(FRONT COVER)

First Quarter Report 2009

Tri-Continental

Corporation

an investment you can live with



Tri-Continental Corporation

FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2009

May 29, 2009

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

          We are pleased to present the first quarter stockholder report for Tri-Continental Corporation (the “Corporation”), covering the three months ended March 31, 2009. Within this report you will find the Corporation’s investment results and portfolio of investments.

          For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Corporation’s total return based on net asset value declined 13.1%, and its total return based on market price declined 14.0%. During the same period, the S&P 500 Index declined 11.0%, the Lipper Closed-End Core Funds Average declined 9.7%, and the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Average declined 9.8%.

          On March 23, 2009, in accordance with the Corporation’s new earned income distribution policy, the Corporation paid a first quarter 2009 dividend of $0.056 per share to holders of Tri-Continental common stock. On May 21, 2009, the Corporation’s Board of Directors declared a second quarter 2009 dividend of $0.049 per common share, expected to be paid on June 9, 2009.

          There are many distribution payment options available under the distribution policy, and we continue to recommend that stockholders assess their income needs and consider investing a portion of their distributions in additional shares of Tri-Continental. The payment options are outlined on page 11 of this report. You may change your payment election by contacting your Financial Advisor or by calling Stockholder Services at 800-TRI-1092.

          January 12, 2009 marked eighty years since the first offering of Tri-Continental. While much has happened over the course of those eight decades, one thing has remained steadfast: Tri-Continental’s commitment to its investment objective of seeking growth of both capital and income while providing reasonable current income. On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank you for your continued support of Tri-Continental Corporation.

By order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

 

-s- Stephen R. Lewis

-s- Patrick T. Bannigan

(NYSE LOGO)

Stephen R. Lewis, Jr.

Patrick T. Bannigan

Chairman

President

1


Tri-Continental Corporation

Investment Results Per Common Share

TOTAL RETURNS
For Periods Ended March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three

 

One

 

Two

 

Three

 

Five

 

Ten

 

 

 

Months*

 

Year

 

Years

 

Years

 

Years

 

Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Price

 

(14.00

)%

 

(46.14

)%

 

(31.49

)%

 

(18.67

)%

 

(8.23

)%

 

(5.50

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

(13.12

)

 

(44.68

)

 

(30.76

)

 

(18.34

)

 

(8.42

)

 

(5.84

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lipper Closed-End Core
Funds Average
**

 

(9.65

)

 

(40.03

)

 

(25.36

)

 

(14.41

)

 

(5.48

)

 

(0.87

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lipper Large-Cap Core
Funds Average
**

 

(9.84

)

 

(37.32

)

 

(22.84

)

 

(13.18

)

 

(4.96

)

 

(2.80

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S&P 500 Index**

 

(11.01

)

 

(38.08

)

 

(23.30

)

 

(13.04

)

 

(4.76

)

 

(3.00

)

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRICE PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Price

 

 

$

8.42

 

 

 

$

9.86

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

 

 

9.74

 

 

 

 

11.29

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIVIDEND, CAPITAL GAIN AND YIELD INFORMATION

 

For Periods Ended March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

SEC 30-Day

 

Paid‡

 

 

Realized

 

 

Gain†

 

 

Loss†

 

 

Yieldø

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$0.056

 

 

$(2.01)

 

 

$0.21

 

 

$(4.32)

 

 

2.77%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                           

Performance data quoted in this report represents past performance and does not guarantee or indicate future investment results. The rates of return will vary and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Total returns of the Corporation as of the most recent month end will be made available at www.seligman.com1 by the seventh business day following that month end.

J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated, the investment manager of the Corporation prior to November 7, 2008, made certain payments to the Corporation in 2004. Absent such payments, the net asset value returns that include this period would have been lower. Returns reflect changes in market price or net asset value, as applicable, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Performance data quoted does not reflect the deduction of taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares. An investment in Tri-Continental is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

 

 

 

See footnotes on page 3.

