Dear Shareholder,

We present the Semi-Annual Report, which covers the activities of abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund ("ACP" or the “Fund”), for the six-month period ended April 30, 2026. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.

Total Investment Return¹

For the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the total return to shareholders of the Fund based on the net asset value (“NAV”) and market price of the Fund, respectively, compared to the Fund’s benchmark,  is as follows:

NAV2,3	4.41%
Market Price2	6.50%
ICE BofAML Global High Yield Constrained (Hedged USD) Index4	2.38%

For more information about Fund performance, please visit the Fund on the web at www.aberdeenacp.com. Here, you can view quarterly commentary on the Fund's performance, monthly fact sheets, distribution and performance information, and other Fund literature.

NAV, Market Price and Premium(+)/Discount(-)

The below table represents a comparison between the current six-month period end and the prior fiscal year end of the Fund's market price to NAV and associated Premium(+) and Discount(-).

	NAV	Closing Market Price	Premium(+)/ Discount(-)
4/30/2026	$5.65	$5.45	-3.54%
10/31/2025	$5.89	$5.57	-5.43%

During the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Fund’s NAV was within a range of $5.50 to $5.90 and the Fund’s market price traded within a range of $5.01 to $5.76. During the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Fund’s shares traded within a range of a premium(+)/discount(-) of -9.67% to -1.20%.

Change in Non-Fundamental Investment Policy

On September 9, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the Fund’s non-fundamental investment strategy relating to investments in defaulted credit obligations as set forth below, effective November 10, 2025.

Prior to November 10, 2025	Effective November 10, 2025
“The Fund will not invest in credit obligations or related instruments that, at the time of investment, are in default. The Fund may invest in credit obligations or related instruments that, at the time of investment, are likely to default.”	“The Fund may invest in  credit obligations or  related instruments  that, at the time of  investment, are likely  to default. Additionally,  the Fund may invest up  to 5% of its portfolio  in credit obligations  or related instruments  that, at the time of  investment, are in  default.”

Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares

On December 18, 2025, the Fund closed a private offering of 4 million shares of Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares due in 2030 (“Series A MRPS”).The Series A MRPS, with a liquidation value of $100 million, are rated A2 by Moody's Investor Services. A portion of the net proceeds from the Series A MRPS were used to refinance the Fund's existing credit facility with the remaining being used to, as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), make new portfolio investments.

Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares

As of April 30, 2026, the Fund's 5.25% Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares with a liquidation value of $40 million, are rated A2 by Moody's Investors Service. The Perpetual Preferred Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol "ACP PRA." A more detailed description of the Fund's Perpetual Preferred Shares can be found in the Notes to Financial Statements.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Net asset value return data includes investment management fees, custodial charges and administrative fees (such as Trustee and legal fees) and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

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2	Assuming the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

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3	The Fund’s total return is based on the reported NAV for each financial reporting period end and may differ from what is reported on the Financial Highlights due to financial statement rounding or adjustments.

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The ICE BofAML Global High Yield Constrained (Hedged USD) Index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar-, Canadian dollar-, British pound- and euro-denominated below-investment-grade corporate debt publicly issued in the major domestic or eurobond markets. Indexes are unmanaged and have been provided for comparison purposes only. No fees or expenses are reflected. You cannot invest directly in an index.

Distribution Policy

Distributions to common shareholders for the six-month period ended April 30, 2026 totaled $0.4650 per share. Based on the market price of $5.45 on April 30, 2026, the annualized distribution rate over the six-month period ended April 30, 2026 was 17.06%. Based on the NAV of $5.65 on April 30, 2026, the annualized distribution rate for the six-month period ended April 30, 2026 was 16.46%. Since all distributions are paid after deducting applicable withholding taxes, the effective distribution rate may be higher for those U.S. investors who are able to claim a tax credit.

On May 11, 2026 and June 9, 2026, the Fund announced that it will pay on May 29, 2026 and June 30, 2026, respectively, a distribution of U.S $0.0775 per share to all shareholders of record as of May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026, respectively.

The Fund's policy is to provide common shareholders with a stable monthly distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital, which is a non-taxable return of capital. This policy is subject to an annual review as well as regular review at the Board of Trustees' (the "Board") quarterly meetings, unless market conditions require an earlier evaluation.

