Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund (IGD): A High-Income Closed-End Fund Near 3-Year High

Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund (NYSE:IGD) is a closed-end fund offering high income from its assets. Investors can purchase IGD to add diversity to their portfolio. The fund is near a 3-year high, indicating potential growth opportunities.

Investors seeking high income from their portfolios may find the Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund (NYSE:IGD) an attractive option. This closed-end fund offers a substantial 10.40% yield at its current share price, significantly higher than the 1.15% yield of the S&P 500 Index [1]. This high yield makes IGD a compelling choice for investors looking to enhance their income streams while maintaining a diversified portfolio.

The fund's high yield is particularly notable when compared to other major equity indices and closed-end funds. For instance, the MSCI All-Countries World Index yields 1.57%, while the highest-yielding peer, the XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund, offers 11.43% [1]. However, IGD's yield is not just about high returns; it also offers a relatively stable performance and low volatility, making it appealing to risk-averse investors.

Over the past five years, IGD has provided a total return of 90.88%, outperforming many of its peers, although it did not match the performance of the Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund, which had a 128.89% return [1]. This fund's underperformance in the technology sector is likely due to its low exposure to the information technology sector, which has been a significant driver of market growth over the past five years. IGD's sector weightings, with only 3.97% in information technology, indicate a focus on dividend-paying stocks from other sectors, such as consumer staples and healthcare, which typically offer higher yields.

Recent market trends have favored foreign equity markets over American ones. The MSCI All-Countries World ex-U.S. Index has outperformed the S&P 500 Index since the start of 2025 [1]. IGD, with 67.15% of its assets invested in the United States and 32.85% in foreign markets, has benefited from this trend, although its exposure to foreign markets is relatively low compared to its domestic exposure.

Investors should consider the fund's low technology exposure as an opportunity to diversify their portfolios, given the high exposure to information technology in many other equity funds. IGD's focus on dividend-paying stocks also makes it an attractive choice for income-oriented investors.

In conclusion, the Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund offers a high yield and relatively stable performance, making it a potential addition to a diversified income portfolio. However, investors should carefully consider the fund's sector exposure and recent market trends before making a decision.

References:
[1] https://seekingalpha.com/article/4800998-igd-can-add-diversity-to-portfolio-but-near-3-year-high