UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-8382

 

DWS Strategic Income Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154-0004

(Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:(212) 454-7190

 

Paul Schubert

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154-0004

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

| Date of fiscal year end: | 11/30 |
|--------------------------|-------|

 

| Date of reporting period: | 05/31/08 |
|---------------------------|----------|

 

 

**ITEM 1.**           **REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS**

 

 

----

|  

MAY 31, 2008
Semiannual Report                    to Shareholders |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                      |
|  

**DWS Strategic Income Trust**

Ticker Symbol: KST                |
|                                                                           |

**Contents**

| **click here**Performance Summary

**click here**Portfolio Management Review

**click here**Portfolio Summary

**click here**Investment Portfolio

**click here**Financial Statements

**click here**Financial Highlights

**click here**Notes to Financial Statements

**click here**Dividend Repurchase Plan

**click here**Shareholder Meeting Results

**click here**Additional Information

**click here**Privacy Statement |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Investments in funds involve risk. Yields and market value will fluctuate. Investing in emerging markets presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuation, political and economic changes and market risks. Additionally, the fund invests in lower-quality and non-rated securities which present greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher-quality securities. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate risk        such that when interest rates rise, the prices of the bonds, and thus the value of the bond investment, can decline and the investor can lose principal value. Leverage results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. All of these factors may result in greater share price volatility. Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is an initial public offering and once issued, shares of closed-end funds are sold in the open market through        a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of the fund's shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, the fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value.

*DWS Investments is part of Deutsche Bank's Asset Management division and, within the US, represents the retail asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. and DWS Trust Company.*

*NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY*

**Performance SummaryMay 31, 2008**

**All performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions, and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when sold, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please visit www.dws-investments.com for        the Fund's most recent month-end performance.**

**Fund specific data and performance are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended for trading purposes.**

Returns and rankings based on net asset value during all periods shown reflect fee reductions. Without these fee reductions, returns and rankings would have been lower.

| **Average Annual Total Returns**as of 5/31/08    |
|--------------------------------------------------|
| **DWS Strategic Income Trust**                   | **6-Month‡** | **1-Year** | **3-Year** | **5-Year** | **10-Year** |
| **Based on Net Asset Value(a)**                  | **2.56%** | **.64%** | **7.43%** | **10.12%** | **8.69%** |
| **Based on Market Price(a)**                     | **5.66%** | **-10.31%** | **4.95%** | **8.13%** | **5.25%** |
| Credit Suisse High Yield Index(b)                | 1.35% | -1.24% | 6.29% | 8.38% | 5.81% |
| Lipper Closed-End General Bond Funds Category(c) | .19% | .72% | 4.35% | 5.97% | 5.69% |

*Sources: Lipper Inc. and Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.*

| **Net Asset Value and Market Price** |
|--------------------------------------|
|                                 | **As of 5/31/08** | **As of 11/30/07** |
| Net Asset Value                      | $ 12.87 | $ 13.10 |
| Market Price                         | $ 11.65 | $ 11.51 |

*Prices and net asset value fluctuate and are not guaranteed.*

| **Distribution Information**                                                             |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Six Months as of 5/31/08:
Income Dividends                                               | $ .49 |
| May Income Dividend                                                                      | $ .07 |
| Current Annualized Distribution Rate (Based on Net Asset Value) as of 5/31/08+ | 6.53% |
| Current Annualized Distribution Rate (Based on Market Price) as of 5/31/08+    | 7.21% |

| **Lipper Rankings — Closed-End General Bond Funds Category**as of 5/31/08 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Period**                                                                                | **Rank** |   | **Number of Funds Tracked** | **Percentile Ranking (%)** |
| 1-Year                                                                                    | 9 | of | 11 | 75 |
| 3-Year                                                                                    | 2 | of | 10 | 19 |
| 5-Year                                                                                    | 2 | of | 10 | 19 |
| 10-Year                                                                                   | 1 | of | 8 | 12 |

**Source: Lipper Inc. Rankings are historical and do not guarantee future results. Rankings are based on net asset value total return with distributions reinvested.**

**Portfolio Management Review**

In the following interview, Portfolio Managers Bill Chepolis and Gary Sullivan discuss market conditions and DWS Strategic Income Trust's investment strategy during the semiannual period ended May 31, 2008.

*The views expressed in the following discussion reflect those of the portfolio management team only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover. The management team's views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions and should not be construed as a recommendation. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.*

**Q: How did the bond market perform during the six-month reporting period?**

**A:**The past six months proved to be a volatile time for the global fixed-income markets. During the first half of the reporting period, investor sentiment came under pressure from concerns that problems in the housing and credit markets were beginning to spread to the broader global economy. The result was a "flight to quality" into government issues, particularly US        Treasuries, and a corresponding downturn in segments of the bond market viewed as being higher-risk, such as high-yield and emerging-market bonds. Given the continued strong growth and improving fundamentals of the world's emerging economies, emerging-markets debt outperformed high-yield during this phase.

Despite the issues overhanging the markets, the second half of the period brought a snap-back for high-yield and the emerging markets due largely to the aggressive actions of the US Federal Reserve Board (the Fed). In addition to enacting cuts to its benchmark fed funds rate (the overnight rate banks charge when they borrow money from each other), the Fed took a variety of measures to maintain liquidity in the financial system. The        Fed also helped engineer the survival of the troubled broker Bear Stearns, indicating to investors that the central bank is willing to take extraordinary steps to ensure stability. The result was a recovery for high-yield bonds and emerging-markets debt that began in the latter half of March and carried through the end of the period. April, in fact, was the best month for high-yield in over five years, based on the 3.93% total return of the Credit Suisse High Yield        Index.1

For the six-month period ended May 31, 2008, high-yield bonds finished with a return of 1.35%, as measured by the Credit Suisse High Yield Index, only slightly below the 1.49% return of the overall bond market (as gauged by the Lehman Brothers US Aggregate Index).2 The JP Morgan Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI) Global Diversified closed with a return of 2.29%, outpacing the broader        market.3

The volatility in the two asset classes was evident in the shifts in their yield spreads relative to US Treasuries.4 In high-yield, the yield spread stood at 636 basis points (or 6.36 percentage points) on May 31, while the month-end high, registered on March 31, was 794 basis points. In comparison, the average over the past 12 months was 566 basis points. Meanwhile, the JP Morgan Emerging Market Bond Index Plus        (EMBI+) yielded 246 basis points, or 2.46 percentage points, above US Treasuries when the period began.5 From this point, the spread subsequently rose through December and pushed higher at the start of 2008. The high water mark was 327 basis points, touched on March 17 following the near-collapse of Bear Stearns. But as was the case with high-yield bonds, the Fed's subsequent actions sparked a recovery in emerging markets bonds that lasted through the final two-plus        months of the period. The result was a decline in the yield spread to 243 basis points by the end of May — a drop of three basis points for the full six-month interval.

**Q: How did the fund perform during the semiannual period?**

**A:**For the semiannual period ended May 31, 2008, the fund provided a total return of 2.56% based on net asset value (NAV). In comparison, the funds in its Lipper peer group, Closed-End General Bond Funds, produced an average return of 0.19%, while the JP Morgan Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI) Global Diversified Index and the Credit Suisse High Yield Index, returned 2.29% and 1.35%,        respectively.6 The May 31, 2008 NAV was $12.87, compared with $13.10 six months ago. (Performance is calculated based on the reinvestment of dividends. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please see pages 4 and 5 for complete performance information.)

For the semiannual period ended May 31, 2008, the fund's return based on the market price of shares quoted on the New York Stock Exchange was 5.66%. (Performance is calculated based on the reinvestment of dividends. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.) The fund's shares closed the period at $11.65 compared with $11.51 six months ago. The market price discount of the shares, as a percentage of NAV, was        approximately 9.5% on May 31, 2008, compared to approximatealy 12% on November 30, 2007.

The fund maintained a leverage position throughout the period. At the close of the period, the portfolio was approximately 5.77% leveraged, meaning that the fund borrowed against $3.7 million of fund assets. In employing leverage, the fund uses a secured loan to raise money in the commercial paper market at short-term interest rates, then invests the proceeds in longer-term securities. We will continue to closely evaluate the        fund's use of leverage.

**Q: Please discuss the fund's performance and positioning in high-yield.**

**A:**As of May 31, 2008, 54% of the fund's portfolio was invested in high-yield bonds. The high-yield asset class underperformed the emerging markets, providing an opportunity to take advantage of improved relative values in the former. A high-yield bond is a high-paying bond with a lower credit quality rating than investment-grade corporate bonds, Treasury bonds and municipal        bonds.

A strong contribution to the performance of the high-yield segment of the portfolio came from its position in bonds issued by DRS Technologies, a defense-related firm that was bid for by Finmeccanica, an investment-grade rated company. Also contributing to returns was the fund's position in the South Africa-based mobile telecommunications provider Cell C Property, whose bonds rallied after the company received an investment from        Saudi Telecom. We elected to sell the position in order to lock in profits.

Another notable contributor was Millicom International Cellular SA, whose strong cash position enabled it to call one of the issues held in the portfolio — causing the issue to trade up in price.7 Vanguard Health Holding Co., LLC also saw its bonds gain ground due to strong financial results and a general recovery in hospital-related issues.

Rounding out the list of top performers in high-yield were the bonds issued by Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCS) and its subsidiary Kansas City Southern de Mexico SA de CV, where the fund held large positions in short-dated securities. One of these, the issue due in October 2008, rose in price when it was tendered early by the company.

The leading detractor in high-yield was the lack of a position in Dollar General, the discount retailer whose stronger-than- expected results helped its bonds recover from a previous sell-off. Two yellow pages companies, R.H. Donnelley Corp. and Idearc, Inc., both were hurt by expectations for a weaker economy and rising competition from the internet. We continue to like both issues, however, due to the high cash flows generated by        their underlying businesses. Another detractor of note was Young Broadcasting, Inc., whose planned sale of its largest asset — a television station based in San Francisco — could be disrupted by the slowing economy and disruptions in the credit markets.

The fund's position in syndicated loans, an asset class that underperformed due to technical factors, also detracted from performance. These are loans, usually made at a variable rate, that are extended to a corporate borrower from a group of banks and subsequently sold to investors in the secondary market. We continue to believe syndicated loans are an attractive asset class at a time when default rates are rising,        since these securities are generally higher in the capital structure and of higher credit quality than high-yield bonds.8

**Q: How is the fund positioned in the emerging markets?**

**A:**The emerging markets segment of the portfolio, at 40% of investments, was unchanged from six months earlier. We continue to focus on the more stable credits within the asset class, such as Brazil and Russia. This worked to the benefit of the fund, since both countries performed well: Brazil as a result of being upgraded to investment grade by Standard & Poor's, and Russia due to        the price increases for oil and other commodities. At the same time, we continue to avoid the more volatile countries, such as Pakistan, Iraq, and Lebanon. The fund continues to hold a large position in the emerging markets, which are benefiting from the commodity rally, increasing foreign reserves, positive fiscal policies, the development of domestic bond markets, and the strong economic growth.

**Q: Do you have any closing thoughts for investors?**

**A:**We seek to add value through a measured approach that emphasizes security selection and a long-term view.

We believe the current environment offers fertile ground for such an approach. While in early 2007 it was difficult to find value relative to Treasuries because yields were so low, yields in this fund's investment universe have since climbed to levels where investors are being adequately compensated for taking risks. With this as the backdrop, we continue to look for opportunities to use market volatility to take        advantage of values and improve the diversification of the fund. From a broader standpoint, we continue to monitor the global economy as well as the relative value provided by sovereign, emerging markets, and high-yield issuers.