Revolving Credit Facility

On September 4, 2025, the Fund's senior secured 364-day Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of banks with BNP Paribas, acting as administrative agent was amended to extend the scheduled commitment termination date to September 3, 2026 with a committed facility amount of $400,000,000. Following the closing of the private offering of Series A MRPS as described above, the Fund used a portion of the gross proceeds from the $100 million sale to refinance existing indebtedness. Effective December 18, 2025, the Fund reduced the committed facility amount from $400,000,000 to $300,000,000.The Fund's outstanding balance as of April 30, 2026 was $180,000,000 on the Revolving Credit Facility. Under the terms of the loan facility and applicable regulations, the Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverage ratios for the amount of its outstanding borrowings. The Board regularly reviews the use of leverage by the Fund. A more detailed description of the Fund's Revolving Credit Facility can be found in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Unclaimed Share Accounts

Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws for certain states require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property (including Fund shares) to the state. Each state has its own definition of unclaimed property, and Fund shares could be considered “unclaimed property” due to account inactivity (e.g., no owner-generated activity for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a shareholder  is returned to the Fund's transfer agent as undeliverable), or a combination of both. If your Fund shares

are categorized as unclaimed, your financial advisor or the Fund's transfer agent will follow the applicable state’s statutory requirements to contact you, but if unsuccessful, laws may require that the shares be escheated to the appropriate state. If this happens, you will have to contact the state to recover your property, which may involve time and expense. For more information on unclaimed property and how to maintain an active account, please contact your financial adviser or the Fund's transfer agent.

Open Market Repurchase Program

The Board has approved an open market repurchase and discount management policy (the “Program”). The Program allows the Fund to purchase, in the open market, up to 10% of its outstanding common shares, with the amount and timing of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's investment adviser. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to NAV per share in the reasonable judgment of management based on historical discount levels and current market conditions. If shares are repurchased, the Fund reports repurchase activity on its website on a monthly basis. For the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through the Program.

On a quarterly basis, the Board will receive information on any transactions made pursuant to this policy during the prior quarter.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

The Fund's complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth quarters of each fiscal year are included in the Fund's semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. These reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund makes the information available to shareholders upon request and without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465.

Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of the relevant year: (1) upon request without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465; and (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Investor Relations Information

As part of Aberdeen's commitment to shareholders, we invite you to visit the Fund on the web at www.aberdeenacp.com. Here, you can view monthly fact sheets, quarterly commentary, distribution and performance information, as well as other Fund literature. Enroll in Aberdeen's email services to receive content related to your fund. In

2	abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

    

1.  Organization

abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund (the “Fund” or "ACP") is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a closed-end management investment company. The Fund is diversified for purposes of 1940 Act. Pursuant to guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Fund’s classification changed from a non-diversified fund to a diversified fund. As a result of this classification change, the Fund is limited in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund commenced operations on January 27, 2011.

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. Dollars and the U.S. Dollar is used as both the functional and reporting currency.

a.  Security Valuation:

The Fund values its securities at fair value, consistent with regulatory requirements. "Fair value" is defined in the Fund's Valuation and Liquidity Procedures as the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants without a compulsion to transact at the measurement date, also referred to as market value. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated abrdn Investments Limited (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for the Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments for which market quotations are not readily available or deemed unreliable.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under U.S. GAAP, the Fund discloses the fair value of its investments using a three-level hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy assigns Level 1, the highest level, measurements to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets

for identical assets, Level 2 measurements to valuations based upon other significant observable inputs, including adjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets, and Level 3, the lowest level, measurements to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, which are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Long-term debt and other fixed-income securities are valued at the last quoted or evaluated bid price on the valuation date provided by an independent pricing service provider. If there are no current day bids, the security is valued at the previously applied bid. Pricing services generally price debt securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional “round lot” size and the strategies employed by the Valuation Designee generally trade in round lot sizes. In certain circumstances, some trades may occur in smaller “odd lot” sizes which may be effected at lower, or higher, prices than institutional round lot trades. Short-term debt securities (such as commercial paper and U.S. treasury bills) having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at the last quoted or evaluated bid price on the valuation date provided by an independent pricing service, or on the basis of amortized cost, if it represents the best approximation of fair value. Debt and other fixed-income securities are generally determined to be Level 2 investments.

