Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund
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 811-22328

 

 

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Scott R. Plummer

5228 Ameriprise Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-612-671-1947

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2012

 

 

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

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

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.


Table of Contents

Annual Report

December 31, 2012

   LOGO

 

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

 

 

LOGO


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

 

Under the Fund’s managed distribution policy and subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the Board), the Fund expects to make quarterly cash distributions (in November, February, May, and August) to Common Stockholders. The Fund’s next distribution (February 27, 2013) will amount to $0.4625 per share, which is equal to a quarterly rate of 2.3125% (9.25% annualized) of the $20.00 offering price in the Fund’s initial public offering in November 2009. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s distribution policy. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. The Fund’s Board may determine in the future that the Fund’s managed distribution policy and the amount or timing of the distributions should not be continued in light of changes in the Fund’s portfolio holdings, market or other conditions or factors, including that the distribution rate under such policy may not be dependent upon the amount of the Fund’s earned income or realized capital gains. The Board could also consider amending or terminating the current distribution policy because of potential adverse tax consequences associated with maintaining the policy. In certain situations, returns of capital could be taxable for federal income tax purposes, and all or a portion of the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards from prior years, if any, could effectively be forfeited. The Board may amend or terminate the Fund’s distribution policy at any time without prior notice to Fund stockholders; any such change or termination may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund’s shares.

See Notes to Financial Statements for additional information related to the Fund’s managed distribution policy.

 


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Letter to Stockholders

 

Dear Stockholders,

We are pleased to present the annual stockholder report for Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund (the Fund). The report includes the Fund’s investment results, a discussion with the Fund’s portfolio managers, a portfolio of investments and financial statements as of December 31, 2012.

The Fund’s Common Stock returned 0.36% based on net asset value, and 3.71% based on market price, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2012. The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the S&P North American Technology Sector Index, which returned 15.23% during the same period.

During 2012, the Fund paid four distributions that aggregated $1.85 per share. In October 2010, the Fund received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits the Fund to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains more often than once in any one taxable year. Unless you elected otherwise, distributions were paid in additional shares of the Fund.

The Board of Directors has approved modifying the Fund’s Rules-based Option Strategy based on the recommendation of the Fund’s Investment Manager, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. This strategy is employed to determine the level of call options written by the Fund as it seeks to cushion downside volatility and produce current income. The modification will seek to provide the Fund with greater investment flexibility in seeking its investment objective. It is expected that the implementation of this change will take effect on or about March 18, 2013. The Rules-based Option Strategy approach is based upon the Investment Manager’s research and may change over time based upon the Fund’s experience and market factors. Details about the modification were mailed to all Fund stockholders in January 2013.

Information about the Fund, including daily pricing, current performance, Fund holdings, stockholder reports, distributions and other information can be found at columbiamanagement.com under the Closed-End Funds tab.

On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank you for your support of Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund.

Regards,

 

LOGO

Stephen R. Lewis

Chairman of the Board

 

 

For more information, go online to columbiamanagement.com; or call American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the Fund’s Stockholder Servicing Agent, at 800.937.5449. Customer Service Representatives are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

 

Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Table of Contents

 

The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.

Performance Overview     3   
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance     4   
Portfolio of Investments     7   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities     10   
Statement of Operations     11   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets     12   
Financial Highlights     14   
Notes to Financial Statements     15   
Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
    26   
Directors and Officers     27   
Important Information About This Report     33   
 

 

Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Performance Overview

 

Performance Summary

 

>  

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund (the Fund) Common Stock returned 0.36% based on net asset value and 3.71% based on market price for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2012.

 

>  

The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P North American Technology Sector Index, returned 15.23% for the same 12-month period.

 

>  

A combination of industry allocation and stock selection accounted for the Fund’s underperformance relative to the benchmark.

 

Average Annual Total Returns (for the period ended December 31, 2012)

  

        Inception      1 Year        Life  

Market Price

     11/24/09        3.71           -0.31   

Net Asset Value

     11/30/09        0.36           3.07   

S&P North American Technology Sector Index

              15.23           10.68   

Life total return for market price is based on the initial offering price on November 24, 2009, which was $20.00 per share.

Life total return for net asset value (NAV) is from the opening of business on November 30, 2009 and includes the 4.50% initial sales load. The NAV price per share of the Fund’s Common Stock at inception was $19.10.

Index inception return is calculated from 11/30/2009.

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For current month-end performance information, please visit columbiamanagement.com.

Returns reflect changes in market price or net asset value, as applicable, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

The S&P North American Technology Sector Index is an unmanaged modified capitalization-weighted index based on a universe of technology-related stocks.

Indices are not available for investment, are not professionally managed and do not reflect sales charges, fees, brokerage commissions, taxes or other expenses of investing. Securities in the fund may not match those in an index.

 

Price Per Share

       December 31, 2012      September 30, 2012      June 30, 2012      March 31, 2012

Market price ($)

     14.51      15.94      15.90      18.90

Net asset value ($)

     15.36      16.09      16.84      19.39

 

Distributions Paid Per Common Share

  

Payable date

       Per share amount ($)   

February 23, 2012

       0.4625   

May 24, 2012

       0.4625   

August 23, 2012

       0.4625   

November 21, 2012

       0.4625   

The net asset value of the Fund’s shares may not always correspond to the market price of such shares. Common stock of many closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. The Fund is subject to stock market risk, which is the risk that stock prices overall will decline over short or long periods, adversely affecting the value of an investment in the Fund.

 

Annual Report 2012     3   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Manager Discussion of Fund Performance

 

Portfolio Management

Paul Wick

Ajay Diwan

Braj Agrawal

Morningstar Style Box™

 

LOGO

The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.

© 2013 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.

 

Top Ten Holdings (%)

(at December 31, 2012)

 

Synopsys, Inc.

    8.9   

Apple, Inc.

    7.6   

Symantec Corp.

    7.1   

Nuance Communications, Inc.

    4.8   

Lam Research Corp.

    4.8   

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

    4.5   

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    4.4   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    4.3   

Parametric Technology Corp.

    4.0   

NetApp, Inc.

    3.7   

Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Money Market Funds).

For further detail about these holdings, please refer to the section entitled “Portfolio of Investments.”

Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.

 

For the 12-month period that ended December 31, 2012, shares of Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund (the Fund) returned 0.36% at net asset value and 3.71% at market value. The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the S&P North American Technology Sector Index, which returned 15.23%. Stock selection within the semiconductor, software, Internet software & services and computer & peripheral industries detracted from performance as did an overweight relative to the benchmark in the semiconductor industry and a relative underweight in the Internet software & services industry. Stock selection and a relative underweight in the communications industry benefited relative results. The Fund’s call option strategy also detracted from returns over the period.

Market Conditions

Early in 2012, positive economic data raised consumer expectations and restored investor confidence in the equity markets. Job growth picked up, manufacturing activity remained solid and the housing market showed signs of modest improvement. Consumer confidence was also bolstered by a decline in energy prices. However, second quarter news was weaker. Lingering debt problems in Europe, a slowdown in growth in China and a contentious presidential campaign weighed on investors, who retreated from riskier assets, and the equity markets gave back a portion of their first quarter gains. The national mood improved in the second half of the year, although most of the problems and challenges of the first half remained. Last-minute negotiations produced a deal to avoid the automatic tax increases and spending cuts that were scheduled for year-end. Taxes were raised on income, dividend, capital gains and large estates for the wealthiest Americans. However, Congress failed to address the budget deficit or debt-ceiling limit that the federal government will reach early in 2013. An accommodative Federal Reserve kept borrowing rates low while injecting some liquidity into the economy through several programs that were extended into the new year. In this environment, equities posted solid gains for the year — after a rocky ride.

Significant Performance Factors

Information technology stocks lagged the broader equity market by a slim margin in 2012, as measured by the S&P 500 Index. However, the annual return masked the volatility the sector suffered during the second and fourth quarters, which cut into annual gains. From an industry perspective, Internet software & services, information technology services and computers & peripherals were the best performers, while office electronics and semiconductors & semiconductor equipment were the weakest industries for the period.

A combination of industry allocation and stock selection accounted for the Fund’s underperformance relative to the benchmark. Within semiconductors & semiconductor equipment, the Fund was overweight relative to the index, which hampered returns as a significant slowdown in the personal computer market had an immediate impact on this industry. Positions in Advanced Micro Devices and Marvell Technology Group detracted the most from Fund results. Advanced Micro Devices shares declined as the company failed to execute on its product delivery plan. Marvell Technology Group, which has significant exposure to the hard disc drive market, performed poorly as personal computer (PC) demand among consumers and businesses disappointed. A decision not to invest during the period in Intel, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, proved beneficial as the industry bellwether performed poorly in 2012.

In computers & peripherals, the Fund lost some ground by underweighting industry giant Apple, which generated strong gains. As part of our management team’s risk

 

 

4   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Manager Discussion of Fund Performance (continued)

 

management strategy, we typically trim high conviction names as they grow beyond a certain percentage of portfolio assets, which may differ from name to name. Network Appliance, which manufactures storage arrays, detracted from Fund results, as its product transition took longer than anticipated. A position in Dell Computer was hurt by the slowdown in the PC market even though the company has taken steps to diversify away from being solely a PC manufacturer. A decision not to invest in Hewlett-Packard, which performed poorly in 2012, helped offset some of these losses.

In the software industry, a position in Rovi significantly detracted from results. However, positions in software companies Synopsis and Symantec each added value, rebounding solidly from earlier weakness. An underweight in Internet software & services also hampered relative results. The industry rose strongly in 2012, and valuation concerns relative to growth prospects led us to underweight the industry relative to the index, which hurt returns during the period.

Communications Equipment Industry Buoyed Fund Results

Stock selection relative to the index in the communications equipment industry helped the Fund’s relative results most. The Fund was overweight in Qualcomm, which was an outstanding performer for the period. In addition, the Fund did not own certain benchmark stocks that lost competitive ground to Apple’s iPhone during the period.

Call Options Detracted From Returns

The Fund’s call option strategy detracted from returns, as expected, given the strong market and relatively low volatility in technology and technology-related stocks. The net loss for the year from overwriting amounted to 4.65% of assets under management. As background, the call option writing strategy is designed to provide income and cushion downside volatility by earning cash premiums. In general, the Fund writes more options in more volatile markets (when the cash premiums are higher) and fewer in less volatile markets (when cash premiums are lower.) Writing call options involves a tradeoff between the options premiums received and reduced participation in potential price appreciation during a strong market.

