Total Long-Term Investments 
 
100.0% 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 35
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
The following table represents the Fund’s investments carried on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities by caption and by level within the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2015 (see Note 4 in the Notes to Financial Statements):
                         
         
Level 2
   
Level 3
       
   
Level 1
   
Significant
   
Significant
       
   
Quoted
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
       
   
Prices
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Total
 
Assets: 
                       
Corporate Bonds 
  $     $ 99,212,694     $ 8,601,549     $ 107,814,243  
Asset Backed Securities 
          127,412,179       5,306,017       132,718,196  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
          10,925,140       3,328,080       14,253,220  
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
          107,609,160       20,401,588       128,010,748  
Municipal Bonds 
          9,477,224             9,477,224  
Foreign Government Bonds 
          7,258,125             7,258,125  
Common Stocks 
          260,070       379       260,449  
Preferred Stocks 
    8,926,217                   8,926,217  
Exchange-Traded Funds 
    61,197,710                   61,197,710  
Money Market Fund 
    6,607,587                   6,607,587  
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts 
          192,436 *            192,436  
Total Assets 
  $ 76,731,514     $ 362,347,028     $ 37,637,613     $ 476,716,155  
Liabilities: 
                               
Options Written 
    654,069                   654,069  
Unfunded Commitments 
          680,285             680,285  
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts 
          1,874 *            1,874  
Total Liabilities 
  $ 654,069     $ 682,159     $     $ 1,336,228  
*  These amounts are reported as unrealized gain/(loss) as of November 30, 2015.
 
If not referenced in the table, please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for a breakdown of investment type by industry category.
 
See notes to financial statements.

36 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
The following is a summary of significant unobservable inputs used in the fair valuation of assets and liabilities categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:
           
Ending Balance at
     
Category 
 
11/30/15
 
Valuation Technique 
Unobservable Inputs 
Corporate Bonds 
  $ 6,241,377  
Option adjusted spread 
Indicative Quote 
         
off the month end broker 
 
         
quote over the 3 month 
 
         
LIBOR 
 
Corporate Bonds 
  $ 1,967,980  
Enterprise Value 
Valuation Multiple* 
Corporate Bonds 
  $ 392,192  
Model Priced 
Liquidation Value 
 
Asset Backed Securities 
  $ 3,799,957  
Option adjusted spread 
Indicative Quote 
         
off the month end broker 
 
         
quote over the 3 month 
 
         
LIBOR 
 
Asset Backed Securities 
  $ 1,506,060  
Enterprise Value 
Valuation Multiple* 
 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
  $ 3,328,080  
Option adjusted spread 
Indicative Quote 
         
off the month end broker 
 
         
quote over the 3 month 
 
         
LIBOR 
 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
  $ 1,440,450  
Option adjusted spread 
Indicative Quote 
         
off the month end broker 
 
         
quote over the 3 month 
 
         
LIBOR 
 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
  $ 18,817,714  
Enterprise Value 
Valuation Multiple* 
 
Senior Floating Rate Interests 
  $ 143,424  
Model Priced 
Valuation Multiple* 
 
Common Stocks 
  $ 379  
Model Priced 
Liquidation Value 
*
Valuation multiples utilized ranged from 5.5 to 14. 
 
 
Significant changes in an indicative quote or valuation multiple would generally result in significant changes in the fair value of the security.
 
Any remaining Level 3 securities held by the Fund and excluded from the tables above, were not considered material to the Fund.
 
Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment’s valuation changes. Transfers between valuation levels, if any, are in comparison to the valuation levels at the end of the previous fiscal year, and are effective using the fair value as of the end of the current fiscal period.
 
As of November 30, 2015, the Fund had securities with a total value of $10,220,619 transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 due to lack of multiple vendor prices. As of November 30, 2015, the Fund had a security with a total value of $379 transferred from Level 1 to Level 3 due to security being halted on the principal exchange on which it trades. The Fund had a security with a total value of $361,356 transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 due to availability of market price information at the period end.
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 37
 
 
 

 
   
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Summary of Fair Value Level 3 Activity
 
Following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value for the six months ended November 30, 2015:
                                     
         
Senior
                         
   
Asset
   
Floating
         
Collateralized
             
   
Backed
   
Rate
   
Corporate
   
Mortgage
   
Common
       
   
Securities
   
Interests
   
Bonds
   
Obligations
   
Stocks
   
Total
 
Assets: 
                                   
Beginning Balance 
  $ 1,725,304     $ 7,040,630     $ 3,787,867     $ 4,392,687     $     $ 16,946,488  
Paydowns Received 
    (123,399 )      (1,829,816 )      (25,000 )      (17,538 )            (1,995,753 ) 
Payment-in-kind 
                                               
Distributions 
                                               
Received 
          48,907       57,644                   106,551  
Realized Gain/Loss 
          29,000             90,507             119,507  
Change in Unrealized 
                                               
Gain/Loss 
    (285,348 )      (162,506 )      (1,367,859 )      (118,670 )            (1,934,383 ) 
Purchases 
    3,474,744       11,082,223       997,500                   15,554,467  
Sales 
                      (1,018,906 )            (1,018,906 ) 
Transfers into Level 3 
    876,072       4,193,150       5,151,397             379       10,220,998  
Transfers out of Level 3 
    (361,356 )                              (361,356 ) 
Ending Balance 
  $ 5,306,017     $ 20,401,588     $ 8,601,549     $ 3,328,080     $ 379     $ 37,637,613  
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

38 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2015 
 
       
ASSETS: 
     
Investments, at value (cost $498,501,370) 
  $ 476,523,719  
Cash 
    1,065,988  
Restricted cash 
    40,000  
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts 
    192,436  
Receivables: 
       
Interest 
    4,064,810  
Investments sold 
    1,982,700  
Tax reclaims 
    17,254  
Dividends 
    7,104  
Other assets 
    11,083  
Total assets 
    483,905,094  
LIABILITIES: 
       
Reverse repurchase agreements 
    102,423,351  
Borrowings 
    50,519,955  
Options written, at value (premiums received $784,184) 
    654,069  
Interest payable on borrowings 
    257,133  
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts 
    1,874  
Unfunded loan commitments, at value (Note 10) (Commitment fees received $770,776) 
    680,285  
Payable for: 
       
Investments purchased 
    9,102,063  
Investment advisory fees 
    392,704  
Offering costs 
    252,870  
Excise tax 
    160,000  
Trustees’ fees and expenses* 
    25,784  
Fund accounting fees 
    11,041  
Administration fees 
    8,841  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 
    169,840  
Total liabilities 
    164,659,810  
NET ASSETS 
  $ 319,245,284  
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: 
       
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, unlimited number of shares authorized, 
       
17,658,965 shares issued and outstanding 
  $ 176,590  
Additional paid-in capital 
    343,011,919  
Distributions in excess of net investment income 
    (11,242,753 ) 
Accumulated net realized gain on investments 
    8,868,903  
Net unrealized depreciation on investments 
    (21,569,375 ) 
NET ASSETS 
  $ 319,245,284  
Net asset value 
  $ 18.08  
*
Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 39
 
 
 

 
   
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
November 30, 2015 
For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2015 (Unaudited) 
 
       
INVESTMENT INCOME: 
     
Interest 
  $ 12,420,429  
Dividends 
    702,481  
Total investment income 
    13,122,910  
EXPENSES: 
       
Investment advisory fees 
    2,414,039  
Interest expense 
    864,098  
Excise tax expense 
    160,000  
Professional fees 
    73,926  
Fund accounting fees 
    59,195  
Trustees’ fees and expenses* 
    58,091  
Administration fees 
    55,799  
Printing fees 
    44,350  
Custodian fees 
    23,672  
Registration and filings 
    16,088  
Transfer agent fees 
    9,806  
Insurance 
    5,283  
Miscellaneous 
    1,796  
Total expenses 
    3,786,143  
Net investment income 
    9,336,767  
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN: 
       
Net realized gain on: 
       
