Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (RFI) Notification of Sources of Distribution Under Section 19(a)
- None.
- The managed distribution policy can be amended, terminated, or suspended at any time, potentially affecting the market price of the Fund's shares.
- The final tax characteristics of the Fund's distributions cannot be determined with certainty until after the end of the calendar year.
Insights
Examining the distribution announcement from Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc., the managed distribution policy's intent is to optimize long-term total return potential for shareholders. The policy supports the Fund's ability to realize and distribute capital gains consistently. This approach can be instrumental in providing a steady income stream, which might appeal to income-focused investors. However, the inclusion of return of capital in the distributions is a critical point. While it can increase the cash flow to investors, it also diminishes the invested capital, potentially impacting the Fund's net asset value over time.
Investors should note that a return of capital reduces their tax basis in the Fund, which could have implications for capital gains tax when the shares are eventually sold. This aspect necessitates a nuanced understanding of the tax implications of the Fund's distributions. Moreover, the fluctuation in distribution amounts based on portfolio performance and market conditions indicates the need for investors to monitor these distributions closely, as they could affect the overall investment strategy and expectations.
From a taxation perspective, the classification of distributions is paramount for shareholders. Distributions that are considered a return of capital are not immediately taxable, but they do adjust the shareholder's cost basis downward. This can have a significant impact on the taxable amount when the shares are sold. It's also important for shareholders to understand that the tax characteristics of distributions might not be fully determinable until the end of the year, which requires careful tax planning.
Shareholders should be particularly vigilant about the recharacterization of distributions from REIT investments, as these might be reclassified after year-end, altering the anticipated tax consequences. The tax information provided on Form 1099-DIV after the close of the calendar year will be essential for accurate reporting. Shareholders would benefit from consulting with a tax professional to understand the specific tax implications of their investment in the Fund.
The announcement regarding the Fund's distribution policy might influence investor perception and, consequently, the market price of the Fund's shares. The flexibility of the managed distribution policy allows for regular income but also introduces variability based on the Fund's performance and market conditions. While the policy can be appealing to those seeking consistent payouts, any amendments, suspensions, or terminations of this policy by the Board could lead to volatility in the Fund's share price.
Furthermore, the market's reaction to the distribution components could be mixed. Some investors might be attracted to the high percentage of the distribution represented by long-term capital gains, which are generally taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income. Others might be cautious about the portion classified as a return of capital, as it could suggest that the Fund is not generating enough income or gains to cover distributions, which could be a red flag regarding the Fund's underlying performance.
In December 2011, 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. The 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 real estate investment trusts (REITs) may later be characterized as capital gains and/or a return of capital, depending on the character of the dividends reported to the Fund after year-end by REITs held by the Fund. 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 | January 2024 | YEAR-TO-DATE (YTD) January 31, 2024* | ||
Source | Per Share Amount | % of Current Distribution | Per Share Amount | % of 2024 Distributions |
Net Investment Income | 9.38 % | 9.38 % | ||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | ||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains | 53.25 % | 53.25 % | ||
Return of Capital (or other Capital Source) | 37.37 % | 37.37 % | ||
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 December 31, 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 2024. In addition, the Fund's Average Annual Total Return for the five-year period ending December 31, 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 December 31, 2023 | |
Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return1 | 12.14 % |
Cumulative Distribution Rate2 | 0.67 % |
Five-year period ending December 31, 2023 | |
Average Annual Total Return3 | 8.66 % |
Current Annualized Distribution Rate4 | 8.03 % |
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, 2024 through January 31, 2024) measured on the dollar value of distributions in the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Fund's NAV as of December 31, 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 December 31, 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 December 31, 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 distribution to be paid on January 31, 2024 for Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (CNS)?
What is the managed distribution policy implemented by Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (CNS)?
What may the monthly distributions of Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (CNS) include?
What are the potential adverse effects of amending, terminating, or suspending the managed distribution policy of Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (CNS)?
How are the final tax characteristics of Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (CNS) distributions determined?
