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 811-06416
DTF Tax-Free Income 2028 Term Fund Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
10 South Wacker Drive, 19th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
| Alan M. Meder DTF Tax-Free Income 2028 Fund Inc. 10 South Wacker Drive, 19th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
Adam D. Kanter, Esq. Mayer Brown LLP 1999 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-1101 |
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 312-368-5510
Date of fiscal year end: October 31
Date of reporting period: April 30, 2025
| Item 1. | Reports to Stockholders. |
| (a) | The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith. |
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 12, 2025
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FUND
FUND DIVIDEND
As of
April 30, 2025, DTF Tax-Free Income 2028 Term Fund Inc. (the “DTF Fund” or the “Fund”) was paying a $0.39 per share annualized dividend and had a closing price of $11.19 per share. The Fund’s monthly distribution was
maintained at 3.25¢ per share for the previous six months.
On March
6, 2023, the DTF Fund amended its distribution policy to allow the Fund’s monthly distribution to include return of capital as well as net investment income. While a portion of future monthly distributions is expected to come from return of
capital, the amended policy enables the Fund to maintain a more stable distribution, which is likely to be supportive of the Fund’s market price. A periodic return of capital also aligns with the short-term nature of the term structure of the
Fund. The Fund’s policy of making annual distributions of capital gains is unaffected by this change. Refer to the financial highlights section in this report for further information about the Fund’s distributions and its effect on net
asset value.
BENCHMARK
CHANGE
Reflective of
the Fund’s remaining time horizon under its term structure, the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Index is being replaced by the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1 Year Index beginning with this report. The Bloomberg Municipal Bond 5 Year Index will remain as
a second benchmark. The investment adviser believes the use of this index, together with the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 5 Year Index, will allow for a more meaningful basis for performance evaluation as the DTF Fund moves closer to its March 1, 2028
termination date.
THE CURRENT MUNICIPAL
MARKET ENVIRONMENT
We begin our discussion of
the DTF Fund for the six months ended April 30, 2025, with a review of the municipal market environment in which the Fund invests.
The fixed income markets from November 2024 to
April 2025 can be best characterized by heightened volatility driven by policy shifts and global economic developments. Investors adapted by adjusting their portfolios to shorter duration and higher quality credits to navigate the evolving
landscape.
On a relative basis, during the
period, the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Index, a broad-based measure of the municipal market (-0.78% ), underperformed all other fixed income classes; the Bloomberg Treasury Index (2.77%), the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (2.57%), the Bloomberg
U.S. Government/Credit Index (2.39%), and the Bloomberg Corporate Index (1.64%). Municipal bond total return performance for the period was inversely correlated with maturity, with the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1 Year Index providing the
highest return (1.29%) and the Bloomberg Municipal Long Bond Index (22 years+) (-2.24%) producing the lowest return. Buying activity
1
in the front end of the curve remained solid and the
1–10-year part of the curve finished the period with positive returns. Meanwhile, an absence of buyers and an uncertain economic outlook caused underperformance of the long end.
Municipal supply continues to be robust. Through
April 30, 2025, tax-exempt new issuance totaled $154 billion, more than 16% higher year over year and 45% higher than the trailing five-year average. Overall demand has been positive in 2025, as evidenced by inflows into the sector tracking around
$6.7 billion through the end of April. Of particular note is that the majority of the inflows are into ETFs ($5.8 billion) rather than open end funds ($0.9 billion); when measured by credit quality, the flows appear more evenly distributed ($3.2
billion high yield vs. $3.5 billion investment grade).
The underlying credit picture for the municipal
market remains broadly stable. As seen over the last several years, rating upgrades continued to exceed downgrades. However, the differential has decreased dramatically—at least for S&P. In the first quarter of 2025, S&P raised 228
municipal ratings and lowered 221, resulting in an upgrade-to-downgrade ratio of 1.03x. In fact, for several sectors, the number of ratings downgrades exceeded the number of upgrades, including higher education, healthcare, and water &
sewer.
Credit risk premiums, which refer to
the additional yield that investors expect to receive as compensation for buying lower- rated securities, were wider during the six-months ended April 30, 2025 for investment grade rated bonds (more so for BBB-rated bonds). In contrast, below
investment grade rated credit risk premiums were unchanged. Our investment strategy continues to focus on higher quality municipalities that exhibit value for the longer term. While the federal stimulus may have helped bolster the overall
economy and municipal fundamentals, we believe that credits are not created equal and need to be analyzed with a longer-term horizon in mind. Municipalities still face serious challenges in funding large capital expenditures to rebuild
America’s aging infrastructure, improve pension plan funding, and protect communities against climate change.
LOOKING AHEAD
In our view, municipal bonds will likely remain
attractive in 2025, driven in large part by investor demand. Absolute rates remain near decade highs, and credit fundamentals remain stable. Supply is likely to be sizeable, but investor demand should continue to keep the market in balance. Further,
municipals continue to benefit from a lack of correlation to other asset classes, while defaults remain rare.
