N-CSRS 1 d79611dncsrs.htm EATON VANCE NATIONAL MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITIES TRUST Eaton Vance National Municipal Opportunities Trust
Table of Contents

 

 

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: 811-22269

 

 

Eaton Vance National Municipal Opportunities Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Maureen A. Gemma

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Services)

 

 

(617) 482-8260

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

March 31

Date of Fiscal Year End

September 30, 2020

Date of Reporting Period

 

 

 


Table of Contents
Item 1.

Reports to Stockholders

 


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust (EOT)

Semiannual Report

September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-and-term-trust-documents.php), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you hold shares at the Fund’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by contacting AST. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you hold shares at AST, you can inform AST that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-866-439-6787. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with AST or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The investment adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to its management of the Fund. Accordingly neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator. The adviser is also registered as a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.


Table of Contents

Semiannual Report September 30, 2020

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

 

Table of Contents

  

Performance

     2  

Fund Profile

     2  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     3  

Financial Statements

     4  

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

     18  

Officers and Trustees

     22  

Important Notices

     23  


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Performance1,2

 

Portfolio Manager Cynthia J. Clemson

 

% Average Annual Total Returns    Inception Date      Six Months     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Fund at NAV

     05/29/2009        5.05     2.06      3.92      4.92

Fund at Market Price

            4.75       –7.32        4.50        4.64  

 

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index

            3.99     4.09      3.84      3.99
% Premium/Discount to NAV3                                       
                –5.29
Distributions4                                       

Total Distributions per share for the period

              $ 0.379  

Distribution Rate at NAV

                3.64

Taxable-Equivalent Distribution Rate at NAV

                6.15

Distribution Rate at Market Price

                3.84

Taxable-Equivalent Distribution Rate at Market Price

                6.49
% Total Leverage5                                       

Residual Interest Bond (RIB) Financing

                6.26

Fund Profile

 

Credit Quality (% of total investments)6,7

 

 

LOGO

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated net of management fees and other expenses by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Performance at market price will differ from performance at NAV due to variations in the Fund’s market price versus NAV, which may reflect factors such as fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, changes in Fund distributions, shifting market expectations for the Fund’s future returns and distribution rates, and other considerations affecting the trading prices of closed-end funds. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

1 

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index of municipal bonds traded in the U.S. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

2 

Performance results reflect the effects of leverage.

 

3 

The shares of the Fund often trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. The discount or premium may vary over time and may be higher or lower than what is quoted in this report. For up-to-date premium/discount information, please refer to https://funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-prices.php.

 

4 

The Distribution Rate is based on the Fund’s last regular distribution per share in the period (annualized) divided by the Fund’s NAV or market price at the end of the period. The Fund’s distributions may be comprised of amounts characterized for federal income tax purposes as tax-exempt income, qualified and non-qualified ordinary dividends, capital gains and nondividend distributions, also known as return of capital. The Fund will determine the federal income tax character of distributions paid to a shareholder after the end of the calendar year. This is reported on the IRS form 1099-DIV and provided to the shareholder shortly after each year-end. For information about the tax character of distributions made in prior calendar years, please refer to Performance-Tax Character of Distributions on the Fund’s webpage available at eatonvance.com. The Fund’s distributions are determined by the investment adviser based on its current assessment of the Fund’s long-term return potential. Fund distributions may be affected by numerous factors including changes in Fund performance, the cost of financing for leverage, portfolio holdings, realized and projected returns, and other factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions paid by the Fund could change. Taxable-equivalent performance is based on the highest combined federal and state income tax rates, where applicable. Lower tax rates would result in lower tax-equivalent performance. Actual tax rates will vary depending on your income, exemptions and deductions. Rates do not include local taxes.

 

5 

Fund employs RIB financing leverage. The leverage created by RIB investments provides an opportunity for increased income but, at the same time, creates special risks (including the likelihood of greater price volatility). The cost of leverage rises and falls with changes in short-term interest rates. See “Floating Rate Notes Issued in Conjunction with Securities Held” in the notes to the financial statements for more information about RIB financing. RIB leverage represents the amount of Floating Rate Notes outstanding at period end as a percentage of Fund net assets applicable to common shares plus Floating Rate Notes.

 

6 

Ratings are based on Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), as applicable. If securities are rated differently by the ratings agencies, the highest rating is applied. Ratings, which are subject to change, apply to the creditworthiness of the issuers of the underlying securities and not to the Fund or its shares. Credit ratings measure the quality of a bond based on the issuer’s creditworthiness, with ratings ranging from AAA, being the highest, to D, being the lowest based on S&P’s measures. Ratings of BBB or higher by S&P or Fitch (Baa or higher by Moody’s) are considered to be investment-grade quality. Credit ratings are based

  largely on the ratings agency’s analysis at the time of rating. The rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition and does not necessarily reflect its assessment of the volatility of a security’s market value or of the liquidity of an investment in the security. Holdings designated as “Not Rated” (if any) are not rated by the national ratings agencies stated above.

 

7 

The chart includes the municipal bonds held by a trust that issues residual interest bonds, consistent with the Portfolio of Investments.

 

 

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

Important Notice to Shareholders

 

 

On August 13, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund amended and restated the Fund’s By-Laws (the “Amended and Restated By-Laws”). The Amended and Restated By-Laws include provisions (the “Control Share Provisions”) pursuant to which, in summary, a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of Fund shares in a “Control Share Acquisition” may exercise voting rights with respect to such shares only to the extent the authorization of such voting rights is approved by other shareholders of the Fund. The Control Share Provisions are primarily intended to protect the interests of the Fund and its shareholders by limiting the risk that the Fund will become subject to undue influence by opportunistic hedge funds or other activist investors. The Control Share Provisions do not eliminate voting rights for shares acquired in Control Share Acquisitions, but rather, they entrust the Fund’s other “non-interested” shareholders with determining whether to approve the authorization of voting rights for such shares. Subject to various conditions and exceptions, the Amended and Restated By-Laws define a “Control Share Acquisition” to include an acquisition of Fund shares that, but for the Control Share Provisions, would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition of such shares, the ability to exercise voting power in the election of Fund Trustees in any of the following ranges: (i) one-tenth or more, but less than one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or (iv) a majority or more of all voting power. Share acquisitions prior to August 13, 2020 are excluded from the definition of Control Share Acquisition. This discussion is only a high-level summary of certain aspects of the Control Share Provisions, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full Amended and Restated By-Laws. The Amended and Restated By-Laws were filed by the Fund on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available at sec.gov.

 

 

  3  


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities — 95.9%

 

Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Education — 2.1%              

Arizona Industrial Development Authority, (Doral Academy of Nevada), 5.00%, 7/15/49(1)

  $ 560     $ 583,789  

Arizona Industrial Development Authority, (Pinecrest Academy of Nevada), 4.00%, 7/15/50(1)

    185       174,738  

Capital Trust Agency, FL, (Florida Charter Educational Foundation, Inc.), 5.375%, 6/15/38(1)

    210       223,805  

Capital Trust Agency, FL, (Florida Charter Educational Foundation, Inc.), 5.375%, 6/15/48(1)

    395       414,639  

Capital Trust Agency, FL, (Liza Jackson Preparatory School, Inc.), 5.00%, 8/1/55

    325       369,337  

District of Columbia, (District of Columbia International School), 5.00%, 7/1/39

    185       213,218  

District of Columbia, (District of Columbia International School), 5.00%, 7/1/49

    185       208,358  

District of Columbia, (KIPP DC), 4.00%, 7/1/39

    100       108,413  

District of Columbia, (KIPP DC), 4.00%, 7/1/44

    100       107,031  

District of Columbia, (KIPP DC), 4.00%, 7/1/49

    135       143,666  

District of Columbia, (Rocketship DC Obligated Group), 5.00%, 6/1/56(1)