Investments 
    7,722,115  
Foreign currency transactions 
    361,755  
Written options 
    1,254,006  
Net realized gain 
    9,337,876  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: 
       
Investments 
    (26,447,926 ) 
Foreign currency translations 
    52,843  
Written options 
    (37,882 ) 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 
    (26,432,965 ) 
Net realized and unrealized loss 
    (17,095,089 ) 
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations 
  $ (7,758,322 ) 
*
Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

40 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 
November 30, 2015 
 
             
   
Period Ended
       
November 30, 2015
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
May 31, 2015
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS: 
           
Net investment income 
  $ 9,336,767     $ 21,075,117  
Net realized gain on investments 
    9,337,876       4,002,372  
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments 
    (26,432,965 )      (6,936,820 ) 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 
    (7,758,322 )      18,140,669  
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM: 
               
Net investment income 
    (19,240,876 )      (23,319,305 ) 
Capital gains 
          (12,572,692 ) 
Total distributions to shareholders 
    (19,240,876 )      (35,891,997 ) 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTIONS: 
               
Net proceeds from shares issued through at-the-market offering 
    2,651,487       40,902,208  
Reinvestments 
    621,603       2,084,665  
Common share offering costs charged to paid-in capital 
    (16,151 )      (248,803 ) 
Net increase in net assets resulting from shareholder transactions 
    3,256,939       42,738,070  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets 
    (23,742,259 )      24,986,742  
NET ASSETS: 
               
Beginning of period 
    342,987,543       318,000,801  
End of period 
  $ 319,245,284     $ 342,987,543  
Distributions in excess of net investment income at end of period 
  $ (11,242,753 )    $ (1,338,644 ) 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 41
 
 
 

 
   
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
November 30, 2015 
For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2015 (Unaudited) 
 
 
       
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: 
     
Net Decrease in net assets resulting from operations 
  $ (7,758,322 ) 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations to 
       
Net Cash Provided by Operating and Investing Activities: 
       
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 
    26,447,926  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on written options 
    37,882  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations 
    (52,843 ) 
Net realized gain on investments 
    (7,722,115 ) 
Net realized gain on written options 
    (1,254,006 ) 
Net accretion of bond discount and amortization of bond premium 
    (1,617,802 ) 
Purchase of long-term investments 
    (336,316,236 ) 
Paydowns received on mortgage and asset backed securities 
    21,728,275  
Proceeds from written options 
    5,549,495  
Cost of closing written options 
    (2,558,534 ) 
Proceeds from sales of long-term investments 
    333,316,057  
Other payments 
    50,391  
Net purchases of short-term investments 
    (2,026,471 ) 
Decrease in dividends receivable 
    29,678  
Decrease in interest receivable 
    212,812  
Decrease in investments sold receivable 
    816,086  
Increase in tax reclaims receivable 
    (9,409 ) 
Increase in other assets 
    (9,688 ) 
Decrease in investments purchased payable 
    (8,687,346 ) 
Increase in interest payable on borrowings 
    153,817  
Increase in fair value of unfunded loans 
    619,351  
Decrease in investment advisory fees payable 
    (30,039 ) 
Decrease in administration fees payable 
    (635 ) 
Increase in trustees’ fees and expenses payable 
    3,722  
Decrease in fund accounting fees payable 
    (1,870 ) 
Increase in excise tax payable 
    160,000  
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities 
    (12,613 ) 
Net Cash Provided by Operating and Investing Activities 
    21,067,563  
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: 
       
Net proceeds from the issuance of common shares 
    2,651,487  
Decrease in receivable for fund shares sold through at-the-market offering 
    262,025  
Distributions to common shareholders 
    (18,619,273 ) 
Decrease in reverse repurchase agreements 
    (12,334,812 ) 
Proceeds from borrowings 
    8,000,000  
Payments made on borrowings 
    (2,969,000 ) 
Offering costs in connection with the issuance of common shares 
    (3,531 ) 
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities 
    (23,013,104 ) 
Net decrease in cash 
    (1,945,541 ) 
Cash at Beginning of Period (including foreign currency and restricted cash) 
    3,051,529  
Cash at End of Period (including foreign currency and restricted cash) 
  $ 1,105,988  
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: Cash paid during the period for interest 
  $ 737,788  
Supplemental Disclosure of Non Cash Financing Activity: Dividend reinvestment 
  $ 621,603  
Supplemental Disclosure of Non Cash Operating Activity: Additional principal received 
       
on payment-in-kind bonds 
  $ 111,473  
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

42 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
November 30, 2015 
 
   
Period
                               
   
Ended
                               
   
November 30,
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
2015
   
May 31,
   
May 31,
   
May 31,
   
May 31,
   
May 31,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2015
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
Per Share Data:
                               
Net asset value, beginning of period 
  $ 19.61     $ 20.56     $ 20.95     $ 19.00     $ 20.11     $ 17.56  
Income from investment operations:
                         
Net investment income(a) 
    0.53       1.28       1.44       1.68       1.80       1.94  
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized) 
    (0.97 )      (0.05 )      0.35       2.22       (1.06 )      2.49  
Total from investment operations 
    (0.44 )      1.23       1.79       3.90       0.74       4.43  
Less distributions:
                                         
From and in excess of net investment income 
    (1.09 )      (1.42 )      (1.82 )      (1.78 )      (1.85 )      (1.88 ) 
Capital gains 
          (0.76 )      (0.36 )      (0.17 )             
Total distributions to shareholders 
    (1.09 )      (2.18 )      (2.18 )      (1.95 )      (1.85 )      (1.88 ) 
Net asset value, end of period 
  $ 18.08     $ 19.61     $ 20.56     $ 20.95     $ 19.00     $ 20.11  
Market value, end of period 
  $ 17.69     $ 21.21     $ 21.83     $ 21.91     $ 21.08     $ 22.32  
Total Return(b)
                                         
Net asset value 
    -2.27 %      6.39 %      9.20 %      21.37 %      4.09 %      26.14 % 
Market value 
    -11.52 %      8.08 %      10.71 %      14.10 %      3.81 %      40.85 % 
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
                                 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) 
  $ 319,245     $ 342,988     $ 318,001     $ 286,471     $ 207,346     $ 187,333  
Ratio to average net assets applicable to Common Shares:
         
Net investment income, including interest expense 
    5.65 %(g)      6.44 %      7.07 %      8.30 %      9.45 %      10.20 % 
Total expenses, including interest expense(c)(d) 
    2.24 %(g)      2.16 %      2.28 %      2.47 %      2.55 %      2.69 % 
Portfolio turnover rate(e) 
    69 %      86 %      95 %      165 %      112 %      64 % 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 43
 
 
 

 
   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
    Period                                
    Ended                                
    November 30,     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    2015     May 31,     May 31,     May 31,     May 31,     May 31,  
    (Unaudited)     2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  
Senior Indebtedness
                                   
Total Borrowings outstanding (in thousands)   $ 152,943     $ 160,247     $ 136,430     $ 115,573     $ 83,842     $ 80,670  
Asset Coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness (f)   $ 3,087     $ 3,140     $ 3,331     $ 3,479     $ 3,473     $ 3,322  
 
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
   
(b) Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a common share at the beginning of the period and a sale on the last day of the period reported either at net asset value (“NAV”) or market price per share. Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at NAV for NAV returns or the prices obtained under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan for market value returns. Total return does not reflect brokerage commissions. A return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. 
   
(c)
The ratios of total expenses to average net assets applicable to common shares do not reflect fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund as a result of its investment in shares of other investment companies. If these fees were included in the expense ratios, the expense ratios would increase by 0.03% for the six months ended November 30, 2015 and 0.03%, 0.03%, 0.05%, 0.04% and 0.03% for the years ended May 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. 
   
(d)
Excluding interest expense, the operating expense ratios for the six months ended November 30, 2015 and the years ended May 31 would be: 
                         
 
November 30, 
                     
 
2015 
 
2015 
 
2014 
 
2013 
 
2012 
 
2011 
 
 
    1.72% 
 
    1.72% 
 
    1.78% 
 
    1.81% 
 
    1.78% 
 
    1.85% 
 
   
(e)
Portfolio turnover is not annualized for periods of less than one year. 
   
