UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-Q QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY Investment Company Act file number 811-06495 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 301 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 720 Pasadena, CA 91101 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Donald F. Crumrine Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated 301 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 720 Pasadena, CA 91101 (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 626-795-7300 Date of fiscal year end: November 30 Date of reporting period: August 31, 2010 Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (Sections 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles. A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. Section 3507. ITEM 1. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. The Schedule(s) of Investments is attached herewith. FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND To the Shareholders of Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund: The combination of falling interest rates and ongoing demand for preferred securities helped the Fund produce excellent returns during its third fiscal period ending August 31, 2010. For the three month period, total return on net asset value was +11.4%. Total return using market price of Fund shares was +8.4% during the period. It has been quite an eventful summer in the preferred securities market. We'll hit the highlights here, and readers willing to do a little extra-credit homework will find more detailed discussions on the Fund's website. In addition to strong performance of the Fund's investment portfolio, the monthly dividend paid to shareholders was increased to $0.0725 per share from $0.066, commencing with the August distribution. This 9.8% increase reflects the ongoing favorable environment of relatively high yields on Fund investments and the low cost of Fund borrowings. We expect the level of economic growth to remain tepid over the coming quarters and then to show gradual improvement. We anticipate the Fund's cost of borrowing will follow a similar path, remaining low for a period, then increasing gradually. Of course, unless income from the Fund's investments also increases, a rise in the cost of borrowing would negatively impact the distribution to shareholders. Although economic activity has slowed recently, we do not expect the economy to fall back into recession. In fact, we see some healthy signs, such as a substantial increase in personal savings and steady levels of business investment aimed at improving productivity. As individuals save more, some of these dollars are likely to find their way into the preferred market. As companies become more efficient, their financial condition generally improves. These trends, along with declining interest rates, have helped boost the Fund's investment performance. In the aftermath of the financial meltdown, Congress and various bank regulators set out to establish new rules to hopefully prevent a repeat of the crisis. We are now getting a better sense of how new regulations will impact the market. With passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in July, along with increasing clarification from international bank regulators, the fog is beginning to lift on the future role of preferred securities as a source of capital for the banking industry(1). Since our last letter, rule makers have indicated which security structures they don't like, but have yet to decide what will be okay. It is now clear that trust preferred securities, which are favored by banks as a form of capital, will not meet the new standards. As a result, not only will there be no new issues of this type, issuers will want to redeem or replace outstanding trust preferreds sooner than was previously expected. In response, prices of many bank trust preferred securities have moved higher--contributing to the Fund's strong performance. It is less clear what types of securities banks will be allowed to issue to meet future capital requirements. We are monitoring the debate closely and throwing in our two cents whenever appropriate. At this time, we believe the parties are moving toward a sensible conclusion and will ultimately induce banks to issue preferred securities suitable for the Fund's portfolio. Of course, we will stay on top of this and report important developments in these letters or on the Fund's website. ---------- (1) The treatment of preferred securities issued by NON-BANKS has not changed in any meaningful way. As of this writing, roughly 22% of the Fund's portfolio is invested in trust preferred securities issued by U.S. banks. In light of the new rules, we think it is likely that many of these issues will be redeemed, beginning in 2013. We'll have our work cut out for us trying to replace the income on these securities, but until we have a better idea how the banks will replace these issues, it is difficult to predict the impact on the