Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund

ECF

Market cap $172M

Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund trades at an -11% discount with a solid long-term track record and recent outperformance versus the S&P 500. Activist investors, notably Saba Capital Management (~12.3% stake), offer a potential catalyst for discount narrowing or structural changes. ECF's 5.8% yield is lower than peers, but a 19% distribution hike and differentiated portfolio exposure enhance its appeal for income and appreciation.

Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund offers a balanced mix of convertible securities and common stocks, targeting both capital growth and current income. ECF trades at a 12.4% discount to NAV, with a 5.73% dividend yield, outperforming peers and benchmarks on a NAV basis over 3 and 10 years. The fund's moderate 13% leverage and sector diversification support its defensive profile, while active management enables tactical upside capture.

RYE, N.Y., May 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Trustees of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (NYSE American: ECF) (the “Fund”) declared a $0.19 per share cash distribution payable on June 23, 2026 to common shareholders of record on June 15, 2026.

Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund remains a hold, trading near the higher end of its historical price-to-NAV range. ECF offers a 6.7% yield and blends convertible securities with equities, providing income and partial upside in market rallies. Energy and utilities exposure positions ECF for AI-driven growth, but earnings and distributions remain sensitive to market momentum.

RYE, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Trustees of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (NYSE American: ECF) (the “Fund”) declared a $0.19 per share cash distribution payable on March 24, 2026 to common shareholders of record on March 17, 2026. This is a 20% increase from $0.16 per share, bringing the annualized distribution rate to $0.76 from $0.64 per share.

The Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund and its preferred stock offer stability amid market uncertainty with diversified sector exposure and qualified dividends. ECF.PR.A carries an A1 Moody's credit rating, a current yield above 6%, and benefits from robust regulatory coverage under the 1940 Act. ECF trades at a near 9% discount to NAV, with a 9.10% TTM dividend yield and positive 1- and 3-year z-scores, supporting its income appeal.

This month's top 10 closed-end funds (CEFs) offer an average yield of 9.5% and strong long-term performance across diverse asset classes. For income investors, closed-end funds remain an attractive investment class that covers various asset classes and promises high distributions and reasonable total returns. Closed-end funds, or CEFs, are generally characterized by higher volatility and deeper drawdowns than the broader market. For these reasons, they are not suited for everyone.

RYE, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Trustees of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (NYSE American:ECF) (the “Fund”) declared a $0.41 per share cash distribution payable on December 30, 2025, to common shareholders of record on November 24, 2025.

Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund has recently been outperforming peers and the S&P 500, yet continues to trade at an attractive double-digit discount. ECF's portfolio shifted a bit to higher allocations of strong performers such as AVGO, MP, and BE, helping to drive strong returns. Despite a modest distribution yield, realized capital gains suggest a decent chance for a sizeable year-end special payout.

RYE, N.Y., Aug. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Trustees of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (NYSE American: ECF) (the “Fund”) declared a $0.16 per share cash distribution payable on September 23, 2025 to common shareholders of record on September 16, 2025.