FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND

To the Shareholders of the Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund
("PFO"):

      The first  fiscal  quarter  of 2006 was a mixed  bag for PFO.  On the plus
side,  for the  three-month  period ended February 28, 2006, the Fund produced a
total  return  on net asset  value of  +3.7%.  Despite  this  strong  investment
performance,  net income  available to shareholders  has declined,  and the Fund
reduced  its  monthly  dividend by 7.8% (from  $0.0705/share  to  $0.065/share),
beginning with the March  distribution.  The focus of the Fund is income, so the
decision to reduce the dividend was difficult, but necessary.

      The total return calculation mentioned above has two basic components--net
income earned and the change in principal value.  Recently,  the latter has done
well while the former has come under some pressure.

      Net income earned, the amount of investment income left over after payment
on the Fund's Money Market Preferred  ("MMP(R)")  shares and other expenses,  is
what the Fund  can pay out in  monthly  distributions  to  common  shareholders.
Although  investment  income has increased  recently,  payments to MMP(R) shares
have  risen at a faster  pace.  As a  result,  the Fund  could not  continue  to
distribute common dividends at the same rate.

      The MMP(R) rate is closely correlated to other short-term  interest rates,
all of which have  moved up in concert  with the  Federal  Reserve's  efforts to
influence the pace of economic activity. The MMP(R) rate has risen from a low of
1.05% in May 2004 to 3.70% in March 2006. Despite this jump in rates, the use of
MMP(R) leverage  continues to add  incremental  income for common shares because
the money we obtain from  leverage is being  invested  in  securities  with much
higher yields.

      The other  component of total return,  principal  change,  normally is not
distributed to common  shareholders,  but instead is reflected by changes in the
Fund's net asset value. During the fiscal period, the Fund's NAV rose 2.0%.

      One last  comment on total  return--whatever  the  breakdown  between  net
income and principal change,  the entire amount belongs to common  shareholders.
In addition,  the two tend to "merge" over time. For example, if principal value
increases  and the Fund can  realize  gains,  the Fund will  have more  money to
invest and can generate  additional income. Or,  shareholders can use the income
they receive to purchase additional shares via the Dividend Reinvestment Plan to
increase the value of their investment.

      As readers may recall from previous discussions of market conditions,  the
preferred securities market has two main segments--issues that pay dividends and
those that pay interest.  We refer to the first type as "traditional"  preferred
stock and the second as "hybrid" preferred securities.

      Investor  demand for  traditional  preferred  stock has been  consistently
strong for some time now;  however new issue supply has not kept  up--during the
last  fiscal  quarter  there were only two new  issues,  totaling a meager  $300
million.  As a result of this  imbalance,  this  segment has slowly and steadily
outperformed  other types of fixed-income  securities.  The solid performance of
PFO reflects the portfolio's emphasis on traditional preferred stock.

      Although demand for hybrid  securities has also been strong for some time,
the  supply  of  new  hybrid  preferred  has  greatly  exceeded  the  supply  of
traditional  preferred.  During the period  there were thirty new hybrid  issues
with a market value of $13.2 BILLION. As expected, many of these new issues were
structured  like the "ECAP"  issues we  discussed in our last letter (and on the
Fund's website). Even with this sizable amount of new supply, the performance of
this segment kept pace with most other types of fixed-income  securities  during
the quarter.



      Many of the recent  hybrid  preferred  securities  have terms and features
that  require  very close  scrutiny.  While the basic  structure of the enhanced
capital  security  is now fairly  well  established,  with each new issue we are
observing small but important differences.  This evolutionary process is typical
of new  structures--our  job is to dissect each issue until we fully  understand
every twist and turn.

      The Fund's hedge positions are intended to provide  shareholders with some
protection against  significant  increases in long-term interest rates. Over the
course of the fiscal  quarter,  long-term  interest  rates barely moved,  so the
hedging strategy had little impact on the Fund's performance. The Fund's hedging
strategy did benefit from the "flat" U.S.  Treasury yield curve,  since the cost
of our hedges tends to be lower in this environment.

      We  hope   investors   will  take   advantage   of  the  Fund's   website,
WWW.PREFERREDINCOME.COM.  It  contains  a wide  range of useful  and  up-to-date
information about the Fund. In addition,  some of the topics mentioned above are
analyzed  in greater  depth in the  Frequently  Asked  Questions  section of the
website.

