UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM N-CSR
 
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
 MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 
Investment Company Act file Number _811-02265_
 
Value Line Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
7 Times Square, New York, N.Y. 10036
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-907-1900
 
Date of fiscal year end: December 31, 2013
 
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
Item I      Reports to Stockholders
                A copy of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the period ended 12/31/13 is included with this Form. 

 

(graphic)
 
 
(value line logo)
 
Annual Report
December 31, 2013
 
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
(VALSX)
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
(VLIFX)
 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
(VALIX)
 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
(VALLX)
 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
(VAGIX)
 

 
(logo )
 
This audited report is issued for information to shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a currently effective prospectus of the Fund (obtainable from the Distributor).
 
#00110946
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
Table of Contents
 
 
   
President’s Letter with Economic, and Market Commentary
3
   
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.:
 
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
6
Portfolio Highlights
8
Schedule of Investments
10
   
The Value Line Fund, Inc.:
 
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
13
Portfolio Highlights
15
Schedule of Investments
17
   
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.:
 
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
19
Portfolio Highlights
22
Schedule of Investments
24
   
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.:
 
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
30
Portfolio Highlights
32
Schedule of Investments
34
   
Value Line Core Bond Fund:
 
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
36
Portfolio Highlights
38
Schedule of Investments
40
   
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
46
   
Statements of Operations
47
   
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
48
   
Financial Highlights
52
   
Notes to Financial Statements
54
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
65
   
Fund Expenses
66
   
Federal Tax Notice
67
   
Management of the Funds
68
 
 
2
 
 
 

 

 
President’s Letter (unaudited)
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
 
We are pleased to present you with this annual report for Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. and Value Line Core Bond Fund (individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013. We are especially excited to present this annual report in its new format, revised to be more informative, more useful and more reader-friendly.
 
The 12 months ended December 31, 2013 were rewarding ones for the equity and hybrid Value Line Funds but challenging ones for the fixed income Value Line Funds, as investors generally focused on the economic recovery despite persistent volatility. At the same time, the annual period was highlighted by several of the Funds being recognized for their long-term performance.

Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc. outpaced its peers for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2013, as noted by leading independent mutual fund advisory service Lipper Inc.1 (multi-cap growth category). Lipper also awarded its top Lipper Leader rating of 5 to the Fund for Preservationi versus its peers as of December 31, 2013. Additionally, the Fund earned an Overall four-star rating from Morningstar2 in the mid-cap growth category among 638 funds as of December 31, 2013 based on risk-adjusted returns. Morningstar gave the Fund a Risk rating of Below Average.ii
   
The Value Line Fund, Inc. was named a Lipper Leader1 for overall Preservation versus its peers as of December 2013.iii
   
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. outpaced its peers for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2013, as noted by Lipper Inc.1 (mixed-asset target allocation moderate category). The Fund also earned an Overall four- star rating from Morningstar2 in the moderate allocation category among 739 funds as of December 31, 2013 based on risk- adjusted returns.iv The Fund, along with Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., was featured in various national publications for its consistent performance over multiple time periods.
 
Also a highlight of the annual period was Value Line Core Bond Fund transitioning to a new, more efficient strategy. Value Line Core Bond Fund, having changed its strategy to be a broad-based intermediate-term investment grade bond fund in December 2012, enjoyed significantly increased assets with the merger of the Value Line U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc. into the Fund in March 2013. The Fund has already begun to realize the benefits of a larger, more efficiently managed fund, and the investment adviser, EULAV Asset Management (the “Adviser”) permanently reduced the management fee in February 2013.
 
On the following pages, the Funds’ portfolio managers discuss the management of their respective Funds over the annual period. The discussions highlight key factors influencing recent performance of the Funds. You will also find a schedule of investments and financial statements for each of the Funds.
 
Before reviewing the performance of your individual mutual fund investment, we encourage you to take a brief look at the major factors affecting the financial markets over the 12 months ended December 31, 2013, especially given the newsworthy events of the year. With the exciting developments and performance results of the Funds during 2013, we also invite you to take this time to consider a broader diversification strategy by including additional Value Line Funds, which you can read about on the following pages, in your investment portfolio.
 
Economic Review
 
U.S. real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was lackluster with growth in the first half of 2013 at less than 2% in the first and second calendar quarters. The U.S. economy faced strong headwinds, including increases in the payroll tax and disruptions from the sequester budget cuts. Third quarter GDP, however, turned sharply upward, coming in at 4.1%, as boosted by higher consumer spending, increased business investment and rising inventories. Estimates for fourth quarter GDP suggest the U.S. economy may have ended the year with more momentum than had been anticipated.
 
Despite the growing economy, inflation remained modest. Consumer prices stayed in check, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising just 1.5% before seasonal adjustment. Limited wage growth and declining energy prices contributed to the relatively benign inflation scenario. The U.S. also saw moderate job growth, as reflected in a drop in unemployment from 7.8% at the close of 2012 to 6.7% at the close of 2013. The makeup of job growth, however, was somewhat disappointing, with hiring generally concentrated in sectors representative of low-wage jobs.
 
In recognition of the improving U.S. economy, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) had ongoing—and well-publicized—discussions throughout the year about the possibility of reducing its monthly bond-buying program. Speculation about the timing and magnitude of the tapering had a great impact on both the equity and fixed income markets. Ultimately, Fed Chair Ben Bernanke kept the focus on key market data as the basis for the decision on tapering. As unemployment dropped close to the Fed’s stated target of 6.5%, the Fed finally announced in December 2013 that it would modestly reduce its monthly bond purchases—from $85 billion to $75 billion—beginning in January 2014. At the same time, the Fed reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining low short-term interest rates, with the targeted federal funds rate not likely to exceed 0.25%. At the end of the annual period, the appointment of Janet Yellen as new Fed Chair was seen by the financial markets as likely to not steer the Fed too far off the course set by Ben Bernanke.
 
 
3
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
Equity Market Review
 
U.S. equities, as measured by the S&P 500® Index3, posted robust double-digit gains for 2013, supported by a significantly stronger real estate market, steady growth in manufacturing and a modest drop in the national unemployment rate.
 
Stocks began the year strong upon the announcement of a partial bi-partisan deal regarding the federal budget, debt ceiling and government shutdown—which drove a generally steady climb through May 2013. The S&P 500® Index subsequently dropped between the end of May and the end of June, as fears of over-bought conditions, an imminent end to the quantitative easing program by the Fed and worries over second quarter corporate earnings arose. The U.S. equity market snapped back to post solid gains after reasonably good earnings reports and what were perceived as dovish words by Fed members that eased investors’ concerns. A notable acceleration in market appreciation occurred in early October in response to the Fed’s surprise announcement in September that it would not yet begin tapering its asset purchases. This announcement combined with improving employment reports to drive the S&P 500® Index higher between early October and the end of December. Also boosting the U.S. equity market’s gain at the end of the annual period was the Fed’s announcement, ending seven months of speculation, that it would finally but gradually begin to taper its asset purchases in January 2014. A particularly notable catalyst for the U.S. equity market during the annual period was the expansion of the price/earnings multiple investors were willing to pay, as the price/earnings multiple of the S&P 500® Index expanded from 14x to 17x by the end of December 2013. The S&P 500® Index posted 45 new all-time closing highs in 2013, including a new closing high on the final day of trading. The last time the Index closed the year with a new high was in 1999.
 
All ten sectors of the S&P 500® Index posted positive double-digit absolute performance for the year, with the consumer discretionary, health care and industrials sectors leading the way. Telecommunication services and utilities, both traditionally considered defensive sectors, were the weakest sectors during the annual period.
 
Fixed Income Market Review
 
The broad U.S. fixed income market, as measured by the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4, posted negative returns during the annual period. The U.S. fixed income market faced several headwinds, including speculation of the Fed tapering its bond-buying program and Congressional discord resulting in protracted budget disputes and a partial U.S. government shutdown for 16 days. Economic indicators, while mixed, were generally improving during the year.
 
Against this backdrop, interest rates rose across the spectrum of maturities, but most dramatically in the intermediate segment of the yield curve. The rise in interest rates helped propel investor demand for investment grade and high yield corporate bonds at the expense of owning U.S. Treasuries. In turn, spread, or non-U.S. Treasury, sectors of the U.S. fixed income market were the best performers in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index during the annual period. Generally speaking, lower quality bonds outpaced higher quality bonds, as investors sought yield amidst the underlying support of a growing economy. U.S. Treasuries posted negative returns overall.
 
* * *
 
We thank you for trusting us to be a part of your long-term, comprehensive investment strategy. We appreciate your confidence in the Value Line Funds and look forward to serving your investment needs in the years ahead just as we have been helping to secure generations’ financial futures for more than 60 years—based on solid fundamentals, sound investment principles and the power of disciplined and rigorous analytics. If you have any questions or would like additional information on these or other Value Line Funds, we invite you to contact your investment representative or visit us at www.vlfunds.com.
 
Sincerely,
 
/s/ Mitchell Appel
 
Mitchell Appel
President of the Value Line Funds
 
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment can fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost; and that current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investors should carefully consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expense of a fund. This and other important information about a fund is contained in the fund’s prospectus. A copy of our funds’ prospectuses can be obtained free of charge by going to our website at www.vlfunds.com or calling 800.243.2729.
 
 
4
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)

1
Lipper Leader ratings are derived from highly sophisticated formulas that analyze funds against clearly defined criteria. Funds are compared to similar funds, and only those that trust stand out are awarded Lipper Leader status. Funds are ranked against their peers on each of four measures: Total Return, Consistent Return, Preservation and Expense. A fifth measure, Tax Efficiency, applies in the United States. Scores are subject to change every month and are calculated for the following periods: 3-year, 5-year, 10-year and overall. The overall calculation is based on an equal-weighted average of percentile ranks for each measure over 3-year, 5-year and 10-year periods (if applicable). For each measure, the highest 20% of funds in each peer group are named Lipper Leaders. The next 20% receive a rating of 4: the middle 20% are rated 3: the next 20% are rated 2; and the lowest 20% are rated 1.
   
  i
For Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.: Preservation 5 rating for 3-year (10,671 funds); 5-year (9,050 funds) and overall (10,671 funds) periods ended December 31, 2013; 4 rating for 10-year (5,264 funds) period ended December 31, 2013.
   
  iii
 For The Value Line Fund, Inc.: overall Preservation (10,671 funds); 3-year 5 rating (10,671 funds); 5-year 5 rating (9,050 funds) and 10-year 3 rating (5,264 funds) periods ended December 31, 2013.
   
2
The Morningstar RatingTM for funds methodology rates funds based on an enhanced Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure, which also accounts for the effects of all sales charges, loads, or redemption fees. Funds are ranked by their Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return scores and stars are assigned using the following scale: 5 stars for top 10%; 4 starts next 22.5%; 3 stars next 35%; 2 stars next 22.5%; 1 star for bottom 10%. Funds are rated for up to three periods: the trailing three-, five- and 10-years. For a fund that does not change categories during the evaluation period, the overall rating is calculated using the following weights: At least 3 years, but less than 5 years uses 100% three-year rating. At least 5 years but less than 10 years uses 60% five-year ratings/40% three-year rating. At least 10 years uses 50% ten-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating.
   
  ii
 For Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.: Four-star rating for 3-year (638 funds), 10-year (416 funds) and Overall (638 funds) periods ended December 31, 2013; 5-year period ended December 31, 2013 3 stars/548 funds). Morningstar Risk: Below Average for the 5-year, 10-year and Overall periods ended December 31, 2013; Low for the 3- year period ended December 31, 2013.
   
  iv
 For Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.: Overall four-star rating (739 funds); 3-year 3 stars (739 funds), 5-year 3 stars (674 funds), 10-year 5 stars (422 funds) for periods ended December 31, 2013. All in the moderate allocation category.
   
3
The S&P 500® Index consists of 500 stocks that are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ national Market System and is representative of the broad stock market. This is an unmanaged index and does not reflect charges, expenses or taxes, and it is not possible to directly invest in this index.
   
4
The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar- denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS and CMBS. This is an unmanaged index and does reflect charges, expenses or taxes, which are deducted from the Fund’s return. It is not possible to directly invest in this index.
 
 
5
 
 
 

 

 
VALUE LINE PREMIER GROWTH FUND, INC.
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY
 
The Fund primarily seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
To achieve the Fund’s goal, the Fund’s investment adviser invests at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets in a diversified portfolio of U.S. equity securities with favorable growth prospects. In selecting securities for purchase or sale, the Adviser generally analyzes the issuer of a security using fundamental factors such as growth potential and earnings estimates and quantitative factors such as historical earnings, earnings momentum and price momentum. The Fund may invest in small, mid or large capitalization companies, including foreign companies. There are no set limitations of investments according to a company’s size, or to a sector weighting.

Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
 
Below, Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc. portfolio manager Stephen E. Grant discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013.
 
How did the Fund perform during the annual period?
 
The Fund generated a total return of 26.56% during the 12 months ended December 31, 2013. This compares to the 32.39% return of the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, during the same period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the 12-month reporting period?
 
While the Fund generated robust double-digit absolute gains, its underperformance of the S&P 500® Index during the 12-month reporting period can be attributed primarily to stock selection. Sector allocation overall was effective.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Stock selection in the financials, health care, consumer staples and consumer discretionary sectors detracted from the Fund’s performance most during the annual period. In financials, an underweighted exposure to the strongly performing insurance industry hurt most. In health care, a lesser exposure than the S&P 500® Index to the strongly performing biotechnology industry particularly dampened results. In consumer staples, holdings of select foreign companies, via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), proved disappointing. In consumer discretionary, we missed the rallies in select stocks that performed well. (An ADR is a negotiable certificate issued by a U.S. bank representing a specified number of shares in a foreign stock that is traded on a U.S. exchange.) Holding an average 3% position in cash during a period when the U.S. equity market rallied also hurt.
 
Partially offsetting these detractors were the positive contributions made by effective stock selection in the information technology sector, having an overweighted allocation in the strongly performing industrials sector, and both stock selection in and having an underweighted allocation to the lagging energy sector.
 
Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the annual period?
 
During the annual period, among the stocks that detracted most from the Fund’s relative performance were several foreign banks, including Colombia’s Bancolombia, India’s HDFC Bank, Brazil’s Itau Unibanco Holding and Chile’s Banco de Chile. In health care, overweighted positions in laggards such as cardiovascular device manufacturer Edwards Lifesciences, pharmacy benefits management services provider Catamaran and surgical systems manufacturer Intuitive Surgical detracted. In consumer discretionary, we missed the rallies in online retailer Amazon.com, online travel company priceline.com, entertainment subscription company Netflix and entertainment giant The Walt Disney Company, and thus these positions detracted on a relative basis.
 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
Among the individual stocks that contributed most to the Fund’s relative results were two sizable positions in the information technology sector—namely, Alliance Data Systems, which provides data-driven and transaction-based marketing and customer loyalty solutions, and MasterCard, which is a global payment solutions company that provides a variety of services in support of the credit, debt and related payment programs of financial institutions. Avoiding several laggards in the information technology sector, such as Apple, IBM and Oracle, also boosted the Fund’s results.
 
 
6
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
Several Fund positions in the industrials sector added value. Top contributors in the sector were human resources firm Towers Watson, rail transportation equipment manufacturer Wabtec, inland tank barge fleet operator Kirby and renewable energy equipment manufacturer EnerSys.
 
In the energy sector, a position in Core Laboratories was an outstanding performer. Core Laboratories provides reservoir description, production enhancement and reservoir management services for oil and gas producers.
 
How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the reporting period?
 
The Fund did not use derivatives during the reporting period.
 
Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the fiscal year?
 
During the fiscal year, we initiated a Fund position in Chevron. Whereas this large integrated oil company had inconsistent results prior to 2003, over the past decade it has demonstrated the ability to consistently grow its earnings and stock price. We added to the Fund’s long-time position in supplemental insurance company Aflac because it came through the 2008-09 world financial crisis in good shape and because we believe the company is now back on track to add to its long-term record of consistent growth in its earnings and stock price. In each case, we purchased shares as a dip in their respective share prices offered what we believed to be an attractive entry point.
 
A Fund position in Warnaco Group was eliminated because the company was acquired by PVH, combining to form one of the largest global branded lifestyle apparel companies in the world, with a diversified portfolio of brands, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen, IZOD, ARROW, Bass, Speedo, Olga and Warner’s. We sold the Fund’s position in food retailer Harris Teeter Supermarkets after its stock rose in response to a takeover bid by competitor Kroger.
 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the 12-month period?
 
There were no material changes in the Fund’s sector weightings during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of December 2013?
 
As of December 31, 2013, the Fund was overweighted relative to the S&P 500® Index in the industrials and materials sectors. The Fund was underweighted relative to the S&P 500® Index in the energy, financials and information technology sectors and rather neutrally weighted relative to the Index in the consumer discretionary, consumer staples, health care, utilities, telecommunication services sectors on the same date.
 
What is your tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
Calendar year 2013 saw lower quality stocks outperform higher quality stocks, as investors became more bold and more confident in the economy and the financial system. Speculative stocks, such as those of biotechnology companies, and Initial Public Offerings, such as those of Facebook and Twitter, outperformed the broad U.S. equity market, along with the more cyclical, economically-sensitive stocks. Lagging were the more consistent, “steady-eddy,” long-term growth stocks in which we traditionally invest, i.e., those companies that have established strongholds in their market or market niche through proprietary products or services, which, in our view, gives them greater control of their own destiny and makes them less subject to ups and downs of the economy. We consider the Fund’s underperformance of the S&P 500® Index in 2013 as part of the natural ebb and flow of the market, as the lower quality stocks that performed poorly in 2011 and 2012 regained some ground. We do not know whether the trends of 2013 will continue into the new year, but, regardless of market trends and conditions, we do not intend to vary from our strategy of investing in high quality securities with a long-term perspective. Our portfolio turnover and trading costs have remained lower than many of our peers, as we have patience with a consistent grower until a change in the company’s strategy or its earnings and stock performance give solid reason to sell.
 
As always, we intend to stay true to our time-tested investment discipline going forward.
 
 
7
 
 
 

 

 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Portfolio Highlights at December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

Ten Largest Holdings
                 
                   
               
Percentage of
Issue
 
Shares
   
Value
   
Net Assets
MasterCard, Inc. Class A
    8,600     $ 7,184,956       1.8 %
ANSYS, Inc.
    60,000       5,232,000       1.3 %
Alliance Data Systems Corp.
    19,400       5,100,842       1.3 %
AMETEK, Inc.
    96,750       5,095,822       1.3 %
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    37,800       5,029,668       1.3 %
Roper Industries, Inc.
    36,000       4,992,480       1.2 %
Precision Castparts Corp.
    17,800       4,793,540       1.2 %
AMBEV S.A. ADR
    650,000       4,777,500       1.2 %
Danaher Corp.
    61,000       4,709,200       1.2 %
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
    21,000       4,554,480       1.1 %

Asset Allocation – Percentage of Net Assets
 
(pie chart)

 
Sector Weightings – Percentage of Total Investment Securities* 
 
(bar chart)
 
*Sector weightings exclude short-term investments.
 
 
8
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)

The following graph compares the performance of the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc. to that of the S&P 500 Index (the “Index”). The Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc. is a professionally managed mutual fund, while the Index is not available for investment and is unmanaged. The returns for the Index do not reflect charges, expenses or taxes but do include the reinvestment of dividends. The comparison is shown for illustrative purposes only. 

Comparison of a Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc. and the S&P 500 Index*
 
(line graph)

Performance Data: **

   
Average Annual
 
Growth of an Assumed
 
   
Total Return
 
Investment of $10,000
 
1 year ended 12/31/13
    26.56 %   $12,656  
5 years ended 12/31/13
    20.20 %   $25,096  
10 years ended 12/31/13
    10.02 %   $25,976  
*
The Standard and Poor’s 500 Index is an unmanaged index that is representative of the larger-capitalization stocks traded in the United States.
**
The performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future performance. The average annual total returns and growth of an assumed investment of $10,000 include dividends reinvested and capital gains distributions accepted in shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than its original cost. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
 
9
 
 
 

 

 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments
             
Shares
       
Value
 
COMMON STOCKS (98.6%)
 
       
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY (10.3%)
       
8,400
 
AutoZone, Inc. *
 
$
4,014,696
 
56,000
 
BorgWarner, Inc.
   
3,130,960
 
40,000
 
Brinker International, Inc.
   
1,853,600
 
10,500
 
Buckle, Inc. (The) (1)
   
551,880
 
36,000
 
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.
   
2,091,600
 
23,800
 
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.
   
1,657,670
 
23,000
 
Genuine Parts Co.
   
1,913,370
 
15,200
 
Gildan Activewear, Inc. (1)
   
810,312
 
27,000
 
Johnson Controls, Inc.
   
1,385,100
 
112,000
 
LKQ Corp. *
   
3,684,800
 
24,000
 
McDonald’s Corp.
   
2,328,720
 
27,000
 
NIKE, Inc. Class B
   
2,123,280
 
18,000
 
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. *
   
2,316,780
 
13,000
 
Penn National Gaming, Inc. *
   
186,290
 
40,000
 
Starbucks Corp.
   
3,135,600
 
68,600
 
TJX Companies, Inc. (The)
   
4,371,878
 
21,600
 
VF Corp.
   
1,346,544
 
33,600
 
Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
   
1,141,056
 
44,000
 
Yum! Brands, Inc.
   
3,326,840
 
         
41,370,976
 
             
   
CONSUMER STAPLES (8.9%)
       
650,000
 
AMBEV S.A. ADR
   
4,777,500
 
71,000
 
BRF S.A. ADR (1)
   
1,481,770
 
17,000
 
British American Tobacco PLC ADR
   
1,826,140
 
21,300
 
Brown-Forman Corp. Class B
   
1,609,641
 
24,000
 
Bunge Ltd.
   
1,970,640
 
48,400
 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
   
3,207,952
 
16,800
 
Coca-Cola Femsa, S.A.B. de C.V. ADR (1)
   
2,045,736
 
14,000
 
Costco Wholesale Corp.
   
1,666,140
 
23,400
 
Energizer Holdings, Inc.
   
2,532,816
 
89,812
 
Flowers Foods, Inc.
   
1,928,264
 
20,000
 
Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. ADR
   
1,957,400
 
64,000
 
General Mills, Inc.
   
3,194,240
 
43,000
 
Hormel Foods Corp.
   
1,942,310
 
3,000
 
McCormick & Co., Inc.
   
206,760
 
29,000
 
PepsiCo, Inc.
   
2,405,260
 
22,000
 
Reynolds American, Inc.
   
1,099,780
 
32,000
 
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
   
1,850,560
 
         
35,702,909
 
             
   
ENERGY (5.3%)
       
18,000
 
Chevron Corp.
   
2,248,380
 
8,600
 
CNOOC Ltd. ADR
   
1,613,876
 
14,600
 
Core Laboratories N.V.
   
2,787,870
 
17,000
 
Enbridge, Inc.
   
742,560
 
28,000
 
EQT Corp.
   
2,513,840
 
70,000
 
EMC Technologies, Inc. *
   
3,654,700
 
51,400
 
Noble Energy, Inc.
   
3,500,854
 
 
Shares
       
Value
 
9,000
 
Oceaneering International, Inc.
 
$
709,920
 
5,000
 
Oil States International, Inc. *
   
508,600
 
5,346
 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.
   
984,038
 
26,000
 
TransCanada Corp. (1)
   
1,187,160
 
25,600
 
Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. ADR
   
605,440
 
         
21,057,238
 
             
   
FINANCIALS (11.4%)
       
8,000
 
ACE Ltd.
   
828,240
 
21,000
 
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. *
   
4,554,480
 
52,600
 
AFLAC, Inc.
   
3,513,680
 
3,000
 
Alleghany Corp. *
   
1,199,880
 
36,000
 
American Tower Corp. REIT
   
2,873,520
 
45,000
 
Arch Capital Group Ltd. *
   
2,686,050
 
8,316
 
Banco de Chile ADR (1)
   
730,145
 
13,300
 
Bank of Montreal
   
886,578
 
22,100
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
   
1,382,355
 
7,700
 
BlackRock, Inc.
   
2,436,819
 
16,000
 
BRE Properties, Inc. REIT
   
875,360
 
9,400
 
Brown & Brown, Inc.
   
295,066
 
9,400
 
Camden Property Trust REIT
   
534,672
 
3,200
 
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
   
273,312
 
18,000
 
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (1)
   
884,160
 
23,200
 
Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. REIT
   
840,536
 
9,400
 
Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT (1)
   
1,348,994
 
2,600
 
Everest Re Group Ltd.
   
405,262
 
13,000
 
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. REIT *
   
660,530
 
75,500
 
HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR
   
2,600,220
 
22,000
 
M&T Bank Corp. (1)
   
2,561,240
 
15,000
 
MetLife, Inc.
   
808,800
 
10,000
 
PartnerRe Ltd.
   
1,054,300
 
27,000
 
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. *
   
1,426,680
 
5,000
 
Principal Financial Group, Inc.
   
246,550
 
30,000
 
ProAssurance Corp.
   
1,454,400
 
21,500
 
Prudential Financial, Inc.
   
1,982,730
 
26,000
 
Royal Bank of Canada
   
1,747,980
 
17,000
 
Stifel Financial Corp. *
   
814,640
 
17,000
 
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
   
1,424,090
 
8,000
 
Taubman Centers, Inc. REIT
   
511,360
 
7,400
 
Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)
   
697,376
 
30,000
 
Wells Fargo & Co.
   
1,362,000
 
         
45,902,005
 
             
   
HEALTH CARE (12.5%)
       
37,800
 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *
   
5,029,668
 
17,200
 
Allergan, Inc.
   
1,910,576
 
15,200
 
Bayer AG ADR
   
2,158,400
 
14,500
 
Becton, Dickinson & Co.
   
1,602,105
 
 
Shares
       
Value
 
2,000
 
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Class A *
 
$
247,220
 
14,800
 
Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. * (1)
   
377,992
 
17,000
 
C.R. Bard, Inc.
   
2,276,980
 
56,000
 
Catamaran Corp. *
   
2,658,880
 
63,000
 
Cerner Corp. *
   
3,511,620
 
6,200
 
Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)
   
767,808
 
6,000
 
DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. *
   
380,220
 
10,000
 
DENTSPLY International, Inc.
   