Fund. As always, we encourage you to visit www.pfdincome.com to read our Quarterly Economic Update as well as a more detailed discussion of factors affecting the wonderful world of preferred securities. Sincerely, /s/ Donald F. Crumrine /s/ Robert M. Ettinger Donald F. Crumrine Robert M. Ettinger Chairman President October 15, 2010 2 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW AUGUST 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) FUND STATISTICS --------------- Net Asset Value $ 9.36 Market Price $ 10.18 Premium 8.76% Yield on Market Price 8.55% Common Stock Shares Outstanding 11,964,442 MOODY'S RATINGS % OF NET ASSETS+ --------------- ---------------- A 6.7% BBB 70.6% BB 20.1% Below "BB" 0.6% Not Rated* 0.3% Below Investment Grade** 16.4% * Does not include net other assets and liabilities of 1.7%. ** Below investment grade by both Moody's and S&P. (PIE CHART) INDUSTRY CATEGORIES % OF NET ASSETS+ ------------------- ----------------- Banking 37% Utilities 26% Insurance 24% Energy 7% Financial Services 2% Other 4% TOP 10 HOLDINGS BY ISSUER % OF NET ASSETS+ ------------------------- ---------------- Banco Santander 4.9% Liberty Mutual Group 4.6% Capital One Financial 4.3% Comerica 3.7% HSBC Plc 3.0% Dominion Resources 3.0% Wells Fargo 3.0% Metlife 2.8% Enbridge Energy Partners 2.7% Barclays Bank Plc 2.5% % OF NET ASSETS***+ ------------------- Holdings Generating Qualified Dividend Income (QDI) for Individuals 40% Holdings Generating Income Eligible for the Corporate Dividends Received Deduction (DRD) 26% *** This does not reflect year-end results or actual tax categorization of Fund distributions. These percentages can, and do, change, perhaps significantly, depending on market conditions. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding their personal situation. + Net Assets includes assets attributable to the use of leverage. 3 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AUGUST 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) SHARES/$ PAR VALUE -------------- -------------- PREFERRED SECURITIES -- 95.6% BANKING -- 37.1% $ 2,750,000 Astoria Capital Trust I, 9.75% 11/01/29, Series B .................................... $ 2,865,415(1) 280,123 Banco Santander, 10.50% Pfd., Series 10 .............................................. 8,149,478**(1)(2) $ 500,000 BankAmerica Institutional, Series A, 8.07% 12/31/26, 144A**** ........................ 513,750 Barclays Bank PLC: $ 2,750,000 6.278% ............................................................................ 2,313,437**(1)(2) 35,000 6.625% Pfd., Series 2 ............................................................. 833,350**(1)(2) 6,200 7.75% Pfd., Series 4 .............................................................. 159,774**(2) 35,000 8.125% Pfd., Series 5 ............................................................. 919,100**(1)(2) 100,000 BB&T Capital Trust VI, 9.60% Pfd. .................................................... 2,830,000(1) $ 5,000,000 Capital One Capital III, 7.686% 08/15/36 ............................................. 5,062,500(1) $ 250,000 Capital One Capital V, 10.25% 08/15/39 ............................................... 271,562 $ 1,750,000 Capital One Capital VI, 8.875% 05/15/40 .............................................. 1,855,000(1) $ 4,500,000 Colonial BancGroup, 7.114%, 144A**** ................................................. 119,250++ $ 6,500,000 Comerica Capital Trust II, 6.576% 02/20/37 ........................................... 6,110,000(1) 4,500 FBOP Corporation, Adj. Rate Pfd., 144A**** ........................................... 17,370*+ $ 700,000 Fifth Third Capital Trust IV, 6.50% 04/15/37 ......................................... 609,000(1) 14,600 Fifth Third Capital Trust VII, 8.875% Pfd. 05/15/68 .................................. 386,444 890 First Republic Preferred Capital Corporation, 10.50% Pfd., 144A**** .................. 919,370 22,500 First Republic Preferred Capital Corporation II, 8.75% Pfd., Series B, 144A**** ...... 573,750 3,750 First Tennessee Bank, Adj. Rate Pfd., 144A**** ....................................... 2,262,891*(1) $ 400,000 First Tennessee Capital I, 8.07% 01/06/27, Series A .................................. 384,850 $ 500,000 First Tennessee Capital II, 6.30% 04/15/34, Series B ................................. 395,911 $ 2,325,000 First Union Institutional Capital I, 8.04% 12/01/26 .................................. 2,381,972(1) $ 350,000 Fleet Capital Trust II, 7.92% 12/11/26 ............................................... 353,500 Goldman Sachs: $ 400,000 Capital I, 6.345% 02/15/34 ........................................................ 373,705(1) $ 2,313,000 Capital II, 5.793% ................................................................ 1,870,639(1) 3,500 STRIPES Custodial Receipts, Pvt. .................................................. 1,837,500* 130,000 HSBC Holdings PLC, 8.00% Pfd., Series 2 .............................................. 