2


Tri-Continental Corporation

Investment Results Per Common Share (continued)

 

 

 

 


 

 

  *

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

 

**   

The Lipper Closed-End Core Funds Average and the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Average (the “Lipper Averages”) and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the “S&P 500 Index”) are unmanaged benchmarks that assume reinvestment of all distributions. The Lipper Averages exclude the effect of fees, taxes, and sales charges. The S&P 500 Index also excludes the effect of expenses. The Lipper Closed-End Core Funds Average measures the performance of closed-end funds that, by portfolio practice, typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, compared to the S&P SuperComposite 1500 Index. The Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Average includes open-end funds that, by portfolio practice, invest at least 75% of their equity assets in companies with market capitalizations (on a three-year weighted basis) greater than 300% of the dollar-weighted median market capitalization of the middle 1,000 securities of the S&P SuperComposite 1500 Index. The Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Average is provided for comparative purposes so that the Corporation’s performance can be measured against both closed-end and open-end funds with similar portfolio holdings as the Corporation. Lipper classifies the Corporation, based on its portfolio holdings, as a Closed-End Core Fund. The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of 500 of the largest US companies based on market capitalizations. Investors cannot invest directly in an index or an average.

 

 

  ‡

Preferred Stockholders were paid dividends totaling $0.625 per share.

 

 

  

Represents the per share amount of gross unrealized gain or loss of portfolio securities as of March 31. 2009.

 

 

  Ø

Current yield, representing the annualized yield for the 30-day period ended March 31, 2009, has been computed in accordance with SEC regulations and will vary.

 

 

  1

The website reference is an inactive textual reference and information contained in or otherwise accessible through the website does not form a part of this report or the Corporation’s prospectus or statement of additional information.

3


Tri-Continental Corporation

Ten Largest Equity Holdings
March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

 

 

 

(000s)

 

(000s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chevron Corporation

 

$

45,711

 

$

42,473

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

 

 

41,578

 

 

38,545

 

Johnson & Johnson

 

 

39,678

 

 

35,320

 

Pfizer Inc.

 

 

46,765

 

 

31,242

 

Home Depot, Inc.

 

 

24,401

 

 

24,243

 

International Business Machines Corporation

 

 

19,016

 

 

22,566

 

Macrovision Solutions Corporation

 

 

23,180

 

 

21,155

 

Procter & Gamble Company (The)

 

 

26,370

 

 

20,032

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

 

 

15,591

 

 

14,767

 

Amgen Inc.

 

 

16,370

 

 

14,125

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

$

298,660

 

$

264,468

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

There can be no assurance that the securities presented have remained or will remain in the Corporation’s portfolio. Information regarding the Corporation’s portfolio holdings should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any security or as an indication that any security is suitable for a particular investor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excludes options purchased.


 

 

 

 

Largest Portfolio Changes

 

January 1 to March 31, 2009

 

 

 

Largest Purchases

 

Largest Sales

 

 

 

 

 

Johnson & Johnson

AT&T Inc.**

Amgen Inc.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Pfizer Inc.

McDonald’s Corporation

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Procter & Gamble Company (The)

Activision Blizzard, Inc.**

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Yahoo!, Inc.**

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

Chevron Corporation

Southern Company*

Exelon Corporation**

Dell Inc.*

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.**

Noble Corporation*

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated**

Largest portfolio changes from the previous period to the current period are based on cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities, listed in descending order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  *

Position added during the period.

 

 

**

Position eliminated during the period.

4


 

 

Tri-Continental Corporation

 

 

 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

March 31, 2009


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS 98.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AEROSPACE AND
DEFENSE 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boeing Company

 

 

67,909

 

$

2,416,201

 

General Dynamics Corporation

 

 

68,387

 

 

2,844,215

 

United Technologies Corporation

 

 

37,005

 

 

1,590,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,850,891

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

AIR FREIGHT AND
LOGISTICS 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

 

 

26,764

 

 

1,220,706

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

AIRLINES 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southwest Airlines Co.

 

 

123,560

 

 

782,135

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

AUTO COMPONENTS 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnson Controls, Inc.

 

 

136,811

 

 

1,641,732

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

BEVERAGES 3.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown-Forman Corporation
(Class B)

 

 

20,369

 

 

790,928

 

Coca-Cola Company (The)

 

 

269,870

 

 

11,860,787

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

 

 

286,843

 

 

14,766,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,418,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

BIOTECHNOLOGY 2.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amgen Inc.*

 

 

285,235

 

 

14,124,837

 

Celgene Corporation*

 

 

37,890

 

 

1,682,316

 

Cephalon, Inc.

 

 

17,339

 

 

1,180,786

 

Gilead Sciences, Inc.*

 

 

63,714

 

 

2,951,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,939,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

BUILDING PRODUCTS 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masco Corporation

 

 

173,038

 

 

1,207,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Schwab Corporation

 

 

119,572

 

 

1,853,366

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

 

 

16,649

 

 

1,765,127

 

Morgan Stanley

 

 

405,709

 

 

9,237,994

 

State Street Corporation

 

 

61,120

 

 

1,881,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,737,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHEMICALS 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dow Chemical Company

 

 

950,569

 

$

8,013,297

 

E. I. du Pont de Nemours
and Company

 

 

70,716

 

 

1,579,088

 

PPG Industries, Inc.