Short-term investments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents invested in short-term investment funds which are redeemable daily. The Fund  sweeps available cash into the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, which has elected to qualify as a “government money market fund” pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, and has an objective, which is not guaranteed, to maintain a $1.00 per share NAV. Generally, these investment types are categorized as Level 1 investments.

Senior loans are valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as ratings, tranche type, industry, company performance, spread, individual trading

abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

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characteristics, institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities and other market data.

Derivative instruments are valued at fair value. Exchange-traded futures are generally Level 1 investments and centrally cleared swaps and forwards are generally Level 2 investments. Forward foreign currency contracts are generally valued based on the bid price of the forward rates and the current spot rate. Forward exchange rate quotations are available for scheduled settlement dates, such as 1-, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month periods. An interpolated valuation is derived based on the actual settlement dates of the forward contracts held. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price or at the last bid price if no settlement price is available. Swap agreements are generally valued by an approved pricing agent based on the terms of the swap agreement (including future cash flows). When market quotations or exchange rates are not readily available, or if the Adviser concludes that such market quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s assets are determined in good faith in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

In the event that a security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the

foreign exchange on which it trades closes before the Valuation Time), the security is valued at fair value as determined by the Valuation Designee, taking into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances using valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. Under normal circumstances the Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). A security that has been fair valued by the Valuation Designee may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the nature of the inputs.

The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments;

Level 2 - other significant observable inputs (including valuation factors, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

20	abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

Restricted securities are privately-placed securities whose resale is restricted under U.S. securities laws. The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including unregistered securities eligible for resale without registration pursuant to Rule 144A and privately-placed securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers offered outside the U.S. without registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Rule 144A securities may be freely traded among certain qualified institutional investors, such as the Fund, but resale of such securities in the U.S. is permitted only in limited circumstances.

c.  Foreign Currency Translation:

Foreign securities, currencies, and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate of said currencies against the U.S. Dollar, as of the Valuation Time, as provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Board.

Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. Dollars on the following basis:

(i) fair value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities – at the current daily rates of exchange at the Valuation Time; and

22	abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses – at the relevant rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising from changes in the foreign exchange rates due to the fluctuations in the market prices of the securities held at the end of the reporting period.

Net exchange gain/(loss) is realized from sales and maturities of portfolio securities, sales of foreign currencies, settlement of securities transactions, dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books. Net unrealized foreign exchange appreciation/(depreciation) includes changes in the value of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities arising as a result of changes in the exchange rate. The net realized and unrealized foreign exchange gain/(loss) shown in the composition of net assets represents foreign exchange gain/(loss) for book purposes that may not have been recognized for tax purposes.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. Dollar. Generally, when the U.S. Dollar rises in value against foreign currency, the Fund's investments denominated in that foreign currency will lose value because the foreign currency is worth fewer U.S. Dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. Dollar falls in relative value.

d.  Derivative Financial Instruments:

The Fund is authorized to use derivatives to manage currency risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk and to replicate, or use as a substitute for, physical securities. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract. The use of derivative instruments involves, to varying degrees, elements of market risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:

A forward foreign currency exchange contract ("forward contract") involves an obligation to purchase and sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of

the contract. Forward contracts are used to manage the Fund's currency exposure in an efficient manner. They are used to sell unwanted currency exposure that comes with holding securities in a market, or to buy currency exposure where the exposure from holding securities is insufficient to give the desired currency exposure either in absolute terms or relative to a particular benchmark or index. The use of forward contracts allows for the separation of investment decision-making between foreign exchange holdings and their currencies.

The forward contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Forward contracts' prices are received daily from an independent pricing provider. When the forward contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. These realized and unrealized gains and losses are reported on the Statement of Operations. The Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or from unanticipated movements in exchange rates. During the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Fund used forward contracts to hedge its currency exposure.

While the Fund may enter into forward contracts to seek to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain risks. The Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in exchange rates. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be an imperfect correlation between the Fund’s portfolio holdings or securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by the Fund. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge, which will expose the Fund to the risk of foreign exchange loss.

Forward contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparties to such contracts may default on their obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing house, a default on the contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the market price at the time of the default.

abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

23

Information about derivatives reflected as of the date of this report is generally indicative of the type of activity for the six-month period ended April 30, 2026. The table below summarizes the weighted average values of derivatives holdings for the Fund during the six-month period ended April 30, 2026.