**Portfolio Summary**

| **Asset Allocation**(As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral) | **5/31/08** | **11/30/07** |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|--------------|
|                                                                                                        |        |         |
| Corporate Bonds                                                                                             | 54%         | 54%          |
| Government & Agency Obligations                                                                         | 38%         | 40%          |
| Senior Loans                                                                                                | 6%          | 3%           |
| Sovereign Loans                                                                                             | 2%          | 2%           |
| Cash Equivalents                                                                                            | —     | 1%           |
|                                                                                                        | 100%        | 100%         |

| **Bond Diversification**(Excludes Cash Equivalents and Securities Lending Collateral) | **5/31/08** | **11/30/07** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|--------------|
|                                                                                                 |        |         |
| Emerging Market Sovereign Bonds                                                                      | 40%         | 40%          |
| Consumer Discretionary                                                                               | 11%         | 13%          |
| Energy                                                                                               | 11%         | 6%           |
| Financials                                                                                           | 7%          | 10%          |
| Industrials                                                                                          | 6%          | 7%           |
| Materials                                                                                            | 6%          | 6%           |
| Utilities                                                                                            | 5%          | 5%           |
| Telecommunication Services                                                                           | 5%          | 6%           |
| Health Care                                                                                          | 4%          | 3%           |
| Information Technology                                                                               | 3%          | 2%           |
| Consumer Staples                                                                                     | 2%          | 2%           |
|                                                                                                 | 100%        | 100%         |

| **Quality**(Excludes Cash Equivalents and Securities Lending Collateral) | **5/31/08** | **11/30/07** |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|--------------|
|                                                                                                   |        |         |
| A                                                                                                      | 1%          | 1%           |
| BBB                                                                                                    | 3%          | 2%           |
| BB                                                                                                     | 41%         | 38%          |
| B                                                                                                      | 44%         | 42%          |
| Below B                                                                                                | 10%         | 15%          |
| Not Rated                                                                                              | 1%          | 2%           |
|                                                                                                   | 100%        | 100%         |

*Asset allocation, bond diversification and quality are subject to change.*

*The quality ratings represent the lower of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") credit ratings. The ratings of Moody's and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. The Fund's credit quality does not remove market risk.*

| **Interest Rate Sensitivity** | **5/31/08** | **11/30/07** |
|-------------------------------|-------------|--------------|
|                          |        |         |
| Effective Maturity            | 8.6 years   | 9.1 years    |
| Duration                      | 5.0 years   | 5.1 years    |

*Interest rate sensitivity is subject to change. Duration shown does not account for the leverage position of the Fund.*

*For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 14. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available upon request. Please see the Additional Information section for contact information.*

Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

**Investment Portfolioas of May 31, 2008 (Unaudited)**

|                                                                                     | **Principal Amount ($)(a)** | **Value ($)** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------|
|                                                                                     |                        |
| **Corporate Bonds 55.9%**                                                                |
| **Consumer Discretionary 10.1%**                                                         |
| AMC Entertainment, Inc., 8.0%, 3/1/2014                                                  | 165,000                     | 149,325       |
| American Achievement Corp., 8.25%, 4/1/2012                                              | 25,000                      | 24,688        |
| American Achievement Group Holding Corp., 14.75%, 10/1/2012 (PIK)                   | 51,048                      | 47,475        |
| Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.:                                                           |                        |          |
| 7.625%, 3/15/2017                                                                        | 55,000                      | 46,200        |
| 8.0%, 3/15/2014                                                                          | 55,000                      | 49,912        |
| Ashtead Holdings PLC, 144A, 8.625%, 8/1/2015 (b)                                         | 115,000                     | 100,050       |
| Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., 11.125%, 4/15/2014                         | 35,000                      | 29,750        |
| Cablevision Systems Corp., Series B,                    7.133%***, 4/1/2009              | 30,000                      | 30,150        |
| CanWest MediaWorks LP, 144A, 9.25%, 8/1/2015                                             | 55,000                      | 48,125        |
| Carrols Corp., 9.0%, 1/15/2013 (b)                                                       | 30,000                      | 27,600        |
| Charter Communications Holdings LLC,                    11.0%, 10/1/2015                 | 52,000                      | 44,200        |
| Charter Communications Operating LLC, 144A, 10.875%, 9/15/2014                      | 165,000                     | 176,550       |
| Cirsa Capital Luxembourg, 144A, 7.875%, 7/15/2012 EUR                                    | 50,000                      | 67,675        |
| Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc., 7.0%, 12/15/2012                                       | 40,000                      | 36,000        |
| CSC Holdings, Inc.:                                                                      |                        |          |
| 7.25%, 7/15/2008                                                                         | 45,000                      | 45,000        |
| Series B, 7.625%, 4/1/2011                                                               | 55,000                      | 55,000        |
| Series B, 8.125%, 7/15/2009                                                              | 310,000                     | 315,812       |
| Series B, 8.125%, 8/15/2009                                                              | 115,000                     | 117,156       |
| Denny's Holdings, Inc., 10.0%, 10/1/2012 (b)                                             | 20,000                      | 19,600        |
| DirecTV Holdings LLC, 144A, 7.625%, 5/15/2016                                            | 180,000                     | 179,325       |
| Dollarama Group LP, 10.579%***, 8/15/2012                                                | 52,000                      | 48,360        |
| EchoStar DBS Corp.:                                                                      |                        |          |
| 6.375%, 10/1/2011                                                                        | 100,000                     | 98,750        |
| 6.625%, 10/1/2014                                                                        | 95,000                      | 89,537        |
| 7.125%, 2/1/2016                                                                         | 75,000                      | 71,625        |
| Fontainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC, 144A, 10.25%, 6/15/2015                       | 80,000                      | 58,200        |
| Foot Locker, Inc., 8.5%, 1/15/2022                                                       | 15,000                      | 13,950        |
| General Motors Corp.:                                                                    |                        |          |
| 7.2%, 1/15/2011 (b)                                                                      | 210,000                     | 176,400       |
| 7.4%, 9/1/2025                                                                           | 40,000                      | 25,800        |
| Great Canadian Gaming Corp., 144A, 7.25%, 2/15/2015                                      | 50,000                      | 48,500        |
| Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 8.25%, 8/15/2013                                               | 35,000                      | 33,950        |
| Hanesbrands, Inc., Series B, 8.204%***, 12/15/2014                                       | 100,000                     | 93,000        |
| Hertz Corp.:                                                                             |                        |          |
| 8.875%, 1/1/2014                                                                         | 160,000                     | 159,200       |
| 10.5%, 1/1/2016 (b)                                                                      | 35,000                      | 34,913        |
| Idearc, Inc., 8.0%, 11/15/2016                                                           | 335,000                     | 239,525       |
| Indianapolis Downs LLC, 144A, 11.0%, 11/1/2012                                           | 45,000                      | 41,400        |
| ION Media Networks, Inc., 144A, 8.963%***, 1/15/2013                                     | 20,000                      | 12,600        |
| Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 7.0%, 3/1/2014                                              | 65,000                      | 49,563        |
| Jarden Corp., 7.5%, 5/1/2017                                                             | 55,000                      | 49,088        |
| Kabel Deutschland GmbH, 10.625%, 7/1/2014                                                | 75,000                      | 77,531        |
| Lamar Media Corp., Series C, 6.625%, 8/15/2015                                           | 40,000                      | 37,700        |
| Liberty Media LLC:                                                                       |                        |          |
| 5.7%, 5/15/2013 (b)                                                                      | 10,000                      | 9,150         |
| 8.25%, 2/1/2030 (b)                                                                      | 85,000                      | 76,386        |
| 8.5%, 7/15/2029 (b)                                                                      | 115,000                     | 103,651       |
| Mediacom Broadband LLC, 8.5%, 10/15/2015 (b)                                             | 5,000                       | 4,538         |
| MediMedia USA, Inc., 144A, 11.375%, 11/15/2014                                           | 25,000                      | 25,000        |
| MGM MIRAGE:                                                                              |                        |          |
| 6.0%, 10/1/2009                                                                          | 50,000                      | 49,688        |
| 6.75%, 9/1/2012 (b)                                                                      | 90,000                      | 83,812        |
| 8.375%, 2/1/2011 (b)                                                                     | 70,000                      | 69,387        |
| MTR Gaming Group, Inc., Series B, 9.75%, 4/1/2010                                        | 80,000                      | 80,600        |
| Norcraft Holdings LP, Step-up Coupon, 0% to 9/1/2008, 9.75% to 9/1/2012                  | 185,000                     | 172,050       |
| Penske Automotive Group, Inc., 7.75%, 12/15/2016                                         | 170,000                     | 158,100       |
| Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 8.75%, 10/1/2013 (b)                                       | 70,000                      | 71,750        |
| Quebecor Media, Inc., 7.75%, 3/15/2016                                                   | 40,000                      | 39,200        |
| Quebecor World, Inc., 144A, 9.75%, 1/15/2015**                                           | 55,000                      | 31,900        |
| Quiksilver, Inc., 6.875%, 4/15/2015                                                      | 100,000                     | 82,000        |
| Reader's Digest Association, Inc., 144A, 9.0%, 2/15/2017                                 | 55,000                      | 42,213        |
| Sabre Holdings Corp., 8.35%, 3/15/2016                                                   | 60,000                      | 48,450        |
| Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc., 144A, 5.3%***, 3/15/2014                    | 80,000                      | 67,600        |
| Shaw Communications, Inc., 8.25%, 4/11/2010                                              | 200,000                     | 207,000       |
| Shingle Springs Tribal Gaming Authority, 144A, 9.375%, 6/15/2015                    | 55,000                      | 47,988        |
| Simmons Co.:                                                                             |                        |          |
| Step-up Coupon, 0% to 12/15/2009, 10.0% to 12/15/2014                                    | 210,000                     | 155,400       |
| 7.875%, 1/15/2014                                                                        | 25,000                      | 22,188        |
| Sinclair Television Group, Inc., 8.0%, 3/15/2012 (b)                                     | 29,000                      | 29,580        |
| Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc., 9.625%, 8/1/2013                                           | 95,000                      | 81,462        |
| Sonic Automotive, Inc., Series B, 8.625%, 8/15/2013 (b)                                  | 65,000                      | 63,050        |
| Station Casinos, Inc., 6.5%, 2/1/2014                                                    | 110,000                     | 69,300        |
| Travelport LLC:                                                                          |                        |          |
| 7.701%***, 9/1/2014                                                                      | 50,000                      | 42,500        |
| 9.875%, 9/1/2014                                                                         | 55,000                      | 52,937        |
| Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc., 8.5%, 6/1/2015 (b)                                    | 105,000                     | 71,137        |
| United Components, Inc., 9.375%, 6/15/2013                                               | 10,000                      | 9,750         |
| Unity Media GmbH, 144A, 8.75%, 2/15/2015 EUR                                             | 150,000                     | 221,694       |
| Univision Communications, Inc., 144A, 9.75%, 3/15/2015 (PIK)                   | 100,000                     | 75,500        |
| UPC Holding BV:                                                                          |                        |          |
| 144A, 7.75%, 1/15/2014 EUR                                                               | 100,000                     | 146,046       |
| 144A, 8.0%, 11/1/2016 EUR                                                                | 50,000                      | 71,856        |
| Videotron Ltd., 144A, 9.125%, 4/15/2018                                                  | 45,000                      | 48,150        |
| Vitro SAB de CV:                                                                         |                        |          |
| 9.125%, 2/1/2017                                                                         | 200,000                     | 169,000       |
| 11.75%, 11/1/2013                                                                        | 25,000                      | 25,000        |
| Young Broadcasting, Inc., 8.75%, 1/15/2014                                               | 319,000                     | 185,020       |
|                                                                                     | **6,079,218**               |
| **Consumer Staples 2.2%**                                                                |
| Alliance One International, Inc., 8.5%, 5/15/2012                                        | 35,000                      | 33,250        |
| Delhaize America, Inc.:                                                                  |                        |          |
| 8.05%, 4/15/2027                                                                         | 15,000                      | 16,238        |
| 9.0%, 4/15/2031                                                                          | 146,000                     | 175,234       |
| General Nutrition Centers, Inc.,                    7.199%***, 3/15/2014 (PIK)           | 55,000                      | 48,125        |
| Harry & David Holdings, Inc., 8.076%***, 3/1/2012                                    | 50,000                      | 44,000        |
| North Atlantic Trading Co., 144A, 10.0%, 3/1/2012                                        | 253,750                     | 211,881       |
| Rite Aid Corp., 7.5%, 3/1/2017                                                           | 80,000                      | 72,900        |
| Smithfield Foods, Inc., 7.75%, 7/1/2017 (b)                                              | 55,000                      | 54,175        |
| Tyson Foods, Inc., 8.25%, 10/1/2011                                                      | 120,000                     | 124,891       |
| Viskase Companies, Inc., 11.5%, 6/15/2011                                                | 630,000                     | 557,550       |
|                                                                                     | **1,338,244**               |
| **Energy 9.5%**                                                                          |
| Atlas Energy Resources LLC, 144A, 10.75%, 2/1/2018                                       | 150,000                     | 159,000       |
| Belden & Blake Corp., 8.75%, 7/15/2012                                               | 300,000                     | 306,000       |
| Bristow Group, Inc., 7.5%, 9/15/2017                                                     | 70,000                      | 71,750        |
| Chaparral Energy, Inc.:                                                                  |                        |          |
| 8.5%, 12/1/2015                                                                          | 100,000                     | 88,500        |
| 8.875%, 2/1/2017                                                                         | 65,000                      | 57,687        |
| Chesapeake Energy Corp.:                                                                 |                        |          |
| 6.25%, 1/15/2018 (b)                                                                     | 40,000                      | 37,500        |
| 6.875%, 1/15/2016                                                                        | 230,000                     | 225,975       |
| 7.25%, 12/15/2018                                                                        | 130,000                     | 129,025       |
| 7.75%, 1/15/2015                                                                         | 90,000                      | 93,262        |
| Cimarex Energy Co., 7.125%, 5/1/2017                                                     | 40,000                      | 39,800        |
| Delta Petroleum Corp., 7.0%, 4/1/2015                                                    | 155,000                     | 134,075       |
| Dynegy Holdings, Inc.:                                                                   |                        |          |
| 6.875%, 4/1/2011                                                                         | 15,000                      | 14,738        |
| 8.375%, 5/1/2016                                                                         | 100,000                     | 100,500       |
| El Paso Corp.:                                                                           |                        |          |
| 7.25%, 6/1/2018                                                                          | 100,000                     | 100,375       |
| 9.625%, 5/15/2012                                                                        | 45,000                      | 48,764        |
| Energy Partners Ltd., 9.75%, 4/15/2014                                                   | 25,000                      | 23,500        |
| EXCO Resources, Inc., 7.25%, 1/15/2011                                                   | 89,000                      | 87,331        |
| Forest Oil Corp., 144A, 7.25%, 6/15/2019                                                 | 40,000                      | 39,300        |
| Frontier Oil Corp., 6.625%, 10/1/2011                                                    | 35,000                      | 34,475        |
| GAZ Capital (Gazprom), 144A, 6.51%, 3/7/2022                                             | 300,000                     | 282,780       |
| KCS Energy, Inc., 7.125%, 4/1/2012                                                       | 330,000                     | 321,750       |
| Mariner Energy, Inc.:                                                                    |                        |          |
| 7.5%, 4/15/2013 (b)                                                                      | 60,000                      | 58,050        |
| 8.0%, 5/15/2017                                                                          | 70,000                      | 67,725        |
| Newfield Exploration Co., 7.125%, 5/15/2018                                              | 110,000                     | 108,487       |
| OPTI Canada, Inc.:                                                                       |                        |          |
| 7.875%, 12/15/2014                                                                       | 90,000                      | 91,125        |
| 8.25%, 12/15/2014                                                                        | 145,000                     | 149,350       |
| Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, 5.75%, 3/1/2018                                      | 200,000                     | 199,540       |
| Petrobras International Finance Co., 5.875%, 3/1/2018                                    | 120,000                     | 117,621       |
| Petrohawk Energy Corp., 9.125%, 7/15/2013                                                | 65,000                      | 67,600        |
| Petronas Capital Ltd., Series REG S, 7.875%, 5/22/2022                                   | 145,000                     | 175,576       |
| Plains Exploration & Production Co.:                                                 |                        |          |
| 7.0%, 3/15/2017                                                                          | 55,000                      | 52,938        |
| 7.625%, 6/1/2018 (b)                                                                     | 130,000                     | 130,650       |
| Quicksilver Resources, Inc., 7.125%, 4/1/2016                                            | 155,000                     | 151,125       |
| Range Resources Corp., 7.25%, 5/1/2018                                                   | 10,000                      | 10,150        |
| Sabine Pass LNG LP:                                                                      |                        |          |
| 7.25%, 11/30/2013 (b)                                                                    | 100,000                     | 92,750        |
| 7.5%, 11/30/2016                                                                         | 425,000                     | 388,344       |
| SandRidge Energy, Inc., 144A, 8.0%, 6/1/2018                                             | 50,000                      | 50,625        |
| Southwestern Energy Co., 144A, 7.5%, 2/1/2018                                            | 80,000                      | 80,824        |
| Stallion Oilfield Services, 144A, 9.75%, 2/1/2015                                        | 65,000                      | 53,625        |
| Stone Energy Corp.:                                                                      |                        |          |
| 6.75%, 12/15/2014                                                                        | 195,000                     | 179,400       |
| 8.25%, 12/15/2011                                                                        | 200,000                     | 201,000       |
| Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., 7.625%, 4/1/2037                                             | 45,000                      | 46,760        |
| Tesoro Corp., 6.5%, 6/1/2017                                                             | 85,000                      | 75,969        |
| Whiting Petroleum Corp.:                                                                 |                        |          |
| 7.0%, 2/1/2014                                                                           | 65,000                      | 64,512        |
| 7.25%, 5/1/2012                                                                          | 115,000                     | 114,425       |
| 7.25%, 5/1/2013                                                                          | 30,000                      | 29,850        |
| Williams Companies, Inc.:                                                                |                        |          |
| 8.125%, 3/15/2012                                                                        | 200,000                     | 217,000       |
| 8.75%, 3/15/2032                                                                         | 275,000                     | 320,375       |
| Williams Partners LP, 7.25%, 2/1/2017                                                    | 40,000                      | 40,900        |
|                                                                                     | **5,732,383**               |
| **Financials 7.1%**                                                                      |
| Algoma Acquisition Corp., 144A, 9.875%, 6/15/2015                                        | 170,000                     | 160,650       |
| Ashton Woods USA LLC, 9.5%, 10/1/2015                                                    | 165,000                     | 95,700        |
| Buffalo Thunder Development Authority, 144A, 9.375%, 12/15/2014                     | 35,000                      | 24,325        |
| Conproca SA de CV, Series REG S, 12.0%, 6/16/2010                                        | 300,000                     | 336,000       |
| Firekeepers Development Authority, 144A, 13.875%, 5/1/2015                          | 110,000                     | 110,275       |
| Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC:                                                              |                        |          |
| 7.25%, 10/25/2011                                                                        | 450,000                     | 401,890       |
| 7.375%, 10/28/2009                                                                       | 740,000                     | 720,722       |
| 7.875%, 6/15/2010                                                                        | 220,000                     | 208,467       |
| GMAC LLC, 6.875%, 9/15/2011                                                              | 950,000                     | 800,936       |
| Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co., LLC:                                                  |                        |          |
| 8.5%, 4/1/2015 (b)                                                                       | 115,000                     | 118,162       |
| 8.875%, 4/1/2015 (PIK)                                                                   | 90,000                      | 91,800        |
| 9.75%, 4/1/2017 (b)                                                                      | 140,000                     | 143,500       |
| Hexion US Finance Corp., 9.75%, 11/15/2014                                               | 30,000                      | 33,000        |
| Inmarsat Finance II, PLC, Step-up Coupon, 0% to 11/15/2008, 10.375% to 11/15/2012        | 185,000                     | 185,000       |
| iPayment, Inc., 9.75%, 5/15/2014                                                         | 60,000                      | 52,350        |
| Local TV Finance LLC, 144A, 9.25%, 6/15/2015 (PIK)                                       | 55,000                      | 44,275        |
| Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., 6.875%, 4/25/2018                                         | 110,000                     | 107,833       |
| New ASAT (Finance) Ltd., 9.25%, 2/1/2011                                                 | 90,000                      | 55,800        |
| Petroplus Finance Ltd., 144A, 6.75%, 5/1/2014 (b)                                        | 75,000                      | 68,813        |
| Residential Capital LLC:                                                                 |                        |          |
| 3.49%***, 6/9/2008                                                                       | 20,000                      | 19,600        |
| 5.978%***, 11/21/2008                                                                    | 125,000                     | 115,000       |
| Tropicana Entertainment LLC, 9.625%, 12/15/2014**                                        | 190,000                     | 106,400       |
| UCI Holdco, Inc., 10.3%***, 12/15/2013 (PIK)                                             | 58,183                      | 51,637        |
| Universal City Development Partners, 11.75%, 4/1/2010                                    | 200,000                     | 205,750       |
| Yankee Acquisition Corp., Series B, 8.5%, 2/15/2015                                      | 15,000                      | 12,244        |
|                                                                                     | **4,270,129**               |
| **Health Care 2.8%**                                                                     |
| Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., 7.5%, 5/1/2017 (b)                                        | 145,000                     | 135,575       |
| Bausch & Lomb, Inc., 144A, 9.875%, 11/1/2015                                         | 75,000                      | 78,563        |
| Boston Scientific Corp., 6.0%, 6/15/2011                                                 | 80,000                      | 78,400        |
| Community Health Systems, Inc., 8.875%, 7/15/2015                                        | 410,000                     | 422,812       |
| HCA, Inc.:                                                                               |                        |          |
| 9.125%, 11/15/2014                                                                       | 90,000                      | 94,050        |
| 9.25%, 11/15/2016                                                                        | 245,000                     | 258,781       |
| 9.625%, 11/15/2016 (PIK)                                                                 | 90,000                      | 94,950        |
| HEALTHSOUTH Corp., 10.75%, 6/15/2016                                                     | 45,000                      | 48,150        |
| IASIS Healthcare LLC, 8.75%, 6/15/2014                                                   | 65,000                      | 66,788        |
| Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/2015                                            | 55,000                      | 56,375        |
| Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc., 144A, 8.875%, 7/15/2015 (PIK)                            | 65,000                      | 52,650        |
| The Cooper Companies, Inc., 7.125%, 2/15/2015 (b)                                        | 80,000                      | 76,600        |
| Vanguard Health Holding Co. I, LLC, Step-up Coupon, 0% to 10/1/2009, 11.25% to 10/1/2015 | 70,000                      | 60,900        |
| Vanguard Health Holding Co. II, LLC, 9.0%, 10/1/2014                                     | 170,000                     | 174,675       |
|                                                                                     | **1,699,269**               |
| **Industrials 6.1%**                                                                     |
| Actuant Corp., 6.875%, 6/15/2017 (b)                                                     | 45,000                      | 45,113        |
| Allied Security Escrow Corp., 11.375%, 7/15/2011                                         | 70,000                      | 59,500        |
| Allied Waste North America, Inc., 6.5%, 11/15/2010                                       | 90,000                      | 90,787        |
| American Color Graphics, Inc., 10.0%, 6/15/2010                                          | 90,000                      | 31,050        |
| American Color Graphics, Inc., Promissory Note due 9/15/2008 (c)                         | 5,400                       | 1,863         |
| American Railcar Industries, Inc., 7.5%, 3/1/2014                                        | 60,000                      | 56,100        |
| ARAMARK Corp., 6.373%***, 2/1/2015                                                       | 75,000                      | 72,000        |
| Baldor Electric Co., 8.625%, 2/15/2017 (b)                                               | 55,000                      | 56,100        |
| Belden, Inc., 7.0%, 3/15/2017                                                            | 40,000                      | 39,000        |
| Bombardier, Inc., 144A, 6.75%, 5/1/2012                                                  | 100,000                     | 100,500       |
| Browning- Ferris Industries, Inc., 7.4%, 9/15/2035                                       | 130,000                     | 117,000       |
| Building Materials Corp. of America, 7.75%, 8/1/2014                                     | 75,000                      | 64,500        |
| Cenveo Corp., 7.875%, 12/1/2013                                                          | 80,000                      | 69,400        |
| Congoleum Corp., 8.625%, 8/1/2008**                                                      | 100,000                     | 75,000        |
| DRS Technologies, Inc.:                                                                  |                        |          |
| 6.625%, 2/1/2016                                                                         | 25,000                      | 26,063        |
| 6.875%, 11/1/2013                                                                        | 220,000                     | 224,950       |
| 7.625%, 2/1/2018                                                                         | 185,000                     | 199,337       |
| Education Management LLC, 8.75%, 6/1/2014                                                | 50,000                      | 48,125        |
| Esco Corp., 144A, 8.625%, 12/15/2013                                                     | 235,000                     | 236,175       |
| General Cable Corp.:                                                                     |                        |          |
| 5.073%***, 4/1/2015                                                                      | 65,000                      | 58,175        |
| 7.125%, 4/1/2017 (b)                                                                     | 45,000                      | 43,875        |
| Gibraltar Industries, Inc., Series B, 8.0%, 12/1/2015                                    | 55,000                      | 46,200        |
| Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., 7.75%, 12/15/2013                                     | 45,000                      | 42,300        |
| Harland Clarke Holdings Corp., 9.5%, 5/15/2015                                           | 55,000                      | 45,100        |
| K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.:                                                          |                        |          |
| 6.25%, 1/15/2016                                                                         | 80,000                      | 54,700        |
| 8.875%, 4/1/2012                                                                         | 220,000                     | 171,600       |