(f)
Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the borrowings) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the total borrowings. 
   
(g)
Annualized. 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.

44 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Note 1 – Organization:
 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on November 13, 2006. The Fund is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”).
 
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation.
 
Note 2 – Accounting Policies:
 
The Fund operates as an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.
 
The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund.
 
(a) Valuation of Investments
 
The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) has adopted policies and procedures for the valuation of the Fund’s investments (the “Valuation Procedures”). Pursuant to the Valuation Procedures, the Board has delegated to a valuation committee, consisting of representatives from Guggenheim’s investment management, fund administration, legal and compliance departments (the “Valuation Committee”), the day-to-day responsibility for implementing the Valuation Procedures, including, under most circumstances, the responsibility for determining the fair value of the Fund’s securities or other assets.
 
Valuations of the Fund’s securities are supplied primarily by pricing services appointed pursuant to the processes set forth in the Valuation Procedures. The Valuation Committee convenes monthly, or more frequently as needed and will review the valuation of all assets which have been fair valued for reasonableness. The Fund’s officers, through the Valuation Committee and consistent with the monitoring and review responsibilities set forth in the Valuation Procedures, regularly review procedures used by, and valuations provided by, the pricing services.
 
If the pricing service cannot or does not provide a valuation for a particular investment or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is fair valued by the Valuation Committee.
 
Equity securities listed on an exchange (New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or American Stock Exchange) are valued at the last quoted sales price as of the close of business on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the valuation date. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ market system are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price on the valuation date, which may not necessarily represent the last sale price. If there has been no sale on such exchange or NASDAQ on such day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on such day.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 45
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Open-end investment companies (“Mutual Funds”) are valued at their NAV as of the close of business on the valuation date. Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) and closed-end investment companies are valued at the last quoted sale price.
 
Debt securities with a maturity of greater than 60 days at acquisition are valued at prices that reflect broker/dealer supplied valuations or are obtained from independent pricing services, which may consider the trade activity, treasury spreads, yields or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Short-term debt securities with a maturity of 60 days or less at acquisition and repurchase agreements are valued at amortized cost, provided such amount approximates market value.
 
Typically loans are valued using information provided by an independent third party pricing service which uses broker quotes in a non-active market.
 
Listed options are valued at the Official Settlement Price listed in by the exchange, usually as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Long options are valued using the bid price and short options are valued using the ask price. In the event that a settlement price is not available, fair valuation is enacted. Over-the-counter options are valued using the average bid price (for long options), or average ask price (for short options) obtained from one or more security dealers.
 
Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of foreign securities are determined as of the close of such foreign markets or the close of the NYSE, if earlier. All investments quoted in foreign currency are valued in U.S. dollars on the basis of the foreign currency exchange rates prevailing at the close of U.S. business at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. The Valuation Committee will determine the current value of such foreign securities by taking into consideration certain factors which may include those discussed above, as well as the following factors, among others: the value of the securities traded on other foreign markets, ADR trading, closed-end fund trading, foreign currency exchange activity, and the trading prices of financial products that are tied to foreign securities such as World Equity Benchmark Securities. In addition, under the Valuation Procedures, the Valuation Committee and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (“GFIA” or the “Adviser”) are authorized to use prices and other information supplied by a third party pricing vendor in valuing foreign securities.
 
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined in good faith by the Adviser, subject to review and approval by the Valuation Committee, pursuant to methods established or ratified by the Board. Valuations in accordance with these methods are intended to reflect each security’s (or asset’s) “fair value.” Each such determination is based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to: (i) the type of security, (ii) the initial cost of the security, (iii) the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, (iv) the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies, (v) quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services, (vi) information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange traded
 

46 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
securities), (vii) an analysis of the company’s financial statements, and (viii) an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold (e.g. the existence of pending merger activity, public offerings or tender offers that might affect the value of the security).
 
(b) Investment Transactions and Investment Income
 
Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments are determined on the identified cost basis. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage and asset-backed securities are treated as an adjustment to interest income. Dividend income is recorded net of applicable withholding taxes on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts or premiums on debt securities purchased are accreted or amortized to interest income over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method.
 
(c) Restricted Cash
 
A portion of cash on hand relates to collateral received by the Fund for repurchase agreements. This amount is presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Restricted Cash.
 
(d) Swaps
 
A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. The Fund enters into swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rates and/or credit risk or to generate income. Swaps are valued daily at current market value and any unrealized gain or loss is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gain or loss is realized on the termination date of the swap and is equal to the difference between the Fund’s basis in the swap and the proceeds of the closing transaction, including any fees. Upon termination of a swap agreement, a payable to or receivable from swap counterparty is established on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to reflect the net gain/loss, including interest income/expense, on terminated swap positions. The line item is removed upon settlement according to the terms of the swap agreement.
 
Realized gain (loss) upon termination of swap contracts is recorded on the Statement of Operations. Fluctuations in the value of swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of swap contracts. Net periodic payments received by the Fund are included as part of realized gain (loss) and, in the case of accruals for periodic payments, are included as part of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statement of Operations.
 
As of November 30, 2015, the Fund had no swap contracts outstanding.
 
(e) Covered Call Options and Put Options
 
When an option is written, the premium received is recorded as an asset with an equal liability and is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market value of the option written. These liabilities are reflected as options written on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums received from writing options which expire unexercised are recorded on the expiration date as a realized gain. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 47
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transactions, as a realized loss. If an option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether there has been a realized gain or loss.
 
When a call option is purchased, the Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to buy the underlying instrument at the strike price at anytime during the option period. When a put option is purchased, the Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option’s underlying instrument at the strike price at anytime during the option period. When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is reflected as an asset and subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option purchased. Purchased options are included with Investments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on purchased options are included with Investments on the Statement of Operations.
 
(f) Currency Translation
 
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the bid and ask price of respective exchange rates on the last day of the period. Purchases and sales of investments denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the bid and ask price of respective exchange rates on the date of the transaction.
 
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.
 
Foreign exchange realized gain or loss resulting from holding of a foreign currency, expiration of a currency exchange contract, difference in exchange rates between the trade date and settlement date of an investment purchased or sold, and the difference between dividends or interest actually received compared to the amount shown in the Fund’s accounting records on the date of receipt is shown as net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
 
Foreign exchange unrealized gain or loss on assets and liabilities, other than investments, is shown as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translation on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
 
(g) Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
 
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are agreements between two parties to buy and sell currencies at a set price on a future date. Fluctuations in the value of open forward foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and depreciation by the Fund until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, realized gains and losses are recorded, and included on the Statement of Operations in foreign currency transactions.
 

48 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
(h) Distributions to Shareholders
 
The Fund declares and pays monthly distributions to common shareholders. These distributions consist of investment company taxable income, which generally includes qualified dividend income, ordinary income and short-term capital gains. Any net realized long-term capital gains are distributed annually to common shareholders. To the extent distributions exceed taxable income, the excess will be deemed a return of capital.
 
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
 
Note 3 – Investment Advisory Agreement, Sub-Advisory Agreement and Other Agreements:
 
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser, the Adviser furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment, provides administrative services, oversees the activities of Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM” or “Sub-Adviser”), provides personnel including certain officers required for the Fund’s administrative management and compensates the officers and trustees of the Fund who are affiliates of the Adviser. As compensation for these services, the Fund pays the Adviser a fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets (net assets applicable to common shareholders plus any assets attributable to financial leverage).
 
Pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Fund, the Adviser and GPIM, GPIM, under the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Adviser, provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio; provides investment research; makes and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of securities; and provides certain facilities and personnel, including certain officers required for its administrative management and pays the compensation of all officers and trustees of the Fund who are GPIM’s affiliates. As compensation for its services, the Adviser pays GPIM a fee, payable monthly, in an annual amount equal to 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets.
 