        Sincerely,

        /s/ Donald F. Crumrine                    /s/ Robert M. Ettinger

        Donald F. Crumrine                        Robert M. Ettinger
        Chairman of the Board                     President

April 17, 2006



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
------------------------------------------------------------------

FUND STATISTICS ON 2/28/06
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value                                                     $     12.38
Market Price                                                        $     12.39
Premium                                                                    0.08%
Yield on Market Price                                                      6.83%
Common Shares Outstanding                                            11,685,484

MOODY'S RATINGS                                                   % OF PORTFOLIO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA                                                                         1.3%
AA                                                                          0.4%
A                                                                          18.3%
BBB                                                                        49.2%
BB                                                                         18.9%
Not Rated                                                                  10.8%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below Investment Grade*                                                    20.2%

*     BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE BY BOTH MOODY'S AND S&P.

  [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A PIE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

INDUSTRY CATEGORIES                                               % OF PORTFOLIO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Utilities                                                                    39%
Banks                                                                        23%
Insurance                                                                    13%
Financial Services                                                           11%
Oil and Gas                                                                   6%
REITs                                                                         5%
Other                                                                         3%

TOP 10 HOLDINGS BY ISSUER                                         % OF PORTFOLIO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interstate Power                                                            5.3%
Entergy Louisiana                                                           4.1%
Lehman Brothers                                                             3.9%
Xcel Energy                                                                 3.8%
Principal Financial Group                                                   3.5%
Alabama Power                                                               3.1%
EOG Resources                                                               3.0%
Cobank                                                                      3.0%
North Fork Bancorporation                                                   2.9%
UnumProvident                                                               2.6%



                                                                                            % OF PORTFOLIO**
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       
Holdings Generating Qualified Dividend Income (QDI) for Individuals                                       71%
Holdings Generating Income Eligible for the Corporate Dividend Received Deduction (DRD)                   68%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


**    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.


                                       3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
------------------------------------------------------------------



SHARES/$ PAR                                                                                               VALUE
--------------                                                                                            -------
                                                                                                 
PREFERRED SECURITIES -- 95.8%
                BANKING -- 22.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$    3,000,000  Astoria Capital Trust I, 9.75% 11/01/29 Capital Security, Series B ................    $   3,520,410
$      250,000  Chase Capital I, 7.67% 12/01/26 Capital Security ..................................          263,605
                Cobank, ACB:
        45,000    7.00% Pfd., 144A**** ............................................................        2,334,825*
        75,000    Adj. Rate Pfd., 144A**** ........................................................        4,110,000*
$      500,000  Comerica (Imperial) Capital Trust I, 9.98% 12/31/26 Capital Security, Series B ....          553,162
         4,500  FBOP Corporation, Adj. Rate Pfd., 144A**** ........................................        4,533,750*
$    2,250,000  First Hawaiian Capital I, 8.343% 07/01/27 Capital Security, Series B ..............        2,417,096(1)
                First Republic Bank:
       200,000    6.25% Pfd. ......................................................................        4,944,000*
         5,000    6.70% Pfd. ......................................................................          128,075*
$    4,349,000  GreenPoint Capital Trust I, 9.10% 06/01/27 Capital Security .......................        4,724,514
$    3,500,000  HBOS Capital Funding LP, 6.85% Pfd. ...............................................        3,533,758(1)
         5,000  HSBC Series II, Variable Inverse Pfd., Pvt. .......................................        5,450,000*
         1,145  J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., 6.625% Pfd., Series H ....................................           58,017*
$    1,350,000  Keycorp Institutional Capital B, 8.25% 12/15/26 Capital Security ..................        1,433,268
$    1,500,000  North Fork Capital Trust I, 8.70% 12/15/26 Capital Security .......................        1,598,768
        16,000  PFGI Capital Corporation, 7.75% Pfd. ..............................................          425,280
$    1,700,000  RBS Capital Trust B, 6.80% Pfd. ...................................................        1,718,734**(1)
            10  Roslyn Real Estate, 8.95% Pfd., Series C, 144A**** ................................        1,112,685
        33,800  USB Capital VIII, 6.35% Pfd., 12/29/65 ............................................          856,154
$    3,500,000  Washington Mutual Preferred Funding, Variable Rate Pfd. 03/29/49, 144A**** ........        3,459,470
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          47,175,571
                                                                                                       -------------
                FINANCIAL SERVICES -- 10.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       141,000  CIT Group, Inc., 6.35% Pfd., Series A .............................................        3,701,955*
        53,500  Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 6.20% Pfd., Series B ...................................        1,399,025*
                Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.:
         5,150    5.67% Pfd., Series D ............................................................          261,543*
       159,505    5.94% Pfd., Series C ............................................................        8,185,796*
         3,000  Merrill Lynch Series II STRIPES Custodial Receipts, Pvt. ..........................        3,120,000*
        60,000  Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VI, 6.60% Pfd. .......................................        1,520,400
        94,150  SLM Corporation, 6.97% Pfd., Series A .............................................        5,244,155*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          23,432,874
                                                                                                       -------------
                INSURANCE -- 12.6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        20,000  ACE Ltd., 7.80% Pfd., Series C ....................................................          522,800**(1)
                Aegon NV:
        25,000    6.375% Pfd. .....................................................................          633,500**(1)
        25,000    6.50% Pfd. ......................................................................          631,000**(1)