484,800
 
26,000
 
Edwards Lifesciences Corp. *
   
1,709,760
 
46,000
 
Express Scripts Holding Co. *
   
3,231,040
 
38,800
 
Henry Schein, Inc. *
   
4,433,288
 
24,000
 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. *
   
2,552,880
 
15,000
 
McKesson Corp.
   
2,421,000
 
14,000
 
Mednax, Inc. *
   
747,320
 
14,700
 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *
   
3,566,073
 
6,500
 
MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. *
   
1,108,835
 
17,800
 
Novo Nordisk A/S ADR
   
3,288,728
 
4,000
 
ResMed, Inc. (1)
   
188,320
 
23,000
 
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR
   
921,840
 
29,000
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
   
3,229,150
 
11,000
 
Universal Health Services, Inc. Class B
   
893,860
 
7,000
 
WellPoint, Inc.
   
646,730
 
         
50,345,093
 
             
   
INDUSTRIALS (27.6%)
       
85,000
 
ABB Ltd. ADR *
   
2,257,600
 
25,300
 
Acuity Brands, Inc.
   
2,765,796
 
96,750
 
AMETEK, Inc.
   
5,095,822
 
39,200
 
AZZ, Inc.
   
1,915,312
 
59,800
 
Canadian National Railway Co.
   
3,409,796
 
31,000
 
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V.
   
2,577,340
 
35,000
 
CLARCOR, Inc.
   
2,252,250
 
10,000
 
Clean Harbors, Inc. *
   
599,600
 
61,000
 
Danaher Corp.
   
4,709,200
 
56,000
 
Donaldson Co., Inc.
   
2,433,760
 
26,000
 
EnerSys
   
1,822,340
 
14,800
 
Equifax, Inc.
   
1,022,532
 
18,000
 
Esterline Technologies Corp. *
   
1,835,280
 
30,000
 
Fastenal Co.
   
1,425,300
 
15,000
 
FedEx Corp.
   
2,156,550
 
12,000
 
Flowserve Corp.
   
945,960
 
16,000
 
General Dynamics Corp.
   
1,528,800
 
6,000
 
Graco, Inc.
   
468,720
 
29,062
 
HEICO Corp.
   
1,684,143
 
47,850
 
IDEX Corp.
   
3,533,722
 
12,600
 
IHS, Inc. Class A *
   
1,508,220
 
31,776
 
Iron Mountain, Inc.
   
964,402
 
9,000
 
ITT Corp.
   
390,780
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10
 
 
 

 

 
December 31, 2013
 
Shares
       
Value
 
33,000
 
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
 
$
2,550,900
 
21,000
 
Kansas City Southern
   
2,600,430
 
38,000
 
Kirby Corp. *
   
3,771,500
 
5,000
 
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
   
534,300
 
26,000
 
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
   
1,854,840
 
12,000
 
Oshkosh Corp.
   
604,560
 
33,000
 
Parker Hannifin Corp.
   
4,245,120
 
17,800
 
Precision Castparts Corp.
   
4,793,540
 
66,500
 
Republic Services, Inc.
   
2,207,800
 
9,000
 
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
   
1,063,440
 
54,000
 
Rollins, Inc.
   
1,635,660
 
36,000
 
Roper Industries, Inc.
   
4,992,480
 
50,700
 
Rush Enterprises, Inc. Class A *
   
1,503,255
 
1,000
 
Snap-on, Inc.
   
109,520
 
37,600
 
Stericycle, Inc. *
   
4,367,992
 
23,000
 
Teledyne Technologies, Inc. *
   
2,112,780
 
66,000
 
Toro Co. (The)
   
4,197,600
 
14,700
 
Towers Watson & Co. Class A
   
1,875,867
 
20,000
 
Union Pacific Corp.
   
3,360,000
 
31,000
 
United Technologies Corp.
   
3,527,800
 
15,700
 
Valmont Industries, Inc. (1)
   
2,341,184
 
12,600
 
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
   
3,218,292
 
42,800
 
Wabtec Corp.
   
3,178,756
 
67,600
 
Waste Connections, Inc.
   
2,949,388
 
         
110,900,229
 
             
   
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (10.3%)
       
25,000
 
Accenture PLC Class A
   
2,055,500
 
19,400
 
Alliance Data Systems Corp. *
   
5,100,842
 
30,800
 
Amphenol Corp. Class A
   
2,746,744
 
9,700
 
Anixter International Inc.
   
871,448
 
60,000
 
ANSYS, Inc. *
   
5,232,000
 
17,000
 
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
   
1,373,770
 
42,000
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A *
   
4,241,160
 
14,600
 
Equinix, Inc. *
   
2,590,770
 
16,400
 
Fiserv, Inc. *
   
968,420
 
8,600
 
MasterCard, Inc. Class A
   
7,184,956
 
11,200
 
MICROS Systems, Inc. *
   
642,544
 
75,000
 
Salesforce.com, Inc. *
   
4,139,250
 
51,000
 
Trimble Navigation Ltd. *
   
1,769,700
 
3,800
 
Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The) *
   
582,236
 
20,300
 
WEX, Inc. *
   
2,010,309
 
         
41,509,649
 

Shares
       
Value
 
   
MATERIALS (8.0%)
       
15,000
 
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
 
$
1,676,700
 
8,000
 
Airgas, Inc.
   
894,800
 
3,600
 
Albemarle Corp.
   
228,204
 
30,700
 
AptarGroup, Inc.
   
2,081,767
 
20,000
 
Ball Corp.
   
1,033,200
 
11,800
 
BASF SE ADR (1)
   
1,271,922
 
4,000
 
Compass Minerals International, Inc.
   
320,200
 
29,000
 
Crown Holdings, Inc. *
   
1,292,530
 
1,200
 
Cytec Industries, Inc.
   
111,792
 
43,000
 
Ecolab, Inc.
   
4,483,610
 
40,000
 
FMC Corp.
   
3,018,400
 
6,600
 
NewMarket Corp. (1)
   
2,205,390
 
31,000
 
Praxair, Inc.
   
4,030,930
 
24,000
 
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
   
1,726,080
 
20,200
 
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The) Class A
   
1,256,844
 
30,000
 
Sigma-Aldrich Corp.
   
2,820,300
 
12,800
 
Syngenta AG ADR
   
1,023,232
 
39,000
 
Valspar Corp. (The)
   
2,780,310
 
         
32,256,211
 
             
   
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES (1.6%)
       
36,000
 
Crown Castle International Corp. *
   
2,643,480
 
43,000
 
SBA Communications Corp. Class A *
   
3,863,120
 
         
6,506,600
 
             
   
UTILITIES (2.7%)
       
165,600
 
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo ADR (1)
   
1,877,904
 
20,000
 
ITC Holdings Corp.
   
1,916,400
 
17,400
 
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
   
531,570
 
13,000
 
NextEra Energy, Inc.
   
1,113,060
 
32,000
 
ONEOK, Inc.
   
1,989,760
 
52,000
 
Questar Corp.
   
1,195,480
 
14,000
 
Sempra Energy
   
1,256,640
 
26,800
 
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
   
1,107,912
 
         
10,988,726
 
   
 
       
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $188,819,815) (98.6%)
    396,539,636  

Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (4.7%)
       
               
     
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (1.1%)
       
$
4,100,000
 
With Morgan Stanley, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery  value $4,100,002  (collateralized by  $4,175,000 U.S.Treasury Notes 1.000% due 03/31/17, with a value of $4,195,567)
 
$
4,100,000
 
     
JOINT REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN) (3.6%)
       
 
5,347,820
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Morgan Stanley, 0.02%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $5,347,826 (collateralized by $5,454,778 U.S. Treasury Bonds 4.250% - 8.000% due 11/15/21 - 11/15/40 and U.S. Treasury Notes 2.625% - 2.750% due 11/15/20 - 11/15/23, with a value of $5,427,020)
   
5,347,820
 
 
7,894,401
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Barclays, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $7,894,405 (collateralized by $8,052,300 U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Notes 1.250% - 1.875% due 04/15/14 - 07/15/15, with a value of $7,991,429)
   
7,894,401
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
11
 
 
 

 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
1,273,290
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Citigroup, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $1,273,291 (collateralized by $1,298,770 U.S. Treasury Bills 0.000% due 02/20/14, with a value of $1,298,770)
 
$
1,273,290
 
           
14,515,511
 
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $18,615,511) (4.7%)
   
18,615,511
 

Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
     
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES (103.3%) (Cost $207,435,326)
 
$
415,155,147
 
         
EXCESS OF LIABILITIES OVER CASH AND OTHER ASSETS (-3.3%)
   
(13,082,195
)
NET ASSETS (100%)
 
$
402,072,952
 
         
NET ASSET VALUE OFFERING AND REDEMPTION PRICE, PER OUTSTANDING SHARE ($402,072,952 ÷ 11,828,557 shares outstanding)
 
$
33.99
 

*
Non-income producing.
(1)
A portion or all of the security was held on loan. As of December 31, 2013, the market value of the securities on loan was $15,893,168.
ADR
American Depositary Receipt.
REIT
Real Estate Investment Trust.
 
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments in securities as of December 31, 2013 (See Note 1B):
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Common Stocks
  $ 396,539,636     $  —     $     $  396,539,636  
Short-Term Investment
          18,615,511             18,615,511  
Total
  $ 396,539,636     $ 18,615,511     $     $ 415,155,147  
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12
 
 
 

 

 
THE VALUE LINE FUND, INC.
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY
 
The Fund’s primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Current income is a secondary investment objective.
 
To achieve the Fund’s investment objectives the Advisor invests substantially all of the Fund’s net assets in common stocks. While the Fund is actively managed by the Adviser, the Adviser relies primarily on the rankings of companies by the Value Line Timeliness™ Ranking System (the “Ranking System”) in selecting securities for purchase or sale. The Fund’s investments principally are selected from common stocks ranked 1, 2 or 3 by the Ranking System at the time of purchase. The Adviser will determine the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in each stock based on the stock’s relative attractiveness.
 
 
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
 
Below, The Value Line Fund, Inc. portfolio manager Stephen E. Grant discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013.
 
How did the Fund perform during the annual period?
 
The Fund generated a total return of 30.86% during the 12 months ended December 31, 2013. This compares to the 32.39% return of the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, during the same period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the 12-month reporting period?
 
While the Fund generated robust double-digit absolute gains, its underperformance of the S&P 500® Index during the 12-month reporting period can be attributed primarily to holding a position in cash during a strong rally in the U.S. equity market. Stock selection and sector allocation overall provided mixed results.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Stock selection in the health care sector detracted from the Fund’s performance during the annual period. A lesser exposure than the S&P 500® Index to the strongly performing biotechnology industry particularly dampened results. Having an underweighted allocation to the financials sector, which outpaced the S&P 500® Index during the annual period, and an overweighted position in the materials sector, which lagged the S&P 500® Index during the annual period, also detracted. Perhaps most significantly, holding an average 2% position in cash during a period when the U.S. equity market rallied hurt.
 
Offsetting these detractors were the positive contributions made by effective stock selection in the information technology, consumer staples and energy sectors, having an overweighted allocation in the strongly performing industrials sector, and having an underweighted allocation to the lagging energy sector.
 
Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the annual period?
 
During the annual period, among the stocks that detracted most from the Fund’s relative performance were overweighted positions in several health care laggards. These included positions in cardiovascular device manufacturer Edwards Lifesciences, pharmacy benefits management services provider Catamaran and surgical systems manufacturer Intuitive Surgical.
 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
Among the individual stocks that contributed most to the Fund’s relative results were three sizable positions in the information technology sector—namely, Alliance Data Systems, which provides data-driven and transaction-based marketing and customer loyalty solutions; MasterCard, which is a global payment solutions company that provides a variety of services in support of the credit, debt and related payment programs of financial institutions; and Open Text, which provides intranet, extranet and corporate portal solutions to organizations. Avoiding several laggards in the information technology sector, such as Apple, IBM and Oracle, boosted the Fund’s results as well.
 
Several Fund positions in the industrials sector added value. Top contributors in the sector were inland tank barge fleet operator Kirby, construction and engineering services firm Chicago Bridge & Iron, flow control equipment manufacturer IDEX, food preparation equipment manufacturer Middleby and aerospace and defense company HEICO.
 
In the consumer staples sector, positions in brewer The Boston Beer Company, food products manufacturer Hormel Foods and bakery foods producer Flowers Foods were outstanding performers. We also successfully avoided positions in several giant-capitalization laggards during the annual period, including The Coca-Cola Company, Altria Group, The Wal-Mart Stores and Procter & Gamble.
 
 
13
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the reporting period?
 
The Fund did not use derivatives during the reporting period.
 
Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the fiscal year?
 
In our view, the Fund was under-represented in the energy sector, so to enhance diversification, we were glad to identify two stocks that we believed well deserved to be in the portfolio—Chevron, one of the world’s largest integrated oil companies, and EQT, an integrated energy company with emphasis on Appalachian area natural gas supply, transmission and distribution. Both companies had inconsistent results prior to 2003, but over the past decade have demonstrated the ability to consistently grow their earnings and stock price. In each case, we purchased shares as a dip in their respective share prices offered what we believed to be an attractive entry point.
 
We initiated a Fund position in insurance company Prudential because, in our view, its earnings and stock price appeared to be back on a good growth track after struggling in the wake of the country’s financial crisis.
 
We reduced the Fund’s position in rail freight transportation company Union Pacific, taking profits after a strong run. We eliminated the Fund’s position in leather goods retailer Coach, as the company reported worse than expected earnings results. We sold the Fund’s position in food retailer Harris Teeter Supermarkets after its stock rose in response to a takeover bid by competitor Kroger.
 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the 12-month period?
 
There were no material changes in the Fund’s sector weightings during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of December 2013?
 
As of December 31, 2013, the Fund was overweighted relative to the S&P 500® Index in the industrials, consumer discretionary and materials sectors. The Fund was underweighted relative to the S&P 500® Index in the energy, financials and information technology sectors and rather neutrally weighted relative to the Index in the health care, consumer staples, utilities and telecommunication services sectors on the same date.
 
What is your tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
Calendar year 2013 saw lower quality stocks outperform higher quality stocks, as investors became more bold and more confident in the economy and the financial system. Speculative stocks, such as those of biotechnology companies, and Initial Public Offerings, such as those of Facebook and Twitter, outperformed the broad U.S. equity market, along with the more cyclical, economically-sensitive stocks. Lagging were the more consistent, “steady-eddy,” long-term growth stocks in which we traditionally invest, i.e., those companies that have established strongholds in their market or market niche through proprietary products or services, which, in our view, gives them greater control of their own destiny and makes them less subject to ups and downs of the economy. We consider the Fund’s underperformance of the S&P 500® Index in 2013 as part of the natural ebb and flow of the market, as the lower quality stocks that performed poorly in 2011 and 2012 regained some ground. We do not know whether the trends of 2013 will continue into the new year, but, regardless of market trends and conditions, we do not intend to vary from our strategy of investing in high quality securities with a long-term perspective. Our portfolio turnover and trading costs have remained lower than many of our peers, as we have patience with a consistent grower until a change in the company’s strategy or its earnings and stock performance give solid reason to sell.
 
As always, we intend to stay true to our time-tested investment discipline going forward.
 
 
14
 
 
 

 

 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
Portfolio Highlights at December 31, 2013 (unaudited)
 
Ten Largest Holdings
                         
                   
Percentage of
Issue
 
Shares
   
Value
   
Net Assets
Rollins, Inc.
   
75,600
   
$
2,289,924
     
1.8
%
Alliance Data Systems Corp.
   
8,300
     
2,182,319
     
1.7
%
TJX Companies, Inc. (The)
   
32,000
     
2,039,360
     
1.6
%
AMETEK, Inc.
   
36,750
     
1,935,622
     
1.5
%
MasterCard, Inc. Class A
   
2,300
     
1,921,558
     
1.5
%
AutoZone, Inc.
   
4,000
     
1,911,760
     
1.5
%
Yum! Brands, Inc.
   
24,800
     
1,875,128
     
1.5
%
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
   
8,000
     
1,735,040
     
1.4
%
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
   
26,000
     
1,723,280
     
1.4
%
Roper Industries, Inc.
   
12,400
     
1,719,632
     
1.4
%
 
Asset Allocation – Percentage of Net Assets
 
 
(PIE CHART)
 
Sector Weightings – Percentage of Total Investment Securities* 
 
(GRAPH)
 
*Sector weightings exclude short-term investments.
 
15
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
The following graph compares the performance of The Value Line Fund, Inc. to that of the S&P 500 Index (the “Index”). The Value Line Fund, Inc. is a professionally managed mutual fund, while the Index is not available for investment and is unmanaged. The returns for the Index do not reflect charges, expenses or taxes, but do include the reinvestment of dividends. The comparison is shown for illustrative purposes only.
 
Comparison of a Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in The Value Line Fund, Inc. and the S&P 500 Index*
 
 
(graph)
 
               
Performance Data: **
             
               
   
Average Annual
   
Growth of an Assumed
 
   
Total Return
   
Investment of $10,000
 
1 year ended 12/31/13
  30.86 %     $13,086  
5 years ended 12/31/13
  16.87 %     $21,800  
10 years ended 12/31/13
  5.45 %     $17,004  
* The Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index is an unmanaged index that is representative of the larger-capitalization stocks traded in the United States.
** The performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future performance. The average annual total returns and growth of an assumed investment of $10,000 include dividends reinvested and capital gains distributions accepted in shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than its original cost. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
 
16
 
 
 

 

 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2013
             
Shares
       
Value
 
COMMON STOCKS (98.0%)
       
             
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY (13.2%)
       
4,000
 
AutoZone, Inc. *
 
$
1,911,760
 
13,600
 
BorgWarner, Inc.
   
760,376
 
22,400
 
Brinker International, Inc.
   
1,038,016
 
6,000
 
Buckle, Inc. (The) (1)
   
315,360
 
7,600
 
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *
   
1,118,720
 
12,300
 
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.
   
714,630
 
7,000
 
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.
   
487,550
 
8,700
 
Gildan Activewear, Inc.
   
463,797
 
33,000
 
LKQ Corp. *
   
1,085,700
 
15,300
 
McDonald’s Corp.
   
1,484,559
 
10,000
 
NIKE, Inc. Class B
   
786,400
 
3,200
 
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. *
   
411,872
 
10,400
 
Penn National Gaming, Inc. *
   
149,032
 
9,300
 
Starbucks Corp.
   
729,027
 
32,000
 
TJX Companies, Inc. (The)
   
2,039,360
 
10,400
 
VF Corp.
   
648,336
 
16,800
 
Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
   
570,528
 
24,800
 
Yum! Brands, Inc.
   
1,875,128
 
         
16,590,151
 
             
   
CONSUMER STAPLES (10.8%)
       
3,100
 
Boston Beer Co., Inc. (The) Class A *
   
749,549
 
4,900
 
British American Tobacco PLC ADR
    526,358  
4,000
 
Bunge Ltd.
   
328,440
 
11,400
 
Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
   
800,850
 
26,000
 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
   
1,723,280
 
7,000
 
Costco Wholesale Corp.
   
833,070
 
7,500
 
Energizer Holdings, Inc.
   
811,800
 
40,500
 
Flowers Foods, Inc.
   
869,535
 
19,000
 
General Mills, Inc.
   
948,290
 
33,000
 
Hormel Foods Corp.
   
1,490,610
 
15,700
 
Ingredion, Inc.
   
1,074,822
 
18,100
 
J&J Snack Foods Corp.
   
1,603,479
 
9,000
 
PepsiCo, Inc.
   
746,460
 
6,000
 
Reynolds American, Inc.
   
299,940
 
12,000
 
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
   
693,960
 
         
13,500,443
 
   
ENERGY (3.2%)
       
6,000
 
Chevron Corp.
   
749,460
 
2,000
 
Core Laboratories N.V.
   
381,900
 
14,000
 
Enbridge, Inc.
   
611,520
 
10,000
 
EQT Corp.
   
897,800
 
5,600
 
FMC Technologies, Inc. *
   
292,376
 
13,400
 
Noble Energy, Inc.
   
912,674
 
2,600
 
Oceaneering International, Inc.
    205,088  
         
4,050,818
 
             
   
FINANCIALS (6.6%)
       
8,000
 
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. *
   
1,735,040
 
20,000
 
AFLAC, Inc.
   
1,336,000
 
             
Shares
       
Value
 
9,000
 
American Tower Corp. REIT
 
$
718,380
 
3,000
 
BlackRock, Inc.
   
949,410
 
500
 
Everest Re Group Ltd.
   
77,935
 
10,400
 
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. REIT *
   
528,424
 
6,300
 
M&T Bank Corp. (1)
   
733,446
 
4,400
 
MetLife, Inc.
   
237,248
 
2,000
 
PartnerRe Ltd.
   
210,860
 
5,000
 
Prudential Financial, Inc.
   
461,100
 
8,000
 
Royal Bank of Canada
   
537,840
 
4,900
 
Stifel Financial Corp. *
   
234,808
 
6,600
 
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
   
552,882
 
         
8,313,373
 
             
   
HEALTH CARE (12.1%)
       
11,600
 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *
   
1,543,496
 
9,600
 
Allergan, Inc.
   
1,066,368
 
5,800
 
C.R. Bard, Inc.
   
776,852
 
13,740
 
Catamaran Corp. *
   
652,375
 
20,400
 
Cerner Corp. *
   
1,137,096
 
800
 
Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)
   
99,072
 
1,500
 
DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. *
   
95,055
 
3,900
 
DENTSPLY International, Inc.
   
189,072
 
6,000
 
Edwards Lifesciences Corp. *
   
394,560
 
15,340
 
Express Scripts Holding Co *
   
1,077,482
 
12,700
 
Henry Schein, Inc. *
   
1,451,102
 
5,400
 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. *
   
574,398
 
4,800
 
McKesson Corp.
   
774,720
 
16,800
 
Mednax, Inc. *
   
896,784
 
4,700
 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *
   
1,140,173
 
9,100
 
Novo Nordisk A/S ADR
   
1,681,316
 
10,000
 
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR
   
400,800
 
10,200
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
   
1,135,770
 
1,400
 
Universal Health Services, Inc. Class B
   
113,764
 
         
15,200,255
 
             
   
INDUSTRIALS (28.5%)
       
7,800
 
Acuity Brands, Inc.
   
852,696
 
36,750
 
AMETEK, Inc.
   
1,935,622
 
22,200
 
Canadian National Railway Co.
   
1,265,844
 
800
 
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
   
121,056
 
10,000
 
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V.
   
831,400
 
15,000
 
CLARCOR, Inc.
   
965,250
 
6,000
 
Clean Harbors, Inc. *
   
359,760
 
20,700
 
Danaher Corp.
   
1,598,040
 
31,000
 
Donaldson Co., Inc.
   
1,347,260
 
4,800
 
Equifax, Inc.
   
331,632
 
2,400
 
Esterline Technologies Corp. *
   
244,704
 
8,000
 
Fastenal Co.
   
380,080
 
7,000
 
FedEx Corp.
   
1,006,390
 
             
Shares
       
Value
 
7,900
 
General Dynamics Corp.
  $
754,845
 
7,300
 
Graco, Inc.
   
570,276
 
13,983
 
HEICO Corp.
   
810,315
 
15,000
 
IDEX Corp.
   
1,107,750
 
3,500
 
IHS, Inc. Class A *
   
418,950
 
5,850
 
ITT Corp.
   
254,007
 
6,800
 
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
   
525,640
 
8,200
 
Kansas City Southern
   
1,015,406
 
14,700
 
Kirby Corp. *
   
1,458,975
 
5,400
 
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
   
577,044
 
2,000
 
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
   
142,680
 
2,300
 
Middleby Corp. (The) *
   
551,931
 
2,500
 
Oshkosh Corp.
   
125,950
 
9,200
 
Parker Hannifin Corp.
   
1,183,488
 
5,700
 
Precision Castparts Corp.
   
1,535,010
 
19,000
 
Republic Services, Inc.
   
630,800
 
2,800
 
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
   
330,848
 
75,600
 
Rollins, Inc.
   
2,289,924
 
12,400
 
Roper Industries, Inc.
   
1,719,632
 
12,000
 
Stericycle, Inc. *
   
1,394,040
 
15,600
 
Toro Co. (The)
   
992,160
 
4,800
 
Union Pacific Corp.
   
806,400
 
11,400
 
United Technologies Corp.
   
1,297,320
 
5,600
 
Valmont Industries, Inc.
   
835,072
 
4,900
 
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
   
1,251,558
 
10,500
 
Wabtec Corp.
   
779,835
 
25,300
 
Waste Connections, Inc.
   
1,103,839
 
         
35,703,429
 
   
 
       
   
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (10.9%)
       
17,800
 
Accenture PLC Class A
   
1,463,516
 
8,300
 
Alliance Data Systems Corp. *
   
2,182,319
 
7,000
 
Amphenol Corp. Class A
   
624,260
 
3,700
 
Anixter International, Inc.
   
332,408
 
13,500
 
ANSYS, Inc. *
   
1,177,200
 
6,500
 
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
   
525,265
 
16,000
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A *
   
1,615,680
 
3,500
 
Equinix, Inc. *
   
621,075
 
5,400
 
Fiserv, Inc. *
   
318,870
 
2,300
 
MasterCard, Inc. Class A
   
1,921,558
 
2,800
 
MICROS Systems, Inc. *
   
160,636
 
8,800
 
Open Text Corp.
   
809,248
 
24,000
 
Salesforce.com, Inc. *
   
1,324,560
 
6,100
 
WEX, Inc. *
   
604,083
 
         
13,680,678
 
             
   
MATERIALS (9.3%)
       
3,000
 
Airgas, Inc.
   
335,550
 
12,000
 
Ball Corp.
   
619,920
 
25,600
 
Crown Holdings, Inc. *
   
1,140,992
 
12,000
 
Ecolab, Inc.
   
1,251,240
 
22,400
 
FMC Corp.
   
1,690,304
 
2,000
 
NewMarket Corp.
   
668,300
 
10,000
 
Packaging Corp. of America
   
632,800
 
10,300
 
Praxair, Inc.
   
1,339,309
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
17
 
 
 

 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
             
Shares
       
Value
 
12,000
 
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The) Class A
 
$
746,640
 
11,400
 
Sigma-Aldrich Corp.
   
1,071,714
 
25,900
 
Silgan Holdings, Inc.
   