3,453,125**(2) HSBC USA, Inc.: 45,000 6.50% Pfd., Series H .............................................................. 1,134,846*(1) 4,400 $2.8575 Pfd. ...................................................................... 208,175*(1) $ 225,000 JPMorgan Chase Capital XVIII, 6.95% 08/17/36, Series R ............................... 231,580 16,700 Keycorp Capital VIII, 7.00% Pfd. 06/15/66 ............................................ 417,500(1) 25,200 Keycorp Capital X, 8.00% Pfd. ........................................................ 655,200(1) $ 450,000 Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 6.657%, 144A**** ........................................... 291,375**(2)+ 4 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AUGUST 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) SHARES/$ PAR VALUE -------------- -------------- PREFERRED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED) BANKING -- (CONTINUED) $ 600,000 NB Capital Trust IV, 8.25% 04/15/27 .................................................. $ 619,313(1) 99,000 PNC Financial Services, 9.875% Pfd., Series F ........................................ 2,827,688*(1) $ 1,105,000 PNC Preferred Funding Trust III, 8.70%, 144A**** ..................................... 1,144,561(1) 2,600 Sovereign REIT, 12.00% Pfd., Series A, 144A**** ...................................... 3,029,000 $ 1,100,000 Wachovia Capital Trust III, 5.80% .................................................... 943,250(1) $ 900,000 Washington Mutual, 9.75%, 144A**** ................................................... 56,250++ $ 1,400,000 Webster Capital Trust IV, 7.65% 06/15/37 ............................................. 1,108,248(1) $ 1,500,000 Wells Fargo Capital XV, 9.75% ........................................................ 1,644,750(1) -------------- 62,134,379 -------------- FINANCIAL SERVICES -- 2.0% $ 250,000 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., 7.518% 06/01/66 .......................................... 248,125(1) 5,000 Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust II, 6.55% Pfd. ................................ 118,957**(2) 27,000 Heller Financial, Inc., 6.687% Pfd., Series C ........................................ 2,625,750* 12,400 HSBC Finance Corporation, 6.36% Pfd. ................................................. 299,615* Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.: 45,800 5.67% Pfd., Series D .............................................................. 12,732*++ 9,500 5.94% Pfd., Series C .............................................................. 2,565*++ 25,000 6.50% Pfd., Series F .............................................................. 1,813*++ 13,400 7.95% Pfd. ........................................................................ 228*++ -------------- 3,309,785 -------------- INSURANCE -- 21.5% $ 1,000,000 Ace Capital Trust II, 9.70% 04/01/30 ................................................. 1,226,383(1)(2) $ 225,000 AON Corporation, 8.205% 01/01/27 ..................................................... 243,945 Arch Capital Group Ltd.: 14,400 7.875% Pfd., Series B ............................................................. 366,751**(1)(2) 25,000 8.00% Pfd., Series A .............................................................. 646,875**(1)(2) AXA SA: $ 1,250,000 6.379%, 144A**** .................................................................. 1,025,000**(1)(2) $ 3,500,000 6.463%, 144A**** .................................................................. 2,800,000**(1)(2) 29,700 Axis Capital Holdings, 7.50% Pfd., Series B .......................................... 2,647,942(1)(2) 90,000 Delphi Financial Group, 7.376% Pfd. 05/15/37 ......................................... 1,994,625(1) $ 4,000,000 Everest Re Holdings, 6.60% 05/15/37 .................................................. 3,615,000(1) Liberty Mutual Group: $ 500,000 7.80% 03/15/37, 144A**** .......................................................... 445,000(1) $ 4,600,000 10.75% 06/15/58, 144A**** ......................................................... 5,163,500(1) 5 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AUGUST 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) SHARES/$ PAR VALUE -------------- -------------- PREFERRED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED) INSURANCE -- (CONTINUED) $ 2,203,000 MetLife Capital Trust X, 9.25% 04/08/38, 144A**** .................................... $ 2,544,465(1) $ 1,750,000 MetLife, Inc., 10.75% 08/01/39 ....................................................... 2,218,692(1) Principal Financial Group: 26,000 5.563% Pfd., Series A ............................................................. 2,218,125* 70,000 6.518% Pfd., Series B ............................................................. 1,760,675*(1) 88,950 Renaissancere Holdings Ltd., 6.08% Pfd., Series C .................................... 2,023,613**(1)(2) 115,500 Scottish Re Group Ltd., 7.25% Pfd. ................................................... 