    1,090       1,127,354  

Jacksonville, FL, (Jacksonville University), 5.00%, 6/1/53(1)

    1,000       978,190  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (North Carolina Leadership Academy), 5.00%, 6/15/54(1)

    455       463,322  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (Roseman University of Health Sciences), 5.00%, 4/1/40(1)

    655       703,654  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (Roseman University of Health Sciences), 5.00%, 4/1/50(1)

    175       185,169  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (Roseman University of Health Sciences), 5.50%, 4/1/32

    165       170,041  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (Roseman University of Health Sciences), 5.75%, 4/1/42

    415       426,242  

Yonkers Economic Development Corp., NY, (Lamartine/Warburton, LLC - Charter School of Educational Excellence), 5.00%, 10/15/49

    70       73,262  

Yonkers Economic Development Corp., NY, (Lamartine/Warburton, LLC - Charter School of Educational Excellence), 5.00%, 10/15/54

    110       114,709  
            $ 6,788,937  
Electric Utilities — 5.3%  

Apache County Industrial Development Authority, AZ, (Tucson Electric Power Co.), 4.50%, 3/1/30

  $ 340     $ 352,128  

Burke County Development Authority, GA, (Oglethorpe Power Corp.), 4.125%, 11/1/45

    5,750       6,387,617  

Chula Vista, CA, (San Diego Gas and Electric), 5.875%, 1/1/34

    3,650       3,663,688  
Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Electric Utilities (continued)  

Chula Vista, CA, (San Diego Gas and Electric), 5.875%, 2/15/34

  $ 2,815     $ 2,825,556  

Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance, (Hawaiian Electric Co.), 3.20%, 7/1/39

    1,520       1,552,194  

New York Power Authority, 4.00%, 11/15/60

    2,000       2,299,280  
            $ 17,080,463  
Escrowed / Prerefunded — 5.9%  

Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport), (AMT), Prerefunded to 11/1/20, 5.00%, 11/1/38

  $ 4,475     $ 4,492,184  

Detroit, MI, Sewage Disposal System, Prerefunded to 7/1/22, 5.00%, 7/1/32

    1,450       1,572,395  

Detroit, MI, Sewage Disposal System, Prerefunded to 7/1/22, 5.25%, 7/1/39

    1,405       1,529,722  

Detroit, MI, Water Supply System, Prerefunded to 7/1/21, 5.25%, 7/1/41

    2,725       2,829,367  

Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority, (Charlestown Community, Inc.), Prerefunded to 1/1/21, 6.125%, 1/1/30

    470       476,923  

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY, Prerefunded to 11/15/21, 5.00%, 11/15/31

    1,000       1,054,570  

New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (CHF-Collegiate Housing Stephenville III, LLC - Tarleton State University), Prerefunded to 4/1/25, 5.00%, 4/1/47

    445       532,843  

Onondaga Civic Development Corp., NY, (St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center), Prerefunded to 7/1/22, 5.00%, 7/1/42

    2,425       2,622,128  

Oregon Facilities Authority, (Lewis & Clark College), Prerefunded to 10/1/21, 5.625%, 10/1/36

    750       790,515  

Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, (Memorial Group, Inc.), Prerefunded to 11/1/23, 7.25%, 11/1/33

    770       931,323  

Will County Community Unit School District No. 365-U, IL, (Valley View), Prerefunded to 11/1/21, 5.75%, 11/1/32

    2,210       2,343,572  
            $ 19,175,542  
General Obligations — 7.5%  

Chicago Board of Education, IL, 5.00%, 12/1/42

  $ 6,410     $ 6,510,701  

Chicago Board of Education, IL, 5.00%, 12/1/46

    190       193,772  

Chicago, IL, 5.50%, 1/1/49

    5,000       5,374,500  

Illinois, 4.25%, 12/1/37

    6,000       5,950,800  

Illinois, 5.00%, 5/1/36

    3,500       3,586,730  

Jackson County School District No. 6, OR, 0.00%, 6/15/41

    710       388,405  

Township of Freehold, NJ, 1.00%, 10/15/29

    575       550,930  

Township of Freehold, NJ, 1.00%, 10/15/30

    1,035       978,313  

Township of Freehold, NJ, 1.00%, 10/15/31

    975       908,359  
            $ 24,442,510  
 

 

  4   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Hospital — 10.2%  

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (St. Joseph Health System), 5.00%, 7/1/37

  $ 165     $ 180,673  

Camden County Improvement Authority, NJ, (Cooper Health System), 5.75%, 2/15/42

    665       715,946  

Chattanooga Health, Educational and Housing Facility Board, TN, (CommonSpirit Health), 4.00%, 8/1/44

    670       740,249  

Doylestown Hospital Authority, PA, (Doylestown Health), 4.00%, 7/1/45

    310       325,547  

Hamilton County, OH, (UC Health), 4.00%, 9/15/50

    1,000       1,083,500  

Illinois Finance Authority, (Presence Health Network), 3.75%, 2/15/34

    1,190       1,317,223  

Illinois Finance Authority, (Presence Health Network), 4.00%, 2/15/36

    2,500       2,800,875  

Illinois Finance Authority, (Rush University Medical Center), 4.00%, 11/15/39

    1,000       1,080,530  

Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority, (Frederick Health System), 4.00%, 7/1/45

    250       275,120  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (Atrius Health), 4.00%, 6/1/49

    1,555       1,670,086  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (Atrius Health), 5.00%, 6/1/39

    255       302,407  

Michigan Finance Authority, (Henry Ford Health System), 4.00%, 11/15/50

    1,040       1,164,114  

Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, PA, (Thomas Jefferson University Obligated Group), 4.00%, 9/1/38

    1,000       1,101,560  

Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, PA, (Thomas Jefferson University Obligated Group), 4.00%, 9/1/39

    1,000       1,098,180  

Montgomery County Higher Education and Health Authority, PA, (Thomas Jefferson University Obligated Group), 4.00%, 9/1/44

    1,500       1,624,785  

New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority, (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Obligated Group), 5.00%, 8/1/59

    2,000       2,907,580  

New York Dormitory Authority, (Catholic Health System Obligated Group), 4.00%, 7/1/45

    675       731,774  

New York Dormitory Authority, (Orange Regional Medical Center), 5.00%, 12/1/35(1)

    900       1,039,860  

Oklahoma Development Finance Authority, (OU Medicine), 5.00%, 8/15/38

    310       360,049  

Oklahoma Development Finance Authority, (OU Medicine), 5.25%, 8/15/43

    3,415       3,987,115  

Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Baylor Scott & White Health), 5.00%, 11/15/45

    5       5,732  

Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Baylor Scott & White Health), 5.00%, 11/15/45(2)

    3,975       4,557,258  

Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Cook Children’s Medical Center), 5.25%, 12/1/39(2)

    3,500       3,865,085  
            $ 32,935,248  
Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Housing — 1.0%  

California Department of Veterans Affairs, Home Purchase Revenue, 3.60%, 12/1/43

  $ 1,895     $ 2,073,244  

New York City Housing Development Corp., NY, 3.85%, 11/1/42

    1,000       1,073,300  
            $ 3,146,544  
Industrial Development Revenue — 9.8%  

Alabama Industrial Development Authority, (Pine City Fiber Co.), (AMT), 6.45%, 12/1/23

  $ 5,000     $ 5,000,050  

Clayton County Development Authority, GA, (Delta Air Lines, Inc.), 8.75%, 6/1/29

    3,192       3,204,796  

Maine Finance Authority, (Casella Waste Systems, Inc.), (AMT), 5.125% to 8/1/25 (Put Date), 8/1/35(1)