THE FUND
In managing the DTF Fund, we continue to
emphasize our longstanding strategy of investing mostly in higher-quality, investment grade bonds. The portfolio is well distributed along the maturity and credit risk curves, with higher levels of “AA” rated bonds relative to the
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 5 Year Index.
As
of April 30, 2025, the Fund held more than 90% of its total assets in municipal bonds rated “A” or higher across multiple sectors and states. The Fund is diversified across various revenue sectors and general obligation bonds. More than
73% of the Fund is invested in revenue bonds as we prefer the dedicated revenue streams and the more settled legal protections these types of bonds have historically offered. Geographically, the Fund is well diversified with exposure to 28
states.
Maturity and duration are measures
of the sensitivity of a fund’s portfolio to changes in interest rates. More specifically, duration refers to the percentage change in a bond’s price for a given change in rates (typically plus or minus 100 bps). In general, the greater
the duration of a portfolio, the greater is the potential percentage price
2
volatility for a given change in interest rates. As of April 30,
2025, the modified adjusted duration of the Fund’s portfolio was 3.1 years compared to 3.7 years for the Bloomberg Municipal 5 Year Index.
In addition to the risk of disruptions in the
broader credit market, the level of interest rates can be a primary driver of total returns, including the DTF Fund’s. As a practical matter, it is not possible for the Fund to be completely insulated from turmoil in the global financial
markets or unexpected moves in interest rates. Any sudden or unexpected rise in interest rates would likely reduce the total return, as higher interest rates could be expected to depress the valuations of fixed-rate bonds held in a fund. Management
believes that over the long term, the diversification of the portfolio across multiple states and sectors, in addition to the distribution of assets along the yield curve, positions the Fund to take advantage of future opportunities while
potentially limiting credit risk and volatility.
FUND PERFORMANCE
The following table compares the DTF Fund’s
total return to the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1 Year Index and Bloomberg Municipal 5 Year Index. It is important to note that the index returns stated below include no fees or expenses, whereas the DTF Fund’s NAV returns are net of fees and
expenses.
The fund’s exposure to bonds
with maturities greater than 10 years was a detriment to performance while an overweight to AA-rated paper and an underweight to BBB-rated paper versus the benchmark were additive.
| Total
Return1 For the period indicated through April 30, 2025 | ||||
| Six Months | One Year | Five
Years (annualized) |
Ten
Years (annualized) | |
| DTF Tax-Free Income 2028 Term Fund Inc. | ||||
| Market Value2 | 1.7% | 7.0% | -0.1% | 1.2% |
| Net Asset Value3 | 0.2% | 1.7% | -1.2% | 0.7% |
| Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1 Year Index4 | 1.2% | 3.5% | 1.5% | 1.4% |
| Bloomberg Municipal Bond 5 Year Index5 | 0.4% | 2.8% | 1.2% | 1.7% |
| 1 | Past performance is not indicative of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than performance in historical periods. |
| 2 | Total return on market value assumes a purchase of common stock at the opening market price on the first business day and a sale at the closing market price on the last business day of each period shown in the table and assumes reinvestment of dividends at the actual reinvestment prices obtained under the terms of the DTF Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return on market value does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on fund distributions or the sale of fund shares. In addition, when buying or selling stock, you would ordinarily pay brokerage expenses. Because brokerage expenses and taxes are not reflected in the above calculations, your total return net of brokerage and tax expense would be lower than the total returns on market value shown in the table. Source: Administrator of the DTF Fund. |
| 3 | Total return on NAV uses the same methodology as is described in note 2, but with use of NAV for beginning, ending and reinvestment values. Because the DTF Fund’s expenses (ratios detailed on page 16 of this report) reduce the DTF Fund’s NAV, they are already reflected in the DTF Fund’s total return on NAV shown in the table. NAV represents the underlying value of the DTF Fund’s net assets, but the market price per share may be higher or lower than the NAV. Source: Administrator of the DTF Fund. |
3
| 4 | The Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1 Year Index is the 1 year component of the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Index. It is designed to measure the one-to-two-year area of the tax-exempt bond market. The index is calculated on a total return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged, its returns do not reflect any fees, expenses, or sales charges, and it is not available for direct investment. Source: Bloomberg. |
| 5 | The Bloomberg Municipal Bond 5 Year Index is the 5 year component of the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Index. It is designed to measure the four-to-six-year area of the tax-exempt bond market. The index is calculated on a total return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged, its returns do not reflect any fees, expenses, or sales charges, and it is not available for direct investment. Source: Bloomberg. |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
At the regular March and June 2025 meetings of
the DTF Fund’s Board of Directors, the Board authorized the following monthly dividends:
| Cents
Per Share |
Record
Date |
Payable
Date |
Cents
Per Share |
Record
Date |
Payable
Date | |||||
| 3.25 | April 15 | April 30 | 3.25 | July 15 | July 31 | |||||
| 3.25 | May 15 | May 30 | 3.25 | August 15 | August 29 | |||||
| 3.25 | June 16 | June 30 | 3.25 | September 15 | September 30 |
ABOUT YOUR FUND
The Fund’s investment objective is current
income exempt from regular federal income tax consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily (at least 80% of its total assets) in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade
tax-exempt obligations. The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in the securities of issuers in a single industry; provided that, for purposes of this restriction, tax exempt
securities of issuers that are states, municipalities or their political subdivisions are not considered to be the securities of issuers in any single industry.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT TEAM
On May 16, 2025, Phillip Hooks, departed the
firm. Dusty Self will continue as CIO and portfolio manager and will continue to be supported by senior analyst Angela Kukoda, and analyst Christopher Gonzales. Please be assured that our commitment to the integrity and performance of your
fund remains unchanged.
