Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (UTF) Notification of Sources of Distribution Under Section 19(a)
- The Fund's managed distribution policy provides regular monthly distributions at a fixed rate per common share, aiming to deliver long-term total return potential to shareholders.
- Monthly distributions may include long-term capital gains, short-term capital gains, net investment income, and/or return of capital for federal income tax purposes.
- The estimated amounts of the current distribution and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year-to-date are detailed in the press release.
- Final tax characteristics of all distributions will be provided on Form 1099-DIV, mailed after the close of the calendar year.
- The Board of Directors of the Fund may amend, terminate, or suspend the managed distribution policy at any time, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares.
- The amount of monthly distributions may vary depending on changes in portfolio and market conditions.
Insights
Examining the distribution policy of Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (UTF) highlights a strategic approach to managing investor payouts. The managed distribution policy in question allows for a steady flow of income to shareholders, which can be appealing for those seeking regular income streams from their investments. This approach can potentially enhance the attractiveness of the Fund's shares, particularly among income-focused investors.
From a financial analysis perspective, the composition of the distributions is critical. The Fund's distributions comprise a mix of net investment income, realized capital gains and return of capital. A substantial proportion of the distribution coming from net investment income and long-term capital gains is generally a positive indicator, as these sources imply actual earnings and profitable investments. However, a return of capital indicates payments exceeding earnings, which effectively reduces the investment's value and could signal caution if it becomes a consistent pattern.
The variability in distribution sources and the potential for a return of capital to constitute a significant portion of the payout necessitate close monitoring. Investors should be aware that a return of capital reduces their tax basis, which could have implications for capital gains taxes upon sale of the shares. Moreover, the impact on the Fund's net asset value (NAV) from these distributions should be considered, as it may affect the long-term sustainability of the payout policy.
Understanding the tax implications of Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund's distributions is essential for shareholders. The differentiation between net investment income, short-term and long-term capital gains and return of capital affects the tax burden on the investor. Long-term capital gains are typically taxed at a lower rate than short-term gains, making them more favorable from a tax perspective.
However, the presence of return of capital in the distributions is a double-edged sword. While it is not immediately taxable, it reduces an investor's cost basis in the Fund, potentially leading to higher capital gains taxes when shares are sold. Investors should consider these tax consequences when assessing the overall performance and efficiency of their investments in UTF.
Furthermore, the uncertainty of the final tax characteristics until year-end complicates tax planning for investors. The reliance on Form 1099-DIV for definitive tax information underscores the importance of year-end tax preparation and the need for investors to potentially adjust their tax strategies in response to the final distribution characteristics.
For prospective and current shareholders of the Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, the managed distribution policy provides clarity and predictability of income, which can be a significant factor in investment decisions. However, the sustainability of such distributions is contingent upon the Fund's performance and market conditions.
An investment advisor would note that the Fund's ability to realize long-term capital gains consistently is a positive indicator of the Fund's investment strategy and management. Nevertheless, the reliance on return of capital for distributions is a potential red flag, suggesting that the Fund's earnings may not be sufficient to cover the distributions in some instances. This could indicate a need for the Fund to adjust its payout policy or for investors to reassess the Fund's role within their portfolios.
The fund's performance should be evaluated not just by the distributions it makes but also by the total return, which includes both income and capital appreciation. Long-term investors, in particular, should be mindful of how the distributions impact the Fund's NAV and their own investment objectives and risk tolerance.
In March 2015, the Fund implemented a managed distribution policy in accordance with exemptive relief issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The managed distribution policy seeks to deliver the Fund's long-term total return potential through regular monthly distributions declared at a fixed rate per common share. This policy gives the Fund greater flexibility to realize long-term capital gains throughout the year and to distribute those gains on a regular monthly basis to shareholders. The Board of Directors of the Fund may amend, terminate or suspend the managed distribution policy at any time, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares.
The Fund's monthly distributions may include long-term capital gains, short-term capital gains, net investment income and/or return of capital for federal income tax purposes. Return of capital includes distributions paid by the Fund in excess of its net investment income and net realized capital gains and such excess is distributed from the Fund's assets. A return of capital is not taxable; rather, it reduces a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares of the Fund. In addition, distributions from the Fund's investments in MLPs are attributed to various sources, including net investment income and return of capital. The amount of monthly distributions may vary depending on a number of factors, including changes in portfolio and market conditions.