 

 

43,664

 

 

1,611,202

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,203,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BB&T Corporation

 

 

127,103

 

 

2,150,583

 

Comerica Incorporated

 

 

50,712

 

 

928,537

 

Fifth Third Bancorp

 

 

253,453

 

 

740,083

 

KeyCorp

 

 

123,471

 

 

971,717

 

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation

 

 

140,663

 

 

791,933

 

People’s United Financial, Inc.

 

 

50,052

 

 

899,434

 

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

 

 

109,671

 

 

1,287,538

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

 

93,945

 

 

1,337,777

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,107,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES
AND SUPPLIES 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republic Services, Inc.

 

 

81,844

 

 

1,403,625

 

Waste Management, Inc.

 

 

125,535

 

 

3,213,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,617,321

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.*

 

 

217,878

 

 

3,653,814

 

Corning Incorporated

 

 

326,269

 

 

4,329,590

 

Motorola, Inc.

 

 

406,815

 

 

1,720,827

 

QUALCOMM Inc.

 

 

137,914

 

 

5,366,234

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,070,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

COMPUTERS AND
PERIPHERALS 3.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dell Inc.*

 

 

351,031

 

 

3,327,774

 

International Business Machines
Corporation

 

 

232,905

 

 

22,566,165

 

Lexmark International Inc.
(Class A)*

 

 

64,655

 

 

1,090,730

 

QLogic Corp.*

 

 

74,089

 

 

823,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,808,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 



 

 

 

 

See footnotes on page 9.

5


 

 

Tri-Continental Corporation

 

 

 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

March 31, 2009


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION AND
ENGINEERING 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluor Corporation

 

 

25,350

 

$

875,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

CONSUMER FINANCE 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Express Company

 

 

29,059

 

 

396,074

 

Capital One Financial
Corporation

 

 

110,776

 

 

1,355,898

 

Discover Financial Services

 

 

99,564

 

 

628,249

 

SLM Corporation*

 

 

129,265

 

 

639,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,020,083

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

DISTRIBUTORS 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genuine Parts Company

 

 

29,421

 

 

878,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

DIVERSIFIED CONSUMER
SERVICES 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H&R Block, Inc.

 

 

142,636

 

 

2,594,549

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL
SERVICES 3.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

 

1,472,802

 

 

10,044,510

 

CIT Group Inc.

 

 

137,161

 

 

390,909

 

Citigroup Inc.

 

 

2,617,393

 

 

6,622,004

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

 

292,301

 

 

7,769,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,826,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

DIVERSIFIED
TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frontier Communications
Corporation

 

 

80,589

 

 

578,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

ELECTRIC UTILITIES 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FirstEnergy Corp.

 

 

45,940

 

 

1,773,284

 

Southern Company

 

 

109,694

 

 

3,358,830

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,132,114

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerson Electric Co.

 

 

68,399

 

 

1,954,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT,
INSTRUMENTS AND
COMPONENTS 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLIR Systems, Inc.

 

 

39,880

 

 

816,742

 

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

 

 

166,965

 

 

928,325

 

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

 

 

62,962

 

 

695,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,440,167

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENERGY EQUIPMENT
AND SERVICES 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baker Hughes Incorporated

 

 

67,743

 

$

1,934,063

 

BJ Services Company

 

 

96,118

 

 

956,374

 

ENSCO International
Incorporated

 

 

65,568

 

 

1,730,995

 

Halliburton Company

 

 

202,292

 

 

3,129,457

 

Nabors Industries Ltd.*

 

 

94,703

 

 

946,083

 

National Oilwell Varco Inc.

 

 

76,799

 

 

2,204,899

 

Noble Corporation

 

 

62,178

 

 

1,497,868

 

Weatherford International Ltd.*

 

 

263,152

 

 

2,913,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,312,832

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

FOOD AND STAPLES
RETAILING 5.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sysco Corporation

 

 

75,211

 

 

1,714,811

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

 

 

739,830

 

 

38,545,143

 

Walgreen Company

 

 

82,882

 

 

2,151,617

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,411,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Mills, Inc.

