Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (RFI) Notification of Sources of Distribution Under Section 19(a)
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The distribution policy of Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc. (RFI) is a strategic financial decision that can influence investor perception and fund performance. The policy's focus on regular monthly distributions at a fixed rate per share aims to provide shareholders with a steady income stream. This approach can be particularly attractive in volatile markets, offering a semblance of predictability amidst uncertainty.
However, a significant portion of the distribution being classified as a return of capital raises concerns. It implies that the distributions exceed the Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains. While not immediately taxable, this diminishes the shareholder's tax basis, which could lead to higher capital gains taxes upon the sale of shares. It's crucial for investors to understand the tax implications and how it may affect their investment's after-tax return.
Furthermore, the sustainability of such distributions is questionable if they consistently exceed the Fund's income and gains. This could indicate that the Fund is eroding its capital base, which may not be a viable long-term strategy and could lead to a reduction in future distributions or a decline in share price if the policy is amended or terminated.
The tax characteristics of distributions from funds like RFI are an essential consideration for investors. Distributions that are classified as a return of capital are not taxed immediately but reduce an investor's cost basis in the fund. This can defer tax liability but may result in a higher tax bill when shares are sold, especially if they have appreciated in value.
Investors should be aware that the final tax characteristics of the Fund's distributions can't be determined until the end of the calendar year, which adds a layer of uncertainty to tax planning. It's important for shareholders to consult with tax professionals to understand the potential tax obligations associated with these distributions and to plan accordingly.
The reclassification of distributions from REIT investments at the end of the year further complicates tax reporting. This could affect investors' anticipated tax liabilities and requires careful attention to the information provided on Form 1099-DIV.
The managed distribution policy of RFI, which allows for the realization of long-term capital gains and distribution of those gains on a regular basis, is designed to appeal to income-focused investors. However, the market's reaction to such policies can be mixed. While some investors might appreciate the regular income, others may be concerned about the long-term impact on the Fund's asset base.
An analysis of the market conditions and portfolio performance that led to the current distribution breakdown would be insightful. It would help in understanding whether the high percentage of return of capital is a result of underperformance in investments or a strategic choice by the management. Additionally, the lack of any net realized short-term or long-term capital gains in the current distribution suggests that the Fund may not be capitalizing on market movements to realize gains, which could be a red flag for potential investors looking for growth as well as income.
In December 2011, the Fund implemented a managed distribution policy in accordance with exemptive relief issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The managed distribution policy seeks to deliver the Fund's long-term total return potential through regular monthly distributions declared at a fixed rate per common share. The policy gives the Fund greater flexibility to realize long-term capital gains throughout the year and to distribute those gains on a regular monthly basis to shareholders. The Board of Directors of the Fund may amend, terminate or suspend the managed distribution policy at any time, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares.
The Fund's monthly distributions may include long-term capital gains, short-term capital gains, net investment income and/or return of capital for federal income tax purposes. Return of capital includes distributions paid by the Fund in excess of its net investment income and net realized capital gains and such excess is distributed from the Fund's assets. A return of capital is not taxable; rather, it reduces a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares of the Fund. In addition, distributions from the Fund's investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) may later be characterized as capital gains and/or a return of capital, depending on the character of the dividends reported to the Fund after year-end by REITs held by the Fund. The amount of monthly distributions may vary depending on a number of factors, including changes in portfolio and market conditions.
At the time of each monthly distribution, information will be posted to cohenandsteers.com and mailed to shareholders in a concurrent notice. However, this information may change at the end of the year because the final tax characteristics of the Fund's distributions cannot be determined with certainty until after the end of the calendar year. Final tax characteristics of all of the Fund's distributions will be provided on Form 1099-DIV, which is mailed after the close of the calendar year.
The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the current distribution and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year-to-date from the sources indicated. All amounts are expressed per common share.
DISTRIBUTION ESTIMATES | February 2024 | YEAR-TO-DATE (YTD) February 29, 2024* | ||
Source | Per Share | % of Current | Per Share | % of 2024 |
Net Investment Income | 22.88 % | 16.88 % | ||
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | ||
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | ||
Return of Capital (or other Capital Source) | 77.12 % | 83.12 % | ||
Total Current Distribution | 100.00 % | 100.00 % | ||
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution policy. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with 'yield' or 'income'. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates, are likely to change over time, and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The amounts and sources of distributions year-to-date may be subject to additional adjustments.
*THE FUND WILL SEND YOU A FORM 1099-DIV FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR THAT WILL TELL YOU HOW TO REPORT THESE DISTRIBUTIONS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
The Fund's Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return for fiscal year 2024 (January 1, 2024 through January 31, 2024) is set forth below. Shareholders should take note of the relationship between the Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return with the Fund's Cumulative Distribution Rate for 2024. In addition, the Fund's Average Annual Total Return for the five-year period ending January 31, 2024 is set forth below. Shareholders should note the relationship between the Average Annual Total Return with the Fund's Current Annualized Distribution Rate for 2024. The performance and distribution rate information disclosed in the table is based on the Fund's net asset value per share (NAV). The Fund's NAV is calculated as the total market value of all the securities and other assets held by the Fund minus the total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding. While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's individual investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.
Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information:
Year-to-date January 1, 2024 to January 31, 2024 | |
Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return1 | -3.43 % |
Cumulative Distribution Rate2 | 1.39 % |
Five-year period ending January 31, 2024 | |
Average Annual Total Return3 | 5.75 % |
Current Annualized Distribution Rate4 | 8.37 % |
1. | Year-to-date Cumulative Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund's NAV over the year-to-date time period |
2. | Cumulative Distribution Rate for the Fund's current fiscal period (January 1, 2024 through February 29, 2024) |
3. | Average Annual Total Return represents the compound average of the Annual NAV Total Returns of the Fund for |
4. | The Current Annualized Distribution Rate is the current fiscal period's distribution rate annualized as a percentage |
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expense of the Fund carefully before investing. You can obtain the Fund's most recent periodic reports, when available, and other regulatory filings by contacting your financial advisor or visiting cohenandsteers.com. These reports and other filings can be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR Database. You should read these reports and other filings carefully before investing.
Shareholders should not use the information provided here in preparing their tax returns. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year indicating how to report Fund distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Website: https://www.cohenandsteers.com/
Symbol: (NYSE: CNS)
About Cohen & Steers. Cohen & Steers is a leading global investment manager specializing in real assets and alternative income, including real estate, preferred securities, infrastructure, resource equities, commodities, as well as multi-strategy solutions. Founded in 1986, the firm is headquartered in
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and other statements that Cohen & Steers may make may contain forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which reflect the company's current views with respect to, among other things, its operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates," or the negative versions of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.
Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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SOURCE Cohen & Steers, Inc.