718,271**(2)+ $ 1,000,000 Stancorp Financial Group, 6.90% 06/01/67 ............................................. 863,521(1) $ 1,060,000 USF&G Capital, 8.312% 07/01/46, 144A**** ............................................. 1,243,204(1) $ 1,700,000 XL Capital Ltd., 6.50%, Series E ..................................................... 1,298,460(1)(2) $ 1,000,000 ZFS Finance USA Trust V, 6.50% 05/09/37, 144A**** .................................... 915,000 -------------- 35,979,047 -------------- UTILITIES -- 26.4% 6,579 Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, 6.70% Pfd., Series 1993 ............................ 661,807*(1) $ 2,750,000 COMED Financing III, 6.35% 03/15/33 .................................................. 2,457,609(1) $ 750,000 Dominion Resources Capital Trust I, 7.83% 12/01/27 ................................... 758,553(1) Dominion Resources, Inc.: $ 3,000,000 7.50% ............................................................................. 3,063,579(1) 40,700 8.375% Pfd., Series A ............................................................. 1,173,788(1) 40,000 Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 6.45% Pfd. ................................................... 967,500* 10,000 Entergy Louisiana, Inc., 6.95% Pfd. .................................................. 962,813* 80,000 Entergy Mississippi, Inc., 6.25% Pfd. ................................................ 1,917,504* FPL Group Capital, Inc.: $ 2,000,000 6.65% 06/15/67 .................................................................... 1,902,534(1) $ 1,000,000 7.30% 09/01/67, Series D .......................................................... 1,016,377(1) 17,500 Georgia Power Company, 6.50% Pfd., Series 2007A ...................................... 1,821,642*(1) Gulf Power Company: 16,500 6.00% Pfd., Series 1 .............................................................. 1,625,250*(1) 13,000 6.45% Pfd., Series 2007A .......................................................... 1,322,838*(1) 30,500 Indianapolis Power & Light Company, 5.65% Pfd. ....................................... 2,737,375*(1) 141,100 Interstate Power & Light Company, 8.375% Pfd., Series B .............................. 4,093,664* 7,000 MDU Resources Group, 4.50% Pfd. 07/08/10 ............................................. 558,907* 15,935 Pacific Enterprises, $4.50 Pfd. ...................................................... 1,378,876*(1) $ 1,500,000 PECO Energy Capital Trust III, 7.38% 04/06/28, Series D .............................. 1,495,464(1) $ 4,500,000 Puget Sound Energy, Inc., 6.974% 06/01/67 ............................................ 4,183,371(1) 6 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AUGUST 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) SHARES/$ PAR VALUE -------------- -------------- PREFERRED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED) UTILITIES -- (CONTINUED) Southern California Edison: 27,500 6.00% Pfd., Series C............................................................... $ 2,609,063*(1) 15,000 6.125% Pfd......................................................................... 1,433,907* $ 4,000,000 Southern Union Company, 7.20% 11/01/66................................................ 3,630,000(1) $ 750,000 TXU Electric Capital V, 8.175% 01/30/37............................................... 234,375 8,265 Union Electric Company, $4.75 Pfd..................................................... 663,266* $ 1,500,000 Wisconsin Energy Corporation, 6.25% 05/15/67.......................................... 1,419,396(1) -------------- 44,089,458 -------------- ENERGY -- 6.6% $ 4,500,000 Enbridge Energy Partners LP, 8.05% 10/01/37........................................... 4,522,576(1) Enterprise Products Partners: $ 750,000 7.00% 06/01/67..................................................................... 692,249 $ 2,750,000 8.375% 08/01/66, Series A.......................................................... 2,835,775(1) 3,000 Kinder Morgan GP, Inc., 8.33% Pfd., 144A****.......................................... 2,977,688* -------------- 11,028,288 -------------- REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) -- 0.2% 12,500 PS Business Parks, Inc., 6.70% Pfd., Series P......................................... 302,156 -------------- 302,156 -------------- MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES -- 1.8% 35,000 Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., 6.25% Pfd., 144A****................................... 3,080,000*(1) -------------- 3,080,000 -------------- TOTAL PREFERRED SECURITIES (Cost $155,600,670)................................................................ 159,923,113 -------------- CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES -- 2.7% FINANCIAL SERVICES -- 0.2% 10,000 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., 7.75% 06/15/39............................................ 