 

 

177,518

 

 

8,854,598

 

J. M. Smucker Company

 

 

26,839

 

 

1,000,290

 

Kellogg Company

 

 

42,466

 

 

1,555,530

 

Sara Lee Corporation

 

 

178,073

 

 

1,438,830

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,849,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT
AND SUPPLIES 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Becton Dickinson & Company

 

 

27,125

 

 

1,823,885

 

Covidien Limited

 

 

83,527

 

 

2,776,437

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,600,322

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
AND SERVICES 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardinal Health, Inc.

 

 

57,345

 

 

1,805,221

 

CIGNA Corporation

 

 

125,553

 

 

2,208,477

 

DaVita, Inc.

 

 

14,798

 

 

650,372

 

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

 

 

22,724

 

 

1,078,936

 

UnitedHealth Group
Incorporated

 

 

14,829

 

 

310,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,053,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 



 

 

 

 

See footnotes on page 9.

6


 

 

Tri-Continental Corporation

 

 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

March 31, 2009


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS
AND LEISURE 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McDonald’s Corporation

 

 

236,932

 

$

12,929,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leggett & Platt, Incorporated

 

 

56,843

 

 

738,391

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS 3.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

 

 

35,420

 

 

1,633,216

 

Procter & Gamble
Company (The)

 

 

425,397

 

 

20,031,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,665,161

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT POWER
PRODUCERS AND
ENERGY TRADERS 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Constellation Energy Group Inc.

 

 

35,925

 

 

742,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

INDUSTRIAL
CONGLOMERATES 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3M Company

 

 

83,858

 

 

4,169,420

 

General Electric Company

 

 

858,792

 

 

8,682,387

 

Tyco International Ltd.

 

 

197,708

 

 

3,867,168

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,718,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

INSURANCE 4.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aflac, Inc.

 

 

55,592

 

 

1,076,261

 

Allstate Corporation

 

 

437,131

 

 

8,371,059

 

AON Corporation

 

 

41,732

 

 

1,703,500

 

Chubb Corporation

 

 

59,901

 

 

2,535,010

 

Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc.

 

 

61,987

 

 

486,598

 

Lincoln National Corporation

 

 

49,430

 

 

330,687

 

Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc.

 

 

227,891

 

 

4,614,793

 

MetLife, Inc.

 

 

37,621

 

 

856,630

 

Progressive Corporation

 

 

393,088

 

 

5,283,103

 

Prudential Financial, Inc.

 

 

31,793

 

 

604,703

 

Torchmark Corporation

 

 

41,023

 

 

1,076,033

 

Travellers Companies, Inc.

 

 

152,125

 

 

6,182,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,120,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT SERVICES 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliated Computer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services Inc.*

 

 

28,552

 

$

1,367,355

 

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

 

 

103,230

 

 

3,629,567

 

Mastercard Inc. (Class A)

 

 

15,243

 

 

2,552,898

 

Paychex, Inc.

 

 

68,965

 

 

1,770,332

 

Western Union Company

 

 

137,733

 

 

1,731,304

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,051,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

LEISURE EQUIPMENT
AND PRODUCTS 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hasbro, Inc.

 

 

62,061

 

 

1,555,869

 

Mattel, Inc.

 

 

120,930

 

 

1,394,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,950,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

MACHINERY 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cummins, Inc.

 

 

36,900

 

 

939,105

 

Dover Corporation

 

 

32,990

 

 

870,276

 

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

 

 

67,069

 

 

2,069,079

 

Ingersoll-Rand Company Ltd.
(Class A)

 

 

108,637

 

 

1,499,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,377,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

MEDIA 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CBS Corp. (Class B)

 

 

202,002

 

 

775,688

 

Comcast Corporation (Class A)

 

 

803,105

 

 

10,954,352

 

DIRECTV Group Inc.*

 

 

82,626

 

 

1,883,047

 

Gannett Co., Inc.

 

 

234,802

 

 

516,564

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,129,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

METALS AND MINING 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alcoa Inc.

 

 

60,562

 

 

444,525

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper &
Gold, Inc.

 

 

28,588

 

 

1,089,489

 

Nucor Corporation

 

 

75,837

 

 

2,894,698

 

United States Steel Corporation

 

 

30,531

 

 

645,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,073,832

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

MULTI-UTILITIES 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PG&E Corporation

 

 

26,013

 

 

994,217

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Dollar Stores Inc.

 

 

71,498

 

 

2,385,888

 

Kohl’s Corporation*

 

 

27,584

 

 

1,167,355

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,553,243

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

See footnotes on page 9.