During the year under review, the strategy produced a loss because market movements frequently caused us to close option positions by buying at a higher price and paying a premium that more than offset the premium received for the original sale. Based on this experience, we believed that a modification to the strategy would be prudent (the Fund’s IPO prospectus allows us to make changes to the strategy over time based upon the Fund’s experience and market factors). As a result of this decision, toward the end of the year we received Board approval to sell call options that are further out-of-the-money than the Fund typically has written. This change, which will be implemented in early 2013, is intended to provide more flexibility for us to evaluate the market at the time of the call writing and choose the strike of the call option target that we believe will better position the Fund to retain more of the premium income from the option strategy with potentially less drag on the returns in a market that trends upward.

Looking Ahead

The U.S. economy has shown modest improvement, and we believe that fiscal and monetary policy are likely to play a meaningful role in determining whether the current fragile economic recovery blossoms or continues to deliver uninspiring growth in 2013.

 

 

Portfolio Breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2012)

 

Common Stocks

    96.1   

Consumer Discretionary

    0.1   

Health Care

    0.8   

Industrials

    0.2   

Information Technology

    95.0   

Money Market Funds

    3.9   

Total

    100.0   

Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

 

Annual Report 2012     5   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Manager Discussion of Fund Performance (continued)

 

We intend to adjust the Fund portfolio’s exposure accordingly. We are currently optimistic that the personal computer supply chain has worked through its excess inventory and are hopeful that the worst is over for PC-related companies. At present, we are still of the opinion that demand for computing is growing globally, and traditional PCs will remain a part of that landscape along with the fast-growing tablet and smart-phone categories. The Fund remains overweight relative to the index in the semiconductor industry. Given attractive valuations, investor apathy and positive semiconductor capital equipment trends, we are optimistic that the chip-related holdings in the portfolio may also be poised for better performance. Finally, we are currently constructive in our view toward an uptick in enterprise spending, as corporations invest in information technology in an effort to improve productivity. The key question that remains is the timing of such an upward turn.

As always, we intend to seek long-term capital appreciation by constructing a conviction-weighted portfolio of technology and technology-related companies, driven by rigorous bottom-up fundamental and valuation analysis.

 

6   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Portfolio of Investments

December 31, 2012

(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)

 

Common Stocks 96.9%   
Issuer   Shares     Value ($)  
   

Consumer Discretionary 0.2%

  

Diversified Consumer Services 0.2%

   

LifeLock, Inc.(a)

    50,059        406,980   
                 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      406,980   
   

Health Care 0.8%

  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.8%

  

 

Stryker Corp.

    33,144        1,816,954   
                 

Total Health Care

      1,816,954   
   

Industrials 0.2%

  

Commercial Services & Supplies 0.2%

  

Performant Financial Corp.(a)

    43,464        438,987   
                 

Total Industrials

      438,987   
   

Information Technology 95.7%

  

Communications Equipment 7.4%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    327,200        6,429,480   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    159,045        9,863,971   

Radware, Ltd.(a)

    30,610        1,010,130   
                 

Total

      17,303,581   

Computers & Peripherals 16.4%

   

Apple, Inc.

    32,200        17,163,566   

Dell, Inc.

    95,200        964,376   

EMC Corp.(a)

    292,000        7,387,600   

NCR Corp.(a)

    117,700        2,998,996   

NetApp, Inc.(a)

    250,300        8,397,565   

SanDisk Corp.(a)

    36,300        1,581,228   
                 

Total

      38,493,331   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 4.4%

  

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

    83,800        3,191,104   

Avnet, Inc.(a)

    103,900        3,180,379   

Fabrinet(a)

    52,700        692,478   

Flextronics International Ltd.(a)

    332,000        2,061,720   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    8,000        471,931   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(a)

    64,100        681,383   
                 

Total

      10,278,995   

Internet Software & Services 0.2%

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

    12,700        519,557   

IT Services 4.8%

   

Global Payments, Inc.

    32,900        1,490,370   

Pactera Technology International Ltd, ADR(a)

    147,640        1,172,262   

VeriFone Systems, Inc.(a)

    117,300        3,481,464   
Common Stocks (continued)   
Issuer   Shares     Value ($)  
   

Visa, Inc., Class A

    19,800        3,001,284   

WNS Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    213,889        2,228,723   
                 

Total

      11,374,103   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 24.2%

  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)

    691,480        1,659,552   

Avago Technologies Ltd.

    78,200        2,475,812   

Broadcom Corp., Class A

    187,000        6,210,270   

Intersil Corp., Class A

    60,600        502,374   

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    208,212        9,944,205   

Lam Research Corp.(a)

    302,137        10,916,210   

LSI Corp.(a)

    140,500        994,740   

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    236,696        1,718,413   

Microsemi Corp.(a)

    213,000        4,481,520   

NXP Semiconductor NV(a)

    160,700        4,237,659   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    1,200        1,724,160   

Semtech Corp.(a)

    49,786        1,441,305   

Spansion, Inc., Class A(a)

    157,775        2,194,650   

Teradyne, Inc.(a)

    492,800        8,323,392   
                 

Total

      56,824,262   

Software 38.3%

   

BMC Software, Inc.(a)

    11,400        452,124   

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    116,000        1,567,160   

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)

    215,700        10,275,948   

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

    67,400        4,431,550   

Fortinet, Inc.(a)

    23,300        490,931   

Microsoft Corp.

    245,400        6,559,542   

Nuance Communications, Inc.(a)

    491,500        10,970,280   

Oracle Corp.

    144,200        4,804,744   

Parametric Technology Corp.(a)

    399,368        8,989,774   

Symantec Corp.(a)

    862,300        16,219,863   

Synopsys, Inc.(a)

    636,784        20,275,202   

TIBCO Software, Inc.(a)

    26,200        576,662   

VMware, Inc., Class A(a)

    44,700        4,208,058   
                 

Total

      89,821,838   
                 

Total Information Technology

      224,615,667   
                 

Total Common Stocks

   

(Cost: $210,500,035)

      227,278,588   
 

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

Annual Report 2012     7   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

Money Market Funds 3.9%    
    Shares     Value ($)  

Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, 0.142%(b)(c)(d)

    9,126,798        9,126,798   
                 

Total Money Market Funds

   

(Cost: $9,126,798)

      9,126,798   
                 

Total Investments

   

(Cost: $219,626,833)

      236,405,386   
                 

Other Assets & Liabilities, Net

      (1,792,392
                 

Net Assets

      234,612,994   
                 
 

 

Open Options Contracts Written at December 31, 2012

 

Issuer   Puts/
Calls
    Number of
Contracts
    Exercise
Price ($)
    Premium
Received ($)
    Expiration
Date
    Value ($)  

NASDAQ 100 Index

    Call        435        2,675.00        1,605,986        January 2013        1,637,775   

Notes to Portfolio of Investments

 

(a) Non-income producing.

 

(b) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2012.

 

(c) As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of its outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. Holdings and transactions in these affiliated companies during the year ended December 31, 2012, are as follows:

 

Issuer   Beginning
Cost ($)
    Purchase
Cost ($)
    Sales Cost/
Proceeds
From Sales ($)
    Ending
Cost ($)
   

Dividends

or Interest
Income ($)

    Value ($)  

Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund

    7,300,551        141,608,948        (139,782,701     9,126,798        16,552        9,126,798   

 

(d) At December 31, 2012, cash or short-term securities were designated to cover open put and/or call options written.

Abbreviation Legend

ADR    American Depositary Receipt

Fair Value Measurements

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require disclosure regarding the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and any changes in valuation inputs or techniques. In addition, investments shall be disclosed by major category.

The Fund categorizes its fair value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by prioritizing that the most observable input be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing an investment based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are those that reflect the Fund’s assumptions about the information market participants would use in pricing an investment. An investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is deemed significant to the asset or liability’s fair value measurement. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investments at that level. For example, certain U.S. government securities are generally high quality and liquid, however, they are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.

Fair value inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

>  

Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for investments in active markets that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date (including NAV for open-end mutual funds). Valuation adjustments are not applied to Level 1 investments.

 

>  

Level 2 — Valuations based on other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.).

 

>  

Level 3 — Valuations based on significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions and judgment in determining the fair value of investments).

Inputs that are used in determining fair value of an investment may include price information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other factors. These inputs can be either observable or unobservable. The availability of observable inputs can vary between investments, and is affected by various factors such as the type of investment, and the volume and level of activity for that investment or similar investments in the marketplace. The inputs will be considered by the Investment Manager, along with any other relevant factors in the calculation of an investment’s fair value. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocations. During these periods, the availability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many investments. This condition could cause an investment to be reclassified between the various levels within the hierarchy.

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

8   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

Foreign equity securities actively traded in markets where there is a significant delay in the local close relative to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) are classified as Level 2. The values of these securities may include an adjustment to reflect the impact of significant market movements following the close of local trading, as described in Note 2 to the financial statements – Security Valuation.

Investments falling into the Level 3 category are primarily supported by quoted prices from brokers and dealers participating in the market for those investments. However, these may be classified as Level 3 investments due to lack of market transparency and corroboration to support these quoted prices. Additionally, valuation models may be used as the pricing source for any remaining investments classified as Level 3. These models rely on one or more significant unobservable inputs and/or significant assumptions by the Investment Manager. Inputs used in valuations may include, but are not limited to, financial statement analysis, capital account balances, discount rates and estimated cash flows, and comparable company data.

Under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Investment Manager’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) is responsible for carrying out the valuation procedures approved by the Board. The Committee consists of voting and non-voting members from various groups within the Investment Manager’s organization, including operations and accounting, trading and investments, compliance, risk management and legal.

The Committee meets at least monthly to review and approve valuation matters, which may include a description of specific valuation determinations, data regarding pricing information received from approved pricing vendors and brokers and the results of Board-approved valuation control policies and procedures (the Policies). The Policies address, among other things, instances when market quotations are readily available, including recommendations of third party pricing vendors and a determination of appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require specific valuation determinations and assessment of fair value techniques; securities with a potential for stale pricing, including those that are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and the effectiveness of third-party pricing vendors, including periodic reviews of vendors. The Committee meets more frequently, as needed, to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include the need to review back-testing results, review time-sensitive information or approve related valuation actions. The Committee reports to the Board, with members of the Committee meeting with the Board at each of its regularly scheduled meetings to discuss valuation matters and actions during the period, similar to those described earlier.

For investments categorized as Level 3, the Committee monitors information similar to that described above, which may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. This data is also used to corroborate, when available, information received from approved pricing vendors and brokers. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring this information (which may occur as often as daily). However, the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required as a result of the monitoring procedures performed.

The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2012:

 

Description  

Level 1

Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets ($)

   

Level 2

Other Significant

Observable Inputs ($)

   

Level 3

Significant
Unobservable Inputs ($)

    Total ($)  

Equity Securities

       

Common Stocks

       

Consumer Discretionary

    406,980                      406,980   

Health Care

    1,816,954                      1,816,954   

Industrials

    438,987                      438,987   

Information Technology

    222,419,576        2,196,091               224,615,667   
                                 

Total Equity Securities

    225,082,497        2,196,091               227,278,588   
                                 

Other

       

Money Market Funds

    9,126,798                      9,126,798   
                                 

Total Other

    9,126,798                      9,126,798   
                                 

Investments in Securities

    234,209,295        2,196,091               236,405,386   

Derivatives

       

Liabilities

       

Options Contracts Written

    (1,637,775                   (1,637,775
                                 

Total

    232,571,520        2,196,091               234,767,611   
                                 

See the Portfolio of Investments for all investment classifications not indicated in the table.