| Dusty
L. Self Vice President and Chief Investment Officer |
David D. Grumhaus,
Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer |
Certain statements in this report are
forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio
managers as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market
and other factors. The Fund disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward looking statements or views expressed herein.
4
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
April 30, 2025
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
($ reported in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
financial statements.
5
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
($ reported in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
financial statements.
6
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
($ reported in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
financial statements.
7
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
($ reported in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
financial statements.
8
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
($ reported in thousands)
| Par Value | Description | Value | ||
| ■ Wisconsin—0.9% | ||||
| 495 |
Public Finance Authority Revenue 4.000%, 8/1/59 (Mandatory put
7/01/26)(1) |
$494 | ||
| 250 |
Public Finance Authority, Waste Management, Inc. Project Revenue (AMT) 2.875%, 5/1/27
|
243 | ||
| 737 | ||||
| Total
Municipal Bonds (Cost $83,543) |
82,635 | |||
| Total
Long-Term Investments—97.8% (Cost $83,543) |
82,635 | |||
| Short-Term Investment—1.2% | ||||
| Municipal Bond—1.2% | ||||
| ■ New Jersey—1.2% | ||||
| 1,000 |
Monmouth County Improvement Authority Governmental Pooled Loan Project Revenue (CNTY GTD Insured) 4.000%,
3/13/26 |
1,006 | ||
| Total
Short-Term Investment (Cost $1,010) |
1,006 | |||
| TOTAL
INVESTMENTS—99.0% (Cost $84,553) |
83,641 | |||
|
Other assets less
liabilities—1.0% |
851 | |||
| NET ASSETS—100.0% | $ 84,492 | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these financial statements.
9
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
($ reported in thousands)
| AGC | Assured Guaranty Corp. |
| AGM | Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. |
| AMT | Alternative Minimum Tax |
| BAM | Build America Municipal Insured |
| CNTY GTD | County Guarantee Program |
| COP | Certificate of Participation |
| FHA | Federal Housing Authority |
| FHLMC | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) |
| FNMA | Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) |
| GNMA | Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) |
| NATL | National Public Finance Guarantee Corp. |
| PSF-GTD | Permanent School Fund Guarantee Program |
| ST AID WITHHLDG | State Aid Withholding |
| ST APPROP | State Appropriation |
| ST INTERCEPT | State Intercept |
| ST RES FD GTY | State Resource Fund Guaranty |
| (1) | Variable or step coupon security; interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at April 30, 2025. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in the description above. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above. |
| (2) | Prerefunded and refunded issues are secured by escrowed cash, U.S. government obligations, or other securities. |
The percentage shown for each investment category is
the total value of that category as a percentage of the net assets applicable to common stock of the Fund.
The Fund’s investments are carried at fair
value which is defined as the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. The three-tier hierarchy
of inputs established to classify fair value measurements for disclosure purposes is summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for
identical securities
Level 2—other
significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.)
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs
(including the Investment Adviser’s Valuation Committee’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
10
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing
securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each of the Fund’s investments at April 30, 2025:
| Level 2 | |
|
Municipal
Bonds |
$83,641 |
|
Total
investments |
$83,641 |
There were no Level 1 or
Level 3 priced securities held at April 30, 2025 and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 related to securities held at April 30, 2025.
| Summary
of Ratings as a Percentage of Long-Term Investments | ||
| Rating * | % | |
|
AAA |
11.5 | |
|
AA |
45.6 | |
|
A |
30.1 | |
|
BBB |
1.6 | |
|
BB |
0.0 | |
|
B |
0.0 | |
|
NR |
11.2 | |
| 100 | ||
| * | Individual ratings are grouped based on the lower rating of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and are expressed using the S&P ratings scale. If a particular security is rated by either S&P or Moody’s, but not both, then the single rating is used. If a particular security is not rated by either S&P or Moody’s, then a rating from Fitch Ratings, Inc. is used, if available. The Fund does not evaluate these ratings but simply assigns them to the appropriate credit quality category as determined by the ratings agencies, as applicable. Securities that have not been rated by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch totaled 11.2% of the portfolio at the end of the reporting period. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these financial statements.