    725       809,317  

National Finance Authority, NH, (Covanta), 4.625%, 11/1/42(1)

    1,415       1,432,192  

National Finance Authority, NH, (Covanta), (AMT), 4.875%, 11/1/42(1)

    1,555       1,583,892  

New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, (Casella Waste Systems, Inc.), (AMT), 2.95%, 4/1/29(1)

    560       555,419  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (Continental Airlines), (AMT), 5.125%, 9/15/23

    485       497,178  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (Continental Airlines), (AMT), 5.25%, 9/15/29

    1,900       1,943,776  

New York Liberty Development Corp., (Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.), 5.25%, 10/1/35

    2,560       3,553,792  

New York Transportation Development Corp., (Delta Air Lines, Inc. - LaGuardia Airport Terminals C&D Redevelopment), (AMT), 4.375%, 10/1/45

    2,765       2,781,701  

New York Transportation Development Corp., (Delta Air Lines, Inc. - LaGuardia Airport Terminals C&D Redevelopment), (AMT), 5.00%, 10/1/40

    1,640       1,750,356  

Niagara Area Development Corp., NY, (Covanta), (AMT), 4.75%, 11/1/42(1)

    2,000       2,030,740  

Phenix City Industrial Development Board, AL, (MeadWestvaco Coated Board), (AMT), 4.125%, 5/15/35

    3,935       4,039,002  

Rockdale County Development Authority, GA, (Pratt Paper, LLC), (AMT), 4.00%, 1/1/38(1)

    1,445       1,561,915  

Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, AL, (Hunt Refining Co.), 4.50%, 5/1/32(1)

    390       420,182  

Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, AL, (Hunt Refining Co.), 5.25%, 5/1/44(1)

    345       381,325  

Vermont Economic Development Authority, (Casella Waste Systems, Inc.), (AMT), 4.625% to 4/3/28 (Put Date), 4/1/36(1)

    145       160,931  
            $ 31,706,564  
Insured – General Obligations — 1.1%  

Atlantic City, NJ, (AGM), 4.00%, 3/1/42

  $ 145     $ 160,035  
 

 

  5   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Insured – General Obligations (continued)  

McHenry County Community Unit School District No. 12, IL, (AGM), 5.00%, 1/1/30

  $ 2,910     $ 3,298,863  
            $ 3,458,898  
Insured – Other Revenue — 0.4%  

New York City Industrial Development Agency, NY, (Yankee Stadium), (AGM), 3.00%, 3/1/38(3)

  $ 390     $ 405,331  

New York City Industrial Development Agency, NY, (Yankee Stadium), (AGM), 3.00%, 3/1/49(3)

    910       917,244  
            $ 1,322,575  
Insured – Special Tax Revenue — 5.1%  

Miami-Dade County, FL, Professional Sports Franchise Facilities, (AGC), 6.875%, 10/1/34

  $ 4,000     $ 5,820,520  

Miami-Dade County, FL, Professional Sports Franchise Facilities, (AGC), 7.00%, 10/1/39

    6,000       8,721,480  

Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority, (AMBAC), 0.00%, 7/1/43

    960       340,656  

Tolomato Community Development District, FL, (AGM), 3.75%, 5/1/39

    720       809,460  

Tolomato Community Development District, FL, (AGM), 3.75%, 5/1/40

    860       964,327  
            $ 16,656,443  
Insured – Transportation — 7.9%  

Chicago, IL, (O’Hare International Airport), (AGM), 5.50%, 1/1/43

  $ 710     $ 769,754  

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY, Green Bonds, (AGM), 4.00%, 11/15/48(2)

    6,225       6,727,357  

New York Thruway Authority, (AGM), 3.00%, 1/1/46

    4,895       5,068,723  

New York Transportation Development Corp., (LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment), (AGM), (AMT), 4.00%, 7/1/35

    460       488,713  

New York Transportation Development Corp., (LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment), (AGM), (AMT), 4.00%, 7/1/37

    1,295       1,370,745  

North Carolina Turnpike Authority, (Triangle Expressway System), (AGC), 0.00%, 1/1/35

    4,000       2,697,840  

North Carolina Turnpike Authority, (Triangle Expressway System), (AGC), 0.00%, 1/1/36

    13,000       8,416,330  
            $ 25,539,462  
Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation — 1.7%  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (School Facilities Construction), 5.00%, 6/15/43

  $ 740     $ 824,915  
Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Lease Revenue / Certificates of Participation (continued)  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (School Facilities Construction), 5.00%, 6/15/44

  $ 4,260     $ 4,748,324  
            $ 5,573,239  
Other Revenue — 0.8%  

Kalispel Tribe of Indians, WA, Series A, 5.25%, 1/1/38(1)

  $ 390     $ 436,246  

Morongo Band of Mission Indians, CA, 5.00%, 10/1/42(1)

    605       662,965  

Salt Verde Financial Corp., AZ, Senior Gas Revenue, 5.00%, 12/1/37

    1,245       1,681,871  
            $ 2,781,082  
Senior Living / Life Care — 10.7%  

ABAG Finance Authority for Nonprofit Corporations, CA, (Episcopal Senior Communities), 6.00%, 7/1/31

  $ 1,295     $ 1,322,376  

Atlantic Beach, FL, (Fleet Landing), 5.00%, 11/15/37

    3,405       3,547,397  

Bexar County Health Facilities Development Corp., TX, (Army Retirement Residence Foundation), 5.00%, 7/15/37

    850       909,271  

Bexar County Health Facilities Development Corp., TX, (Army Retirement Residence Foundation), 5.00%, 7/15/42

    700       739,676  

Clackamas County Hospital Facility Authority, OR, (Rose Villa), 5.25%, 11/15/50

    125       132,525  

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, (Christian Living Neighborhoods), 5.00%, 1/1/38

    730       798,065  

District of Columbia, (Ingleside at Rock Creek), 3.875%, 7/1/24

    925       920,653  

District of Columbia, (Ingleside at Rock Creek), 5.00%, 7/1/32

    185       185,405  

Harris County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Brazos Presbyterian Homes, Inc.), 5.75%, 1/1/28

    165       175,484  

Harris County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Brazos Presbyterian Homes, Inc.), 6.375%, 1/1/33

    345       367,080  

Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance, (Kahala Senior Living Community, Inc.), 5.125%, 11/15/32

    300       322,131  

Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance, (Kahala Senior Living Community, Inc.), 5.25%, 11/15/37

    275       294,305  

Iowa Finance Authority, (Lifespace Communities, Inc.), 4.125%, 5/15/38

    1,500       1,522,965  

Iowa Finance Authority, (Lifespace Communities, Inc.), 5.00%, 5/15/55

    510       542,609  

Lee County Industrial Development Authority, FL, (Shell Point/Alliance Obligated Group), 5.00%, 11/15/39

    1,800       1,976,436  

Lee County Industrial Development Authority, FL, (Shell Point/Alliance Obligated Group), 6.125%, 11/15/26

    500       520,605  

Lee County Industrial Development Authority, FL, (Shell Point/Alliance Obligated Group), 6.50%, 11/15/31

    1,600       1,666,176  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (Linden Ponds, Inc.), 5.00%, 11/15/33(1)

    470       499,944  
 

 

  6   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Senior Living / Life Care (continued)  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (Linden Ponds, Inc.), 5.00%, 11/15/38(1)

  $ 310     $ 324,294  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, (NewBridge on the Charles, Inc.), 5.00%, 10/1/57(1)

    1,650       1,756,062  

Multnomah County Hospital Facilities Authority, OR, (Mirabella at South Waterfront), 5.00%, 10/1/24