| 144A, 11.5%, 5/1/2013                                                                    | 10,000                      | 10,400        |
| Kansas City Southern de Mexico SA de CV:                                                 |                        |          |
| 7.375%, 6/1/2014                                                                         | 145,000                     | 141,012       |
| 7.625%, 12/1/2013                                                                        | 110,000                     | 107,937       |
| 9.375%, 5/1/2012                                                                         | 175,000                     | 182,875       |
| Kansas City Southern Railway Co.:                                                        |                        |          |
| 7.5%, 6/15/2009                                                                          | 40,000                      | 40,600        |
| 8.0%, 6/1/2015                                                                           | 110,000                     | 110,412       |
| Mobile Services Storage Group, Inc., 9.75%, 8/1/2014                                     | 65,000                      | 63,050        |
| Moog, Inc., 144A, 7.25%, 6/15/2018                                                       | 25,000                      | 25,188        |
| Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 9.5%, 12/15/2014 (b)                                     | 65,000                      | 66,950        |
| R.H. Donnelley Corp., 144A, 8.875%, 10/15/2017                                           | 300,000                     | 201,000       |
| Rainbow National Services LLC, 144A,                    10.375%, 9/1/2014                | 10,000                      | 10,700        |
| RBS Global & Rexnord Corp., 9.5%, 8/1/2014                                           | 50,000                      | 50,125        |
| Seitel, Inc., 9.75%, 2/15/2014                                                           | 35,000                      | 31,675        |
| Titan International, Inc., 8.0%, 1/15/2012                                               | 190,000                     | 191,425       |
| TransDigm, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/2014 (b)                                                    | 55,000                      | 56,238        |
| U.S. Concrete, Inc., 8.375%, 4/1/2014                                                    | 60,000                      | 51,300        |
| United Rentals North America, Inc.:                                                      |                        |          |
| 6.5%, 2/15/2012                                                                          | 110,000                     | 101,475       |
| 7.0%, 2/15/2014                                                                          | 150,000                     | 124,500       |
| Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc., 8.0%, 7/15/2011                                        | 35,000                      | 33,863        |
|                                                                                     | **3,675,238**               |
| **Information Technology 2.8%**                                                          |
| Alion Science & Technology Corp., 10.25%, 2/1/2015                                   | 95,000                      | 66,975        |
| Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 8.875%, 12/15/2014                                        | 410,000                     | 362,850       |
| L- 3 Communications Corp.:                                                               |                        |          |
| 5.875%, 1/15/2015                                                                        | 180,000                     | 170,550       |
| Series B, 6.375%, 10/15/2015                                                             | 175,000                     | 168,656       |
| 7.625%, 6/15/2012                                                                        | 225,000                     | 229,219       |
| Lucent Technologies, Inc., 6.45%, 3/15/2029 (b)                                          | 200,000                     | 153,250       |
| MasTec, Inc., 7.625%, 2/1/2017                                                           | 115,000                     | 100,625       |
| NXP BV, 7.497%***, 10/15/2013 EUR                                                        | 100,000                     | 138,073       |
| Sanmina- SCI Corp., 144A, 5.55%***, 6/15/2010                                            | 27,000                      | 26,797        |
| Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, 6.8%, 10/1/2016                                         | 105,000                     | 99,619        |
| SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 10.25%, 8/15/2015                                            | 140,000                     | 145,600       |
| Vangent, Inc., 9.625%, 2/15/2015                                                         | 45,000                      | 38,981        |
|                                                                                     | **1,701,195**               |
| **Materials 5.5%**                                                                       |
| Appleton Papers, Inc., Series B, 8.125%, 6/15/2011 (b)                                   | 25,000                      | 24,125        |
| ARCO Chemical Co., 9.8%, 2/1/2020                                                        | 385,000                     | 323,400       |
| Associated Materials, Inc., Step-up Coupon, 0% to 3/1/2009, 11.25% to 3/1/2014      | 115,000                     | 78,488        |
| Cascades, Inc., 7.25%, 2/15/2013                                                         | 161,000                     | 141,680       |
| Chemtura Corp., 6.875%, 6/1/2016                                                         | 130,000                     | 120,900       |
| Clondalkin Acquisition BV, 144A, 4.8%***, 12/15/2013                                     | 75,000                      | 66,000        |
| CPG International I, Inc., 10.5%, 7/1/2013                                               | 120,000                     | 99,600        |
| Exopack Holding Corp., 11.25%, 2/1/2014                                                  | 175,000                     | 166,250       |
| Freeport- McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.,                    8.375%, 4/1/2017           | 85,000                      | 91,375        |
| GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc.:                                                           |                        |          |
| 144A, 10.698%***, 12/31/2009                                                             | 163,000                     | 122,046       |
| 144A, 10.698%***, 3/31/2015                                                              | 95,243                      | 71,313        |
| Georgia-Pacific LLC:                                                                     |                        |          |
| 144A, 7.125%, 1/15/2017                                                                  | 35,000                      | 34,563        |
| 9.5%, 12/1/2011                                                                          | 45,000                      | 47,250        |
| Hexcel Corp., 6.75%, 2/1/2015 (b)                                                        | 235,000                     | 234,412       |
| Huntsman LLC, 11.625%, 10/15/2010                                                        | 201,000                     | 213,562       |
| Innophos, Inc., 8.875%, 8/15/2014                                                        | 25,000                      | 25,500        |
| Koppers Holdings, Inc., Step-up Coupon, 0% to 11/15/2009, 9.875% to 11/15/2014      | 155,000                     | 142,600       |
| Metals USA Holding Corp., 8.698%***, 7/1/2012 (PIK)                                      | 75,000                      | 69,938        |
| Millar Western Forest Products Ltd.,                    7.75%, 11/15/2013                | 30,000                      | 20,100        |
| Momentive Performance Materials, Inc.,                    9.75%, 12/1/2014               | 115,000                     | 106,662       |
| NewMarket Corp., 7.125%, 12/15/2016                                                      | 135,000                     | 132,975       |
| NewPage Corp., 144A, 10.0%, 5/1/2012                                                     | 105,000                     | 111,825       |
| OI European Group BV, 144A, 6.875%, 3/31/2017 EUR                                        | 50,000                      | 74,287        |
| Pliant Corp., 11.625%, 6/15/2009 (PIK)                                                   | 10                          | 10            |
| Radnor Holdings Corp., 11.0%, 3/15/2010**                                                | 20,000                      | 25            |
| Rhodia SA, 144A, 7.497%***, 10/15/2013 EUR                                               | 50,000                      | 72,342        |
| Smurfit- Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.:                                              |                        |          |
| 8.0%, 3/15/2017 (b)                                                                      | 25,000                      | 21,563        |
| 8.25%, 10/1/2012                                                                         | 80,000                      | 73,600        |
| 8.375%, 7/1/2012                                                                         | 50,000                      | 46,500        |
| Steel Dynamics, Inc.:                                                                    |                        |          |
| 6.75%, 4/1/2015                                                                          | 120,000                     | 117,300       |
| 144A, 7.375%, 11/1/2012                                                                  | 20,000                      | 20,150        |
| Terra Capital, Inc., Series B, 7.0%, 2/1/2017                                            | 120,000                     | 119,250       |
| The Mosaic Co., 144A, 7.625%, 12/1/2014                                                  | 230,000                     | 242,650       |
| Witco Corp., 6.875%, 2/1/2026                                                            | 45,000                      | 30,600        |
| Wolverine Tube, Inc., 10.5%, 4/1/2009                                                    | 70,000                      | 65,275        |
|                                                                                     | **3,328,116**               |
| **Telecommunication Services 4.2%**                                                      |
| BCM Ireland Preferred Equity Ltd., 144A, 11.856%***, 2/15/2017 (PIK) EUR            | 57,542                      | 60,373        |
| Centennial Communications Corp.:                                                         |                        |          |
| 10.0%, 1/1/2013                                                                          | 45,000                      | 45,000        |
| 10.125%, 6/15/2013                                                                       | 190,000                     | 197,600       |
| Cincinnati Bell, Inc.:                                                                   |                        |          |
| 7.25%, 7/15/2013                                                                         | 110,000                     | 109,725       |
| 8.375%, 1/15/2014 (b)                                                                    | 65,000                      | 64,675        |
| Cricket Communications, Inc., 144A,                    10.875%, 11/1/2014                | 115,000                     | 110,975       |
| Embratel, Series B, 11.0%, 12/15/2008                                                    | 19,000                      | 19,665        |
| Grupo Iusacell Celular SA de CV, 10.0%, 3/31/2012                                        | 18,948                      | 18,380        |
| Intelsat Jackson Holdings Ltd.:                                                          |                        |          |
| 9.25%, 6/15/2016                                                                         | 35,000                      | 35,350        |
| 11.25%, 6/15/2016                                                                        | 105,000                     | 107,100       |
| iPCS, Inc., 4.998%***, 5/1/2013                                                          | 30,000                      | 25,800        |
| MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 9.25%, 11/1/2014                                                | 150,000                     | 144,187       |
| Millicom International Cellular SA, 10.0%, 12/1/2013                                     | 385,000                     | 409,062       |
| Nortel Networks Ltd.:                                                                    |                        |          |
| 6.963%***, 7/15/2011                                                                     | 80,000                      | 75,200        |
| 144A, 10.75%, 7/15/2016                                                                  | 90,000                      | 88,875        |
| Orascom Telecom Finance, 144A, 7.875%, 2/8/2014                                          | 100,000                     | 95,750        |
| Qwest Corp.:                                                                             |                        |          |
| 7.25%, 9/15/2025                                                                         | 20,000                      | 18,450        |
| 7.875%, 9/1/2011                                                                         | 100,000                     | 101,750       |
| Rural Cellular Corp., 9.875%, 2/1/2010                                                   | 75,000                      | 76,875        |
| Stratos Global Corp., 9.875%, 2/15/2013 (b)                                              | 30,000                      | 31,388        |
| SunCom Wireless Holdings, Inc., 8.5%, 6/1/2013                                           | 255,000                     | 265,837       |
| US Unwired, Inc., Series B, 10.0%, 6/15/2012 (b)                                         | 90,000                      | 87,525        |
| Virgin Media Finance PLC:                                                                |                        |          |
| 8.75%, 4/15/2014 EUR                                                                     | 90,000                      | 133,717       |
| 8.75%, 4/15/2014 (b)                                                                     | 135,000                     | 132,638       |
| West Corp., 9.5%, 10/15/2014                                                             | 65,000                      | 60,775        |
|                                                                                     | **2,516,672**               |
| **Utilities 5.6%**                                                                       |
| AES Corp.:                                                                               |                        |          |
| 8.0%, 10/15/2017                                                                         | 105,000                     | 105,394       |
| 144A, 8.0%, 6/1/2020                                                                     | 125,000                     | 122,812       |
| 144A, 8.75%, 5/15/2013                                                                   | 393,000                     | 408,229       |
| 9.5%, 6/1/2009                                                                           | 65,000                      | 67,113        |
| Allegheny Energy Supply Co., LLC, 144A,                    8.25%, 4/15/2012              | 520,000                     | 548,600       |
| CMS Energy Corp., 8.5%, 4/15/2011 (b)                                                    | 275,000                     | 290,572       |
| Edison Mission Energy, 7.0%, 5/15/2017                                                   | 100,000                     | 97,750        |
| Energy Future Holdings Corp., 144A,                    10.875%, 11/1/2017                | 160,000                     | 166,800       |
| Intergas Finance BV, Series REG S,                    6.875%, 11/4/2011 (b)              | 425,000                     | 420,750       |
| IPALCO Enterprises, Inc., 144A, 7.25%, 4/1/2016                                          | 50,000                      | 50,000        |
| Mirant Americas Generation LLC, 8.3%, 5/1/2011                                           | 190,000                     | 197,125       |
| Mirant North America LLC, 7.375%, 12/31/2013                                             | 30,000                      | 30,225        |
| NRG Energy, Inc.:                                                                        |                        |          |
| 7.25%, 2/1/2014                                                                          | 140,000                     | 137,200       |
| 7.375%, 2/1/2016                                                                         | 100,000                     | 97,500        |
| Oncor Electric Delivery Co., 7.0%, 9/1/2022                                              | 45,000                      | 43,245        |
| Regency Energy Partners LP, 8.375%, 12/15/2013 (b)                                       | 80,000                      | 82,800        |
| Reliant Energy, Inc., 7.875%, 6/15/2017 (b)                                              | 145,000                     | 145,725       |
| Sierra Pacific Resources:                                                                |                        |          |
| 6.75%, 8/15/2017                                                                         | 130,000                     | 125,277       |
| 8.625%, 3/15/2014                                                                        | 33,000                      | 34,521        |
| Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC, 144A, 10.25%, 11/1/2015                    | 235,000                     | 239,994       |
|                                                                                     | **3,411,632**               |
| **Total Corporate Bonds** (Cost $35,234,708)                                             | **33,752,096**              |
|                                                                                     |
| **Government & Agency Obligations 40.2%**                                            |
| **Sovereign Bonds**                                                                      |
| Dominican Republic:                                                                      |                        |          |
| 144A, 8.625%, 4/20/2027                                                                  | 115,000                     | 121,900       |
| Series REG S, 9.5%, 9/27/2011                                                            | 230,548                     | 242,075       |
| Federative Republic of Brazil:                                                           |                        |          |
| 6.0%, 1/17/2017                                                                          | 2,300,000                   | 2,428,800     |
| 7.125%, 1/20/2037 (b)                                                                    | 570,000                     | 668,325       |
| 7.875%, 3/7/2015                                                                         | 540,000                     | 626,400       |
| 8.75%, 2/4/2025                                                                          | 460,000                     | 593,400       |
| 8.875%, 10/14/2019                                                                       | 660,000                     | 854,700       |
| 11.0%, 8/17/2040 (b)                                                                     | 1,245,000                   | 1,693,822     |
| 12.5%, 1/5/2016 BRL                                                                      | 625,000                     | 378,230       |
| Government of Ukraine:                                                                   |                        |          |
| 144A, 6.75%, 11/14/2017                                                                  | 350,000                     | 337,750       |
| Series REG S, 7.65%, 6/11/2013                                                           | 460,000                     | 478,400       |
| Republic of Argentina:                                                                   |                        |          |
| 3.092%***, 8/3/2012 (PIK)                                                                | 1,084,375                   | 933,776       |
| 5.83%, 12/31/2033 (PIK) ARS                                                              | 543                         | 155           |
| Republic of Colombia:                                                                    |                        |          |
| 8.25%, 12/22/2014                                                                        | 80,000                      | 93,960        |
| 10.0%, 1/23/2012 (b)                                                                     | 665,000                     | 784,700       |
| 10.75%, 1/15/2013                                                                        | 200,000                     | 246,500       |
| Republic of El Salvador, 144A, 7.65%, 6/15/2035                                          | 885,000                     | 942,525       |
| Republic of Ghana, 144A, 8.5%, 10/4/2017                                                 | 100,000                     | 104,840       |
| Republic of Indonesia, 144A, 6.875%, 3/9/2017                                            | 625,000                     | 621,094       |
| Republic of Panama:                                                                      |                        |          |
| 7.125%, 1/29/2026 (b)                                                                    | 407,000                     | 445,665       |
| 9.375%, 1/16/2023                                                                        | 665,000                     | 862,838       |
| Republic of Peru, 7.35%, 7/21/2025 (b)                                                   | 2,015,000                   | 2,307,174     |
| Republic of Philippines:                                                                 |                        |          |
| 7.75%, 1/14/2031 (b)                                                                     | 215,000                     | 238,113       |
| 8.0%, 1/15/2016 (b)                                                                      | 1,055,000                   | 1,189,512     |
| 8.375%, 2/15/2011                                                                        | 205,000                     | 222,692       |
| 9.375%, 1/18/2017                                                                        | 325,000                     | 403,000       |
| Republic of Turkey:                                                                      |                        |          |
| 7.0%, 9/26/2016                                                                          | 815,000                     | 831,300       |
| 7.25%, 3/15/2015                                                                         | 180,000                     | 186,975       |
| 11.75%, 6/15/2010                                                                        | 1,175,000                   | 1,337,303     |
| Republic of Uruguay:                                                                     |                        |          |
| 7.625%, 3/21/2036                                                                        | 120,000                     | 126,600       |
| 8.0%, 11/18/2022                                                                         | 385,000                     | 421,575       |
| 9.25%, 5/17/2017                                                                         | 415,000                     | 508,375       |
| Republic of Venezuela, 10.75%, 9/19/2013 (b)                                             | 1,645,000                   | 1,710,800     |
| Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 144A, 6.875%, 1/15/2016 (b)                               | 965,000                     | 926,400       |
| United Mexican States:                                                                   |                        |          |
| 5.625%, 1/15/2017 (b)                                                                    | 180,000                     | 184,950       |
| Series A, 6.75%, 9/27/2034                                                               | 161,000                     | 176,005       |
| **Total Government & Agency Obligations** (Cost $23,760,727)                         | **24,230,629**              |
|                                                                                     |
| **Loan Participations & Assignments 7.8%**                                           |
| **Senior Loans*** 5.9%**                                                                 |
| Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 1.75%, 4.914%, 4/2/2014           | 29,699                      | 27,732        |
| Algoma Steel, Inc., Term Loan, LIBOR plus 2.5%, 5.664%, 6/30/2013                   | 17,760                      | 16,783        |
| Aspect Software, Inc., Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 2.5%, 5.664%, 6/29/2011                   | 125,000                     | 120,937       |
| Bausch & Lomb, Inc.:                                                                 |                        |          |
| Term Delay Draw, LIBOR plus 3.25%, 6.414%, 4/11/2015                                     | 10,000                      | 9,831         |
| Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 3.25%, 6.414%, 4/11/2015                                         | 84,788                      | 83,352        |
| Buffets, Inc.:                                                                           |                        |          |
| Letter of Credit, 4.73%, 5/1/2013                                                        | 19,378                      | 11,651        |
| Term Loan B, 7.906%, 1/13/2011                                                           | 145,219                     | 87,313        |
| Charter Communications Operations:                                                       |                        |          |
| Term Loan, LIBOR plus 2.0%, 5.164%, 3/6/2014                                             | 105,000                     | 104,650       |
| Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 3.25%, 6.414%, 4/27/2011                                         | 284,763                     | 254,186       |
| Community Health Systems, Inc.:                                                          |                        |          |
| Term Delay Draw, LIBOR plus 2.25%, 5.414%, 7/25/2014                                     | 9,045                       | 8,541         |
| Term Loan, LIBOR plus 2.25%, 5.414%, 7/25/2014                                           | 176,861                     | 166,995       |
| Cricket Communications, Inc., Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 3.0%, 6.164%, 6/16/2013            | 160,000                     | 157,250       |
| Energy Future Holdings Corp.:                                                            |                        |          |
| Term Loan B1, LIBOR plus 3.5%, 6.664%, 10/10/2014                                        | 492,525                     | 463,867       |
| Term Loan B3, LIBOR plus 3.5%, 6.664%, 10/10/2014                                        | 313,425                     | 294,424       |
| General Nutrition Centers, Inc., Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 2.25%, 5.414%, 9/16/2013        | 29,849                      | 27,611        |
| Golden Nugget, 5.71%, 6/16/2014                                                          | 60,000                      | 41,700        |
| Hawker Beechcraft, Inc.:                                                                 |                        |          |
| Letter of Credit, LIBOR plus 2.0%, 5.164%, 3/26/2014                                     | 12,600                      | 11,860        |
| Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 2.0%, 5.164%, 3/26/2014                                          | 216,217                     | 203,514       |
| HCA, Inc., Term Loan A1, 4.19%, 11/18/2012                                               | 419,519                     | 392,971       |
| Hexion Specialty Chemicals:                                                              |                        |          |
| Term Loan C1, LIBOR plus 2.25%, 5.414%, 5/5/2013                                         | 216,666                     | 206,916       |
| Term Loan C2, LIBOR plus 2.25%, 5.414%, 5/5/2013                                         | 63,854                      | 60,980        |
| IASIS Healthcare LLC, 8.131%, 6/15/2014                                                  | 80,000                      | 71,250        |
| Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Co.:                                                         |                        |          |
| Term Loan, 5.5%, 1/15/2015                                                               | 130,000                     | 128,050       |
| Term Loan, 8.875%, 1/15/2015                                                             | 25,000                      | 24,625        |
| Intelstat Corp., LIBOR plus 9.25%, 12.414%, 8/15/2014                                    | 25,000                      | 24,750        |
| Local TV On Satellite LLC, Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 2.25%, 5.414%, 5/7/2013               | 34,738                      | 30,395        |
| Longview Power LLC:                                                                      |                        |          |
| Demand Draw, 4.938%, 4/1/2014                                                            | 14,000                      | 12,110        |
| Letter of Credit, 5.0%, 4/1/2014                                                         | 4,000                       | 3,460         |
| Term Loan B, 5.0%, 4/1/2014                                                              | 12,000                      | 10,380        |
| NewPage Corp., Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 3.0%, 6.164%, 11/5/2014                      | 14,963                      | 14,958        |
| Sabre, Inc., Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 2.25%, 5.414%, 9/30/2014                       | 53,449                      | 45,706        |
| Symbion, Inc.:                                                                           |                        |          |
| Term Loan A, 6.149%, 8/23/2013                                                           | 23,775                      | 21,398        |
| Term Loan B, 6.149%, 8/23/2014                                                           | 23,775                      | 21,398        |
| Telesat Canada, Inc.:                                                                    |                        |          |
| Term Loan, 5.9%, 9/1/2014                                                                | 37,795                      | 36,017        |
| Term Loan B, LIBOR plus 3.0%, 6.164%, 10/31/2014                                         | 117,804                     | 112,262       |
| Term Loan, 9.0%, 10/31/2008                                                              | 160,000                     | 152,000       |
| Tribune Co., Term Loan B, 5.542%, 5/24/2014                                              | 109,175                     | 81,062        |
|                                                                                     | **3,542,885**               |
| **Sovereign Loans 1.9%**                                                                 |
| Credit Suisse (City of Kiev, Ukraine), 144A, 8.25%, 11/26/2012                      | 870,000                     | 891,402       |
| CSFB International (Exim Ukraine), 6.8%, 10/4/2012                                       | 290,000                     | 280,285       |
|                                                                                     | **1,171,687**               |
| **Total Loan Participations & Assignments** (Cost $4,855,037)                        | **4,714,572**               |
|                                                                                     |
| **Preferred Securities 0.2%**                                                            |
| Citigroup, Inc., Series E, 8.4%, 4/30/2018****                                           | 110,000                     | 109,042       |
| Xerox Capital Trust I, 8.0%, 7/14/2008****                                               | 30,000                      | 29,212        |
| **Total Preferred Securities** (Cost $141,275)                                      | **138,254**                 |