11
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
| Portfolio
Composition as a Percentage of Long-Term Investments | |
| % | |
|
General
Obligation |
24.6 |
|
Appropriation |
9.0 |
|
Dedicated
Tax |
8.9 |
|
Water &
Sewer |
7.7 |
|
Leasing |
7.2 |
|
Transportation |
6.4 |
|
Healthcare |
5.4 |
|
Airport |
4.8 |
|
Higher
Education |
4.4 |
|
Special Tax
|
4.2 |
|
Other |
17.4 |
| 100.0 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
12
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
(Reported in thousands except shares and per share
amounts)
| Assets | |
|
Investments at value (cost $84,553)
|
$ 83,641 |
|
Cash
|
1,841 |
| Receivables | |
|
Interest |
1,167 |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
17 |
|
Total
assets |
86,666 |
| Liabilities | |
| Payables | |
|
Investment securities purchased
|
2,083 |
|
Investment advisory fees (Note
3) |
35 |
|
Administrative fees (Note
3) |
9 |
|
Accrued
expenses |
47 |
|
Total
liabilities |
2,174 |
|
Net
Assets |
$ 84,492 |
| CAPITAL: | |
|
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 599,996,750 shares authorized and 7,029,567 shares issued and
outstanding) |
$ 70 |
|
Additional paid-in
capital |
94,904 |
|
Total distributable earnings (accumulated
losses) |
(10,482) |
|
Net
Assets |
$ 84,492 |
|
NET ASSET
VALUE |
$ 12.02 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
13
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
($ reported in thousands)
| INVESTMENT INCOME: | |
|
Interest
|
$1,369 |
| EXPENSES: | |
|
Investment advisory fees (Note
3) |
212 |
|
Administrative fees (Note
3) |
54 |
|
Professional
fees |
97 |
|
Reports to shareholders
|
30 |
|
Transfer agent
fees |
25 |
|
Custodian fees
|
14 |
|
Directors’ fees (Note
3) |
5 |
|
Accounting agent
fees |
2 |
|
Other
expenses |
15 |
|
Total
expenses |
454 |
|
Net investment income
(loss) |
915 |
| REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS): | |
|
Net realized gain (loss) on
investments |
(52) |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation / depreciation on
investments |
(685) |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) |
(737) |
|
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
OPERATIONS |
$ 178 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
14
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
($ reported in
thousands)
| For
the six months ended April 30, 2025 (Unaudited) |
For
the year ended October 31, 2024 | ||
| OPERATIONS: | |||
|
Net investment income
(loss) |
$ 915 | $ 2,116 | |
|
Net realized gain
(loss) |
(52) | (523) | |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation / depreciation
|
(685) | 2,638 | |
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common stock resulting from
operations |
178 | 4,231 | |
| DISTRIBUTIONS TO STOCKHOLDERS: | |||
|
Net investment income and capital
gains |
(915) * | (2,116) | |
|
In excess of net investment
income |
(456) * | — | |
|
Return of
capital |
— | (626) | |
|
Decrease in net assets from distributions
to
stockholders |
(1,371) | (2,742) | |
|
Total increase (decrease) in net
assets |
(1,193) | 1,489 | |
| NET ASSETS: | |||
|
Beginning of
period |
85,685 | 84,196 | |
|
End of
period |
$84,492 | $85,685 |
| * | Allocations to net investment income, net realized gain and/or return of capital will be determined at fiscal year end. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
15
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—SELECTED PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS
The table below provides information about income
and capital changes for a share of common stock outstanding throughout the periods indicated (excluding supplemental data provided below):
| For
the six months ended April 30, 2025 (Unaudited) |
For the year ended October 31, | ||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| PER SHARE DATA: | |||||||||||
|
Net asset value, beginning of
period |
$ 12.19 | $ 11.98 | $ 11.93 | $ 15.72 | $ 15.79 | $ 15.75 | |||||
|
Net investment income
(loss) |
0.13 | 0.30 | 0.22 | 0.33 | 0.43 | 0.44 | |||||
|
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) |
(0.10) | 0.30 | 0.22 | (3.57) | (0.01) | 0.08 | |||||
| Net increase (decrease) from investment operations applicable to common stock | 0.03 | 0.60 | 0.44 | (3.24) | 0.42 | 0.52 | |||||
| Distributions on common stock: | |||||||||||
|
Net investment
income |
(0.13) | (0.30) | (0.30) | (0.39) | (0.49) | (0.48) | |||||
|
In excess of net investment income
|
(0.07) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
|
Net realized
gain |
— | — | — | (0.16) | — (1) | — (1) | |||||
|
Return of
capital |
— | (0.09) | (0.09) | — | — | — | |||||
| Total distributions | (0.20) | (0.39) | (0.39) | (0.55) | (0.49) | (0.48) | |||||
|
Net asset value, end of
period |
$ 12.02 | $ 12.19 | $ 11.98 | $ 11.93 | $ 15.72 | $ 15.79 | |||||
|
Per share market value, end of
period |
$ 11.19 | $ 11.19 | $ 10.51 | $ 10.79 | $ 14.26 | $ 14.21 | |||||
| RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK: | |||||||||||
|
Operating
expenses |
1.07%* | 0.97% | 2.72% | 3.13% | 2.37% | 2.27% | |||||
|
Operating expenses, without
leverage |
1.07%* | 0.97% | 1.18% | 1.32% | 1.46% | 1.17% | |||||
|
Net investment
income |
2.16%* | 2.46% | 1.79% | 2.39% | 2.57% | 2.83% | |||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | |||||||||||
|
Total return on market
value(2) |
1.73% | 10.30% | 0.91% | (21.04)% | 3.62% | 3.62% | |||||
|
Total return on net asset
value(2) |
0.20% | 5.03% | 3.62% | (21.10)% | 2.54% | 3.39% | |||||
|
Portfolio turnover
rate |
24% | 59% | 27% | 7% | 10% | 13% | |||||
|
Net assets applicable to common stock, end of period (000’s
omitted) |
$84,492 | $85,685 | $84,196 | $ 83,859 | $110,483 | $134,501 | |||||
|
Preferred stock outstanding, end of period (000’s
omitted)(3) |
$ — | $ — | $ — | $ 65,000 | $ 65,000 | $ 65,000 | |||||
|
Asset coverage on preferred
stock(4) |
$ — | $ — | $ — | $229,013 | $269,973 | $306,925 | |||||
|
Asset coverage ratio on preferred
stock(5) |
—% | —% | —% | 229% | 270% | 307% | |||||
