NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund (NYSE: NHF) (“NHF” or the “Fund”) today
announced its regular monthly dividend on its common stock of $.06
per share. The dividend will be payable on the last business day of
January to shareholders of record at the close of business January 23,
2015. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had estimated undistributed net
investment income (“UNI”) of approximately $15.6 million (unaudited).
The Fund is a closed-end fund managed by NexPoint Advisors, L.P. (the
“Manager”), an affiliated adviser of Highland Capital Management, L.P.
The Fund invests primarily in below investment grade debt and equity and
has the ability to hedge risk. The Manager attempts to deliver
consistent returns in excess of the Credit Suisse Hedge Fund and the
HFRX Global Hedge Fund indices in a transparent, registered fund format
with consistent monthly dividends.
Fund Earnings
In 2014, the Manager has recommended, and the board has approved, two
dividend increases totaling 17%. The increases were driven by increased
earnings on portfolio positions. Prior to recommending increases in the
dividend to the board, the Manager carefully analyzed each position in
the Fund and its long-term earning potential as well as the Fund’s
expense run rate. Below is the Fund’s annualized earnings rate as of
December 31, 2014, excluding any one-time income and expense items:
|
|
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Income/Expense Item
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Amount ($m)
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Estimated Interest Income (including discount amortization)
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$
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29.1
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Estimated Dividend Income (including CLO equity)
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44.7
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Total Income
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|
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73.8
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Expense Projection
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(21.0
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)
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Net Income Available to Common Shareholders
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$
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52.8
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|
|
|
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Per Share Net Income
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|
$
|
.0689
|
|
Current Per Share Dividend
|
|
$
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.0600
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|
|
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|
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Additionally, the Fund had an estimated undistributed net investment
income (“UNI”) balance as of December 31, 2014 of $15.6 million
(unaudited). This means the Fund has an accumulated excess of income
earned historically versus dividends paid that it can utilize to
maintain a steady $.06 per share monthly dividend in the event net
investment income is lower than expected. It is anticipated dividends in
the near-term will be covered by the net investment income earned by the
Fund, meaning these dividends will not represent a return of capital.
In 2013, the Fund’s NAV increased 61.9%, inclusive of dividends, from
$7.44 per share on December 31, 2012 to $11.33 per share on December 31,
2013. During the year, the dividend was increased three times for a
total increase of 43% from a monthly dividend of $.035 per share to $.05
per share. The Fund finished the year as the best performing closed-end
fund of 2013¹. Additionally, as of December 31, 2013, the fund had $461
million of capital loss carryforwards available to shield capital gains.
On September 29, 2014, NHF announced that the board approved the
spin-off of NexPoint Residential Trust (“NXRT”) and plans to list it on
the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker NXRT once the spin-off is
completed, which we anticipate will be completed on or before March 31,
2015.² Although the board of NXRT will set the dividend policy, we
believe NXRT will have approximately $0.30 per share of original NHF
shares of annual income available for distribution. Additionally,
management believes NHF can maintain its current $0.72 per share of
annual distributions. In other words, management believes NHF can
maintain the same dividend on a lower NAV base, effectively increasing
the yield.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Returns as of 12/31/14
|
|
1-year
|
|
3-year
|
|
5-year
|
|
Since Inception (6/29/06)
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NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund (NAV)
|
|
26.24
|
%
|
|
32.92
|
%
|
|
21.59
|
%
|
|
5.32
|
%
|
NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund (Market Price)
|
|
26.77
|
%
|
|
30.28
|
%
|
|
20.49
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%
|
|
2.53
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
Total operating expenses as of the most recent fund annual report are
1.98%. Performance data represents past performance, which does not
guarantee future results. Current performance may be higher or lower
than the figures shown. Investment return and principal value will
fluctuate with market conditions, and you may have a gain or loss when
you sell your shares. For most recent month-end performance
please visit www.nexpointadvisors.com
or call 866-351-4440.
The information in this presentation contains "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the
fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.
Forward-looking statements often include words such as "anticipates,"
"estimates," "expects," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes" and
words and terms of similar substance in connection with discussions of
future operating or financial performance.
These forward-looking statements are based on our current
expectations and assumptions regarding the fund’s portfolio and
performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of
future events, circumstances and results. As with any projection
or forecast, they are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes
in circumstances. The fund’s actual results may vary materially
from those expressed or implied in its forward-looking statements.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks,
charges and expenses of the NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund carefully
before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's
prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling 1-866-351-4440 or
visiting www.nexpointadvisors.com.
Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
(1) Source: Morningstar as of 12/31/2013 among 623 US
closed-end funds.
(2) Upon the occurrence of the spin-off, NHF will distribute
100% of the shares of NXRT to NHF holders of record as of a date to be
determined.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that debt
securities, and the Fund’s net assets, may decline in value because of
changes in interest rates. Generally, fixed rate debt securities will
decrease in value when interest rates rise and increase in value when
interest rates decline.
Leverage Risk. The Fund uses leverage through borrowings from
notes and a credit facility, and may also use leverage through the
issuances of preferred shares. The use of leverage magnifies both the
favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments
made by the Fund. Insofar as the Fund employs leverage in its investment
operations, the Fund will be subject to substantial risks of loss.
Credit Risk. Investments rated below investment grade are
commonly referred to as high-yield, high risk or “junk debt.” They are
regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuing
company’s continuing ability to meet principal and/ or interest payments.
Illiquidity of Investments Risk. The investments made by the
Fund may be illiquid, and consequently the Fund may not be able to sell
such investments at prices that reflect the Investment Adviser’s
assessment of their value or the amount originally paid for such
investments by the Fund.
About NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund
NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund is a closed-end fund managed by NexPoint
Advisors, L.P. The Fund’s investment objectives are to provide both
current income and capital appreciation. The Fund is invested primarily
in below investment grade debt and equity securities and has the ability
to hedge risk. The manager attempts to exceed the return of Dow Jones
Credit Suisse Hedge Fund Index in a transparent, registered fund format
with monthly dividends. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for
all investors. No assurance can be given that the Fund will achieve its
investment objectives.
Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount
to net asset value. The price of the Fund’s shares is determined by a
number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the Fund.
Therefore, the Fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at,
below or above net asset value. Past performance does not guarantee
future results.
Copyright Business Wire 2015