Certain officers and trustees of the Fund may also be officers, directors and/or employees of the Adviser or GPIM. The Fund does not compensate its officers or trustees who are officers, directors and/or employees of the aforementioned firms.
 
Rydex Fund Services, LLC (“RFS”), an affiliate of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, provides fund administration services to the Fund. As compensation for these services, RFS receives a fund administration fee payable monthly at the annual rate set forth below as a percentage of the average daily managed assets of the Fund:
   
Managed Assets 
Rate 
First $200,000,000 
0.0275% 
Next $300,000,000 
0.0200% 
Next $500,000,000 
0.0150% 
Over $1,000,000,000 
0.0100% 
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 49
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
RFS serves as the accounting agent for the Fund. As accounting agent, RFS is responsible for maintaining the books and records of the Fund’s securities and cash. RFS receives an accounting fee payable monthly at the annual rate set forth below as a percentage of the average daily managed assets of the Fund.
   
Managed Assets 
Rate 
First $200,000,000 
0.0300% 
Next $300,000,000 
0.0150% 
Next $500,000,000 
0.0100% 
Over $1,000,000,000 
0.0075% 
Minimum annual charge 
$50,000 
Certain out-of-pocket charges 
Varies 
 
For purposes of calculating the fees payable under the foregoing agreements, average daily managed assets means the average daily value of the Fund’s total assets minus the sum of its accrued liabilities. Total assets means all of the Fund’s assets and is not limited to its investment securities. Accrued liabilities means all of the Fund’s liabilities other than borrowings for investment purposes.
 
The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY”) acts as the Fund’s custodian. As custodian, BNY is responsible for the custody of the Fund’s assets.
 
Note 4 – Fair Value Measurement:
 
In accordance with GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the types of inputs used to value assets and liabilities and requires corresponding disclosure. The hierarchy and the corresponding inputs are summarized below:
 
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2 — significant other observable inputs (for example quoted prices for securities that are similar based on characteristics such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
 
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs based on the best information available under the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, which may include assumptions.
 
The types of inputs available depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of security and the characteristics of the markets in which it trades, if any. Fair valuation determinations that rely on fewer or no observable inputs require greater judgment. Accordingly, fair value determinations for Level 3 securities require the greatest amount of judgment.
 
Independent pricing services are used to value a majority of the Fund’s investments. When values are not available from a pricing service, they will be determined under the valuation policies that have been reviewed and approved by the Board. In any event, values are determined using a variety of sources and techniques, including: market prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices
 

50 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
based on inputs such as prices of securities with comparable maturities and characteristics or based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over Treasuries, and other information and analysis. A significant portion of the Funds’ assets and liabilities are categorized as Level 2 or Level 3, as indicated in this report.
 
Indicative quotes from broker-dealers, adjusted for fluctuations in criteria such as credit spreads and interest rates, may be also used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities, i.e. prices provided by a broker-dealer or other market participant who has not committed to trade at that price. Although indicative quotes are typically received from established market participants, the Fund may not have the transparency to view the underlying inputs which support the market quotations.
 
Certain fixed income securities are valued by obtaining a monthly indicative quote from a broker-dealer, adjusted for fluctuations in criteria such as credit spreads and interest rates. The Fund’s fair valuation guidelines categorize these securities as Level 3.
 
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The suitability of the techniques and sources employed to determine fair valuation are regularly monitored and subject to change.
 
Note 5 – Federal Income Taxes:
 
The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Internal Revenue Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies.
 
The Fund may be subject to an excise tax of 4% of the amount by which 98% of the Fund’s annual taxable income and 98.2% of net realized gains exceed the distributions from such taxable income and realized gains for the calendar year.
 
As of November 30, 2015, the cost of investments and accumulated unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) of investments for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:
       
     
Net Tax 
 
Gross Tax 
Gross 
Unrealized 
Cost of Investments 
Unrealized 
Tax Unrealized 
Depreciation 
for Tax Purposes 
Appreciation 
Depreciation 
on Investments 
$503,077,281 
$13,088,356 
$(39,641,918) 
$(26,553,562) 
 
 
The differences between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is primarily attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs) and non-real estate investment trust return of capital and collateralized loan obligations.
 
As of May 31, 2015 (the most recent fiscal year end for federal income tax purposes), the tax components of accumulated earnings/losses (excluding paid-in capital) on a tax basis were as follows:
     
 
Undistributed 
 
 
Long-Term Capital 
 
Undistributed 
Gains/(Accumulated 
Net Unrealized 
Ordinary Income 
Capital and Other Losses) 
Depreciation 
$3,348,594 
$(445,492) 
$(152,871) 
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 51
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
For the year ended May 31, 2015 (the most recent fiscal year end for federal income tax purposes), the tax character of distributions paid to shareholders as reflected in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets was as follows:
   
Distributions paid from: 
2015 
Ordinary income 
$35,891,997 
 
For all open tax years and all major jurisdictions, management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Uncertain tax positions are tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns that would not meet a more-likely-than not threshold of being sustained by the applicable tax authority and would be recorded as a tax expense in the current year. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e. generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then).
 
Note 6 – Investments in Securities:
 
During the six months ended November 30, 2015, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, excluding written options and short-term investments, were $336,316,236 and $333,316,057, respectively.
 
Note 7 – Derivatives:
 
The Fund is required by GAAP to disclose: a) how and why a fund uses derivative instruments, b) how derivative instruments and related hedge fund items are accounted for, and c) how derivative instruments and related hedge items affect a fund’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
 
As part of its investment strategy, the Fund utilizes a variety of derivative instruments including options, forwards and swap agreements. These investments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
(a) Covered Call Options and Put Options
 
The Fund pursues its investment objective by employing an option strategy of writing (selling) covered call options and, from time to time, buys or sells put options on equity securities and indices. The Fund seeks to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Fund’s common shareholders.
 
An option on a security is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option at a specified exercise or “strike” price. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price (in the case of a call) or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security (in the case of a put).
 
There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from
 

52 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. A writer of a put option is exposed to the risk of loss if the fair value of the underlying security declines, but profits only to the extent of the premium received if the underlying security increases in value. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.
 
To the extent that the Fund purchases options, the Fund will be subject to the following additional risks. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call), the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related security. If restrictions on exercise were imposed, the Fund might be unable to exercise an option it had purchased. If the Fund were unable to close out an option that it had purchased on a security, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. The maximum exposure the Fund has at risk when purchasing an option is the premium paid.
 
The Fund entered into written option contracts during the period ended November 30, 2015.
             
Details of the transactions were as follows: 
           
             
   
Number of
   
Premiums
 
   
Contracts
   
Received
 
Options outstanding, beginning of the period 
    4,656     $ 497,512  
Options written during the period 
    31,129       5,549,495  
Options closed during the period 
    (28,812 )      (3,812,540 ) 
Options assigned during the period 
    (3,510 )      (1,450,283 ) 
Options outstanding, end of period 
    3,463     $ 784,184  
 
(b) Swaps
 
Swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party (the “Counterparty”) based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the Counterparty agrees to make periodic payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be done on a net basis, the Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of each Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Fund’s custodian bank. During the period that the swap agreement is open, the Fund may be subject to risk from the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the agreement. The swaps
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 53
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
involve elements of both market and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
Credit default swap transactions involve the Fund’s agreement to exchange the credit risk of an issuer. A buyer of a credit default swap is said to buy protection by paying periodic fees in return for a contingent payment from the seller if the issuer has a credit event such as bankruptcy, a failure to pay outstanding obligations or deteriorating credit while the swap is outstanding. A seller of a credit default swap is said to sell protection and thus collects the periodic fees and profits if the credit of the issuer remains stable or improves while the swap is outstanding but the seller in a credit default swap contract would be required to pay an agreed upon amount, which approximates the notional amount of the swap, to the buyer in the event of an adverse credit event of the issuer.
 
The Fund may utilize index swap transactions to manage its exposure to various securities markets, changes in interest rates, or currency values. Index swap transactions allow the Fund to receive the appreciation/depreciation of the specified index over a specified time period in exchange for an agreed upon fee paid to the counterparty.
 