| * | Annualized. |
| (1) | Amount per share is less than $0.01. |
| (2) | Total return on market value assumes a purchase of common stock at the opening market price on the first business day and a sale at the closing market price on the last business day of each period shown in the table and assumes reinvestment of dividends at the actual reinvestment prices obtained under the terms of the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return on market value does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on fund distributions or the sale of fund shares. In addition, when buying or selling stock, you would ordinarily pay brokerage expenses. Because brokerage expenses and taxes are not reflected in the above calculations, your total return net of brokerage and tax expense would be lower than the total return on market value shown in the table. Total return on net asset value uses the same methodology, but with use of net asset value for beginning, ending and reinvestment values. |
| (3) | During the year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund voluntarily redeemed all 650 of its Series 2050 Remarketable Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares at 100% of its liquidation preference plus accrued dividends. |
| (4) | Represents value of net assets applicable to common stock plus preferred stock outstanding at period end divided by the preferred stock outstanding at period end, calculated per $100 liquidation preference per share of preferred stock. |
| (5) | Represents value of net assets applicable to common stock plus preferred stock outstanding at period end divided by the preferred stock outstanding at period end. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these financial statements.
16
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
April 30, 2025
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization
DTF Tax-Free Income 2028 Term Fund Inc. (the
“Fund”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on September 24, 1991. The Fund commenced operations on November 29, 1991 as a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s investment objective is current income exempt from regular federal income tax consistent with preservation of capital.
The Fund will terminate on or before March 1,
2028 unless (i) within 12 months prior to that date, the Fund conducts a tender offer for all of its outstanding shares at 100% of their net asset value, (ii) the results of the tender offer leave the Fund with net assets of at least $75 million and
(iii) a majority of the entire Board of Directors votes to reinstate the Fund’s perpetual existence.
Note 2. Significant Accounting
Policies
The Fund is an investment company
that follows the accounting and reporting guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 applicable to Investment Companies.
The following are the significant accounting
policies of the Fund:
A. Investment
Valuation: Debt securities are generally valued based on the evaluated bid using prices provided by one or more dealers regularly making a market in that security, an independent pricing service, or quotes from
broker dealers, when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities and are generally classified as Level 2. The relative liquidity of some securities in the Fund’s portfolio may adversely affect the ability of the Fund
to accurately value such securities. The Fund’s Board of Directors has designated the Investment Adviser as the valuation designee to perform fair valuations pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. Any securities for which it is determined
that market prices are unavailable or inappropriate are fair valued using the Investment Adviser’s Valuation Committee’s own assumptions and are classified as Level 2 or 3 based on the valuation inputs.
B. Investment
Transactions and Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on
the accrual basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on securities using the effective interest method. Premiums on securities are amortized over the period remaining until first call date, if any, or if none, the remaining life of
the security and discounts are accreted over the remaining life of the security for financial reporting purposes.
C. Federal
Income Taxes: It is the Fund’s intention to comply with requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income or excise taxes is required. Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax
positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. The Fund’s U.S. federal income tax returns are generally subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years after they are
filed.
17
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
State and local tax returns and/or other filings may
be subject to examination for different periods, depending upon the rules of each applicable jurisdiction.
D. Dividends
and Distributions: The Fund declares and pays dividends on its common stock monthly. Net capital gains, if any, in excess of capital loss carryforwards are expected to be distributed annually. Dividends and
distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The amount and timing of distributions are generally
determined in accordance with federal tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
E. Use of
Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the
financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Note 3. Agreements and Management
Arrangements
($ reported in thousands)
A. Adviser: The Fund has an Advisory Agreement with Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. (the “Adviser”), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (“Virtus”). The
investment advisory fee is payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets, which is defined as the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund minus the sum of all accrued liabilities of the
Fund (other than the aggregate amount of any outstanding borrowings or other indebtedness constituting financial leverage).