At the time of each monthly distribution, information will be posted to cohenandsteers.com and mailed to shareholders in a concurrent notice. However, this information may change at the end of the year because the final tax characteristics of the Fund's distributions cannot be determined with certainty until after the end of the calendar year. Final tax characteristics of all of the Fund's distributions will be provided on Form 1099-DIV, which is mailed after the close of the calendar year.
The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the current distribution and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year-to-date from the sources indicated. All amounts are expressed per common share.
DISTRIBUTION ESTIMATES | December 2023 | YEAR-TO-DATE (YTD) December 31, 2023* | ||
Source | Per Share | % of Current | Per Share | % of 2023 |
Net Investment Income | 42.45 % | 41.25 % | ||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains | 0.00 % | 4.92 % | ||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains | 57.55 % | 26.16 % | ||
Return of Capital (or other Capital Source) | 0.00 % | 27.67 % | ||
Total Current Distribution | 100.00 % | 100.00 % | ||
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution policy. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with 'yield' or 'income'. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates, are likely to change over time, and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The amounts and sources of distributions year-to-date may be subject to additional adjustments.
*THE FUND WILL SEND YOU A FORM 1099-DIV FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR THAT WILL TELL YOU HOW TO REPORT THESE DISTRIBUTIONS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
The Fund's Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return for fiscal year 2023 (January 1, 2023 through November 30, 2023) is set forth below. Shareholders should take note of the relationship between the Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return with the Fund's Cumulative Distribution Rate for 2023. In addition, the Fund's Average Annual Total Return for the five-year period ending November 30, 2023 is set forth below. Shareholders should note the relationship between the Average Annual Total Return with the Fund's Current Annualized Distribution Rate for 2023. The performance and distribution rate information disclosed in the table is based on the Fund's net asset value per share (NAV). The Fund's NAV is calculated as the total market value of all the securities and other assets held by the Fund minus the total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding. While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's individual 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.
Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information:
Year-to-date January 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023 | |
Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return1 | -2.59 % |
Cumulative Distribution Rate2 | 8.46 % |
Five-year period ending November 30, 2023 | |
Average Annual Total Return3 | 6.43 % |
Current Annualized Distribution Rate4 | 8.46 % |
1. | Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund's NAV over the year-to-date time period including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
2. | Cumulative Distribution Rate for the Fund's current fiscal period (January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023) measured on the dollar value of distributions in the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Fund's NAV as of November 30, 2023. |
3. | Average Annual Total Return represents the compound average of the Annual NAV Total Returns of the Fund for the five-year period ending November 30, 2023. Annual NAV Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund's NAV over a year including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
4. | The Current Annualized Distribution Rate is the current fiscal period's distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Fund's NAV as of November 30, 2023. |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expense of the Fund carefully before investing. You can obtain the Fund's most recent periodic reports, when available, and other regulatory filings by contacting your financial advisor or visiting cohenandsteers.com. These reports and other filings can be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR Database. You should read these reports and other filings carefully before investing.
Shareholders should not use the information provided here in preparing their tax returns. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year indicating how to report Fund distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Website: https://www.cohenandsteers.com
Symbol: (NYSE: CNS)
About Cohen & Steers. Cohen & Steers is a leading global investment manager specializing in real assets and alternative income, including real estate, preferred securities, infrastructure, resource equities, commodities, as well as multi-strategy solutions. Founded in 1986, the firm is headquartered in
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and other statements that Cohen & Steers may make may contain forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which reflect the company's current views with respect to, among other things, its operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates," or the negative versions of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.
Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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SOURCE Cohen & Steers, Inc.
FAQ
What is the managed distribution policy of Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (UTF)?
What are the sources of the Fund's monthly distributions?
Where can shareholders find information about the final tax characteristics of the Fund's distributions?
What are the potential risks associated with the managed distribution policy?
How do changes in portfolio and market conditions affect the amount of monthly distributions?