1,243,718
 
12,400
 
Valspar Corp. (The)
   
883,996
 
         
11,624,483
 
   
 
       
   
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES (0.8%)
       
13,000
 
Crown Castle International Corp. *
   
954,590
 
             
   
UTILITIES (2.6%)
       
10,000
 
ITC Holdings Corp.
   
958,200
 
4,000
 
NextEra Energy, Inc.
   
342,480
 
15,000
 
ONEOK, Inc.
   
932,700
 
23,000
 
Questar Corp.
   
528,770
 
10,900
 
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
   
450,606
 
         
3,212,756
 
   
 
       
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $65,914,055)
(98.0%)
   
122,830,976
 
               
Principal            
Amount        
Value
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (2.0%)        
               
     
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (1.2%)
       
$
1,500,000
 
With Morgan Stanley, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $1,500,001 (collateralized by $1,530,000 U.S. Treasury Notes 1.000% due 03/31/17, with a value of $1,537,537)
 
$ 
 
1,500,000
 
               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
     
JOINT REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN) (0.8%)
       
$
352,513
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Morgan Stanley, 0.02%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $352,514 (collateralized by $359,564 U.S. Treasury Bonds 4.250% - 8.000% due 11/15/21 - 11/15/40 and U.S. Treasury Notes 2.625% - 2.750% due 11/15/20 - 11/15/23, with a value of $357,734)
 
$
352,513
 
 
520,377
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Barclays, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $520,377 (collateralized by $530,785 U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Notes 1.250% - 1.875% due 04/15/14 - 07/15/15, with a value of $526,773)
   
520,377
 
               
Principal
       
Amount
   
Value
 
$
83,932
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Citigroup, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $83,932 (collateralized by $85,611 U.S. Treasury Bills 0.000% due 02/20/14, with a value of $85,611)
 
$ 
 
83,932
 
           
956,822
 
     
 
       
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $2,456,822) (2.0%)
    2,456,822  
     
 
       
     
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES (100.0%) (Cost $68,370,877)
 
$
125,287,798  
 
       
EXCESS OF LIABILITIES OVER CASH AND OTHER ASSETS (0.0%)
   
(19,763
)
NET ASSETS (100%)
 
$
125,268,035
 
               
NET ASSET VALUE OFFERING AND REDEMPTION PRICE, PER OUTSTANDING SHARE ($125,268,035 ÷ 9,278,231 shares outstanding)
 
$
13.50
 
   
*
Non-income producing.
(1)
A portion or all of the security was held on loan. As of December 31, 2013, the market value of the securities on loan was $1,048,806.
ADR
American Depositary Receipt.
REIT
Real Estate Investment Trust.
 
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments in securities as of December 31, 2013 (See Note 1B):
                         
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Common Stocks
  $ 122,830,976     $     $     $ 122,830,976  
Short-Term Investments
          2,456,822             2,456,822  
Total
  $ 122,830,976     $ 2,456,822     $     $ 125,287,798  
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18
 
 
 

 

 
VALUE LINE INCOME AND GROWTH FUND, INC.
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY
 
The Fund’s primary investment objective is income, as high and dependable as is consistent with reasonable risk. Capital growth to increase total return is a secondary objective.
 
To achieve the Fund’s goals, the Adviser invests not less than 50% of the Fund’s net assets in common or preferred stocks or securities convertible into common stock which may or may not pay dividends. The balance of the Fund’s net assets are primarily invested in U.S. government securities, money market securities and investment grade debt securities rated at the time of purchase from the highest (AAA) to medium (BBB) quality. Although the Fund can invest in companies of any size, it generally invests in U.S. securities issued by larger, more established companies (those with a market capitalization of more than $5 billion).
 
 
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
 
Below, Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. portfolio managers Mark T. Spellman and Liane Rosenberg discuss the Fund’s performance and positioning for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013.
 
How did the Fund perform during the annual period?
 
The Fund generated a total return of 19.55% during the 12 months ended December 31, 2013. This compares to the 18.62% return of the Fund’s blended benchmark, comprised 60% of the S&P 500® Index and 40% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Barclays Index”), during the same period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the 12-month reporting period?
 
The Fund benefited most from effective asset allocation. Throughout the 12-month reporting period, the Fund was underweighted fixed income and overweighted equities. With U.S. equities, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, up 32.39% during the annual period, and bonds, as measured by the Barclays Index, posting a return of -2.02%, this asset allocation clearly added value. Stock selection overall within the equity portion of the Fund also proved beneficial.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Stock selection in the information technology, industrials, utilities and health care sectors contributed most positively to the Fund’s results. The Fund also benefited from having underweighted allocations to the information technology and energy sectors, which each lagged the S&P 500® Index during the annual period, and from having an overweighted allocation to the industrials sector, which outpaced the S&P 500® Index during the annual period.
 
Only partially offsetting these positive contributors was stock selection in the consumer discretionary and energy sectors, which detracted. Having an overweighted allocation to utilities, which lagged the S&P 500® Index during the annual period, and having underweighted exposures to the consumer discretionary and health care sectors, which outpaced the broad U.S. equity market during the annual period, also hurt.
 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
Contributing most to the Fund’s relative results were retail food and drug chain operator Safeway, financial services provider Charles Schwab and construction and engineering services firm Chicago Bridge & Iron. Safeway performed well, as its restructuring program added value and its store performance improved. Shares of Charles Schwab rose, as its fee revenue and market share increased with the stock market’s rally. Chicago Bridge & Iron’s shares rose significantly, as its bookings for new construction projects rose and as its acquisition of a competitor positively impacted its results.
 
Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the annual period?
 
During the annual period, the stocks that detracted most from the Fund’s performance were Canadian gold producer Yamana Gold, data storage center real estate investment trust (REIT) Digital Realty Trust and offshore oil and gas drilling contractor Diamond Offshore Drilling. Shares of Yamana Gold fell significantly reflecting the precipitous decline in the price of gold bullion. Digital Realty Trust performed poorly along with the broad REIT industry. The company also posted less than expected operating results. Diamond Offshore Drilling saw its shares decline due to poor fundamentals in offshore drilling as well as company-specific shortfalls.
 
 
19
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
Did the equity portion of the Fund make any significant purchases or sales?
 
During the fiscal year, we initiated positions in semiconductor device manufacturer Qualcomm, specialty pharmaceuticals company Allergan and Canadian telecommunications carrier BCE. We established a position in Qualcomm when the stock declined after an earnings disappointment, and we considered it an attractive entry point based on a longer-term perspective. We purchased Allergan after a dip in its share price, as we felt the fundamental outlook for the company was positive and the market had overreacted to news that it was delaying final studies for drugs to treat age-related macular degeneration and baldness. We initiated a position in BCE, as we believe its dividend yield is attractive and its shares, at the time of purchase, undervalued.
 
We sold the Fund’s position in integrated utilities company The Southern Company, as we became increasingly bearish on the outlook for this stock and on electric utilities in general. We exited the Fund’s position in clinical laboratory test provider Laboratory Corporation of America, after it hit the price target we had established for the company.
 
Were there any notable changes in the equity portion of the Fund’s weightings during the 12-month period?
 
During the annual period, we decreased weightings in the utilities sector and in the REITs industry, and we increased positions in the information technology and financials sectors.
 
How was the equity portion of the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of December 2013?
 
As of December 31, 2013, the Fund was overweighted relative to the S&P 500® Index in the industrials, utilities, financials, telecommunication services and consumer staples sectors. The Fund was underweighted relative to the S&P 500® Index in the consumer discretionary, materials, information technology, energy and health care sectors on the same date.
 
What was the duration strategy of the fixed income portion of the Fund?
 
We kept the fixed income portion of the Fund’s duration short relative to that of the Barclays Index. As interest rates rose, this duration positioning contributed positively to relative results.
 
Which fixed income market segments most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Overall, the fixed income portion of the Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Barclays Index. Detracting most from relative results was security selection within the securitized sector. Within the securitized sector, we held an overweighted allocation to seven-year to 10-year maturities. The flattening yield curve benefited shorter-term and longer-term maturities, where the Fund was underweight, but hurt the intermediate segment of the yield curve.
 
Conversely, having an underweighted allocation to U.S. Treasuries, the worst performing sector in the Barclays Index during the annual period, contributed most positively to the fixed income portion of the Fund’s performance. An overweighted allocation to corporate bonds also added value, as this sector experienced steady spread tightening throughout the year. Within the Fund’s corporate bond allocation, a heavier weighting in bonds of financial institutions proved beneficial.
 
Were there any notable changes in the fixed income portion of the Fund’s weightings during the 12-month period?
 
The most significant sector shifts in the fixed income portion of the Fund were a reduction in U.S. Treasuries and an increase in corporate bonds, both investment grade and high yield.
 
How was the fixed income portion of the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of December 2013?
 
As of December 31, 2013, the fixed income portion of the Fund was overweight relative to the Barclays Index in corporate bonds. The Fund was underweight relative to the Barclays Index in U.S. Treasuries and government-related securities and was rather neutrally weighted to the benchmark index in the securitized sector on the same date.
 
How did the Fund’s overall asset allocation shift from beginning to end of the annual period?
 
At the end of December 2012, the Fund had a weighting of 63% in stocks, 4% in bonds convertible into common stocks, 28% in fixed income securities and 3% in cash equivalents. By mid-year 2013, cash levels began to rise due to net sales in the equity portion of the Fund, as stock-specific price targets were hit and shares sold to take profits. Due primarily to market appreciation and depreciation, at the end of December 2013, the Fund had a weighting of 66% in stocks, 4% in bonds convertible into common stocks, 22% in fixed income securities and 8% in cash equivalents.
 
 
20
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the reporting period?
 
During the reporting period, the Fund made limited use of covered equity call writing as a method of generating additional income for the Fund. Covered equity call writing is an options strategy whereby an investor holds a long position in an asset and writes, or sells, call options on that same asset in an attempt to generate increased income from the asset.
 
What is your tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
Our view ahead for the U.S. equity market was a bit more cautious at the end of 2013 than it was at the start of the year, but we continued to believe many opportunities remain to purchase quality stocks with historically high dividend yields, relatively low payout ratios, good balance sheets and cash flow generation, and a track record of consistently raising their dividends. We remained comfortable at the end of the annual period with the Fund’s underweighted allocation to fixed income, as we saw better return potential in other asset classes.
 
As always, our goal is to preserve capital in the near term while generating solid total return (i.e., income plus capital appreciation) over the long term and across economic cycles.
 
21
 
 
 

 

 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
Portfolio Highlights at December 31, 2013 (unaudited)
 
Ten Largest Holdings
 
               
Percentage of
Issue
 
Shares
   
Value
   
Net Assets
Google, Inc. Class A
    3,900     $ 4,370,769       1.3 %
Raytheon Co.
    38,900       3,528,230       1.1 %
Intel Corp.
    129,000       3,348,840       1.0 %
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    33,000       3,339,600       1.0 %
Johnson & Johnson
    36,100       3,306,399       1.0 %
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    55,600       3,251,488       1.0 %
Microsoft Corp.
    84,800       3,174,064       1.0 %
Charles Schwab Corp. (The)
    120,000       3,120,000       0.9 %
Discover Financial Services
    54,500       3,049,275       0.9 %
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V.
    35,000       2,909,900       0.9 %
 
Asset Allocation – Percentage of Net Assets
 
(PIE CHART)
 
Sector Weightings – Percentage of Total Investment Securities*
 
(BAR CHART)
 
*Sector weightings exclude short-term investments.
 
 
22
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
The following graph compares the performance of the Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. to that of the 60/40 S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index, (the “Index”). The Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. is a professionally managed mutual fund, while the Index is not available for investment and is unmanaged. The returns for the Index do not reflect charges, expenses or taxes, but do include the reinvestment of dividends. The comparison is shown for illustrative purposes only.
 
Comparison of a Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. and 60/40 S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index*
 
(LINE GRAPH)
 
Performance Data: **
             
             
   
Average Annual
   
Growth of an Assumed
 
   
Total Return
   
Investment of $10,000
 
1 year ended 12/31/13
  19.55 %     $11,955  
5 years ended 12/31/13
  12.26 %     $17,829  
10 years ended 12/31/13
  7.74 %     $21,083  
*
The 60/40 S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged custom Index that is representative of 60% weighting of the S&P 500 Index which consists of larger-capitalization stocks traded in the United States and a 40% weighting of the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index which consists of investment grade, U.S. dollar denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-through’s) ABS, and CMBS.
**
The performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future performance. The average annual total returns and growth of an assumed investment of $10,000 include dividends reinvested and capital gains distributions accepted in shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than its original cost. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
23
 
 
 

 

 
 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments
               
Shares
       
Value
 
COMMON STOCKS (66.1%)
       
               
     
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY (6.7%)
       
 
25,300
 
Brinker International, Inc.
 
$
1,172,402
 
 
40,000
 
Comcast Corp. Class A
   
1,995,200
 
 
30,200
 
DIRECTV *
   
2,086,518
 
 
5,494
 
General Motors Co. *
   
224,540
 
 
13,600
 
Home Depot, Inc.
   
1,119,824
 
 
29,000
 
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
   
2,287,230
 
 
39,000
 
Lowe’s Cos., Inc.
   
1,932,450
 
 
28,300
 
McDonald’s Corp.
   
2,745,949
 
 
97,600
 
Staples, Inc.
   
1,550,864
 
 
25,400
 
Target Corp.
   
1,607,058
 
 
12,700
 
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
   
1,720,850
 
 
27,200
 
TJX Companies, Inc. (The)
   
1,733,456
 
 
24,400
 
Walt Disney Co. (The)
   
1,864,160
 
           
22,040,501
 
               
     
CONSUMER STAPLES (6.6%)
       
 
31,200
 
Coca-Cola Co. (The)
   
1,288,872
 
 
33,400
 
CVS Caremark Corp.
   
2,390,438
 
 
35,400
 
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.
   
1,724,688
 
 
42,900
 
General Mills, Inc.
   
2,141,139
 
 
17,600
 
Ingredion, Inc.
   
1,204,896
 
 
42,900
 
Kroger Co. (The)
   
1,695,837
 
 
26,300
 
PepsiCo, Inc.
   
2,181,322
 
 
33,000
 
Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
   
2,686,530
 
 
65,158
 
Safeway, Inc.
   
2,122,196
 
 
27,300
 
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
   
2,148,237
 
 
39,000
 
Walgreen Co.
   
2,240,160
 
           
21,824,315
 
               
     
ENERGY (7.2%)
       
 
44,000
 
Boardwalk Pipeline Partners L.P.
   
1,122,880
 
 
21,500
 
Chevron Corp.
   
2,685,565
 
 
27,300
 
Conoco Phillips
   
1,928,745
 
 
17,200
 
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.
   
979,024
 
 
37,455
 
Ensco PLC Class A
   
2,141,677
 
 
21,000
 
Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
   
1,392,300
 
 
33,000
 
Exxon Mobil Corp.
   
3,339,600
 
 
16,100
 
Hess Corp.
   
1,336,300
 
 
25,600
 
Royal Dutch Shell PLC ADR (1)
   
1,922,816
 
 
31,200
 
Schlumberger Ltd.
   
2,811,432
 
 
29,500
 
Total S.A. ADR
   
1,807,465
 
 
24,400
 
TransCanada Corp. (1)
   
1,114,104
 
 
24,000
 
Transocean Ltd. (1)
   
1,186,080
 
           
23,767,988
 
     
FINANCIALS (11.3%)
       
 
10,700
 
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
   
1,231,035
 
 
27,300
 
Bank of Montreal
   
1,819,818
 
 
6,800
 
BlackRock, Inc.
   
2,151,996
 
               
Shares
       
Value
 
 
23,000
 
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
 
$
1,964,430
 
 
24,400
 
Capital One Financial Corp.
   
1,869,284
 
 
120,000
 
Charles Schwab Corp. (The)
   
3,120,000
 
 
54,500
 
Discover Financial Services
   
3,049,275
 
 
53,760
 
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
   
1,947,725
 
 
25,400
 
Health Care REIT, Inc.
   
1,360,678
 
 
55,600
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
   
3,251,488
 
 
19,500
 
M&T Bank Corp. (1)
   
2,270,190
 
 
9,072
 
MetLife, Inc.
   
489,162
 
 
16,600
 
PartnerRe Ltd.
   
1,750,138
 
 
114,000
 
People’s United Financial, Inc.
   
1,723,680
 
 
29,200
 
Prudential Financial, Inc.
   
2,692,824
 
 
33,100
 
State Street Corp.
   
2,429,209
 
 
71,200
 
U.S. Bancorp
   
2,876,480
 
 
31,200
 
Wells Fargo & Co.
   
1,416,480
 
 
1
 
Wintrust Financial Corp.
   
37
 
           
37,413,929
 
               
     
HEALTH CARE (8.0%)
       
 
13,700
 
Actavis PLC *
   
2,301,600
 
 
12,000
 
Allergan, Inc.
   
1,332,960
 
 
12,700
 
Amgen, Inc.
   
1,449,832
 
 
11,700
 
Becton, Dickinson & Co.
   
1,292,733
 
 
22,400
 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
   
1,190,560
 
 
22,500
 
Eli Lilly & Co.
   
1,147,500
 
 
21,000
 
Gilead Sciences, Inc. *
   
1,578,150
 
 
36,100
 
Johnson & Johnson
   
3,306,399
 
 
47,800
 
Merck & Co., Inc.
   
2,392,390
 
 
15,600
 
Novartis AG ADR
   
1,253,928
 
 
93,388
 
Pfizer, Inc.
   
2,860,474
 
 
33,200
 
Sanofi-Aventis ADR
   
1,780,516
 
 
45,237
 
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR
   
1,813,099
 
 
11,000
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
   
1,224,850
 
 
20,000
 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
   
1,506,000
 
           
26,430,991
 
               
     
INDUSTRIALS (8.8%)
       
 
44,100
 
ADT Corp. (The)
   
1,784,727
 
 
19,400
 
Canadian National Railway Co.
   
1,106,188
 
 
35,000
 
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V.
   
2,909,900
 
 
23,400
 
Cintas Corp.
   
1,394,406
 
 
16,500
 
Emerson Electric Co.
   
1,157,970
 
 
29,415
 
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
   
1,301,614
 
 
16,200
 
FedEx Corp.
   
2,329,074
 
 
12,600
 
General Dynamics Corp.
   
1,203,930
 
 
13,500
 
Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
   
1,135,080
 
 
10,700
 
Lockheed Martin Corp.
   
1,590,662
 
 
15,600
 
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Class A
   
1,261,572
 
 
10,600
 
Northrop Grumman Corp.
   
1,214,866
 
 
38,900
 
Raytheon Co.
   
3,528,230
 
 
35,100
 
Republic Services, Inc.
   
1,165,320
 
               
Shares
       
Value
 
 
25,300
 
Tyco International Ltd.
 
$
1,038,312
 
 
12,700
 
Union Pacific Corp.
   
2,133,600
 
 
25,300
 
United Technologies Corp.
   
2,879,140
 
           
29,134,591
 
               
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (11.8%)
       
 
30,200
 
Accenture PLC Class A
   
2,483,044
 
 
20,400
 
Adobe Systems, Inc.*
   
1,221,552
 
 
3,000
 
Apple, Inc.
   
1,683,330
 
 
24,400
 
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
   
1,971,764
 
 
39,000
 
Avago Technologies Ltd.
   
2,062,710
 
 
11,900
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A *
   
1,201,662
 
 
47,300
 
eBay, Inc. *
   
2,596,297
 
 
93,442
 
EMC Corp.
   
2,350,066
 
 
3,900
 
Google, Inc. Class A *
   
4,370,769
 
 
32,200
 
Harris Corp.
   
2,247,882
 
 
129,000
 
Intel Corp.
   
3,348,840
 
 
15,000
 
International Business Machines Corp.
   
2,813,550
 
 
84,800
 
Microsoft Corp.
   
3,174,064
 
 
48,500
 
Oracle Corp.
   
1,855,610
 
 
26,300
 
QUALCOMM, Inc.
   
1,952,775
 
 
30,000
 
SAP AG ADR (1)
   
2,614,200
 
 
21,400
 
TE Connectivity Ltd.
   
1,179,354
 
           
39,127,469
 
               
     
MATERIALS (1.5%)
       
 
17,600
 
BHP Billiton Ltd. ADR (1)
   
1,200,320
 
 
28,000
 
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
   
1,819,160
 
 
34,600
 
OCI Partners L.P. *
   
954,960
 
 
14,600
 
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
   
1,050,032
 
           
5,024,472
 
               
     
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES (2.0%)
       
 
78,000
 
AT&T, Inc.
   
2,742,480
 
 
50,000
 
BCE, Inc.
   
2,164,500
 
 
34,100
 
Verizon Communications, Inc.
   
1,675,674
 
           
6,582,654
 
               
     
UTILITIES (2.2%)
       
 
24,900
 
AGL Resources, Inc.
   
1,176,027
 
 
25,400
 
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
   
1,187,196
 
 
53,000
 
American States Water Co.
   
1,522,690
 
 
11,700
 
Sempra Energy
   
1,050,192
 
 
26,300
 
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
   
1,087,242
 
 
39,100
 
Xcel Energy, Inc.
   
1,092,454
 
           
7,115,801
 
               
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
     
(Cost $143,381,458) (66.1%)
   
218,462,711
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
24
 
 
 

 

 
December 31, 2013
               
Shares
       
Value
 
PREFERRED STOCKS (0.0%)
       
               
     
FINANCIALS (0.0%)
       
 
5,000
 
MetLife, Inc., Series B, 6.50%
 
$
124,500
 
               
     
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
     
(Cost $125,000) (0.0%)
   
124,500
 
               
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (0.7%)
       
               
     
CONSUMER STAPLES (0.2%)
       
 
4,000
 
Bunge Ltd., 4.88%
   
430,200
 
 
2,500
 
Post Holdings, Inc., 3.75% (2)
   
295,748
 
           
725,948
 
               
     
FINANCIALS (0.5%)
       
 
6,000
 
AMG Capital Trust II, Convertible Fixed, 5.15%
   
379,500
 
 
250
 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc., Series A, 8.50% (1)
   
316,250
 
 
1,000
 
KeyCorp, Series A, 7.75%(1)
   
129,000
 
 
16,000
 
MetLife, Inc., 5.00%
   
504,640
 
 
250
 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series L, 7.50%
   
276,250
 
 
2,000
 
Weyerhaeuser Co., Series A, 6.38%
   
112,080
 
           
1,717,720
 
               
     
HEALTH CARE (0.0%)
       
 
1,800
 
National Healthcare Corp., Series A, 0.80%
   
26,100
 
               
     
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS
       
     
(Cost $1,797,801) (0.7%)
   
2,469,768
 
               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS (6.0%)
       
               
$
1,000,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 5.25%, 2/15/29
   
1,203,750
 
 
350,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.13%, 11/15/41
   
302,313
 
 
250,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 2.75%, 8/15/42
   
198,086
 
 
1,000,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 2.88%, 5/15/43
   
810,469
 
 
1,000,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.50%, 10/15/14
   
1,002,812
 
 
1,250,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.38%, 11/15/14
   
1,252,392
 
 
1,000,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.38%, 4/15/15
   
1,002,305
 
 
2,000,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.00%, 9/30/16
   
2,017,188
 
 
1,450,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.00%,10/31/16
   
1,460,988
 
               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
1,000,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.88%, 11/30/16
  $ 1,003,203  
 
300,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.63%, 5/31/17
   
296,086
 
 
1,250,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.75%, 12/31/17
   
1,222,265
 
 
350,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.75%, 3/31/18
   
340,047
 
 
1,400,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 9/30/18
   
1,382,937
 
 
1,750,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 11/30/18
   
1,723,750
 
 
600,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 2/28/19
   
587,625
 
 
250,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 1/31/20
   
239,121
 
 
1,050,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 3.63%, 2/15/20
   
1,142,860
 
 
800,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.25%, 2/29/20
   
757,313
 
 
750,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.13%, 8/15/21
   
726,562
 
 
1,000,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.00%, 11/15/21
   
954,453
 
 
150,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.00%, 2/15/23
   
139,148
 
 
250,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.50%, 8/15/23
   
240,078
 
               
     
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS
       
     
(Cost $20,219,324) (6.0%)
   
20,005,751
 
               
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (0.4%)
       
 
500,000
 
FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series K710, Class A2, 1.88%, 5/25/19
   
489,389
 
 
246,507
 
GNMA Series 2013-12, Class AB, 1.83%, 11/16/52
   
235,052
 
 
250,000
 
GNMA Series 2013-12, Class B, 2.45%, 11/16/52 (3)
   
230,492
 
 
250,000
 
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-C4, Class A5, 2.85%, 12/10/45
   
233,027
 
               
     
TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
       
     
(Cost $1,277,045) (0.4%)
   
1,187,960
 
             
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES (6.4%)
       
               
     
BASIC MATERIALS (0.4%)
       
               
$
250,000
 
LYB International Finance B.V., Guaranteed Notes, 4.00%, 7/15/23
 
$
246,764
 
 
375,000
 
PPG Industries, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.60%, 11/15/20
   
380,565
 
 
560,000
 
Southern Copper Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 6.38%, 7/27/15
   
600,804
 
           
1,228,133
 
               
     
COMMUNICATIONS (0.6%)
       
 
250,000
 
America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.13%, 7/16/22
   
230,787
 
 
150,000
 
Comcast Corp., Guaranteed Notes, 6.40%, 3/1/40
   
173,081
 
 
250,000
 
DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 3.80%, 3/15/22
   
240,159
 
 
250,000
 
Harris Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.40%, 12/15/20
   
259,148
 
 
200,000
 
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 6.63%, 11/15/20
   
212,000
 
 
200,000
 
Motorola Solutions, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 6.00%, 11/15/17
   
227,491
 
 
250,000
 
Time Warner, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 3.15%, 7/15/15
   
258,998
 
 
150,000
 
Verizon Communications, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.25%, 11/3/14
   
150,874
 
 
333,000
 
Viacom, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.38%, 9/15/14
   
341,685
 
           
2,094,223
 
               
     
CONSUMER, CYCLICAL (1.0%)
       
 
250,000
 
CVS Caremark Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 6.60%, 3/15/19
   
295,846
 
 
275,000
 
D.R. Horton, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 6.50%, 4/15/16
   
300,437
 
 
150,000
 
Delphi Corp., Guaranteed Notes, 6.13%, 5/15/21
   
166,313
 
 
150,000
 
Hanesbrands, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 6.38%, 12/15/20
   