The Fund’s assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using the market approach, in which a security’s value is determined through reference to prices and information from market transactions for similar or identical assets. These assets include certain foreign securities for which a third party statistical pricing service may be employed for purposes of fair market valuation. The models utilized by the third party statistical pricing service take into account a security’s correlation to available market data including, but not limited to, intraday index, ADR, and ETF movements.

There were no transfers of financial assets between Levels 1 and 2 during the period.

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

Annual Report 2012     9   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2012

 

Assets

    

Investments, at value

    

Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $210,500,035)

       $227,278,588   

Affiliated issuers (identified cost $9,126,798)

       9,126,798   

 

 

Total investments (identified cost $219,626,833)

       236,405,386   

Receivable for:

    

Investments sold

       108,408   

Dividends

       17,279   

Prepaid expenses

       16,680   

 

 

Total assets

       236,547,753   

 

 

Liabilities

    

Option contracts written, at value (premiums received $1,605,986)

       1,637,775   

Payable for:

    

Investment management fees

       196,811   

Stockholder servicing and transfer agent fees

       1,021   

Administration fees

       11,808   

Compensation of board members

       17,981   

Other expenses

       69,363   

 

 

Total liabilities

       1,934,759   

 

 

Net assets applicable to outstanding common stock

       $234,612,994   

 

 

Represented by

    

Paid-in capital

       $228,976,764   

Excess of distributions over net investment income

       (10,842

Accumulated net realized loss

       (11,099,692

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

    

Investments

       16,778,553   

Options contracts written

       (31,789

 

 

Total — representing net assets applicable to outstanding common stock

       $234,612,994   

 

 

Shares outstanding applicable to common stock

       15,274,914   

 

 

Net asset value per share of outstanding common stock

       $15.36   

 

 

Market price per share of common stock

       $14.51   

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

10   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Statement of Operations

Year ended December 31, 2012

 

Net investment income

    

Income:

    

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers

       $1,763,341   

Dividends — affiliated issuers

       16,552   

Foreign taxes withheld

       (3,214

 

 

Total income

       1,776,679   

 

 

Expenses:

    

Investment management fees

       2,591,913   

Stockholder account and registrar fees

       14,537   

Administration fees

       155,511   

Compensation of board members

       23,566   

Custodian fees

       13,561   

Printing and postage fees

       86,740   

Professional fees

       40,580   

Other

       45,372   

 

 

Total expenses

       2,971,780   

 

 

Net investment loss

       (1,195,101

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) — net

    

Net realized gain (loss) on:

    

Investments

       6,584,132   

Foreign currency translations

       (11,276

Options contracts written

       (16,920,160

 

 

Net realized loss

       (10,347,304

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

    

Investments

       12,799,111   

Options contracts written

       (18,831

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       12,780,280   

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

       2,432,976   

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       $1,237,875   

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

Annual Report 2012     11   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

        Year ended
December 31, 2012
     Year ended
December 31, 2011
 

Operations

       

Net investment loss

       $(1,195,101      $(1,095,407

Net realized gain (loss)

       (10,347,304      8,597,470   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       12,780,280         (29,734,483

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       1,237,875         (22,232,420

 

 

Distributions to Stockholders

       

Net investment income

                 

Net realized gains

               (8,198,479

Tax return of capital

       (28,203,587      (19,799,906

 

 

Total Distributions to Stockholders

       (28,203,587      (27,998,385

 

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock activity

       756,501         2,992,813   

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

       (26,209,211      (47,237,992

Net assets at beginning of year

       260,822,205         308,060,197   

 

 

Net assets at end of year

       $234,612,994         $260,822,205   

 

 

Excess of distributions over net investment income

       $(10,842      $(3,649

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

12   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

        Year ended December 31, 2012        Year ended December 31, 2011  
        Shares        Dollars ($)        Shares        Dollars ($)  

Capital stock activity

                   

Distributions reinvested

       46,604           756,501           161,639           2,992,813   

 

 

Total net increase

       46,604           756,501           161,639           2,992,813   

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

Annual Report 2012     13   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

The Fund’s financial highlights are presented below. Per share operating performance data is designed to allow investors to trace the operating performance, on a per Common Stock share basis, from the beginning net asset value to the ending net asset value, so that investors can understand what effect the individual items have on their investment, assuming it was held throughout the period. Generally, the per share amounts are derived by converting the actual dollar amounts incurred for each item, as disclosed in the financial statements, to their equivalent per Common Stock share amounts, using average Common shares outstanding during the period.

Total return measures the Fund’s performance assuming that investors purchased Fund shares at market price or net asset value as of the beginning of the period, reinvested all their distributions, and then sold their shares at the closing market price or net asset value on the last day of the period. The computations do not reflect taxes or any sales commissions investors may incur on distributions or on the sale of Fund shares. Total returns are not annualized for periods of less than one year.

 

  

 

Year ended December 31,

  

     2012        2011        2010        2009(a)   

Per share data

        

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $17.13        $20.45        $19.91        $19.10 (b) 
   

Income from investment operations

        

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.08     (0.07     (0.11     (0.02
                                  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.16        (1.40     2.49        0.87   
                                  

Increase from payments by affiliate

            (0.00 )(c)      0.01          
   

Total from investment operations

     0.08        (1.47     2.39        0.85   
   

Offering costs

                   (0.00 )(c)      (0.04
   

Less distributions to Stockholders:

        

Net investment income

                   (1.13       
                                  

Net realized gains

            (0.54              

Tax return of capital

     (1.85     (1.31     (0.72       
   

Total distributions to Stockholders

     (1.85     (1.85     (1.85       
   

Net asset value, end of period

     $15.36        $17.13        $20.45        $19.91   
   

Market price, end of period

     $14.51        $15.66        $19.13        $20.00   
   

Total return based upon net asset value

     0.36     (7.37 %)(d)      13.29 %(e)      4.24 %(f) 
   

Total return based upon market price

     3.71     (9.48 %)      5.50     0.00 %(g) 
   

Ratios to average net assets(h)

        

Total expenses

     1.15     1.10     1.21     1.22 %(i) 
   

Net investment income

     (0.46 %)      (0.39 %)      (0.60 %)      (0.96 %)(i) 
   

Supplemental data

        

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

     $234,613        $260,822        $308,060        $284,875   
   

Portfolio turnover

     73     71     102     8
   

Notes to Financial Highlights

 

(a) For the period from November 30, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009.

 

(b) Net asset value, beginning of period, of $19.10 reflects a deduction of $0.90 per share sales change from the initial offering price of $20.00 per share.
(c) Rounds to less than $0.01.

 

(d) The Fund received a payment by an affiliate. Had the Fund not received this payment, the total return would have been lower by 0.01%.

 

(e) The Fund received a payment by an affiliate. Had the Fund not received this payment, the total return would have been lower by 0.03%.

 

(f) Since inception total return for net asset value (NAV) is from the opening of business on November 30, 2009, and includes the 4.50% initial sales load. The NAV price per share of the Fund’s Common Stock at inception was $19.10.

 

(g) Since inception total return for market price is based on the initial offering price on November 24, 2009, which was $20.00 per share.

 

(h) In addition to the fees and expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the acquired funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the reported expense ratios.

 

(i) Annualized.

 

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

14   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

 

Note 1. Organization

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified fund. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a closed-end management investment company.

The Fund was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on September 3, 2009, and commenced investment operations on November 30, 2009. The Fund had no investment operations prior to November 30, 2009 other than those relating to organizational matters and the sale to Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial), of 5,250 common shares (Common Stock) at a cost of $100,275 on October 14, 2009. As of December 31, 2009, the Fund issued 14,300,000 shares of Common Stock, including 13,100,000 shares of Common Stock in its initial public offering and 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock purchased by the Fund’s underwriters pursuant to an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters in connection with the initial public offering. On January 13, 2010, the Fund’s underwriters purchased an additional 545,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the over-allotment option, resulting in a total of 14,845,000 shares of Common Stock issued by the Fund in its initial public offering, including shares purchased by the underwriters pursuant to the over-allotment option. With this closing of this additional purchase of Common Stock, the Fund’s total raise-up in its initial public offering was an aggregate of $296.9 million. The Fund has one billion authorized shares of Common Stock. The issued and outstanding Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “STK”.

The Fund currently has outstanding Common Stock. Each outstanding share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Common Stockholders, including the election of directors. Because the Fund has no other classes or series of stock outstanding, Common Stock possesses exclusive voting power. All of the Fund’s shares of Common Stock have equal dividend, liquidation, voting and other rights. The Fund’s Common Stockholders have no preference, conversion, redemption, exchange, sinking fund, or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of the Fund’s securities.

Although the Fund has no current intention to do so, the Fund is authorized and reserves the flexibility to use leverage to increase its investments or for other management activities through the issuance of preferred shares (Preferred Stock) and/or borrowings. The costs of issuing Preferred Stock and/or a borrowing program would be borne by holders of Common

Stock (Common Stockholders) and consequently would result in a reduction of net asset value of Common Stock.

The Fund’s investment objectives are to seek growth of capital and current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund’s investment program will consist primarily of (i) investing in a portfolio of equity securities of technology and technology-related companies that seeks to exceed the total return, before fees and expenses, of the S&P North American Technology Sector Index and (ii) writing call options on the NASDAQ 100 Index®, an unmanaged index that includes the largest and most active non-financial domestic and international companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or its exchange-traded fund equivalent (the NASDAQ 100) on a month-to-month basis, with an aggregate notional amount typically ranging from 0% to 90% of the underlying value of the Fund’s holdings of Common Stock. The Fund expects to generate current income from premiums received from writing call options on the NASDAQ 100. The Fund may also buy or write other call and put options on securities, indices, ETFs and market baskets of securities to generate additional income or return or to provide the portfolio with downside protection as further described below in Note 2 to the financial statements —Derivative Instruments.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

Security Valuation

All equity securities are valued at the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sales price on the principal exchange or market on which they trade, except for securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market, which are valued at the NASDAQ official close price. Unlisted securities or listed securities for which there were no sales during the day are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and ask prices on such exchanges or markets.

