Westwood Announces Monthly Income Distributions for Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) and Westwood Salient Enhanced Energy Income ETF (WEEI)
- High distribution rates: 10.2% for MDST and 13.4% for WEEI
- Strong performance since inception: MDST NAV return of 22.95%
- Significant asset growth: MDST has accumulated $84 million in assets within first year
- Dual income strategy combining dividends and options premiums
- Current month's distributions are 100% return of capital for both ETFs
- Relatively high expense ratios: 0.80% for MDST and 0.85% for WEEI
- WEEI has only gathered $16 million in assets since launch
- Distribution rates may not be sustainable according to disclosure
Insights
Westwood's energy ETFs offer high distributions entirely funded by return of capital, raising sustainability questions despite solid performance.
Westwood's monthly distribution announcement for its energy-focused ETFs highlights impressive headline figures - 10.2% annualized distribution rate for MDST (midstream energy) and 13.4% for WEEI (broader energy). However, investors should note these current distributions are 100% return of capital for both funds.
The return of capital nature is significant as it means investors are effectively receiving their own money back rather than true income. This explains the substantial gap between the headline distribution rates and the much lower 30-day yields (3.69% for MDST and 2.34% for WEEI).
Both ETFs employ a covered call strategy to generate income beyond dividends, but the press release itself cautions these high distribution rates "may not be sustainable" and could "decrease an ETF's NAV and trading price over time." This candid disclosure signals potential risks to long-term distribution sustainability.
Performance data shows MDST has gained 22.95% since its April 2024 inception, while WEEI has returned 4.05% since launching later that month. Asset gathering reveals stronger investor interest in the midstream strategy, with MDST accumulating $84 million versus $16 million for WEEI.
The expense ratios (0.80% for MDST and 0.85% for WEEI) are relatively high compared to passive ETFs but typical for actively managed strategies with options components.
Westwood's ETFs target different energy segments with varying investor traction, though current distributions come entirely from capital return.
Westwood's dual ETF approach provides different avenues for generating energy sector income. MDST focuses specifically on midstream companies and MLPs involved in transportation, storage and distribution of energy products - traditionally higher-yielding businesses within the energy ecosystem. This focused approach has resonated with investors, attracting $84 million in assets since its April 2024 launch.
WEEI takes a broader approach across the entire energy value chain, including upstream producers, downstream refiners, service companies and integrated majors. This diversified energy exposure has gathered $16 million in assets since launching in late April 2024.
The performance difference between funds (22.95% for MDST vs 4.05% for WEEI since inception) reflects both their different launch timings and the relative performance of midstream companies versus the broader energy sector during this period.
What's particularly notable is that despite focusing on traditionally dividend-paying energy companies, the current month's distributions for both ETFs are 100% return of capital rather than dividend income. This suggests the natural dividend yield is being fully reinvested while distributions are funded by returning investor capital.
The covered call strategy both funds employ generates premium income by selling call options against existing holdings - a technique that typically works best in sideways or slowly rising markets but may limit upside potential during strong rallies in energy stocks.
DALLAS, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westwood Holdings Group (WHG), a publicly-traded investment management boutique and wealth management firm, today announced monthly income distributions for Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (NYSE: MDST) and Westwood Salient Enhanced Energy Income ETF (NASDAQ: WEEI) as shown in the table below. This pair of Westwood Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) deliver income from both dividends and options premiums to help provide monthly income distributions for investors. Most recently, both strategies are providing double-digit income to investors.
| ETF Ticker | ETF | Distribution per Share | Annualized Distribution Rate1 |
| (NYSE: MDST) | Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF | 0.225 | |
| (NASDAQ: WEEI) | Westwood Salient Enhanced Energy Income ETF | 0.225 | |
Both MDST and WEEI are actively managed funds, designed to provide advisors and investors with a robust solution for generating high distributable monthly income, combining dividend yield (distributions paid from the Fund’s net investment income) and options premiums from covered calls, while also offering the potential for equity appreciation within the energy sector.
Launched April 8, 2024, MDST seeks to deliver current income and capital appreciation by investing in midstream energy companies, defined as companies and master limited partnerships (MLPs) that gather, transport, store and distribute crude oil, natural gas and other energy products. The fund combines dividend yield and options premiums from covered calls to target monthly income distributions. MDST currently has
WEEI, which launched April 30, 2024, offers broad exposure to energy companies, including upstream, downstream, oil service and integrated companies that operate in all phases of oil exploration, production, service and distribution. Like MDST, WEEI combines dividend yield and options premiums from covered calls to target monthly income distributions. WEEI currently has
| Standardized Performance as of 3/31/25 | QTD | Since Inception | |
| MDST Inception: April 8, 2024 Expense ratio: | MDST Fund NAV (%) | ||
| MDST Market Price (%) | |||
| WEEI Inception: April 30, 2024 Expense ratio: | WEEI Fund NAV (%) | ||
| WEEI Market Price (%) | |||
| Subsidized/Unsubsidized 30-Day Yield | |||
| MDST | |||
The performance data quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted above. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. For performance information current to the most recent month-end, please call toll-free (800) 994.0755.