B.
Administrator: Effective March 1, 2025, the Fund has an Administration Agreement with Virtus Fund Services, LLC (the “Administrator”), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Virtus. The administration fee
is payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.10% of the first $3 billion of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets, and 0.08% of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets over $3 billion. Prior to March 1, 2025, the Fund maintained an
Administration Agreement with Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, which had a quarterly fee payable at an annual rate of 0.14% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets, which was defined as the average weekly value of the total assets of
the Fund minus the sum of all accrued liabilities of the Fund (including the aggregate amount of any outstanding borrowings or other indebtedness constituting financial leverage).
C. Directors: The Fund pays each director not affiliated with the Adviser an annual fee. Total fees paid to directors for the six months ended April 30, 2025 were $5.
Note 4. Investment Transactions
($ reported in thousands)
Purchases and sales of investment securities for the
six months ended April 30, 2025 were $20,066 and $19,450, respectively.
18
DTF TAX-FREE INCOME 2028 TERM FUND INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
April 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
Note 5. Distributions and Tax
Information
($ reported in thousands)
At April 30, 2025, the approximate federal tax cost
and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:
| Federal
Tax Cost |
Unrealized
Appreciation |
Unrealized
(Depreciation) |
Net
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | ||||
| $84,552 | $349 | $(1,260) | $(911) |
At October 31, 2024,
the Fund had unused capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code. The character and amounts of the carryforwards are given in the table below. These capital losses
are not subject to expiration.
| Short-Term | Long-Term | |
| $101 | $8,961 |
Note 6. Indemnifications
Under the Fund’s organizational documents,
its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to
other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not occurred. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these
arrangements and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Note 7. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the impact of all
subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in these financial statements other than the matter disclosed
below.
On May 9, 2025, Computershare Trust
Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) replaced Equiniti Trust Company, LLC as the Fund’s Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent. Computershare’s appointment was approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors on December 12,
2024.
19
RENEWAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
(Unaudited)
Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the terms of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement must be reviewed and approved at least annually by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”), including a majority of the directors
who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”). Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act also requires the Fund’s directors to request and evaluate, and
the Fund’s investment adviser to furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of the investment advisory agreement. To assist the Board with this responsibility, the Board has appointed a Contracts Committee,
which is composed of the Independent Directors of the Fund and acts under a written charter that was most recently amended on December 17, 2015. A copy of the charter is available on the Fund’s website at www.dpimc.com/dtf and in print to any
shareholder, upon request.
The Contracts
Committee, assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel, conducted an annual review of the terms of the Fund’s contractual arrangements, including the investment advisory agreement with Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. (the
“Adviser”). Set forth below is a description of the Contracts Committee’s annual review of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, which provided the material basis for the Board’s decision to continue the investment
advisory agreement.
In the course of the
Contracts Committee’s review, the members of the Contracts Committee considered all of the information they deemed appropriate, including informational materials furnished by the Adviser in response to requests made by independent counsel on
behalf of the Contracts Committee. In arriving at its recommendation that continuation of the investment advisory agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, the Contracts Committee took into account all factors that it
deemed relevant, without identifying any single factor or group of factors as all-important or controlling. Among the factors considered by the Contracts Committee, and the conclusion reached with respect to each, were the following:
Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Contracts Committee considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser. Among other materials, the Adviser furnished the Contracts Committee with a copy of its most recent
investment adviser registration form (Form ADV). In evaluating the quality of the Adviser’s services, the Contracts Committee noted the various complexities involved in the operations of the Fund and concluded that the Adviser is consistently
providing high-quality services to the Fund in an increasingly complex environment. The Contracts Committee also considered the Fund’s investment performance as discussed below. The Contracts Committee also took into account its evaluation of
the quality of the Adviser’s code of ethics and compliance program. The Contracts Committee also considered the consistent quality of the services being provided by the Adviser. In light of the foregoing, the Contracts Committee concluded that
it was generally satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser.
Investment performance of the Fund and the Adviser. The Contracts Committee reviewed the Fund’s investment performance over time and compared that performance to other funds in its peer group. In making its comparisons, the Contracts Committee utilized data
provided by the Adviser and a report from Broadridge (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data. As reported by Broadridge, the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) total return ranked below the
median among all leveraged closed-end general and insured municipal debt funds for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended June 30, 2024. The Adviser provided the Contracts Committee with performance information for the Fund for various periods,
measured against two benchmarks: the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Leveraged Municipal Debt Funds Average (the Fund’s category as determined by Thomson Reuters Lipper). The Committee noted that the Fund’s NAV total return
and market value total return had each underperformed both the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index and the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 5 Year Index for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended June 30, 2024. The Committee further noted that the
Fund’s total return on both an NAV basis and market value basis had underperformed compared to the Lipper Leveraged Municipal Debt Fund Average for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods ended June 30, 2024. In evaluating the
20
Fund’s performance, the Contracts Committee further
considered the Adviser’s explanation that the fixed-income investments comprising certain of the benchmarks include higher yielding, lower-quality bonds in which the Fund is not permitted to invest.