 

 

Annual Report 2012     15   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

Foreign securities are valued based on quotations from the principal market in which such securities are normally traded. If any foreign share prices are not readily available as a result of limited share activity the securities are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and ask prices on such exchanges or markets. Foreign currency exchange rates are generally determined at 4:00 p.m. Eastern (U.S.) time. However, many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the NYSE; therefore, the closing prices for securities in such markets or on such exchanges may not fully reflect events that occur after such close but before the close of the NYSE. In those situations, foreign securities will be fair valued pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Directors (the Board), including utilizing a third party pricing service to determine these fair values. The third party pricing service takes into account multiple factors, including, but not limited to, movements in the U.S. securities markets, certain depositary receipts, futures contracts and foreign exchange rates that have occurred subsequent to the close of the foreign exchange or market, to determine a good faith estimate that reasonably reflects the current market conditions as of the close of the NYSE. The fair value of a security is likely to be different from the quoted or published price, if available.

Investments in other open-end investment companies, including money market funds, are valued at net asset value.

Option contracts are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and asked prices on their primary exchanges. Option contracts, including over-the-counter (OTC) option contracts, with no readily available market value are valued using quotations obtained from independent brokers as of the close of the NYSE.

Investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or that have quotations which management believes are not reliable, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board. If a security or class of securities (such as foreign securities) is valued at fair value, such value is likely to be different from the last quoted market price for the security.

The determination of fair value often requires significant judgment. To determine fair value, management may use assumptions including but not limited to future cash flows and estimated risk premiums. Multiple inputs from various sources may be used to determine fair value.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations

The values of all assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at that day’s exchange rates. Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on

foreign currency transactions and translations include gains (losses) arising from the fluctuation in exchange rates between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, gains (losses) arising from the disposition of foreign currency and currency gains (losses) between the accrual and payment dates on dividends, interest income and foreign withholding taxes.

For financial statement purposes, the Fund does not distinguish that portion of gains (losses) on investments which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of the investments. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the Statement of Operations.

Derivative Instruments

The Fund may invest in certain derivative instruments, which are transactions whose values depend on or are derived from (in whole or in part) the value of one or more other assets, such as securities, currencies, commodities or indices. The Fund uses a rules-based call option writing strategy on the NASDAQ 100 Index®, an unmanaged index that includes the largest and most active nonfinancial domestic and international companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or its exchange-traded fund equivalent (NASDAQ 100) on a month-to-month basis, with an aggregate notional amount ranging from 0% to 90% of the underlying value of the Fund’s holdings of common stock (the Rules-based Option Strategy). In addition to the Rules-based Option Strategy, the Fund may write additional calls with aggregate notional amounts of up to 25% of the value of the Fund’s holdings in common stocks (to a maximum of 90% when aggregated with the call options written pursuant to the Rules-based Option Strategy) when call premiums are attractive relative to the risk of the price of the NASDAQ 100. The Fund may also close (or buy back) a written call option if the Investment Manager believes that a substantial amount of the premium (typically, 70% or more) to be received by the Fund has been captured before exercise, potentially reducing the call position to 0% of total equity until additional calls are written.

The Fund may also seek to provide downside protection by purchasing puts on the NASDAQ 100 when premiums on these options are considered by the Investment Manager to be low and, therefore, attractive relative to the downside protection provided.

The Fund may also buy or write other call and put options on securities, indices, ETFs and market baskets of securities to generate additional income or return or to provide the portfolio with downside protection. In this regard, options may include writing “in-” or “out-of-the-money” put options or buying or selling options in connection with closing out positions prior to expiration of any options. However, the

 

 

16   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

Fund does not intend to write “naked” call options on individual stocks (i.e., selling a call option on an individual security not owned by the Fund) other than in connection with implementing the options strategies with respect to the NASDAQ 100. The put and call options purchased, sold or written by the Fund may be exchange-listed or over-the-counter (OTC).

Investments in derivative instruments may expose the Fund to certain additional risks, including those detailed below.

Options Contracts

Options are contracts which entitle the holder to purchase or sell securities or other identified assets at a specified price, or in the case of index option contracts, to receive or pay the difference between the index value and the strike price of the index option contract. The Fund purchased and wrote option contracts to decrease the Fund’s exposure to equity risk and to increase return on investments. Completion of transactions for option contracts traded in the OTC market depends upon the performance of the other party. Cash collateral may be collected or posted by the Fund to secure certain OTC option contract trades. Cash collateral held or posted by the Fund for such option contract trades must be returned to the counterparty or the Fund upon closure, exercise or expiration of the contract.

Option contracts purchased are recorded as investments and options contracts written are recorded as liabilities of the Fund. The Fund will realize a gain or loss when the option contract expires. When option contracts are exercised, the proceeds on sales for a written call or purchased put option contract, or the purchase cost for a written put or purchased call option contract, is adjusted by the amount of premium received or paid.

The risk in buying an option contract is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option contract is exercised. The Fund also has the additional risk of being unable to enter into a closing transaction if a liquid secondary market does not exist. The risk in writing a call option contract is that the Fund gives up the opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases. The risk in writing a put option contract is that the Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the security decreases and the option contract is exercised. The Fund’s maximum payout in the case of written put option contracts represents the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund could be required to make under the contract. For OTC options contracts, the transaction is also subject to counterparty credit risk. The maximum payout amount may be offset by the subsequent sale, if any, of assets obtained upon the exercise of the put

option contracts by holders of the option contracts or proceeds received upon entering into the contracts.

Contracts and premiums associated with options contracts written for the year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

     Calls     Puts  
     Contracts     Premiums ($)     Contracts     Premiums ($)  

Balance at December 31, 2011

    1,224        2,836,611        1,377        440,868   

Opened

    6,421        20,362,969        2,650        311,380   

Closed

    (5,992     (17,648,418     (3,631     (721,651

Expired

    (1,218     (3,945,176              

Exercised

                  (396     (30,597

Balance at December 31, 2012

    435        1,605,986                 

Effects of Derivative Transactions in the Financial Statements

The following tables are intended to provide additional information about the effect of derivatives on the financial statements of the Fund, including: the fair value of derivatives by risk category and the location of those fair values in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; the impact of derivative transactions on the Fund’s operations over the period including realized gains or losses and unrealized gains or losses. The derivative schedules following the Portfolio of Investments present additional information regarding derivative instruments outstanding at the end of the period, if any.

The following table is a summary of the fair value of derivative instruments at December 31, 2012:

 

Liability Derivatives  
Risk Exposure
Category
  Statement of Assets
and Liabilities Location
    Fair Value ($)  

Equity contracts

   
 
Options contracts
written, at value
  
  
    1,637,775   

The effect of derivative instruments in the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2012:

 

Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives  
Risk Exposure
Category
  Options Contracts
Written and
Purchased ($)
 

Equity contracts

    (16,979,067

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
 
Risk Exposure
Category
  Options Contracts
Written and
Purchased ($)
 

Equity contracts

    (18,831
 

 

Annual Report 2012     17   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

The following table is a summary of the volume of derivative instruments for the year ended December 31, 2012:

 

Derivative Instrument      Contracts
Opened
 

Options contracts

       9,965   

Security Transactions

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Cost is determined and gains (losses) are based upon the specific identification method for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes.

Income Recognition

Corporate actions and dividend income are recorded net of any non-reclaimable tax withholdings, on the ex-dividend date or upon receipt of ex-dividend notification in the case of certain foreign securities.

Awards from class action litigation are recorded as a reduction of cost basis if the Fund still owns the applicable securities on the payment date. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities, the proceeds are recorded as realized gains.

Federal Income Tax Status

The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and will distribute substantially all of its taxable income (including net short-term capital gains), if any, for its tax year, and as such will not be subject to federal income taxes. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute in each calendar year substantially all of its net investment income, capital gains and certain other amounts, if any, such that the Fund should not be subject to federal excise tax. Therefore, no federal income or excise tax provision is recorded.

Foreign Taxes

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries, as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.

Realized gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the Fund level, based on statutory rates. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on net realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction, as applicable. The amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Dividends to Stockholders

In November 2010, the Fund paid its first dividend under the Fund’s new, managed distribution policy adopted by the Fund’s Board. Prior to the managed distribution policy, the Fund paid distributions pursuant to a level rate distribution policy. Under its former distribution policy and consistent with the 1940 Act, as amended, the Fund could not distribute long-term capital gains, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, more often than once in any one taxable year. In October 2010, the Fund received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains more often than once in any one taxable year. After consideration by the Fund’s Board, the Fund adopted the current managed distribution policy which allows the Fund to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains. Under its managed distribution policy, the Fund intends to make quarterly distributions to Common Stockholders at a rate that reflects the past and projected performance of the Fund. The Fund expects to receive all or some of its current income and gains from the following sources: (i) dividends received by the Fund that are paid on the equity and equity-related securities in its portfolio; and (ii) capital gains (short-term and long-term) from option premiums and the sale of portfolio securities. It is possible that the Fund’s distributions will at times exceed the earnings and profits of the Fund and therefore all or a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital as described below. A return of capital is a return of a portion of an investor’s original investment. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a Stockholder’s tax basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the Stockholder of his or her shares. Distributions may vary, and the Fund’s distribution rate will depend on a number of factors, including the net earnings on the Fund’s portfolio investments and the rate at which such net earnings change as a result of changes in the timing of, and rates at which, the Fund receives income from the sources described above. The net investment income of the Fund consists of all income (other than net short-term and long-term capital gains) less all expenses of the Fund.

The Board may change the Fund’s distribution policy and the amount or timing of the distributions, based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, as the Fund’s portfolio and market conditions change, the amount of the Fund’s undistributed net investment income and net short- and long-term capital gains and historical and projected net investment income and net short- and long-term capital gains. Over time, the Fund will distribute all of its net investment income and net short-term capital gains. In addition, at least annually, the Fund intends to distribute any net capital gain (which is the

 

 

18   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) or, alternatively, to retain all or a portion of the year’s net capital gain and pay federal income tax on the retained gain.

Dividends and other distributions to Stockholders are recorded on ex-dividend dates.

Guarantees and Indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational documents and, in some cases, by contract, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, certain of the Fund’s contracts with its service providers contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since the amount of any future claims that may be made against the Fund cannot be determined, and the Fund has no historical basis for predicting the likelihood of any such claims.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The objective of the FASB is to enhance current disclosure requirements on offsetting of certain assets and liabilities and to enable financial statement users to compare financial statements prepared under GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.

Specifically, ASU No. 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The standard requires disclosure of collateral received in connection with the master netting agreements or similar agreements. The effective date of ASU No. 2011-11 is for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of this guidance and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and footnote disclosures, if any.

Note 3. Fees and Compensation Paid to Affiliates

Investment Management Fees

Under an Investment Management Services Agreement, the Investment Manager determines which securities will be purchased, held or sold. The investment management fee is an annual fee that is equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the net asset value

of the Fund’s outstanding Common Stock plus the liquidation preference of any issued and outstanding Preferred Stock of the Fund and the principal amount of any borrowings used for leverage.

