First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund Declares its Monthly Common Share Distribution of $0.105 Per Share for January

Rhea-AI Summary

First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (FSD) has declared a monthly common share distribution of $0.105 per share payable on January 16, 2024, with a distribution rate of 9.86% based on NAV and 10.90% based on the closing market price on December 19, 2023. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund's investment advisor is First Trust Advisors L.P. and its investment sub-advisor is MacKay Shields LLC, with a collective asset under management of approximately $201 billion and $134.4 billion respectively as of November 30, 2023.

Positive

• The Fund has a high distribution rate based on the closing market price, potentially attractive for income-seeking investors.
• The collective assets under management of the investment advisor and sub-advisor are substantial, indicating a strong financial position.

Negative

• The Fund invests in non-investment grade debt instruments, subjecting it to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss.
• The Fund's investment in non-U.S. securities and emerging market countries poses higher volatility and speculative risks.

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (the "Fund") (NYSE: FSD) has declared the Fund’s regularly scheduled monthly common share distribution in the amount of $0.105 per share payable on January 16, 2024, to shareholders of record as of January 3, 2024. The ex-dividend date is expected to be January 2, 2024. The monthly distribution information for the Fund appears below.

First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (FSD):
Distribution per share:	$0.105
Distribution Rate based on the December 19, 2023 NAV of $12.78:	9.86%
Distribution Rate based on the December 19, 2023 closing market price of $11.56:	10.90%

This distribution will consist of net investment income earned by the Fund and return of capital and may also consist of net short-term realized capital gains. The final determination of the source and tax status of all 2024 distributions will be made after the end of 2024 and will be provided on Form 1099-DIV.

The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide current income. The Fund has a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, a majority of its assets in a diversified portfolio of U.S. and foreign (including emerging markets) high-yield corporate fixed-income securities of varying maturities that are rated below-investment grade at the time of purchase.

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 $201 billion as of November 30, 2023 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.

MacKay Shields LLC ("MacKay") serves as the Fund's investment sub-advisor. MacKay is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC. MacKay is an income and equity solutions investment management firm, specializing in taxable and municipal fixed income credit and less efficient segments of global equity markets where proprietary research and unique portfolio construction techniques can generate attractive client oriented outcomes. MacKay serves a prominent group of pension funds, government and financial institutions, family offices, high net worth individuals, endowments and foundations from across the globe. As of November 30, 2023, MacKay manages approximately $134.4 billion in 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.

Market risk is the risk that a particular security, or shares of a fund in general may fall in value. Securities are subject to market fluctuations caused by such factors as general economic conditions, political events, regulatory 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, spread of infectious disease or other public health issues, recessions, natural disasters or other events could have significant negative impact on a fund.

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.

The Fund invests in non-investment grade debt instruments, commonly referred to as "high-yield securities". High-yield securities are subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss than securities with higher ratings. Lower-quality debt tends to be less liquid than higher-quality debt.

The debt securities in which the Fund invests are subject to certain risks, including issuer risk, reinvestment risk, prepayment risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of fixed-income securities may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund's portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called bonds at market interest rates that are below the Fund portfolio's current earnings rate. Prepayment risk is the risk that, upon a prepayment, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund derives interest income will be reduced. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a security will be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and/or principal payments when due and that the value of a security may decline as a result. Interest rate risk is the risk that fixed-income securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates.

In times of unusual or adverse market, economic, regulatory or political conditions, the Fund may not be able, fully or partially, to implement its short selling strategy. Short selling creates special risks which could result in increased volatility of returns and may result in greater gains or greater losses.

The Fund invests in securities of non-U.S. issuers which are subject to higher volatility than securities of U.S. issuers. Because the Fund invests in non-U.S. securities, you may lose money if the local currency of a non-U.S. market depreciates against the U.S. dollar.

Investments in securities of issuers located in emerging market countries are considered speculative and there is a heightened risk of investing in emerging markets securities. Financial and other reporting by companies and government entities also may be less reliable in emerging market countries. Shareholder claims that are available in the U.S., as well as regulatory oversight and authority that is common in the U.S., including for claims based on fraud, may be difficult or impossible for shareholders of securities in emerging market countries or for U.S. authorities to pursue.

The London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") has ceased to be made available as a reference rate. Any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on the fund or on certain instruments in which the fund invests is difficult to predict and could result in losses to the fund. The unavailability or replacement of LIBOR may affect the value, liquidity or return on certain fund investments and may result in costs incurred in connection with closing out positions and entering into new trades.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts involve certain risks, including the risk of failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and the risk that the use of forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged.

Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding. The Fund may be required to incur certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its investment. The Fund also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the obligations evidenced by the distressed securities will eventually be satisfied.

Illiquid and restricted securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so.

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 reports 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 New York Stock Exchange 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.

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Press Inquiries Ryan Issakainen 630-765-8689

Analyst Inquiries Jeff Margolin 630-915-6784

Broker Inquiries Sales Team 866-848-9727

Source: First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund

FAQ

What is the monthly common share distribution declared by First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (FSD)?

The monthly common share distribution declared by First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (FSD) is $0.105 per share.

What is the distribution rate based on NAV and the closing market price on December 19, 2023, for First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (FSD)?

The distribution rate based on NAV is 9.86%, and based on the closing market price is 10.90%.

Who is the investment advisor and sub-advisor of First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (FSD)?

The investment advisor is First Trust Advisors L.P., and the investment sub-advisor is MacKay Shields LLC.

What are the principal risk factors associated with investing in First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (FSD)?

The principal risk factors include market risk, current market conditions risk, and risks associated with high-yield securities, non-U.S. securities, and emerging market countries.

Where can I find the daily closing New York Stock Exchange price and net asset value per share of First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (FSD)?

The daily closing New York Stock Exchange price and net asset value per share can be found at https://www.ftportfolios.com or by calling 1-800-988-5891.