Derivative	Average Monthly Notional Value
Foreign Currency Contracts Purchased	$37,715,416
Foreign Currency Contracts Sold	$469,952,001

The Fund values derivatives at fair value, as described in the Statement of Operations. Accordingly, the Fund does not follow hedge accounting even for derivatives employed as economic hedges.

e.  Bank Loans:

The Fund may invest in bank loans. Bank loans include floating and fixed-rate debt obligations. Floating rate loans are debt obligations issued by companies or other entities with floating interest rates that reset periodically. Bank loans may include, but are not limited to, term loans, delayed funding loans, bridge loans and revolving credit facilities. Loan interest will primarily take the form of assignments purchased in the primary or secondary market but may include participations. Floating rate loans are secured by specific collateral of the borrower and are senior to most other securities of the borrower (e.g., common stock or debt instruments) in the event of bankruptcy. Floating rate loans are often issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and refinancings. Floating rate loans are typically structured and administered by a financial institution that acts as the agent of the lenders participating in the floating rate loan. Floating rate loans may be acquired directly through the agent, as an assignment from another lender who holds a direct interest in the floating rate loan, or as a participation interest in another lender’s portion of the floating rate loan.

The Fund may also enter into, or acquire participations in, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are borrowings in which the Fund agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrowing issuer for a specified term. A revolving credit facility differs from a delayed funding loan in that as the borrowing issuer repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment is again made available to the borrowing issuer under the facility. The borrowing issuer may at any time borrow and repay amounts so long as, in the aggregate, at any given time the amount borrowed does not exceed the maximum amount established by the loan agreement. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for floating or variable rates of interest.

See “Bank Loan Risk” under “Portfolio Investment Risks” for information regarding the risks associated with an investment in bank loans.

f.  Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses:

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains/(losses) from security and foreign currency transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted or amortized on an effective yield basis over the estimated lives of the respective securities. Dividend income and corporate actions are recorded generally on the ex-date, except for certain dividends and corporate actions which may be recorded after the ex-date, as soon as the Fund acquires information regarding such dividends or corporate actions.

 

 

abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

25

h.  Federal Income Taxes:

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” ("RIC") by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve the Fund from all federal income taxes. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund's U.S. federal and state tax returns for all open tax years are subject to such review.

i.  Rights Issues and Warrants:

Rights issues give the right, normally to existing shareholders, to buy a proportional number of additional securities at a given price (generally at a discount) within a fixed period (generally a short-term period) and are offered at the company’s discretion. Warrants are securities that give the holder the right to buy common stock at a specified price for a specified period of time. Rights issues and warrants are speculative and have no value if they are not exercised before the expiration date. Rights issues and warrants are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are traded.

j.  Foreign Withholding Tax:

Dividend and interest income from non-U.S. sources received by the Fund are generally subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes. In addition, the Fund may be subject to capital gains tax in certain countries in which it invests. The above taxes may be reduced or eliminated under

the terms of applicable U.S. income tax treaties with some of these countries. The Fund accrues such taxes when the related income is earned.

In addition, when the Fund sells securities within certain countries in which it invests, the capital gains realized may be subject to tax. Based on these market requirements and as required under GAAP, the Fund accrues deferred capital gains tax on securities currently held that have unrealized appreciation within these countries. The amount of deferred capital gains tax accrued, if any, is reported on the Statement of Operations as part of the Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on Investments.

k.  Unfunded Loan Commitments:

The Fund may enter into certain credit agreements all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these commitments at the borrower’s discretion. These commitments are disclosed in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments. At April 30, 2026 the Fund did not hold any unfunded loan commitments.

l.  Payment-In-Kind:

The Fund may invest in the open market or receive pursuant to debt restructuring, securities that pay-in-kind ("PIK") the interest due on such debt instruments. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified, is added to the existing principal balance of the debt when issued bonds have same terms as the bond or recorded as a separate bond when terms are different from the existing debt, and is recorded as interest income.

3.  Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates

a.  Investment Adviser:

abrdn Investments Limited serves as investment adviser to the Fund and abrdn Inc. ("abrdn Inc." or the "Sub-Adviser") serves as the sub-adviser, pursuant to an investment advisory agreement and a sub-advisory agreement, respectively. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (collectively, the “Advisers”) are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Aberdeen Group plc. In rendering advisory services, the Advisers may use the resources of investment advisor subsidiaries of Aberdeen Group plc. These affiliates have entered into procedures pursuant to which investment professionals from affiliates may render portfolio management and research services as associated persons of the Advisers.