|                                                        | **Units** | **Value ($)** |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|---------------|
|                                                        |      |
| **Other Investments 0.1%**                                  |
| Hercules, Inc., (Bond Unit), 6.5%, 6/30/2029 (Cost $81,174) | 95,000    | **71,250**    |

|                                                                   | **Shares** | **Value ($)**  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------|
|                                                                   |       |
| **Common Stocks 0.0%**                                                 |
| GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc.* (Cost $19,453)                          | 1,741      | **1,480**      |
| * *                                                               |
| **Warrants 0.0%**                                                      |
| New ASAT Finance LLC, Expiration Date 2/1/2011* (Cost $0)         | 11,700     | **3,246**      |
| * *                                                               |
| **Convertible Preferred Stock 0.0%**                                   |
| ION Media Networks, Inc.:                                              |       |           |
| 144A, 12.0%*                                                           | 10,000     | 65             |
| Series AI, 144A, 12.0%*                                                | 25,000     | 163            |
| **Total Convertible Preferred Stock** (Cost $4,905)               | **228**    |
| * *                                                               |
| **Securities Lending Collateral 21.2%**                                |
| Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 2.76% (d) (e) (Cost $12,821,048) | 12,821,048 | **12,821,048** |
| * *                                                               |
| **Cash Equivalents 0.5%**                                              |
| Cash Management QP Trust, 2.48% (d) (Cost $327,829)                    | 327,829    | **327,829**    |

|                                                    | **% of Net Assets** | **Value ($)**    |
|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|------------------|
|                                                    |                |
| **Total Investment Portfolio** (Cost $77,246,156)+ | 125.9               | **76,060,632**   |
| **Other Assets and Liabilities, Net**                   | (19.8)              | **(11,935,736)** |
| **Notes Payable**                                       | (6.1)               | **(3,700,000)**  |
| **Net Assets**                                          | 100.0               | **60,424,896**   |

| **Securities**              | **Coupon** | **Maturity Date** | **Principal Amount ($)** | **Acquisition Cost ($)** | **Value ($)** |
|-----------------------------|------------|-------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|---------------|
| Congoleum Corp.             | 8.625%     | 8/1/2008          | 100,000                       | USD                           | 86,244        | 75,000 |
| Quebecor World, Inc.        | 9.75%      | 1/15/2015         | 55,000                        | USD                           | 55,975        | 31,900 |
| Radnor Holdings Corp.       | 11.0%      | 3/15/2010         | 20,000                        | USD                           | 18,294        | 25 |
| Tropicana Entertainment LLC | 9.625%     | 12/15/2014        | 190,000                       | USD                           | 142,456       | 106,400 |
| * *                    |       |              |                          | * *                      | **302,969**   | **213,325** |

*144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.*

*LIBOR: Represents the London InterBank Offered Rate.*

*PIK: Denotes that all or a portion of the income is paid in-kind.*

*At May 31, 2008, the Fund had unfunded loan commitments of $13,982, which could be extended at the option of the borrower, pursuant to the following loan agreement:*

| **Borrower**                                        | **Unfunded Loan Commitment ($)** | **Value ($)** | **Unrealized Depreciation ($)** |
|-----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|---------------|---------------------------------|
| Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Term Delay Draw, 4/11/2015 | 9,975                            | 9,831         | (144)                           |
| Telesat Canada, Inc., Term Delay Draw, 9/1/2014     | 4,007                            | 3,841         | (166)                           |
| **Total**                                           | **13,982**                       | **13,672**    | **(310)**                       |

*At May 31, 2008, open credit default swap contracts sold were as follows:*

| **Effective/                    Expiration Date** | **Notional Amount ($)** | **Cash Flows Received by the Fund** | **Underlying Debt Obligation**           | **Unrealized Appreciation/                    (Depreciation) ($)** |
|---------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 10/3/2007

12/20/2008                             | 55,0002                 | Fixed — 3.2%                            | General Motors Corp., 7.125%, 7/15/2013  | (435)                                                              |
| 10/4/2007

12/20/2008                             | 55,0001                 | Fixed — 3.1%                            | Ford Motor Co., 6.5%, 8/1/2018      | (846)                                                              |
| 10/5/2007

12/20/2008                             | 30,0002                 | Fixed — 3.15%                           | Ford Motor Co., 6.5%, 8/1/2018      | (450)                                                              |
| 10/23/2007

12/20/2008                            | 115,0003                | Fixed — 3.4%                            | Ford Motor Co., 6.5%, 8/1/2018      | (1,509)                                                            |
| 10/23/2007

12/20/2008                            | 110,0003                | Fixed — 3.0%                            | General Motors Corp., 7.125%, 7/15/2013  | (1,771)                                                            |
| 11/20/2007

12/20/2008                            | 60,0004                 | Fixed — 4.02%                           | Tenet Healthcare Corp., 7.375%, 2/1/2013 | 2,014                                                              |
| 2/14/2008

3/20/2009                              | 170,0004                | Fixed — 3.8%                            | HCA, Inc., 3.8%, 3/20/2009          | 4,569                                                              |
| 2/26/2008

3/20/2009                              | 130,0004                | Fixed — 5.0%                            | Tenet Healthcare Corp., 7.375%, 2/1/2013 | 4,953                                                              |
| 10/13/2007

12/20/2009                            | 60,0004                 | Fixed — 3.85%                           | Ford Motor Co., 6.5%, 8/1/2018      | (3,746)                                                            |
| 12/10/2007

12/20/2009                            | 55,0004                 | Fixed — 5.05%                           | Ford Motor Co., 6.5%, 8/1/2018      | (185)                                                              |
| 3/11/2007

12/20/2012                             | 1,500,0002              | Fixed — 0.77%                           | Government of Russia, 7.75%, 3/31/2030   | 1,844                                                              |
| 5/2/2008

6/20/2013                               | 60,0001                 | Fixed — 7.25%                           | Arco Chemical,

9.8%, 2/1/2020           | (266)                                                              |
| **Total net unrealized appreciation**             | **4,172**               |

| Counterparties:1*Goldman Sachs & Co.*2*JPMorgan Chase*3*Morgan Stanley Co., Inc.*4*Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.* |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

*As of May 31, 2008, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency exchange contracts:*

| **Contracts to Deliver** |   | **In Exchange For** |   | **Settlement Date** | **Unrealized Appreciation (US $)** |
|--------------------------|--------|---------------------|--------|---------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| EUR                      | 42,000 | * *            | USD    | 65,617              | * *                                | 6/5/2008 | **291** |

| **Contracts to Deliver** |    | **In Exchange For** |   | **Settlement Date** | **Unrealized Depreciation (US $)** |
|--------------------------|---------|---------------------|--------|---------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| EUR                      | 603,700 | * *            | USD    | 937,716             | * *                                | 6/5/2008 | **(2,272)** |

| **Currency Abbreviations**                                           |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ARS Argentine PesoBRL Brazilian RealEUR EuroUSD United States Dollar |

