WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund (the "Fund") (NYSE: FAM) has decreased its regularly scheduled monthly common share distribution to $0.065 per share from $0.075 per share. The distribution will be payable on February 15, 2022, to shareholders of record as of February 2, 2022. The ex-dividend date is expected to be February 1, 2022. The monthly distribution information for the Fund appears below.
First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund (FAM):
Distribution per share: |
$0.065 |
Distribution Rate based on the January 19, 2022 NAV of $9.30: |
8.39% |
Distribution Rate based on the January 19, 2022 closing market price of $9.39: |
8.31% |
Decrease from previous distribution of $0.075: |
-13.33% |
This distribution will consist of net investment income earned by the Fund and return of capital and may also consist of realized capital gains. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2022 will be made after the end of 2022 and will be provided on Form 1099-DIV.
Given the persistent and likelihood of sustained low interest rates, particularly in the developed markets, a reduction in the distribution to $0.065 per share more accurately reflects the Fund’s current earnings potential.
The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation. The Fund pursues these investment objectives by investing in the world bond markets through a diversified portfolio of investment grade and below-investment grade government and corporate debt securities.
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 $223 billion as of December 31, 2021 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.
Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc. ("ASII") serves as the Fund's investment sub-advisor. ASII is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of abrdn plc, formerly Standard Life Aberdeen plc. Aberdeen Standard Investments is the brand name for the asset management group of abrdn plc, managing approximately $630.74 billion in assets as of June 30, 2021, for a range of pension funds, financial institutions, investment trusts, unit trusts, offshore funds, charities and private clients.
Principal Risk Factors: 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.
Securities held by a fund, as well as shares of a fund itself, are subject to market fluctuations caused by factors such 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 of the risk of loss associated with these market fluctuations. In addition, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant negative impact on a fund and its investments. Such events may affect certain geographic regions, countries, sectors and industries more significantly than others. The outbreak of the respiratory disease designated as COVID-19 in December 2019 has caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, which have caused losses for investors. While the development of vaccines has slowed the spread of the virus and allowed for the resumption of "reasonably" normal business activity in the United States, many countries continue to impose lockdown measures in an attempt to slow the spread. Additionally, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against emerging variants of the disease.
The Fund invests in securities of non-U.S. issuers which are subject to higher volatility than securities of U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest from time to time a substantial amount of its assets in issuers located in a single country or region. Risks may be heightened for securities of companies located in, or with significant operations in, emerging market countries. 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.
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.
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 ability of a government issuer, especially in an emerging market country, to make timely and complete payments on its debt obligations will be strongly influenced by the government issuer's balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations of interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves.
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.
To the extent a fund invests in floating or variable rate obligations that use the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") as a reference interest rate, it is subject to LIBOR Risk. The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, will cease making LIBOR available as a reference rate over a phase-out period that will begin immediately after December 31, 2021. 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. Any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on the fund or on certain instruments in which the fund invests can be difficult to ascertain, and they may vary depending on a variety of factors, and they could result in losses to the fund.
On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom voted via referendum to leave the European Union, an event commonly referred to as "Brexit." Brexit immediately led to significant market volatility around the world, as well as political, economic, and legal uncertainty. Approximately one year after the United Kingdom officially departed the European Union, the United Kingdom and the European Union reached a trade agreement that became effective on December 31, 2020. Under the terms of the trade deal, there will be no tariffs or quotas on the movement of goods between the United Kingdom and Europe. There can be no assurance that the new trade agreement will improve the instability in global financial markets caused by Brexit. At this time, it is difficult to predict what the longer term ramifications and political, economic, and legal implications will be as a result of Brexit, including the impact on the Fund's portfolio holdings. The negative impact on not only the United Kingdom and European economies, but the broader global economy, could be significant, potentially resulting in increased volatility and illiquidity and lower economic growth for companies that rely significantly on Europe for their business activities and revenues.
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.