163,875
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
25
 
 
 

 

 
 
Schedule of Investments (continued)

               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
250,000
 
Home Depot, Inc. (The), Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.95%, 9/15/20
 
$
266,724
 
 
205,000
 
Lennar Corp., Series B, Guaranteed Notes, 5.60%, 5/31/15
   
215,250
 
 
500,000
 
Lowe’s Cos., Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.13%, 4/15/16
   
512,841
 
 
500,000
 
Nordstrom, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.75%, 5/1/20
   
547,180
 
 
150,000
 
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.25%, 11/15/22
   
150,000
 
 
250,000
 
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.90%, 3/1/23
   
235,492
 
 
500,000
 
Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.38%, 3/15/22
   
505,000
 
           
3,358,958
 
               
     
CONSUMER, NON-CYCLICAL (0.6%)
       
 
250,000
 
Celgene Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.30%, 8/15/18
   
248,627
 
 
250,000
 
Cigna Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.75%, 11/15/16
   
260,206
 
 
150,000
 
Constellation Brands, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 3.75%, 5/1/21
   
141,000
 
 
250,000
 
Hawk Acquisition Sub, Inc., Secured Notes, 4.25%, 10/15/20 (2)
   
241,875
 
 
500,000
 
Humana, Inc., Senior Notes, 6.45%, 6/1/16
   
558,708
 
 
250,000
 
Kroger Co. (The), Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.40%, 4/15/22
   
242,495
 
 
200,000
 
Mylan, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.35%, 11/29/16
   
199,633
 
           
1,892,544
 
               
     
ENERGY (0.5%)
       
 
500,000
 
Devon Energy Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.40%, 7/15/16
   
514,145
 
 
500,000
 
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Guaranteed Notes, 4.85%, 8/15/42
   
470,884
 
 
250,000
 
Marathon Oil Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.80%, 11/1/22
   
230,402
 

               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
500,000
 
Shell International Finance B.V., Guaranteed Notes, 4.55%, 8/12/43
 
$
487,671
 
           
1,703,102
 
               
     
FINANCIAL (2.4%)
       
 
200,000
 
Aircastle, Ltd., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.63%, 12/15/18
   
201,500
 
 
250,000
 
American Express Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 0.83%, 5/22/18 (3)
   
249,827
 
 
250,000
 
American International Group, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.88%, 6/1/22
   
268,706
 
 
250,000
 
Bank of America Corp. MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.30%, 1/11/23
   
236,567
 
 
250,000
 
Bank of Montreal MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.50%, 1/11/17
   
257,522
 
 
150,000
 
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The), Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.45%, 5/15/19
   
170,426
 
 
250,000
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.75%, 8/15/21 (1)
   
257,758
 
 
140,000
 
BlackRock, Inc., Series 2, Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.00%, 12/10/19
   
158,073
 
 
250,000
 
Boston Properties L.P., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.13%, 9/1/23
   
228,347
 
 
250,000
 
Capital One NA/ Mclean, Senior Notes, 1.50%, 3/22/18
   
243,120
 
 
250,000
 
CIT Group, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.00%, 5/15/17
   
266,875
 
 
250,000
 
Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA, Guaranteed Notes, 3.95%, 11/9/22
   
242,248
 
 
250,000
 
Credit Agricole S.A., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.13%, 4/17/18 (2)
   
248,373
 
 
500,000
 
Fifth Third Bank, Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.45%, 2/28/18
   
487,206
 
 
500,000
 
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.38%, 1/16/18
   
504,980
 
 
250,000
 
General Electric Capital Corp. MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes,1.00%, 8/11/15 (3)
   
251,904
 
 
300,000
 
General Motors Financial Co., Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.25%, 5/15/18 (2)
   
300,000
 

               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
500,000
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.75%, 1/24/22
 
$
562,844
 
 
500,000
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.50%, 1/24/22
   
528,865
 
 
500,000
 
Morgan Stanley, Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.75%, 3/22/17
   
545,659
 
 
200,000
 
PNC Funding Corp., Guaranteed Notes, 3.30%, 3/8/22
   
196,529
 
 
250,000
 
Societe Generale S.A., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.20%, 4/15/21
   
274,814
 
 
250,000
 
State Street Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.35%, 5/15/18
   
241,948
 
 
168,000
 
Wachovia Bank NA, Subordinated Notes, 4.80%, 11/1/14
   
174,238
 
 
500,000
 
Wells Fargo & Co. MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.50%, 3/8/22
   
500,132
 
 
100,000
 
Weyerhaeuser Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 6.95%, 10/1/27
   
115,359
 
 
100,000
 
XLIT, Ltd., Guaranteed Notes, 5.25%, 12/15/43
   
100,670
 
           
7,814,490
 
               
     
INDUSTRIAL (0.3%)
       
 
254,000
 
Masco Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 6.13%, 10/3/16
   
284,480
 
 
314,000
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.20%, 3/1/16
   
328,285
 
 
500,000
 
Union Pacific Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.00%, 2/1/21
   
521,736
 
           
1,134,501
 
               
     
TECHNOLOGY (0.1%)
       
 
100,000
 
Microsoft Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.63%, 12/15/23
   
100,156
 
 
250,000
 
Oracle Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.00%, 7/8/19 .
   
283,022
 
           
383,178
 
               
     
UTILITIES (0.5%)
       
 
250,000
 
Alabama Power Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.85%, 12/1/42
   
213,247
 
 
500,000
 
Dominion Resources, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.25%, 9/1/15
   
512,407
 
 
250,000
 
Florida Power & Light Co., 4.05%, 6/1/42
   
228,501
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
26
 
 
 

 

 
 
December 31, 2013

               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
500,000
 
Sempra Energy, Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.00%, 3/15/14
 
$
501,545
 
 
250,000
 
South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., 4.35%, 2/1/42 .
   
232,200
 
           
1,687,900
 
     
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES
(Cost $21,367,876) (6.4%)
   
21,297,029
 
         
CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES (3.6%)
       
               
     
BASIC MATERIALS (0.2%)
       
 
100,000
 
Allegheny Technologies, Inc., Convertible Fixed, 4.25%, 6/1/14
   
103,375
 
 
100,000
 
ArcelorMittal, Senior Notes, 5.00%, 5/15/14 (1)
   
101,188
 
 
350,000
 
Steel Dynamics, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 5.13%, 6/15/14
   
411,906
 
           
616,469
 
               
     
COMMUNICATIONS (0.2%)
       
 
300,000
 
Equinix, Inc., Convertible Fixed, 4.75%, 6/15/16
   
655,125
 
 
100,000
 
VeriSign, Inc., Junior Subordinated Debentures, 3.25%, 8/15/37 (2)
   
180,375
 
           
835,500
 
               
     
CONSUMER, CYCLICAL (0.3%)
       
 
150,000
 
Home Inns & Hotels Management, Inc., Senior Notes, 2.00%, 12/15/15 (2)
   
156,563
 
 
200,000
 
International Game Technology, Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.25%, 5/1/14 (1)
   
212,000
 
 
200,000
 
MGM Resorts International, Guaranteed Senior Notes, 4.25%, 4/15/15
   
275,000
 
 
300,000
 
Navistar International Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 3.00%, 10/15/14
   
306,750
 
           
950,313
 
               
     
CONSUMER, NON-CYCLICAL (0.6%)
       
 
1,000,000
 
Alere, Inc., Convertible Fixed, 3.00%, 5/15/16
   
1,123,750
 
 
100,000
 
Gilead Sciences, Inc., Convertible Fixed, Series D, 1.63%, 5/1/16
   
329,812
 

               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
300,000
 
Insulet Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.75%, 6/15/16
 
$
440,625
 
 
123,000
 
Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.75%, 5/15/15
   
242,003
 
           
2,136,190
 
               
     
ENERGY (0.3%)
       
 
250,000
 
Goodrich Petroleum Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.00%, 10/1/29
   
254,063
 
 
800,000
 
Peabody Energy Corp., Junior Subordinate Debentures, 4.75%, 12/15/41 (1)
   
632,500
 
           
886,563
 
               
     
FINANCIAL (0.4%)
       
 
150,000
 
Digital Realty Trust L.P., Guaranteed Notes, 5.50%, 4/15/29 (2)
   
190,875
 
 
300,000
 
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. 4.25%, 8/15/18
   
490,500
 
 
100,000
 
ProLogis, Guaranteed Notes, 3.25%, 3/15/15
   
111,625
 
 
200,000
 
SL Green Operating Partnership L.P., Convertible Fixed, 3.00%, 10/15/17 (2)
   
248,875
 
 
200,000
 
Tower Group, Inc., Senior Notes Convertible, 5.00%, 9/15/14
   
169,375
 
           
1,211,250
 
               
     
INDUSTRIAL (0.5%)
       
 
100,000
 
AGCO Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 1.25%, 12/15/36
   
145,813
 
 
150,000
 
Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 3.00%, 8/15/24
   
240,094
 
 
250,000
 
Bristow Group, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 3.00%, 6/15/38
   
306,562
 
 
200,000
 
EnerSys, Senior Notes, 3.38%, 6/1/38 (4)
   
352,625
 
 
150,000
 
MasTec, Inc., Convertible Fixed, 4.00%, 6/15/14
   
311,906
 
 
300,000
 
Trinity Industries, Inc., Subordinated Notes Convertible, 3.88%, 6/1/36
   
395,062
 
           
1,752,062
 
               
     
TECHNOLOGY (1.1%)
       
 
350,000
 
CACI International, Inc., Senior Subordinate Debenture, 2.13%, 5/1/14
   
468,781
 
 
350,000
 
CSG Systems International, Inc., Senior Subordinate Debenture, 3.00%, 3/1/17 (2)
   
468,781
 

               
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
150,000
 
Intel Corp., Junior Subordinated Notes, 3.25%, 8/1/39
 
$
203,906
 
 
200,000
 
Lam Research Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.25%, 5/15/18 (1)
   
243,250
 
 
150,000
 
SanDisk Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.50%, 8/15/17
   
221,063
 
 
200,000
 
Xilinx, Inc., Senior Notes, 2.63%, 6/15/17
   
319,000
 
 
1,000,000
 
Xilinx, Inc., Subordinated Debentures, 3.13%, 3/15/37
   
1,583,125
 
           
3,507,906
 
               
     
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES
(Cost $9,154,916) (3.6%)
   
11,896,253
 
         
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS (0.2%)        
 
250,000
 
International Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Senior Unsecured Notes, 0.50%, 4/15/16
   
249,604
 
 
250,000
 
Mexico Government International Bond, Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.13%, 1/15/20
   
277,000
 
     
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $526,433) (0.2%)
   
526,604
 
         
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL SECURITIES (0.3%)        
               
     
CALIFORNIA (0.1%)
       
 
250,000
 
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Revenue Bonds, Series B, 4.09%, 7/1/32
   
227,162
 
               
     
NEW YORK (0.1%)
       
 
200,000
 
City of New York, General Obligation Unlimited, Subser. D2, 2.60%, 8/1/20
   
194,900
 
 
185,000
 
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Build America Bonds, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C-1, 5.12%, 11/15/19
   
200,588
 
           
395,488
 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
27
 
 
 

 


Schedule of Investments (continued)
 
 
               
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
     
TEXAS (0.1%)
       
$
250,000
 
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds, Baylor Health Care System Project, Series C, 4.45%, 11/15/43
 
$
211,933
 
               
     
TOTAL LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL SECURITIES (Cost $906,426) (0.3%)
   
834,583
 
               
 
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (8.0%)
       
 
500,000
 
FHLB, 1.13%, 3/10/17
   
502,720
 
 
250,000
 
FHLB, 3.13%, 12/8/17
   
265,894
 
 
175,000
 
FHLB, 2.75%, 6/8/18
   
182,550
 
 
250,000
 
FHLB, 1.63%, 2/27/19
   
246,312
 
 
415,000
 
FHLB, 4.13%, 12/13/19
   
455,374
 
 
1,000,000
 
FHLB, 3.25%, 6/9/23
   
992,905
 
 
467,757
 
FHLMC, Series 4151, Class PA, 2.00%, 1/15/33
   
447,265
 
 
125,107
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #A46044, 5.00%, 7/1/35
   
134,977
 
 
425,854
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #A47613, 5.00%, 11/1/35
   
459,681
 
 
100,000
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #A89430, 4.50%, 10/1/39
   
105,864
 
 
250,000
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #C09055, 4.00%, 12/1/43
   
257,002
 
 
18,568
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #G05205, 5.00%, 1/1/39
   
20,024
 
 
365,475
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #J17969, 3.00%, 2/1/27
   
372,566
 
 
135,828
 
FHLMC Pool #A84814, 4.50%, 3/1/39
   
143,694
 
 
839,249
 
FHLMC Pool #A86830, 4.50%, 6/1/39
   
889,234
 
 
108,696
 
FHLMC Pool #A96997, 4.50%, 2/1/41
   
115,169
 
 
385,215
 
FHLMC Pool #A97264, 4.00%, 2/1/41
   
395,933
 
 
400,098
 
FHLMC Pool #C09027, 3.00%, 2/1/43
   
379,517
 
 
74,270
 
FHLMC Pool #G08521, 3.00%, 1/1/43
   
70,449
 
 
1,065,100
 
FHLMC Pool #J13314, 3.50%, 10/1/25
   
1,111,037
 
 
               
 
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
$
872,069
 
FHLMC Pool #Q04096, 4.00%, 10/1/41
 
$
896,327
 
 
180,419
 
FHLMC Pool #Q06884, 3.50%, 3/1/42
   
179,218
 
 
109,024
 
FHLMC Pool #Q11077, 3.50%, 9/1/42
   
108,298
 
 
500,000
 
FNMA, 2.00%, 9/21/15
   
513,752
 
 
500,000
 
FNMA, 0.38%, 12/21/15
   
499,235
 
  1,000,000  
FNMA, 0.88%,5/21/18
   
967,312
 
 
436,223
 
FNMA Pool #745275, 5.00%, 2/1/36
   
473,438
 
 
51,118
 
FNMA Pool #832199, 4.50%, 7/1/35
   
54,206
 
 
72,734
 
FNMA Pool #973333, 4.50%, 2/1/38
   
76,981
 
 
274,476
 
FNMA Pool #AA0466, 4.50%, 2/1/39
   
290,615
 
 
15,730
 
FNMA Pool #AB1259, 5.00%, 7/1/40
   
17,112
 
 
967,100
 
FNMA Pool #AB1796, 3.50%, 11/1/40
   
961,813
 
 
260,193
 
FNMA Pool #AB2660, 3.50%, 5/1/21
   
273,497
 
 
164,910
 
FNMA Pool #AB3218, 3.50%, 7/1/31
   
167,917
 
 
700,264
 
FNMA Pool #AB3900, 3.00%, 11/1/26
   
715,423
 
 
25,494
 
FNMA Pool AB3943, 4.00%, 11/1/41
   
26,264
 
 
439,006
 
FNMA Pool #AB5231, 2.50%, 5/1/27
   
435,992
 
 
254,339
 
FNMA Pool #AC5822, 4.50%, 5/1/40
   
269,592
 
 
423,131
 
FNMA Pool #AD7128, 4.50%, 7/1/40
   
448,427
 
 
269,186
 
FNMA Pool #AD8529, 4.50%, 8/1/40
   
285,301
 
 
889,806
 
FNMA Pool #AE9759, 4.00%, 12/1/40
   
916,782
 
 
247,422
 
FNMA Pool #AH2084, 4.00%, 12/1/40
   
254,873
 
 
452,278
 
FNMA Pool #AH4493, 4.50%, 2/1/41
   
479,319
 
 
882,992
 
FNMA Pool #AH6186, 4.00%, 2/1/41
   
909,617
 
 
601,540
 
FNMA Pool #AH8932, 4.50%, 4/1/41
   
637,670
 
 
1,093,123
 
FNMA Pool #AJ9278, 3.50%, 12/1/41
   
1,087,022
 
 
31,258
 
FNMA Pool #AK6513, 4.00%, 3/1/42
   
32,195
 
 
648,579
 
FNMA Pool #AL0160, 4.50%, 5/1/41
   
689,484
 
 
900,001
 
FNMA Pool #AL0657, 5.00%, 8/1/41
   
982,202
 
 
84,269
 
FNMA Pool #AL3192, 5.00%, 5/1/42
   
91,963
 
 
434,978
 
FNMA Pool #AQ1853, 3.00%, 11/1/42
   
413,381
 

               
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
$
497,470
 
FNMA Pool #AS0865, 2.50%, 10/1/28
 
$
492,913
 
 
200,000
 
FNMA Pool #AS1529, 3.00%, 1/1/29
   
204,500
 
 
796,401
 
FNMA Pool #AT8849, 4.00%, 6/1/43
   
820,320
 
 
249,571
 
FNMA Pool #AU3621, 3.00%, 7/1/43
   
237,235
 
 
449,269
 
FNMA Pool #AU5409, 3.00%, 8/1/43
   
427,078
 
 
299,592
 
FNMA Pool #AU6562, 3.50%, 12/1/43
   
297,919
 
 
349,402
 
FNMA Pool #AU7025, 3.00%, 11/1/43
   
332,091
 
 
56,976
 
FNMA Pool #MA0406, 4.50%, 5/1/30
   
60,685
 
 
222,108
 
FNMA Pool #MA0577, 3.50%, 11/1/20
   
233,454
 
 
471,722
 
FNMA REMIC Trust Series 2013-18, Class AE, 2.00%, 3/25/28
   
448,733
 
 
321,530
 
FNMA REMIC Trust Series 2013-41, Class WD, 2.00%, 11/25/42
   
308,938
 
 
126,022
 
GNMA I Pool #539285, 3.00%, 5/15/42
   
121,944
 
 
176,055
 
GNMA I Pool #744842, 3.00%, 5/15/42
   
170,358
 
 
500,000
 
GNMA II Pool #MA1521, 3.50%, 12/20/43
   
507,110
 
 
250,000
 
GNMA TBA, 3.00%, 1/1/44
   
241,543
 
               
     
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (Cost $27,139,092) (8.0%)
   
26,608,216
 
               
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (11.1%)
       
               
     
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (8.0%)
       
 
26,300,000
 
With Morgan Stanley, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $26,300,015 (collateralized by $26,760,000 U.S. Treasury Notes 1.000% due 03/31/17, with a value of $26,891,824)
   
26,300,000
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
28
 
 
 

 

 
December 31, 2013
 
 
               
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
     
JOINT REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN) (3.1%)
       
$
3,794,575
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Morgan Stanley, 0.02%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $3,794,579 (collateralized by $3,870,467 U.S. Treasury Bonds 4.250% - 8.000% due 11/15/21 - 11/15/40 and U.S. Treasury Notes 2.625% - 2.750% due 11/15/20 - 11/15/23, with a value of $3,850,772)
 
$
3,794,575
 
 
5,601,515
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Barclays, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $5,601,518 (collateralized by $5,713,553 U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Notes 1.250% - 1.875% due 04/15/14 - 07/15/15, with a value of $5,670,362)
   
5,601,515
 

               
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
$
903,470
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Citigroup, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $903,471 (collateralized by $921,549 U. S. Treasury Bills 0.000% due 02/20/14, with a value of $921,549)
 
$
903,470
 
           
10,299,560
 
               
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $36,599,560) (11.1%)
   
36,599,560
 
               
     
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES (102.8%) (Cost $262,494,931)
 
$
340,012,935
 
               
EXCESS OF LIABILITIES OVER CASH AND OTHER ASSETS (-2.8%)    
(9,314,832)
 

               
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
NET ASSETS (100%)  
$
330,698,103
 
           
NET ASSET VALUE OFFERING AND REDEMPTION PRICE, PER OUTSTANDING SHARE ($330,698,103 ÷ 33,679,337 shares outstanding)  
$
9.82
 
               
*  
Non-income producing.
       
(1)  
A portion or all of the security was held on loan. As of December 31, 2013, the market value of the securities on loan was $11,304,497.
 
(2)  
Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, this security can only be sold to qualified institutional investors.
 
(3)  
The rate shown on floating rate securities is the rate at the end of the reporting period. The rate changes monthly.
 
(4)  
Step Bond - The rate shown is as of December 31, 2013 and will reset at a future date.
       
ADR  
American Depositary Receipt.
       
FHLB  
Federal Home Loan Bank.
       
FHLMC  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
       
FNMA  
Federal National Mortgage Association.
       
GNMA  
Government National Mortgage Association.
       
MTN  
Medium Term Note.
       
REIT  
Real Estate Investment Trust.
       
TBA  
To Be Announced.
       
 
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments in securities as of December 31, 2013 (See Note 1B):
                         
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Common Stocks
  $ 218,462,711     $     $     $ 218,462,711  
Preferred Stocks
    124,500                   124,500  
Convertible Preferred Stocks
    1,794,520       675,248             2,469,768  
U.S. Treasury Obligations
          20,005,751             20,005,751  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
          1,187,960             1,187,960  
Corporate Bonds & Notes
          21,297,029             21,297,029  
Convertible Corporate Bonds & Notes
          11,896,253             11,896,253  
Foreign Government Obligations
          526,604             526,604  
Long-Term Municipal Securities
          834,583             834,583  
U.S. Government Agency Obligations
          26,608,216             26,608,216  
Short-Term Investments
          36,599,560             36,599,560  
Total
  $ 220,381,731     $ 119,631,204     $     $ 340,012,935  
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
29
 
 
 

 


VALUE LINE LARGER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY
 
The Fund’s investment objective is to realize capital growth.
 
To achieve the Fund’s investment objective the Adviser invests substantially all of the Fund’s assets in common stock. While the Fund is actively managed by the Adviser, the Adviser relies primarily on the rankings of companies by the Value Line Timeliness™ Ranking System (the “Ranking System”) in selecting securities for purchase or sale. The Fund’s investments usually, as measured by the number and total value of purchases, are selected from common stocks of the 100 largest companies by capitalization that are ranked 1, 2, or 3 by the Ranking System. The Adviser will determine the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in each stock based on the stock’s relative attractiveness.
 

Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
 
Below, Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. portfolio manager Mark T. Spellman discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013.
 
How did the Fund perform during the annual period?
 
The Fund generated a total return of 30.05% during the 12 months ended December 31, 2013. This compares to the 32.39% return of the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, during the same annual period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the 12-month reporting period?
 
While the Fund generated robust double-digit absolute gains, its underperformance of the S&P 500® Index during the 12-month reporting period can be attributed primarily to sector allocation. Stock selection overall proved effective.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Overweighted allocations to and stock selection in the information technology and materials sectors, which each lagged the S&P 500® Index during the annual period, detracted from the Fund’s performance. Having an underweighted allocation to financials, which outpaced the S&P 500® Index during the annual period, also dampened results.
 
Partially offsetting these detractors were the positive contributions made by overweighted allocations to the consumer discretionary and health care sectors, which each outpaced the S&P 500® Index during the annual period. Having an underweighted allocation to energy, which underperformed the S&P 500® Index during the annual period, also boosted relative results. Effective stock selection in the health care sector added value as well.
 
Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the annual period?
 
During the annual period, the stocks that detracted most from the Fund’s performance were U.K.-based international resources company BHP Billiton, Canadian gold producer Yamana Gold and U.S. security services provider ADT. BHP Billiton’s shares declined as global natural resource prices dropped. Shares of Yamana Gold fell significantly along with the precipitous decline in the price of gold bullion. ADT performed poorly on weaker than expected reported results. We sold the Fund’s position in Yamana Gold by the end of the annual period.
 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
The individual stocks that contributed most to the Fund’s relative results were all U.S.-based companies—casino resort and convention center owner and operator Las Vegas Sands, Internet-based airline and hotel services provider priceline.com and pharmaceuticals manufacturer Actavis, each of which posted robust double-digit gains during the annual period. Las Vegas Sands performed well, as gaming revenue and profit both in the U.S. and abroad rebounded with improved global economic conditions. Shares of priceline.com were up strongly as its reported results were better than anticipated. Actavis saw its shares soar as the generic drug company’s results were better than expected, and investors responded favorably to the company’s accretive acquisition of Ireland-based Warner Chilcott.
 
How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the reporting period?
 
The Fund did not use derivatives during the reporting period.
 
 
30
 
 
 

 


(continued)
 
Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the fiscal year?
 
During the fiscal year, we initiated Fund positions in apparel and accessories designer Ralph Lauren and applications software provider Salesforce.com, in each case as a dip in their respective share prices offered what we believed to be an attractive entry point into the companies. We established a Fund position in investment management company Franklin Resources, as its upside potential appeared attractive to us given its asset flows and the strong equity market.
 
We sold the Fund’s position in semiconductor device manufacturer Altera, as broad semiconductor industry fundamentals began to deteriorate, in our view. We eliminated the Fund’s position in leather goods retailer Coach, as the company reported worse than expected earnings results. We exited the Fund’s position in agricultural chemicals producer Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan after it reported disappointing results, and we detected a deterioration in industry fundamentals.
 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the 12-month period?
 
There were no material changes in the Fund’s sector weightings during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of December 2013?
 
As of December 31, 2013, the Fund was overweighted relative to the S&P 500® Index in the consumer discretionary, information technology, materials, health care and industrials sectors. The Fund was underweighted relative to the S&P 500® Index in the financials, consumer staples and energy sectors and rather neutrally weighted relative to the Index in the utilities and telecommunication services sectors on the same date.
 
What is your tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
As we look toward 2014, we intend to continue to look for and to emphasize larger-capitalization stocks that generally are ranked in the higher categories of 1, 2 or 3 in the Value Line TimelinessII Ranking System. As of December 31, 2013, a majority of the Fund’s assets were in stocks that met these criteria. The Fund’s weighted average price-earnings and debt-to-capital ratios were below that of the S&P 500® Index, while its historical sales growth, earnings growth, return on assets and return on equity were all higher than the Index. We seek to maintain these Fund portfolio characteristics going forward.
 
As always, our goal is to generate solid returns through capital growth across market cycles.
 
 
31
 
 
 

 


Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
Portfolio Highlights at December 31, 2013 (unaudited)
 
Ten Largest Holdings
                     
Issue
 
Shares
 
Value
 
Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Google, Inc. Class A
   
3,700
 
$
4,146,627
 
2.0
%
 
Apple, Inc.
   
6,500
   
3,647,215
 
1.7
%
 
Actavis PLC
   
20,000
   
3,360,000
 
1.6
%
 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
   
42,000
   
3,156,300
 
1.5
%
 
NIKE, Inc. Class B
   
40,000
   
3,145,600
 
1.5
%
 
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
   
39,000
   
3,075,930
 
1.5
%
 
McKesson Corp.
   