The Fund did not have any swap agreements outstanding as of November 30, 2015.
 
(c) Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
 
The Fund enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchases and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for investment purposes.
 
A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on a future date at a negotiated forward rate. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts involve elements of both market and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risk may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. dollars, reflects the total exposure the Fund has in that particular currency contract.
 
As of November 30, 2015, the following forward foreign currency exchange contracts were outstanding:
                             
         
Settlement 
 
Settlement
   
Value as of
   
Net Unrealized
 
Contracts to Sell
 
Counterparty 
Date 
 
Value
   
11/30/15
   
Appreciation
 
EUR 
    4,120,000                        
for USD 
    4,482,210  
Bank of America Merrill Lynch 
12/9/2015 
  $ 4,482,210     $ 4,355,435     $ 126,775  
GBP 
    4,640,000                              
for USD 
    7,054,981  
Bank of America Merrill Lynch 
12/9/2015 
    7,054,981       6,989,320       65,661  
                                $ 192,436  
 
 

54 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
                             
         
Settlement 
 
Settlement
   
Value as of
   
Net Unrealized
 
Contracts to Buy
 
Counterparty 
Date 
 
Value
   
11/30/15
   
(Depreciation)
 
GBP 
    340,000                        
for USD 
    514,022  
Bank of America Merrill Lynch 
12/9/2015 
  $ 514,022     $ 512,148     $ (1,874 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
                  $ 190,562  
 
(d) Summary of Derivatives Information
 
The Fund is required by GAAP to disclose: a) how and why a fund uses derivative instruments, b) how derivative instruments and related hedge fund items are accounted for, and c) how derivative instruments and related hedge items affect a fund’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
 
The following table presents the types of derivatives in the Fund by location as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of November 30, 2015.
 
                 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
Presentation of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (value in $000s):
 
 
Asset Derivatives 
     
Liability Derivatives 
     
 
Statement of Assets 
     
Statement of Assets 
     
Primary Risk Exposure 
and Liabilities Location 
 
Fair Value
 
and Liabilities Location 
 
Fair Value
 
Equity risk 
    $  
Options Written 
  $ 654  
Foreign exchange risk 
Unrealized appreciation on 
       
Unrealized depreciation on 
       
 
forward foreign currency 
       
forward foreign currency 
       
 
exchange contracts 
    192  
exchange contracts 
    2  
Total 
    $ 192       $ 656  
 
The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the period ended November 30, 2015.
                   
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations:
 
Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives (value in $000s)
 
Primary Risk 
 
Written
   
Foreign Currency
       
Exposure 
 
Options
   
Transactions
   
Total
 
Equity risk 
  $ 1,254     $     $ 1,254  
Foreign exchange risk 
          346       346  
Total 
  $ 1,254     $ 346     $ 1,600  
                   
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives (value in $000s)
 
Primary Risk 
 
Written
   
Foreign Currency
       
Exposure 
 
Options
   
Translations
   
Total
 
Equity risk 
  $ (38 )    $     $ (38 ) 
Foreign exchange risk 
          56       56  
Total 
  $ (38 )    $ 56     $ 18  
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 55
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Derivative Volume
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:
 
The Fund had the following activity in forward foreign currency exchange contracts during the six months ended November 30, 2015:
   
Average Settlement Value Purchased 
$2,442,158 
Average Settlement Value Sold 
2,009,022 
 
 
Note 8 – Offsetting:
 
In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into transactions subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or other similar arrangements. Generally, the right to offset in those agreements allows the Fund to counteract the exposure to a specific counterparty with collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the arrangements.
 
These arrangements provide for the right to liquidate upon the occurrence of an event of default, credit event upon merger or additional termination event.
 
In order to better define their contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate their counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with their derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives, including 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. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of a default (close-out netting) or similar event, including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty.
 
For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark to market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Fund and the counterparty. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as segregated cash with broker/ receivable for variation margin, or payable for swap settlement/variation margin. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty must exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold (e.g., $300,000) before a transfer is required 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. The Fund attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that it believes to be of good standing and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.
 
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 

56 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
The following tables present derivative financial instruments and secured financing transactions that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements and offset in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities in conformity with GAAP.
           
     
Net Amounts 
   
   
Gross Amounts 
of Assets 
Gross Amounts Not 
 
 
Gross 
Offset in the 
Presented in the 
Offset in the Statement 
 
 
Amounts of 
Statement of 
Statement of 
of Assets and Liabilities 
 
 
Recognized 
Assets and 
Assets and 
Financial 
 
Description 
Assets 
Liabilities 
Liabilities 
Instruments 
Net Amount 
Forward Foreign 
         
Currency 
         
Exchange 
         
Contracts 
$ 192,436 
$ – 
$ 192,436 
$ 1,874
$ 190,562 
           
     
Net Amounts 
   
   
Gross Amounts 
of Liabilities 
Gross Amounts Not 
 
 
Gross 
Offset in the 
Presented in the 
Offset in the Statement 
 
 
Amounts of 
Statement of 
Statement of 
of Assets and Liabilities 
 
 
Recognized 
Assets and 
Assets and 
Financial 
 
Description 
Liabilities 
Liabilities 
Liabilities 
Instruments 
Net Amount 
Reverse Repurchase 
         
Agreements 
$ 102,423,351 
$ – 
$ 102,423,351 
$ 102,423,351
$ – 
Forward Foreign 
         
Currency Exchange 
         
Contracts 
1,874 
1,874 
1,874
 
Note 9 – Leverage:
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
 
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements as part of its financial leverage strategy. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund temporarily transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase the instrument at an agreed upon time and price, which reflects an interest payment. Such agreements have the economic effect of borrowings. The Fund may enter into such agreements when it is able to invest the cash acquired at a rate higher than the cost of the agreement, which would increase earned income. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the instruments transferred to another party or the instruments in which the proceeds may be invested would affect the market value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s assets. For the six months ended November 30, 2015, the average daily balance of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding amounted to $100,656,039. The weighted average interest rate was 1.18%. As of November 30, 2015, there was $102,423,351 in reverse repurchase agreements outstanding.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 57
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
As of November 30, 2015, the Fund had outstanding reverse repurchase agreements with various counterparties. Details of the reverse repurchase agreements by counterparty are as follows:
 
       
Counterparty 
Interest Rates 
Maturity Dates 
Face Value 
Bank of America 
0.86% – 2.33% 
12/02/15 – 02/29/16 
$ 19,088,651 
Barclays Capital, Inc. 
0.75% – 2.07% 
12/01/15 – 02/19/16 
18,583,506 
Barclays Capital, Inc. 
1.00% – 1.10% 
Open maturity 
1,515,222 
BNP Paribas 
1.05% – 1.93% 
01/29/16 
8,883,000 
Credit Suisse First Boston 
0.75% – 1.40% 
12/03/15 – 02/23/16 
5,830,262 
Credit Suisse First Boston 
0.75% – 1.50% 
Open maturity 
2,166,125 
Goldman Sachs 
1.64% 
12/03/15 
1,694,000 
JPM Securities 
1.43% – 2.11% 
12/07/15 – 02/09/16 
4,626,675 
Morgan Stanley, Inc. 
0.80% – 1.55% 
12/08/15 – 02/08/16 
9,360,921 
Nomura 
2.94% 
12/01/15 
696,150 
Nomura 
0.90% – 0.95% 
Open maturity 
4,286,600 
RBC Capital 
0.70% – 1.66% 
12/10/15 – 06/02/16 
23,950,089 
RBC Capital 
0.75% 
Open maturity 
827,150 
Wells Fargo Bank, Ltd. 
1.54% 
12/09/15 
915,000 
     
$102,423,351 
 
In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-11, Repurchase-to- Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (ASU 2014-11) that expanded secured borrowing accounting for certain repurchase agreements. The ASU also sets forth additional disclosure requirements for certain transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, which applies to the reverse repurchase agreements held by the Fund. The ASU became effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015.
 