Administration Fees

Under an Administrative Services Agreement, the Investment Manager also serves as the Fund Administrator. The Fund pays the Fund Administrator an annual fee for administration and accounting services equal to 0.06% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets.

Other Expenses

Other expenses are for, among other things, certain expenses of the Fund or the Board, including: Fund boardroom and office expense, employee compensation, employee health and retirement benefits, and certain other expenses. Payment of these Fund and Board expenses is facilitated by a company providing limited administrative services to the Fund and the Board. For the year ended December 31, 2012, other expenses paid to this company were $589.

Compensation of Board Members

Board members are compensated for their services to the Fund as disclosed in the Statement of Operations. Under a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan), the Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined under the 1940 Act, may elect to defer payment of up to 100% of their compensation. Deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of certain funds managed by the Investment Manager. The Fund’s liability for these amounts is adjusted for market value changes and remains in the Fund until distributed in accordance with the Plan.

Note 4. Federal Tax Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP because of temporary or permanent book to tax differences.

At December 31, 2012, these differences are primarily due to differing treatment for capital loss carryforwards, deferral/reversal of wash sales losses, Trustees’ deferred compensation, foreign currency transactions, post-October capital losses, and derivative investments. To the extent these differences are permanent, reclassifications are made among the components of the Fund’s net assets in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Temporary differences do not require reclassifications. In the Statement of Assets and Liabilities the following reclassifications were made:

 

 

Annual Report 2012     19   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

 

Excess of distributions over net investment income

    $1,187,908   

Accumulated net realized loss

    11,276   

Paid-in capital

    (1,199,184

Net investment income and net realized gains (losses), as disclosed in the Statement of Operations, and net assets were not affected by this reclassification.

The tax character of distributions paid during the years indicated was as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,   2012     2011  

Ordinary income

    $—        $—   

Long-term capital gains

           8,198,479   

Tax return of capital

    28,203,587        19,799,906   

Total

    28,203,587        27,998,385   

Short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions for tax purposes.

At December 31, 2012, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

    $—   

Undistributed accumulated long-term gain

      

Accumulated realized loss

    (10,102,818

Unrealized appreciation/depreciation

    15,749,890   

At December 31, 2012, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $220,655,496 and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on that cost was:

 

Unrealized appreciation

    $27,055,246   

Unrealized depreciation

    (11,305,356

Net unrealized appreciation

    15,749,890   

The following capital loss carryforward, determined at December 31, 2012, may be available to reduce taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code:

 

Year of Expiration   Amount ($)  

Unlimited short-term

    6,734,659   

Under current tax rules, regulated investment companies can elect to treat certain late-year ordinary losses incurred and post-October capital losses (capital losses realized after October 31) as arising on the first day of the following taxable year. As of December 31, 2012, the Fund will elect to treat post-October losses of $3,368,159 as arising on January 1, 2013.

Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. However, management’s conclusion may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not

limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). Generally, the Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Note 5. Portfolio Information

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term obligations, aggregated to $182,559,520 and $232,244,342, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Note 6. Dividend Investment Plan and Stock Repurchase Program

The Fund, in connection with its Dividend Investment Plan (the Plan), issues shares of its own Common Stock, as needed, to satisfy Plan requirements. A total of 46,604 shares were issued to Plan participants during the year ended December 31, 2012 for proceeds of $756,501, a weighted average discount of 3.06% from the net asset value of those shares.

Pursuant to the Plan, unless a Common Stockholder elects otherwise, all cash dividends, capital gains distributions, and other distributions are automatically reinvested in additional Common Stock. If you hold your shares in street name or other nominee (i.e., through a broker), you should contact them to determine their policy, as the broker firm’s policy with respect to Fund distributions may be to default to a cash payment. Common Stockholders who elect not to participate in the Plan (including those whose intermediaries do not permit participation in the Plan by their customers) will receive all dividends and distributions payable in cash directly to the Common Stockholder of record (or, if the shares of Common Stock are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee). Common Stockholders may elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive all distributions of dividends and capital gains or other distributions in cash by sending written instructions to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST), 59 Maiden Lane Plaza Level, New York, New York 10038. Participation in the Plan may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by written notice if received by AST, prior to the record date for the next distribution. Otherwise, such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared distribution.

Under the Plan, Common Stockholders receive shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash distributions unless they have elected otherwise as described above. Common Stock will be issued in lieu of cash by the Fund from previously authorized but unissued Common Stock. If the market price of a share on

 

 

20   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

the exdividend date of such a distribution is at or above the Fund’s net asset value per share on such date, the number of shares to be issued by the Fund to each Common Stockholder receiving shares in lieu of cash distributions will be determined by dividing the amount of the cash distribution to which such Common Stockholder would be entitled by the greater of the net asset value per share on such date or 95% of the market price of a share on such date. If the market price of a share on such an ex-dividend date is below the net asset value per share, the number of shares to be issued to such Common Stockholders will be determined by dividing such amount by the per share market price. The issuance of Common Stock at less than net asset value per share will dilute the net asset value of all Common Stock outstanding at that time. Market price on any day means the closing price for the Common Stock at the close of regular trading on the NYSE on such day or, if such day is not a day on which the Common Stock trades, the closing price for the Common Stock at the close of regular trading on the immediately preceding day on which trading occurs.

The Fund, under its stock repurchase program, currently intends to make open market purchases of its Common Stock from time to time when the Fund’s Common Stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value, in an amount approximately sufficient to offset the growth in the number of shares of Common Stock issued as a result of the reinvestment of the portion of its distributions to Common Stockholders that are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from its underlying portfolio investments less fund expenses. No shares were purchased in the open market during the year ended December 31, 2012.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to participants in the Plan at least 90 days before the record date for such distribution. There are no service or brokerage charges to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable to the Fund by the participants. The Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to provide for payment of brokerage fees by Plan participants in the event the Plan is changed to provide for open market purchases of Common Stock on behalf of Plan participants. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to AST.

Note 7. Affiliated Money Market Fund

The Fund invests its daily cash balances in Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, an affiliated money market fund established for the exclusive use by the Fund and other affiliated funds. The income earned by the Fund from such investments is included as “Dividends — affiliated issuers” in the Statement

of Operations. As an investing fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund.

Note 8. Significant Risks

Non-Diversification Risk

A non-diversified fund is permitted to invest a greater percentage of its total assets in fewer issuers than a diversified fund. The Fund may, therefore, have a greater risk of loss from a few issuers than a similar fund that invests more broadly.

Technology and Technology-related Investment Risk

The Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in technology and technology-related companies. The market prices of technology and technology-related stocks tend to exhibit a greater degree of market risk and price volatility than other types of investments. These stocks may fall in and out of favor with investors rapidly, which may cause sudden selling and dramatically lower market prices. These stocks also may be affected adversely by changes in technology, consumer and business purchasing patterns, government regulation and/or obsolete products or services. In addition, a rising interest rate environment tends to negatively affect technology and technology-related companies. In such an environment, those companies with high market valuations may appear less attractive to investors, which may cause sharp decreases in the companies’ market prices. Further, those technology or technology-related companies seeking to finance their expansion would have increased borrowing costs, which may negatively impact their earnings. As a result, these factors may negatively affect the performance of the Fund. Finally, the Fund may be susceptible to factors affecting the technology and technology-related industries, and the Fund’s net asset value may fluctuate more than a fund that invests in a wider range of industries. Technology and technology-related companies are often smaller and less experienced companies and may be subject to greater risks than larger companies, such as limited product lines, markets and financial and managerial resources. These risks may be heightened for technology companies in foreign markets.

Writing Call Options Risk

A principal aspect of the Fund’s investment strategy involves writing call options on the NASDAQ 100. This part of the Fund’s strategy subjects the Fund to certain additional risks. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. The principal factors

 

 

Annual Report 2012     21   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

affecting the market value of an option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying index or security in relation to the exercise price of the option, the actual or perceived volatility of the underlying index or security and the time remaining until the expiration date.

The Fund intends to write call options on the NASDAQ 100; however, it does not intend to have a portfolio of securities that mirrors the securities in the NASDAQ 100. As a result, during a period when the Fund has outstanding call options written on the NASDAQ 100, the NASDAQ 100 may appreciate to a greater extent than the securities in the Fund’s portfolio. If the call options are exercised in these circumstances, the Fund’s loss on the options will be greater because it will be paying the option holder not only an amount effectively representing appreciation on securities in its own portfolio but also an amount representing the greater appreciation experienced by the securities in the NASDAQ 100 that the Fund does not own. If, at a time these call options may be exercised, the securities underlying these options have market values above the exercise price, then these call options will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated to deliver to the option holder either the securities underlying these options or to deliver the cash value of those securities, in exchange for which the option holder will pay the Fund the exercise price. In either case, the Fund will incur losses to the extent the market value of the underlying securities exceed the sum of the premium the Fund received from writing the call options and the exercise price of the call options, which loss may be very substantial.

To the extent all or part of the Fund’s call options are covered, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security underlying the call option above the sum of the option premium received and the exercise price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline below the exercise price minus the option premium received. The writer of an exchange-listed option on a security has no control over when during the exercise period of the option (which may be a single day or multiple days) it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it would be obligated to deliver the underlying security at the exercise price. Thus, the writing of call options may require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values and will limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize above the exercise price of an option.

The Fund may be required to sell investments from its portfolio to effect cash settlement (or transfer ownership of a

stock or other instrument to physically settle) on any written call options that are exercised. Such sales (or transfers) may occur at inopportune times, and the Fund may incur transaction costs that increase the costs borne by Common Stockholders. The Fund may sell written call options over an exchange or in the OTC market. The options in the OTC markets may not be as liquid as exchange-listed options. The Fund may be limited in the number of counterparties willing to take positions opposite the Fund or may find the terms of such counterparties to be less favorable than the terms available for listed options. The Fund cannot guarantee that its options strategies will be effective. Moreover, OTC options may provide less favorable tax treatment than listed options.

The value of options may be adversely affected if the market for such options becomes less liquid or smaller. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position, in the case of a call option written, by buying the option back. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options) at some future date. If trading were discontinued, the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist. However, outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. The Fund’s ability to terminate OTC options will be more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that would not be reflected concurrently in the options markets. Call options are marked to market daily and their value will be affected by changes in the value of and dividend rates of the underlying common stocks, changes in interest rates, changes in the

 

 

22   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

actual or perceived volatility of the stock market and the underlying common stocks and the remaining time to the options’ expiration. Additionally, the exercise price of an option may be adjusted downward before the option’s expiration as a result of the occurrence of certain corporate events affecting the underlying equity security, such as extraordinary dividends, stock splits, merger or other extraordinary distributions or events. A reduction in the exercise price of an option would reduce the Fund’s capital appreciation potential on the underlying security.

