The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. Provides Update on Developments Regarding Russian Holdings

Rhea-AI Summary

The Central and Eastern Europe Fund (NYSE: CEE) has been valuing its Russian holdings at zero since March 2022 due to sanctions and measures by the Russian Central Bank and Government post-Ukraine invasion. In May 2024, CEE managed to sell depositary receipts of a non-sanctioned Russian issuer, positively impacting its net asset value. Despite this, many of its Russian assets remain unsellable due to sanctions. The fund will continue to monitor and may engage in opportunistic sales, but future sales are uncertain. CEE is engaging with shareholders for suggestions on managing these holdings.

Positive

• Successful sale of depositary receipts of a non-sanctioned Russian issuer in May 2024.
• Sale positively impacted the Fund's net asset value.
• Active monitoring and strategic response to sanctions.
• Management's openness to shareholder suggestions for managing Russian holdings.

Negative

• Russian holdings valued at zero since March 2022.
• Three positions in Russian local shares currently unsellable.
• Four positions in sanctioned Russian securities cannot be sold without special permissions.
• Continued valuation uncertainties impacting the Fund's asset value.
• Overall increased risk and volatility due to concentrated investments in a volatile region.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The recent update by The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. regarding its Russian holdings provides nuanced insights into the fund's portfolio and strategic decisions amidst geopolitical turmoil. The key takeaway is the valuation of Russian holdings at zero due to ongoing sanctions and measures by the Russian government. This move aligns with standard practices under such circumstances to maintain transparency and manage investor expectations.

The positive impact noted from the sale of depositary receipts of a non-sanctioned Russian issuer is noteworthy, though it comes with a caveat. While it temporarily boosts the fund's net asset value, the sustainability of such gains remains uncertain given the high risk and regulatory hurdles involved. Investors should be cautious about interpreting this as a sign of sustained recovery or performance improvement. The strategic decision to monitor and potentially execute further opportunistic sales is prudent but also highlights the volatility and uncertainty surrounding these assets.

In the short-term, the successful sale might provide a slight uptick in investor sentiment, but long-term implications remain fraught with risk. The fund's cautionary approach in valuing Russian securities at zero, unless a permissible sale is likely, underscores the rigorous compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. This is important for maintaining integrity and trust amidst a tumultuous geopolitical landscape. Investors should remain vigilant and consider the broader economic and political context before making any decisions.

Geopolitical Analyst

The update by The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. sheds light on the profound impact of geopolitical events on investment portfolios. The valuation adjustments reflect the wide-reaching effects of the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and allied countries in response to Russia’s actions. The ongoing monitoring and occasional sales of Russian securities emphasize the complexity and fluidity of the current geopolitical environment.

The mention of privately negotiated transactions at deeply discounted prices points to a secondary market emerging for these assets. However, the viability and regulatory risks of such transactions must be critically assessed. The fund's approach illustrates the challenges faced by investment managers operating in politically sensitive regions. The emphasis on compliance with sanctions and regulatory frameworks is a reminder of the legal constraints that can significantly impact portfolio management strategies.

For retail investors, understanding the geopolitical underpinnings is essential. The sanctions-driven market volatility and the fund's non-diversified nature make it inherently more volatile, reflecting broader geopolitical risks. The fund's transparency in addressing these issues provides some reassurance, but the overall outlook remains uncertain and heavily dependent on evolving geopolitical landscapes.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (NYSE: CEE) (the “Fund”). As previously reported, the Fund’s Russian holdings have been valued at zero since March 14, 2022 in light of measures adopted by the Russian Central Bank and Government, as well as sanctions implemented by the United States and other countries in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The effects of the sanctions and measures adopted by the Russian Central Bank and Government are far-reaching and include, among others, the freezing of certain Russian assets held by entities, such as the Fund, that are organized in countries viewed as “unfriendly” by the Russian Government. The Fund’s investment manager has been monitoring the situation closely and has observed occasional privately negotiated transactions in depositary receipts of non-sanctioned Russian issuers taking place (at prices that are deeply discounted from those taking place through the facilities of the Moscow Stock Exchange). In May 2024, the Fund was successful in selling depositary receipts of one non-sanctioned Russian issuer in such a privately negotiated transaction resulting in positive impact to the Fund’s net asset value.

