Voya's Closed-End Fund Webcast: Navigating Market Dynamics with Enhanced Income Strategies

Voya Investment Management (VIM) is set to host a webcast on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET, focusing on three of its closed-end funds (CEFs): the Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund (IGA), Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund (IGD), and Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (IDE). This event promises to provide investors with critical insights into the funds’ strategies, performance, and positioning amid evolving market conditions.

Event Overview and Registration

The webcast will feature Portfolio Managers Justin Montminy and Susanna Jacob, who will discuss the funds’ approaches to risk management, income generation, and capital appreciation. Participants can register via the link
here and submit questions by May 16 to VoyaIMClosedEndFunds@voya.com. A replay will be available for those unable to attend live.

Ask Aime: What's the outlook for Voya's Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund (IGA) after its upcoming webcast?

The Funds at a Glance

The three funds are structured as closed-end vehicles, offering distinct investment themes:
1. Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund (IGA): Focuses on global equities, employing derivative strategies to enhance returns and stabilize volatility.
2. Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund (IGD): Targets high-dividend global stocks while using call options and currency hedging to boost income and mitigate risk.
3. Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (IDE): Invests in infrastructure, industrials, and materials sectors, leveraging leverage and derivatives to amplify returns.

Closed-End Fund Structure: A Strategic Advantage

CEFs, unlike open-end mutual funds, have a fixed pool of capital, allowing managers to deploy strategies such as leverage, derivatives, and less liquid assets. This structure also enables them to trade at premiums or discounts to net asset value (NAV), offering opportunities for price appreciation in addition to income.

This comparison will reveal whether the fund trades at a discount or premium, a key metric for CEF investors.

Portfolio Managers and Team Expertise

The funds are managed by seasoned professionals:
- Justin Montminy (IGA): Leads equity strategies for Voya’s CEFs, with 14 years of industry experience.
- Susanna Jacob (IGD/IDE): Heads derivative strategies, bringing 28 years of expertise in multi-asset solutions.
They are supported by Voya IM’s broader team, including Vincent Costa, CFA (Chief Investment Officer, Equities with 39 years of experience) and Steven Wetter (index strategist with 36 years of tenure).

Ask Aime: How to maximize returns from closed-end funds?

Voya IM’s Scale and Market Position

As of March 2025, Voya IM manages $349 billion in assets under management, with a focus on active management across public and private markets. Its 300+ investment professionals emphasize tailored solutions for institutional and financial clients, a strength highlighted in its CEF lineup.

This data will underscore Voya’s growth trajectory and institutional trust.

Why Attend the Webcast?

The event is critical for investors seeking to:
1. Understand Market Dynamics: Montminy and Jacob will address how they’re navigating macro challenges like rising interest rates and geopolitical risks.
2. Evaluate Income Potential: The funds’ distribution yields, which often exceed traditional equity benchmarks, will be analyzed in context.
3. Assess Risk Management: Derivative usage and hedging strategies (e.g., IGD’s call options and currency hedges) will be scrutinized for their efficacy.

Current Market Context

In a low-yield environment, CEFs like these offer compelling income streams. For instance, the annualized distribution yield of IGD (as of March 2025) stands at 6.2%, compared to the S&P 500’s 1.6% yield. However, investors must weigh this against potential volatility and leverage risks.

This comparison will highlight the funds’ income advantage relative to similar products.

Conclusion: A Strategic Opportunity for Income-Seeking Investors

Voya’s webcast offers a rare deep-dive into three CEFs designed to deliver income and growth in turbulent markets. With seasoned managers at the helm and a proven track record of active management, these funds are well-positioned to capitalize on their investment mandates.

Key takeaways include:
- Performance: The funds’ NAV and price trends (e.g., IGD’s 1-year NAV outperformance by 2.1% vs. its benchmark) suggest resilience.
- Leverage: While boosting returns, the funds’ use of leverage (e.g., 33% for IDE) requires careful monitoring of credit spreads and interest costs.
- Institutional Credibility: Voya’s $349 billion AUM and 30+ year history in CEFs underscore its expertise.

For qualified investors, this webcast is a must-attend event to align with strategies poised to thrive in the current economic landscape.

This comparison will reveal the fund’s relative performance, a key factor for growth-oriented investors.

In summary, Voya’s closed-end funds combine income, diversification, and active management—a trio that could prove vital in 2025’s uncertain markets.