Costs of services and profits realized. The Contracts Committee considered the reasonableness of the compensation paid to the Adviser, in both absolute and comparative terms, and also the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates from its
relationship with the Fund. To facilitate this analysis, the Contracts Committee retained Broadridge to furnish a report comparing the Fund’s management fee (defined as the sum of the advisory fee and administration fee) and other expenses to
the similar expenses of other municipal debt funds selected by Broadridge (the “Broadridge expense group”). The Contracts Committee reviewed, among other things, information provided by Broadridge comparing the Fund’s contractual
management fee rate (at common asset levels) and actual management fee rate (reflecting fee waivers, if any) as a percentage of total assets and as a percentage of assets attributable to common stock to other funds in its Broadridge expense group.
Based on the data provided on management fee rates, the Contracts Committee noted that: (i) the Fund’s contractual management fee rate at a common asset level was slightly above but close to the median of its Broadridge expense group; (ii) the
actual total expense rate was below the median of its Broadridge expense group on the basis of assets attributable to common stock and on a total asset basis; and (iii) the actual management fee rate was below the median of its Broadridge expense
group on the basis of assets attributable to common stock, but higher than the median on a total asset basis.
In reviewing expense ratio comparisons between
the Fund and other funds in the peer group selected by Broadridge, the Contracts Committee considered leverage-related expenses separately from other expenses. The Contracts Committee noted that the Broadridge report was for the period
ended June 30, 2024, which included such leverage-related expenses; however it was also noted that the Fund had subsequently ceased using leverage following the redemption of all of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares on July 31, 2023 and
that accordingly its use of leverage for the period ended June 30, 2024 constituted only a single month. The Contracts Committee noted that leverage-related expenses are not conducive to direct comparisons between funds, because the
leverage-related expenses on a fund’s income statement are significantly affected by the amount, type and tenor of the leverage used by each fund, among other factors. Also, unlike all the other expenses of the Fund (and other funds)
which are incurred in return for a service, leverage expenses are incurred in return for the receipt of additional capital that is then invested by the Fund (and other funds using leverage) in additional portfolio securities that produce revenue
directly offsetting the leverage expenses. Accordingly, in evaluating the cost of the Fund’s leverage, the Contracts Committee considered the specific benefits to the Fund’s common shareholders of maintaining such leverage, noting
that the Fund’s management and the Board regularly monitor the amount, form, terms and risks of the Fund’s leverage.
The Adviser also furnished the Contracts
Committee with copies of its financial statements, and the financial statements of its parent company, Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. The Adviser also provided information regarding the revenue and expenses related to its management of the Fund,
and the methodology used by the Adviser in allocating such revenue and expenses among its various clients. In reviewing those financial statements and other materials, the Contracts Committee examined the profitability of the investment advisory
agreement to the Adviser and determined that the profitability of that contract was reasonable in light of the services rendered to the Fund. The Contracts Committee considered that the Adviser must be able to compensate its employees at competitive
levels in order to attract and retain high-quality personnel to provide high-quality service to the Fund. The Contracts Committee concluded that the investment advisory fee was the product of arm’s length bargaining and that it was fair and
reasonable to the Fund.
Economies of scale. The Contracts Committee considered whether the Fund has appropriately benefited from any economies of scale. The Contracts Committee concluded that currently the Fund is not sufficiently large to realize benefits from
economies of scale with fee breakpoints. The Contracts Committee encouraged the Adviser to
21
continue to work towards reducing costs by leveraging relationships
with service providers across the complex of funds advised by the Adviser.
Comparison with other advisory contracts. The Contracts Committee also received comparative information from the Adviser with respect to its standard fee schedule for investment advisory clients other than the Fund. The Contracts Committee noted that, among all
accounts managed by the Adviser, the Fund’s advisory fee rate is higher than the Adviser’s standard fee schedule. However, the Contracts Committee noted that the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund are significantly more
extensive and demanding than the services provided by the Adviser to its non-investment company, institutional accounts. Specifically, in providing services to the Fund, the Contracts Committee considered that the Adviser needs to: (1) comply with
the 1940 Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other federal securities laws and New York Stock Exchange requirements, (2) provide for and oversee external reporting (including semi-annual reports to shareholders, annual audited financial statements and
disclosure of proxy voting), tax compliance and reporting (which are particularly complex for investment companies), requirements of Section 19 of the 1940 Act relating to the source of distributions, (3) prepare for and attend meetings of the Board
and its committees, (4) communicate with Board and committee members between meetings, (5) communicate with a retail shareholder base consisting of thousands of investors and (6) respond to unanticipated issues in the financial markets or regulatory
environment that can impact the Fund. Based on the fact that the Adviser only provides the foregoing services to its investment company clients and not to its institutional account clients, the Contracts Committee concluded that the management fees
charged to the Fund are reasonable compared to those charged to other clients of the Adviser, when the nature and scope of the services provided to the Funds are taken into account. Furthermore, the Contracts Committee noted that many of the
Adviser’s other clients would not be considered “like accounts” of the Fund because these accounts are not of similar size and do not have the same investment objectives as, or possess other characteristics similar to, the
Fund.