    685       711,530  

National Finance Authority, NH, (The Vista), 5.25%, 7/1/39(1)

    265       269,362  

National Finance Authority, NH, (The Vista), 5.625%, 7/1/46(1)

    360       369,853  

National Finance Authority, NH, (The Vista), 5.75%, 7/1/54(1)

    780       803,494  

New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Longhorn Village), 5.00%, 1/1/31

    1,235       1,342,840  

New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (Longhorn Village), 5.00%, 1/1/32

    1,295       1,405,127  

New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, (Haverland Carter Lifestyle Group), 5.00%, 7/1/32

    80       85,769  

New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, (Haverland Carter Lifestyle Group), 5.00%, 7/1/33

    50       53,437  

New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, (Haverland Carter Lifestyle Group), 5.00%, 7/1/34

    55       58,517  

New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, (Haverland Carter Lifestyle Group), 5.00%, 7/1/39

    175       183,694  

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, FL, (Lifespace Communities, Inc.), 5.00%, 5/15/53

    605       644,634  

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, FL, (Sinai Residences of Boca Raton), 7.25%, 6/1/39

    550       601,227  

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, FL, (Sinai Residences of Boca Raton), 7.50%, 6/1/49

    2,560       2,803,021  

Public Finance Authority, WI, (Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst), 5.25%, 5/15/37(1)

    630       670,622  

Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, (MRC Stevenson Oaks), 6.625%, 11/15/41

    1,335       1,407,851  

Tempe Industrial Development Authority, AZ, (Friendship Village of Tempe), 6.00%, 12/1/32

    255       259,302  

Tempe Industrial Development Authority, AZ, (Friendship Village of Tempe), 6.25%, 12/1/42

    735       745,613  

Tempe Industrial Development Authority, AZ, (Mirabella at ASU), 6.00%, 10/1/37(1)

    900       937,503  

Tulsa County Industrial Authority, OK, (Montereau, Inc.), 5.25%, 11/15/37

    1,000       1,071,710  

Washington Housing Finance Commission, (Bayview Manor Homes), 5.00%, 7/1/51(1)

    1,335       1,371,098  

Washington Housing Finance Commission, (Transforming Age), 5.00%, 1/1/49(1)

    305       319,664  
            $ 34,639,327  
Special Tax Revenue — 1.9%  

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, NY, Future Tax Revenue, 4.00%, 11/1/39

  $ 1,500     $ 1,715,490  
Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Special Tax Revenue (continued)  

New York Dormitory Authority, Sales Tax Revenue, 4.00%, 3/15/47

  $ 4,000     $ 4,395,520  
            $ 6,111,010  
Student Loan — 0.7%  

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, 6.00%, 1/1/28

  $ 665     $ 677,296  

New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, (AMT), 4.75%, 12/1/43

    1,445       1,505,690  
            $ 2,182,986  
Transportation — 23.1%  

Atlanta, GA, Airport Revenue, (AMT), 4.00%, 7/1/37

  $ 2,550     $ 2,909,193  

Atlanta, GA, Airport Revenue, (AMT), 4.00%, 7/1/38

    5,000       5,685,800  

Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, 5.00%, 1/1/45

    750       851,340  

Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Prerefunded to 1/1/21, 5.75%, 1/1/31

    325       329,505  

Chicago, IL, (O’Hare International Airport), (AMT), 5.00%, 1/1/25

    1,345       1,470,314  

Chicago, IL, (O’Hare International Airport), (AMT), 5.00%, 1/1/26

    1,140       1,243,535  

Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport), 5.25%, 11/1/30

    1,125       1,268,910  

Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport), 5.25%, 11/1/31

    1,735       1,951,858  

Delaware River and Bay Authority of Delaware and New Jersey, 4.00%, 1/1/44

    10       11,271  

Delaware River and Bay Authority of Delaware and New Jersey, 4.00%, 1/1/44(2)

    2,125       2,395,045  

Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., TX, 5.125%, 10/1/43

    875       909,046  

Hawaii, Airports System Revenue, (AMT), 5.00%, 7/1/41

    1,065       1,216,794  

Hawaii, Airports System Revenue, (AMT), 5.00%, 7/1/43(2)

    3,750       4,405,237  

Houston, TX, (United Airlines, Inc.), (AMT), 5.00%, 7/1/29

    2,060       2,095,659  

Illinois Toll Highway Authority, 5.00%, 1/1/41(2)

    5,575       6,605,985  

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY, Green Bonds, 5.25%, 11/15/55

    1,520       1,639,396  

Miami-Dade County, FL, (Miami International Airport), 5.00%, 10/1/41

    1,360       1,364,515  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, (The Goethals Bridge Replacement), (AMT), 5.125%, 1/1/34

    1,250       1,375,500  

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, (Transportation System), 0.00%, 12/15/38

    20,000       10,185,400  

New Orleans Aviation Board, LA, (AMT), 5.00%, 1/1/48

    750       842,152  

New York Transportation Development Corp., (LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment), (AMT), 5.25%, 1/1/50

    2,115       2,273,646  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Transportation (continued)  

North Texas Tollway Authority, Prerefunded to 9/1/21, 5.50%, 9/1/41(2)

  $ 2,660     $ 2,790,154  

Port of New Orleans, LA, (AMT), 5.00%, 4/1/39

    1,250       1,513,512  

San Francisco City and County Airport Commission, CA, (San Francisco International Airport), (AMT), 5.00%, 5/1/45

    6,000       7,146,900  

San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, CA, 5.00%, 1/15/50

    6,400       7,031,872  

Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., (North Tarrant Express Managed Lanes Project), 4.00%, 12/31/37

    140       157,965  

Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., (North Tarrant Express Managed Lanes Project), 4.00%, 12/31/38

    260       292,396  

Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., (North Tarrant Express Managed Lanes Project), 4.00%, 12/31/39

    135       151,347  

Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., (North Tarrant Express Managed Lanes Project), 5.00%, 12/31/35

    180       222,773  

Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., (North Tarrant Express Segment 3C), (AMT), 5.00%, 6/30/58

    1,555       1,786,135  

Texas Transportation Commission, (Central Texas Turnpike System), 0.00%, 8/1/38

    850       425,621  

Texas Transportation Commission, (Central Texas Turnpike System), 5.00%, 8/15/42

    445       496,736  

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, (Transform 66 P3), (AMT), 5.00%, 12/31/49

    1,500       1,682,835  
            $ 74,728,347  
Water and Sewer — 0.7%  

Michigan Finance Authority, (Detroit Water and Sewerage Department), 5.00%, 7/1/34

  $ 2,070     $ 2,365,513  
            $ 2,365,513  

Total Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities — 95.9%
(identified cost $278,035,553)

 

  $ 310,634,690  
Taxable Municipal Securities — 4.0%

 

Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
General Obligations — 1.1%  

Chicago, IL, 7.375%, 1/1/33

  $ 1,750     $ 2,050,738  

Chicago, IL, 7.781%, 1/1/35

    1,400       1,705,970  
            $ 3,756,708  
Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Hospital — 1.3%  

California Statewide Communities Development Authority, (Loma Linda University Medical Center), 6.00%, 12/1/24

  $ 4,000     $ 4,269,000  
            $ 4,269,000  
Insured – Housing — 0.5%  

Onondaga Civic Development Corp., NY, (Upstate Properties Development, Inc.), (BAM), 3.158%, 12/1/41

  $ 1,610     $ 1,621,125  
            $ 1,621,125  
Senior Living / Life Care — 0.6%  

St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority, FL, (Westminster St. Augustine), Prerefunded to 8/1/22, 5.50% to 8/1/24 (Put Date), 8/1/44