274,425(1) -------------- 274,425 -------------- 7 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AUGUST 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) SHARES/$ PAR VALUE -------------- -------------- CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED) INSURANCE -- 2.5% $ 2,250,000 Liberty Mutual Insurance, 7.697% 10/15/97, 144A**** .................................. $ 2,097,729(1) $ 2,000,000 UnumProvident Corporation, 7.25% 03/15/28, Senior Notes .............................. 2,131,654(1) -------------- 4,229,383 -------------- TOTAL CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES (Cost $3,430,396) ................................................................. 4,503,808 -------------- MONEY MARKET FUND -- 3.0% 5,021,455 BlackRock Provident Institutional, T-Fund ............................................ 5,021,455 -------------- TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUND (Cost $5,021,455) ................................................................. 5,021,455 -------------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $164,052,521***) ................................................. 101.3% 169,448,376 OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Net) ....................................................... (1.3)% (2,212,085) ----- -------------- NET ASSETS BEFORE LOAN ................................................................... 100.0%+++ $ 167,236,291 ----- -------------- LOAN PRINCIPAL BALANCE ................................................................................ (55,200,000) -------------- TOTAL NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK ............................................................ $ 112,036,291 ============== ---------- * Securities eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction and distributing Qualified Dividend Income. ** Securities distributing Qualified Dividend Income only. *** Aggregate cost of securities held. **** Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional buyers. At August 31, 2010, these securities amounted to $31,219,153 or 18.7% of net assets before loan. These securities have been determined to be liquid under the guidelines established by the Board of Directors. (1) All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral for the Fund's loan. The total value of such securities was $120,434,873 at August 31, 2010. (2) Foreign Issuer. + Non-income producing. ++ The issuer has filed for bankruptcy protection As a result, the Fund may not be able to recover the principal invested and also does not expect to receive income on this security going forward. +++ The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of that category as a percentage of net assets before the loan. ABBREVIATIONS: PFD. -- Preferred Securities PVT. -- Private Placement Securities REIT -- Real Estate Investment Trust STRIPES -- Structured Residual Interest Preferred Enhanced Securities 8 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK(1) FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) VALUE ------------ OPERATIONS: Net investment income ....................................................... $ 7,830,296 Net realized gain/(loss) on investments sold during the period .............. 12,639 Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments ........... 15,375,069 Distributions to APS* Shareholders from net investment income, including changes in accumulated undeclared distributions ................ (73,485) ------------ NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS ........................ 23,144,519 DISTRIBUTIONS: Dividends paid from net investment income to Common Stock Shareholders(2) ... (6,657,089) ------------ TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS ............................ (6,657,089) FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS: Increase from shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan ........................................................ 530,315 ------------ NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK RESULTING FROM FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS ................................................... 530,315 ------------ NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK FOR THE PERIOD .............................................................. $ 17,017,745 ============ NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK: Beginning of period ......................................................... $ 95,018,546 Net increase in net assets during the period ................................ 17,017,745 ------------ End of period ............................................................... $112,036,291 ============ ---------- * Auction Preferred Stock. (1) These tables summarize the nine months ended August 31, 2010 and should be read in conjunction with the Fund's audited financial statements, including footnotes, in its Annual Report dated November 30, 2009. (2) May include income earned, but not paid out, in prior fiscal year. 9 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS(1) FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) FOR A COMMON STOCK SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD. PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE: Net asset value, beginning of period .......................................................... $ 7.98 ----------- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income ......................................................................... 