                                       4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
                                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                                   FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
              ------------------------------------------------------------------



SHARES/$ PAR                                                                                               VALUE
--------------                                                                                            -------
                                                                                                 
PREFERRED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED)
                INSURANCE -- (CONTINUED)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        29,750  Arch Capital Group Ltd., 8.00% Pfd. ...............................................    $     756,691**(1)
                Axis Capital Holdings:
        22,850    7.25% Pfd., Series A ............................................................          575,249**(1)
         9,300    Variable Rate Pfd., Series B ....................................................          958,597(1)
        16,000  Berkley W.R. Capital Trust II, 6.75% 07/26/45 .....................................          399,280
        22,000  Endurance Specialty Holdings, 7.75% Pfd. ..........................................          551,980**(1)
        15,850  Everest Re Capital Trust II, 6.20% Pfd., Series B .................................          371,128(1)
       140,000  MetLife Inc., 6.50% Pfd., Series B ................................................        3,677,100*
       275,000  Principal Financial Group, 6.518% Pfd. ............................................        7,585,875*
$    5,734,000  Provident Financing Trust I, 7.405% 03/15/38 Capital Security .....................        5,664,189
                Renaissancere Holdings:
         6,000    7.30% Pfd., Series B ............................................................          151,410**(1)
         5,000    8.10% Pfd., Series A ............................................................          125,900**(1)
       123,000  Scottish Re Group Ltd., 7.25% Pfd. ................................................        3,137,115**(1)
$      560,000  USF&G Capital, 8.312% 07/01/46 Capital Security, 144A**** .........................          710,511
        22,850  XL Capital Ltd., 8.00% Pfd. Series A ..............................................          594,100**(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          27,046,425
                                                                                                       -------------
                UTILITIES -- 39.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Alabama Power Company:
         4,980    4.60% Pfd. ......................................................................          440,605*
         6,485    4.72% Pfd. ......................................................................          588,741*
           868    4.92% Pfd. ......................................................................           82,139*
       225,000    5.30% Pfd. ......................................................................        5,601,375*
         6,000  Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, 6.70% Pfd., Series 1993 .........................          623,610*
         1,628  Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, 4.35% Pfd., Series D, Pvt. .............          142,369*
         3,798  Central Maine Power Company, 4.75% Pfd. ...........................................          342,883*
        11,119  Central Vermont Public Service Corporation, 8.30% Sinking Fund Pfd., Pvt. .........        1,154,541*
                Connecticut Light & Power Company:
         2,050    4.50% Pfd., Series 1956 .........................................................           83,691*
        25,000    5.28% Pfd., Series 1967 .........................................................        1,202,875*
           883    $2.04 Pfd., Series 1949 .........................................................           32,689*
         2,900    $2.20 Pfd., Series 1949 .........................................................          115,768*
         9,652    $3.24 Pfd. ......................................................................          504,848*
         2,000  Consolidated Edison Company of New York, 4.65% Pfd., Series C .....................          179,930*
         7,500  Dayton Power and Light Company, 3.90% Pfd., Series C ..............................          509,700*



                                       5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
------------------------------------------------------------------



SHARES/$ PAR                                                                                               VALUE
--------------                                                                                            -------
                                                                                                 