The Fund’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded. These limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which the Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Investment Manager. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and may impose certain other sanctions.

Options Risk

The Fund engages in transactions in options on securities, indices, exchange traded funds and market baskets of securities on exchanges and in the OTC markets. In general, exchange-traded options have standardized exercise prices and expiration dates and require the parties to post margin against their obligations, and the performance of the parties’ obligations in connection with such options is guaranteed by the exchange or a related clearing corporation. OTC options have more flexible terms negotiated between the buyer and the seller, but generally do not require the parties to post margin and are subject to greater credit risk. OTC options also involve greater liquidity risk.

In addition to writing call options as described above, the Fund may purchase put options. By buying a put option, the Fund will pay a premium to acquire a right to sell the securities or instruments underlying the put at the exercise price of the option. The Fund will lose money if the securities or instruments underlying the option do not decline in value below the exercise price of the option by an amount sufficient to offset the premium paid to acquire the option. To the extent the Fund purchases put options in the OTC market, the Fund will be subject to the credit risk of the seller of the option. The Fund also may write put options on the types of securities or

instruments that may be held by the Fund, provided that such put options are secured by segregated, liquid instruments. The Fund will receive a premium for writing a put option, which increases the Fund’s return. In exchange for the premium received, the Fund has the obligation to buy the securities or instruments underlying the option at an agreed-upon exercise price if the securities or instruments decrease below the exercise price of the option.

The Fund will lose money if the securities or instruments decrease in value so that the amount the Fund is obligated to pay the counterparty to the option to purchase the securities underlying the option upon exercise of the option exceeds the value of those securities by an amount that is greater than the premium received by the Fund for writing the option.

The Fund may purchase call options on any of the types of securities or instruments in which it may invest. In exchange for paying the option premium, a purchased call option gives the Fund the right to buy, and obligates the seller to sell, the underlying security or instrument at the exercise price. The Fund will lose money if the securities or instruments underlying the option do not appreciate in value in an amount sufficient to offset the premium paid by the Fund to acquire the option.

Small and Mid-cap Companies Risk

The Fund may invest all or a substantial portion of its Managed Assets in companies whose market capitalization is considered small- or mid-cap. These companies often are newer or less established companies than larger companies. Investments in these companies carry additional risks because earnings of these companies tend to be less predictable; they often have limited product lines, markets, distribution channels or financial resources; and the management of such companies may be dependent upon one or a few key people. The market movements of equity securities of small-cap and mid-cap companies may be more abrupt or erratic than the market movements of equity securities of larger, more established companies or the stock market in general. Historically, small-cap and mid-cap companies have sometimes gone through extended periods when they did not perform as well as larger companies. In addition, equity securities of these companies generally are less liquid than those of larger companies. This means that the Fund could have greater difficulty selling such securities at the time and price that the Fund would like. Smaller-company stocks, as a whole, may experience larger price fluctuations than large-company stocks or other types of investments. During periods of investor uncertainty, investor sentiment may favor large, well-known companies over small, lesser-known companies. There may be less trading in a smaller company’s stock,

 

 

Annual Report 2012     23   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

which means that buy and sell transactions in that stock could have a larger impact on the stock’s price than is the case with larger company stocks.

Foreign Securities Risk

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of companies organized outside the United States. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in U.S. companies. Securities markets in certain foreign countries are not as developed, efficient or liquid as securities markets in the United States. Therefore, the prices of foreign securities are often volatile and trading costs are higher. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payments of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. Generally, there is less publicly available information about foreign companies due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards and regulatory practices. In addition, the Fund will be subject to risks associated with adverse political and economic developments in foreign countries, which could cause the Fund to lose money on its investments in foreign securities.

The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located or doing substantial business in “emerging markets” (lesser developed countries). Because of the less developed markets and economics and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions, the risks of investing in foreign securities can be intensified in the case of investments in issuers domiciled or doing substantial business in emerging markets. These risks include a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries; political and social uncertainties; over-dependence on exports, especially with respect to primary commodities, making these economies vulnerable to changes in commodity prices; overburdened infrastructure and obsolete or unseasoned financial systems; environmental problems; less developed legal systems; and less reliable custodial services and settlement practices.

Note 9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

Note 10. Information Regarding Pending and Settled Legal Proceedings

In December 2005, without admitting or denying the allegations, American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC, which is now known as Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial)) entered into settlement agreements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Minnesota Department of Commerce (MDOC) related to market timing activities. As a result, AEFC was censured and ordered to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations of certain provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and various Minnesota laws. AEFC agreed to pay disgorgement of $10 million and civil money penalties of $7 million. AEFC also agreed to retain an independent distribution consultant to assist in developing a plan for distribution of all disgorgement and civil penalties ordered by the SEC in accordance with various undertakings detailed at www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/ia-2451.pdf. Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates have cooperated with the SEC and the MDOC in these legal proceedings, and have made regular reports to the funds’ Boards of Directors.

Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Funds are not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Funds or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Funds. Ameriprise Financial is required to make 10-Q, 10-K and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased fund redemptions, reduced sale of fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Funds. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Funds or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Funds, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these

 

 

24   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2012

 

proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.

 

Annual Report 2012     25   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund, Inc.

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund (the “Fund”) at December 31, 2012, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2012 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. The statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights of the Fund for the periods ended December 31, 2011 and prior were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose report dated February 22, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements and highlights.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 21, 2013

 

26   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Directors and Officers

 

Stockholders elect the Board that oversees the Fund’s operations. The Board appoints officers who are responsible for day-to-day business decisions based on policies set by the Board. The following table provides basic biographical information about the Fund’s Board members, including their principal occupations during the past five years, although specific titles for individuals may have varied over the period. Under current Board policy, members may serve until the next Board meeting after he or she reaches the mandatory retirement age established by the Board, or the fifteenth anniversary of the first Board meeting they attended as a member of the Board.

 

Independent Directors

Name, Address,

Year of Birth

  Position Held With
Fund and Length
of Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Funds in the
Fund Family
Overseen By
Board
Member
  Other Present or Past Directorships/Trusteeships (Within Past 5 Years)

Kathleen Blatz

901 S. Marquette Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1954

  Board member since October 2009   Attorney; Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court, 1998-2006   152   None

Pamela G. Carlton

901 S. Marquette Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1954

  Board member since October 2009   President, Springboard — Partners in Cross Cultural Leadership (consulting company)   152   None

Patricia M. Flynn

901 S. Marquette Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1950

  Board member since October 2009   Trustee Professor of Economics and Management, Bentley University; former Dean, McCallum Graduate School of Business, Bentley University   152   None

Stephen R. Lewis, Jr.

901 S. Marquette Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1939

  Chair of the Board since October 2009   President Emeritus and Professor of Economics Emeritus, Carleton College   152   Director, Valmont Industries, Inc. (manufactures irrigation systems) since 2002

Catherine James Paglia

901 S. Marquette Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1952

  Board member since October 2009   Director, Enterprise Asset Management, Inc. (private real estate and asset management company)   152   None

Leroy C. Richie

901 S. Marquette Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1941

  Board member since October 2009   Counsel, Lewis & Munday, P.C. since 2004; former Vice President and General Counsel, Automotive Legal Affairs, Chrysler Corporation   152   Lead Outside Director, Digital Ally, Inc. (digital imaging) since September 2005; Infinity, Inc. (oil and gas exploration and production); OGE Energy Corp. (energy and energy services) since November 2007

Alison Taunton-Rigby

901 S. Marquette Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1944

 

Board member

since October 2009

  Chief Executive Officer and Director, RiboNovix, Inc., 2003-2010 (biotechnology); former President, Aquila Biopharmaceuticals   152  

Director, Healthways, Inc. (health

Management programs) since 2005;

Director, ICI Mutual Insurance Company, RRG; Director, Abt

Associates (government

contractor)

 

Annual Report 2012     27   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

Directors and Officers (continued)

 

Interested Director Affiliated with Investment Manager*

Name, Address,

Year of Birth

  Position Held With
Fund and Length
of Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Funds in the
Fund Family
Overseen By
Board
Member
  Other Present or Past Directorships/Trusteeships (Within Past 5 Years)

William F. Truscott

53600 Ameriprise
Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

1960

  Board member since November 2001 for RiverSource Funds and since June 2011 for Nations Funds; Senior Vice President since 2002   President, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC February 2012, (previously President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Investment Officer, 2001-April 2010); Chief Executive Officer, Global Asset Management, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since September 2012 (previously Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Asset Management & President, Annuities, May 2010-September 2012 and President — U.S. Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer, 2005-April 2010); President and Chief Executive Officer, Ameriprise Certificate Company 2006-August 2012; Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since February 2012, (previously Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, 2006-April 2010); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, RiverSource Distributors, Inc. since 2006.   204   Chairman of the Board, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Director, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since May 2010; Director Ameriprise Certificate Company, 2006-January 2013.

 

* Interested person (as defined under the 1940 Act) by reason of being an officer, director, security holder and/or employee of the investment manager or Ameriprise Financial.

The Board has appointed officers who are responsible for day-to-day business decisions based on policies it has established. The officers serve at the pleasure of the Board. In addition to Mr. Truscott, who is Senior Vice President, the Fund’s other officers are:

 

Officers

Name, Address,
Year of Birth

  Position Held With Fund and Length of Service   Principal Occupation During Past Five Years

J. Kevin Connaughton

225 Franklin Street

Boston, MA 02110

1964

  President since May 2010   Senior Vice President and General Manager — Mutual Fund Products, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Managing Director of Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, December 2004-April 2010; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Columbia Funds, June 2008-January 2009; Treasurer, Columbia Funds, October 2003-May 2008

Amy K. Johnson

5228 Ameriprise
Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

1965

  Vice President since September 2009   Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010 (previously Chief Administrative Officer, 2009-April 2010 and Vice President — Asset Management and Trust Company Services, 2006-2009)

Michael G. Clarke

225 Franklin Street

Boston, MA 02110

1969

  Treasurer since January 2011 and Chief Financial Officer since April 2011   Vice President, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Managing Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, September 2004-April 2010; senior officer of Columbia Funds and affiliated funds since 2002

Scott R. Plummer

5228 Ameriprise
Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

1959

  Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer since September 2009 and Assistant Secretary since June 2011   Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since June 2005; Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel — Asset Management, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since May 2010 (previously Vice President and Chief Counsel — Asset Management, 2005-April 2010); Vice President, Chief Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. since 2008; Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Ameriprise Certificate Company since 2005; Chief Counsel, RiverSource Distributors, Inc. since 2006

Colin Moore

225 Franklin Street

Boston, MA 02110

1958

  Senior Vice President since May 2010   Director and Chief Investment Officer, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Manager, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, 2007-April 2010

 

28   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Directors and Officers (continued)

 

Officers (continued)

Name, Address,
Year of Birth

  Position Held With Fund and Length of Service   Principal Occupation During Past Five Years

