The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. Announces Quarterly Distribution in Stock and Cash
- None.
- The distribution may include returns of capital, potentially affecting the Fund's total assets and expense ratio.
- The Fund's market price may be adversely impacted by any amendment or termination of the Policy by the Board.
Insights
The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund's announcement of a quarterly distribution paid partially in stock and partially in cash is a strategic move with several implications for investors and the Fund's financial health. By limiting cash distributions to 20% of the total, the Fund preserves liquidity, which can be critical for operational flexibility and potential investment opportunities. However, this approach also dilutes current shareholders' equity as additional shares are issued. The impact on the stock's market price could be negative, as supply increases, potentially leading to a lower price per share.
Moreover, the Fund's indication that distributions will likely include returns of capital suggests that the Fund's earnings are not sufficient to cover distributions. This scenario can be a red flag for investors, signaling that the Fund's current operations might not be generating enough income. Long-term, consistent returns of capital could erode the Fund's asset base, potentially affecting its ability to generate earnings in the future.
From a tax perspective, the Fund's distribution policy, particularly the return of capital, has significant implications for investors. A return of capital reduces an investor's cost basis in the Fund, which can defer taxes until the investment is sold. However, it does not equate to a realized gain and, therefore, doesn't provide immediate taxable income. Investors should carefully assess the tax consequences of these distributions, especially in light of the Fund's warning that the actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will only be determined after the fiscal year ends.
Additionally, the issuance of a Form 1099-DIV requires investors to pay close attention to how distributions are classified for tax purposes. Incorrectly reporting these distributions could lead to tax liabilities. It's crucial for investors to consult with tax professionals to understand the tax treatment and ensure compliance with tax regulations.
It is essential to consider the broader market implications of the Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund's managed distribution policy. The Fund's decision to pay dividends in stock could be indicative of its market environment, where retaining cash is prioritized. This could reflect a cautious stance in an uncertain market or a preparation for capitalizing on future investment opportunities that management foresees. Investors should analyze market trends and the Fund's portfolio holdings to gauge the strategic alignment of this policy with market conditions.
Furthermore, the Fund's policy may influence investor sentiment and the Fund's market price. If investors perceive the stock distribution as a lack of confidence in the Fund's ability to generate cash, it could lead to a discount on the Fund's net asset value in the market. Conversely, if the market views the policy as a prudent step to strengthen the Fund's balance sheet, it could have a neutral or even positive effect on investor sentiment.
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (NASDAQ: CUBA) (the “Fund”) today announced that the Fund will pay a quarterly distribution pursuant to the Fund’s managed distribution policy (the “Policy”) using a combination of shares of common stock and cash.
Quarterly Distribution in Stock and Cash:
The Fund has announced a quarterly distribution to be paid as follows:
| Declaration Date | Ex-Date | Record Date | Payment Date | Per Share | |
| 02/12/2024 | 03/26/2024 | 03/27/2024 | 05/10/2024 | ||
The distribution for stockholders will be paid in cash or shares of our common stock at the election of stockholders. The total amount of cash distributed to all stockholders will be limited to
The number of shares of common stock to be issued to stockholders receiving all or a portion of the dividend in shares of common stock will be based on the volume weighted average price per share of common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 23, 24, and 25, 2024.
Management believes that the cash and stock distribution will allow the Fund to strengthen its balance sheet and to be in a position to capitalize on potential future investment opportunities.
The schedule above applies to the distribution for stockholders of record on the close of business on the record date.
The details of the distribution will be described in the election form and accompanying materials that will be mailed to stockholders in connection with the distribution not later than promptly following the record date. Election forms must be returned on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 25, 2024 to be effective.
Stockholders who do not return a timely and properly completed election form before the election deadline will be deemed to have made an election to receive
Participants in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan will also receive an election form. The investment feature of the dividend reinvestment plan will be suspended for the distribution and will be reinstated after the distribution has been completed.
Stockholders who hold their shares through a bank, broker or nominee, or in “street name” will not receive an election form directly from the Company and should receive information regarding the election process from their bank, broker or nominee. Street name holders should contact their bank, broker or nominee for additional information.