PREFERRED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED)
                UTILITIES -- (CONTINUED)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$    1,500,000  Dominion Resources Capital Trust III, 8.40% 01/15/31 ..............................    $   1,800,082
                Duquesne Light Company:
        15,030    3.75% Pfd. ......................................................................          495,990*
        25,775    6.50% Pfd. ......................................................................        1,333,856*
         5,000  Energy East Capital Trust I, 8.25% Pfd. ...........................................          127,400
                Entergy Arkansas, Inc.:
         2,840    4.56% Pfd. ......................................................................          242,465*
         3,050    4.56% Pfd., Series 1965 .........................................................          260,394*
         1,435    6.08% Pfd. ......................................................................          141,412*
         1,141    7.32% Pfd. ......................................................................          118,932*
        14,625    7.40% Pfd. ......................................................................        1,519,318*
         6,388    7.80% Pfd. ......................................................................          667,131*
         2,588    7.88% Pfd. ......................................................................          269,683*
        25,536    $1.96 Pfd. ......................................................................          639,038*
         2,441  Entergy Gulf States, Inc., 7.56% Pfd. .............................................          240,109*
                Entergy Louisiana, Inc.:
           299    5.16% Pfd. ......................................................................           28,976*
           943    6.44% Pfd. ......................................................................           97,582*
        36,000    6.95% Pfd., 144A**** ............................................................        3,725,640*
         4,174    7.36% Pfd. ......................................................................          433,699*
       175,000    8.00% Pfd., Series 92 ...........................................................        4,410,875*
                Entergy Mississippi, Inc.:
         4,616    4.36% Pfd. ......................................................................          335,006*
         5,000    4.92% Pfd. ......................................................................          409,450*
         2,000  Florida Power Company, 4.75% Pfd. .................................................          188,660*
                Great Plains Energy, Inc.:
         1,625    4.20% Pfd. ......................................................................          129,114*
         2,000    4.35% Pfd. ......................................................................          164,590*
        24,000  Gulf Power Company, 6.00% Pfd., Series 1 ..........................................        2,490,480*
                Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.:
         2,471    5.00% Pfd., Series D ............................................................           46,949*
         7,438    5.00% Pfd., Series E ............................................................          141,322*
         1,383    5.00% Pfd., Series I ............................................................           26,277*
$    3,750,000  Houston Light & Power Capital Trust II, 8.257% 02/01/37 Capital Security ..........        3,973,781
        30,500  Indianapolis Power & Light Company, 5.65% Pfd. ....................................        2,929,067*
       340,000  Interstate Power & Light Company, 8.375% Pfd., Series B ...........................       11,316,900*
           200  Narragansett Electric Company, 4.64% Pfd. .........................................            9,424*
         2,588  New York State Electric & Gas, $4.50 Pfd., Series 1949 ............................          226,605*



                                       6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
                                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                                   FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
              ------------------------------------------------------------------



SHARES/$ PAR                                                                                               VALUE
--------------                                                                                            -------
                                                                                                 