Thomas P. McGuire

225 Franklin Street

Boston, MA 02110

1972

  Chief Compliance Officer since March 2012   Vice President-Asset Management Compliance, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since 2010; Chief Compliance Officer, Ameriprise Certificate Company since September 2010; Compliance Executive, Bank of America, 2005-2010

Stephen T. Welsh

225 Franklin Street

Boston, MA 02110

1957

  Vice President since April 2011   President and Director, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. since May 2010; President and Director, Columbia Management Services, Inc., July 2004-April 2010; Managing Director, Columbia Management Distributors, Inc., August 2007-April 2010

Christopher O. Petersen

5228 Ameriprise
Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

1970

  Vice President and Secretary since April 2011   Vice President and Chief Counsel, Ameriprise Financial since January 2010 (formerly Vice President and Group Counsel or Counsel, April 2004-January 2010); Assistant Secretary of Legacy RiverSource Funds, January 2007-April 2011 and of the Nations Funds, May 2010-March 2011

Paul D. Pearson

10468 Ameriprise
Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

1956

  Vice President and Assistant Treasurer since April 2011   Vice President — Investment Accounting, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, since May 2010; Vice President — Managed Assets, Investment Accounting, Ameriprise Financial Corporation, February 1998-May 2010

Joseph F. DiMaria

225 Franklin Street

Boston, MA 02110

1968

  Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Accounting Officer since April 2011   Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, since May 2010; Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, January 2006-April 2010

Paul B. Goucher

100 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

1968

  Vice President since April 2011 and Assistant Secretary since September 2009   Vice President and Chief Counsel of Ameriprise Financial since January 2010 (formerly Vice President and Group Counsel, November 2008-January 2010); Director, Managing Director and General Counsel of J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated, July 2008-November 2008 (previously Managing Director and Associate General Counsel, January 2005-July 2008)

Michael E. DeFao

225 Franklin Street

Boston, MA 02110

1968

  Vice President since April 2011 and Assistant Secretary since May 2010   Vice President and Chief Counsel, Ameriprise Financial since May 2010; Associate General Counsel Bank of America, June 2005-April 2010

 

Annual Report 2012     29   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

30   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

Annual Report 2012     31   


Table of Contents
   Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

32   Annual Report 2012


Table of Contents
Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund  

 

Important Information About This Report

 

Each fund mails one stockholder report to each stockholder address. If you would like more than one report, please call shareholder services at 800.937.5449 and additional reports will be sent to you.

The policy of the Board is to vote the proxies of the companies in which the Fund holds investments consistent with the procedures that can be found by visiting columbiamanagement.com. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is filed with the SEC by August 31 for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 of that year, and is available without charge by visiting columbiamanagement.com; or searching the website of the SEC at sec.gov.

Each fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Each fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800.SEC.0330. Each fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings, as filed on Form N-Q, can also be obtained without charge, upon request, by calling 800.937.5449.

 

Annual Report 2012     33   


Table of Contents

LOGO

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund

P.O. Box 8081

Boston, MA 02266-8081

columbiamanagement.com

 

You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. You can obtain the Fund’s most recent periodic reports and other regulatory filings by contacting your financial advisor or American Stock Transfer & Trust Company at 800.937.5449. These reports and other filings can also be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR Database. You should read these reports and other filings carefully before investing.

© 2013 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

SL-9922 G (3/13)


Table of Contents

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

  (a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

  (b) During the period covered by this report, there were not any amendments to a provision of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above.

 

  (c) During the period covered by this report, there were no waivers, including any implicit waivers, from a provision of the code of ethics described in 2(a) above that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Pamela G. Carlton and Alison Taunton-Rigby, each of whom are members of the registrant’s Board of Trustees and Audit Committee, each qualify as an audit committee financial expert. Ms. Carlton and Ms. Taunton-Rigby are each independent trustees, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this item’s instructions.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Fee information below is disclosed for the one series of the registrant whose report to stockholders is included in this annual filing. During the period, the registrant had a change in independent accountant.

(a) Audit Fees. Aggregate Audit Fees billed by the principal accountant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are approximately as follows:

 

2012    2011
$25,000    $35,000


Table of Contents

Audit Fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

(b) Audit-Related Fees. Aggregate Audit-Related Fees billed to the registrant by the principal accountant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are approximately as follows:

 

2012    2011
$400    $400

Audit-Related Fees include amounts for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported in Audit Fees above. In both fiscal years 2012 and 2011, Audit-Related Fees consist of agreed-upon procedures performed for semi-annual shareholder reports.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

(c) Tax Fees. Aggregate Tax Fees billed by the principal accountant to the registrant for professional services rendered during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are approximately as follows:

 

2012    2011
$4,100    $4,100

Tax Fees include amounts for the review of annual tax returns, the review of required shareholder distribution calculations and typically include amounts for professional services by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no Tax Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.


Table of Contents

(d) All Other Fees. Aggregate All Other Fees billed by the principal accountant to the registrant for professional services rendered during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are approximately as follows:

 

2012    2011
$    0    $    0

All Other Fees include amounts for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) above.

Aggregate All Other Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are approximately as follows:

 

2012    2011
$311,800    $185,300

In both fiscal years 2012 and 2011, All Other Fees consist of fees billed for internal control reviews, subscription to a tax database and tax consulting services. Fiscal year 2012 includes fees billed for the review of documentation around a change in independent accountant. Fiscal year 2011 includes fees billed for the review of yield calculations.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The registrant’s Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the engagement of the registrant’s independent accountants to provide audit and non-audit services to the registrant and non-audit services to its investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with such investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant (“Adviser Affiliates”), if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

The Audit Committee has adopted a Policy for Engagement of Independent Accountants for Audit and Non-Audit Services (“Policy”). The Policy sets forth the understanding of the Audit Committee regarding the engagement of the registrant’s independent accountants to provide (i) audit and permissible audit-related, tax and other services to the registrant (collectively “Fund Services”); (ii) non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and


Table of Contents

Adviser Affiliates, if the engagement relates directly to the operations or financial reporting of a Fund (collectively “Fund-related Adviser Services”); and (iii) certain other audit and non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and Adviser Affiliates. As set forth in this Fund Policy, a service will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee if it is to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditor; provided, however, that pre-approval of non-audit services to the Fund, the Adviser or Control Affiliates may be waived if certain de minimis requirements set forth in the SEC’s rules are met.

Under the Policy, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to any pre-designated member or members who are Independent Trustees/Directors. The member(s) to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next regular meeting. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities with respect to the pre-approval of services performed by the independent accountants may not be delegated to management.

On an annual basis, at a regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting, the Fund’s Treasurer or other Fund Officer shall submit to the Audit Committee a schedule of the types of Fund Services and Fund-related Adviser Services that are subject to specific pre-approval.

This schedule will provide a description of each type of service that is subject to specific pre-approval, along with total projected fees for each service. The pre-approval will generally cover a one-year period. The Audit Committee will review and approve the types of services and the projected fees for the next one-year period and may add to, or subtract from, the list of pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations. This specific approval acknowledges that the Audit Committee is in agreement with the types of services that the independent accountants will be permitted to perform.

The Fund’s Treasurer or other Fund Officer shall report to the Audit Committee at each of its regular meetings regarding all Fund Services or Fund-related Adviser Services initiated since the last such report was rendered, including a general description of the services with forecasted fees for the annual period, proposed changes requiring specific pre-approval and a description of services provided by the independent auditor with actual fees during the current reporting period.

*****

(e)(2) 100% of the services performed for items (b) through (d) above during 2012 and 2011 were pre-approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not


Table of Contents

including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are approximately as follows:

 

2012    2011
$316,300    $189,800

(h) The registrant’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

  (a) The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)58)(A) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A). Pamela G. Carlton, Alison Taunton-Rigby and Patricia M. Flynn are each independent trustees and collectively constitute the entire Audit Committee.

 

  (b) Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments

 

  (a) The registrant’s “Schedule I – Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers” (as set forth in 17 CFR 210.12-12) is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

  (b) Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Proxy Voting

GENERAL GUIDELINES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The following description of the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures apply to the closed-end management investment companies in the Columbia Family of Funds that are governed by the same Board of Directors (the “Funds”).

The Funds uphold a long tradition of supporting sound and principled corporate governance. In furtherance thereof, the Funds’ Boards of Directors (“Board”), which consist of a majority of independent Board members, determines policies and votes proxies. The Funds’ investment manager and administrator, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (“Columbia Management”), provides support to the Board in connection with the proxy voting process.


Table of Contents

GENERAL GUIDELINES

The Board supports proxy proposals that it believes are tied to the interests of shareholders and votes against proxy proposals that appear to entrench management. For example:

Election of Directors

 

   

The Board generally votes in favor of proposals for an independent chairman or, if the chairman is not independent, in favor of a lead independent director.

 

   

The Board supports annual election of all directors and proposals to eliminate classes of directors.

 

   

In a routine election of directors, the Board will generally vote with the recommendations of the company’s nominating committee because the Board believes that nominating committees of independent directors are in the best position to know what qualifications are required of directors to form an effective board. However, the Board will generally vote against a nominee who has been assigned to the audit, compensation, or nominating committee if the nominee is not independent of management based on established criteria. The Board will generally also withhold support for any director who fails to attend 75% of meetings or has other activities that appear to interfere with his or her ability to commit sufficient attention to the company and, in general, will vote against nominees who are determined to have exhibited poor governance such as involvement in options backdating, financial restatements or material weaknesses in control, approving egregious compensation or have consistently disregarded the interests of shareholders.

 

   

The Board generally supports proposals requiring director nominees to receive a majority of affirmative votes cast in order to be elected to the board, and in the absence of majority voting, generally will support cumulative voting.

 

   

Votes in a contested election of directors are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Defense Mechanisms

The Board generally supports proposals eliminating provisions requiring supermajority approval of certain actions. The Board generally supports proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes and proposals restricting a company’s ability to make greenmail payments. The Board reviews management proposals submitting shareholder rights plans (poison pills) to shareholders on a case-by-case basis.

Auditors

The Board values the independence of auditors based on established criteria. The Board supports a reasonable review of matters that may raise concerns regarding an auditor’s service that may cause the Board to vote against a company’s recommendation for auditor, including, for example, auditor involvement in significant financial restatements,


Table of Contents

options backdating, conflicts of interest, material weaknesses in control, attempts to limit auditor liability or situations where independence has been compromised.

Management Compensation Issues

The Board expects company management to give thoughtful consideration to providing competitive compensation and incentives, which are reflective of company performance, and are directly tied to the interest of shareholders.

The Board generally votes for plans if they are reasonable and consistent with industry and country standards and against plans that it believes dilute shareholder value substantially.

