abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund (ASGI) Announces 25% Increase in Distribution Rate, Approval of a Monthly Managed Distribution Policy and Authorization of an Open Market Share Repurchase Program
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / December 14, 2023 / abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund (NYSE:ASGI), (the "Fund"), a closed-end management investment company, announced today that the Board of Trustees (the "Board") have approved a managed distribution policy which will pay monthly distributions at an annual rate, set once a year, that is a percentage of the average daily net asset value ("NAV") for the previous month-end prior to declaration (the "Distribution Policy"). On December 12, 2023, the Board determined the rolling distribution rate to be 9% for the 12-month period commencing with the distribution payable in January 2024. The Distribution Policy is subject to regular review by the Board. The Distribution Policy seeks to provide investors with a distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.
The Fund previously paid a stable distribution of $0.12 per share which was approved by the Board in April 2022, and based on the NAV as of November 30, 2023 equates to a distribution rate of 7.14%. The Fund previously increased the distribution rate in April 2022 and therefore this is the second increase in distribution rate since the Fund was launched in July 2020.
The new Distribution Policy will commence with the distribution payable on January 31, 2024 to shareholders of record as of January 24, 2024 (ex-dividend date January 23, 2024).
In addition, the Fund's Board also approved the introduction of an open market share repurchase program. The program allows the Fund to purchase in the open market, up to 10% of its outstanding common stock during any 12-month period as of September 30 of the prior year, at a discount to NAV (the "Program").
Distribution Increase
The Distribution Policy will be 9% percent of the average daily NAV for the previous month as of the month-end prior to declaration, commencing with the January 2024 distribution. The Fund intends to maintain the Distribution Policy for at least the next 12 months unless there is significant and unforeseen change in market conditions.
Since its inception, ASGI has exhibited solid performance, exceeding the benchmark by 0.69% as of November 30, 2023. The Fund's calendar year-to-date NAV performance as of November 30, 2023 showcases a total return of 6.77% and the share price has a total return of 10.67%, both outpacing the benchmark's total return of 1.56%. Since the Fund's establishment, it has seen NAV growth and has distributed $4.35 in dividends. abrdn and the Board remain optimistic that infrastructure investments will persist in enjoying strong tailwinds, and we anticipate opportunities in both public and private infrastructure investments.
The latest available performance figures have been calculated net-of-fees in U.S. dollars for the period:
Cumulative and Annualized Performance Figures as of 11/30/2023 | ||||||||
1-month | 3-month | YTD | 1-year (p.a.) | 3-year (p.a.) | 5-year (p.a.) | 10-year (p.a.) | Since Inception (p.a.) | |
Market Price | 9.48 | 1.18 | 6.77 | 3.45 | 5.99 | n/a | n/a | 7.48 |
NAV | 14.09 | 2.88 | 10.67 | 3.60 | 6.32 | n/a | n/a | 2.95 |
| S&P Global Infrastructure Index (Net TR) | 9.62 | 1.24 | 1.56 | -0.76 | 4.75 | n/a | n/a | 6.78 |
Past Performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. NAV return data includes investment management fees, custodial charges, and administrative fees (such as Director and legal fees) and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. The Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal. Returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
Based on the NAV as of November 30, 2023 of $20.17 this would equate to an increased distribution on NAV from $0.12cps to $0.15cps or an NAV distribution rate increase from 7.14% to 9.00%, an increase of approximately 25%. Based on the share price as of November 30, 2023 of $17.46 this would equate to an increased share price distribution rate increase from 8.25% to 10.3%. The NAV however will fluctuate with changes in market conditions which will impact the payment of the monthly distributions. The Fund last increased its monthly distribution in April 2022.
The Fund seeks to provide a high level of total return with an emphasis on current income by investing in both public and private infrastructure equity investments around the world.