0.66 Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments ........................................ 1.29 DISTRIBUTIONS TO APS* SHAREHOLDERS: From net investment income .................................................................... (0.01) ----------- Total from investment operations .............................................................. 1.94 ----------- DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS: From net investment income .................................................................... (0.56) ----------- Total distributions to Common Stock Shareholders .............................................. (0.56) ----------- Net asset value, end of period ................................................................ $ 9.36 =========== Market value, end of period ................................................................... $ 10.18 =========== Common Stock shares outstanding, end of period ................................................ 11,964,442 =========== RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS: Net investment income+ ........................................................................ 9.94%** Net investment income, including payments to APS Shareholders+ ................................ 9.85%** Operating expenses including interest expense ................................................. 2.36%** Operating expenses excluding interest expense ................................................. 1.64%** SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:++ Portfolio turnover rate ....................................................................... 23%*** Net assets before loan, end of period (in 000's) .............................................. $ 167,236 Ratio of operating expenses including interest expense(2) to net assets before loan and APS ... 1.57%** Ratio of operating expenses excluding interest expense(2) to net assets before loan and APS ... 1.09%** (1) These tables summarize the nine months ended August 31, 2010 and should be read in conjunction with the Fund's audited financial statements, including footnotes, in its Annual Report dated November 30, 2009. (2) Does not include distributions to APS Shareholders. * Auction Preferred Stock. ** Annualized. *** Not Annualized. + The net investment income ratios reflect income net of operating expenses, including interest expense. ++ Information presented under heading Supplemental Data includes APS and loan principal balance. 10 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK (UNAUDITED) TOTAL NYSE DIVIDEND DIVIDENDS NET ASSET CLOSING REINVESTMENT PAID VALUE PRICE PRICE(1) --------- --------- ------- ------------ December 31, 2009 ...... $0.0575 $8.39 $ 8.27 $8.36 January 29, 2010 ....... 0.0575 8.57 8.33 8.43 February 26, 2010 ...... 0.0575 8.68 8.86 8.68 March 31, 2010 ......... 0.0575 9.06 9.95 9.45 April 30, 2010 ......... 0.0575 9.20 10.15 9.64 May 28, 2010 ........... 0.0660 8.59 9.60 9.12 June 30, 2010 .......... 0.0660 8.69 9.39 8.92 July 30, 2010 .......... 0.0660 9.10 9.95 9.45 August 31, 2010 ........ 0.0725 9.36 10.18 9.67 ---------- (1) Whenever the net asset value per share of the Fund's Common Stock is less than or equal to the market price per share on the reinvestment date, new shares issued will be valued at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the then current market price. Otherwise, the reinvestment shares of Common Stock will be purchased in the open market. 11 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 1. AGGREGATE INFORMATION FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES At August 31, 2010, the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was $163,924,362, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost was $21,682,646 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value was $16,158,632. 2. ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT: The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund's investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below: - Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical securities - Level 2 - other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) - Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Transfers in and out of levels are recognized at market value at the end of the period. A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of August 31, 2010 is as follows: LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 TOTAL LEVEL 1 SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT VALUE AT QUOTED OBSERVABLE UNOBSERVABLE AUGUST 31, 2010 PRICE INPUTS INPUTS --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Preferred Securities Banking $ 62,134,379 $35,982,836 $ 26,134,173 $17,370 Financial Services 3,309,785 418,572 2,891,213 -- Insurance 35,979,047 12,273,967 23,705,080 -- Utilities 44,089,458 8,331,031 35,758,427 -- Energy 11,028,288 -- 11,028,288 -- Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) 302,156 302,156 -- -- Miscellaneous Industries 3,080,000 -- 3,080,000 -- Corporate Debt Securities 4,503,808 274,425 4,229,383 -- Money Market Fund 5,021,455 5,021,455 -- -- ------------ ----------- ------------ ------- Total Investments $169,448,376 $62,604,442 $106,826,564 $17,370 ============ =========== ============ ======= The Fund did not have any significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 during the period. 