7


 

 

Tri-Continental Corporation

 

 

 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

March 31, 2009


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OFFICE ELECTRONICS 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xerox Corporation

 

 

123,011

 

$

559,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OIL, GAS AND
CONSUMABLE FUELS 13.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apache Corporation

 

 

63,178

 

 

4,049,078

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

 

 

98,597

 

 

1,682,065

 

Chevron Corporation

 

 

631,656

 

 

42,472,549

 

ConocoPhillips Company

 

 

257,806

 

 

10,095,683

 

CONSOL Energy Inc.

 

 

27,241

 

 

687,563

 

EOG Resources, Inc.

 

 

46,999

 

 

2,573,665

 

Exxon Mobil Corporation

 

 

99,497

 

 

6,775,746

 

Hess Corporation

 

 

53,467

 

 

2,897,911

 

Marathon Oil Corporation

 

 

160,201

 

 

4,211,684

 

Murphy Oil Corporation

 

 

34,239

 

 

1,532,880

 

Noble Energy, Inc.

 

 

33,557

 

 

1,808,051

 

Occidental Petroleum
Corporation

 

 

183,689

 

 

10,222,293

 

Peabody Energy Corporation

 

 

52,438

 

 

1,313,048

 

Southwestern Energy Company*

 

 

77,135

 

 

2,290,138

 

Spectra Energy Corporation

 

 

164,959

 

 

2,332,520

 

Sunoco, Inc.

 

 

24,149

 

 

639,466

 

Valero Energy Corporation

 

 

109,961

 

 

1,968,302

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97,552,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS 13.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abbott Laboratories

 

 

36,220

 

 

1,727,694

 

Eli Lilly & Company

 

 

102,782

 

 

3,433,947

 

Forest Laboratories, Inc.*

 

 

114,465

 

 

2,513,651

 

Johnson & Johnson

 

 

671,478

 

 

35,319,743

 

King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

 

191,692

 

 

1,355,262

 

Merck & Co. Inc.

 

 

234,337

 

 

6,268,515

 

Pfizer Inc.

 

 

2,293,822

 

 

31,241,856

 

Schering-Plough Corporation

 

 

352,988

 

 

8,312,867

 

Wyeth

 

 

112,068

 

 

4,823,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

94,996,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT TRUSTS 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Residential

 

 

71,249

 

 

1,307,419

 

Public Storage

 

 

24,038

 

 

1,328,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,635,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROAD AND RAIL 2.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burlington Northern Santa Fe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporation

 

 

58,604

 

$

3,525,031

 

CSX Corporation

 

 

118,556

 

 

3,064,673

 

Norfolk Southern Corporation

 

 

179,084

 

 

6,044,085

 

Union Pacific Corporation

 

 

154,292

 

 

6,342,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,976,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS AND
SEMICONDUCTOR
EQUIPMENT 2.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altera Corporation

 

 

130,779

 

 

2,295,171

 

Intel Corporation

 

 

743,067

 

 

11,183,158

 

Linear Technology Corporation

 

 

81,841

 

 

1,880,706

 

MEMC Electronic
Materials, Inc.*

 

 

75,552

 

 

1,245,852

 

Microchip Technology
Incorporated

 

 

48,510

 

 

1,027,927

 

Xilinx, Inc.

 

 

83,265

 

 

1,595,357

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,228,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOFTWARE 3.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BMC Software Inc.*

 

 

17,722

 

 

584,826

 

Intuit Inc.

 

 

30,777

 

 

830,979

 

Macrovision Solutions
Corporation*

 

 

1,189,153

 

 

21,155,032

 

Symantec Corporation*

 

 

214,023

 

 

3,197,504

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,768,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL 4.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
(Class A)

 

 

42,922

 

 

1,021,544

 

AutoZone, Inc.

 

 

8,613

 

 

1,400,646

 

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.*

 

 

79,348

 

 

1,963,863

 

Gap, Inc.

 

 

83,665

 

 

1,086,808

 

Home Depot, Inc.

 

 

1,028,999

 

 

24,243,216

 

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

 

 

223,008

 

 

4,069,896

 

Sherwin-Williams Company

 

 

32,719

 

 

1,700,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,486,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL AND
LUXURY GOODS 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach, Inc.*

 

 

105,340

 

 

1,759,178

 

NIKE, Inc.

 

 

35,317

 

 

1,656,014

 

VF Corporation

 

 

19,467

 

 

1,111,760

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,526,952

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

See footnotes on page 9.