For its services, the Adviser receives fees at an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. Managed Assets is defined in the investment advisory agreement as total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes, including proceeds from (and assets subject to) reverse repurchase agreements, any credit facility and any issuance of preferred shares or notes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued

26	abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the purpose of leverage). For the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Adviser earned a gross advisory fee of $6,425,109. Effective July 1, 2026, the Board has approved a revision to the Adviser’s fee schedule. Under the new structure, fees will be calculated as follows: 1.25% on the first $500 million of managed assets, 1.10% on the next $500 million, and 1.00% on managed assets exceeding $1 billion.

Effective March 10, 2023, the Adviser contractually agreed to limit total “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees, short sale dividend and interest expenses and non-routine expenses) to 0.25% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to common shares. Following approval by the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Trustees”), the Adviser and the Fund entered into an amended and restated expense limitation agreement effective November 1, 2025. As amended, the agreement limits total “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees, short sale dividend and interest expenses, compensation of the Fund's Independent Trustees and non-routine expenses) to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation”) through October 31, 2026. The expense limitation agreement was amended such that compensation of the Fund's Independent Trustees is excluded from the Expense Limitation effective for the fiscal year November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026. Subsequent to the reporting period, in connection with the advisory fee change and implementation of breakpoints as disclosed above, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, has approved the termination of the Expense Limitation, effective July 1, 2026. For the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Adviser waived and assumed a total of $260,747 of the Fund’s other expenses. The Adviser may request and receive reimbursement of the advisory fees waived and other expenses reimbursed pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement as of a date not more than three years after the date when the Adviser limited the fees or reimbursed the expenses; provided that the following requirements are met: the reimbursements do not cause the Fund to exceed the lesser of the applicable expense limitation in the contract at the time the fees were limited or expenses are paid or the applicable expense limitation in effect at the time the expenses are being recouped by the Adviser (the "Reimbursement Requirements").

As of April 30, 2026, to the extent the Reimbursement Requirements are met, the cumulative potential reimbursements to the Adviser for the Fund, based on expenses reimbursed by the Adviser, including adjustments described above, would be:

Amount Fiscal Year 2023 (Expires 10/31/26)		$702,879
Amount Fiscal Year 2024 (Expires 10/31/27)		$785,849
Amount Fiscal Year 2025 (Expires 10/31/28)		$753,922
Amount Fiscal Year 2026 (Expires 10/31/29)		$260,747
Total*		$2,503,397

    

*	Amounts reported are due to expire throughout the respective 3-year expiration period presented above.

b.  Fund Administrator:

abrdn Inc. is the Fund’s Administrator pursuant to an agreement under which abrdn Inc. receives a fee, payable monthly by the Fund, at an annual fee rate of 0.125% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets up to $1 billion, 0.10% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets between $1 billion and $2 billion, and 0.075% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets in excess of $2 billion. For the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, abrdn Inc. earned $637,981 from the Fund for administration services.

c.  Investor Relations:

Under the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement approved by the Fund’s Board on June 12, 2018, abrdn Inc. provides and pays third parties to provide investor relations services to the Fund and certain other funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates as part of an Investor Relations Program. Under the Investor Relations Services Agreement, the Fund owes a portion of the fees related to the Investor Relations Program (the “Fund’s Portion”). However, investor relations services fees are limited by abrdn Inc. so that the Fund will only pay up to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets. Any difference between the capped rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets and the Fund’s Portion is paid for by abrdn Inc.

During the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Fund incurred investor relations fees of approximately $80,726. For the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, abrdn Inc. did not contribute to the investor relations fees for the Fund because the Fund’s contribution was below 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets on an annual basis.

d.  Purchase/Sale Transactions Between Affiliates:

The Fund is permitted to buy or sell securities with funds that have a common investment adviser (or investment advisers which are affiliates) under specific procedures which have been approved by the Board. The procedures are designed to satisfy the requirements of Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act (“Rule 17a-7”). During the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Fund did not engage in any of these trades.

abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

27

4.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, were $357,910,059 and $358,493,976, respectively.

