First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund Increases its Quarterly Distribution to $0.40 Per Share

Rhea-AI Summary

First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund (FEN) increases its quarterly distribution by 33.33% to $0.40 per share. The distribution will be payable on April 30, 2024, to shareholders of record as of April 23, 2024. The Fund focuses on MLPs in the energy sector and aims for high after-tax total return with current distributions.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• The Fund is subject to market risks, including fluctuations due to economic conditions, political events, regulatory factors, and interest rate changes.
• Investing in the Fund involves risks related to market conditions, such as inflation, interest rate hikes, bank failures, armed conflicts, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Concentration in energy sector securities makes the Fund susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory events affecting the industry, including competition, energy conservation policies, and economic slowdowns.
• The use of derivatives by the Fund may lead to greater losses, selling or purchasing securities at unfavorable times, limiting appreciation potential, or holding securities that would otherwise be sold.
• Investing in non-U.S. securities exposes the Fund to currency fluctuations, economic, and political risks associated with foreign countries.
• Leverage usage by the Fund increases risk and costs, potentially magnifying losses.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The announcement by First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund (FEN) to increase its quarterly distribution by 33.33% represents a significant shift in the fund's dividend policy, which could have implications for investor yield expectations. The increase in distribution is a direct result of the fund's need to distribute accumulated earnings and profits, likely tied to the performance of the underlying assets, primarily Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) in the energy sector.

Investors might interpret the distribution increase as a positive signal regarding the fund's earnings and the health of the energy sector, potentially leading to a reevaluation of FEN's valuation. However, the high distribution rate, now at 9.50% based on NAV and 9.70% on closing market price, could also raise concerns about the sustainability of such payouts in the long term, especially considering the volatile nature of the energy market and the potential impact of interest rate hikes on high-yield investments.

Tax Advisor

The tax implications of the distributions from FEN are noteworthy, especially since a portion may consist of a tax-deferred return of capital. This aspect of the distribution could be attractive to investors seeking tax-efficient income, as returns of capital are not taxed immediately but reduce the cost basis of the investment, deferring the tax liability until the fund's shares are sold. However, it also means that the distributions are not solely composed of earnings, which could affect the perception of the fund's profitability.

For investors, the final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2024, to be provided on Form 1099-DIV, will be important for tax planning. This underscores the importance of understanding the tax treatment of MLP investments, which can be complex due to their unique structure and the implications for corporate income tax, as FEN is treated as a 'C' corporation for tax purposes.

Energy Sector Analyst

The focus of FEN on MLPs and related entities in the energy sector suggests a specialized investment approach that can offer both income and growth opportunities, but also comes with a higher risk profile. The energy sector is subject to a myriad of risks, including commodity price fluctuations, regulatory changes and macroeconomic factors. The fund's concentration in this sector means that its performance is closely tied to the health and stability of the energy market.

Current market conditions, such as the ongoing armed conflicts and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, have introduced additional volatility and uncertainty. Investors should be aware that while the energy sector may offer high income potential, it also requires careful risk assessment, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions and the transition towards renewable energy sources, which could reshape the industry's landscape.

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund (the "Fund") (NYSE American: FEN) has increased its regularly scheduled quarterly distribution to $0.40 per share from $0.30 per share The distribution will be payable on April 30, 2024, to shareholders of record as of April 23, 2024. The ex-dividend date is expected to be April 22, 2024. The quarterly distribution information for the Fund appears below.

First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund (FEN):

Distribution per share:	$0.40
Distribution Rate based on the April 9, 2024 NAV of $16.85:	9.50%
Distribution Rate based on the April 9, 2024 closing market price of $16.50:	9.70%
Increase from previous distribution of $0.30:	33.33%

The increase is attributable to a portion of the Fund’s estimated accumulated earnings and profits required to be distributed in connection with the previously approved merger.

The distribution will be paid entirely in cash, with no option for dividend reinvestment.

It is anticipated that, due to the tax treatment of cash distributions made by the publicly-traded master limited partnerships ("MLPs") in which the Fund invests, a portion of distributions the Fund makes to Common Shareholders may consist of a tax-deferred return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2024 will be made after the end of 2024 and will be provided on Form 1099-DIV.

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks a high level of after-tax total return with an emphasis on current distributions paid to shareholders. The Fund focuses on investing in MLPs and related public entities in the energy sector which the Fund's investment sub-advisor believes offer opportunities for income and growth. The Fund is treated as a regular corporation, or a "C" corporation, for United States federal income tax purposes and, as a result, is subject to corporate income tax to the extent the Fund recognizes taxable income.

