The Bull Market in CEFs: Why It Really Is Different This Time

Closed-end funds are absolutely crushing the S&P 500. So far in 2017, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is up 7.8%, including dividends. That’s impressive considering the geopolitical calamities, unpredictable moves from the White House, economic uncertainty and rising interest rates the market is facing. But what’s even more impressive is that over 200 closed-end funds (CEFs) are up even more than that. Let’s take a look at our new CEF Insider research service’s proprietary Total CEF Index. Of the 500 funds it covers, almost half (229) are beating the S&P 500 so far in 2017. And it’s hard to nail down a common thread that ties them all together.… Read more