Gregg Greenberg Interviewed John Cole Scott on The Street: Four CEFs Attractive for Current Yield: MCC, BTA, ETY, JMF
NEW YORK (TheStreet) — Investors looking for a solid, closed-end fund with attractive yields don’t have to go far, said John Cole Scott, portfolio manager for Closed-End Fund Advisors. [Watch Video]
Municipal bonds are an asset most investors are familiar with and Scott suggested buying the BlackRock Long-Term Municipal Advantage Trust (BTA). The fund boasts a 6.3% dividend yield and while it’s not as liquid as some other muni bond funds, it has superior performance and 99% earnings coverage.
While its earnings coverage is above average, the fund also boasts moderate leverage, Scott said. Even better, only 7% of its portfolio is made up of non-investment grade bonds.
Turning to MLPs, he likes the Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund (JMF). Many MLPs have been sold off along with other energy stocks, but for the most part, the pipeline business is unaffected by oil prices. That makes the group attractive and specifically, the JMF fund looks good with its 7% yield and superior performance to its peers, Scott said.
BDCs, or business development companies operate with more leverage and issue private loans, Scott explained. Medley Capital (MCC) is one way investors can gain exposure to BDCs. The fund pays a yield of nearly 13% and has about two-thirds of first lien loans. First lien loans are the good loans to issue, Scott reasoned, adding that about three-quarters of these loans are done on variable rates, meaning they will benefit from an eventual rise in interest rates.
Finally, he also likes the Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (ETY). It pays an attractive dividend yield of 8.8%, has below-market volatility, and investors don’t have to worry about bond durations.
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