8


 

 

Tri-Continental Corporation

 

 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

March 31, 2009


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares or
Principal Amount

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOBACCO 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altria Group, Inc.

 

 

446,561

 shs.

$

7,153,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES AND DISTRIBUTORS 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W.W. Grainger Inc.

 

 

14,908

 

 

1,046,243

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprint Nextel Corporation*

 

 

933,158

 

 

3,331,374

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS

 

 

 

 

 

705,442,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WCAS Capital
Partners II, L.P.

 

$

4,292,803

 

 

1,893,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

SHORT-TERM
HOLDINGS 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY-LINKED NOTES†† 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lehman Brothers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

53.51%, 9/14/2008 (a)**

 

 

14,844,000

 

 

1,188,292

 

39.5%, 10/2/2008 (b)**

 

 

14,844,000

 

 

1,471,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY-LINKED NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

2,659,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SSgA U.S. Treasury Money
Market Fund

 

 

8,263,970

 shs.

 

8,263,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM HOLDINGS

 

 

 

 

 

10,923,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS 100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

718,259,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS
LIABILITIES 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

314,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

NET INVESTMENT
ASSETS 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

718,573,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

At March 31, 2009, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,005,874,401. The tax basis gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of portfolio securities were $14,633,206 and $302,247,904, respectively. Net unrealized depreciation was $287,614,698.

 

 

 

*

   

Non-income producing security.

 

 

 

**

 

Security in default and non-income producing.

 

 

 

 

At March 31, 2009, Tri-Continental Corporation owned one limited partnership investment that was purchased through a private offering and cannot be sold without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. The investment is valued at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The acquisition dates of investment in the limited partnership, along with the cost and value at March 31, 2009, was as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

 

Acquisition Dates

 

Cost

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WCAS Capital Partners II, L.P.

 

12/11/90 to 3/24/98

 

$

4,292,803

 

$

1,893,126

 


 

 

 

††

The security may be offered and sold only to a “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes are exchangeable at maturity, based on the terms of the respective notes, for shares of common stock of a company or cash at a maturity value which is generally determined as follows:

The principal amount of the notes plus or minus the lowest return of the companies’ respective stock prices determined at maturity from the date of purchase of the notes:

 

 

 

(a)

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Intel Corporation and Mylan Inc.

 

 

 

 

(b)

Health Net, Inc., Kohl’s Corporation and Prudential Financial, Inc.

 

 

 

ADR — American Depositary Receipts.


 

 

Security Valuation — Securities traded on an exchange are valued at the last sales price on the primary exchange or market on which they are traded. Securities not listed on an exchange or security market, or securities for which there is no last sales price, are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices or are valued by RiverSource Investments, LLC (“RiverSource” or the “Manager”) based on quotations provided by primary market makers in such securities. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (or are otherwise no longer valid or reliable) are valued at fair value determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors. This can occur in the event of, among other things, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, market disruptions, intra-day trading halts, and extreme market volatility. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments. As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other investment companies to determine net asset value or the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security. Short-term holdings maturing in 60 days or less are valued at current market quotations or amortized cost if the Manager believes it approximates fair value. Short-term holdings that mature in more than 60 days are valued at current market quotations until the 60th day prior to maturity and are then valued as described above for securities maturing in 60 days or less. Investments in money market funds are valued at net asset value.

Fair Value Measurements — Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements,” establishes a three-tier hierarchy to classify the assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques (see Security Valuation above) to measure fair value of the Corporation’s investments and other financial instruments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels: Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets



9


Tri-Continental Corporation

 

 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

March 31, 2009


for identical investments or financial instruments; Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices in inactive markets or for similar investments or financial instruments); and Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Corporation’s own assumptions in determining fair value). Observable inputs are those based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Corporation, and unobservable inputs reflect the Corporation’s own assumptions based on the best information available. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the value of the Corporation’s investments and other financial instruments as of March 31, 2009, based on the level of inputs used:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation Inputs

 

Investments

 

Other Financial
Instruments*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1   —

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Investments

 

$

713,706,948

 

$

 

 

Level 2   —

Other Significant Observable Inputs

 

 

2,659,629

 

 

(62,833

)

 

Level 3   —

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

 

1,893,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Total

 

$

718,259,703

 

$

(62,833

)

 

 

 

   

 

   

 


 

 

*

Represents futures, which are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments and which are valued at the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures.