The following is a summary of the remaining contractual maturities of the reverse repurchase agreements outstanding as of November 30, 2015, aggregated by asset class of the related collateral pledged by the Fund:
                               
   
Overnight and
   
Up to
      31 - 90    
Greater than
       
   
Continuous
   
30 days
   
days
   
90 days
   
Total
 
Asset Backed Securities 
  $     $ 6,965,759     $ 41,289,412     $     $ 48,255,171  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 
          5,011,338       5,867,486             10,878,824  
Corporate Bonds 
    4,446,863       13,366,344       23,458,349       2,017,800       43,289,356  
Total Borrowings 
  $ 4,446,863     $ 25,343,441     $ 70,615,247     $ 2,017,800     $ 102,423,351  
Gross amount of recognized liabilities 
                                       
for reverse repurchase agreements 
  $ 4,446,863     $ 25,343,441     $ 70,615,247     $ 2,017,800     $ 102,423,351  
 
 

58 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Borrowings
 
The Fund has entered into a $80,000,000 credit facility agreement with an approved lender whereby the lender has agreed to provide secured financing to the Fund and the Fund will provide pledged collateral to the lender. Interest on the amount borrowed is based on the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.85%. As of November 30, 2015, there was $50,519,955 outstanding in connection with the Fund’s credit facility. The average daily amount of borrowings on the credit facility during the six months ended November 30, 2015, was $50,144,644 with a related average interest rate of 1.19%. The maximum amount outstanding during the six months ended November 30, 2015 was $53,488,955. As of November 30, 2015, the total value of securities segregated and pledged as collateral in connection with borrowings was $83,141,493.
 
The credit facility agreement governing the loan facility includes usual and customary covenants. These covenants impose on the Fund asset coverage requirements, collateral requirements, investment strategy requirements, and certain financial obligations. These covenants place limits or restrictions on the Fund’s ability to (i) enter into additional indebtedness with a party other than the counterparty, (ii) change its fundamental investment policy, or (iii) pledge to any other party, other than to the counterparty, securities owned or held by the Fund over which the counterparty has a lien. In addition, the Fund is required to deliver financial information to the counterparty within established deadlines, maintain an asset coverage ratio (as defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act) greater than 300%, comply with the rules of the stock exchange on which its shares are listed, and maintain its classification as a “closed-end management investment company” as defined in the 1940 Act.
 
There is no guarantee that the Fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. The Fund’s use of leverage may cause the Fund’s NAV and market price of common shares to be more volatile and can magnify the effect of any losses.
 
Note 10 – Loan Commitments
 
Pursuant to the terms of certain Term Loan agreements, the Fund held unfunded loan commitments as of November 30, 2015. The Fund is obligated to fund these loan commitments at the borrower’s discretion. The Fund reserves against such contingent obligations by designating cash, liquid securities, and liquid term loans as a reserve. As of November 30, 2015, the total amount segregated in connection with reverse repurchase agreements and unfunded commitments was $198,129,505.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 59
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
As of November 30, 2015, the Fund had the following unfunded loan commitments which could be extended at the option of the borrower:
       
Borrower 
Maturity Date 
Face Amount 
Value 
Acosta, Inc. 
09/26/2019 
$1,100,000 
$ 111,899 
American Seafoods Group LLC 
08/19/2021 
433,333 
61,501 
Authentic Brands 
05/27/2021 
137,500 
462 
Deltek, Inc. 
06/25/2020 
1,500,000 
170,669 
Eyemart Express 
12/18/2019 
500,000 
49,139 
Insight Fourth Hospitality 
07/15/2020 
500,000 
87,026 
IntraWest Holdings 
12/10/2018 
200,000 
4,832 
Lincoln Finance 
12/31/2015 
1,250,000 
MyEyeDr 
08/14/2021 
48,780 
464 
Mitratech Holdings 
07/02/2021 
1,111,111 
129,317 
National Technical Systems 
06/12/2021 
305,882 
3,007 
PowerSchool, Inc. 
07/29/2021 
525,000 
61,969 
   
$7,611,606 
$ 680,285 
 
Note 11 – Capital:
 
Common Shares
 
The Fund has an unlimited amount of common shares, $0.01 par value, authorized and 17,658,965 issued and outstanding.
 
Transactions in common shares were as follows:
             
   
Six Months ended
   
Year ended
 
   
November 30, 2015
   
May 31, 2015
 
Beginning Shares 
    17,493,253       15,467,075  
Common shares issued through at-the-market offering 
    132,582       1,924,032  
Shares issued through dividend reinvestment 
    33,130       102,146  
Ending Shares 
    17,658,965       17,493,253  
 
On October 26, 2013, the Fund’s shelf registration allowing for delayed or continuous offering of additional shares became effective and a post-effective amendment thereto became effective on October 3, 2014. The shelf registration statement allows for the issuance of up to $150,000,000 of common shares. The Fund entered into an agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. for the sale of up to an additional 3,977,022 shares.
 
The Adviser has paid the costs associated with the at-the-market offering of shares and will be reimbursed by the Fund up to 0.60% of the offering price of common shares sold pursuant to the shelf registration statement, not to exceed the amount of actual offering costs incurred. For the period ended November 30, 2015, the Fund incurred $16,151 of expenses associated with the at-the market offerings.
 

60 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Note 12 – Restricted Securities:
 
The securities below are considered illiquid and restricted under guidelines established by the Board:
       
Restricted Securities 
Acquisition Date 
Cost 
Value 
Airplanes Pass Through Trust 
     
2001-1A, 0.74% due 03/15/19 
10/14/2009 
$ 9,246,471 
$ 3,741,278 
Anchorage Credit Funding 1 Ltd. 
     
2015-1A, 6.30% due 07/28/30 
05/07/2015 
3,000,000 
3,004,982 
Customers Bank 
     
6.12% due 06/26/29 
06/24/2014 
2,500,000 
2,531,250 
Cadence Bank North America 
     
6.24% due 06/28/29 
06/06/2014 
1,600,000 
1,604,000 
IronGate Energy Services LLC 
     
11.00% due 07/01/18 
07/10/2013 
572,902 
358,500 
Schahin II Finance Co SPV Ltd 
     
5.87% due 09/25/22 
01/08/2014 
1,137,238 
299,166 
Bush Truck Leasing LLC 
     
2011-AA, 5.00% due 09/25/18 
03/04/2011 
21,178 
20,842 
   
$ 18,077,789 
$ 11,560,018 
 
Note 13 – Indemnifications:
 
In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations, which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would require future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Note 14 – Subsequent Event:
 
The Fund evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were available for issue and determined there were no additional material events that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 61
 
 
 

 
   
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Federal Income Tax Information
 
In January 2016, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the federal tax status of the distributions received by you in the calendar year 2015.
 
Sector Classification
 
Information in the “Schedule of Investments” is categorized by sectors using sector-level Classifications defined by the Bloomberg Industry Classification System, a widely recognized industry classification system provider. Each Fund’s registration statement has investment policies relating to concentration in specific sectors/industries. For purposes of these investment policies, the Funds usually classify sectors/industries based on industry-level Classifications used by widely recognized industry classification system providers such as Bloomberg Industry Classification System, Global Industry Classification Standards and Barclays Global Classification Scheme.
 
Trustees
 
The Trustees of the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund and their principal occupations during the past five years:
           
 
Position(s) 
Term of Office 
 
Number of 
 
 
Held 
and Length 
 
Portfolios in 
 
Name, Address* 
with 
of Time 
Principal Occupation(s) 
Fund Complex 
Other Directorships 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Served** 
During Past Five Years 
Overseen 
Held by Trustees 
Independent Trustees: 
       
Randall C.
Trustee 
Since 2007 
Current: Private Investor (2001-present). 
102 
Current: Trustee, Purpose
Barnes         Investments Funds
(1951)
   
Former: Senior Vice President and Treasurer,
 
(2014-Present).
      PepsiCo, Inc. (1993-1997);    
     
President, Pizza Hut International (1991-1993); Senior Vice President, 
   
     
Strategic Planning and New Business Development, PepsiCo, 
   
     
Inc. (1987-1990). 
   