  $ 1,720     $ 1,871,291  
            $ 1,871,291  
Transportation — 0.5%  

Maryland Economic Development Corp., (Seagirt Marine Terminal), 4.75%, 6/1/42

  $ 1,500     $ 1,616,445  
            $ 1,616,445  

Total Taxable Municipal Securities — 4.0%
(identified cost $12,039,032)

 

  $ 13,134,569  
Corporate Bonds & Notes — 4.3%

 

Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Health Care — 1.6%              

Providence St. Joseph Health Obligated Group, 2.532%, 10/1/29

  $ 5,000     $ 5,327,401  
            $ 5,327,401  
Hospital — 1.3%  

CommonSpirit Health, 3.347%, 10/1/29

  $ 795     $ 843,745  

Montefiore Obligated Group, 4.287%, 9/1/50

    3,240       3,228,374  
            $ 4,072,119  
Insured – Hospital — 0.5%  

Toledo Hospital, OH, (AGM), 5.75%, 11/15/38

  $ 1,440     $ 1,696,713  
            $ 1,696,713  
 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

Security  

Principal

Amount

(000’s omitted)

    Value  
Other — 0.9%  

Morongo Band of Mission Indians, 7.00%, 10/1/39(1)

  $ 2,430     $ 2,839,649  
            $ 2,839,649  

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes — 4.3%
(identified cost $13,143,589)

 

  $ 13,935,882  

Total Investments — 104.2%
(identified cost $303,218,174)

 

  $ 337,705,141  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (4.2)%

 

  $ (13,665,450

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 324,039,691  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

At September 30, 2020, the concentration of the Trust’s investments in the various states and territories, determined as a percentage of total investments, is as follows:

 

New York      14.5%  
Illinois      14.0%  
Others, representing less than 10% individually      71.5%  

The Trust invests primarily in debt securities issued by municipalities. The ability of the issuers of the debt securities to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry or municipality. At September 30, 2020, 14.9% of total investments are backed by bond insurance of various financial institutions and financial guaranty assurance agencies. The aggregate percentage insured by an individual financial institution or financial guaranty assurance agency ranged from 0.1% to 7.6% of total investments.

 

(1) 

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be sold in certain transactions in reliance on an exemption from registration (normally to qualified institutional buyers). At September 30, 2020, the aggregate value of these securities is $26,091,189 or 8.1% of the Trust’s net assets.

 

(2) 

Security represents the municipal bond held by a trust that issues residual interest bonds (see Note 1G).

 

(3) 

When-issued security.

Abbreviations:

 

AGC     Assured Guaranty Corp.
AGM     Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.
AMBAC     AMBAC Financial Group, Inc.
AMT     Interest earned from these securities may be considered a tax preference item for purposes of the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax.
BAM     Build America Mutual Assurance Co.
 

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets    September 30, 2020  

Investments, at value (identified cost, $303,218,174)

   $ 337,705,141  

Cash

     2,676,527  

Interest receivable

     4,373,560  

Receivable for investments sold

     2,650,000  

Total assets

   $ 347,405,228  
Liabilities

 

Payable for floating rate notes issued

   $ 21,694,972  

Payable for when-issued securities

     1,325,294  

Payable to affiliate:

  

Investment adviser fee

     171,501  

Interest expense and fees payable

     49,721  

Accrued expenses

     124,049  

Total liabilities

   $ 23,365,537  

Net Assets

   $ 324,039,691  
Sources of Net Assets

 

Common shares, $0.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized

   $ 153,134  

Additional paid-in capital

     291,336,557  

Distributable earnings

     32,550,000  

Net Assets

   $ 324,039,691  
Common Shares Outstanding      15,313,384  
Net Asset Value         

Net assets ÷ common shares issued and outstanding

   $ 21.16  

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment Income    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2020
 

Interest

   $ 7,361,134  

Total investment income

   $ 7,361,134  
Expenses

 

Investment adviser fee

   $ 1,024,522  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     9,432  

Custodian fee

     34,017  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     9,717  

Legal and accounting services

     40,834  

Printing and postage

     25,586  

Interest expense and fees

     100,553  

Miscellaneous

     29,061  

Total expenses

   $ 1,273,722  

Net investment income

   $ 6,087,412  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ (1,697,164

Net realized loss

   $ (1,697,164

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 11,129,183  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 11,129,183  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 9,432,019  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 15,519,431  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
    

Year Ended

March 31, 2020

 

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 6,087,412      $ 12,732,212  

Net realized loss

     (1,697,164      (1,043,309

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     11,129,183        (5,384,928

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 15,519,431      $ 6,303,975  

Distributions to shareholders

   $ (5,800,710    $ (14,010,568

Tax return of capital to shareholders

   $      $ (996,325

Capital share transactions —

 

Proceeds from shelf offering, net of offering costs (see Note 5)

   $      $ 1,591,024  

Reinvestment of distributions

            192,016  

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

   $      $ 1,783,040  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 9,718,721      $ (6,919,878
Net Assets

 

At beginning of period

   $ 314,320,970      $ 321,240,848  

At end of period

   $ 324,039,691      $ 314,320,970  

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Six Months Ended
September 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended March 31,  
     2020      2019      2018     2017     2016  
             

Net asset value — Beginning of period

   $ 20.530      $ 21.090      $ 21.320      $ 21.700     $ 22.890     $ 23.050  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.398      $ 0.835      $ 0.955      $ 0.986     $ 1.016     $ 1.065  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.611        (0.412      (0.057      (0.213     (0.969     (0.190

Total income from operations

   $ 1.009      $ 0.423      $ 0.898      $ 0.773     $ 0.047     $ 0.875  
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.379    $ (0.841    $ (1.021    $ (1.031   $ (1.030   $ (1.030

From net realized gain

            (0.078      (0.107      (0.122     (0.207     (0.005

Tax return of capital

            (0.065                          

Total distributions

   $ (0.379    $ (0.984    $ (1.128    $ (1.153   $ (1.237   $ (1.035

Premium from common shares sold through shelf offering (see Note 5)(1)

   $      $ 0.001      $      $     $     $  

Net asset value — End of period

   $ 21.160      $ 20.530      $ 21.090      $ 21.320     $ 21.700     $ 22.890  

Market value — End of period

   $ 20.040      $ 19.500      $ 21.120      $ 20.670     $ 21.520     $ 22.310  

Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(2)

     5.05 %(3)       1.90      4.54      3.59     0.29     4.27

Total Investment Return on Market Value(2)

     4.75 %(3)       (3.35 )%       7.98      1.27     2.04     10.50
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 324,040      $ 314,321      $ 321,241      $ 324,587     $ 330,183     $ 348,145  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

               

Expenses excluding interest and fees(4)

     0.74 %(5)       0.75      0.76      0.76     0.75     0.76

Interest and fee expense(6)

     0.06 %(5)       0.17      0.22      0.20     0.16     0.08

Total expenses(4)

     0.80 %(5)       0.92      0.98      0.96     0.91     0.84

Net investment income

     3.81 %(5)       3.88      4.55      4.52     4.50     4.70

Portfolio Turnover

     10 %(3)       44      17      17     11     6

 

(1)

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market value with all distributions reinvested. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Trust’s dividend reinvestment plan.

 

(3)

Not annualized.

 

(4)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(5)

Annualized.

 

(6)

Interest and fee expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with residual interest bond transactions (see Note 1G).

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance National Municipal Opportunities Trust (the Trust) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Trust’s primary investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The Trust will, as a secondary investment objective, seek to achieve capital appreciation.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Trust. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Trust is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Debt Obligations. Debt obligations are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third party pricing services, as derived from such services’ pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and ask prices, broker/dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, interest rates, anticipated prepayments, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Short-term debt obligations purchased with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less for which a valuation from a third party pricing service is not readily available may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Trust in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Trust might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions and Related Income — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount.