*The following is a summary of the inputs used as of May 31, 2008 in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value:*

| **Valuation Inputs**                                | **Investments in Securities at Value** | **Net Unrealized Appreciation on Other Financial Instruments‡‡** |
|-----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                |                                   |
| Level 1 — Quoted Prices                       | $ 13,148,877                           | $ —                                                                      |
| Level 2 — Other Significant Observable Inputs | 62,905,166                             | 1,881                                                                          |
| Level 3 — Significant Unobservable Inputs     | 6,589                                  | —                                                                        |
| **Total**                                           | **$ 76,060,632**                       | **$ 1,881**                                                                    |

*The following is a reconciliation of the Fund's assets in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value at May 31, 2008:*

|                                             | **Investments in Securities at Market Value** |
|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
|                                             |                                          |
| **Balance as of December 1, 2007**               | $ 4,612                                       |
| Total realized gains or losses                   | —                                       |
| Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 1,977                                         |
| Net purchases (sales)                            | —                                       |
| Net transfers in (out) of Level 3                | —                                       |
| **Balance as of May 31, 2008**                   | **$ 6,589**                                   |

*The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.*

**Financial Statements**

| **Statement of Assets and Liabilities**as of May 31, 2008 (Unaudited)                                                       |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Assets**                                                                                                                  |
| Investments:
Investments in securities, at value (cost $64,097,279) — including $12,369,070 of securities loaned | $ 62,911,755 |
| Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $12,821,048)*                                                           | 12,821,048 |
| Investment in Cash Management QP Trust (cost $327,829)                                                                 | 327,829 |
| Total investments in securities, at value (cost $77,246,156)                                                           | 76,060,632 |
| Cash                                                                                                                        | 409,261 |
| Foreign currency, at value (cost $657)                                                                                 | 664 |
| Receivable for investments sold                                                                                             | 146,658 |
| Interest receivable                                                                                                         | 1,378,981 |
| Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts                                                      | 291 |
| Unrealized appreciation on credit default swap contracts                                                                    | 4,172 |
| Other assets                                                                                                                | 6,252 |
| Total assets                                                                                                                | 78,006,911 |
| **Liabilities**                                                                                                             |
| Payable for investments purchased                                                                                           | 887,747 |
| Notes payable                                                                                                               | 3,700,000 |
| Interest on notes payable                                                                                                   | 4,184 |
| Payable upon return of securities loaned                                                                                    | 12,821,048 |
| Net payable on closed forward foreign currency exchange contracts                                                           | 722 |
| Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts                                                      | 2,272 |
| Unrealized depreciation on unfunded loan commitments                                                                        | 310 |
| Accrued management fee                                                                                                      | 44,098 |
| Other accrued expenses and payables                                                                                         | 121,634 |
| Total liabilities                                                                                                           | 17,582,015 |
| **Net assets, at value**                                                                                                    | **$ 60,424,896** |

*The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.*

| **Statement of Assets and Liabilities**as of May 31, 2008 (Unaudited) (continued)                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Net Assets**                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Net assets consist of:Distributions in excess of net investment income                                                                                                              | (190,092) |
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments                                                                                                                          | (1,185,524) |
| Unfunded loan commitments                                                                                                                                                           | (310) |
| Credit default swap contracts                                                                                                                                                       | 4,172 |
| Foreign currency                                                                                                                                                                    | (1,164) |
| Accumulated net realized gain (loss)                                                                                                                                                | (1,661,020) |
| Paid-in capital                                                                                                                                                                     | 63,458,834 |
| **Net assets, at value**                                                                                                                                                            | **$ 60,424,896** |
| **Net Asset Value**                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Net Asset Value** per share ($60,424,896 ÷ 4,694,525 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | **$ 12.87** |

*The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.*

| **Statement of Operations**for the six months ended May 31, 2008 (Unaudited)                              |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Investment Income**                                                                                     |
| Income:Interest (net of foreign taxes of $540)                                                            | $ 2,385,440 |
| Interest — Cash Management QP Trust                                                            | 10,933 |
| Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates | 40,403 |
| Total Income                                                                                              | 2,436,776 |
| Expenses:Management fee                                                                                   | 255,698 |
| Services to shareholders                                                                                  | 10,521 |
| Custodian fee                                                                                             | 7,059 |
| Legal fees                                                                                                | 24,988 |
| Audit and tax fees                                                                                        | 26,280 |
| Trustees' fees and expenses                                                                               | 11,862 |
| Reports to shareholders                                                                                   | 17,200 |
| Interest expense                                                                                          | 34,593 |
| Stock exchange listing fees                                                                               | 12,243 |
| Other                                                                                                     | 25,088 |
| Total expenses before expense reductions                                                                  | 425,532 |
| Expense reductions                                                                                        | (3,847) |
| Total expenses after expense reductions                                                                   | 421,685 |
| **Net investment income**                                                                                 | **2,015,091** |
| **Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)**                                                                   |
| Net realized gain (loss) from:Investments                                                                 | (856,980) |
| Credit default swap contracts                                                                             | 2,513 |
| Foreign currency                                                                                          | (6,195) |
| * *                                                                                                  | (860,662) |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation):Investments                                          | 70,484 |
| Unfunded loan commitments                                                                                 | (361) |
| Credit default swap contracts                                                                             | 17,004 |
| Foreign currency                                                                                          | (11,650) |
| * *                                                                                                  | 75,477 |
| **Net gain (loss)**                                                                                       | **(785,185)** |
| **Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations**                                       | **$ 1,229,906** |

*The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.*

| **Statement of Cash Flows**for the six months ended May 31, 2008 (Unaudited)                                                           |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Cash Flows from Operating Activities:**                                                                                              |
| Investment income received*                                                                                                            | $ 2,552,237 |
| Payment of operating expenses                                                                                                          | (427,060) |
| Payment of interest expense                                                                                                            | (37,981) |
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments                                                                                      | 10,753,324 |
| Net proceeds from foreign currency transactions                                                                                        | (6,195) |
| Net proceeds from swap contracts                                                                                                       | 2,513 |
| Purchases of investments                                                                                                               | (11,914,169) |
| Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments                                                                          | 35,754 |
| **Cash provided (used) by operating activities**                                                                                       | **$ 958,423** |
| **Cash Flows from Financing Activities:**                                                                                              |
| Net increase (decrease) in notes payable                                                                                               | $ 1,700,000 |
| Distributions paid (net of reinvestment of distributions)                                                                              | (2,300,317) |
| **Cash provided (used) by financing activities**                                                                                       | **(600,317)** |
| Increase (decrease) in cash                                                                                                            | 358,106 |
| Cash at beginning of period**                                                                                                          | 51,819 |
| **Cash at end of period****                                                                                                            | **$ 409,925** |
| **Reconciliation of Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations to Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities:** |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations                                                                        | $ 1,229,906 |
| Net (increase) decrease in cost of investments                                                                                         | 143,855 |
| Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                                                       | (70,484) |
| (Increase) decrease in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap contracts                                                        | (17,004) |
| (Increase) decrease in receivable for investments sold                                                                                 | 4,214 |
| (Increase) decrease in interest receivable                                                                                             | 49,075 |
| (Increase) decrease in other assets                                                                                                    | (1,597) |
| Increase (decrease) in interest on notes payable                                                                                       | (3,388) |
| Increase (decrease) in payable for investments purchased                                                                               | (349,619) |
| (Increase) decrease in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts                      | 11,475 |
| (Increase) decrease in unrealized depreciation on unfunded loan commitments                                                            | 361 |
| Increase (decrease) in other accrued expenses and payables                                                                             | (38,371) |
| **Cash provided (used) by operating activities**                                                                                       | **$ 958,423** |

*The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.*

| **Statement of Changes in Net Assets**                                                                                                                                      |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets**                                                                                                                                       | **Six Months Ended May 31, 2008 (Unaudited)** | **Year Ended November 30, 2007** |
| Operations:Net investment income                                                                                                                                            | $ 2,015,091 | $ 3,625,243 |
| Net realized gain (loss)                                                                                                                                                    | (860,662) | 2,080 |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                                                                                                                        | 75,477 | (2,853,499) |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations                                                                                                             | 1,229,906 | 773,824 |
| Distributions to shareholders from:Net investment income                                                                                                                    | (2,300,317) | (4,530,020) |
| Fund share and paid-in capital transactions:Net proceeds of shares issued in connection with the Fund's rights offering, net of offering costs of $226,313 (see Note H)     | — | 16,705,044 |
| Reinvestment of distributions                                                                                                                                               | — | 39,913 |
| Reimbursement by Advisor (see Note I)                                                                                                                                       | — | 175,116 |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share and paid-in capital transactions                                                                                      | — | 16,920,073 |
| **Increase (decrease) in net assets**                                                                                                                                       | (1,070,411) | 13,163,877 |
| Net assets at beginning of period                                                                                                                                           | 61,495,307 | 48,331,430 |
| Net assets at end of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income and undistributed net investment income of $190,092 and $95,134, respectively) | **$ 60,424,896** | **$ 61,495,307** |
| **Other Information**                                                                                                                                                       |
| Shares outstanding at beginning of period                                                                                                                                   | 4,694,525 | 3,493,500 |
| Shares issued from rights offering                                                                                                                                          | — | 1,198,256 |
| Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions                                                                                                              | — | 2,769 |
| Net increase in Fund shares                                                                                                                                                 | — | 1,201,025 |
| Shares outstanding at end of period                                                                                                                                         | 4,694,525 | 4,694,525 |

*The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.*

**Financial Highlights**

| **Years Ended November 30,**                                        | **2008a**   | **2007**    | **2006**    | **2005**    | **2004**    | **2003**    |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
| **Selected Per Share Data**                                         |
| **Net asset value, beginning of period**                            | **$ 13.10** | **$ 13.83** | **$ 14.02** | **$ 13.70** | **$ 12.73** | **$ 11.10** |
| *Income (loss) from investment operations:*

Net investment incomeb | .43         | .87         | .95         | 1.16        | 1.07        | 1.04        |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)                        | (.17)       | (.50)       | .52         | .24         | .98         | 1.67        |
| **Total from investment operations**                                | .26         | .37         | 1.47        | 1.40        | 2.05        | 2.71        |
| *Less distributions from:*

Net investment income                   | (.49)       | (1.08)      | (1.08)      | (1.08)      | (1.08)      | (1.08)      |
| Net realized gains on investment transactions                       | —     | —     | (.58)       | —     | —     | —     |
| **Total distributions**                                             | (.49)       | (1.08)      | (1.66)      | (1.08)      | (1.08)      | (1.08)      |
| Rights offering costs                                               | —     | (.06)c      | —     | —     | —     | —     |
| Advisor reimbursement                                               | —     | .04         | —     | —     | —     | —     |
| **Net asset value, end of period**                                  | **$ 12.87** | **$ 13.10** | **$ 13.83** | **$ 14.02** | **$ 13.70** | **$ 12.73** |
| **Market value, end of period**                                     | **$ 11.65** | **$ 11.51** | **$ 15.32** | **$ 13.92** | **$ 13.32** | **$ 14.25** |
| **Total Return**                                                    |
| Based on net asset value (%)d                                  | 2.56e**     | 2.73c,e,g   | 11.14e      | 11.01e      | 16.69e      | 25.52       |
| Based on market value (%)d                                     | 5.66**      | (18.52)     | 24.00       | 12.95       | 1.73        | 43.74       |

| **Years Ended November 30,**(continued)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | **2008a** | **2007** | **2006** | **2005** | **2004** | **2003** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
| **Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Net assets, end of period ($ millions)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 60        | 61       | 48       | 49       | 48       | 44       |
| Ratio of expenses before fee reductions (including interest expense) (%)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 1.41*     | 2.58     | 3.24     | 2.88     | 2.21     | 2.03     |
| Ratio of expenses after fee reductions (including interest expense) (%)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 1.40*     | 2.57     | 3.22     | 2.87     | 2.20     | 2.03     |
| Ratio of expenses after fee reductions (excluding interest expense) (%)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 1.29*     | 1.40     | 1.48     | 1.61     | 1.49     | 1.58     |
| Ratio of net investment income (%)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 6.70*     | 6.42     | 7.03     | 8.31     | 8.20     | 8.61     |
| Portfolio turnover rate (%)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | 18**      | 57       | 79       | 138      | 193      | 244      |
| Total debt outstanding, end of period ($ thousands)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 3,700     | 2,000    | 12,870   | 15,000   | 15,000   | 10,250   |
| Asset coverage per $1,000 of debtf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 17,331    | 31,748   | 4,755    | 4,260    | 4,183    | 5,326    |
| a*For the six months ended May 31, 2008 (Unaudited).*b*Based on average shares outstanding during the period.*c*During the period ended November 30, 2007, the Fund issued 1,198,256 shares in connection with a rights offering of the Fund's shares (see Note H). Without the effect of the rights offering costs, total return based on net asset value would have been 0.47% higher.*d*Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the Fund's net asset value during each period. Total return based on market value reflects changes in market value. Each figure assumes that dividend and capital gain distributions, if any, were reinvested. These figures will differ depending upon the level of any discount from or premium to net asset value at which the Fund's shares                traded during the period.*e*Total return would have been lower had certain fees not been reduced.*f*Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus borrowings of the Fund divided by the borrowings outstanding at period end.*g*Includes a non-recurring reimbursement from Advisor for a fee previously charged to the Fund (see Note I). Excluding this non-recurring reimbursement, total return should have been 0.33% lower.***Annualized****Not annualized* |

**Notes to Financial Statements(Unaudited)**

**A. Significant Accounting Policies**

DWS Strategic Income Trust (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the ``1940 Act''), as a closed-end, diversified management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.