6.  Open Market Repurchase Program

The Board has approved an open market repurchase and discount management policy (the “Program”). The Program allows the Fund to purchase, in the open market, up to 10% of its outstanding common shares, with the amount and timing of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's investment adviser. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to NAV per share in the reasonable judgment of management based on historical discount levels and current market conditions. If shares are repurchased, the Fund reports repurchase activity on its website on a monthly basis. For the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through the Program. On a quarterly basis, the Board will receive information on any transactions made pursuant to this policy during the prior quarter.

7.  Preferred Shares

Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares

The Fund issued and sold 1,600,000 shares of the Fund’s 5.250% Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares, par value $0.001 per share (the

“Perpetual Preferred Shares”) at a price to the public of $25.00 per Common Share (the “Perpetual Preferred Shares Offering”).

In connection with the Perpetual Preferred Shares Offering, the Fund entered into an amendment, effective as of May 10, 2021, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. to provide services with respect to the Preferred Shares.

The Perpetual Preferred Shares Offering, priced at $25 per share, resulted in net proceeds to the Fund of approximately $38.2 million after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Fund. The Fund applied to list the Perpetual Preferred Shares on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “ACP PRA.” The Perpetual Preferred Shares will have a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends The shares have been assigned an A2 rating by Moody’s Investors Service.

The Perpetual Preferred Shares rank senior to the Fund’s Common Shares in priority of payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Fund’s affairs; equal in priority with all other future series of preferred shares the Fund may issue as to priority of payment of dividends and as to distributions of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or the winding-up of the Fund’s affairs; and subordinate in right of payment to amounts owed under the Fund’s existing Credit Facility, and to the holder of any future senior Indebtedness, which may be issued without the vote or consent of preferred shareholders.

Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares are entitled to receive quarterly cumulative cash dividend payments at a rate of 5.250%. Dividends and distributions on the Perpetual Preferred Shares will accumulate from the date of their original issue. Dividends and distributions will be paid quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 in each year (or, in each case, if such date is not a business day, the next succeeding business day), commencing on June 30, 2021. Distributions are accrued daily and paid quarterly and are presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a dividend payable to preferred shareholders.

If the Fund fails to have asset coverage of at least 200% with respect to its Perpetual preferred shares of beneficial interest (including Perpetual Preferred Shares) (collectively, "Perpetual preferred shares") as of the close of business on the last business day of each calendar quarter, and such failure is not cured as of the close of business on the date that is 30 calendar days following such business day (the "Asset Coverage Cure Date"), the Fund will fix a redemption date and proceed to redeem the number of preferred shares, including Preferred Shares, as described below at (in the case of Preferred Shares) a price per share equal to the $25.00 per share liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends and distributions thereon (whether or not earned

28	abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

or declared but excluding interest thereon) through the date fixed for redemption by the Board.

Prior to June 30, 2026, the Perpetual Preferred Shares are not subject to optional redemption by the Fund unless the redemption is necessary, in the judgment of the Board, to maintain the Fund's status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. On or after June 30, 2026 (any such date, an "Optional Redemption Date"), the Fund may redeem in whole or from time to time in part outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares at a redemption price per share equal to the $25.00 per share liquidation preference plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions accumulated through the Optional Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but excluding interest thereon).

Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares

On December 18, 2025, the Fund issued and sold 4,000,000 shares of its 5.525% Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares due 2030, par value $0.001 per share (the "Series A MRPS"), at a liquidation value of $25.00 per share, resulting in aggregate proceeds of $100,000,000. The Series A MRPS have been assigned an A2 rating by Moody's Investors Service. A portion of the net proceeds were used to refinance the Fund's existing credit facility, with the remainder applied to new portfolio investments. Holders of the Series A MRPS are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 5.525% per annum, payable quarterly on the last calendar day of the quarter. The Series A MRPS are mandatory redeemable on December 18, 2030 at the $25.00 per share liquidation preference plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon. The Series A MRPS rank equal in priority with the Fund's Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares and senior to the Fund's Common Shares, and are subordinate to the Fund's Credit Facility and any future senior indebtedness.The Series A MRPS were issued in private placement offerings to institutional investors and are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. Distributions are accrued daily and paid quarterly and are presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a dividend payable to preferred shareholders. For the six-month period ended April 30, 2026, the Fund accrued $1,939,584 in distributions to preferred shareholders.

