Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund

CLM

Market cap $2.33B

Cornerstone Strategic Investment Fund, Inc. is downgraded to Hold due to elevated premiums and a potential 2026 distribution cut. CLM offers high-yield monthly income, currently yielding nearly 18%, and has outperformed the S&P 500 over the past year. The fund's unique DRIP policy can enhance returns, especially when shares trade at a premium to NAV.

Upgrading CLM to a strong buy, as its S&P 500 tracking and high yield make it compelling in a lower-yield environment. CLM's unique value lies in reinvesting at NAV, typically 15-30% below market price, enhancing compounding returns for investors. The fund's ambitious 21% annual distribution target and monthly payouts have proven sustainable, with minimal NAV erosion so far.

CLM offers a unique high-yield income opportunity, but requires active management and strict adherence to reinvesting distributions at NAV for optimal compounding. The fund's outperformance versus the S&P 500 is driven by its DRIP feature, allowing reinvestment at NAV even when shares trade at a premium. I recommend accumulating CLM while its premium to NAV is under 20%, selling upon N-2 filings, and re-entering after rights offerings to avoid dilution.

NEW YORK, Aug. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Strategic Investment Fund, Inc. (NYSE American: CLM) (CUSIP: 21924B302) and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE American: CRF) (CUSIP: 21924U300), (individually the “Fund” or, collectively, the “Funds”), each a closed-end management investment company, announced that in keeping with each Fund's previously adopted monthly distribution policy, each Fund is declaring the following distributions:

We closed out the first half of 2025, making it an appropriate time to give the overall CEF space a fresh look for potential opportunities. As the broader equity indexes have been performing quite well, discounts in the CEF space have narrowed overall. The best relative value more broadly is in the municipal bond space and the "hybrid" funds.

CLM offers a unique high-yield distribution strategy, appealing to income-focused investors. The fund sustains its payouts by issuing new equity above NAV, which is accretive and helps maintain asset stability. Over five years, CLM delivered ~89% total returns with a 20% average yield, closely tracking the S&P 500's performance.

I rate CRF a Hold for income-focused investors, given its high yield but declining share price and dividend over time. The fund trades at a significant premium to NAV, but the DRIP allows reinvested dividends to be purchased at NAV, offering a discount advantage. CRF underperforms the S&P 500 in total return, and its distributions are largely return of capital, risking long-term capital erosion.

NEW YORK, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Strategic Investment Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) (NYSE American: CLM) (CUSIP: 21924B302) is pleased to announce the completion of its one-for-three rights offering which expired on Friday, May 16, 2025 (the “Offering”). Under the terms of the Offering, record date stockholders were entitled to purchase one newly issued share of common stock of the Fund for every three rights held. The subscription price for each newly issued share was determined to be $7.30 which, under the terms of the prospectus, was equal to the greater of (i) 112% of net asset value per share as calculated at the close of trading on the date of expiration of the Offering and (ii) 80% of the market price per share at such time.

I am initiating coverage of Cornerstone Strategic Investment Fund with a buy rating for its consistent, high income and solid long-term returns. CLM closely tracks the S&P 500, offering diversified exposure to large-cap stocks, and boasts a forward yield near 20%. Unique features include dividend reinvestment at NAV and tax advantages, though the aggressive payout policy risks NAV erosion in weak markets.

April's market volatility, driven by tariffs and led by tech sector declines, created opportunities to deploy cash. However, it was an opportunity to reposition my portfolio as well, with 2 swap trades to de-risk my portfolio. There were 2 corporate actions in the last month that also saw two more positions removed from my CEF portfolio, but overall, I was a net buyer for the month.