abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund (THQ) and abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) Announce New Managed Distribution Policies and Declare Monthly Distributions

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund (NYSE: THQ) and abrdn World Healthcare Fund (NYSE: THW) (each a "Fund" and together, the "Funds") today announced that the Board of Trustees (the "Board") has approved managed distribution policies designed to provide shareholders with transparent distribution frameworks aligned with each Fund's net asset value ("NAV") and long-term return potential.

Under the new policies, each Fund intends to make monthly distributions at an annualized rate of 10% of its average NAV per share during the preceding calendar month. Accordingly, the monthly distributions payable on September 30, 2026, to shareholders of record as of September 22, 2026 (ex-dividend date: September 22, 2026), will change:

• from $0.1800 per share to $0.17 per share for THQ
• from $0.1167 per share to $0.12 per share for THW

In approving the policies, the Board considered each Fund's investment objectives, portfolio characteristics, market conditions, earnings potential and long-term return prospects. The Board believes the new policy provides a disciplined and sustainable framework that balances current income with long-term capital preservation and growth potential.

Each Fund's investment objective is to seek current income and long-term capital appreciation. The Funds invest primarily in securities of healthcare companies.

The Board also believes the new policies offer flexibility across market conditions and support the Funds' ability to pursue opportunities in the healthcare sector.

Distributions are expected to be supported primarily by net investment income, supplemented by realized gains and to the extent necessary paid-in-capital, which is a non-taxable return of capital. Final tax characteristics will be determined annually and reported to shareholders. The managed distribution policies do not guarantee any specific distribution amount, yield, or rate of return.

At the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders, which will state the amount and composition of each Fund's distributions and provide information with respect to its appropriate tax treatment for the prior calendar year. 

The Funds' distribution policies are subject to modification by the Board at any time, and there can be no guarantee that the policies will continue. You should not draw any conclusions about either Fund's investment performance from the amount of the distributions.

Important Disclosure

The abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund (THQ) and abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) today announced that the monthly distributions payable on September 30, 2026, to shareholders of record as of September 22, 2026 (ex-dividend date: September 22, 2026), will be $0.17 per share for THQ and $0.12 per share for THW.

Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles.  The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions to be paid as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.

The Funds' estimated sources of the current distributions to be paid and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows:

Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy").

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment in company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time.

The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state, and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure:  To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

Important Information

Shares of closed-end funds are listed for trading on national securities exchanges and are bought and sold in the secondary market. The market price of a fund's shares is determined by supply and demand and may be greater than (a "premium") or less than (a "discount") the fund's net asset value (NAV). A fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and investors may receive more or less than their original investment upon the sale of shares. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The trading price of a closed-end fund's shares may be influenced by various factors, including market conditions, investor sentiment, and other external forces, and is not directly controlled by the fund, its Board of Directors, or its investment adviser. As a result, shares may trade at a premium to or discount from NAV at any given time. A premium to NAV may not be sustained, and a discount to NAV may increase or decrease over time. Investors should consider these risks when purchasing or selling closed-end fund shares.

Shareholders whose fund shares trade at a premium to NAV and who participate in the fund's dividend reinvestment plan should be aware that distributions may be reinvested at prices above NAV, which may adversely affect investment results.

About Aberdeen Investments

Aberdeen Investments Global is the trade name of Aberdeen's investments business, herein referred to as "Aberdeen Investments" or "Aberdeen". In the United States, Aberdeen Investments refers to the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, and abrdn Asia Limited.

Aberdeen Investments is among the world's largest asset managers, with decades of experience overseeing closed-end funds dating back to the 1980s. As of June 30, 2026, the firm had approximately $527 billion in assets under management. Closed-end funds represent a core component of Aberdeen Investments' client franchise in both the U.S. and global markets. Aberdeen and its affiliates currently manage 28 closed-end funds – 17 available in the U.S. and 11 outside the U.S. – totaling $28.3 billion in assets as of June 30, 2026.

          abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund | Aberdeen
          abrdn World Healthcare Fund | Aberdeen

SOURCE Aberdeen Investments U.S. Closed-End Funds

21%

more press release views with 

Request a Demo