12 Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED) The Fund's investments in Level 2 and Level 3 are based primarily on market information, where available. This includes, but is not limited to, prices provided by third-party providers, observable trading activity (including the recency, depth, and consistency of such information with quoted levels), and the depth and consistency of broker-quoted prices. In the event market information is not directly available, comparable information may be observed for securities that are similar in many respects to those being valued. The Fund may employ an income approach for certain securities that also takes into account credit risk, interest rate risk, and potential recovery prospects. The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value: PREFERRED SECURITIES -------------------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS BANKING ----------------- -------------------- BALANCE AS OF 11/30/09 .............................. $24,750 $24,750 Accrued discounts/premiums .......................... -- -- Realized gain/(loss) ............................... -- -- Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) .... (7,380) (7,380) Net purchases/(sales) ............................... -- -- Transfer in and/or out of Level 3 ................... -- -- ------- ------- BALANCE AS OF 8/31/10 ............................... $17,370 $17,370 For the period ended August 31, 2010, total change in unrealized gain/(loss) on Level 3 securities still held at period-end and included in the change in net assets was $(7,380). 13 [This page intentionally left blank] [This page intentionally left blank] DIRECTORS Donald F. Crumrine, CFA Chairman of the Board David Gale Morgan Gust Karen H. Hogan Robert F. Wulf, CFA OFFICERS Donald F. Crumrine, CFA Chief Executive Officer Robert M. Ettinger, CFA President R. Eric Chadwick, CFA Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer Chad C. Conwell Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President and Secretary Bradford S. Stone Vice President and Assistant Treasurer Laurie C. Lodolo Assistant Compliance Officer, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary Linda M. Puchalski Assistant Treasurer INVESTMENT ADVISER Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated e-mail: flaherty@pfdincome.com QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR SHARES OF FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND? - If your shares are held in a Brokerage Account, contact your Broker. - If you have physical possession of your shares in certificate form, contact the Fund's Transfer Agent & Shareholder Servicing Agent -- BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. P.O. Box 43027 Providence, RI 02940-3027 1-800-331-1710 THIS REPORT IS SENT TO SHAREHOLDERS OF FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND INCORPORATED FOR THEIR INFORMATION. IT IS NOT A PROSPECTUS, CIRCULAR OR REPRESENTATION INTENDED FOR USE IN THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF SHARES OF THE FUND OR OF ANY SECURITIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT. (FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE LOGO) PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND Quarterly Report August 31, 2010 www.preferredincome.com ITEM 2. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. (a) The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)). (b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 3. EXHIBITS. Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. (Registrant) Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Donald F. Crumrine ----------------------------------------------------- Donald F. Crumrine, Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) Date October 25, 2010 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Donald F. Crumrine ----------------------------------------------------- Donald F. Crumrine, Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) Date October 25, 2010 By (Signature and Title)* /s/ R. Eric Chadwick ----------------------------------------------------- R. Eric Chadwick, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Vice President (principal financial officer) Date October 25, 2010 * Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.