The Fund distributes monthly all or a portion of its net investment income, including current gains, to common shareholders. The Fund relies on exemptive relief from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that allows the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains as frequently as monthly in any one taxable year. The distributions will be made from net investment income, net realized capital gains and, to any extent necessary, return of capital.
The policy is expected to provide a steady and sustainable cash distribution to Fund shareholders that may help reduce the Fund's current discount to NAV. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve these results. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of the distributions or the terms of the Fund's policy.
Share Repurchase Authorization
The Fund's Board has authorized the introduction of an open market share repurchase program. The Program allows the Fund to purchase, in the open market, its outstanding common shares, with the amount and timing of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's investment adviser. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to net asset value per share in the reasonable judgment of management based on historical discount levels and current market conditions. Under the terms of the Program, the Fund is permitted to repurchase up to 10% of its outstanding shares of common stock in the open market during any 12-month period as of September 30 of the prior year.
In approving the authorization to establish a share repurchase policy, the Board considered, among other things, the improvement such a policy is likely to have on market liquidity and the potential accretion to the per share NAV for long-term shareholders.
The Program may provide additional market liquidity to Fund shareholders that could help reduce the Fund's current discount to NAV. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve these results. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of the share repurchases or the terms of the Fund's policy.
IRS and SEC Distribution Disclosure
Under U.S. tax rules applicable to the Fund, the amount and character of distributable income for each fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and related Rules, the Fund may be required to indicate to shareholders the source of certain distributions to shareholders.
The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions to be paid as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, 10/01/2023-11/30/2023 from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.
Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share | |||||||||
Fund | Distribution Amount | Net Investment Income | Net Realized Short-Term Gains** | Net Realized Long-Term Gains | Return of Capital | ||||
ASGI | $ 0.1200 | - | - | - | - | $0.1200 | 100% | - | - |
Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year* to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share | |||||||||
Fund | Distribution Amount | Net Investment Income | Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** | Net Realized Long-Term Gains | Return of Capital | ||||
ASGI | $0.2400 | - | - | - | - | $0.3600 | 100% | - | - |
* ASGI has a 9/30 fiscal year end.
**includes currency gains
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
The following table provides the Fund's total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Fund's annualized and cumulative distribution rates.
Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information | ||||
Fund | Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 11/30/2023¹ | Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV | Cumulative Total Return on NAV¹ | Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV² |
ASGI³ | 7.49%3 | 7.14% | 7.04% | 1.19% |
1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.
2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of November 30, 2023.
3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through November 30, 2023.
At the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders, which will state the amount and composition of each fund's distributions and provide information with respect to their appropriate tax treatment for the prior calendar year. You should not draw any conclusions about any of these Funds' investment performance from the amount of the distributions.
While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.
Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Fund during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Fund, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the terms of the distribution policy. The final determination of the source of all distributions will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report distributions for federal income tax purposes.
The payment of distributions in accordance with the Stable Distribution Plan may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Stable Distribution Plan may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. The Fund's Board of Trustees has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Stable Distribution Plan at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Stable Distribution Plan may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.
The amounts and sources of distributions for tax reporting purposes will depend on the Fund's investment experience during its fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund is subject to U.S. corporate, tax and securities laws. Under U.S. tax accounting rules, the amount of distributable income for each fiscal year depends on the dividend and interest income received, the actual exchange rates during the entire year between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the Fund assets are denominated, and on the aggregate gains and losses realized by the Fund during the entire year. Therefore, the exact amount of distributable income for each fiscal year can only be determined as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year, September 30. However, under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund is required to estimate and disclose the source of each distribution to shareholders. This estimated distribution composition may vary from quarter to quarter because it may be materially impacted by future realized gains and losses on securities and fluctuations in the value of the currencies in which Fund assets are denominated. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Circular 230 disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.
In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, abrdn Private Equity (Europe) Limited, and abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC.
Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
https://www.abrdnasgi.com/
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For More Information Contact:
abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds
Investor Relations
1-800-522-5465
Investor.Relations@abrdn.com
SOURCE: abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund
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