C  Federal Taxes — The Trust’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its taxable, if any, and tax-exempt net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary. The Trust intends to satisfy conditions which will enable it to designate distributions from the interest income generated by its investments in non-taxable municipal securities, which are exempt from regular federal income tax when received by the Trust, as exempt-interest dividends. The portion of such interest, if any, earned on private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986, may be considered a tax preference item to shareholders.

As of September 30, 2020, the Trust had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Trust files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

D  Legal Fees — Legal fees and other related expenses incurred as part of negotiations of the terms and requirement of capital infusions, or that are expected to result in the restructuring of, or a plan of reorganization for, an investment are recorded as realized losses. Ongoing expenditures to protect or enhance an investment are treated as operating expenses.

E  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

F  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Trust shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Trust shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Trust property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

G  Floating Rate Notes Issued in Conjunction with Securities Held — The Trust may invest in residual interest bonds, also referred to as inverse floating rate securities, whereby the Trust may sell a variable or fixed rate bond for cash to a Special-Purpose Vehicle (the SPV), (which is generally organized as a

 

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Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

trust), while at the same time, buying a residual interest in the assets and cash flows of the SPV. The bond is deposited into the SPV with the same CUSIP number as the bond sold to the SPV by the Trust, and which may have been, but is not required to be, the bond purchased from the Trust (the Bond). The SPV also issues floating rate notes (Floating Rate Notes) which are sold to third-parties. The residual interest bond held by the Trust gives the Trust the right (1) to cause the holders of the Floating Rate Notes to generally tender their notes at par, and (2) to have the Bond held by the SPV transferred to the Trust, thereby terminating the SPV. Should the Trust exercise such right, it would generally pay the SPV the par amount due on the Floating Rate Notes and exchange the residual interest bond for the underlying Bond. Pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities, the Trust accounts for the transaction described above as a secured borrowing by including the Bond in its Portfolio of Investments and the Floating Rate Notes as a liability under the caption “Payable for floating rate notes issued” in its Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Floating Rate Notes have interest rates that generally reset weekly and their holders have the option to tender their notes to the SPV for redemption at par at each reset date. Accordingly, the fair value of the payable for floating rate notes issued approximates its carrying value. If measured at fair value, the payable for floating rate notes would have been considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 6) at September 30, 2020. Interest expense related to the Trust’s liability with respect to Floating Rate Notes is recorded as incurred. The SPV may be terminated by the Trust, as noted above, or by the occurrence of certain termination events as defined in the trust agreement, such as a downgrade in the credit quality of the underlying Bond, bankruptcy of or payment failure by the issuer of the underlying Bond, the inability to remarket Floating Rate Notes that have been tendered due to insufficient buyers in the market, or the failure by the SPV to obtain renewal of the liquidity agreement under which liquidity support is provided for the Floating Rate Notes up to one year. At September 30, 2020, the amount of the Trust’s Floating Rate Notes outstanding and the related collateral were $21,694,972 and $31,346,121, respectively. The range of interest rates on the Floating Rate Notes outstanding at September 30, 2020 was 0.15% to 0.28%. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Trust’s average settled Floating Rate Notes outstanding and the average interest rate (annualized) including fees were $21,630,000 and 0.93%, respectively.

In certain circumstances, the Trust may enter into shortfall and forbearance agreements with brokers by which the Trust agrees to reimburse the broker for the difference between the liquidation value of the Bond held by the SPV and the liquidation value of the Floating Rate Notes, as well as any shortfalls in interest cash flows. The Trust had no shortfalls as of September 30, 2020.

The Trust may also purchase residual interest bonds in a secondary market transaction without first owning the underlying bond. Such transactions are not required to be treated as secured borrowings. Shortfall agreements, if any, related to residual interest bonds purchased in a secondary market transaction are disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments.

The Trust’s investment policies and restrictions expressly permit investments in residual interest bonds. Such bonds typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality and maturity. These securities tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising long-term interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when long-term interest rates decline. The value and income of residual interest bonds are generally more volatile than that of a fixed rate bond. The Trust’s investment policies do not allow the Trust to borrow money except as permitted by the 1940 Act. Management believes that the Trust’s restrictions on borrowing money and issuing senior securities (other than as specifically permitted) do not apply to Floating Rate Notes issued by the SPV and included as a liability in the Trust’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities. As secured indebtedness issued by an SPV, Floating Rate Notes are distinct from the borrowings and senior securities to which the Trust’s restrictions apply. Residual interest bonds held by the Trust are securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.

H  When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions — The Trust may purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis. Payment and delivery may take place after the customary settlement period for that security. At the time the transaction is negotiated, the price of the security that will be delivered is fixed. The Trust maintains cash and/or security positions for these commitments such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payments upon settlement. Securities purchased on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and begin earning interest on settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

I  Interim Financial Statements — The interim financial statements relating to September 30, 2020 and for the six months then ended have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of the Trust’s management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

The Trust intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income to common shareholders. In addition, at least annually, the Trust intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

At March 31, 2020, the Trust had a net capital loss of $2,124,511 attributable to security transactions incurred after October 31, 2019 that it has elected to defer. This net capital loss is treated as arising on the first day of the Trust’s taxable year ending March 31, 2021.

 

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Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Trust at September 30, 2020, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 279,925,443  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 36,553,924  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (469,198

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 36,084,726  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Eaton Vance Management (EVM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Trust. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Trust’s average daily gross assets up to and including $1.5 billion and 0.59% of average daily gross assets over $1.5 billion, and is payable monthly. Average daily gross assets include the principal amount of any indebtedness for money borrowed, including debt securities issued by the Trust. Average daily gross assets are calculated by adding to net assets the amount payable by the Trust to floating rate note holders. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the investment adviser fee incurred by the Trust and the effective annual rate, as a percentage of average daily gross assets, were $1,024,522 and 0.60%, respectively. EVM also serves as the administrator of the Trust but receives no compensation.

Trustees and officers of the Trust who are members of EVM’s organization receive remuneration for their services to the Trust out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Trust are officers of EVM.

4  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $34,905,809 and $32,334,299, respectively, for the six months ended September 30, 2020.

5  Common Shares of Beneficial Interest and Shelf Offering

The Trust may issue common shares pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. There were no common shares issued by the Trust for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Common shares issued by the Trust pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan for the year ended March 31, 2020 were 8,847.

Pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective on November 26, 2019 by the SEC, the Trust is authorized to issue up to an additional 1,142,873 common shares through an equity shelf offering program (the “shelf offering”). Under the shelf offering, the Trust, subject to market conditions, may raise additional capital from time to time and in varying amounts and offering methods at a net price at or above the Trust’s net asset value per common share. During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Trust did not sell any common shares through its shelf offering. During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Trust sold 71,597 common shares and received proceeds (net of offering costs) of $1,591,024 through its shelf offering. The net proceeds in excess of the net asset value of the shares sold were $21,351. Offering costs (other than the applicable sales commissions) incurred in connection with the shelf offering were borne directly by EVM.

In November 2013, the Board of Trustees initially approved a share repurchase program for the Trust. Pursuant to the reauthorization of the share repurchase program by the Board of Trustees in March 2019, the Trust is authorized to repurchase up to 10% of its common shares outstanding as of the last day of the prior calendar year at market prices when shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Trust to purchase a specific amount of shares. There were no repurchases of common shares by the Trust for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and the year ended March 31, 2020.