As required by SFAS 157, the following is a reconciliation of investments for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used to determine the fair value of investments classified as Level 3 at either the beginning or end of the period:

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2008

 

$

1,893,126

 

 

Net change in unrealized depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2009

 

$

1,893,126

 

 

 

   

 

 

Net change in unrealized depreciation from
investments still held as of March 31, 2009

 

$

 

 

 

   

 

Risk — To the extent that the Corporation invests a substantial percentage of its assets in an industry, the Corporation’s performance may be negatively affected if that industry falls out of favor. Stocks of large-capitalization companies have at times experienced periods of volatility and negative performance. During such periods, the value of such stocks may decline and the Corporation’s performance may be negatively affected.



10


Tri-Continental Corporation

Stockholder Services

          Tri-Continental provides a number of services to make maintaining an investment in its Common Stock more convenient. Please consult Tri-Continental’s prospectus for the terms and conditions of these services.

Distribution Policy. Effective January 8, 2009, the Corporation adopted an earned distribution policy. Under this new policy, the Corporation intends to make distributions to holders of Common Stock that are approximately equal to all distributions received by the Corporation from its underlying portfolio investments, less the Corporation’s expenses and dividends payable on the Corporation’s Preferred Stock. The payment options for receiving distributions are:

 

 

 

 

100% of distribution to be invested in additional shares of Tri-Continental

 

75% of distribution to be invested in additional shares, 25% of distribution to be paid in cash

 

50% of distribution to be invested in additional shares, 50% of distribution to be paid in cash

 

100% of distribution to be paid in cash

You can change your payment election at any time by contacting your financial advisor or Stockholder Services at 800-TRI-1092.

Automatic Dividend Investment and Cash Purchase Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the prospectus, Stockholders may automatically purchase additional shares with distribution payments. There is no charge for this service. Stockholders may also, subject to the terms and conditions of the prospectus, purchase additional shares directly from the Corporation. There is a service fee of a maximum of $2.00 for each cash purchase transaction.

Automatic Cash Withdrawal Plan. Stockholders who hold Common Stock with a market value of $5,000 or more may elect to receive a fixed amount from their investment at regular intervals by selling their shares to the Corporation. Investors use the plan to supplement current or retirement income, for educational expenses, or for other purposes.

Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Stockholders who have earned income and are under age 70½ may contribute up to $5,000 per year to a Traditional IRA for 2009. A working or non-working spouse may also contribute up to $5,000 to a separate Traditional IRA for 2009. Additionally, individuals who reach age 50 prior to the end of a taxable year may make “catch-up contributions” to a Traditional IRA of up to $1,000. Contributions to a Traditional IRA may be deductible or non-deductible. If you are single and not covered by an employer’s retirement plan, your contribution will always be deductible. For individuals who are covered by a plan, contributions will be fully deductible if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) in 2009 is less than $55,000. For spouses who are both covered by a plan, contributions will be fully deductible if your MAGI is less than $89,000. If one spouse does not work or is not covered by a retirement plan, that spouse’s contribution will be fully deductible provided your household MAGI does not exceed $166,000. If your contribution is not deductible, you may still take advantage of the tax-deferred accumulation of earnings in your Traditional IRA.

Rollover IRA. You may be eligible to roll over a distribution of assets received from another IRA, a qualified employee benefit plan, or tax-deferred annuity into a Rollover IRA with Tri-Continental. To avoid a tax penalty, the transfer to a Rollover IRA must occur within 60 days of receipt of the qualifying distribution. If you do not make a direct transfer of a distribution from a qualified employee benefit plan or a tax-deferred annuity to a Rollover IRA, the payor of the distribution must withhold 20% of the distribution.

11


Tri-Continental Corporation

Stockholder Services (continued)

Roth IRA. You (and a working or non-working spouse) may (each) make an after-tax contribution of up to $5,000 per year to a Roth IRA provided you have earned income and meet the eligibility requirements. Your MAGI must be less than $105,000 for individuals or $166,000 for married couples to be eligible to make a full contribution to a Roth IRA. You are eligible to make a partial Roth IRA contribution if your MAGI is below $120,000 for individuals or $176,000 for married couples. Total combined contributions to a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA cannot exceed $5,000 in any year. Additionally, individuals who reach age 50 prior to the end of a taxable year may make “catch-up contributions” to either a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA of up to $1,000. Earnings grow tax-free and will be distributed to you tax-free and penalty-free provided that you hold your account for at least five years and you take the distribution either after age 59½, for disability, upon death, or to make a first-time home purchase (up to $10,000). Unlike a Traditional IRA, you may contribute to a Roth IRA even if you are over age 70½ (if you have earned income), and you are not required to take minimum distributions at age 70½. You may convert an existing Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA to take advantage of tax-free distributions. You must pay taxes on any earnings and deductible contributions in your Traditional IRA when converting it to a Roth IRA. Talk to your financial advisor for more details on converting your Traditional IRA.