The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

**Security Valuation.** Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading. Debt securities are valued by independent pricing services approved by the Trustees of the Fund. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, the securities are valued at the most recent bid quotation or evaluated        price, as applicable, obtained from a broker-dealer. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other data, as well as broker quotes. Equity securities are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (US or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which the security is traded most extensively. Securities for        which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation.

Money market instruments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of sixty days or less, maturing at par, are valued at amortized cost. Investments in open-end investment companies and Cash Management QP Trust are valued at their net asset value each business day.

Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Trustees.

The Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements ("FAS 157"), effective December 1, 2007, which governs the application of generally accepted accounting principles that require fair value measurements of the Fund's assets and liabilities. Fair value is an estimate of the price the Fund would receive upon selling a security in a timely transaction to an        independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the security. FAS 157 established a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular        valuation technique used to measure fair value including such a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the        assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels as follows:

• 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 risk, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

For Level 1 inputs, the Fund uses unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information as the most reliable evidence of fair value. The Fund's Level 2 valuation techniques include inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for an asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 observable inputs may include quoted        prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially over time or among market participants. Inputs that are observable for the asset or liability in Level 2 include such factors as interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and default rates for similar        liabilities. For Level 3 valuation techniques, the Fund uses unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions market participants would be expected to use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available and are developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. In developing unobservable inputs, market participant assumptions are used if they are reasonably available without        undue cost and effort.

The Fund may record changes to valuations based on the amount that might reasonably be expected to receive for a security upon its current sale consistent with the fair value measurement objective. Each determination is based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to the type of the security, the existence of        any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issue or of comparable companies, quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company's financial statements, an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which        the security is purchased and sold, and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination, and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. Because of the inherent uncertainties of valuation, the values reflected in the financial statements may materially differ from the value determined upon sale of those investments.

**New Accounting Pronouncement.** In March 2008, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 ("FAS 161"), "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity's derivative and hedging activities. FAS 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15,        2008. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FAS 161 will have on the Fund's financial statement disclosures.

**Securities Lending.** The Fund may lend securities to financial institutions. The Fund retains beneficial ownership of the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends paid by the issuer of securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of liquid, unencumbered        assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to the lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. The Fund is        subject to all investment risks associated with the value of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.

**Credit Default Swap Contracts.** A credit default swap is a contract between a buyer and a seller of protection against a pre-defined credit event. The Fund may buy or sell credit default swap contracts to seek to increase the Fund's income, to add leverage to the portfolio, or to hedge the risk of default on Fund securities. As a seller in the credit default swap contract, the Fund would be required to        pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default by a third party, such as a US or foreign corporate issuer, on the debt obligation, which would likely result in a loss to the Fund. In return, the Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Fund would keep the stream of payments and        would have no payment obligations. The Fund may also buy credit default swap contracts in order to hedge against the risk of default of debt securities, in which case the Fund would function as the counterparty referenced above. This would involve the risk that the contract may expire worthless. It would also involve credit risk — that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund in the event of a default. When the Fund sells a credit default swap contract it        will "cover" its commitment. This may be achieved by, among other methods, maintaining cash or liquid assets equal to the aggregate notional value of the underlying debt obligations for all outstanding credit default swap contracts sold by the Fund.

Credit default swap contracts are marked to market daily based upon quotations from the counterparty and the change in value, if any, is recorded daily as unrealized gain or loss. An upfront payment made by the Fund, if any, is recorded as an asset on the statement of assets and liabilities. An upfront payment received by the Fund, if any, is recorded as a liability on the statement of assets and liabilities. Under        the terms of the credit default swap contracts, the Fund receives or makes payments semiannually based on a specified interest rate on a fixed notional amount. These payments are recorded as a realized gain or loss on the statement of operations. Payments received or made as a result of a credit event or termination of the contract are recognized, net of a proportional amount of the upfront payment, as realized gains or losses.

**Foreign Currency Translations.** The books and records of the Fund are maintained in US dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into US dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into US dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the        respective dates of the transactions.

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the disposition of forward foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the US dollar amount actually received. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses        on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.

**Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts.** A forward foreign currency exchange contract ("forward currency contract") is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at the settlement date at a negotiated rate. The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings and        to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities.

Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and unrealized gain (loss) is recorded daily. Sales and purchases of forward currency contracts having the same settlement date and broker are offset and any gain (loss) is realized on the date of offset; otherwise, gain (loss) is realized on settlement date. Realized and unrealized gains and losses which represent the        difference between the value of a forward currency contract to buy and a forward currency contract to sell are included in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency related transactions.

Certain risks may arise upon entering into forward currency contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Additionally, when utilizing forward currency contracts to hedge, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit from favorable exchange rate movements during the term of the contract.

**When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities.** The Fund may purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in the net asset value. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and        paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues to the Fund until payment takes place. At the time the Fund enters into this type of transaction it is required to segregate cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the commitment.

Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery securities from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.

**Loan Participations and Assignments.** Loan Participations and Assignments are portions of loans originated by banks and sold in pieces to investors. These US dollar-denominated fixed and floating rate loans ("Loans") in which the Fund invests, are arranged between the borrower and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders"). These Loans may take the form of Senior Loans, which are corporate        obligations often issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buy-outs and refinancings, and Sovereign Loans, which are debt instruments between a foreign sovereign entity and one or more financial institutions. The Fund invests in such Loans in the form of participations in Loans ("Participations") or assignments of all or a portion of Loans from third parties ("Assignments"). Participations typically result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only        with the Lender, not with the borrower. The Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the Loan, or any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund        will not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. Assignments typically result in the Fund having a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, and the Fund may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement. All Loan Participations and Assignments involve interest rate risk,        liquidity risk and credit risk, including the potential default or insolvency of the borrower.

**Federal Income Taxes.** The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.

At November 30, 2007, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $217,000, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized, or until November 30, 2015, the expiration date, whichever occurs first.

The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of November 30, 2007 and has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

**Distribution of Income and Gains.** Net investment income of the Fund is declared and distributed to shareholders monthly. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed, and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually.

The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gains distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to forward currency contracts, certain securities sold at a loss, investments in passive foreign investment companies and premium amortization on debt        securities. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.

The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

**Contingencies.** In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

**Statement of Cash Flows.** Information on financial transactions which have been settled through the receipt and disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows represents the foreign currency position and cash held at the Fund's custodian bank at May 31, 2008. Non-cash activity from discount accretion and premium        amortization has been excluded from the Statement of Cash Flows.

**Other.** Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment security transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Certain dividends from foreign securities may        be recorded subsequent to the ex-dividend date as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for financial reporting purposes, with the exception of securities in default of principal.

**B. Purchases and Sales of Securities**

During the six months ended May 31, 2008, purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $11,564,550 and $10,749,110, respectively.

**C. Related Parties**

**Management Agreement.** Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to        investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund. In addition to portfolio management services, the Advisor provides certain administrative services in accordance with the Investment Management Agreement. The management fee payable under the Investment Management Agreement is equal to an annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly.

**Service Provider Fees.** DWS Investments Service Company ("DISC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DISC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DISC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DISC compensates DST        out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended May 31, 2008, the amount charged to the Fund by DISC aggregated $9,433, of which $6,264 is unpaid.

**Typesetting and Filing Service Fees.** Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended May 31, 2008, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "reports to shareholders" aggregated $3,700, all of which is unpaid.

**Trustees' Fees and Expenses.** The Fund paid each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor retainer fees plus specified amounts for various committee services and for the Board Chairperson.

In connection with the recent DWS Funds Board consolidation, certain Independent Board Members resigned and received a one-time retirement benefit. DIMA has agreed to reimburse the Funds for the cost of this benefit. During the period ended May 31, 2008, the Fund paid its allocated portion of the retirement benefit of $2,952 to the non-continuing Independent Board Members, and the Fund was reimbursed by DIMA for this        payment.

**Cash Management QP Trust.** Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund may invest in the Cash Management QP Trust (the ``QP Trust'') and other affiliated funds managed by the Advisor. The QP Trust seeks to provide as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity. The QP Trust does not pay the Advisor a management fee        for the affiliated funds' investments in the QP Trust.

**D. Investing in High Yield Securities**

Investing in high yield securities may involve greater risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in US Government bonds and other high quality fixed-income securities. These securities are non-investment grade securities, often referred to as "junk bonds." Economic downturns may disrupt the high yield market and impair the ability of issuers to repay principal and pay interest. Also, an increase in interest        rates would likely have an adverse impact on the value of such obligations. Moreover, high yield securities may be less liquid to the extent that there is no established retail secondary market and because of a decline in the value of such securities.

**E. Investing in Emerging Markets**

Investing in emerging markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States of America. These risks include revaluation of currencies, high rates of inflation, repatriation restrictions on income and capital, and future adverse political, social and economic developments. Moreover, securities issued in these markets may be less liquid, subject to government ownership        controls or delayed settlements and may have prices more volatile than those of comparable securities of issuers in the United States of America.

**F. Fee Reductions**

For the six months ended May 31, 2008, the Advisor agreed to reimburse the Fund $159, which represents a portion of the expected fee savings for the Advisor through December 31, 2007, related to the outsourcing by the Advisor of certain administrative services to an unaffiliated service provider.

In addition, the Fund has entered into an arrangement with its custodian and transfer agent whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund's custodian expenses. During the six months ended May 31, 2008, the Fund's custodian fee was reduced by $507 and $229, respectively, for custody and transfer agent credits earned.

**G. Borrowings**

The notes payable represents a secured loan of $3,700,000 from State Street Bank and Trust Company at May 31, 2008. The note bears interest at the 90-day LIBOR rate plus 0.65% (0.60% effective January 4, 2008) plus dealer fees (3.28% at May 31, 2008) which is payable at maturity. A commitment fee is charged to the Fund and is included with "interest expense" on the Statement of Operations. The loan amounts and rates are reset        periodically under a credit facility obtained by the Fund in an amount not to exceed $24,000,000 at any one time and which is available until January 2, 2009.

The weighted average outstanding daily balance of all loans (based on the number of days the loans were outstanding) during the six months ended May 31, 2008 was $1,982,692, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.94%.

**H. Rights Offering**

On May 14, 2007, the Fund issued 1,198,256 common shares in connection with a rights offering of the Fund's shares. Shareholders of record on April 9, 2007 were issued one non-transferable right for each share owned on that date. The rights entitled the shareholders to purchase one new common share for every three rights held. These shares were issued at a subscription price of $14.13. Net proceeds to the Fund were $16,705,044 after        deducting the rights offering costs of $226,313. The net asset value of the Fund's common shares was reduced by approximately $.06 per share as a result of the share issuance

**I. Payments Made by Affiliates**

During the year ended November 30, 2007, the Advisor fully reimbursed the Fund $175,116 for a fee previously charged to the Fund. This reimbursement was treated as a capital contribution and is reported as "Reimbursement by Advisor" on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

**Dividend Repurchase Plan**

**A. Participation**

We invite you to review the description of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the ``Plan'') which is available to you as a shareholder of DWS Strategic Income Trust (the ``Fund''). If you wish to participate and your shares are held in your own name, simply contact DWS Investments Service Company, whose address and phone number are provided in Paragraph E, for the appropriate form. If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage        firm, bank, or other nominee, you must instruct that nominee to re-register your shares in your name so that you may participate in the Plan, unless your nominee has made the Plan available on shares held by them. Shareholders who so elect will be deemed to have appointed Computershare, Inc. ("Computershare") as their agent and as agent for the Fund under the Plan.

**B. Dividend Investment Account**

The Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent or its delegate (the ``Transfer Agent'') will establish a Dividend Investment Account (the ``Account'') for each shareholder participating in the Plan. The Transfer Agent will credit to the Account of each participant funds it receives from the following sources: (a) cash dividends and capital gains distributions paid on shares of beneficial interest (the ``Shares'') of the        Fund registered in the participant's name on the books of the Fund; and (b) cash dividends and capital gains distributions paid on Shares registered in the name of the Transfer Agent but credited to the participant's Account. Sources described in clauses (a) and (b) of the preceding sentence are hereinafter called ``Distributions.''

**C. Investment of Distribution Funds Held in Each Account**

If on the record date for a Distribution (the ``Record Date''), Shares are trading at a discount from net asset value per Share (according to the evaluation most recently made on Shares of the Fund), funds credited to a participant's Account will be used to purchase Shares (the ``Purchase''). Computershare will attempt, commencing five days prior to the Payment Date and ending at the close of business on the Payment Date (``Payment        Date'' as used herein shall mean the last business day of the month in which such Record Date occurs), to acquire Shares in the open market. If and to the extent that Computershare is unable to acquire sufficient Shares to satisfy the Distribution by the close of business on the Payment Date, the Fund will issue to Computershare, Shares valued at net asset value per Share (according to the evaluation most recently made on Shares of the Fund) in the aggregate amount of the remaining        value of the Distribution. If, on the Record Date, Shares are trading at a premium over net asset value per Share, the Fund will issue on the Payment Date, Shares valued at net asset value per Share on the Record Date to the Transfer Agent in the aggregate amount of the funds credited to the participants' accounts.