19,000
   
3,066,600
 
1.4
%
 
Starbucks Corp.
   
39,000
   
3,057,210
 
1.4
%
 
Priceline.com, Inc.
   
2,600
   
3,022,240
 
1.4
%
 
Danaher Corp.
   
39,000
   
3,010,800
 
1.4
%
 
 
Asset Allocation – Percentage of Net Assets
 
(PIE CHART)
 

Sector Weightings – Percentage of Total Investment Securities*
 
(BAR CHART)
 
*Sector weightings exclude short-term investments.
 
 
32
 
 
 

 



(continued)
 
The following graph compares the performance of the Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. to that of the S&P 500 Index (the “Index”). The Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. is a professionally managed mutual fund, while the Index is not available for investment and is unmanaged. The returns for the Index do not reflect charges, expenses or taxes, but do include the reinvestment of dividends. The comparison is shown for illustrative purposes only.
 
Comparison of a Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. and the S&P 500 Index*
 
 
(FLOW CHART)
 

Performance Data: **

               
   
Average Annual
Total Return
 
Growth of an Assumed
Investment of $10,000
 
1 year ended 12/31/13
 
30.05
%
 
$
13,005
 
5 years ended 12/31/13
 
14.84
%
 
$
19,973
 
10 years ended 12/31/13
 
6.65
%
 
$
19,044
 
*
The Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index is an unmanaged index that is representative of the larger-capitalization stocks traded in the United States.
**
The performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future performance. The average annual total returns and growth of an assumed investment of $10,000 include dividends reinvested and capital gains distributions accepted in shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than its original cost. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
 
33
 
 
 

 


Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
Schedule of Investments
 
Shares        
Value
 
COMMON STOCKS (97.1%)        
               
     
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY (17.7%)
 
 
5,000
 
AutoZone, Inc. *
 
$
2,389,700
 
 
60,000
 
Comcast Corp. Class A
   
2,992,800
 
 
42,000
 
DIRECTV *
   
2,901,780
 
 
39,000
 
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
   
3,075,930
 
 
24,000
 
McDonald’s Corp.
   
2,328,720
 
 
40,000
 
NIKE, Inc. Class B
   
3,145,600
 
 
2,600
 
Priceline.com, Inc. *
   
3,022,240
 
 
13,000
 
Ralph Lauren Corp.
   
2,295,410
 
 
39,000
 
Starbucks Corp.
   
3,057,210
 
 
33,000
 
Target Corp.
   
2,087,910
 
 
41,000
 
TJX Companies, Inc. (The)
   
2,612,930
 
 
30,000
 
Viacom, Inc. Class B
   
2,620,200
 
 
36,000
 
Walt Disney Co. (The)
   
2,750,400
 
 
28,000
 
Yum! Brands, Inc.
   
2,117,080
 
           
37,397,910
 
               
     
CONSUMER STAPLES (4.6%)
 
 
24,000
 
Costco Wholesale Corp.
   
2,856,240
 
 
29,000
 
CVS Caremark Corp.
   
2,075,530
 
 
44,000
 
General Mills, Inc.
   
2,196,040
 
 
31,000
 
PepsiCo, Inc.
   
2,571,140
 
           
9,698,950
 
               
     
ENERGY (7.8%)
       
 
37,000
 
Cameron International Corp. *
   
2,202,610
 
 
16,000
 
Chevron Corp.
   
1,998,560
 
 
39,000
 
Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
   
2,585,700
 
 
15,000
 
EOG Resources, Inc.
   
2,517,600
 
 
26,000
 
Exxon Mobil Corp.
   
2,631,200
 
 
28,000
 
Schlumberger Ltd.
   
2,523,080
 
 
45,000
 
TransCanada Corp. (1)
   
2,054,700
 
           
16,513,450
 
         
     
FINANCIALS (7.8%)
 
 
19,000
 
American Tower Corp. REIT
   
1,516,580
 
 
8,000
 
BlackRock, Inc.
   
2,531,760
 
 
37,000
 
Capital One Financial Corp.
   
2,834,570
 
 
30,000
 
Franklin Resources, Inc.
   
1,731,900
 
 
48,000
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
   
2,807,040
 
 
21,700
 
M&T Bank Corp. (1)
   
2,526,314
 
 
65,000
 
U.S. Bancorp
   
2,626,000
 
           
16,574,164
 
         
     
HEALTH CARE (15.3%)
 
 
20,000
 
Actavis PLC *
   
3,360,000
 
 
23,000
 
Allergan, Inc.
   
2,554,840
 
 
23,000
 
Amgen, Inc.
   
2,625,680
 
 
10,000
 
Biogen Idec, Inc. *
   
2,797,500
 
 
45,000
 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
   
2,391,750
 
 
36,000
 
Express Scripts Holding Co. *
   
2,528,640
 
 
42,000
 
Gilead Sciences, Inc. *
   
3,156,300
 
 
19,000
 
McKesson Corp.
   
3,066,600
 
               
Shares        
Value
 
 
27,000
 
Novartis AG ADR
 
$
2,170,260
 
 
15,000
 
Novo Nordisk A/S ADR
   
2,771,400
 
 
19,000
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
   
2,115,650
 
 
38,000
 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
   
2,861,400
 
           
32,400,020
 
               
     
INDUSTRIALS (11.7%)
   
 
53,000
 
ADT Corp. (The)
   
2,144,910
 
 
19,000
 
Boeing Co. (The)
   
2,593,310
 
 
44,000
 
Canadian National Railway Co.
   
2,508,880
 
 
39,000
 
Danaher Corp.
   
3,010,800
 
 
53,085
 
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
   
2,349,011
 
 
19,000
 
FedEx Corp.
   
2,731,630
 
 
10,000
 
Precision Castparts Corp.
   
2,693,000
 
 
40,000
 
Tyco International Ltd.
   
1,641,600
 
 
15,000
 
Union Pacific Corp.
   
2,520,000
 
 
23,000
 
United Technologies Corp.
   
2,617,400
 
           
24,810,541
 
               
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (23.0%)
 
 
34,000
 
Accenture PLC Class A
   
2,795,480
 
 
6,500
 
Apple, Inc.
   
3,647,215
 
 
49,700
 
ARM Holdings PLC ADR
   
2,720,578
 
 
27,000
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A *
   
2,726,460
 
 
52,000
 
eBay, Inc. *
   
2,854,280
 
 
95,000
 
EMC Corp.
   
2,389,250
 
 
3,700
 
Google, Inc. Class A *
   
4,146,627
 
 
91,000
 
Intel Corp.
   
2,362,360
 
 
12,000
 
International Business Machines Corp.
   
2,250,840
 
 
33,900
 
Intuit, Inc.
   
2,587,248
 
 
36,071
 
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
   
2,434,793
 
 
57,000
 
Oracle Corp.
   
2,180,820
 
 
36,000
 
QUALCOMM, Inc.
   
2,673,000
 
 
49,000
 
Salesforce.com, Inc. *
   
2,704,310
 
 
29,900
 
SAP AG ADR (1)
   
2,605,486
 
 
55,000
 
Texas Instruments, Inc.
   
2,415,050
 
 
13,000
 
Visa, Inc. Class A
   
2,894,840
 
 
24,000
 
VMware, Inc. Class A *
   
2,153,040
 
           
48,541,677
 
               
     
MATERIALS (6.3%)
       
 
18,000
 
Air Products & Chemicals,
       
     
Inc.
   
2,012,040
 
 
32,000
 
BHP Billiton Ltd. ADR (1)
   
2,182,400
 
 
33,000
 
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
   
2,144,010
 
 
25,000
 
Ecolab, Inc.
   
2,606,750
 
 
19,000
 
Monsanto Co.
   
2,214,450
 
 
16,000
 
Praxair, Inc.
   
2,080,480
 
           
13,240,130
 
 
Shares        
Value
 
     
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES (2.0%)
       
 
92,000
 
America Movil S.A.B. de C.V. Series L, ADR (1)
 
2,150,040
 
 
50,000
 
BCE, Inc.
   
2,164,500
 
           
4,314,540
 
               
     
UTILITIES (0.9%)
       
 
26,333
 
Duke Energy Corp.
   
1,817,240
 
               
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
     
(Cost $119,157,923) (97.1%)
   
205,308,622
 
 
 
           
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (6.2%)        
               
     
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (2.8%)
       
$
 6,000,000
 
With Morgan Stanley, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $6,000,003 (collateralized by $6,105,000 U.S. Treasury Notes 1.000% due 03/31/17, with a value of $6,135,074)
   
6,000,000
 
               
     
JOINT REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN) (3.4%)
       
 
2,618,773
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Morgan Stanley, 0.02%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $2,618,776 (collateralized by $2,671,149 U.S. Treasury Bonds 4.250% - 8.000% due 11/15/21 - 11/15/40 and U.S. Treasury Notes 2.625% - 2.750% due 11/15/20 - 11/15/23, with a value of $2,657,557)
   
2,618,773
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
34
 
 
 

 

 
December 31, 2013
 
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
$
3,865,808
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Barclays, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $3,865,810 (collateralized by $3,943,129 U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Notes 1.250% - 1.875% due 04/15/14 - 07/15/15, with a value of $3,913,321)
 
$
3,865,808
 
               
Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
$
623,517
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Citigroup, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $623,518 (collateralized by $635,994 U.S. Treasury Bills 0.000% due 02/20/14, with a value of $635,994)
 
$
623,517
 
           
7,108,098
 
               
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
       
     
(Cost $13,108,098) (6.2%)
   
13,108,098
 
               
     
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES
       
     
(103.3%) (Cost $132,266,021)
 
$
218,416,720
 
               
Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
EXCESS OF LIABILITIES OVER CASH AND OTHER ASSETS (-3.3%)  
$
(6,908,252
)
NET ASSETS (100%)  
$
211,508,468
 
         
NET ASSET VALUE OFFERING AND REDEMPTION PRICE, PER OUTSTANDING SHARE ($211,508,468 ÷ 8,270,759 shares outstanding)  
$
25.57
 
 
*
Non-income producing.
(1)
A portion or all of the security was held on loan. As of December 31, 2013, the market value of the securities on loan was $7,803,401.
ADR
American Depositary Receipt.
REIT
Real Estate Investment Trust.
 
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments in securities as of December 31, 2013 (See Note 1B):
 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
    Level 3    
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Common Stocks
  $ 205,308,622     $     $     $ 205,308,622  
Short-Term Investments
          13,108,098             13,108,098  
Total
  $ 205,308,622     $ 13,108,098     $     $ 218,416,720  
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
35
 
 
 

 

 
VALUE LINE CORE BOND FUND
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY
 
The investment objective of the Fund is to maximize current income. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective but only when consistent with the Fund’s primary objective.
 
The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of primarily investment grade, fixed income obligations, including securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (U.S. government securities), mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, and other fixed income securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities. The Fund invests in debt securities of any maturity, and there is no limit on the Fund’s maximum average portfolio maturity.
 
 
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
 
Effective December 31, 2013, Value Line Core Bond Fund’s fiscal year-end was changed from January 31 to December 31. Thus, below, Fund portfolio managers Liane Rosenberg and Jeffrey D. Geffen discuss the Fund’s performance and positioning for the 11 months ended December 31, 2013.
 
How did the Fund perform during the reporting period?
 
The Fund generated a total return of -3.13% during the 11 months ended December 31, 2013 (the reporting period). This compares to the -1.33% return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Barclays Index”), during the same period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the reporting period?
 
The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Barclays Index, due primarily to issue selection, especially within the securitized and corporate bond sectors. Sector allocation overall and duration positioning contributed positively.
 
Which fixed income market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Detracting most from relative results was security selection within the securitized sector. Within the securitized sector, we held an overweighted allocation to seven-year to 10-year maturities. However, this intermediate “belly” of the curve underperformed because the U.S. Treasury yield curve flattened during the reporting period, which means yield differentials between longer-term and shorter-term maturities narrowed. The flattening yield curve benefited shorter-term and longer-term maturities, where the Fund was underweight, but hurt the intermediate segment of the yield curve, and thus, such positioning hurt. Some of this detracting effect was offset by having a shorter duration than the Barclays Index in the securitized sector, especially in the mortgage-backed securities sub-sector, as interest rates markedly increased during the year.
 
Also detracting from the Fund’s results was security selection amongst longer-maturity corporate bonds. While maintaining an underweight exposure relative to the Barclays Index, a position in a long-dated electric utility bond—issued by Alabama Power—lost ground during the reporting period. A position in a long-dated bond issued by broadcasting company Comcast also declined during the reporting period. There were no serious credit problems with either of these credits, but longer maturity bonds generally were out of favor.
 
On the positive side, having an underweighted allocation to U.S. Treasuries, which was the worst performing sector in the Barclays Index during the reporting period, contributed to the Fund’s performance. An overweighted allocation to corporate bonds also added significant value, as this sector experienced steady spread tightening throughout the year. (Spread tightening is when the yield differential between a non-U.S. Treasury sector and the U.S. Treasury sector narrows.) Within the Fund’s corporate bond allocation, an underweight to utilities bonds and overweights to financials and industrials bonds proved beneficial, as utilities bonds underperformed both financials and industrials bonds during the reporting period. Our corporate credit bias toward bonds rated BBB also buoyed the Fund’s results, as this market segment of the investment grade corporate bond sector outperformed higher quality bonds during the reporting period.
 
A modest out-of-benchmark exposure to high yield corporate bonds boosted relative results, as high yield corporate bonds outperformed investment grade corporate bonds.
 
What was the Fund’s duration strategy?
 
Duration positioning in the Fund contributed most positively to the Fund’s performance relative to the Barclays Index during the reporting period. Based upon expectations of a bias toward rising interest rates, we kept the Fund’s duration short relative to that of the Barclays Index. As interest rates did rise significantly during the reporting period, this duration positioning contributed positively to relative results. Duration is a measure of the Fund’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
 
 
36
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
How did yield curve positioning decisions affect the Fund’s performance?
 
Yield curve positioning had a rather neutral effect on the Fund’s performance during the reporting period, but did detract at certain points. For example, the Fund was overweighted in the intermediate segment of the yield curve, or spectrum of maturities. When the Federal Reserve (the Fed) first started talking seriously in May 2013 about tapering its asset purchases, the yield curve started to flatten, meaning the differential in yields between longer-term and shorter-term maturities narrowed. The flattening yield curve benefited shorter-term and longer-term maturities, where the Fund was underweight, but hurt the intermediate segment of the yield curve, and thus, such positioning hurt.
 
How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the reporting period?
 
The Fund did not use derivatives during the reporting period.
 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the reporting period?
 
We increased the Fund’s allocation to corporate bonds, both investment grade and high yield, during the reporting period, as we sought to take advantage of what we considered to be attractive spreads and yields. The high yield corporate bond market performed particularly strongly, as it gained alongside the rallying U.S. equity market. Concurrently, we reduced the Fund’s exposure to U.S. Treasuries, using the proceeds to invest in spread, or non-U.S. Treasury, fixed income sectors. We kept the Fund’s duration within a neutral to half-year short stance compared to that of the Barclays Index.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of December 2013?
 
At the end of December 2013, the Fund was significantly overweight relative to the Barclays Index in the corporate bond sector and more modestly overweight in the securitized sector. As of December 31, 2013, the Fund was significantly underweight the Barclays Index in U.S. Treasuries and more modestly underweight in government-related securities. The Fund had an approximately 2% allocation to cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period.
 
What is your tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
We expect performance of the fixed income asset class to be highly sensitive in the months ahead to Fed policy and the timetable for its tapering actions. Also, economic factors, including jobs growth, unemployment, Gross Domestic Product and inflation are likely to be critical factors that may impact the fixed income market ahead. While Fed tapering of the bond purchase program is scheduled to begin in January 2014, any sustained economic weakness could affect the Fed’s current course. We also believe there may continue to be interest rate volatility with the ultimate bias toward higher rates.
 
Given this view, at the end of the reporting period, we continued to favor corporate bonds over U.S. Treasuries within the Fund, especially corporate bonds rated BBB, or mid-grade credits, and high yield corporate bonds. We believe corporate bonds’ comparatively higher investment income is likely to remain attractive to investors, and we expect the technicals, or supply and demand factors, within the sector to remain supportive. That is, we expect to see modest new issuance relative to strong investor demand. In our view, corporate bonds were also at a relatively strong point in the credit cycle at the end of the reporting period, with relatively low debt and high cash levels. All that said, we do not expect to significantly increase the Fund’s overall exposure from end-of-year levels given how tight spreads have become.
 
Of course, any significant weakening in the U.S. economy will lead us to re-evaluate the Fund’s duration stance as well as its sector allocation. Similarly, any significant deterioration in overall credit metrics would likely lead to a reduction in overall corporate exposure. As we continue to seek to maximize current income, we maintain a long-term investment perspective.
 
37
 
 
 

 

 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
Portfolio Highlights at December 31, 2013 (unaudited)
 
Ten Largest Holdings
                   
   
Principal
     
Percentage of
Issue
 
Amount
 
Value
 
Net Assets
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #C09004, 3.50%, 7/1/42
  $1,883,353     $1,870,822     2.2 %
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.88%, 12/31/16
  1,650,000     1,653,610     1.9 %
FHLB, 5.00%, 12/21/15
  1,500,000     1,634,504     1.9 %
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.00%, 8/31/16
  1,500,000     1,514,062     1.8 %
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.75%, 12/31/17
  1,500,000     1,466,718     1.7 %
FNMA Pool #MA1107, 3.50%, 7/1/32
  1,390,018     1,415,535     1.7 %
FNMA, 7.25%, 5/15/30
  1,000,000     1,372,718     1.6 %
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.00%, 2/15/22
  1,400,000     1,328,578     1.6 %
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 11/30/15
  1,250,000     1,274,170     1.5 %
FHLMC, 2.00%, 8/25/16
  1,000,000     1,034,112     1.2 %
Asset Allocation – Percentage of Net Assets                  
 
(PIE CHART)
 
Sector Weightings – Percentage of Total Investment Securities*
 
(BAR GRAPH)
 
*Sector weightings exclude short-term investments.
 
 
38
 
 
 

 

 
(continued)
 
Coupon Distribution
   
Percentage of
   
Fund’s Investments
Less than 4%
  61.0 %
4-4.99%
  17.1 %
5-5.99%
  11.1 %
6-6.99%
  5.6 %
7-7.99%
  4.6 %
8-8.99%
  0.6 %
The following graph compares the performance of the Value Line Core Bond Fund to that of the Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index and the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index (the “Indices”). The Value Line Core Bond Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund, while the Indices are not available for investment and are unmanaged. The returns for the Indices do not reflect charges, expenses or taxes, but do include the reinvestment of dividends. The comparison is shown for illustrative purposes only.
Comparison of a Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Value Line Core Bond Fund, the Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index* and the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index**
 
(LINE GRAPH)
 
Performance Data: ***                
                 
   
Average Annual
Total Return
    Growth of an Assumed
Investment of $10,000
 
1 year ended 12/31/13
  (3.16 )%       $ 9,684    
5 years ended 12/31/13
  11.86 %       $ 17,511    
10 years ended 12/31/13
  5.70 %       $ 17,410    
*
The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index is representative of the broad based fixed-income market. It includes noninvestment grade corporate bonds. The returns for the Index do not reflect charges, expenses, or taxes, which are deducted from the Fund’s returns, and it is not possible to directly invest in this unmanaged Index.
**
The Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-through’s), ABS, and CMBS. This is an unmanaged index and does not reflect charges, expenses or taxes. It is not possible to directly invest in this Index.
***
The performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future performance. The average annual total returns and growth of an assumed investment of $10,000 include dividends reinvested and capital gains distributions accepted in shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than its original cost. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
 
39
 
 
 

 

 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
Schedule of Investments
               
Principal
Amount
        Value  
CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES (30.8%)        
               
     
BASIC MATERIALS (0.6%)
       
$
250,000
 
Celanese U.S. Holdings LLC, Guaranteed Notes, 4.63%, 11/15/22
 
$
239,375
 
 
300,000
 
LYB International Finance B.V., Guaranteed Notes, 4.00%, 7/15/23
   
296,116
 
           
535,491
 
     
COMMUNICATIONS (3.3%)
       
 
250,000
 
America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., Guaranteed Notes, 5.00%, 3/30/20
   
270,766
 
 
500,000
 
Comcast Corp., Guaranteed Notes, 4.25%, 1/15/33
   
464,460
 
 
500,000
 
DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 3.80%, 3/15/22
   
480,318
 
 
500,000
 
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 6.63%, 11/15/20
   
530,000
 
 
400,000
 
Motorola Solutions, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 6.00%, 11/15/17
   
454,982
 
 
250,000
 
Time Warner, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 3.15%, 7/15/15
   
258,998
 
 
350,000
 
Verizon Communications, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.25%, 11/3/14
   
352,039
 
           
2,811,563
 
     
CONSUMER, CYCLICAL (5.0%)
       
 
300,000
 
CVS Caremark Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 6.60%, 3/15/19
   
355,015
 
 
500,000
 
D.R. Horton, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 6.50%, 4/15/16
   
546,250
 
 
150,000
 
Delphi Corp., Guaranteed Notes, 6.13%, 5/15/21
   
166,313
 
 
250,000
 
Ford Motor Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 7.45%, 7/16/31
   
306,167
 
 
200,000
 
Hanesbrands, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 6.38%, 12/15/20
   
218,500
 
 
500,000
 
Home Depot, Inc. (The), Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.95%, 9/15/20
   
533,447
 
               
Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
$
115,000
 
Lennar Corp., Series B, Guaranteed Notes, 6.50%, 4/15/16
 
$
125,350
 
 
200,000
 
Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 8.13%, 8/15/35
   
218,431
 
 
300,000
 
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Senior Unsecured Notes, 7.50%, 10/15/27
   
320,250
 
 
500,000
 
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.13%, 2/15/23
   
454,088
 
 
500,000
 
Toyota Motor Credit Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 0.80%, 5/17/16
   
500,533
 
 
250,000
 
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.90%, 3/1/23
   
235,492
 
 
200,000
 
Wynn Las Vegas LLC / Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp., 7.75%, 8/15/20
   
224,500
 
           
4,204,336
 
     
CONSUMER, NON-CYCLICAL (3.4%)
       
 
400,000
 
Amgen, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.50%, 11/15/16
   
413,982
 
 
500,000
 
Celgene Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.00%, 8/15/23
   
492,299
 
 
450,000
 
Cigna Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.75%, 11/15/16
   
468,370
 
 
250,000
 
Constellation Brands, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 4.25%, 5/1/23
   
233,125
 
 
250,000
 
Hawk Acquisition Sub, Inc., Secured Notes, 4.25%, 10/15/20 (1)
   
241,875
 
 
250,000
 
Humana, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.15%, 12/1/22
   
231,428
 
 
500,000
 
Kroger Co. (The), Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.15%, 8/1/43
   
487,752
 
 
350,000
 
Mylan, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.35%, 11/29/16
   
349,358
 
           
2,918,189
 
     
ENERGY (1.5%)
       
 
500,000
 
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Guaranteed Notes, 4.85%, 8/15/42
   
470,883
 
               
Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
$
500,000
 
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.65%, 2/1/19
 
$
494,455
 
 
250,000
 
Phillips 66, Guaranteed Notes, 4.30%, 4/1/22
   
254,054
 
           
1,219,392
 
     
FINANCIAL (13.0%)
       
 
250,000
 
ACE INA Holdings, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 2.70%, 3/13/23
   
229,081
 
 
250,000
 
Aircastle, Ltd., Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.63%, 12/15/18
   
251,875
 
 
250,000
 
American Express Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 0.83%, 5/22/18 (2)
   
249,827
 
 
500,000
 
American International Group, Inc. MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.85%, 1/16/18
   
573,525
 
 
500,000
 
Bank of America Corp. MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.30%, 1/11/23
   
473,134
 
 
250,000
 
Bank of Montreal MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.38%, 1/25/19
   
249,276
 
 
350,000
 
BlackRock, Inc., Series 2, Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.00%, 12/10/19
   
395,182
 
 
250,000
 
BRE Properties, Inc., REIT, Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.38%, 1/15/23
   
229,558
 
 
350,000
 
Capital One NA/Mclean VA, Senior Notes, 1.50%, 3/22/18
   
340,367
 
 
350,000
 
CIT Group, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.00%, 8/15/22
   
341,250
 
 
500,000
 
Citigroup, Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.70%, 7/25/16
   
504,711
 
 
500,000
 
Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen- Boerenleenbank BA, Guaranteed Notes, 3.95%, 11/9/22
   
484,495
 
 
250,000
 
Credit Agricole S.A., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.13%, 4/17/18 (1)
   
248,373
 
 
250,000
 
Fifth Third Bank, Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.45%, 2/28/18
   
243,603
 
 
250,000
 
General Electric Capital Corp. MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.00%, 8/11/15 (2)
   
251,904
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
40
 
 
 

 

 
December 31, 2013
               
Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
$
250,000
 
General Motors Financial Co., Inc., Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.75%, 5/15/16 (1)
 
$
253,125
 
 
500,000
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.63%, 1/22/23
   
484,176
 
 
500,000
 
HSBC Holdings PLC, Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.00%, 3/30/22
   
513,924
 
 
250,000
 
Icahn Enterprises L.P. / Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp., Guaranteed Notes, 8.00%, 1/15/18
   
260,000
 
 
350,000
 
John Deere Capital Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 1.05%, 10/11/16
   
351,007
 
 
500,000
 
KeyCorp. MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.10%, 3/24/21
   
546,456
 
 
500,000
 
Morgan Stanley, Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.75%, 3/22/17
   
545,659
 
 
500,000
 
PNC Funding Corp., Guaranteed Notes, 5.13%, 2/8/20
   
561,579
 
 
500,000
 
ProLogis L.P., Guaranteed Notes, 2.75%, 2/15/19
   
496,540
 
 
250,000
 
Prudential Financial, Inc. MTN, Senior Unsecured Notes, 2.30%, 8/15/18
   
248,520
 
 
250,000
 
Societe Generale S.A., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.20%, 4/15/21
   
274,814
 
 
250,000
 
State Street Corp., Subordinated Notes, 3.10%, 5/15/23
   
232,452
 
 
250,000
 
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Ltd., Guaranteed Notes, 2.95%, 9/14/18 (1) (3)
   
