#United States #New York #Swiss Helvetia Fund #NYSE SWZ #dividend distribution

Quarterly Distribution Announcement by The Swiss Helvetia Fund

On March 7, 2025, The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc., listed on the NYSE under the symbol SWZ, declared a quarterly distribution amounting to $0.1458 per share of its common stock. This announcement follows the Fund's adherence to its managed distribution plan, aimed at providing shareholders a consistent return through regular dividends.

Key Dates for Shareholders

The upcoming distribution comes with specific timelines that shareowners should be aware of:

• - Record Date: March 18, 2025
• - Ex-Dividend Date: March 18, 2025
• - Payment Date: March 31, 2025

It is important for shareholders to mark these dates to ensure they are eligible to receive the distribution. The structured approach of the Fund aims to deliver a reliable yet not guaranteed fixed minimum rate of distribution each quarter.

Purpose Behind the Distribution Plan

The primary intention of the managed distribution plan is to offer shareholders a dependable income stream while also potentially reducing the share price's discount to its net asset value (NAV). Distributions typically consist of net investment income, short-term and long-term capital gains, and occasionally a return of capital. This flexibility allows the Fund to adjust its payout based on market performance and investment success.

Each distribution is accompanied by a notice to shareholders, which includes detailed information regarding the distribution's components—this information is essential for understanding how to manage personal tax obligations associated with such dividends.

The current distribution amount equates to an annualized yield of 6.00%, calculated based on the Fund's NAV as of October 31, 2024. However, shareholders should note that this rate is not static; it will fluctuate in response to changes in the Fund's NAV.

Changes and Future Directions

In recent stockholder meetings, namely on February 21, 2025, significant changes were approved, including a new investment advisory agreement with Bulldog Investors, LLP. This agreement reflects a shift from the Fund's original objective of capital appreciation solely through Swiss equity investments to a broader goal of achieving long-term total return. Furthermore, alterations to the Fund's fundamental investment restrictions have been jazzed up to accommodate a wider variety of investment avenues.

The implementation of these changes is expected to gradually unfold, with Bulldog Investors stepping in as the investment advisor no later than April 1, 2025. Consequently, these adjustments may enhance the Fund's ability to respond to market conditions and optimize returns for shareholders.

Closed-End Fund Structure and Trading Considerations

It's crucial to understand that The Swiss Helvetia Fund operates as a non-diversified, closed-end investment company. This means that unlike open-end funds, it does not continuously offer new shares. Instead, shares are traded on the open market, often at a discount to their NAV. Various external factors influence this pricing, indicating that the market's sentiment can significantly affect trading outcomes.

Shareholders should be aware that unless they opt out, any declared distributions will be automatically reinvested into shares of the Fund's common stock through the automatic dividend reinvestment plan. This feature is designed to help investors accumulate more shares over time without the additional transaction costs.

Conclusion

In summary, The Swiss Helvetia Fund's recent announcement of a quarterly distribution reflects its ongoing commitment to providing shareholders with steady returns. The changes being implemented will likely reshape the Fund's future, potentially guiding it toward greater capital growth and more robust income sources. Investors in the Fund should stay alert to upcoming notices about distributions and consider how these dividends fit into their broader investment strategy. For further information, refer to the Fund's website at www.swzfund.com.