The Board generally favors minimum holding periods of stock obtained by senior management pursuant to equity compensation plans and will vote against compensation plans for executives that it deems excessive.

Social and Corporate Policy Issues

The Board believes proxy proposals should address the business interests of the corporation. Shareholder proposals sometime seek to have the company disclose or amend certain business practices based purely on social or environmental issues rather than compelling business arguments. In general, the Board recognizes our Fund shareholders are likely to have differing views of social and environmental issues and believes that these matters are primarily the responsibility of a company’s management and its board of directors. The Board generally abstains or votes against these proposals.

Additional details can be found in the funds’ Proxy Voting Guidelines.

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

The policy of the Board is to vote all proxies of the companies in which a fund holds investments. Because of the volume and complexity of the proxy voting process, including inherent inefficiencies in the process that are outside the control of the Board or the Proxy Team (defined below), not all proxies may be voted. The Board has implemented policies and procedures that have been reasonably designed to vote proxies in the best economic interests of the funds’ shareholders, and to address any conflicts between interests of a fund’s shareholders and those of Columbia Management or other affiliated persons.

The Board votes proxies on behalf of the funds. Columbia Management provides support to the Board in connection with the proxy voting process, and has assigned responsibility to the Columbia Management Proxy Administration Team (“Proxy Team”) to administer proxies on behalf of the funds. In exercising its responsibilities, the Proxy Team may rely upon the research or recommendations of one or more third party research providers. The Proxy Team assists the Board in identifying situations where its voting guidelines do not clearly direct a vote in a particular manner and assists in researching matters and making voting recommendations. The Proxy Team may recommend that a proxy be voted in a manner contrary to the Board’s voting guidelines based on recommendations from


Table of Contents

Columbia Management investment personnel (or the investment personnel of a fund’s subadviser(s)), information obtained from independent research firms or other sources. The Proxy Team makes all recommendations in writing. Except for proposals where the recommendation from Columbia Management concurs with the recommendations from company management and the independent research firms, the Board Chair or other Board members who are independent from the investment manager will consider the recommendation and decide how to vote the proxy proposal or establish a protocol for voting the proposal. If Columbia Management, company management and the independent research firms recommend the same action on such proposals, Columbia Management is authorized to vote in accordance with the consensus recommendation.

On an annual basis, or more frequently as determined necessary, the Board reviews the voting guidelines to determine whether changes are appropriate. The Board may consider recommendations from Columbia Management to revise the existing guidelines or add new guidelines. Typically, changes to the voting guidelines are based on, among other things, industry trends and the frequency that similar proposals appear on company ballots.

The Board considers management’s recommendations as set out in the company’s proxy statement. In each instance in which a Fund votes against management’s recommendation (except when withholding votes from a nominated director or proposals on foreign company ballots), the Board generally sends a letter to senior management of the company explaining the basis for its vote. This permits both the company’s management and the Board to have an opportunity to gain better insight into issues presented by the proxy proposal(s).

Voting in Countries Outside The United States (Non-U.S. Countries)

Voting proxies for companies not domiciled in the United States may involve greater effort and cost due to a variety of regulatory schemes and corporate practices. For example, certain non-U.S. countries require trading of securities to be blocked prior to a vote, which means that the securities to be voted may not be traded within a specified number of days before the shareholder meeting. The Board typically will not vote securities in non-U.S. countries that require securities to be blocked as the need for liquidity of the securities in the Funds will typically outweigh the benefit of voting. There may be additional costs associated with voting in non-U.S. countries such that the Board may determine that the cost of voting outweighs the potential benefit.

Securities on Loan

The funds from time to time engage in lending securities held in certain funds to third parties in order to generate additional income. The Board will generally refrain from recalling securities on loan based upon its determination that the costs and lost revenue to the Funds, combined with the administrative effects of recalling the securities, generally outweigh the benefit of voting the proxy. While in general, neither the Board nor Columbia Management assesses the economic impact and benefits of voting loaned securities on a case-by-case basis, situations may arise where the Board requests that loaned securities be recalled in order to vote a proxy. However, if a proxy relates to matters that may impact the nature of a company, such as a proposed merger, acquisition


Table of Contents

or a proxy contest, and the Funds’ ownership position is significant (as determined by thresholds established by the Board), the Board has established a guideline to direct Columbia Management to endeavor to recall such securities based upon its determination that, in these situations, the benefits of voting such proxies generally outweigh the costs or lost revenue to the Funds, or any potential adverse administrative effects to the Funds, of not recalling such securities.

Investment in Affiliated Funds

Certain Funds may invest in shares of other funds managed by Columbia Management (referred to in this context as “underlying funds”) and may own substantial portions of these underlying funds. In general, the proxy policy of the Funds is to ensure that direct public shareholders of underlying funds control the outcome of any shareholder vote. To help manage this potential conflict of interest, the policy of the Funds is to vote proxies of the underlying funds in the same proportion as the vote of the direct public shareholders; provided, however, that if there are no direct public shareholders of an underlying fund or if direct public shareholders represent only a minority interest in an underlying fund, the Fund may cast votes in accordance with instructions from the independent members of the Board.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Fund

  

Portfolio Manager

   Other Accounts Managed    Performance
Based Accounts
   Ownership
of Fund
Shares
      Number and type
of account
   Approximate
Total Net Assets
(excluding the fund)
     

For fiscal period ending December 31

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth

   Paul Wick    5 RICs

6 other accounts

   $4.32 billion

$507.99 million

   None    None
  

Ajay Diwan

   3 RICs

5 other accounts

   $3.18 billion

$1.01 million

   None    None
  

Braj Agrawal

   15 other accounts    $0.24 million    None    None

Potential Conflicts of Interest:

Like other investment professionals with multiple clients, a fund’s portfolio manager(s) may face certain potential conflicts of interest in connection with managing both the fund and other accounts at the same time. The investment manager and the funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that attempt to address certain of the potential conflicts that portfolio managers face in this regard. Certain of these conflicts of interest are summarized below.

The management of accounts with different advisory fee rates and/or fee structures, including accounts that pay advisory fees based on account performance (performance fee accounts), may raise potential conflicts of interest for a portfolio manager by creating an incentive to favor higher fee accounts.

Potential conflicts of interest also may arise when a portfolio manager has personal investments in other accounts that may create an incentive to favor those accounts. As a general matter and subject to the investment manager’s Code of Ethics and certain limited exceptions, the investment manager’s investment professionals do not have the opportunity to invest in client


Table of Contents

accounts, other than the funds.

A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts managed by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.

A portfolio manager may be able to select or influence the selection of the broker/dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds. A portfolio manager’s decision as to the selection of broker/dealers could produce disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and the other accounts the portfolio manager manages.

A potential conflict of interest may arise when a portfolio manager buys or sells the same securities for a fund and other accounts. On occasions when a portfolio manager considers the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of a fund as well as other accounts, the investment manager’s trading desk may, to the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations, aggregate the securities to be sold or bought in order to obtain the best execution and lower brokerage commissions, if any. Aggregation of trades may create the potential for unfairness to a fund or another account if a portfolio manager favors one account over another in allocating the securities bought or sold.

“Cross trades,” in which a portfolio manager sells a particular security held by a fund to another account (potentially saving transaction costs for both accounts), could involve a potential conflict of interest if, for example, a portfolio manager is permitted to sell a security from one account to another account at a higher price than an independent third party would pay. The investment manager and the funds have adopted compliance procedures that provide that any transactions between a fund and another account managed by the investment manager are to be made at a current market price, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

Another potential conflict of interest may arise based on the different investment objectives and strategies of a fund and other accounts managed by its portfolio manager(s). Depending on another account’s objectives and other factors, a portfolio manager may give advice to and make decisions for a fund that may differ from advice given, or the timing or nature of decisions made, with respect to another account. A portfolio manager’s investment decisions are the product of many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular account involved. Thus, a portfolio manager may buy or sell a particular security for certain accounts, and not for a fund, even though it could have been bought or sold for the fund at the same time. A portfolio manager also may buy a particular security for one or more accounts when one or more other accounts are selling the security (including short sales). There may be circumstances when a portfolio manager’s purchases or sales of portfolio securities for one or more accounts may have an adverse effect on other accounts, including the funds.

A fund’s portfolio manager(s) also may have other potential conflicts of interest in managing the fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict that could exist in managing the fund and other accounts. Many of the potential conflicts of interest to which the investment manager’s portfolio managers are subject are essentially the same or


Table of Contents

similar to the potential conflicts of interest related to the investment management activities of the investment manager and its affiliates.

Structure of Compensation:

Portfolio manager compensation is typically comprised of (i) a base salary and (ii) an annual cash bonus. The annual cash bonus, and in some instances the base salary, are paid from a team bonus pool that is based on fees and performance of the accounts managed by the portfolio management team, which might include mutual funds, wrap accounts, institutional portfolios and hedge funds.

The percentage of management fees on mutual funds and long-only institutional portfolios that fund the bonus pool is based on the short term (typically one-year) and long-term (typically three-year and five-year) performance of those accounts in relation to the relevant peer group universe.

A fixed percentage of management fees on hedge funds and separately managed accounts that follow a hedge fund mandate fund the bonus pool.

The percentage of performance fees on hedge funds and separately managed accounts that follow a hedge fund mandate that fund the bonus pool is based on the absolute level of each hedge fund’s current year investment return.

For all employees the benefit programs generally are the same, and are competitive within the Financial Services Industry. Employees participate in a wide variety of plans, including options in Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, 401(k), and a cash balance pension plan.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

The Fund has a share repurchase plan approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors, which authorizes repurchases of the Fund’s common stock in the open market at times when shares are trading at a discount from NAV and in an amount approximately sufficient to offset the growth in the number of common shares attributable to the reinvestment of the portion of its distributions to common stockholders attributable to distributions received from portfolio investments less Fund expenses. The Fund has not repurchased shares during the period.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors.


Table of Contents

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officers, based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, have concluded that such controls and procedures are adequately designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by the registrant in Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

  (b) During November 2012, the registrant enhanced internal controls over financial reporting relating to the recording of certain last day trades. These controls include (i) additional analysis of last day security purchase prices, (ii) comparisons of cost and market value for last day trades and (iii) analytical review of per share changes resulting from financial statement adjustments.

Item 12. Exhibits.

(a)(1) Code of ethics required to be disclosed under Item 2 of Form N-CSR attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(registrant)  

Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund, Inc.

By (Signature and Title)    

/s/ J. Kevin Connaughton

 

J. Kevin Connaughton, President and Principal Executive Officer

Date  

February 21, 2013

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

 

By (Signature and Title)    

/s/ J. Kevin Connaughton

 

J. Kevin Connaughton, President and Principal Executive Officer

Date  

February 21, 2013

By (Signature and Title)    

/s/ Michael G. Clarke

 

Michael G. Clarke, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Date  

February 21, 2013