 

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Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) — continued

 

 

6  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At September 30, 2020, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Trust’s investments which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities

   $         —      $ 310,634,690      $         —      $ 310,634,690  

Taxable Municipal Securities

            13,134,569               13,134,569  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

            13,935,882               13,935,882  

Total Investments

   $      $ 337,705,141      $      $ 337,705,141  

7  Risks and Uncertainties

Pandemic Risk

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. Health crises caused by outbreaks, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks and disrupt normal market conditions and operations. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, the economies of individual countries, individual companies, and the market in general, and may continue to do so in significant and unforeseen ways, as may other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future. Any such impact could adversely affect the Trust’s performance, or the performance of the securities in which the Trust invests.

8  Subsequent Event

On October 8, 2020, Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance Corp. (“Eaton Vance”) announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement under which Morgan Stanley would acquire Eaton Vance. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, consummation of this transaction may be deemed to result in the automatic termination of an Eaton Vance Fund’s investment advisory agreement, and, where applicable, any related sub-advisory agreement. On November 10, 2020, the Trust’s Board approved a new investment advisory agreement. The new investment advisory agreement will be presented to Trust shareholders for approval, and, if approved, would take effect upon consummation of the transaction. Shareholders of record of the Trust at the close of business on October 29, 2020 who have voting power with respect to such shares are entitled to be present and vote at a joint special meeting of shareholders to be held on January 7, 2021 and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

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Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval

 

 

Overview of the Contract Review Process

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), provides, in substance, that the investment advisory agreement between a fund and its investment adviser will continue in effect from year-to-year only if its continuation is approved on an annual basis by a vote of the fund’s board of trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the fund (“independent trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval.

At a meeting held on April 22, 2020 (the “April 2020 Meeting”), the Boards of Trustees/Directors comprised of the same individuals (collectively, the “Board”) that oversees a majority of the registered investment companies advised by Eaton Vance Management or its affiliate, Boston Management and Research (the “Eaton Vance Funds”), including a majority of the independent trustees (the “Independent Trustees”), voted to approve the continuation of existing investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements(1) for each of the Eaton Vance Funds for an additional one-year period. The Board relied upon the affirmative recommendation of its Contract Review Committee, which is a committee exclusively comprised of Independent Trustees. Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Review Committee reviewed information furnished by the adviser and sub-adviser to each of the Eaton Vance Funds (including information specifically requested by the Board) for a series of formal meetings held between February and April 2020. Members of the Contract Review Committee also considered information received at prior meetings of the Board and its committees, to the extent such information was relevant to the Contract Review Committee’s annual evaluation of the investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements.

In connection with its evaluation of the investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements, the Board considered various information relating to the Eaton Vance Funds. This included information applicable to all or groups of Eaton Vance Funds, which is referenced immediately below, and information applicable to the particular Eaton Vance Fund covered by this report (additional fund-specific information is referenced below under “Results of the Contract Review Process”). (For funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolios, references to “each fund” in this section may include information that was considered at the portfolio-level.)

Information about Fees, Performance and Expenses

 

   

A report from an independent data provider comparing advisory and other fees paid by each fund to such fees paid by comparable funds, as identified by the independent data provider (“comparable funds”);

 

   

A report from an independent data provider comparing each fund’s total expense ratio (and its components) to those of comparable funds;

 

   

A report from an independent data provider comparing the investment performance of each fund (including, as relevant, total return data, income data, Sharpe ratios and information ratios) to the investment performance of comparable funds and, as applicable, benchmark indices, over various time periods;

 

   

In certain instances, data regarding investment performance relative to customized groups of peer funds and blended indices identified by the adviser in consultation with the Portfolio Management Committee of the Board;

 

   

Comparative information concerning the fees charged and services provided by the adviser and sub-adviser to each fund in managing other accounts (which may include other mutual funds, collective investment funds and institutional accounts) using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing such fund(s), if any;

 

   

Profitability analyses with respect to the adviser and sub-adviser to each of the funds;

Information about Portfolio Management and Trading

 

   

Descriptions of the investment management services provided to each fund, as well as each of the funds’ investment strategies and policies;

 

   

The procedures and processes used to determine the fair value of fund assets, when necessary, and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such procedures and processes;

 

   

Information about the policies and practices of each fund’s adviser and sub-adviser (in the context of a sub-adviser, only those with trading responsibilities) with respect to trading, including their processes for seeking best execution of portfolio transactions;

 

   

Information about the allocation of brokerage transactions and the benefits, if any, received by the adviser and sub-adviser (in the context of a sub-adviser, only those with trading responsibilities) to each fund as a result of brokerage allocation, including, as applicable, information concerning the acquisition of research through client commission arrangements and policies with respect to “soft dollars”;

 

   

Data relating to the portfolio turnover rate of each fund;

Information about each Adviser and Sub-adviser

 

   

Reports detailing the financial results and condition of the adviser and sub-adviser to each fund;

 

   

Information regarding the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio management and investment research for the funds, and, for portfolio managers and certain other investment professionals, information relating to their responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts, as applicable;

 

(1) 

Not all Eaton Vance Funds have entered into a sub-advisory agreement with a sub-adviser. Accordingly, references to “sub-adviser” or “sub-advisory agreement” in this “Overview” section may not be applicable to the particular Eaton Vance Fund covered by this report.

 

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Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

   

The Code of Ethics of the adviser and its affiliates and the sub-adviser of each fund, together with information relating to compliance with, and the administration of, such codes;

   

Policies and procedures relating to proxy voting and the handling of corporate actions and class actions;

 

   

Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by the adviser and its affiliates and the sub-adviser of each fund, if any, including descriptions of their various compliance programs and their record of compliance;

 

   

Information concerning the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of the adviser and its affiliates and the sub-adviser of each fund, if any;

 

   

A description of Eaton Vance Management’s and Boston Management and Research’s oversight of sub-advisers, including with respect to regulatory and compliance issues, investment management and other matters;

Other Relevant Information

 

   

Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates;

 

   

Information concerning oversight of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians and fund accountants by the adviser and/or administrator to each of the funds;

 

   

For an Eaton Vance Fund structured as an exchange-listed closed-end fund, information concerning the benefits of the closed-end fund structure, as well as, where relevant, the closed-end fund’s market prices, trading volume data, distribution rates and other relevant matters; and

 

   

The terms of each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement.

During the various meetings of the Board and its committees throughout the twelve months ended April 2020, the Trustees received information from portfolio managers and other investment professionals of the advisers and sub-advisers of the funds regarding investment and performance matters, and considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing the funds’ investment objectives. The Trustees also received information regarding risk management techniques employed in connection with the management of the funds. The Board and its committees evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance and other issues with respect to the funds, and received and participated in reports and presentations provided by Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and Research and fund sub-advisers, with respect to such matters. In addition to the formal meetings of the Board and its committees, the Independent Trustees held regular teleconferences to discuss, among other topics, matters relating to the continuation of investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements.

The Contract Review Committee was advised throughout the contract review process by Goodwin Procter LLP, independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee, with the advice of such counsel, exercised their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each member of the Contract Review Committee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement. In evaluating each investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement, including the fee structures and other terms contained in such agreements, the members of the Contract Review Committee were also informed by multiple years of analysis and discussion with the adviser and sub-adviser to each of the Eaton Vance Funds.

