Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB) Announces Addition to Portfolio Management Team, Provides Update on Recent NAV Increase

Rhea-AI Summary

Highland Global Allocation Fund (NYSE: HGLB) named Scott Johnson as a portfolio manager effective October 7, 2025, joining existing manager James Dondero.

On October 1, 2025 the Fund's net asset value rose 18.86% ($2.24), driven primarily by an investment in a data center REIT that converted from convertible preferred to common stock and listed on Nasdaq under ticker FRMI. The position was not large by weight but had an outsized impact on NAV following the IPO. The Fund will continue to follow its stated investment objective and strategies.

Positive

• NAV increased 18.86% on October 1, 2025
• Added Scott Johnson with 25+ years investment experience
• Investment converted to common and listed on Nasdaq as FRMI

Negative

• Single investment produced an outsized NAV move, indicating concentration-driven volatility

Insights

Portfolio Strategy Analyst

Experienced PM added and NAV jumped 18.86% after a convertible-investment converted and IPO-listed as FRMI.

Scott Johnson joins the portfolio team effective October 7, 2025, pairing with James Dondero to oversee the Fund's holdings. The Fund reported a one-day NAV rise of 18.86% (an increase of $2.24) on October 1, 2025, driven by conversion of a convertible preferred position into common equity of a data-center REIT now trading as FRMI.

The business mechanism is straightforward: a private convertible position converted to publicly traded common stock, creating realized mark-to-market gains that materially moved NAV despite the position not being outsized by weight. This gain reflects a successful liquidity event rather than a change in investment objective, and the Fund confirms no change to its Prospectus strategies.

Risks and dependencies include concentration sensitivity to single-event mark moves and the durability of the IPO price; the NAV bump may reverse if the newly listed equity's price falls. Monitor near-term trading of FRMI, any further disclosures on position size, and quarterly NAV reporting over the next 90 days to see if gains persist or are partially realized.

DALLAS, Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Highland Global Allocation Fund (NYSE: HGLB) ("HGLB" or the "Fund") today announced an addition to the Fund's portfolio management team. Effective October 7, 2025. Scott Johnson has been named as a portfolio manager of the Fund. Mr. Johnson will join current portfolio manager James Dondero in overseeing the Fund's investment activities.

Mr. Johnson is managing director and portfolio manager at NexPoint. He has over 25 years of investment management experience with extensive experience in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and long/short hedge funds. Mr. Johnson received a B.B.A. in Finance with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

In addition to the portfolio manager changes, the Fund provided an update on a recent change in the Fund's net asset value ("NAV"). On October 1, 2025, the Fund's NAV increased by 18.86% or $2.24. This increase was primarily driven by an investment in a data center real estate investment trust ("REIT"), Fermi, Inc. The Fund's investment converted to common stock from a public listing that was previously a convertible preferred equity position. The REIT is now listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker FRMI.

This was not an outsized position in the Fund; however, the investment had an outsized impact on the Fund's NAV as a result of the initial success of the IPO.

The investment was facilitated by NexPoint's corporate credit and equities team, which is led by Mr. Johnson.

"We are pleased to add Scott as a portfolio manager to HGLB," said James Dondero, NexPoint founder and principal, and portfolio manager of the Fund. "Scott's portfolio management experience and ability to source and execute unique private market investment opportunities, like the FRMI investment, will be a valuable addition to the portfolio management team as we look to maximize value for HGLB investors."

The Fund will continue to be managed pursuant to the investment objective and strategies as described in the Fund's Prospectus without change.

About the Highland Global Allocation Fund

The Highland Global Allocation Fund (NYSE:HGLB) is a closed-end fund managed by NexPoint Asset Management, L.P. For more information visit nexpointassetmgmt.com/global-allocation-fund. 

About NexPoint Asset Management, L.P.

NexPoint Asset Management, L.P. is an SEC-registered investment adviser. It is the adviser to a suite of registered funds, including open-end mutual funds, and closed-end funds. For more information visit nexpointassetmgmt.com.

Disclosures

Before investing in the Fund, you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. For a copy of a prospectus or summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, please visit our website at www.nexpointassetmgmt.com or call 1-800-357-9167. Please read the fund prospectus carefully before investing.

Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to NAV. 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.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations

Kristen Griffith

IR@nexpoint.com

Media Relations

Comms@nexpoint.com

 

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SOURCE Highland Global Allocation Fund

FAQ

What change did Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB) announce on October 7, 2025?

HGLB added Scott Johnson as a portfolio manager effective October 7, 2025.

Why did HGLB's NAV rise 18.86% on October 1, 2025?

The NAV increase was primarily driven by an investment converting to common stock and listing on Nasdaq as FRMI after an IPO.

How material was the FRMI position to HGLB's portfolio on October 1, 2025?

The Fund said the position was not outsized by weight but had an outsized impact on NAV due to the IPO.

What experience does new HGLB portfolio manager Scott Johnson bring?

Mr. Johnson has over 25 years of investment management experience in private equity, M&A, and long/short hedge funds.

Will HGLB change its investment objective after the NAV increase?

No; the Fund will continue to be managed pursuant to its stated investment objective and strategies without change.