PREFERRED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED)
                UTILITIES -- (CONTINUED)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        12,265  Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Adj. Rate Pfd., Series A .................    $     616,316*
                Ohio Power Company:
         3,018    4.20% Pfd. ......................................................................          251,475*
         1,251    4.40% Pfd. ......................................................................          109,206*
                Pacific Enterprises:
        13,680    $4.36 Pfd. ......................................................................        1,157,123*
        24,985    $4.50 Pfd. ......................................................................        2,181,191*
        15,730    $4.75 Pfd., Series 53 ...........................................................        1,449,520*
                Pacific Gas & Electric Co.:
         7,600    4.50% Pfd., Series H ............................................................          151,924*
        41,500    5.00% Pfd., Series D ............................................................          882,913*
        83,000    5.00% Pfd., Series E ............................................................        1,827,245*
                PacifiCorp:
         5,672    $4.56 Pfd. ......................................................................          476,987*
         6,708    $4.72 Pfd. ......................................................................          583,898*
        10,500    $7.48 Sinking Fund Pfd. .........................................................        1,079,873*
         1,250  PECO Energy Company, $4.30 Pfd., Series B .........................................          102,206*
        15,142  Portland General Electric, 7.75% Sinking Fund Pfd. ................................        1,556,370*
        14,020  Public Service Electric & Gas Company, 5.28% Pfd., Series E .......................        1,399,196*
        70,210  San Diego Gas & Electric Company, $1.70 Pfd. ......................................        1,820,545*
         8,900  Savannah Electric & Gas Company, 6.00% Pfd. .......................................          238,832*
                South Carolina Electric & Gas Company:
        14,226    5.125% Purchase Fund Pfd., Pvt. .................................................          730,790*
         7,774    6.00% Purchase Fund Pfd., Pvt. ..................................................          395,541*
                Southern California Edison:
        57,646    4.08% Pfd. ......................................................................        1,102,480*
         5,000    4.24% Pfd. ......................................................................           97,550*
        60,000  Southern Union Company, 7.55% Pfd. ................................................        1,585,200*
$      750,000  TXU Electric Capital V, 8.175% 01/30/37 Capital Security ..........................          792,109
         5,700  Union Electric Company, 4.56% Pfd. ................................................          517,047*
                Virginia Electric & Power Company:
         1,665    $4.04 Pfd. ......................................................................          130,586*
         2,470    $4.20 Pfd. ......................................................................          201,404*
         1,673    $4.80 Pfd. ......................................................................          157,429*
         2,878    $6.98 Pfd. ......................................................................          295,326*
        12,500    $7.05 Pfd. ......................................................................        1,278,688*
        11,200  Virginia Power Capital Trust, 7.375% Pfd. 07/30/42 ................................          286,608
         2,262  Washington Gas & Light Company, $4.25 Pfd. ........................................          191,557*
        12,863  Wisconsin Power & Light, 6.20% Pfd. ...............................................        1,318,136*



                                       7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
------------------------------------------------------------------



SHARES/$ PAR                                                                                               VALUE
--------------                                                                                            -------
                                                                                                 
PREFERRED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED)
                UTILITIES -- (CONTINUED)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Xcel Energy, Inc.:
        15,000    $4.08 Pfd., Series B ............................................................    $   1,226,850*
        20,040    $4.10 Pfd., Series C ............................................................        1,646,987*
        35,510    $4.11 Pfd., Series D ............................................................        2,925,669*
        17,750    $4.16 Pfd., Series E ............................................................        1,480,173*
        10,000    $4.56 Pfd., Series G ............................................................          914,100*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          83,705,021
                                                                                                       -------------
                OIL AND GAS -- 4.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         8,000  Devon Energy Corporation, 6.49% Pfd., Series A ....................................          808,440*
         6,125  EOG Resources, Inc., 7.195% Pfd., Series B ........................................        6,446,624*
$    1,650,000  KN Capital Trust III, 7.63% 04/15/28 Capital Security .............................        1,838,719
        10,000  Lasmo America Limited, 8.15% Pfd., 144A**** .......................................        1,084,900*(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          10,178,683
                                                                                                       -------------
                REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) -- 4.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        31,000  AMB Property Corporation, 7.00% Pfd., REIT, Series O ..............................          788,020
        20,000  BRE Properties, Inc., 6.75% Pfd., REIT, Series D ..................................          500,300
                Duke Realty Corporation:
        15,000    6.50% Pfd., REIT, Series K ......................................................          369,375
        20,000    6.625% Pfd., REIT, Series J .....................................................          496,500
         1,000  Equity Residential Properties, 8.29% Pfd., REIT, Series K .........................           60,305
        50,000  HRPT Properties Trust, 7.125% Pfd., REIT, Series C ................................        1,252,750
                PS Business Parks, Inc.:
        10,000    7.00% Pfd., REIT, Series H ......................................................          247,850
        18,120    7.20% Pfd., REIT, Series M ......................................................          447,292
                Public Storage, Inc.:
        11,100    6.18% Pfd., REIT, Series D ......................................................          264,235
        91,275    6.45% Pfd., REIT, Series F ......................................................        2,221,177
        22,500    6.75% Pfd., REIT, Series E ......................................................          562,838
        30,000    7.125% Pfd., REIT ...............................................................          778,650
        40,000  Realty Income Corporation, 7.375% Pfd., REIT, Series D ............................        1,032,400
                Regency Centers Corporation:
         6,000    6.70% Pfd., REIT ................................................................          146,430
        40,000    7.25% Pfd., REIT ................................................................        1,004,600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          10,172,722
                                                                                                       -------------