NAV Return represents the closing price of underlying securities. Market Return is calculated using the price which investors buy and sell ETF shares in the market. The market returns in the table are based upon the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 pm EST, and do not represent the returns you would have received if you traded shares at other times.
1The Annualized Distribution Rate shown is as of April 29, 2025. The Annualized Distribution Rate is the rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option premium income, remained the same going forward. The Annualized Distribution Rate is calculated by multiplying an ETF's Distribution per Share by twelve (12), and dividing the resulting amount by the ETF's most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. The current months distribution is
More information on Westwood’s ETF offerings is available at westwoodetfs.com.
ABOUT WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. is a focused investment management boutique and wealth management firm.
Founded in 1983, Westwood offers a broad array of investment solutions to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. The firm specializes in several distinct investment capabilities: U.S. Value Equity, Multi-Asset, Energy & Real Assets, Income Alternatives, Tactical Absolute Return and Managed Investment Solutions, which are available through separate accounts, the Westwood Funds® family of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other pooled vehicles. Westwood benefits from significant, broad-based employee ownership and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WHG.” Based in Dallas, Westwood also maintains offices in Chicago, Houston and San Francisco.
For more information on Westwood, please visit westwoodgroup.com.
Westwood ETFs are distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (Member FINRA). Northern Lights Distributors and Westwood ETFs (or Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.) are separate and unaffiliated.
To determine if these Funds are an appropriate investment for you, carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund prospectus’, which may be obtained by calling 800.994.0755. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
The Fund’s investments are concentrated in the energy infrastructure industry with an emphasis on securities issued by MLPs, which may increase price fluctuation. The value of commodity-linked investments such as the MLPs and energy infrastructure companies (including midstream MLPs and energy infrastructure companies) in which the Fund invests are subject to risks specific to the industry they serve, such as fluctuations in commodity prices, reduced volumes of available natural gas or other energy commodities, slowdowns in new construction and acquisitions, a sustained reduced demand for crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products, depletion of the natural gas reserves or other commodities, changes in the macroeconomic or regulatory environment, environmental hazards, rising interest rates and threats of attack by terrorists on energy assets, each of which could affect the Fund’s profitability. Covered Call Strategy Risk: This risk arises when an investor holds a long position in a stock and simultaneously sells a call option against it. While this strategy can generate income, it limits potential upside gains if the stock price rises significantly above the strike price of the option. Options Risk/Flex Options Risk: This refers to the inherent risks associated with trading options, such as the risk of losing the entire premium paid for an option if it expires out-of-the-money. Flex options risk is a specific type of options risk that arises from the flexibility of flex options, which can be adjusted or exercised under certain conditions.
The SEC 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over a 30-day period, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on the Fund's share price at the end of the 30-day period. 30-day SEC yield is a standardized calculation adopted by the SEC based on a 30-day period that helps investors compare funds using a consistent method of calculating yield. The subsidized yield includes the effect of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements, while the unsubsidized yield excludes these cost reductions, showing what the yield would be if the fund had to cover all expenses from its own income. Options Premiums is the price paid to purchase an option contract. Covered Call Option is a financial contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy a specific asset at a predetermined price (strike price) within a specified time period. Dividend Yield is a dividend expressed as a percentage of a current share price.
MLPs are subject to significant regulation and may be adversely affected by changes in the regulatory environment including the risk that an MLP could lose its tax status as a partnership. If an MLP were to be obligated to pay federal income tax on its income at the corporate tax rate, the amount of cash available for distribution would be reduced and such distributions received by the Fund would be taxed under federal income tax laws applicable to corporate dividends received (as dividend income, return of capital or capital gain). Investing in MLPs involves additional risks as compared to the risks of investing in common stock, including risks related to cash flow, dilution and voting rights. Such companies may trade less frequently than larger companies due to their smaller capitalizations, which may result in erratic price movement or difficulty in buying or selling. Additional management fees and other expenses are associated with investing in MLP funds. The tax benefits received by an investor investing in the Fund differs from that of a direct investment in an MLP by an investor. This document does not constitute an offering of any security, product, service or fund, including the Fund, for which an offer can be made only by the Fund’s prospectus. No fund is a complete investment program and you may lose money investing in a fund. The Fund may engage in other investment practices that may involve additional risks and you should review the Fund prospectus for a complete description.
Media Contact:
Tyler Bradford
Hewes Communications
212.207.9454
tyler@hewescomm.com
FAQ
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