254,318
 
 
500,000
 
Wells Fargo & Co., Series M, Subordinated Notes, 3.45%, 2/13/23
   
472,718
 
 
250,000
 
Weyerhaeuser Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 7.38%, 10/1/19
   
303,097
 
 
200,000
 
XLIT, Ltd., Guaranteed Notes, 5.25%, 12/15/43
   
201,340
 
           
11,065,886
 
               
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
     
INDUSTRIAL (2.4%)
       
$
350,000
 
Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 6.88%, 9/15/20
  $
377,563
 
 
500,000
 
Briggs & Stratton Corp., Guaranteed Notes, 6.88%, 12/15/20
   
549,375
 
 
350,000
 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.05%, 3/15/22
   
331,742
 
 
500,000
 
Canadian National Railway Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.55%, 3/1/19
   
573,755
 
 
200,000
 
Masco Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 7.13%, 3/15/20
   
228,302
 
           
2,060,737
 
     
TECHNOLOGY (0.9%)
       
 
200,000
 
Microsoft Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.63%, 12/15/23
   
200,313
 
 
500,000
 
Oracle Corp., Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.00%, 7/8/19
   
566,043
 
           
766,356
 
     
UTILITIES (0.7%)
       
 
250,000
 
Alabama Power Co., Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.85%, 12/1/42
   
213,246
 
 
380,000
 
Florida Power & Light Co., 4.95%, 6/1/35
   
398,250
 
           
611,496
 
     
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES
(Cost $26,501,267) (30.8%)
   
26,193,446
 
         
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (3.7%)        
 
350,000
 
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2012-CR4, Class A3, 2.85%, 10/15/45
   
328,254
 
 
500,000
 
FHLMC, Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates, Series K704, Class A2, 2.41%, 8/25/18
   
509,507
 
               
Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
$
454,000
 
FNMA, Series 2012-M3, Class 2A2, 2.43%, 1/25/19
 
$
460,313
 
 
300,000
 
GNMA Series 2010-155, Class B, 2.53%, 6/16/39
   
307,517
 
 
345,110
 
GNMA Series 2013-12, Class AB, 1.83%, 11/16/52
   
329,073
 
 
600,000
 
GNMA, Series 2013-12, Class B, 2.45%, 11/16/52 (2)
   
553,180
 
 
441,683
 
GNMA Series 2012-125, Class AB, 2.11%, 2/16/53 (2)
   
417,099
 
 
250,000
 
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2013-C8, Class A2, 1.69%, 12/15/48
   
244,639
 
     
TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(Cost $3,343,344) (3.7%)
   
3,149,582
 
               
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS (0.7%)        
 
250,000
 
International Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Senior Unsecured Notes, 0.50%, 4/15/16
   
249,604
 
 
300,000
 
Mexico Government International Bond, Senior Unsecured Notes, 5.13%, 1/15/20
   
332,400
 
     
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $581,849) (0.7%)
   
582,004
 
         
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL SECURITIES (1.1%)        
     
CALIFORNIA (0.3%)
       
 
350,000
 
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Revenue Bonds, Series B, 4.09%, 7/1/32
   
318,027
 
     
NEW YORK (0.3%)
       
 
250,000
 
City of New York, General Obligation Unlimited, Subser. D2, 2.60%, 8/1/20
   
243,625
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
41
 
 
 

 

 
 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
     
TEXAS (0.5%)
       
$
500,000
 
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds, Baylor Health Care System Project, Series C, 4.45%, 11/15/43
 
$
423,865
 
     
TOTAL LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
(Cost $1,099,943) (1.1%)
   
985,517
 
 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS (25.0%)
       
     
U.S. TREASURY NOTES & BONDS (25.0%)
       
 
700,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 7.88%, 2/15/21
   
952,437
 
 
588,395
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 2.00%, 1/15/26 (4)
   
651,372
 
 
700,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 6.00%, 2/15/26
   
893,593
 
 
250,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.38%, 5/15/40
   
271,563
 
 
450,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.75%, 8/15/41
   
438,680
 
 
900,000
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.63%, 8/15/43
   
849,937
 
 
200,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.25%, 1/31/15
   
200,164
 
 
450,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.25%, 3/31/15
   
450,246
 
 
450,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.25%, 7/31/15
   
449,982
 
 
100,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.25%, 8/15/15
   
99,961
 
 
500,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.25%, 10/15/15
   
499,356
 
 
1,250,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 11/30/15
   
1,274,170
 
 
1,000,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.38%, 1/15/16
   
999,609
 
 
100,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.50%, 6/30/16
   
102,305
 
 
900,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.50%, 7/31/16
   
920,531
 
 
1,500,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.00%, 8/31/16
   
1,514,062
 
 
1,650,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.88%, 12/31/16
   
1,653,610
 
 
300,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.00%, 3/31/17
   
300,656
 
 
150,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.88%, 9/30/17
   
153,832
 
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
200,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.63%, 11/30/17
 
$
195,000
 
 
1,500,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.75%, 12/31/17
   
1,466,718
 
 
500,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.38%, 5/31/18
   
519,024
 
 
500,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 9/30/18
   
493,906
 
 
400,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 11/30/18
   
394,000
 
 
500,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 12/31/18
   
491,680
 
 
1,050,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.38%, 2/28/19
   
1,028,344
 
 
750,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.25%, 4/30/19
   
726,621
 
 
800,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 3.13%, 5/15/19
   
852,500
 
 
700,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.63%, 8/15/20
   
714,218
 
 
400,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.13%, 8/15/21
   
387,500
 
 
1,400,000
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.00%, 2/15/22
   
1,328,578
 
           
21,274,155
 
     
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $21,887,446) (25.0%)
   
21,274,155
 
 
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (37.2%)
       
 
1,500,000
 
FHLB, 5.00%, 12/21/15
   
1,634,504
 
 
1,000,000
 
FHLMC, 2.00%, 8/25/16
   
1,034,112
 
 
600,000
 
FHLMC, 1.25%, 5/12/17
   
604,115
 
 
139,999
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #A29526, 5.00%, 1/1/35
   
150,929
 
 
59,798
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #A29633, 5.00%,1/1/35
   
64,435
 
 
62,042
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #A56491, 5.00%, 1/1/37
   
66,791
 
 
775,481
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #A95803, 4.00%, 12/1/40
   
797,841
 
 
192,608
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #A97264, 4.00%, 2/1/41
   
197,966
 
 
21,030
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #B12822, 5.00%, 3/1/19
   
22,591
 
 
10,029
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #B17398, 4.50%, 12/1/19
   
10,654
 
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
46,914
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #B18034, 4.50%, 4/1/20
 
$
50,609
 
 
455,555
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #C03516, 4.00%, 9/1/40
   
468,181
 
 
1,883,353
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #C09004, 3.50%, 7/1/42
   
1,870,822
 
 
23,976
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #C91413, 3.50%, 12/1/31
   
24,437
 
 
2,211
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #E92226, 5.00%, 11/1/17
   
2,340
 
 
3,023
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #E92829, 5.00%, 12/1/17
   
3,200
 
 
34,265
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #E93499, 5.00%, 12/1/17
   
36,272
 
 
3,864
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #E98960, 5.00%, 9/1/18
   
4,092
 
 
274,092
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #G06224, 3.50%, 1/1/41
   
272,269
 
 
46,559
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #G08184, 5.00%, 1/1/37
   
50,151
 
 
6,419
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #G11986, 5.00%, 4/1/21
   
6,933
 
 
9,219
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #G12319, 5.00%, 6/1/21
   
9,786
 
 
494,942
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #G14216, 3.50%, 7/1/21
   
519,892
 
 
54,289
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #G18044, 4.50%, 3/1/20
   
57,680
 
 
7,873
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #J00118, 5.00%,10/1/20
   
8,339
 
 
156,368
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #J00139, 5.00%, 10/1/20
   
166,603
 
 
48,971
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #J03233, 5.00%, 8/1/21
   
52,877
 
 
421,654
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #J11587, 4.00%, 1/1/25
   
451,654
 
 
40,308
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #Q01181, 4.50%, 6/1/41
   
42,721
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
42
 
 
 

 

 
 
December 31, 2013
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
139,207
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #Q06307, 3.50%, 2/1/42
 
$
138,280
 
 
218,751
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #Q08903, 3.50%, 6/1/42
   
217,295
 
 
463,151
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #Q11556, 3.00%, 10/1/42
   
439,327
 
 
830,396
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #Q11908, 3.50%, 10/1/42
   
824,871
 
 
478,168
 
FHLMC Gold PC Pool #Q14593, 3.00%, 1/1/43
   
453,572
 
 
162,576
 
FHLMC, Pool #783022, 2.40%, 2/1/35 (2)
   
172,889
 
 
127,648
 
FHLMC, REMIC Trust Series 2643, Class ME, 3.50%, 3/15/18
   
130,837
 
 
3,899
 
FHLMC, REMIC Trust Series 2645, Class NA, 3.50%, 9/15/31
   
3,904
 
 
854,732
 
FHLMC, REMIC Trust Series 3632, Class AP, 3.00%, 2/15/40
   
883,182
 
 
500,000
 
FNMA, 1.10%, 7/11/17
   
495,382
 
 
500,000
 
FNMA, 1.10%, 3/12/18
   
484,615
 
 
1,000,000
 
FNMA, 7.25%, 5/15/30
   
1,372,718
 
 
18,947
 
FNMA Pool #254383, 7.50%, 6/1/32
   
21,067
 
 
53,505
 
FNMA Pool #254476, 5.50%, 9/1/32
   
58,952
 
 
49,006
 
FNMA Pool #254684, 5.00%, 3/1/18
   
52,207
 
 
113,103
 
FNMA Pool #255496, 5.00%, 11/1/34
   
122,801
 
 
8,996
 
FNMA Pool #255580, 5.50%, 2/1/35
   
9,897
 
 
6,119
 
FNMA Pool #258149, 5.50%, 9/1/34
   
6,757
 
 
33,560
 
FNMA Pool #412682, 6.00%, 3/1/28
   
37,697
 
 
5,765
 
FNMA Pool #511823, 5.50%, 5/1/16
   
6,118
 
 
193
 
FNMA Pool #568625, 7.50%, 1/1/31
   
199
 
 
30,702
 
FNMA Pool #571090, 7.50%, 1/1/31
   
31,390
 
 
1,690
 
FNMA Pool #573935, 7.50%, 3/1/31
   
1,810
 
 
19,018
 
FNMA Pool #622373, 5.50%, 12/1/16
   
20,199
 
 
32,829
 
FNMA Pool #623503, 6.00%, 2/1/17
   
34,239
 
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
126,963
 
FNMA Pool #626440, 7.50%, 2/1/32
 
$
144,295
 
 
17,932
 
FNMA Pool #631328, 5.50%, 2/1/17
   
19,159
 
 
2,165
 
FNMA Pool #638247, 5.50%, 5/1/17
   
2,300
 
 
1,575
 
FNMA Pool #643277, 5.50%, 4/1/17
   
1,673
 
 
14,690
 
FNMA Pool #685183, 5.00%, 3/1/18
   
15,649
 
 
2,060
 
FNMA Pool #688539, 5.50%, 3/1/33
   
2,269
 
 
24,876
 
FNMA Pool #703936, 5.00%, 5/1/18
   
26,512
 
 
49,835
 
FNMA Pool #726889, 5.50%, 7/1/33
   
54,879
 
 
113,109
 
FNMA Pool #735224, 5.50%, 2/1/35
   
124,525
 
 
43,232
 
FNMA Pool #763393, 5.50%, 2/1/34
   
47,458
 
 
5,651
 
FNMA Pool #769682, 5.00%, 3/1/34
   
6,142
 
 
71,250
 
FNMA Pool #769862, 5.50%, 2/1/34
   
78,247
 
 
1,401
 
FNMA Pool #778141, 5.00%, 5/1/34
   
1,524
 
 
302,069
 
FNMA Pool #780956, 4.50%, 5/1/19
   
328,511
 
 
990
 
FNMA Pool #789150, 5.00%, 10/1/34
   
1,082
 
 
15,819
 
FNMA Pool #797154, 5.50%, 11/1/34
   
17,518
 
 
44,073
 
FNMA Pool #801063, 5.50%, 11/1/34
   
48,455
 
 
29,809
 
FNMA Pool #803675, 5.50%, 12/1/34
   
32,775
 
 
29,231
 
FNMA Pool #804683, 5.50%, 12/1/34
   
32,112
 
 
190,655
 
FNMA Pool #815813, 2.57%, 2/1/35 (2)
   
202,307
 
 
201,676
 
FNMA Pool #919584, 6.00%, 6/1/37
   
223,344
 
 
32,076
 
FNMA Pool #AA2531, 4.50%, 3/1/39
   
33,974
 
 
437,136
 
FNMA Pool #AB2346, 4.50%, 2/1/41
   
463,305
 
 
865,216
 
FNMA Pool #AB5231, 2.50%, 5/1/27
   
859,276
 
 
422,540
 
FNMA Pool #AB5716, 3.00%, 7/1/27
   
431,687
 
 
398,395
 
FNMA Pool #AB9386, 4.00%, 5/1/43
   
410,384
 
 
475,501
 
FNMA Pool #AC8908, 4.50%, 1/1/40
   
503,579
 
 
37,819
 
FNMA Pool #AD1035, 4.50%, 2/1/40
   
40,071
 
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
200,000
 
FNMA Pool #AD6374, 5.00%, 5/1/40
 
$
217,919
 
 
230,241
 
FNMA Pool #AD7136, 5.00%, 7/1/40
   
250,550
 
 
183,564
 
FNMA Pool #AD8536, 5.00%, 8/1/40
   
200,520
 
 
978,906
 
FNMA Pool #AE1853, 4.00%, 8/1/40
   
1,008,143
 
 
568,125
 
FNMA Pool #AH5575, 4.00%, 2/1/41
   
585,191
 
 
595,009
 
FNMA Pool #AH8932, 4.50%, 4/1/41
   
630,747
 
 
55,000
 
FNMA Pool #AI0620, 4.50%, 5/1/41
   
58,289
 
 
480,925
 
FNMA Pool #AI5011, 4.50%, 6/1/41
   
509,656
 
 
266,164
 
FNMA Pool #AJ5888, 4.50%, 11/1/41
   
281,975
 
 
397,499
 
FNMA Pool #AJ9278, 3.50%, 12/1/41
   
395,281
 
 
879,869
 
FNMA Pool #AO7977, 3.00%, 6/1/27
   
898,921
 
 
424,719
 
FNMA Pool #AQ0287, 3.00%, 10/1/42
   
403,636
 
 
484,075
 
FNMA Pool #AR2174, 3.00%, 4/1/43
   
460,041
 
 
420,311
 
FNMA Pool #AR6394, 3.00%, 2/1/43
   
399,491
 
 
895,950
 
FNMA Pool #AT8849, 4.00%, 6/1/43
   
922,859
 
 
549,060
 
FNMA Pool #AU7025, 3.00%, 11/1/43
   
521,857
 
 
529,279
 
FNMA Pool #MA0641, 4.00%, 2/1/31
   
552,946
 
 
1,390,018
 
FNMA Pool #MA1107, 3.50%, 7/1/32
   
1,415,535
 
 
7,222
 
FNMA REMIC Trust Series 2003-17, Class ED, 4.25%, 9/25/22
   
7,228
 
 
37,821
 
FNMA REMIC Trust Series 2003-38, Class TC, 5.00%, 3/25/23
   
39,679
 
 
238,872
 
FNMA REMIC Trust Series 2004-60, Class LB, 5.00%, 4/25/34
   
258,800
 
 
473,613
 
FNMA REMIC Trust Series 2009-88, Class MA, 4.50%, 10/25/39
   
508,568
 
 
188,689
 
FNMA REMIC Trust Series 2013-18, Class AE, 2.00%, 3/25/28
   
179,493
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
43
 
 
 

 

 
 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
  
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
$
43,343
 
GNMA Pool #003645, 4.50%, 12/20/19
 
$
46,277
 
 
2,114
 
GNMA Pool #429786, 6.00%, 12/15/33
   
2,414
 
 
42,230
 
GNMA Pool #548880, 6.00%, 12/15/31
   
46,971
 
 
28,670
 
GNMA Pool #551762, 6.00%, 4/15/32
   
31,899
 
 
3,177
 
GNMA Pool #557681, 6.00%, 8/15/31
   
3,534
 
 
15,232
 
GNMA Pool #582415, 6.00%, 11/15/32
   
17,164
 
 
66,995
 
GNMA Pool #583008, 5.50%, 6/15/34
   
74,321
 
 
58,302
 
GNMA Pool #605025, 6.00%, 2/15/34
   
65,691
 
 
18,507
 
GNMA Pool #605245, 5.50%, 6/15/34
   
20,318
 
 
32,646
 
GNMA Pool #610944, 5.50%, 4/15/34
   
35,840
 
 
51,366
 
GNMA Pool #622603, 6.00%, 11/15/33
   
57,137
 
 
5,456
 
GNMA Pool #626480, 6.00%, 2/15/34
   
6,160
 
 
663,934
 
GNMA Series 2010-151, Class KA, 3.00%, 9/16/39
   
674,597
 
 
476,238
 
GNMA Series 2011-136, Class GB, 2.50%, 5/20/40
   
462,423
 
 
256,211
 
GNMA Series 2011-17, Class EP, 3.50%, 12/16/39
   
265,196
 
 
250,000
 
GNMA, TBA, 3.00%,1/1/44
   
241,543
 
     
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $31,631,699) (37.2%)
   
31,614,823
 
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (0.3%)
       
     
JOINT REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (INVESTMENTS OF CASH COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN)(0.3%)
       
$
86,636
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Morgan Stanley, 0.02%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $86,636 (collateralized by $88,369 U.S. Treasury Bonds 4.250% - 8.000% due 11/15/21 - 11/15/40 and U.S. Treasury Notes 2.625% - 2.750% due 11/15/20 - 11/15/23, with a value of $87,919)
 
$
86,636
 
 
127,892
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Barclays, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due01/02/14, delivery value $127,892 (collateralized by $130,450 U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Notes 1.250% -1.875% due 04/15/14 - 07/15/15, with a value of $129,464)
   
127,892
 
 
20,628
 
Joint Repurchase Agreement with Citigroup, 0.01%, dated 12/31/13, due 01/02/14, delivery value $20,628 (collateralized by $21,040 U.S. Treasury Bills 0.000% due 02/20/14, with a value of $21,040)
   
20,628
 
           
235,156
 
 
Principal
           
Amount
       
Value
 
               
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $235,156) (0.3%)
 
$
235,156
 
     
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES (98.8%) (Cost $85,280,704)
 
$
84,034,683
 
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (1.2%)
   
1,010,476
 
NET ASSETS (100%)
 
$
85,045,159
 
NET ASSET VALUE OFFERING AND REDEMPTION PRICE, PER OUTSTANDING SHARE ($85,045,159 ÷ 17,529,435 shares outstanding)
 
$
4.85
 
 
(1)
   
Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, this security can only be sold to qualified institutional investors.
 
(2)
   
The rate shown on floating rate and discount securities represents the yield or rate at the end of the reporting period.
 
(3)
   
A portion or all of the security was held on loan. As of December 31, 2013, the market value of the securities on loan was $257,657.
 
(4)
   
Treasury Inflation Protected Security (TIPS).
 
FHLB
 
Federal Home Loan Bank.
 
FHLMC.
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp
 
FNMA
 
Federal National Mortgage Association.
 
GNMA
 
Government National Mortgage Association.
 
MTN
 
Medium Term Note.
 
REIT
 
Real Estate Investment Trust.
 
TBA
 
To Be Announced.
 
 
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments in securities as of December 31, 2013 (See Note 1B):
                         
Value Line Core Bond Fund
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Corporate Bonds & Notes
  $     $ 26,193,446     $     $ 26,193,446  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
          3,149,582             3,149,582  
Foreign Government Obligations
          582,004             582,004  
Long-Term Municipal Securities
          985,517             985,517  
U.S. Treasury Obligations
          21,274,155             21,274,155  
U.S. Government Agency Obligations
          31,614,823             31,614,823  
Short-Term Investments
          235,156             235,156  
Total
  $     $ 84,034,683     $     $ 84,034,683  
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
44
 
 
 

 

 
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]
 
 
45
 
 
 

 

 
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
at December 31, 2013
 
                                         
   
Value Line
Premier Growth
Fund, Inc.
   
The Value
Line
Fund, Inc.
   
Value Line
Income and
Growth Fund, Inc.
   
Value Line
Larger Companies
Fund, Inc.
   
Value Line Core
Bond Fund
 
Assets:
                             
Investment securities, at value*
                             
Investments(1)
  $ 396,539,636     $ 122,830,976     $ 303,413,375     $ 205,308,622     $ 83,799,527  
Repurchase agreements(2)
    18,615,511       2,456,822       36,599,560       13,108,098       235,156  
Total investments, at value
  $ 415,155,147     $ 125,287,798     $ 340,012,935     $ 218,416,720     $ 84,034,683  
Cash
    2,013,536       374,469       1,638,295       1,118,917       1,279,222  
Receivable for securities sold
    1,065,278       696,193       1,105,484              
Interest and dividends receivable
    371,826       94,511       805,654       213,793       545,431  
Receivable for capital shares sold
    295,901       20,070       201,223       120       28  
Prepaid expenses
    7,675       7,136       15,895       8,902       4,264  
Receivable for securities lending income
    5,565       588       8,330       4,708       54  
Other receivables
    2,247                         74,130  
Total Assets
    418,917,175       126,480,765       343,787,816       219,763,160       85,937,812  
Liabilities:
                                       
Payable upon return of securities on loan
    16,241,965       1,070,625       11,524,575       7,953,525       263,125  
Payable for securities purchased
                1,119,611             461,425  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    181,297             126,176       91,421       77,534  
Dividends payable to shareholders
                            9,727  
Accrued expenses:
                                       
Advisory fee
    251,297       72,153       184,561       131,617       29,228  
Service and distribution plan fees
    83,766       26,118       55,481       26,323       14,614  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    204       347       1,059       403       184  
Other
    85,694       43,487       78,250       51,403       36,816  
Total Liabilities
    16,844,223       1,212,730       13,089,713       8,254,692       892,653  
Net Assets
  $ 402,072,952     $ 125,268,035     $ 330,698,103     $ 211,508,468     $ 85,045,159  
Net assets consist of:
                                       
Capital stock, at $1.00, $1.00, $1.00, $1.00 and $0.01 par value, respectively (authorized 100,000,000, 50,000,000, 75,000,000, 50,000,000 and unlimited shares, respectively)
  $ 11,828,557     $ 9,278,231     $ 33,679,337     $ 8,270,759     $ 175,294  
Additional paid-in capital
    180,771,820       101,953,997       216,551,661       151,129,623       86,998,377  
Undistributed/(distributions in excess of) net investment income
          56,121       142,003       936,119       (9,727 )
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) on investments, foreign currency and written options
    1,752,692       (42,937,235 )     2,807,028       (34,978,877 )     (872,764 )
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of:
                                       
Investments and foreign currency translations
    207,719,883       56,916,921       77,518,074       86,150,844       (1,246,021 )
Net Assets
  $ 402,072,952     $ 125,268,035     $ 330,698,103     $ 211,508,468     $ 85,045,159  
Shares Outstanding
    11,828,557       9,278,231       33,679,337       8,270,759       17,529,435  
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Outstanding Share
  $ 33.99     $ 13.50     $ 9.82     $ 25.57     $ 4.85  
*  Includes securities on loan of
  $ 15,893,168     $ 1,048,806     $ 11,304,497     $ 7,803,401     $ 257,657  
(1) Cost of investments
  $ 188,819,815     $ 65,914,055     $ 225,895,371     $ 119,157,923     $ 85,045,548  
(2) Cost of repurchase agreements
  $ 18,615,511     $ 2,456,822     $ 36,599,560     $ 13,108,098     $ 235,156  
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
46
 
 
 

 

 
Statements of Operations
for the Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
                                                 
   
Value
Line Premier
Growth
Fund, Inc.
   
The
Value Line
Fund, Inc.
   
Value
Line Income
and Growth
Fund, Inc.
   
Value Line
Larger
Companies
Fund, Inc.
   