                                       8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
                                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                                   FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
              ------------------------------------------------------------------



SHARES/$ PAR                                                                                               VALUE
--------------                                                                                            -------
                                                                                                 
PREFERRED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED)
                MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES -- 1.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        13,600  E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, $4.50 Pfd., Series B .........................    $   1,167,764*
        35,000  Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., 6.25% Pfd., 144A**** ...............................        2,885,400*
        26,000  Touch America Holdings, $6.875 Pfd. ...............................................               --+*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           4,053,164
                                                                                                       -------------
                TOTAL PREFERRED SECURITIES
                  (Cost $190,728,413) .............................................................      205,764,460
                                                                                                       -------------
CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES -- 1.7%
                OIL AND GAS -- 1.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        97,900  Nexen, Inc., 7.35% Subordinated Notes .............................................        2,532,673(1)
                                                                                                       -------------
                UTILITIES -- 0.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$    1,000,000  Duquesne Light Holdings, 6.25% 08/15/35 ...........................................          985,295
                                                                                                       -------------
                TOTAL CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
                  (Cost $3,552,363) ...............................................................        3,517,968
                                                                                                       -------------
COMMON STOCK -- 0.9%
                BANKING -- 0.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       110,000  New York Community Bancorp, Inc. ..................................................        1,850,750*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TOTAL COMMON STOCK
                  (Cost $1,917,807) ...............................................................        1,850,750
                                                                                                       -------------
OPTION CONTRACTS -- 0.4%
           210  April Put Options on June U.S. Treasury Bond Futures, Expiring 03/24/06 ...........          433,125+
           355  June Put Options on June U.S. Treasury Bond Futures, Expiring 05/26/06 ............           66,563+
           810  June Put Options on June U.S. Treasury Bond Futures, Expiring 05/26/06 ............          354,375+
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TOTAL OPTION CONTRACTS
                  (Cost $1,038,801) ...............................................................          854,063
                                                                                                       -------------



                                       9


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
------------------------------------------------------------------



SHARES/$ PAR                                                                                               VALUE
--------------                                                                                            -------
                                                                                                 
MONEY MARKET FUND -- 2.1%
     4,561,767  BlackRock Provident Institutional, TempFund .......................................    $   4,561,767
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUND
                  (Cost $4,561,767) ...............................................................        4,561,767
                                                                                                       -------------

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $201,799,151***) ...........................................        100.9%       216,549,008
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Net) .................................................         (0.9)%       (1,866,818)
                                                                                         --------      -------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK ...........................        100.0%++   $ 214,682,190
                                                                                         --------      -------------
MONEY MARKET CUMULATIVE PREFERRED(TM) STOCK (MMP(R)) REDEMPTION VALUE .............................      (70,000,000)
                                                                                                       -------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK ........................................................    $ 144,682,190
                                                                                                       =============


----------
*     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. These securities have been
      determined to be liquid under the  guidelines  established by the Board of
      Directors.

(1)   Foreign Issuer.

+     Non-income producing.

++    The percentage  shown for each  investment  category is the total value of
      that  category  as a  percentage  of net  assets  available  to Common and
      Preferred Stock.

        ABBREVIATIONS:

REIT -- Real Estate Investment Trust

PFD. -- Preferred Securities

PVT. -- Private Placement Securities


                                       10


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
                 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK(1)
      FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2005 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                                          VALUE
                                                                                         -------
                                                                                   
OPERATIONS:
     Net investment income ....................................................       $   2,767,201
     Net realized gain/(loss) on investments sold during the period ...........             454,603
     Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments held
         during the period ....................................................           2,715,029
     Distributions to Money Market Cumulative Preferred(TM) Stock
         Shareholders from net investment income, including changes in
         accumulated undeclared distributions .................................            (610,216)
                                                                                      -------------
     NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS .....................           5,326,617

DISTRIBUTIONS:
     Dividends paid from net investment income to Common Stock Shareholders (2)          (2,470,225)
                                                                                      -------------
     TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS .........................          (2,470,225)

FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
     Increase from shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment
         and Cash Purchase Plan ...............................................             109,275
                                                                                      -------------
     NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK RESULTING
          FROM FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS ........................................             109,275

                                                                                      -------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK
     FOR THE PERIOD ...........................................................       $   2,965,667
                                                                                      =============

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK:
     Beginning of period ......................................................       $ 141,716,523
     Net increase in net assets during the period .............................           2,965,667
                                                                                      -------------
     End of period ............................................................       $ 144,682,190
                                                                                      =============


----------
(1)   These tables summarize the three months ended February 28, 2006 and should
      be read in  conjunction  with the  Fund's  audited  financial  statements,
      including footnotes, in its Annual Report dated November 30, 2005.