Retirement Planning — Qualified Plans. Unincorporated businesses and the self-employed may take advantage of the same benefits in their retirement plans that are available to corporations. Contribution levels can go as high as 100% of earned income (reduced by plan contributions), to a maximum of $49,000 per participant. For retirement plan purposes, no more than $245,000 may be taken into account as earned income under the plan in 2009. Social Security integration and employee vesting schedules are also available as options in the Tri-Continental prototype retirement plans. Although you already may be participating in an employer’s retirement plan, you may be eligible to establish another plan based upon income from other sources, such as director’s fees.

Retirement Plan Services provides information about our prototype retirement plans. The toll-free telephone number is (800) 445-1777 in the US and (212) 682-7600 outside the US.

12


Tri-Continental Corporation

 

Board of Directors

 

Kathleen Blatz(1,2,6,7)

Attorney

Retired Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court

 

Arne H. Carlson(1,2,3,5,6)

Retired Chairman, RiverSource Funds

Former Governor of Minnesota

 

Pamela G. Carlton(4,6,7)

President, Springboard — Partners in Cross Cultural

Leadership

 

Patricia M. Flynn(1,3,6)

Trustee Professor of Economics and Management,

Bentley College

Former Dean, McCallum Graduate School of

Business, Bentley University

 

Anne P. Jones(1,2,5,6,7)

Attorney

Consultant

 

Jeffrey Laikind, CFA(4,5,7)

Retired Managing Director, Shikiar Asset Management

Director, American Progressive Insurance

 

Stephen R. Lewis, Jr.(1,2,3,5,6)

President Emeritus and Professor of Economics,

Carleton College

Director, Valmont Industries, Inc.

 

John F. Maher(4,6,7)

Retired President and Chief Executive Officer,

and former Director, Great Western Financial

Corporation

 

Executive Officers

 

Patrick T. Bannigan

President

 

Michelle M. Keeley

Vice President

 

Amy K. Johnson

Vice President



 

Catherine James Paglia(1,2,3,5,6)

Director, Enterprise Asset Management, Inc.

 

Leroy C. Richie(3,4,6)

Counsel, Lewis & Munday, P.C.

Director, Digital Ally Inc., Infinity, Inc., and

OGE Energy Corp.

 

Alison Taunton-Rigby(3,4,5,6)

Chief Executive Officer and Director, RiboNovix, Inc.

Director, Idera Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Healthways, Inc.

 

William F. Truscott

President — US Asset Management and Chief Investment

Advisor, Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

President, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Investment

Officer, RiverSource Investments, LLC

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ameriprise

Certificate Company

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,

RiverSource Distributors, Inc. and RiverSource

Fund Distributors, Inc.


 

 

 

 

Member:  

(1) Board Governance Committee

 

 

 

(2) Compliance Committee

 

 

 

(3) Contracts Committee

 

 

 

(4) Distribution Committee

 

 

 

(5) Executive Committee

 

 

 

(6) Investment Review Committee

 

 

 

(7) Audit Committee




 

Scott R. Plummer

Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

 

Lawrence P. Vogel

Treasurer

 

Eleanor T.M. Hoagland

Chief Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Prevention

Officer and Identity Theft Prevention Officer



13


(BACK COVER)

Go paperless —

sign up for E-Delivery

at www.seligman.com

Important Telephone Numbers

(800) TRI-1092

Stockholder Services

(800) 445-1777

Retirement Plan Services

(212) 682-7600

Outside the United States

(800) 622-4597

24-Hour Automated

Telephone Access Service

Tri-Continental Corporation

Tri-Continental is managed by RiverSource Investments, LLC and distributed by RiverSource Fund Distributors Inc., member FINRA. RiverSource Services, Inc. provides client services to Stockholders of Tri-Continental.

© 2009 RiverSource Investments, LLC. All rights reserved.

This report is intended only for the information of Stockholders who have received the current prospectus covering shares of Common Stock of Tri-Continental Corporation, which contains information about investment objectives, risks, management fees and other costs. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing and may be obtained by calling Stockholder Services at 1-800-TRI-1092.

CETRI3a-03C9