Value Line
Core
Bond Fund(1)
   
Value Line
Core
Bond Fund(2)
 
Investment Income:
                                   
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $116,207, $21,586, $84,761, $64,762, $0 and $0, respectively)
  $ 4,432,076     $ 1,332,281     $ 5,331,036     $ 2,956,465     $     $ 27,995  
Interest
    6,821       1,063       2,018,105       3,598       1,777,021       2,008,525  
Securities lending income
    98,053       24,664       81,076       32,895       517       22,017  
Total Income
    4,536,950       1,358,008       7,430,217       2,992,958       1,777,538       2,058,537  
Expenses:
                                               
Advisory fee
    2,798,432       807,293       2,095,572       1,458,201       382,486       237,606  
Service and distribution plan fees
    932,811       291,282       785,503       486,089       191,271       79,202  
Sub-transfer agent fees
    110,726       7,527       61,727       13,109              
Custodian fees
    74,110       31,440       85,969       39,052       47,476       21,656  
Auditing and legal fees
    197,719       65,496       168,994       102,728       147,569       50,119  
Transfer agent fees
    149,941       90,097       130,393       101,270       72,093       31,422  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    76,483       24,032       65,129       40,159       15,577       7,021  
Printing and postage
    143,469       84,042       118,060       93,745       89,546       42,994  
Registration and filing fees
    42,004       29,348       33,131       33,326       27,854       33,221  
Insurance
    40,958       13,329       36,057       22,369       5,067       3,823  
Other
    57,168       21,353       47,422       31,503       15,050       7,185  
Total Expenses Before Fees Waived and Custody Credits
    4,623,821       1,465,239       3,627,957       2,421,551       993,989       514,249  
Less: Service and Distribution Plan Fees Waived
          (165,777 )     (156,915 )     (360,818 )     (38,265 )     (31,681 )
Less: Advisory Fees Waived
                            (76,530 )     (63,362 )
Less: Custody Credits
                                  (287 )
Net Expenses
    4,623,821       1,299,462       3,471,042       2,060,733       879,194       418,919  
Net Investment Income/(Loss)
    (86,871 )     58,546       3,959,175       932,225       898,344       1,639,618  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Foreign Exchange Transactions and Written Options:
                                               
Net Realized Gain/(Loss) From:
                                               
Investments
    25,560,730       9,276,079       14,331,770       12,204,713       (866,870 )     1,779,984  
Written options
                69,248                    
Foreign currency transactions
    4,396       (585 )     (1,051 )     744              
      25,565,126       9,275,494       14,399,967       12,205,457       (866,870 )     1,779,984  
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) of:
                                               
Investments
    62,182,310       22,101,193       37,461,920       38,251,563       (3,263,603 )     (866,255 )
Foreign currency transactions
    82       11       274       453              
      62,182,392       22,101,204       37,462,194       38,252,016       (3,263,603 )     (866,255 )
Net Realized Gain and Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments, Foreign Exchange Transactions and Written Options
    87,747,518       31,376,698       51,862,161       50,457,473       (4,130,473 )     913,729  
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations
  $ 87,660,647     $ 31,435,244     $ 55,821,336     $ 51,389,698     $ (3,232,129 )   $ 2,553,347  
 
(1) Period from February 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
(2) Year Ended January 31, 2013.
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
47
 
 
 

 

 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
 
                 
   
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
 
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
             
Operations:
           
Net investment income/(loss)
  $ (86,871 )   $ 916,159  
Net realized gain on investments, written options and foreign currency
    25,565,126       24,763,062  
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency
    62,182,392       26,967,212  
Net increase in net assets from operations
    87,660,647       52,646,433  
                 
Distributions to Shareholders from:
               
Net investment income
          (1,001,240 )
Net realized gain from investment transactions
    (27,662,900 )     (24,163,438 )
Total Distributions
    (27,662,900 )     (25,164,678 )
                 
Capital Share Transactions:
               
Proceeds from sale of shares
    36,026,126       59,483,434  
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends and distributions to shareholders
    26,690,717       24,174,754  
Cost of shares redeemed
    (58,077,559 )     (72,131,660 )
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    4,639,284       11,526,528  
Total Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets
    64,637,031       39,008,283  
                 
Net Assets:
               
Beginning of year
    337,435,921       298,427,638  
End of year
  $ 402,072,952     $ 337,435,921  
Undistributed/(distributions in excess of) net investment income included in net assets, at end of year
  $     $ (2,029 )
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
48
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
                                             
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
   
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
   
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
 
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
$ 58,546     $ 558,673     $ 3,959,175     $ 4,498,399     $ 932,225     $ 1,359,399  
  9,275,494       13,414,151       14,399,967       13,218,671       12,205,457       3,786,520  
                                             
  22,101,204       3,749,359       37,462,194       13,315,963       38,252,016       20,499,383  
  31,435,244       17,722,183       55,821,336       31,033,033       51,389,698       25,645,302  
                                             
  (526,843 )           (3,803,097 )     (4,463,988 )     (1,253,220 )     (1,087,423 )
              (13,525,713 )     (11,203,043 )            
  (526,843 )           (17,328,810 )     (15,667,031 )     (1,253,220 )     (1,087,423 )
                                             
  2,105,661       3,226,854       17,287,138       7,178,813       1,455,686       2,278,669  
  497,705             15,889,436       14,279,164       1,190,112       1,033,051  
  (18,041,621 )     (44,487,216 )     (36,676,256 )     (47,345,268 )     (25,516,390 )     (22,410,433 )
                                             
  (15,438,255 )     (41,260,362 )     (3,499,682 )     (25,887,291 )     (22,870,592 )     (19,098,713 )
  15,470,146       (23,538,179 )     34,992,844       (10,521,289 )     27,265,886       5,459,166  
                                             
  109,797,889       133,336,068       295,705,259       306,226,548       184,242,582       178,783,416  
$ 125,268,035     $ 109,797,889     $ 330,698,103     $ 295,705,259     $ 211,508,468     $ 184,242,582  
                                             
$ 56,121     $ 556,189     $ 142,003     $ (13,378 )   $ 936,119     $ 1,359,830  
 
 
49
 
 
 

 

 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2012
 
                         
    Value Line Core Bond Fund  
   
Period from
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 1, 2013 to
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
 
   
December 31, 2013
   
2013
   
2012
 
Operations:
                 
Net investment income
  $ 898,344     $ 1,639,618     $ 1,950,280  
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments
    (866,870 )     1,779,984       1,085,696  
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments
    (3,263,603 )     (866,255 )     (1,326,754 )
Net increase/ (decrease) in net assets from operations
    (3,232,129 )     2,553,347       1,709,222  
                         
Distributions to Shareholders from:
                       
Net investment income
    (893,166 )     (1,614,009 )     (1,950,884 )
Return of capital
    (155,298 )            
Net realized gain from investment transactions
          (25,662 )      
Total Distributions
    (1,048,464 )     (1,639,671 )     (1,950,884 )
                         
Capital Share Transactions:
                       
Proceeds from sale of shares
    1,687,477       2,261,091       2,010,996  
Net assets of shares issued in connection with reorganization (Note 4)
    73,396,078              
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends and distributions to shareholders
    915,474       1,273,759       1,495,168  
Cost of shares redeemed
    (17,223,654 )     (6,101,213 )     (5,946,471 )
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    58,775,375       (2,566,363 )     (2,440,307 )
Total Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets
    54,494,782       (1,652,687 )     (2,681,969 )
                         
Net Assets:
                       
Beginning of period
    30,550,377       32,203,064       34,885,033  
End of period
  $ 85,045,159     $ 30,550,377     $ 32,203,064  
Distributions in excess of net investment income included in net assets, at end of period
  $ (9,727 )   $ (9,655 )   $ (37,870 )
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
50
 
 
 

 

 
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]
 
 
51
 
 
 

 

 
Financial Highlights

Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year:

                                                           
     
Income/(loss) from investment operations
 
Less distributions:
 
   
Net asset
value,
beginning
of year
 
Net
investment
income/
(loss)
 
Net gains/
(losses) on
securities (both
realized and
unrealized)
 
Total from
investment
operations
 
Redemption
fees
 
Dividends
from net
investment
income
 
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
 
Distributions
from return
of capital
 
Total
distributions
   
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
                                                         
Year ended December 31, 2013
 
$
28.84
   
0.00
(1)
 
7.64
   
7.64
   
   
   
(2.49
)
 
   
(2.49
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2012
   
26.48
   
0.09
   
4.59
   
4.68
   
   
(0.09
)
 
(2.23
)
 
   
(2.32
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2011
   
26.82
   
(0.08
)
 
1.30
   
1.22
   
   
   
(1.56
)
 
   
(1.56
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2010
   
22.07
   
(0.01
)(3)
 
4.79
   
4.78
   
   
(0.03
)
 
   
   
(0.03
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2009
   
16.69
   
0.02
   
5.37
   
5.39
   
   
(0.01
)
 
   
   
(0.01
)
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
                                                         
Year ended December 31, 2013
   
10.36
   
0.01
   
3.19
   
3.20
   
   
(0.06
)
 
   
   
(0.06
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2012
   
9.04
   
0.05
   
1.27
   
1.32
   
   
   
   
   
   
Year ended December 31, 2011
   
8.55
   
(0.00
)(1)
 
0.49
   
0.49
   
   
(0.00
)(1)
 
   
   
(0.00
)(1)
 
Year ended December 31, 2010
   
6.81
   
0.00
(1)
 
1.74
   
1.74
   
   
   
   
   
   
Year ended December 31, 2009
   
6.22
   
(0.01
)
 
0.60
   
0.59
   
   
   
   
   
   
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
                                                         
Year ended December 31, 2013
   
8.67
   
0.12
   
1.57
   
1.69
   
   
(0.12
)
 
(0.42
)
 
   
(0.54
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2012
   
8.27
   
0.13
   
0.74
   
0.87
   
   
(0.13
)
 
(0.34
)
 
   
(0.47
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2011
   
8.46
   
0.11
   
(0.19
)
 
(0.08
)
 
   
(0.11
)
 
   
   
(0.11
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2010
   
7.75
   
0.10
   
0.71
   
0.81
   
   
(0.10
)
 
   
   
(0.10
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2009
   
6.39
   
0.10
   
1.36
   
1.46
   
   
(0.10
)
 
   
   
(0.10
)
 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
                                                         
Year ended December 31, 2013
   
19.78
   
0.13
   
5.81
   
5.94
   
   
(0.15
)
 
   
   
(0.15
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2012
   
17.34
   
0.16
   
2.40
   
2.56
   
   
(0.12
)
 
   
   
(0.12
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2011
   
17.47
   
0.12
   
(0.17
)
 
(0.05
)
 
   
(0.08
)
 
   
   
(0.08
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2010
   
15.40
   
0.09
   
2.08
   
2.17
   
   
(0.10
)
 
   
   
(0.10
)
 
Year ended December 31, 2009
   
13.18
   
0.10
   
2.22
   
2.32
   
   
(0.10
)
 
   
   
(0.10
)
 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
                                                         
Period ended December 31, 2013(6)
   
5.07
   
0.06
   
(0.22
 
(0.16
 
   
(0.05
 
   
(0.01
 
(0.06
 
Year ended January 31, 2013
   
4.92
   
0.26
   
0.15
   
0.41
   
0.00
(1)
 
(0.26
)
 
(0.00
)(1)
 
   
(0.26
)
 
Year ended January 31, 2012
   
4.95
   
0.29
   
(0.03
)
 
0.26
   
0.00
(1)
 
(0.29
)
 
   
   
(0.29
)
 
Year ended January 31, 2011
   
4.70
   
0.30
   
0.25
   
0.55
   
0.00
(1)
 
(0.30
)
 
   
   
(0.30
)
 
Year ended January 31, 2010
   
3.89
   
0.28
   
0.81
   
1.09
   
0.00
(1)
 
(0.28
)
 
   
   
(0.28
)
 
Year ended January 31, 2009
   
4.83
   
0.32
   
(0.95
)
 
(0.63
)
 
0.00
(1)
 
(0.31
)
 
   
   
(0.31
)
 

*
Ratio reflects expenses grossed up for the custody credit arrangement, waiver of the advisory fees by the Adviser and the service and distribution plan fees by the Distributor. The custody credit arrangement was discontinued as of January 1, 2013.
**
Ratio reflects expenses net of the custody credit arrangement, waiver of the advisory fees by the Adviser and the service and distribution plan fees by the Distributor. The custody credit arrangement was discontinued as of January 1, 2013.
(1)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(2) Amount rounds to less than 0.005%.
(3) Based on average shares outstanding.
(4) Ratio reflects expenses grossed up for the reimbursement by Value Line, Inc. of certain expenses incurred by the Fund.
(5) Ratio reflects expenses net of the reimbursement by Value Line, Inc. of certain expenses incurred by the Fund.
(6)
Period from February 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
(7) Not Annualized.
(8) Annualized.
(9)
The ratio of expenses to average net assets, net of custody credits, but exclusive of the fee waivers would have been 1.48%.
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
52
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
  Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                 
Ratio of
   
Ratio of
   
Ratio of
       
           
Net assets,
   
gross expenses
   
net expenses
   
net investment
       
 
Net asset
       
end of
   
to average
   
to average
   
income/(loss) to
   
Portfolio
 
 
value, end
 
Total
   
year
   
net
   
net
   
average net
   
turnover
 
 
of year
 
return
   
(in thousands)
   
assets*
   
assets**
   
assets
   
rate
 
                                       
                                       
 $ 33.99     26.56 %   $ 402,073       1.24 %     1.24 %     (0.02 )%(2)     11 %
 
28.84
    17.80 %     337,436       1.25 %     1.25 %     0.28 %     15 %
 
26.48
    4.59 %     298,428       1.24 %     1.24 %     (0.28 )%     20 %
 
26.82
    21.66 %     311,829       1.23 %(4)     1.19 %(5)     (0.02 )%     16 %
 
22.07
    32.29 %     347,938       1.22 %     1.22 %     0.11 %     8 %
                                                   
 
13.50
    30.86 %     125,268       1.26 %     1.12 %     0.05 %     7 %
 
10.36
    14.60 %     109,798       1.28 %     1.03 %     0.46 %     6 %
 
9.04
    5.75 %     133,336       1.29 %     0.94 %     (0.02 )%     18 %
 
8.55
    25.55 %     104,200       1.31 %(4)     0.91 %(5)     0.02 %     27 %
 
6.81
    9.49 %     92,680       1.36 %     1.04 %     (0.22 )%     122 %
                                                   
 
9.82
    19.55 %     330,698       1.16 %     1.11 %     1.26 %     27 %
 
8.67
    10.62 %     295,705       1.19 %     1.14 %     1.48 %     31 %
 
8.27
    (0.90 )%     306,227       1.20 %     1.15 %     1.25 %     57 %
 
8.46
    10.55 %     332,695       1.14 %(4)     1.05 %(5)     1.22 %     46 %
 
7.75
    23.07 %     340,210       1.13 %     1.09 %     1.49 %     56 %
                                                   
 
25.57
    30.05 %     211,508       1.25 %     1.06 %     0.48 %     8 %
 
19.78
    14.82 %     184,243       1.27 %     1.02 %     0.72 %     17 %
 
17.34
    (0.27 )%     178,783       1.25 %     1.00 %     0.60 %     30 %
 
17.47
    14.09 %     199,524       1.21 %(4)     0.92 %(5)     0.44 %     153 %
 
15.40
    17.62 %     202,454       1.26 %     1.01 %     0.62 %     157 %
                                                   
 
4.85
    (3.13 )%(7)     85,045       1.30 %(8)     1.15 %(8)     1.17 %(8)     61 %(7)
 
5.07
    8.49 %     30,550       1.62 %     1.32 %     5.18 %     103 %
 
4.92
    5.48 %     32,203       1.55 %     1.25 %     5.95 %     50 %
 
4.95
    12.01 %     34,885       1.48 %(4)     1.13 %(5)     6.20 %     42 %
 
4.70
    28.92 %     37,787       1.56 %     1.13 %     6.51 %     51 %
 
3.89
    (13.42 )%     25,924       1.50 %(9)     0.98 %     7.17 %     39 %
 
 
53
 
 
 

 

 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
1. Significant Accounting Policies
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc., and Value Line Core Bond Fund, (individually a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are each registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as diversified, open-end management investment companies. The primary investment objective of the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc. and The Value Line Fund, Inc. is long-term growth of capital. The primary investment objective of the Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. is income, as high and dependable as is consistent with reasonable risk and capital growth to increase total return is a secondary objective. The sole investment objective of the Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. is to realize capital growth. The primary investment objective of the Value Line Core Bond Fund is to maximize current income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation, but only when consistent with its primary objective. The Value Line Funds (the “Value Line Funds”) is a family of 10 mutual funds that includes a wide range of solutions designed to meet virtually any investment goal and consists of a variety of equity, fixed income, and hybrid funds.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements.
 
(A) Security Valuation: Securities listed on a securities exchange are valued at the closing sales prices on the date as of which the net asset value is being determined. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. In the absence of closing sales prices for such securities and for securities traded in the over-the-counter market, the security is valued at the midpoint between the latest available and representative asked and bid prices. Short-term instruments with maturities of 60 days or less at the date of purchase are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Short-term instruments with maturities greater than 60 days at the date of purchase are valued at the midpoint between the latest available and representative asked and bid prices, and commencing 60 days prior to maturity such securities are valued at amortized cost.
 
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) has determined that the value of bonds and other fixed income corporate securities be calculated on the valuation date by reference to valuations obtained from an independent pricing service that determines valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of debt securities, without exclusive reliance upon quoted prices. This service takes into account appropriate factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data in determining valuations. Bonds and fixed income securities are valued at the evaluated bid on the date as of which the net asset value is being determined. Securities, other than bonds and other fixed income securities, not priced in this manner are valued at the midpoint between the latest available and representative bid and asked prices or, when stock valuations are used, at the latest quoted sale price as of the regular close of business of the New York Stock Exchange on the valuation date.
 
The Board has adopted procedures for valuing portfolio securities in circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, and has delegated the responsibility for applying the valuation methods to the Adviser. A valuation committee (the “Valuation Committee”) was established by the Board to oversee the implementation of the Funds’ valuation methods and to make fair value determinations on behalf of the Board, as instructed. The Adviser monitors the continued appropriateness of methods applied and determines if adjustments should be made in light of market changes, events affecting the issuer, or other factors. If the Adviser determines that a valuation method may no longer be appropriate, another valuation method may be selected, or the Valuation Committee will be convened to consider the matter and take any appropriate action in accordance with procedures set forth by the Board. The Board shall review the appropriateness of the valuation methods and these methods may be amended or supplemented from time to time by the Valuation Committee. In addition, the Funds may use the fair value of a security when the closing market price on the primary exchange where the security is traded no longer reflects the value of a security due to factors affecting one or more relevant securities markets or the specific issuer.
 
 
54
 
 
 

 

 
December 31, 2013
 
(B) Fair Value Measurements: The Funds follow fair valuation accounting standards (FASB ASC 820-10) which establishes a definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value. These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
Level 1  –   Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
 
Level 2  –  Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including inputs in markets that are not considered to be active;
 
Level 3  –   Inputs that are unobservable.
 
Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment’s valuation changes. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The Funds follow the updated provisions surrounding fair value measurements and disclosures on transfers in and out of all levels of the fair value hierarchy on a gross basis and the reasons for the transfers as well as to disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for investments that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The Funds’ policy is to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.
 
The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Funds had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that were meaningful in relation to their net assets as of the end of the reporting period (e.g. greater than 1%). An investment asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level input, individually or in aggregate, that is significant to fair value measurement. The objective of fair value measurement remains the same even when there is a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability and regardless of the valuation techniques used.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2013 there were no Level 3 investments. The Schedule of Investments includes a breakdown of the Funds’ investments by category.
 
(C) Repurchase Agreements: Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement, with selected commercial banks and broker-dealers, under which the Funds acquire securities as collateral and agrees to resell the securities at an agreed upon time and at an agreed upon price. Each Fund, through the custodian or a sub-custodian, receives delivery of the underlying securities collateralizing repurchase agreements. The Funds’ custodian takes possession of the underlying collateral securities, the value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, it is the Funds’ policy to mark-to-market the value of the underlying securities daily to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. In the event of default by either the seller or the Funds, the Master Repurchase Agreement may permit the non-defaulting party to net and close out all transactions. The Funds have the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. Under certain circumstances, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral or proceeds may be subject to legal proceedings. The repurchase and joint repurchase agreements held by the Funds at the year end had been entered into on December 31, 2013.
 
At year end, Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., and Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc., respectively, had investments in repurchase agreements with a gross value of $4,100,000, $1,500,000, $26,300,000 and $6,000,000 on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The value of each Fund’s related collateral exceeded the value of the repurchase agreements at year end. There were no open repurchase agreements for Value Line Core Bond Fund at December 31, 2013.
 
At year end, Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc., and Value Line Core Bond Fund, respectively, had investments in joint repurchase agreements with a gross value of $14,515,511, $956,822, $10,299,560, $7,108,098 and $235,156 on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The value of each Fund’s related collateral exceeded the value of the joint repurchase agreements at year end.
 
(D) Federal Income Taxes: It is the policy of the Funds to each qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to regulated investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute all of their investment income and capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income tax is required.
 
 
55
 
 
 

 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
 
Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2013), and has concluded that no provision for federal or state income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements. The Funds’ federal and state income tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.
 
(E) Security Transactions and Distributions: Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are calculated for financial accounting and federal income tax purposes on the basis of the first in first out contention (“FIFO”). Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Interest income, adjusted for the amortization of discount and premium, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual basis. Gains and losses realized on prepayments received on mortgage-related securities are recorded as interest income.
 
The Funds may purchase mortgage pass-through securities on a to-be-announced (“TBA”) basis, with payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. The Funds may enter into a TBA agreement, sell the obligation to purchase the pools stipulated in the TBA agreement prior to the stipulated settlement date and enter into a new TBA agreement for future delivery of pools of mortgage pass-through securities (a “TBA roll”). A TBA roll is treated by the Funds as a purchase transaction and a sale transaction in which the Funds realize a gain or loss. The Funds’ use of TBA rolls may cause the Funds to experience higher portfolio turnover and higher transaction costs. The Funds could be exposed to possible risk if there is an adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with TBA transactions, or if the counterparty fails to complete the transaction.
 
The Value Line Core Bond Fund may invest in Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities (“TIPS”). The principal value and interest payout of TIPS are periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation based on the Consumer Price Index. The adjustments for principal and income due to inflation are reflected in interest income in the Statements of Operations.
 
Dividends from net investment income will be declared daily and paid monthly for the Value Line Core Bond Fund. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless the shareholder has requested otherwise. Income earned by the Fund on weekends, holidays and other days on which the Fund is closed for business is declared as a dividend on the next day on which the Fund is open for business. The Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. distributes all of its net investment income quarterly and the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., and the Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. distribute all of their net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed to shareholders annually or more frequently if necessary to comply with the Internal Revenue Code.
 
(F) Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities which are denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange at the valuation date. The Funds do not isolate changes in the value of investments caused by foreign exchange rate differences from the changes due to other circumstances.
 
Income and expenses are translated to U.S. dollars based upon the rates of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions.
 
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from currency fluctuations realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the differences between the U.S. dollar amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded by the Funds, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments, at the end of the fiscal period, resulting from changes in the exchange rates. The effect of the change in foreign exchange rates on the value of investments is included in realized gain/ (loss) on investments and change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments.
 
(G) Representations and Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.
 
 
56
 
 
 

 

 
December 31, 2013 
 
(H) Accounting for Real Estate Investment Trusts: The Funds own shares of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Distributions received from REITs during the year which represent a return of capital are recorded as a reduction of cost and distributions which represent a capital gain dividend are recorded as a realized long-term capital gain on investments.
 
(I) Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Funds will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.
 
(J) Securities Lending: Under an agreement with State Street Bank & Trust (“State Street”), the Funds can lend their securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions approved by the Board. By lending their investment securities, the Funds attempt to increase their net investment income through receipt of interest on the loan. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest or dividends declared during the term of the loan would accrue to the account of the Funds. Risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral may occur should the borrower of the securities fail financially. Generally, in the event of a counter-party default, the Funds have the right to use the collateral to offset the losses incurred. The lending fees received and the Funds’ portion of the interest income earned on the cash collateral are included in the Statements of Operations.
 
Upon entering into a securities lending transaction, the Funds receive cash or other securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities. Any cash received as collateral is invested by State Street Global Advisors, acting in its capacity as securities lending agent (the “Agent”), in The Value Line Funds collateral account, which is subsequently invested into joint repurchase agreements. A portion of the dividends received on the collateral is rebated to the borrower of the securities and the remainder is split between the Agent and the Funds.
 
The Funds enter into joint repurchase agreements whereby their uninvested cash collateral from securities lending is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds managed by the Adviser and is used to invest in one or more repurchase agreements. The value and face amount of the joint repurchase agreement are allocated to the funds based on their pro-rata interest in the repurchase agreement. A repurchase agreement is accounted for as a loan by the funds to the seller, collateralized by securities which are delivered to the Fund’s custodian. The market value, including accrued interest, of the initial collateralization is required to be at least 102% of the dollar amount invested by the funds, with the value of the underlying securities marked to market daily to maintain coverage of at least 100%.
 
As of December 31, 2013, the Funds loaned securities which were collateralized by cash. The value of the securities on loan and the value of the related collateral were as follows:
                   
Fund
 
Value of Securities
Loaned
   
Value of Collateral
   
Total Collateral
(including
Calculated Mark)*
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
  $ 15,893,168     $ 16,241,965     $ 16,274,746  
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
    1,048,806       1,070,625       1,070,625  
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
    11,304,497       11,524,575       11,547,888  
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
    7,803,401       7,953,525       7,972,775  
Value Line Core Bond Fund
    257,657       263,125       263,125  
 
*
Balances represent the end of day mark-to-market of securities lending collateral that will be reflected by the Funds as of the next business day.
 
Additionally refer to Note 1(c) for details on joint repurchase agreements  which were entered into using security lending cash collateral.
 
(K) Options: The Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.’s investment strategy allows the use of options. The Fund utilizes options to hedge against changes in market conditions or to provide market exposure while trying to reduce transaction costs.
 
When the Fund writes a put or call option, an amount equal to the premiums received is included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If a written call option on an individual security is exercised, a gain or loss is realized for the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from the sale are increased by the premium originally received. If a written put option on an individual security is exercised, the cost of the security acquired is decreased by the premium originally received. As a writer of an option, a Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the individual security underlying the written option. Additionally, written call options may involve the risk of limited gains.
 
 
57
 
 
 

 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
 
The Fund may also purchase put and call options. When a Fund purchases a put or call option, an amount equal to the premium paid is included on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an investment, and is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If the Fund exercises a call option on an individual security, the cost of the security acquired is increased by the premium paid for the call. If the Fund exercises a put option on an individual security, a gain or loss is realized from the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from such a sale are decreased by the premium originally paid. Written and purchased options are non-income producing securities.
 
As of December 31, 2013, the Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. had no open options contracts at December 31, 2013.
 
The Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.’s written options are collateralized securities held at the Options Clearing Corporation’s account at the Fund’s custodian. The securities pledged as collateral are included on the Schedule of Investments. Such collateral is restricted from the Fund’s use.
 
The number of options contracts written and the premiums received by the Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. during the year ended December 31, 2013, were as follows:
               
Purchased Options
 
Number of Contracts
 
Premiums Received
 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2012
      $ 0  
Options purchased
    400     45,018  
Options expired/closed
    (400 )   (45,018 )
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013
      $ 0  
               
Written Options
 
Number of Contracts
 
Premiums Received
 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2012
      $ 0  
Options written
    630     69,248  
Options assigned
    (300 )   (29,318 )
Options expired/closed
    (330 )   (39,930 )
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013
      $ 0  
 
The following is a summary of how these derivatives are treated in the financial statements and their impact on the Fund:
                 
   
Gain or (Loss) Derivative Recognized in Income
 
Risk Type
 
Realized
Gain (Loss)(a)
   
Change in
Appreciation(b)
 
Equity - Purchased options
    (45,018 )   $ 0  
Equity - Written options
    69,248       0  
 
For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Fund's quarterly holdings of written options contracts were as follows:
 
                 
Quarter Ended
 
Number of Purchased
Options Contracts
Outstanding
   
Number of
Written Options
Contracts Outstanding
 
March 31, 2013
           
June 30, 2013
          200  
September 30, 2013
          30  
December 31, 2013
           

(a) Statements of Operations location: Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: Investments and Written options.
(b) Statements of Operations location: Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) of: Investments and Written options
 
 
58
 
 
 

 

 
December 31, 2013 
 
(L) Subsequent Events: Management has evaluated all subsequent transactions and events through the date on which these financial statements were issued and has determined that no additional items require disclosure.
 
