The “Smart Money” Is Buying These 6%+ CEFs Trading At Discounts To NAV
Forbes·2025-11-19 16:16

Core Viewpoint - The current economic environment is favorable for contrarian investors, with AI driving productivity despite fears of an AI bubble, leading to attractive opportunities in closed-end funds (CEFs) that offer high yields [2][4]. Economic Indicators - The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow indicator shows a robust 4% annualized growth in the economy for the third quarter, contrasting with the prevailing panic among mainstream investors as indicated by the CNN Fear & Greed index [4]. Investment Strategy - CEFs are preferred over index funds like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) due to their management by human investors who can identify bargains, and the smaller market size of CEFs allows for more opportunities without institutional competition [5][6]. CEF Opportunities - Two CEFs are highlighted: - Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (GDV), which has shown a 16.6% return year-to-date and is currently trading at a 10.4% discount to NAV, presenting a buying opportunity [8][10]. - Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund (NBXG), which offers a 9.7% dividend and has recently increased its payout, but is recommended to be considered only if its discount to NAV falls below 13% [11][12]. Sector Focus - GDV is diversifying beyond tech, with only three of its top holdings in AI, while NBXG focuses on major tech names, indicating a balanced approach to sector exposure [9][11].