As of April 30, 2026 the Fund had 4,000,000 shares of Series A MRPS, rated rated A2 by Moody's Investor Services, outstanding with an aggregate liquidation preference of $100,000,000 ($25 per share)The following table shows the mandatory redemption date, annual fixed rate, aggregate liquidation preference and estimated fair value of the Series A MRPS as of April 30, 2026.

Mandatory Redemption Date	Annual Fixed Rate	Aggregate Liquidation Preference	Estimated Fair Value
December 18, 2030	5.525%	$100,000,000	$100,652,679

Except for matters that do not require the vote of holders of preferred shares under the 1940 Act and except as otherwise provided in the Fund's Governing Documents, or as otherwise required by applicable law, each holder of preferred shares will be entitled to one vote for each preferred share held by such holder on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Fund. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Statement of Preferences, the holders of outstanding preferred shares, including the Perpetual Preferred Shares, will vote together with holders of the Fund's Common Shares as a single class.

 

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29

 

 

30	abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

 

10.  Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Fund may provide general indemnifications pursuant to certain contracts and organizational documents. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund, and therefore, cannot be estimated; however, the Fund expects the risk of loss from such claims to be remote.

11.  Tax Information

The U.S. federal income tax basis of the Fund's investments (including derivatives, if applicable) and the net unrealized depreciation as of April 30, 2026, were as follows:

Tax Cost of Securities	Unrealized Appreciation	Unrealized Depreciation	Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
$1,058,563,141	$27,542,228	$(67,370,664)	$(39,828,436)

In this reporting period, the Fund adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07"). Adoption of the new standard impacted disclosures only and did not affect the Fund's financial position nor the results of its operations. Operating segments are components of a public entity that engage in business activities from which it may recognize revenues and incur expenses, have discrete financial information available, and have their operating results regularly reviewed by the public entity’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) when assessing segment performance and making decisions about segment resources.

The Chief Financial Officer of the Fund acts as the Fund's CODM. The CODM monitors the operating results of the Fund as a whole, and the Fund's asset allocation is managed in accordance with its Prospectus. The Fund operates as a single operating and reporting segment pursuant to its investment objective and principal investment strategy. The Fund's portfolio composition, total returns, expense ratios and changes in net assets used by the CODM to assess segment performance and make resource allocations are consistent with the information presented within the Fund's financial statements. Segment assets are reflected on the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “Total Assets” and significant segment expenses are listed on the Statement of Operations.

13.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which amends quantitative and qualitative income tax disclosure requirements in order to increase disclosure consistency, bifurcate income tax information by jurisdiction and remove information that is no longer beneficial. The Fund has adopted ASU 2023-09 as of December 31, 2025.

14.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no disclosures and/or adjustments were required to the financial statements as of April 30, 2026, other than as noted below.

On May 11, 2026 and June 9, 2026, the Fund announced that it will pay on May 29, 2026 and June 30, 2026, respectively, a distribution of $0.0775 per share to all shareholders of record as of May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026, respectively.

Effective July 1, 2026, the Board has approved a revision to the Adviser’s fee schedule. Under the new structure, fees will be calculated as follows: 1.25% on the first $500 million of managed assets, 1.10% on the next $500 million, and 1.00% on managed assets exceeding $1 billion. In connection with this change, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, has approved the termination of the Expense Limitation, effective July 1, 2026. 