The Fund expects that distributions under the Policy will exceed investment income and available capital gains and thus expects that distributions under the Policy will likely include returns of capital for the foreseeable future. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of a stockholder’s investment is paid back to the stockholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income.’ Furthermore, a return of capital distribution is not a guarantee of future distributions or yield. Any such returns of capital will decrease the Fund’s total assets and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. In addition, in order to maintain the level of distributions called for under its Policy, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities at a less than opportune time.
The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the current distribution and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income, net realized capital gains and return of capital. All amounts are expressed per common share.
| Current Distribution | % Breakdown of the Current Distribution | Total Cumulative Distributions for the Fiscal Year to Date | % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions for the Fiscal Year to Date | |||
| Net Investment Income | ||||||
| Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains | ||||||
| Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains | ||||||
| Return of Capital | ||||||
| Total (per common share) | ||||||
The primary purpose of the Policy is to provide stockholders with a constant, but not guaranteed, fixed minimum rate of distribution each quarter (currently set at the annual rate of
The amount distributed per share is subject to change at the discretion of the Board. The Policy is subject to ongoing review by the Board to determine whether it should be continued, modified or terminated. The Board may amend the terms of the Policy, suspend the Policy, or terminate the Policy at any time without prior notice to the Fund’s stockholders if it deems such actions to be in the best interest of the Fund or its stockholders. The amendment or termination of the Policy could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares. On August 10, 2023, the Board indefinitely suspended the Plan until further notice. On November 22, 2023, the Board reinstated the Plan and announced its intention to declare a quarterly distribution in December 2023.
With each distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income, the Fund will issue a notice to stockholders and an accompanying press release that will provide detailed information regarding the amount and composition of the distribution and other related information. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in the notice to stockholders are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during its full fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send stockholders a Form 1099-DIV for the respective calendar year that will tell them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Stockholders should consult their tax advisor for proper tax treatment of the Fund’s distributions.
Under the Policy, the Fund will distribute all available investment income to its stockholders, consistent with its investment objective and as required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The amount distributed per share is subject to change at the discretion of the Fund’s Board of Directors (“Board”). If sufficient investment income is not available on a quarterly basis, the Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return capital to its stockholders in order to maintain its managed distribution level. The Fund is currently not relying on any exemptive relief from Section 19(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund may make additional distributions from time to time, including additional capital gain distributions at the end of the taxable year, if required to meet requirements imposed by the Code and/or the 1940 Act.
Future distributions by the Fund may be made in cash or using a combination of shares of common stock and cash, as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.
About Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc.
Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc., founded in 1984, is an SEC registered investment advisor, specializing in investment analysis and account management in closed-end funds. The Firm also specializes in investment in the Caribbean Basin. The HERZFELD/CUBA division of Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. serves as the investment advisor to The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. a publicly traded closed-end fund (NASDAQ: CUBA).
More information about the advisor can be found at www.herzfeld.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. An investment in the Fund is subject to certain risks, including market risk. In general, shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from their net asset value and at the time of sale may be trading on the exchange at a price which is more or less than the original purchase price or the net asset value. An investor should carefully consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Please read the Fund’s disclosure documents before investing.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release, and other statements that TJHA or the Fund may make regarding management’s future expectations, beliefs, intentions, goals, strategies, plans or prospects, including statements relating to: management’s beliefs that the cash and stock distribution will allow the Fund to strengthen its balance sheet and to be in a position to capitalize on potential future investment opportunities, when there can be no assurance either will occur; the tax consequences of the distributions to stockholders; and other factors may contain forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to the Fund’s or TJHA’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. TJHA and the Fund caution that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and TJHA and the Fund assume no duty to and do not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to the Fund, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, particularly with respect to Cuba and other Caribbean Basin countries, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Fund or in the Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of the Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Fund or TJHA, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or TJHA or the Fund; (9) TJHA’s and the Fund’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of TJHA electing to provide support to its products from time to time; (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions; and (12) the effects of an epidemic, pandemic or public health emergency, including without limitation, COVID-19. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Fund with the SEC are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on TJHA’s website at www.herzfeld.com/cuba, and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Fund. The information contained on TJHA’s website is not a part of this press release.
Contact:
Tom Morgan
Chief Compliance Officer
Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc.
1-305-777-1660
FAQ
What is the quarterly distribution policy announced by The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (CUBA)?
How will the distribution be paid to stockholders?
What percentage of the total distribution will be paid in cash?
What is the purpose of the Policy announced by The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (CUBA)?
Can the amount distributed per share change?
