Voya Equity Closed End Funds Declare Distributions

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Voya Investment Management, the asset management business of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today the distributions on the common shares of six of its closed-end funds (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds").

The Fund distributions announced today are reduced from distributions paid in prior periods in an effort to align the Funds distributions with the current equity market environment. The Funds' management considered a number of factors before deciding to decrease a Fund's distribution, including general market outlook, the dividend yield expectations of the underlying equity portfolios and prevailing implied option volatilities.

With respect to each Fund, the distribution will be paid on January 17, 2017, to shareholders of record on December 30, 2016. The ex-dividend date is December 28, 2016. The distribution per share for each Fund is as follows:

Each Fund intends to make regular monthly/quarterly distributions based on the past and projected performance of each Fund. The amount of monthly/quarterly distributions may vary, depending on a number of factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions on the common shares may change. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to declare a distribution in each period. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. 

The tax treatment and characterization of a Fund's distributions may vary significantly from time to time depending on the net investment income of the Fund and whether the Fund has realized gains or losses from its options strategy versus gain or loss realizations in the equity securities in the portfolio. Each Fund's distributions will normally reflect past and projected net investment income, and may include income from dividends and interest, capital gains and/or a return of capital.

The portion of each Fund's monthly/quarterly distributions estimated to come from the Fund's option strategy, for tax purposes, may be treated as a combination of long-term and short-term capital gains, and/or a return of capital. The tax character of each Fund's option strategy is largely determined by movements in, and gain and loss realizations in the underlying equity portfolio. Under certain conditions, federal tax regulations may also cause some or all of the return of capital to be taxed as ordinary income. The final tax characteristics of the distributions cannot be determined with certainty until after the end of the calendar year, and will be reported to shareholders at that time.

Monthly Distributions

IGD estimates that for the current fiscal year as of November 30, 2016, approximately 22% of each distribution is characterized as net investment income, 50% is characterized as short-term capital gain and 28% is characterized as return of capital.

IID estimates that for the current fiscal year as of November 30, 2016, approximately 22% of each distribution is characterized as net investment income and 78% is characterized as return of capital.

Quarterly Distributions

IGA estimates that for the current fiscal year as of September 30, 2016, approximately 19% of each distribution is characterized as net investment income and 81% is characterized as return of capital.

IRR estimates that for the current fiscal year as of September 30, 2016, approximately 10% of each distribution is characterized as net investment income and 90% is characterized as return of capital.

IAE estimates that for the current fiscal year as of September 30, 2016, approximately 28% of each distribution is characterized as net investment income and 72% is characterized as return of capital.

IHD estimates that for the current fiscal year as of September 30, 2016, approximately 23% of each distribution is characterized as net investment income and 77% is characterized as return of capital.

Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from their net asset value. The market price of Fund shares may vary from net asset value based on factors affecting the supply and demand for shares, such as Fund distribution rates relative to similar investments, investors' expectations for future distribution changes, the clarity of the Fund's investment strategy and future return expectations, and investors' confidence in the underlying markets in which the Fund invests. Fund shares are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal invested. No Fund is a complete investment program and you may lose money investing in a Fund. An investment in a Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. Before investing, prospective investors should consider carefully the Fund's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses.

Certain statements made on behalf of the Funds in this release are forward-looking statements. The Funds actual future results may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including but not limited to a decline in value in equity markets in general or the Funds' investments specifically. Neither the Funds nor Voya Investment Management undertake any responsibility to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement.

This information should not be used as a basis for legal and/or tax advice. In any specific case, the parties involved should seek the guidance and advice of their own legal and tax counsel.

About Voya Investment Management

A leading, active asset management firm, Voya Investment Management manages, as of September 30, 2016, more than $208 billion for affiliated and external institutions as well as individual investors. With 40 years of history in asset management, Voya Investment Management has the experience and resources to provide clients with investment solutions with an emphasis on equities, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies and solutions. For more information, visit voyainvestments.com. Follow Voya Investment Management on Twitter @VoyaInvestments.

SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES: Shareholder Services at (800) 992-0180; voyainvestments.com

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SOURCE Voya Investment Management