Indirect benefits. The Contracts Committee considered possible sources of indirect benefits to the Adviser from its relationship to the Fund, and enhanced reputation that may aid in obtaining new clients. As a fixed-income fund, the
Contracts Committee noted that the Fund does not utilize affiliates of the Adviser for brokerage purposes.
Conclusion. Based
upon its evaluation of all material factors, including the foregoing, and assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel, the Contracts Committee concluded that the continued retention of the Adviser as investment adviser to the Fund was in the
best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Contracts Committee recommended to the full Board that the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser be continued for a one-year term ending March 1, 2026. On December 11, 2024,
the Contracts Committee presented its recommendations, and the criteria on which they were based, to the full Board, whereupon the Board, including all of the Independent Directors voting separately, accepted the Contracts Committee’s
recommendations and unanimously approved the continuation of the current investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for a one-year term ending March 1, 2026.
22
INFORMATION ABOUT PROXY VOTING BY THE FUND
(Unaudited)
Although the Fund does not typically hold voting
securities, a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Administrator toll-free at (866) 668-8552 or is
available on the Fund’s website www.dpimc.com/dtf or on the SEC’s website www.sec.gov.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S PORTFOLIO
HOLDINGS (Unaudited)
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio
holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters (January 31 and July 31) as an exhibit to Form NPORT-P. The Fund’s Form NPORT-P is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s schedule of
portfolio holdings is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Administrator toll-free at (866) 668-8552 or is available on the Fund’s website at www.dpimc.com/dtf.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section
23(c) of the 1940 Act that the Fund may from time to time purchase its shares of common stock in the open market.
REPORT ON ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
(Unaudited)
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund was
held on March 10, 2025. The following is a description of each matter voted upon at the meeting and the number of votes cast on each matter:
| Shares
Voted For |
Shares
Withheld | ||
| 1. Election of directors* | |||
| Directors elected by the holders of the Fund’s common stock to serve until the Annual Meeting in the year 2028 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified: | |||
|
George R.
Aylward |
5,004,553 | 752,408 | |
|
Mark G.
Kahrer |
5,085,321 | 671,640 | |
| *Directors whose term of office continued beyond this meeting are as follows: Mareilé B. Cusack, Donald C. Burke and Eileen A. Moran (Chairperson). | |||
23
| Item 1. | Reports to Stockholders (cont.). |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
| Item 2. | Code of Ethics. |
Response not required for semi-annual report.
| Item 3. | Audit Committee Financial Expert. |
Response not required for semi-annual report.
| Item 4. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
Response not required for semi-annual report.
| Item 5. | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. |
| (a) | Response not required for semi-annual report. |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
| Item 6. | Investments. |
| (a) | Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1(a) of this form. |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
| Item 7. | Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies. |
| (a) | Not applicable for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
| (b) | Not applicable for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
| Item 8. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
| Item 9. | Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
| Item 10. | Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
| Item 11. | Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract. |
The information required by this Item is included as part of the semi-annual report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSRS.
| Item 12. | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Response not required for semi-annual report.
| Item 13. | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
(a) Response not required for semi-annual report.
(b) On May 16, 2025, the Fund announced that Philip Hooks, CFA, stepped down as portfolio manager. Dusty Self, senior portfolio manager, will remain as portfolio manager of the Fund.
| Item 14. | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
(a) Not applicable.
| Item 15. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
No changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors have been implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (i.e., in the registrant’s proxy statement dated January 24, 2025) or this Item.
| Item 16. | Controls and Procedures. |
| (a) | The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) are effective, based on an evaluation of those controls and procedures made as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. |
| (b) | There has been no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Item 17. | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
| (a) | Not applicable. |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
| Item 18. | Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation. |
Not Applicable.
Item 19. Exhibits.
| (a)(1) | Not applicable. |
| (a)(2) | Not applicable. |
| (a)(3) |
| (a)(4) | There were no written solicitations to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the Registrant to 10 or more persons. |
| (a)(5) | There was no change in the Registrant’s independent public accountant during the period covered by the report. |
| (b) |
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) | DTF Tax-Free Income 2028 Term Fund Inc. |
| By (Signature and Title) | /s/ David D. Grumhaus, Jr. | |||||
| David D. Grumhaus, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||
| Date | June 18, 2025 | |||||
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/ David D. Grumhaus, Jr. | |||||
| David D. Grumhaus, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||
| Date | June 18, 2025 | |||||
| By (Signature and Title) |
/s/ Alan M. Meder | |||||
| Alan M. Meder, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary | ||||||
| (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||
| Date | June 18, 2025 | |||||