2. Investment Risks
 
Securities issued by U.S. Government agencies or government-sponsored enterprises may not be guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA” or “Ginnie Mae”), a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation, is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by institutions approved by GNMA and backed by pools of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government) include the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA” or “Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC” or “Freddie Mac”). Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but its participation certificates are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
 
3. Capital Share Transactions, Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
 
Transactions in capital stock were as follows:
             
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
           
Shares sold
    1,144,091       2,042,295  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends and distributions
    790,836       850,616  
Shares redeemed
    (1,807,035 )     (2,463,509 )
Net increase
    127,892       429,402  
Dividends per share from net investment income
  $     $ 0.0925  
Distributions per share from net realized gains
  $ 2.4934     $ 2.2262  
                 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
               
Shares sold
    178,945       328,898  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends and distributions
    37,142        
Shares redeemed
    (1,537,052 )     (4,481,149 )
Net decrease
    (1,320,965 )     (4,152,251 )
Dividends per share from net investment income
  $ 0.0570     $  
                 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
               
Shares sold
    1,821,122       821,795  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends and distributions
    1,639,843       1,657,336  
Shares redeemed
    (3,887,583 )     (5,417,424 )
Net decrease
    (426,618 )     (2,938,293 )
Dividends per share from net investment income
  $ 0.1157     $ 0.1303  
Distributions per share from net realized gains
  $ 0.4174     $ 0.3403  
                 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
               
Shares sold
    65,511       119,348  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends
    47,005       53,004  
Shares redeemed
    (1,157,543 )     (1,169,950 )
Net decrease
    (1,045,027 )     (997,598 )
Dividends per share from net investment income
  $ 0.1521     $ 0.1173  
 
 
59
 
 
 

 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
 
                   
   
Period from
February 1, 2013
to December 31, 2013
   
Year Ended
January 31, 2013
   
Year Ended
January 31, 2012
 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
                 
Shares sold
    338,817       452,862       413,006  
Shares issued in connection with merger
    14,453,737              
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends
    185,136       255,621       307,024  
Shares redeemed
    (3,475,528 )     (1,222,950 )     (1,220,003 )
Net increase/(decrease)
    11,502,162       (514,467 )     (499,973 )
Dividends per share from net investment income
  $ 0.0537     $ 0.2531     $ 0.2899  
Distributions per share from return of capital
  $ 0.0089     $     $  
Distributions per share from net realized gains
  $     $ 0.0040     $  
 
4. Reorganization
 
On December 13, 2012, the Board approved an agreement and plan of reorganization (the “Reorganization”) pursuant to which the Value Line U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc. (the “Acquired Fund”) would merge into and become shareholders of the Value Line Core Bond Fund (the “Surviving Fund”).  The Board believes the reorganization would be advantageous to the shareholders of both Funds for the reason that both Funds have similar investment objectives, improved performance and a larger and more diverse investment universe, potentially allowing for economies of scale to be realized over time.
 
On March 22, 2013, the Surviving Fund acquired all of the assets and assumed the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, in a tax-free exchange for Federal tax purposes, pursuant to the Reorganization approved by the Board of both Funds and shareholders of record of the Acquired Fund as of the applicable record date. All of the expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization were paid by both the Acquired and Surviving Funds proportionately based on the Funds’ respective net assets. The total Reorganization costs are $172,439. The value of shares issued by the Surviving Fund is presented in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. The following table sets forth the number of shares issued by the Surviving Fund, the net assets and unrealized appreciation or depreciation of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization, and the net assets of the Surviving Fund immediately prior to and after the Reorganization:
                     
Date of
Reorganization
Surviving
Fund
 
Shares
Issued In
Acquisition
   
Net Assets
Before
Reorganization
   
Net Assets
After
Reorganization
 
3-22-13
Value Line Core Bond Fund
    14,453,737     $ 29,565,559     $ 102,961,637  

                     
                 
Acquired
 
           
Acquired
   
Portfolio
 
Date of
Acquired
 
Shares
   
Portfolio
   
Unrealized
 
Reorganization
Fund
 
Outstanding
   
Net Assets
   
Depreciation
 
3-22-13  Value Line U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.     6,308,486     $ 73,396,078     $ 1,483,441  

Assuming the Reorganization had been completed on February 1, 2013, the beginning of the period for the Surviving Fund, the Surviving Fund’s pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 would have been as follows:
       
Net investment income
  $ 1,580,309  
Net loss on investments
  $ (4,057,854 )
Net decrease in net assets from operations
  $ (2,477,545 )
 
 
60
 
 
 

 

 
 
December 31, 2013
 
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the closing of the Reorganization, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Acquired Fund that have been included in the Surviving Fund’s Statement of Operations since March 22, 2013.
 
5. Purchases and Sales of Securities
Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:
                         
Fund
 
Purchases of
Investment
Securities
   
Sales of
Investment
Securities
   
Purchases of
U.S. Government
Agency
Obligations
   
Sales of
U.S. Government
Agency
Obligations
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
  $ 39,674,376     $ 58,797,318     $     $  
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
    8,190,659       24,430,107              
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
    45,871,025       72,514,502       33,049,685       38,736,132  
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
    14,937,961       40,117,920              
Value Line Core Bond Fund*
    30,832,806       13,532,506       18,652,139       40,689,173  
 
*
Period from February 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
 
6. Income Taxes
At December 31, 2013, information on the tax components of capital is as follows:
                                     
Fund
 
Cost of
investments
for tax
purposes
   
Gross tax
unrealized
appreciation
   
Gross tax
unrealized
depreciation
   
Net tax
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on investments
   
Undistributed
ordinary
income
   
Undistributed
long-term
gain
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
  $ 207,410,240     $ 208,166,767     $ (421,860 )   $ 207,744,907     $ 61,037     $ 1,666,569  
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
    68,457,649       56,889,504       (59,355 )     56,830,149       56,121        
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
    262,790,014       79,242,189       (2,019,268 )     77,222,921       162,848       3,102,111  
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
    132,109,136       86,323,590       (16,006 )     86,307,584       933,119        
Value Line Core Bond Fund
    85,295,569       1,075,489       (2,336,375 )     (1,260,886 )            
 
On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (“the Act”) was signed by the President of the United States of America. Under the Act, net capital losses recognized by the Funds after December 31, 2010 may get carried forward indefinitely, and retain their character as short-term and/or long term losses. Prior to this Act, pre-enactment net capital losses incurred by the Funds were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. The Act requires under the transition that post-enactment net capital losses are used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
As of December 31, 2013, the following Funds had a realized capital loss carryforward, for federal income tax purposes, available to be used to offset future realized capital gains:
                   
 
Fund
 
Expiring
December 31,
2016
   
Expiring
December 31,
2017
   
Unlimited
Short-Term
Losses
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
  $     $     $  
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
    1,132,225       41,718,238        
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
                 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
          35,132,762        
Value Line Core Bond Fund
                684,299  
 
  61
 
 
 

 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
 
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the following Funds utilized capital loss carryforwards:
 
         
Fund
 
Amount
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
 
$
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
   
9,219,454
 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
   
 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
   
12,204,530
 
Value Line Core Bond Fund*
   
 
 
*
Period from February 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
 
To the extent that current or future capital gains are offset by capital losses, the Funds do not anticipate distributing any such gains to shareholders.
 
It is uncertain whether the Funds will be able to realize the benefits of the losses before they expire.
 
Net realized gain (loss) differs from financial statements and tax purposes primarily due to wash sales, contingent payment debt instruments, return of capital from investments in REITs, and investments in partnerships.
 
Permanent book-tax differences relating to the current year were reclassified within the composition of the net asset accounts.
 
A reclassification has been made on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities to increase/(decrease) undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized gain, and additional paid-in capital for the Funds as follows:
                   
Fund
 
Undistributed
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
   
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains (Losses)
   
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
  $ 88,900     $ (88,900 )   $  
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
    (31,771 )     31,769       2  
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
    (697 )     1,026       (329 )
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
    (102,716 )     102,843       (127 )
Value Line Core Bond Fund
    (5,250 )     (5,894 )     11,144  
 
These reclassifications were primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency gains/(losses) and litigation interest. Net assets were not affected by these reclassifications.
 
During the period ended December 31, 2013, as permitted under federal income tax regulations, the Value Line Core Bond Fund elected to defer $173,600 of post October short-term losses.
 
The tax composition of distributions paid to shareholders during fiscal 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
                         
       
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Distributions Paid from
 
Fund
Ordinary
Income
 
Long-Term
Capital Gain
 
Return of
Capital
 
Total
Distributions
Paid
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
  $ 822,653     $ 26,840,247     $     $ 27,662,900  
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
    526,843                   526,843  
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
    3,803,097       13,525,713             17,328,810  
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
    1,253,220                   1,253,220  
Value Line Core Bond Fund*
    893,166             155,298       1,048,464  
 
*
Period from February 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
 
62  
 
 
 

 

 
 
December 31, 2013

 
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Distributions Paid from
 
Fund
Ordinary Income
 
Long-Term
Capital Gain
 
Total Distributions
Paid
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
  $ 2,146,661     $ 23,018,017     $ 25,164,678  
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
                 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
    4,450,666       11,216,365       15,667,031  
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
    1,087,423             1,087,423  
Value Line Core Bond Fund
    1,614,009       25,662       1,639,671  

*
Year ended January 31, 2013.

   
Year Ended January 31, 2012
Distributions Paid from
 
Fund
 
Ordinary Income
 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
 
$
1,950,884
 
 
7. Investment Advisory Fee, Service and Distribution Fees and Transactions With Affiliates
Advisory fees of $2,798,432, $807,293, $2,095,572, $1,458,201 and $382,486 for the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc., and Value Line Core Bond Fund, respectively, were paid or payable to the Adviser for the period ended December 31, 2013. For the year ended January 31, 2013, advisory fees of $237,606 were paid or payable to the Adviser for the Value Line Core Bond Fund. For the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc. and Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. advisory fees were computed at an annual rate of 0.75% of the daily net assets during the period. For The Value Line Fund, Inc. and Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. advisory fees were computed at an annual rate of 0.70% of the first $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets plus 0.65% of the excess thereof. For the Value Line Core Bond Fund, for the period ended December 31, 2013, this was computed at an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets during the period prior to any fee waivers, and for the year ended January 31, 2013, the Fund’s advisory fees were computed at an annual rate of 0.75% of the first $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets during the period and 0.50% on the average daily net assets in excess thereof prior to any fee waivers. The Funds advisory fees are paid monthly. The Adviser provides research, investment programs, and supervision of the investment portfolio and pays costs of administrative services, office space, equipment and compensation of administrative, bookkeeping, and clerical personnel necessary for managing the affairs of the Funds. The Adviser also provides persons, satisfactory to the Funds’ Board, to act as officers and employees of the Funds and pays their salaries. Effective June 1, 2010 and voluntarily renewed annually through January 31, 2013, the Adviser contractually agreed to waive 0.20% of the advisory fee for the Value Line Core Bond Fund. Fees waived amounted to $63,362 for the year ended January 31, 2013. Effective February 1, 2013, and voluntarily renewed annually through June 30, 2014, the Adviser contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of the advisory fee for the Value Line Core Bond Fund. The fees waived amounted to $76,530 for the period ended December 31, 2013. The Adviser has no right to recoup previously waived amounts.
 
The Funds have a Service and Distribution Plan (the “Plan”), adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which compensates EULAV Securities LLC (the “Distributor”) for advertising, marketing and distributing the Funds’ shares and for servicing the Funds’ shareholders at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Funds’ average daily net assets. For the period ended December 31, 2013, fees amounting to $932,811, $291,282, $785,503, $486,089 and $191,271 before fee waivers for the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc., and Value Line Core Bond Fund, respectively, were accrued under this Plan. For the year ended January 31, 2013, fees amounting to $79,202 before fee waivers were accrued under this Plan for the Value Line Core Bond Fund. Effective May 1, 2009, and voluntarily renewed annually through July 31, 2013, the Distributor contractually agreed to waive The Value Line Fund, Inc.’s 12b-1 fee by 0.25%; effective August 1, 2013, the Distributor discontinued to waive The Value Line Fund, Inc.’s 12b-1 fee. Effective March 1, 2009, and voluntarily renewed annually, the Distributor contractually agreed to reduce the fee for the Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. by 0.05%. Effective May 1, 2007, and voluntarily renewed annually through July 31, 2013, the Distributor contractually agreed to waive Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.’s 12b-1 fee by 0.25%; effective August 1, 2013 and voluntarily renewed annually, the Distributor contractually agreed to waive the Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.’s 12b-1 fee by 0.10%. Effective June 1, 2007 and voluntarily renewed annually through January 31, 2013, the Distributor contractually agreed to reduce the 12b-1 fee by 0.10% for the Value Line Core Bond Fund; effective February 1, 2013, and voluntarily renewed annually, the Distributor contractually agreed to reduce the 12b-1 fee by 0.05% for the Value Line Core Bond Fund. The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. and Value Line Core Bond Fund’s fees waived amounted to $165,777, $156,915, $360,818, and $38,265, respectively, for the period ended December 31, 2013. For the year ended January 31, 2013, the Value Line Core Bond Fund’s fees waived amounted to $31,681. The Distributor has no right to recoup previously waived amounts.
 
  63
 
 
 

 

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
 
Effective July 5, 2012, the Funds have a Sub-Transfer Agent Plan (the “sub TA plan”) which compensates financial intermediaries that provide sub-transfer agency and related services to investors that hold their Fund shares in omnibus accounts maintained by the financial intermediaries with the Funds. The sub-transfer agency fee, which may be paid directly to the financial intermediary or indirectly via the Distributor, is equal to the lower of (i) the aggregate amount of additional transfer agency fees and expenses that the Funds would otherwise pay to the transfer agent if each subaccount in the omnibus account maintained by the financial intermediary with the Funds were a direct account with the Funds and (ii) the amount by which the fees charged by the financial intermediary for including the Funds on its platform and providing shareholder, sub-transfer agency and related services exceed the amount paid under the Funds’ Plan with respect to each Fund’s assets attributable to shares held by the financial intermediary in the omnibus account. In addition, the amount of sub-transfer agency fees payable by the Fund’s to all financial intermediaries in the aggregate is subject to a maximum cap of 0.05% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. If the sub-transfer agency fee is paid to financial intermediaries indirectly via the Distributor, the Distributor does not retain any amount thereof and such fee otherwise reduces the amount that the Distributor is contractually obligated to pay to the financial intermediary. For the year ended December 31, 2013, fees amounting to $110,726, $7,527, $61,727 and $13,109 for the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., and Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc., respectively, were paid under the sub TA plan.
 
Each Fund bears direct expenses incurred specifically on its behalf while common expenses of the Value Line Funds are allocated proportionately based upon each Fund’s respective net assets. The Funds bear all other costs and expenses.
 
Certain officers and a trustee of the Adviser are also officers and a director of the Funds. At December 31, 2013, the officers and directors of the Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc., and Value Line Core Bond Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund.
 
8. Other
The Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. received notice that it has been named as a defendant in In re: Tribune Company Fraudulent Conveyance Litigation, Consol. MDL 11 MD 2296 (RJS), which includes two specific cases in which the Fund is named, Kirschner, as Litigation Trustee for the Tribune Litigation Trust v. Fitzsimone, et al., 12 CV 02652 (RJS) (The “Trustee Litigation”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, in its Capacity as Successor Indenture Trustee for Certain Series of Senior Notes, et al. v. Adaly Opportunity Fund TD Securities Inc. c/o Adaly Investment Management Co., et al., No. 1:11-cv-04784-RJH (S.D.N.Y.) (the “Adaly Action”). The Adaly Action is part of a larger group of noteholder and individual creditor complaints, which were dismissed by the lower federal district court on September 23, 2013, but are now part of an appeal by counsel for some of the individual creditors. Both the Adaly Action and Trustee Litigation seek to recover alleged transfers received in connection with the purchase, repurchase or redemption of Tribune stock as a result of a 2007 leveraged buyout and tender offer. The alleged value of the proceeds received by the Fund is $490,522 (less than 1% of net assets) and the Fund will incur legal expenses in the defense of these actions. Management continues to assess the actions and has made no determination about the effect, if any, on the Fund’s net assets and results of operations.
 
64  
 
 
 

 

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. and Value Line Core Bond Fund:
 
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc., The Value Line Fund, Inc., Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc., Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc. and Value Line Core Bond Fund (the “Funds”) at December 31, 2013, the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets and the financial highlights for the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2013 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
 
February 24, 2014
 
  65
 
 
 

 

 
Fund Expenses (unaudited)
 
Example
 
As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in each Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013).
 
Actual Expenses
 
The first line in the table below for each Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for each Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The second line in the table for each Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
                       
               
Expenses
 
   
Beginning
 
Ending
 
paid during
 
   
account value
 
account value
 
period 7/1/13
 
   
7/1/13
 
12/31/13
 
thru 12/31/13*
 
Actual
                   
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
 
$
1,000.00
 
$
1,160.24
 
$
6.82
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
   
1,000.00
   
1,180.96
   
6.61
 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
   
1,000.00
   
1,106.36
   
5.91
 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
   
1,000.00
   
1,192.01
   
6.19
 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
   
1,000.00
   
996.55
   
6.44
 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)
                   
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
   
1,000.00
   
1,018.89
   
6.38
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
   
1,000.00
   
1,019.14
   
6.12
 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
   
1,000.00
   
1,019.59
   
5.67
 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
   
1,000.00
   
1,019.56
   
5.70
 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
   
1,000.00
   
1,018.75
   
6.51
 
                     
*
Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio of 1.25%, 1.20%, 1.11%, 1.12%, and 1.28%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 to reflect the one-half year period. These expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios shown in the Financial Highlights
 
 
 
66
 
 
 

 


 
Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)
 
Each Fund designates the following amounts distributed during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, if any, as capital gain dividends, dividends eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction and/or qualified dividend income:
                     
         
% of Dividends
       
         
Eligible for the
       
   
% of Qualifying
 
Corporate Dividends
 
Long-Term
 
Fund
 
Dividend Income
 
Received Deduction
 
Capital Gains
 
Value Line Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
   
100
%
 
100
%
$
26,840,247
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
   
100
   
100
   
 
Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc.
   
100
   
100
   
13,525,713
 
Value Line Larger Companies Fund, Inc.
   
100
   
100
   
 
Value Line Core Bond Fund
   
   
   
 
 
The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, and information regarding how the Funds voted these proxies for the 12-month period ended June 30 is available through the Funds’ website at http://www.vlfunds.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The description of the policies and procedures is also available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-243-2729.
 
67
 
 
 

 


 
Management of the Funds
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
 
The business and affairs of the Funds are managed by the Funds’ officers under the direction of the Board. The following table sets forth information on each Director and Officer of the Funds. Each Director serves as a director or trustee of each of the 10 Value Line Funds. Each Director serves until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
         
Name, Address, and
 
Position
 
Principal Occupation
Year of Birth
 
(Since)
 
During the Past 5 Years
Interested Director*
Mitchell E. Appel
1970
Other Directorships:
Forethought Variable
Insurance Trust, since 2013
 
Director (2010)
 
President of each of the Value Line Funds since June 2008; Chief Financial Officer of the Distributor since April 2008 and President since February 2009; President of the Adviser since February 2009, Trustee since December 2010 and Treasurer since January 2011; Chief Financial Officer of Value Line, Inc. (“Value Line”) from April 2008 to December 2010 and from September 2005 to November 2007; Director from February 2010 to December 2010.
         
         
Non-Interested Directors
       
Joyce E. Heinzerling
500 East 77th Street
New York, NY 10162
1956
Other Directorships: None
 
Director (2008)
 
President, Meridian Fund Advisers LLC (consultants) since 2009; General Counsel, Archery Capital LLC (private invest- ment fund) until 2009.
         
         
Francis C. Oakley
54 Scott Hill Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
1931
Other Directorships: None
 
Director (2000)
 
Professor of History, Williams College (1961-2002). Professor Emeritus since 2002; President Emeritus since 1994 and President (1985-1994); Chairman (1993-1997) and Interim President (2002-2003) of the American Council of Learned Societies. Trustee since 1997 and Chairman of the Board since 2005, National Humanities Center.
         
         
David H. Porter
5 Birch Run Drive
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
1935
Other Directorships: None
 
Director (1997)
 
Professor, Skidmore College since 2008; Visiting Professor of Classics, Williams College (1999-2008); President Emeritus, Skidmore College since 1999 and President (1987-1998).
         
         
Paul Craig Roberts
169 Pompano St.
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
1939
Other Directorships: None
 
Director (1983)**
 
Chairman, Institute for Political Economy.
         
         
Nancy-Beth Sheerr
1409 Beaumont Drive
Gladwyne, PA 19035
1949
Other Directorships: None
 
Director (1996)
 
Senior Financial Consultant, Veritable L.P. (Investment Advisor until December 2013).
         
         
Daniel S. Vandivort
59 Indian Head Road
Riverside, CT 06878
1954
Other Directorships: None
 
Director (2008) Chairman of Board (2010)
 
President, Chief Investment Officer, Weiss, Peck and Greer/Robeco Investment Management (2005-2007); Managing Director, Weiss, Peck and Greer (1995-2005).
         
 
 
68
 
 
 

 

 
           
(continued)
         
Name, Address, and
 
Position
 
Principal Occupation
Year of Birth
 
(Since)
 
During the Past 5 Years
Officers
       
Mitchell E. Appel
1970
 
President (2008)
 
President of each of the Value Line Funds since June 2008; Chief Financial Officer of the Distributor since April 2008 and President since February 2009; President of the Adviser since February 2009, Trustee since December 2010 and Treasurer since January 2011; Chief Financial Officer of Value Line from April 2008 to December 2010 and from September 2005 to November 2007; Director from February 2010 to December 2010.
         
         
Michael J. Wagner
1950
 
Chief Compliance Officer (2009)
 
Chief Compliance Officer of Value Line Funds since June 2009; President of Northern Lights Compliance Service, LLC (formerly Fund Compliance Services, LLC (2006 – present)) and Senior Vice President (2004 – 2006) and President and Chief Operations Officer (2003 – 2006) of Gemini Fund Services, LLC; Director of Constellation Trust Company until 2008.
         
         
Emily D. Washington
1979
 
Treasurer and Secretary (2008)
 
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of each of the Value Line Funds since 2008 and Secretary since 2010; Secretary of the Adviser since 2011.
         
         
*
Mr. Appel is an “interested person” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 by virtue of his position with the Adviser and Distributor.
**
Mr. Roberts has served as a trustee of the Value Line Core Bond Fund since 1986.
         
Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the above officers is c/o Value Line Funds, 7 Times Square, New York, NY 10036.
         
 
     
 
The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes additional information about the Funds’ Directors and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-243-2729 or on the Funds’ website, www.vlfunds.com.
 
     
 
69
 
 
 

 

 
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 
70
 
 
 

 

(image)
 
The Value Line Family of Funds
 
In 1950, Value Line started its first mutual fund. Since then, knowledgeable investors have been relying on the Value Line Funds to help them build their financial futures. Over the years, Value Line Funds has evolved into what we are today  a diversified family of no-load mutual funds with a wide range of investment objectives   ranging from small, mid and large capitalization equities to fixed income. We also provide strategies that effectively combine both equities and fixed income, diligently taking into account the potential risk and reward of each investment.
 
 
(flow chart)
*
 
Only available through the purchase of Guardian Investor, a tax deferred variable annuity, or ValuePlus, a variable life insurance policy.
**
 
Formerly known as the Value Line Aggressive Income Trust.
***
 
Formerly known as the Value Line Emerging Opportunities Fund, Inc.
     
   
For more complete information about any of the Value Line Funds, including charges and expenses, send for a prospectus from EULAV Securities LLC, 7 Times Square, New York, New York 10036-6524 or call 1-800-243-2729, 9am  5pm CST, Monday  Friday, or visit us at www.vlfunds.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
 
(value line funds logo)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.    Code of Ethics
 
(a) The Registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, and principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.
 
(f) Pursuant to item 12(a), the Registrant is attaching as an exhibit a copy of its Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, and principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.
 
Item 3.    Audit Committee Financial Expert.
 
(a)(1)The Registrant has an Audit Committee Financial Expert serving on its Audit Committee.
 (2) The Registrant’s Board has designated Daniel S. Vandivort, a member of the Registrant’s Audit Committee, as the Registrant’s Audit Committee Financial Expert. Mr. Vandivort is an independent director who has served as President, Chief Investment Officer to Weis, Peck and Greer/Robeco Investment Management. He has also previously served as Managing Director for Weis, Peck and Greer (1995-2005). A person who is designated as an “audit committee financial expert” shall not make such person an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 or under applicable fiduciary laws, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.
 
 

 

 
Item 4.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
(a) Audit Fees 2013 - $39,435
  Audit Fees 2012 - $31,271
 
(b) Audit-Related fees – None.
 
(c) Tax Preparation Fees 2013 - $13,915
  Tax Preparation Fees 2012 - $14,340
 
(d) All Other Fees – None
 
(e) (1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy. All services to be performed for the Registrant by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP must be pre-approved by the audit committee. All services performed were pre-approved by the committee.
 
(e) (2) Not applicable.
 
(f) Not applicable.
 
(g) Aggregate Non-Audit Fees 2013 - $1,200
  Aggregate Non-Audit Fees 2012 - $2,400
 
(h) Not applicable.
 
 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 6. 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

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 10 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Not Applicable

 
 
 
 
 
Item 11.  Controls and Procedures
 
 
(a)
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-2(c) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(c)) based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, are appropriately designed to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to such officers and are operating effectively.
 
 
 

 

 
 
(b)
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have determined that there have been no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
 
Item 12.   Exhibits
 
 
(a)
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers attached hereto as Exhibit 100.COE.
 
 
(b)
(1) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
 
                       (2) Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906.CERT.
 
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.
       
By:
/s/ Mitchell E. Appel
   
  Mitchell E. Appel, President    
       
Date: /s/ March 11, 2014      
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
       
By:
/s/ Mitchell E. Appel
 
  Mitchell E. Appel, President, Principal Executive Officer  
       
By: /s/ Emily D. Washington  
  Emily D. Washington, Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer  
       
Date:  March 11, 2014