First Trust Advisors L.P. ("FTA") is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the Fund's investment advisor. FTA and its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P. ("FTP"), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, are privately-held companies that provide a variety of investment services. FTA has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $226 billion as of March 28, 2024 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts. FTA is the supervisor of the First Trust unit investment trusts, while FTP is the sponsor. FTP is also a distributor of mutual fund shares and exchange-traded fund creation units. FTA and FTP are based in Wheaton, Illinois.

Energy Income Partners, LLC ("EIP") serves as the Fund's investment sub-advisor and provides advisory services to a number of investment companies and partnerships for the purpose of investing in MLPs and other energy infrastructure securities. EIP is one of the early investment advisors specializing in this area. As of March 31, 2024, EIP managed or supervised approximately $5.4 billion in client assets.

Principal Risk Factors: Risks are inherent in all investing. Certain risks applicable to the Fund are identified below, which includes the risk that you could lose some or all of your investment in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in the Fund's annual shareholder reports. The order of the below risk factors does not indicate the significance of any particular risk factor. The Fund also files reports, proxy statements and other information that is available for review.

Past performance is no assurance of future results. Investment return and market value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objectives will be achieved. The Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.

The Fund is subject to risks, including the fact that it is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company.

Market risk is the risk that a particular investment, or shares of a fund in general may fall in value. Investments held by the Fund are subject to market fluctuations caused by real or perceived adverse economic conditions, political events, regulatory factors or market developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in securities prices. Shares of a fund could decline in value or underperform other investments as a result. In addition, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, market manipulation, government defaults, government shutdowns, regulatory actions, political changes, diplomatic developments, the imposition of sanctions and other similar measures, spread of infectious disease or other public health issues, recessions, natural disasters or other events could have significant negative impact on a fund and its investments.

Current market conditions risk is the risk that a particular investment, or shares of the fund in general, may fall in value due to current market conditions. As a means to fight inflation, the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have raised interest rates and expect to continue to do so, and the Federal Reserve has announced that it intends to reverse previously implemented quantitative easing. Recent and potential future bank failures could result in disruption to the broader banking industry or markets generally and reduce confidence in financial institutions and the economy as a whole, which may also heighten market volatility and reduce liquidity. Ongoing armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine in Europe and among Israel, Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East, have caused and could continue to cause significant market disruptions and volatility within the markets in Russia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting from those hostilities have and could continue to have a significant impact on certain fund investments as well as fund performance and liquidity. The COVID-19 global pandemic, or any future public health crisis, and the ensuing policies enacted by governments and central banks have caused and may continue to cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets, negatively impacting global growth prospects.

Because the Fund is concentrated in securities issued by energy companies, energy sector MLPs and MLP-related entities, it will be more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting those industries, including high interest costs, high leverage costs, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors.

The Fund's use of derivatives may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on an investment, or may cause the fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell.

Investment in non-U.S. securities is subject to the risk of currency fluctuations and to economic and political risks associated with such foreign countries.

Use of leverage can result in additional risk and cost, and can magnify the effect of any losses.

The risks of investing in the fund are spelled out in the shareholder report and other regulatory filings.

The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.

The Fund’s daily closing NYSE American price and net asset value per share as well as other information can be found at https://www.ftportfolios.com or by calling 1-800-988-5891.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410552895/en/

Press Inquiries, Ryan Issakainen, 630-765-8689

Analyst Inquiries, Jeff Margolin, 630-915-6784

Broker Inquiries, Sales Team, 866-848-9727

Source: First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund

FAQ

What is the new quarterly distribution per share for First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund (FEN)?

The new quarterly distribution per share for FEN is $0.40, increased by 33.33% from the previous amount.

When will the increased distribution be payable to shareholders?

The increased distribution of $0.40 per share will be payable on April 30, 2024.

What is the distribution rate based on the April 9, 2024 NAV for First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund (FEN)?

The distribution rate based on the April 9, 2024 NAV of $16.85 is 9.50%.

What is the Fund's focus in terms of investments?

The Fund focuses on investing in MLPs and related public entities in the energy sector to provide opportunities for income and growth.

What are the principal risks associated with investing in First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund (FEN)?

The principal risks include market risk, current market conditions risk, concentration in energy sector securities, derivatives usage, non-U.S. securities risk, and leverage risk.