Donald A. 
Trustee 
Since 2014 
Current: Business broker and manager of commercial real estate, 
98 
Current: Midland Care, Inc. 
Chubb, Jr. 
   
Griffith & Blair, Inc. (1997-present). 
 
(2011-present). 
(1946 ) 
         
Jerry B. Farley 
Trustee 
Since 2014 
Current: President, Washburn University (1997-present). 
98 
Current: Westar Energy, Inc. 
(1946) 
       
(2004-present);
          CoreFirst Bank & Trust
         
(2000-present). 
Roman 
Trustee and 
Since 2010 
Current: Founder and President, Roman Friedrich & Company
98 
Current: Zincore Metals, Inc. 
Friedrich III 
Chairman of 
  (1998-present).  
(2009-present). 
(1946) 
the Contracts 
 
Former: Senior Managing Director, MLV & Co. LLC (2010-2011). 
   
 
Review 
     
Former: Axiom Gold and Silver
 
Committee 
     
Corp. (2011-2012). 
 
 
62 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
           
 
Position(s) 
Term of Office 
 
Number of 
 
 
Held 
and Length 
 
Portfolios in 
 
Name, Address* 
with 
of Time 
Principal Occupation(s) 
Fund Complex 
Other Directorships 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Served** 
During Past Five Years 
Overseen 
Held by Trustees 
Independent Trustees continued: 
       
Robert B. Karn III 
Trustee and 
Since 2010 
Current: Consultant (1998-present). 
98 
Current: Peabody Energy
(1942) 
Chairman of 
     
Company (2003-present);
 
the Audit
  Former: Arthur Andersen (1965-1997) and Managing Partner,   GP Natural Resource
 
Committee
 
Financial and Economic Consulting,
 
Partners, LLC (2002- present). 
     
 St. Louis office (1987-1997). 
   
Ronald A.  
Trustee and 
Since 2007 
Current: Partner, Nyberg & Cassioppi, LLC (2000-present). 
104 
Current: Edward-Elmhurst
Nyberg
Chairman of 
     
Healthcare System
(1953)
the Nominating 
 
Former: Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate
  (2012-present).
 
and Governance 
 
Secretary, Van Kampen Investments (1982-1999). 
   
 
Committee 
       
Maynard F. 
Trustee 
Since 2014 
Current: Retired. 
98 
Current: Fort Hays State
Oliverius 
       
University Foundation
(1943)
   
Former: President and CEO, Stormont-Vail HealthCare (1996-2012).
  (1999-present);
         
Stormont-Vail Foundation (2013- 
         
present); University of Minnesota 
         
MHA Alumni
          Philanthropy Committee
         
(2009-present). 
 
         
Former: Topeka Community Foundation 
         
(2009-2014). 
Ronald E. 
Trustee and 
Since 2007 
Current: Portfolio Consultant (2010-present). 
101 
Former: Bennett Group of Funds 
Toupin, Jr. 
Chairman of 
     
(2011-2013). 
(1958) 
the Board 
 
Former: Vice President, Manager and Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Asset 
   
     
Management (1998-1999); Vice President, Nuveen Investment Advisory 
   
     
Corp. (1992-1999); Vice President and Manager, Nuveen Unit
   
     
Investment Trusts (1991-1999); and Assistant Vice President and
   
     
Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts (1988-1999),
   
     
each of John Nuveen & Co., Inc. (1982-1999). 
   
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 63
 
 
 

 
   
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
           
 
Position(s) 
Term of Office 
 
Number of 
 
 
Held 
and Length 
 
Portfolios in 
 
Name, Address* 
with 
of Time 
Principal Occupation(s) 
Fund Complex 
Other Directorships 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Served** 
During Past Five Years 
Overseen 
Held by Trustees 
Interested Trustee: 
         
Donald C. 
President, 
Since 2012 
Current: President and CEO, certain other funds in the Fund Complex 
233 
Current: Clear Spring Life Insurance 
Cacciapaglia*** 
Chief 
 
(2012-present); Vice Chairman,
 
Company (2015-present);
(1951)
Executive
  Guggenheim Investments (2010-present).   Guggenheim Partners Japan, Ltd.
 
Officer and
     
(2014-present); 
 
Trustee
 
Former: Chairman and CEO, Channel Capital Group, Inc.
 
Delaware Life (2013-present); 
      (2002-2010).  
Guggenheim Life and Annuity
         
Company (2011-present); Paragon
         
Life Insurance Company of Indiana (2011-present). 
   
*
The business address of each Trustee is c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe, Chicago, IL 60606. 
** 
This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Fund. After a Trustee’s initial term, each Trustee is expected to serve a two-year term concurrent 
 
with the class of Trustees for which he serves: 
 
- Messrs. Barnes, Cacciapaglia, Chubb and Friedrich are Class I Trustees. Class I Trustees are expected to stand for re-election at the Fund’s annual meeting 
 
of shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016. 
 
- Messrs. Farley, Karn, Nyberg, Oliverius and Toupin are Class II Trustees. Class II Trustees are expected to stand for re-election at the Fund’s annual meeting 
 
of shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017. 
*** 
This Trustee is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Funds under the 1940 Act by reason of his position with the Funds’ Investment Manager and/or 
 
the parent of the Investment Manager. 
 
 

64 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Officers
 
The Officers of the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund, who are not trustees, and their principal occupations during the past five years:
       
 
Position(s) 
   
 
held 
Term of Office 
 
Name, Address* 
with the 
and Length of 
 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Time Served** 
Principal Occupations During Past Five Years 
Officers: 
     
Joseph M. Arruda 
Assistant 
Since 2014 
Current: Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2006-present); Vice President,
(1966) 
Treasurer 
 
Security Investors, LLC (2010-present); CFO and Manager, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC (2009-present). 
 
     
Former: Vice President, Security Global Investors, LLC (2010-2011); Vice President, Rydex Advisors, LLC (2010);
     
Vice President, Rydex Advisors II, LLC (2010). 
William H. 
Vice 
Since 2014 
Current: Vice President, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2006-present); Managing Director,
Belden, III 
President 
 
Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (2005-present). 
(1965) 
     
     
Former: Vice President of Management, Northern Trust Global Investments (1999-2005). 
Joanna M. 
Chief 
Since 2012 
Current: Chief Compliance Officer, certain funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); Managing Director,  
Catalucci 
Compliance 
 
Guggenheim Investments (2012-present). 
(1966) 
Officer 
   
     
Former: Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2008-2012);
     
Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and certain affiliates (2010-2012);
     
Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, Rydex Advisors, LLC and certain affiliates (2010-2011). 
James M. Howley 
Assistant 
Since 2007 
Current: Director, Guggenheim Investments (2004-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other
(1972) 
Treasurer 
  funds in the Fund Complex (2006-present).
       
     
Former: Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc. (1996-2004). 
Amy J. Lee 
Chief 
Since 2013 
Current: Chief Legal Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2013-present); Senior Managing Director,
(1961) 
Legal Officer 
 
Guggenheim Investments (2012-present). 
 
     
Former: Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company
     
and Security Benefit Corporation (2004-2012). 
 
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 65
 
 
 

 
   
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
       
 
Position(s) 
   
 
held 
Term of Office 
 
Name, Address* 
with the 
and Length of 
 
and Year of Birth 
Trust 
Time Served** 
Principal Occupations During Past Five Years 
Officers continued: 
     
Mark E. Mathiasen 
Secretary 
Since 2008 
Current: Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2007-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim
(1978) 
    Investments (2007-present).
Michael P. Megaris 
Assistant 
Since 2014 
Current: Assistant Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Senior Associate, Guggenheim
(1984) 
Secretary 
  Investments (2012-present).
       
     
Former: J.D., University of Kansas School of Law (2009-2012). 
Adam Nelson 
Assistant 
Since 2015 
Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2015-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund
(1979) 
Treasurer 
  Complex (2015-present).
       