In voting its approval of the continuation of existing investment advisory agreements and sub-advisory agreements at the April 2020 Meeting, the Board relied on an order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2020, which provided temporary relief from the in-person voting requirements under Section 15 of the 1940 Act in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results of the Contract Review Process

Based on its consideration of the foregoing, and such other information it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described below, the Contract Review Committee concluded that the continuation of the investment advisory and administrative agreement between Eaton Vance National Municipal Opportunities Trust (the “Fund”) and Eaton Vance Management (the “Adviser”), including its fee structure, is in the interests of shareholders and, therefore, recommended to the Board approval of the agreement. Based on the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of the investment advisory and administrative agreement for the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In considering whether to approve the investment advisory and administrative agreement for the Fund, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Adviser.

The Board considered the Adviser’s management capabilities and investment processes in light of the types of investments held by the Fund, including the education, experience and number of investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to the Fund. In particular, the Board considered, where relevant, the abilities and experience of the Adviser’s investment professionals in analyzing factors such as credit risk, tax efficiency and special considerations relevant to investing in municipal obligations, Treasury securities and other securities

 

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Table of Contents

Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

backed by the U.S. government or its agencies. The Board considered the Adviser’s municipal bond team, which includes investment professionals and credit specialists who provide services to the Fund. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and other services, the compensation methods of the Adviser and other factors, including the reputation and resources of the Adviser to recruit and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory investment professionals. In addition, the Board considered the time and attention devoted to the Eaton Vance Funds, including the Fund, by senior management, as well as the infrastructure, operational capabilities and support staff in place to assist in the portfolio management and operations of the Fund, including the provision of administrative services. The Board also considered the business-related and other risks to which the Adviser or its affiliates may be subject in managing the Fund. The Board considered the deep experience of the Adviser and its affiliates with managing and operating funds organized as exchange-listed closed-end funds, such as the Fund. In this regard, the Board considered, among other things, the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ experience with implementing leverage arrangements, monitoring and assessing trading price discounts and premiums and adhering to the requirements of securities exchanges.

The Board considered the compliance programs of the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof. The Board considered compliance and reporting matters regarding, among other things, personal trading by investment professionals, disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also considered the responses of the Adviser and its affiliates to requests in recent years from regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The Board considered other administrative services provided or overseen by Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates, including transfer agency and accounting services. The Board evaluated the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is a part of a large fund complex offering exposure to a variety of asset classes and investment disciplines.

After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser, taken as a whole, are appropriate and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory and administrative agreement.

Fund Performance

The Board compared the Fund’s investment performance to that of comparable funds identified by an independent data provider (the peer group), as well as an appropriate benchmark index, and assessed the Fund’s performance on the basis of total return and current income return. The Board’s review included comparative performance data with respect to the Fund for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended September 30, 2019. In this regard, the Board noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than the median performance of the Fund’s peer group for the three-year period. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark index for the three-year period. The Board considered, among other things, the Adviser’s efforts to generate competitive levels of tax-exempt current income over time. The Board noted that the underperformance of the Fund relative to its peer group was attributable to the adverse impact of the Fund’s limited use of leverage relative to its peer group.

Management Fees and Expenses

The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by the Fund for advisory and administrative services (referred to collectively as “management fees”). As part of its review, the Board considered the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio for the one-year period ended September 30, 2019, as compared to those of comparable funds, before and after giving effect to any undertaking to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The Board also considered certain factors identified by management in response to inquiries from the Contract Review Committee regarding the Fund’s total expense ratio relative to comparable funds.

After considering the foregoing information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services are reasonable.

Profitability and “Fall-Out” Benefits

The Board considered the level of profits realized by the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof in providing investment advisory and administrative services to the Fund and to all Eaton Vance Funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized without regard to marketing support or other payments by the Adviser and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution or other services.

The Board concluded that, in light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates are deemed not to be excessive.

The Board also considered direct or indirect fall-out benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with their respective relationships with the Fund, including the benefits of research services that may be available to the Adviser as a result of securities transactions effected for the Fund and other investment advisory clients.

 

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Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Board of Trustees’ Contract Approval — continued

 

 

Economies of Scale

In reviewing management fees and profitability, the Board also considered the extent to which the Adviser and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Fund, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Fund increase. The Board acknowledged the difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from economies of scale, if any, with respect to the management of any specific fund or group of funds. The Board reviewed data summarizing the increases and decreases in the assets of the Fund and of all Eaton Vance Funds as a group over various time periods, and evaluated the extent to which the total expense ratio of the Fund and the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates may have been affected by such increases or decreases. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the Fund currently shares in the benefits from economies of scale, if any, when they are realized by the Adviser. The Board also considered the fact that the Fund is not continuously offered in the same manner as an open-end fund and that the Fund is authorized to issue additional common shares through a shelf offering. The Board also concluded that the structure of the advisory fee, which includes breakpoints at certain asset levels, will allow the Fund to continue to benefit from any economies of scale in the future.

 

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Eaton Vance

National Municipal Opportunities Trust

September 30, 2020

 

Officers and Trustees

 

 

Officers

 

Eric A. Stein

President

Maureen A. Gemma

Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

James F. Kirchner

Treasurer

Richard F. Froio

Chief Compliance Officer

Trustees

 

 

William H. Park

Chairperson

Thomas E. Faust Jr.*

Mark R. Fetting

Cynthia E. Frost

George J. Gorman

Valerie A. Mosley

 

Helen Frame Peters

Keith Quinton

Marcus L. Smith

Susan J. Sutherland

Scott E. Wennerholm

 

 

*

Interested Trustee

 

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Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), the closed-end funds transfer agent, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct AST, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact AST or your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by AST or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC. Certain information filed on Form N-PORT may be viewed on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Share Repurchase Program.  The Fund’s Board of Trustees has approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Fund to repurchase up to 10% of its common shares outstanding as of the last day of the prior calendar year in open-market transactions at a discount to net asset value. The repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. The Fund’s repurchase activity, including the number of shares purchased, average price and average discount to net asset value, is disclosed in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.

Additional Notice to Shareholders.  If applicable, a Fund may also redeem or purchase its outstanding preferred shares in order to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, borrowing or rating agency requirements or for other purposes as it deems appropriate or necessary.

Closed-End Fund Information.  Eaton Vance closed-end funds make fund performance data and certain information about portfolio characteristics available on the Eaton Vance website shortly after the end of each month. Other information about the funds is available on the website. The funds’ net asset value per share is readily accessible on the Eaton Vance website. Portfolio holdings for the most recent month-end are also posted to the website approximately 30 days following the end of the month. This information is available at www.eatonvance.com on the fund information pages under “Individual Investors — Closed-End Funds”.

 

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Investment Adviser and Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 


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LOGO

 

LOGO

7765    9.30.20


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Item 2.

Code of Ethics

Not required in this filing.

 

Item 3.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Not required in this filing.

 

Item 4.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Not required in this filing.

 

Item 5.

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not required in this filing.    


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Item 6.

Schedule of Investments

Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

Item 7.

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

Not required in this filing.

 

Item 8.

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not required in this filing.

 

Item 9.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

No such purchases this period.

 

Item 10.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No material changes.

 

Item 11.

Controls and Procedures

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

(b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

No activity to report for the registrant’s most recent fiscal year end.

 

Item 13.

Exhibits

 

(a)(1)   Registrant’s Code of Ethics – Not applicable (please see Item 2).
(a)(2)(i)
  Treasurer’s Section 302 certification.
(a)(2)(ii)
  President’s Section 302 certification.
(b)
  Combined Section 906 certification.

 


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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.

 

Eaton Vance National Municipal Opportunities Trust
By:  

/s/ Eric A. Stein

  Eric A. Stein
  President
Date:   November 23, 2020

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

 

By:  

/s/ James F. Kirchner

  James F. Kirchner
  Treasurer
Date:   November 23, 2020
By:  

/s/ Eric A. Stein

  Eric A. Stein
  President
Date:   November 23, 2020