**D. Voluntary Cash Contributions**

A participant may from time to time make voluntary cash contributions to his Account by sending to Transfer Agent a check or money order, payable to Transfer Agent, in a minimum amount of $100 with appropriate accompanying instructions. (No more than $500 may be contributed per month.) Transfer Agent will inform Computershare of the total funds available for the purchase of Shares and Computershare will use the funds to purchase        additional Shares for the participant's Account the earlier of: (a) when it next purchases Shares as a result of a Distribution or (b) on or shortly after the first day of each month and in no event more than 30 days after such date except when temporary curtailment or suspension of purchases is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities laws. Cash contributions received more than fifteen calendar days or less than five calendar days prior to a Payment Date        will be returned uninvested. Interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash contributions. Participants making voluntary cash investments will be charged a $.75 service fee for each such investment and will be responsible for their pro rata share of brokerage commissions.

**E. Additional Information**

Address all notices, correspondence, questions, or other communication regarding the Plan, or if you would like a copy of the Plan, to:

**DWS Investments Service Company**        P.O. Box 219066        Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9066        1-800-294-4366

**F. Adjustment of Purchase Price**

The Fund will increase the price at which Shares may be issued under the Plan to 95% of the fair market value of the shares on the Record Date if the net asset value per Share of the Shares on the Record Date is less than 95% of the fair market value of the Shares on the Record Date.

**G. Determination of Purchase Price**

The cost of Shares and fractional Shares acquired for each participant's Account in connection with a Purchase shall be determined by the average cost per Share, including brokerage commissions as described in Paragraph H hereof, of the Shares acquired by Computershare in connection with that Purchase. Shareholders will receive a confirmation showing the average cost and number of Shares acquired as soon as practicable after the        Transfer Agent has received or Computershare has purchased Shares. The Transfer Agent may mingle the cash in a participant's account with similar funds of other participants of the Fund for whom Computershare acts as agent under the Plan.

**H. Brokerage Charges**

There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of Distributions. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to Computershare's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of Distributions. Brokerage charges for purchasing small amounts of Shares for individual Accounts through the Plan can be expected to be less        than the usual brokerage charges for such transactions, as Computershare will be purchasing Shares for all participants in blocks and prorating the lower commission thus attainable.

**I. Service Charges**

There is no service charge by the Transfer Agent or Computershare to shareholders who participate in the Plan other than service charges specified in Paragraphs D and M hereof. However, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan in the future to include a service charge.

**J. Transfer of Shares Held by Agent**

The Transfer Agent will maintain the participant's Account, hold the additional Shares acquired through the Plan in safekeeping and furnish the participant with written confirmation of all transactions in the Account. Shares in the Account are transferable upon proper written instructions to the Transfer Agent. Upon request to the Transfer Agent, a certificate for any or all full Shares in a participant's Account will be sent to the        participant.

**K. Shares Not Held in Shareholder's Name**

Beneficial owners of Shares which are held in the name of a broker or nominee will not be automatically included in the Plan and will receive all distributions in cash. Such shareholders should contact the broker or nominee in whose name their Shares are held to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan.

**L. Amendments**

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan, including provisions with respect to any Distribution paid, subsequent to notice thereof sent to participants in the Plan at least ninety days before the record date for such Distribution, except when such amendment is necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or        policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, in which case such amendment shall be effective as soon as practicable. The amendment shall be deemed to be accepted by each participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Transfer Agent receives notice of the termination of such participant's account under the Plan in accordance with the terms hereof. The Plan may be terminated by the Fund.

**M. Withdrawal from Plan**

Shareholders may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving the Transfer Agent a written notice. If the proceeds are $100,000 or less and the proceeds are to be payable to the shareholder of record and mailed to the address of record, a signature guarantee normally will not be required for notices by individual account owners (including joint account owners), otherwise a signature guarantee will be required. In addition, if the        certificate is to be sent to anyone other than the registered owner(s) at the address of record, a signature guarantee will be required on the notice. A notice of withdrawal will be effective for the next Distribution following receipt of the notice by the Transfer Agent provided the notice is received by the Transfer Agent at least ten days prior to the Record Date for the Distribution. When a participant withdraws from the Plan, or when the Plan is terminated in accordance with        Paragraph L hereof, the participant will receive a certificate for full Shares in the Account, plus a check for any fractional Shares based on market price; or if a Participant so desires, the Transfer Agent will notify Computershare to sell his Shares in the Plan and send the proceeds to the participant, less brokerage commissions and a $2.50 service fee.

**N. Tax Implications**

Shareholders will receive tax information annually for personal records and to assist in preparation of their Federal income tax returns. If Shares are purchased at a discount, the amount of the discount is considered taxable income and is added to the cost basis of the purchased shares.

**Shareholder Meeting Results**

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of DWS Strategic Income Trust (the "Fund") was held on May 20, 2008 at the offices of Deutsche Asset Management, 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154. The following matter was voted upon by the shareholders of said Fund (the resulting votes are presented below):

1. To elect thirteen Trustees to the Board of the Fund.

| * *               | **Number of Votes:** |
|------------------------|----------------------|
| **Trustees**           | **For**              | **Withheld** |
| John W. Ballantine     | 3,775,548            | 362,449 |
| Henry P. Becton, Jr.   | 3,780,621            | 357,376 |
| Dawn-Marie Driscoll    | 3,778,515            | 359,482 |
| Keith R. Fox           | 3,670,630            | 467,367 |
| Paul K. Freeman        | 3,778,434            | 359,563 |
| Kenneth C. Froewiss    | 3,781,237            | 356,760 |
| Richard J. Herring     | 3,779,337            | 358,660 |
| William McClayton      | 3,777,215            | 360,782 |
| Rebecca W. Rimel       | 3,782,937            | 355,060 |
| William N. Searcy, Jr. | 3,779,587            | 358,410 |
| Jean Gleason Stromberg | 3,779,549            | 358,448 |
| Robert H. Wadsworth    | 3,781,949            | 356,048 |
| Axel Schwarzer         | 3,670,369            | 467,628 |

Until recently, substantially all DWS open-end funds and most DWS closed-end funds were overseen by one of two boards of directors or trustees (the "Boards"). In 2007, each Board, including the Board that has historically overseen the Fund (the "Chicago Board"), determined that the formation of a single consolidated Board overseeing all DWS funds (the "Consolidated Board") would be in the best interests of the funds. Accordingly,        each Board approved a plan to consolidate the Chicago Board with the other primary DWS fund board (the "New York Board"). (The geographic references in the preceding sentences merely indicate where each Board historically held most of its meetings.)

Effective May 20, 2008, with the election of the above-named Trustees, the Fund is governed by the Consolidated Board. The Consolidated Board consists of five members from the Fund's original Chicago Board (John W. Ballantine, Paul K. Freeman, William McClayton, Axel Schwarzer, and Robert H. Wadsworth) and eight members from the New York Board (Henry P. Becton, Jr., Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Keith R. Fox, Kenneth C. Froewiss, Richard J.        Herring, Rebecca W. Rimel, William N. Searcy, Jr., and Jean Gleason Stromberg). Prior to consolidation, four members of the Fund's original Board (Donald L. Dunaway, James R. Edgar, Robert B. Hoffman, and Shirley D. Peterson) resigned.

**Additional Information**

|                                              |
|---------------------------------------------------|
| **Automated Information Line**                    | **DWS Investments Closed-End Fund Info Line**

**(800) 349-4281** |
| **Web Sites**                                     | **www.dws-investments.com**
or visit our Direct Link:
**www.cef.dws.com**
Obtain quarterly fact sheets, financial reports, press releases and webcasts when available. |
| **Written Correspondence**                        | **Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.**
345 Park AvenueNew York, NY 10154 |
| **Proxy Voting**                                  | A description of the fund's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period endedJune 30is available on our Web site — www.dws-investments.com (click on "proxy voting"at the                bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — www.sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the fund's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 621-1048. |
| **Legal Counsel**                                 | **Vedder Price P.C.**
222 North LaSalle StreetChicago, IL 60601 |
| **Dividend Reinvestment Plan Agent**         | **Computershare Inc.**
P.O. Box 43078Providence, RI 02940-3078 |
| **Shareholder Service Agent and Transfer Agent**  | **DWS Investments Service Company**
P.O. Box 219066Kansas City, MO 64121-9066
**(800) 294-4366** |
| **Custodian**                                     | **State Street Bank and Trust Company**
225 Franklin StreetBoston, MA 02110 |
| **Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** | **Ernst & Young LLP**
200 Clarendon StreetBoston, MA 02116 |
| **NYSE Symbol**                                   | KST |
| **CUSIP Number**                                  | 23338N 104 |

**Privacy Statement**

This privacy statement is issued by DWS Investments Distributors, Inc., Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., DeAM Investor Services, Inc., DWS Trust Company and the DWS Funds.

We never sell customer lists or individual client information. **We consider privacy fundamental to our client relationships and adhere to the policies and practices described below to protect current and former clients' information.** Internal policies are in place to protect confidentiality, while allowing client needs to be served. Only individuals who need to do so in carrying out their job        responsibilities may access client information. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal and state standards to protect confidentiality. These safeguards extend to all forms of interaction with us, including the Internet.

In the normal course of business, clients give us nonpublic personal information on applications and other forms, on our Web sites, and through transactions with us or our affiliates. Examples of the nonpublic personal information collected are name, address, Social Security number and transaction and balance information. To be able to serve our clients, certain of this client information is shared with affiliated and nonaffiliated        third-party service providers such as transfer agents, custodians, and broker-dealers to assist us in processing transactions and servicing your account with us. In addition, we may disclose all of the information we collect to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf or to other financial institutions with which we have joint marketing agreements. The organizations described above that receive client information may only use it for the purpose designated by the DWS        Investments Companies listed in the first paragraph of this Privacy Statement.

We may also disclose nonpublic personal information about you to other parties as required or permitted by law. For example, we are required or we may provide information to government entities or regulatory bodies in response to requests for information or subpoenas, to private litigants in certain circumstances, to law enforcement authorities, or any time we believe it necessary to protect the firm.

Questions on this policy may be sent to:

DWS Investments        Attention: Correspondence — Chicago        P.O. Box 219415        Kansas City, MO 64121-9415

September 2007

**Notes**

**Notes**

----

 

| **ITEM 2.** | **CODE OF ETHICS**                         |
|-------------|--------------------------------------------|
|        |                                       |
|        | Not applicable.                            |
|        |                                       |
| **ITEM 3.** | **AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT**       |
|        |                                       |
|        | Not applicable.                            |
|        |                                       |
| **ITEM 4.** | **PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES** |
|        |                                       |
|        | Not applicable.                            |

 

| **ITEM 5.** | **AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS**                                                             |
|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        |                                                                                                  |
|        | Not Applicable                                                                                        |
|        |                                                                                                  |
| **ITEM 6.** | **SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS**                                                                           |
|        |                                                                                                  |
|        | Not Applicable                                                                                        |
|        |                                                                                                  |
| **ITEM 7.** | **DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES** |
|        |                                                                                                  |
|        | Not applicable.                                                                                       |
|        |                                                                                                  |
| **ITEM 8.** | **PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES**                                  |
|        |                                                                                                  |
|        | Not applicable.                                                                                       |

 

| **ITEM 9.** | **PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS** |
|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        |                                                                                                     |
|        |                                                                                                     |

 

|                           | (a)                                    | (b)                          | (c)                                                                              | (d)                                                                            |
|--------------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  

Period            | Total Number of Shares Purchased  | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
|                           |                                   |                         |                                                                             |                                                                           |
| December 1 through December 31 | 0                                      | n/a                          | n/a                                                                              | n/a                                                                            |
| January 1 through January 31   | 0                                      | n/a                          | n/a                                                                              | n/a                                                                            |
| February 1 through February 28 | 0                                      | n/a                          | n/a                                                                              | n/a                                                                            |
| March 1 through March 31       | 0                                      | n/a                          | n/a                                                                              | n/a                                                                            |
| April 1 through April 30       | 0                                      | n/a                          | n/a                                                                              | n/a                                                                            |
| May 1 through May 31           | 0                                      | n/a                          | n/a                                                                              | n/a                                                                            |
|                           |                                   |                         |                                                                             |                                                                           |
| Total                          | 0                                      | n/a                          | n/a                                                                              | n/a                                                                            |

 

----

 

 

| **ITEM 10.** | **SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|         | The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Chairman of the Board, P.O.                            Box 100176, Cape Coral, FL 33910. |
|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **ITEM 11.** | **CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|         | (a)        The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.                                                                                                                 |
|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|         | (b)        There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over                            financial reporting.                       |
|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **ITEM 12.** | **EXHIBITS**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|         | (a)(1)   Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|         | (b)       Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

 

 

 

 

----

Form N-CSRS Item F

 

**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: | DWS Strategic Income Trust |
|-------------|----------------------------|

 

| By: | /s/Michael G. Clark |
|-----|---------------------|

|   | Michael G. Clark |
|--------|------------------|

President

 

| Date: | July 30, 2008 |
|-------|---------------|

 

 

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.

 

| Registrant: | DWS Strategic Income Trust |
|-------------|----------------------------|

 

| By: | /s/Michael G. Clark |
|-----|---------------------|

|   | Michael G. Clark |
|--------|------------------|

President

 

| Date: | July 30, 2008 |
|-------|---------------|

 

 

| By: | /s/Paul Schubert |
|-----|------------------|

|   | Paul Schubert |
|--------|---------------|

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

| Date: | July 30, 2008 |
|-------|---------------|