     
Former: Assistant Vice President and Fund Administration Director, State Street Corporation (2013-2015); Fund
     
Administration Assistant Director, State Street (2011-2013); Fund Administration Manager, State Street (2009-2011). 
Kimberly J. Scott 
Assistant 
Since 2012 
Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present) ; Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund
(1974) 
Treasurer 
  Complex (2012-present).
       
     
Former: Financial Reporting Manager, Invesco, Ltd. (2010-2011); Vice President/Assistant Treasurer of Mutual Fund
     
Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2009-2010); Manager of
     
Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2005-2009). 
Bryan Stone 
Vice 
Since 2014 
Current: Vice President, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Director, Guggenheim Investments
(1979) 
President 
  (2013-present).
       
     
Former: Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman Group LLC (2009-2013); Vice President, Morgan Stanley (2002-2009). 
John L. Sullivan 
Chief 
Since 2010 
Current: CFO, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2010-present); Senior
(1955) 
Financial 
 
Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2010-present). 
 
Officer, Chief 
   
 
Accounting 
 
Former: Managing Director and CCO, each of the funds in the Van Kampen Investments fund complex (2004-2010);
 
Officer and 
 
Managing Director and Head of Fund Accounting and Administration, Morgan Stanley Investment Management
 
Treasurer 
 
(2002-2004); CFO and Treasurer, Van Kampen Funds (1996-2004). 
   
*
The business address of each officer is c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe, Chicago, IL 60606. 
** 
Each officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. 
 
 

66 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (Unaudited) 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Unless the registered owner of common shares elects to receive cash by contacting the Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on common shares of the Fund will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator, Administrator for shareholders in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional common shares of the Fund. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on your behalf and may re-invest that cash in additional common shares of the Fund for you. If you wish for all dividends declared on your common shares of the Fund to be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan, please contact your broker.
 
The Plan Administrator will open an account for each common shareholder under the Plan in the same name in which such common shareholder’s common shares are registered. Whenever the Fund declares a dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”) payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in common shares. The common shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized common shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated brokerage commission per common share is equal to or greater than the net asset value per common share, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the net asset value per common share on the payment date; provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal to 95% of the closing market value on the payment date, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per common share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the net asset value per common share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commission, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in common shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.
 
If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per common share exceeds the net asset value per common share, the average per common share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the net asset value of the common shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer common shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at net asset value per common share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per common share; the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 67
 
 
 

 
   
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (Unaudited) continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
The Plan Administrator maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instruction of the participants.
 
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commission incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any Federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends.
 
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.
 
All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170; Attention: Shareholder Services Department, Phone Number: (866) 488-3559 or online at www.computershare.com/investor.
 

68 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
 
   
FUND INFORMATION 
November 30, 2015 
 
   
Board of Trustees 
Investment Adviser 
 
Guggenheim Funds Investment 
Randall C. Barnes 
Advisors, LLC 
 
Chicago, IL 
Donald C. Cacciapaglia* 
 
 
Investment Sub-Adviser 
Donald A. Chubb Jr. 
Guggenheim Partners Investment 
 
Management, LLC 
Jerry B. Farley 
Santa Monica, CA 
   
Roman Friedrich III 
Administrator & Accounting Agent 
 
Rydex Fund Services, LLC 
Robert B. Karn III 
Rockville, MD 
   
Ronald A. Nyberg 
Custodian 
 
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. 
Maynard F. Oliverius 
New York, NY 
   
Ronald E. Toupin, Jr., 
Legal Counsel 
Chairperson 
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher 
 
& Flom LLP 
* Trustee is an “interested person” 
New York, NY 
(as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the 
 
1940 Act) (“Interested Trustee”) of the 
Independent Registered Public 
Trust because of his position as the 
Accounting Firm 
President and CEO of the Investment 
Ernst & Young LLP 
Adviser and Sub-Adviser. 
McLean, VA 
   
Principal Executive Officers 
 
   
Donald C. Cacciapaglia 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
 
   
Joanna M. Catalucci 
 
Chief Compliance Officer 
 
 
Amy J. Lee 
 
Chief Legal Officer 
 
 
Mark E. Mathiasen 
 
Secretary 
 
 
John L. Sullivan 
 
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting 
 
Officer and Treasurer 
 
 
 

70 l GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 

 
   
FUND INFORMATION continued 
November 30, 2015 
 
 
Privacy Principles of the Fund
 
The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how the Fund protects that information and why, in certain cases, the Fund may share information with select other parties.
 
Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).
 
The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about its shareholders to employees of the Fund’s investment advisor and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. The Fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of its shareholders.
 
Questions concerning your shares of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund?
• If your shares are held in a Brokerage Account, contact your Broker. 
• If you have physical possession of your shares in certificate form, contact the Fund’s Transfer Agent: 
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. , P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170; (866) 488-3559 or online 
www.computershare.com/investor. 
 
This report is sent to shareholders of Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund for their information. It is not a Prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or of any securities mentioned in this report.
 
A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at (800)345-7999.
 
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies for portfolio securities, if applicable, during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is also available, without charge and upon request by calling (800)345-7999, by visiting the Fund’s website at guggenheiminvestments.com/gof or by accessing the Fund’s Form N-PX on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) website at www.sec.gov.
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or by visiting the Fund’s website at guggenheiminvestments.com/gof. The Fund’s Form N-Q may also be viewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330 or at www.sec.gov.
 
Notice to Shareholders
 
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund from time to time may purchase shares of its common stock in the open market.
 

GOF l GUGGENHEIM STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT l 71
 
 
 

 
 
ABOUT THE FUND MANAGERS 
 
 
Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC
 
Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM”) is an indirect subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners, LLC, a diversified financial services firm. The firm provides capital markets services, portfolio and risk management expertise, wealth management, and investment advisory services. Clients of Guggenheim Partners, LLC subsidiaries are an elite mix of individuals, family offices, endowments, foundations, insurance companies and other institutions.
 
Investment Philosophy
 
GPIM’s investment philosophy is predicated upon the belief that thorough research and independent thought are rewarded with performance that has the potential to outperform benchmark indexes with both lower volatility and lower correlation of returns over time as compared to such benchmark indexes.
 
Investment Process
 
GPIM’s investment process is a collaborative effort between various groups including the Portfolio Construction Group, which utilize proprietary portfolio construction and risk modeling tools to determine allocation of assets among a variety of sectors, and its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for security selection within these sectors and for implementing securities transactions, including the structuring of certain securities directly with the issuers or with investment banks and dealers involved in the origination of such securities.
 
Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC
227 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60606
Member FINRA/SIPC
(01/16)
NOT FDIC-INSURED l NOT BANK-GUARANTEED l MAY LOSE VALUE
CEF-GOF-SAR-1115
 
 
 

 
 
Item 2.  Code of Ethics.
 
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
 
Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.
 
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
 
Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
 
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
 
Item 5.  Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
 
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
 
Item 6.  Schedule of Investments.
 
The Schedule of Investments is included as part of Item 1.
 
Item 7.  Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
 
Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
 
Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
 
(a) Not applicable for a semi-annual reporting period.
 
(b) There has been no change, as of the date of filing, in any of the Portfolio Managers identified in response to paragraph (a)(1) of this Item in the registrant’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR.
 
Item 9.  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
 
None.
 
Item 10.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
The registrant has not made any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.
 
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 (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act) as of a date within 90 days of this filing and have concluded based on such evaluation, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act, 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 reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
 
 
 

 
 
(b)      There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 12.  Exhibits.
 
(a)(1)  Not applicable.
 
(a)(2)  Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) of the Investment Company Act.
 
(a)(3)  Not applicable.
 
(b)       Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 

 
 
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.
 
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
 
By:       /s/ Donald C. Cacciapaglia              
 
Name: Donald C. Cacciapaglia
 
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Date:    February 5, 2016 
 
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/ Donald C. Cacciapaglia              
 
Name: Donald C. Cacciapaglia
 
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Date:   February 5, 2016
 
By:       /s/ John L. Sullivan                           
 
Name: John L. Sullivan
 
Title:   Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
 
Date:   February 5, 2016