Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund (EOI) offers a high dividend yield of 7.8%, making it ideal for income-focused investors but less suitable for those seeking maximum total return. The fund has shown strong performance, with a total return of 230% over the last decade, driven mainly by net realized gains from tech stocks. Despite its consistent performance, EOI's current premium to NAV and reliance on tech sector gains make it vulnerable to market downturns, suggesting a hold rating for now.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund was one of the equity-focused EV closed-end funds that did not cut its distributions in 2022. EOI has a strong track record and has outperformed the S&P 500 Index since our last update despite its covered call strategy. Thanks to avoiding a distribution cut in 2022, the fund has enjoyed a steady or higher distribution for over a decade, though it will naturally require capital gains to fund.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund offers an 8.23% yield, balancing income and inflation protection by investing in equities and using a covered call strategy. The EOI fund's recent performance has been strong, with a 23.34% share price appreciation since November 2023, nearly matching the S&P 500. Despite its high yield and performance, the fund is heavily weighted in a few mega-cap tech stocks, raising diversification concerns.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund was one of the equity-focused EV closed-end funds that did not cut its distributions in 2022. The EOI ETF has a strong track record and has outperformed the S&P 500 Index since our last update despite its covered call strategy. Thanks to avoiding a distribution cut in 2022, the fund has enjoyed a steady or higher distribution for over a decade, though it will naturally require capital gains to fund.
After speculating earlier this year that Eaton Vance would raise its distributions on its equity CEFs, that was finally confirmed last week on April 1. The distribution increases range from 4.6% for ETV to 32.2% for EOS which gets most of the funds back up to their previous distribution levels from 2022.
EOI is an equity CEF that falls in the buy-write category. EOI has a strong correlation with the S&P 500 and a tradable discount to NAV. The CEF has outperformed the S&P 500 since we assigned it a 'Buy' rating eight months ago.
Eaton Vance Option CEFs Looking Better
The Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund focuses on providing current income and capital appreciation. EOI has underperformed the S&P 500 on an absolute basis but has outperformed on a risk-adjusted basis. EOI has a high expense ratio which represents a key headwind.
The Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund offers a current yield of 8.39%, which is not particularly impressive compared to similar funds. The fund's recent performance has not been impressive, with shares down 6.62% compared to a 0.46% decline in the S&P 500 Index. The fund utilizes a covered call strategy and has a portfolio heavily exposed to mega-cap technology stocks.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund had avoided a distribution cut due to its lower distribution rate last year when most EV funds saw cuts. EOI's investment objective is to provide current income and capital appreciation through a portfolio of primarily large- and midcap securities and writing against individual positions in the fund. Due to the fund's valuation, it looks like a "Hold," but that doesn't mean it couldn't continue delivering solid results going forward for those with a position.