The Fund will continue to monitor developments in this area and may make further opportunistic sales of depositary receipts for Russian securities to the extent that such sales are deemed to be in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders and consistent with applicable sanctions and other laws and regulations. However, there can be no assurances that any further such sales will be feasible or considered to be in the best interests of the Fund. Also, it should be noted that three of the Fund’s remaining 16 positions in Russian securities are “local shares” which cannot currently be sold by the Fund. In addition, four positions are in securities of issuers that are subject to U.S. sanctions such that it would not be possible for the Fund to sell them, absent receipt of special permissions granted by the U.S., which permissions are unlikely to be forthcoming if requested at the present time. Given the current uncertainties, the Fund continues to value certain Russian securities at zero unless the Fund has received a recent bid for the security and the sale of the security would be permissible under applicable sanctions and other laws and regulations, in which case the security will be fair valued in accordance with the Fund’s valuation procedures. In the event the sale of a specific security has been agreed and the Fund has concluded that the settlement of the transaction is permissible by the applicable sanctions and other laws and regulations and is highly likely, the security then will be valued at the trade price.

The Fund also confirmed that management continues to welcome suggestions from stockholders regarding its holdings of Russian securities and potential options for maximization of stockholder value with respect to such holdings. Such suggestions may be sent to Secretary, The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc., C/O DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc., 100 Summer Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02110. The Fund further noted that, following the completion of the business portion of the Fund’s annual meeting of stockholders on June 27, 2024, representatives of management will be available (as in the past) to respond to questions and suggestions from stockholders regarding the Fund, including questions concerning the Fund’s holdings of Russian securities and alternatives that management has considered regarding them in light of the applicable sanctions and legal and other issues.

Important Information

The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. is non-diversified and can take larger positions in fewer issues, increasing its potential risk. Investing in foreign securities presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Any fund that focuses in a particular segment of the market or region of the world will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly. This fund is non-diversified and can take larger positions in fewer issues, increasing its potential risk.

Investing in foreign securities, particularly of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, and risks of currency and capital controls, political and economic changes, and market risks. Any fund that concentrates in a particular segment of the market or a particular geographical region will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly.

War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in US and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the funds and their investments.

The European Union, the United States and other countries have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to Russian military and other actions in recent years. These sanctions have adversely affected Russian individuals, issuers and the Russian economy. Russia, in turn, has imposed sanctions targeting Western individuals, businesses and products. The various sanctions have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, not only the Russian economy, but also the economies of many countries in Europe, including countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In the case of the Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc., Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has materially adversely affected, and may continue to materially adversely affect, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio.

Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a one-time public offering and once issued, shares of closed-end funds are sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of the fund’s shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, the fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.

Certain statements contained in this release may be forward-looking in nature. These include all statements relating to plans, potential future transactions, expectations, and other statements that are not historical facts and typically use words like “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Such statements represent management’s current beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. Management does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements: (i) the effects of adverse changes in market and economic conditions; (ii) legal and regulatory developments including with respect to relevant sanctions; and (iii) other additional risks and uncertainties, including public health crises, war, terrorism, trade disputes and related geopolitical events.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

NOT FDIC/ NCUA INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NO BANK GUARANTEE
NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

DWS Distributors, Inc.
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
www.dws.com
Tel (800) 621-1148
© 2024 DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA. All rights reserved

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services. (R-101353) (05/24)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240530456676/en/

For additional information:

DWS Press Office (212) 454-4500

Shareholder Account Information (800) 294-4366

DWS Closed-End Funds (800) 349-4281

Source: DWS

FAQ

What impact did the sale of Russian depositary receipts have on CEE's net asset value?

The sale of depositary receipts of a non-sanctioned Russian issuer in May 2024 positively impacted CEE's net asset value.

Why are CEE's Russian holdings valued at zero?

CEE's Russian holdings are valued at zero due to sanctions and measures by the Russian Central Bank and Government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Can CEE sell its remaining Russian securities?

Some of CEE's Russian securities are unsellable due to sanctions, including three positions in local shares and four positions in sanctioned issuers.

Is CEE engaging with shareholders regarding its Russian holdings?

Yes, CEE management welcomes shareholder suggestions on managing its Russian holdings and maximizing shareholder value.

How does CEE manage valuation uncertainties of its Russian assets?

CEE values Russian securities at zero unless a recent bid is received and sale is permissible under applicable sanctions and regulations.