32	abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund

The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute any net realized capital gains at least annually. Net investment income for this purpose is income other than net realized long-term and short-term capital gains net of expenses. Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), shareholders whose shares of common stock are registered in their own names will be deemed to have elected to have all distributions automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company N.A. (the “Plan Agent”) in the Fund shares pursuant to the Plan, unless such shareholders elect to receive distributions in cash. Shareholders who elect to receive distributions in cash will receive such distributions paid by check in U.S. Dollars mailed directly to the shareholder by the Plan Agent, as dividend paying agent. In the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold shares for others who are beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the shareholders as representing the total amount registered in such shareholders’ names and held for the account of beneficial owners that have not elected to receive distributions in cash. Investors that own shares registered in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee should consult with such nominee as to participation in the Plan through such nominee and may be required to have their shares registered in their own names in order to participate in the Plan. Please note that the Fund does not issue certificates so all shares will be registered in book entry form. The Plan Agent serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Plan. If the Trustees of the Fund declare an income dividend or a capital gains distribution payable either in the Fund’s common stock or in cash, nonparticipants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive common stock, to be issued by the Fund or purchased by the Plan Agent in the open market, as provided below. If the market price per share (plus expected per share fees) on the valuation date equals or exceeds NAV per share on that date, the Fund will issue new shares to participants at NAV; provided, however, that if the NAV is less than 95% of the market price on the valuation date, then such shares will be issued at 95% of the market price. The valuation date will be the payable date for such distribution or dividend or, if that date is not a trading day on the NYSE, the immediately preceding trading date. If NAV exceeds the market price of Fund shares at such time, or if the Fund should declare an income dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy Fund shares in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts on, or shortly after, the payment date. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the NAV of the Fund's share, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the NAV of the Fund’s shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund on the dividend payment date. Because of

the foregoing difficulty with respect to open-market purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Agent will cease making open-market purchases and will receive the uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly issued shares at the close of business on the last purchase date.

Participants have the option of making additional cash payments of a minimum of $50 per investment (by check, one-time online bank debit or recurring automatic monthly ACH debit) to the Plan Agent for investment in the Fund’s common stock, with an annual maximum contribution of $250,000. The Plan Agent will wait up to three business days after receipt of a check or electronic funds transfer to ensure it receives good funds. Following confirmation of receipt of good funds, the Plan Agent will use all such funds received from participants to purchase Fund shares in the open market on the 25th day of each month or the next trading day if the 25th is not a trading day.

If the participant sets up recurring automatic monthly ACH debits, funds will be withdrawn from his or her U.S. bank account on the 20th of each month or the next business day if the 20th is not a banking business day and invested on the next investment date. The Plan Agent maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmations of all transactions in an account, including information needed by shareholders for personal and tax records. Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent in the name of the participant, and each shareholder’s proxy will include those shares purchased pursuant to the Plan. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a per share fee of $0.02 incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends, capital gains distributions and voluntary cash payments made by the participant. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Plan Agent is required to pay.

Participants also have the option of selling their shares through the Plan. The Plan supports two types of sales orders. Batch order sales are submitted on each market day and will be grouped with other sale requests to be sold. The price will be the average sale price obtained by Computershare’s broker, net of fees, for each batch order and will be sold generally within 2 business days of the request during regular open market hours. Please note that all written sales requests are always processed by Batch Order. ($10 and $0.12 per share). Market Order sales will sell at the next available trade. The shares are sold real time when they hit the market, however an available trade must be presented to complete this transaction. Market Order sales may only

be requested by phone at 1-800-647-0584 or using Investor Center through www.computershare.com/buyaberdeen. ($25 and $0.12 per share).

The receipt of dividends and distributions under the Plan will not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions. The Fund or the Plan Agent may terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to notice of the termination sent to members of the Plan at least 30 days prior to the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended by

the Fund or the Plan Agent, but (except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority) only by mailing a written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date to the participants in the Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent by phone at 1-800-647-0584, using Investor Center through www.computershare.com/buyaberdeen or in writing to Computershare Trust Company N.A., P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078. 

Trustees

Todd Reit, Chair effective May 27, 2026*
Christian Pittard
Rahn Porter
John Sievwright
Randolph Takian
Nancy Yao
*P. Gerald Malone was a Trustee and Chair as of April 30, 2026 and retired from the Board effective May 27, 2026 as presented in the annual proxy.

Investment Adviser

abrdn Investments Limited
1 George Street
Edinburgh, EH2 2LL
United Kingdom

Investment Sub-Adviser

abrdn Inc.
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Administrator

abrdn Inc.
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
John Adams Building
1776 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP
191 West Nationwide Blvd., Suite 500
Columbus, OH 43215

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1900 K Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006

Investor Relations

abrdn Inc.
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-800-522-5465
Investor.Relations@aberdeenplc.com

The Financial Statements as of April 30, 2026, included in this report, were not audited and accordingly, no opinion is expressed thereon.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock in the open market.

Shares of abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “ACP.” Information about the Fund’s net asset value and market price is available at www.aberdeenacp.com.

This report, including the financial information herein, is transmitted to the shareholders of abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund for their general information only. It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.