(2)   May include income earned, but not paid out, in prior fiscal year.


                                       11


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS(1)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2005 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
FOR A COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD.
-----------------------------------------------------


                                                                                               
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
     Net asset value, beginning of period ....................................................    $      12.14
                                                                                                  ------------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
     Net investment income ...................................................................            0.24
     Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments ..................................            0.26
DISTRIBUTIONS TO MMP(R)* SHAREHOLDERS:
     From net investment income ..............................................................           (0.05)
     From net realized capital gains .........................................................              --
                                                                                                  ------------
     Total from investment operations ........................................................            0.45
                                                                                                  ------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS:
     From net investment income ..............................................................           (0.21)
     From net realized capital gains .........................................................              --
                                                                                                  ------------
     Total distributions to Common Stock Shareholders ........................................           (0.21)
                                                                                                  ------------
     Net asset value, end of period ..........................................................    $      12.38
                                                                                                  ============
     Market value, end of period .............................................................    $      12.39
                                                                                                  ============
     Common shares outstanding, end of period ................................................      11,685,484
                                                                                                  ============
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS:
     Net investment income + .................................................................            6.02%**
     Operating expenses ......................................................................            1.56%**
-----------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:++
     Portfolio turnover rate .................................................................              21%***
     Total net assets available to Common and Preferred Stock, end of period (in 000's) ......    $    214,682
     Ratio of operating expenses to total average net assets available to
         Common and Preferred Stock ..........................................................            1.04%**


(1)   These tables summarize the three months ended February 28, 2006 and should
      be read in  conjunction  with the  Fund's  audited  financial  statements,
      including footnotes, in its Annual Report dated November 30, 2005.

*     Money Market Cumulative Preferred(TM) Stock.

**    Annualized.

***   Not Annualized.

+     The net investment income ratios reflect income net of operating  expenses
      and payments to MMP(R)* Shareholders.

++    Information presented under heading Supplemental Data includes MMP(R)*.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       12


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
                                                FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
                                           PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK (UNAUDITED)
                                           -------------------------------------

                            TOTAL                                     DIVIDEND
                          DIVIDENDS    NET ASSET        NYSE        REINVESTMENT
                            PAID         VALUE      CLOSING PRICE     PRICE(1)
                          ---------    ---------    -------------   ------------
December 31, 2005 .....    $0.0705       $12.24        $11.09         $11.43
January 31, 2006 ......     0.0705        12.28         12.63          12.28
February 28, 2006 .....     0.0705        12.38         12.39          12.38

----------
(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  payment  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.


                                       13


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
------------------------------------------------------------------

1.    AGGREGATE INFORMATION FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES

      At February 28, 2006,  the aggregate cost of securities for federal income
tax purposes was $201,624,995,  the aggregate gross unrealized  appreciation for
all  securities  in  which  there  is an  excess  of  value  over  tax  cost was
$18,372,809 and the aggregate gross  unrealized  depreciation for all securities
in which there is an excess of tax cost over value was $3,448,796.


                                       14


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                        [LOGO] Flaherty & Crumrine
                               ===================
                                PREFERRED INCOME
                                OPPORTUNITY FUND

                                    Quarterly
                                     Report

                                February 28, 2006

                             www.preferredincome.com

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
   Christopher D. Ryan, CFA
      Vice President
   Laurie C. Lodolo
      Assistant Compliance Officer,
      Assistant Treasurer and
      Assistant Secretary

INVESTMENT ADVISER

   Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated
   e-mail: flaherty@pfdincome.com

QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR SHARES OF FLAHERTY &
   CRUMRINE PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND?

   o  If your shares are held in a Brokerage
      Account, contact your Broker.

   o  If you have physical possession of your shares
      in certificate form, contact the Fund's Transfer
      Agent & Shareholder Servicing Agent --

              PFPC 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.